#yellow jacket protests

[luxaofhesperides]

Accidental Bride Sacrifice ; requested by @starlightcat04!

Danny has long since gotten used to the feel of summonings. They don’t happen often, but sometimes the right components are put together to force him into answering, and he’d have to go as the new Ghost King.

Which no one told him was a thing! He hadn’t protested too much about the whole Ghost King deal when they finally told him about it after he graduated high school. It gave him a good excuse to ditch life in the living realm and not worry about college or a career, and let him really embrace his ghost side. 

The summonings are a problem, though. They always feel staticky and bad, like a dumpster that just got struck by lightning. The taste of iron on his tongue, a clear sign of blood being spilled, lets him know that it would be one of end the world for us summonings, because some people can’t put in the effort to do it themselves, apparently. 

But this time, the summoning feels different.

Danny pauses, eyes going unfocused in the middle of his conversation with Jazz. He had been looking forward to spending the week with her, now that she’s on winter break, but his luck is as bad as always.

“I’m being summoned,” he tells her, cutting off her rant about a transphobic professor she had. 

“Oh, no. Do you need me to do anything? Should I go with you to beat up whoever it is that’s summoning you?”

Danny tilts his head to the side, considering. The taste of blood is noticeably absent. In fact, this summoning pull doesn’t make him feel sick at all. It makes him feel warm, as if he’s just been wrapped in a hug.

“No,” he says. “I think I’m good. This one feels different.”

“A good different?” Jazz asks, worry clear in her voice.

“Yeah. A good different. I’ll come back soon, okay?”

“Alright. Be careful, Danny.” Jazz pulls him into a quick hug, then steps back to watch as Danny stops fighting the pull of the summoning and disappears into a swirling white rings that flashes into existence behind him, blinding her for a moment, and is gone when she manages to blink the spots out of her vision. 

For a minute, Danny drifts in a void of stillness, traveling through the realms as the summoning draws him closer to the correct realm. And then he’s rising out of the ground in a dark building made of concrete, candles of green flame scattered all over the place.

“Great One!” someone in a hooded cloak cries, raising his arms in jubilation. “Our calls have been answered!”

“I’ll fucking kill you!” a mechanical voice yells from farther back. When Danny looks past the cultists’ heads, he spots a man in a red hood and leather jacket chained to a pole, along with a bunch of other people in strange costumes tied up, desperately trying to free themselves. 

“Silence!” The leader of the cult, or who Danny assumes is the leader, snaps at the hooded man and gestures to the people off to his left. They force another costumed person forward, this one in yellow armor. He can see the blood running down their face from beneath their helmet and from their nose, dark lines of blood cutting through their brown skin. 

The cultists throw the armored person forward, forcing them to kneel. Then they bow to Danny and step back.

“Great One,” the leader says, voice unpleasantly reverent and grating, “Welcome to the mortal realms. We offer you this sacrifice to feed your strength. He will make a fine general for your undead army in your crusade to rid this world of its filth.”

The people in the back begin shouting all together, panicked voices overlapping, and Danny is left staring down at the cultists in shock.

The summoning had felt so nice. What the hell was this? He did not sign up for another ‘end of days’ insane cult. He just wanted to be hugged. 

His silence makes the cultists nervous. They begin to shift uneasily, whispering to each other, and the leader clears his throat, then pulls a large crystal dagger out of his cloak. “We shall prove our devotion to you through an offering of a hero’s blood!”

And then he moves towards the sacrifice and Danny snaps out of his shock to yell, “Wait!”

The entire room freezes. Even the costumed people in the back go still. 

Danny winces, then tries to smother his power, make himself more palatable to the humans of this dimension. “Wait,” he says again, and he sounds closer to human now. If he could, he would drop his ghost form entirely, but he knows better than to endanger himself like that. “What, exactly, did you summon me here for?”

The cult leader stares at him for a moment. “To… To rid the world of filth and allow your loyal followers to spread word of your power. You will be worshiped again, Great One, and serve as a reminder to man that Death shall always prevail.”

“Okay, I get that, but I was talking more along the lines of the summoning. What ritual did you use? What specifically were the summoning requirements?”

Normally, he’d be able to figure it out himself, but these cultists didn’t use a summoning circle. So they did something else, something less visible and therefore harder to figure out, in order to bring him here.

A woman standing off to the side speaks up, stepping forward hesitantly. “I had pieced together a few summoning spells from this book to bring you here. You had to accept our chosen sacrifice to your side in order for the summoning to work.”

“Hold up that book for me, please?”

She does, and Danny flies down to grab it from her hands. “Point out which lines you used,” he says, already reading a few of the words written down. It’s definitely ghostspeak written down, which should be near impossible for living humans to translate without being skilled in magic.

“Ah, these ones.” She points to each line, reading them out for him, and Danny starts understand what, exactly, went wrong.

“Is there a problem, Great One?”

Danny returns the book then floats over to the sacrifice and picks him up. The costumed people make alarmed noises, but quietly quiet down again when all Danny does is move him away from the cultists.

“Okay,” he says, “So. The lines you used to summon me were not translated properly. What you interpreted as ‘accepted to stay by the king’s side in loyalty and strength’ is not meant to be, like, him being part of my undead army or whatever. It’s a royal marriage vow.”

“They married us?” the sacrifice shouts, disbelieving. The cult leader buries his face in his hands and sighs.

“My deepest apologies, Great One. We meant no offense. We simply wanted to aid in your destruction of this depraved world.”

Danny scrunches his nose and shakes his head. “Yeah, that’s not gonna fly with me. I do not do the biding of random people, especially those who are ready to murder innocent people for no reason. Frighty, if you would.” He snaps his fingers, calling up Fright Knight who always enjoys getting to torment the people who summon Danny for murderous reasons.

Fright Knight appears in a swirl of darkness and screams. Shadows swallow the room, and when they recede, no cultists remain.

“Thanks, Frighty. Have fun with them. I need to figure out all… this.”

Fright Knight bows to him, then disappears. Danny lets out a breath, then floats down lower to be eye level with the sacrifice. “Hey,” he says gently, with a smile, “I’m so sorry they did this to you. I’m Danny. What’s your name?”

“Du— Uh, Signal,” the sacrifice says, sounding rather dazed. 

“Signal,” Danny repeats. “Like… a traffic signal?”

“No. I mean, maybe? But it is Signal. That’s my hero name, not my real name.”

“Oh, you’re a hero!” His getup makes more sense now. Danny checks him over for any signs of injuries. So far, only his head and nose seem to be injured, but his wrists are tightly bound behind his back. Carefully, Danny calls upon his ice and shapes it into a sharp knife, then cuts through the zipties.

He helps Signal up to his feet, floating by his shoulder. “All good?”

“Yeah, man, all good. Let me just get the others free.”

“Oh, I can do it!” Danny flies over to the other costumed people, who must also be heroes. All it takes is one link in the chain being frozen and broken for the entire thing to go lax, allowing them to free themselves. Hooded guy spares Danny a single glance, then hurries over to Signal to check on him. The other three, a man with a blue bird across his chest, a blond girl with a yellow bat outline on her chest, and a guy with bandoliers and a golden bird emblem, all watch him warily as he floats back towards the center of the room.

“So,” the blue bird man says, “If they summoned you with a marriage vow, and you accepted, does that mean you’re planning to steal Signal away from us?” He’s smiling, but it’s not a nice smile.

“No! I had no idea they did this! I am so sorry you all got caught up in this. You most of all, Signal.”

Signal shrugs, nudging hood guy away from him. “Nah, man, it’s all good. This is definitely the better outcome.”

“I don’t know, being married off isn’t really a good thing.”

“Hey, at least they married me off to a decent guy.”

“You don’t know that,” Danny says, “What if I’m secretly evil?”

“If you were secretly evil, you’d be destroying the world right now. I think you’re fine.”

The blond girl waves at him, demanding his attention. “Quick question! They were calling you ‘Great One’. Are you a god or something?”

“Not really? I’m the Ghost King. So I’m a ghost who rules over other ghosts and also a majority of the Infinite Realms.”

She nods as if this is all totally normal for her, then shoots Signal a grin. “Congrats on bagging a king! Not the worst way to spend a night, right?”

“Can you break the marriage?” blue bird man asks, the lines of his shoulders tense.

Danny awkwardly rubs the back of his neck, not looking any of them in the eye. “I honestly don’t know. I can look for a way! But I genuinely have no clue. This was unexpected.”

“But you accepted.”

“I didn’t know what I expected! It just felt like a hug, and I wanted a hug! I thought I was being summoned for something nice for once!” Danny curls up, bringing his knees up to his chest, and hides his pout behind his hands. He knows he’s being childish, but he can’t help but be upset that he couldn’t have this one good experience from being Ghost King. 

It’s always responsibilities and death cult summonings and fighting ghosts who don’t think he should be king. Sure there have been some good things, but they’re comparatively few when looking at all the other stress and pain that comes with the crown. Sue him for wanting to have a nice night for once. Hell, at this point, he’d take being summoned to help with some kid’s homework, because at least then he could have a quiet night helping someone.

“Hey, man, can you come down here?” Signal asks. 

He wants to stay out of reach, hiding himself away for a bit longer, but Signal is his new, surprise, accidental husband, so Danny lowers himself to the ground and peeks through his fingers to look at him.

He tenses when Signal hugs him, soft and warm and comforting. It takes a moment for him to realize what’s going on, and then he’s melting into Signal’s embrace, dropping his hands to wrap them around Signal’s back.

Distantly, he can hear the other heroes talking quietly amongst themselves. He blocks out the sound as much as he can, determined to enjoy this hug while it lasts.

Which is… fairly long. Signal makes no moves to end the hug, so Danny closes his eyes to really savor the moment. 

“So,” Signal murmurs into his ear, “As newlyweds, how about we get to know each other a bit better before we start working on fixing all this?”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Let’s ditch these guys and take some time to ourselves.”

“I promise I’ll get this fixed,” he says, just to make sure Signal knows. “Genuinely, I am so sorry to have married you through an old Realms vow when you had no say in it.”

“Hey, if it lands me a very nice, very attractive king, then I don’t mind at all. I could have done without the murderous cultists, though.”

Danny huffs out a small laugh. “Oh, for sure. Thanks for being so cool about this. Want me to fly us out of here?”

“Yes please,” Signal says. Danny smiles and tightens his grip on Signal, then lifts them both up. “I’ll see y’all later! Have fun with the rest of your patrols!” he calls out to the other heroes, who start shouting at him.

Danny flies them right out the roof before the other heroes figure out a way to kick his ass. The city they’re in is smoggy and dark, tall buildings rising up into the cloudy sky, and police sirens ring through the air. There’s no where that looks like a particularly nice spot to land for a conversation, so he asks Signal where he’d like to go and follows his directions from there.

They end up phasing through a building, then into the floor, which leaves them in what Signal calls The Hatch. 

Danny takes a quick moment to freak out over being in a hero’s secret hide out, the composes himself and finally pulls away from Signal.

“So,” he starts, looking around The Hatch and taking in the giant computer, the workstation, the motorcycle farther down the way, “What did you—Woah!” Danny spins around, slamming a hand over his eyes the instant he realizes that Signal is taking off his helmet, leaving his face bare.

It’s not like he’d know who Signal is anyways, being from a different dimension, but it’s the principle of the matter.

Signal laughs when he sees Danny’s attempt to keep from looking at him. A warm hand wraps around his wrist and gently pulls it away. “It’s okay, Danny, you can look,” he says. “It would be pretty weird if my own husband didn’t know my face.”

Slowly, giving Signal to change his mind, Danny opens his eyes. He moves his gaze up, going from Signal’s armor to his face, his very cute face and his warm brown eyes, and Danny stares for a moment. 

“Hi,” he whispers.

“Hi,” Signal says, fondness coloring his voice. “My name’s Duke. Are all Ghost Kings as cute as you?”

“Duke,” Danny repeats. “Hi. Um, no. The last one really sucked, actually, which is why I fought him. He was so bad the Infinite Realms didn’t want him anymore, so though I technically didn’t beat him in single combat, it was enough for the Infinite Realms to kick him out and get me on the throne.”

“Man, I can not wait to hear more of your stories. Think we got time for that while we search for a way to undo that marriage vow?”

Taking his chance, Danny says, “Sure! It’s a date.”

He’s awarded by Duke’s bright smile and idly wonders how long he can keep them married. Hopefully long enough for them to get into a real relationship where he can propose properly. And then he can get Jazz’s blessing too—

“Oh shit,” Danny realizes. 

“What? What’s wrong?”

“I need to tell my sister or she’s going to actually kill me.”

Duke winces. “And I should probably tell the others before Spoiler makes a mess of things… B is not going to be happy with me.”

They share a despairing look, already dreading the amount of scoldings they’re both going to get. He’s not looking forward to it.

“...Put it off until tomorrow?”

Duke nods. “Yeah. That’s a tomorrow problem. For now, how about a late dinner?”

“Sounds perfect.”

. . .

[send me a ghostlights prompt!]

[hanmaitani]

First Impressions are Deceiving

PAIRING - Scummy! Fushiguro Toji, Gojo Satoru, Kamo Choso, & Nanami Kento x Reader WC - 4.7K GENRE - smut CW - HEAVY DUBCON, college au, reader called 'princess', drinking, drugging, semi-public, gangbang, hair pulling, finger sucking, no prep, unprotected sex, riding, oral (m!receiving), dp, anal, dacryphilia, choking, creampie. SYNOPSIS - you like to think you're good at knowing who you can and can't trust, but a halloween party that your friend drags you to might show you that you're more naive than you thought...

You hate parties. Especially frat parties. But your best friend loved them. She had begged you “just this once” to come with her to the Halloween party of the biggest fraternity on campus. Literally begged you. On her knees.

Your costume was haphazardly put together. A bustier, royal blue with black lace, flimsy ribbon keeping it together down the back. It pushed your breasts up, giving your more cleavage than you usually would have, bits of it spilling over the top. A short tube skirt, soft yellow, ending just below the tops of your thighs with a zipper running the length down the front. Just below the bottom of your skirt, your socks started-black stockings that clung to your legs, all the way down to your uncomfortably high black heels. There was a bright red ribbon in your hair, haphazardly tied as a headband and matching the color of your lipstick.

Your friend, for wanting you here so badly, had disappeared almost immediately into the crowd, leaving you alone in an unfamiliar frat house, in a crowd that was vastly different from what you were used to. You sighed slightly, sipping on your drink as you leaned against the wall, watching the crowd. It wasn’t alcohol in your cup, you weren’t brave enough to drink when you’d lost your friend, instead sipping on a virgin version of your favorite mixed drink.

“You look like you’re having a fun time.” The low and steady voice was heard before you noticed the body leaning against the wall beside you. You turned your head to take him in, he wasn’t looking at you, instead watching the crowd you had just been watching. It somehow put you at ease.

He was wearing a black button up shirt tucked into a set of brown pants, a matching brown jacket hung on his shoulders. He had a cowboy hat pulled low over his eyes, blonde hair peeking out the sides as he adjusted his tie.

“Parties aren’t quite my thing, Mr…”

He chuckled, turning towards you then, flicking a small metal star pinned to his jacket lapel. “It’s sheriff, actually.” You giggled slightly and put your hand over your chest in apology. “Sheriff Nanami.”

“Sorry, Sheriff Nanami.” You smiled and stuck your hand out for him to shake. “I’m-”

“Princess Snow White, right?”

You chuckled, glancing down quickly at your outfit sheepishly. “Yeah, great guess actually.” You chuckled, giving him an awkward smile as you sipped on your drink.

He hummed softly in response. You weren’t sure what it was about him, he seemed to emanate seriousness, steadiness. Him towering next to you made you feel almost protected. “What are you drinking?” He peeked down at your cup and you felt your cheeks heat up in embarrassment when he looked back at your face. “Juice? At a party?”

“It-well it isn’t like that.” You giggled nervously as he raised his eyebrows expectantly for you to go on. “I came with my friend, but she seems to have disappeared on me. Don’t really know anyone else here.”

“Well you know me now.” You nodded along, completely enraptured by his aura. “You can stick with me until she comes back, I’ll protect you.” He shot you a smile and you were sure you felt every fiber in your being melt in spot.

“I mean, if you insist.” You chuckled and tried to keep him from seeing your obviously flustered face.

“You can come chill with me and my brothers, I’ll get you a drink.” You went to protest but he cut you off before you could. “If you’re stuck here, might as well have some fun yourself, right?” You smiled and nodded. Nanami’s hand fell to your lower back, guiding you gently from the wall and closer to him, moving the two of you towards the crowd.

“Wait-” you looked up at him as you continued to follow his lead, words processing in your brain, “brothers?” You asked, head tilting in confusion.

“Yeah,” he huffed a laugh from his nose as you two reached a small archway that led to a much less populated area, “this is my frat’s house.”

Your eyes widened slightly in surprise. “Oh! Sorry you just didn’t strike me as a frat guy.”

“I get that a lot.” He pushed on a cracked door and nodded his head for you to come in. You paused for a second, nervous to enter the new room, there was loud music coming from inside, different than the beat from the room you’d just left and you were sure you could smell some smoke. “I said I’d protect you, right?”

Something inside of you softened and the slight hesitation faded as quickly as it had come. “Right.” You smiled as you ducked inside the room.

“Heyyyy, you brought a new friend!” The first thing you see when you enter the room is a pair of strikingly clear blue eyes directly in your vision. You stumble back for a moment, only to run into Nanami’s solid chest. You look up to him to see him glaring at the man behind the eyes.

Feeling much safer against Nanami, you have a moment to fully take in the man who had startled you. He’s lanky, incredibly so, as he stands to his full height, taller than even Nanami. His white hair is coated in what you assume is the colored hair spray that you can find on every shelf in town this time of year, pink on one side and blue on the other. The white baseball tee that’s been crudely cropped with scissors clues you into exactly when his costume is. It reads “Daddy’s Lil Monster”. Your vision trails slightly down, to the space between the edge of the shirt and the buckle on his dangerously low jeans, the hard lines of his abs on full display, white hairs trailing down to his-

Your eyes snap back up to his mouth as he loudly pops his gum. A smirk has settled on his lips as he looks at you and you know you’ve been caught.

“Brought us a princess, did ya?” Your head snaps to another man in the room. He’s lazily spread on one of the chairs, legs open wide like he’s asking someone to come stand between them. His legs are clad in loose blue pants, rolled up at the cuffs to expose the laces of the black boots he wore. His top half was covered in a loose white top, too low of a v on the neck that clearly exposed his pec muscles underneath. A red sash cinched around his waist and seemed to only accentuate how big he was. The bottom half of his face was covered by his drink, the only thing visible for you being his green eyes and the shaggy black hair from under which he peered at you. When he spoke again your eyes immediately found the scar at his lips and watched it stretch as he talked. “I think I’m the prince you’re looking for.”

A scoff from the last body in the room drew your attention. He was so quiet there that you’d hardly noticed him. “Wrong fucking princess, pea brain.” He spoke in a bored tone, his brown hair was tied into two sloppy buns on the top of his head and he had a strange looking tattoo across the bridge of his nose, although you thought it seemed to suit him well. You caught a glimpse of his sharpened canines as he spoke, watching as they slightly caught on his lip. He was mostly in plain clothes, although he was sipping a drink from a straw stuck in a fake blood bag. You assumed he wanted to be here as much as you did, attempting to play the part of vampire with minimal effort.

“Don’t worry ‘bout them, all bark no bite, princess.” Nanami glared at the two louder boys as he guided you, hand on the small of your back, to the couch where the quieter boy sat. Said quiet boy, gave you a small nod in greeting but didn’t choose to say anything further. “That’s Gojo,” Nanami gestured to the Harley Quinn dress up to which the lanky boy responded with a dramatic twirl and bow, “Toji,” a small point to who you assumed (as he said he was a prince) to be Prince Eric who only drank more of his cup as he stared at you. The stare from Toji made you want to cling closer to Toji, nervously fiddling with your skirt. “This is Choso.”

“Hi.” Your voice sounded small in the room as you found yourself sitting between Nanami and Choso on the couch. Nanami seemed to trust Choso the most and from his quieter nature you were inclined to agree with the sentiment.

“Let me get you a drink.” Nanami stood nearly as soon as he sat, as if remembering the purpose of bringing you into the room. You instinctually curled closer to Choso as Gojo fell onto the couch in place of Nanami, hand immediately falling to your thigh, thumb rubbing circles as he leaned closer to flirt.

“Go away.” Choso’s arm wrapped your waist easily, pulling you further into him as he snarled at Gojo. You blushed at the feeling, you hadn’t noticed just from looking at him, but feeling his arm now, Choso seemed to be just as strong as the rest of them. His muscles twitched around you and you swallowed down the nervousness as Gojo rolled his eyes and got up.

“Th-thank you.” You mumbled but Choso just grumbled and released his hold on you.

“Vodka and apple juice for the princess.” Nanami joked as he plopped back into his spot besides you.

You laughed at the drink but took it anyways. “Like Snow White and her poisoned apple?” You smiled at the irony as you went to sip on the straw he’d given you so you didn’t ruin your lipstick.

You missed the look that the boys shared around you as you narrowed in on your drink, feeling safe between Nanami and Choso. “Yeah, like Snow White and her poisoned apple.” Nanami chuckled back. You had no idea just how poisoned it was.

~   ~   ~   ~   ~

You felt warm as you giggled again, a wave of dizziness hitting you out of nowhere. You clung to Nanami’s arm to keep yourself upright as you continued to laugh at something Gojo had said, not nearly as funny as you were currently finding it. Nanami sure knew how to mix his drinks strong, you weren’t even sure how many he’d fed to you at that point.

“You warm?” Choso’s question had you realizing that you’d been fanning yourself to cool down the heat on your skin.

“Oh.” Your voice sounded more surprised than you felt and there was a hint of embarrassment crawling across your cheeks. “Yeah, a bit.”

“Let me help.” You watched with wide eyes as Choso untied the ribbon acting as your headband and pressed it between his teeth. Your attention was held by how the silk of the red ribbon dimpled around the fangs in his mouth. His hands brushed the back of your neck and it seemed to light your nerves on fire, sending a shockwave of goosebumps across your body. You shivered when he held your makeshift ponytail in place with one hand, the other pulling the ribbon from between his teeth. You watched hazily as his tongue swiped over his bottom lip before you realized he was speaking. “Better?”

Your hands came up blindly to touch the ponytail he’d made for you, held up by your former headband. You nodded quietly, wide eyes still looking up at him, held by the smirk on his lips. “Ye-yeah, thank you.”

“No, thank you, your neck is pretty, should show it off.” You watched his tongue run over his fangs as his thumbnails scraped lightly along your jugular.

“Trying too hard to live up to the vampire costume, Choso.” Toji joked from across the room, his gaze on you had gotten heavier, leering more obviously now.

“Can’t help it.” Choso’s eyes flicked up to your own, smiling at how blown out they were, and the fact that you had no idea. “Something about having a pretty girl’s vulnerable little neck between my teeth really gets me going.”

You gasped when you felt Choso’s teeth graze against the spot where his thumb just was. You were quick to jump off the couch, suddenly feeling nervous. Your feet fumbled under you, tripping over Nanami’s in your scramble to get away from Choso. A pair of arms caught you as you stumbled, holding you upright.

“Hey, hey, relax. What’s got you all worked up?” Gojo’s arms caged you against him and even though you struggled, it was in vain. It was like your strength had been drained from you, your arms feebly trying to push his from your body.

“Ge-get off me.” You shrieked slightly before your gaze landed on Nanami. He was still reclined on the couch, sipping on his cup as he watched you. “Na-Nanami?” Your voice begged for him, asking for help. But he didn’t move, just watched.

“Oh, princess.” Toji’s voice was condescending as he came into view next, his head appearing next to Gojo’s above you. “Weren’t you taught not to take apples from strangers?” He chuckled as he and Gojo spun you in a circle, throwing you even more off balance.

Fear struck you through the heart when you fell to your knees in front of Nanami. You shook as he peered down at your body between his knees, your wobbly lips looking up at him. “They might truly be poisoned, you know.” Nanami’s chuckle seemed darker than it was before, the comforting protectiveness that he had previously radiated was gone and you seemed to fear him just as much as the rest now.

“Bu-but.” You whimpered as your eyes jumped from one figure to the other. You were suddenly aware of the blur to your vision. You were sure that you hadn’t had enough alcohol to affect your movement and vision as much as it was being affected. Even your thoughts seemed to move sluggishly. And the heat that you’d thought Choso had been helping to relieve you from, wasn’t on your skin like you’d thought, but rather crawling under it, burning into your veins and forcing your breathing to get heavier. Air that only fanned the fire.

“Bu-but.” Nanami mocked as he leaned forward. The rim of his hat brushed against your forehead and the glint of his sheriff’s badge only seemed to mock you now. The protection he’d given you now falling away like the facade that it truly had been. “God they’re always so cute when they realize.”

Al-always? They?

It dawned on you slowly that you’d fallen straight into their perfectly practiced trap.

“Come onnn, Nanamin.” Gojo whined from behind you, pouting at the blond man in front of you. Gojo’s hands brushed against your bare shoulders and before you could jerk away from them, they were slapped away.

“You know the rules,” Toji chastised his dramatic frat brother, “he caught her which means he gets her first.”

