#without givin it a chance

[the-golden-heart]

I think that people should apologize to the Playmobil Movie as well, because even if EVERYONE claimed it was shit (it wasn't) that movie was made with love and respect for the toy it wanted to represent. It was never made just for the money. Meanwhile Minecraft, who is the most played game after Tetris, it's getting what it seems to be a souless cash grab.

[starkeyisthelastname]

how would trailerpark!rafe act of he caught reader talking to a boy her own age?

he doesn’t like it.. which leads to some dirty sex to make you remember he’s the only one you need to be talking to. 💦

You’d be doing one of your normal cookie runs around the trailer park, little white basket in hand as you skipped along as happy as can be. The boy would live a few trailers down from yours, and he was about the same age as you. Your mind was constantly on Rafe, as you didn’t know any better but to be attached to him. Meaning you were oblivious to the boy’s flirting, just wanting to show him the treats you made. You were naturally a happy person, your pretty smile always flashing and thick lashes batting.

Rafe’s beat up pickup came to a screeching halt in front of the boy’s trailer as he saw you standing there, that punk’s hand practically about to grab your ass. He had ran around the corner to get a pack of cigarettes, and he pulls up to this shit. You were his, didn’t he make that clear? “Get in the truck now.” He called out to you without any emotion on his face, cigarette hanging between his lips.

You saw Rafe, meaning an excited smile lit up your face not knowing he was mad. You waved goodbye to the boy after setting a few cookies down for him and ran over to the truck to get in. Rafe zoomed off without another second, head turning to you for a brief moment before you could even speak. “Hey listen to me real good, yeah? No more givin’ your sweets and shit away around here. Got it?” He said, voice rough.

You heard him and immediately pouted, something you didn’t do very often but couldn’t help it as you didn’t understand. “But, why?” You asked, looking at him now as he focused on pulling into his trailer. He didn’t say a word, instead getting out of the truck and making his way up the crooked steps. Like the lost puppy you were, you scrambled out of the vehicle and followed him inside. “I’m talking to you!” You whined, stomping your feet a little as you walked behind him.

Rafe didn’t like attitudes and you learned that quickly along with why you weren’t aloud to talk to that boy or any boys for that matter anymore. “You are gonna cop a fuckin’ tone with me, after lettin’ that punk try and put his dick in you.” He spat, his massive hand coming down to spank your ass cheek as he pushed himself in. That was the furthest thing from what you were even thinking about when showing off your basket of cookies, he knew that. You were just so naive though and he couldn’t let that limp dick 20 year old even come close to touching your precious self. It was his job to ruin you and make you his little cookie baking trailer park house wife.

You squeaked as he slammed into from behind, your face down into the messy kitchen table. “This sweet cunt is mine. Remember that babydoll?” He gritted out, rough hands yanking head back as he fisted your hair. He began thrusting deeper into your tight hole, picking up his pace as the old wood began to creak beneath you. “You just go dumb on the dick, don’t you sugar? Can’t even fuckin’ speak after a few seconds.” He laughed breathlessly as he watched your beautiful face change.

Your delicate hands held onto the edge of the table, scalp burning as he continued to force your head back to meet his darkened blue eyes. Your mouth fell open, just to let out a gasp as he was so big and you couldn’t do anything but take it. He always made your tummy feel funny, even if you didn’t understand why. You just wanted to be around him all the time and do whatever he said.

“From now on, you don’t fuckin’ question me. If I don’t want you prancin’ around in skank skirts, battin’ your pretty eyelashes so that boys like your little neighbor you got over there thinkin’ they got a chance with you..” He rasped out, watching your eyes roll back as felt you start to clench around him. “Then you fuckin’ listen to me. The only person you bake your goddamn cookies for from now on is me slut.” His words filthy to throw you over the edge.

[dragonnarrative-writes]

Transferrable Skills Part 4

Transferrable Skills Masterlist

CW: POV depiction of anxiety and dissociation, How It's Made, reader character wearing a wig (positive, protective style), Soap (nosy), mention of sex toys, Simon Riley Is Honesty Just A Big Guy (TM),

Simon and Price are gone for less than a minute before you feel awkward. You��re almost done with the water, so you look around for the TV remote. It’s Gaz, absurdly pretty for some kind of international British SWAT team, who hands it to you with a half smile before wandering off, you assume to the bathroom.

That leaves you clicking through the TV while Soap does something on his phone. All of the local channels are in German, you know, so you look for something to stream. You chance a sidelong glance at Soap, but he’s already looking at you. He grins when you make eye contact.

“So yer LT’s girl, then?”

Fuck, that’s not a question you know how to answer. “Um.”

“Leave it, Soap,” Gaz says, returning from the bathroom. He smiles at you as he pockets his phone. “You don’t have to tell us anything you’re not comfortable with. Lieutenant Riley’s a private person, we understand.”

“That’s… it’s okay.” You tap into the PictureTime channel, since it’s not one you usually have access to. As you browse through the educational options - ooh, How It’s Built! - you say, “I think we’re both… a bit surprised to see each other here.”

“I can’t imagine,” Gaz says, sitting down at the other end of the couch. “Oh, I’ve not seen this one on puzzles and cheesecake.”

You tap into it, because you like puzzles, cheesecake, candles, and paintbrushes. Just in time to finish your water bottle. The armchair is a bit narrow and awkward, so you wiggle the cushion from behind your back so you can plop it, and yourself, onto the ground. You shuffle your legs to start your warm up as the theme song plays.

“How'd'ye come to answerin’ LT like yer military?” Soap asks. “’Acknowledge’, ‘acknowledged’, all o’ that?”

“Oh,” you answer, without thinking about it. “That’s just our protocol, to make sure I understand his directions.”

“’E’s givin’ you enough directions to need protocols?” He gives you a considering once-over. “Interestin’. Impressive that it held up in an emergency. That takes practice.”

Shit. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“’S he your, what’er they called? Dominant partner, then?”

God, Simon, why didn’t you take this one with you? “I’m… not at liberty to say?”

“Leave her alone, Soap,” Gaz says, exasperated. He tosses a throw pillow at Soap’s head. “She’s in shock, Simon’s trying to keep her calm and comfortable.”

“Ghostie adopts a civilian an’ ah’m supposed to have nae questions?” Soap grins at you. “She’s got a signal if she dinnae want to talk. Four fingers, right?”

“Bother Ghost about it, later,” Gaz says. He turns to you. “Do you know what you want to eat? There’s a few places open.”

Soap doesn’t pester you, after that. The three of you settle on Mediterranean food, and then they summarily leave you alone. Gaz seems content to watch the show, though Soap watches you do your floor stretches curiously.

You could probably have moved to another stretch a while ago, but you’re still in your work slacks and blouse. You think longingly of the yoga pants you laid out on your bed before leaving for meetings. And then you cringe to think of Simon coming in to sweep through the room and pack up all of your things. You hadn’t packed a lot, but you’d unpacked into the space to make yourself comfortable.

You realize that your sex toy is charging in the bedside table and cringe. You hope he doesn’t notice it. It’s good quality, but you can always buy another one.

And then you start to worry about your phone. You’d left your personal in the room because of the time zone change slowing down all of your personal messages. You’d lost your work phone and computer today with… everything that happened. Were people trying to get a hold of you? Had news of the incident made it to the US? Would Simon see your embarrassing phone background?

You resist the urge to get up and pace. Instead, you settle into butterflying your legs.

“You need more water?” Gaz’s voice startles you, but you nod and he passes a bottle to you on the floor. “Cap says that they’re done with the official stuff, he’s grabbing food while Ghost grabs your things. Probably less than an hour before they get back.”

Your anxiety shouts that that isn’t enough time. But since you can’t definitively answer the question For what?, you take a breath and let it out slowly. “Okay.”

Maybe it’s because your heart is beating a little faster, muscles a bit warmer, but you have trouble settling Into the show. Your mind races. You have to remind yourself to relax, then have to clamber to your feet and shuffle off to the bathroom because you relaxed your pelvic floor a little too much.

Your eyes in the mirror are a little too wide. The wig - every time you wear a good one, you almost forget you’re wearing it - is holding up admirably, at least. It feathers around your face, a bit squished where you slept on it. But with the smudged eyeliner and mascara you can kind of pretend you’re in an action movie.

Thank goodness agent Ghost rescued me and the other hostages, you think to yourself, pouting your lips dramatically as you wash your hands.

The last time you washed your hands there was a dead body on the floor.

“Nope,” you say aloud, practically flinging yourself into the bedroom. “Nope. Nope.”

You pace in a tight circle, kicking the door closed when you catch Gaz and Soap looking at you with concerned eyes. Two circuits later, the room is too small, so you open the door again and shuffle out to sit in the armchair again, one leg pulled up for you to wrap your arms around.

Throwing your mind into action shots of specialty machinery, you try to force yourself to settle. Your whole body feels like it will shake apart if you pay too much attention to it, so you don’t pay it any attention at all. The episode ends and rolls into the next one, so you learn about bird cages and automated pharmacy drones. You hear Gaz say something soft, and Soap answers, the burr of his voice just as quiet, mixing pleasantly with the murmur of the narrator.

You must lose time, again, because the next thing you know, Simon is crouching in front of you again. Big hands smooth over your arms, and he shushes you as you jump.

“Got y’r stuff,” he says. “Where’s your head at?”

You open your mouth, close it. Hold up four fingers.

“Mm, day’s catchin’ up, again. Go into the bedroom, get changed. No zippers or clasps. Buttons okay. Acknowledge.”

“Bedroom, change clothes,” you confirm, heaving a big sigh. “Comfy. Acknowledged.”

He helps you stand, and you can’t help but tip forward to put your face into his chest. He smells a little. Like stale sweat and gunpowder. His arms stop yours when they come up for an automatic hug.

“Go change,” he whispers into the top of your head, “An’ I’ll get rid of the rest of ‘em, eh?”

The haze around you pops. That’s the only way to describe it. One minute, everything is distantly fuzzy, and the next thing you know you can feel the circulation of the air in the room and his heartbeat against your forehead. The TV is quieter, and you can hear Price and Gaz and Soap talking between themselves.

“Acknowledged,” you say into his sternum. “Gotta go change.”

He has to gently guide you around his bulk. But eventually you shuffle back into the bedroom. Your suitcase is waiting for you in the far corner, and it doesn’t take you long to dig out your lounge wear. Soft, thin pants with cartoon dogs on them and an oversized tee you got from a fundraiser. And then you take both off because that’s not sexy.

Why didn’t I pack nicer stuff? Can I play off these lacy panties as sleep wear? He saw it all and packed it, he probably clocked those as the only sexy thing I have. You shake your head at yourself. He said to wear something comfortable. He knows what you have. This is fine.

Your friend’s son’s basketball mascot grins up at you. You decide to compromise and switch the shirt for a black cami you usually wear under a nice blouse.

When you peek out of the room, Simon’s in the middle of the couch, and he’s blocked one end by dragging the table closer to where he’s sitting. His jeans have been traded for black sweats, but you can’t tell if his black shirt is new or not. Somehow, he looks bigger, but in a nice way. Softer. If a brick shit-house could look soft. A brick book nook.

“’Ey, pretty girl,” he says, leaning enough to put an arm across the back of the couch. “Come sit, we’re gonna eat and then we’re gonna talk.”

When you get close, you realize that there’s not enough room for both of you to sit unless you’re half on top of him.

You want to throw yourself entirely into his lap. But you can smell the food now, and you’re so hungry. So you perch as much of your ass on the couch as you can and swing your legs over one of his. You meet his eyes just as his arm comes down across your thighs. His hand cups the outside of your leg in a way that makes you remember what he said.

He’s not letting you go, now.

[hotyanderedaddies]

Hello mate

Would you ever be interested in writing something for a yandere Pirate x (navy) Admiral male reader?

Yandere Pirate Boards Your Ship for His Treasure

[Yandere! Pirate x GN! Admiral! Reader]

·゜·:.。..。.:·☆·゜·:.。..。.:·☆

You're an admiral on one of the Navy's most prestigious ships, and you were on a mission to deliver some precious cargo back to your country. Said cargo was traded goods, including gold and precious gemstones.

Word had gotten out regarding what your ship would be transporting, hence, your crew was on high alert for any pirates that might try to come and take it.

You were at the wheel of the ship when the bell from the lookout post started to ring. "Pirates!" the lookout shouted, altering you to the potential danger.

You grabbed your binoculars and tried to look out over the water for a sign of any pirate ship, but the thick fog helped to shield the lingering threat. Unfortunately, once the fog cleared enough for you to see, it was too late.

The pirate ship was dangerously close, enough for the pirate crew to start tossing ropes on board to your ship, some of them hopping on board to start attacking.

But that wasn't what made your heart drop.

You vaguely recognized the name on the side of the pirate ship: The Blackheart.

It was the ship belonging to one of the most infamous pirates on the Seven Seas, a dangerous pirate who went by the moniker "Daddy", and who was always successful when it came to taking whatever he wanted.

"Fuck," you spat under your breath.

The commotion happened so quickly that you didn't even have time to grab your weapon and help defend your ship, until the door to the steering room was kicked open and in walked Daddy.

The tall pirate had a joyful expression on his face, and he smiled widely as he looked over at you.

"Well, well," he said with a chuckle, "if it isn't Admiral Y/N. You know, I've been following your ship quite a while now, and I wasn't sure I'd get the chance to board. But as fate would have it, here I am."

"Yeah, here you are," you spat, "now leave!"

You tried to grab your sword, but Daddy was a lot faster than you, and he snatched it out from your reach.

"Not so fast, Darling," he laughed. "You see, I'm not goin' nowhere without my treasure." He crossed his strong arms in front of himself and waited, expectantly

From the opened door, you could see Daddy's crew rallying yours on the deck, having easily defeated them. They were starting to tie them up and you began to fear the worst.

Of course you had a mission, but you believed that your true duty was ensure your crew members' safety as opposed to some gold coins and shiny rocks.

"Fine," you relented, your shoulders falling. "Just let my crew go."

Daddy puffed out his chest with pride and stalked closer to you, completely towering over you with his intimidating bulk. "Oh?" he teased. "Are you givin' up already, Admiral?"

You scowled, avoiding his eyes.

"Just take your treasure and go," you muttered, clenching your fists angrily.

"Gladly," Daddy exclaimed.

Daddy stalked even closer to you and quickly tossed you over his broad shoulder as if you weighed nothing.

"W-wait!" you cried out, confused. "What?"

"Don't act so surprised, my treasure," Daddy chuckled as he carried you out of the steering room and over to the edge of your ship. With one mighty leap, he brought you onto his ship, and stalked over to the room on the deck that was without a doubt the captain's quarters.

Daddy kicked this door open too, revealing a tiny room with a double-sized bed. There was a singular nightstand beside the bed and on it was... a small picture frame with a picture of you in it.

You looked up at the pirate with confusion written all over your face.

Daddy only chuckled in response, closing the door shut behind you two.

"Oh, Darling," Daddy said in his deep voice, "I've been following you across the seas for a long time now. I've been so desperate to get my treasure, and now that I finally have it, I'm never letting it go..."

[amaryllis-3]

Alpha Simon "Ghost" Riley x Alpha Reader

Word count: 1.7k

WARNINGS: NSFW near the end, 18+, MDNI, Omegaverse AU

AN: I don't know what confidence boost prompted me to publish it, but by now the damage is done. I am quite shy and self-conscious about my writing, so bear with me on this one.

There was something extremely wrong with him; Ghost was sure of it — something that went against general opinion, against the organisation of their whole society, and unfortunately also against his own nature.

Simon Riley despised Omegas.

No, that was not the right verb to use.

He was scared to death of having to deal with one of them in the future, as one would expect from an Alpha worthy of the name.

The Omegas were too... soft for the likes of him.

Generalise was wrong, he knew. In his military career, he had met many who could give the most unhinged alphas a run for their money.

One thing, however, seemed to bloody well remain constant in each of them: that something sweet and gentle that sent him into complete turmoil, and not in a good way. He felt like an elephant in a glassware shop, as if his breath alone, if not calibrated well enough, could have completely shattered them.

Simon's entire life, for as long as he could remember, had been marked by violence. A mixture of blood, pain, and gunpowder that would have horrified any other ordinary man.

Truth be told, that was fine with him. Maybe even more than just fine. It was absolutely perfect. The adrenaline pumping through his veins, his skin torn by scars, the weight of a rifle in his hand was what made him feel alive, what defined him. Ghost, agile and silent on his feet, able to hide in the shadows as if he were one of them, deadlier than an army of men.

This was him, and what Simon Riley needed was not tenderness and care. It was fight, teeth, bites, a constant challenge that no Omega could bring him; something he could only find in someone like him. Another alpha.

Admitting it to himself had been harder than he had imagined. Perhaps that was why, for a very long time, he refused to consider it.

Soap often joked good-naturedly about how he was the only one who still had not found a mate. The reason, according to the Scot, was how little effort he had put into not looking like what was essentially inseparable from him.

"Ye just need tae catch up wi' someone who can stand up tae ye, Lt," Johnny had commented in that big, positive tone of his, landing a friendly punch on his arm (which earned him a not-so-subtle look of warning). "'N' when ye dae, och how ye'll regret nae givin' it a chance sooner."

Yeah, that was not going to happen, by any means.

He had tried, albeit half-heartedly, prompted by his Captain's suggestions. He had proposed an Omega made especially for him, one that would suit his way of being. Price knew them personally and could vouch for them. They were a great soldier, with a clear head and not afraid to confront him should he be an idiot, and yet...

... it was not what he needed. It was a copy, well done, but nevertheless only a pale imitation of what it should have been.

That was probably the moment when he realised no Omega would ever be good for him. The discovery came as a bit of a shock, a whiplash on the back of his neck, though deep down he had felt it for far too long.

Omegas were not made for him, just as he was not made for them.

That being said, coming across an Alpha he was interested in had proved to be equally difficult. The military base was full of them, but none had managed to catch his attention.

It almost seemed as though no one on the bloody planet was destined for him, that Ghost was doomed to be alone for the rest of his existence. He had pretended to be comfortable with that for a while, carrying on as if nothing had happened.

Until you had barged into his life out of nowhere, turning everything upside down without even noticing.

It was not unusual for new recruits to be accepted. What definitely felt out of the ordinary, however, was to put them into a Special Ops team like his when they looked like they had barely gotten out of prep school. You were an Alpha like him; that much was certain. Your strong, citrusy scent filled the room as if you wanted to let everyone know of your presence, no matter how discreet it appeared to his eyes.

Simon had to be critical of such things. Theirs was a serious job; he could not allow a rookie to ruin everything and put his comrades-in-arms in danger.

Oh, how wrong he was. His sixth sense had never been so incorrect before.

You were lethal, a war machine made and finished, and that had attracted him more than he cared to admit.

