#without saying that the better place is dead

[navybrat817]

Starting Over

Pairing: Trailer Park!Bucky Barnes x Female Reader

Summary: You're ready to start over, and your neighbor makes a lasting impression.

Word Count: Over 3.7k

Warnings: Flirting, swearing, dirty talk, tension, sexual chemistry, world building, asshole ex, Alpine appearance, Bucky Barnes (he's very forward and a warning, okay?)

A/N: Here we are! My trailer park!Bucky intro. We're calling this AU Diamond in the Rough. Thanks to the nonnies and everyone who has asked about him. He's here, @ellethespaceunicorn, @targaryenvampireslayer, @vunblr, @vesearlee, @startcarvingdarling, @thezombieprostitute, @buckybarnesfic (sorry to anyone I missed)!❤️ Beta read by the wonderful @mumbles411 , but any and all mistakes are my own. Divided by the talented @saradika-graphics. Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog new fics and notifications. Comments, reblogs, feedback are loved and appreciated!

Your life went up in flames recently all thanks to the match you struck. If people asked your parents, your friends, your old boss, or your now ex-boyfriend, they’d likely say it was a mid-life crisis or form of rebellion to get some sort of attention. The truth was that the fuel had spread for years, daring you to light it all on fire, and you did when you finally had enough. You wouldn’t say the old you was dead and that you were reborn, but you weren’t who you were yesterday either. 

This was the start of a different, and hopefully happier, version of you.

Staring at the worn down trailer in front of you, you hadn't made your way inside just yet. While your place with your ex had been large and open and new, this place had seen better days. It needed a fresh coat of paint to start, a new door and windows. It was sinking in that this was really going to be your new home, and it made you happy. 

“I’ll bring you back to life,” you whispered, determined to give this place the TLC that it deserved. If you poured yourself into this, maybe it would fix something inside you, too. You certainly didn’t need your ex or anyone else to help.

You looked over at your car, your beautiful Mustang, which had everything you thought to pack. Your bed and other furniture wouldn't get delivered until later, but that was okay. It hurt to think so much of your life, what defined you, could be boiled down to material possessions, but weren't you fortunate since so many had much less? Maybe unpacking as much as you could today would occupy your time and thoughts.

Like finding a new job, something you truly wanted to do and not what was expected of you. 

Your phone went off and you hesitated to look at the message, not sure who it would be from. It was funny how for years no one went out of their way to talk to you unless they needed something. Now that you were gone they suddenly cared? The thought left a hollow feeling in your chest, one you didn’t want to examine today.

“I have a bet on how long it’ll take you to come crawling back to me. Can’t wait to see you on your knees with those pretty tears when you beg for forgiveness, Pumpkin. And let’s face it, on your knees is where you belong because you’re nothing without me.” 

A surge of anger flooded your veins as you reread it. Even now he expected you’d come back with your tail between your legs where he could look down on you. He had another thing coming. “Trust fund prick,” you muttered, your finger hovering only for a moment before you blocked him. You should’ve done that the moment you dumped him, but doing it now in front of your new home, it felt more right. 

Your eyes burned when you put your phone away and an empty feeling began to consume you. Why were you close to tears? Because of him? You knew from the beginning what kind of man he was and you lied to yourself to maintain the facade that everyone else wanted. You were tired of living for other people’s expectations. This was your life, you didn’t need a man, and-

“You lost?”

You turned at the sound of the deep voice just feet behind you, trembling ever so slightly when you saw the man that husky voice belonged to. The sight knocked the very breath from your lungs. You were used to being surrounded by guys who paraded themselves as men, but they were little boys playing dress up. But the man in front of you? He was all man.

Oh, for fuck’s sake. 

He stood tall and proud, but relaxed and at ease in his element. Blue eyes like an ocean, yet he was the calm of the storm. The short dark brown hair matched his thick goatee and you wished you could feel it against your skin so you knew if it was soft or scratchy. The white tank top showed off his muscles and tattoos and the chain around his neck dipped beneath the neckline. The low hanging jeans hid what you knew was an amazing package. He was something out of a wet dream, the kind of man who looked like trouble.

The kind of man you should stay away from, but wanted to chase after you.

He slowly licked his bottom lip before he asked, “Cat got your tongue, Sweet Cheeks?”

Your face felt like it would go up in flames. Being attracted to what you believed was a new neighbor wasn’t going to happen. It couldn’t. “No, and I’m not lost,” you replied, gesturing to what was now your home. “I live here now.”

You could see why he thought you were lost since it was obvious you weren’t from around there. When you looked for a new place, you purposely picked an area far from your old place. If you had stayed close, it wouldn’t have severed the ties enough. It would’ve made your leash longer and that wouldn’t do. 

“Is that right?” He looked you over from head to toe and your mouth went dry when he smirked, the kind that likely disintegrated panties. “Welcome to the neighborhood.”

The ruggedly handsome man held his hand out for you, and you only just realized he was wearing rings. What would it feel like if they dug into your skin? And, yes, you may have glanced at his left hand to see if he was wearing a wedding ring, which he wasn’t. “Thanks for the welcome,” you said, taking his hand. 

Electricity crackled between you, feeling the crackle from head to toe. The intensity shook you to your core when he locked his eyes with yours and brought your hand to his lips and kissed it instead of shaking it. You let out a breath when his goatee tickled your skin, his eyes locked with yours. Well, that answered your question- both soft and scruffy, the kind that would leave a delicious burn between your thighs. 

Jesus, you needed to keep your libido under control. You just got out of a relationship. Weren’t you just thinking moments ago how you didn’t need a man?

“I’m Bucky,” he said against your skin, reluctantly releasing your hand. “You wanna tell me your name, or should I just keep calling you ‘Sweet Cheeks’?” 

You told him your name, the sound barely above a whisper. He hummed and repeated it. Never once did you think your name sounded sexy until he said it.

“Why are you calling me Sweet Cheeks?” you asked. Did he call every pretty woman that? Not that you were full of yourself and thought you were drop-dead gorgeous, but you had some confidence in your looks.

He chuckled, a throaty sound that made you want to hear it again. “Well, I hope you don't mind me being forward, but…” he began.

You tensed up a little and looked down at yourself. Was he going to make a comment that you didn't belong there? That you stood out like a sore thumb? You were dressed down, but still looked pristine as you always did, a habit instilled in you that you had to look put together no matter if you were crumbling inside. Appearance meant everything to your family, and you needed to let that expectation go.

“Your ass looks incredible in those jeans. Sweetest fucking cheeks I’ve ever seen and that’s with your pants on.” He licked his lips when his gaze drifted down your body. “I don’t think I’ve seen a better ass than yours.”

You blinked and looked behind you to get a look at yourself. “Excuse me?” you asked. Of all the things you thought he’d say, that wasn't one of them. 

“I saw you from behind and stared for a good minute, thinking of all the things I wanted to do to you, before I walked over. You have the kind of ass that should be worshipped. Could make a grown man cry,” he said, your heart speeding up and your core throbbing. “And then you turn around with the face of a fucking angel and I swear my heart stopped,” he added, putting both hands on his chest for emphasis. “Givin’ me a heart attack over here.”

You almost laughed because he couldn’t be serious, but there was no humor in his eyes. In fact, he scanned your face like he was trying to memorize it. “That’s… no. My ass isn’t that great. Neither is my face,” you said. It wasn’t to fish for a compliment, as nice as it would've been, because while you had some confidence in yourself, you didn’t have that great of an ass.

But beauty was in the eye of the beholder, wasn’t it, and he looked like he was two seconds from dropping to his knees in the dirt to worship you like he claimed he wanted to.

“Tell that to my racing heart and my cock,” he said, your mouth parting when he pointed to his crotch. “But if you continue to disagree, I’m more than happy to show you how wrong you are.”

Your words were stuck in your throat, not used to being the center of someone’s attention that way. “I’m sorry, but we just met,” you said, unsure of how else to respond. He didn’t know you, apart from your name, and he was talking about worshipping your ass and looking at you like he wanted to devour you whole?

It was… kind of flattering. What would you have to be upset about? Weren’t you mentally telling your libido to calm down at the sight of him? You were attracted to him, he was just the one being brave enough to vocalize his attraction to you.

His gaze didn’t waver when he said, “Yeah, we just met, but I want you.”

Your mouth parted again. Well, he was certainly forward and that didn’t bother you. It was better than the fake people you surrounded yourself with before spouting pretty lies. “You want me? You don’t know me and I could be a taken woman,” you pointed out.

“I’ll get to know you if you let me. ‘Sides, it’s not like I see a ring or indentation on your finger, so I don’t think you’re married or engaged. And I sure as hell don’t see anyone here helping you with your stuff, so I’m guessing you’ve been single for a while or you recently got out of a relationship,” he said, taking a look around to make his point before he focused on you once again. You weren’t at all upset that he noticed your bare finger since you had looked at his, too. “You wanna be a taken woman?”

Was it that obvious that you were all alone? “So what if I did just get out of a relationship?” you asked. There was nothing wrong with getting out of something that wasn’t right. 

He smiled, not pushing when you didn’t answer his question. “Then he’s a fucking idiot for letting you go. And what better way to get over someone than getting under another?”

“I dumped him,” you clarified, not knowing why you needed him to know that. Your ex was likely spewing to everyone that he dumped you to save face, but that’s not what happened. “And I’m already over him.”

You should’ve felt guilty for that, but he wasn’t your forever and you weren’t his. He was free to find someone who fit with him better than you ever did. You were free to find your own happiness. 

“Good girl,” Bucky smirked, your legs pressing together. You had to get a grip. “And I wasn’t implying that he dumped you, only that he’s an idiot for letting you go and I’m happy to help you forget all about him.”

You finally let your laugh out and you swore you heard him groan. Did he like the sound of your laughter? “You really are forward, and I just said I don’t need to get over him.”

“I said I’d help you forget about him,” he said, taking a step forward and smiling when you didn’t step back. You weren’t some wilting flower he’d pluck from the soil. “Just let me fuck him from your memories and I swear you’ll thank me when I’m done.”

You frowned. Did he think you were an easy lay, or was he picking up on your attraction to him and running with it? “I haven’t even moved into my trailer yet, so maybe you should let me get settled before you continue to… I don’t know, harass me.”

His eyebrows shot up and the amusement died in his eyes. “Harass you? That’s not what I’m doing,” he swore, taking a step back to give you space. “Look, I’m sorry if I upset you or came on too strong.”

The apology took you by surprise and slowly warmed you inside. Not many people ever apologized to you for anything. “No, I’m sorry. Harass wasn’t the right word,” you said. It was just flirting. Very… strong flirting. “But if that isn’t it, what are you doing?”

He smiled after a moment, that spark back in his eyes. “Just grabbing an opportunity when I see it. Life’s too short not to,” he said.

You respected that perspective. “Is that what I am? An opportunity?” you asked. Something to get out of his system?

“I think you’re a lot more than that and that you may be running from something,” he replied, tilting his head. “Are you running from something or someone?”

He asked like he genuinely cared and you didn’t know how to process that. “I wouldn’t say I’m running,” you said, though you were running in a way, running from the life you no longer wanted. “More like I finally closed a chapter.”

“Well, I’m looking forward to getting to know you and helping you write a new chapter.”

“You say that like it’s a sure thing,” you said.

When his eyes swept over you again, it didn’t look like he was checking you out. It was as if he was trying to figure you out. “‘Cause it is,” he said, glancing at your door before you could say anything to his cocky remark. “Can help you out with repairs if you’d like.”

“I might take you up on that,” you said since you didn’t really have a clue what you were doing when it came to the handyman type of stuff. You could pay him, too. “Don’t get too excited. I said ‘might’,” you teased when he smiled. 

Something in your gut said that even if he wasn’t hitting on you that he would’ve offered to help. It was a feeling you had, just like he had a feeling about you. And sure, he looked like danger and sin and everything you should stay away from, but there was more to him than met the eye. 

What was his story? Who was the man behind the swagger and tattoos and rough edges? Did he grow up here or did he make a choice like you? 

“I run my own shop. I’m very good with my…” He rolled his lip between his teeth. “Tools.”

You laughed again, louder than before, and his smile widened. “You really are something, Bucky,” he said.

“Love hearing you say my name,” he whispered, heat pooling in your gut before he pointed at your car with a whistle. “And she is a beauty. You ever need any help with her, you let me know.”

You agreed. She was a beauty. “Is this the part where you tell me you’ll take me for a ride or something like that?”

“Oh, I'll give you a ride,” he said in a low voice. “As many as you want.”

You ignored the ache between your thighs. “Not today, Bucky. I need to unpack.”

“One sec, Sweet Cheeks.”

“...Is that seriously what you’re going to call me?” you asked as he rushed to his trailer. It was ridiculous, but you didn’t hate it. You sure as hell liked it better than Pumpkin.