“Well he can hurry up is all I’m saying.” Gojo huffed and glared at Nanami. Nanami didn’t seem to mind, in fact, he seemed amused as the weight of your situation seemed to settle into your bones.

You scramble then, a split second decision, rushing to try and squeeze between the two men behind you. You barely catch a glimpse of freedom through the crack in the door but it isn’t close enough.

A large hand wraps around the ponytail that Choso had just made for you, a harsh pull that has tears immediately falling from your eyes and you scrambling to follow its lead, desperate to relieve the tension it places on your scalp. You sob as you’re pulled high on your knees in front of Nanami and then higher up, him easily pulling you into his lap by the grip.

“Where d’you think you’re going?” The rough pad of his finger brushed against the apple of your cheek, wiping your tears as you sniffle on his lap. “You wanted to come back here with me.” You shook your head then, frantically trying to deny it. Not like this. Not like this. “I said I’d protect you right? Promise you’ll enjoy it.”

“Wa-wait.” Your hands’ attempts to untangle yourself from him proved to be futile as Nanami unbuckled the belt on his pants. “Ple-please wa-” Nanami’s finger’s entered your mouth with no warning, forcing you to gag on them, your saliva flooding your mouth and coating them.

“Thanks princess.” He laughed when you gasped for air as his fingers left your mouth, and you missed the way they dropped between the two of you to coat himself in your saliva, slicking up his cock. “You’re gonna wanna take a deep breath.” He mumbled as his fingers brushed against your core. Even though you bucked away, his grip was too strong, lifting your hips just enough to line his cock up with your little hole as he held your panties to the side.

The scream forced out of your lungs as he dropped you, in one fluid motion, on his cock ricocheted off the walls and there was soon a hand clasped over your mouth. Toji’s hand, to be exact. He jerked your head back so you were forced to look up at him, as he watched your eyes widen in pain.

“Oh fuck she’s so tight.” Nanami groaned, both his hands on your hips as your hands pressed against his abs through his shirt. Your eyes crossed when he dragged your body up, the feeling of his cock moving when you weren’t yet ready had you crying into Toji’s palm. “Think you’re tighter when you cry.” Nanami plummeted your body back down and your scream couldn’t be muffled this time.

Your mind spun, your vision blurry as he bounced you on him like a mere doll. “Look at the cute princess losing her mind.” Gojo’s voice barely reached your ears as your mind was consumed with the way Nanami’s cock split you open over and over, stroking the fire in your gut.

Toji’s hand left your mouth and even though you tried to scream the only thing that came out was a wanton moan. They flooded out of you now, whines and moans, high pitched hiccups in your voice as Nanami’s thrusts got faster. Your hips ached already, at the way his slammed into yours.

“So noisy.” Choso chided you, hand tugging on your ponytail to turn your upper body to him. “Quiet down.” He forced your body to twist unnaturally towards him and fold you forward. You squeaked at the new angle Nanami’s cock was being forced into you at, your jaw dropping as you gasped. Choso was quick to push his cock into the open space you’d accidentally created for him. The sound of your gagging sent Choso groaning, his head tipping back at the feeling. You could feel Choso’s hand on the back of your neck, the cold of his rings soothing the heat under your skin. Your head moved on its own volition now, barely needing the guidance of Choso as you moved. “There you go princess.”

Your body shuddered and shook, your core tightening around Nanami as he continued his antics. You felt like you couldn’t breathe, too many hands on your body overwhelming your senses. Two hands were grabbing one of your wrists, pulling your hand to wrap around the final two cocks. Your eyes flickered over to where Toji and Gojo had your one hand wrapped around both of them at once, dragging your fist-small in comparison to theirs-up and down their cocks.

You gasped as your body was pulled from the couch. Lifting you unceremoniously off of Nanami’s cock first. Your cunt clenched around its emptiness. Your tongue still connected to Choso’s cock with your own spit, lips trying to chase after him as you whined. There was a small ring of red around the base of Choso’s cock, partially obscured by his pubes, the remnants of your lipstick.

“Fuck, I was just about to cum.” Nanami groaned in irritation as your body was separated.

“You got all night, shut up.” Toji growled, pulling your body onto his where he laid back onto the carpet. Your voice shook as he filled you up just as fast as Nanami had, your body screaming at the extra stretch. “Fuck, thought you’d stretched her out.” Toji snidely remarked towards Nanami with a smirk. “Oh fuuuuuuuck.” Toji groaned under you, his fingers easily snaking between your bodies in search of your clit.

He kept your hips pinned to him, his cock filling you to the brim as his fingers unrelentingly press to your clit. Your back arches and you can hear Gojo’s voice in your ear from behind you, coaxing you to fall over the edge. Your body was still shaking when your senses started to come back, you r cunt clenching around Toji. Your upper body fell onto his as your muscles relaxed.

“Yeah, just relax princess.” Gojo’s laugh echoed in your ear. You could hear him spit, feeling the liquid hit your lower back you whined when it started to slide. Your body jerked when Gojo’s thumb spread the spit lower, swiping diligently over your empty hole. Your eyes widened and your hips tried to move away, but you were pinned in place by Toji’s hands. “Relax, it won’t hurt for long.” Gojo chuckled lowly in your ear as his thumb pressed inside of you easily. Choso’s fingers were quick to slip inside your mouth, keeping you from protesting as Gojo pressed in his other thumb and captivating your attention.

“Breathe.” Choso mumbled, his lips coming to your ear then. You could feel his fingers massaging your tongue, his teeth grazing against the sensitive skin of your neck. Choso’s teeth buried themself in your skin at the base of your neck where it met your collarbone, the pain blossoming out from the spot at the same moment that Gojo easily replaced his fingers with his cock, plunging into you without warning. The scream that came from your body was muffled by Choso’s fingers but hurt your throat just the same. “Hey princess, see it’s not so bad.” Choso withdrew his fingers, wanting to hear your sobs wrack your frame.

His saliva covered fingers smeared around your lips as you looked up at him, bleary eyes finding his. He was focused on smearing your lipstick more, smirking at the mess he’d made of your mouth. He was also becoming fond of the teeth marks he’d left on your neck and wanted to leave more.

“Aw she’s cryin’.” Gojo chuckled, hand wrapping around your throat from behind as he jerked your head up to get a better look. “You had pretty makeup on, it’s all ruined now.” He pouted at you and it only seemed to spur the tears on more. He smirked at the sight, his tongue flicking out to trail up the line left by your tears. Your eyes squeezed shut in embarrassment as you tried to focus on something else. Anything but the way Gojo and Toji seemed to split you apart, not even moving yet, and the way your body probably looked wrecked.

“This is in the way.” Toji’s voice under you barely registered before you could hear the tearing of fabric and the cold air against your torso. You whimpered when your eyes opened to see your bustier top being dropped next to the torn remnants of your panties, you didn’t even know when they’d done that. Every sense was blurring into the next one. Your skirt was still bunched around your waist and your thigh highs had started to slip, resembling closer to knee highs.

“You want them to move?” Nanami’s hand took hold of your jaw, jerking your face to look at him. The motion had Gojo’s hand on your throat tightening and you choked slightly at the motion. As much as you were afraid, you were sure them not moving was worse. Your head nodded before you gave it consent to. “Beg them for it then, they’ve got egos they need stroked.”

Your breath shook as you tried, your voice coming out as a small squeak at first. “Please.” You whimpered when Gojo’s grip tightened and you squeezed your eyes shut, hoping it would lessen the burn that was etching across your cheeks. “Please move, go-god you’re so big. Feel too full. Please.” You whimpered at the words that fell from your mouth like honey but it seemed to be enough for them.

“Jeez baby, just had to ask.” Toji chuckled from beneath you. You barely had time to feel Toji lift your hips slightly before both men began to move. Your mouth fell open in a moan, broken and pitiful as they picked up a rhythm in time with another. Practiced. Like they’d done it many times before. If you could think properly you’d realize that they had. But you were too far gone for that.

The pain that had existed was being pressed away with every thrust they delivered into you. The drag of their cocks against your walls, against each other through your barriers had you seeing stars. The drugs and alcohol in your system worked in tandem with the stimulation, slurring your words and your thoughts as you babbled, head hanging as you choked yourself on Gojo’s hand more.

“Give me this.” Nanami grabbed one of your wrists from where it laid on top of Toji’s chest, attempting to hold yourself up and yanked it higher, above your head. “Come on, earn something.” You whined but let Nanami wrap your hand around his cock and followed his lead as best you could to stroke up and down. Your movements were sloppy but grew more enthusiastic when you heard the symphony of moans from the men around you.

“What does the princess want?” Choso asked, catching your eyes again as he thumbed at your lip again. He smiled at the far off look in your eye, his favorite one that girls got. You couldn’t get your tongue to properly form a word as Gojo and Toji fucked you into the high heavens. Instead, you wrapped your lips around Choso’s thumb dutifully, and batted your starry eyes at him. “Well if the princess demands it.” He chuckled as he stood up, turning your head to him. He patted at your cheek lightly and you obediently let your jaw drop and your tongue fall out. “Isn’t it so much easier when you relax?”

You kept Choso in your blurry vision the best you could as he pressed his cock against your tongue again, sliding it easily inside your mouth. You didn’t even notice when he swatted Gojo’s hand away from your throat so he could better fuck into it. Your eyes leaked more tears and your body was only being held up by the multiple pairs of hands. You were sure your vision was going out but you couldn’t be positive.

“Fu-fuck!” Gojo’s broken moan reached your ears and the foreign feeling of his cum shooting into you sent the feeling straight up your spine. Your eyes rolled and you were cumming, cunt clamping down around Toji’s cock as Gojo pulled out of you.

“Hey what the fuck!” Toji’s growl was your only notice as you were pulled away from the cocks inside of you again, manhandled up off the floor and into Nanami’s arms. You didn’t have to whine about being empty for long. Nanami, with his arms hooked under your legs, was quick to sink his cock back into your cunt.

“You got all night to cum in her.” Nanami repeated Toji’s taunt back from earlier and you were oblivious to the scowl the latter currently had… or that it would be taken out on you.

“Careful with the little princess. Don’t want her to break before I get my fun.” Choso’s words felt like a threat in your ear. But your brain, having trouble sorting through the threats and comfort, latched onto it-whining as you leaned back into him. “Bet she chooses me to take her home after this.”

a/n happy halloween <3

TAGLIST -

@tsukiran @awkwardaardvarkforever @all-in-the-fandoms @mightyknight501

@qichun @megumuro @s0uldarling @seiri-ously @deepenthevoid

@winniethepooh-lover @stunies @little-miss-naill @hayatoseyepatch @theycallmenanamisgirl

@cl-0-vr @iluv-ace @rockrose-blossoms @afire24 @raven-nevra

[aetherdoesthings]

hello!!! i hope ur having a good day/night! can i request headcanons or fics (whatever you prefer!) of reader falling asleep because of work and the monster trio's reaction to it? thank u!!

hello!!! i hope you're having a good day/night too!

forethoughts: gonna be out of my country next week for vacation, so probably not going to upload as much, but i'll try. i hope you enjoy!! also did tumblr remove yellow from the color choices? odd.

notes: gn!reader

Luffy

“Y/N! Check it-” With a kick, the Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates stepped into your office, holding a slab of meat. His excitement plummeted as his eyes fell on you. Your head was resting on top of stacks of papers, a quill in between your fingers. Your entire body was limp against the wooden desk in the corner of the room, the lamp above your head still burning bright. 

“Y/N?” Luffy walked closer to you, his sandals thudding against the planks below. He tapped your head, shaking your shoulder, until he could see the slightest movement coming from you. 

You shrugged Luffy’s hand off of you, forcing yourself to sit up. “Luffy?”

“Why’d you fall asleep?” A small frown appeared on Luffy’s face. You knew he didn’t like you overworking yourself and filling up your time with ‘boring stuff’.

“It’s just a nap. Promise.”

“Are you overworking yourself again?”

“N-No.”

“Y/N… I already told you. If there’s too much work for you, just tell me.”

“It’s fine, Luffy.”

“No, it’s not fine. I don’t want you to overwork yourself to the point you fall asleep. Come on.” Luffy shoved the meat into his mouth, his hands wrapped around your arms as he dragged you in the direction of your shared bed. Without much protest, your head was now resting on top of pillows, a soft blanket plastered on top of your body.

“Sleep. Okay? You better be asleep by the time I come back.” Luffy pointed a finger at your face. You let out a chuckle, nodding your head. 

“Thank you.” You whispered softly.

The corner of Luffy's mouth stretched up to his eyes. "I asked you to join because I wanted to go on adventures with you, Y/N, I didn't ask you to join my crew because I wanted to see you work until you fall asleep! Please take care of yourself, otherwise we can't go on adventures anymore."

Zoro

“Oi, Y/N, it’s my turn. You can go back inside.” Zoro climbed up the crow’s nest, getting ready for his shift of watching over the ship. When he got up there, he saw you curled up into a ball on the side, fast asleep. He stared at your figure for a moment, before climbing into the circular space next to you. He flicked your forehead, gently slapping your face, to no avail. You were dead asleep, a quill balancing in between your fingers. Zoro placed a hand on your arm, retracting immediately. You were freezing cold. 

“Tch. Falling asleep on the job.” Zoro crossed his arms, staring at your unconscious body, putting his swords aside as he surveyed the scene.The inside of the crow’s nest was littered with papers and notes, an empty bottle of ink haphazardly discarded on the side. Anger and annoyance clouded Zoro’s head, the urge to wake you up and scold you for prioritizing your work over the safety of everyone. But in the cold winter night, a drop of warmth entered Zoro’s heart as he stared at your curled up figure, shivering slightly, but still dead asleep. There were heavy eyebags visible on your face, your lips cracked. The veins on your hands were visible, bulging out at Zoro.

“Damn it.” Zoro scoffed, as he reached a hand out towards you, dragging your body closer to his. He propped you up against his chest, letting you use his body heat as a source of warmth in the cold night. “Always overexerting yourself, you idiot. Should’ve brought a jacket instead of your papers. Geez. Now I gotta take care of you.” 

You were still knocked out, head resting on Zoro’s shoulder. Zoro let out a scoff, placing a hand around your shoulder, warming you up. “Tch.”

Sanji

Finally done with cleaning up the kitchen and preparing the next day’s meals, Sanji headed back to the bedroom you shared with him. He tried not to make as much noise as possible; at this time, you were most likely asleep already. He stepped into your room, closing the door as quietly as he could.

“Eh?” Sanji looked at the bed. The blankets were still neatly made from this morning, pillows organized with no wrinkles. He turned his attention towards your desk in the corner of the room, a small smile on his face. At least you didn’t go missing. You were dead asleep, head resting on your left arm, your right holding onto a quill. Sanji tiptoed over, examining your sleeping figure. 

My dear Y/N… Sanji sighed, plucking the quill out of your fingers. Without waking you up, his hands curled around your neck and the back of your knees. Without breaking a sweat, Sanji scooped you up, letting your head hit the pillow before the rest of your body was on the mattress. He draped the blanket over your body, planting a soft kiss on your forehead.

“Sweet dreams, my love.” Sanji whispered, before heading back over to your desk. He took a seat, rolling up his sleeves as he stared at the sea of papers and ink. As the moon itself was about to go to sleep, and the sun slowly woke up, Sanji stayed there, helping you organize all your work and sort out all your notes, filling out blanks you had left or letters you needed to write. He didn’t care if he lost some hours of sleep; in a few minutes, he’d have to ‘wake up’ to start prepping the next day’s meal anyways. As long as you were well rested and taken care of, Sanji didn’t care if he would have to lose hours of sleep. 

[bigtedbear]

" 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 "

𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭: 𝐥𝐮𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

content warnings: gay relationship, descriptions of grevious bodily injury, implied self-mutilation/self-harm, male reader, monster x human relationship, hurt/comfort writing, hey this starts out really dark please take care of your mental health, arguments, misunderstood feelings, mermaid courtship, alternate universe where luocha is a traveling doctor who's studying biology and anatomy across the universe blah blah blah, luocha is pretty genuine in this even though i know he is in fact a snake let me idealize for a moment okay, luocha puts a ring on it without realizing he is literally putting a ring on it

full admittance you'll probably find parallels with @/havanilla's merventurine au at the start of this cause it was one of the last things I read on my old tumblr account before it died on me and i fear i DO have brainrot

to add to my earlier warning about this chapter beginning out dark, there will be a marker for the cuter, mermaid courtship section of the fic!! look for a marker like the one below VV

" welcome back caller 🪷! connecting your line as we speak! "

" new contact noted! caller luocha has been added to your phonebook - love, 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑡-19 “

A pained scream ripped through the air.  

It was a shame it couldn’t be distinguished from the sound of other yells and shouting from all over the deck.  In fact, it seemed the anguish was completely drowned out by the noise of an older man beginning to bark orders from the side of the fishing boat.  Gravelly with age and experience, sets and more sets of hands seemed to jump to action, rushing over to that specific side of the deck.  

In the crew’s haste, they didn’t seem to notice they had also woken up the residential cabin.  Things were more than hectic; the experienced crew themselves were in a frenzy.  There was something that demanded urgent attention and it seemed none of the regular passengers were privy to what exactly it was. 

Still, in the curious sea of civilian passengers renting their rooms in the bowels of the ship, a tall blonde head of hair peered over the crowd straight to the source of the fuss.  Over the sea of yellow rain jackets adorning the working fishermen, he caught sight of some kind of reflective surface… what many wrote off as an oversized fish, Luocha continued to strain his eyes at.

Should he have been anyone else, perhaps he wouldn’t have noticed.  But Luocha was a doctor, he was more than familiar with noises of distress; with the scent of blood.  Something in the very core of his body shook with each of the pained and weak motions of an equally pained, weak patient.  The vibrations crept up his spine from the wooden boards of the ship, whispering into his ears. 

Something was wrong. 

Something was terribly wrong. 

Despite the protests of one of the tour guides, urging him to go back to sleep, he rushed towards the scene.  The same pained screams; the sounds of the body on the deck; the reflection of the “oversized fish”, they became clearer and clearer the closer he closed in.

Before he could make it into the crowd of men at work, he was caught by one of their coworkers.  Clad in a yellow raincoat, shadow cast across his face in the rain, the obviously displeased grimace all over his face only further sent Luocha into a state of panic.  A tense grip on his elbow, the man spoke in a language he didn’t understand.  Even if he didn’t understand the words themselves, Luocha was more than smart enough to understand the message the worker was trying to convey.  Before he could be pulled away, he made one last attempt to see what exactly was going on. 

When he did manage to catch a glimpse, he froze. 

Perfect, round tears running down flushed, red cheeks. 

The skin was pulled taut in another scream.  Based on the shaking motion of the face, he could only really come to the conclusion the body was being jerked in every direction possible. 

“Stop… STOP!”  He yanked his elbow out of the man’s grasp, crashing directly into the back of another worker.  In his haste, he shoved the man out of the way only to find his path blocked by even more yellow raincoats.  “You’re only going to worsen the injuries! I’m a doctor!” 

Despite not considering himself to be very physically fit, something about the situation discarded that reality entirely.  An unknown strength washed over him as he forced his way through the clusterfuck of workers trying to wrestle the screamer into place. 

He didn’t understand, Luocha didn’t understand. 

There was an injured crew member on the deck, screaming–what kind of idiot would continue to pull and stress the skin around the wound? Was that why the team leader seemed to screaming with such vigor?  Was he equally concerned about one of his staff suddenly being sent into debilitating agony? 

But no, not even in the slightest.  

Through the crowd, a wet mop of hair thrashing against the backdrop of a barbed fishing net came into view.  The urgency only further sent Luocha wrestling through the crowd of men, all but screaming himself as he watched the injured man on the ground contort his facial muscles in abject horror.  

“Stop it, you’re hurting him!” 

 He could hear his own vocal chords start to tear as he shrieked for the poor victim.  With each passing moment, fear and anxiety seized the doctor in his entirety before he finally managed to part the crowd like the red sea. 

In the end,

he wasn’t faced with a crew member. 

...

A merman. 

Something he’d only heard of in the planet’s folklore. 

It seemed well-known the small surviving population hardly ever ventured out of protected waters for fear of predators. 

What was this one doing so far out…?

With the opportunity making itself known, the unknown merman continued to thrash but harder, lips curling upwards as another shrill cry of agony streaked the night air.  From up close, the doctor could only watch the formerly smooth, unmarred skin become tainted with red.  Washed with your own blood, you looked more similar to some kind of horror movie monster than a person. 

But even in the face of monstrosity, his inner doctor only saw the blown out pupils, the senseless aggression, the fear written all over his patient’s face in their own claret stain.

“You’ll end up killing him, stop, STOP!” 

He completely ignored his own pain as the barbs in the net ripped into the fabric of his pajamas, cutting open his knees when he threw his body on top of yours.  His hands flew around carelessly in an attempt to unlatch the hands that seemed determined to pull at you from every direction.  

At the loss of the hands all over your body, your screams died down into pitiful hyperventilation, curling in on yourself in an attempt to cover the wounds weeping crimson all over the formerly white net.  

Instead of relief, instead of some kind of graditude, it seemed he was only met with friction.

“Oy, blondie, paws off, do you understand how much money you’ve got your hands on right now?” 

The thick accent confused him at first, then the words themselves didn’t seem to compute. 

“Excuse me?” 

You yelped again when one of the men pulled at the net.   The cold metal tore sore flesh in chunks.

“Mermaid scales are priceless.  So are the pearls they cry, we caught the bastard fair and square so. Step. Off.” 

His mind scrambled to understand the sentence, thoughts muddling together in a blender of pain and panic.  “I- I-” 

“You?”  Another crew member chimed in, crossing his arms, “You’ll what, doctor?  You can either get off of him and wrap up your cuts yourself or we’ll drag you off and the barbs can teach you to keep your nose out of other people’s business.” 

“I-”  his breathing picked up drastically, suddenly confronted with such a terrible moral dilemma. 

When prying hands began to make grabby motions for the edges of the ropes, he choked out his final answer.

“I'll pay for him!"

“...”

“...”

“...”

He swept his rain-soaked bangs out of his face, his voice shaking, “You were planning on selling him, right?”  He fumbled with his sleeves, “I make good money, I swear, I-,” he swallowed, “I can afford it.  Just take as much as you want out of the account I used to pay for my cabin.”

“...” 

“...”

Things were a little bit awkward, to say the least. 

Despite an attempt being made to cooperate while you were awake, it seemed the pressure and the mounting stress of nearly dying made it unable for you to accept the fact that Luocha was not, in fact, going to hurt you. 

The attempt to deal with the various injuries littered all over formerly smooth, silky skin was unproductive at best.  In fact, it only created more problems.  Trying to operate while you were largely unreceptive to anything he was saying was by far the worst decision he could’ve made given the circumstances. 

Point blank, he needed to get the barbed hooks out of your skin.  If he didn’t, the wounds would be at increased risk of infection.  After all, based on the cruel treatment he’d seen on deck, he knew the metal was most likely unsanitized.  Doing this while you were awake was easily the worst decision he could've made.

Promising not to hurt you while continually yanking pieces of metal out of your tender flesh was not a good way to build trust. 

"..."

"..."

You poked at the “strange” bowl that’d been set in front of you.  It was some kind of clam-fish hybrid soup. I mean, Luocha was trying to be considerate of your regular diet.  Surely, since you were living out in open waters, you were pretty used to eating fish right?

He, however, failed to realize you weren’t exactly in a spot to ever enjoy the luxuries of cooked food… or soup.  He’d laid out some utensils for you to use on top of that; it was a shame you didn’t know how to use them. 

"..."

"..."

You realized pretty early on that he’d saved you from becoming a victim to death by blood loss.  After all, when you were dropped in a holding tank until the ship arrived at the port, the water went cloudy from the dirt, debris, and blood all over your body.  In your little waist-high tank, he’d done his best to make sure you’d actually survive through the night.

Despite your reservations about him, you did your best not to scream while you were confined to a glorified holding cell.  Nails digging into the glass, biting down hard enough on the towel to tear, you tried your best to stay still while he fished countless little hooks from your back, arms, and chest.  

Removing the large hook in your shoulder was the most painful part of the process for the both of you.  You, for obvious reasons.  The hook made a clean cut through the muscle--scraping up against the bone--by the time you were awake enough to realize you were wrapped up in a barbed net.  Luocha, on the other hand, was the one that had to deal with the struggle while trying to complete a very tricky operation.  

Eventually, the problem dealt with itself when you passed out.  Really, he should’ve sedated you to start with, and he cursed at himself for not thinking of it sooner.  After you went out, he did his best to stitch everything up–hell, he wrapped you up in enough bandages to look like a mummy. 

But, since the two of you actually arrived on the island, there wasn’t so much as a word shared from either party. 

You woke up in a little bathtub, in a little bathroom, feeling like your arms were falling off and you couldn’t breathe because of how tight all of the bandages were wrapped around you. Eventually the giant bandages changed to smaller ones attached with some medical tape.  The only bulky one left was the one wrapped around your shoulder. 

"..."

"..."

With some trepidation, you grabbed at one of the fishtails sticking out of the mystery liquid, digging a finger in between the meat and the ribs to peel it off the bone.  Carefully, you used one of your freshly trimmed nails to remove the thick, scaly skin, then biting off a chunk to chew and swallow.  

The longer you stared at the bowl, the more confused you became. 

Yes, you knew how to eat a fish. 

Yes, you knew how to eat a mussel. 