Why, when he had chosen to put his soul at rest, did you have to show up and serve him everything he had ever wanted on a silver platter?

It was frustrating having to share common spaces with you, working closely together during missions. Although he didn't want to (lies), he was learning new parts of you that made him even further infatuated.

The situation was getting out of hand. Not only did his gaze find itself constantly following you around during the day (it was inevitable, he told himself; he had to make sure you didn't screw up everything), but to make matters worse, your stupid image had started to haunt him at night as well. Heated dreams of embraces, scratches, slaps of skin against skin that made him wake up in a pool of sweat, more aroused than ever.

It was pathetic, absolutely pathetic, that a man like him, with his past, had regressed to the status of a lovestruck schoolboy. A friendly touch was enough to send all the blood in his body straight to his cock. He had solely his mask to thank for concealing the almost shameful grimace in which his expression twisted into when that happened.

He couldn't go on like this; he was going insane.

Maybe that was why, in the middle of the night, after waking up from yet another wet dream, frustrated and needy, he had left his room to go bang on your door. The two glasses of bourbon he had drunk earlier had clouded his mind just enough to put aside his doubts and possible second thoughts. He was going to do it: put those fantasies to rest once and for all and replace them with the real thing.

It had taken you quite a bit to answer. He couldn't really blame you considering he had woken you up at two in the fucking morning. Your hair was slightly ruffled, your eyes clouded with sleep when you graced him with your presence.

God, he couldn't contain himself any longer.

Before you could ask him what the hell he wanted at that ungodly hour, one of his hands had gripped your shoulder, pushing you back into the dimly lit room, while the other had pulled up his balaclava just enough to reveal the lower half of his face. After absent-mindedly closing the door with the heel of his foot, his lips were pressed to yours, silencing any possible resistance.

Ghost knew he was being an asshole. It wasn't right to force contact on you when, until a few hours earlier, all you'd shared was polite chitchat. Yet you were a tough one, a fighter. You wouldn't have hesitated to push him away and kick him where the sun don't shine if you wanted to.

Simon almost expected it, though the sensation of a slap on the cheek and the accompanying outburst of possible insults never came. Instead, he sensed your fingers run through the light strands of his hair to press his face closer to yours, your tongue duelling with his for control.

You were returning his kiss with as much passion, if not more, than he had put into it.

It was overwhelming, making his head spin and taking the air out of his lungs at how intense it felt.

You wanted it; you really wanted it. You were not rejecting him; you were not rejecting that taboo contact, that something against nature that was the attraction between two Alphas.

Every thread of restraint that might have remained in him snapped at that realisation. His grip on you tightened, and he somehow managed to manoeuvre you underneath him, your back resting against the undone sheets of your bed. It was short-lived since you did not take long to reverse positions, grinding your lap against his whilst your teeth nibbled at the flesh of his neck.

Ghost would not have left you in charge long, but for the moment he could still enjoy the weight of your body on top of his. Your nails had dug into his skin as you sought the pleasure you craved. You were adorable in his eyes. Your pupils dilated, your skin heated, and the growl that echoed in your throat with every movement. All utterly perfect.

Oh, how pleasant was the feeling of your hole contracting around his dick, how immensely arousing was your face contorted into a grimace as you tried to take it all in one go. "Look at you, so greedy... You love it that much, don’t ya?" he grunted, amused, his chest pressing against yours as he forced your knees to rest against the sides of your face. Folding you in half.

You mumbled a "shut up" or something along those lines in return, but you were not denying his statement. He found it quite hilarious, actually, so much so that he cracked a laugh even as he was rearranging your insides.

No real words had been exchanged. They were superficial when the pent-up energy between the two of you had finally obtained an outlet. Thinking about the consequences of his actions did not seem right to Ghost, at least not at that time.

Would things get complicated once the fog of lust had cleared? Probably. Would he have regretted going on anyway? In no fuckin' way. You'd had the chance to push him away before. You hadn't, and now you had to deal with all that was him, Simon Riley.

Maybe, just maybe, there was really nothing wrong with him, just something misunderstood if you too, with those almost teary and yet fiery eyes, seemed to harbour the same feelings as him.

[curvykittyyssmutfics]

Aot S4: Deleted Scene

A/N: Deleted scene of y/n finally getting what she wants. Trust me, it really happened. I was there! 🤭😂

kruger!Eren truly believes he's a chameleon when undergoing his secret mission into Marley. Unaware of a sneaky lil thing sticking to the shadows, stalking him around Liberio unnoticed, your gaze narrowed, attentive to every inch of your attractive target. Licking your bare lips and lewdly studying his tall toned build: long dark silky tresses, sharp intense green eyes, an unamused pout on his full lips. Yeah, that's your Eren Jaeger all right. "Just dont know how fuckin fine you are, huh? Well, I'm bout to show you. heh. I'm comin for you, babe." You get your chance to make a move at the hospital late into the night, long after his fatigued form drifts into a deep peaceful dreamless state, oblivious to the cute curvy toffee-skinned spy keeping tabs on him since his arrival. "Rennieeee.. Ready to gimme that dick, baby? Hope so. Cause if not.. I'm gonna take it anyway, handsome." You're too fuckin giddy, tummy doing somersaults when you pull back the thin cover to see he's shirtless, only in a loose pair of white long-johns, soft chubby cock bulging the center. "So you're a show-er, not a grower, huh?" His slow deep breaths, and quiet rustle of clothing the only sound in the room as you swiftly undress and mount him. "Thought you could leave home without me baby? Come risk your life without a goodbye, no note.. Nothin. Not even a tiny taste of this fat cock." You know if he awoke at this moment you'd be a sight for sore eyes: palming your full round tits, occasionally tweaking your hard nips, head tossed back, features absolutely blissed out as you slowly grind his swelling girth.

kruger!Eren's low and throaty groans join the gentle creak of the bed when you really roll your hips, plump drooling pussy folds smooshing against his length. You're stickiness turns his bottoms transparent, frosting his swelling dick in your cream. "H-hooh, mmnh- ah,ah,ah.. Ohhh." It makes you smile when you see his big hands repeatedly curl open and close against the shabby sheets. "Oh? So you do like gettin ya dick wet? hmph. Thas real funny 'Mr. Kruger'. Fuckin hilarious considering how long I've been chasing your virgin ass around Paradis. You're such a damn tease, baby." You whine. Bending suddenly, fingers abandoning ebony titties, grippin his jaw as you suck deep angry marks into his pale throat. Moaning like a hussy while pecking a trail to his soft lips, suckin his bottom lip into your mouth before kissing him hungrily; rocking against the thick cock encased between your glossy lips, both you and Eren pulsing for more. "Ahh, wh-what.. nngh, aaagh- sooo.. Mnnh.." He babbles brokenly in his sleep, air huffing from his parted mouth. Tan muscles ticking, limbs twitching. Strong hips unconsciously humping back at you, rosy lips parting as his eyes move restlessly under his lids. "I know we talked about this, but I can't wait anymore. You been taunting my poor pussy for too long. She needs, you Ren. Time to give her what she wants." Words tapering of into the lewdest wanton moan.

kruger!Eren harshly bucks into your needy core, now fisting the sheets, seemingly sharing your sentiment. You don't wait a second longer, leaning another smothering kiss while unsheathing his cock, all shiny with your combined juices. "Poor Rennie.. Gonna run away this time? Or turn into a big bad titan so you can stop me?" You giggle, bending to whisper in his ear. "No, not gonna let you. Think I rather sit on this pretty dick. Make you fill me up over and over till you buss inside, ahfuck- oh, Ereeeen!" You moan. Head tossin back, impaling yourself on his leaky flushed tip, wide hooked mushroom head digging into your hot soft gummy insides. "Fuck, baby, you're opening me up so much- ah, ah, ah!" You shallowly bounce on the first few inches of the thickest meat you eva took, pussy givin in right away, almost sucking him inside, clamping so tight your victim chokes on his spit, eyes slitting open dramatically. "Theee fuuuck?!" Eren's chest heaves and you almost get him in halfway, the fierce pleasurable throb stunning his thought process. He stutters, words a jumbled mess. "I-I.. ngnh.. sooo wet.." Now, slurring. Your good ass pussy fogs his brain so much, unfocused jade irises dart around the room aimlessly, unseeing as saliva spills down his chin, before his vacant stare finally lands on you. "Hi Ren." Sweet greeting ringing in his ears so soothingly his dick jerks to your voice, oozing precum into your depths. "Fuh.. Y/nnn. Fuck are you doin to meee.."

kruger!Eren is slowy spiraling, body temp so damn overheated and he can't catch his breath but doesn't know why. Only knows theres something so utterly soft but scorching hot and snug trying to eat up his dick. Its so tight, feels so good tears blur his vision a second after he makes out your beautiful face above him. "Baby, you c-cant be here. Why did you- mmn, shit, suckin me in.. sofuckingood.. W-wait! Stop, stop it, you can't.. Mmn, don't- you promised y/n.. nnggh.." Eren Goin limp, head drooping; blinks his teary sight clear jutst in time to witness your greedy lil hole swallow him all. "FUCK!" He nuts violently soon as your pelvis meets his. Fingers shredding the covers, cumming inside pussy for the first time in his life, flushed slit projectile vomiting nut at your fertile womb. "Yes, baby, yeeees. Gimme that shit, thas my nut- all mine! ohfuck.. Ah! ohhhfuuuck, been waiting so damn long.. Bussin so much for baby, thank you.. Nnggh, so much Rennie, sooo. soooo. much. Cum!" You punctuate each frantic word with crude harsh bounces, thick thighs burning. But you couldn't pay for a fuck at the moment. Deliriously pumping your hips to his, twisting in small grinds, needy slobbering coochie milking him for every drop as you nip and suck his puffy bottom lip.

kruger!Eren plans for domination melt from his brain and spill from his ears, all cause ya fat cunt and crude words mush all coherent thoughts beyond crammin ya coochie with another gooey creampie. "Fuck, why's it so tight inside- noooo, you gotta stop. I'll cum again, i swear im gonna fuckin pump you full. Ohshit, can't believe you're makin me breed you.. D-dont do this. Make her lemme go, y/nnnn." Eren's outta his mind, digging his fingers outta the thin blanket to claw at your waist, hips clashing yours as he tries to lift you up. "Nope. Said this was my dick, yeah? Then gimme my pretty babies, handsome." He's so weak for your pussy, no match for you while still healing and you happily take advantage of the fact. Smiling like the cheshire cat when he snatches his body into the sitting position trying to create space between y'all, leaning against the sweat laced pillows, his overwhelmed lower half either attempting to back away from your ravenous pussy or buck you off of him. "Y/nnnn.." Eren groans. "Quit fuckin me! Feels t-too good. Never had.. oouuee.. Gotta stop, pleaase. Ahh.. Don't make me baby, just a small break please, y/n, pleeeease." Large palms pushing at your chest and tummy but you quickly lock your arms around his neck and cage him in a secure embrace. "No can do, baby. Did this to yourself. Next time.. Don't withhold my dick. Or do.. And suffer the consequences." Inhaling his protests into your demanding mouth, chasing after his lips and your own orgasm now that you've stolen his. Hell, he so fucking pussy drunk, begging you to stop even as he fucks you back, tryin to make you hurry up and fuckin cum. Not knowing you may not even stop then.

[darlingdaisyfarm]

Listen I’m going insane from how you write Stan and been rereading your spicy chatting headcanons and…. Am I too greedy if I’ll ask for sex call with him?? 🥲

when the pervy old man meets his match

tags: smut, nsfw, fem reader, phone sex, competitive dirty talk, established relationship, reader is just as much of a menace as Stan

hey honey thank you so much! here it is! it's honestly just full of dialogues lmao. sorry i wrote this in a depraved frenzy and did not look back. if there are mistakes, pretend you don’t see them. if it’s too filthy, no it’s not<3 mb I'll correct it later

your phone rings and it's midnight. a little devilish smile appears on your lips. you know exactly who it is.

“finally,” you purr, picking up. “was wondering how long it’d take for you to crack, old man.”

“tch. crack?” Stan scoffs. “sweetheart, i was givin' you a chance to call first. figured you’d get too desperate to wait.”

you smirk, rolling onto your back. ”oh, is that what you think?”

“i know it.” he laughs. “ain’t had my hands on ya in three whole days. bet you’re losin’ your goddamn mind over it.”

cocky bastard.

“hmm,” you hum in amusement. “who said i haven’t had my hands on myself instead?”

“heh, sure, doll, then you just laid there all frustrated, wishin’ it was me instead of your hand.”

“oh, no, Stan,” you interrupt innocently. “i came.” he stops breathing. “mm, and it felt so good, too, made such a mess. you would’ve loved it.”

Stanley goes silent. oh, you’ve got him now. “. . . the fuck’d you just say?”

you stretch out on the bed, imagining the look on his face. jaw tight. eyes dark. grip white-knuckling his phone.

“you heard me,” you coo. “been keeping myself nice and satisfied while you’re gone.”

a lie. a blatant, filthy lie. of course you want him. but you won’t say that. not yet.

“what’s the matter?” you murmur, teasing. “dont tell me. . . you jealous of my fingers?”

Stan lets out a harsh breath. “yeah, actually,” he growls. “bet they don’t even get the job done right and you still finish all needy and desperate, just wishin’ it was my cock instead.”

fuck. your breath hitches slightly, so tiny, but Stan hears it.

“. . . ohhh, that gotcha, huh?” his voice dips, turning low. “ya can play all confident, sweetheart, act like ya ain’t fuckin’ sufferin’ without me, like ya ain’t practically drippin’ just hearin’ my voice—“

you swallow. hard. your smile fades from your confident face

“but we both know the truth, don’t we?”

no, you don't give up. “you sound real worked up, Stanley. do you need me to take care of it for you?”

a sharp inhale from the other end. “heh,” he grits out. “you wish.”

“yeah, sounds like you’re getting all hot and bothered over there. you’re already touching yourself, huh? couldn’t help it?”

“hah,” Stan scoffs, but his voice sounds weaker now. oh, you’re winning.

“c’mon, baby,” you whisper in a honey-sweet voice. “tell me. are you hard?”

he exhales through his teeth. “maybe.”

“aw, poor Stanley, been away from me too long, huh? you must be so worked up, all desperate and aching. . .”

Stan grins. “sweetheart, i’m a grown-ass man. i ain’t desperate for anything.”

you pause long enough to make his skin prickle. then softly and slowly you say quietly “so you’re not hard right now?”

fuck. his body betrays him instantly. because, obviously he is. painfully so. has been since the second he heard your voice, if he’s being honest. but like hell is he gonna admit that to you.

“nah,” he lies too quickly.

you giggle. “liar.”

“shut up,” he mutters.

“sorry, Stanley, i cant shut up, thinking about how i’d drop to my knees for you, pull your pants down real slow, press my tongue right up against that thick cock and—”

“oh, for fuck’s sake—“

“you’d be so sensitive, all needy and throbbing for me. i could get you begging in five minutes.”

“like hell you could!”

your laugh is pure evil. “oh, really?” Stan knows that tone, he’s in trouble. “wanna prove it, old man?”

Stan grits his teeth. “you little minx,” he growls. “fine. you wanna play? we play. wanna know what i think?” your stomach tightens, you're so not ready to hear that. but it's so damn sexy when he gets like that. “i know you��re sittin’ there all wet and needy, waitin’ for me to take over.”

your breath catches as your fingers start moving faster.

“aww, see? can hear it in your breath, baby. you love lettin’ me take control, huh? love bein’ my little plaything?”

you grip the sheets.

“y’think about my cock, huh?” that bastard teases. ”you ache for it and dream about me splittin’ you open, fuckin’ you deep ‘til you cry.”

your thighs press together as you try to bring yourself to orgasm while he talks.

“tell me, baby, what’s your favorite way for me to fuck ya?”

you stop for a second, breathing. “. . .i dunno, you tell me.”

Stan groans and laughs. “that’s what i thought. you like it every way i give it to ya. you like gettin’ thrown around, pinned down, bent over. like when i take my time, when i tease, when i make you beg for it. like when i spread your legs and fuck ya slow, so deep your little cunt flutters around me, just tryin’ to suck me in.”

you let out a quiet sob, rubbing your clit harder. shit. okay. he came prepared.

“remember the last time i had ya?” fuck. he's dirty for this. “spread ya out on the kitchen table, pushed those pretty little legs open, had ya beggin' for my cock while i just tapped it against that messy little cunt.”

heat spikes through your belly. your brain melting

“and you were so fuckin’ wet, so messy for me. couldn't even hold still. had to pin ya down, keep ya in place, make ya take it nice and deep. and god, the way ya screamed when i finally gave it to ya,” he groans, pumping his twitching cock. “cried so pretty for me, took every single inch like a good fuckin’ girl.”

you exhale.

“aw, babyy,” Stan mocks. “gettin’ all squirmy over there? miss me poundin’ that tight little cunt open? miss feelin’ my cock knockin’ up against your cervix?”

oh, this bastard. he knows exactly what he’s doing. knows how to talk you into a goddamn frenzy, how to drag you through every memory, making you feel it all over again. but you won’t let him win.

“eh, big talk for a man who passed out immediately after a blowjob.”

Stan huffs.

“it's just,” you muse. “i think i might need to find someone who can actually keep up with me.”

“sweetheart,” he growls. “don't fuckin' start with me.”

you grin. “what, old man? afraid someone else could fuck me better?”

“honestly, you're such a fucking brat.” he mutters resentfully.

“and you're all alone, jerking off to the thought of me like some pathetic old pervert.”

Stan groans and that sound makes you clench around nothing.

“hehe, you stroking it, old man? pumping that fat cock real slow, thinkin’ about how tight my pussy is?”

his eyes widen. wow. . . you're too brave today. he likes that. “sweet moses,” you hear him groaning.

“tell me, baby, am i right? it's throbbing? just begging to be buried inside me?”

“fuckin’ hell,” Stan hisses. “fuck, f-fuck, shit. . .”

wide cocky smile appears on your face. oh you love this. love how you can hear the tension in his breath, imagining how he’s gripping himself too tight, trying to hold on, trying not to lose.

but he’s gonna. he’s so gonna.

“y’know what i was thinking about earlier?” you murmur.

Stan swallows. “wh-what?”

you grin. “how deep you get when you fuck me.” Stan's response is low whimper when he circles his leaking tip with his fingers. “no, seriously, you stretch me so wide, Stanley. get all the way up against my cervix, push me down into the mattress, just ruining me. i love hearing your groans when i bite your shoulder.”

his breathing is much heavier now, he's already so close.

“Stanley? you close?“

“y-you’re gonna fuckin’ regret this,” he grits out.

“what’s wrong, old man? you were all big and bad a second ago. now ya can’t even keep up? i know how bad you want it, how much you miss the way i take you so deep, so tight”

Stanley is so fucking close.