“‘Til the day I die,” he called back, whistling when he opened the door. “C’mere, girl. I got someone I want you to meet.”

Your brows furrowed. Who was in there who would possibly want to meet you? Did he have a kid?

You weren’t prepared for a white ball of fur to curl up in Bucky’s waiting arms. “And who is this?” you asked when he strolled back over. The image of such a beautiful cat in his arms was one that would put a smile on your face for days to come.

“This is Alpine. Found her near my shop a while back, starving and shivering. Nursed her back to health and she’s been by my side ever since,” he said, affection written all over his face. There was no bragging in his tone and that made you appreciate his story more. “Al, meet our beautiful new neighbor.”

You weren’t about to preen since he called you beautiful. “Oh, my god,” you whispered, tentatively holding a hand out to her when she lifted her head and regarded you with bright eyes. “Hi there.”

Alpine stared for a few seconds before she sniffed your fingertips and rubbed her head against them, encouraging you to pet her. You felt Bucky’s penetrating stare when you gently stroked her fur. “She’s a great judge of character,” he said, swearing under his breath. “I’m such a dick.”

“What do you mean?” you asked. He was a very forward flirt, but you didn’t get the impression that he was a dick.

“I didn’t ask if you were allergic,” he muttered with a shake of his head. “Fuck.”

Your heart turned over. No one you knew would’ve ever considered that. “I would’ve told you right away if I was allergic,” you assured him, smiling when Alpine purred. “I’m glad he was able to nurse you back to health. I’ll bet you watch over everyone around here, don't you?”

You could just imagine her being a little guardian and your heart twisted. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to get a pet. Like your trailer, you could shower a pet with love, too. 

Alpine surprised you when she moved forward and pressed her head to yours. “Fuck me,” Bucky whispered when she curled up again and closed her eyes. “She really fucking likes you.”

“Maybe she’s just being nice,” you said. 

“Trust me, she wouldn’t do that unless she really liked you,” he said, leaning down slightly to kiss the top of Alpine's head. “Would you, Al?”

Your heart melted. It wasn't fair how sweet and sexy he looked holding an animal. The only thing missing was him in a leather jacket, which you had no doubt he owned. If you ever saw him in a leather jacket holding a cat, you’d probably combust.

“Like seeing me kiss a pussy?” he asked nonchalantly when he caught you staring. 

“Oh, my god,” you giggled, not dignifying him with any other sort of response to his question. Because if you pictured him eating your pussy, your legs would start shaking and you were altready hot and bothered enough thanks to him. “I really should start bringing my stuff in,” you said. You really needed to look over your resume, too, and find a job sooner rather than later.

“Say bye, Al.” He lifted her paw to give you a wave as she meowed. 

You smiled and gave her a wave, too. “Bye bye. Thank you for the warm welcome.” It was a smooth tactic bringing his cat out. You imagined she helped win a lot of people over if his charm didn't.

“Wait,” Bucky said when went to turn away. “You sure you don't need any help? I don't mind doing any heavy lifting.”

“I can manage,” you answered. You had to get used to doing things on your own now. “But I appreciate it.”

“If you change your mind-”

“I’ll let you know.”

He frowned, but nodded. “One more thing,” he said, nodding over to a clearing. “Potluck lunch two days from now. You should stop by. Give you a chance to meet everyone.”

“Really?” Your eyes lit up. “I can bake something,” you said. Something delicious that would leave a good impression on the neighbors. 

He raised an eyebrow. “You bake?”

“Yeah, I like to bake. Cakes, cookies, brownies, pies, whatever I feel like.” You shrank in on yourself, waiting for the inevitable laughter or insult. 

But it didn’t come.

Bucky merely stared when he ran his tongue over his lips. Did the man ever keep his tongue in his mouth? “Now, I think it’s only fair that I get to taste your sweet cheeks and I don’t know if I want to share.”

You shook your head. Surely you hadn’t heard him right. “...You mean my treats?” you asked. 

“Cheeks, treats, all of it. Bet it’ll all melt on my tongue,” he replied with a wink and turned away, giving you the chance to check out his ass when he slowly walked away. He spoke about worshipping your ass, but you couldn’t take your eyes off his. 

“You cocky son of a bitch,” you whispered with a smile. Of course you heard him right, and you bet he ate like a starved man. “Keep dreaming,” you called after him. 

“Oh, I will, Sweet Cheeks. I will dream about you,” he promised over his shoulder before he looked back once more. “You might just be my future wife,” he declared and went inside with Alpine while his words hung in the air. 

“Fuck me,” you breathed out, your shoulders shaking as you laughed because that just happened. 

You didn’t know how the rest of the day would go, but you did know that your new home and neighbor were going to make for a very interesting and exciting chapter in your new life.

Okay, lovelies. What do we think? Talk to me. Let me know if you love him as much as I do. And let me know where you think this is going. 🥰 Love and thanks for reading! ❤️

Masterlist ⚓ Bucky Barnes Masterlist ⚓ Ko-Fi

[sxytwker]

Hi. Can I get some hc on Luigi being an overprotective boyfriend?

Yesss of course 💗

Not possessive. Just territorial.

• He doesn’t stop her from talking to other guys. But the second one looks at her a little too long? Luigi’s suddenly right behind her, arm slung across her waist, lips brushing her ear.

“Hey, sweetheart. You good?” he’ll say, eyes never leaving the guy.

He never interrupts. Just inserts himself… and makes it very clear: she’s not alone.

• He doesn’t care if she’s wearing something short or tight—he loves it, actually. It’s more like:

“You’re wearin’ that? Shit. You really want me dead today.”

And then he’ll pull her closer. Kiss her neck in front of everyone. Whisper filthy things while smiling like he’s being sweet.

He’s always touching her. Always.

• Sitting down? She’s on his lap.

• Standing in line? His hand’s tucked into the back of her waistband.

• Walking through a party? One hand on her lower back, the other trailing down her arm until their fingers lock. Even in public, he gets handy.

• Fingers sneaking under the hem of her shirt.

• Thumb stroking the skin above her low-rise sweats.

• Pulling her into him while they wait for food, mouthing at her jaw just because he needs her close.

Hickeys. Oh my God. Hickeys.

• Luigi’s addicted to marking her.

• Behind her ear. The underside of her jaw. The top of her inner thigh. Low on her ribs.

• Places only he sees. Places that make her blush when she catches sight of them in the mirror.

• Every time she goes home with one, he’ll text her later:

“You still feel me there, baby?”

“Bet that bruise throbs when you touch it, huh? Don’t forget who it’s from.”

• If someone does see it? Even better.

• He’ll just smirk. “Yeah, that’s mine.”

Filthy, clingy, can’t-keep-his-hands-to-himself Luigi.

• At parties, he won’t let her leave his side.

• “You goin’ to the bathroom? Cool. I’m comin’ too.”

• “Drink? I’ll get it. Stay with me.”

• Even if they’re in a group, he’s behind her—hand on her hip, murmuring in her ear, looking like he’d rather be alone with her upstairs.

• If they get separated? She’ll get a text:

“Where’d you go?”

“Need you. Like now.”

“Don’t make me pull you into the hallway.”

PDA lover.

• He lives for showing people she’s his.

• Forehead kisses. Jawline kisses. Mouth kisses. Neck kisses that turn into biting.

• Will absolutely press her against a wall in public if no one’s looking and mouth at her throat until she whimpers.

• “Let ’em look, baby,” he’ll whisper. “They should know you’re taken.”

• He doesn’t stop kissing her. Ever.

• “You look too good not to kiss right now.”

• “Every time you smile I wanna put my mouth on you, that’s not my fault.”

Texting her like he’s starving.

• When they’re apart?

• He sends her the filthiest messages at 2pm in between lectures like:

“Wish I could crawl under your desk right now and ruin you while you try to stay quiet.”

• Then follows it up with:

“Miss your voice though. Miss your face more.”

“Don’t feel right without you here.”

• If she’s had a bad day?

• He FaceTimes her while laying in bed, hoodie half on, curls messy. Softest tone:

“Talk to me, baby. Just lemme hear you for a while.”

Bonus:

She’s mid-lecture.

Tired. Zoned out. Barely tracking the difference between diffusion and osmosis.

Then her phone buzzes under the desk.

Luigi : pay attention

Luigi : or don’t

Luigi : depends on how fast you wanna lose that GPA

She rolls her eyes and opens the message.

It’s a selfie.

Luigi with his hoodie hood up, tongue out, holding up a protein bar like it’s cursed.

She snorts. Tries not to laugh in front of everyone.

But five minutes later?

Another buzz.

Another photo.

This one?

No hoodie. No shirt. No shorts.

Just Luigi—sweaty, half out of frame, towel slung low on his hips. Low enough to see the curly hair peaking out. One brow cocked. Tongue in his cheek. Veins in his forearm looking criminal.

Luigi : made u look

Luigi : how bad u want me right now? scale 1 to fkn ruin me

Luigi: come get this cock, baby

She hides her face in her sleeve, texting back:

Her: you’re gonna get me kicked out

Luigi : then I’ll pick u up

Luigi : & fuck u in the parking lot

And he would.

And they both know it.

[freakmcnastyy]

Weak Hero Boys x P!Reader Headcanons

Weak Hero Class boys x pregnant!reader (fluff)

Includes: Geum Seongjae,Na Baekjin, Ahn Suho, Yeon Si-eun, Kang Woo-young, Oh Beom-seok, Go Hyuntak, Park Humin (Baku)

Note: This was an anon request! AND GOD, I swear writing — let alone reading — stuff like this makes me feel all kinds of weird. And I wrote each character at a different time of day so they wouldn’t all feel the same. Hope I pulled it off.

⸻

Geum Seongjae

1. The Moment He Finds Out:

Silence. He just stares. Then his lip twitches.

The second you tell him you’re pregnant, Seongjae goes quiet for a few seconds. He looks unbothered on the outside, but you know a thousand things are racing through his head. In that moment, his whole “world” shifts.

“I knew no one else could ever give me something like this.”

He says it softly, but something breaks in his eyes — like the idea of ever letting you go has become completely impossible.

2. Possessiveness:

Obsession. Protection. Paranoia.

He’s not just protecting you anymore, but everything you’re carrying inside you. Even the tiniest bit of stress is enough reason for him to lock you in the house. If someone bumps into you by accident? Seongjae might beat them up in the middle of the street without a second thought.

“I better not see you cry again. I’m dead serious.”

Even the dark circles under your eyes feel like a personal insult to him.

3. Physical Obsession:

He’s obsessed with your belly. Every time he talks to you, his hand goes there like a reflex. At night, he lays his head against it and whispers things to the baby. He starts acting like a “family” way before the baby’s even born — but not in a normal way.

“There’s a piece of me inside you. That means you don’t get to leave. Ever.”

4. Jealousy & Going Insane:

Another guy checking you out while you’re pregnant? Your best friend trying to take you out of the house? It’s all a problem. At some point, he might even try to hide the fact that you’re pregnant altogether.

“Don’t wear that. There’s no reason to show your stomach like that. People don’t need to see. That’s mine.”

5. Random Kindness Spikes:

He’ll suddenly start talking about baby room ideas, sweet little dreams, out of nowhere. In those moments he seems normal, like a regular excited dad — but there’s always a breakdown bubbling underneath.

“If it’s a girl, you can name her. But if it’s a boy… I’ll decide.”

6. Before & After the Birth:

The closer it gets to your due date, the more controlling he becomes. He chooses the hospital, who’s allowed in the room, even the nurse that’s going to be with you.

“If anything goes wrong… someone’s paying for it. Got it?”

And after the birth? He isolates you, the baby, and himself like it’s a three-person world. He wants to build everything from zero — just you three.

“It’s only us now. Everyone else out there is dangerous. What else do I need to do to make you understand that?”

⸻

Na Baekjin

1. When He Finds Out:

Silence. He masks his emotions, but his pupils shake. After you tell him, he holds your gaze — and stays exactly the same. Cold. Serious. Neither happy nor mad. Then he lowers his head a little.

“Is it mine?”

He trusts you. He does. But he still asks — not because he doubts you, but because he wants to believe so bad it physically hurts. And maybe… because he hates himself a little too much.

2. He Doesn’t Say “I Can’t Be a Dad,” but…

Responsibility? That’s not something he’s ever believed he deserved. He tells himself, “Someone like me can’t raise a child.” But he still parks outside your place every night, just watching. Making sure nothing happens.

“Don’t be alone. I’m behind you like a shadow — just act like I’m not there.”

3. His Way of Protecting You:

Silent. Brutal. Shadowed. Baekjin never publicly claims you. But anyone who threatens you? They start disappearing one by one. He’s given a silent order across the whole Union.

“If anyone even thinks about getting close to her — they better have their grave ready.”

4. How He Sees the Pregnancy:

It’s guilt mixed with obsession. When he sees your belly, his eyes freeze for a second. Because there’s a life inside you — his life — and he’s still struggling to believe something so pure could come from someone like him.