No, you didn’t know what to do with whatever else was in the bowl.  

You paused eating when the man sitting across from the bathtub cleared his throat.  He made a vague gesture towards your lap, “Would you…?”

‘...mind if I showed you how to eat a bowl of soup?’ 

Without much hesitation, you offered up your meal again, much more interested in the chunk of fish in your hand.  Biting off another piece, you drank in the pleasant familiarity in just having some tilapia for once.  

He picked up the spoon. Deciding not to embarrass you further, he decided to taste test the food himself instead of trying to feed you. He let the silver spoon clatter back into the bowl, passing it over to you again. Despite the clear demonstration he’d given you, you opted to pick at one of the mussels hiding underneath the broth. 

“...”

“...”

He cleared his throat again, seemingly averting eye contact as he stared at the tiled walls. 

You diverted your attention from your bowl back to the blonde doctor. 

“I don’t mean to be rude or pry in any way,” he swallowed, “but what exactly were you doing so far from protected waters?"

You didn’t seem surprised in the slightest by his question, grabbing at the other fish tail in the bowl, “Smuggling and poaching.”  

He tilted his head curiously.

“Protective waters have attendants to track general pod health, they have the authority to temporarily remove merfolk from the water to do routine health checks."  You finally wrapped your hand around the spoon awkwardly, bringing some broth up to your lips. "Smugglers get jobs as attendants cause only tagged mermaids are considered protected.” You wiggled one of your finned ears, your left ear. Notably, there was a small tear in one of the fins. “It only takes a couple minutes for an attendant to catch a mermaid, sedate them, get them into a vehicle, remove their tag and throw them out into the right spots for a couple grand.” 

“I see.” 

You hummed, finally bringing the soup up to your lips, “Speaking of, how much did you end up having to pay for me?”

"..."

"..."

“Excuse me?” Luocha’s hands rested in his lap. 

“How much did you end up paying for me?”  You picked up another mussel, “I’m pretty good about keeping up with the price of scales and pearls.  I know you bought me as some kind of pity project, but I'm pretty eager to go back out to open waters.  Just name your price and I can start trying to pay off the debt.” 

The doctor blinked a couple times. “Oh… oh my god, absolutely not!”  He shook his head, bringing his hands up in front of his chest defensively, “There is no need to pay me back in the slightest.  Please, just rest well and remain healthy.  That would be the best payment.”

“What’s this?” 

He rolled the small iridescent pearl between his gloved fingers. 

“It’s a pearl.” 

He cracked a smile at that. It was gone as quick as it arrived as he brought the little treasure to his face to take a closer look.  “Well yes, but where did you get this? Did you have it stashed on you somewhere?”

You twirled your finger in a circle on the surface of the water. “No,” absentmindedly you observed the little whirlpool it made, “I made it.” 

He blinked a couple of times, hand dropping back to his side. “Pardon?” 

You finally looked up from the surface of the water, “I made it.” 

He cocked his head to the side, “You… made a pearl?” 

You looked at him, bored, “Well, yeah, did you not know mermaids make pearls?”

He looked from you, to the pearl, and then back at you.  “No… I’m afraid I didn’t know.”  His palm closed into a fist around the pearl, “How?” 

“...hm?”

He gestured towards his closed hand, “How did you make it?” 

You gave a huff, “Well, you’ve seen me make them before.”  

He frowned, “I… have?”

‘-and I didn’t notice?’

You nodded, shifting around in the bathtub to try and stretch your long tail out a little bit.  "The night I got caught on the boat-" Your jaw tensed, a sudden pang of soreness shooting up from your extremities. "-they were all over the deck, there were a bunch in the little tank they had me in.” 

His frown only deepened as he did his best to recall, “I don’t think I remember seeing them…? Does your blood crystalize into them or something of the sort?” 

You rested your head on the porcelain of the tub, bringing your arms up to cushion your cranium.  “Tears,” you murmured, “Merfolk tears turn into pearls.” 

‘Ah… so that’s why you mentioned there being so many on the ship.’

But then it hit him. 

“Why were you crying?” 

You shrugged, “Most mermaids in protected waters can cry on command.  We get a lot of tourists that give us gifts, sometimes if we’re interested we’ll give them a pearl in return.” 

He nodded like he understood, but suddenly the beautiful gem felt heavy in his fist.  He opened his hand and offered it back, “As beautiful as it is, I don’t wish to see you shedding any tears while you’re under my care.” 

You pushed his outstretched hand away, “Well, I already made it.  There’s no use trying to return it.” 

“Still, I feel terrible receiving a gift with such painful origins,” he sat down on the stool that’d become his usual spot.  “I’m a doctor. My goal is to make sure you’re in the least amount of pain possible.” 

“You should feel honored, you’re really the first person I’ve ever given a pearl to,” you raised your head from its spot on your arms, “I usually only gave them to little kids that didn’t bring me gifts so I’d give them something.”  You sank further into the water in the shallow tub.

“My concern is why you believe you should be giving me gifts in the first place,” he crossed his left leg over his right, scooting in closer, “I’ve already told you that taking care of you has always been of my own volition.  It is quite literally my job.  If you’re giving this to me as a gift and not repayment, I might be more inclined to accept it.” 

You huffed,  “Well, I guess you caught me.” 

His brows furrowed, “So I was right, you’re trying to pay back a debt again.” 

“...”

“...”

“...”

This time, he sighed.  “I’ve already told you, your health and wellbeing are both priceless.  I would never ask a patient I forced into care to pay me any sum of money-”

“That’s what I don’t understand,” The water rippled when you sat up suddenly, “Why don’t you want to accept any kind of payment? I’m tired of talking to you as property and owner.  You bought ownership, legally I’m your property. I don’t want to be your property.” 

“You aren’t my property-” He quipped, expression growing displeased.

“But I am,” you cut him off.  “You signed paperwork, you exchanged a certain sum of money.  Even if you thought I couldn’t hear you doesn’t mean I didn’t.” You crossed your arms across your chest, “I still heard the captain of the ship talking about sale prices with you.  I know I was considered a higher quality product, I know I was expensive.”

The doctor opened his mouth; and closed it and opened it again.  He struggled to find the correct words to use. “I didn’t consider that an exchange for ownership of you, I considered that to be the price of your wellbeing.  I’ve never considered you to be anything but an equal to me.” 

You drew your lips into a tight line, “Well, if I was an equal, you’d let me contribute to the cost somehow.  You wouldn’t treat me like some helpless baby.”  You gestured to his closed palm, “The pearl in your hand is priceless, sealing a handful of them would recuperate the money you wasted-”

Luocha held up his hand, “Stop-”

But you insisted, “Hell, if I ripped a couple of scales out you could more than pay for me.  You’d have enough money to buy another sorry sack of shit to take care of-”

“Don’t EVER-” he cut you off aggressively, “EVER, suggest such ludacris things to me again.  I refuse to even think about it.” 

“..."

Luocha shook his head, getting his gloves wet when he reached into the water to hold your hands in his own, “I would never ask you to do something like that to yourself.  I would never ask you to hurt yourself to please me and I would never ask you to hurt yourself because you needed my help.”  He gave your palms a gentle squeeze, “You did not ask to be put in the position you’re in now,  I am the one that chose to do this and I will be the one to set the price on my help; that price-” he paused, making sure you were looking him in the eyes, “-will always be no price at all.”   He pushed the pearl back into your hands.  “Give this pearl to one of the children that visit the waters after you’ve healed up in my stead, yes?” 

“It’s not exactly how I remember it.” 

You squirmed against the sensation of the water, arms still looped around Luocha’s neck.  

“Any discomfort?” The doctor asked, “Tell me if anything hurts.”

“No, no, nothing like that,” You shuffled around to try and make yourself comfortable.  You did your best to find the familiar rhythm of the waves, but your tail felt as useless as it had the entire time you’d been confined to the bathtub.  “It’s… cold.” 

Luocha nodded... even though he couldn't quite understand.  “If you aren’t straining any of your injuries, you can hang on for as long as you need to.”

You mumbled, trying to draw your elbows closer to your chest, “I’m not.” 

“...”

“...”

It’d only been a week since the last time you’d tried to repay your imaginary debt to Luocha.  Things got… less tense between the two of you. 

You didn’t put up a fuss when he put some ointment on the scars that formed all over your skin.  You didn’t squirm when he unwrapped your shoulder bandage.  You’d usually bide your time silently in the bathtub.  Mostly, you’d nap.  But that got old quickly, especially since a bathtub isn’t the most convenient spot for sleeping. 

Luocha could tell you were bored out of your mind all on your lonesome. To satiate this, he’d usually sit with you in the bathroom and try to teach you things like how to play cards.  You were a little apprehensive with him, like you always were, but it seemed you opened up to him a lot more towards the end of your stay in his temporary residence.

You’d become a pretty competent blackjack player all things considered.

You opened up more and more about your life down below.  Usually, you’d be afraid to tell anyone about that information.  Smugglers often targeted specific pods if one of the products happened to be particularly pricy.  But Luocha wasn't at any risk, was he? 

“...”

“...”

Eventually, as the water started to feel more natural on your skin, you let your grip loosen from around his neck.  As the welcoming embrace of the ocean seemed to envelop more and more of your body, you could feel the former tension in your muscles start to melt away. 

You laid yourself horizontal to the surface of the water, tentatively starting to create your own ripples in the vast expanses of blue.  Maybe it didn’t feel exactly as you remembered, but the gentle pressure of the cool, cool sea against your skin felt like home. 

Your arms splayed out in the waves like an angel, basking in the familiarity of it all.  “You can let go now.” 

Slowly, surely, pale arms lowered you into the arms of the same waters you’d been in a little over two months ago.  You shocked yourself when you chased after his hands. Still, as slick as an eel, you slid away from him into the open ocean, finding a boyish glee in the pure ecstasy of true freedom.  

You took off like a little jet, head first into the deep end. 

Luocha could only really watch with a small smile while you explored the vast array of little treasures hidden beneath the horizon line.  

It felt like only fifteen minutes had passed when you re-emerged from beneath the ocean blue, but to your shock, the sun was starting to set and Luocha was off on dry land, wringing the water out of his hair.  

In all of your fun, it seemed you’d forgotten about that man who’d made all of this possible for you. 

“...”

You pursued him onto the sand, watching him characteristically tilt his head to the side to express his curiosity.  You pushed your own wet mop of hair out of your face with your hand, suddenly feeling a little less confident in your choices.  Despite your trepidation, you felt you at least owed him this much. 

That didn't make it any easier.

“I-” you swallowed, curling in on yourself, “What if I wanted to give you a gift? If it wasn’t some kind of repayment?” 

He smiled, flipping a soaked lock of hair over his shoulder, “As long as you aren’t lying to me about repayment, then I would gladly accept.”

You suddenly felt a new wave of confidence wash over you, your chest puffing up a little bit, “Well, I have a gift for you.” Even though you failed to notice your little finned ears wiggling in excitement, Luocha did not. 

You reached up to your right ear, unhooking the beautiful golden earring that’d you'd been wearing since you’d been thrown out of protective waters.

His eyes widened.   

“It-” You offered the hoop to him, “It was my mom’s.”

Luocha blinked a couple times, staring at the bangle before looking back up at your face instead.  

“Well?  You said you’d accept it if it was a gift.”  You pushed it into his face, feeling a red hot flush wash over your features, “This is a gift; from me to you, no strings attached.” 

He carefully took the thin gold loop in his fingers.  He noticed the signs of oxidation and the water damage. 

It was already far less valuable than the pearl you’d tried to offer him.

Yet its sentimental value was unrivaled. 

“...”

“...”

“Did... your mother like jewelry?”

You shrugged, looking away from him, “Yeah, she had a lot of it from my dad.” 

Luocha nodded.  “Well, did she have a favorite kind of jewelry?” 

At this, you paused.  “I mean… I guess she did.  She wore a lot of rings… why?” 

“Well, since this is a gift I won’t refuse it,- Luocha slid one of the golden bands wrapped around his fingers off,  “-but if you can’t have her earring anymore, then you can at least have a piece of jewelry your mother would’ve liked to wear.”

You felt your face transition from an embarrassed pink to a much deeper red.  “You… you know what you’re offering me, r-right?” 

He didn’t respond in the way you expected.  Instead of his usual confusion, he pushed the ring towards you again with one hand.  The other went to work, looping the clasp of the earring through a piercing that was just a little bit too close to closing.  

It felt like your brain was melting.

‘Is he… flirting with me?’ 

You took the golden ring between your fingers, watching him use his newly freed hand to further force the earring through the piercing hole. You could only feel the heat creep up your neck to your ears; fuck, it felt like you were going to burn alive on the sand. 

When he finally got it in, he flipped a chunk of wet hair over his shoulder.  He framed the golden hoop with his palm.  Playfully, he asked, “How does it look?” 

‘...’

‘He’s definitely flirting.’ 

You immediately ripped your gaze from his face to the ring that suddenly felt like a hundred pounds in your palm. 

‘...What fingers do humans usually put the ring on again?’

Shakily you slid the golden ring onto your left hand, examining the way it glinted in the light of the sunset.  

‘...holy shit, did I just get married?’ 

“[name]?” 

You blinked a couple times, suddenly ripping your gaze away from the shiny metal.  “Sorry, sorry.” 

He chuckled at your expense, enjoying the little fluttering of your ears everytime he seemed to catch your attention again.  “Thank you for the gift, I’ll cherish it dearly.” 

You nodded. 

“...”

“...”

The silence was interrupted with a quiet sniffle. 

“...[name]?”

You aggressively wiped the tear off your face, watching the consequent pearl roll across the grains of sand.  “H-Hey, you can’t just give me this ring and leave-” You took a deep breath, “-That’s not fair, that’s not fair at all.” 

He was a little taken aback at the sudden resurgence of emotion, “Would…” he paused.  He thought it over before tentatively putting a hand on your shoulder, “Would it help if I stayed a little longer?” 

You shook your head, putting your hand over the one on your shoulder to hold it between both of your own hands.  “You have to promise to visit me a lot.  It’s going to take me a long time to find my family, so if you don’t visit I’m going to be lonely.” 

He, once again caught off guard, nodded, “O-Of course!” His own cheeks tinted a pale pink. 

“You promise?” 

He nodded again, this time using his other hand to clasp your hand in both of his.  “I promise I’ll visit.”

a side note for this upcoming section: i did a lot of world-building for this fic behind the scenes, the current planet they're on is largely submerged beneath the waters and they live on a bunch of island nations. To link up with that idea, my idea of the mermaid smuggling industry is to do with the concept of foreigners coming in and destroying local ecosystems. (Colonization)

Long story short, the planet is loosely based on Polynesian Islands so I chose Māori names for our supporting cast but keep in mind I am FAR from an expert and I mean literally no disrespect at all to anyone at all. Only the names are Māori in nature because I feel like no matter how much research I do, I would be unable to capture the essence of the rich culture of New Zealand. I'm a little gay fanfic writer I have not done nearly enough research to claim I know ANYTHING, I just thought it'd be cool and help with world-building in case people want a part-two or something

“What’s got you so worked up?” 

“Shut the fuck up Iarere, this is like the seventh time in the same hour.” 

Your younger brother held his hands up defensively, “Well, things got boring around here without you!”  He let himself fall towards the ground next to the boulder you’d splayed out all the little pieces of gold you’d managed to scrounge up.  “You manage to make it back from outside of protective waters and instead of hating everything and everyone, you’re suddenly getting all buddy buddy with the tourists trying to get some trinkets.  I know you’re old but are you really getting that desperate?” 

You frowned, “I’m not that old.” 

Iarere rested his face on the cool surface of the rock, prodding at one of the particularly flashy necklaces.  “You’re old to me.”  

Your frown deepened. Not just because your brother was calling you old, but because Luocha’s weekly visit was coming up and you hadn’t managed to gather up nearly as much as you would’ve wanted.   For your kind, caring, doctor husband who was already well off, a few necklaces and a handful of rings and earrings wouldn’t be anywhere near enough to woo him.  “I guess I am getting towards the end of the usual age people get married at.” 

The younger man nodded, humming, “Yeah, so do you have anyone in mind?” 

You bit your lip.  

I mean, yes, you were married. 

But it felt inauthentic if you didn’t present your husband with some kind of dowry first. 

Yes, Luocha only presented you with one of his old rings, but he also paid a hefty sum to rescue you from certain doom.  He also nursed you back to good health, refused to take any payment for any of the medical treatments or the food that’d been wasted making sure you’d retain your strength throughout your recovery. 

In your mind, maybe human dowries were just a little bit different. 

Despite opening your mouth to voice your dissent, your little brother jumped up at the opportunity to tease you.  “So you do have someone you’re thinking about!” 

“I-” 

“What are they like?” Iarere gripped your shoulders, tearing your attention away from your inner dilemma.  “What do they look like? Do I know them?”  He gasped, shaking you back and forth and he demanded to know, “Did you meet them while you were outside?!” 

You gripped at his shoulders in return, “I didn’t say I had anyone in mind!” 

“...”

“...”

He pursed his lips, “Yeah, I’m not buying it.” 

You groaned, bringing your hands up to your face.

He only got more excited, leaning in way too close for comfort as he squealed, “So I was right?!” 

“Right about what?” 

Your eyes darted over to the side, watching one of the few friends you’d managed to retain at your grown age.  “Thank the gods, Akahata, get Iarere off me before he gives me whiplash.” 

He hummed, “Well, I’m more interested in what exactly you guys were talking about before.”  You watched as his eyes flitted from you and your brother to all the precious metal and gems you’d laid out.  “Actually don’t tell me, let me guess.”  He pointed at the rock, “You’re setting up a dowry, but you’re upset because you know no amount of jewelry would ever get anyone in the pod to consider settling down with your ugly mug.”

“HAH!” 

Your ears fluttered in irritation.  “That’s a horrible guess.” 

Akahata shrugged, “Well, I mean, your mug’s only ugly cause you frown all the time.  If you actually made an effort to smile more, you’d probably have a lot more people that’d be willing to accept you with no dowry.” 

Your frown tugged at the corners of your lips as you massaged your temples, “For your information, I’m making a dowry cause I already got married.” 

“...”

“...’

“...”

“You WHAT?!” 

Iarere’s fists clenched even tighter around your biceps, “You told me you lost mom’s earring, not that you got married-” 

“It’s a long story-” You started, 

“Not long enough to not tell either of us!” Your best friend screamed in abject horror.  “The moment Ngaio and I started courting each other I told you immediately-”  You grimaced when he pushed your brother out of the way to be the one to shake you back and forth, “-and you get married and you don’t tell me until afterwards?!” 

“It wasn’t planned! I didn’t even realize he was courting me until he gave me his ring-” You countered, face lighting up pink.

“So it’s a him…” Iarere mumbled, putting his hand to his chin.  His expression lit up as the pieces started clicking together in his head.  “Is that where you’re going tomorrow?!” 

“YOU’RE GOING TO MEET HIM TOMORROW?!” 

You were growing more overwhelmed by the minute, averting eye contact.  “Yeah, so what? We’ve been meeting up every week while I was looking for you guys.  Is it weird for husbands to spend time together?” 

Akahata abruptly let go of you, leaving red imprints of his hands on your arms.  “That’s not that problem, that problem-” he paused for dramatic effect, “-is that you’re planning on meeting up with him after returning and you’re not even telling us who he is!” 

Iarere put a hand over his heart, feigning his disappointment as he let himself sink into the sand below.  “I think I’m going to faint.” 

You sighed, “Well-”

Akahata jabbed an accusatory finger in your chest again, “Is he even good looking enough for you? Is he any good at providing? What was his dowry like?  What pod is he even from?!”

“He’s not from a pod-”

Your brother hummed, “So is he a lone wanderer out beyond the boundaries of protected waters saving pretty mermen he wants to marry?” 

Your face twisted into one of disgust, “Keep your fantasies to yourself.” 

Iarere huffed, “Well, what else am I supposed to think when you say he’s not from a pod?  He obviously has so be some kind of lone wolf, PLUS you got married before you made it back.” 

Akahata put a contemplative hand under his chin, “I mean he has a point.” 

You shook your head, “He’s a human.” 

“...” 

“...” 

“...”

“You’re joking.” 

“I’m not.” 

“You’re joking…” 

You held up your hand, gesturing towards the ring on your finger. 

“Oh my god, you’re not actually joking.” 

Your younger brother squealed, “Oh my god this is like something out of all those movies on the surface! Tell me all about it!” 

You frowned, pushing through both your peers to make it back to your makeshift table top.  “He’s… a doctor, but he was working as a trader on a big ship.   He was there the night I got caught and he ended up buying me off the boat and he patched me up and released me.” 

Your best friend sighed, “Only you can make a story that romantic sound like a business deal.” 

Iarere furrowed his brows, “Wait, wait, wait, when did he propose?” 

“Well-” You fumbled over your words, “I caught feelings and I thought I might as well start the courtship process-” 

“YOU made the first move?!” 

“Shut up!” You pushed your overly eager younger brother’s face away, “I didn’t know if he even knew about mermaid courting so if I was going to start courting him, I had to do it then.”

“...go on.”

You sighed, “I gave him mom’s old earring, but instead of just taking it, he gave me one of the rings he was wearing.” You covered your face, feeling another wave of crimson wash everywhere from your neck to the tips of your ears.  You still couldn’t get the memory of him showing off the earring out of your fucking head. “I mean- I- I even asked if he knew what offering me his ring meant and he just put it in my hand.” 

Your younger brother kicked around on the sand eagerly, waving his hands around excitedly.  “That is actually one of THE most romantic proposals I’ve ever heard of!” 

Akahata crossed his arms, “Damn, I feel like mine was lacking.” 

You huffed, “Well, Ngaio is still your wife.” 

“And whatever his face is still managed to wife you--of all people--up.”

“Touche.”

“Oh wow, you brought more than you usually do.” 

Luocha chuckled behind his hand, his own little bag of purchased trinkets hanging loosely at his side. 

You hummed, thumbing over the beautiful glistening stone of a diamond necklace you’d managed to get off of a rather infamous regular.  “You’re one to talk.” 

He gave a small grunt of exertion as he sat next to you on the sand, letting the bag fall to the side, “You’ve got me there.”  He couldn’t help the pleasant swell of warmth in his face as you gestured for him to turn around. 

I mean, maybe you weren’t the best at communicating what you were feeling or what you wanted from him, but you’d been getting better.  Instead of just grunting a yes or no to the questions he’d ask, you’d actually make time for some conversation with him.  Be it from your annoying younger brother to the changes in the pod since you’d returned, it seemed you shared what little woes you had with Luocha.  

You also seemed to share endless amounts of little golden treasures with him.  From old, worn gold, oxidized iron, anything really that you could find, you provided it to him and put it on him with the most delicate touch your rough, scarred hands could muster.  Maybe it was nothing, maybe it was something.  He couldn’t control the way his heart sped up whenever you leaned in to help him put on a new pair of earrings you’d gifted him.  He surmised gift giving was some kind of love language that was common among merfolk.  Perhaps you’d also enjoy it if he brought you gifts of equal value! 

Still, the pounding in his heart was not helped when you’d started smiling at him. 

Everytime he managed to catch one of the rare glimpses of your smile–even worse when you’d laugh–he almost felt like he was looking at something forbidden.  Something he wasn’t worthy of, right in front of him.  For someone who had been through so much, you really opened up to him remarkably quickly after you’d been released.  Perhaps before release you’d been scared of being sold off? The familiar feeling of the waters must’ve don wonders to make you relax this much. 

Even worse when the physical affection began.  It started as simple as reaching out to the side of his face to brush the hair away from his ear so you could catch sight of the golden hoop he’d taken to wearing.   It transitioned to taking his gloves off so you could look at the rings you ended up gifting him.   Before he could really process how quickly the two of you were moving, you were pressed up against him at every opportunity.  

He knew it was natural for merfolk to not wear clothing, but did you have to have such a muscular chest? 

Even now, as you fumbled with the clasp of the absolutely beautiful diamond necklace, you wrapped an equally muscular aquatic tail around his leg.  He didn’t exactly know if this was normal between merfamily-could he call them that?--, being overly affectionate.   Even if it felt like a little more than just normal bonding, he did his best to still the pounding of his heart when your fingers brushed his hair out of the way so you could make sure the gem was oriented correctly.  

Trying his hardest to quell the tide of warmth surging up to the tips of his ears, he put a hand over his erratic heartbeat.  He prayed to the Aeons above you couldn’t feel it as your chest pressed against his back.  

You wrapped your arms snug around his torso, pulling him further into your stomach.  Resting your chin on top of his blonde hair, you found the gloved hand resting over his heart to hold in your own.   The two of you let the silence hang in the air for a moment. 

“...”

“...”

You gave a quiet huff before you moved your chin from on top of his head to bury itself into the crook of his neck.  As his fingers interlocked with yours, he found himself looking at all the gold rings he’d adorned your fingers with.  Each and every one, he could put a time and day to. 

But then, his eyes landed on your ring finger. 

“Oh, you still wear that old thing?”

“...hm?”

You glanced down at your hand, raising a brow.  His finger was tracing over the ring he’d exchanged when he was releasing you back into the open water.

“You still wear the same earring I gave you,” you murmured, flicking it with your freehand.  “I’ve given you countless pairs of earrings since, yet even when you wear one stud, you’ll always wear the same one every time I see you.” 

