#[Board got lost in a forest.]

[pergaminaa]

Modern au:

When Dorian started dating Manon, he was able to see a few things in her that made him suspect something was off. At that point, he was able to see the pressure her grandmother put her under and he felt helpless in the face of that kind of thing.

Manon was really going out of her way to make sure everything is perfect and yet her grandmother kept scrutinizing her.

At formal events, he got to see that first hand. Manon would be super stressed, it would get worse about 2-3 days prior where her anxiety is at it’s peak; she won’t be able to sleep, and can’t keep anything down.

Dorian can see all of her effort and yet her grandmother’s responses are a variety of

“Don’t embarrass me,”

“What a disgrace,”

“This is worthless,”

And it really angers him.

But that was nothing compared to what he saw when they moved in together.

Prior to that, Manon was able to maintain her mask of aloofness and perfection. It was only when they lived together than Dorian saw how she struggles with insecurity and abandonment issues.

He learned of the long months she’d spend at boarding school, her grandmother wouldn’t allow her to return home if her grades are anything below a 100%. She’d call her an embarrassment and let her spend the holidays studying and making up for those grades.

He also saw how she struggles with boundaries sometimes. Moreover, he noticed that she instantly panics whenever she thinks that she made a mistake. Like forgetting her jacket on the counter, or leaving some of her work behind on the coffee table.

Dorian hates hates hates how her grandmother turned her into this person. She honestly believes that as soon as she commits the tiniest mistake, Dorian is going to leave and find someone better. He told her time and again that he doesn’t want anyone else, better or worse. He wants only her and nothing will ever change that.

But of course, his reassurance does nothing to elevate those issues that have been there for two decades. All he can is promise to always be there, that no matter what happens he isn’t going to leave or find someone else.

Now another issue is their families. They attend the same social circles and their families no each other. Chaol is against their relationship because he wants someone other than a Blackbeak to be with his friend. Aelin doesn’t care much, she tries to get along with Manon but the two of them don’t spend any time together to have any sort of relationship.

Then there are his parents; Georgina wants to pick her son’s lifelong partner. The fact that he’s with the Blackbeak heir infuriates her to no end.

Now normally he would ignore everyone and does as he pleases. However, now that he lives with Manon and knows exactly how vulnerable she is, he had a meeting with his parents and Chaol.

He sat them all down, and told them in no certain terms that if he brings Manon over for a visit, if any one of them make her feel unwanted, he’d get her out of there immediately and never return back there.

Dorian is serious, she’s been though enough and he sees how she struggles. That the perfectly put up woman is hiding a lot of things underneath and he hates how he can’t shoulder some of those things. All he can do is love her through it all and hope that one day it will be enough.

[i-give-chess-pieces-to-people]

What's be the lore here?

Also c h e s s

c h e s s indeed!

and oh, have I mentioned my story-driven video game already?? I can go into the lore!

okay so basically you're running through caverns, and there's books that tell a story of two kingdoms at war. the caverns and the kingdoms are implied to be the same thing, but also not!

[Board proceeds to go on an hour-long tangent about their video game. Still not getting the full story that easily, hehe.]

[bussyyeukie]

butcher!simon x student!reader: after moving to a little town in the middle of nowhere to work on your studies and finish up your degree, you seemed to frequent the butcher shop. Not that you were a great cook or anything, but you were an anatomy student, and practicing on the slabs of meat was helpful for dissection practice and stitching and such, it just wasn’t the same on fake skin (even if taking the odd cuts did make a few patrons look at you funny). But the quiet butcher was always happy to help.

There was something about the town that made you feel uneasy walking down the streets at night. It was a relatively quiet town, nothing really ever happened, and if it did everyone knew about it. A quiet town in the woods, typically basked in fog in the winters and baking in the summers. Everyone knew everyone, and it wasn’t often someone new came to town–especially not for long. The old people of the town said there’s a beast in the forest, something big and angry. Snatching up those who didn’t respect it’s domain.

You thought it was silly. Nothing had happened to you yet, but then again, you didn’t disrespect it’s domain.

You assumed that meant littering.

You’d moved to the town 4 months prior, almost finished with your degree, opting for an online course, renting out a place just on the outskirts of town from an old woman’s daughter, who had recently moved the old lady to an inpatient care facility. She’d hoped you’d keep the place warm while they were gone.

You had agreed, and moved in later that month. It was a tiny place, two beds, one bath with a large living room, a backyard that had the forest behind the wooden fence surrounding the property. Two stories but a relatively short staircase, narrow too. It was definitely a house owned by a strange old lady–taxidermy littered the place, dark wallpapering, and an abundance of books. Not that you were complaining, you always took to the weirder decorations yourself. Although you did end up taking the screaming fawn off of the chest that was in front of your bed. Swearing you could hear it crying at night.

The whole place had just lost the mothballs and soup scent, when you’d first moved in it was almost overwhelming. You’d left every window and every door open for hours. Lighting candles and washing the bedding in the guest room about 5 times. Emptying a bottle of perfume on it and on the sofa.

But besides that, it was a lovely little place, the sun shone through the windows in the mornings, and it didn’t get unbearably cold at night. Not yet anyway. Many locals told you that the deeper into winter it got the worse those old houses by the woods held up.

You had a 65 year old offer to help you fight the chill your second week there. Causing a fit of laughter from you and some laughs from the others sitting with him. A waitress at the diners bar apologizing for his behavior. You waved it off, the old man was no threat and it had given you a good laugh.

After about a month in town the locals started warming up to you, making friends with the woman who ran the bookstore. She claimed it was nice having an intellectual in the building for once. She’d even ordered some new books just for you, spending time talking about the new ones on the shelves or whatever ran she’d end up going on. There was a cashier at the local grocers who seemed to be enamored by you. He would watch which line you’d go to and make sure he was checking on that one by the time it was your turn. The waitresses at the diners and cafes liked you as well, you tipped good and chased off crazies when they’d become a bother.

Not to mention the butcher. 

The big, meaty handed butcher who made his cleaver look small and swung with force to crack the wood cutting board. The butcher who wore a surgical mask when you’d seen him, shirt consistently blood splattered. Even with the leather apron he wore, the thick liquid managed to stain him. His eyes were sunken with dark circles and had a dead look to them. Shoulders broad and his back casting a dangerous shadow over his work as the dingy lights of his shop hit him.

You remembered the first time you’d ventured in. Nearing your first month there, your intrigue stroked when you overheard a conversation about the brutish butcher. 

“There’s something wrong with the boy,” one of the old women wandering the baking aisle had said. Shaking her head, “He’s like the dead I tell you, doesn’t speak much, big lad but he lumbers around…don’t think i’ve ever seen him outside of that shop! Just stares…”

You remembered how you’d nearly dropped the box you were holding, enraptured by the conversation behind you. Hastily steadying yourself and snapping forward as the two women glanced your way.

The shop wasn’t big, just a small tiled area for people to stand, the counter, and the meat display. It opened up more behind the counter, where some meats were hanging heavily from hooks, and knives were in abundance. The lights of the shop yellowish and flickered when someone closed the door too hard. It was cold, and smelled of flesh and smoke. Cigarettes and bloodiness. A glass display of meats. All thick and red.

Of course, the butcher was hard to miss. The first time you’d gone in, there were a few people already there, chatting mindlessly with each other or with the butcher. You stood with your bag slipping off your shoulder, coat zipped up, colorful scarf sloppily tucked into it, one end hanging out. Your shoes clicked on the tiles, and you couldn’t shake the faint buzzing sound that echoed in the building.

You remembered the weight of your bag on your shoulders, and how you’d nearly plopped it at your feet as you looked at the meats in the case.

Frankly, you didn’t know what they were, what cuts were what, hell you didn’t even know what animal they’d come from. It all looked the same to you.

Looking up, tucking some hair behind your ear you met eyes with the hulking man. Blank brown eyes that sat set and unmoving. Your own widening at the sheer size of the man. How silently he’d shown up. There was one other person in the shop at that point, but the bell rang as they walked out, muttering on the phone as they did.

A silence falling upon you two. Your eyes darted down to his rugged nose, crooked and strong, and then to the dry, cracked lips under it, a scar running through the top one that tugged at the skin slightly. A subtle peek of teeth under it. His mask pulled down and rested just under his lips. Brows pinched together as he stood there. His skin was pale and discolored under the light. But you were sure yours was as well.

“Um,” your voice sounded out of place as you spoke, breaking a sacred silence, “This is silly but, I don’t know anything about meats…what’s easy to cook?”

You tore your eyes away, almost painfully, and looked at the case in front of you. Watching a thin trail of blood drip down from one of the cuts, following the path that had already cut a red line. Stopping for a moment before it dripped down lower into the case.

Your question went unanswered for a minute, before there was a distinct breath in from the man in front of you.

“Pork tenderloin,” the voice startled you, almost drowning the lingering buzzing completely. Rough and deep, it fell from his mouth, “You can grill it or roast it, inna pan too. Just go’a season it.”

He leaned forward, easily leaning over the case, and pointing to one of the cuts, his thick arms resting against the glass. Looking up at you through his messy brows. 

“Oh,” you smiled at him, he smelled of blood and cigarettes, just like his shop. The scent was almost different when it came off of him, warmer, “Thank you. Could I have one of those please?”

He didn’t move, just looked at you, then licked his lips, standing back straight.

“Yea’,” he opened the case, the glass whining as it moved.

His thick hands grabbed the meat, the meat squishing under his fingers, a drip of blood leaking from it as he moved. 

Jerking his head over to the end of the counter, “Move over ‘ere.”

You walked over, shouldering your bag a bit, reaching into your pocket to grab your wallet.

His back was to you, the sounds of paper crunching filling the space. His back was wide, blocking out the light under him, not a trim V taper–but big. Thick and wide and obviously strong. You could see his triceps working under his t-shirt, you could see his lats flexing and his traps bunching in a strong mass as he reached up for twine. It was beautiful.

He reminded you of anatomy models you’d use, ones where you could see different weights and different levels of atrophy and hypertrophy of the muscle. You’d always favored the big ones, bulked muscle, rich with fibers and snapping with strength.

Almost being cracked out of a trance as he turned around, briefly noting his front looked just as strong, a thick chest and his stomach solid as it pressed against the shirt. It wasn’t really a tight shirt, you think he just filled it out. He was obviously well fed.

He placed the neatly packaged meat in front of you, the twine tied in a bow on top of it.

“You’re new in town, ain’t ya?”

Nodded, you gave him a tight pressed smile, “Yes sir, been here almost a month.”

He didn’t react to it at all. Just stared.

“Hm.”

You nodded awkwardly, shooting a glance off to the side, then back to him, “Thank you, how much do I owe ya’?”

Tilting his head slightly the butcher looked you up and down.

“$10.00.”

You pulled out a beaten $10 from your wallet, a voice in the back of your mind asking why it was so cheap. Maybe meat was cheap here? Maybe he got a lot of customers and didn’t need to jack up his prices. You handed it over and felt your stomach lurch when your fingers brushed his. 

He didn’t seem to notice, but you swore you broke out into chills the second you touched his cold hands. Like he lived in a freezer.

“Thank you,” you picked up the meat, and held it carefully in your arms as you put your wallet away, “It looks delicious. I hope I don’t ruin your good work with my bad cooking.”

You chuckled at your sorry joke, and felt your cheeks flush a bit when he didn’t react…again.

Before you could turn away he spoke up again. 

“Sear it in a hot pan an' finish cookin' in the oven for about 20 minutes. It’s ready when the internal temperature reaches abou’ 145°F…”

Nodding your head, you tucked a loose chunk of hair behind your ear, “Oh! Thank you, I’ll let you know how it turns out–if it isn’t too bad, might not say anything if I bomb too hard.”

He snorted a silent huff of air out of his nose, like it was supposed to be some sort of laugh at your even worse joke.

He didn’t say anything more, you slowly took a step back, the doorbell ringing as someone walked in.

“Thank you again,” you smiled kindly as you turned, the man on he phone was now looking at his screen and shaking his head, running a man through his hair.

You had failed to notice the way the butcher licked his lips again, brows pinching further and curling his lips up slightly before he turned to the man on the phone. Missing how he snapped at the man that he needed to come back in 20 cause the shop was closed.

Your meeting with him grew more frequent, bordering on once a week. He’d tell you how to cook the meat you bought, and you would. Rather poorly, but you were improving. Slowly but surely.

It turned into him having the meat already cut and wrapped by the time you got there, giving it to you with instructions. They were usually very vague but he’d hit all the important steps. He spoke more too, the more you insisted on having conversation with him, the more you two actually had conversations. It quickly became a highlight of your week, you almost got a smile out of Simon–he told you his name the fourth meeting, said it got annoying hearing you call him Butcher–when you had tripped coming in the door once, barely catching yourself.

He even offered to cook something for you sometime. You quickly took him up on the offer, since you still couldn’t really cook, and he was probably worlds better than you at grilling.

Never paying much mind to how blood he’d be sometimes, dried blood lingering under his nails, probably just came with being a butcher. Right?

Or that he’d charge you half of what he did to others, and always gave you the best cuts. The cuts were even better the next week when you’d come in in a tank top or a pair of shorts or anything low cut. He was taller than you, and he already had to look down to talk to you so you never noticed the lowered gaze, and you were too engaged with talking about anatomy and the cellular makeup of different tissues to notice he wasn’t listening.

Didn't matter anyway, just gave him more time to stare at you.

[clemswinecorner-socials]

skiing trips [gc]

yourusername

Austria

liked by gkbarry_, willne and others

yourusername influencers go (apres) skiing in austria, thank you @/alo i had a blast tagged chloeburrows, ashholme, max_balegde, georgeclarkeey, chiaraking

posted march 3rd, 2024

ashholme may the things said this trip never leave the groupchat 🙏🏼🙏🏼 randomfan this seems like an iconiccccc crew georgeclarkeey loved the trip through the trees in particular xx

yourusername thought we agreed not to speak on that x

yourfriend i need to go skiing with you again actually georgefan GEORGE???? what is this crossover omgggg

... view more comments

yourusername

Finland

liked by theburntchip, andrew_spanndy and others

yourusername lapland diaries!!! (thanks for the invite lovelies xx) tagged georgeclarkeey, glambyflo, sabinablair_, livvydimartino, georgeclarkeey, italianbach, georgeclarkeey, arthurtv, theburntchip

posted october 22nd, 2024

yoursister this is so cute!!! glambyflo the santa claus village sign???!!! i wish I saw that

yourusername ikr!! saw it on a walk before doing groceries it was so cute

georgefan omg this grouppppp sabinablair_ queenie theburntchip good fun ay

... view more comments

yourusername

The Dolomites, Italy

liked by chrismd10, tbjzl and others

yourusername come to the boys skiing trip, they said... tagged arthurtv, charliehutchins, wroetoshaw, georgeclarkeey, chrismd10, wroetoshaw, chrismd10, arthurtv, wroetoshaw, theobaker_, georgeclarkeey, willne

posted december 10th, 2024

sidemenfan i am so jealous rn. yourfriend 🤩🤩🤩 willne thanks for the single slide lad

yourusername i can still delete it

georgeclarkeey at least the trip through the trees went a little better this time randomboysfan girl they're not going to kiss you 😂😂😂

yourfollower is she not allowed to have friends wtf

yourparent looks like you guys had fun! ;)

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yourusername

French Alps

liked by arthurnfhill, glambyflo and others

yourusername out: friendzone in: family holidays

posted january 15th, 2025

yourfollower A SOFTLAUNCH??? chrismd10 how cute _emilyclarke 🌸🏂❤️ yourbestie okay miss gurl georgefan pls the invisalign, she thinks we don't know 😭😭 randomfollower this looks so fun! georgeclarkeey seems like a handsome guy

... view more comments

yourusername

Sweden

liked by alo, willne and others

yourusername ski boyfriend board gf anniversary (ish) trip tagged georgeclarkeey

posted march 29th

yourusername thanks to @/alo for the og trip and the gear :) max_balegde MY CHILDRENNNN!!!! yourfan I KNEW ITTTTT arthurnfhill oh wow I never expected this! alo 💙💙💙 we love love!!! georgeclarkeey can't believe we got lost in the forest again

yourusername and who's fault is that? yourusername (every damn time it's yours)

georgeclarkeey love you missus ❤️

... view more comments

[ladysharmaa]

Wild Hearts

Jasper Hale x original character

Summary: When a new girl arrives at Forks, she seems to catch Jasper Hale's attention. However, he and his family are hiding a secret. What they don't know is that Evelyn has a secret of her own

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8

Forks had quickly become Evelyn's favorite place. That day, the rain fell gracefully, creating small puddles of water on the ground and making the forest landscape outside the dark blonde's bedroom window even more mysterious. She hadn't explored the city much yet, but she hoped to be able to do so in the next few days.

She got a ride from Angela and Jessica to school, and the three of them had become quite close. One of the biggest reasons was that they had formed an alliance against the trio of Mike, Eric, and Tyler.

On the other hand, Alice also greeted her every day when she saw her in the hallway, and she had even seen Rosalie give her a small smile. It was somewhat surprising because Evelyn was sure that the blonde didn't like her, although Eve didn't know what she had done wrong. The one who didn't talk to her much was Jasper, even after they had gotten along when they walked to class together.

After saying goodbye to her friends, who had a different class than her, Evelyn headed to history class. The truth is that classes were a pain, not that they weren't interesting, but Evelyn couldn't pay attention for long, quickly getting lost in her thoughts. Besides, the words all got mixed up in her head, so trying to read the school books was very frustrating.

Evelyn then sat down at an empty table, resting her chin on her hand and looking around while she waited for the teacher to arrive. She entertained herself watching the other students, who were chatting animatedly since the class hadn't started yet.

However, her attention was diverted when Jasper pulled out the chair next to her and sat down, looking at her with a small smile.

"Hey, Jasper. How are you?"

"Hello, Evelyn." The vampire felt his chest tighten, and had to remind himself that he had to breathe in to maintain his disguise as a human. But Evelyn's smile, directed at him, drove him crazy. "I'm good, thank you. And you, darling?"

"I'm fine too! Really loving Forks. I'm planning on going for a walk here, maybe exploring the forest a bit."

"You should be careful, the forest can be dangerous." the boy warned worriedly. However, Evelyn couldn't answer because the teacher had finally arrived.

The subject was interesting, they were talking about the Civil War. However, and nothing new, Evelyn ended up getting distracted and missed what the professor was explaining, until she heard her name mentioned. She jumped in her chair, seeing that the whole class and the teacher were looking at her, waiting.

"Excuse me, can you repeat that?" Evelyn was sure that her face was completely red with embarrassment. Jasper, next to her, watched the situation with a frown. He didn't like feeling those feelings from his mate.

He sighed. "I asked you to read the document and tell me about the key turning points of the Civil War. Today, Miss Miller, preferably."

The girl looked at the board and her breathing quickened. As she already knew it was going to happen, although she still hoped for a miracle to happen, the words all got mixed up, preventing her from understanding what the professor wanted her to say.

The class was completely silent, watching the teacher lose his patience with the new student. "Well?" he snapped.

"I'm sorry, it's just that my dyslexia…"

Jasper was getting more and more irritated at seeing Evelyn's discomfort. Then, he leaned forward slightly, his voice low but carrying a strange, commanding weight. “The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point for the Union. Lee's defeat ended the Confederacy's advance into the North and marked the beginning of their decline.”

The teacher raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. “That's correct, but I didn't know your name was also Evelyn, Mr. Hale." Small chuckles echoed around the room. Evelyn only blushed more at this, looking at Jasper who seemed unaffected by the looks he was receiving. "But what made Gettysburg so significant?"

His Southern accent was even more noticeable as he continued. “It wasn't just the loss of troops. The morale of the Confederate Army took a hit they never recovered from. Combine that with the Union’s growing industrial advantage and—” He paused, as though catching himself. “Well, the outcome became inevitable.”

The teacher seemed slightly taken aback. “Well, that’s… very detailed, Jasper. Nice work.”

When the teacher resumed teaching, Evelyn was able to jump from her seat to hug the blond. “Thank you so much, Jasper. You didn’t have to do that. I’m sorry I put you in this position.”

“You didn’t put me in anything, Evelyn. Don’t worry about it.” Jasper tried to soothe Evelyn’s concern with his gift.

“No, I truly am sorry. It’s just that school is always so hard for me. I have… I have trouble learning.” she whispered, looking away from the vampire’s amber eyes.

“I can help you, if you want.” Anything to get closer to the girl. "I can explain the topics to you so you don't have to read anything."

"Would you mind doing that?" Eve asked hopefully. When he nodded, she straightened her back in excitement. "I really appreciate it. Thank you, Jasper. You're very sweet."

If Jasper were human, he was sure he would be blushing by now. After so many years alone, he had finally found his mate. She was so much better than any version of her he had ever imagined. Her beauty, both internal and external, the way she was so easy to make blush, her confidence. She was simply perfect. And he was a monster who didn’t deserve her.

He should leave her alone, he knew that. She couldn’t be with someone like him. But it was so hard resisting their bond. He didn’t know if that would ever be possible, for now, he was simply enjoying the moment.

‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗

Evelyn was standing by the lockers with Jessica and Angela, Jessica telling them about the latest school gossip. Evelyn wasn't the biggest fan of gossip, because since she didn't want anyone to get involved in her life, she didn't want anyone else's either.

A group entering the school caught her attention. It was the Cullens, talking quietly, but apparently a little angrily, among themselves. Edward looked at her, his eyes frustrated for some reason. Alice, following her brother's line of sight, waved at Evelyn and motioned for her to come over.

"Sorry, I'm just going to say hello to Alice. You can tell me the rest at lunch, Jessica." she said, starting to take a step toward the Cullens, but Jessica's voice stopped her.

"You're going to say hello to Alice Cullen?" Jessica shrieked. Evelyn looked at her with wide eyes, nodding slowly. "How did you manage to talk to them? Since the moment they arrived, they haven't spoken to anyone!"

"I'm sure you're exaggerating, Jessica. They're all very nice." The dark blonde replied, and without giving Jessica time to continue, she walked towards the vampire family. "Good morning."

She received a greeting from everyone, and a smile from Jasper that made her heart race. His pained expression lessened as Evelyn approached.

She didn't know how it was possible to know him for such a short time and feel such a strong connection with him. As if she wanted to spend every second of the day with him. It was a very strange feeling.

Emmett and Lucas exchanged a smile when they saw his brother completely in love with the girl. He looked like a puppy, all that was missing was wagging his tail when he saw his owner.

Alice, rolling her eyes at her boyfriend and brother's antics, crossed her arms with Evelyn's and started walking down the hallway. Rosalie stood on the other side of Evelyn, her face a little more serious.

"I love your outfit, Rosalie. You have to tell me where you got that sweater." Evelyn complimented sincerely.

"Thanks." The blonde smiled at Evelyn, also crossing her arm with the girl's. She really wasn't that bad, even though she was human. And her scent was so calming to be near, it made you forget about the tempting blood of other people.

The boys, who were left behind, opened their mouths in shock when they saw the vampire's action. Emmett kept hitting Jasper's arm, and if he wasn't a vampire, he would have been thrown back. But Jasper didn't even feel Emmett's hand, his gaze fixed on his mate. She managed to win everyone's hearts.

"Oh!" Alice gave a small excited squeal. "We have to go shopping together! How about today?"

"Sure! It should be fun. I haven't had much time to get to know the city yet."

"Why?" Rosalie asked curiously.