“If I were someone cleaner… maybe we could’ve really had this together.”

Still, his hands always go to your stomach. Every time he touches you, it’s careful. Gentle. Like he thinks you might break.

5. He Cuts You Off From the World:

The closer it gets to your due date, the more he isolates you. Friends? Family? Opinions? None of it matters to him.

“I don’t care what anyone says. If something happens to you… I’ll burn the f*cking world down.”

6. “Family” Becomes Real for the First Time:

Baekjin never had warmth growing up. Never had a real home. But now? Now the idea of building a house — not a place, but a feeling — with you and the baby is something he clings to in the dark. One night, he says without thinking:

“If someone had hugged me growing up… maybe I could’ve loved as good as you do.”

7. After the Baby’s Born:

He’s a wall. Cold, distant. But always there. He won’t hold the baby and coo over it, no. But he stands by the crib at night while you sleep, silently watching the tiny hand curled around his finger.

“Would it be okay… if I picked the name?”

⸻

Ahn Suho

1. When He Finds Out:

Shocked. Eyes wide. “Wait, what? Are you serious?! We’re PREGNANT?!”

At first, it doesn’t compute. He asks you to repeat it like three times. Then his hands start shaking. He might even tear up.

“I’m… I’m gonna be a dad? For real?!”

His first reaction is pure joy — mixed with straight-up panic. He wants to pick you up and spin you around, but the moment you say “Stop, I’m nauseous!” he freezes and immediately puts you down.

2. Ridiculously Affectionate:

He flips into “mom mode” in two seconds. Tries cooking for you, watches YouTube videos on pregnancy massages, double-checks every corner of the house like “is this safe for her? for the baby?”

“No more junk food. Less salt. Sit down, feet up. This baby’s not stressing you out!”

3. Fighting His Own Demons:

Deep down, he thinks, “I didn’t have a good childhood… what if I mess this up too?”

But he never says it out loud. He just holds you at night and whispers to your belly:

“If I raise this baby with someone like you… maybe I won’t mess it up.”

4. Emotional Rollercoaster:

Your hormones? Yeah, his are worse. You cry, he cries. You snap, he sulks — but then brings you a fruit bowl with a pouty face. One time, you probably ended up ugly crying together while eating stuffed grape leaves.

5. Silent Jealousy:

If he sees you talking to another guy? His whole vibe shifts. He won’t say anything, but the pout, the slumped shoulders, the quiet little stares — they’re all there.

“Go out if you want, just… wear something warm. And text me. At every step. I just— I worry, okay?”

6. The Birth Itself:

Sweating. Shaking. Crying. Loving. If they let him in the room, he’s right there, holding your hand like it’s the only thing keeping him alive. If they don’t — he’s on his knees outside the door, praying like his whole soul’s in it.

“You’re both okay, right? Please… that’s all I need.”

⸻

Yeon Si-eun

1. When He Finds Out:

His brain literally freezes for a second before it starts processing. When you say “I’m pregnant,” Si-eun just stares at you in silence. No yelling. No running. No hugs. His hands tremble a little.

“How long has it been? Are you okay? How many weeks?”

He hides his emotions — but every question screams, “I’m scared to death of losing you.”

2. Switches to Practical, Strategic Dad Mode:

Hospital? Booked. Doctor? Researched. Nutrition? Charted. Stress? Monitored.

“You’re not eating anything on this list. I’m serious.”

But also:

“But… if you’re craving something… I kinda snuck in a little chocolate. Please don’t be mad.”

3. He Suppresses Emotion, But Never Leaves You Alone:

He didn’t grow up with love, so he genuinely has no clue how to treat you or the baby. But one thing’s for sure: he’s not going anywhere.

He’s not the jealous type — but he is controlling. He won’t say “who did you hang out with?” but he’ll definitely check your phone later and mentally profile anyone who could hurt you.

“Don’t see anyone who might stress you out. Please. Not for me — for our child.”

⸻

Kang Woo-young

1. When He Finds Out:

Silence. Eyes on the floor. Then suddenly, his breath catches. He doesn’t say a word at first — just stares blankly. But if you look closely, you’ll see he literally forgot how to breathe.

“…I’m gonna be a dad?”

His voice shakes, but he tries to play it off. His jaw clenches.

“Okay. I’ll… I’ll figure this out. Just give me a little time.”

And then he leaves — not because he doesn’t care, but because he never planned to build a family. It was always just you and him. But later that night, he comes back. Finds you asleep, puffy-eyed from crying. Slips into bed behind you, holds you tight, buries his face in your neck.

“Don’t ever think you’re alone. No matter what… I’m here.”

2. Shows Love Through Actions, Not Words:

He can’t cook soup, but he’ll leave water by your bed every night. He can’t write you poetry, but he’ll tie your shoelaces without a word. And the first time your belly starts to show, his eyes well up.

“God, this is so weird. But so beautiful.”

3. Protection Style:

Quiet But Deadly.

Someone bumped into you? Woo-young doesn’t say a word. But a few days later, you’ll hear that guy got beat half to death in some underground ring.

He promises no more fights — “for the baby.” But of course he still does it.

4. Obsessed With Your Belly — But Too Shy To Show It:

His eyes keep drifting to your stomach when he talks to you. But he’s too shy to touch it. One night, you place his hand there — and he literally forgets how to breathe. His fingers tremble.

“Did you really love me this much?”

That night, for the first time, he rests his head on your belly and whispers for hours:

“Don’t be like your mom. She’s too soft. This world’s harsh.”

5. Emotional Breakdowns: Silent Crying:

As your pregnancy progresses, every time he feels like he’s not doing enough, tears fall. But he hides in the bathroom so you won’t see.

“I have to be strong. For both of you.”

6. Day of the Birth:

Looks like he just stepped out of a street fight. Doesn’t yell at the doctors, but the fire in his eyes says enough.

7. Fatherhood:

He can’t stop the baby from crying. Can’t change a diaper right. But every single night, he stays up beside the crib. He lets you cry in his lap without saying a word.

“You don’t have to be scared. I’m right here. Always.”

⸻

Oh Beom-seok

1. When He Finds Out:

Stares blankly. He thinks you’re joking at first.

“Wait… are you serious? From me? Like, really…?”

Then his voice breaks. His eyes fill up, but he tries not to cry. Honestly? His world crashes down. Because his dad… well, you know. And it’s not about what’ll happen to him — it’s the fear of something happening to you or the baby.

“I’m gonna… be a dad?”

His voice cracks saying it. Because his father made sure the word “dad” left a scar on his soul.

2. Wants To Run — But Can’t:

In his head: “I’m someone who doesn’t know love, who grew up on violence, who shuts everyone out. What do I have to do with someone like you?”

But leaving you would be death to him. So instead, he goes quiet. Closes in on himself.

“I don’t want to hurt you… so I might keep my distance for a while. But I won’t leave. I promise.”

3. Blames Himself Deeply:

Lays in bed staring at the ceiling every night.

“What if I turn out like him? What if I am him?”

4. Hyper Emotional, Super Fragile:

Every time you’re tired, he blames himself. Don’t feel like eating? He tears up, thinking he messed something up.

“I can’t stand seeing you upset. I’ve already been so awful… don’t turn into me.”

To him, your pregnant body feels sacred. Sometimes he can’t even touch you.

“You’re carrying something inside you now. I don’t even wanna accidentally hurt you. I’m scared.”

6. The Birth:

He breaks. Shaking. Sitting in some hospital hallway, hands covering his face, sobbing like the world’s ending.

“Please… God, please don’t take her from me.”

7. Fatherhood:

Slow, but deeply tender. Doesn’t know how to hold a baby. But watches over yours every second of the night. Talks to the baby while you sleep.

And one day, watching the two of you together — he smiles. For the first time. A real, slow, genuine smile.

“I thought I had no place in this world. But… you gave me a room in it.”

⸻

Go Hyun-tak

1. When He Finds Out:

This man goes feral. In a good way. Just stands there with this shocked, joy-filled smile, completely speechless. Then suddenly:

“Wait WHAT? OUR baby? PROJECT LEBRON JAMES BEGINS!”

2. Protective Soft Side Comes Out:

He shows up for every single doctor’s appointment. Tries to learn everything he can. At home, he leaves little surprises — hot soup, a fruit plate, a stack of pillows. But he does it shyly, almost embarrassed.

“You feeling okay matters more to me than anything.”

3. His Excitement Is Contagious:

Shopping for the baby? He treats it like a mission. Toys, clothes, the perfect paint color for the nursery — he’s got opinions.

“Our baby’s gonna sleep in the nicest room on the block, alright?”

4. Tiny Panic Attacks — But He Bounces Back:

He sometimes spirals like “what if we’re not ready?” But then breathes in, looks at you, and says:

“We’re in this together. No matter what. We’ve got this.”

5. Jealousy Is Soft & Silly:

Sees you chatting with another guy? Pouts a little. Then immediately smiles again.

“Sorry… I just. You’re kinda my whole world.”

6. Birth Time = Full Support Mode:

He’s right beside you, holding your hand, hyping you up with every push.

“You’re strong. I’m right here.”

When the baby cries for the first time, he’s standing right there, trying to feed it with trembling hands.

“Look at our tiny Lebron James.”

7. Dives Into Dad Life Fast:

He’s hungry to learn. Wakes up for every night feeding, writes down every little milestone.

“We’re building something new. You, me, and our baby. It’s gonna be amazing.”

⸻

Park Humin (Baku)

1. When He Finds Out:

He screams. For real. Like he just scored the game-winning goal in the final second. Pure, goofy, chaotic happiness.

2. A Little Insecure:

His relationship with his dad? Yeah. Complicated as hell. He’s terrified of telling him, and even more scared he might turn into him. Just like Beom-seok, he fears becoming a bad father.

3. Quiet, Emotional Protection:

With you? He’s tough. Out in public? He smiles and holds your hand like you’re fragile glass.

“No one’s touching you. Baku’s right here.”

But when he’s alone, his chest aches with the memories of his dad.

4. Tiny Surprises & Care:

You’re tired? He sets up cute little things around the house. Brings your favorite dessert. Buys fresh chicken from your favorite spot.

“I know this isn’t easy… but we’ve got this. Together.”

5. Jealousy & Trust:

Sees you talking to other guys? His eyes tear up — but he never says a word. Keeps it buried.

“Just… understand me, okay? I just wanna protect you.”

6. During Birth:

Nervous as hell but stands strong. His palms sweat like crazy, but he holds your hand the whole time.

“You’re gonna be okay. You and the baby — you’re both okay.”

7. Fatherhood:

Soft. Steady. Scared. But loving. He’s clumsy at first, scared to touch the baby. But he never leaves your side. Stands by the crib every night.

“I’m not just here for you anymore. I’m here for them too.”

[youthereader]

Echoes in the Dark part 9.

PAIRING: joel miller (the last of us) x fem!reader

SUMMARY: 1.2k words. Every morning you wake up and remember two things. Firstly, that your son is dead, and secondly, that Joel Miller is your patient.

RATING: E. piv sex, age gap (reader is in their 30s, Joel is in his 60s). heavy angst, grief and loss of a child

A/N: A fix-it fic. Reader is Joel’s carer as he recovers from Abby’s attempt on his life.

PART 8.

You wake up in Joel's house again. Not in his bed—you're not there yet—but stretched out on the couch beneath a throw blanket that smells like woodsmoke and detergent. Your back is sore. Your neck clicks when you turn it. The house is quiet except for the faint whistle of the wind threading through the doorframe. Pale morning light spills under the curtains.

Your eyes land on Joel before your thoughts fully settle. He’s already up, sitting at the table in a soft grey shirt and those threadbare sweatpants he’s taken to living in lately. He’s sketching something - a piece of furniture, maybe - or just passing the time. You think he knows you’re watching, but he doesn’t look up.

There’s a steaming mug on the table in front of the seat across from him. Your place, now.

You sit. You wrap your fingers around the mug, the heat biting into your skin.

"Mornin’," he says, eyes still on the paper.

You nod and sip. It’s hot and strong and too bitter, and you love it. You don’t speak. You both seem to like it this way, at least first thing in the morning.

The silence stretches, but it doesn’t ache. It just holds. The sound of the pencil scratching over paper is steady, almost comforting.

You look at his hands, the way his fingers move, precise and careful. He always seems to know what to do with them. You remember the way they felt on your hips the other night, gripping you hard enough to bruise.

You shift in your seat.

-

You take a short walk together late morning, just to pick up supplies. Joel insists on going even though it’s cold and overcast and his leg’s aching. You don’t argue. You just walk beside him, watching the way his breath curls in the air. You step closer when the path narrows, close enough that your arm brushes his. He doesn’t move away.

At the trade post, the woman behind the counter eyes you both. She nods at Joel. “You got good taste.”