His chest rumbled with a bout of laughter, “I suppose you’re right.”  He perked up suddenly, “Oh, that reminds me, speaking of this earring…” He reached towards the rather large bag of gifts he’d brought with him.  He threw a few of the boxes of gold ornaments he’d purchased before finally fishing the box he was looking for out of the bottom.  “I went shopping and when I saw this pair, I simply knew you’d love it.” 

You hummed, looking at the little navy blue box in his hand.

He made quick work of the bow wrapped around the holding case, nimble fingers peeling open the little box before he presented you with his gift on their signature velvet cushion. It looked like… 

…a replica of your mother’s earrings. 

He offered them up to you with a bashful smile, watching in silent amusement when your ears flicked back and forth in some kind of excitement. 

Delicately, gently, you picked up one of the hoops and twirled it around your fingers. 

“...”

“...”

“...Well? Do you like it?”

You didn’t respond, reaching up to your right ear to remove the little stud you’d chosen to wear to this outing.  Fidgeting with the clasp of the loop, you threaded it with a calculated ease through your piercing.   

“I like it.” 

He clasped his hands together, “Good, I’m more than glad.” 

“...”

“...”

“She would’ve loved to meet you.” 

“Hm?”

You paused, “My mother, I mean,” Your thumb fidgeted with the back of the earring.  “She always wanted to see her sons get married, but she passed before she could.” 

Luocha blinked.  

“Pardon?” 

You tilted your head to the side, “My mother; she would’ve loved to meet you.” 

“No, no,” Luocha could feel the deep claret paint his face a messy red as he scooted to face you, “What did you mean by seeing her sons get married?”

“...

…Did you not know?” 

Luocha blinked. 

“We’re married.” 

Another blink. 

“You… Is that why…?” He gestured towards the gifts strewn across the sand.  He looked back towards his own bag of gifts. 

‘Oh for crying out loud-’

“I-” he cleared his throat, “I apologize, I seem to have… entered this marriage under false pretenses.”  He put his hands on his temples, “How- Where- When exactly did this happen?”

You hummed, “When you let me back out into the water.  When I gifted you my mother’s earring, that was the signal I wanted to start courting you.  When you gift something back, that’s an officiation of marriage.” 

He coughed into his hand, trying to think through this situation logically. 

Okay, so he accidentally got married.

What the fuck. 

The train of thought seemed to end there. 

…

He was, however, plagued with another train of thought. 

‘Well, you have been making eyes at him for a few months now.’ 

…

Those thoughts were not helping.  

“...”

“...”

“If you want to end the marriage, it’s as simple as saying so,” you added, “I thought you knew what my intentions were-”

“NO!”

Luocha covered the bottom half of his mouth.  “I’m fine with the arrangement as is, but it appears human marriage and merfolk marriage are officiated in very different ways.” 

Your brows furrowed. 

“...”

“...”

“...Are you saying you want to officiate the marriage as humans would?”

The tips of Luocha’s ears burned with embarrassment.  “I-” 

You held one of his hands in yours, eyes seemingly boring holes into his face,  “Whatever it is, as long as you want to do it, I will do it to the best of my ability.” 

Any complaints were silenced when he was confronted with such sincerity.  “Well…”

You waited patiently, folding your hands in your lap.  

Finally, it seemed your “husband” made up his mind.  

“Close your eyes.” 

You paused, seemingly surprised, but nonetheless your eyes fluttered shut moments after. 

Luocha urged himself to breathe, flexing and unflexing his hands.  

He leaned forward, closing his eyes as he…

…planted an innocent peck on your lips.

there's a note on the side of the phone booth, read it?

" idk how to describe it but now being on the other side of this, i'm feeling something similar to post nut clarity "

first post since losing literally everything on my first account yay !!

yes guys, luocha and his mermaid husband were openly cuddling on the beach for months and he's wondering "is he into me or am i bro-zoned"

that being said, losing my tumblr has now forced me to realize how many people genuinely like my writing hey guys I went scrolling through user kamisatoelogy's blog to look for their modern ayato fic and i found out someone dedicated time and effort into archiving my works???? and you guys went looks for me????

i fr feel like getting on my hands and knees and thanking everyone for all their support and love over this process and apologizing for scaring you guys so bad

you guys are so sweet and so many of you have been so helpful in getting my blog back up and running again :((

i started drafting my fics in google docs to make sure it isn't all GONE if i get shit on again so this chapter is brought to you by font: unica one, it was 27 pages total (i am insane)

shout out to Chappell Roan cause she really put me in my tunnel vision work zone while i was writing this

if u guys r looking for a writing hack, i trained myself like a sleeper agent to start writing when i play songs on hour loop it puts me in a work rut

- love, operator t-19

[ibetonlosinghuskies]

patience and pleasure pt 7

summary: paige drives to azzi's house, overwhelmed with emotion after finding her letter.

disclaimer: as always, everything i write is fictional!!

cw: fluff, angst, sexual content (not smut)

word count: 5.2k +

author's note: i know this was LONG awaited, i'm very proud of this, i hope you enjoy! (the yearning never ends.)

paige's pov:

the rain pelts against my windshield, a rough pattering mimicking the beating of my heart. my hands grip the steering wheel, knuckles white with determination. the road blurs in front of me, but i ignore it.

each second feels like an eternity without her. the engine roars in protest, but i can't slow down—won't slow down. my breath comes in short, sharp gasps, fogging up the windows. the world around me blurs, all i can focus on is getting to her.

streetlights fluttering through my windows, each frame a blink between her eyelashes. the momentum of each flicker, a flashing reminder of her polarizing stare. the way she illuminates my world for fleeting moments before plunging me back into darkness.

i miss her every time she closes her eyes.

the soft air from the a/c hits my cheek, fogging up the windshield. i take a long blink, remembering azzi's soft exhale. the stillness in her breath, like lake water settling on a shore. i need her exhales to become my inhales.

i need to breathe her in.

as i approach her neighborhood, a warm yellow glow bathes the streets. the rainwater picking up a golden hue from the streetlights, water droplets on my windshield becoming tiny suns.

it's the exact shade as azzi's eyes in the sunlight. my honey glow—sweet and warm. her eyes, a lighthouse on a distant shore, casting its glow across the waves, even when i was too far to feel its warmth.

i've lived a thousand lifetimes between her pupil and her iris, swimming in the whites of her eyes, afraid to go deeper.

i'll let her see me this time, really.

no more half truths, i'll bare my soul to her. i'll either drown in the depths of her gaze or finally learn how to breathe underwater.

everything around me feels like it's pushing me towards her. the rain, the lights, the very air i breathe—it's all azzi.

it's always been azzi.

as i pull into her driveway, the world seems to pause. the rain softens to a gentle hum as if nature itself awaits my next move. my hands shake as i pull the key out of the ignition.

i take my first unsteady step outside the car, my knees buckling underneath me. i feel like i'm standing on stilts, hoisted by the unraveling of her confession.

azzi's letter burns a hole in my clothing, heating my jacket pocket. i slip my hands into my pockets, the letter folded into the center of my fist, my lifeline.

the paper crinkles softly as i tighten my grip, and i swear i can feel her pulse between the lines.

my fingers tremble under the weight of what i'm about to do. i feel my entire body quiver, i can't tell if i'm shivering because of the rain or if my skin shakes at the thought of her being mine.

her words in my fist, i knock at her door.

azzi's pov:

the soft knock on the front door jerks me from my thoughts. i rush to the window, peeking through the blinds. my heart jumps when i see paige's car.

i yank the door open, and there she is. paige, standing in the pouring rain, clothes clinging to her body, soft blonde curls forming out of humidity. she looks...lost. vulnerable. beautiful.

she's out of breath like she'd just ran here, chest rising and falling rapidly, broken up only by the slight tremble of her tears. her soft blue eyes staring right at me—right through me. she sniffles and i feel my heart ache at her pain.

oh my god, did something happen? is she alright?

my mind races to the worst-case scenarios, anything to make sense of this. did she get into an accident? did someone hurt her? is her family okay?

i'm protective immediately, the urge to soothe her is intense. it pierces through my body, cutting deep into my mind.

"paige?" i call out, my voice muffled by the rain's delicate song. "are you okay?"

she doesn't respond. she just stands there, her chest heaving. eyes wide and filled with an emotion i don't recognize. it terrifies me, seeing her like this, like she'd crumble at the slightest gust of wind.

i take a careful step towards her, stepping out into the rain now. the urge to comfort her is visceral. like a flower bending towards the water, i find myself drawn to her sorrow, ready to absorb it all—drink it in through my skin.

i want to pull her into my arms.

my fingertips twitch, bones aching to hold her close, to shield her from whatever's causing her pain. i want to wrap my arms around her like vines growing on trees. i'd be her living shelter if she'd let me.

i want to brush back her wet hair.

my hands burn at the thought of stroking her wet blonde curls, tucking them behind her ear. they tremble with anticipation, like petals quivering in the breeze, eager to soothe.

i want to catch every tear falling from her eyes.

sometimes i think my palms were made to hold her face, to hold her sadness between my fingers. i look down at the lines of my palms, splintering like the stems of a leaf, tiny breathing pores, soaking in the oxygen of her tears.

"paige, please," i plead, my voice softening. "you're scaring me. what happened?”

the silence between us grows cold. she takes a shaky inhale, her lip quivering slightly. then, without warning, she lunges toward me, arms wide. she wraps around my waist, her head resting on my shoulder.

the shock of her touch jolts through me like lightning striking a tree. her rain-chilled skin sends shivers down my spine, but i can't help but pull her closer. the dampness from her clothes seeps into mine, a physical manifestation of her love. paige loved in a messy, all-consuming way, like floodwater—it soaks into everything it touches, leaving nothing untouched.

what could have happened to break her like this? i feel protective, like i want to hide her vulnerability from the world. keep her in my arms, where i know she's safe.

whatever this is about, it's serious.

i feel her heart beat against my own. i can't put a name to it, but i know her pain like it's mine. an ache that's lived between my ribs since the first time we met. i feel a yearning pulse through me, a sap rising from where we're connected, flowing through my capillaries.

there's something familiar about this pain, this vulnerability. it's an amalgamation of every time i wanted to tell her how i felt but couldn't find the words.

the very same ache that haunts her eyes now has lived inside me for years, a familiar shadow nestled in my chest. if the ventricles of my heart were like the branches of a tree, paige would be the root. she's the source from which my love grows, the sustenance maintaining everything that's ever flourished through me.

in this moment, with her in my arms, i'm aware of how our pain and love intertwine, delicate yet resilient. standing against the test of time, of fear itself.

"i remember everything," she whispers into my ear, voice breaking between words.

everything?

every word, every touch, every lingering stare.

the weight of her confession settles over me. my mind races, replaying every moment i thought i was lost to her.

i think of that night. the way she begged me to believe her, her eyes soft and desperate. how badly i wanted to trust her words, to put my entire weight on the syllables between her lips. the truth of her words felt so far away then, but now as i stand here, i realize, i'm holding them in my arms.

her tears hit my shoulder as she cries. each one a gentle plea, begging for forgiveness, for renewal.

i feel her release her full weight, as if finally unburdening herself. the sudden heaviness is both physical and emotional, she's passing me the weight of everything we haven't said yet. her vulnerability, her complete surrender, it seeps into my bones like rainwater into soil.

she melts in my arms.

we've always done this dance, a push and pull, passing this weight like a secret too precious to voice, but too heavy to hold alone.

"that night i said i loved you," she whispers, barely audible over the rain. "i remember everything, i meant everything."

god, i should've kissed her that night.

my world stops turning at the stillness of her breath. her words hang in the air, heavy with implication. my throat tightens, and i feel a rush of emotions flood through me—relief, joy, fear, and overwhelming love, all tangled together in the roots of my heart.

i try to speak, but the words escape me. my vision blurs as tears well up. mingling with the raindrops on my cheeks, warm rivers cutting through the cold, kissing her shoulders as i cry.

instead of responding, i bury my face in her wet curls, breathing in her scent. i'm grasping at any faint contextualization of her like i'm drowning. it doesn't feel real.

i'm pleading with myself, please stay here. in this moment.

the warmth of her breath against my neck, the way her words slide down my collarbones.

please let me hold on to this.

the pressure of her body on mine, the point where our hips meet, the perfect way her chin fits into the crux of my neck.

i've wanted this for so long.

the subtle tremor in her breath. something i'm only able to feel when i'm holding her this close.

i try to ground myself in this moment that feels both surreal and the most real thing i've ever experienced. my heart is pounding so hard i wonder if she can feel it, a rhythm that beats out a single word to her chest:

finally. finally. finally.

paige pulls back slightly, just enough to meet my eyes. her cheeks flushed, raindrops clinging to her eyelashes like pearls on a string. something in her eyes changed, a new openness. she's letting me see her, for everything that she is.

"i was so scared azzi," her voice soft. "for so long, i'm so sorry."

she shouldn't be the one apologizing.

“i was scared too,” i breathe, the words hanging between us like mist.

she has no idea how the thought of losing her has petrified me. since we were younger, she's had a grip on my life, a grip that if loosened, i'd fall into the depths of my mind.

her hand moves between us, and i watch as she pulls out a folded piece of paper from her pocket.

my letter. in her hands.

it's both fragile and monumental. the folded paper in paige's hands—a ghost of who we were haunting who we may become. a piece of my past self suddenly tangible in her hands, my feelings becoming real under her touch.

time seems to slow as i stare at it, memories flooding back. the weight of the pen in my hand, the trembling of my fingers. the fear, the hope, the undeniable love—all feelings meant for her, finally brushing against her skin.

i don't know if i ever truly believed she'd find it—find me.

my heart pounds in my chest, a faraway echo of what i felt that night when i wrote it. part of me wants to snatch it away, to protect that young, vulnerable version of myself. but the other part—the part of me that's been waiting, hoping, dreaming, for this very moment—feels nothing but joy.

in her eyes, i see whispers of an upheaval. with just the bat of her eyelashes, paige threatens to uproot us both, to expose what we've kept buried for so long.

my letter, a shovel scraping at the soil of our silence. each word a strike against the earth we've tended so carefully. her eyelids flutter, and i feel the foundation of our friendship quake.

she’s gutting me, with the ink of my own pen.

but maybe, this is what we need. to be torn open, raw and honest. maybe this was bound to happen, a love as gentle as ours, only uncovered by the scarring pain of vulnerability.

i look at her, scanning her every movement. her hands shake as she unfolds the paper. she looks wrecked, her hair wet and clinging to her face. but still, beautiful. i don't think paige will ever not look beautiful.

she's still so pretty, even when she's tearing me open.

our relationship, until now, has been a delicate garden—beautiful, tender, gentle. watered by the undercurrent of everything unspoken. but this revelation, burns under our pulses, hot blood coursing through our veins.

at first, it feels destructive. our patience has kindled a fire within us both. a steady warmth i've always felt when i looked at her, now becoming a searing heat. our complacency has become invasive, encroaching on the blossoming of new life in our little garden.

i realize now—this isn't destruction. it's renewal.

the flames lick the edges of our composure, melting at my resolve. and finally, i see her for who she's always been.

my girl.

this fire between us is a controlled burn, prescribed almost. it's clearing away the underbrush of every unsaid word and hidden feeling, making room for something to grow—something beautiful, something necessary.

the rain slows to a soft drizzle, even nature bends to the will of our love.

paige's pov:

i take a deep breath, holding the letter between my fingers, stroking the veins on her wrist. i watch her pulse beneath her skin quicken under my touch.

please tell me you want this too.

"do you still feel this way about me?" i ask, sounding much more insecure than i intended.

azzi's eyes flutter closed for a moment, and i see her swallow hard. "yes," she exhales. "more than ever."

my heart leaps at her words, but i need more. i need to be sure.

"tell me," i urge gently. "i need to hear you say it."

something flickers in her eye, a look i've only seen a few times before. in this moment, i feel the power she holds over me. it's palpable, electric. her eyes, usually soft and warm, now a sudden, intense flare of heat and light.

i'm caught in her gaze, captive to the desire i see there. i feel my knees weaken, joints softening at her warmth. i find myself pleading again, my words spill out like water from a broken dam, desperate and uncontrolled. anything to soothe the ache she burns in me.

my thumb strokes her forearm, "you want me to be your friend?" i touch her to comfort her. it would kill me, but i'd just be her friend if she asked me to. the thought sends a pang through my chest.

but i'd do it. for her.

azzi tries to speak, but i continue, moving my hands to her waist. this time, i'm touching her selfishly. my hands move hungrily, needed to be fed by the curves of her body. she needs to feel it.

she needs to know what she does to me.

"you want me to be your girlfriend?" my voice drops lower, with confidence i don't know where i found.

the way i say ‘girlfriend’ is long and drawn out, i let myself taste the word.

"paige—" azzi starts, but i'm lost in the moment.

i won't stop until i know she feels it too.

my hands tighten on her waist, pulling her closer. i resist the urge to dig my nails into her side, to sink into her.

"say it, azzi," i plead softly. "tell me what you need me to be."

azzi's eyes lock with mine, filled with emotion. there's a seed planted deep in her iris, shining under the moonlight, begging to be watered.

"you," she whispers. "just you."

i'd give her the world, the moon, the stars. but it's just me that she wants?

"and i'll be it," i promise, my voice leaks from my lips, watering her passion.

"paige," she breathes my name like a prayer. "i need you, i always have." she moves her hand to cup my face, "it's always been you."

it feels like she'd stole the words from my lips. has it always been us?

i tilt my head to the side slightly, leaning closer to her. something pulls me towards her, an invisible string tied from her lips to mine, a vine reaching for its trellis.

our lips finally meet, and it's sudden like the first drops of rain. the kiss starts soft, patient—smooth droplets hitting the surface of our parched earth.

her lips are delicate against mine, slightly parted, inviting me in. my hands slide up her back, feeling the warmth of her skin through her clothes.

god, the things i'd do just to touch her skin

but quickly, it deepens, burrowing into the soil of my skin. it's urgent and desperate. i take her all in, absorbing the pressure that's been built from years of silence.

her fingers thread through my hair, gentle yet persistent, pulling me closer. she's pulling at the roots between us, the foundation of our friendship. with each tug, years of platonic growth give way to something wilder. she's begging for unity in her grasp—for us to become one.

something blossoms between our lips, her tongue—like roots seeking water. the taste of her breath, something i've known for years but never consumed, now fills my lungs. an implicit craving, like the earth after rain. it's intoxicating, addicting.

she's breathless already, and i've barely started.

i finally breathe her in, like a sapling breaching the surface of the soil. i feel air for the first time, i feel truly alive. i pull her closer, our bodies flush against each other, feeling the rise and fall of her chest against mine.

"you need me, huh?" i pull back slightly, smiling into her kiss. all of my daydreams manifested in my hands, blossoming under her touch. moving to her neck, i kiss her gently. like raindrops down her collarbones, my tongue slides down her neck. "do you know how badly i've wanted this?"

i feel her gasp at my touch, a sound i've been dying to hear. when i pull back her cheeks are reddened and sweet like fruit.

look at her, all flushed and desperate. i did that.

every touch, every shared breath is a promise, nurturing this thing growing between us.

this feels like home.

i pull back slightly, my forehead resting against hers. our breaths mingle in the small space between us. i can't help but smile at the simplicity of this moment.

"i'm so in love with you," i whisper, the words tumbling out before i can stop them.

azzi's eyes sparkle, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "yeah, me too, unfortunately."

"hey!" i pout, giving her a playful shove. i can't hide the laughter building in my chest. it was so simple, so easy, so us.

she giggles, pulling me closer. her hands run up and down my arms, and suddenly i'm aware of how chilled i've become standing out here.

she seems to notice too. "as much as i'm enjoying this," she says, her voice soft, "maybe we should go inside before we catch a cold."

i nod, my body still humming from her touch but now chilling from the dampness of the earlier rain. "yeah, you're right."

i take her hand, fingers interlocking like we've done this a thousand times. it's so natural, it almost makes me cry.

just then, an idea sparks in my head, and i release her hand. without warning, i scoop azzi into my arms. she lets out a surprised laugh, her arms instinctively wrapping around my neck.

she wraps her thighs around my waist, trusting my arms to cradle her. i'm reminded it was her willingness to let go, to trust, that brought us here.

she's featherlight in my arms, like she's always belonged there.

i carry her to the doorframe, smiling like a little kid. i step over the threshold, and i can't help but feel like a newly wed couple. we may not have the rings or the witnesses, but this feels just as special. we're crossing a line we can't uncross, stepping into the new versions of ourselves.

she'd make the perfect bride.

her house is warm, welcoming. the air speaks to me in whispers against my damp skin, "welcome home."

i set her down gently in the entryway, taking a step back to admire her. she glows in the soft light of the living room, it's surreal, like seeing an angel in the glow of a television screen.

i want to memorize her like this—hair tussled from the rain and our kisses, cheeks flushed with warmth that has nothing to do with the temperature. she looks like a painting come to life, all soft edges and warm hues.

she's always been beautiful, but now she's my beautiful girl.

i take a long moment to drink her in. the realization of everything finally hitting me. it's enough to tear me to the ground.

i get to love her.

azzi's pov:

she looks at me like i'm the most precious thing in the world. like i'm fragile, like she can shield me from any pain this world has to offer.

"i should probably shower and change," i say carefully, not wanting to break her gaze.

paige's face falls slightly, reminiscent of a lost puppy. she nods, moving to sit on the couch. my heart aches at the thought of leaving her, even for a moment.

an idea strikes me, bold and thrilling. i reach out, catching her hand. "do you...want to join me?"

her eyes widen, a mix of surprise and desire flickering in her stare. a small smirk forms on her lips. without a word, she nods, allowing me to lead her upstairs.

she's such a good listener.

i feel her eyes trace my body as i climb the steps, careful not to creak the staircase. she doesn't release my hand, her grip firm and longing.

i shut the bathroom door carefully and quietly, then reach to turn on the faucet. steam begins to fill the air, clouding the space between us. i face paige, my hands nervous yet bold—a new confidence born out of the heat of our confession.

i reach for the wet hem of her shirt, fingers tracing against her stomach. she stays perfectly still, her breath catching when she feels my touch.

i undress her slowly, anxiously. her damp clothes cling to her body, reluctant to release her to me. i pull her shirt over her head, her hair catching on the hem, falling into place perfectly.

i tuck a strand that's not out of place behind her ear, any excuse to touch her.

paige's eyes never leave mine, full of trust and hunger. i've seen her vulnerable before, but never like this. in a quick moment, we just stand there bare in front of each other. it's tender and overwhelming.

i help her into the shower, holding her hand and she steps into the water. i'm struck by the intimacy of this moment. it's not just about physical closeness, but about truly seeing her.

she's seeing all of me right now. maybe she always has.

despite, being completely naked in front of her, her eyes never leave mine. she stands with her back to the shower head, her wet eyelashes fluttering. water cascades over her shoulders, washing away the last remnants of distance between us.

i didn't have to see her like this to know that she's beautiful. i knew before i even saw her. the first time i heard the sound of her voice, a sweet cadence like sand slipping through my fingers.

she's beautiful at her core.

"what are you thinking about?" i ask softly, prying for more of her. the most precious parts—her dreams, her thoughts, her mind.

paige takes a deep breath, and i can see years of thoughts race through her mind. her voice trembles slightly as she begins to speak.

"i've always loved the way your eyes look in the sun," she reaches for my waist. "the way they catch the light."

i feel like poetry underneath her tongue. her words, soft and melodic, spilling out of her like ink bleeding from a pen.

she continues, "the way my thumb fits into your dimple." she pulls me closer, water coursing over her shoulders, dripping onto my chest.

she molds me like clay with her hands, i become real for the first time. if i'm her muse, then she's the artist. both the admirer and the creator.

she's made me who i am.

unlike most modern artist, she's doesn't see me as unfinished, a work in progress. her gaze doesn't search for potential or seek to change me.

she sees me as i am.

thumbs pressed into my sides, sculpting my form with loving hands. she doesn't touch to change, she touches to admire, to consume.

"i love how you see beauty in everything," she pauses, moving a hand up to my cheek, "in me."

"you make it easy," i smile, leaning into the palm of her hand.

she pulls me in for another kiss. this time it's slowed, gentle. she strokes my face softly, like brushing paint on a canvas.

this is so much better than i could've ever imagined.

i thank myself for writing that letter years ago, for tracing her beauty with ink on paper, so that one day i may trace it with my tongue on her skin.

when she pulls back, i feel my body ache. i don't know how i'm going to live with the taste of her on my lips, a hunger that's never satisfied.