"I've been working at a dinner nearby." Evelyn informed. "And it takes up a lot of my time, especially since I have to study afterwards."

"Well, today we'll take you to Seattle to do some shopping! Shall we meet at the school entrance after lunch?" Alice suggested, receiving confirmation from the other two.

With a wave, they went their separate ways to their classes.

‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗

As she had expected, her day with the two Cullens had been one of Evelyn's best days in Forks so far. They had gone through all the stores in the mall, and even after Evelyn bought a scarf, Rosalie and Alice had insisted on buying her a warm coat. After much insistence, Evelyn finally agreed. The two had also bought some things for themselves and left the store when it was already dark, all holding huge bags.

Rose and Eve laughed at a joke Alice had made, the three of them having become very close friends that afternoon. On their way to the car, they saw the rest of the Cullen siblings, except for Edward. Jasper, Emmett, and Lucas were leaning against a black Volvo, arms crossed over their chests and waiting for the girls. The two vampires hurried to get to their boyfriends, while Evelyn followed a little behind with a big smile. She felt so happy. She had met so many people who were already so important to her in such a short time.

Jasper walked over to her, offering to carry the bags. Evelyn handed them to him, watching him put them in the trunk of his car. "You girls had fun?"

"So much fun! We have to do it again!" Alice exclaimed. Evelyn giggled, and Jasper was sure it was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. It sounded like an angel singing, he would do anything to hear Evelyn giggle again.

"Well, maybe we'll go in my car and Jasper can drive Evelyn home." Rosalie said, the other agreeing. After saying goodbye with a hug to both Rosalie and Alice, Eve got in Jasper's car.

The two of them were silent, but it was comforting. Music blared through the car as Jasper drove, his attention intent on the road.

"We have a history test next week." The vampire broke the silence, glancing at the girl in the passenger seat. "If you want, I can help you study like we talked about."

"That would be great! Would you like tomorrow? I have to work, but then we could go to my place," she offered. But when Jasper didn't respond immediately, she began to ramble. "Or not. It's up to you. Whenever you want, really. I just made that suggestion, but you can say no—"

"Evelyn." He interrupted her speech with a chuckle. The way he said her name gave her chills. "Tomorrow would be fine. Your parents don't mind if I go to your house?"

"I live alone. So maybe around five o'clock?"

Jasper nodded. The two didn't speak again during the drive, both lost in their thoughts. When they arrived at Evelyn's house, Jasper gripped the steering wheel tighter. The house was quite old, and didn't seem to be in the best condition. He tried not to show on his face the emotions he felt when he saw where his mate lived. She deserved to live in a castle, not here.

He would give her anything she wanted.

[jazzthatonewriterchick]

Ride ‘Em, Cowgirl! (Ace x Black!F!Reader 18+ One Shot)

Pairing: Cowboy!Ace D. Portgas x Writer!Reader (Strangers to FWBs to Lovers)

Synopsis: As the author of some famous smutty romance novels, you decide to take a vacation in the countryside for a while to get over your breakup and work on your new book but you suffer from writer’s block. However, a meet-cute situation with a sexy farmhand who lives next door might be able to help you kill two birds with one stone.

Warnings: Smutty Smut; 18+; Sexual Tension; Highkey Flirting; Tongue Kissing; Oral (Giving & Receiving); Clit Stimulation; Doggystyle; Nipple Piercings; Cowgirl/Riding; Ace Puts His Hat on Your Head While You Take His Big D*ck; Dom!Ace/sub!Reader; Reader Cums 2x; Creampie; Strangers to FWBs to Lovers; Aftercare

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters mentioned in this fic. However, as this is my writing, I do not give permission for my work to be reposted on any other sites that are not from my own accounts. Thank you!

Writer’s Note: I’ve had a MAJOR cowboy brain rot all summer & decided to write something as the season is ending. I love me some Ace 🥺🥺 him & his big, silly, sexy ass…I miss him. He didn’t d*e in my universe. ENJOY LOVELIES!! 💋💋🫶🏾🫶🏾 -Jazz

**********

While the countryside is beautiful, the absence of reception is not.

You sit in the driver’s seat of your rental, the AC cranked up high though you’re still sweating from anxiety and panic. Your pits are perspiring despite the cute little sundress you threw on to match your sunhat and sunglasses. You felt like a movie star boarding the train here, but now, all of that feeling of glamor is gone.

A thrush forest and fields of land surround you on the dirt road you’ve been driving down for over fifteen minutes now since you got off the train that put you in the countryside. You had originally come out here to indulge in nature, thinking it would help clear your head for your new book and heal your heart over your recent breakup that caused your writer’s block.

You’re a city girl, born and raised miles away from here. Despite your cute little one-bedroom-one-bathroom studio apartment, you get tired of being surrounded by skyrise buildings and smoggy streets when you write. You thought a change of scenery would do you some good, especially to distract you from the sight of the same couch and bed where your ex used to make love to you on.

But now, after seeing nothing but trees, grass, and cows for the past five minutes since you got lost, you’re becoming sick of it. You haven’t seen a single person or building since the train station!

“Dammit,” you huff, begrudgingly tossing your phone into the passenger’s seat with your laptop case and suitcase. You hate getting lost! You must’ve taken a left instead of a right and then steered off the trail your GPS set for you.

You keep the AC and gas running as you get out of the car. The heat immediately slaps you in the face and the sun glares at you, causing you to slide your sunglasses on top of your head used to hold your braids back onto your eyes. You shield the hot rays with your hand and look down the road. Nothing. Not even a barn. You’re completely stranded.

No people. No reception. You were never going to make it to that sweet, quaint little Airbnb you rented. You were scrolling on Booking.com you’ve seen so many commercials for three weeks ago when you came across the little cabin with central air, a wine cellar, and a back patio overlooking a lake. It is only ten miles from town and near some hiking trails for running.

You booked it immediately and spoke to the owner, a sweet Southern widow who let you rent it for the entire week for a cut because of your books. “I love your work!” she gushed over the phone. “I’m so honored you’re choosin’ my little home to help you write a new book! I’ll stack more wine in the cellar just for you!”

You may never get to enjoy that wine, the lake, or some sunbathing on the patio. You lean against your carhood, hopeless and exhausted. Maybe this will be a good inspiration for your book: a city girl gets lost in the countryside and realizes that a change of scenery can’t fix heartbreak. Then she dies of a broken heart (and starvation) in her rental and when someone finally finds her, she’ll be nothing but bones because the cows ate her.

There your whacked-out mind goes. You tilt your head to the sunny, blue sky, hoping God can see you and have mercy on your soul. “God,” you groan. “Please just send me someone.”

“Hey, there!” a sudden cheery, male voice chirps from behind you. You shriek and jump, turning around to face the stranger. “Shit!” you gasp, putting a hand on your jumping heart. “You scared the hell outta me!”

When your heart finally settles down, you realize just how cute the stranger is. He is tall and fit judging by how tight his black V-neck is under his flannel. A cowboy hat hits low on his nest of black curls and an adorable smattering of freckles adorn his cheeks. His jeans are just as tight with a large belt buckle on the front of his leather belt and his cowboy boots are scuffed.

It’s like he stepped out of a girl’s wettest Western dream, especially with the dog tags hanging from his thick neck and the leather bracelet on his wrist. He is hotter than the sun you’re standing in.

“Apologies,” he says, stifling a chuckle with his hands up. “I promise I don’t mean no farm. I just happened to see you just sittin’ here on the road and couldn’t help but wonder if you’re stealin’ my job.” His brown eyes are filled with humor and playfulness.

“Job?” you parrot, confused. “What are you—“

Suddenly, the hot stranger places two fingers on each hand in his mouth and blows a loud, shrill whistle. Immediately, each of the cows grazing in the grass and wandering in the road gather together near him. “C’mon, y’all!” he shouts. “Over here by the pretty truck! Out of the pretty lady’s way!”

You flush at his compliment but don’t focus too much on it. You’re too busy focusing on the cherry red pickup truck with the muddy wheels that you now see some yards behind your rental. How did you not hear him drive up?

The cows follow the cowboy and surround his truck, mooing and chewing. He leaves them there and comes running back to you, panting. “Sorry ‘bout that. Them cows ain’t too bright sometimes. One left the farm down the road and all of ‘em followed, so I got sent out to get ‘em.”

“Oh,” you say. “Well, that takes care of one problem. Thanks.”

He raises one eyebrow, curious. “One problem?” he ponders aloud. “Anything I can help you with, miss? Tell me if I’m wrong but ya look kinda…” He pauses, looking for the right word.

“Lost?” you sigh. He sniggers, shaking his head. “Distressed.” You take a moment to think about this. You really shouldn’t tell him since he’s a total stranger despite his cute freckles and eyes that remind you of a puppy’s. “Well, I am,” you sigh. “But nothing I can’t handle. Thank you again, Mr. uh….”

The cowboy smiles brightly at you and it’s like a punch in the face. He is quite handsome. “Ace,” he replies. “Ace D. Portgas. No, ‘Mr’, please. Just Ace.”

He puts out one of his big ringed hands for a shake. You slowly take it in your smaller one, noticing how calloused and rough his palm is…and how warm and strong it is. “Ace then,” you say, quickly pulling away. “Nice to meet you. I’m Y/N L/N.”

Ace’s eyes fill with recognition immediately at the sound of your name. “The writer?” he asks, raising an eyebrow. You immediately break out into a smile, happy with the recognition. “So you’ve heard of me.”

He nods, shoving a hand in the pocket of his jeans. “Yeah, your stuff is pretty popular with the female population over here. I’ve seen some of your books in the town’s local bookstore before. Where ya from?”

“[City Name],” you reply, beaming from the newfound information You always love to hear about people loving and reading your work. Ace hums, nodding in understanding. “Ah, so you’re a city girl,” he draws, his Southern accent making a big appearance here. It makes something in your stomach grow warm.

You place your hands on your hips, pursing your lips. “Are you about to give me that ‘the country is better than the city’ crap?” you playfully scoff.

Ace gapes at you, playing into your mock disagreement. “What?! No way….except we’ve got better people.” You laugh, giving him that one. “Oh, that I agree with! Everyone here is so nice!”

Literally everyone. The train conductor, the workers at the train station, the nice man who held the door for you…maybe even this sexy cowboy. It must be the clean air and environment without the buildings, hustle, and crowds of people. “So what’s a talented gal like you doin’ all the way down here?” He curiously asks. “Ya got family here?”

Despite your situation, you find yourself enjoying conversing with Ace. It’s easy, unlike with your ex. “I’m writing a new book at the Airbnb I rented…which I’m no closer to getting to ‘cause I can’t follow directions.”

Ace’s smile fades. “Really? Where’s it at? Maybe I can help ya get there.” Your blood pressure rises as your brain begins to go through every possible reason to not give this man the address to your weekend home. “Um….”

Realization flickers in Ace’s eyes and he nods in understanding. “I get it: stranger danger. If ya want, I can tell you the directions and let ya drive off. Promise.” He puts his right hand up as if he’s on the stand at a trial. “I only wanna help a celebrity out.”

His friendly smile and nature seem genuine despite that twist in your stomach telling you differently. However, you don’t hear any warning signs blaring in your head and your gut isn’t giving you that kick of intuition. Throwing caution to the wind, you tell him: “It’s on 21 North Oakwood Lane.”

You watch as Ace’s eyes widen in excitement like a kid on Christmas. “Forreal?! That’s where my farm is at! I bet my neighbor is the one you’re rentin’ from! Mable Chestnut ring any bells?”

Your brain immediately reacts to the Airbnb owner’s name. “Yeah, that’s her!” you exclaim. “You live there too?” He nods, beaming brightly at you. “Yes, ma’am, and you’re a long way away from that, honey. You must’ve taken a wrong turn completely.”

You huff, feeling the stress return. Of course, you took a wrong turn. Unbeknownst to you, Ace feels bad for the pretty woman standing in front of him and instantly wants to make her feel better. So he clears his throat, gaining your attention. “I’ll tell ya what: if you want, I can hop in my pickup truck and lead you to your place. I know these trails like the back of my hand.”

“I’m sure you do,” you reply, laughing slightly. “You’re a cowboy, aren’t you?” His lips twist in a lopsided smirk that makes your insides curl. “Yes, ma’am. That and a farmhand. I wrangle horses, cows, bulls, anythin’ you can think of. My job requires that I know the ins and outs of my town.”

You can tell he’s telling the truth, but the logical part of you is still wary. “I dunno,” you admit, awkwardly playing with the hem of our dress. “I mean, you seem sweet and legit, but I barely know you and—“

“Oh, you found ‘em!” a voice rings out. You turn, seeing a blue truck with a wooden crate stopping next to Ace’s truck. An older couple with silver-white hair and matching boots come sliding out of the front, looking relieved to see their cows. The wife, in her flowery skirt, whistles at the cows. “My precious babies! Get y’all asses on that damn truck!”

She begins berating them as the animals climb up the wooden ramp to the cart, piling in one after the other. Her husband, wearing jeans, flannel, and a cowboy hat, helps her by whistling to them. Once they’re all in, he locks the crate and walks up to Ace with his wife, giving you a hello as they do. “Oh, Ace, what would I do without you?” The wife sighs, taking the young cowboy’s hand in her wrinkled ones. “I’ll have to bake you more of that apple pie to thank you.”

Ace smiles, tipping his hat at them. “It’s no problem, Mr. And Mrs. Phelps. Just doin’ my job.” Mr. Phelps pats him on the back, laughing. “Well, you prove to be fit for your job every time, young man.”

“I’ll deliver the pie tomorrow,” Mrs. Phelps says with a wink. “You still live at 20 Oakwood Lane?” Ace nods and thanks them before the old couple walk back to their truck, get in, and go driving off with their cows in the back.

He turns back to you, a smug smile on his face. With defeat, you give in to his proposal. “Okay, fine,” you sigh. “We’ll try it your way.”

He grins, bowing slightly in thanks, grateful for you putting your trust in him. But it ain’t like you’ve got a choice at this point. But if you had said no, maybe he would’ve called the cops or something to help you. He seems like a genuine, sweet type of man…but then again, you thought the same about your ex before he cheated. “I won’t letcha down, missy. Now let’s getcha to your luxury suite!”

He turns and races off to his truck. As he does, the back of his flannel floats up, giving you a peek of his backside. Your mouth waters at the sight of his plump, firm ass in those jeans. Maybe you will have a nice time here after all.

After getting in your car and following Ace’s truck down the road, he takes you in the right direction that your GPS states. You decided to turn it on just to make sure Ace wasn’t taking you somewhere else. The drive is only eight minutes and finally, trees fall away to a beautiful clearing of brick homes and farms down a dirt road.

You finally come to your Airbnb and it’s just as cute in real life as it was in its photos. The white tiled roof and window outline combined with the buttery yellow color of the outside of the house reminds you of a frosted cake as you park your car in front of it. The house is located on ten acres of land that the owner owns and tends to, including a fruit orchard that you most definitely will enjoy tomorrow.

You go up to the azalea bushes planted at the white picket fence surrounding the cobbled stone walkway and steps. Bending down, you move one of the stones–a gray one shaped like a heart–and take the house key from under it. Ms. Chestnut made sure to tell you where to find it before she left.

Clutching the key to your chest, you turn and find Ace lugging your bags out of the backseat of your car, including your laptop case. As he does, you watch as his arms flex enticingly so. He has taken off his flannel, probably too hot in the afternoon heat to wear even the lightest of long-sleeved tops.

“Aaaand here we are,” he announces, bringing the luggage up to you. You go to take your suitcase, feeling bad for his work. “Oh, you don’t have to—“

“Nonsense! It’s barely heavy for me.” He gives you a wink before nodding at the locked door, looking just as excited as you.

You snort and unlock the door, giving way to a gorgeous living room with hardwood floors and a sunroom that meets an expensive-looking dining room filled with fine China dishes. On the left is an older-looking kitchen with a cartoon cat cuckoo clock and an adorable fruit-shaped cooking set and a washroom that leads outside to the back patio.

Ace whistles approvingly, looking around the house. “Beautiful place. I can see why ya rented here to write your new book. What’s it about, if I may ask?” He runs his boots on the ‘Welcome’ rug at the door before coming in with your luggage. He hands you your laptop before placing your suitcase and bag down gently on the floor.

You don’t know why you tell him, but something inside you tells you that it’s okay to do so: “Heartbreak.”

You watch as the cowboy pauses and then slowly turns to stare at you. You clear your throat to appear neutral and blasè like your past relationship and how it ended don’t still sting. “I didn’t just come here to write,” you explain. “I also came here to clear my head over my recent breakup. Working helps.”

Ace’s expression is unreadable. He stands with his hands in his pockets, his jaw working slightly. You now can see that he’s chewing gum. “Long term?” he asks. You nod, fighting back tears. “Three years.”

Three years of what you thought was the beginning of forever for you. You had met his parents; took trips with him; moved him into your apartment a year after you started dating. It was so nice when he came home to you after his shifts as a lawyer, the both of you snuggling with takeout and puffing on some weed to calm the nerves. You loved those nights with him.

But then those nights became ones of loneliness and suspicion when he wouldn’t come home till the AM. You started fighting and growing more apart until one day, while he was showering, you answered his phone on a call meant for him. Clearly, because the girl on the other line was asking you if you were still on for her place that night thinking you were your man…who apparently wasn’t just your man.

After denying it, he admitted to sleeping with his coworker for two months. “You were so busy with your books!” he had argued. “I needed you too, Y/N!”

Of course, that didn’t fly with you. As a grown-ass man, he was more than capable of communicating with you and never did. So, after three years, you ended your relationship and he moved out within a week. Learning to live without him is more than hard, but you’re learning with every step.

Ace whistles as if winded by your answer. “I’m very sorry to hear that, but one thing I know is that you won’t get no clearin’ your head out in the city. No offense.” He gives you a joking smile that brightens the room. “None taken,” you giggle. “That’s why I came out here.”

He nods, crossing his arms over his chest. “That was a good idea. You may never wanna go home though.” He stands there like a tall, sexy tree you’d like to climb. His personality and energy only make your attraction to him much worse.

You don’t know if he feels the tension in the air too, but his smile fades and his eyes fill with a spark you think you just imagine. Finally, he clears his throat and plasters on a smile. “Well, I’ll leave ya to it then. If you ever need anythin’, just gimme a knock across the way.”

You walk him to the door and he points down the road at a small ranch with a red barn where you hear distant neighing horses. “That little ranch next to the red barn is me,” he explains. You could walk there with how close he is. Knowing that makes your stomach twirl.

All you can do is nod and he bids you farewell before walking down the steps in his boots. You watch him, eyeing his flexing back muscles, suntanned shoulders, and the dusting of freckles on his skin like star constellations. He is almost down the road when you give in to your urges.

“Ace, wait!” you call. He stops, turning to face you. “Do you have a CashApp? Or I can pay you in cash.”

But the cowboy shakes his head, smiling at you. “Keep it,” he says. “Just lookin’ out for a pretty woman.” He tips his hat at you, that spark returning in his eyes. “Enjoy your stay, Y/N.”

Then he turns and walks off, taking that beautiful back and juicy ass with him. You decide right then that you’ll definitely enjoy your stay here with that cowboy being just one knock away.

*********

“Fuck, Y/N, you are soooo lucky!” Nami whines into your ear. “I wish I was laying out in the sun by the wate with my tits out too!”

“My tits aren’t out,” you snort. “I’m just in a bikini top.” You take a sip of your Moscato chilling in a glass of ice cubes and sliced oranges, sighing peacefully at the crisp, fruity taste.

Placing it back on the small table with your laptop, you look down at your phone screen where your beautiful, redheaded friend’s face is. It is the next day of your writer’s vacay and you’re spending it stretched out on the back patio in your bikini and sunglasses, lounging on a beach chair near the lake that sparkles and shimmers in the summer sun.

“That still counts!” Nanami argues. “You’ll get a tan for days! Why couldn’t you take me with you?” You scoff, rolling your eyes behind your ray bans. “Girl, aren’t you on an anniversary trip up in the mountains with your woman? Your Airbnb is just as beautiful as mine, plus you got a great view!”

Nami, your best friend and soulmate, is out in the mountains with her long-term girlfriend and soon-to-be-fiance, Robin who is so beautiful that you swore you had a crush on her when you first met her.

Both, along with a couple of other friends you’ve made over the years, surrounded you with love and support during your breakup. Zoro and Sanji, the married couple you’ve been tight with since you moved into your complex, even told you they’d beat your ex up if you asked them to. Of course, you said no, but you fantasize about it to make you laugh.

“Yeah, but it’s raining here,” Nami sighs, laying back on a pillow. “We’ve been cooped up in the house all day, but we do have a dinner reservation at a five-star restaurant tonight that’ll make up for it. She knows how to make me happy.” She breaks out into a dreamy smile you know all too well about.

“You’re so lucky,” you sigh, envious of your friend’s love. “You guys have been together for a long time though. Five years! That’s crazy!”

Nami nods, still looking in love and happy. “And it takes a lot of work, but there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. You’ll find that again, too Y/N…with the right person, of course. That scummy ex of yours was just a closed door.”

You peer out over the water, seeing a sliver of Ace’s farm through the thrush, green forest. From this angle, you can see the wagging tails of horses in their shed and hear the crowing of roosters. “I guess,” you sigh.

As if reading your mind, Nami discusses the man who has been on your mind since yesterday. “Well, how ‘bout you do some practice on that cute cowboy you told me about?” she suggestively purrs. “You are there for a week. Why not use it to dust off that–”

“Don’t even finish that sentence,” you cut her off, putting up a hand. “I’m not having any kind of sex with a stranger, no matter how cute or sweet he is. Besides, I don’t even know how old he is! He could be a fuckin’ teenager for all I know.”

Despite you making logical excuses for not going over to his house and hopping on that man’s dick right now, you still can’t stop yourself from thinking about him. Yeste​​rday afternoon, you went out into town to shop for some cute dresses and groceries for meals (including the wine), thinking this would help distract you from nasty thoughts of him.

But alas, when night fell and you finished your glass of wine and your much-needed blunt to end the evening, you​​r dreams were all about him whispering dirty, sweet nothings to you in his Southern drawl while he bounced you on his cock. You were so pent up that you had to relieve yourself with the toy you packed and then take a cold shower…both did NOTHING to tame you.

You want him bad. You’ve never felt such an attraction to someone before. Not since your ​​ex, anyway. It’s exciting but also alarming. ​​Your plan wasn’t to use a man to get over your breakup or writer’s block. Speaking of which, you haven’t written much of a first draft for your book yet. You most that you’ve gotten is a plot outline and you feel even that is lackluster.

“Well, who is he?” Nami pushes. “You didn’t even tell me his name!” You once again roll your eyes and lower your voice as if the cowboy can hear you over the lake: “It’s Ace D. Portgas.”

Nami’s eyes widen and her jaw drops. “Omigod!” she squeals into your ears, making you jump. “Y/N, I know him! You remember my friend Luffy’s adopted older brother? The one who owns his own farm?”

Your mind traces back to the moment any of this was revealed to you and you realize that it was a year ago during a trip to the zoo where Luffy gushed over the horses and said his brother trains them. “Oh, my God, that’s him?!” you gasp, laughing in disbelief. “The wealthy one? What a small world!”

“Now you have a reason to talk to him, girl!” Nami encourages you. You go over to his place, ask him for a drink, and spend the rest of your trip in his bed…and then you’ll take me on a cruise when he cuffs you.” She winks at you, but you know she’s serious.