You feel your pulse thrum. Joel barely reacts, just gives a polite half-smile. You don’t say anything either, but your jaw goes tight. On the walk back, you pull your sleeves down over your knuckles.

He notices. Of course he does.

“Wasn’t nothin’,” he says.

You glance sideways. “Didn’t say it was.”

He huffs. A sound like a chuckle but without the warmth.

-

Later, Joel makes dinner. You offer to help, and he hands you a knife without saying anything. You chop vegetables while he sears meat in a cast iron pan, his movements practiced and slow.

You watch him from the corner of your eye. There’s something oddly intimate about this — not the sex, not the tenderness of waking up in his house, but the way you work quietly side-by-side. He asks you to pass the salt. You do. He thanks you. You smile to yourself.

You eat together at the table with the fire flickering low nearby. He’s poured a bit of whiskey into your coffee, and neither of you talk much until the food’s gone.

He leans back in his chair, the firelight painting golden lines along his jaw. “Food alright?”

“Better than alright.”

He gives a short nod like that means something. Like your approval settles something in him.

You stare at the bottom of your mug. The whiskey bites. It reminds you you’re still alive.

Then he says, softly, almost too casually: “I like having you here.”

The words hang in the air like smoke.

You stare at him. You think about lying, or laughing, or brushing it off like you would with anyone else. But your body betrays you, leaning forward, something open and bare in your face.

“I like being here, too.”

You both go still. Not like before — this stillness is weighted, charged. The kind of stillness that comes before a storm, or a kiss.

You stand first. Move slowly toward him. You don’t know if it’s the whiskey or the look on his face, but you’re trembling slightly.

He rises to meet you, slower because of his leg. You brace him by the arm and he lets you, and then your hands stay there, curled around the sleeve of his shirt.

His voice is low. “You sure?”

You nod. “Yes.”

He kisses like he’s starving, like he’s trying to learn you by heart. Your hands go to his hair, to his chest, pulling at him, needing more. He groans into your mouth when you press your hips into his.

“Bedroom,” you whisper.

He hesitates, eyes dark. “Can you help-”

You nod and slide under his arm. He leans on you, one hand gripping your waist tight. The trip to the bedroom is clumsy and awkward and real, and you feel a strange joy welling in your chest even as you lower him to the edge of the bed.

You pull your own shirt over your head and toss it aside. His eyes are locked on you now, wide and reverent. You climb into his lap and take his face in your hands, kissing him again, slower this time.

“I think about you all the time,” you admit against his mouth. “All fucking day.”

He exhales like you’ve knocked the wind from him.

“Me too,” he murmurs. “It’s… it’s all I think about, you.”

You press your forehead to his and reach between you, sliding your hand under the waistband of his sweatpants. He’s already hard, and he hisses when you wrap your fingers around him.

You stroke him slowly, and his hands go to your thighs, gripping tight.

“Need you,” you say. “Now.”

You lift your hips, peel off your pants, climb back into his lap.

When you sink down onto him, both of you moan, low and raw. You brace yourself on his shoulders and start to move.

He mutters your name. His hands drift over your back, up to your neck, cupping your face like he’s afraid to let go.

“Look at me,” he says.

You do, and it wrecks you. The way he’s looking at you like you’re something holy.

The pace builds. You fuck slow, but not soft. Not gentle. It’s too much. Not enough. You grind against him, chasing your own pleasure, dragging him down with you.

You come first, legs shaking, his name torn from your throat. He follows soon after, spilling into you with a stuttered curse, one hand fisted in the sheet.

You collapse against his chest. Neither of you speaks. Your breathing fills the room. 

Eventually, you try to roll away. He stops you with a hand to your back.

“Stay.”

You let him pull you into the bed. He shifts painfully to lie down beside you, and you settle against him, one arm thrown across his ribs. You rest your cheek over his heartbeat.

It’s steady. Strong.

You trail your fingers over his chest, then up to a scar on his collarbone.

He doesn’t flinch. He just says, “She used to sing in the car. My girl. Sarah. She’d forget the words, so she’d make up new ones. Thought she was clever as hell.”

You don’t speak. You listen. You let it sit there between you — the weight of that name, that memory. He hasn’t said it aloud before. Not to you.

You close your eyes. His hand moves slowly up and down your back.

Sleep finds you eventually. When it does, it holds. For the first time in weeks, you don’t dream of blood. 

thank you for waiting so patiently for this update! ❤️

taglist: @littledebbieinabigworld @brianna-merlim

[gurggggleburgle]

Being more indulgent about my funger svsss au and establishing more ideas and lore my idea around the whole original nature of PIDW as it existed as it's prgmaker broken mess rage bait game format is the character selection roster that Airplane would have made in the first place and how this impacts Shen Yuan's insane blind gamer rage in general.

So the motivational set up within this game au is like in the original a quest to either kill or save someone from inside the dungeon. Originally, this was Huan Hua palace, but it's been since twisted into a horrifying hellscape by the sheer presence of the dungeon resulting in the cultivators and creatures inside twisting into horrifying visages of their original selves. The original opulence and finery having degraded as the abyss/dungeon of fear and hunger sank into it.

each character is seeking a captured Shen Qingqiu in some capacity as he was sent to the water prison at the basement prior to the start to be put on trial after his past was brought to light. But something went wrong as people arrived for the procedings and communication between Huan Hua palace and the outside world was cut off without explanation for weeks.

Among the playable characters selected is of course Luo Binghe who is broken and stupid OP and there are like a shit ton of girls in the dungeon that he can rescue and make into part of his harem and it's like a whole thing. He's the only male main character with romance scenes and shen yuan thinks it's bullshit.

There is then Liu Mingyan who is best girl and is there because among missing is her brother. she heads in intending the find Liu Qingge who is by game design is always dead when you find him with evidence that the one who did it was somehow Shen Qingqiu almost immediately.

Ming Fan, Shen Qingqiu's head disciple set on rescuing his falsely accused master. He's considered a joke within the community and labeled suffering mode by default as he has the worst abilities, equipment, and ultimately due to his past Luo Binghe is a nearly impossible to beat boss fight without so much cheese.

Gongyi Xiao, head disciple of Huan Hua who was out when the dungeon manifested and is now desperate to find an answer and also safeguard the lives of any prisoners that remain.

Mobei-Jun, who's just here to kill and destroy Shen Qingqiu after a slight made against the northern realms. He's still nobility but within this narrative but he's not a demon. instead he's just a shirtless barbarian man in virtually no clothes out for revenge.

Shang Qinghua, who in this is less a peak lord and more just an actual middle man guy the sect had who was working for both the northern kingdom Mobei-Jun hailed from and Cang Qiong mountain sect as a double agent. He ends up running into the dungeon basically in attempt to save his skin. Unfortunately he's now deeply aware that both parties know he was playing both sides so his only hope is to present Mobei-Jun with Shen Qingqiu's head first or something better in order to save his skin. This is what makes airplane once he transmigrates and ends up at this point terrified. Because oh god oh god. please don't say it's dungeon o'clock.

everyone else of the main cast of svsss gets represented as npcs with all the girls being dateable party members for Luo Binghe.

[kalinara]

Do you enjoy the scemma ship? I'm on the fence about it. They had such an ugly start and I really wish it was acknowleged as the assault that it was. I wish he had a more similar dynamic with Emma as he does with Ororo, nonromantic partners.

I think I need to apologize, I have no idea how long this message was in my inbox! I promise I wasn't ignoring you, I just didn't have an alert for it. Weird!

And I am also sorry for the monster of a response that this post has turned into. :-D I apparently have a lot of incoherent thoughts.

So I actually do enjoy the Scott/Emma ship for the most part. I get very annoyed with folks who try to white-wash the origin of the relationship, and I have a knee-jerk reaction every time I see someone call Scott a "cheater" for the fact that he was taken advantage of by his therapist. (And I will never not bring up that a therapist having sex with her patient is statutory rape under New York law.)

But the thing is, and maybe this says something about me, it's not actually a dealbreaker, when it comes to enjoying the ship.

For me, Scott and Emma have a very specific relationship with one another that is compatible yet different to the relationships that each of them have with other characters.

At their best, I think Scott and Emma are particularly good at providing support to one another without the need for judgment and shame. Even at his most calculating, Scott is, at heart, an idealist. And I think that he has a certain purity of vision with what he does that appeals to Emma very much. Even when he's willing to make moral compromises, they're always compromises made out of good intention - because he thinks that's what he has to do for the greater good.

(Even as recently as X-Manhunt, for all that Scott had a lot of issues with Xavier personally, his main articulated reason for wanting to capture Xavier was because he thought Xavier's escape would lead to negative consequences for everyone else.)

And Emma is a character who struggles with morality. Being a good person doesn't come easy to her. Especially when she gets angry. Even in the 90s, when she co-lead Generation X - which was probably the most heroic she was going to get, things ended up falling apart for a lot of reasons - not in the least because she ended up murdering her own sister and covering it up. (It was justified, I have to admit, but it did lead to her students losing faith in her.)

She found a place and a purpose as a teacher in Genosha, but then lost everything all over again. And as the sole survivor, with her students dead around her, she lost her way. My own read on the initial Emma/Scott/Jean situation was that Emma was actually trying to hurt Jean, seeing Jean as someone that she could never be and trying to exorcise her pain and self-loathing by tearing apart the life of someone who was "better" than she was. Scott, I think, was collateral damage.

But as bruised and damaged as he was at the time, Scott was still, at heart, an incredibly moral person. And she couldn't help but respond to that. I sometimes think that if Jean had not been killed off, we might have seen an interestingly different dynamic - especially if Emma had gotten more of a glimpse of what Jean was actually dealing with beyond the paragon of virtue exterior, but we'll never know. What we do know is that, for all of his strengths, Scott is pretty co-dependent by nature, and tends to gravitate toward strong personalities often (but not always) in a sexual/romantic context particularly in times of emotional turmoil.

I feel like there's a meta there that I should poke at one day.

But anyway, and leaving aside the future Jean pushing them together aspect, Emma ends up with this man who is unfailingly devoted to a greater idealism, willing to make hard sacrifices to make it happen, during a period of time when mutants are in a truly terrible position and he NEEDS her support. She gets a moral compass, a cause, and a feeling of being needed. And I think that's something that they still have between them, even during the times when they're not in a sexual or romantic relationship.

On Scott's end, I think Emma provides a support that Jean can't. And I want to clarify, I am a Jean/Scott shipper above everything else, so that is a context that I think is important. But Jean is a goddess, essentially. Literally, right now, but even if we take the Phoenix entity part of her off the table, she's immensely powerful. And the thing that I think every Dark Phoenix adaptation (except maybe the 90s cartoon) misses is that Jean doesn't lose her mind because she's too powerful. She loses her mind because a) fucking Wyngarde and the Hellfire Club have fucked with her head and b) the man she loves keeps almost dying on her. I've joked before that the best way to avoid pissing off the Phoenix is to gently place that guy in a nice padded room and make sure he can't get so much as a paper cut.

Scott clearly is into the idea of being a Goddess's concubine. There's question about that. But it's a lot of pressure too. I'd personally love to see an arc of the Phoenix where Scott does die (temporarily) or is otherwise in distress and see Jean have to keep it together and avoid losing herself in her rage. But until we see that, it's an open question: what would happen if Scott died?

And it's interesting to note that while Scott and Jean talk often, telepathically, in the Phoenix, it's not clear how much he says about what's going on with him. It's an open question: does she know about his panic attacks? Does she know about ONE and Lundqvist? Does she even know he's an X-Man? Because he was hanging out in a cabin when she initially left. Some of that might just be that the creative team in Phoenix may not have had all the information about what's going on in X-Men. But you'd think there'd be something.

And something I always thought was a fascinating beat from Krakoa is the exchange where Scott and Alex talk briefly about resurrection - and we learn that Emma, rather than Jean, tends to be the one who assists Scott during his resurrections. I think Scott finds it easier to be vulnerable with Emma, and also maybe to be flawed and to make darker choices.

And maybe, darkly, this is where the horrible origin actually HELPS. Because why should he have to be ashamed of the darker/uglier parts of his nature to the woman who raped him? Is she really going to judge him? Be disappointed by him? No. And she's not powerful enough to destroy the world if he dies (though I think she would if she could. And she'd cheer Jean on in a heartbeat.)

I suppose in a way, this might well seem like I'm arguing that Scott/Emma is a healthier or "better" relationship than Scott/Jean. And those are two different things. "Better" is a subjective term after all. As I said, I'm primarily a Scott/Jean shipper because I am INTO the goddess/mortal vibes. And I'd like them to get to the point where Scott can be as open with Jean as he is with Emma, it also works for me that they're not there yet. I'm into the story in progress not the happy ending.

But there's also the fact that Scott and Emma, while arguably a healthier pairing over all and certainly a more equal one (obvious femdom elements aside), aren't in the same place when it comes to relationships anymore.