"turn around," her voice low and husky. "let me wash your hair."

paige's pov:

i feel so lucky.

for all of the things i get to notice about her now. there's so much more to love.

a beauty mark underneath her left breast. the subtle dip at the base of her spine. the way her curls stretch under the weight of the water. the soft curve where her waist meets her hips.

i've spent years memorizing her with my eyes. now i get to learn her all over again with my hands, my lips, my tongue.

she turns, her back facing me. i hold the nape of her neck in my hand, as she leans into my palm. the way she releases herself to me, it burns something deep inside me.

god, how long have i dreamed of this?

i run product through her hair, watching as her curls soak it in. they lengthen at the added weight, giving it a new texture i know i'm going to grow to love.

i strain my neck closer to her ear, my breath heavy on her skin. i catch sight of her neck, a delicate line like a brushstroke on a canvas. her eyes closed shut, i take a moment to admire her.

azzi is living, breathing art. something baroque—tragically beautiful in its intensity.

i wash her hair with careful fingers, i'm slow to learn her body. i want to get it right, to be perfect for her.

when i close my eyes, she's all i see. the lines of her body burned into my mind from this simple moment. i imagine her neck bending in this way with my face between her thighs. her soft breaths turning into rampant gasps, a song meant only for my ears.

i finish washing her hair, running the water through her smooth curls. guiding her by her waist, i turn her to face me. my hands betray my mind, lingering on her hips, pressing deeply, trying to stifle my lust.

i tell myself: slow your hands, steady your thoughts. we have the time now.

she gives me a look that tells me she can feel my desire burn through my fingertips. eyes wide and filled with an emotion i'm learning to recognize. a look specifically reserved for me.

she cannot look at me like that.

she knows what it does to me, she sees it in my face. but she just smiles sweetly, kissing my cheek before stepping out of the shower.

i'm left there for a moment, dazed. it doesn't take long before i find myself chasing after her, trailing like a shadow. she tosses me a towel, before wrapping herself in one.

she leads me by the hand to her bedroom, her skin still warm from the shower. she searches through her closet, pulling out an old, worn t-shirt—one i recognize from years ago.

"here," she says, offering it to me with a smile that tugs my heart. her brown eyes soften.

i'm jealous of the eyelids that get to hold her gaze.

i slip it over my head, letting the fragrance of her presence engulf my lungs. i feel like a kid again, in her clothes. the fabric, a hug from that young girl who was so scared to tell her best friend she was in love with her. the stitches holding together years of sleepovers, laughter, and shared secrets.

it still fits perfectly, enveloping my entire body. i change into a pair of shorts, completing the outfit.

"sit," she gestures to the bed, brush in hand. azzi sits behind me reaching forward to scoop up my hair.

her hands work gently, sectioning my hair, before running the brush down my back. azzi's fingers occassionally brush against my neck, sending chills down my spine. she hums softly, a habit of hers i've noticed since we were kids.

has she always been this tender? or is this new?

with each pass of the brush, she's smoothing away years of misunderstanding. she soothes the regret built up inside me for not telling her sooner.

how did i ever live without this? without her?

as she finishes, her fingers run through my hair, shaking out my curls delicately. i close my eyes, silently begging for a few more seconds of her touch.

i turn to face her, our eyes meeting. in this moment, wearing her clothes, her fingers in my hair—i've never felt more myself.

she reaches into her pocket, pulling out a small shiny object.

her lipgloss.

she applies it to her lips, slowly and thoughtfully, not breaking eye contact with me. the light catches the soft shine of her lips and i'm mesmerized.

she leans in, closing the distance between us. her hand on my cheek, gentle yet sure. when our lips meet this time, it's softer than i ever imagined.

it's the closeness i've been begging to feel from the start.

i taste the sweetness of the gloss, feel the warmth of her breath, and suddenly i'm home. this is everything i've ever wanted—to be seen, to be known, to be loved by her.

"i love you," i whisper into her lips.

she smiles, pulling back slightly. "i love you too." i feel her words resonate with my entire being. she means it.

i'm left with her on my lips, in my heart, intertwined into the deepest parts of me.

[aishnico]

so ummm... is the slash angst ready? 😶‍🌫️

#𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃: 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦

» summary: slash finally realizes that he caught feelings for his friend with benefits. does he really think so, though?

» word count: 2k

» warnings: nsfw content [implied smut, nudity], smoking, angst with no happy ending, that one gossip girl reference, grammar issues

» a/n: i’m truly sorry for posting this after so many months, actually i was writing two more different versions of the promised angst but eventually i didn’t like them so i wrote from the start again, also the college life is pretty tiring soo ❤️‍🩹

saul hudson didn’t have many serious relationships. almost all of them ended in an unpleasing way and quickly. 

he is a guitarist from a famous rock band. his and their popularity grow more each day. they tour around the country and the world. that means he spends most of his time on roads and rehearsals. 

so why would he be in an established relationship? groupies and one-night stands were enough for him.

that was what he believed in before spending one particular night with you about a week ago, a one-night stand turned into a friend with benefits later. this situation was still unusual to him.

“i think it’s bullshit,” you commented on his thoughts about relationships while trying to light your cigarette. “you can always find some time for someone, it’s just your ass is lazy, that’s all.”

“you talk like an expert, have you ever dated someone before?” he replied, lying on your messy bed which happened during your sexual activities. he tapped your exposed waist to grab your unsmoked cigarette. you handed it to him then got up to open your balcony door for fresh air. the room was filled with the smell of sex and smoke.

“no, but don’t think about only relationships. think about your friends and family. get it now?” 

he didn’t reply as his eyes wandered on your naked back while puffing smoke, thinking of a possible nth round with you.

you felt his hungry eyes on your body while pouring him a glass of water, and putting it on top of the nightstand next to him. he muttered a “thanks”

“aren’t you tired? you have a rehearsal tomorrow. you can’t be late. i don’t wanna hear any more complaints from your annoying carrot friend.”

“pfft!” he started to laugh as water spilled from his mouth. you just huffed in annoyance as you watched your bed getting dirtier. “what i am going to do with you..?”

you decided to take a shower so you left him alone in your room. just when you turned the warm water on, you heard heavy sounds coming from outside.

you wrapped your body with a towel then rushed to the window to check what was going on. he was already standing in front of it, sighing loudly as he puffed his almost-finished cigarette.

the rain…

“why are you not closing the doors, do you want my place to be soaked?!” you frowned as closed the door of the balcony immediately.

“‘m sorry, it’s just outside looks fascinating. the dark sky, yellow street dim lights, the rain…”

a soft sigh left your mouth, and then a comfortable silence filled the room while you two were admiring the usual, crowded l.a. view. he coughed then walked to another cross of the room, looking for something. 

“what are you looking for?”

he didn’t answer as he put his jeans back on, then his belt. you walked next to him with big steps.

“you’re kidding, right? you can’t just leave the house with your sweaty shirt and leather jacket.”

“i’ll get in a cab,” he avoided eye contact while wearing his wrinkled shirt. he pushed you to the side quickly, heading to the door.

“you’ll get sick, saul. you can just stay until the rain eases or stops.”

“why do you care though?” he managed to catch your guard off. you coughed, getting in front of him to face him.

“because we’re friends, and i wouldn’t be happy if one of my friends got sick. c’mon, let’s take a shower together. maybe the rain will stop at that time.” you gently grabbed his hand, then guided him to your bathroom. he couldn’t protest, not when he was taken aback by your words.

friends…

is it a true word to describe your relationship?

could he still continue to call you a friend when you try to be good and sweet for him so he could receive the pleasure he deserves after a tiring day?

could he still continue to call you a friend when you give him the most adorable eyes and smiles both in sex and other times, when you try to be intimate with him as much as you can, when you almost shower him with all of your love, making him feel wanted for a good reason and safe?

he wasn’t used to it, he might fucked some of his girl friends a couple of times -maybe when they were drunk- but it was different with you. it wasn’t just sex,

it was an urge to build a new deep, lasting bond with the right person he has come to love.

he was ready to burn all the old pages so he could create new ones with you and fill them with new memories that deserved to be remembered even in an old age.

however, something was stopping him.

and he knew why.

“you’re a fucking pussy, that’s why.” his bandmate, izzy, muttered between a cigarette on his lips. “you’re just afraid to break up with her afterwards just like you did with other girls before.”

“i don’t know, man, i really want to try this but i don’t want her to feel alone or neglected. i don’t want to screw up things like before.” he buried his face in his hands. his dark, curly hair tickling some parts of his face.

“then call her often, write her letters i don’t know, man! just try to do something beyond yourself for once!” izzy was already done with his shit so he put out his cigarette and then left the recording room, leaving his friend behind with complicated thoughts. 

the next day he was going to ask you out.

he thought there was no point in waiting more. he’s not the most outspoken man but for once he was confident enough to spill everything. hell, he even bought a bouquet of roses for you, nothing could stop him except-

“i have a date today, let’s meet at my place tonight as usual.” was what you said before you left him standing there speechless, the bouquet falling from his hands slowly -glad that you didn’t pay attention enough to see what he bought for you just minutes ago-

where did he go wrong? was he too late? god, he wished he wasn’t too late and your date went awful. unfortunately-

“i don’t want to have sex with you anymore, saul.” you cleared your throat while puffing the smoke from your lips. suddenly, your sweaty naked body felt cold to him.

“why?” he knew the answer, yet he was asking anyway.

you tried to shift from your space but his big arms held you firmly there, even pulling to himself a little bit. “my date went well today so i'm seeing someone now. it won’t be good to continue our… sexual activities, yes.”

he didn’t answer anything, he just held you in his arms, burying his face in the crook of your neck. his curly messy hair tickling you a little bit. 

“it was our last time together. we can either continue to be friends or stop talking.”

“what would you prefer, though?” he asked, voice coming out in a low tone, almost like a whisper.

“i would love to still be friends with you. you’re fun and silly, i like that in you.”

he turned your body sideways so he could face you. his mouth hanging open, calloused fingers tracing on your cheek. the risky words are leaving his mouth finally. 

“can you still see me as a normal friend, even after our most intense moments together? can you still see me as a normal friend when i made you come countless times like no one before? can you still see me as a normal friend when our hands were intertwined while kissing like there was no tomorrow? can you-“

“please shut up?” you suddenly managed to free yourself from him. then got up on your legs, looking at him annoyed.

“i see, you have no intention to move on. well, so let it be. we’re not fucking or friends anymore.” just when you decided to go to the bathroom, he caught your right hand with a quick move, maybe a little bit harshly. he then slowly made you sit on the bed again, releasing your hand. 

“all of this time, i was running from the thing i’ve never managed to experience fully. i was just making excuses to not try to bond with others romantically, but you changed my whole world upside down. i don’t want to let you go, not when i really want, no, need you by my side. let’s start everything from the start, just you and me-“

“no! listen to me, you’re just confused and lying to yourself!” you shouted and interrupted him. “you, you just want everything to be under your hand and reach them whenever you want, that’s all! i can’t be your side piece forever, i don’t want to…”

“me neither! that’s what i’m saying now!” your aggression was passed to him now. “you’re not my side piece and i don’t want you to think like that. you mean much more to me.”

your eyes got filled, still not looking at his breathless face. words coming out of you like a mutter as you covered your puffy eyes with your right hand. “we can’t be together. nobody can be together with a rockstar, not forever. they always end in the most tragic way possible. i don’t want to be hurt by you, nor you hurt by me. i don’t want alcohol, drugs, and girls to get between us. answer me, can you give up on all of them?” 

“yes, i can give up on girls. i don’t want any other girl besides you in my life. you’re all i want and need.”

“what about alcohol and drugs?”

could he really give up on them? he spent too many years with them, so could he just throw them away from his life? he tried to go to rehab a couple of times already, and none of them helped. 

“i-i don’t know,” he was trembling. “but i can surely say that i’m ready to give up on them. it’s gonna be so damn difficult but for you, it worth it.”

you didn’t reply anything to him, not sure what to say. the silence was getting more uncomfortable so he continued.

“i know the distance is gonna be a major problem. i’ll be away often and i can’t spend time with you too much. maybe i can’t be with you even when you need me. but i swear, i’ll call you and write you the sappiest shit you’ve ever read as much as i can.”

he grabbed your hands, leaning his head so he could meet with your gaze. it was pointless to avoid him so you turned your head to him. he started to caress them gently. you inhaled deeply, finally opening your mouth again.

“three words. eight letters. say it and i’m yours.”

“i, i…”

why the words he wanted to say desperately aren’t leaving his mouth? just two more words, what’s stopping him? he is so damn sure of his feelings about you, he has been thinking about it for a while. then what was it?!

then he realized that he was doing it again, lying to himself. to you and himself. 

he can’t give up on girls, he is so damn horny that he can’t keep his hands to himself even when he’s away. he’ll cheat on you. 

he can’t give up on alcohol and drugs. these two have become a part of his life. he’ll go to countless rehabs and still run to them with open arms.

he won’t call you nor write letters to you. his mind will be on something else, maybe girls, maybe alcohol, maybe drugs… you won’t be in his mind when he’s at rehearsals or on tours. 

and finally, he doesn’t love you.

like you said a couple of minutes ago, he just wants everything to be under his hand and reach them whenever he wants.

“thank you,” you let your warm tears fall from your eyes. “that’s all i needed to hear.” before he could reply, you already made your way to the bathroom, shutting the door loudly and leaving him there all alone. 

[yeeterthek33per]

Taken (Steph Catley x Reader)

A/n requested, hope y'all enjoy. 18+ Minors DNI. Smooty warning. As usual, the star marks the safe limit.

"Steph, come on, we're gonna be late for YOUR team's party if you don't hurry up."

The defender had spent the better part of an hour in the bathroom, and now you were both running late to a party that Steph had asked you to come to.

She knew she was gonna cop it from you and her own teammates if she didn't hoof it, but she had to look good. Especially if she was walking in beside you.

Hence why she was wearing a sleeveless button-up blouse and jean shorts. Something that would definitely show off muscles to compliment your own.

When she steps out of the bathroom, her point is only proven.

She grins, looking you up and down, and you blush slightly under her gaze and roll your eyes at her antics.

You're wearing black denim jeans, a yellow crop top that leaves your stomach exposed, and a black leather jacket over your shoulder.

"Come on, we have to go. I'm meeting your other teammates for the first time, I do not want to be late."

At this point, the pair of you had been together for about seven months, having moved in without much communication to her team aside from Caitlin, who you'd spent time with together on several occasions.

So it took until now for you to actually be able to meet them in person.

You both head out to the car, grabbing your keys along the way. Steph is quick to open your door for you before jumping in the drivers side.

"Ever the gentlewoman." You give her a teasing smirk, and she smiles, pecking you on the lips before starting the car and backing out of the driveway, her hand resting on your thigh for most of the drive.

The moment you walk in, there's cheering from the girls as Steph finally makes an appearance.

"Ayyy Stephyyy, she's in finally, and who's this with her?" It's Katie who yells out first.

"Yeah, Stephy, who's this? She's looking fiiine!" That earns Stina a glare from the defender and a chuckle from you.

"Oooh, Stephy brought the girlfriend, be nice guys, she's a keeper!" It's Caitlin that has you blushing a little behind Steph.

"Girlfriend?!"

"Stephy, when did this happen?"

And various other shouts are accompanying them all at once.

Steph just laughs, shaking her head.

"Alright, alright, alright. Everyone, this is Y/n, we've been together seven months. Play nice, nobody scare her away."

You chuckle softly at the brunette leaving a kiss on her cheek as you're quickly dragged away by Beth and Katie.

Caitlin slaps an arm around Steph and drags her over to sit with Viv, Manu, Frida, and Lia. Much to Steph's protests at being separated from you.

In the kitchen, you're being bombarded with questions from Katie. Occasionally, Beth intervenes and tells her to calm a bit before handing you a drink.

You're definitely a little nervous, but once the alcohol is flowing through you, Katie's not so intimidating anymore.

You spend some time just downing drinks as a mini contest with the irish girl, and you can tell straight away that the alcohol you're both consuming is probably not a healthy amount.

About two hours later, the three of you have been laughing at stories you've been sharing, and at one point, there's tears leaking from your eyes, you're laughing so hard.

There's a knock at the door about twenty minutes after that, and Katie is suddenly dragging you to the door with her, practically jumping with excitement.

"Ooh, ooh, I know who that is. It's Leah, you're gonna love her, she's a party girl like me. Blonde and tall and definitely a terrifying captain when she wants, but absolutely let's it rip at parties."

Something clicks in your head, and you go to respond before she rips open the door.

"Oh I know Leah, she's-"

"Leaaaahhh! You made it finally! My god woman, you gotta start getting here earlier. You missed all the fun with -"

Leah grins at you, a cheeky but confused smile on her face when she spots your slightly tipsy self standing at the door.

"Y/n? Oh, I know you've been having a good time then, Katie. This one will drink you under the table."

"You know each other?"

Leah gives you a cheeky wink.

"You could say that."

"Also, wait, there's no way she could outdrink me, I'm Irish."

"Katie, I love you, but she could end your liver if you tried that."

"Meh, I do that on my own accord."

Steph spots Leah walking in with you from the entryway, the music a little loud to hear what you're conversing about but she watches as the blonde puts an immediate arm around your shoulder and kisses your cheek as you grin and pat her face before heading to the kitchen again with Beth.

She feels a wave of heat course through her chest. Why were you so suddenly touchy-feely with her teammates? Why Leah in particular?

She pushed it down, rubbing it off as you were just friendly with the blonde and a little tipsy, if anything. She knows you'd never cheat on her.

Throughout the night, she watches you joke and muck around with the three girls. Occasionally, you converse with a couple of the others. But she focuses on the comfortability you suddenly have around the Arsenal captain.

She tries her hardest to push down any lingering jealousy, focusing on her conversation with Lia instead.

"And so she was talking to me like I knew her. So, the poor thing, I had to stop her and ask, and I just felt so embarrassed."

-------

"Are you kidding me? She just freaking flopped like that?" You giggle, nodding at Katie as Leah huffs lightly, poking you in the ribs.

"You missy, need to stop telling everyone that, who brought you here anyway?"

"Oh, that's another thing I haven't gotten around to telling you yet."

Leah raises a brow at you questioningly. A playful look of hurt crosses her features.

"What haven't you been telling me?"

" I know you've been busy with your injury, and I didn't wanna dump it on you suddenly. But I kind of maybe am possibly dating one of your teammates..?"

Leah raises both brows now.

"Sorry, what? When did that happen? I know I was injured, but jeez, sis, why not tell me sooner? Who is it? I want to know."

"What so you can fight them? Hell no."

"Noooo, me fight them? Neverrrr."

She leaves a sloppy kiss on your cheek, and you shove her lightly.

Steph watches this happen from the couch, and she has to bite back a growl coming from her throat.

Caitlin can see the look on her friend's face and has to hide a knowing smirk. Steph was pretty good with you, but possessive was a trait she picked up quickly, especially with you.

You were kind of oblivious to it, though, making the hilarity of the situation that much better.

Steph can see you laughing with the blonde, and she spots you leaning on the taller girl's shoulder.

It's about five minutes of that before she snaps.

She watches you kiss Leah on the cheek and give her a wink.

That's the last straw for Steph in the other room. She couldn't watch handsy mccaptain continue, and you clearly weren't even fighting it. The fact that you were participating was worse. What is going on with you?

She grabs you by the hand to drag you outside. Leaving behind a bewildered Leah, a hysterically laughing Katie and a knowingly smirking Beth and Caitlin.

Leah just turns to the others.

"I-what? Is it Steph?"

Beth just nods with a small "I probably wouldn't go and ask them now though."

-------

Back in the car, you're completely bewildered by Steph and her actions.

She looks absolutely mad, and she won't look at you. You barely got a "We're heading home early, I need to do something" out of her before you were both in the car headed back to your shared home.

"Seriously babe, what is going on with you?"

The alcohol running through your system is starting to fade off a bit.

"I could ask you the same thing."

Just as you go to reply to that. The car turns into the driveway, and she's out of the car, waiting for you to join her. Her arms over her chest, waiting impatiently.

You're completely and utterly confused by that.

You get out of the car, and you walk up to the door while Steph unlocks it, and the moment it's open, you're dragged inside and pressed harshly into the wood of the inside of it.

It makes you gasp, and Steph is pressed entirely to you, hand grasping your hip and the other in your hair.

Her lips meet yours hard, practically knocking the air from your lungs, and you can taste the strawberry daiquiri she'd been drinking just ten minutes earlier.

The kiss is rough and feverish, and it makes you dizzy and dazes you enough to momentarily forget the whole thing that just happened.

Her teeth tug at your lower lip, and she tugs st the collar of your jacket, pushing you into the wall perpendicular to the door.

Your chest heaves when she pulls away, trying to suck back in air as she kisses and nips her way down your neck, pushing your jacket off your shoulders.

"Baby, I-"

"Shut up."

*It makes you moan softly. You love it when Steph is this demanding and rough with you, and you're practically keening every time she tugs on your hair, holding your head back against the wall.

She pulls away just enough to whisper in your ear.

"Not a word out of you except 'Yes' 'No' 'please" and 'thank you' and anything otherwise I ask. Got it?"

"Yes"

"Yes, what?"

It sends a shiver down your spine, and you have to bite your tongue to not immediately moan at the sentence.

You'd both discussed this one for a while, but it never came into any situations til now.

"Yes, ma'am."

You can see the way her pupils dilate, and her breath catches in her throat.

"Good girl."

You preen under the praise, and your hands are trying to pull her closer to you. She doesn't budge, though, and instead, she lets go of your hair to pin your hands to the wall.

Her lips meet yours again feverantly, and she begins to tug at your crop top before her hand slips under it to grab at your breast and you arch softly under her touch.

You kick your shoes off intermittently, and she does the same.

At that, her leg slips between yours, pressing right into you, and you grind down on her with a whimper.

She whispers against your lips.

"So needy baby girl. Go ahead, try and get off like that."

If it weren't for the fact that your eyes were squeezed shut, they'd probably roll into the back of your head.

You roll your hips against her thigh, moving with a heavy amount of desparation and need. It just isn't enough contact, though, and you quickly find yourself whining in frustration, leaving Steph smirking as she watches you try to cum from grinding on her. Her hands release yours, and she grabs you by the jaw, walking you away from the wall and down the hall to your shared bedroom.

She presses you back into the wall again. Murmuring a "keep going."

Try as you might. You just aren't getting anywhere, and you're just about sobbing in pent-up frustration.

That's when she decides to have a little mercy on you and quickly relieves you of your crop top and flicks at the button on your jeans to open it.

You're pushed back onto the bed with a small thud, and Steph tugs at your pants to pull them off you.

Your breathing is completely ragged now, and the look in your girlfriend's eyes has you whining as she watches you writhe beneath her when she kneels either side of your right leg.

She quickly pins you again, this time she holds for second.

"Keep your hands there sweet girl. You move them and we stop, you hear me?"

"Yes, ma'am. "

You do as you're told and keep your hands latched onto the bedding above your head.

She sucks a few marks into your collar before kissing her way down to your nipple as her hands slip down between the two of you.

She grasps your thighs to spread them a little, where she looks up to watch your face as you clench your jaw.

She moves one of her hands to dip beneath the edge of your underwear, and she pulls back from you to watch as she pulls the dampened fabric from you.

Her eyes darken, and she growls a little, noticing the underwear you're wearing. Red lace.

"Were you expecting this baby girl? So desperate for me to fuck you, so needy huh? So fucking needy for me."

All you can do is whimper below her, squeezing your eyes shut once again. Holding your tongue so as not to beg her to fuck you, which would be out of line.

She can immediately tell, though, and she grins darkly.

"C'mon baby girl, tell me to fuck you, tell me how needy you were for me. How needy were you, tell me how you're such a brat as to test me like that so I could fuck this needy little pussy."

The words barely register in your brain before you're answering.

"So needy, please I need you to fuck me, fuck me til I can't remember my own name, only yours. I was such a brat. Only for you ma'am."

The words are out, and it only spurs the brunette on. She growls and finally pulls your underwear off you, leaving you bare to the cool night. You whimper, lifting your hips to meet her hand as she grazes her finger gently over your slit.

You're completely wet, and it makes her groan seeing you completely at her mercy. Her fingertips dip between your lips finally, stroking your clit and applying just enough pressure to dip inside you and back out again.

"Such a good girl for me now, aren't you?"

You moan out but when you don't say anything, you yelp at the slight spank she leaves on your thigh.

"Answer me."

"Yes."

Another spank makes you jump.

"Yes, ma'am!" It's basically a cry out, and you're thankful your neighbours house is more than two kilometres from your doorstep.

"Good girl."

Steph bends down to kiss down your chest and stomach, one particularly harsh bite has you gasping and you nearly move your hand to grasp her hair but you stop yourself.

Her mouth moves lower to your hip bown, tongue dancing into the groove where your leg meets your body and then across to just above your clit.

You have to clamp your jaw shut to avoid demanding her to move, do anything.

"I want you to scream nothing but my name and please, baby girl. My mouth is gonna be a little occupied so I want you nice and loud for me."

You moan at that.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good."

And with that, she swipes her tongue over your clit and shifts so her hands hold your legs open for her.

"Fuck, Steph!" She smirks against you, her tongue delving right into you, taking you in and sucking up your wetness, your taste exploding on her tongue.

Her lips wrap around your clit sucking it harshly and at the same time, she pushes two fingers into your entrance, setting a harsh pace, pressing right in your g spot with a curl making you see stars.

You cry out as she completely devours you. Her left hand moves to urge your legs up and over shoulders, your right staying put to allow her space to move, but a nudge from her elbow has it following the other leg.

Your thighs clench around her head, and when you start to shake around her, she doubles down. Your orgasm hits you hard and fast, and your moans echo around the room.

Knowing Steph's stamina, this would be a first of many for you. As you come down from that high, she nudges you further back onto the bed.

"So good for me, baby girl." It's said in a breathless whisper, and when she kisses you, you can taste yourself on her tongue.

"You can move your hands, baby."

With that, your hands are instantly on her. Running up under her shirt to feel the skin of her back before moving them to wait at the buttons of it.

She hums in thought for a second before urging you on.

"Go ahead."