“That’s not gonna happen,” you chuckle. “He’s a nice guy, but I didn’t come here to hook up with no cowboy. I came here to relax and write my book.” The redhead pulls a look, rolling her eyes. “And what better way to do all of that than get with a country boy? Besides, that would make for a great story.” She wiggles her eyebrows at you suggestively.

“Whatever,” you scoff as she giggles. “Just go and tell Robin I said hi. And if I do happen to build a relationship with the cowboy, she’ll be the one I take on a cruise.” Nami, with her dramatic ass, gapes at you. “Take that back!”

“Love you, byeeee!” You blow her a kiss before ending the FaceTime call and lowering it facedown on the table to avoid the sun burning the screen. You take another sip of your wine and then hunker back down to your book that you’re no closer to outlining.

So far in the plot, a woman named Suzi has received notice of a house she has inherited from her deceased grandmother whom she realizes has many secrets, including setting her up to marry Johnson, a wealthy owner of a wine garden that her grandma somehow knows.

But all those ideas go down the drain when you happen to look up and see the man who has been haunting your frequent dreams. And he’s shirtless. Though his back is to you, that doesn’t mean Ace’s back doesn’t make your stomach flutter like it’s filled with butterflies. He is busy tending to his horses, filling their drinking station with fresh water and cleaning out bails of old hay. His arm and back muscles flex in the sun that glints off of the sweat dripping off of his tanned skin. “Oh, fuck,” you exhale.

He’s a beautiful, beautiful man. You can almost taste the sweat off of his skin as you lick up his skin and neck. His back is tatted with a purple skull with a bone caught between his teeth. Your body reacts just as your mind does, arousal making you throb. “Dammit,” you sigh, slamming your laptop closed. You definitely can’t write in this condition. This man is making everything too damn hard for you!

Now you know another distraction won’t do anything for you. You need to just swallow your pride and fear of rejection, and just go over there!

To not make it seem like you just came straight out the house to see him, you go inside to strip off your bikini and change into some sneakers, running shorts, and a sports bra that holds up your girls. You take your phone and house key with you before cutting through the woods for a short time towards Ace’s place, lightly jogging as you do. The sun glints through the trees and sweat begins to gather on your forehead and under your boobs.

Finally, you cut th​​rough the woods to the front of Ace’s house and nearly scream at the sudden sight of a caramel-colored horse galloping in front of you, nearly knocking you over. “Suzi!” Ace calls. “Dammit, don’t run in the street!” He whistles, causing the horse to stop before she gets any farther away and flips her tail.

You turn, finding the shirtless cowboy standing behind you. You nearly combust at the sight of his cut abs, the silver bars in his pink nipples, and the scattering of tattoos on his skin. One is of a skull engulfed in flames on his shoulder and the others are two names inked across his wrists.

“Oh, hey!” he chirps, looking happy to see you despite your short-circuiting brain. “What a surprise. You decided to take a break to come see little ol’ me?”

He puts his hands on his hips, drawing your eyes to his V-line. “I-I was just takin’ a jog,” you stammer. “And I just wanted to thank you again for helping me yesterday. Sorry I was so hesitant.” Ace looks happy nonetheless and you think you even see his eyes quickly trace over ​​your outfit. “Don’t even apologize. You enjoyin’ yourself so far?”

He snaps at Suzi who comes tottering up to him, her hooves clicking. You nod, admiring the pretty steed. “Yeah, you’ve got a nice little home here. Went out shopping yesterday and did some writing today.”

The cowboy nods, petting Suzi’s side. “Uh-huh, I saw you soakin’ up those rays earlier…n-not that I was starin’ at you! I just happened to look over and see you.” His face grows adorably red at his jumbled words. It only makes him more endearing to you.

“I get it,” you giggle. “I came over to pay you for yesterday, but if you still aren’t gonna take my money, maybe I can pay you back with lunch or a drink?”

The words just slip out, possibly because of how confident you feel over Ace’s blush and nervous blunder. You don’t know what you expect, but definitely not what he says next:

“Oh,” is all he replies with.

The silence that follows makes you want to die. “O-Or not if you’re busy,” you quickly add. “Or if you don’t want to! I just wanted to repay you.” You bite your lip to shut yourself up, feeling as if you never should’ve said anything. That damn Nami! Why did she have to encourage you to do this?

But as luck would have it, Ace agrees. “I was gonna say yes to lunch, but I’m a little booked right now with the farm. I’ve got people tourin’ my place tomorrow, so I need to make sure it sparkles. Does dinner work better for ya?”

The horse’s tail flips as if to say, ‘Say yes, stupid!’ and you nod, speechless. “Dinner ​​sounds great,” you reply, doing your best to not break out into a big, goofy smile. The caramel horse softly winnies and Ace snorts, patting the horse’s behind. “This is Suzi,” he chuckles. “She’s extremely dramatic. I got two other ones at the stable.”

You smile at the horse, admiring the way her blonde mane looks in the sun. “She’s beautiful.” Unbeknownst to you, Ace admires you admiring the horse. “You like horses?” You nod, gently patting Suzi’s soft fur. “Love ‘em. I wanted to be a cowgirl every Halloween.”

“You wanna see the others? I can give ya a tour of the farm, if ya want.”

“Alright, alright, we’re comin’!” he calls. “And these are my Stallions, Sam and Sabo, named after one of my brothers. He lives all the way in London workin’ as an actor.”

“That’s amazing.” “They look like they need a brush, poor things.”

“It’s the heat. They shed a lot in the summer.” “Why don’t you let me?” you ask. “You seem so tired. Don’t worry, I pick up fast.”

“Just slowly brush their sides,” he explains, motioning his hands as an example. “It relaxes them. And don’t worry about scarin’ em; they’re well-behaved and they love attention.” “Hey, there, boy,” you coo. “I’m just gonna brush you.”

“Not bad for a city girl,” he whispers in your ear. “Oh, so you got jokes now,” you scoff. “Well, your horses seem to like me more than their owner. I think that proves I’d make a great cowgirl.”

“Oh, yeah?” he asks. “You ever ridden one before?” “Uh…no,” you hesitantly answer. “Not since I was six at a petting zoo.”

Ace gives you a smile full of mirth and trust. “You wanna try now?”

You have no idea what propels you to say yes, but suddenly find yourself standing beside Sabo in the open field while Ace straps a leather saddle on his back. He then turns to you and opens his arms. “I’ll help ya up,” he says, flashing you a smile. “And if ya ever feel uncomfortable, I promise you we’ll cut the ride short.”

“There we go,” he huffs. “Now up I go.” With a grunt, he carefully hoists himself up on Sabo’s back and straddles the seat behind you. You bite your lip at the throb you feel between your thighs at the feeling of his strong arms coming around you to hold onto the reins with you. His thighs and chest brush against your back, the scent of sweat and pine rolling off of him.

“Now, gently tug on the reins twice and click your tongue,” he instructs. Nervously, you do as he says, his presence a comfort for you. You wouldn’t know what to do with this big-ass horse alone. Sabo slowly begins to walk in the field, taking a languid pace that is relaxing and not at all as scary​​ as you thought.

“See?” Ace laughs. “Not bad, right? You can use the reins to steer him or go faster, just like a car. If ya want him to stop, just tug on the reins once. If ya wanna go a little faster, just snap the reins so he’ll totter, like this.”

He helps you give them a slight snap and Sabo picks up the pace. You gasp as you feel his back jump with you and Ace on top, your body instantly tensing.

“Hang on,” he chuckles. “It’ll get a little bumpy.” You side-eye him, your heart about to explode out of your chest. “A little?” you scoff and that makes him laugh even harder.

His thumbs begin to stroke your knuckles, trying to calm you down. “You’re so sense, sweetie,” he coos. “I promise you’re okay. Just enjoy the ride.” His voice is soft and reassuring, only arousing you more.

However, despite the images of him fucking you stupid in your mind, you fight against your visceral reaction to change and relax. “Good, good!” he praises. “You really are a fast learner! Good boy, Sabo! Take us home!”

Sabo turns around and totters back to the farm, bouncing you on top. You giggle, feeling free with the sun and wind in your hair. When Sabo comes to a stop, Ace jumps off first.

He holds out his arms for you and you reach down, clinging yourself to him as he takes you off of the horse. Once your feet are on the ground, you sigh, relieved, but an underwhelming feeling descends upon you at ground level again. It was exciting being on Sabo’s back above ground, but you think most of the thrilling, excited feeling you got was from Ace being so close to you.

“Nicely done, city girl. I knew ya had it in ya to ride a horse.” “Well, it helps when I’ve got a great teacher, country boy,” you giggle, but it comes out way more seductive than you meant it to.

Thank goodness the splashing sounds of the horses slurping down their water stops you because who knows what would’ve happened? “Uh…drink?” he sheepishly asks. “I’ve got fresh lemonade in the fridge.”

But as soon as you’re in the house, Ace suddenly whirls you around to face him and grabs you before his lips finally mesh with yours. You make a small noise of surprise as he twirls you around, but it quickly melts into a soft moan as his soft, juicy lips press against yours. They are just as heavenly as you thought they’d be. The kiss is tentative and careful at first, but the more you press into him, the more passionate and open Ace becomes.

His tongue slowly licks your bottom lip and you part your lips, granting him access. The taste of whiskey on his tongue and the wet, sucking sounds of your heavy makeout make your shorts feel tighter and your nipples hard under your bra. Ace’s hands caress your back while your arms wrap around his neck, pulling him closer until you’re sharing the same air.

When he pulls away, he is softly panting and his eyes are ablaze. “Sorry,” he pants. “I just couldn’t resist. I’ve been wantin’ to do that since yesterday.”

You smile, leaning in to peck his lips again. You can’t get enough of him now that you’ve had him. “Don’t apologize,” you whisper. “I have, too.” Oh, and have you!

Ace smiles, looking pleased to hear this. You’re just as happy to know that he’s been sweating over you the way you have been for him since yesterday. “You’re here for a week, right?” he huskily asks and you nod, too afraid to speak. You don’t want to ruin this.

His big hands slide down lower and lower until they meet your ass. Finally. “Then if it’s alright with you, darlin’, I’d like to make your first time out in the country one you’ll never forget. If this is just a summer fling to you then that’s cool. I just wanna make you feel good and make ya forget all about that asshole ex of yours back home.”

The passionate promise burning in his eyes is too tempting to resist. You run your hands down his chest, feeling him up and letting him know just how much you want this. “I’d love that,” you purr. “Now kiss me again, cowboy.”

Ace doesn’t need to be told twice. Immediately, his lips sweep yours up again as he grips you to him, his hands caressing your thighs. You’re so deep in his kiss that you barely feel the wall suddenly pressing against your back. You moan as Ace presses himself into you, his hard body like another wall squeezing you between the one behind you. He takes your arms and pins them over your head, stealing the air from your lungs.

He chuckles, smiling against your desperate lips. His hands move unde your thighs and he scoops you up with ease, making you feel oh-so little. He laughs at your little gasp as you find yourself hovering off of the floor in his arms. “Don’t worry, darlin’,” he says. “You’ll enjoy this ride. Bedroom?” You nod, wrapping your limbs around him like a koala bear, and away he goes with you in tow, thunking around in his cowboy boots and hat.

You get a tiny tour of his place when he goes upstairs and finally makes it to his bedroom that is filled with sunlight pouring in through the window. “Don’t close the blinds,” you purr as he kicks the door shut with his foot. “I wanna see you in the light.”

He smirks, loving your freakiness. “Yes, ma’am,” he murmurs, tasting your lips once more. “Now if it’s alright with you, I’d like to get these clothes off ya.”

You giggle as he sets you down on the bed before joining you. “The feelin’ is mutual, cowboy,” you sexily reply. “Just leave the hat and boots on…please.” You feel your face grow hot as Ace laughs at your request, taking your chin in his hand. “You’re a freaky one,” he purrs, biting his bottom lip. “I like that. You’re a woman who knows what she wants.”

Of course, you are! Any girl alone with a sexy cowboy would know what they want and right now, you want this man naked and to fuck you dumb. As you share heated, sloppy kisses, you help Ace strip off your bra, kicks, socks, and shorts, leaving you in on your panties. He takes a moment to ogle your body as you stand between his thighs.

“Fuck,” he huffs and you grow hot, realizing that this is the first time you’ve heard him cuss. “You’re a work of art, babydoll…is it okay if I call you that?” If it ain’t your hard nipples that give him a yes, it’s the kiss you give him. “Yes,” you whisper. Yes to everything. Ace grabs you and begins to kiss up your body, gently sucking on your nipples and licking your neck.

“I’m all sweaty,” you whine, slightly self-conscious. The cowboy raises a brow at you as if to say, ‘And?’ before scooping you up into his arms and tossing you onto the bed.

Now on your stomach, Ace takes advantage by bending your knees and hiking your ass up for him. “Stop,” he chortles. “I’m from the South, darlin’. A little sweat don’t mean nothin’ to me…now pipe down and let me enjoy you.”

You’ve never been with a man who loves eating pussy. You’ve never been with a man that eats pussy quite like Ace. But you should’ve known when he finally got your panties down and finally saw your exposed, glistening pussy all for him. “Goddamn,” he exhaled before spreading your asscheeks and giving right into the depths of your cunt.

His first few licks are gentle and slow as he gets to know your body. He asks you what you like and what you dislike. What makes you tick. The fact that he’s so interested in what you want and like makes you even wetter. Once you tell him and he gets right to work, it doesn’t take long for you to melt into the bed as his mouth works your pussy.

You grip the pillow now, your moans, whimpers, and whines falling onto Ace’s ears like a sweet symphony of music. “Ohhh, fuck, Ace!” you sing into the pillow, pushing your ass back into his face. He welcomes you, his hands gripping and smacking each cheek in time with his magical tongue lashes against your clit.

“That’s it, sing for me, darlin’,” he coos into your pussy, his words slightly muffled. “You sound so fuckin’ good.” He then pulls away from your pussy to slide his tongue up to your ass, much to your enjoyment. While he does this, he takes one finger and lightly glides it up and down your slit, sending shivers and sparks of pleasure throughout your body.

“Your ex ever do this for you?” he asks, pressing a kiss to your lowerback. “Did he ever take care of you like this?” He moves down to give an open-mouthed kiss to your pussy, emitting a loud moan from you. “Or this gorgeous girl?” he purrs against your clit. “Tell me.” Gently, his finger begins to prope your hole, sinking into your folds.

You gasp, gripping the pillow. “N-No,” you stammer. Ace makes a noise of approval. “I knew it. This cunt of yers is just too damn wet for me…not that I’m complainin’. You taste so, so good, little darlin’!” His tongue slides down your asscrack to your clit again, sucking on it while he fingers you.

You are a writhing, squirming mess, grinding your hips back into him, riding that wave of pleasure. The more he licks, sucks, and strokes, the more that knot in your core tightens, threatening to snap and cause you to spill all over his tongue. But his ministrations also cause something else: need. A desperate, blinding, unbridled need for him inside of you. “Stop, Ace!” you beg and he does, immediately. “I need you to fuck me. Please! I wanna cum around your ​​cock!”

Ace pauses, taken aback by your request. But then you hear the joyous, thrilling sound of his belt buckle jingling and his zipper coming down. “So naughty,” he chuckles. “How’d you know I like naughty girls? You must’ve come outta my wettest dreams, babydoll.” You feel his cock slide against your slit, warm, hard, and thick.

You both moan as he taps it against your clit, his head nudging against the little bundle of nerves. “And per your request,” he says, laughter in his voice, “I’ll keep the hat and boots on for ya. But I want ya to look at me while I’m inside you, okay?”

Slowly, you turn your head and behold your eyes to the sexy man sporting his cowboy hat, boots, and nipple piercings behind you, his eyes burning with want. Your eyes trail down his abs and V-line to his thick cock and heavy balls that are begging to be tasted. But later. Right now, you need him in you. “Yes, sir,” you purr. “Now please: fuck me.”

Wordlessly, Ace grasps your hip with one hand and fulfills your request by taking his cock and sinking himself inside of you. His head sinking between your soft, wet folds cause you both to gasp, the contact explosively pleasurable. Ace goes slow, filling you to the brim with every slow thrust of his hips. It’s unbearable, almost agonizing how slow he’s moving.

Ace senses your change in demeanor and gently pulls out, leaving only his cockhead in you. “You alright?” he whispers, worried. “You’re shakin’ like a leaf. Do you want me to stop?”

The very thought of losing this feeling makes you desperate. You turn to him, your hair a sexed-out mess and your eyes lidded. “No,” you exhale, giving him a smile. “You’re just goin’ too slow.”

Instantly, all of the worry and uncertainty in Ace’s eyes disappear, replaced with only lust. A slow smirk stretches across his lips at your naughty request. “Well, why didn’t ya say so, darlin’?”

He pushes himself back in and grips your hips before pistoning into you, giving you the deep dick that you’ve been craving for months. A loud whine leaves your lips as he fucks you like you belong to him, causing your body to shake even more and that arch in your back to wobble. “Fuck me back,” he demands, his voice rough and raspy. “Don’t make me do all the work here. Take what you want from me, baby, c’mon.”

You push yourself up on your forearms and push back into him, tossing your ass back into his mind-blowing, bed-shaking, orgasmic thrusts that make you see stars behind your eyelids. Ace’s dick strokes every part of your insides while his hands grip your hip and one of your tits, molding the globe of flesh and teasing the tight nipple between his fingers. “O-Oh, my God!” you moan, your voice bouncing off of the walls. “Yes, Ace, just like that! Fuck me just like that!”

“Like what?” Ace asks, a smile evident in his voice. “Like…this?” He rolls his hips in a way that glides against your G-spot, causing you to damn near scream in pleasure. You just about hit high notes that would put Mariah Carey’s career in the dirt as Ace loops a hand between your thighs to rub your clit. You keep grinding back into him, much to his enjoyment.

He loves watching you move, your body so enticing while you squeeze around him. “God, darlin’,” he groans. “I can’t get enough of these hips. You ride me so well. Can’t wait to see how you ride my cock.”

He leans down to whisper into your ear, still pounding your pussy like it’s his profession. “I bet you’d be so good at it. I bet you’d be my good little cowgirl, wouldn’t cha? Bet you’d make me cum deep inside this pussy.”

His tongue slips against your earlobe as he begins to suck on it. You loop an arm around his neck to bring him close to you, his sweat-sticky body pressed against yours as he ruts into you from behind.

When your orgasm begins to peak, you can’t stop it and you don’t want to. This feels too good.

“F-Fuck, Ace!” you gasp. “I’m gonna…gonna cum!” Ace hums in approval, moving harder and faster, frantically rubbing your clit with his thick fingers. “Do it,” he practically begs. “Cum for me. Give me what I need.”

When you cum, you cum hard. It is so intense that it takes you a minute to make any noise as the rush of pleasure hits you, but once it does, you let out the loudest moan you’ve ever heard yourself make as you gush all around Ace’s cock. He grunts as your pussy hugs him, squeezing him like a vice as you coat his shaft in your cum.

“Thatta girl,” he coos, pressing a kiss to your cheek. You softly whimper in acknowledgment, gripping the sheets as you ride your orgasm wave.

Once your high fades, Ace quickly pulls out as if you’ve burned him with your pussy, desperate to not cum yet. “Shit,” he hisses. “Look at how messy you made me, baby. You’ve gotta clean it up now.” He sticks his cock, shining in your juices, in your face, a lust-filled expression on his face.

The orgasm has done something to you, turning you into an insatiable, needy little slut. Suddenly feral and in need of him, you swallow his cock and slurp up all of your cum, even taking his balls in your mouth when you can. But when you’re too busy gagging all over his dick, you massage them in one hand with the other plays with his pierced nipples. Ace is enjoying himself immensely. He can’t believe his luck having such a beautiful woman in his bed, let alone a celebrity, sucking him off and teasing his overly-sensitive nipples.

“Fuck, darlin’,” he moans, tilting his head back at the feeling. “You keep doin’ all of that and I’ll cum. I still need more of ya.”

You hum in agreement, slipping off of his cock with a soft pop that your wet lips make. You look up at him through hooded eyes, making him so hard that it becomes painful. “If ya still want another round, I want you to ride me,” he huskily requests. “I wanna see this body bounce on top of me while I finally bust inside of you.”

You shiver, immediately soaked from the idea. Wordlessly, you stand on your knees and brace your hands on his chest before shoving him down onto the bed. He laughs, the sound making your heart melt, but it’s quickly replaced with a desperate moan as you climb on top of him, mounting him like he’s your own personal Stallion…or dildo. He doesn’t seem like he’d protest either.

But as you wrap a hand around his cock and bring it to meet your pussy, he stops you. “Wait, wait,” he protests. You stop, confused, until he takes his hat off and places it on your head. “Now ya look the part,” he comments, making you giggle. “Now ride me like a good little cowgirl.”

He doesn’t have to tell you twice. You come down to take his cock inside of you, drawing a moan out of both of you once your tight, wet walls squeeze around him. Bracing your feet on the bed as you straddle Ace, you place one hand on his chest and slowly begin bouncing, becoming used to how he feels in this position. He is so deep, touching every single part of you, stretching you out more than he did in doggy.

“O-Oh, my Go-o-od!” you gasp, each word punctuated by your bouncing. You tilt your head up to the ceiling as you roll your hips, grinding your clit against Ace’s pelvis. The pleasure makes you throw your head back and your eyes flutter closed, each delicious burst of pleasure taking you on a ride.

Ace is enjoying his ride as well, watching you bounce that perfect pussy and body on his cock. “That’s it, babydoll,” he groans, gripping your hips. Y

ou ride him like he’s stolen, your gorgeous titties jiggling in his face. His hat perched on top of your pretty head is just as yummy–it’s the cherry on top for him. Watching you makes him want to make you yours; make it so no man, whether in the country or city, can ever have you again.

“How’s it feel?” he asks, staring up at your pretty face. All you let out is a pathetic whimper that gives him the urge to burst inside of you. “I know it feels good, darlin’, but I need your words. Tell me how that dick feels.” He begins to rub your clit with his thumb, causing you to let out a loud whine.

“S-so…so good!” you gasp, alternating between bouncing and rolling your hips, giving him more and more of that pussy every single time. “You feel so good, Ace!”

Suddenly feral, the cowboy leans up and swoops you into his arms, pistoning his hips up into yours from below. “Tell me I’m the best you’ve ever had,” he pants in your ear, his voice low and tantalizing. “Tell me you love it.”

You’ll tell him whatever he wants to hear if it means he’ll keep doing this to you. “You’re the best, Ace!” you sob, gripping his shoulders. “You’re the fucking best I’ve ever had! I love the way you fuck me!”

That’s all it takes for the cowboy to keep fucking you stupid as you grind into him from above. The both of you fuck each other like you need it, the bed shaking and your moans echoing throughout the room. You kiss sloppily and messily, your tongues swirling with one another as your pussy squelches and gushes around his cock.

When your second orgasm comes, all you can do is let out a sob, your nails skating down Ace’s back and skull tattoo. He gets his nut just after you, letting out a loud “Oh, fuck!” along with a series of porn-worthy moans as he explodes inside of you. You gasp, feeling a gush of warmth flow into you as you cream all over his cock, your cum sliding down his balls that have completely emptied themselves inside of you.