In the early 00s, they were. When the mutant race was decimated, and they were desperately grasping at survival on Utopia, yeah, they were perfect. They wanted to be together. They wanted mutant kind to survive. They wanted to stand against their enemies. But those were special circumstances. NOT their default state. And there's a reason that they broke up after AvX and had never actually got back together.

It's most obvious on Krakoa. They've got a dream society for mutantkind (flaws aside) where they can pursue exactly what they want. Emma is a business woman. She's managing Krakoa's financial stuff, working on the council. Making hospitals. Living in luxury and wheeling and dealing.

Scott, on the other hand, is living a happy family life on the moon. He has his wife, his throuple partner (yes, yes, Marvel. It's honestly weirder if they weren't fucking and you know it), and his kids. He gets to support Rachel the way he's always wanted. He gets to raise Nate. And it's warmly domestic. Even after Rachel goes off to X-Factor (and later shacks up with Betsy), and Nate trades himself in for the adult version, he and Jean are still happily domestic in the X-Men treehouse.

And when I try to imagine Emma either bunking up on the moon or shacking up in the treehouse, I find myself laughing. Because she'd HATE that. She liked being headmistress of Xavier's school. She liked being the Governor-Consort of Utopia. She does NOT want to play step-mother to Scott's kids or hang out in a treehouse. And Scott would be absolutely miserable as the trophy husband of a wealthy businesswoman.

Even now, when things are back to the more stressful status quo, I still don't think they're in the same place. Emma wants to be an educator. And she's doing that. She's got her students and her school and she seems to be where she wants to be.

Scott on the other hand is doing what he does best: field-leading the X-Men. The new mutants on HIS team are NOT students. They're people who were rescued, and they might end up getting trained, but they'll be trained for battle. I suspect that when we finally do see them interact, it won't be with the same animosity that we see with the Uncanny team - they understand each other too well for that, but it won't be romantic reunion either.

(She might hit that, if they're still doing the polyamory thing though, and more power to her.)

Oops, I forgot about the last part of your ask, sorry! I don't think it's fair to compare the relationship Scott has with Emma to the one he has with Storm, simply because the one he has with Storm is not and has never been sexual or romantic. Emma and Scott can absolutely interact without being current partners (and have done so without issue), but there's always going to be that element between them.

[ghostgoing]

Thought: The Fenton Kids Have CPTSD

One of the causes of CPTSD is being in a situation where you felt unsafe for extended periods of time. For example, living in a house with bad lab safety and food that attacks you. Danny also has the additional factor of Vlad.

sometimes, when you’re a person with CPTSD, you don’t want to get until the full story of what happened. Hence, when one of the kids is telling one of the batkids about their experience, they just say “my parents had an unsecure lab in the basement of our house, and it made things kind of stressful, but they’re doing better“

Does they’re doing better mean they’re dead? Or maybe they’re in jail? Or did they *clutches pearl necklace* learn lab safety?

not really noticing the batkid’s horror, the Fenton kid continues “Anyway, that’s why I’m super stressed all the time, because one of the symptoms of CPTSD is feeling like you’re in danger all the time“

Cue batkid internally freaking out being like “oh my God we all have CPTSD?“

The answer is yes, by the way.

Luckily, Danny happens to know a great psychologist…

[javierduffy]

I have been having... a very bad day. Any spare fluffy headcanons for the boys? (and maybe some nsfw ones if you're up to it-)

ohh no my dear helena !!! its unfortunate that you’re having a rough day today :( remember that everything is temporary and that this day, like every other hard day before (and all following after), will pass in its own time.

i can absolutely spare some fluff ! that’s all i’ve got !

• javier goes to bed at about the same time that kieran is waking up every morning, right before dawn, and it’s a common occurrence that he will forget to untie his hair before laying down for bed, especially after a long night of guard duty. kieran will notice every time, and knows himself how easily long hair can get matted, so he will beckon javier over so that he can untie his bow. usually, he’ll also take the time to run his fingers through javier’s hair to detangle it as well, so that he’s even less likely to wake up to knots. javier adores it, teetering with the weight of his head and leaning hard into kieran’s legs on each side of his shoulders- sometimes kieran will even indulge himself in giving javier a head massage. javier never sleeps better, and coincidentally, he began forgetting to take his hair down a lot more after moving out to clemen’s point ….

• javier snuck kieran his first bowl of pearson’s stew after ‘making a social call’. john kicked kieran off his horse at the entrance of camp and javier watched as the latter dredged himself through the brush to what would become his usual resting place behind the rock by the horses. he looked miserable, dead on his feet, and javier knew by then he’d been weeks without a meal. he was a dirty, disloyal, unholy traitor of an o’driscoll, but something about his sunken eyes, the shake in his hand as he lit his first cigarette as a free man again- likely to quell off the hunger- it urged javier to act in a way that he’d never felt before. javier could kill a man in cold blood easier than he could stand to watch fear starve a man even after his hands are free to reach for the bowl. the study for learned helplessness in psychology will come years later, but javier understands himself now through watching kieran’s instinctual desire to survive be beat out of him by the gang javier dedicates his life to. with a healthy amount of spite to himself, he scoops a heaping amount of fresh stew into the cleanest bowl he can find, and sets out to add a fresh layer of flesh to kieran’s prominent bones.

• following this, cooking for kieran is one of javier’s favourite things to do when they get together. javier will cook for him traditional mexican dishes from home (as best he can. both with his limited skills and also with his limited accessibility to the proper ingredients. (probably for the best that he can’t get authentic chili peppers from home and has to use a less spicy chili native to this northern climate. kieran does okay with spice but it isn’t in his genetics to truly have a high tolerance.)) and not only will it be an unknown love language from javier, to feed kieran and make sure he is full, but it will also be a love language from kieran, to let javi share a piece of home with him.

• ^ also applies to modern au javieran ! javier loves cooking, and especially for kieran. they would cook together, but kieran struggles to cook with other people in the room, and javier gets so absorbed in it that he’d likely be running into kieran or otherwise being unhelpful in aiding in making sure the dish is being cooked correctly because he’s too Locked In to guide kieran LOL but they’re more happy to simply keep each other company, anyway. kieran on the counter/table/floor, watching javier sing and dance to the music he’s blasting from their speaker. cue dancing in the kitchen when the love songs come on (here’s a good one (rip javier escuella you would have loved dannylux)). the parallel play and quality time with these two is off the charts

• come mid/late clemens point, the way javieran make most of their money for the camp is by going on days-long fishing dates, laughing and laying close to one another in the grass under a tree on the riverbank in the shroud of darkness. they come back to camp flushed as all get out but with stacks of cash in their hands wadded up so thick no one dares to ask where it came from. kieran will get excited at even the smallest of fish, perking up and sharing/asking javier for tidbits on the species. they never miss a bite, either. one time one of the bells on their bobber rods rang once and they both broke out of a very hot and heavy make-out sesh so fast that javier tripped on kieran and nearly broke both of their wrists. they laughed so hard about it, javier was certain that by the time he arrived to his rod, the fish had already successfully ripped the bait off of his hook. he reeled in a boot, at the end of it all. he never lives it down.

• kieran is ambidextrous, and javier is fascinated by it. javier stumbled upon kieran writing on one rare occasion, and noticed immediately that he was writing with his left. “left handed, huh ?” kieran cocks his head at him in thought. javier wonders why on earth he would have to stop and think about a question like that. “uhh, not really ?” well, now javier is simply confused. “right, then ? is something wrong with your dominant hand ?” “um … no, that’s not it either …” and at this point, javier is demanding kieran explain what the hell he’s talking about, and why he’s pulling a prank on him. cue kieran explaining and javier making him do all kinds of silly “tests” like writing, shooting, playing guitar (as if kieran is going to any better with either when neither of them can do it right to begin with) because he finds it so cool.

• modern au kieran gets overstimulated incredibly easily, so he’s got a pair of noise canceling over-ear headphones that he often wears to dampen sensory input and ground himself when there’s a lot going on. when it’s cleaning day, generally no matter what he’s doing, he HAS to wear his headphones. javier is left to dodge him the same way he has to dodge the cats when they’re weaving in and out of between his feet. it also leaves him to dance to his own tunes when kieran suddenly swoops or sways or dips him to the music only he can hear- though just as often, javier will catch kieran dancing by himself and he will simply be unable not to join him, even though he can’t hear what it is he’s dancing to. as overwhelming as they can be, cleaning days for javieran somehow always end up feeling more like a date than anything.

• on a similar note, kieran also wears his headphones to bed, and listens to asmr/white noise to sleep. the pressure helps him feel safe, and the silence of a room makes him anxious. he also has a terrible bedhead and rbf in the morning. both of these things javier finds incredibly charming, and if he ever does wake up when/before kieran does (incredibly rare), this is his pov (right before he tries to kiss kieran’s face off and gets shoved away with a sleepy giggle that only bolsters his aggression);

nsfw under the cut !

and how could i resist a chance to finally talk about this ;3€ ?? i’ll try to keep them fluffy !

(context, i hc both of them as tguys usually (though im content with writing javier as amab too), with both of them being absolute, unabashed switches. they have little preferences anywhere in terms of bottoming/topping, though kieran has a preference for subbing, and javier has no qualms with domming more frequently.)

• as much raunchy, animalistic sex that javieran have, they have double as much slow, loving, tender sex. and most times between, they’re having raunchy, loving, animalistic sex.

• javi loves to turn kieran’s brain off, he loves more than anything to make kieran feel so overwhelmingly pleasured that he forgets everything that ever has, ever could, or ever will happen to him. nothing gets javier off quite like seeing the face of bliss kieran makes when all he can think about is javier’s mouth/hands/cock working overtime just to make him feel good.

• both of them i think are quite vocal when they’re able to be, and kieran tends to be vocal whether he’s supposed to be or not. both of them often dissolve into whimpers and “i love you”s and praise like “you feel/sound/taste so good” by the end. their love for each other has a carnal grasp on every aspect of their sex lives as well <3 so they’re always speaking so sweetly to each other, even if the way they growl it seems violent

• javier LOVES love bites. he loves to mark kieran up and he especially loves to bite and lick and suck on his neck, not only because of the primal aspect of his jugular being so close (as well as the warmth of his pulse thrumming against his mouth), but also because it arouses kieran to the point of making him shiver nearly every time. javier has permission to bite him hard, but it’s pretty rare that he ever does, and it’s only late into their relationship does javier feel like it will be more pleasure for him than it would just be pain. sometimes he can’t help it though, he’ll get so worked up that he just latches on and the way that kieran tightens around him is mind-numbing.

• unironically i think kieran is a GREAT soft dom, and that is something that javier generally had never experienced prior to getting with kieran. javi thinks it’s hot to be man-handled and roughed up, and kieran can do his very best (despite the constant guilt and fear) if javier is really feeling it, but where he really excels is soft domming. once the nerves melt off, he’s so gentle with javier that it makes the latter’s skin hot all over. constantly praising him, cooing at him, asking him nicely, rewarding him for good behavior, all the while touching him oh-so-gently, it all makes javier feel so awkward but so, so good. kieran makes him feel so loved and worshipped that the world in which he has anything to question simply just fades away, and all he has to think about is doing what meager tasks kieran asks of him.

• they find so much peace in each other’s bodies. in every rib and wrinkle and sunspot, these two will spend hours simply exploring and enjoying the body of the other in whatever the closest form of “privacy” they can manage to acquire. turns out, kieran has sunspots all over him. turns out, javier has a keloid scar on the back of his bicep. turns out, kieran has a mole on his scalp right where his part is (this is canon btw i saw it once when i was studying him in photo mode like a specimen in a petri dish), and javier has back dimples, and kieran’s ribs stutter and dance beautifully when he laughs, and the flex of javier’s thighs warps his skin like a marble statue. javier escuella and kieran duffy love like artists, and they spend hours just learning and looking and studying each other, like a painter with his muse, like a writer with his words, like the last things they want to see while they’re dying are all the hours they spent learning the beauty of the other.

i could honestly come up with more but it would never leave my drafts, so i hope u like these that i came up with as quick as i could :’) ! i hope you’re feeling better and have gotten some good rest !! thank you for the ask !!!!!

[shorlinesorrows]

just got the time to start the sunshine court and I'm Vibrating out of my skin

[apatheticsunday]

Dead Serious Oblivious Dating Trope

AKA "Damian thinks flirting/dating entails a lot more violence than the average person and Danny's confused as to why this vigilante keeps prepositioning him for battles" idea!

Okay, so, I know Damian went to live with Bruce when he was still a kid, 10 or something, but what if he joined the Batfam when he was older? Like imagine he's had an entire childhood and adolescence in the League of Assassins, so he's raised in this culture of being The Best (i.e., strongest fighter, intelligent and knowledgeable, etc.). And maybe the LoA typically follows the tradition of arranged marriages, but you may court someone if they're seen as an equal. Talia with Bruce, for example. And!! It's not courting like the "sweet serenading, fan-fluttering, going for a walk in a park with a chaperone" Bridgerton-type courting.