She sits back on her haunches as you pull the buttons open one by one, enjoying the feeling of you stripping her.

She shrugs the shirt off, tossing it to only god knows where in the room. From there, you tug open the buttom on her jean shorts and unzip them. She stands off the bed to kick them off.

The dark red lace makes your mouth water a little, and as she crawls back onto the bed, your hands find the front clasp of the bra. You wait for permission, and she raises a brow, looking down at you from her position, kneeling, straddling your thighs.

"What do you say princess?"

"Can I please take these off you?"

She taps her chin for a second.

"Hm, I think you can try better than that baby girl."

"Ma'am, may I please take these off you? I've been such a good girl for you, please can I take them off?"

She leans down to peck your lips.

"Much better princess. Go on then. Take them off."

You don't wait for much else. You unclip the bra, and she slowly lets it fall from her shoulders to her hands before tossing it.

She watches as your pupils darken and you have to resist the urge to grab her straight away. Instead, she goes back to standing, and you follow.

Tugging at the elastic waistband of the panties, you slip them down her legs, and she steps out of them.

A whine gets caught in your throat at the sight, and you look up at Steph with pleading eyes.

She chuckles and runs her fingers through your thoroughly tousled hair. Her other hand cups your cheek, her thumb running over your bottom lip, pulling at it slightly.

She lets it dip between your teeth, and you do as silently instructed and suck it gently, letting it press into your tongue as you hollow your cheeks.

Steph groans and then pushes you back onto the mattress and moves to sit on your stomach. Your hands settle on her hips, and she looks down at you with a dangerous look in her eyes.

"You want to touch me?"

Instantly.

"Yes Ma'am."

"How bad?"

"God so bad, please."

She chuckles darkly and shuffles a little further up your chest.

"How about taste me?"

"Fuck, please, I want to taste you, please let me feel you."

"Good girl." It's a little more breathy, and she moves to hover over your head. You know better than to move without permission, though.

"Well? You want to taste, huh? Taste how wet I am for you. Do it."

That's all the permission you need, and you tug her down to sit on your face. Tongue lapping at her almost immediately, a breathy groan leaves you as you finally get a taste of her sweetness.

Fun fact: Did you know, the more upset a woman is, the sweeter she tastes when she orgasms?

Whatever had her upset earlier has her tasting like sweets to you to when she cums.

And that's exactly what you're gunning for as you fuck her with your tongue.

Her hips rock against you as she moans your name out into the cool air. Her hands are tugging your hair, and praises slip from her lips that only encourage you.

Her movements stutter, and she cries out, one hand steadying her on the bed, the other still clamped tight in your locks while you suck on her clit to bring her down.

Suddenly, it all clicks as her breathing slows to a calmer form. As she slips off your face. The memories of tonight set in over the top of the haziness and a smirk plays at your lips.

Her dragging you out directly after you kissed Leah on the cheek, her words about you intentionally testing her, being a brat, the immediate anger turning to heated passion as you get in the door.

It all makes sense now.

What Steph is not expecting to hear immediately after her orgasm is your soft voice in an almost cheeky tone whispering your safe word.

"Pudding."

Her head whips up at that.

"What's wrong? Shit, was I too rough? Was I-." She catches herself at the look on your face. There's a smirk there and a mischievous look in your eyes.

"Were you jealous?" The undertone of your accent makes her shiver.

"I- no! I was not jealous! You were the one testing boundaries. I mean, I wasn't- she was touchy and-"

You chuckle softly and sit up to grab her face and kiss her. She kisses back but is slightly confused when you pull back. It's a much softer but still mischievous look on your face.

"Baby, it's cute that you were, but you definitely shouldn't be jealous of Leah."

She frowns slightly, a round of protests ready to leave her lips, but you lift a finger to them. You urge her back until she's leaning against the headboard and you're in her lap.

"I'm serious, baby, don't be." And you lean down slowly to whisper in her ear. "Fun fact. Us Williamsons really differ in how we look, so it's kind of hard to tell that we're sisters."

At that, the words process and her eyes close as she lets her head thump against your chest, and you start giggling softly.

She feels the vibrations of you laughing, and she looks up at you again, her cheeks having completely gone just about as red as the uniform her and your sister share.

She whines at you.

"Seriously, baby, that's who your sister is? You couldn't have mentioned that earlier? That your sister is my captain? Oh god, I've completely gone and embarrassed myself in front of her, too."

You can only laugh harder, tears coming to the corner of your eyes as she facepalms.

You slow your laughs enough to run your fingers through her hair and console her, though less meaningful than she likes.

"It's okay baby, you didn’t know, and honestly, I would have told you sooner if it wasn't for the fact that she didn't even know you existed til now. Well, that you existed as my girlfriend."

Her face only heats up more, and she just completely melts against you. To the point where she's just completely non functioning as she processes your words over and over.

"Baby!"

Your laughter slows, and to your credit, you do whisper small apologies against her hair.

"So you're saying she never even knew we were dating before I went and dragged you from that party without a word to the other girls?"

"Welllll..."

"Baby, please, this can't get much worse, can it?"

You can't even keep a straight face at that.

"I'd only told her about me having a girlfriend on the team about five minutes before you grabbed me. I didn't actually tell her who it was."

"Oh my god, Y/n! For fucks sakes! Seriously?!"

"I mean, yeah?"

She huffs and pushes you back onto the bed with a small groan. She rubs at her face.

"Glad you're finding the whole thing funny, I don't think I can ever face her again!"

You give her a few minutes but shes still just sitting there with her head in her hands.

"You okay?" Its said in a half teasing tone and her answer comes back a resounding and muffled.

"No."

She drops her hands and tackles you back onto the mattress, and you squeal as she does so, and her hands pin your shoulders to the bed.

"You're so gonna pay for that."

"Oh yeah?"

"Most-fucken-definitely."

Her lips slam back onto yours, and your hands almost slip up to grab her hips, but her hands grab them, slamming them back onto the mattress again.

"Oh, you don't get to touch for the rest of the night, little brat. That privilege is gone now."

You whimper under her hard gaze. And as she sits up a little, she whispers a soft "Stay."

You nod, and she gets up to reach into the closet, pulling out one of your ties.

You gulp as she walks back towards you, swiftly climbing back onto the bed and telling you to go back up by the headboards. Her hands manoeuvre the tie around both of your wrists and tighten them, locking them in place against the headboard.

She then gets up to go digging through the closet again, pulling out a box you know thoroughly by now.

She pulls out another tie when you go to plead with her, telling her you'll be good, and she ties it around your head.

"Not another fucking word, brat."

It makes your head fuzzy, and everything goes back to being hazy again.

She pulls out a small bullet shaped object that you know well what she's going to do with. And then she pulls out the strap and a dildo you hadn't seen yet. It's red and sparkly and makes you shake a little.

"If you cum before I say you can, you won't cum for two months. Hear me?"

You nod slowly.

"Good."

The last time you'd disobeyed that, you were surpisingly proven wrong in thinking she would cave, but no, she edged you for a whole month.

You knew better than to try and finish yourself and risk getting caught because she would only add weeks on to the punishment. Touch starvation can be a cruel but effective persuasion.

Hell, Steph wouldn't kiss you during that first time you were punished unless you got on your knees and begged for it.

That was established on the first day the two of you had started experimenting with this.

The thought of having to do that again makes several shivers run through you.

"I say, we go for ten minutes, no cumming. If you can make it until then, I'll let you finish yourself off."

--------------

It's about four in the morning by the time your exhausted body is let down gently onto the mattress again. Steph is covered in a thin layer of sweat, and her hair is up but sticking to her forehead.

Her chest is heaving beside you. She'd taken the tie off you earlier to "Let you feel me fucking you. Mark me all you like baby girl, those hands dont leave me while I'm fucking that sweet little pussy."

The gag had come out much before then. For much more... visual purposes.

Your throat was sore and ran dry about thirty minutes ago. Your lips are swollen, and you're covered neck to knee in hickies.

Your ass cheeks were red raw and sore and your centre certainly felt thoroughly fucked through.

Steph's stamina never ceased to amaze you sometimes.

She tosses the strap into a corner off the room and takes very careful steps off the bed to go get water and a cloth, thoroughly pleased with herself at that.

She takes a drink and offers the bottle to you while she wipes you down.

You drink the remaining water in slow sips, watching through hooded but loving eyes as your girlfriend carefully cleans you up.

She walks to the laundry to dump the cloth and throws the bottle into the trashcan beside the bed. She goes to the bathroom to wipe herself down too and then staggers back to the bed and under the sheets, in beside you, thoroughly spent for the night.

You curl into her, letting her arm fall onto your waist, pulling you closer to her.

She kisses you softly. Gentler than she had been all night. Soft praises are muttered into the kiss. Followed by sweet nothings in your ear as you fall asleep on her chest.

Her lips press one final "I love you so fucking much, Baby girl." Into your skin as you drift off completely, letting the early morning hours take you into unconsciousness.

---------------

The next day at training is almost unbearable.

At least for Steph. You're back at home still under the covers, though now showered and in pyjamas while she's at the field, getting absolutely shredded by her teammates.

Leah isn't even doing anything. It's all Caitlin, Katie, Beth, and Lia ripping into her about the various marks on her neck and thighs and the slight limp in her run as she completes the various drills with them.

All the blonde captain does is watch on with an amused look on her face, even though Steph can't quite meet her eye the whole time.

Eventually, she does corner the brunette after training alone.

"Look, I'd give you the whole, 'hurt my sister, and I'll bury your corpse speech', but judging by the look on your face, you'd probably do that for me. I am just gonna say this, though. Might wanna consider using a better quality concealer than doesn't melt with sweat."

With that, the English captain gives the poor girl a cheeky wink and lets her go.

At least the captain knows her sister's taken now, though... right?

[lovebugism]

“ Sneak out and come watch the stars with me. ” this gives me such Steve vibes. maybe something cute and romantic? I’m in my feels hahaha

thanks for your request, angel! please enjoy xoxo — steve takes his bad-at-feelings gf on a romantic outing. it goes exactly how he expected. (mean-ish!reader, fluff, 1.8k)

bug's summer fic fest ♡

The forest behind the suburbs of Maple Street is sparse and full of green. Illuminated by a blue moon and blinking yellow fireflies, Steve holds your hand and leads you through thin trees and tall grass. 

You follow behind him and try hopelessly to keep up with his longer strides. A cat-like grin pulls at your mouth as you joke, “You know, when you said you wanted to sneak out and watch the stars, I thought that was a euphemism for something.”

Steve looks over his shoulder at you. His honey eyes squint as he flashes you a lopsided smile. “Is that really how low you think of me, sweetheart?”

“I just forget how much of a romantic you are sometimes.”

Your sneakers scuff against the dirt when Steve stops suddenly in front of you. He takes a step closer, smoothing his broad hands up your bare arms. His sparkling touch leaves prickling goosebumps on your skin. He stops at the sleeves of your t-shirt, long fingers warm where they sprawl below your shoulders.

“That’s exactly why I have to remind you then, huh?” he singsongs, bending softly at the waist to kiss you. 

You’re too busy rolling your eyes at his cheesy remark to meet him halfway. His plush lips brush the very corner of your mouth.

A couple more steps, and the woods break off into a clearing. A black lake sits in the middle of it all, sparkling under neon moonlight. The other side is lined with thicker trees in a more velvet shade of green. It’s lush, filled with the buzzing sounds of nightlife, and smelling heavily of summertime.

It’s the kind of beauty that takes your breath away. Sort of like the pretty boy beside you.

Steve catches you staring, and you cower. You purse your quiet smile to the side of your mouth when he flashes you a similar grin. Your eyes narrow accusingly, “How did you know this was back here?”

The boy’s beam ebbs instantaneously, mourning the fleeting moment of pure adoration. His fingers wrap gently around your wrist, tugging you closer to the clearing. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s just sit, yeah?”

Before you can complain about your good jeans getting dirty, he strips himself of his summer jacket and spreads it on the grassy bank below you. He shoots you a knowing look in the meanwhile — full of twinkling eyes and quirked lips — as though anticipating your protest. You meet it with a halfhearted glower.

“How many times did you come out here with Nancy Wheeler, then, huh?” you tease as you descend onto the polyester fabric.

Steve huffs when he plops down beside you. “You’re an absolute glutton for punishment, you know that?”

“I just like making fun of you—”

“Of course you do.”

“—And also, I think it’s really funny you took me to a spot you used to take your ex,” you conclude with a giggle sputtering from your mouth. Your laugh is high and airy, like it’s actually funny to you and not a confession of misplaced jealousy. 

It’s the only reason Steve smiles softly back at you. “Shut up,” he grouses quietly despite his grin. “I just wanted to get out of that house, alright? It was getting way too loud in there.”

The Wheeler’s were having a weekend get-together. There was no real occasion for it other than the want to decorate their big house and bigger backyard for the summer season. You figured that was the sort of thing rich people did whenever they got bored.

The afternoon was pretty tolerable, but the kids only seemed to get more wired as the night progressed. You could only tolerate the yelling in Mike Wheeler’s basement for so long.

“We can’t stay gone for too long,” you tell him as you settle into his side.

Steve wraps an arm around your shoulder to press you further into him. The side of your arm rests against his ribs. His cologne embraces you the same way he does, engulfing you with its clean musky scent.

The boy laughs. “Why? ‘Cause everyone will think we’re screwing?”

“No,” you drawl with your own breathy giggle. “Because I promised Holly we’d do your makeup before bedtime.”

A beat passes. You tilt your chin to stare up at the boy beside you. You met his deadpanned expression with a mischievous grin. 

“No, you didn’t,” he challenges with narrowed honey eyes.

“I absolutely did— right after I promised we’d play Princess and Dragons with her, actually.”

Steve’s brows pinch. “Since when do dragons wear makeup?”

“…You’re the princess, Stevie.”

“Right,” he concedes, licking his lips and trying his best to feign annoyance. He’s too full of adoration for you not to smile, though. His pink lips quirk in a crooked smirk as he shakes his head at you. “You’re lucky I love you, you know that?”

“Oh,” you hum. “You love me, huh?”

That phrase was a new one. Well, between the two of you, anyway. 

You’d said it first — blurted it, really — at breakfast a few mornings ago. Steve griped that you beat him to the punch, right before he said it back to you. He said he’d wanted to say it for a while but could never find the courage to. You haven’t quite let him live it down.

“Unfortunately,” he grumbles.

“Well, that just sucks for you.”

“Does it now?”

“Mhmm,” you answer wordlessly as you lean in closer to him, your mouths mere inches apart. You can smell Coca-Cola and chocolate ice cream on his breath when it entwines with your own.

“And why’s that?”

You grin when your noses brush together. “‘Cause I love you back.”

“God,” he grimaces quietly. “That’s disgusting.”

You nod. The tip of your nose brushes the structured bridge of his. “Absolutely repulsive.”

Your lips lock hardly a second later. His plush pink ones press against your own in a lingering peck. 

You didn’t know how much you missed the feel of him until now. You hadn’t felt so starved for him all day, but now that you finally have him against your mouth, you feel like he’s bringing your withering figure back to life.

You sigh against him. You feel the smile on his mouth at the feeling of the heavy breath fanning over his cupid’s bow. Steve pulls back, then kisses you deeper. His plush lips part to open yours. His tongue slips between them, warm and wet. The irregular pattern of the pink muscle juts against your own. 

You vaguely feel his hand curl around the back of your neck before you feel the dewy grass pressing against your back. 

A soft gasp is inhaled through your nose when the boy unexpectedly lays you back. Your eyes flutter open while your lips continue to be so ardently kissed. You squirm at the feeling of your shirt dampening and wonder if the icky feeling is worth being so close to him.

Before you can answer, you gasp again. This time through your mouth.

Steve pulls back, frightened that he’s hurt you. His wide chocolate eyes dart over your face, checking for any sign that something might be wrong. “What? What happened?”

“It’s Hercules!” you answer.

His brows furrow. “It’s what?”

“Hercules! The constellation! You can only see it in the summertime—” you explain, pushing your hands against the boy’s shoulders. “—Get off!”

Steve huffs and rolls onto his back, propping himself on his elbows. You rise once more with your chin pointed towards the black sky. You spare him a brief glance. A smile pulls softly at the corners of your mouth when you see the boyish pout on his face.

“You’re the one that wanted to watch the stars, remember?” you remind him.

“I wanted to watch you under the stars,” he corrects in a monotone. “That’s totally different.”

“Just c’mere and look.”

He sighs but abides you anyway. When he sits up beside you again, you reach over his lap for his left hand. You rest your pointer finger next to his and trace the blinking constellation along the velvet blue sky. “These are the legs, see?”

Steve squints. “Sorta…”

“It’s kinda like he’s running, right? And those are the arms.”

A beat passes. The boy’s puzzled gaze flits between you and the night sky. “…Is that it?”

You squint at him. “What do you mean, is that it?”

“He has no head,” he explains as if you haven’t noticed.

“…Okay?”

“How can it be Hercules if he doesn’t have a head?” the boy scoffs like it’s some unsolved travesty.

“Because it’s a constellation, Steve,” you giggle.

“Well, it looks a lot more like a crab than a Hercules, babe.”

“There’s already a crab constellation. It’s Cancer.”

Steve shrugs, pink lips jutted softly out. “Well, they got it all backwards.”

“I’ll let Ptolemy know,” you quip with the loving roll of your eyes.

“Who?”

“Ptolemy. The astronomer,” you answer in a monotone. You’re met with a pretty face contorted in confusion. “Did you not learn anything in science class?”

Steve thinks for a moment, then shakes his head. “Nope.”

You laugh at the honesty of his answer. “We literally had Ms. Cook’s together. Twice. Astronomy One and Two.”

“I only took those classes ‘cause I knew you’d be in them,” the boy scoffs.

“Shut up…”

“I’m serious— well, Astro One, I just got lucky. But then, senior year, I dropped chemistry for Astro Two so I could spend my last semester with you.”

Your heart swells at his words, warmed by the thought that he’s been whipped for you just as long as you’ve been for him. 

You’ve never felt truly worthy of his love. Not now. Not ever. 

Girls like you aren’t supposed to end up with guys like Steve. 

Of everyone he could’ve chosen, he chose you — the girl who finds affection close to impossible basically all the time. The girl who throws out mindless insults easier than I love you’s. But he loved you, anyway. 

Of everyone else — it was you.

“Is that why you spent five months sitting behind me and annoying the absolute shit outta me?” you joke instead of telling him you love him so much you could cry.

“I prefer the phrase wooing the shit outta you,” Steve corrects with his head tilted to his shoulder. “But, sure. Yeah.”

You shake your head with a fond smile hinting at your lips. “You’re disgusting…”

“Well, it worked,” he counters, a proud grin on his face. “Here we are, two years later, watching the stars while you lecture me about Pa-moley or whoever the fuck.”

“Ptolemy,” you correct, smiling just as wide as he is.

“Right,” he hums back. His chocolate eyes sparkle when he looks at you, twinkling with stars and adoration. “I can’t imagine being out here and getting smart-mouthed by anyone else.”

Through burning cheeks, you quip “That’s because no one else can do it as well as I can.”

Steve beams. “Exactly.”

[b33zlebubz]

RECKLESS ABANDON--------

CHAPTER EIGHT - campfire stories

TASK FORCE 141 X READER (PLATONIC)

PREVIOUS CHAPTER || MASTERLIST || AO3 LINK || NEXT CHAPTER

TAGS: gender neutral reader, angst, fluff, slow burn found family, PTSD, trauma bonding, kidnapping, reader is a foster kid in high school, family drama, blood, violence, guns

"After your life falls apart at the seams very early on, you work hard to keep the small amount of peace you still have. Foster care is rough, work is draining, school is a drag...but you eventually find yourself in a good place. All of that quickly goes to waste, however, when your family's unfinished business finally finds its way back to you."

By the time Ghost finds solid shelter, it's snowing.

You're in and out of consciousness the whole time he's walking, your mind fuzzy to the point where you're not sure how far Ghost treks from the lake you fell into.  His breathing, steady footsteps, and the feeling of his heartbeat thudding underneath where your freezing hands clutch around his thermal jacket help ease the cold, stubborn hold of panic on your mind.  Price checks in on you both occasionally as well, sounding frazzled as he rants to Ghost about the shitshow that was everything that's happened through the comms.  With the adrenaline gone, you're exhausted and freezing, and it feels like your heartbeat is pounding in your head as you drift in and out of sleep.

But he does find somewhere safe eventually; setting up a small camp under a small ridge in the forest to ensure you both won't be spotted by the helicopters and planes that buzz above.  You think, maybe, he doesn't realize he's doing it, but Ghost says the name of each aircraft that passes under his breath.  He does it enough that you're able to identify some of them on your own by the volume of the buzzing in the distance.

“Graves likes his F-16s,” you mutter after one passes overhead, and you smile smugly as he pauses in cleaning your head wound.  He huffs a breath, shaking his head at your antics.

“Smart kid.”

He gathers enough firewood around the area to last you the night and sets out his mask to dry whenever the fire's started; and it's then you notice the trail of blood that speckles the snow with his uneven footsteps.

"You're bleeding," you say, your voice still quiet and unsteady as he curses and fiddles with his lighter that doesn't seem to want to light.  

"S'fine," he breathes.  His hair is starting to freeze to his forehead—and the eye black on his face is smudged to hell across his crooked nose and on the gloves of his hands.  He covers the lighter with his hand to block the breeze that carries snow into your shelter.  "Just a graze.  It can wait."

Still, his lighter doesn't light.

Slowly, you shift your pack off of your shoulders.  You dig around inside it until your hands come into contact with cold metal, and you take it out.  

"Here," you flick your dad's lighter to show him it works, emitting yellow light that spans across your face before you shut it again and offer it to him.  "This one works."

He grunts his appreciation before taking the lighter.  Then, his brow furrows.  He doesn't immediately reach to light the fire, suddenly interested by the small device in his hand.  You watch as he turns it over.  He studies what's scratched into the bottom as something flickers in his eyes—confusion, maybe.  When he looks up at you again, you can't read his expression.

"Mutt," he says, slowly.  He holds the lighter up.  "Where'd you get this?"

Your brow pinches at his almost accusatory tone. 

"Dad had it," you tell him.  "Why?"

His eyes flicker back down to the piece of metal.  He flicks it open and presses the small flame to the tent of sticks and evergreen needles.  He doesn't answer, not right away, and it's impossible to tell what he's thinking as he successfully lights the fire before flicking the cap shut and sliding it into his pocket.  He doesn’t meet your gaze.

Your mouth opens to protest, but it shuts again as a small realization crosses your mind.  Your eyes widen as you come to the only conclusion you can even fathom—and even still, it's hard to believe.

"It's your's," you say slowly, searching his expression for any hint of emotion other than practiced indifference.  "Isn't it?"

He grunts, finally settling to sit.  He lifts his leg to inspect the bloody rip in his tactical pants, "It was.”

“So you're Riley?"

"I'm Ghost."

"That doesn't answer my question."

“Then Riley's dead," he deadpans.  "You happy?"

“No.  Far from it.  Why does my dad have his lighter?  Did he steal it?  Or—holy shit—" Your eyebrows raise at the realization.  "Is Riley my mom?"

He huffs, “You ask a lot of questions.”

“Because nobody gives me answers,” you retort quickly.

A stare down commences.  Ghost’s eyes narrow at you, but he doesn’t have a response.  Then, he just shakes his head and continues his work.  He pulls his pant leg up and takes a knife from his belt, testing the grip in his hand.

“Turn around.  Go to sleep,” he tells you.  He grabs his mask from the side of the fire and slides it back on, causing his voice to be more muffled when he speaks.  “Gotta take the bullet out and I don’t want you watching.  You've seen enough today as is."

You're about to argue, but you fall short.  Your head hurts too bad to think of a proper response.  A huff leaves you before you roll over—pulling the thick S.A.S. coat he had lent you further over your shoulders.  It's still damp, but it's enough to quell your incessant shivering for the time being.

It's silent aside for the crackle of the fire and the sounds of Ghost performing impromptu surgery on his own leg.  Another surge of contempt fills you whenever he doesn't make so much as a grunt.  You envy his pain tolerance.  

You also can't sleep. 

It feels like all the mental progress you made recovering after the other week has been shattered and stomped on.  At this point, you're unsure if your shivering is due to the cold or not, because you can't help but flinch every time another aircraft flies overhead or when the fire makes a particularly loud pop.  Every time you drift off it's like you're falling through the air again, and you flinch awake.

It's the sound of Ghost cocking his gun after he's stitched himself up that does you in.

You jump upright, your breath gasping as you scan the area for danger.  Your eyes land on nothing except Ghost sitting at the other end of your shelter with his gun in hand, and you let out a breath.

"Fucking…don't do that again," you hate the way your voice cracks as you speak.  You roll over, facing the wall again.  This time, you're sure you're shaking from anxiety rather than the cold.

You feel his eyes on you, as you lay there; studying you.  You count the seconds, waiting for him to grunt and move outside to keep watch.  Outside, the breeze howls against the overhang, bringing powdery snow with it that stirs your blanket.  The fire cracks and you desperately want to turn over to warm your hands and your face; but you don’t.

Then, he sighs.  "Fuckin' hell…"

You hear him shift.  Suddenly, he's near you—sitting by your feet with his elbows resting on his knees as he stares at the fire.  There's a bloody bandage around his leg, now, and his gloves are gone, leaving his hands stained with his own blood.  He scratches at the back of his neck as a few moments of silence pass and he seems to be hesitant about something.