The high is just as intense and as blissful as the first time, especially since Ace is joining you on this ride this time. You both share an exhausted, messy kiss before he exhaustedly falls back against the pillows, breathing heavily. You roll off him and fall beside him on the bed, his hat still on your head.

For a while, you both lie there in silence, panting heavily from the activity. The only sounds in the room are the birds chirping and the horses neighing outside, giving a very peaceful atmosphere after some good sex. Finally, Ace turns over to look at you. “So how ‘bout that dinner date?” he asks.

You burst into laughter and he follows, the both of you in a fit of giggles that feels just as freeing as the sex. “I could use a steak,” you reply once you calm yourself. “My treat.” Ace makes a face like he’s offended by the very idea. “My treat,” he corrects you. “You deserve it for that ride ya just gave me. You certainly knocked my boots.”

He wraps those big arms around you that you happily snuggle into, wrapping your own around him too. You feel so content and safe despite only knowing the man for two days. Maybe this is a sign. “Mine too,” you sigh. “Oh, and just so you know, I’m familiar with one of the names tatted on your wrists: Luffy. I know him.”

You watch as realization dawns in Ace’s eyes at the mention of his brother. “Oh, yeah?” he asks, excited. “You know my kid brother?” You nod, giggling. “He’s told me about you. Said your the brother that’s a cowboy, but I just forgot.”

He lets out a loud, belly laugh that makes you laugh with him, adoring his childlike personality. “Wow, what a small world!” he chuckles. “I guess in a way, maybe we were meant to meet each other.”

Though you wouldn’t have admitted it first, you think the same thing. If this blooms into something more, it could work. You could take the train to see him and vice versa…if he is interested. It isn’t just the sex you enjoy. You also enjoy talking to Ace. You love how he pushes you to try new things and is so in tune with your feelings. Most men aren’t, so whoever raised him did it well.

You also think about how great of a plot this would be in a book…and just like that, you have the sudden inspiration to write a new series filled with action, mystery, thrills, romance, and a lot of steamy sex with a cowboy who may or may not be inspired by the one you’re currently curled up with.

You look up at Ace, your muse, dreamboat, and possible summer-fling-to-not, with the same adoring, satisfied smile he gazes down at you with. “So steak dinner it is then?” he murmurs into your neck.

You nod, snuggling into his shoulder. “After round two,” you purr. “And a snuggle and shower….in either order.” You beam up at him, a hunger for him rising in the pit of your stomach. You don’t want to waste a minute of this week out in the countryside.

Evidently, neither does Ace judging by his hardening dick against your thigh. He takes your wrist and kisses it before rolling on top of you and grinding himself against your core.

“I can do all of that, little darlin’,” he murmurs. “You can even wear my boots this time.”

THE END.

[buckets-and-trees]

Huffily Ever After: A CindereLloyd Story [7/8]

Chapter Seven - Conversations on the Final Night

Characters/Pairings: Lloyd Hansen x curvy Millennial Female!Reader Word Count: 6.9k Summary: Can you say anything to Helen that can possibly salvage your situation? There's also one more person who still wants to talk to you, and he won't be denied.

SERIES Content/Warnings: modern Cinderella adaptation, unknown identities, enemies to lovers, toxic coworkers, eventual THE SMUT IS HERE CHAPTER SPECIFIC: breaking and entering; explicit smut: kissing, grinding, nipple play, vaginal fingering, unprotected vaginal penetration, creampie; praise; use of endearments: princess, Cinderella; coarse language

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Your eyes scanned the lobby, searching for Helen's familiar face. She was seated in one of the plush armchairs, her tablet in hand, looking every bit the powerful executive you remembered. When she saw you, she stood, and you straightened up a little taller as you approached the Nexus VP of Strategy and Innovation.

"Hello," she said, her voice calm and measured. "I think we need to talk somewhere private. Shall we?"

She gestured towards the hotel bar, which was relatively quiet at this hour. You nodded, following Helen to a secluded corner of the bar. As you settled into the plush leather seats, a waiter appeared. Helen ordered a sparkling water, and you did the same, your mouth suddenly dry.

Helen folded her hands on the table, her piercing gaze fixed on you. "I've heard some very concerning things in the last twenty-four hours," she began, her tone neutral. "I'd like to hear your side of the story."

There was nothing else for it.

You launched into a detailed account of the events leading up to your firing, careful to stick to the facts as you knew them. You explained your interactions with people from Hansen Global, emphasizing that they were all above board and at no point involved discussing substantive current business.

Helen's expression remained impassive as she listened. You continued into recounting the events of today, explaining how you had learned about Zhongxin’s departure over social media, and then how Amilla had ambushed you with the firing. You were about to launch into sharing what you'd learned from Claude about the disastrous meeting that apparently took place between Zhongxin and Amilla, but at that point, Helen raised her hand to stop you.

“I’ve heard more than enough,” she huffed.

Your heart sank.

“You know I wasn’t slated to come to Paris since I was in Amsterdam meeting with one of our potential new clients.”

You nodded, but didn’t say anything, her point clearly rhetorical.

“But I got a call last night that had me booking the first flight to get here to clean up a catastrophe.”

Helen's expression remained unreadable as she continued, her fingers idly tracing the condensation on her water glass. The soft clink of glasses and murmur of hushed conversations in the bar seemed to fade away, leaving you hyper-focused on her every word and gesture.

"When I got that call," Helen said, her voice low and measured, "I was told that we had lost our biggest international client." She paused, her eyes boring into yours. "You can imagine my shock and disappointment."

Your heart sank further, a cold dread settling in your stomach. The weight of Helen's words seemed to press down on you, making it hard to breathe.

It seemed Helen was about to confirm your worst fears - that your career at Nexus was truly over, that Amilla's version of events had prevailed. You braced yourself for the final blow, your fingers nervously tracing the condensation on your water glass.

"I've known Amilla for years. We started at Nexus around the same time, climbed the ranks together. We weren’t close friends, but close colleagues, and I thought I knew her character, her capabilities." Helen paused, her gaze drifting to the bustling hotel lobby beyond the bar's entrance. "I was wrong."

Helen's eyes returned to you, a mix of emotions flickering across her face. "What I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this table, understood?"

You nodded, your heart pounding in your chest.

"My call last night was from Min Ho Song himself," Helen said.

Your eyes widened in surprise. Min Ho, the charismatic head of Zhongxin's marketing division, had always been your primary contact at the company. You remembered countless video calls, his infectious enthusiasm, and the way he'd championed your ideas to his superiors.

"Min Ho felt compelled to reach out to me directly, out of respect for the business relationship we've cultivated over the last year. He wanted to explain why Zhongxin was terminating their contract with Nexus." Helen's fingers tightened around her water glass, her knuckles turning white. "What he told me was... shocking, to say the least."

Your heart raced. You could only hope Claude’s story aligned with what Min Ho had told Helen.

Helen took a sip of water before continuing. "Min Ho recounted a disastrous meeting with Amilla in Shanghai. Her behavior was unprofessional, dismissive, and frankly, insulting. He said it was clear she had no real interest in maintaining the relationship with Zhongxin."

You felt a mix of reassurance and vindication wash over you. Claude's account had been accurate. You hadn’t thought to doubt Claude, but after so much of the ground had shifted out from under you since last night, the fact that you had confirmation here that you could trust your new friend sent warmth into the cracked and fractured parts of you.

"But that wasn't all," Helen said, her voice dropping even lower. "Min Ho also expressed deep concern about some of the changes Amilla was proposing to their marketing strategy. Changes that would have undone much of the innovative work you and the rest of your team had implemented."

Your brow furrowed in confusion. "But why would she do that? Those strategies were working well."

Helen's expression hardened. "Because they weren't her ideas. From what I've gathered, Amilla has been feeling threatened by your talent, your potential, and your success since I first assigned you to her team. I was optimistic that she’d change her attitude, but I’m afraid I was wrong, and it only ever got worse.��

You were speechless. You had packed away or deflected so many of your doubts or the moments when you felt discouraged or undervalued by Amilla, Anya, or Holly, determined to muscle through it, immersing yourself in the other parts of your job that were still good - working with the clients, strategizing, building and executing campaigns.

Helen let out a heavy sigh. "I should have seen it sooner. I knew Amilla could be difficult, but she should have been leading her team, not resenting any of them, and I never imagined she'd let her insecurities jeopardize a major client relationship like this."

You sat in stunned silence, trying to process everything Helen was telling you. The vindication you felt was overshadowed by a deep sense of betrayal and hurt. All those times you'd doubted yourself, pushed harder, stayed later - had it all been for nothing?

Helen reached across the table, her hand covering yours. "I owe you an apology. I should have been paying closer attention, should have stepped in sooner. I doubted my instincts, worried that I was just being overprotective and biased because of your history working on my team before I took this new position."

Your eyes widened, and you bit the inside of your lower lip, overcome with emotion, but still on edge, processing information. "So what happens now?" you asked hesitantly.

Helen's expression softened slightly. "Amilla has been terminated, effective immediately. Her actions were inexcusable and a clear violation of company policy and ethics."

Relief washed over you, but it didn’t take away all the anxieties - not yet.

"And what about me?" you asked. “Can I have my job back?”

Helen raised an eyebrow. "No. Your firing was completely baseless, but there’s no way I can bring you back only to put you in your former role.”

Helen's words hung in the air for a moment, and you felt your heart sink. But then, a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes, and she reached into her sleek leather briefcase. "I have a better offer."

With a flourish, she pulled out a thick black folder. The soft glow of the bar's ambient lighting caught the embossed Nexus logo on its cover, making it shimmer like a beacon of hope. Helen slid the folder across the polished mahogany table, its smooth surface allowing it to glide effortlessly towards you.

"This," Helen said, tapping the folder with a perfectly manicured nail, "is overdue. I had HR working on this before the conference, but with everything that's happened, I'm even more certain it's the right move."

Your heart pounded as you reached for the folder, your fingers trembling slightly. You opened it, your eyes scanning the contents. The first page was a formal letter, addressed to you on Nexus letterhead. As you read, your eyes widened in disbelief.

"Team Director and Regional Lead for International Strategy and Innovation?" you breathed, looking up at Helen in shock.

Helen nodded, a proud smile spreading across her face. "It's a new position, one that I've been advocating for since I took on my current role. You’ll direct a team - like I did, like Amilla did - but we’re expanding, and I need a point person for each region who will report directly to me and help shape the strategy and provide leadership for all the teams working with clients in their region."

You continued reading, taking in the details of the job description, the generous salary offer - doubling what you made before, and the expanded responsibilities.

“I knew you had the talent and potential, but now you have more years of experience and have proven at this conference from everything I’ve seen and heard that you can make valuable new connections and expand conversations about what we do and how we do it.”

You felt a rush of emotions - pride, excitement, and a touch of apprehension. This was a massive step up, a role with significantly more responsibility and visibility within the company.

"Are you sure?”

Helen leaned forward, her eyes intense. "I am. You've earned it and no one can question anymore that you would only be promoted because of our history working together.”

The enormity of the opportunity before you was overwhelming. Your mind raced, trying to process all the implications of this new role.

You opened your mouth to speak, but found yourself at a loss for words. How could you possibly articulate the whirlwind of thoughts and feelings swirling inside you? Just hours ago, you had been fired, your world turned upside down. And now, here you were, being offered a position beyond your wildest dreams with two other job prospects waiting with Claude and Maggie.

“Don’t accept my offer now. I always tell people to sleep on a job offer before accepting,” Helen remarked. “And when you contact me in the morning, ask for ten thousand more. I won’t be able to give it to you, but I’ll be able to counter offer with five and your choice of the regions because your my first appointee to the regional leadership team.”

You stared at Helen, stunned by her candid advice. A smile tugged at the corners of your mouth as you processed her words. It was so quintessentially Helen - always pushing you to advocate for yourself, to aim higher.

"I... thank you, Helen," you finally managed, your voice thick with emotion. "This is beyond anything I could have imagined."

Helen's eyes softened, a hint of pride in her gaze. "You've earned it. Your work speaks for itself, and your handling of this situation has only confirmed what I already knew about your character and professionalism."

You nodded, still feeling slightly overwhelmed. "I appreciate your advice about sleeping on it. There's a lot to consider."

Helen leaned back in her chair, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "I imagine there is. The news about your firing has spread like wildfire,” you grimaced at this, “but so have the rampant but credible rumors of offers coming your way.”

You reached for your drink to take a sip.

Helen laughed. “Offers you’ve already received, I take it. Let’s get you something stronger to drink to celebrate then!” And she signaled for the garçon.

you go to dinner with maggie

then you head back to your room

As you approached your hotel room, the events of the day swirled in your mind like a kaleidoscope of emotions. The shock of being fired, the rollercoaster of revelations, and now the promise of an exciting new future - it was almost too much to process. The dinner with Maggie had been a delightful reprieve, filled with laughter and animated discussions about her vision for the think tank. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and you found yourself drawn to the idea of being part of something new and innovative.

You fumbled with your key card, your fingers still a bit clumsy from the celebratory glasses of wine you'd shared with Maggie. As the door swung open, you were surprised to see a warm, golden glow spilling out into the hallway. Hadn't you turned off all the lights before leaving this morning?

Stepping into the room, you froze, your breath catching in your throat. The soft, warm glow was emanating from the bedside lamp, casting long shadows across the plush carpet. As your eyes adjusted to the dimness, they landed on a figure lounging casually in the armchair by the window.

Lloyd Hansen sat there, one leg crossed over the other, a leather-bound book open in his hands. He looked completely at ease, as if he belonged in your private space. The golden light caught the sharp angles of his face, softening them slightly, and for a moment, you were struck by how different he looked outside of the conference halls - more relaxed, almost approachable.

But that fleeting thought was quickly overwhelmed by a surge of shock and anger. Your heart pounded in your chest, adrenaline coursing through your veins. “What are you doing here, and how did you get in my room?” you demanded.

His piercing gaze met yours, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. "There you are. I was beginning to wonder if you'd lost your way."

He closed the book with a soft thud, setting it aside as he rose to his feet. In the dim light, his tall frame seemed to fill the room, and you found yourself taking an involuntary step back.

"You didn't answer my question," you said, trying to keep your voice steady. "How did you get in here?"

Lloyd chuckled, the sound low and rich. "Come on. You're far too clever to think I'd reveal all my secrets so easily. Let's just say I have my ways."

You felt a shiver run down your spine, unsure if it was from fear or something else entirely. Lloyd's presence was overwhelming, filling the room with an energy that was both thrilling and almost dangerous.

"That's not an answer," you said, forcing steel into your voice. "You have no right to be here. Get out before I call security."

Because that’s what you should do, right? Call security.

Lloyd took a step closer, his eyes never leaving yours. "Now, now. Is that any way to treat someone who's come to offer you congratulations?"

You blinked, confusion momentarily overriding your anger. "Congratulations? For what?"

A slow smile spread across Lloyd's face. "For your new position, of course. Team Director and Regional Lead for International Strategy and Innovation. Quite the impressive title."

Your blood ran cold. How could he possibly know about that? You'd only just received the offer hours ago.

"How did you…?”

“Or are you considering one of the other two offers you already know about? Bennington Corporate Consulting is going to try and catch you in the morning as well.”

Your jaw dropped. “Bennington?” You’d hardly spoken to anyone from their delegation.

He nodded. “You’ve certainly been the bell of the ball this week.”

Your mind flashed back to his comments the day before - “enjoy your flash in the pan conference fame, pumpkin, because it takes more than a couple of clever questions and answers to make it longterm in this business.”

Had that really only been a day and a half ago?

So much had happened since then.

Even between you and Lloyd - a softening last night at the gala, but then fire between you two as things had come crashing down around you this morning.

"Just enjoying my 'conference fame'," you shot back, your voice dripping with sarcasm. "That’s what you said, right? But I guess other people saw more than ‘a couple of clever questions’."

Lloyd's smile widened, a glint of something like admiration in his eyes. "Ah, you remember. I'm flattered."

"Get out," you said, your voice low and firm. "Now."

You were done playing games and you didn’t want Lloyd ruining the last hours of your final night, especially not now that you had so much to be excited about again.

But instead of leaving, Lloyd took another step closer, closing the distance between you. You could smell his cologne now, notes of sandalwood and something spicy that smelled familiar and made your head spin slightly. Or maybe that was just the wine from dinner.

"You misunderstand me," Lloyd said. "I'm not here to patronize you.”

You looked up into his face and sighed. “Look, I don’t know or even really care what you’re doing here at this point. Today has been the best of times and worst of times, and I just need you to leave.”

“Today did not go the way I wanted it to,” he replied, unmoving.

Your laugh was bitter. “Your day?” you scoffed. “Your day. Sure.”

“Fuck, I know your day was worse, but it wasn’t supposed to be a shit show. I didn’t want that for you.”

Your chest constricted. What did he mean by that? He hadn’t had anything to do with today, and maybe he would have been able to share some of what Claude had told you about Zhongxin, but…

"Please, Lloyd. I'm tired. I just want to be alone."

He studied you for a moment, his piercing blue gaze seeming to see right through you. Then, to your surprise, he nodded. "Very well. I'll go. But before I do, I have something for you."

Lloyd reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. He held it out to you, his eyes never leaving yours.

You hesitated, eyeing the box warily. "What is it?"

"Open it," he insisted.

You frowned, but hesitantly took the box. Your eyes flicked back up to his once more before you tilted the top open.

You gasped.

And then in the next instant, you launched yourself at Lloyd, wrapping your arms around his chest without a second thought, because sitting pristinely in the modest jewelry box in your hand was your mother’s necklace.

Lloyd stiffened for a moment as you collided with him, clearly taken aback by your sudden embrace. His arms hung awkwardly at his sides, and you could feel the tension in his body. But then, slowly, almost hesitantly, his arms came up to encircle you.

His body was warm and solid against yours, the crisp fabric of his shirt brushing against your cheek. For another heartbeat, you both stood frozen, the air between you charged with an unexpected intimacy.

Then you suddenly remembered yourself and that this was Lloyd Hansen, and you let go and stepped back, hastily wiping at tears that had sprung from your eyes at the relief of the return of your most prized possession. “Thank you,” you breathed.

"I found it on the terrace last night after I told Chen off - which, by the way, was thoroughly satisfying. It was lying there in the moonlight, the chain broken," Lloyd explained, his voice uncharacteristically soft. “I almost missed it, but it caught my eye as I was heading back inside."

You listened, transfixed, as he continued. The warm light of the lamp softening his usually sharp features.

"I recognized it immediately, of course. I'd noticed it earlier in the evening - it's quite striking, and I know how meaningful it is to you."

Your hand instinctively went to your throat where the necklace usually rested.

“May I?” he asked, gesturing to the open box still in your hand.

You nodded and handed it to him before turning around, grateful for a moment to have your back to him after the overwhelming surge of gratitude and then the unexpected moment of tenderness between you in that hug.

You felt Lloyd's presence behind you, the warmth of his body radiating through the space between you. His fingers brushed against your neck as he carefully fastened the clasp of the necklace, sending a shiver down your spine. The familiar weight of the pendant settled against your skin, and you let out a breath you didn't realize you'd been holding.

"There," Lloyd said softly, his breath warm against your ear. "Where it belongs."

You turned to face him, your hand reaching up to feel the necklace hanging in its right place. "Thank you," you said again, your voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

Lloyd's eyes softened, a hint of vulnerability flickering across his face. "I think I might have some idea," he said quietly.

You stared at Lloyd, your mind racing. The way he was looking at you now, the softness in his eyes, the gentleness of his touch as he fastened the necklace - it all felt achingly familiar. And suddenly, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place, you realized why.

The man from the masquerade. The one who had swept you off your feet, who had made you feel seen and understood in a way so few people in your life ever had before in the few hours you’d shared together. The one whose kiss had left you breathless and yearning for more. It was Lloyd.

Your heart pounded in your chest as the realization washed over you. The height, the broad shoulders, the way he moved with such grace and confidence - how had you not seen it before? Even his scent, that intoxicating blend of sandalwood and spice, was the same.

"It was you," you breathed, your voice barely above a whisper. "At the masquerade. I told you the necklace belonged to my mother."

“And that she said it would bring you good luck,” he added softly.

Anger flared within you, hot and sudden. "I thought it was you! Last night when we were dancing, I thought…” you took a step back. “But you just deflected me. Was this all some kind of game to you?"

The room suddenly felt smaller, the air thick with tension. You took another step back, putting more distance between yourself and Lloyd.

"Did you think it was funny?" you demanded, your hands clenching into fists at your sides. "Watching me stumble through our interactions, never quite sure why I felt so drawn to you despite your infuriating behavior? Was it amusing to see me struggle with these conflicting emotions?"

“No!” Lloyd took a step towards you, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "No, I didn’t know until last night at the dinner - it was the first time your necklace was openly on display. But do you think it was a picnic for me this week? Overhearing two people I don’t even know gossip over me at a cafe the first morning of the conference? Literally bumping into that woman only hours later, having her appear in the circle of people I’m supposed to interact with, and - as my father so kindly informed you - take the spot I might have had at the panel yesterday?”

Your mind raced back through every encounter you'd had with Lloyd during the conference. The heated debates, the sharp exchanges, the moments of unexpected vulnerability - they all took on a new light with this revelation.

"So what was all of that then?" you asked, your voice quieter now but still tinged with hurt and confusion. "The antagonism, the competition - was any of it real?"

Lloyd ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that seemed uncharacteristically nervous for him. "All of it was real," he said. "My frustration, the admiration that grew for your intellect, my attraction to you - it was all real.”

You opened your mouth to push against him more, but before you could form the words, Lloyd surged forward. His hands cupped your face as his lips crashed against yours, hard and insistent. The sudden intensity of the kiss stole your breath away, igniting a fire that spread through your entire body.

For a moment, you were too stunned to react. But then instinct took over, and you found yourself responding with equal fervor. Your hands fisted in the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer as you melted into the kiss. The familiar scent of his cologne enveloped you, bringing back flashes of that magical night at the masquerade.

Lloyd's lips moved against yours with a desperate hunger, as if he'd been holding back for far too long. Your hands slid up Lloyd's arms, feeling the taut muscles beneath his shirt, before coming to rest on his broad shoulders. His body pressed against you, warm and solid, as he backed you up against the wall. The cool surface against your back contrasted sharply with the heat radiating from Lloyd's chest, sending a shiver down your spine.

Your fingers tangled in Lloyd's hair as the kiss deepened, your bodies pressed tightly together against the wall. The heat between you was intoxicating, clouding your mind and making it hard to think of anything but the feel of his lips on yours, his hands roaming your body.

With a low groan, Lloyd broke the kiss, resting his forehead against yours as you both caught your breath. His blue eyes were dark with desire as he looked at you, searching your face.

"I've wanted to do that all week," he murmured, his voice husky.

You let out a shaky laugh, your head spinning. "Even when you were being an absolute jerk to me?"

A wry smile tugged at Lloyd's lips. "Especially then. You're magnificent when you're fired up."

His words sent a thrill through you, and you found yourself pulling him in for another kiss. The world around you faded away, leaving only the electric current passing between your bodies. Lloyd's hands roamed down your sides, settling on your hips and grinding into you.

A soft moan escaped your lips and Lloyd's mouth moved to your neck, trailing hot kisses along your jawline. His teeth grazed your pulse point, sending sparks of pleasure coursing through you. You arched into him, craving more of his touch.

"Lloyd," you breathed, your voice husky with desire.

He pulled back slightly, his blue eyes dark with passion as they met yours. For a moment, you both stood there, chests heaving, the air between you charged with unspoken longing.