“you’re leaking, huh? and you’re still trying to hold back,” another mocking sympathy from you. “so stubborn, determined not to let me win. guess i’ll just have to break you, then. oh yeah,” you laugh when you hear another moan from him. “that gotcha, huh? i know you’d love that, you’d love me getting on top, riding you all slow and deep, keeping you right on the edge ‘till you’re begging me for it, begging me to let you cum inside of me.”

“f-fuck, baby, just. . . just like that,” his voice is shaking.

“you gonna cum, Stan? gonna make a mess all over yourself just from hearing my voice?”

“you—fuck—you little—”

suddenly his phone vibrates with a notification. you just sent him a photo.

he barely has time to open it before he sees you, spread out as you fuck yourself open on your fingers.

Stan sucks in a sharp breath. “what. . . the fuck”

“somethin’ wrong?” you coo.

silence, hes silent until you hear choked loud “oh oh oh, fuckkk” and you know he lost, so fucking hard. his orgasm hits hard, violent, brain-melting, his body tensing, groaning your name through gritted teeth. you hear the sharp inhale, the shaky breath, the low, drawn-out moan as he spills messy over his fist.

“awww, couldn’t hold out, huh?”

Stan pants, breathless. “fuck you.”

“you wish,” you smirk, giggling.

“okay okay. you won.” Stanley admits, rubbing his sweaty forehead. “you won, baby.”

“but you put up a good fight, old man!”

he groans. “hot belgian waffles, what the hell am i gonna do with you?”

“maybe bend me over the second you get home and teach me a lesson?”

Stan chuckles. “oh, sweetheart, you have no idea what you just signed up for.”

[sissylittlefeather]

If I Can Dream: Chapter 3

A/N: I hope you are all enjoying this one! I love Jo so much and this story is about to really heat up. Head to my Masterlist for the first two chapters!

Summary: It's 1975 and Jo Bellamy has been in love with Elvis for 20 years. She doesn't even care that they haven't met yet. All she needs is a chance and she's determined to get one

But Elvis doesn't feel much like Elvis anymore. What happened to the man he used to be? He's pretty sure he's long gone.

Can a chance encounter with Jo change the ill-fated trajectory of his life?

Warnings: 18+ minors DNI, we've reached the smut! Oral sex, p in v sex, dirty talk, unprotected sex, creampie, also erectile dysfunction frustration

Word count: ~4k

But he misses her in his arms, the big bed feeling cold and empty.

******

Jo drags herself through work on Thursday, coming home to immediately get in the bath with a bottle of wine. She puts on an Elvis record, the B side to Promised Land, and sobs to the sound of his voice. She knows it's silly to be sad over something that never really happened, but she'll never stop loving him. The record stops and she gets out of the tub, wrapping herself in a fluffy robe and resetting the needle. It’s Midnight plays again and she lays on the bed crying with the album cover in her arms. She's in this position when Evelyn calls.

“Oh, Jo-Jo, surely you knew it wasn't going to go anywhere. The man dates beauty queens and Playboy bunnies.” Jo takes a big gulp of wine.

“Yeah, but you weren't there when we woke up on the couch together. We talked for hours.” Evelyn sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose.

“Okay, you're right. But will you give it up now? You met him. You went to his house. And now it's done. So please, ask Alan to the wedding. I don't want you to be the only one without a date.”

“Yeah.” Jo takes a deep breath and sighs. “Yeah, I'll ask Alan tomorrow.”

******

Elvis spends the whole of Thursday in bed. The aching loneliness is back and he just can't seem to find a reason to do much else. At around 1am, there's a soft knock on his door.

“Who is it?” Jerry pokes his head in the door.

“It's just me, boss.”

“Hey, Jer.”

“You alright?” Jerry enters the room and sits on the end of the bed.

“Yeah, I'm fine.” Elvis doesn't move from his position in the bed on his side. Jerry looks at him silently for a while. He's not sure what to do to help, but he knows he needs to try something. An idea comes to him; it's risky, but he has to try.

“What happened to that girl?” Elvis tries to keep his breathing even.

“What girl?” Jerry rolls his eyes. He knows Elvis knows who he's talking about.

“Jo? Wasn't that her name?”

“She's gone.” Elvis closes his eyes and tries not to picture her, think about her laugh, or the scent of her hair.

“I thought she lived in Memphis.” Jerry knows he's pushing his luck here, but he's not going to give up.

“She does! Leave me the fuck alone, Jerry!” Elvis sits up and yells, cringing with the stiffness of having been in bed all day. Jerry purses his lips.

“All I'm sayin’ is you were happier in those 24 hours with her than you have been in years. Maybe it's worth givin’ her a call.” He stands and walks from the room, slamming the door behind himself.

Elvis lays back down and tries to think of anything but Jo, but it doesn't work. Eventually, he sits up and stares at the phone. He picks up the receiver no less than four times before he gets up the courage to dial her number.

Jo’s phone rings and rattles her from her deep slumber. Her head already hurts a little from the wine, but when she realizes what's happening, she takes a deep breath and grabs the phone.

“Elvis…”

“Hi honey.” She looks up at the ceiling and tries to keep her tears in her eyes. “Were you, um, were ya sleepin’?”

“Yeah, I was. It's almost 3am. Again.”

“Oh…” Elvis starts to lose his nerve, thinking this was a terrible decision. “I'm sorry; I-I'll leave ya alone.”

“No! It's okay. I'm… glad you called…”

“Are ya?” She laughs softly.

“Yeah, of course I am.” He smiles and relaxes into the conversation. His first instinct is to ask her to come over, but he stops himself before he does. He's afraid that might send the wrong message.

“You workin’ tomorrow?” She sighs.

“Yeah, unfortunately.” He nods, forgetting that she can't see him. And then it just slips out before he can stop it.

“You should come over when you're done.” He cringes a little, knowing that this whole thing is probably a mistake.

“Elvis, I'd love to, I really would, but I promised my niece I would take her to see Christmas lights.” Jo curses under her breath, hating the idea of turning down a chance to see him again. “Why don't you come with us?”

“Oh, honey, I-I-I-” He stumbles over his words trying to come up with an excuse.

“I've just decided. You're coming with us. I think you need to get out of that house.”

“Jo, honey, I don't-I can't-”

“What? Ride in a car? Yes you can. I'll pick you up around 5:30.” Something about the way she says it makes him feel like he couldn't say no even if he wanted to.

******

At about 5:45pm, Jo pulls up to the Graceland gates with her niece Amy in the backseat of her old pea-green car and asks to be let in. Jerry is so happy to see her back that he's practically bouncing when he opens the front door.

“Hey, Jo! He'll be down in a second.” She nods and they wait in the foyer. Eventually Elvis comes down in a two-tone blue suit. He had originally had on one of his tracksuits but decided to change at the last second, and he's glad he did. Jo is so cute in her little cowl-neck sweater dress and boots that he almost hopes photographers will find them. She lights up when she sees him and he can't help but smile too.

“Hi! This is my niece-” The little girl sticks out her hand.

“Amy Louise Jenkins.” Elvis smiles down at her and takes her hand, shaking it gently.

“Elvis Aaron Presley. It's a pleasure to meet you.” Jo has to physically stop herself from melting on the spot. “How old are ya? You seem about the same age as my Lisa Marie.”

“I'm seven, but I'll be eight in May.” He nods.

“I was right. Lisa will be eight in February.” She smiles and turns to Jo, taking her hand in one and Elvis's in the other.

“Let's go see some lights!” Elvis looks at Jo over Amy's head and shrugs. Jo suppresses a grin and they make their way out to her old, beat-up car. Elvis looks at it and turns to her with his eyebrows raised.

“Not all people drive Cadillacs.” Jo whispers.

“No, honey, I know that. It's fine.”

The rest of the evening passes with all three of them belting out Christmas carols as they drive around the wealthier neighborhoods in Memphis looking for lights. In the beginning, Elvis wouldn't sing, but with some gentle cajoling from Jo and Amy, he finally breaks down. When Blue Christmas comes on, he sheds any last hints of nervousness and puts on a full show. The girls both applaud wildly and he has to grab the wheel when Jo almost crashes into a parked car in her enthusiasm. When he does, he unintentionally puts his arm behind her on the seat and she leans her head on his shoulder.

“You want me to drive, honey?” He speaks softly, enjoying the feel of her so close to him.

“Yeah, do you mind?”

“Not at all.” She parks the car and he replaces her in the driver's seat. He's surprised but pleased when she settles onto his shoulder again.

By 8 o’clock, Amy is snoozing soundly in the backseat and Elvis follows Jo's directions to her stepsister’s house. When they get there, Jo looks into the backseat and sighs.

“I'm not sure how I'll get her to the door without waking her up.”

“I got ‘er.” Elvis is not sure where his confidence comes from, but she's no bigger than Lisa Marie and he carries her all the time. They get out of the car and he scoops Amy into his arms, walking up to the front door. For a second, he forgets who he is until Jo's brother-in-law answers the door and his jaw drops. Jo realizes what's happening and interjects.

“Hey, Rob, this is Elvis.” Her brother-in-law scoffs.

“Yeah. I know.” Elvis tries to smile genially.

“She fell asleep in the car. Hope this is okay.” Rob nods, still a little starstruck and takes Amy from him.

“Thanks…”

“Goodnight, Rob.” Jo takes Elvis's arm and turns him around to head back to the car. She can only keep her giggles under control for a few feet before she lets them out. He looks at her, amused.

“What's got you tickled?”

“His face! I forgot who you were for a second.” He chuckles.

“Honestly, so did I.” They get back in the car and she leans on his shoulder again for the drive back to Graceland.

When they get back to the house, Elvis parks Jo's car in the driveway and his stomach sinks at the thought that she'll go home soon. Again, he wants her to stay, but he's nervous about her expectations in the bedroom.

“Can I come in?” He raises his eyebrows, surprised at her boldness.

“Umm…”

“I'm just not ready to go home yet. And I feel like every time I leave, the likelihood of seeing you again decreases.” He swallows, knowing that she's right. The more he allows himself to think about it, the more he worries whether this should continue. But when she's here right in front of him, it's hard to turn her down. He feels himself nod.

“Yeah. I dunno what we'll do-”

“We'll find something. Let's go.” He has to admit, her happy-go-lucky attitude is infectious.

They get into the foyer and she looks around the house while he stands there awkwardly.

“Umm…”

“You don't have a Christmas tree.” He hadn't even realized. Usually he's instructed someone to set it up by now, but this year he forgot.

“No, I guess I don't. I'll have someone set it up before Lisa Marie comes.”

“We’ll do that!” He looks at her confused.

“Tell someone to set up the tree?” She purses her lips.

“No, ya brat, we’ll do it ourselves and decorate it.” He scowls.

“I ain't a brat.”

“I know. So quit actin' like one. Let's get the tree. Where is it?”

“I think it's in storage somewhere. Mary probably knows.”

“Well, okay then. Let's go.” She walks towards the kitchen and he follows her. He's quickly learning that when she puts her mind to something, she's going to make it happen regardless of the obstacles. In general, he's not used to this level of agency or determination in a woman, but at his age it's kind of nice to not be in charge for once.

With Jerry and Mary's help, they manage to locate the tree and boxes of decorations. It takes them a while, but after lots of direction from Jo and laughter from both of them, they manage to get it done.

“Okay, plug it in!”

“Yes ma'am, miss bossy.” He gives her a little salute and she giggles. The sound of her laugh warms him from the inside out and he thinks to himself that taking her instruction is worth it for this feeling. The thought gets even stronger when he plugs in the tree and she squeals with delight.

“Oh, it's so pretty! Elvis come look!” He stands and walks up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist instinctively. Maybe he could just let this happen.

“It is pretty.” He murmurs in her ear.

“You know the best way to look at a Christmas tree, right?”

“This seems like a pretty good way.”

“C’mere.” She moves away from him and he decides he needs to get her back in his arms as quickly as possible. He watches as she lays down on the floor with her head up under the tree. “Ahhh, get down here. It's gorgeous.”

Shaking his head, he lowers himself to the ground and grunts as he arranges to be under the tree. He's not sure how he'll get up again, but when he sees her with the colored lights shining on her face, he decides he doesn't care.

“Isn't it pretty?” She looks over at him and he brings his hand up to her cheek, running his thumb across it gently.

“Beautiful.” He can no longer stop himself as he leans over and presses his lips to hers.

The kiss is soft and sweet, but when he pulls back to look at her, his heart skips. He hasn't felt like this about a woman in a long time and it scares him. She leans in to kiss him again and he backs away.

“You wanna tour?” He smiles awkwardly and she blinks a few times.

“Oh, yeah, I guess.” She's completely confused by his quick shift, wondering if she's done something wrong, but she follows his lead as he moves from under the tree. It takes them both several tries and quite a bit of grunting, but eventually they both make it back to standing. He holds both of her hands in his and looks down at her. Almost against his will, he leans in and kisses her softly. There it is again, the heart skip that makes him so nervous. He pulls back from the kiss and just looks at her. She's completely perplexed by his kisses and subsequent hesitation, but before she can say anything, he wraps an arm around her waist and starts to lead her through the house.

The last place he shows her is the pool. He realizes it hasn't been drained and curses Jerry. It's freezing outside, so he holds her again from behind with her head against his chest.

“We should jump in.” She says quietly. He laughs and presses his lips to her temple. Why can't he keep himself from kissing her? He’s torn from that thought when she speaks again. “I'm serious! I've heard it's good for you. Let's do it.”

“Honey, you're crazy.”

“Am I? I'm doing it.” She pulls away from him and walks to the edge of the pool.

“Jo, no. It might be dangerous.” Putting her hands on her hips, she turns to face him.

“Nah. And anyway I thought you were a daredevil? What happened to the guy who had firework fights?”

“He had to grow up.” There's a hint of bitterness in his voice. She shakes her head, walking towards him and resting her hand on the side of his face.

“No. Time passed. Growing up is optional.” He leans down and kisses her again. It's like he can't get enough. She mumbles against his lips. “I refuse.”

Then, she turns and takes off running, jumping into the pool fully-clothed. The cold water overwhelms her body with sensation, shocking her system.

“Jo!” When she surfaces she lets out a little scream and shivers.

“Come on! Don't make me do this by myself!”

“You're fucking crazy, honey.”

“Yeah! And you're a pussy.” He scowls again, his masculinity offended.

“No, I ain't.” Her teeth chatter, but she refuses to back down.

“Prove it.” He puts his hands on his hips and shakes his head.

“Damn it, honey.” She giggles as he walks to the edge of the pool. He looks up at the sky when she gestures for him to join her. The stars twinkle down on him and he wonders: what if he does take this plunge with her? Would it kill him? Unlikely. And if he doesn't do it, what is he choosing instead? Suddenly, he's not just thinking about the pool. He looks back down at her, shining with life and sparkling like the stars. “Alright, fuck it.”

And then he jumps. His whole body screams when the icy water crashes into his skin. But he survives and feels more alive than he has in years. He surfaces and pulls her to him, kissing her deeply. This time when his heart skips, he leans into it, slipping his tongue into her mouth and pushing his body against hers. Every part of him buzzes with life and need and something he can't quite put his finger on. She shivers in his arms, not sure if it's the cold from the water or the heat from the kiss that's running through her. He pulls back and runs his fingertips down the side of her face.

“Honey, you're shakin’. Let's go inside.” She nods and kisses him deeply again.

They manage to get out of the pool and run through the house to the upstairs bathroom, giggling like teenagers and dripping all over the carpet. He starts a hot shower and they both start stripping off wet clothes. When they're down to their underwear, he grabs her and pulls her to him, crashing his lips into hers in a full open-mouthed kiss. They tumble into the shower together and moan as the hot water touches their skin. He doesn't stop her when her hand drifts below his waist, dipping into his underwear. To his own surprise, he's hard as a rock and he groans as she strokes him gently. His hands move over her whole body, unclasping her bra and pushing her panties down frantically.

“Bed?” She mumbles as she removes his underwear, leaving them both naked. He's so relieved she suggested it, he nods vehemently without moving his mouth from hers. A decade ago, he would've just bent her over in the shower, but now he needs something a little more stable. What he doesn't know is she does too. She might be 4 years younger, but she's no twenty-something and the thought of getting on her knees in the shower is not appealing. They quickly dry off, still pressed together, and he walks her backwards into the bedroom, where she lays on the bed and he crawls on top of her, dropping hot kisses on her skin wherever he can reach. She spreads her legs and he goes to push into her, but the move from the bathroom was a little too much for him.

“God fucking damnit!” He curses loudly and she grabs his face.

“It's okay.” When he tries to protest, she shakes her head and pushes him onto his back. “Do you think this is the first time this has happened to me? It's okay, Elvis.”

He closes his eyes and leans his head back, but he whips them open again when he feels her mouth around his soft cock.

“Honey, I don't know if-”

“Shh. Let me work. You just think about what it would feel like to fuck me. Focus on the sensations of it. Tell me how my pussy feels, babe.” She goes back to moving her mouth on him.

“Jo…”

“Tell me.” He sighs and closes his eyes again. What she's doing does feel really good and imagining having sex with her is easier than jumping in the pool was, so he tries to think about it.

“It's tight… wet…”

“What else, babe?”

“It's… squeezing my cock just right…” He starts to get into it, losing himself in his fantasy and the way her mouth and hand feels on him. “I can feel you cum; you're so sexy when you cum for me.”

He moans softly and she tries not to smile as he begins to harden in her mouth. She swirls her tongue around his sensitive head and takes his balls in her hand to massage them as she works.

“Fuck, yeah baby. God that's good.” In another few seconds, he's as hard as he was in the shower and she sits up, stroking him with her hand.

“You wanna actually feel me now? See if your imagination was right?” She hovers over him, dragging the tip of his dick against her entrance to cover it in her arousal.

“More than anything.” He grabs her hips and she whimpers as she starts to sink onto him, moving slowly to give herself the chance to adjust.

“Oh god… fuck.” She groans as he fills her fully, his cock so deep inside her as she grinds against his hips. She starts to pick up a steady rhythm of sliding him in and out, bouncing and rolling and moaning.

“Better… it's better…” He groans, running his hands up to cup her breasts. She arches her back as she pushes him even deeper, his cock hitting her g-spot with every movement.

“Fuck, Elvis…”

“You've got a dirty mouth, honey.” She laughs.

“You didn't seem to mind when it was wrapped around your cock.” He blushes a little, still unaccustomed to women who own their sexuality. His hands move down to grip her hips as he helps her move on him.

“Careful. Keep this up and I'll fill that pretty little mouth again.” He grabs her chin and runs his thumb along her bottom lip. She pulls his thumb into her mouth and swirls her tongue on it.

“You promise?” She smiles mischievously and he grabs her, pulling her down onto his chest.