Then, after a handful of minutes, he speaks.

“I was there,” he admits. “In Mexico.”

Your eyes open, but you don't look at him.

"He was already there when I showed up.  At that…cartel base.  Got the shit beat out of us together, you know."  He huffs a breath like he might almost be nostalgic for it.  "Hard to forget the man who was forced to bury you."

The fire crackles to your right and you clutch the jacket over your shoulders a little tighter.

"I don't know how much Price told you, but…he had this journal with 'em.  Would always talk about some kid.  Kept 'em going, I think.  Could go longer without beggin' for mercy like the rest of us…and it gave him the courage to try and escape, too."

Another pause.  The wind whistles over the overhang.  When he speaks next, his tone is grave.  Solemn.

"He set that place ablaze with the lighter I lent 'em," Ghost says.  "But he got stuck, told me to run.  I almost didn't…but he told me he wanted someone he trusted alive to keep an eye out for you.  Told me to look for you if he disappeared one day."

You let his words hang in the air for a second.  You don't realize you've been crying until your voice wavers when you speak.

"He didn't die that day," you mutter.

"He didn't," Ghost nods in agreement, his gaze still locked on the fire.  "And when he did go down, here in Russia, and Price came to me with this mission—I figured this was the perfect opportunity to return the favor for saving my life n' all.  'Tried to convince Price to keep you out of this, made him promise you wouldn't end up dead, but…'guess I should've tried a little harder, eh?"

Suddenly, Price's words from earlier that day make sense—and you rethink every interaction you've had with Ghost up until this point.  His subtle avoidance, his hesitancy when you first met, sparring in the training room…the irony of it all.  The first person you've met so far that knew your dad personally—and the only one you were scared shitless of.

You sniff and wipe at your face.

"You guys are the closest thing to answers I've gotten since he left," you say, meeting his gaze.  "So no, I'm glad I met you.  I'm glad I stayed.  Even if you are all assholes."

A moment passes where you both just look at each other.  He's even harder to read under his mask, and you think he's about to say something before Soap's voice cuts through the comms.

"L.t."

You sit up, holding your breath.  Ghost places his hand on the button to speak immediately,  "Soap."

“Knock knock.”

“Who’s there?”

A head with a mohawk pokes itself around the side of the cave, smiling as he continues to talk into the comms, “You’re favorite boy.”

Relief hits your body so hard you physically sigh, letting your head fall forwards into your hands at the thought of being saved.  Your previous conversation forgotten, Ghost chuckles, shaking his head before he stands to his feet.  “Took you long enough.”

@brokenpieces-72 @warenai @karurururu @pertinentpostmortem @kaoyamamegami @hayleybarnesx @nostalgialeech @scuftryo @0alk0msan @synthe4u @stunkbiggu @bebobeboben @enfppixie @lyd14k4y @tlkonthestr33t @raye2000 @shinchanboi @orkwardx0

[snugglesquiggle]

Uzi's searching obscure corners of the spire for spare parts and stumbles across J and V making out instead — V snarling beneath a hunter's cross, J pinning her to the wall with knee and claw, jacket and suit alike torn open.

maybe she makes a sound. maybe they smelled her, or felt the heat from her vividly active processor

either way, she's there staring long enough there's no escape when those craving yellow eyes turn her ways. J's claw fans out like a small wing at her hips. V licks her lips, and Uzi's still staring. the goth's wondering whether to lick her own, or cover her neck

there's protests ready on her lips. gross! get a room! i'm NOT staring at your totally unnecessarily hot hourglass figures!

but J's expression sharpens before any of that gets out. she beckons the worker closer with one claw, and the captain had an aura of defiance-blanking command even with her hair down and pull-gripped in another girl's hand

Uzi swallowed hard — but even as they're hollowed, she couldn't take her eyes away.

[atarathegreat]

Sanzu's Hands Headcanon

He's callous as you attempt to hold his hand at a Toman meeting, the shrine around you seeming like the perfect place for you both to finally hold hands. He pulls free, jerks away, glares as you keep trying to slide your hand into his. Your hands are cold and shaking, where he's warm in his jacket and uniform. You give up, opting for your last attempt to be just your pointer finger locked with his. You expect for there to be a rough patch of skin against yours, but unlike his attitude, his hands are soft.

His grip is bruising as he jerks you behind him, the small group of delinquents trying to make a name for themselves having burrowed under his skin. Your flesh will be painted with magnificent purples, blues and yellows for weeks, but you know he never meant to hurt you. It's not the first time he's had to keep you out of the way of conflict, and you can't help but notice that his hands are soft.

He's belligerent as you tug on him, wanting to go see the ducks at the pond before leaving the park. He stands his ground, tightening his fingers around yours. It's late and he promised to have you home in time for you to get sleep for school. You fight against him, saying that it's fine and you can sleep plenty, but he insists. He throws you over his shoulder, making the long walk back to your house. His hold is firm but his hands are soft.

He's a thug, he protests when you ask what lotion he uses. He hates that your fingers trailing over the palms of his hands is comforting and soothing. Most of all, he hates that he actually does use lotion on his hands regularly. In the morning and at night, especially after showers. It's his routine, always has been. Lotion, deodorant, and very rarely cologne if he feels like it. He never noticed his hands are soft.

His mind is unrestrained anymore, his eyes follow you as you walk through the house in nothing but skimpy sleepwear and he can't help but reach out and touch you each time you pass him. No matter what he can't seem to keep his hands off you. Your flesh is too tantalizing, too bare, too perfect for him. And, as if to purposely appose his stinging hits to your body, his hands are soft.

He's disorderly, unruly and loud as he drags you from the event. He wants everyone to know that you had acted in a way he didn't like, that you were going to get punished for not following his rules. It's not hard, is it, to listen and stand near him without smiling at anyone but him. It seems simple to him, but his touch burns your wrist as he throws you into the car. It's not too bad, his grip or the burn, because his hands are soft.

[ahgasegotarmy116]

Playlist Love | Jung Hoseok | Birds of a Feather | Billie Eilish

Play it again...and again and again and again

Summary: Hoseok is finally back for good and a little morning walk together changes both of your lives for the better. Loosely based off of Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish. Pairing: f!reader x Hoseok | Established relationship Word Count: 2.3k short and sweet for this one~ Warnings: Suuuuper fluffy and no smut because it just didn't fit the vibe this time lol but yeah a/n: this was supposed to be out earlier but I hope you guys like it ❤️

"How does it feel?" I ask, walking hand in hand with Hoseok as if things had never changed but a lot of time had passed since we were able to do something as simple as this without the thoughts of him leaving again. 

"Hm?" he hums, seemingly lost in thought. "You know, to be back?" I clarify, referring to the time we spent apart while he was doing his service. He offers me a soft smile before bringing our interlocked hands up and kissing the back of mine. 

"So good" he says, the fondness in his tone when he addresses me although a little deeper now is no less warm than before. "I really missed you, you know" I say and grab onto his arm, the feeling of being close to him again being something I will never take for granted. 

"I missed you too angel" he responds but notices the slight chill that's run through my body when the crips morning breeze blows towards us leaving him pulling us towards a nearby building for shelter. 

"You should've bundled up more baby" he says shrugging his jacket off and draping it over my shoulders, his warmth enveloping me instantly but I hurriedly protest and try to give it back but he places his hands on my shoulders to keep it in place.

"We're almost home so I'll be okay" he says and cups my cheek, frowning once he's realized just how cold I've gotten. "No more early morning walks" he says, the scolding tone still soft and loving leaving me giggling at his efforts. 

"Twice a week?" I barter but he shakes his head. "Once?" I offer, holding up my pointer finger and he looks from it back to my hopeful expression and nods. "But you need to wear warmer clothes, got it?" he agrees, offering up a condition still but I agree nonetheless. 

"Got it!" I say and solute him playfully to which he rolls his eyes. "Promise?" he says, holding up his pinky and I wrap mine around his and press our thumbs together to seal it. "Promise!" I smile and pull him back out onto the path again. 

"Slow down" he chuckles, dragging his feet purposefully as I try to pull him along the way, with me laughing right along with him. "Didn't you say you wanted to show me something?" I ask, reminding him of the surprise he had mentioned earlier and he shakes his head and pulls me back, ceasing my efforts of hurrying him along. 

"Yes I do want to show you something but it'll still be there no matter what time we get there" he chuckles, wrapping an arm around my shoulders to keep me from trying to drag him along again. 

"Fine" I grumble, getting impatient since he's given me zero clues besides the fact that it's along the path that we've walked together time and time again. "Don't be like that" he says, placing a kiss on my temple and pulling me in closer, making our steps more awkward and precarious but neither of us seems to mind. 

"Can you at least give me one more hint?" I plead and he hums in thought before giving me the vaguest couldn't even be considered a clue ever. "All you need to know is you're gonna love it, or at least I hope you will" he says the last part a little quieter, a slight blush blooming on the apples of his cheeks. 

"You're no fun" I huff and turn away, looking out over the river instead of at him and once he notices he walks us over to the railing, watching a pair of colorful yellow birds seemingly dancing in mid air and I can't help but smile fondly. 

"That one is you and that one's me" I point them out, purposefully pointing out the clumsier one for myself and he hums and hold onto me from behind, resting his head on my shoulder and pulling me in. 

"Reminds me of the first time I tried to teach you how to dance" he say, fondly calling back the memory but I can't help but hide my face in my hands, embarrassed in contrast. "Yeah the first and last" I huff and he hums and places a kiss on my cheek, "It won't be the last" he says with a certainty that I don't understand just yet. 

"What makes you so certain I'll let you?" I ask, leaning to one side so I can turn my head to look back at him. "Call it a feeling" he says cryptically but I decide not to question it. "Whatever you say weirdo" I scoff and he squeezes me in response leaving us standing there for just a little longer, still admiring the aviary duo dancing across the painted morning sky until he directs me down the path to resume our journey. 

"Are we there yet?" I ask for probably the fifth time but he doesn't seem to mind. "Almost" he says offering no clues and when I'm about to ask again after a few more minutes go by I see a bouquet of flowers sitting on the park bench we first met on. 

I look up at him excitedly and when he nods his head I scurry out of his hold to run up and grab them.

"They're so beautiful!" I say after examining them for a moment or two, he's got a good eye for these things so I don't think I would ever be disappointed in them. To be honest though he could give me a bouquet of droopy dandelions and I would still love them all the same. 

"Thank you!" I beam garnering a soft smile from him before he takes a step towards me and reaches into the pocket of his jacket that I'm still wearing. "Don't thank me just yet" he smiles and I can tell from just that he's up to something. "What do you mean?" I smile but my mind goes blank when I watch as he gets down on one knee.

"What are you doing?" I whisper, not believing that this is actually happening but when he reaches for my hand and brings me back I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes, making my vision blurry to the point where I can just barely make out his nervous expression. 

"Do you remember the day we first met?" he asks and all I can do is nod, holding words back to keep me from crying just yet. 

"Your thoughts were so clouded by frustration that when you came and sat on this bench you didn't even realize that I had already been sat on it right next to you. You got startled when after your third angry huff I asked you what was wrong. You practically jumped out of your skin. Then again I guess that's more or less a normal reaction to unexpectedly hearing a previously silent stranger so close to you" he says, starting to ramble now and I can't help but let out a choked back chuckle at the memory. 

When he realizes that he had been getting off track he clears his throat, nervous voice still ever present but I don't mind, this is perfect, he couldn't have made this moment any more perfect.

"Anyways, when I asked you, you finally told me that you were upset because you thought you messed up your interview but from the way I could see it I knew that you gave it your best shot. I told you they would be a fool not to hire you but you were skeptical since we had only just met. You asked me how I could possibly know you would be a good fit but as always I just had a feeling you were the perfect person from the way you spoke about it". 

I bite back a smile and let a tear or two fall so I can clear up my view since I don't want to miss anything. A girl only gets proposed so many times in her life, I just hope this is the first and last time this'll ever happen to me.

"This next part might sound cheesy but I promise you it's true. I had a feeling similar to how I felt about you getting that job as to how I felt about knowing that you were the woman that I wanted to marry some day" and at that I let out another teary chuckle. He's always been a hopeless romantic and I can't help but love that about him, amongst many other reasons. 

"Once we parted ways that day after an hour or so of talking I promised myself that if I were to ever see you again that I wouldn't hesitate to pursue you. I knew that if I tried right away that I could lose you so instead I went back everyday to that same park bench and on the fifth day when I had started to lose hope of seeing you again I saw you out of the corner of my eye practically skipping in delight and I knew that that was it" he continues and I smile at the memory. 

"I got the job that day" I say, my voice incredibly soft and wobbly but he smiles and nods his head. "You did get the job that day. You called it your victory lap which couldn't have been any more endearing to me even though I can tell you're embarrassed by it now" he teases when he sees me look away but I don't mind the teasing this time.

Hearing about this...about how he started to fall in love with me at first sight was something I never knew but it just makes me feel like I couldn't love him more than I already do even if I tried.

"So I asked you out. I used a congratulatory coffee as a cover up but in my mind it was our first date" He says shyly, the tips of his ears turning pink. "And the rest is history I guess. What I mean to say though is through out all of this time knowing you I've known that someday I'd be calling you my wife...depending on your answer of course" he says, a little less confident about it. 

"You've gotta ask me first" I laugh, a couple more joyful tears falling as a result making him smile and after taking another deep breath or two he finally says the words that'll be the start to our forever. 

"Will you marry me?" he says letting go of my hand for a second and opening the ring box and when the sight of my grandmother's ring is revealed I couldn't be happier knowing that even with all this time he spent away from me he still managed to get my family's blessing. 

"Yes, yes of course I'll marry you" I say, leaning down and kissing him, the tears streaming down my face making it taste a little salty but neither of us seems to mind. Nothing matters in this moment but him and I.

"Wait" I say after breaking the kiss, forgetting what I had planned to tell him today...what I've been needing to tell him.

"I, well..." I say and pull out the image I had been been keeping in my purse, waiting for the right moment to tell him. I look at it one last time and take a deep breath before wordlessly handing it to him and when he realizes what it is his face lights up as bright as I've ever seen in. 

"Are you serious?" he says under his breath, his body practically shaking in excitement and I nod my head. "You're sure?" he asks again, the concept so unbelievable to him leaving me laughing. "Yes Hoseok, yes" I confirm and although I can tell that he's excited I need him to say something. 

"You're pregnant?" he questions and I place his hand on my stomach to hopefully prove a point.

He practically knocks me off my feet making me squeal in excitement, wrapping his arms around my waist and spinning me around. 

"Thank you thank you thank you" he says over and over again leaving me laughing at his adorable reaction. "Thank you for what?" I chuckle and he puts me down so he can get a good look at me. "For not only agreeing to marry me, but also being the mother of our child" he says, the serious tone he takes on makes me incredibly nervous. 

"You helped you know" I tease and he smirks, smug at the thought of it. "So this all happened when..." he says but I quickly put my hands over his mouth to stop any explicit details from coming out of it. 

"Yes it happened the last time you were on leave. Now do you understand why I've been hiding from you?" I say in reference to the times where I've decided to do things like shower and get dressed on my own. "The time you asked me to leave the room so you could change confused me so bad" he says and I laugh, remembering the dumbfounded look on his face. 

"You were definetly flabbergasted" I confirm and he rolls his eyes. "Imagine leaving my girlfriend for eighteen months and then being denied the right to watch her change" he scoffs, "The privilege, not the right" I correct him and he sighs, accepting defeat but still not happy with it. 

"The point is, I can't wait for our family of two to be a family of three" he chuckles, placing his hand on my belly and I know that's something he'll definetly be obsessed with, especially once I'm further along. 

"I love you angel" he says, kissing my forehead and resting his against mine. "I love you too, more than you know"     

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[dronebiscuitbat]

Give me a Reason: Chapter 17 - "Thad"

Computer Literacy was blessedly easy at least, she thought as she stumbled into the classroom, taking a steadying breath.

Her eyes almost automatically glanced up at N, who had nearly always given her a wave when he saw her enter, though today it looked like he was completely absorbed in conversation with someone else, a boy in a red backwards hat, brown peeking out from underneath it. Who was leaning on the back of her usual seat with his arms crossed.

She warily approached, was she going to have to find somewhere else to sit? There were a couple of others still free but, her and N were partners, how would they still work together?

She ignored the second train of thought, the one that was making her heart ache slightly at the prospect of having to go elsewhere, bring replaced by a more interesting friend so easily.

But, she didn't even have time to question it before N noticed her, and he gave her a radiant smile. “Hey Uzi! Sorry Thad, that's her seat your leaning on.”

The boy looked back at her, his eyes a dull green, like grass that had been shocked with weedkiller. A sports jacket clung to his shoulders, ‘Copper Football Team’ emblazoned on the front in yellow letters.

“Oh Hey, I'm Thad, sorry for taking your seat.” He moved off the back of her chair, dunking his hands in his pockets as he smiled, it was friendly, not as bright as N's but still warm and inviting.

“It's… fine.” She said awkwardly, in no real mood to socialize with the pain in her side.

“N said you two went ghost hunting last weekend. It's Gnarly, you two are braver then I am. I still get scared by the raccoon that lives under my house.”

Uzi blinked, taking a moment to register that she was being talked to, and a second more for her to realize it wasn't negative.

“Oh uh- Yeah, we did.” Uzi replied after a moment of struggling to bend down to put her backpack under the table, she didn't catch the way N looked at her worried lying when she flinched. “I wouldn't call N brave though, he got scared of an itty bitty spider, hehehe.”

“Hey!” N protested, pouting but not in a way that suggested he was actually upset.

“Aw she exposed you dude!” Thad laughed, but his attention was quickly back on her. “You're Uzi right? N mentioned your name, it's super badass. I wish I shared my name with a gun.”

Uzi felt herself blush, still not used to being complimented. And she couldn't really find the words to say to it either.

“I don't think Thad's a bad name.” N came to her rescue, thankfully. And Thad looked at him deadpan.

“When you find any character named “Thaddeus McFlynn” who isn't just in the background, or doesn't die a horrible death. Let me know.”

Uzi winced, man had a name like an old british man. She didn't envy him. N just shrugged.

“Anyway, I gotta get back to class, coach will chew my ass if I'm gone too long, I just came here to pick up his prints.” He picked up a stack of what looked like sign up papers, and turned back at N.

“Hey, I'm serious about signing up for one of our teams, you'd be great!” Thad gave him a finger gun and Uzi a small salute before he left the classroom, Uzi watching as he left.

N didn't really reply to that, just looked a little sad before shaking his head and returning all his attention to Uzi.

“Sorry about that. He was talking about me joining the basketball team since I'm so tall, then we somehow got onto what we did over the weekend and… yeah.” He rambled, but Uzi just nodded softly, it wasn't like she was expecting to remain N's only freind or anything, not with his personality. It's what she expected… honestly.

“It's fine.” How much had she said that today? It felt like a lot, her side throbbed uncomfortably as she tried to adjust.

“Hey uh. I know you told me to stop asking. And I promise I totally am, but… are you okay, you've looked uncomfortable all day.” He spoke up again after a second, and Uzi felt every single muscle in her body tense up, she was fine. She'd been through worse, way worse.

She turned to glare at him, words of vitriol bubbling up in her throat, but she only halfway opened her mouth before his soft, warm expression made them die into nothing, a gentle smile worn on his face and genuine concern behind those caramel eyes.

She sighed.

“I'm fine, really, just… had a run in with someone. I've been through worse.”

“Oh… well um…” N really didn't know how to help, that answer was… vague at best. But he didn't want to scare her off from opening up more by pushing her. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

She looked at him for a beat, taking in his nervous smile.

“No.” She replied simply, and the window he'd had was abruptly shut in his face. His smile fell a little.

“You can keep distracting me though. That's helping.” She added after a minute, and his head snapped back up, she was avoiding his eyes, but he caught a small smile gracing her face.

And with another brilliant smile, thats what he did, dragging her into a conversation about dogs that she did her best to listen intently to, the pain being slightly buried under the weight of his voice.

When it was finally time to go home, Uzi was bracing herself on one of the brick pillars in front of the building, knowing all she needed was to walk home and she could treat herself with some sweet, sweet painkillers. It was just… actually getting there that was going to be the difficult part.

It wasn't that far away, but with how difficult walking had become, she knew it was going to be complete and total agnoy. Stalling, she was stalling.

What were the chances of her dad actually being home for once to drive her back? Probably slim to none, but… she could check.

She pulled out her phone, Khan being the first name in her contacts, the second, and last, being N.

Uzi: Hey Dad, just wondering if u could pick me up from school today.

She stared at the messaging app for almost a full minute with no response before she grumbled, leaning against the brick and closing her eyes for a moment.

When she did eventually bring her head back up, she realized that she'd been standing against the pillar for way too long, the second wave of busses already on their way out, meaning she'd been there for at least ten minutes.

Maybe she was in more pain than she thought…

“Uzi?” A voice caught her attention, and she spun around to be face to face with N's stupidly tall figure, Thad was right… he would be good for basketball.

She was starting to feel warm, and slightly nauseous, neither were any good signs, bit both she ignored.

“O-oh hey N.” Shit, her voice was a little shaky now too, she placed a palm onto the brick behind her, feeling a bit like she might pass out. Crap, that probably meant Lizzy pinched something in her somewhere, that was great.

“I thought you would've left already. Don't you walk home?” One of his brows were raised, he looked behind her, Tessa had pulled in and was waiting for him.

“Just… enjoying the day…?”

“Why did that sound like a question?” He asked, clearly not believing her in the slightest. Uzi blinked, trying to stifle the painful tremble in her voice.

“It didn't.” She tried, trying to begin to walk away, only to stumble and nearly trip over nothing.

Fuck

“Woah hey! Uzi!” His hands were on her now, she didn't want them to be, she didn't want to be seen as weak, but her stupid body had at this point completely betrayed her, she felt the bile begin to burn it's way into her throat.

Oh shit not he-

She scrambled over to the nearest bush, throwing his hands off her and completely emptied her bruised stomach, holding onto one of those weird round concrete nubs for support.

When she finished, she shakily stood up, wiping her mouth, a small amount of blood coming off onto the back of her hand.

Still… she did feel marginally better.

N was behind her, looking between Tessa's car and her franticly, a hand gently resting on her back. She tried to catch her breath.

She heard a car door slam and rushing footsteps coming her direction before light invaded her vision

I'm about to pass out…

She thought before she felt herself begin to slowly fall backwards, before all her senses went to static…

Next ->

[yellowbunnydreams]

Bunny Ears (Part 5) ~William Afton X F! Reader~

~Hello, hello hello! I hope you're all enjoying this little more fluffy story so far. Some of your tags kill me when I see reblogs and I appreciate them so much! Also I am so sorry that this one is exceptionally long!~

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Tag List: @ruh--roh-raggy @h4nluv @sleepy---head @do-double-g @confiscated-peaches-main @dij-ology @viviennemuerte @robin-the-enby @shari-berri @randymeeksisafinalgirl @hallow1090

Cw: CW: Minors DNI, (18+ ONLY), Female Reader, legal age gap (Reader- 20's, William - 30's), divorce/processing divorce, Afton being a sarcastic hot ass, Henry being such a dad, grumpy x sunshine (more to be added). Faz-Fuck TM

True to William Afton's word, you were placed on office duty for at least a week before you could return to normal work. Henry had even drive you to the local pharmacy after work and loaded your bike up onto the back of his car, buying you a soft wrist compress and some painkillers despite your protests and insisting that you would be being driven to and from work by either him or William for the duration of your 'light duties'. There were no ifs or buts allowed from either of them, Henry once caught you trying to walk to work and you had spent an hour in his office listening to him lecture you on why it was such a bad idea. You could have sworn that he nearly cried several times during it.

You had decided to try your luck walking in again today, knowing that the pair would be looking for your Freddy's uniform and your bike, you decided to place a thin jacket over the top to mask it, hair tied up and a hoodie beneath the jacket, hood pulled up as if you weren't sweating in the heat. Twirling your wrist back and forth as you tried to avoid it locking up with the compressive bandage on, you were lost in your own thoughts as you walked. It was sufficiently early in the morning that you were sure that neither of them would spot you even if they happened to be driving out.

Suddenly you heard a voice calling your name, and of course like a fool you stopped and turned your head. Spotting a car that you hadn't heard cruise up besides you and come to stop, blinking as you took in the black colour muscle car that you probably didn't know much about if your life depended on it before your eyes fell onto the owner who had climbed out of the door. Paling as you watched William Afton lean against the door with his arms crossed across his chest.

"M-Mr. Afton, you look...nice..this morning." You complimented, which he truly did, although it wasn't his usual colours that he wore to work. Still wearing his black slacks, he wore a Spring Bonnie shade of yellow shirt, the sleeves rolled up and a purple tie on. Pushing his glasses up his nose, he scowled although you could see some amusement in his eyes.

"That shit works on Henry, not me. So, it's a little early for a walk isn't it?" He almost growled your name at the end, making you feel slightly weak at the knees and your stomach sink as you began to realise how much trouble you were about to be in with the taller, older man. Opening your mouth as if to speak before he raised a large hand, finger up to shush you.