"Tell me to stop," Lloyd murmured, his thumb tracing your lower lip. "One word from you, and I will.”

“No words, just this,” you demanded, pulling him back in for another searing kiss.

Lloyd groaned against your mouth, his hands sliding down to grip your thighs. In one smooth motion, he lifted you up, pinning you against the wall as you wrapped your legs around his waist. The new angle allowed you to grind against him, eliciting a low moan from Lloyd that sent shivers down your spine.

His lips blazed another trail of hot kisses along your jawline and down your neck, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin. You tilted your head back, giving him better access as your fingers tangled in his hair. The familiar scent of his cologne mixed with the heady aroma of desire, intoxicating you further.

"Bed," you managed to gasp out between kisses. "Now."

Lloyd didn't need to be told twice. His clothing hadn’t done much to conceal his muscles all week, and you experienced now the strength of them as carried you effortlessly across the room before throwing you down on the bed.

You landed on the plush hotel bed with a soft thud, your heart racing as you looked up at Lloyd. He stood for a moment at the foot of the bed, his eyes raking over your body with undisguised hunger. He crawled up to join you, his movements predatory.

Lloyd hovered over you, his intense gaze locked on yours. The weight of his body pressed you into the mattress as he captured your lips in another hungry, searing kiss. Your hands roamed over his broad shoulders and down his back, feeling the taut muscles beneath his shirt.

With deft fingers, you began unbuttoning the shirt, desperate to feel his bare skin against yours. He shrugged out of it impatiently, tossing it aside before turning his attention to your own clothing. His hands slid under your blouse, leaving trails of fire in their wake as they skimmed up your sides.

"Off," Lloyd growled, tugging at the hem of your top. You arched your back, allowing him to pull it over your head. His eyes darkened as they raked over your newly exposed skin.

Lloyd's lips descended on your collarbone, planting hot, open-mouthed kisses along the sensitive skin. His hands roamed over your body, caressing and exploring as if memorizing every curve. You arched into his touch, craving more.

With deft fingers, Lloyd unclasped your bra, tossing it aside. His mouth moved lower, trailing kisses down the valley between your breasts before capturing a nipple between his lips. You gasped at the sensation, your fingers tangling in his hair to hold him closer.

As Lloyd lavished attention on your breasts, his hand slid down your stomach to the waistband of your pants. He looked up at you, his eyes dark with desire but seeking permission. You nodded eagerly, lifting your hips to help as he tugged your pants and underwear down in one swift motion.

Lloyd sat back on his heels, his eyes roaming over your newly exposed body with undisguised reverence. The soft light from the bedside lamp cast a warm glow across your skin, highlighting every lush curve and dip. You felt a momentary flicker of self-consciousness, but it was quickly extinguished by the raw desire blazing in Lloyd's eyes.

"Fuck, you're beautiful," he breathed, his voice low and husky.

His gaze traveled slowly up your body, taking in every inch of you. He drank in the sight of your full, shapely legs, the soft swell of your hips, the gentle curve of your stomach. His eyes lingered on your breasts, full and heavy, before finally meeting your eyes.

What you saw there made your breath catch in your throat. There was no hesitation, no hint of disappointment or judgment. Instead, Lloyd's eyes blazed with unbridled desire and admiration as they met yours. His gaze was so intense, so full of raw need, that you felt yourself flush under his scrutiny.

"Come here," you murmured, reaching for him.

He did so immediately, but you knew instinctively it wasn’t to comply, but only because he wanted to. He lowered himself over you, his skin hot against yours as he captured your lips in a searing kiss. You reveled in the feeling of his bare chest pressed against you, your hands roaming over the planes of his back.

As you kissed, Lloyd's hand trailed down your body, skimming over your curves before dipping between your thighs. You gasped against his mouth as his fingers found your center, already slick with arousal. He stroked you slowly, teasingly, swallowing your moans with his kisses.

"Lloyd," you whined, reaching for his belt, needing him to be as naked as you.

He chuckled darkly against your neck as your fingers fumbled with his belt buckle. "Patience, Cinderella," he murmured, his breath hot on your skin. But despite his words, he pushed back and knelt on the mattress, allowing you better access.

You made quick work of his belt and zipper, pushing his pants and boxer briefs down his hips. Lloyd shifted off the bed, standing briefly to kick them off completely, and you took a moment to admire his naked form. His body was all hard muscle and sharp angles, a stark contrast to your softer curves. Your eyes traveled down his torso, following the trail of dark hair that led to his impressive erection.

Lloyd caught you staring and smirked, his usual cockiness returning. "Like what you see?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

Instead of answering, you reached out and grabbed his hand, tugging him back to join you on the bed. He crawled over you once more. Lloyd's body pressed against yours, skin to skin, as he settled between your thighs. The feeling of his hard length against your core sent a shiver of anticipation through you. His lips found yours again in a deep, passionate kiss that left you breathless.

You arched into him, craving more contact, more friction. Lloyd's hand slid down your side, gripping your thigh and hitching it higher around his waist. The new angle allowed him to grind against you more fully, and you both groaned at the sensation.

"Lloyd," you gasped against his mouth, your nails raking down his back. "I need you."

Lloyd pulled back slightly, his eyes dark with desire as they met yours. "I’m not fucking you with a condom," he stated, his voice strained with barely contained need.

You shivered at his bold declaration, a rush of heat coursing through you.

"IUD," you breathed and arched up to press against him. "Please, Lloyd. Fuck me already.”

A low growl rumbled in Lloyd's chest at your words and he nipped at your bottom lip. He positioned himself at your entrance and with one smooth thrust, he buried himself inside you to the hilt.

You cried out at the exquisite fullness, your body stretching to accommodate his impressive size. Lloyd stilled for a moment, his forehead pressed against yours as you both adjusted to the overwhelming sensation.

"Fuuuuck," Lloyd groaned, his voice rough with pleasure.

He began to move, setting a slow, deep rhythm that had you gasping with each thrust. Your legs wrapped tighter around his waist, pulling him closer as your hips rose to meet his.

The room filled with the sounds of your shared pleasure - gasps, moans, and the rhythmic slap of skin on skin. Your nails raked down his back as the tension coiled tighter in your core.

"Damn, you feel amazing," Lloyd breathed against your neck, his voice strained with effort. "Such a tight, perfect cunt."

His words sent a thrill through you, stoking the fire burning in your veins.The headboard knocked against the wall with each powerful movement, but you were too lost in sensation to care.

Lloyd shifted slightly, changing the angle of his thrusts. Suddenly, he was hitting that perfect spot inside you with each stroke. You groaned, your body trembling as the pleasure built to an almost unbearable point. You slipped your hand down between your bodies to rub your clit, and Lloyd grunted in approval.

"That's a good girl, touch yourself for me," Lloyd growled, his voice husky with desire. "I want to feel you come undone around my cock."

His words pushed you even closer to the edge. You circled your clit faster, matching the rhythm of Lloyd's increasingly urgent thrusts. The tension inside you built to a fever pitch, your body trembling on the precipice of release.

"Lloyd," you gasped, your free hand gripping his shoulder tightly. "I'm so close."

"Let go," he commanded, his blue eyes blazing into yours. "Come for me, now."

As if your body was obeying his command, your orgasm crashed over you in waves of intense pleasure. You cried out, your back arching off the bed as your inner walls clenched tightly around Lloyd's length. The sensation of your release made him snarl and snap his hips faster and more violently against yours. It didn’t take much longer, and then with a guttural groan, he thrust deep inside you one final time, his body shuddering as he spilled himself within you. The feeling of his hot release prolonged the high from your own orgasm, smaller waves of pleasure rolling over you feeling him fill you with his cum.

For several long moments, you both remained still, breathing heavily as the waves of pleasure slowly subsided. Lloyd's weight pressed you into the mattress, and you welcomed it, his face buried in the crook of your neck. You could feel his heart racing against your chest, matching the rapid beat of your own.

Finally, Lloyd lifted his head, his blue eyes meeting yours. The intensity of his gaze made your breath catch in your throat. There was a vulnerability there that you hadn't seen before, a softness that contrasted sharply with his usual bravado.

He leaned in, capturing your lips in a kiss that was slow but still infused with a potentially dangerous heat, and you couldn’t help but surrender to it. Then he rolled onto his back, taking you with him, holding you against his chest, and he stared up at the ceiling.

You lay there for several long moments, your head resting on Lloyd's chest, listening to his heartbeat gradually slow. The room was quiet except for the sound of your mingled breathing and the distant hum of the city outside.

"Well," Lloyd finally broke the silence, his voice a low rumble in his chest. "That was..."

"Unexpected?" you offered, tilting your head to look up at him.

A smirk played at the corners of his mouth. "I was about to say something far too salacious for your delicate princess ears, but unexpected works too."

You scoffed, poked him in the side, and tried to move away from him as he flinched, but he chuckled while easily keeping you trapped with his arm still banded around your back. With his other hand, he tilted your chin up, and kissed you again until you melted against him.

Once mollified, you curled up against him again, settling into the last of the post-coital haze. As it began to clear, the landscape of the situation started to come into focus. You had just slept with Lloyd Hansen - the man who had been an enigmatic menace to you all week, who had prodding you and perplexing you in equal measure. The man who, as it turned out, had also been the mysterious and irresistible masquerade dance partner you had yearned for since that magical night together at Versailles.

You propped yourself up on an elbow, looking down at Lloyd. His blue eyes met yours, a clear level of satisfaction in their blue depths.

“What is it, Cinderella?” he asked, mustache twitching as he smirked at you.

"So you said you didn’t figure out who I was until last night, but why didn't you say something once you knew?”

Lloyd's smirk faded slightly as he considered your question.

"Honestly? I wasn't sure how to approach it," he admitted. "Our interactions had been complicated, to say the least. I didn't know how you'd react if I suddenly revealed that I was the man from the masquerade."

You nodded slowly, understanding his hesitation.

"Plus," Lloyd continued, a hint of his usual cockiness returning, "I enjoyed our verbal sparring. I didn't want it to end just yet."

You couldn't help but laugh at that. "Of course you did."

Lloyd's hand trailed lazily up and down your spine, sending pleasant shivers through your body. "And I’ll admit part of me wanted to win you over as Lloyd Hansen.”

Your chest tightened - but not in an unpleasant way - when he said that.

“Of course my plans were shut down when everything went to hell this morning with Zhongxin and Amilla," he conceded.

You nodded, remembering the chaos of the day's events, including your own unfair vitriol toward him. "So why come here tonight?"

Lloyd's lips quirked into a smirk. "Well, I couldn't very well let my Cinderella leave without her glass slipper, could I?" He nodded towards the necklace still hanging around your neck.

You rolled your eyes at his cheesy line, but couldn't help the smile that tugged at your lips. "And the breaking and entering?"

“I like my share of villainy.”

You laughed softly, shaking your head at his audacity. "You're incorrigible."

"And you can’t resist it," Lloyd retorted, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

You bit your lip, not wanting to admit how right he was. Instead, you changed the subject. "What happens now?"

Lloyd groaned and rolled you over, pinning you beneath him. “Clearly I need to fuck you until your pretty little head is empty so we can stop the inquisition.”

You grinned. “If you think I’m going to complain about a threat like that, you’re wrong,” you replied.

Lloyd's eyes darkened with desire as you spread your legs invitingly. He lowered his head to trail hot kisses along your neck, nipping gently at your pulse point.

"So eager," he murmured against your skin. "I like that."

His hand slid down your body, fingers tracing teasing patterns along your inner thigh. You arched into his touch, craving more. Lloyd chuckled darkly, clearly enjoying the effect he had on you.

"Patience, princess," he admonished playfully. "We have all night."

final chapter: DEPARTURE DAY

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[angstywaifu]

Black Dahlia - 26. Stepping Up

Summary: The final part of Squad Battles is here, but an obstacle has been thrown their way. Can Third Squad step up and deliver the win they need?

Garrick Tavis x OC (Dahlia Aetos)

Black Dahlia Masterlist | Masterlist | Support Me

The calm before the storm. Within the hour, this place would descend into chaos as we prepared to defend this temporary outpost from Garrick and his squad. I had no doubt they’d throw everything they had at us. And I wanted them to, because we were ready to do the same.

The calm doesn’t last, Bodhi bursting out of the tent he’s sharing with Xaden, a piece of parchment clutched tightly in his hand. He starts towards the tent I’m allocated to, but he stops as his head pivots to the side he see’s me perched on the barrel I’d climbed onto. He rushes over to me, holding out the parchment to me.

”We’re alone.” He tells me as he rushes over.

”What do you mean alone?” I ask, taking the parchment he holds out to me.

*A change of plans.

Your leadership are gone, and so are your dragons.

Have fun.*

Of course they would throw us a curveball last minute. No leadership and no dragons meant we all had to rely on working together, using our strengths to our advantage. They probably want us to scramble and panic, see which squads fall apart without their leadership. I’m relieved when I reach out, still feeling the pull of power from Proth. But there’s a very solid shield I am unable to break through and communicate to him through. Seems he was fully on board with taking part in the Squad Battle.

”Go get everyone up.” I tell Bodhi, folding up the parchment as I hand it back to him.

He doesn’t even blink an eye as he pockets the parchment, nodding before running off to get everyone up. I turn back and scan the forest and horizon, unable to see anyone on foot or a dragon in the sky. Hopefully the attacking squads were also suffering the same disadvantage as us. And with no dragons on the horizon and probably less than an hour till they were on us, I felt confident we would all be on level ground.

Within minutes everyone is awake and standing in the centre of the outpost, everyone geared up and ready to go.

”So what’s the plan Dahlia?” Bodhi asks, smiling at me with a cheeky grin.

”Me? We have plenty of third years.” I say as I gesture to the third year standing across from me, all of which smirk and shake their heads at me.

”You’re an Aetos.” A third year called Han says as he steps forward.

”That doesn’t mean anything.” I tell him sternly with a pointed gaze.

He shrugs. “You might think it doesn’t but we’ve all seen you fight and fly, and you always know the right questions and things to say in Battle Brief. Hell you school half us third years in that class.”

”He’s right.” Liz says, smiling up at me. “You were made for this. You’ve been trained for this your whole life.”

If only they knew. I only got half the training that Dain did. Yes I still had teaching and training my father provided, but I know Dain got a great deal more than me. The rest I taught myself.

”So what’s the plan?” Austin says with a smirk, ganging up on me with the others who all nod their head in agreement.

”We stick to the plan we made last night. It’s good and solid if we all work together. We might have lost our dragons but we can still get some height advantage to see when they’re coming. One of you on each corner in a tree should do the job.” I tell them, gesturing to the four corners of the outpost. It wasn’t very big, so we should be able to see where they were coming from. My best guess would be the direction Basgiath was in.

”What about the flag?” Bodhi asks, nodding to the flag that was mounted in the middle of the clearing we were in.

On top of defending the outpost, once a horn was heard we had to take the flag to our designated spot to call for aid. Our outpost without a dragon was a good half hour run from here. I knew it had seemed too close yesterday when we had scouted the area. Should have been my first clue that they were going to spring something on us. I scan the group, trying to remember all our signets. There was a few I wasn’t sure on, but as my eyes land on Han, a third year in our squad, and I know exactly what we need to do.

”When the time comes, I need you to meet me at the flag.” I say pointing to Han who nods back at me. “For now go get something to eat and take your spots. We won’t have long.”

Everyone nods before rushing to grab something to eat and prepare for the fight ahead. If Second Squad had Garrick we would be at a disadvantage. We’d only just gotten on better terms, but it was clear he was skilled when it came to warfare. And if Xaden was anything to go off last night, we were going to have our work cut out for us.

”We’ve got this, right?” Bodhi asks as he scans the horizon I’d been watching earlier.

I nod. “If we stay calm, stick to the plan, we can do this.”

”And what if they have dragons and leadership?” He questions, knowing as well as I that if they do we have no chance.

”They won’t have dragons. Too much of an advantage and too much risk of death. They’d wipe out half the Quadrant in a matter of hours.” Which he seems to agree with as he nods again.

”That doesn’t rule out leadership though. You’re good, but Garrick is another level. If he’s here and he knows we don’t have Xaden-”

”Then we don’t let him know. We act as if he is here.” I tell him, cutting him off.

Bodhi looks at me like he’s not convinced, but it’s the only plan we’ve got. And I would do anything to make sure we get that win.

Around me grunts and cries carry around the outpost. So far we’d defended our outpost perfectly. Luckily we had the foresight last night to lay a few traps and obstacles on the ground around the outpost. Either Xaden already knew what was happening, or he just prepared for everything. Either way we were thankful for the idea. It had done wonders at keeping them away. Because just like us they didn’t have their dragons, and there was no sign of any leadership for their Squad. But that didn’t mean they weren’t here, watching and waiting.

But I knew Garrick, if he was here he would be in the thick of it. He’d be down there in the middle of the fight that was taking place between the majority of our squads. In the distance the horn sounds, meaning we now needed to move our flag. I launch my last arrow, knocking someone in the shoulder, sending them stumbling back.

“Go, I’ve got this.” Bodhi calls out as he rushes over to me spot.

I nod before turning and rushing over to the flag, Han rushing over to the point with another third year I think is called Lee. I rarely saw one without the other.

”So what’s the plan?” Han asks excitedly.

”You can turn invisible right?” I ask him, Han nodding in response as he furrows his brow.

I reach up, taking down the flag and passing it to him. ”Ok, now I have no idea what you’re planning.” Han says, looking at me like I’ve gone crazy.

”You are going to use your signet to turn invisible while you follow me up to the tower.” I tell him as I pull out a piece of a tent I’d cut out while everyone was preparing earlier. It was a slightly different white to the flag Han was holding, but from a distance I was sure no one would question it.

”You’re going to be the decoy.” Lee says with a knowing smirk, slowly nodding in approval.

”Exactly. We have no confirmation they are without leadership right now. They could be playing into the fact they know we don’t and are using it to mess with us. For all we know they’re waiting just outside the perimeter to surprise us.”

”Great plan, but the entire forest is covered in leaves and debris. They’re bound to hear me once they catch you.” Han states, gesturing to the leaf ridden ground.

”That’s where Kai comes in.” I say, looking over my shoulder as Kai runs over.

”Ready Dahlia?” He asks, holding out his hand to me.

Lee and Han look at me confused as I take his hand in mine, feeling my signet take his in. My signet was classified, but Kai had been smart enough to figure it out. Kai had a sound signet. To most, it wouldn’t seem incredibly useful. But for situations like this it was perfect. Not only could he make you hear things that weren’t there, but he could also muffle or disguise sounds.

Han shakes his head and laughs, the pieces clicking together in his head. “And you didn’t think you were ready for this.”

”Believing in myself doesn’t come easily. Now lets go, we have a Squad Battle to win."

@imtoanonymousforyou @simplyme-fornow @omalmal @lalaluch @wolfbc97 @leptitlu @fullmoon-94 @the-fandom-ness @fan-of-many-bands @awkardnerd @heeseungthel0ml @acourtofsmutandstarlight @fairchild06 @freyagallileaevans @pit-and-the-pen @hannraumari @elliot-rain @thestarseternaal @stupid-and-contagious01

[awinterrosesstuff]

This encounter will always be funny to me. Team 10 is terrified of Neji and hides. Then Ino says, '"Time for plan B", and you expect something serious. But their "plan B" is them trying to compliment Neji and Ino flirting with him. And Neji is so not interested. His response, "Oh, it’s just you, you’re wasting my time" was hilarious. The "get lost" to Ino really got me. He truly takes no shit from them. He doesn’t even consider them worthy of a fight. And man, you're absolutely right..

Then, you have Tenten and Neji who reunite.

He’s usually so stoic, and his little smile cracks me up. I don’t know how to explain i. Is he being serious ? Sarcastic ? Does he agree with Tenten ? Either way, it’s clear he’s on board with going to search for Lee, their teammate.

And oh well, it's not done.

Tenten and Neji really give off the vibe of "Lee is an idiot, but he’s our idiot, and we’ll fight if we need to". Neji just has to activate his Byakugan for the Sound Ninjas to take him seriously. Then he senses Sasuke’s chakra and instantly knows there’s nothing more for him to do.

And honestly, it works well for his character. Then he proved everyone right by showing his abilities during the prelimaries and his match with Naruto.

I’m sorry, but the whole thing is just too funny. I can't remember Neji doing anything special in the Forest of Death, yet everyone takes him so seriously — and they’re all scared of him !

And honestly, it works perfectly for his character. Then he proved everyone right by showcasing his abilities during the preliminaries and his match with Naruto.

[tonguetiedraven]

Yukio and True Cross: A Tale of Exploitation

Part 4 of my Yukio Okumura Critical Reading series. (Other parts here: one, two, and three) Please read them before diving into this one. It will continue to build on what was covered there.

We've discussed Yukio's role at the academy and how he views his role in Rin's life, and how he views himself in the lives of his peers. Now I want to talk about one of the biggest hinderances in Yukio's day to day life.

True Cross.

True Cross is a problem. A problem for Yukio and Rin in a lot of varying ways. Not just the obvious and looming problem of their parentage being enough reason for them to both be killed. There are a lot of reasons that Yukio is the way he is and makes the moves he makes, and aside from Mephisto, True Cross itself is probably his biggest opponent on the chess board his life is. For now at least. The Illuminati is waiting in the wings.

Now when last we left our overworked exorcist, he was sporting this expression in chapter 12.

And honestly, this is what I'm imagining every time he wears that customer service smile.

I've touched on it in my other parts, but now I want to take a moment to really reflect on the fact that Yukio has two jobs.

Yukio Okumura is fifteen. This is his first year of high school just like the rest of the cram students. This was his first time moving out as well, and on the day he isn't at home, Shirou dies.

But we'll get to that a bit later (honestly a lot later) when Rin finds out about the Blue Night.

Now at this point it's been about four months since Shirou died and the twins started True Cross Academy. It's often easy to lose track of time in this story, and I'll try and periodically remind everyone of where we're at with that.

The twins have officially made it through one semester at this school. One semester of keeping this a secret. Mostly.

One semester of living on their own. Of trying to make Yukio's scholarship and pay cover both of their expenses. One month of trying to keep Rin somewhat in line. One month of teaching a class he got very little heads up for. One month of doing additional exorcists missions on top of all that and maintaining his grades.

Why point that out? Because I want to make it clear that Yukio has been put under a lot of pressure. More pressure than he ever has been under, but he has been under a lot of pressure since he was seven. What he has also lost is the support and guide he had during those first seven years on this path.

This arc will give us our first real view of what True Cross the organization is like, and it does not paint it flatteringly. Nor should it.

Chapter 12 is the midway point of the mini camp arc. Everyone is in the forest trying to find a lantern and bring it back and the sky has just lit up briefly with blue flames. This is from Rin finding Shiemi passed out, getting frustrated/overwhelmed with the chuchi all over the place, and igniting.

By all likelihood he didn't intend to do that, however he still did and it is by the dumb luck he lives by that he didn't get caught.

Yukio is wearing the above expression because he sees the sky light up and Shura is laughing a few meters behind him.

Shura reassures Yukio that it'd just be bright in this darkness, and she's right. Ryuuji, who didn't have his flashlight on, knew there was a bright light but didn't recognize it as blue.

Nonetheless, we have Yukio showing a moment of frustration or exhaustion or likely both, and saying that he can't hide Rin's power much longer.