“Gonna fill this pretty little pussy with cum first, honey.” He whispers in her ear as he starts to thrust up into her from underneath. She whimpers, the change in position pushing her to the edge of an orgasm.

“Yes! Oh god… I'm so close…” He feels her walls flutter around him and grunts.

“Come on, honey. Cum on my dick. Let me feel it.” That's all it takes for her to tumble over the edge into oblivion, her pussy pulsing around him as the pleasure runs through her body like lightning. The feeling of her throbbing around him is enough to throw him over the edge too and he holds her tight to his chest as his orgasm rips through him, his cock emptying deep inside her.

They lay there for a bit trying to catch their breath, both of them trembling. Eventually he loosens his grip on her and they relax. She lets him slip out of her and then rearranges to lay next to him in the crook of his arm. Her fingers run through his chest hair and he kisses her forehead.

“Hey, honey?” He turns a little to look down at her.

“Yeah?”

“What is this?” She lifts her arm when she feels his fingers on the skin of her ribcage. He lifts his head a little to try to see what he noticed when she was on top of him.

“It's a tattoo.”

“I didn't know women got tattoos.” She rolls her eyes a little.

“Janis Joplin has one.”

“What's it say?” He tries to read it, but he's at the wrong angle.

“‘To live would be an awfully big adventure.’ It's from-”

“Peter Pan.” She looks at him in awe.

“Yes, how did you-?”

“I read a lot, honey.” He runs his fingertips over the words softly. “You know, you've always reminded me of someone. Now I know who it is.”

“Who?”

“Tinkerbell.” She laughs and kisses his nose. He looks into her eyes and she stops laughing. The reality of the situation hits her like a ton of bricks and all of a sudden her eyes fill with tears. She squeezes them shut to try to keep the tears from falling and buries her face in his chest. “Hey, hey. What's wrong?”

He finds her chin and makes her look up at him, the tears sliding down her cheeks. She desperately searches for a way to express what she's feeling, but the words aren't there. Finally, she's able to choke out something.

“Nothing’s wrong. It's good. Isn't it? It can't be this good.” He softens and kisses her forehead, pulling her in close.

“Oh, Tink. It is good.” He looks down into her face, holding her cheek in his big hand. “It is good.”

Too good, he thinks as she nods and settles against him. Too good to last.

******

What will happen next?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Taglist:

@ccab @atleastpleasetelephone @aliypop @18lkpeters @dkayfixates @tacozebra051 @your-nanas-house @joshuntildawn13 @lookingforrainbows @60svintage @littlehoneyposts @epthedream69 @louisejoy86 @rjmartin11 @from-memphis-with-love @deltafalax @cinnamoroll-things @burnthheparaphilia @jhoneybees @cattcb @everythingelvispresley @returntopresley @searchingforgravity @msamarican @angschrof @lustnhim @polksaladava @librababe99 @hooked-on-elvis @theelvisprincess @makethemorning @peaceloveelvis @mrspresley69 @pxpresley

[klausysworld]

Could you do a one shot based on bored from billie eilish, where Y/n leaves Klaus in the end and he realizes the mistakes he made, leaving and cheating on her

Never Enough

Ah

Ah

The games you played were never fun (mm)

You'd say you'd stay but then you'd run (ah)

———————————————————————

Klaus Mikaelson isn’t an easy man to love.

He pushes me away at every chance he gets.

But as soon as I would leave him be then he was back at my door, chasing my attention.

It took far too long to get used to his games. That’s all love is to him, a game. Feelings are toys and so are people, entertainment for him to thrive upon.

And even after I had realised it, I couldn’t stop myself from loving him.

So, somehow every empty promise he gave me, I believed him. Or maybe I just wanted to believe him and that was enough.

But it got to the point where it was just too much to bypass.

———————————————————————

Givin' you what you're beggin' for

Givin' you what you say I need

I don't want any settled scores

I just want you to set me free

Givin' you what you're beggin' for

Givin' you what you say I need

Say I need

———————————————————————

And yet, even when I knew he had been with another women, when he had treated me as though I were nothing but an object for his pleasure, I found myself apologising to him.

“You know that I love you, I’ve always been there for you. I would never do this to you” I yelled but he only looked angrier

“You love me? You barely look at me! We don’t talk, we don’t touch! We have nothing worth my time!” He bellowed

“I try to” I whispered and he sighed, his hands running down his face

“You have it in your head that I’m doing all of these things, I have been here every step of the way through your incisive whining! You’re sensitivity and your insecurities! I have been right here but I am tired of picking you up, it’s pathetic, it’s boring.” He shouted, his finger pointing at me as he took menacing steps toward me and I followed suit and rushed backwards. His hand came down harshly beside my head against the wall making my body flinch away from the loud noise of impact. I anxiously looked up to him and nodded

“I’m sorry” I whispered “I’ll be better” But he only shook his head, his hand grabbed my jaw forcing me to keep my eyes on his

“There’s no point in this anymore, you don’t want it” he mumbled

“Of course I want this, I love you. Klaus please don’t leave me, not again, please. Please Klaus it’s cruel to do this, just tell me what you want me to do. You know I’d do anything for you” I pleaded, tears running down my face as I held the wrist of the hand on my face.

“Anything?” He questioned

“Anything at all”

———————————————————————

I'm not afraid anymore

What makes you sure you're all I need?

Forget about it

When you walk out the door and leave me torn

You're teachin' me to live without it

———————————————————————

And I truly did everything I could to have him love me even the slightest bit. For him to want me even if it was just for my body. Because I loved him so ridiculously much that it didn’t matter to me if I was just a toy to him, I’d rather it be him than anybody else.

And after a while, the fear was gone.

The screaming matches were just part of the game.

I could hold up my own and fight back at him, rile him up and push him over the edge.

The only thing that still hurt was when he left.

The echo of the door slamming shut rings through my head all of the time.

My knees gave out the second the door closed. I collapsed down to the floor, tears flowing down to the ground despite no sound leaving my lips. My nails pierced through the skin of my arms as I held onto myself. I hated everything about this. It always ended like this, I always ended up just that much more pathetic.

I hated the shell of who I was. Who I am now.

———————————————————————

Bored

I'm so bored

I'm so bored

So bored

———————————————————————

Sitting at him waiting for him for hours was just torture. I knew exactly where he was.

Who’s body his hands were all over.

Who’s mouth was on his.

Who’s bed he was breaking.

But I remained in his bed, waiting for him. Whether it was for him to yell at me and throw things or to just lay beside me and slowly, reluctantly put an arm around me.

He didn’t want anything to do with me anymore but I couldn’t find it within me to let him go.

———————————————————————

I'm home alone, you're God-knows-where (mm)

I hope you don't think that shit's fair (ah)

———————————————————————

“Fair!? You want to talk about what’s fair Klaus? It is not fair that you get to go and fuck whoever you want and then come back and torture me for breathing the wrong fucking air!” I screamed

“If you knew what I was doing then why the hell are you still here? Get out! I don’t want you anymore!”

———————————————————————

Givin' you all you want and more

Givin' you every piece of me

I don't want love I can't afford

I just want you to love for free

Can't you see that I'm gettin' bored?

Givin' you every piece of me

Piece of me

———————————————————————

But once again when I left like he said, well there he was back in my room of my new apartment.

“Shh love, you know neither of us meant that. You know that I love you and I know you love me too.” He murmured while wrapping both arms around me, his chin on too my head.

“I have nothing left to give you” I whispered looking into his chest. “You shouldn’t have come back” I mumbled “please leave”

“We’re destined to be together. You’re all I need, you just have to give me your love, it’s all I could ever want” he countered

“Then why wasn’t I ever enough?” I questioned sadly

“You’ve never truly allowed me to own your heart, I needed it”

“And sleeping with other girls gave you that?” I laughed breathlessly and pressed my forehead to his shoulder

“They made it easier to push you away. But I know that you’re what I truly desire, you’re exactly what I need. I want to marry you.”

“Please don’t lie to me”

“Why would I lie? What do I have to loose?” He asked. I shut my eyes in mental turmoil, was he saying he was nothing without me or that I was nothing?

I think I knew it was the latter but ai just refused to let it be true in my mind.

———————————————————————

I'm not afraid anymore

What makes you sure you're all I need?

Forget about it

When you walk out the door and leave me torn

You're teachin' me to live without it

———————————————————————

It didn’t even hurt when I saw him in our bed with another random blonde.

His head turned to me with that stupid expression on his face before he hurried to follow me down the stairs

“Love!” He called as I reached the front door “y/n, sweetheart, please” he murmured grabbing my shoulder so I would face him. “Forgive me my love, I-“

“It’s fine Klaus” I muttered tiredly and he frowned

“What?” He whispered confusion evident on his face as he took a step closer, only boxers on his body and he was clearly still hard, apparently his blondes weren’t as fulfilling as he had hoped.

“I don’t care anymore Klaus, really it’s fine. Just do whatever you want but for the love of God please just don’t do if in the bed I sleep beside you in” I sighed and he grabbed my hand

“You aren’t upset? Or mad? You aren’t yelling…” he listed with a ludicrous look on his face

“You need to wash your hands” I mumbled with a grimace and he quickly retracted them

“You should be shouting at me” he told me and my brows furrowed

“You want me to yell at you?”

“Don’t you care?”

“Not anymore”

———————————————————————

Bored

I'm so bored

I'm so bored

So bored

———————————————————————

Klaus wasn’t expecting her to sound so tired. So done with everything.

He didn’t really believe she would leave properly.

But when he received a letter in the mail the next day requesting he leave he be, he knew he’d finally pushed her over the edge.

The sick truth was that Klaus enjoyed taking her live and destroying it. He enjoyed hurting her in a way that only he would be able to. He was a sadistic being who after years on being labelled a monster, finally embraced it.

———————————————————————

Givin' you what you're beggin' for

Givin' you what you say I need

I don't want any settled scores

I just want you to set me free

Givin' you what you're beggin' for

Givin' you what you say I need

Say I need

———————————————————————

But sat alone in his room, nobody to hold when he felt empty, he realised she was actually an important person in his life.

Despite all the girls he had, none of them seemed to give him anything.

As much as he craved emotionless sex, he found that when the women also had no care towards him, it wasn’t what he wanted.

Y/n looked at him like he was everything she had ever wanted. She touched him like he were the most desirable thing on the planet. Her hands were soft and she wanted to please him, she always made it about him, she told him how good he made her feel and how much she loved him.

He missed how she would sit with him in his art room with her crisps and soda while comments on the colours he chose and complimented his composition choices.

He missed her annoying laugh and sleepy smile.

He missed the state of her hair when she first woke up, the way she would struggle against him and refuse his kisses because she had ‘morning breath’.

He missed her cooking and baking, the way she made his coffee and the shitty shows she had him watch.

He missed their arguments, he missed her tears. He missed how she would fall back into his arms and prove to him that her love for him was true.

He missed her.

———————————————————————

I'm not afraid anymore

What makes you sure you're all I need?

Forget about it

And when you walk out the door and leave me torn

You're teachin' me to live without it

———————————————————————

Calling her phone got him nowhere, his voicemails were never answered.

His witches couldn’t locate her.

All he had left of her was the memory of the empty look in her eyes as she left him.

The clothes in his drawer that she didn’t grab when she rushed away.

The clothes he held to his face each night to help him fall asleep.

The pillow he hugged to his chest to remind him of her.

But it wasn’t her.

He would never have her again.

———————————————————————

[mamaskillerqueen]

Have A Beer For Me || Jake 'Hangman' Seresin

A/N: This is sad, and short, and contains mention of Jake being with a woman. There is also a main character death. If you'd ever like more to this story, I'd be happy to add more to this world. Also! Got inspo from this song.

“Well, I have the most beautiful girl in the world waiting in my bed for me… and I don’t have it in me to make her wait much longer,”

All of the men around the table made a collection of noises. All are in the booing category. It made Hangman chuckle lowly with a shake of his head.

“I have one more cheers in me, and then I really gotta get going."

Everyone at the table quickly lifted their glasses, clinking them together as Jake started the speech he had dragged them all out to hear. Everyone knew it was coming but not a single soul was ready for it.

“Boys, I do gotta ask a favour… you know, if I don’t make it back from this one.”

“Hey man, that’s not going to happen. We all know you, you’re gonna pull through without a scratch,” Bob interrupted but with a singular glare from Hangman he snapped his mouth shut. Any protests that would have ensued were quickly shut down.

“As I was saying, if I don’t make it back, I need a few things from y'all. For starters, I don’t want any tears. My girl will have that covered. I want y'all to have a beer for me, and to keep my truck going. Big off-road treks that get the old girl dirty,” Jake laughed, trying hard to not think about how mad his girlfriend will be at his friends when they come to steal his truck.

This was the part he was dreading the most. This was where he was going to beg them to keep an eye on her. He was devastated to be going on this solo mission. It was surely a suicide mission, and prior to having met her, he was all for those. She had changed everything and he hadn’t had enough time with her. The little diamond ring that recently found its home on her finger was a testament to that.

“I need y’all to keep an eye on her, and when the time is right, you gotta find her someone who will love her like I would have. You know she deserves the world and more.”

No one acknowledges the break in his voice or the hint of tears welling up in his eyes. If all of the guys around the table were honest, they knew that this was what tonight was about. How could they not? Seeing the usually unshakable Hangman in near tears was messing them up more than they’d like to admit.

“And to end this sap fest… I’m proud I’ve gotten to be a part of this squadron. It’s been good to know y’all. Thanks for givin’ me a chance. I know I haven’t always been the best, but don’t you forget to cheer for them Longhorns on the away teams side any chance you get.”

As Hangman pulled his glass to his lips and finished off his beer the rest of his friends slowly followed suit. Rooster was the first to finish off his drink after, watching Jake carefully as he shrugged his jacket back on. They made eye contact, and Rooster couldn’t deny the sinking feeling this was the last time he’d see his newishly found friend. A nod was shared as Jake placed a hand on Coyote’s shoulder.

Javy quickly rose to his feet and followed Jake out the front doors. This was the hardest for him of everyone. He was doing his best to not let it show. Jake never talked like this. Then again, he was never ordered to a suicide mission by himself before either.

“We were gonna get married. Gave her Meemaw’s ring and everything. You’re my best man. Just needed you to know.”

Javy let out a heavy exhale, because of course he was. There would have never been a question of that. He appreciated the sentiment though, and as much as he knew he had to let his friend leave to see his girl, he really didn’t want to.

“I know, man. Always did,” Javy finally answered. His voice was a little more shaken than he would have liked it to be but neither of them acknowledged that either.

Javy held his hand out, waiting for his friend to shake it. When Jake slipped his hand into his friends they pulled each other into a hug afterwards.

“Take care of her while I’m gone,” Jake whispered.

“You got it, big man,” Javy returned in the same whisper.

Javy watched his best friend walk away, and climb into his precious truck. They used to joke that she was the only thing Jake would ever love. Boy were they wrong as ever. Javy watched as the truck disappeared into the dark, knowing it would be the last time he ever saw his best friend.

Jake’s plane ended up going down behind enemy lines. There was no rescue team. All that returned was a folded flag. Javy handed it off to his best friend's other half at his funeral. They both cried as the guns went off. In fact, there wasn’t a dry eye in the whole squadron.

The whole squad, including Phoenix and Halo, had gone to almost every Longhorns home game just so they could sit on the visitor's side and cheer as loud as they could for the home team. And every Friday night, the first and last song played on the old jukebox at the Hard Deck is always Slow Ride.

Javy and the girl who had turned his best friend into the man they had all become so proud to know took that old truck out for a nice long joy ride at least once a month. He had even introduced her to a good ole boy Jake would have hated but was exactly the kind of guy he would have wanted for her. She hasn’t been ready though, and Javy wasn’t sure she ever would be. That dainty little diamond still sits nestled right where Jake left it.

Whenever the sun starts to set, and the sky is a brilliant shade of reddish purple, Javy finds himself with a beer that isn’t his brand down by the shoreline. He whispers the latest updates of life to his best friend, holds the beer up for a cheers, and tells Jake just how much he’s loved and missed with tears in his eyes.

[ephemerasnape]

I couldn't sleep, so have a dark, smutty one-shot.

Dawn of Regret 🔞

Poacher Executioner x You/MC

“Ye wanted to seduce a dark wizard,” the Executioner purrs, running his tongue across your lips. “Well, haha, it worked!” RAPE

Rape / Seduction / Teasing / Age Difference / Size Difference / First Time / Loss of Virginity / Dead Dove Do Not Eat

Read below the cut or on ao3.

Ends up the great ancient magic-wielding Hogwarts student ain’t so hot without her wand.

Your mind races with regrets as you ponder the situation you find yourself in. How could I have been so stupid? In the end, a simple Expelliarmus was all it took to have you groveling in the dirt before the dark wizards in the poacher camp you’d been raiding.

You’d been readily captured, your wand snapped in front of your horrified eyes, and taken, well, to bed with one of them. The very thought sends shudders through your body. 

You haven't gotten a wink of sleep the entire night, and can already see the sun begin to creep into the tent where you are being held. Being held very closely, one might add. As you'd laid on the uncomfortable cot for the past many hours, your wrists secured tightly behind your back, and your torso further secured around that of a massive Executioner, you’d done little but think of ways you might escape.

Finally, the Executioner shifts in his sleep, giving you the opportunity you’ve been waiting for - his warm body wrapping even more fully around yours. What is on-its-face repulsive gives you a fleeting hope - you are aware that getting out of this situation will involve trickery more than stealth given the nature of the predicament you’re in – and thus your brilliant plan is hatched.

One of the Executioner’s hands is laid on the cot right in front of your nose. You look at it, wondering how dirty it is. It looks surprisingly clean but the guy overall strongly resembles a caveman. Half beast himself.. And you can’t imagine his hygiene is the best. It certainly doesn’t smell the best, although his muskiness does hold a certain masculine appeal, you are loathe to admit.

With a slight grimace, you crane your head forward slightly, tentatively sticking your tongue out and pressing it against his pointer finger. There’s no response. Screwing your eyes shut, you move your tongue slowly up over the length of the finger. It takes several swipes of your tongue to elicit any reaction, but you do feel the Executioner – you believe his name is Mortimus – twitch slightly in his sleep.

Gaining confidence, you move your head a fraction of an inch forward, so that you’re able to engulf his entire finger in your mouth. The massive wizard grunts behind you, and you become even bolder, beginning to suck diligently on his digits.

He begins to stir, and you wonder whether he’s waking up. You can certainly feel something waking up right against your buttocks.

This could actually work…

You swirl your soft pink tongue around his finger, up and down, and alternate with suction, getting so lost in your task you don’t even really notice when the Executioner begins to wake. He gradually pulls you more tightly against him, his breathing raspy behind your ear. You keep sucking on his finger until he decisively drags your hips back towards him, bringing you into direct contact with what feels like an absolute battering-ram of an erection.