"Get in the fucking car, don't make me chase you cause I will assure you, you will get your cardio for the month in if that's the case." Staring into your soul, scuffing your shoes on the pavement as you reluctantly moved to the passenger side, William turned to watch you, your fingers on the door handle before you looked back at him, offering him a sheepish smile.

"Don't you mean get in the faz-fucking car, sir?" You could see his lips quirk at the corners and the joke clearly hit somewhere to make him amused, but he remained otherwise serious as he began to stride round to your side, brushing against your back as he opened the door for you and gestured for you to get in.

"No, I mean get in the fucking car young lady, I'm already thinking on how to punish you for making me do this shit." The thought of him punishing you made you shiver and blush, realising that you imagined his large calloused hands on you for a brief moment and feeling incredibly embarrassed. Not that you hadn't been thinking about the glimpse of him shirtless that you had gotten a few days before.

He climbed into his side with a practised ease, cracking his neck slightly and sighing as he put the car into gear, pulling off and heading towards Freddy's. You sunk into your seat as you heard him mutter to himself.

"Henry is not going to let me live this one down." Sounding slightly bitter about it, you raised and eyebrow and looked at him quizzically.

"What is Mr. Emily not going to let you live down?"

"He... I told him you were probably going to try some shit like this this morning, and he told me to lighten up, that you wouldn't after the lecture he gave you about being safe." He groaned, one hand on his thigh and the other on the steering wheel as his eyes darted about the roads, purposely avoiding yours. "He's going to call it my fucking 'dad sense' or some shit and call me old."

"Well sir, you are like...five years older than me?" You guessed, being a bit generous to try and win him over a bit more, causing the man to snort and look at you, pointing at his greying temples with his free hand.

"Does this look like five years to you? If so, wow your future is looking bleak. More like ten and even that is depressing enough." William sighed, running a hand through his hair and concentrating on the roads again. Cranking up the radio so that the rest of your drive would be in silence.

Arriving at Freddy's, William got out first and opened your door for you, hovering a few steps behind as he escorted you into the building where it seemed eerily quiet. You were there a lot earlier than usual and most of the staff hadn't arrived yet for morning duties. But walking through the empty halls with William, you didn't feel unsafe or uneasy doing so. Though you felt your stomach twisting into knots as you approached the offices together, knowing that Henry would be disappointed in you before you even saw his face, you tried to remain positive that whatever the two of them could come up with for the day couldn't be that bad.

"Morning Mr. Emily." You chirped, making the man sat at his desk smile as William unlocked his office behind you. Watching him run a hand through his curly hair and leaning back, eyes bright as always despite the early start.

"Morning miss..." Your name trailed off as he looked at you, suddenly squinting before his eyes widened, conflicted between a frown and a smile as he looked between you and William.

"Don't say it Henry." William warned, not needing to turn around to know what was about to be said by his business partner. Although you watched Henry almost bouncing excitedly at his desk.

"You totally used your dad sense! God you're so old William." He teased, making the taller man sigh and tip his head back in frustration.

"Henry, you're older than me." He retorted, opening his office door finally and stepping inside, flicking on the lights and scowling slightly as he rubbed at his face, disturbing his glasses and messing with his hair again before he ran his fingers through it and fixed it again.

"So, you're still a dad!" Making William sigh in annoyance as he looked at you, almost pleading for the happiness of his friend to dispel for just one moment to give him peace. Raising an eyebrow and gesturing to you to step into his office, your name sounding too pretty from him as he spoke again.

"You can spend the day with me sweetheart, I figure being bored to death by the more technical side of this job might be a better punishment than a lecture." Afton shrugged, making you look between the excitedly bouncing Henry and the calmer of the pair, and quietly choosing to be in for a chance of peace rather than seeing Henry tear up again as he lectured you again like you were his daughter.

"See you later Mr. Emily." You smiled, waving to him and stepping into William's office and hearing the door close behind you, William stepping around you with his fingers brushing your back to let you know where he was whilst he moved.

Compared to the explosion of children's drawings, family photos and colour that made up Henry Emily's office, William Afton's was much more organised in its own chaotic fashion. The main wall had a large pin board hung up on it, with neatly organised and spaced mechanical and electric diagrams for various animatronics and projects pinned up on seemingly colour coded pins that only he knew the order of. Two photo frames hung up too, one with William and a young blonde girl in a tiny turtleneck and cardigan, holding a toy Spring-Bonnie, the edge of the photo clearly cut as a mystery hand floated on the girl's shoulder, opposite to William. The other was a slightly younger Afton and Henry, arms wrapped around each other's shoulders and each holding the head of their animatronic suit under their arms, you could vaguely make out a building that said 'Fredbear's Family Diner' in the background.

The rest was fairly standard, except for the pile of animatronic parts and tools that laid scattered amongst the paperwork on his desk, all dark colours, including curiously a couch that was pushed up against one wall. The leather cracked and worn, a pillow set up on one of the arms and a faded blanket folded neatly over the back.

'Does he sleep in his office?' You thought as you looked at it, brow furrowing before you took a seat opposite Afton, trying to see what he was up to even if you didn't understand.

"So, you're a dad Mr. Afton?" You asked, breaking the silence and hearing a 'hmm' coming from the man before he looked up, brow furrowed in concentration and clearly having not heard your question. You gestured to the picture on the wall with the girl, smiling softly as you looked between it and him.

"Oh, yes! That's my little girl, Vanessa." He said, a bit of pride creeping into his voice as you noticed his left thumb moving against his ring finger, a lump forming in your throat as you noticed the glint of a gold wedding band on the finger. Of course he was married, what woman wouldn't want to marry somebody like him? Business owner, good looking, good with kids.

"She looks adorable." You commented, tearing your eyes away from his hand back to the picture, trying to spot which of his features she might have inherited.

"Yeah, probably haven't been the best dad to her but I try." Glancing back down at his paperwork and clearing his throat, he wondered why he opened up to you so easily. But he supposed he knew somewhat where he stood with you, you were easily flustered by him but you had genuine care about him and Henry it seemed. His thumb continued to twirl the ring on his finger absently, eyes unfocused as he wondered if he should mention his soon-to-be-ex wife to you, but decided against it.

William looked up at you again and offered a warm smile, adjusting his glasses on his nose before running a large hand through his hair again. Something he often did when he was somewhat nervous, although he wasn't entirely sure why he felt that way around you. Taking a moment when you looked away from him again to admire the way your eyes looked, their rich vibrant colour, the way your eyelashes fluttered as you breathed slowly and deeply. He swore at himself internally as he swallowed, his throat suddenly feeling dry as he realised what he was thinking about you.

"Oh, before I forget, I collected these for you to look through." He chuckled, snapping him and you out of the reverie each of you had fallen into, opening a desk drawer and pulling out a stack of papers, some crinkled around the edges and messy, making you raise an eyebrow as you gingerly took them, pausing as you saw your name written in childish crayon on the top one.

Your fingers brushed the crayon markings like they were some ancient script that you had to be careful with. Flicking onto the next one, and the one after, your heart melted as you spotted a pattern to them.

'The day --- saved Spring Bonnie'

'--- Helping Spring Bonnie!'

'--- and Spring Bonnie'

The childish spellings and writing made your name incredibly hard to read on most of them, but you felt your eyes welling up as you carefully leafed through each sheet of paper and spent time looking at childish drawings of you and Spring Bonnie holding hands, or trying to help him up. There weren't many in the pile, but enough to make your lip quiver and your eyes feel hot and prickle with tears.

"I've got some too, children keep giving them to Henry or me and asking if we know Spring Bonnie or you and can we 'please give them to them?'. I thought you might like to know that you and Spring Bonnie are officially considered the best of friends by the kids." He smiled warmly as he noticed how you stared at the drawings with such emotion. William felt his fingers twitching as he wanted to reach out and comfort you, but he remained professional as he didn't know how you would feel about that.

"Thank you sir, this is-"

"William, you can call me William when we're alone." He interrupted, smiling lopsidedly as you glanced up at him, your cheeks burning up slightly as he gave you that sweet, warm smile that made the edges of his eyes crinkle slightly and of course, the idea that you could address him so informally made the butterflies reappear in your stomach.

"Then thank you, William, may I keep one?" You asked, taking care to say his name rather than addressing him as your boss. His smile grew a little as he heard you saying his name for the first time, his own chest tightening at the sound and he nodded his head, gesturing to the stack in your hands.

"Please, take as many as you want sweetheart. I'll grab us some coffee whilst we work."

Standing from his desk, he towered over you, his hand hovering near to your still lightly bruised shoulder before he thought better of it, heading for the door and turning the handle, pulling it so that it would open.

But it didn't.

Trying again, the door rattled and shook, but refused to budge. Frowning, William braced himself with his other hand against the frame and yanked, worried about breaking the door but no matter what he tried to do it to it, it wasn't budging. Eyes widening as he realised that you were trapped together, pressing his ear to the door and listening hard, he could faintly hear the sounds of the pizzeria filling with screaming kids and music already.

"Well....Fuck." He sighed.

~~

Both of you had tried the door for twenty minutes before William picked up the phone and pressed it to his ear, dialling quickly and hearing the thing ring a few times before a familiar voice answered him in it's usual cheery tone.

"'Yello?"

"Henry! Thank fuck, me and -"

"William, what have we said about swearing on property?" Henry chuckled as he stood in the end of the employee hallway, listening to the phone call and making sure to keep quiet enough so that William wouldn't suspect where he was, glancing out into the dining room.

"Faz-fuck that, you stupid bonnie-bitch! Me and," he said your name in the angriest tone you had ever heard on him, and even though you knew it wasn't directed at you, it made your stomach turn and body shake with anxiety at what was about to happen. "are trapped in my office, the door's stuck! Come fucking help us, or I swear to god Emily, I will force you into one of the working animatronics."

Henry couldn't help but grin at William's threats, knowing that he was really pissed if he was calling him by his last name, but Henry also knew that nothing was really meant by it. Looking out into the hall, he could see everything was running smoothly and that the staff were handling it all well despite being one down for the day.

"I'll be right there Afton, I'm just sorting something out and I'll be there in a moment." Feigning concern as he hung up on the larger man, straightening his tie and clipping his phone to his belt, turning it off so it wouldn't ring again as he headed back out into the diner, greeting parents and kids with vigour as he went.

William slammed the phone down and groaned, taking his glasses off and rubbing his face with his hands, elbows on his desk as you tried not to panic at the idea of being trapped in such a small space for potnetially the rest of the day. Your leg bouncing and heel tapping the floor as you brought your fingers to your mouth, ready to bite at your nails as you avoided looking at the handsome man opposite you. Seeing him with his hair messed up made you want to run your fingers through it and return it to normal for him, but you knew he was a married man and that you couldn't do such a thing to him.

"Good job we have a bathroom and a mini-fridge in here." He laughed, somewhat bitterly as he knew Henry would find some distraction that meant he wasn't going to be there as soon as they both wanted.

You felt your eyes prickling again, and your hands trembled as you realised that you were stuck. Sniffling lightly and trying to hide your concern and fear from William as you sat in the uncomfortable chair opposite him. The large man noticed however and he looked up, frowning as he heard the sound and feeling his heart melting as he noticed you trying not to cry infront of him. Standing up, he made his way around his desk and crouched infront of you, wincing slightly as his knees popped lightly at the movement but turning your chair so that you could see him and he could see your bowed head properly.

"Hey hey! Sweetheart, bunny, why are you crying? Is being in the same room as me for a while really that awful?" He teased slightly, trying to get you to smile, you choked out a laugh as you wiped at your eyes, trying to get them to stop watering.

"N-No, it's your terrible sense of humour I'm worried about." You giggled, trying to be funny and seeing William chuckle at your attempt. He looked strange without his glasses, but decidedly still very handsome as he grinned up at you before pretending to be hurt, placing his hand over his heart and making a shocked mock expression.

"Well, I promise not to ask for your ID whilst we're together if that makes you feel better?" Making you laugh more and nod, he felt his heart hammering as he realised how vulnerable you looked, how fragile and breakable compared to himself and it made him ache to comfort you even more.

"Can I touch you sweetheart?" He asked, hands hovering as he waited before you nodded slowly, wondering what he was going to do. Carefully, he placed his hands on your ribs under your arms, picking you up as he stood and your arms instinctually wrapping around his neck, legs hanging over his hips as he carried you. It was only a few paces to the couch in the corner, but those moments together set your heart into overtime and you couldn't help but get a smell of his cologne. Something earthy and spicy, and the faint scent of motor oil and sweat like it was engrained into his skin.

Almost whimpering as he had placed you down on the couch, grabbing the blanket from off of the back of the couch and wrapping it around your shoulders gently. Wandering off and dragging over an old TV on a wheeled stand, placing a tape into the VCR player and wandering off again, bringing back two sodas as the screen flickered to life and quietly began playing a cartoon of Freddy and friends, happy bouncy music clearly made for kids in the background.

Sitting besides you, Afton offered you a soda and helped crack it open for you, making you mumble thanks as you sipped at it, the high sugar soothing your nerves although it didn't stop your mind thinking about how his large hands hand felt against you.

"I figured we might as well watch something whilst we wait, things like this used to help me when I had panic attacks." He explained in a low soft voice, making you look up at him curiously, not sure you could see the giant man who was always so refined and poised with most people having panic attacks. But he grabbed the pillow and laid it across his lap, avoiding your eyes as you swore you saw a little blush on his cheeks in the flickering colourful lights. "You can lay down if you want, you can still say no, I'm not acting as your boss at the moment." Giving you a reassuring smile before he turned back to the screen.

Both of you playing the waiting game and thinking of the other without a word more between you.

~~

Henry finally managed to pry the door open, the pizzeria finally closed down and allowing him to escape back to the offices. The noise startling William awake slightly, although the weight on his lap made sure he didn't move too much. Henry grinned widely as he saw the scene before him, your head on Afton's lap and William's fingers tangled into your hair as if he had fallen asleep soothing you. He couldn't remember when he'd started it, or even when you had fallen asleep, but groggily he looked up and spotted Henry looking at the pair of you, grinning like a fool as William tried to quickly and efficiently extract himself from you without disturbing your peaceful sleep.

"So, I think you've certainly become more people oriented recently William." Henry teased as the man grabbed his glasses and rubbed at his face, hair messy and eyes still puffy with sleep.

"Shut the fuck up Henry, one word of this and I'll end you." He hissed, making Henry throw up his hands in mock surrender. Still grinning madly as William turned to look at you again, hoping that Henry didn't see the soft smile that crossed his face before he padded over to wake you up and let Henry take you home.

He didn't trust himself not to do something stupid if he was left alone with you. Something stupid like develop feelings.

[write-here-n-now]

upstanding citizen of society

C.(S). Johnny Suh x Reader | WC. 1311| G. Angst-ish/Fluff-ish |

The invisible weight of your future weighed down your shoulders, keeping you hunched over your far too-small study table. 

In the centre sat your trusty desktop computer, glowing bright with multiple tabs running simultaneously as you tried to complete your study notes

Bright neon-coloured sticky notes stuck haphazardly around the monitor frame, close to falling off and onto the desert of books and papers distributed on the width of the table top. 

Typing away you glance above the monitor to the glowing numbers “2:55 a.m.”

A sigh escapes your lips as you lean back on your computer chair, tugging off the hairband you had perched on your head to keep hair from falling across your eyes. 

Closing your eyes, you try and locate all the areas of your body threatening to cramp up if you continue to study is such an awkward position.

It had been nearly an hour and half since you had stretched your limbs, now they were desperately in need of some blood flow. It had also been nearly three hours since you had eaten something, your stomach joining the protest alongside your aching joints.

As you get up to stretch your legs and maybe grab a bite to eat, you’re startled by a knock to your balcony window.

You jump slightly before turning your head to make eye contact with your early morning intruder. 

Johnny stands on your balcony, slightly hunched over, due to the dim lighting you can only make out a few bruises on his face. He gives you an expectant look, not used to your usually unlocked balcony not budging as he tried to open it.

Sighing you walk over to unlock it and let him in. 

“I know you like to drop by unannounced but can you please use the front door and pretend to be an upstanding citizen of society?” You’re quick to nag about his behaviour as you walk to turn on the main bedroom light he walks past the door frame and takes a seat on your bed, ignoring your words quite blatantly. 

With the light on, instantly illuminating the room with a soft yellow glow, he winces at the much too bright lightning, eyes slowly adjusting.

With the room lit up, you can clearly see the bruises and cuts littered on his face. Bottom lip busted, not to mention his knuckles; cracked and blood-crusted skin, bruises and the usual rough calluses. 

You felt your heart sink, uneasiness settling in the pit of your empty stomach. Without a word, you head to the bathroom squatting down as you open the cupboard and pull out your first aid kit—it too had seen many nights like this. You walk back towards your bed, where he remains seated, his jacket off with luckily no more injuries to be spotted. 

Though not the worst he’s ever shown up to your abode at untimely hours, silently asking you to tend to his wounds, you couldn’t prevent the worry over what event took place to leave him battered like this every time. 

He used to joke, whenever you questioned the cause of his condition, “You should see the other guy.” Lately, it had been quiet though, the two of you careful not to break the silence with pointless small talk.

He with his eyes closed, head tilted back letting you do your magic. And you, gently applying the anti-septic and bandages trying not to let it sting, though even if it did he never winced at the contact. 

You finish up applying a small bandage to his cheek, cut up from presumably a piece of jewellery between a punch some unlucky bastard succeeded in landing. 

Sensing you moving away, he opens his eyes just as you stand from your seat beside him, he tugs at your arm. Caught off guard you stumble and land in his lap, right where he intended you to go. 

“thank you..” He whispers into the shell of your ear, holding you somewhat dangerously close.

The acknowledgment of his gratitude gets stuck somewhere in your throat, unable to rid your head of the feeling of his hand gently clasped around your bare arm and his warm breath on your neck now. 

“...its not that bad babe.”

He already knew that your head was swirling with worry about how and why he showed up bloodied and bruised, how many nights followed this same pattern?

“I know...But-” He presses his lips to your mouth, silencing your over-worrying.

Sighing into the kiss, you let yourself relax in his embrace and wrap your arms around his shoulders... Pushing the worry to the back of your head, at last he was here in front of you alive and standing (well sitting now).

He pulls away, resting his head against your forehead, the two of you silent for moment, catching your breaths.

“....When’s your exam?” He asks burying his face in the crook of your neck and shoulder.

“monday...” You whisper.

“Do you need my help studying?” He mumbles in your neck, the action tickling your skin.

“Johnny Suh,” You use his full name but there is teasing snip to your tone. “I think you’ve helped me learned anatomy enough with bandaging your injuries.” 

He lets out a small laugh against your shoulder.

“Then let's, rest for a bit yea?”

You contemplate the offer, comfortable in his arms and you still had plenty of time to finish studying. 

“I’ll let you draw the names on me…” You were already sold but his offer pulled a grin to your cheeks. 

“You’ve convinced me, Suh.” Grinning he presses another kiss to your lips.

“But first a shower ok, then bed.”

You detach yourself from his arms and he’s quick to follow you up, but before you can walk away fully, he pulls you in by the waist. Lips low to your ear.

“Shower or shower~?” he questions, an air of flirtation in his tone.

“Shower. ALONE.” You stress, turning yourself in his arms to look into his eyes, asserting your stance.

You two stand there, silently battling it out through your eyes. Him with his most pitiful pleading eyes while you stood your ground narrowing your eyes in challenge. 

It doesn’t take long for him to concede, no match for your stubborn rules and routine. 

“Can I at least get a kiss for emotional support?” Batting his eyes in plea.

Rolling your eyes, you plant a quick kiss to his lips and pull his arm towards the washroom. 

“Ow ow, babe I’m hurt”

“Yeah yeah, I know how hurt you are.” Now in front of you, you push his back forward towards the washroom. “Chop chop babe~!”

His whines are drowned out as soon as he’s inside and you begin to walk back to your desk to clean up.

As you begin to clean up your notes and books, the scent of fresh soap fills your senses as Johnny is back quick as bullet, wrapping his arms around your waist. You halt your previous movements and let yourself relax in his arms. 

Your sweet moment is interrupted when you feel a cold gust of wind blow through the room, you turn your head towards the balcony and see that the door is wide open.

“John-NY!” you nag as you rush out of his arms to close the door and cast away the cold intruder. 

“Oops” he recalls only lightly shutting the door behind him. He walks behind you to wrap his arms around you once more. “..I’ll make sure to close the balcony door next time babe.” He plants a tiny peck to your crown.

“Next time you’ll use the apartment door,” you side-eye him, arms crossed in annoyance.

“Ah yes, the door.” He chuckles, leaving another kiss on your head, finding your anger endearing.

You know he'll probably be at your balcony again sooner or later.

[dangraccoon]

Without You

Day 10 ~ surprise visit ~ "I didn't know you were here." ~ Rex x Reader

Word Count: 824 Content: injury, bacta, pain meds, prior relationship

Mando'a Guide: mesh'la - beautiful Echo provides translations for the rest!

As the door closed behind you, you kicked your snowy boots off and slid your jacket off, hanging it on the rack. You were surprised that you couldn’t hear anyone. Typically when you’d come home, you could hear the siblings bickering, but tonight it was quiet.

A blonde head peeked around the corner.

“You’re here!” Omega gasped, running at you.

You crouched to meet her in a hug. “Hey, kiddo,” you smiled. “Where is everyone?”

Omega pulled away, looking almost conflicted. 

“Meg,” you chuckled nervously. “You’re not here by yourself, are you?”

“No,” she said quickly. 

“Who else is here?”

“Well, everyone was home…”

You brushed her bangs out of her eyes, tilting her face to look at you.

“What’s going on, Omega?” you asked. “Where did your brothers go?”

“They went with Gregor,” she finally answered. “Except for Echo. He’s upstairs…”

“About time he visited,” you mumbled as you stood, quickly walking further into the house. 

“With Rex,” she finished.

You froze and your heart started to pound in your chest as you glanced at her over your shoulder. “Rex is here?”

She nodded. “They got in an hour ago. Echo brought Rex upstairs, and everyone else went with Gregor. He- he was– he’d been in bacta.”

You nodded solemnly, anxiety gnawing at your gut as you made your way to the home medical wing the boys had set up in their house. 

You choked back a gasp as you entered the room. Rex lay asleep on the medical bed, his midsection wrapped in layer after layer of bandages. You could see where the bacta healed cuts and bruises all over his body, leaving hints of yellow marks and silvered lines. 

Echo had pulled a chair to his bedside, his head in the crook of his arm. He seemed to be asleep. That’s probably why Omega stayed so quiet.

You turned your attention back to Rex, your hand brushing his cheek. “Oh, darling,” you whispered. “What happened to you?” 

“Mesh’la,” he sighed as his eyes fluttered open.

You startled a little, pulling your hand away and stepping back. He chuckled so softly you thought you’d imagined it. 

“Didn’t n- know you were here?” he breathed. 

You struggled to stifle a laugh; whatever pain medication Tech and Echo had him on clearly affected his lucidity. 

“I live here,” you told him. 

“Oh,” he hummed. “Oh, yeah. With- mmm… with Cross.” 

Your cheeks flushed. “Not- not with him. I mean, he lives here, too but I don’t n- I’m not–”

“Easy, mesh’la,” Echo chuckled. You hadn’t realized he was awake. “You deny it any harder, you might explode.”

“I just mean that we’re not–”

“‘S’okay,” Rex mumbled. “He- can take care of you now.”

“Rex–”

Echo called your name. “He’s barely lucid,” he explained. “He doesn’t know what he’s saying.”

“I do,” Rex protested, louder than he had been, and caused a coughing fit.

Echo jumped up to hold his former captain steady, who tried to wave him off. 

“‘M fine,” he rasped. “M–mesh’la, I know I didn't take care of you like I shoulda–” he coughed harshly. “If- if Cross takes- if he can take care of you–”

“Rex,” you finally stopped him.

He finally fell back against the bed. You sat on the edge of it, your hand coming up to cup his cheek. 

“Rex, I know you’re on some strong meds and I don’t know if you’re going to understand,” you said, biting your lip. “But you left me. You decided to go back and fight. You broke my heart to keep me away but I can fight with you.  Crosshair has been a good friend, but I’ve only ever wanted you. Ni- ni kar’tayl… gar darasuum, Rex.”

Rex closed his eyes tightly. “No, I-I can’t– ner runi ru'kel ash'amur ures gar,” he pleaded. “Ni linibar at cabuor gar, mesh’la. Gedet’ye.”

You couldn’t understand what he was saying; Crosshair and Tech had helped you learn how to tell Rex you loved him, but that and the couple nicknames they all had for you was pretty much the extent of your mando’a knowledge. 

But you did know that Rex tended to slip into using language exclusively when he couldn’t control his emotions. Whatever he was telling you, he meant it from his never-planted roots.

“Bic cuyir ori'shya cyarir par ni,” he said. “Gar cuyir ner oyu'baat.”

You glanced at Echo–his eyes sad and sympathetic–then back to Rex.

“I love you, Rex,” you whispered, certain that your voice would break if you spoke any louder. “I– I’ll leave you alone. I’m sorry.”

You left quickly, Echo calling your name. He caught up to you in the hallway, his hand on your shoulder.

“‘My soul would die without you’,” Echo said.

You blinked at him. “What?”

“‘My soul would die without you. I need to protect you, please,’” he translated. “‘It is more than love for me, you are my universe.’ That’s what he said.”

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Thanks for reading! - River

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