That's an important moment of verbiage to clue us into Yukio's headspace here. He is putting himself in the position of responsible party for Rin's secret. He is aware that when the secret comes out it will land on his shoulders to handle it and and he is aware it is his responsibility to delay it as much as possible.

It should absolutely not be his responsibility mind you. He is aware of the exorcist world, yes, but he is also fifteen and should not be in this position. I strangely often see people rage that Rin is expected to keep this secret while also blaming Yukio on the fact that it got out. It often seems that people who put forth a more responsible figure and manner are expected to take on more responsibility and then blamed when the responsibilities heaped upon them (and Yukio has many) overwhelm them or come to the only conclusion they possibly could.

Rin's secret gets out because Rin is emotional and not trying as hard as he might to keep it secret. Rin is who he is, and as he tells us himself, he's not much for keeping secrets. To keep this secret would require confronting emotions and guilts he's not ready for, and would require accepting his flames to some degree, and they are, at this point, still heavily tied to Shirou's death in his mind, and that and everything demonic about him is something he avoids thinking about or dealing with to the point he'll eventually lock himself entirely out of the ability to even use them.

It doesn't help that we also know that there is another hand at play endeavoring to force them into a reveal.

Yukio asks Shura why she's here and doing this.

Shura is putting her report to the Vatican on hold (remember she's an investigator) and says it's because she thinks Rin is funny and ambitious.

I think there's some truth in that, but it's absolutely not the full reason. However for her to give the full reason would be admitting feelings and emotions she doesn't acknowledge and she is seldom serious with Yukio outside of specific moments where she's trying to mentor him, so ambition and humor are the given reason.

However the moment I want to focus on is where Yukio shows surprise. As I've mentioned, Yukio rarely blatantly shows his thoughts or emotions unless he's been pushed and driven to that position over a period of time. Here however, the mention of Shirou has him showing surprise.

Now this will come back in much later, but Yukio seems surprised by Shirou being mentioned here. (Another tally on the 'Shirou knew he was going to die' list.) We are told later that he knew this but the surprise is still there. I'm not sure if it's her taking Shirou's words into account, or if Kato retconned this scene later, but the surprise is there.

Shura doesn't bother explaining, just continuing like Yukio is already in on everything.

Now at this point we leave the conversation and Yukio ruminating over what Shura said. We're given a shot of what she's looking at too.

So we know that Shura at least is aware Mephisto and Amaimon on here. We are not told if Yukio is aware of their spying presence.

The POV switches back to Rin in the forest where they find out the actual challenge and dive into it.

When we get back to Yukio's POV we find out it is now after 4 am. So regardless of whatever time the group started out on this assignment, it has been a LONG day. I cannot emphasize that enough. That is part of this entire thing. True Cross and Mephisto rarely push and manipulate their people/players unless they are 1) stressed by as many factors as it's possible to amass, 2) exhausted, 3) isolated, and if they can swing it 4) hungry and deprived of other basic rights and comforts.

It is late, it is hot (Yukio still doesn't have his coat), Rin has already ignited once and Shura is drunk and just mumbling on the side lines, and Yukio has probably been standing here watching for at least a bit.

I will again reiterate, this is NOT just a test for Rin.

They see a bottle rocket go off -- one of the items they gave the students to use in case something went wrong, and Yukio heads out to help. This is the last we see of him this chapter. We go back to Rin and friends who meet the god of the forest, and Amaimon was right, he is way too happy to help out and causes havoc among the students and Rin.

They manage to escape the enormous chuchi's grasp through the power of friendship and good throws and book it back to the camp where we discover that Izumo and Takara both beat their group back.

For the reader that were paying close attention the first time they read this, they'll notice this means everyone used their matches on the lantern and no one set off their flare, which means Yukio went after someone that was likely not a student and likely a trap.

It takes a while for anyone else to realize this, which is fair because Shura is the only one who knows he left.

Rin asks where Yukio is like a good brother who just noticed his twin isn't present, and Shura dismisses it as Yukio being in the way.

Now this could be read as her just being light hearted/dismissive, but I think with what we'll read in chapter 15 that she was being sincere. She wanted Yukio out of the way and circle so that she could do her next actions un interrupted because Yukio is the one trying to keep Rin's flames a secret.

I cannot stress enough how every adult around Yukio is plotting and manipulating and how he cannot relax his guard around anyone. There is no one he can trust to be telling him the truth and not be trying to manipulate him, even Shura. This is also true for Rin, but Rin is unaware of it to a large degree and doesn't interact with the adults as much as he does his peers. Shura also doesn't try to manipulate him as much as she tries with Yukio. She's more direct with them.

Yukio is working multiple jobs and forced to interact with these people and has been given the responsibility to keep Rin hidden, safe, and as un manipulated as he can.

We leave Yukio with him understanding something is very, very awry and facing off against the god of the forest as the chuchi rage against him, and go back to the camp and Rin.

There are three things I want understood about the camp scene that we will mostly be skipping because this analysis is about Yukio.

This is a plot specifically to expose Rin. Amaimon is here to piss Rin off and set him off and make him lose control. Mephisto planned this, and Shura is aware of this plan to at least some degree. And to at least some degree, she goes along with it.

Rin very much plays into their manipulative hands. Shiemi is mind controlled by a chuchi egg and forced to play the part of Amaimon's willing puppet, and we are made to understand later on that she was entirely aware during this full ordeal. Renzou gets two cracked ribs and probably a concussion from this. Ryuuji gets choked enough to be coughing up blood. Konekomaru gets a bad enough break that he has to spend days in a hospital. They are all hurt during this and that should not be ignored. They are also being manipulated and used during this, and Shura got rid of Yukio so that he wouldn't be in the way, but that also meant he couldn't protect these students either.

Rin's thoughts as he's watching his friends just get decimated (and I feel the need to point out Takara and Izumo are still back at camp) is that they are all so kind. That they've supported him and helped him and encouraged him and he doesn't want them getting mauled like this and he recognizes that this is his fault. While that's not entirely true and he shouldn't put other's cruel actions on his own shoulder, he does know that Amaimon is after him and they did not which put them in a far more dangerous situation than they were aware of. Rin has also already shown himself to intercede and throw himself between people he cares about and danger on seven occasions before this. This entire setup is probably the most predictable thing that could have happened. IT WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. It was entirely planned. Planned by a Demon King who manipulates time itself. -the seven times I'm talking about: Jumped between Yukio and the hobgolbin, jumped between Ryuuji and a reaper, jumped between Paku and the naberius, jumped between Yukio and the naberius summoned thing, lured the naberius away from the other students, took a head butt from Kuro, tried to take on the god of the forest himself.

It is only now that we switch back to Yukio's POV, and only for a moment. Yukio right next to Renzou -- just to give you an idea of how damn far Amaimon shot Renzou --sees the situation and immediately shouts for Rin to think. To stop and breathe and not do what everyone who knows Rin knows that he will do.

Yukio's plead falls on deaf ears as he knew it would. Yukio could not keep the secret by himself, and Rin is no longer willing to hide it. Rin draws the sword and the fight between him and Amaimon is on.

The next shot of Yukio, he's running towards the injured students.

He is almost immediately focused on them and their injuries. He is direct and focused on getting them to safety and away from the danger he knows Rin is.

Remember that he is the one who specifically warned Rin about getting injured and relying on his flames in chapter 8. He predicted what is about to happen.

Yukio evacuates the students with Shura showing up part way through and the two of them snapping at each other. Yukio gives Koneko a temporary cast for his arm, because if you remember, Yukio has a doctor meister and seems to at least be somewhat adept at field medicine, and he carries Shiemi himself while Rin and Amaimon tear apart the forest and light up the sky with blue flames.

They are both going more and more feral, violently tearing into each other and their surroundings, and we see Yukio looking back as they make their way forward, and I think it's worth bringing back up this moment from chapter 2.

There was more truth in this than we often acknowledge.

It is my opinion, and I believe the manga heavily supports this reading, that

this is what Yukio has feared. What he foresees as the conclusion of what will happen if Rin relies too much on his flames and the demon within himself. That Rin will cease to be Rin at all and that he will become nothing but a dangerous and feral mind like the worst of the demons that Yukio feared when he was young. That he will lose control to the demon and it will almost certainly fall on Yukio's shoulders to stop him.

And not for nothing does he have this fear.

Chapter 13 ends with them running. Chapter 14 opens with Mephisto interceding on the fight and locking a resisting Amaimon away in a Cuckoo clock prison as one does.

The students are attempting to flee with Yukio carrying Shiemi, and let's pour one out for poor Renzou who had to by all accounts climb steps to get up to that thing with his broken ribs. Like damn.

They stop because Shima can't breathe and it's at that moment that Yukio spots Shura and is furious.

Her response is dismissive and rude, and honestly I cannot imagine how infuriated that sort of response would make me in this situation. Not only does everyone use and manipulate Yukio, they very often treat him as a child while they're at it, dismissing his intelligence and skill, and it is very likely intended to further push him and frustrate him.

Yukio is truly one of the most manipulated characters in this manga.

The new Paladin is introduced on this bridge. We meet Arthur Angel who confirms with Shura that there are others spies here because there are always spies in and around, often overlapping and working for more than one party. Mephisto shows up with Rin in tow, and Rin seems entirely gone. Feral and determined to attack everything near by. He snarls and lashes out at the students, Yukio, and Shura, and seems mindless.

Angel and Mephisto and Shura hold a conversation while Yukio watches silently with the students and it isn't until the Kurikara is sheathed that Rin calms down and seems to come back to himself at all.

At which point by all accounts Rin seems to have no real memory of going feral or how he got on this bridge. Angel lunges forward to press his blade against Rin's neck and Shura gets between them leading Angel to restrain her instead.

We get the frankly fascinating lore drop that Angel seems aware Shirou asked Shura to train Rin. Apparently Shura ratted Shirou out to everyone, lol.

I'm going to skim over most of the rest of this chapter but want to pay attention to a few moments on the bridge.

We don't get real closeups of Yukio or his POV during this, but we get these moment. Him reacting to injuries and trying to gather them, all the while knowing these students are no longer seeing him the same way and knowing that everything has changed beyond his control. (It's a bit uncertain just who Ryuuji is glaring at, but honestly pretty much everyone on the bridge would make sense in one way or another.)

A thing I think a lot of people kind of glance over or miss is that Yukio himself is not at the trial that IMMEDIATELY follows the reveal of Rin. Yukio is with the students, getting debriefed and likely examined himself. He does not know what transpired there and would have had to get the information second hand, likely through Shura or Mephisto who he does not fully trust. (One he trusts far less than the other.) He wouldn't get it from Rin, or at least wouldn't get a dependable/accurate explanation from Rin who would not know who to look out for and would likely be unable to remember the details Yukio would want.

We are shown the trial from Rin's POV and we miss some of the dialogue going on around him as Rin focuses on his own thoughts.

And his thoughts go to his twin.

During this trial where they are calling him a bastard and a conspirator and a weapon and other horrid things, Rin's thoughts go to Yukio and how he didn't listen and understand what Yukio was warning him about. Rin mourns his own reactions but will never say this to Yukio. He will think it and he will hold it to his own chest as he is want to do when it comes to his twin.

Neither brother is good at talking to the other about things like this. Things that need saying. It is just another conversation put on hold, much like the conversation about Shirou's death and what Rin is now.

"Damn it," Rinthinks repeatedly, until he loses control of himself again and tells all who are assembled here (and they assembled so damn fast y'all) to shut up and listen to him and that he is not a weapon or demon lord but will be the next Paladin.

Then he disses Angel's clothing in the best Rin fashion and Mephisto's wager is accepted.

True Cross moved quickly. Much much too quickly for this to not have been planned at all. This is a farce of a trial. They found a teenager who was not supposed to be alive and instead of listening to any proper kind of evidence or even acknowledging his twin or hearing what the hell was going on at all, they immediately move to try and kill him only to shift to using him as a weapon, because using people and demons is something that True Cross excels in.

Now it is likely July 20ish and he is given six months to pass the certification exam. The certification exam has not yet happened as of my writing this, and we're in January in current manga timeline. I think the original pre world going batshit plan was for the exam to be in January but the world went a bit batshit so you know, priorities. True Cross got them right for once.

This trial was a show. It was not just nor did it pretend to be. The majority of the Grigori are aware of why the twins exist and what Mephisto is likely planning. They play ignorant a lot, and that is all it usually is, a pretend. Pretending to be unaware and ignorant allows them to have the pretense of clean hands in the atrocities we will continue to uncover in True Cross' past. This organization paints itself as the only true and just and good defense against the darkness of the world, and part of Yukio's arc is becoming more and more disillusioned with that.

He was brought into this organization by Shirou under the pretense of growing strong to protect Rin, and it seems until a certain point that he thought they were doing good, but that belief, if it was one he held, will not be able to withstand what comes.

Chapter 15 we open with Yukio a few days later. Possibly the next day. Possibly a day and a half later.

Yukio steps into their dorm room to wake up his twin to discover his twin has done the pillows in the bed trick which tells us Rin didn't want to get caught not being in bed.

He receives a text from Shura saying she's going to be late and swe see the opening of Yukio's pov closing with Yukio tightly gripping his phone and showing mounting frustration.

We're not told his reaction to the trial or the news that Rin has six months to pass. We're not told a lot about what has happened since, though we are shown that it was on Yukio to explain to the students what exactly had happened and was going on.

Yukio's hands and posture give him away in this scene. The tension and dare I say shame as he explains clinically who and what they are. That Satan possessed someone and had a child with a human woman. That Rin has flames and he does not. He doesn't quite look at them during this scene, and he cannot give them a lot of information for a lot of reasons.

This is another occurrence where we see him keeping himself at a distance from all of them. Shiemi even points out that he is formal, almost like this was a class. He does not let himself show his emotions or thoughts, just answers what he cans and leaves, likely to further questioning from other exorcists.

This is all we get of him post trial. We never see what exactly transpired between the twins after the trial. What we do see is the normal friction between the two and both of them still not quite talking to each other.

Yukio pulls Rin away from the main class for his private lessons, which seems to be the Vatican's decision about Rin hanging out with the others students. Ostracize him and make someone else handle the problem.

The twins sort of have a conversation.

Rin points out Yuio looks angry, Yukio denies it and gets annoyed at Rin acting like an older brother. (He's smiling that smile so there seems to be frustration there to me, plus the context clue of when he says it and how he says it.)

Rin says he can tell when Yukio is angry, and at this point he's accurate, but there will come a time when Rin cannot tell what Yukio is thinking/feeling, at least not accurately.

Their conversation continues with Yukio telling Rin to take this seriously for once. Rin mishears and thinks he said 'cereal' instead of serious. We love the goofball.

This is an important line for both twins. It shows how Rin intends to do and handle this, by just not thinking about it.

Rin is lying to himself here, and not even lying well to himself. This arc will force him to confront this lie and overcome it and think at least a little about all this. About what has happened and what this will mean.

Yukio will be forced to confront this lie as well, and be forced to consider his own thoughts and emotions and whether he is angry or not.

This is never just a test for Rin or for Yukio.

Shura shows up at this point and lays it out for Rin that from now on her and Yukio are always going to be watching him. She gives Rin the candle assignment and Rin does not manage it and will not manage it for a while. I want to know what the bill on candles was by the end of this. I bet Rin either lights all candles just to show he can or never lights another out of sheer stubborness.

Shura leaves Rin to it and goes back to Yukio and this cute moment happens.

She almost never calls him anything else. Another person who constantly reminds Yukio of when he was younger and wimpier and a cry baby, and remember that he has sworn to himself to never again be weak and frightened. He is striving hard to leave that all behind but cannot move past what he was with the constant reminders around him.

(*cough* Mephisto wants it that way *cough*)

Shura goads him into a challenge and we get the flashback I talked about previously of little Yukio being beaten by Shura.

I need to add that the verbiage of this bugs the hell out of me.

She orders him as his superior to do it. Shura wants Yukio to relax and not be so uptight, but she also refuses to do it and help him unless it's entirely in her way, and it causes increased stress and friction, and often comes across bratty and entitled. Their relationship is old and complicated, and there is often an imbalance in power like this. Shura is the closest he gets after Shirou's death to a mentor he can depend on, and he can't quite trust or lean on her because of things like this. She will mellow out and open up and take this more seriously and become someone he can lean on more, but it will take a while to get there with work needing to be put in.

Yukio accepts the challenge with the agreement that she stops calling him wimpy if he wins. They start to fight, Rin is shook at how good they are, and Yukio uses this moment to question her.

I don't know if I've ever seen analysis on this moment, or even much recognition of it at all. Likely because the anime and it's muddled opening episodes to the Kyoto arc doesn't really go into it.

Please read the manga, y'all. It gives us SO MUCH more than the animes gave and give us ;-;

Anyway, Yukio points out the fact that he knows that the forest was a setup. He was sent away and Rin was revealed, and it was deliberate. Shura confirms that she did indeed go along with Mephisto's plan.

Shura confirms that she did this deliberately and is happy Rin has been exposed. That she knows they're pawns. Yukio is not at all happy with any of this and we find out:

Yukio swore over Shirou's grave to protect Rin. It baffles me how people seem to ignore or not notice that Yukio is determined to protect Rin for most of this manga. He states it blatantly more than once.

He swore to protect Rin, and he has been taking the full weight of the secret upon his own shoulders. All of his peers have conspired against him, and it now confirmed that all were. The ones we are aware were in on Rin's heritage are Neuhaus, Shura, and Mephisto, and each of them have plotted and worked to make sure Rin was revealed, and he was, and now Rin has six months to pass an exam or die and Yukio is under no illusion that Rin can pass that.

Currently, he's valid for thinking that. Rin got a two on a test Yukio gave him in a class he was tailoring to Rin passing. If there's a written component to this test then they're fucked. Rin might be able to pass a skills portion, but he's currently in the next stall obliterating candles with wild flames so Yukio doesn't exactly have reasons to think that's going to happen either.

Yukio is stressed to hell and back and trying not to show it but it is slipping through the cracks and he is not being listened to by anyone around him. Rin and Shura keep dismissing his thoughts and opinions and pushing their own thoughts and opinions on him, and right or wrong, he is a person who despises being treated like he's stupid and like his words aren't being heard. (Does anyone like being treated that way?)

Shura watches his reaction and expression and asks him if he knows what makes a good exorcist. He says heart, skill, and body, which he learned from Shirou. (We'll see that in a flash back during the Blue Night arc.) Shura agrees, but says that not bottling up emotions is even more important because demons exploit resentment and stress.

Quick pause to point out earlier where I said a few thousand words ago that:

True Cross and Mephisto rarely push and manipulate their people/players unless they are 1) stressed by as many factors as it's possible to amass, 2) exhausted, 3) isolated, and if they can swing it 4) hungry and deprived of other basic rights and comforts.

This is a reason. Demon and people and organizations find it much easier to exploit people who are resentful and stressed.

Shura continues her observations.

And that is where I will end this one. Yukio is being primed for something, and Shura sees that, but Yukio is not in a place to listen to her, nor can he exactly be blamed for that with how she has treated him and manipulated them to get to this point.

We'll cover the Kyoto arc next and keep digging in on all the reasons why True Cross has a LOT of issues and why Yukio is getting so very disillusioned.

As always, check out my tag #raven ramble for more of my aoex analysis! I've got a lot more to do, and if you sent me an ask about analyses, don't worry! I will get to you <3

[hannyoontify]

seventeen on a road trip

warnings | mentions of food, roadkill?

notes | i've been doing long distance traveling and camping w my family and acquaintances for almost 12 years now so these are js some characters i've seen LMAO

scoups

designated driver

will definitely go 20 over the speed limit almost constantly

but he’s gotten pulled over only once (he’s lucky)

plays katy perry and pitbull to stay awake when he’s driving at night

screams when he sees roadkill

ALSO he insists on finding firewood on his own instead of buying them at the local mart like a normal person

tends the fire like it’s his baby (he may or may not tear up when it’s put out at the end of the night)

he brings an axe. for the firewood.

oh it’s serious

constantly doing head counts when they’re out to make sure no one got snatched up by a tree or eagle or something

hates truck drivers with a burning passion of a thousand suns

definitely farts in the car and pretends it isn’t him

jeonghan

passenger princess™️ 

but he’ll be the drivers right hand man

constantly serving water and snacks and making sure they’re staying awake

doesn’t lift a single finger when you get to your campsite BUT THATS HOW ITS SUPPOSED TO BE

he’ll be shivering in the passenger seat and watching youtube while mingyu hauls the 15 person sized tent out of the trunk

but he’s also keeping an eye on everyone to make sure they’re doing okay

saved dino from a bees nest one too many times

definitely gets his hands on the aux

SNACK FAIRY

he loves packing snacks and passing them out throughout the trip

needs to cuddle someone in the tent

vehemently opposes hiking and prefers to sit in a field and wait for everyone else to come back

joshua

don’t even play with me rn he’s bringing an acoustic guitar

does sing-a-longs in the car and at the fire pit

and he’s good too it’s not cheesy and everyone loves it when he brings out the guitar

one time cheol was desperate to keep the fire going so he almost used shua’s guitar and that was the story of how cheol almost lost his life that day

SMORE MAN. don’t tell me this man doesn’t love smores

he n vernon would def teach everyone how to make smores

sits in the left window seat, second row. end of discussion. that spot is reserved for thought daughters and thought daughters only. FIGHT ME

he’s actually rlly good at pitching the tent

secretly enjoys hiking but he doesn’t want seungkwan to know that

jun

HE BRINGS BOARD GAMES AND CARD GAMES

always has a deck of cards on him at all times

he would def 100% bring cards against humanity and uno (this almost caused them to go home early)

makes friends with the wildlife

like one time everyone else is busy making camp but jun went missing and came back 15 minutes later with an elk at his side

“he said he’s hungry”

“junhui we can’t give ramen to an elk”

SLEEPS WITH HIS EYES OPEN IN THE CAR AND EVERYONE TAKES PICTURES

it keeps everyone entertained and he loves seeing the photos everyone took when he wakes up

waves at strangers they drive by on the road

last time he tried to help pitch the tent, he got lost in the fabric

hoshi

disney princess.

it’s like the moment he sets foot on the camping grounds, all the nearby birds and critters are drawn towards him

they loveee hoshi for some reason

plays ‘i spy’ in the car

“i spy…. something gray!”