In the League of Assassins, you court by battling your intended's guardian to the death.

So, fast-forward to Damian learning how to assimilate into Gotham city culture. He still struggles to learn his place in the Batfam, but he's older and has a better grasp on his emotions; no trying to kill Tim, no constant threats of death and dismemberment, no jealously protecting the title of Heir. He's... kind of like Bruce actually. Damian is scarily competent, logical, and level-headed but super intense.

Danny, who's been living in Gotham for awhile and has gotten to know the Batfam fairly well, meets the newest addition while on patrol. Let's say he's still Phantom but cosplays as a Meta. Bruce let him stay in Gotham because he's a sucker for a black-haired, blue-eyed, abused kids.

Their introduction goes about as well as the Batfam expects. Damian is all business, only offering a quick nod and his name before returning his focus to patrol. Danny's maybe a bit taken aback but doesn't take it too personally since he'd already been given the rundown by Tim.

Damian and Danny end up patrolling together while Batman and Cass investigate some lead by the docks or something. Their night turns pretty badly when Clayface attacks. Damian ends up being the damsel in distress since he's only ever faced human enemies; even the deadliest opponents in the League could still be killed using swords or the usual combat weapons. Danny ends up using his powers to defeat Clayface before Batman can come back.

And then Danny goes home, content that he was able to let loose a little without Batman there to supervise him, and doesn't think about it after. Damian, however, is downright enamored because Danny was terrifying while fighting. His movements were lupine like a panther, a comfortability in his posture that spoke of decades in combat; his eyes turned Lazarus Pit green, chilling in its intensity. His skin took on a ghostly pallor and Damian could've sworn his teeth sharpened. He looked like a deity of War.

(Danny doesn't know this, of course; he was just happy to enjoy a really good fight since he hasn't unleased his Full Ghost powers in a long minute.)

A couple weeks pass and Danny's invited to a Wayne family dinner. Except when he shows up, Damian - who he thought he'd kind of bonded with since he'd literally saved the guy from Clayface - tries to kill him. Straight up: full assassin regalia, recently polished sword, genuinely throwing his all into the battle.

The Batfam try to intervene but Damian easily (and painfully, as Jason was flipped face-first into a table, Steph was stabbed, Dick broke his elbow) fought off. In the end, it was Danny who froze Damian and yelped a frazzled, "What the fuck, dude?" Bruce agreed to dethaw his son if he never, ever drew his sword at the dinner table again and explained why in the world he randomly attacked Danny unprompted.

Except Damian's response is to apologize and formally proposition Danny to a "battle to rights"... and the Batfam are all like, wtf?? What is that?? They're thinking maybe the rights to the Wayne inheritance, but Danny was never adopted by Bruce (he'd had enough of millionaires trying to adopt him so he'd politely declined all the Batfam's attempts to rope him into the family; Dick, Babs, and Jason of all people included).

The thing is that Danny's parents disowned him, he doesn't consider Vlad to be his guardian, and Jazz isn't really in the picture here. Bruce isn't considered his adopted father figure, either. So, Damian concluded the next reasonable course of action was to fight Danny for his right to marry him.

Cue months of hilarious misunderstandings where the Batfam try to keep Damian separated from Danny since he keeps trying to fight him... and worse, is that Damian loses every damn fight. Danny has non-human powers and endless knowledge of dead languages, cultures, space, history, etc. Damian likes him so, so much but he can't win the battle to rights and it's driving him insane!! He calls his mother to vent his frustrations and she only encourages him, tells him that he shouldn't want to marry someone he can beat so easily, that he picked his intended well.

It gets to the point where Damian's trying to use any and all knowledge of Danny's weaknesses. It just makes him more obsessed because there doesn't seem to be any (there are, but they aren't on Earth and/or are locked down in the Fenton Works labs, untraceable to anyone not in the GIW).

And Danny's just like, what the hell!! Why the hell is this guy targeting him over and over again? The worst part is that Damian is actually very intelligent and thoughtful - during their duels, they quip back and forth in ancient languages, discuss thought-proving topics, and when Danny beats him, they have a quiet moment to compliment each other's fighting styles. They discuss ancient history and art together. Damian is one of the few people who can actually match Danny's odd tidbits of random knowledge, as he'd been extensively educated while in the LoA.

Finally, Danny just asks, "Why do you keep trying to fight me?? Do you just hate me or something??" (He hopes not. Danny's starting to like Damian a bit too much, especially after their fights when Damian offers to cook him some of Alfred's most popular recipes. Danny's a terrible cook so he actually looks forward to having a surprisingly good meal, sans the attempted poisoning at times.)

And Damian just... stops. He's utterly flabbergasted and perhaps a little bit exasperated since it's been months of being unable to win the battle to rights. "Why would I request to court you if I hate you, habibi?"

Danny's like, "Huh???"

Damian explains how courting works in the LoA and why it's been on-sight ever since the Clayface fight. And everything just clicks for Danny!! He's also kind of... flattered? Like, he's never been wanted so badly that someone would fight to the death for him (Danny's just like "he's confused but he's got the spirit!" about the whole "if Danny doesn't have a guardian, I'll just fight him instead" logic).

So, he's like, "Of course, I'll date you!!"

It'd probably be an adjustment period since Damian's idea of a romantic date is watching his boyfriend go Full Ghost on supervillains. He'd just be heart-eyeing at him the entire time. And it's not like Danny's not having a good time!! He just expected there'd be more date-night activities and less patrol-night activities. So, Danny introduces Damian to more "regular" hobbies, like going to the zoo, movie nights, bookshop dates, etc.

(another side idea in my head is Damian introducing Danny to Talia and Ra's al Ghul, like, "This is Danny Fenton, my intended." But Danny is decked out in his Ghost King attire, crown included, and introduces himself as King of Infinite Realms, Space, and the Dead. Meanwhile his boyfriend is just looking at him with this look of utter besotted lovesick pride. There's so much potential!!)

[prlssprfctn]

A big fan of crack-au, where UTRH goes wrong, and Bruce just accepts Jason back because he misses him, except for some reason he dreads telling all the story to kids, so now he just brings back home Red Hood without telling others that it is Jason. Jason is amused because of course he is... he has such a vast space for teasing the shit out of family.

Dick: Wait, WHAT? Dick: I know I said that Red Hood low-key was impressive, but it wasn't supposed to be an, uh, encouragement for adopting him? Tim: Screw that. Why is he still in his helmet? He is allowed to know who we are, but we are going to cover his identity? How is that fair? Bruce: Well. You see... Jason: I am not taking my helmet off. When I was a kid, Joker butchered my face. Tim, awkwardly: ...Okay, I see an adopting requirement is passed. Bruce: ...Tim, I don't have requirements for- Dick: Still sounds like bullshit to me. How old are you? Jason: Nineteen, fuck ass. Dick, instantly melting: OH MY GOD, IT IS A BABY CRIME LORD!

Bruce, sighing: Lad, I feel so guilty for lying to them Jason, shrugging: You weren't that guilty when you allowed this ugly memorial to stay in the Batcave. Bruce: ... Alfred: Good point. Bruce, frustrated: Al, you put it in the first place. Jason: He paid off by his Friday lasagna delivery to my doors. It is your turn. Bruce: *quiet sigh*

Jason, appearing out of nowhere behind Dick's back: So, I heard you have a dead brother. Dick: Jesus- What- Jason: You liked him much? Dick: What? Of course. I loved Jason, he was my baby. Why are you asking that? Jason, humming: No reason. Keep it up.

Tim: I don't know what the fuck is wrong with you, but I *will* get to the bottom of it. Also, your strange obsession with Jason is low-key weird. Jason, trashing out Tim's stalker stash: Really, what about yours? Tim: YOU MOTHERFUCKER-

Bruce: So... You feel better, Jason? Jason: Yep. Totally satisfied. Bruce, hopeful: So, about you being the crime lord- Jason: So, about admitting to your kids that I am not a rando? Bruce: ...Uhh. Never mind, you are doing great, sweetheart.

Dick, carrying groceries: Oh, come on. Red Hood is cute. He is just a little socially awkward, but overall? A baby. Tim, grunting, while opening the kitchen door: The nicest thing he had done was editing my last-minute essays. Overall, he can go and fuck himself. Jason, without a helmet, having a tea party with Alfred and Bruce in the kitchen: ... Dick and Tim: ... Bruce: ... Jason: Oh, fuck my life, since when you two know a road to the KITCHEN Dick: LITTLE WING? Bruce: I... I can explain. Tim: You sleazy motherfucker. I *knew* Babs deleted some footage from your cowl, I KNEW IT. Bruce: I CAN EXPLAIN! Dick, in tears: JAY. BABY. Jason, trying to escape the kitchen: I am just a hallucination. You didn't see a shit. Dick: No, you are not. Your hallucination sits on the counter, silly. Jason: ...The fuck? Bruce, catching Jason by the collar, whispering: Don't leave me alone there. Help me out. Say something to avert the attention. Jason, panicking: Uh Jason: By the way, we have another brother, he is a biological son of Bruce and Talia, and his name is Damian Everyone: WHAT Jason: Well. Bye. Jason: *jumps out of the window*

[manmuncher777]

How the jjk men would react to an aphrodisiac

Toji -

Being brutally honest, I love a dom man. But I think he would get a little subby. Being such a brat because you forget to tell him about the special chocolates you had bought and now hes been fucking aching for you all day. Then you had the audacity o be at work for the whole day.

“Fuck baby, gonna kill me” the giant of a man was basically whimpering beneath you, splayed out on your couch like a slut while you rode him half to death. Hips slamming down brutally against his thick thighs with all your might, doing your best to get him off.

Your slick now dripping all over his thighs as you rode him, your thighs burning and arms aching but you never slowed.

Toji could do nothing but take it, he had been thinking about this all day. And it was so much better than he imagined it rendered him almost paralysed. Forearm flung over his eyes as he grits his teeth as the feeling of your sloppy cunt swallowing him over and over again, your position allowing his bulbous tip to kiss your cervix. Stretching yourself over his thick cock. It’s like his sense were multiplied, usually he would bent you over and fucked into you until you were a drooling mess. But this time he was the drooling mess, as soon as you sunk down onto him he knew it was endgame

Hearing your big strong boyfriend whimper beneath you turned you on far more than you thought, each movement you made dead set on pulling the most pathetic noise from him.

“S-shit~ haa~” he hissed out at a particularly cruel squeeze of your pussy.

Oh how he wished he could watch you, your flushed face staring at him, tits bouncing with each grind of your hips, but he knew the second he stared into those glossy eyes he would be done for.

“What wrong baby?”You questioned, slowing your movements to teasing drags.

“F-fuck you doll.” He gritted out, hips pathetically bucking into yours trying to chase his pleasure

“Awh im trying baby.” You giggled

Shit that was music to his ears, he never usually lets you lead. But hes thinking he might have to from now on

After hes fucked you for payback however

Nanami -

Oh hes fucking insatiable. I mean hes already obsessed woth you enough as it is. Now imagine that tenfold. So its kind of freak you out when you come home from work to find him sat in your living room, glass of whisky in hand, tie undone, disheveled hair. And a devious look in his eyes

“Come on darling, show me how deep I am” he drawls with a Cheshire Cat like grin on his face. Gripping one of you hands and dragging it down to your stomach. Where he was clearly bulging through you poor little pussy. You did your best in your fuck out state to move his huge hands, bringing it down on the bulge. Only for him to press on it gently, watching the way your eyes lolled into the back of you head, mouth hanging open in a silent scream.

“Oh there? Is that the spot my love?” He questioned, cruel really as he knew you could hardly form the words to answer.

Sure you had seen Nanami feral before but it was nothing like this, nothing as raw and filthy as this. The way his eyes trained on you, never leaving. Watching you like prey, knowing you had no way of escape. His hand every now and then moving to the side that he had place his whisky, taking a sip before turning his attention back to you. Only this time he brought his mouth to yours, transferring the Smokey liquid into your mouth with a sloppy kiss, licking the trail it leaves as it spills from the corner of your mouth.

“Ken~” the sultry action pulling his name from your mouth in a broken whine. His cock fucking you deeper and deeper into the couch with every thrust, dragging through your velvety walls in a way that had his knuckles goin white with how hard the were gripping the cushions

“Oh- fuck say it again baby”

Suguru - (fucking father of all my kids, love of my life, underrated king)

He’s so fucking cruel with it, I mean you cant blame him, you left those chocolates out without sating a word, and then are too busy to pick up your phone all day when all he wanted to hear was your voice while he fucked his fist. So of course hes going to have to teach you a lesson

Hot tears stream down your face, ruining the makeup you had spent so long on that morning. You had just got in from seeing a friend, rushing because of all the missed calls. But instead of coming home to an emergency, you came home to Suguru fucking his hand on your shared bed, before pouncing on you, stripping you down and bending you over the bed.