“Crupmite,” he growls, fully-awake now, he props himself up a bit on one elbow so that he can watch as he begins to gently thrust his finger in and out your pouted lips.

“Tryin’ to get a wizard all worked up, eh?”

You flush furiously but don’t otherwise react as he finger-fucks your mouth – feeling a bit paralyzed in fear or anticipation.

“Certainly givin’ me... ideas…”

You’d thought, well – you’d hoped that if you could distract him, get him to untie you.. Maybe let his guard down… You might have a chance of making it past the apparition wards around the tent.

But now, in the moment, with him gazing down at you, you wish ardently that you’d waited for another opportunity. You can literally feel the lust emanating off of the wizard – his eyes seemingly boring into your skin as your face burns with humiliation.

Until now, he’d just seen you as a pesky little brat that he had to deal with. Now he sees you as a pesky little witch who is in his bed.

And you see him – sort of. From what you can see from the corner of your eye, he’s apparently taken off his mask at some point, and a ruggedly-handsome face is exposed. Masculine for sure. Not young, not old. Relatively normal-looking for a professional killer. You struggle to make out the details and nervously your eyes dart up towards him just in time to watch a grin spread across his face.

“Seems ye might be good fer somethin’ after all, crupmite,” he gloats, withdrawing his finger from your mouth – a trail of saliva following it. He runs his wet finger gently across your lips, sending a shiver down your spine which settles between your legs. 

When he begins to untie the ropes around your waist, your heart is pounding so furiously that you nearly forget your plan, but the man seemingly has you figured. “Thought ye could trick me, eh?” he teases, his broad hands never leaving your body for even a moment. “I might look like a lumbering oaf, but I’m not actually daft.”

He keeps a firm grip on your robes as he maneuvers himself so that he’s facing you on the cot. Even seated he towers over your small form.

“I’m sorry, crupmite. Ye don’t get to suck my cock today. Nuffink personal, it’s just that it’s too risky. But that doesn’t mean we can’t ‘ave our fun.”

Your face goes white. “What do you…”

Suddenly, you’re pushed onto your back, the man pinning your upper arms down to the cot as he leans over you, leering at you with a menacing expression on his face.

“Ah! Please.. my wrists!” you cry, struggling in vain to get the pressure off of them.

“Thought I’d untie ye so ye could escape, did ya?” he chuckles darkly. “Not likely.”

And so he doesn’t untie you, but even Mortimus has to admit that having your hands behind you, contorting your chest upwards in that position, is not ideal, and so instead he wraps some ropes – not by magic, but, surprisingly, by hand – around your middle, securing your arms to your sides instead before he releases them from behind your back.

You sigh in relief at the removal of the crushing weight from your delicate wrists, only to realize moments later you are still in immediate danger.

What have I gotten myself into?

The enormous man moves forward then, licking your cheek with a broad tongue. You turn away, your face scrunched up in disgust, only to have it forcibly turned back towards him.

“Ye wanted to seduce a dark wizard,” the Executioner purrs, running his tongue across your lips. “Well, haha, it worked!”

He’s fully on you then – his tongue down your throat, causing you to squeal and squirm as he thrusts the organ in and out of your mouth possessively, and you know that it’s a promise of things to come.

Your mouth occupied, Mortimus reaches down to effortlessly part your thighs despite your pathetic attempts to keep them closed. Without a fraction of a doubt remaining in regard to what is about to happen, you scream into his mouth, and move to bite down on his tongue, only to find that he’s anticipated the action and withdrawn in time.

“Ah-ah,” he admonishes, wagging a finger above your face. “There’ll be none of that. After all, I’m on orders to turn you in to Rookwood alive, an’ if you bite me, all bets are off.”

Your desperation boils over. “Please, sir,” you whimper, tears threatening to spill from your eyes. “Don’t do this. I’ve never… I’m-”

You can’t make eye contact and you certainly can’t finish your sentence. You just lay there, your face beet red - helpless, exposed, and at the mercy of a dark wizard...

A dark wizard who laughs at your misery and humiliation.

“Mmmm… Tha’s perfect,” Mortimus growls, stroking over your chest and stomach, squeezing where he pleases. “So I’ll be yer first…” He yanks down his trousers then, causing you to begin crying in earnest.

This is going to happen...

“No.. No!”

The Executioner smiles maliciously down at you as he leans back just enough for you to be able to watch him fisting his massive erection. 

“An’ there’s no guarantee you’ll ever be able to take another cock after this one.”

You scream as the man presses you down with one arm, using the hand to easily cover your mouth – half-blocking your nose, causing you further distress as your breathing is partially obstructed.

You kick and writhe to get away, desperately trying to protect the sensitive area between your legs. No one has ever touched or even seen you down there before, and to have this man be the first is just unthinkable.. but your struggles are to no avail – the Executioner is too strong, and before you know it, a firm, blunt object is pressing up against your vulnerable opening.

“Your mouth says no,” Mortimus chuckles, running the head of his cock up and down your wet slit, “but your cunt says yes.”

He keeps your mouth covered, stifling your pleas and cries as he forces himself into you. Although you realize he’s probably going a lot more slowly than is physically necessary, the sheer size of his penis splitting you open devastates your maidenhood, sending an intense pain coursing through you.

You are bawling as the man on top of you groans, having broken through your virgin barrier and fully-embedded himself inside your tight passage.

“Merlin…”

The pain is overtaken by humiliation and as your cries turn to quiet sobs, the Executioner begins to move. He’s so tall and broad that you can only see the buttons and rough hand-stitching on his vest – his face seems miles away while he's joined to you at the hip.

When you’ve quieted sufficiently, Mortimus removes his hand from your mouth and instead places it on your knee to keep you spread wide.

“Such a tight little- Fuck,” he gasps, his cock pistoning in and out of you in earnest. His heavy breathing consumes your world as you silently pray for him to finish quickly - for this ordeal to be over.

The Executioner pounds you relentlessly, pulling your body up slightly to get better access – deeper in your cunt – his thick meat battering your cervix.

“Not what ye ‘oped would come of that little stunt, I wager,” he breathes, smashing his wide pelvis into your comparatively tiny one over and over again in rough, forceful movements.

Your tears wet the pelts underneath your head just as you can imagine your blood does your skirts, but you"re crying not so much from physical pain as from despair as you’re violated by this colossal wizard and his colossal prick.

And, all the worse, it was almost entirely your doing.

Seconds later, the Executioner stiffens and a bestial groan of pleasure fills the tent. His imposing form jerks against yours as his release floods your womb.

No…

He collapses onto you then, panting into your ear. As he comes out of his lust-filled haze, he notices your soft whimpers and sobs. To your utter surprise, the man presses a kiss to the side of your face.

“Now, now, sweetheart,” he offers, petting your damp hair in a soothing gesture that you can’t be sure isn’t mockery before he continues as if having read your very thoughts. “’Twas yer own idea, after all.”

[lightdancingwords]

Second Chances - Part Ten of ?

Pairings: Beau Arlen x Y/N Female reader Series Summary: A chance meeting in a grocery store brings a second chance for you and for Beau. The only thing standing in your way are your respective pasts... and a tiny little roadblock. Word Count: 3,665 Tags/Warnings: Police work, implications of a serial killing, murder/death/kill, some angst, light fluff A/N: Comments, Likes, Reblogs, Kind feedback are always highly appreciated. Please let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!

Life isn't always happy or full of joy, romance stories need some drama. So... I brought drama! What's life without a bit of wicked drama? 😈 Divider: credit to @sweetmelodygraphics

Chapter Ten: Something Wicked Comes This Way

The early morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the cozy bedroom. Beau stretched lazily, his hand instinctively reaching for Y/N beside him. She was still nestled under the blankets, her hair a tousled mess against the pillow, her breathing deep and even. He smiled to himself, leaning over to brush a soft kiss against her forehead.

“Mornin’, darlin’,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

Y/N stirred, her lips curving into a sleepy smile as her eyes fluttered open. “Morning,” she whispered, her hand reaching up to rest on his cheek. “You’re up early.”

“Wanted to get some time in with my girls before the day gets away from me,” Beau replied, his hand sliding down to rest on the small but noticeable curve of her belly. His smile widened as he felt the warmth of her skin beneath his palm. “How’s my little one doin’ in there?”

Y/N chuckled softly, covering his hand with hers. “Still growing. Still making me crave the weirdest things.”

Beau grinned. “Pickles and ice cream last night was a first. I’m just waitin’ to see what you’ll come up with next.”

“Don’t tempt me,” she teased, her fingers lacing with his. “You’re already too good at indulging me.”

“Can’t help it,” Beau said, leaning down to kiss her gently. “You’re carryin’ my baby, Y/N. Makes you even more beautiful, if that’s possible.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she playfully swatted his chest. “You’re laying it on thick this morning, Sheriff.”

He chuckled, the sound low and warm, before he rolled out of bed and stretched. “Gotta check on my other girl before work.”

Y/N propped herself up on one elbow, watching as he pulled on a pair of sweatpants and padded out of the room. She smiled, her heart swelling with love as she listened to him call out softly, “Wolf-child, you awake?”

Eliza was already up, sitting cross-legged in her crib with her stuffed rabbit clutched in one hand. She looked up when Beau entered, her face lighting up with a bright grin. “Bo-Bo!” she squealed, holding her arms out to him.

“Hey there, sunshine,” Beau said, scooping her up and spinning her around gently. Her giggles filled the room, and he felt his heart swell, as it always did when he was with her. “What’s got you up so early, huh? You givin’ your mama a break?”

Eliza nodded solemnly, though her wide eyes and mischievous grin told a different story. “Rabbit’s hungry,” she declared, holding up her toy.

“Rabbit’s hungry, huh?” Beau said, carrying her into the kitchen. He grabbed a small bowl of fruit from the counter and sat her in her high chair. “How about we feed you both?”

As he peeled an orange and handed her the pieces, Y/N appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a soft smile. “You’re spoiling her, you know.”

“Guilty as charged,” Beau said, winking at her. “Can’t help it. She’s irresistible.”

Y/N laughed, walking over to kiss the top of Eliza’s head before wrapping her arms around Beau’s waist. He pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I’ve got everything I could ever want right here,” he murmured. “You, Eliza, the baby… I don’t take any of it for granted.”

Her smile softened, her hand resting on his chest. “Neither do I.”

They stayed like that for a moment, the three of them basking in the quiet joy of their little family. It was the kind of morning that made Beau’s heart ache with gratitude, the kind of morning he wished he could bottle up and keep forever.

Later, as Beau shrugged on his sheriff’s jacket and grabbed his hat, Y/N followed him to the door. “Be careful today,” she said, her tone carrying a hint of the usual worry.

“Always am,” he replied, leaning down to kiss her deeply. “Love you, darlin’.”

“Love you too,” she said, watching as he stepped out onto the porch. Eliza waved from the window, her little hand smudging the glass as she called out, “Bye, Bo-Bo!”

Beau waved back, his grin wide. “Bye, wolf-child. Be good for your mama.”

He climbed into his truck, the morning sun warm on his face as he started the engine. The drive to the department was peaceful, the quiet of Big Sky stretching out around him. But as soon as he walked into the office, the day shifted.

Jenny met him in the hallway, her expression tense. “We’ve got a call. Possible homicide out on Locus Road.”

Beau’s easy smile faded, replaced by the focused determination he wore like a second skin. “Let’s roll,” he said, grabbing his radio and heading for the door.

The small, single-story house on the quiet cul-de-sac felt eerily still, even with the flashing lights of patrol cars reflecting off the windows. The crime scene techs moved quietly, their voices low as they processed the house. Beau stood on the porch, the cool breeze brushing past him as he flipped through his notepad. He glanced at the house across the street, where a couple of neighbors stood on their front lawn, watching with worried expressions.

Jenny stepped out of the house, her boots crunching on the gravel. “Nothing in there’s jumping out,” she said, her tone clipped. “No forced entry, no sign of a struggle, and nothing obvious missing. The woman’s purse is still in the living room, cash and cards untouched.”

Beau nodded, shutting his notebook. “Let’s see what the neighbors have to say.”

The first house they approached was directly across the street. An older woman, her gray hair pulled into a neat bun, opened the door before Beau could even knock. Her face was lined with worry, her hands twisting a dish towel nervously.

“Sheriff,” she said, her voice shaking slightly. “I’ve lived here thirty years and never seen anything like this.”

Beau tipped his hat, his tone calm and steady. “We’re sorry to disturb you, ma’am, but we’re trying to piece together what happened. Did you hear or see anything unusual last night?”

The woman nodded quickly. “I was in my living room. Around ten o’clock, I thought I heard something—a loud thud, maybe—but I didn’t think much of it at the time. I didn’t hear any shouting or glass breaking.”

“No yelling or voices at all?” Jenny asked, her pen poised over her notepad.

The woman shook her head. “No. It was quiet after that. I just… I didn’t know…” Her voice trailed off, and she clutched the towel tighter.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Beau said gently. “If you think of anything else, no matter how small, give us a call.” He handed her a card before they moved on.

The next house belonged to a middle-aged man who answered the door with a wary expression. “What’s this about?” he asked, his eyes darting to the patrol cars.

Beau explained briefly, keeping his tone even. “Did you hear or see anything unusual last night? Any cars driving by, people walking around?”

The man frowned, scratching his chin. “I didn’t hear anything, but I did see a car parked down the street. It was unusual because we don’t get many visitors this late.”

“What kind of car?” Jenny asked, her voice sharp with interest.

“Dark sedan, maybe black or dark blue. It was there for about fifteen minutes, then drove off. I couldn’t see the driver.”

“Do you remember if the car had any distinctive marks? A bumper sticker? Damage to the body?” Beau pressed.

The man shook his head. “No, it was too dark to see much detail. Sorry.”

Beau nodded. “That’s helpful, sir. Thank you.”

As they moved on to the next house, Jenny sighed. “A dark sedan in a neighborhood at night? Not exactly a smoking gun.”

“It’s something,” Beau said, his tone resolute. “Even if it’s just a thread, it’s worth pulling.”

At the end of the cul-de-sac, a young woman stood on her porch, cradling a toddler on her hip. She looked nervous, her eyes darting between the deputies and the house at the center of the investigation.

“Sheriff,” she said when they approached, shifting the child to her other hip. “Is it true? Did something happen to Tara?”

Beau nodded solemnly. “I’m afraid so, ma’am. We’re doing everything we can to find out what happened.”

The woman swallowed hard, her eyes welling with tears. “She was so sweet. Quiet, you know? She just moved in a few months ago. Always waved when she saw me and my boy outside.”

“Did you notice anything unusual last night?” Jenny asked, her voice gentle.

The woman hesitated, biting her lip. “I did hear a car door slam. Maybe around ten-thirty? It sounded close, but I didn’t look outside. I was putting the baby to bed.”

Beau exchanged a glance with Jenny. “Did you see anyone coming or going from her house in the past few days? Any visitors?”

The woman shook her head. “Not really. Tara kept to herself. But now that you mention it… a few days ago, I did see someone—a man. He was standing outside her house, just staring at it. Gave me the creeps.”

“What did he look like?” Beau asked, his pen poised.

“Tall, maybe in his thirties. He was wearing a baseball cap, but I couldn’t see much else. He wasn’t there long—just a few minutes before he walked away.”

Jenny jotted down the description, her brow furrowed. “If you see him again, or remember anything else, please let us know.”

The woman nodded, clutching her child closer as she stepped back into the safety of her house.

As they regrouped back at the patrol car, Jenny leaned against the hood, her arms crossed. “We’ve got bits and pieces, but nothing that ties it all together.”

Beau stared at his notepad, his jaw tight. “We’ve got a dark sedan, a strange man hanging around a few days before, and no clear reason why she was targeted. This isn’t random, Jenny. It might look like it, but it’s not.”

“Agreed,” she said, nodding. “We just have to figure out what connects those pieces.”

Beau looked back at the house, the weight of the investigation settling on his shoulders. “We will,” he said, his voice steady. “One way or another, we will.”

The sky was painted in deep shades of orange and purple as Beau pulled into the driveway, his truck engine rumbling to a stop. The quiet hum of the neighborhood was a stark contrast to the chaos of the day, but Beau felt no relief. His mind was still caught in the unsettling threads of the investigation: a young woman gone far too soon, no clear motive, and a neighborhood full of fear and unanswered questions.

He sat in the truck for a moment, the weight of it pressing against his chest. He wanted to leave it all behind as he stepped through the door, but the images from the crime scene lingered, etched into his mind.

When he finally walked into the house, the familiar scent of lavender greeted him. The kitchen was warm and inviting, the overhead light casting a cozy glow over the space. Y/N was seated at the table, surrounded by papers and a laptop, her hair loosely tied back. She looked up when she heard the door, a smile spreading across her face.

“Hey, cowboy,” she said, her voice gentle. “You’re home late.”

“Yeah,” Beau muttered, dropping his keys on the counter. He kicked off his boots and leaned against the fridge, running a hand through his hair. “Had a long day.”

Y/N’s smile softened with concern. “I figured. Want to talk about it?”

“Nah,” he said, his tone distracted as he grabbed a beer from the fridge. He cracked it open and took a long sip, his eyes staring blankly at the table where she was working.

Y/N hesitated, her gaze flicking between him and the papers in front of her. “I was looking at venues today,” she began, her voice carefully light. “You know, for the wedding. I found a couple I think you’d really like.”

“That’s nice,” Beau said absently, not meeting her eyes.

She pressed on, holding up a printed picture. “This one’s a little out of town, but it has a gorgeous outdoor space. And this one—” she picked up another— “has a great indoor option for the reception. What do you think?”

“Yeah, sure,” Beau mumbled, taking another sip of his beer. His gaze was fixed on a distant point over her shoulder, his mind clearly elsewhere.

Y/N’s smile faltered, and she set the papers down, her hands resting in her lap. “Beau,” she said softly, her tone shifting. “Are you even listening to me?”

Her words pulled him back, but only partially. “Sorry, darlin’. Just… a lot on my mind.”

“I get that,” she replied, her voice steady but tinged with disappointment. “But I’m here, you know. You don’t have to carry it all by yourself.”

Beau nodded, but the motion was mechanical. He stared at the table, his jaw tightening. “It’s just… that case today. It doesn’t make sense.”

Y/N sat back, watching him carefully. “Beau,” she said gently, “I understand that your work is heavy, but you’re shutting me out. You’re not even here right now.”

Her words hit him like a punch to the gut, and he finally looked at her—really looked at her. The disappointment in her eyes, the way her shoulders had slumped ever so slightly, told him everything he needed to know.

He set the beer down on the counter, guilt washing over him. “Aw, hell, Y/N,” he muttered, stepping closer to her. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’ve been stuck in my own head and didn’t even realize I was doin’ it.”

She stood as he approached, her arms crossed loosely over her chest. “I know you’re carrying a lot, Beau. I just… I need to know you’re still here with me. With us.”