“… my socks?”

also plays shinee music on blast and has his own mini concert in the car

there’s a group-wide agreement to never give hoshi more than 3 smores/marshmallows

bc that.. ends in disaster.

he almost started a forest fire the last time he had 5 marshmallows in the middle of the night

likes to play with the fire (we call it 불멍 in korean where you space out while watching the fire)

definitely farts in his sleep in the car

insists on bringing at least two tiger plushies to every road trip

likes to cuddle with someone in the tent

he also likes to play punch buggy (don’t sit next to him)

wonwoo

def 100000% brings a nintendo switch or something for the long car ride

one of the more quiet people on car rides but he always points out something he notices out the window

“hey look that horse is giving birth” “WWWWWWWHERE” (that was hoshi if you couldn’t tell)

plays along with hoshi’s ‘i spy’ games

one time he almost lost his glasses in a river so now he refuses to step foot near any bodies of water 

likes to stick by jeonghan and observe with him

i feel like he’d be good at directions and occasionally drives when seungcheol’s too tired

always has his headphones hanging around his neck

enforces a strict ‘lights out’ rule and tries to get people off their phones when they’re sight seeing

CAMERA MAN #1

he loves taking pics and brings his camera everywhere they go

he dgaf if his phone is dead but if his camera runs out of battery, this man is devastated

woozi

i actually struggled a lot with woozi’s 

cuz i’ve been camping with a lot of diff people but i’ve never been with someone like woozi

but

i think

he’s the quietest one of them all

tbh idt woozi would be the biggest fan of camping

esp where you’re roughing it out in the middle of the woods since he’s a homebody

but i think he would like it in terms of taking a break from the bustling city and enjoying nature

he would sit outside in the early morning and watch the sun rise alone

would deffo get inspo for songs

you can sometimes hear him humming little melodies to himself when they’re hiking

laughs the hardest at dino’s freestyle raps at night tho

sometimes borrows shua’s guitar to play something

i think he would like doing rec activities too tho

like rafting or biking

OR FISHING OOOOOOOOOO

he’s js happy to be there i think

the8

also one of the more quiet members

but he actually likes road trips because he likes to be in nature

he’ll be one of the first people up every morning

you’ll find him meditating, basking in the early morning rays in front of the smoking fire pit from last night

really really likes sight seeing nature

also if he could, he would def bring a travel tea set and make tea for those who want it in the morning

tries to make friends with a feral squirrel but failed tho

he took that personally too

sensitive sleeper so he tends to stay up late at night on car rides to talk w cheol to keep him awake and sometimes drives 

mingyu

all hail kim mingyu because he’s everyone’s life saver

he’s in charge of almost all of their cooked meals

and he makes some damned good camping food

kbbq is a must at camping sites AND HE’S SO GOOD. SOSOSOSO GOOD

but he’s the biggest mfing scaredy cat

clings to jeonghan in his sleep and flinches every time he hears something in the woods

“mingyu go to sleep”

“but what if thats a bear?”

buys bear spray and read up on how to scare bears away

also has to close his eyes when they’re driving on mountain roads bc the cliffs and ravines make him queasy and his knees feel like jelly

cuddles hoshi in his sleep in the car

loves taking pictures of nature and the members

would def go dirt biking or something like that

likes to engage in park rangers’ q&a’s and info sessions

dokyeom

sings almost everywhere

in the car? he’s singing? they’re setting up camp? he’s singing. around the fire pit? he’s singing along with shua’s strumming.

like mingyu, he has to close his eyes when they’re driving on mountain roads bc he gets scared

waves to random babies he sees at popular attractions

he fed an eagle once. he talks about it every other month

CAMERA MAN #2

loves taking pics of nature

esp the sky

sometimes he sticks his head out the window (to the point where it’s illegal) to get a good pic of the sunset

loves loves lovesss stargazing

he can stare at the dark sky for hours, looking and counting each and individual star

seungkwan

designated tour guide™️

makes sure everyone’s sticking together

and kinda forces everyone to go hiking with him

side note: i love seungkwan’s hiking posts

anyway

sings almost everywhere pt. 2

their collective spokesperson 

he’s the one talking to park rangers and campsite managers

likes to engage in deeper conversation with other members once it’s more dark and quiet and a few members already turned in for the night

pls don’t put him on the wheel he’s going to freak out

likes to sit next to vernon and talk to him on longer nature car rides

seungkwan on aux can never go wrong

vernon

has headphones on almost 24/7

even when he doesn’t, he has imaginary ones on

he has like 4 different headphones/earphones as back up in case one dies

the amount of songs he’s downloaded on spotify practically takes up half his phone storage

will randomly start naming all the diff plants’ scientific names

likes to look at mushrooms and plants in his spare time

brings like 3 different, separate snapbacks

vernon would most definitely make a killer smore

like he’s so good at roasting marsmallows

it’s the american in him ig

likes to poke at the fire with a blank expression

if you look at their group photos, he’s always in the same pose and facial expression

freaks out when he sees a bug tho and will aggressively do the harlem shake until it’s gone

dino

in love with everything

he’ll point out something new he sees every 3 seconds

thinks everything is so so cool

i love dino

anyway

would sing in the car deffo 10000%

yk like his drunk freestyle rapping he did in the beginning of nana tour? yea he does that at night in front of the fire pit

if mingyu whips out some kind of camping tool he’d be all “ohhhhhh!!!”

takes so many naps in the car and in the tent

always munching on something

likes to read up on pamphlets and info boards about history or science behind a certain rock formation or historical site

and tell the others what he learned, esp when they ask questions

likes to bring binoculars (idk js a thought)

one time he saw a squirrel sneak into a gift shop and steal a candy bar

but when he tried to tell everyone else

no one believed him

it’s okay i believe you dino

reblogs and feedback is always appreciated ^-^

[ohbo-ohno]

i'll eat you whole (ghost x soap)

summary: After a terrible accident during a race, Johnny is left abandoned and lost in the forests of Alaska. While looking for shelter, he’s cornered by a bear.

word count: 10.8k

cw: dark fic!!!, noncon sex, dog hybrid johnny & bear hybrid simon, kidnapping, trans ftm soap, degradation, forced feminization, breeding kink, bloody kisses, spanking, size difference

read on ao3 - see the pinterest board

Johnny hadn’t meant to get lost. He’d meant to win the goddamn Iditarod instead of coming in second for the fourth year in a row, but nothing in his life has gone to plan recently.

Considering how long he’d been training for this stupid fucking race, you’d think his parents would’ve had him running a half decent musher’s sled - you break your ankle one time and suddenly your parents (your managers when you’re an unlucky bastard like him) act like you’ll never run again, sell you off to the highest bidder, and wipe their hands of you. 

Sure Johnny’s injury still flares with pain sometimes, but he’s perfectly capable of gritting his teeth and running through it, like a real racer. He’d even made a full recovery - cleared by a doctor and everything. It’s bullshit he’d gotten stuck with whoever put up the most money.

This year, the highest bidder happened to be some brat human who thought using daddy’s money to buy the best sled and dog shifters meant he could win the Iditarod. Idiot. A bigoted idiot, too, considering how often he’d spoken to Johnny and all the other shifters like they’re actual dogs when they’d shifted into their dog forms. Johnny had been one expectant snap from biting straight through the dumbass’s hand.

Though for as much of an idiot as he was, the brat hadn’t deserved to die. And he especially didn’t deserve to take 13 other people down with him.

Johnny can’t help but shiver at the memory of their deaths. He’d been the only one to survive, and it was pure luck. He’d never been so close to death.

Their musher had taken a shortcut - an unknown, unexplored shortcut - and it cost the rest of them their lives. Johnny can recall the exact moment he realized they were running on packed ice instead of frozen dirt, the way every dog had tried to stop as they all had the same realization, had heard the same deafening crack.

In the end, Johnny was the only one able to sink his claws into the top of the ice, the only one able to scramble out of the freezing lake and back onto solid ground. He’d been quick enough to get the little booties off his paws, lucky enough to flail in the exact right direction. 

He’d tried to pull his fellow racers up, but hadn’t been able to get a firm hold on any of them. They hadn’t been able to calm their panic enough to think, and he hadn’t been strong enough to lift them up with all the struggling. In the end, all thirteen of them died, floating beneath the thick layer of ice.

He’s lost other shifters on the race before, seen frozen corpses as he’s run, but he already knows that the image of his teammates drowning is one he’s going to see for the rest of his life. The whites of their eyes, the cries so pained they nearly sounded human, the scratches and thumps from beneath the ice as the current took them�� already, he sees it all when he blinks.

He’d gotten off the ice as quickly as possible, stumbled into an unfamiliar forest on four paws. Now he treks through a frozen forest, body so wracked with shivers that he can hardly walk straight. Every exhale blinds him for a moment, the clouds of white air blocking his sight of everything else white in the area.

He has no idea what to do. Instinct tells him to keep moving, that he can’t give up, but he has no idea how to get back to the track. Between the “shortcut” and the general unfamiliarity of the area, he’s got no way of knowing if he’s even going in the right direction or if he’s just wandering further away. His best hope is that they send helicopters for wounded racers early, and that one spots him from the sky and picks him up. 

Johnny’s not an idiot, he knows the odds of that happening - or of him being alive to see it happen - are slim to none. What he really needs to do is try and find somewhere warm, but that doesn’t exactly seem possible in the frozen tundra of Alaska.

His pessimistic musings are interrupted by a sound - a growl, to his right and from an uncomfortably close distance.

Johnny nearly jumps out of his skin when he sees the bear only a few meters away.

It’s a big beast even on all fours, has to be nearly eight feet tall at the shoulder. Johnny can’t see much but the shape of it, but that’s enough for him to know he needs to get away as soon as possible. 

He’s taken safety training courses for being lost in the wilderness his whole life, knows that if you spot a polar bear you’re supposed to move away as slowly as possible without looking away, never making any sudden or aggressive moves. So Johnny lowers himself a little closer to the ground, can’t help the soft hiss of air through his teeth at the touch of cold ice against his sensitive belly, and shuffles back as slowly as he can with stiff limbs.

If his vision isn’t failing him, the bear tilts its head. It occurs to Johnny that the bear might be a shifter, but if that’s true he should know to put the pieces together that the husky in the snow is probably a lost racer, and the polite thing to do would be to show he’s a shifter too. Of course, there’s always the chance he’s not polite.

Regardless, Johnny continues his slow shuffles backwards. His heartrate kicks up as the bear moves towards him, but it's mannerisms read more curious than aggressive so Johnny forces himself to lay still and not bolt in another direction. He wouldn’t make it very far anyway, not with the chill seeping into his bones the way it is.

The bear’s even more terrifying from flat on the ground, so tall that it blocks out the sun when it stands over Johnny. He bites back a whimper, fights the instinctual urge to show his belly to a clearly stronger animal.

The bear snuffles along his spine, its warm breath sinking into Johnny’s soaked fur. He feels a tongue poke out to stroke against a small cut on his left side, where either a piece of ice or another shifter's claws had gotten him. It’s not bleeding much anymore - Johnny can hardly even feel the sting with the rest of the cold - but the bear licks it several times anyway, almost like it’s cleaning the small wound.

Johnny’s careful to lay perfectly still, nothing more than his ear twitching as the bear continues its perusal. It’s oddly thorough, even goes so far as to try and force its snout underneath his ribs to try and flip him over. Johnny digs his claws into the snow and goes stiff as he can, and a moment later the bear huffs and moves on.

Once it’s finished looking for whatever it seems to want, it starts to shove at him again. This time it’s pushier, and manages to actually lift Johnny’s bottom half off the ground with a particularly rough shove to his hindlegs.

Eventually Johnny has to stand on his own four legs or he’ll be sent ass over teakettle. He moves a few feet in the direction the bear is nudging him, then settles back into the snow with his ears pressed flat.

That gets him an angry huff, one that has his hackles rising. He shuffles another few steps, then drops again, hoping the damn beast will give up whatever it wants - clearly it’s not dinner, or Johnny would already be torn to shreds. But the fact that he’s still got all of his limbs doesn’t make him any less nervous around the absolute behemoth of a bear.

After his third time moving a few feet and dropping, the bear seems to give up on him. It snorts out an aggravated noise and noses the thick fur at the back of Johnny’s neck before grabbing with his teeth and lifting.

All thoughts of no sudden movements fly out of Johnny’s head and he jerks, yelping at the sudden change, and nearly tears himself away from the bear until there’s a snarl above his head.

The sound speaks to a deep part of Johnny’s hind-brain, the animal part of him that commands go still when met with a predator who outclasses him in every way. Even if he wanted to fight and struggle, his body decides to go limp in the bear’s jaws and he’s left feeling like a scruffed pup. 

The bear walks for a long time, Johnny’s body swaying in his hold. Eventually he takes them to a large cave in the side of a nearby mountain - another point for the shifter theory, since even Johnny knows that polar bears tend to burrow underground rather than make their dens in a cave.

He struggles just a bit when the bear walks into the cave, uncomfortable with being so defenseless in a more closed off area. But another of those menacing growls and his brain works against him, body going limp. There’s a rumble against his shoulder where it rests against the bear’s chest, and Johnny idly wonders if bears purr.

The path through the cave is long and winding, the walls slowly getting closer and closer but never so close that the bear can’t comfortably walk through them.

Finally, after what feels like hours to Johnny’s frostbitten brain, the bear steps into a more open cave. There are furs covering the stone floor from wall to wall, several layered over each other in certain spots, and a roaring fire in the center of the room.

That confirms his shifter theory. No true bear is skinning its prey for their pelts, or starting a fire in their cave. The knowledge that he’s (likely) not going to be eaten allows the last few hints of tension to melt from Johnny’s bones.

He flops like dead weight when the bear drops him without warning in front of the fire. He whines a little, shoots a glare at the beast and rubs a paw over his head in discomfort. He gets a snort in response, and then the bear curves himself around Johnny’s back, making sure to angle him so his other side is facing the fire.

As much as Johnny hates to put so much faith into a stranger, he can’t help but feel safe surrounded by the bear’s warmth. He knows he’s an idiot to trust so quickly, but surely no one with bad intentions would drag him all the way across the forest and deep into their cave? It would’ve been easier to just ignore him completely.

So, against his better judgment, Johnny allows the warmth to lull him to sleep. He rests his head on one of the bear’s paws as a pillow, gives them an affectionate huff before letting himself drift off.

———————————————————————

Johnny wakes up, hours later, in his human skin.

That’s normal - depending on his dreams, he’ll subconsciously shift between human and dog as he sleeps. It’s not odd for Johnny to wake up in completely different places after sleepwalking either, so waking up to feel his human cheek against warm furs isn’t a surprise.

The large hands running over him, the weight resting over his thighs? That’s a surprise.

He blinks his eyes open slowly. His whole body feels soft and soaked in warmth, and the idea of moving seems nearly impossible. He can tell he’s still fully clothed - a pair of mukluks on his feet, his arctic bib and long underwear, his ruff jacket zipped up tight, all the layers beneath pressing his tail down uncomfortably. The only things missing are his mittens and his scarf, but his hands feel unnaturally warm without them anyway.

The cave is dark and the walls are far closer than he remembers them being, the ceiling covered in dancing shadows that almost make Johnny forget where he is until he lifts his head a bit. Instead of the wide open cave he’d fallen asleep in, he’s laying in a much smaller alcove that traps all the heat in its walls.

The bear is definitely a shifter - either that or the human straddling Johnny’s legs is an incredible hunter with complete resistance to the cold. 

The fact that he’s a naked human clicks a moment later in Johnny’s head.

“Wha’...” he moans, shifting and trying to move his elbows beneath him and sit up. He’s stopped by a sudden heavy weight over his chest, the man dropping his elbows beside Johnny’s head and giving him his weight to keep him down.

It works, Johnny’s forced back to the fur-covered floor if only because he wasn’t expecting the sudden weight on his chest. The man growls low in his chest, a pure bear sound that vibrates through Johnny.

The shifter’s handsome as a man. Broad jaw, crooked nose, thin lips, pale skin decorated in scars - just Johnny’s type when he’s looking for a night of quick fun. He’s a big motherfucker too, Johnny’s not a small man but he’s dwarfed beneath the bear. 

“Puppy,” the bear gruffs down at him, severe blue eyes set in a glare. He’s intimidating, but the two fluffy white ears twitching in his blonde hair almost make Johnny’s half-asleep brain want to smile.

Then what he’d said registers, and he scowls instead.

“Puppy? Who the fuck are you calling puppy, you big bastard?” He pushes at the bear’s shoulders, grunts when he doesn’t move even an inch. “Get the fuck off of me.”

The bear listens, leans back but keeps one solid hand laid on Johnny’s chest - the damn thing is massive, his thumb and pinky nearly touching each nipple. 

“Still,” he says, his voice so low it’s almost difficult to understand.

Johnny doesn’t listen, keeps squirming beneath the man. “What are you-?”

He huffs, shakes his head a bit. “Quiet.”

Johnny grunts, glaring up at him. “Can you say more than one word at once, or are you gonna keep doin’ your best caveman impression?”

The bear’s upper lip curls and he pushes on Johnny’s chest, knocking the air out right out of his chest. “Quiet. Be a good mate and listen.”

Oh, fuck no.

“Mate? Oh, you’re out of your mind, fuckin’ bastard. I’m not your goddamn ma-“

He’s cut off by another growl and a harsh press of lips against his own. The bear’s weight is back over him, heavy and suffocating and forcing him down with his chest and his face.

Johnny snarls into the mockery of a kiss, lifts his hands to try and shove the bear off by his shoulders. It’s fruitless, and the bear only licks into his mouth when Johnny tries to speak again. His tongue is thick and warm, pressing up against the roof of Johnny’s mouth and between his lips and teeth.

He growls at that, bites down hard as soon as the intruding tongue is back between his teeth. His sharp canines do the trick, and the taste of blood bursts into his mouth. Johnny’s eyes are wide open and he sees the exact moment the bear registers what he’s done, the way his face contorts itself in anger.

The growl he gets in return almost makes Johnny feel like the ground beneath him is shaking, it’s deafening and vibrates through all of his clothes and right to his ribs.

The bear bites him back in retaliation, leans up just enough to lock his own sharp teeth in Johnny’s bottom lip and pulls upwards. It gets Johnny jerking beneath him, lifting up as much as possible to try and alleviate the pressure.

He can’t help but squeeze his eyes shut at the sharp pain, ears pressed flat to his head and just barely managing to keep a whimper locked in his throat. He almost feels like his lip is going to tear right off, his entire torso lifted from the furs as he tries to follow the bear. It fucking hurts.

He can feel blood drip down his chin, a bit into his mouth, and can't resist the whine this time at the taste. He blinks his eyes open and looks up at the bear’s glare, prays that the wetness gathering in his eyes doesn’t turn to tears.

The bear drops him without warning, and Johnny can’t help but cry out when his head cracks against the ground. Even with the fur beneath him, the stone floor is brutal when he can’t catch himself. If he weren’t pinned so securely he’d curl up, cover his head with his arms until the pain faded.

As it is he tries to throw his arms over his face, but they’re quickly pinned above his head by one massive paw. The man’s other hand rests over Johnny’s throat, his palm pushing right against his pounding pulse.

“Mate,” the man growls again, nose nearly brushing Johnny’s when he bends over. “You were wandering around my territory, you belong to me.”

“That’s bullshit,” Johnny spits, lip throbbing. “I was fuckin’ lost, how was I supposed to know this is your territory?”

The bear smiles cruelly. “Not my problem, puppy. You were wandering, alone, in my territory, and now you’re mine. No point in arguin’. I’m keeping you.”

“My arse there’s no point in arguin’!” Johnny thrashes as much as he can beneath the bear’s weight, back arching as he tries to get enough leverage by planting his feet to throw the man off of him. “You can’t just decide I’m your mate! I don’t even fuckin’ know you!”

The man chuckles lowly, pressing his pelvis against Johnny’s to hold him against the furs. “You’re not goin’ anywhere. You can bitch and moan as much as you want, but you’re gonna stay right here in my den, safe and warm. Keep you stuffed full of my cum, maybe that’ll help you calm down, hm? Need a nice load in your guts, pup?”

Johnny’s eyes fly open at that, his heartbeat kicking up another notch as his squirming grows more panicked. “What the- no, what the fuck? Get off, I’m serious, I’ll-”

“You’ll what?” The bear bites the air just in front of Johnny’s sluggishly bleeding lip, the click of his teeth loud and threatening. “You’ll try and kill me? You can’t even get out from under me, pup.”

Johnny growls at that, bares his teeth and on pure instinct leans up just enough to bite the bear’s throat. The skin is warm between his teeth, and he bites down as hard as he can, the animal part of him wanting to taste blood. 

Instead of the man lurching back and away, as Johnny had assumed and hoped he would, he groans and falls further onto Johnny. To his own horror, he can feel the man hardening against his thigh, even through all the layers of clothing between them.

He bites harder, growls and squeezes his eyes shut while he shakes his head like he would to a rabbit he’d just caught hunting. It doesn’t do anything to the bear, only has him working his hips against Johnny. The moans rumble so loudly in his throat that Johnny’s teeth feel like they’re vibrating in his mouth and leave his gums and tongue tingling.

The bear’s hand moves from his throat up to his face, cupping one cheek in his palm. His hand is so large that his thumb rests on the cleft of Johnny’s chin while his fingers cup the back of his skull, nearly wrapping around to the other side. He doesn’t even try to pull Johnny off, only holds him securely in place.

That gets a little confused noise from Johnny, and when the larger man doesn’t do anything but seemingly appreciate his attack he lets go and reverts to trying to struggle away. The spot he’d been biting glows bright red in the firelight, a clear ring of indentions and individual teeth marks so deep that they’d be impossible to mistake as anything else.

To his own frustration, the bear looks pleased above him. “Already claimin’ me, huh?”

Johnny sputters, rearing away from the man and his grinding hips. “Claiming? Fucking attacking, you goddamn oaf.”

Another rumbling laugh. “You think that’s an attack?” The bear’s hand shifts to give Johnny’s cheek a condescending pat. “That’s real cute, pup. Don’t think I’ll mind so much if you wanna keep attackin’ me, then.”

The nonchalance has Johnny’s temper flaring more than it already was, his booted feet scrabbling against the furs as he tries to rip his wrists away from the man. “You fucking arsehole-!” He grunts when his hands are freed without warning, the weight over his chest disappearing. 

He’s quick to throw himself back and away from the bear, hitting the wall of the cave and bringing his knees up to his chest.

The bear somehow looks bigger than he had hovering over Johnny. He blocks the one opening out of the small cave, the roaring fire casting a warm glow around his body. His skin is pale, nearly snow white, and covered in a myriad of scars - claw marks, bites, what might be arrow wounds, what are definitely bullet wounds, all sorts of markings covering him from head to toe. 

The way he sits - knelt back on his ankles, knees spread wide with his arms crossed - leaves his cock on display. Hard as Johnny might try not to look, it’s right there. He can’t exactly avoid it.

His cock is thick and ruddy, rock hard despite the little stimulation he’s gotten from himself or Johnny. It curves straight up toward his stomach, nearly touching the bear’s belly button. If Johnny had to bet, he’d guess his fingers wouldn’t touch if he grabbed around the shaft. His balls hang low and heavy between his legs, and Johnny can trace a vein on the underside of his shaft even from several feet away.

He has to fight to tear his eyes away from the bear’s lower half. The man’s got another thing coming if he thinks he’s getting that weapon anywhere near any of Johnny’s holes.

The bear’s wearing a small smirk when they lock eyes and Johnny’s cheeks go red at being caught staring.

“No need to be embarrassed, puppy,” he chuckles, shifting to rest more fully on his heels. “You can look all you want. Gonna be inside you real soon, might as well get used to it.”

Johnny scowls at that, pushing himself further into the brick wall. His ears twitch where they’re pointed forward, and he has to make a conscious effort to keep them from pinning flat to his scalp. “In your goddamn dreams. You’re not putting anythin’ inside of me.”

The man’s smirk grows. “That a challenge?”

“It’s fucking true! I’m not letting some hermit in the middle of nowhere fuck me! We’re not goddamn mates, you’re just some freak who found me in the forest after the worst goddamned day of my life, that doesn’t give you any right to-”

“Alright,” the bear sighs heavily, speaking over Johnny’s continued ranting. “Don’t get yourself so worked up.” He leans forward, arms uncrossing and ignoring the way Johnny jerks away.

“What’re you-? Hey!” He shouts when the bear grabs his ankle, tugging firmly so his leg is laid flat, then working to loosen the laces keeping his boots tight. “What do you think you’re doing?!”