“That’s it baby, cry for me” he gritted out to you, huge hands coming down to encase you wrists in his grip, using them as leverage to fuck you harder and harder. The slap of skin against skin echoing in the room, slightly masked by your screams of pleasure.

And you did exactly that, pouring tears into your bedsheets, smearing your mascara into the material. His hips snapped so savagely into yours, relishing in the feeling of your thighs trembling

“Sugu~ fuck fuck fuck” his name left your lips so sweetly it almost made him want to show some mercy. Almost.

His hips bucking into yours, fuelled by the sound of your pathetic whines.

“Oh no, not sugu for you tonight sweetheart, thats reserved for good girls” Groaning at he pummels deeper into you, struggling to get his words out as you clench so tightly around him. Getting even more distracted as he watched himself enter you, the way your thighs glisten with your own arousal, the noise your pussy makes as he takes a hand and swipes his digits through your folds

“It’s Suguru to you- fuckin tease”

A scream left you, muffled by the duvet you head was getting buried into. Nodding your head as you accept everything he was giving you.

“Yes Suguru.”

“Oh baby, now you want to play nice? Breaking my heart sweets” he leans down to whisper against the shell of your ear

“Cus im not done with your punishment yet”

Gojo -

Hi - pathetic whimpery mess, thats all - send tweet

“Shit baby, been thinking about this all day” hot breath tickles your ear from the shuddering man. He was fucking wrecked, skin sticky with sweat as he eagerly thrusts into from behind, muscular body hulked over, pressed into your back as he struggles to support himself, his hips moving as if they had a mind of their own, chasing yet another orgasm. “Been thinking about you.” He rambles, eyes squeezed shut as he fucks you, one of his thick arms wrapped around your torso, stopping your escape from his brutal thrusts. “Been thinking about this pretty little pussy” and you can hear the need in his voice, the pitchy whine that leaves him with every word. Silent pleas not to stop. His thick cock stretching you over him, so deep you could hardly speak. Your one choice being to listen to him as he talks to you. Words flowing from him with little thought. His only focus being how well you were taking him

“F-fuck, please let me cum inside” he stutters, a pathetic whisper in your ear. His pretty leaking tip mashing against your g-spot as he spoke, begging.

He never slowed, slamming into you over and over again, unable to stop himself. You werent sure how many times he made you cum already, you werent sure how many times he had cum now. But you couldn’t find it in you to care, hearing him so pathetic and whiny getting you wetter and wetter by the second.

“‘Toru~” You gasped as one of his hands dove sown to your clit, rubbing fast circles on the swollen bud. Legs quivering which each movement of his fingers

“B-baby, you cant ca— fuck- cant call me that.” He shudders against your, eyes rolling back into his skull as he replays the way you said that little nickname of his

“Toru..” you purposely repeat, only to be met by hard thrusts and a deep groan from behind.

One…. Two… three

“Fuck”

A warm sensation filling your belly as he shoots ropes of hot cum deep inside, over and over until he was shaking from the pleasure. Not pulling out before starting his pace again.

“Need more sweets.”

[dark-night-hero]

Imagine being Caleb's non-mc significant other. part3

Imagine the way Caleb stopped sleeping in beds. It was too soft. Too still. Too big. He found himself on floor, against the walls or sometimes on an old couch with springs that dug into his spine. He stopped drawing the curtains. He didn't want the dark anymore neither did he want the light either. He just wanted nothing. In the morning, if he could still call them that, he would sat on the kitchen floor with a cold cup of something he never finished. And sometimes he talked to no one in particular. Just words, soft and broken coming out of his mouth. "I'm sorry." He would say. "I'm so so sorry." Because that is all he had left now, words that didn't matter, and time he couldn't spend with you.

Imagine the way he became cold. Not cruel.. just quiet in a way that people get when they're trying not to fall apart. Caleb started turning his mirrors around. He didn't like what he saw. Not just the tired eyes or the cracked lips, or the weight loss. But the look in his face that said. 'I did this. I let this happen.' He barely spoke unless he had to. He only smiled when it made other people feel better. He kept your name locked behind his teeth because every time he said it out loud, it made you more real. More gone.

Imagine the apartment was gone. It was reduced into nothing but ash but in his mind, it was still full. Full of your scent, full of your laugh echoing down the hallway, your humming from the kitchen even though you thought he wasn't listening. In his mind, your sweater was still draped over the back of a chair. Your silly collections on top of the cabinet still lies in there. Everything was still there... in memory. But memory is cruel. It doesn't keep him warm.

Imagine he would stood where the front door used to be. He imagined you fumbling with your keys, holding your phone in the other hand. He imagined your tired smile after a long day. He imagined that final moment, the second before the blast. Alone. Scared. Thinking he had chosen someone else over you. The way he dropped on his knees on that sidewalk, screaming for your name like it would matter. Like you might hear it somehow. Like it would rewind the clock. But the world just kept going. Cars passed. People talked. A dog barked. And Caleb sat there in the rain. With the colorless world buzzing around him, trying to figure out how to keep breathing when the very reason for it had been turned to ash.

Imagine there was no funeral. Not one he could attend, anyway. He stood from a distance, dressed in clothes that no longer fit him the same. And when they lowered you into the ground, the only thing he could think was, You had died thinking he didn't choose you. And that thought became his prison.

Imagine the grief didn't sit quietly with Caleb. It screamed, it bled into every bit of his bones, carved into his muscles and made a home in his throat. People tried. Pips, MC tried. A few old friends. They sent messages, knocked on doors, left food, sat beside him without speaking. But none of it reached him. He wasn't there. Not anymore. He had gone down with the fire. Caleb wasn't angry at the people who did it, not really. It is just that it would require energy. Hope and maybe even vengeance. But all he had was this heavy, dead weight where his heart used to be. They said grief is a process. Not for him.

Imagine his grief was not a wound that was forgotten over and healed with time. His was a decision. A stone. Something he placed at the bottom of his soul and built his new life around. Grief wasn't leaving. It was him now.

Imagine years passed. Seasons changed. The world kept turning, as it always does. He went back to work, trained new recruits, took missions. He comes back, breathed and slept when he could. Ate, when he remembered. He functioned but he wasn't living. He moved like a man underwater, everything muffled, slow, cold. He visited your grave once a year. Same day, same hour, same flowers, same path. Every year he stood in front of your name and imagined what could have been. How you would have aged, how your voice might have changed, how many more hours he could have memorized your face if only he had stayed.

Imagine the way his hands do not shake in missions. He wasn't reckless, he doesn't want to die, not really. But he didn't care if he did. MC noticed. She didn't say anything for a long time, but she saw it in his face. The way he didn't duck as fast, the way his reflexes were dulled, like he was living underwater. Like pain didn't scare him anymore. Like consequences were someone else problem. And then one night he finally told her without warning.

"They died thinking I chose you." MC’s breath hitched. "They didn't know." He wanted to cry, really. But at the same time, he doesn't know how. "About the threat. I told them it was you… I didn’t explain. I didn’t stay. I thought I was saving them." He looked at his hands and flexed them like he couldn't remember how they were supposed to feel. "They died thinking I left them again." MC cried for him. And he didn't.

Imagine Caleb, he never fell in love again. He didn't even try. Women smiled. Men lingered. But Caleb never reached back. He never leaned in. He never looked too long. He did not have anything left to give. Everything that once lived inside him, the laughter, the gentleness, the clumsy warmth. All of it had been burned away. People asked him once in passing if he was seeing anyone.

"No." He replied. "I don't think I can love again." It wasn't dramatic. It wasn't sad. It was just true. You were it, you were the love story. The first chapter, the middle, the end. And now, there were no more pages to turn.

Imagine Caleb was never the same again. He stopped talking about you but you were in everything. The way he tied his boots. The songs he skipped. The movies he couldn't watch. The way he smiled politely at joy but never let it all the way in. He kept you close, but hidden like a secret he didn't want to heal from. And maybe that's how love lives, when the person is gone. Not in photos or keepsakes, or places but in the habits you never unlearn. In the pain you don't ask to be free from.

Imagine Caleb did not believe in happy endings anymore. He believed in you. In that movie night. In your trembling voice. In the way you held his hand even when it hurt. In your laugh when you were tired. In your humming in the kitchen. In the way you looked at him like he wasn't broken. That was what he carried. That, and the weight of everything unsaid. There was no healing for him. No sudden realization that life must go on. Caleb never truly returned. Because you were the return point. You were the home he was always trying to get back to. And the moment you were gone, the map disappeared.

Imagine he never moved on. He never wanted to. Because in the end, Caleb accepted that you would never come back and that he would never be whole again. But he also accepted that it was worth it. That loving you, even for a moment, had been enough even if it killed him slowly. Even if it burned everything else away. Even if he died with that love, quiet and buried and unspoken, still holding your name in the dark. Because you were the only one and he would carry you always. In grief. In silence. In peace.

[ⓒdark-night-hero] 2025°

: i never thought expanding my vocabulary after the grammar police would lead me quite poetic. So wtf.

: i finish this tonight, I'll have the rest of the boys queued so XD don't come after me. *peace out*

[snail-day]

Clubbing with Roommate!Suguru is… painful. For him.

He’s not a clubbing guy. Never has been. It's all too loud, sweaty, and far too many hands that grab without asking. He’d rather stay home, finish folding laundry, maybe light a nice candle, and pretend he’s the kind of man who doesn't ache every time his roommate walks into the room with that sweet little smile.

But when you asked, tilting your head, lashes batting, biting your pretty glossy lips, he said “sure” before he could think better of it.

It’s not that he doesn’t trust you. He does. He just doesn’t trust every other scumbag in that club. Especially not with you. Not with your too-short dress, or how you keep turning to beam up at him, all radiant and warm, grabbing his hand as if you both are something more.

And he knows that you don't know what it does to him.

He's been good. He has. Clean dishes. Rent on time. Never crosses the line, never watches you sleep when you're napping on the couch no matter how soft you look. Never touches you for longer than he should.

But you're making it so damn hard tonight.

Clinging to his arm when the crowd gets too tight. Throwing your head back laughing at something he didn’t even say, then tucking yourself under his chin like a lover. Like this is normal.

He should go home.

He should let you have fun and stop being a possessive freak. But the moment he steps even an inch away, he watches a pair of hands start to inch toward you, and he’s behind you in seconds, hands curling around your waist like it’s his right. Pulling you back against him, grounding you.

“Careful, princess,” he murmurs into your ear, his voice low, controlled. “This place eats girls like you alive.”

You just giggle, arm curling around the back of his neck like it’s a slow dance and not a crowded bar. You lick the sweat from the column of his throat, lips brushing warm skin, and he goes still.

Dead still.

Because he knows it’s the alcohol. Knows this isn’t real. Knows you’re just tipsy and touchy and you do this to all your friends, right?

Right?

But it’s him you’re grinding on. It’s him you keep pulling close, whispering all your secrets to. And it’s him you end up leaning on in the elevator, too tired to stand upright, blinking up at him with that soft, sleepy pout that ruins him.

“I don’t wanna be single forever,” you mumble, voice thick, fingers curling into the front of his shirt like you’re afraid he’ll slip away.

He swallows. Hard. Don’t say it. Don’t say it. Don’t say -

“You’d be such a good boyfriend, Suguru.”

His breath catches.

He doesn’t answer. Just chuckles, low and strained, thumb stroking the apple of your cheek as he cups your face. “Alright, pretty girl. Let’s get you to bed.���

It should end there.

But no. Of course not. Because you’re tugging at the hem of your dress with lazy fingers, swaying on your feet, and now he has to help you undress like some kind of saint. He must be some kind of idiot.

“Hands up,” he says gently, not looking at your bare thighs as his shirt falls over your head. “One foot at a time - whoa, okay. I got you.”

You catch yourself on his shoulders, giggling sleepily as your fingers curl against his broad shoulders. His throat is dry. His jaw tight.

He helps you into bed. Tucks you in. But you groan, turning your face into the pillow, then looking up at him, makeup smudged and eyes glassy.

“I hate makeup,” you whine.

He smiles, the expression soft and too fond for his own good. “Then come here. Sit pretty for me.”

You huff, but obey. Legs swinging over the side of the bed as he kneels between them, cotton pad in hand, wiping your cheeks with tender, practiced strokes.

“You’re so bossy,” you mumble.

He laughs under his breath, eyes fixed on your lips.

“You’re so pretty,” he says without thinking.

Your eyes flutter open. Looking up into his violet ones.

He stiffens.

“Okay,” he says quickly, flustered, “Bedtime.”

You curl up on your side, breathing soft, face peaceful. But then you groan again, clutching your stomach.

“…Feel sick,” you whisper.