He reached out, his hands gently settling on her shoulders. “Darlin’, I’m sorry,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re right—I’ve been distracted, and that’s not fair to you. You’re my partner in all this, and I haven’t been actin’ like it.”

Her gaze softened, though her arms remained crossed. “I just want us to talk, Beau. About the wedding, about the baby, about everything. But not if you’re too far away to hear me.”

He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest. “You’re right,” he murmured into her hair. “I’m here now, and I’m gonna do better, I swear. You and this family we’re buildin’—you’re the most important thing in my life. I don’t ever want ya to feel like you’re second to anythin’.”

Y/N exhaled shakily, her arms sliding around his waist as she leaned into him. “I know you don’t mean to, Beau. But I need you to be present with me.”

“I will be,” he promised, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze. “You’re my home, Y/N. You and Eliza, and this baby. I can’t lose sight of that.”

Her eyes shimmered, and she offered a faint smile. “You’d better not.”

He grinned, brushing a kiss to her forehead before leaning down to capture her lips in a slow, tender kiss. It was a kiss that spoke of apologies, promises, and love that ran deep. When they broke apart, Beau rested his forehead against hers.

“Now,” he said softly, his voice steady, “tell me about those venues.”

Y/N laughed, a sound that was both relieved and light. “You sure? You’re actually ready to listen?”

“More than ready,” he said, guiding her back to the table. “Show me what you’ve got, darlin’. I’m all in.”

The room was quiet, the soft glow of moonlight spilling through the partially drawn curtains. Y/N lay curled against Beau, her head resting on his chest, her breathing steady and deep as she drifted into a peaceful sleep. The scent of her hair, the warmth of her body pressed against his—these were the moments Beau cherished most, the ones that grounded him.

But tonight, no amount of comfort could silence the thoughts swirling in his mind. The image of the young woman on the floor of her home haunted him—the unnatural stillness, the lack of answers. The randomness of it all gnawed at him, leaving him restless and unsettled.

He stared at the ceiling for a while, his arm draped protectively around Y/N. Her presence should have been enough to ease him into sleep, but the weight of the case refused to let go. With a quiet sigh, he carefully slipped out from under her, tucking the blanket around her before sitting on the edge of the bed.

His bare feet met the cool floor as he stood, running a hand through his hair. The house was silent, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator and Eliza’s soft snores coming through the baby monitor. Beau walked down the hall, his steps light and measured, not entirely sure where he was going but knowing he needed to move.

He found himself in the living room, his hand brushing the back of the couch as he walked past. The wedding venue pictures Y/N had shown him earlier were still on the table, and he paused to glance at them. They should have filled him with excitement, with anticipation for the future they were building together. But tonight, all he could think about was the life that had been stolen—young, full of potential, and now reduced to a mystery he couldn’t solve.

Beau crossed to the front door, his hand resting on the knob as he opened it quietly. The night was cool, the stars scattered across the Montana sky. He leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest as he stared out into the darkness. The stillness of the street reminded him of the victim’s quiet neighborhood, and the thought sent a shiver down his spine.

The sound of soft footsteps behind him broke through his thoughts. He didn’t need to turn to know it was Y/N. Her touch was gentle as she slid her arms around his waist from behind, resting her cheek against his back.

“Couldn’t sleep?” she asked softly, her voice still heavy with sleep.

Beau let out a slow breath, his hand covering hers where they rested on his stomach. “Didn’t mean to wake you, darlin’.”

“You didn’t,” she murmured. “I just noticed you weren’t there. I figured something was on your mind.”

He turned slightly, just enough to meet her gaze. The moonlight caught the concern in her eyes, and it made his chest tighten. “I didn’t mean to worry you,” he said, his voice low. “I just… couldn’t shut my brain off.”

Y/N’s hands slid up to his chest, her touch grounding him. “The case?”

He hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Yeah. I can’t get it out of my head. It just… doesn’t make sense. And the randomness of it—it’s messin’ with me.”

She nodded, her fingers tracing small, soothing patterns against his skin. “You don’t have to tell me everything, Beau. I know there are things you can’t share. But you don’t have to carry all of it alone.”

Beau’s gaze dropped to hers, the weight of her words sinking in. He cupped her face with one hand, his thumb brushing her cheek. “You’re too good to me, you know that?”

She smiled faintly, her eyes soft. “Someone’s gotta keep you steady.”

He chuckled softly, the sound tinged with a mix of gratitude and weariness. “I’m sorry for draggin’ this home with me, for not bein’ all here earlier.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” she said firmly. “You’re human, Beau. And you care so much—it’s what makes you good at what you do. But don’t forget, you’ve got people who love you, who want to take care of you too.”

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as he rested his chin on the top of her head. “I don’t deserve you,” he murmured. “But I’m damn grateful for you.”

Y/N tightened her arms around him, her voice muffled against his chest. “We’ll get through it together, Beau. Just like we always do.”

They stood like that for a while, the cool night air brushing past them as the quiet moments stretched. For the first time that evening, the weight on Beau’s chest felt a little lighter. He kissed the top of Y/N’s head before guiding her back inside, closing the door behind them.

“Come on, darlin’,” he said softly, his hand resting on the small of her back. “Let’s try to get some sleep.”

And as they climbed back into bed, her warmth beside him, the haunting images in Beau’s mind began to blur, replaced by the steady rhythm of her breathing and the quiet reminder that he wasn’t alone.

Two weeks after the first murder, Big Sky felt like a town holding its breath. The once-quiet streets were now rife with unease, fueled by whispers of a killer on the loose. Five deaths. All seemingly random. All in their own homes. No clear connections.

Beau leaned against the counter in the sheriff’s department break room, nursing a cup of lukewarm coffee. The images from the crime scenes were seared into his mind, each one more haunting than the last. He hadn’t slept well in weeks, and it showed in the tense lines of his face and the heaviness in his eyes.

“Sheriff,” Jenny’s voice cut through his thoughts, pulling him back to the present. She stood in the doorway, her expression guarded. “We’ve got company. FBI.”

Beau straightened, setting his cup down. “Figures. Five murders in two weeks, no leads. They couldn’t resist.”

Jenny smirked faintly. “You might want to brace yourself. This one’s… different.”

“Different how?”

“You’ll see,” she said, stepping aside as Beau followed her to the lobby.

When Beau entered the lobby, the woman waiting for him turned, her auburn hair catching the sunlight streaming through the windows. She was striking, with warm brown eyes that seemed to see more than what was in front of her. She wore a dark suit that fit her perfectly, professional but unpretentious, and her posture radiated confidence without veering into arrogance.

“Sheriff Arlen,” she said, stepping forward and offering her hand. Her voice was calm and steady, but there was a warmth in her tone that put people at ease.

“That’s me,” Beau replied, taking her hand. Her grip was firm, and as their hands met, he felt an odd pull—something subtle but undeniable.

“Agent Rachel O’Hare,” she introduced herself with a small smile. “FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit. I’m here about the murders.”

“Figured as much,” Beau said, holding her gaze for a moment longer than he intended. “What’s the Bureau’s interest?”

Rachel tilted her head slightly, studying him in return. “We’ve been tracking similar cases across several states. The details aren’t identical, but the pattern—the randomness, the lack of a clear motive—fits. We believe this could be the work of a serial killer.”

Jenny, standing just behind Beau, raised a skeptical brow. “You’re saying someone’s been doing this in other states and just decided to stop here?”

“Possibly,” Rachel replied, shifting her attention to Jenny. “Or this is where they’ve escalated. Either way, it’s our job to find out.”

Beau crossed his arms, his green eyes narrowing slightly. “We’ve been working this case around the clock, Agent O’Hare. My team knows this town better than anyone.”

“And I’m not here to step on toes,” Rachel said, her tone steady but reassuring. “Your knowledge is crucial. I’m here to provide resources and a broader perspective. We’re on the same side, Sheriff.”

There was no edge to her voice, no hint of condescension—just an earnestness that caught Beau off guard. He nodded slowly, his arms relaxing. “All right. Let’s get you up to speed.”

A few minutes later, they were gathered in the conference room, the board of victims dominating the space. Rachel stood in front of it, her arms loosely crossed as she studied the photos and notes. She was quiet for a long moment, her expression focused, and Beau found himself watching her more than the board.

“All women,” she said finally, her voice thoughtful. “Mid-twenties to early thirties. No sign of forced entry. No struggle. And no apparent connections.”

“We’ve been digging into their lives—workplaces, friends, routines,” Jenny said. “So far, nothing overlaps.”

Rachel nodded, her fingers brushing the edge of one of the photos. “It might not be about them as individuals. It could be about the locations, or something symbolic that ties them together.”

“Symbolic?” Beau asked, leaning against the table.

She turned to him, her brown eyes meeting his. “Some killers operate on a level we don’t immediately understand. It’s not always logical, but it’s meaningful to them. If this is the same person we’ve seen in other states, their reasoning won’t make sense at first glance. We’ll have to look deeper.”

Beau nodded, though he found it harder than usual to focus entirely on the case. There was something about her—something in the way her eyes softened when she spoke, or the way her auburn hair caught the light—that kept tugging at his attention. It wasn’t overt, but it was enough to unsettle him in a way he didn’t entirely dislike.

“What about the killer?” he asked, clearing his throat. “Got a profile?”

Rachel shifted slightly, her gaze still on him. “Male, likely mid-thirties to forties. Intelligent, methodical, and enjoys control. The randomness is intentional—it’s part of the game. He’s trying to keep us guessing.”

“So, he’s testing us,” Jenny said, her tone sharp.

Rachel nodded. “Exactly. But everyone makes mistakes. We just have to find his.”

Her words hung in the air, but Beau’s thoughts drifted for a moment, unbidden. He caught himself staring at her again, and when she glanced his way, her lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. It wasn’t flirtatious, but it wasn’t entirely neutral either, and it left Beau feeling uncharacteristically off-balance.

“You all right, Sheriff?” she asked lightly, tilting her head.

“Fine,” Beau said quickly, pushing off the table. “Let’s get to work.”

Rachel’s smile lingered as she turned back to the board. “I’m looking forward to working with you, Sheriff.”

Beau didn’t respond, but as he left the room with Jenny, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Agent Rachel O’Hare was going to complicate things in ways he hadn’t anticipated.

Tag List: @spxideyver, @deadlymistletoe, @bitchykittenconnoisseur, @aarpfashionvictim, @stoneyggirl2

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[m4sonn]

“Is she pretty?” “Yeah… He’s quite the looker… pretty like the sun”

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————————˖⁺‧₊˚☀︎︎˚₊‧⁺˖☀︎︎˖⁺‧₊˚☀︎︎˚₊‧⁺˖-———————

In which Steve comes to Darry to talk about his new crush. And maybe to ask for a few pointers…

Steve being slightly clueless at soda’s infatuation with him

Mutual pining (since they were like 7 but it doesn’t really say in the story)

Slightly implied parental/maybe older sibling figure Darry :P

Stevepop <<33

Moon + sun <3

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“What’d you need Steve? I mean.. why’d you need to talk to me all private like without the gang knowing”

“Because if the gang knew they’d try and snoop, you know how they are. A bunch of nosey pricks”

Steve said lightheartedly, then turning serious and looking up at Darry as Darry sat on his bed in front of him. Steve pulled the chair from the desk next to him and sat in front of Darry.

“So… uhm…. I….”

Steve pov:

I didn’t know why I was stuttering so much all of a sudden, I already knew what I was gon’ say and I already knew that I had to switch out every ‘He’ with a ‘she’… so I didn’t know why I was so nervous. Maybe it was that fact I was talking to my best friend’s older brother about my crush on my best friend but I dunno. I had gotten myself all lost in my thoughts when I was interrupted by him saying—

“Well you gon’ spit it out or not kid?”

“R-right- yeah- uhm… so… I just wanted to talk… yknow?… t-there’s uhm… this person… that I like… And to uhm… ask some advice about like…. Gift givin’ n stuff….”

Darry gave a smile to me, it was real sweet. I always liked it when Darry smiled at me, reminded me a bit of my ma… golly do I miss her.. I can’t remember much about her other than her smile and that I really miss her. Whenever I try to ask about her to my old man he either just takes another drink of beer and ignores me entirely or starts yelling at me till he gets himself mad enough to start wailing on me.

“What do you wanna say about her, kid?”

He said as he put a hand on my shoulder and smiled at me, he then leaned back onto the mattress and stared at me with a smile as he waited for me to speak. I sat for a moment trying to wrangle my scattered thoughts in my head

“W-well shoot I don’t even know where to start… I-i mean she’s just so— amazing!!”

“Alright, alright, slow it down, kid.”

“Ok… uhm… what do you wanna know?”

“Well firstly is she a soc or a grease? Or is she like some kind of hippie or somethin’?”

“She’s a grease, but she ain’t like all the other greaser girls… she’s got that… certain charm… yknow?…. I just can’t explain it…. Yknow? She’s just… magical…”

“Is she pretty?”

“Yeah… He’s quite the looker… pretty like the sun… Yknow those sunsets that pony never shuts his trap about…? I looked at it a few days ago and it reminded me of him…”

Darry pov:

I went silent as he looked at Steve slightly wide eyed, Steve’s mind must’ve wandered to think of his little crush since he was just staring into space with this dopey look on his face, he hadn’t realized what he had said aparantly.

“Him….?”

“….uhm….”

“Well- uh- I- I slipped up, I-i said the wrong word yknow….?”

“Is he in the gang? By any chance?”

“….”

“I’ll take that as a yes”

I said with a smile, I never did see Steve so nervous in my whole life.

3rd person:

Steve silently fiddled with his hands, ready for a lecture or a hit or anything. He had told his dad about this once when he was younger, he had a crush on soda since he was 7. When he told his dad he said he liked a boy and his dad beat him so hard his nose bled and he had bruises all over. He was so used to being beaten that the thought that Darry wasn’t gonna hit him didn’t even cross his mind. Steve was surprised when Darry just put a hand on his shoulder

“Just talk to him, be yourself… That’s all you can really do. Maybe ask ‘im what he likes or just see what he likes and give him something relating to that”

Darry said with a gentle smile, another smile that reminded him of his mom. Darry stood up and hugged Steve gentle before leaving. Steve just watched him silently, he had to sit for a second to compute what Darry was saying. Be himself?? When did broads ever like it when he was just being himself? I mean whenever he was out with a broad and he’d start prattling about cars they always just watched uninterested. That’s all he really talked about. Steve loved cars, he always did. Fixing up a pretty soc car or reading books about cars… he loved them so much. But nobody ever wanted to hear about them so he was honestly starting to like them less and less. But at the same time… He wasn’t a broad. He was his best friend. His best friend who also loved cars, albeit not as much as him but he still loved to hear Steve talking about it. He’d just sit there and rest his cheek in his hand and watch Steve as he talked and talked about cars. Giggling randomly and blushing a bit at Steve. Now that Steve thought about it that’s how broads would look at him and giggle when they were really feeling him.. He thought that was a little suspicious but it was whatever. This guy wouldn’t realize soda was in love with him if it was a metal pole and hit him in the face 27 times.

————————˖⁺‧₊˚☀︎︎˚₊‧⁺˖☀︎︎˖⁺‧₊˚☀︎︎˚₊‧⁺˖-———————

It had been a week since Darry and Steve’s interaction, he slowly noticed that Steve and Soda had been going places together a lot more than usual, and that’s saying something since they were practically attached to the hip 24/7. Darry watched from afar as the two started basically going on dates disguised as hang outs. And eventually, a month later, he caught them kissing on the couch when they thought nobody was home. He never told anyone tho, he just assured them that their secret was safe with him and just to go to soda’s room cause he didn’t wanna watch his kid brother swap spit with one of their mutual friends. It was pretty embarrassing for both of the love birds but whenever pony would stay over at curly’s you bet Steve was over there with Sodapop filling the empty space in his bed.

@heart-shqped-box @mr-freaky-certifed @heartsforjohnnycake

@theoutsiderscomfort said they wanted to see this in the comments of the poll so here you go!!! :3

[isthatafuckinggayangel]

I wanted to continue this thing that I wrote for @cod-dump (hope you don’t mind me tagging you lmao), just kinda expanding upon the concept of Nik being Soap’s father and getting into more of the meat in the idea, so here

~~~

Explaining to Ghost and Gaz everything that had gone on between Nik and Soap, their relationship and all, was exhausting. The number of questions they had took forever to get through and made Soap think a little too hard about what why his mother had caused this.

At the same time though, it made him realize he needed to call her to get all the information straightened out here. He needed to know why she did it. Why she separated him from his father.

So, a few days after he had gotten everything sorted with Nik and the team was on the same page with everything, he made the call. He had both Ghost and Nik sit in on the call with him, he couldn’t get himself to do it without some support and he needed to have Nik there to make sure any lies didn’t slip passed him. The trio were sat around the dining table in the common room, Nik and Ghost on either side of Soap. He pressed the call button and made sure it was on speaker, holding it in his left hand still.

“Tha e math cluinntinn bhuat a-rithist, John. It’s been too long since ye called!” She answered the phone with.

“Sorry ‘bout that. It’s been quite busy out here, so I haven’t had the chance.” Soap rested his forehead in his palm and Ghost ran his hand along his upper back in a soothing motion.

“Is there somethin’ goin’ on, a chuilein? Ye sound a bit upset.”

“Yeah, um, I’ve been thinking a lot and had a few questions fer you, if that’s alright?”

“Of course, it is! Ask away.”

He took a deep breath then went for it. “Why did you tell me my da abandoned me?”

There was silence on the other end. The seconds stretched for what felt like forever.

“Well, that’s because he did. He made it very clear to me that he didn’t want to speak to any of us, and as much as it pained me, I knew we had to respect his wishes.”

Soap saw Nik’s fist clench out of the corner of his eye and looked up, seeing an expression of barely concealed rage. Soap set his phone on the table, reaching over and grabbing his father’s hand to try to help calm him.

“Ma, do you remember what he does for work?”

“…What do you mean, John?”

“I need you to be honest with me. Why did you lie?”

He was met with more silence.

“I dinnae lie, John.”

“Ma. I’m givin’ ya one more chance to be honest. I need you to take it.”

“I don’t understand, I’ve been honest-“

He let out a sigh before laying it all out. “I met him again, Ma. Ye seem tae have forgotten what he does fer work. We work together now. I read his journal, ma. I know what you told ‘im. I know you lied to both of us. So why? I just wanna know why you did it.”

“It’s a very complicated situation-“

“Bullshit. I know a complicated situation when I see one, and this is not one.”

“John-“

“Не лги нашему сыну, Elspet.” Nik growled. He’d clearly had enough of her avoiding the question she’d been asked.

“Nikolai, I-“

“You will answer the question the boy asked. You will not disrespect him or diminish his intelligence by acting as though you do not understand what he is talking about.”

They were once again met with silence. Ghost moved closer to Johnny, wrapping his arm around his shoulders and holding him against his side.

“I was tired. Your father’s job took a toll on me, on our family, and I couldn’t handle it anymore. The entire time you were away from me, every summer, I was so scared his job would follow him home and I wouldn’t know because you were so far away. I needed to have you close to make sure you were okay. That you were safe. I couldn’t think of anything else to be able to do it.” She paused. “Look at where that’s gotten us now. You enlisted for the same damn job and now ye work together. Guess it couldn’t truly be avoided.”

Soap was seething. While he understood being afraid for your child’s safety, he couldn’t get passed the manipulation. The lies. The fact that she didn’t just explain that that was the problem. He could have kept up with phone calls, letters, something so he wouldn’t lose his father. And yet, this was the decision she had made.

Nik squeezed his hand and Ghost hugged him a bit tighter.

“John?”

A deep breath. “Thank you for your honesty. I’m gonna need some time to process all that. I’ll call you again soon, yeah?”

“Yeah. I love you, John.”

“Love ye too, ma.” He hung up the phone and rested his head against the table. “Christ, that sucked.”

“Are you alright, love?” Ghost asked.

“I’ll be alright eventually. Just gonna need some time.” He picked his head back up and looked over at Nik. “You alright? Cannae exactly be easy for you to hear either.”

He gave a light nod. “I’ll be okay eventually, малыш. It will take time, as you said, but it will be fine.” He squeezed Soap’s hand again and Soap did the same back. “У нас все будет хорошо.”

~~~

Translations

Tha e math cluinntinn bhuat a-rithist, Johnny. -> It’s lovely to hear from you again, Johnny.

A chuilein -> my lad

Не лги нашему сыну -> Don’t lie to our son

Малыш -> little one

У нас все будет хорошо -> We will be okay

Apologies for any incorrect translations, the Gaelic is done with google translate and the Russian is a different translation app, so chances are there’s something wrong with it. Let me know if you have any corrections on it!

[povlvr]

9. A Sticky Situation | YLGSE

Pairing: Mob Boss! Bucky x Baker Reader

Summary: With two unwanted guests in your bakery & no one to help you, you need to work out how to get yourself out of a sticky situation.

Word Count: 7k

Warnings: Violence, Swearing, some inappropriate thoughts, mob life, guns, can you say kidnapping if the victim isn't a child?

A/N: I can't apologise enough for how long this has taken to finish, I've been so busy at work my brain hasn't had the capacity to be creative.

Graphics by @firefly-graphics

Series Masterlist

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… as you were taking stock of supplies underneath the counter you heard the bell ring, popping your head up to tell whoever it was that you were closing you noticed the empty bakery save for the two gentlemen in pinstripe suits making their way over to you.

The hair on the back of your neck stood up at the sight of them, you remained crouched behind the counter reaching for your phone in your pocket, without even hesitating you called James & somehow managed to shakily mute his end & put the speakerphone on, before slipping it into your apron so that he could hopefully hear what was happening.

You hoped it was nothing & that you were overreacting but seriously why did you tell him to stop following you? & why the hell did he listen? It didn’t take Einstein to work out these two guys were not here for a cupcake & coffee, they didn’t look like they belonged in your pink frilly bakery, their entire auras were dark & menacing & your gut told you they wanted to harm you.

Your intuitions had kept you safe to this point living alone in a city overrun by mobsters & you never ignored them, your dad always taught you that being rude & keeping yourself safe was an easy trade off, if your instincts let you down you could always apologise later but you couldn’t do that if you ended up in harms way by ignoring them for the sake of being polite. 

You hoped & prayed to all the gods, even if you didn’t believe in them, that Bucky would stay on the line long enough to realise you were potentially in danger. You were not a damsel in distress by any means, but you knew your limits & you knew not to mess with these men, precariously you rose from behind the counter to greet them.

‘Afternoon gentlemen, we’re actually closing now so I can’t offer you any coffee, but I could rustle you up a pastry if you’re in the market.’ You tried to sound somewhat confident addressing the two men, plastering on a sweet smile with the attempt to kill them with kindness, although you were sure that old adage didn’t count when your adversaries most definitely carried guns.

With a cold chuckle the tall slender visitor, who looked like he only appeared when the sun went down, piped up, amused at how clueless you were, ‘We ain’t here for food darlin’.’ You noticed his suit hung off his slim frame like it had once fit, his translucent pale skin & hollow cavernous eyes were haunting to look at. 

‘Oh … well then how can I help you fella’s?’ No matter how much you detested it, playing dumb usually helped plump up men’s egos, if they underestimated you knew there would be a chance you could delay whatever they were here for, at least long enough for Bucky to get to you. 

The two unwanted guests looked at each other not quite believing their luck that Bucky Barnes hadn’t prepared his girl for the inevitability that one of his enemies would come for her & even worse leaving her vulnerable to the wolves at his door. 

‘Thing is darlin’ Jimmy & I heard a few things on the streets & wanted to get to the bottom of it, so we thought we’d keep an eye on ya & couldn’t help but notice all of the flowers you been givin’ away, not the sorta thing you expect with a $4 coffee.’

You forced out a shaky giggle, ‘Hmmm I guess not, but there was an unexpected surplus, so I thought I would share the love with my customers, put a smile on their faces.’ 

‘Well, we heard differently’

‘yeah, we heard the King of Brooklyn had found his Queen.’ 

Your stomach dropped & your intense polishing of the counter with the cloth clutched in your hand ceased, you didn’t like where this was going, you had no idea if Bucky could even hear any of this or if the phone was even still connected but you knew he would get to you if he could. The potential of him not coming to rescue you was a real possibility & somehow you needed to come up with a way to get out of this on your own.

Before you could open your mouth the smaller one interrupted, a dark smirk overtaking his face was chilling you to the bone, he looked the epitome of evil & you wanted nothing more than to run from him. ‘No need to protest that sweetheart.’ You shuddered at the nickname, swiftly moving your hand from the counter when he tried to place his own on top of yours.

‘You see, at first we found that hard to believe that Bucky Barnes was pussy whipped, because everyone knows James Barnes isn’t a one-woman kinda guy, but when we saw him & his crew fill this place up with flowers at the crack of dawn we started to think there might be some truth to it.’

‘Well, looks like you have the wrong end of the stick gentlemen, he is a business associate & it was a thank you gift for arranging a last-minute delivery.’

The tall one laughed, except it didn’t feel at all joyful, ‘I don’t think so sweetheart, nice necklace.’ Your hand on instinct wrapped itself around the emerald pendant, maybe they were robbing you? You didn’t want to part with it, but if the alternative was you getting hurt, you were sure Bucky wouldn’t mind you handing it over to them.

‘Hmmm doesn’t it look familiar you Jimmy?’

‘Yeah, now that you mention it,’ he drummed his fingers on his chin as though he was deep in contemplation on where he had seen it before, ‘it kinda looks like the one his mom used to wear.’

‘That’s where I know it from.’ He acted as though it was some sort of big revelation, when in fact the surprise was written on your face, shit, you didn’t even want to go into why Bucky would give you such a sentimental gift, but you knew they wouldn’t believe any lies you came up with to explain it away.

Trying to be as nonchalant as possible you shrugged, ‘News to me, are you here for any reason in particular?’

‘Thing is sweetheart, your boyfriend & my boss have some outstanding business & your boyfriend isn’t being too forthcoming to sort it out, clearly too busy being distracted by a pretty young thing such as yourself.’

‘So, we thought we’d do him a favour & help focus his attention on what really matters, so you’re going to come with us. No need for a fuss or a fight darlin’, we’ll be real nice to ya as long as you behave.’

The thought of what he was implying made you recoil, your phone felt like a lead weight sat in your apron, to keep as calm as possible you repeatedly told yourself that even if the call didn’t connect, as long as you got away from them you could ring Bucky & he would come & keep you safe, he would keep you safe. 

You weren’t even listening as they rattled on about their boss being pleased, your mind in overdrive with what you were about to do, you let them escort you through the tables towards the exit & your heart felt like a jackhammer in your throat.

Before you were manhandled through the threshold to the car waiting outside, you raised a foot stomping down you heel as hard as you could into the tall man’s foot, then not wasting a second you elbowed the other in the gut with as much force as possible.

With the two momentarily incapacitated you darted back through the bakery throwing whatever you could get your hands on behind you as you ran to try & slow them down, you didn’t have much of a head start but you’d take it. Knowing the place inside out you easily manoeuvred through the tight passageways to your office slamming the door & frantically locking it. You knew the door wouldn’t hold for long, without thinking you somehow gathered the strength to push your desk in front of the door, paperwork flew in every which way from the force of you violently shoving the solid wood towards the entrance, barricading yourself in, hoping beyond hope that it would hold. 

Your hands were trembling pulling your phone out of your apron, in your haste to hear Bucky’s voice you repeatedly fumbled & dropped it, cursing yourself before forcing yourself to take a deep calming breath. Finally, you gathered your phone off the floor relieved seeing that the call was still connected.

‘James.’

‘Bunny, what’s happening, are you ok? where are you?’ He sounded breathless, almost on the precipice of panic.

‘I’m at the bakery, Bucky some guys tried to take me. Come please, they’re trying to get through the door.’ You sounded as terrified as you felt, you wondered if your makeshift barricade would hold for as long as it took for Bucky to get to you.

‘Already on my way Sugar, just hang tight I’m not far, I promise I’ll get to you. Where are …’

The sound of a gun firing stole you from your momentary reverie as one of them began unloading bullets into the door, the scream that left your body would haunt Bucky until the day he died & right there he knew he wouldn’t allow the people who tried to take you any mercy, no questioning, they were dead on sight.

‘Fuck bunny I’ll get to ya, where you hidin’?’

‘In my office. Please hurry.’

‘Just keep yourself away from the door, I promise nothing is gonna happen to you, ok?’

You nodded wishing he would just come crashing through the door & wrap himself around you.

‘Bunny, are you nodding even though I can’t see you?’

‘Yes.’

Cowering in a corner on the floor, trembling whenever the door handle rattled, or a shoulder barged into the wood wasn’t exactly how you thought your day would end but here you were clutching onto the necklace Bucky gave you like it was a lifeline hoping he would get to you before they got through the door.

The Mob Boss was about to combust, every promise he made to himself about keeping you safe he failed on, failed the promise he made to a dead man that very morning that he would keep his daughter from harm. Of the many unforgiveable things he had done in his life, this was the one that would live with him, the sound of your voice on the phone, the utter terror would haunt his nightmares.

When his cell illuminated with your call he couldn’t mask the smile on his face, despite being in a meeting he didn’t hesitate to answer hoping that you weren’t still mad that he bombarded you with flowers.

His heart stopped the moment he heard the fear in your voice & he dismissed the meeting, then began ordering people into action as he ran to his car with his phone pressed to his ear making sure not to miss a single thing said. 

He thought he could hear some commotion on the line after the talking died down & a few grunts, he forced himself to keep going & to not pull over to be sick on the side of the road, he sped up not caring about how fast he was now going or the danger he was putting himself in, he needed to get to you before they did.

Finally, he heard you call his name & he thanked every star in the sky that you had some how gotten away from them, if their focus was on getting you out of your office he knew they would be distracted enough to put a bullet in each of their skulls before they had chance to even know what’s happening.

Pulling up to the bakery he saw their car, ordering his men to destroy it, like a military operation they entered the bakery in absolute silence, Bucky taking lead, walking a well worn path to where the two stood feebly trying to open the door, completely outsmarted & out manoeuvred by his dainty real life angel, it was almost too easy as he stood barrel facing them & as quick as a flash with two clean shots they were on the ground. Exterminated.

You heard more bullets before two loud thuds, then silence. It was unnerving, did they finally give up & leave or go to get more men, you were tempted to look out & see what was happened, but you followed Bucky’s instructions & stayed put, knowing he would be there soon.

A sharp knock on the door broke the silence, ‘Bunny.’

His unmistakable voice steadied your trembling body, you needed to get to him & every second you took was a second too long, without hesitation you ran to the door & began disassembling your panicked barricade, ‘James.’

‘Move the desk Sugar, told you I’d get to you.’

Somehow even exhausted you managed to move the desk back enough so Bucky could squeeze through the gap, he was breathless, eyes darting around the room, assessing the danger, checking everything he needed to in order to calm down after the frantic journey to get to you.

With two long strides he wrapped his big arms around you, engulfing you entirely, the irony that you felt the safest you ever had within the arms of the most dangerous man in the city did occur to you but at that moment you didn’t care, pulling away he began running his hands around your limbs, holding your face, checking every inch of you looking for injuries of any kind.

Satisfied that you were unharmed he leaned his head against yours to calm the overwhelming panic your phone call had induced, he couldn’t even begin to comprehend how you were feeling.

‘Hi’

‘Hi’

Without pause he connected your mouths in a fiery kiss, his grip tight on the back of your head as though he was absolutely making sure you were ok & still there with him. Not thinking straight, you couldn’t stop the moan that escaped or from pushing yourself against him, you needed him closer & to never let you go, it was stupid, but your body craved the safety of his arms.

Reluctantly, painfully almost, he prised his mouth from yours to give you some air, sheepishly clearing his throat to mask his amusement at your angry little pout, he wanted to kiss it away more than anything but knew better than to take advantage of your need for comfort after what had just happened. ‘Sorry.’

‘It’s ok.’

You tried to pull yourself from his grasp & explain to him what happened, but he still wouldn’t let you go, keeping his head firmly against yours, eyes closed, breathing you in, trying to find his way back to the peace your presence usually granted him, ‘Just gimme a sec.’

Finally, he looked into your eyes, you were lost in his the second they connected, still as blue & piercing as ever, just as you were about to tell him what happened when Steve appeared at the door.

‘Everything is secure, you’re good to go. We’ll stay back & make sure everything is cleaned up.’

Remaining completely focused on you he didn’t even look at Steve when he spoke, ‘I want it spotless.’

‘Understood.’

You glanced between the two men not really knowing what they meant, but not having the capacity to think about it you let it go for once, if James said it was taken care of you knew it would be.

Holding your face, he brought your attention back to him noticing you had zoned out, before the adrenaline wore off & you shut down completely he needed to get you to safety, if there were two guys after you, there was no doubt in his mind that more would follow.

‘Come with me Bunny, we’re gonna go back to yours, pack a bag & you’re gonna stay with me for a while, least until I find out who sent them guys.’

‘What no, that’s so unnecessary.’

‘Sugar, these guys are bad news, there will be more if they know about you.’

His voice faltered, as if he was struggling to even verbalise the danger you were in. ‘Please, please let me keep you safe. Do you trust me?’

Hmm trust him? To keep you safe yes, absolutely, trust him not to break your heart, you weren’t so sure. Maybe it wasn’t the time to clarify your answer with him, so you just nodded, ‘Yes, I trust you James.’

‘Good, so please trust that I know best.’

Again, you nodded.

‘We’ll get to my house, get some dinner in you, then we will regroup & come up with a plan.’

‘Ok, will Alpine be there?’

‘Of course, she’s misses you Sugar.’

Just as Bucky began to guide you out he realised there would likely still be two dead men outside the office, ‘Bunny, I don’t want you to see out there so I’m gonna pick you up & I want you to keep your eyes closed until I tell you, ok?

You nodded holding out your arms to him without hesitation, a sight he would have killed to see 24 hours ago but now it filled him full of guilt & sadness that you had been traumatised in order for it to happen, you jumped up wrapping yourself like a little koala in his arms tucking yourself into his neck as he effortlessly carried you out into the night & into the car waiting outside.

It felt like some sort of manic house raid when you got to your apartment, bags were swiftly located & your possessions tossed in, from the amount of clothes Bucky was packing you weren’t sure when you would return, so you brought your father’s recipe books & some home comforts that you knew you wouldn’t need but liked to have near.

With a deep sigh you zipped up the final bag ready to leave behind your life, Bucky gathered them all in his hand despite your protest that you could help him with them, the other hand was entwined with your own, ‘if you need anything else I can always send one of my men over to get it ok Bunny. Or you could finally let me spoil ya silly & buy you whatever you want.’

He gently pressed his lips to your temple at the tiny smile he managed to coax from you, he could tell you were in shock from how quiet you had been since he got to you, so he just made sure to be close but not overbearing & let you work through it all.  

Taking your keys from you to lock up, you instinctively wrapped your arms around him for some comfort, you knew you were in this mess because of him but you absolutely knew to your core that he would handle it. In the grand scheme of your life you hadn’t known him very long, but you knew him enough to know you would be safest with him.

Pulling up to Bucky’s estate a second time didn’t seem as daunting & the thought of living with him didn’t faze you at all, ‘Home sweet home.’ He lifted your connected hands to his lips, trying to reassure you, he would be thrilled with you staying with him but under the circumstances he was trying to keep his rage suppressed in your presence that someone would dare try & take you, he hadn’t even begun to apologise for this happening to you, he needed to take decisive action. 

Sam was at the house waiting on your arrival, you giggled at Bucky darting out of the car & have a hand slapping standoff with his friend in an attempt at trying to be the one to open your door, he won, of course & held out his hand to guide you out of the car.

‘Can you get Bun’s bags & put them in the room next to mine please. Come on Sugar let’s get you something to eat. Alpine’s gonna love having a new roommate.’

You took his outstretched hand, appreciating the coy smile on his face, as he led you through to the kitchen you noticed the hive of activity in the vicinity of his office, spotting your attention on them he put his palm on your lower back & guided you away from anything you could potentially hear. ‘Ignore them Darlin’, I’ll set you some food & then I have some business to take care of. I’ll make sure they’re out of our hair in no time.’

The fillets of salmon were sizzling away on the griddle pan once you returned to the kitchen, you had excused yourself to change out of your work clothes into your overpriced cashmere loungewear, the comfort of some familiarity in a foreign environment felt like it would soothe your overwhelmed brain. 

Noticing how zoned out you still were Bucky turned back to the stove reducing the heat, you hadn’t even noticed him approaching let alone the sound of Sinatra playing until his deep gravelly voice pulled you from your reverie, ‘Dance with me Bunny.’

A whisper of a smile crossed your face & as he held out his hand & you looked like you were coming back up to the surface accepting his invitation, your head tucked perfectly under his chin as you swayed on the on the spot, like you were made to dance with him. You always felt so protected in his arms, the warmth & safety of his embrace was all it took to open up, ‘they said their boss had some business with you, but you were too distracted with me, so they were taking care of it.’

Your voice was so quiet, he held you that little bit tighter for it, ‘I’m so fucking sorry Bunny, I swore I would keep you safe & I didn’t.’

‘I’m here aren’t I? Safe & Sound.’ You looked up at him resting your chin to his chest.

‘Not because of me, what did you do to them?’