And that’s all it takes. He’s under the covers with you, just hovering. Just watching. Just making sure you’re okay.

Not because he loves you.

Not because he’s dying to touch you.

Just… for safety.

He’ll tell himself that again tomorrow.

When he’s doing the dishes. When your bra’s still hanging off the bathroom door. When your sleepy voice whispers his name in the middle of the night and his heart damn near breaks.

He’ll remind himself: you’re just roommates.

And you’re making it so hard.

More roommate! Geto: Here

[cameronsbabydoll]

ex!husband!rafe baby trapping you… again

warnings: manipulation, baby trapping, rafe being arrogant and condescending, explicit content 18+

wc: 1,643 — a/n: i went a little crazy with this but i’m kinda obsessed with ex!husband!rafe

you pull into the driveway of rafe’s ostentatious mansion, tires crunching on the pristine gravel, and already you’re irritated. the place is a monument to his ego—towering columns, a fountain that probably cost more than your car, and those floor-to-ceiling windows that scream look at me. it’s sunday, 6 p.m., and your son’s supposed to be packed and ready for pickup. except the house looks dead quiet—no little boy barreling out to tackle you with hugs. you grit your teeth, haul yourself out of the car, and stomp up to the door, banging on it with the side of your fist.

it swings open, and there he is—rafe cameron, your ex-husband, the human equivalent of a migraine you can’t shake. he’s leaning against the frame, white dress shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest, showing off that infuriatingly sculpted torso. a glass of whiskey dangles from his fingers, ice clinking as he swirls it, and his lips twitch into that smug, lopsided grin that makes you want to slap him—or worse, kiss him.

“well, well,” he drawls, voice dripping with condescension. “look who’s gracing my doorstep. early, too. miss me that much, sweetheart?”

you glare, arms crossing tight over your chest. “where’s our son, rafe? don’t play games with me.”

he takes a slow, deliberate sip of his whiskey, letting the silence hang heavy just to mess with you. “oh, him? yeah, he’s at a sleepover. didn’t i mention that?” his brows lift, feigning innocence, but the glint in his eyes says he planned this down to the second.

“no, you didn’t,” you snap, voice rising. “you purposely didn’t, you manipulative—”

“easy, easy,” he cuts in, stepping aside with a lazy wave of his hand. “no need to storm off. come in. i’ve got dinner.”

you should turn around. you know you should. but then you smell it—garlic, rich tomato sauce, the unmistakable aroma of your favorite italian takeout from that little spot downtown you used to drag him to. your stomach betrays you with a growl, and rafe’s smirk widens, like he’s already won.

“got your usual,” he says, voice low and coaxing, stepping closer until you can feel the heat radiating off him. “figured you’d be starving after all that… hard work you do.”

it’s a dig—he’s always loved reminding you how “cute” your post-divorce life is compared to his empire of excess. you clench your jaw, but your feet move anyway, carrying you past the threshold. one dinner. that’s it. then you’re gone.

the takeout’s laid out on his ridiculous marble island, a spread that’s way too much for two people—pasta, bruschetta, tiramisu, the works. he pours you a glass of wine without asking, sliding it across the counter with a smug, “whiskey’s too harsh for you, princess. stick to what you know.”

you roll your eyes but take it, sipping just to prove a point. he’s lounging across from you, shirt still half-open, watching you eat like it’s a damn performance. one glass becomes two, then three, and soon you’re tipsy, the room softening around the edges. he’s telling some story about a client overpaying for a yacht, his voice all smooth and mocking, and you’re laughing despite yourself—because he’s still got that stupid charm that hooked you years ago.

“see?” he says, leaning closer, his knee brushing yours under the counter. “you’re always better off here. loosen up a little.”

his hand grazes your wrist when he refills your glass, lingering just long enough to send a shiver up your spine. you should pull away. you don’t. the wine’s buzzing in your veins, and he’s looking at you like you’re prey he’s been stalking for months—smug, hungry, knowing. before you can process it, he’s rounding the counter, tugging you off the stool with that effortless strength that always made you weak.

“c’mere,” he murmurs, voice dropping an octave, and then you’re in his arms, stumbling toward the master bedroom like it’s inevitable.

the bedroom’s all rafe—dark wood, crisp white sheets, a king-sized bed that’s probably worth more than your mortgage. he’s got you pinned against it in seconds, mouth crashing into yours, all teeth and heat and desperation. his hands roam everywhere—up your sides, gripping your hips, sliding under your shirt to yank it over your head with a rough, “off. now.”

you’re too far gone to fight it, hands fumbling with his shirt buttons until he just rips it open himself, smirking down at you like he’s doing you a favor. “that’s it, sweetheart,” he mutters against your neck, teeth grazing your pulse point. “always so needy for me, huh?”

“shut up,” you hiss, but it’s weak, and he knows it. his laugh is low and condescending, vibrating against your skin as he kisses down your collarbone, hands shoving your jeans down with zero patience. he’s pressing you back onto the bed, climbing over you, all broad shoulders and whiskey breath, and you hate how much you want this.

“look at you,” he says, voice thick with arrogance as he settles between your thighs, one hand pinning your wrists above your head. “divorced me, moved out, and you’re still right back here. couldn’t stay away, could you?”

you glare up at him, but he just grins, dragging his free hand down your stomach, slow and deliberate, until he’s pressing hard against your lower abdomen. “gonna give me another one,” he murmurs, eyes dark and locked on yours. “you’re mine, always will be.”

there’s no condom in sight—he doesn’t even pretend to reach for one—and you don’t stop him, too caught up in the heat of his mouth on yours, the way he’s kissing you like he owns you. he’s rough, relentless, sliding into you with a groan that’s pure smug satisfaction, like he’s proving a point. “fuck, you feel good,” he breathes, hips snapping against yours, deep and possessive. “knew you’d come running back.”

his hand stays on your stomach, pressing down just enough to make you gasp, and he smirks against your lips. “gonna fill you up, princess. make sure you don’t forget who you belong to.” he’s going harder now, all control and condescension, whispering filthy praise in your ear—“so fucking perfect for me,” “gonna look so good carrying my kid again,”—until you’re a trembling mess beneath him, clinging to his shoulders as he pushes you over the edge.

he follows right after, burying himself deep with a low, “that’s it, take it,” and you’re too blissed out to care about the consequences, lost in the haze of him—his weight, his scent, his infuriating victory.

—

you wake up alone, sheets tangled around your legs, head throbbing like a drum. the room’s too quiet, and there’s a note on the nightstand in rafe’s sloppy handwriting: “work called. coffee’s in the kitchen. you’re welcome. — r” you groan, rolling over to bury your face in the pillow, cursing yourself for last night. how does he always do this?

you drag yourself to his stupidly huge shower—marble, rainfall heads, the works—muttering about his overpriced body wash and the fact that you’re even here. you dig through his closet after, finding that old sundress of yours shoved in the back—floral, faded, a ghost of your pre-divorce life. it barely fits, clinging to your hips, and you hate how it makes you feel soft for him all over again.

you’re stomping around his mansion now, checking your son’s room—his little clothes are neat, toys in place, and it only fuels your grumbling. “fucking rafe,” you mutter, glaring at that gaudy gold lamp in the hall. “thinks he’s so fancy with his dumb rich-guy shit.” you don’t know he’s watching—sprawled in his office chair downtown, feet up, smirking at his phone as the security feed catches every word. he zooms in on you tugging at the dress, muttering about his “pretentious bullshit,” and he chuckles to himself. “still feisty,” he says, sipping his coffee. “love that about you.”

you leave in a huff, determined to put last night behind you. work’s a blur—meetings, emails, pretending you’re not replaying every second of rafe’s hands on you—and by the time you pull into your driveway, your cozy little house feels like a sanctuary. until you see him.

rafe’s leaning against his range rover, parked right in your spot, arms crossed, a handful of designer shopping bags at his feet. he’s in a crisp polo now, looking every bit the smug bastard he is, and that grin’s back—wide, knowing, maddening.

“what the hell are you doing here?” you snap, slamming your car door so hard it echoes.

he doesn’t flinch, just straightens up, sauntering over with the bags. “brought a little something for our newest addition.” he nudges the bags toward you—chanel onesies, a prada blanket, a tiny leather jacket that’s absurdly expensive. “gotta start ‘em young, right?”

your heart stops. “what are you talking about?”

he steps closer, crowding you against your car, voice dropping to that slow, patronizing drawl. “c’mon, sweetheart. you’re late, aren’t you? two weeks, by my count. don’t tell me you didn’t notice.”

you freeze, mind spinning. the dates line up—last night, the wine, the no-condom recklessness—and your stomach twists. he sees it, the realization dawning, and his smirk turns downright triumphant.

“yep,” he says, popping the p like an asshole, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. “guess i still got it. you and me? we’re a package deal, princess.” he leans in, lips grazing your ear as he whispers, “should’ve known you’d never really leave.”

you want to shove him, scream, anything—but he’s already strolling past you, bags in hand, letting himself into your house like it’s his. “where should i put these?” he calls over his shoulder, all casual arrogance. “nursery’s upstairs, right?”

and the worst part? you’re standing there, keys dangling uselessly, wondering how he’s still got you wrapped around his finger—and if you even mind.

[differenteagletragedy]

The one where Simon Riley gets a roommate and the roommate is you and eventually you fall in love etc.

There's a bar in Simon's neighborhood where he goes sometimes when things get a little too loud in his head. A few nights a week or so, when he's home, he finds himself there, sitting at a corner stool at the bar and nursing a whiskey. He doesn't like being around people, not really, but he likes this better than he likes being alone with his thoughts.

That's why he started going anyway, a long time ago. Now, he mostly goes for you.

A pretty little bartender with a past -- one you haven't told him about, but he can smell it on you. It's in the way your eyes dart to the door every time it opens, and in the way the tension builds in your body when some drunk gets a little too loud. He'd noticed how gorgeous you were the first day, but now the pull is in the mystery.

Where did you come from? What happened to you? And why do you smile at him like he's not the most dangerous man you'd ever met?

He doesn't understand it, but you're always kind to him. You always greet him warmly, pour his favorite whiskey with a heavy hand without him asking. Sometimes, when he comes in on a slow night, you'll lean over the bar to talk to him about nothing until someone pulls you away. You laugh at his jokes.

You're too pretty for him, the scarred, hulking monster of a man that he is. And you're entirely too sweet. You deserve someone better, younger, more stable, more whole. You deserve more than whatever it is that you'd gotten before, and a hell of a lot better than him.

But one night when he comes in and sees you looking quietly frantic, eyes red-rimmed and anxious as you flit about the bar, that knowledge goes out the window.

"What's wrong?" he asks quietly, studying the slight shake of your hand as you pour his drink.

"Nothing," you answer automatically.

"Bullshit."

You sigh, and after a little more prodding, you tell him: the owners of the bar are selling the building to developers, who are going to tear the place down, so soon, you'll be out of a job. But worse, you rent the small little attic apartment over the bar, so you'll be out of a home as well.

Simon can see it in your eyes, knowing the look all too well: you feel hopeless.

"I've got a room," he says.

And it's a stupid thing to say, because he has no business offering you something like that. He doesn't know you, not really, and you don't know him, and the room isn't a guest room so much as it is an empty space in his house that he's never had any reason to fill.

What can he really offer you? Not just with the room, but at all? Whatever it is, he knows it would never be enough.

But you give him the tiniest of smiles, and he sees something flicker in your eyes, and it doesn't matter how ridiculous the idea is. If you want it, it's yours. If he has it, you can take it, and he'll give it gladly.

"Really?" you ask. "I don't have a lot of money or anything."

"Don't need it."

"I haven't had a chance to look for a new job yet, but I'm gonna start tonight," you assure him. "So hopefully I can find something right away and --"

"Don't worry about it, love," he interrupts. "Not offering because I need the money. Room is yours if you want it."

He speaks gruffly, as he always does, and he hopes that you won't ask too many questions, because truthfully, he won't be able to answer them, not in any way that makes sense. He doesn't want to lie to you, but how could he say that the thought of you in his space was enough to stir something in him that he’d long thought dead?

Thankfully, you don’t ask. Instead, you lean across the bar and wrap your arms around his neck. It’s an awkward hug, but it means something, and before you pull away he’s already making a mental note of everything he’ll need for the spare room.

Your room.

“I can’t thank you enough, Simon, really,” you tell him, smiling a little easier now. “I’ll get another job soon anyway, ok? And I can clean and cook and --"

"Start by getting me another whiskey, yeah?"

Your smile turns a bit sheepish, but you nod and turn to get the bottle, and he takes a breath.

This is a bad idea. There's no way it isn't. It's going to go poorly, one way or another, he's going to be too much or not enough, and one day you'll leave and his house will feel even emptier than it already does.

But Simon is no stranger to bad ideas. And this one, at least, should prove to be a little bit of fun along the way.

PART TWO