‘I took some classes on women’s self-defence last summer at the YMCA, I kept calm & waited until they tried to get me out the door, I stomped on one guys foot & then elbowed the other & ran.’

He looked down on proud face lighting up at the sight, ‘You’re so fucking smart, you know that, even calling me as soon as you did.’

‘Well I knew they looked evil I just trusted my gut.’

‘Why did you call me?’

‘I knew you’d come & keep me safe.’

‘Always Sugar.’

‘You got to me quickly.’

‘Not quick enough Bunny, couldn’t fucking breathe listening to it. Nearly shot someone who got in my way.’

You gasped, hoping no one came to harm because of you.

‘Knew you wouldn’t like it if I did, so just punched him.’

You giggled & it was like the heavens opened & angels sung to him, ‘That’s ok then.’

‘See, knew you’d understand.’ He gently moved some hair out of your face, tucking it behind your ear & you couldn’t help but swoon with how delicate he always seemed to be with you. On your tip toes you reached up to place a kiss on his cheek, despite all the kissing you had previously shared the blush on his skin was unmistakable.

You managed to pull yourself together before you did anything too stupid in order to calm your racing mind, ‘So, what’s the plan?’

‘We have our dinner, you go, shower & do whatever you need to do to feel ok.’

‘I feel ok like this.’

‘Dancing?’

‘With you.’

‘Then I’ll do my best to keep close, if I can’t be, you’ll be surrounded by people who will lay down their lives before any harm comes to you, just like I will.’ An effortless twirl in his arms really didn’t help the swooning & you weren’t sure if your legs would give out any minute, but you knew he would catch you when they did.

‘I don’t want anyone hurt because of me.’

‘It won’t come to that, In the mean time you stay here, I can’t risk you going to the bakery, out in the open.’

Your brow furrowed at the thought, you mind in overdrive yet again, ‘But I can’t close.’

‘I will take care of everything.’

‘But…’ 

He cut you off with his thumb over your lip, ‘Please, please let me take care of you, of your business. Take this time to actually rest & it will be right there when this is all over.’

The pleading in his eyes was all it took for you to agree with a firm nod, ‘When will it be all over?’

‘When I find out who sent those two men, when I find him & kill him for trying to take my girl from me.’

‘Bucky ... I’m not…’

‘I know Sugar, I know you’re not my girl … yet.’

He pulled you in selfishly, connecting you to him & yet again you did nothing but comply, he savoured your taste & reassured that you were safe & taken care of. 

When your lips parted, you couldn’t help repeating his words.

‘Yet.’

Never had Bucky ever wanted to be somewhere less, he kept trying to subtly watch the live CCTV of you cuddled up to Alpine watching a movie in the snug but being interrupted with business at hand was irritating him no end, he should be right there with you holding both his girls close & enjoying a Saturday at home, instead he was sat with his crew drawing up plans to take down Pierce once & for all.

He was more determined than ever to do right by you, having someone to come home to every night had been a revelation, walking in on you in the kitchen at various stages of your baking process never failed to put a smile on his face. You said you were bored & wanted to test out new ideas, so Bucky had every type of ingredient he could source stocked in the pantry for you to work with & would often find you talking to security getting their feedback on your creations.

The bakery was running smoothly with Yelena, MJ & Peter plus one of the finest pastry chefs flown in from Paris who meticulously followed your recipes, you had begged Bucky for him not to be ‘too good’ so your regulars wouldn’t get used to having a ‘real baker’ making their pastries. You refused to entertain his argument that yours were just as good as any trained chef, he would argue until he was blue in the face to get you to believe him but relented & made you write down your recipes for the ‘proper chef’ to ‘lower himself to’, you didn’t miss the way his jaw clenched whenever you talked yourself down.

Still, he looked forward to the minute he could leave the office each day & almost shot Steve at one point when he asked him a convoluted question at 5pm expecting him to come up with a detailed answer, he didn’t miss the smirk on the punk’s face when it was a very brief sentence followed by him rushing to get out the door.

Unfortunately, the meeting Bucky was currently enduring was necessary, after days of his scouts out on various missions they were finally ready to formulate a plan to deal with Pierce & if they were strategic the entire organisation could be wiped out in one night, no one comes after his girl & after this was done no one would ever dare again.

An exasperated sigh fell from him as he studied his rough cuticles, letting the men around his desk mutter away whilst his thoughts were consumed by you, ‘Talk to me, what do we know.’

Steve glanced around the table waiting for someone to speak, the blank looks on their faces told him he would be leading this particular operation, ‘The second you shot Malone & Fingers, Pierce went into hiding getting his little bulldog Rumlow to do his dirty work, but Parker & I managed to track one of his men making some suspicious supply drop offs at a place up in Rochester, nice big place surrounded by fences.’

With his eyebrow quirked he quickly weighed up the pro’s & cons of entering the lion’s den, ‘Impenetrable?’

‘Not with Peter hacking the feed & the security system.’ 

‘How many men do we have?’

Sam unusually quiet until this point perked up, ‘Enough to take all of them at once, swarm the place. There’s been some chatter about a meet up, they will be gathered & sitting ducks.’

‘When?’

‘Tomorrow 9pm.’

Running his hand through his hair he let out another sigh, the thought of inevitably losing men weighed on his conscious, but this needed taking care of once & for all, ‘Ok, do what you need to do.’

Steve’s demeanour shifted at the Mob Boss’ apparent detachment from the plans, Bucky Barnes would usually hyperfocus on each detail of an operation until he could recite each split second of the plan, ‘You not joining us?’

‘Who do you think will be putting the bullet between his eyes? I trust you all to handle the rest, have someone collect me from the house on the way. I’ve got other business that requires my attention.’

‘hmm I wonder what.’ Walker was always a thorn in Bucky’s side, there wasn’t a day he didn’t irritate everyone around him, he was a nobody in the organisation but acted like he was the saviour of the new world & 2nd in command at times.

Without pause, Bucky reached for the gun tucked in his belt, before anyone could anticipate his next move the safety was released & he shot one single bullet into his skull, the lifeless body falling to the floor with a thud. He could tolerate a lot from his men, but disrespect wasn’t one of them, his father taught him once you lose that you’ve lost all hope of them following you into battle. It was a warning to the rest that Bucky Barnes might have softened for you, but he was every bit the Mob Boss his reputation warranted.

‘Anyone else got anything to say? … No, I didn’t think so, clean this up.’

Standing against the door frame he watched on as your tongue poked out of the corner of your mouth in full concentration meticulously decorating the decadent eclair with gold leaf. He had informed you of the plans when he got back from the office, despite his business being unsavoury & in complete contrast to yours he had promised to keep you in the loop, even if you didn’t like what came out of his mouth sometimes. 

He had found you & Alpine sprawled out in the snug enjoying a nap with the golden hour sunshine splintering on your face, looking like a real-life angel, he knew that in less than 48 hours you would be back to living your normal life & some part of him wanted to selfishly draw out the whole mess, so he could keep you here longer. 

‘Bunny, what you still doing up?’

Only when you tilted your head to look up at him did he realise you were crying, he was in front of you lifting you up on the counter before you could even wipe away your fallen tears.

He cradled your face in his hands, ‘Hey what’s got you upset?’

You shrugged, ‘just worried I guess.’

Moving to rub your thighs with his warm palms, he needed to soothe & comfort you, his real-life angel being upset wasn’t an option if he could do anything about it, ‘What about Bun?’

‘Tomorrow.’

He sighed, the last thing he wanted was for you to be worried about that. ‘Oh, Sugar there’s absolutely no need, this place will be guarded & you’ll be completely safe.’

You shook your head, ‘No, worried about you.’

‘Worried about me? Thought you’d be glad to be rid of me.’

‘I don’t .. I don’t want you to get hurt.’ You rested your elbows on his shoulders playing with his hair like you always seemed to do when your mind drifted.

‘I’ll be fine.’

‘Wish you’d stay with me instead.’

‘Trust me, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than right next to you, but I need to be the one to do it.’

‘Mob etiquette?’

‘Something like that. Whatchya got there anyway.’

You reached forward picking up the dessert, holding it up to Bucky’s mouth for him to take a bite, the sight was enough to flood your underwear & placing the remainder down on the side you licked the remains from your fingers not missing the way his eyes followed every movement absolutely captivated by you.

You didn’t care about what had gone on anymore, he was all you wanted & you were sick of being on a high horse about something that really didn’t matter, you wanted him. Moving your hand to the back of his neck you pulled him towards you, smashing your lips against his, tasting the sweet cream in his mouth.

You’d probably kissed him every day at one point or another since you were staying with him, but this felt different, it had purpose, you were leaning into him & not holding yourself back as he stood between your legs, his hands on your waist pulling you to the edge of the counter pressing you against him, feeling his abs rubbing your centre.

Your hands made their way down his body, his muscles rippling on contact until you reached the hem of his t-shirt pushing their way under trying to rid him of a layer separating you.

‘Hold on Bunny, hold on one second.’

You draped your arms over his shoulders to pull him back to your lips, ‘James, please, I want you.’

‘No darlin’, not like this.’

You moved your legs up to the counter blocking yourself from him, trying to wiggle out of his grasp as the humiliation rose at his rejection.

‘Hey, hey, I don’t mean I don’t want you, you know I do, but you’re not in the right headspace for decision making & I’m not taking advantage of you when you still haven’t forgiven me for the shit I pulled in that club.’

Again, you draped your arms around him, arching your back as you whispered into his ear, ‘But maybe I have.’

Reciprocating your body language his hands held your back, pressing you against him as he lay a delicate kiss below your ear, ‘Well then if that’s the case, it won’t hurt to wait until this is all done & settled, only then will I accept that you have.’

You reluctantly yielded, it would have been pathetic if you kept pawing at him to get your way, but you knew you’d eventually be grateful that he gave you time to process everything once your horniness subsided. 

Like the gentleman he was turning out to be, he helped you clean up your mess in the kitchen before he walked you to your room, you wanted to ask him to at least stay in your bed tonight but thought better of it in your current state. You couldn’t be held responsible for dry humping him in your sleep, instead you settled for a good night kiss with the promise of new beginnings on the horizon & maybe you would have to take care of the ache between your legs yourself in the meantime.

The tension was at boiling point throughout the day, you tried to be present in the moment spending the day with Bucky but feeling physically sick at the thought of him in harm’s way meant you couldn’t stomach any food or pay attention to whatever movie was on. You instead, paced back & forth in the snug whilst he sat watching you intently telling you to come sit & that everything would be fine, it wasn’t until he pulled you on to his lap that you finally calmed somewhat until the foreboding grandfather clock chimed that it was time. This was it. 

You felt a sense of dread that couldn’t be explained, convincing yourself that he would come back missing a limb or worse & it made you sick to your stomach. When this was all over you told yourself, you would take some time to assess how you were feeling about the man keeping you from harm because the visceral reaction to him suiting up getting ready to leave was overwhelming.

You almost felt as though he was being shipped off to war & you needed to confess all your feelings then & there like it was your last chance, then telling him that you would be waiting for him, hoping & praying he would come back unharmed.

The car pulling up to the front of the house had your lip trembling, you clung to the mobster who looked composed as ever but feeling his racing heart at the thought of leaving you showed his hand. 

‘Try & sleep Bunny I’ll see you in the morning.’

You pulled his face to yours in a desperate kiss & his hands instinctively found your waist to hold you to him, parting was such sweet sorrow, ‘Wake me up when you get in … I’ll sleep in your bed.’

‘Might not leave now if you’re gonna be saying that.’

You giggled & like always it was music to his ears.

As he began walking towards the foyer his arm was draped over your shoulders & his head leaned down with his lips to your ears ‘Got a real important job for ya Bun.’

‘Hmm.’

‘Yeah, there’s a little white kitty around here somewhere, you gotta keep her out of mischief & safe while I’m gone. She doesn’t like her daddy leaving her.’

You let out a deep sigh, ‘Neither do I’.

‘Fuck, Sugar, why you gotta say that.’ He pulled you to him in a tender kind of kiss that you didn’t want to read into, did it feel like a goodbye? Maybe. Did it break your heart a little? Yes, but crying into a guy’s mouth isn’t hot & you somehow kept your composure so that he wouldn’t worry about the state he left you in.

A split second later he marched out the door not looking back, he needed to focus & if he saw you upset he would have marched right back to do anything & everything to make you smile. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that he was in love with you.

The drive was tense, he studied the floorplan & strategy being presented to him from the back of the convoy, a simple plan for the others to go ahead & take out any members & leave Pierce for Bucky, he allowed Steve & Sam the pleasure of playing with Rumlow to their heart’s content, but everyone knew the boss was his for the killing.

Pulling up to the estate the CCTV feed was being monitored, Hydra’s entire organisation cooped up in two small rooms & Pierce sat in his office, the whole operation was in place ready for the annihilation of the Mob Boss’ perpetual headache. From the car in front Peter hacked their system with a feedback a loop of their external cameras to mask their arrival, signalling once they could go ahead. 

The first wave of security wasn’t any kind of an issue & removed without breaking a sweat, a silent biometric lock picking later & they had access to the building. Bucky strolled in the place as though his name was on the deeds, the security was pathetic, their arrogance amused him no end & he couldn’t wait to see the look on Pierce’s face as he planted a bullet directly in his skull. 

The sight of his rival’s office doors came into view & as he smugly opened the door with his silencer pointed directly at the chair his stomach dropped, it was empty. He quickly assessed the room, eyes darting back & forth to look for escape routes, secret rooms not on the plans but came up short, he was there mere moments before.

The heckles rose on Bucky's neck from the silence of the place, there should be more noise, bullets, anything. His cool calm demeanour was failing as he searched the room, looking for a clue as to where he went, until Steve ran into the room, he almost sounded muffled as he spoke because the Mob Boss’ whole entire focus laid on the desk he had just walked behind. 

His eyes darted to Steve, the sorrow deeply etched on his face told his lifelong friend that nothing had gone to plan, this was a trap.

Captured in a picture frame stood on his nemesis desk was a photograph of Bucky dancing in his kitchen with the love of his life looking at him as though he painted the entire night’s sky with stars, chilling him to his very soul & he could only manage one word.

‘Bunny.’

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[through-fire-and-flame]

pyre. (drabble)

[ cw for parental death ]

They keep funerals simple in the Great Swamp, for the most part. Many of the villages give their dead to the water. Sometimes, they celebrate a person's life with dancing and songs and feasting, praising the time they had with one another before a passing.

Other times - in harder times - they have quiet ceremonies by the shorelines as the dead disappear into the mud. Whether by way of raucous, defiant festival or solemn acknowledgment, they murmur the same prayer:

"Your hours were a kindness, and may your memory be one too."

---

It may be the first time his mother has ever looked peaceful, laid as she is along the sand. The hard line of her mouth has softened; if you looked at her sideways you might think she was smiling. He can't quite remember the last time she smiled - probably in one of those rare, unguarded moments before his father disappeared. He didn't get a burial. Or perhaps he did, after whatever got him was finished with him.

Laurentius pushes that last thought aside before it can take vicious root. Most everyone else has shuffled back to the village, leaving him with the last duty of carrying her into the water. Only the old man lingers nearby, and he offers about as much comfort as a gargoyle. The younger man sits back on the sand, staring out over the silver-spilled surface of the moonlit swamp. It's a clear night, and he can still smell the embers of the small fire they lit in her honor.

"She was a good woman," the old man says. "Worked hard."

"Never stopped," Laurentius mutters. "Right up until she fell over - working hard."

It was illness, of course. You don't grow up in a swamp without someone getting sick now and again, but you would have thought a lifetime in the mire might have inured you to the various ills that rose up out of the mud or festered in the water. That is, of course, unless you have worked yourself to the aching bone, day in, day out, taking on every errand and task you could, until your body had nothing left to stave off illness with. She was already half-dead from fatigue when fell sick - and disease carried her the rest of the way in her sleep. It got into her lungs, the village healer guessed.

She was a hard worker, they said. We'll miss her.

Laurentius continues to look out over the water. He can't look down at her - not right now, not with tears brimming his eyes and a sob building to despairful release in his chest. He doesn't know why she wouldn't slow down, even as he asked her to. He doesn't know what she was running from, that she wouldn't rest. It was in her eyes, on those rare nights where she couldn't find more work: something haunted and lonely, desperate to acknowledge anything but itself.

Then again, maybe he did understand, he thinks, glancing over at the old man crouched nearby. He had thrown himself into learning pyromancy after his father disappeared. It felt like seizing some measure of control back from everything - with the flame, he could protect himself. With the flame, he could protect his mother. She didn't see it that way, of course; she never approved of the old man, nor his philosophy. It wasn't that she thought of it as heresy, but rather she knew that it would sour Laurentius' chances of a life outside the swamp someday, should he ever decide to leave the village.

It had, in a small and inevitable way, driven them apart. She never stopped loving him, but now he wonders if his pursuit had left her to contend with her turmoil entirely on her own.

He wonders if this little ceremony on the beach is, in some way, his fault.

"You should honor her memory with your own hard work, boy," the old man says. Laurentius supposes this is the frog's way of comforting him. It doesn't help, but seeing an ounce of kindness in those angry little eyes is at least new enough to pull the boy out of his own head.

"I will," he murmurs, turning back to look out over the water. The murk shimmers under the moon, and suddenly, the idea of giving his mother to the water - of watching her disappear into the mud - seems abhorrent. He can't. He can't pick her up. His hands begin to shake. He can't. His mouth cracks open and that cry that has been bubbling up through his ribcage finally tears free of him in a painful, wracking shout as the tears finally, finally come.

The old man straightens and approaches him, then places a thin, pale hand on his quivering shoulder.

"She doesn't deserve the mud, Salaman," Laurentius manages, through the sobs. "She doesn't--she--"

"Then give her the flame," the old man says. "Give her peace, Laurentius."

It's the first time, really, that the old man has used his name. Although neither of them know it yet, it will be the last time.

The boy stares up at the old man, and then back down at his mother, lying peacefully on the beach. She shouldn't be given to the beasts. Not after what happened to his father, mutters Laurentius' conscience. They shouldn't get both of them, should they? The swamp didn't deserve both of those who loved him so.

His sobbing begins to slow, and almost unbidden, a flame sprouts into brilliant life over his right palm.

---

The pyre crackles. Her peaceful face has long disappeared into the light - but Laurentius won't look directly at it. He can't, even if the sight is less painful than the idea of her disappearing into the silvery mire. He watches the smoke, instead, with the old man's hand still on his shoulder.

He would leave soon. There was nothing left for him here but gently pitying expressions on the other villagers' faces and the old man's brutal lessons. He hasn't told the old man this. He won't. He'll just leave, one morning sometime soon, and find somewhere else to be.

But wherever he goes, he'll make her proud. He'll work hard.

"Your hours were a kindness," he murmurs to the smoke. "May your memory be one, too."