He tries to kick the bear in the chest with his free foot, but it’s batted away like nothing more than an annoying fly. “Calm down,” the man grunts, finally getting the first boot undone and tossing both it and his thermal socks over his shoulder, then grabbing Johnny’s other foot and working on it. “Need to get you out of all these damn layers. Has it even occurred to you you shouldn’t be out in the snow if you need all this with you?” He looks strangely disapproving as he gets the other boot off.

“No,” Johnny grunts, wriggling like a fish on a line as the man moves up to his jacket. “Because I don’t take advice from fucking kidnappers who live in caves!”

The man grunts as he starts unzipping Johnny’s jacket, ignoring the hands desperately trying to shove him off. “You will now. You’ll listen to your mate when he tells you to do something, won’t you?”

“No!” Johnny bellows, red in the face from anger. The laugh he gets in response only has him shouting again, his struggles hindered as the man yanks his jacket off and temporarily gets his arms stuck. “I’m not gonna listen to shit you say!”

“Oh, you will,” the bear rumbles. It sounds more like a promise than a threat. “You’ll learn that things will go easier for you when you listen.”

“Oh will they?” Johnny snarls sarcastically, baring his teeth when the man tucks his jacket to the side and starts to work on his arctic bib. 

“Yes.”

“No! They won’t! Because I’m not fucking staying here! And will you quit trying to get me fucking naked?!”

The bear huffs a laugh, pulling the top half of the bib down so it hangs over his thick pants, leaving just a long-sleeved shirt on his torso. His tail unfurls beneath the shirt, folded uncomfortably beneath his body. “You’ll overheat in all these layers. The den is more than warm enough to keep you comfortable, no need for your silly human clothes.”

“There is a need!” Johnny grouses, finally lifting his foot enough to plant it firmly on the bear’s chest and keep him back, even for just a moment. “It’s my need to keep myself covered from a pervert like you!”

“Pervert, freak, hermit, kidnapper… not very kind names for your mate, pup,” the bear hums, one hand lifting to hold Johnny’s ankle loosely and running his thumb over the top of his foot. “The locals call me Ghost. But you can call me Simon.”

Johnny scowls again, the expression carved deep into his face at this point. “I’ll call you whatever I fuckin’ want.” He runs through his knowledge of local legends mentally, but the name Ghost doesn’t ring a single bell. If he’s actually known at all, it can’t be by much more than one or two tiny towns. 

“Sure you will,” the man smiles, leans forward into Johnny’s space and tightens his grip on his ankle. “I’ll call you whatever I want, too - mate, puppy, mutt, bitch, hole, fucktoy…”

Johnny’s sure steam must be coming out of his ears as he pulls his leg back and kicks the bear - Simon - solidly in the chest. It doesn’t even make him flinch, and Johnny only manages to frustrate himself more, ears straight up in his anger. “Oi, fuck you! I’m a fucking person, not just some thing for you to take and keep, you big bastard!”

“Take and keep and fuck,” Simon corrects, the grin on his face sharp and mean. He shoves Johnny’s foot out of the way, crawls forward until he can lean both hands on either side of Johnny’s head and block his view of anything else. “Now, what should I call you, hm?”

“Nothin’,” Johnny growls, ducking his head low to avoid being nose-to-nose with the man. He’s so hot in close proximity like this, it’s almost suffocating. “You should let me go.”

“Let you go?” Ghost purrs, one hand moving from the wall to Johnny’s neck and stroking the tan skin there. “Out in the cold again? Thought you were lost, pup, you want me to send you out there all alone to find your way back to town? Send my puppy wandering out in the snow?”

“You could give me directions to the nearest town,” Johnny counters, not allowing himself to work up any hope that the bear was doing anything more than playing with him. Still, he can’t help but glance up through his lashes to watch his  expression. It’s mocking, like he’d expected but naively hoped against. He curses himself for the spark of disappointment in his chest.

“Nearest town’s miles away. I’m not makin’ that trip just to get rid of my pretty new mate.” Ghost ducks his head down, burying his nose in Johnny’s mohawk in between his ears and breathing deeply. “No, I’m gonna keep you right here with me. You’ll be just fine.”

Johnny can’t help but shudder. In this position - bent in half, legs folded up to his chest, big naked behemoth of a man covering him - he feels oddly submissive and vulnerable in a way he usually doesn’t. It’s been a while since he wasn’t one of the top dogs in a pack, and he finds he deeply dislikes being lower on the totem pole. He has to fight the urge to tuck his tail, only really managing to resist the urge because it’s trapped beneath his body.

“You don’t even know me,” he tries to argue, fighting back a flinch when the face against his head moves down to his cheek, hot breath gusting over his face.

“That can come later. Why don’t you start by telling me your name, huh pup?”

He doesn’t want to. Giving Simon his name, obeying his command, feels too much like giving in for his comfort. But the other names he’d used… mutt, bitch, fucktoy… he has to fight back another shudder at the thought of being called any of those words again.

“Johnny,” he finally says, voice hardly more than a whisper in the shadowy cave.

“Johnny,” the bear repeats, voice dropping lower and rumbling through the side of Johnny’s head. “That’s good, puppy. Good boy for listenin’.”

He just barely manages to trap a whine in his throat, eyes squeezing shut for a moment at the praise. 

“Now,” Simon continues, finally leaning back and nudging Johnny’s chin up with the hand not against the cave wall. “Let’s get the rest of these clothes off, hm?”

“No,” Johnny grunts when both of Ghost’s hands drop to the laces of his pants and make quick work of loosening them. “I don’t- stop, you can’t-”

His words go ignored and his thick pants are pulled down quickly, left abandoned to Simon’s side as he then starts on pulling the arctic bib the rest of the way.

The only things left to cover him now are the long underwear and shirt, but he already feels naked. Johnny forces himself to start fighting again, trying to push at Ghost’s shoulders and keep him away. His tail wraps tight around his thigh, fur rising in fear.

“No,” Ghost scolds, catching both of Johnny’s hands in his and holding them still. His glare is stern, but not mean like it had been earlier. “Stop struggling, pup. Let your mate do what he wants.”

“No,” Johnny protests, his voice weaker than it was before. “I don’t want you to touch me, just… just let me be, okay? I’ll find my way to town on my own, you don’t even have to give me directions!”

Ghost sighs, shifting both of Johnny’s wrists to one hand and cupping his throat with the other. “Johnny,” he rumbles, thumb stroking over his pounding heartbeat. “How many times do I have to say it? There’s no point in fightin’ me like this. You’re not going anywhere. You’re gonna stay in my den, let me fuck you, and I’ll take good care of you.”

Johnny can’t help but whine a little, unable to break eye contact with Simon. “I don’t want to.”

“I know,” Ghost hums. “But you will. And you’ll see how good it can be when you behave.”

He lifts his hand enough to pat Johnny’s cheek, seemingly done with the conversation. “Now, no more arguin’ and whinin’. We’ll see if a good dicking helps with your attitude at all, hm?”

Johnny’s never felt quite so much like a doll as he does when Simon removes the rest of his clothes. No matter how much he writhes and complains, he’s still stripped naked and left bare beneath the shifter, struggling limbs held out of the way like they’re nothing more than a slight annoyance.

Ghost hums as he sits back again, takes a long look down Johnny’s body. He tries to cover his groin, self-conscious under the bear’s probing stare, but his hands are caught and held to the side of his body by just one massive paw. 

“No, no,” Ghost chides, tone light despite how secure his hold is. “I wanna see your pretty body, pup. You got nothin’ to hide from me.”

Johnny whines a little at that, squirming as Simon slowly pushes him down to lay flat against the furs. The bear slides one knee between his legs, nudging them wider and leaving his sensitive core open to the air.

“Oh, look’it you,” he coos like he’s seeing something cute, keeping Johnny’s hands pinned as he leans down and noses at Johnny’s stomach, taking big huffing breaths in and slowly making his way lower. “You’re so soft here, pup.” He praises, running his nose over the meat of Johnny’s cunt.

“S-stop,” Johnny whines, hips shifting against the furs to try and move away. “Don’t- don’t touch me.”

“Hush,” Ghost says, leaving a hot kiss where he’d been nosing and ducking a little lower, tracing Johnny’s folds with his nose and breathing in deep. “Let me get to know your pretty pussy, gonna be spendin’ quite a bit of time with her.”

Johnny whines at that, high and loud, echoing against the stone walls. “Not a- not a her.”

“No?” Ghost laughs a little, spreading Johnny’s legs wider and settling himself between them. “She’s pretty like a girl. Pink like a girl. Nice and clean for me like a girl, not furry or messy at all. Let’s see how she tastes.” He laves his tongue, thick and warm and wet, up Johnny’s center from hole to clit. “Yeah, she’s sweet like a girl, too.”

Johnny whines again at that, eyes squeezed shut and a little teary. He can feel sparks of pleasure low in his belly, sharp and unwanted. “Please,” he tries, incapable of much else when Ghost licks a few times at his clit.

“Hm?” The bear rumbles, the noise vibrating through his sensitive nub and straight to his head. Johnny whimpers again. “Please what, pup? Please lick her again? Y’think she wants that?”

He does just that, mimics his movement exactly and adds to the gathering wetness at Johnny’s hole. As much as he fights it, the action feels good and Johnny goes a little boneless against the furs. He keeps his eyes closed, isn’t quite brave enough to look down at Ghost between his legs. His tail falls limp, resting next to him, but his ears stay pinned to his head in fear.

“Y’like that?” Simon rumbles, his thumb stroking over both of Johnny’s wrists slowly. “She sure does. Gonna focus on keeping her happy for a bit, I’ll come back to you later, alright pup?”

He doesn’t wait for Johnny to answer - he doubts he’d have been able to - and instead dives tongue-first into Johnny’s core. It doesn’t take long for Ghost to warm him up, the rhythmic work of his tongue against Johnny’s little cock enough to have him dripping slick in moments. 

He moves a little lower to tongue at Johnny’s hole, thrusts shallowly in and out and scoops any slick he can into his own mouth. Johnny’s reduced to just a moaning thing beneath him, hips writhing as his body and mind war between the urge to get closer and further at the same time. Ghost’s nose rubs right against his clit when he works at Johnny’s hole, and the dual stimulation leaves him slack-jawed and moaning.

Ghost’s free hand creeps from his thigh up to his cunt slowly, so slowly that Johnny hardly realizes it’s moving at all until there’s a finger right at his hole. He can’t help but jolt when the finger presses in, the sudden feeling only heightening his arousal. It’s an unexpected stretch - just one of Simon’s fingers is at least as thick as two of Johnny’s.

“Need somethin’ to clench on,” Ghost mumbles, almost to himself more than to Johnny. 

Or, it hits him a moment later, not to Johnny at all. Just to his cunt.

He nearly wails at the realization, the mix of humiliation and the feeling of that finger curling inside of him a cocktail of sensations that has him inching closer and closer to an orgasm.

“There ya go,” Simon soothes, giving his clit languid strokes with his tongue. “We’ll get you off once, then work on stuffin’ you full of me. Attagirl.”

Tears slip down Johnny’s face as another finger slides in, the stretch not quite painful but definitely noticeable. His hips grind down on the intrusion against his own will, the constant flicks against his clit crossing every wire in his brain. His eyes stay closed, the dark a comfort when he feels so untethered.

“Let's find your sweet spot,” Ghost murmurs quietly, his fingers crooking and searching inside of Johnny. The burn of the stretch leaves him mewling, toes curling against the furs. Ghost hums, gives his clit a few sucks to quiet him down a bit, reducing him to just pants.

Then, without warning, Simon’s fingers zero in on Johnny’s g-spot and press.

His back arches automatically, a loud cry tearing from his throat when Ghost only presses harder at his reaction, giving the bundle of nerves heavy rubs and milking Johnny’s pleasure. He wraps his lips around his clit, sucking hard and long.

“There she is,” he rumbles around the nub. His voice vibrates through Johnny, sending him reeling.

“Oh, oh, please- please, please, please, fuck, that’s- oh God-” Johnny babbles, body tense and pleasure ridden as every part of him fights to get away from the overwhelming sensation. Ghost’s fingers don’t let up, the pressure more than Johnny’s ever felt before, and he flicks his tongue over the clit locked between his lips. He’s never felt pleasure like this, has no defenses against the way it ravages his body.

“Fuck- fuck! Simon, please, oh, oh G-God, oh, fuck, fuck…. Please!” Johnny shouts, eyes flying open to stare at the stone ceiling as he’s finally thrown off the precipice he’d been hovering over, pleasure wracking every limb and racing through every nerve. He moans loud enough to echo as his body slowly goes limp against the furs, muscles weak like all of his strength has drained from his cunt.

The pressure against his g-spot slowly eases as Ghost slips his fingers out of him, his lips releasing his clit. The bear sits up and releases his wrists, letting both of his own hands rest against Johnny’s thighs and giving him a few squeezes.

Johnny blinks bleary eyes open, drawn to the bear’s face against his will. The man looks nothing but smug, chin soaked and eyes bright.

“Hey, Johnny,” he breathes, leaning down and moving his hands to rest on either side of Johnny’s head. He hovers right above him, breath ghosting over his face in warm puffs. “That feel good, comin’ for me?”

Johnny makes a little complaining sound, not quite capable of speech yet. His ears flick out to the side, reflecting the weird mix of displeasure and satisfaction he feels.

“Aw,” Ghost clicks his tongue, dips just low enough to press a closed-mouth kiss to Johnny’s lips, unbothered when it’s unreciprocated. “Yeah, I know it did. You taste real sweet, love. Gonna have you for dessert every night.”

Johnny huffs at that, the reference to a future together dragging his brain back down to his body. He doesn’t have a chance to get himself worked up as Ghost keeps pressing kisses to his lips. He shifts a bit every few kisses, decorating his cheeks and chin too. His lips brush nearly every inch of Johnny’s face, leaving him blushing and a little soft.

This- this isn’t so bad. Johnny doesn’t mind the kisses, the warmth and the pleasure. But the idea of Ghost trying to sheath that cock inside of him… just the thought has him whimpering a little, eyebrows furrowing.

“What?” Ghost whispers, lifting himself just enough to meet Johnny’s eyes, bumping their noses together. “What’s got you cryin’ now?”

Johnny inhales deeply, doesn’t feel any better when it shudders into his lungs and whooshes right back out.

“Please,” he tries, voice quiet between the two of them. “Please don’t fuck me.”

Ghost sucks his teeth, his face a horrible mix between smug and condescending. “Aw, puppy,” he shifts his weight, one hand moving to stroke his cheek. He doesn’t do much actual stroking, considering how large his hand is compared to Johnny’s face. “‘Course I’m gonna fuck you. It’s what good mates do, hm? Gotta give you a few cubs.”

Johnny whimpers at that, a little pained sound at the image that conjures.

“No?” Ghost coos, tapping once with his thumb. “You want a litter of pups, then?”

Johnny’s voice cracks on a sob, a horrible hurt sound punching from his chest. He squeezes his eyes shut against the humiliation, turning his head to the side and pressing his face into the furs.

“Aw, pup,” the bear whispers, nose nudging at the cheek available to him. “You’re alright, you’re alright. You’ll like it, promise. I’m not gonna hurt ya, you’ll be taken care of here. Gonna make such a good daddy, I don’t even care if they come out as silly little mutts like you.”

It’s a conscious effort to breathe. His chest hitches on every inhale, and his nose is blocked up from all the crying. His throat burns. He can hardly think.

“Needed a mate for a while now,” Ghost continues, speaking into Johnny’s skin. He alters between kissing and licking, but never leaves more than an inch of space between his lips and Johnny’s head. “Knew it, but there’s no one around any good to raise my cubs. But I think you’ll do well, won’t you?”

“No,” Johnny finally says, voice weak. “No, no, I don’t want… you can’t.”

“You’ll look even prettier,” Ghost continues, heedless of Johnny’s whine. “Round with me and mine, soft and perfect for me. Maybe these will swell up a little.” His hand strays to Johnny’s flat chest, fingers working at his nipple. Little pinches and pulls, a bit of pain that still manages to feel good.

“Stop,” Johnny tries again, tears slipping down his nose again. Every exhale is shaky, a little whimper in his breaths.

“I’ll provide for you, don’t worry.” His fingers massage Johnny’s pec, like he’s trying to coax something out of the nipple. “Take such good care of my mate. Get him whatever he wants, never let him leave…” Ghost’s voice dips so low that it’s near incoherent as he licks broad stripes up the side of Johnny’s face between sentences, words almost slurred. “You’ll be perfect.”

Johnny can’t hold back the sobs anymore, one ripping from his throat against his will and unblocking the dam he’d built in his head. He’s left nearly bawling into the furs, body tense as a bowstring, eyes stinging, ears flat and tail tucked. He can’t even begin to imagine how pathetic he looks.

“Oh, Johnny,” Ghost sighs, a little bit of clarity reentering his voice. “Alright, sweetheart, deep breaths. I think you need a fucking, hm?”

“No-ooo.”

“Hush, you’re alright, A nice cock in your cunt will make you feel better, I promise. Just need to give you what you deserve. On your stomach for me now.”

He’s already halfway there, it doesn’t take much work for Ghost to flip him entirely. He hefts Johnny’s hips up like he’s a doll, settling him so his knees are spread wide but his weight is left on his chest and face, pressed into the furs. He ends up with his face buried in his folded arms, tears dripping down to the floors

“Hips up, puppy, c’mon. Present for me.”

Johnny doesn’t listen but that doesn’t deter Simon from pushing on the small of his back, forcing his hips higher into the air and leaving his holes displayed. Ghost tsks at the way Johnny’s tail is tucked, blocking all of his vulnerable spots. 

“No hiding, now,” he chides, tugging his tail out of the way just roughly enough to make him yelp. Simon holds it by the base, keeps him from tucking it again immediately with a firm grip. “There we go, look how pretty,” Ghost hums, stroking his free hand fully down the split of Johnny’s body, spreading his slick. “Nice and soaked for me.”

“Not-” Johnny hiccups, trying to take a deep breath. “Not my fault.”

There’s a laugh behind him, loud in the small alcove and just patronizing enough to make Johnny’s heart sink even further. “No? I think it is, pup. Who else’s fault would it be?”

“You. Can’t-can’t help it when you keep touchin’ me.”

He knows it’s the wrong thing to say as soon as Ghost rumbles a low, pleased sound. “Can’t help it? Can’t help that you’re so needy, such a slut for my touch?”

Johnny whines, tail flicking nervously in the air.

“Oh, you’re sweet, pup. Real sweet. Your puppycunt just can’t help getting wet for her mate, yeah? She knows who she belongs to, knows ‘m gonna take real good care of her.”

Johnny bites his lip to hold back the whine, his sharp canine digging into the cut Simon left and reopening it. He focuses on the drops of blood dripping to the furs, tries not to think about what Ghost is saying, but it burrows deep into his head. He can feel his cunt twitching, clenching around nothing.

“Don’t worry, I won’t make you suffer much longer - what kinda mate would I be if I left you empty when you’re dripping for it? I’ll take care of you, pup, just relax.”

As much as Johnny hates everything that’s happening, hates everything that’s brought him to this moment, he can’t help but feel the tiniest bit grateful when Ghost slips two fingers into him instead of his cock. He’s still not sure he’ll be able to take it, but if Ghost is going to make him… he’s at least glad for the stretch.

Simon rubs one hand over the curve of his ass while the other scissors two fingers inside of him, his goal to stretch instead of getting Johnny off. It doesn’t make much of a difference for him, he still can’t help but rock his hips against the bear’s hand, unable to resist more of the heady pleasure.

Ghost laughs over his shoulder. “Need it that bad, huh? Be patient, Johnny. Just gotta wait a little longer.”

He whines into his arms, eyes squeezed shut. Even he’s not sure if he’s whining for more or less, but he can’t let himself think about it. He unintentionally sinks into a deeper arch, leaning more weight on his knees and spreading his cunt further, baring himself more for Ghost.

“Good boy. Just relax for me, I’ve got you, pup.”

He slips a third finger in and Johnny tries to breathe through the stretch, just barely managing to keep from moaning. The tang of blood on his tongue is a good distraction, but not enough to keep him from panting like he’s run a marathon. He can’t help it, Ghost’s fingers feel good in a way no one else ever has. He can’t imagine what his cock will feel like, barely managing to hold back a shiver at the thought.

Eventually, Ghost pulls his fingers out of Johnny. There’s an almost obnoxiously loud sucking sound, and a pleased rumble from Ghost as his free hand moves to stroke the base of Johnny’s tail softly, leaving him squirming.

“Taste so good, pup. Can’t believe I got so lucky with you.”

Johnny whimpers, shifting his weight from side to side to try and ease the slight ache in his knees. It doesn’t occur to him until he hears Simon moan that he’s literally waving his holes in front of the man’s face. 

“Hungry fuckin’ bitch,” Ghost nearly snarls, voice pitching lower. “Need cock so bad, don’t you? Need your puppycunt filled? Huh?”

He lands a heavy slap on Johnny's backside and he can’t help but cry out at the sudden flare of pain, the sting quickly fading into a burning that travels right to his clit. He whines, lifting his head just enough to glare over his shoulder.

Simon looks nearly as wrecked as Johnny feels - his cheeks are flushed and his chest heaves, panting breaths audible in the otherwise silent cave. He’s got a hunger in his eyes that makes Johnny shiver, makes his tail twitch to tuck between his legs again.

“Nuh-uh,” Ghost scolds, gripping the appendage and yanking with just enough force to make Johnny yelp. He instinctually claws at the furs, lifting himself up to try and pull away from the sharp pain at the base of his spine. “What did I say about hiding, huh? Can’t fuck you if you’re tuckin’ your tail, pup.”

“That’s- that’s why-” Johnny tries to argue, teeth gritted, but he’s cut-off by a series of blows, forcing him further into the furs to try and escape the blooming pain. He makes a humiliating sound somewhere between a snarl of rage and a whine of pain, eyes flying wide open.

“That’s why what?” Ghost growls, landing a smack across the center of his ass, nearly clipping his soaked folds. “That’s why you’re doin’ it? Then why are you moanin’ like a whore, huh? Your hole’s dripping, Johnny, you’re gonna stain my furs and you want me to think you don’t want it?”

Johnny can’t speak, can only make choked, pained sounds as Simon continues his barrage. His hand is so big compared to Johnny, he covers nearly his entire ass on every spank. Johnny wants to roll over, wants to tuck his tail and show his stomach, but he knows that would only make everything worse.

“I’ve been real lenient with you, let you sit there doin’ nothing but bitchin’ and moanin’, but my patience isn’t endless, Johnny.” Simon grips his flaming cheek, digging his nails into the irritated skin and drawing a high whine from the smaller man. “All you have to do is lay still and let me fuck a little into you, and you can’t even do that right?” He scoffs, lands another blow against the meat of Johnny’s ass.

“I’m-” Johnny gasps, burying his face into the furs. “I can’t- fuck, stop!”

“Why should I? You’re still soaked, mutt. Doesn’t seem to matter much to your cunt if I’m wailin’ on you or pettin’ you. This what you need to start being sweet for me? Huh?” He reddens Johnny’s ass on nearly every word, leaving him wiggling in place and trying to crawl away. The hand anchored around the base of his tail is the only thing keeping him within arms reach, and the sharp pain leaves tears leaking down Johnny’s cheeks. “Need me to be mean for you to learn your manners, is that it?”

“No-no!” Johnny manages to get out between whines. He tries to breathe through the pain, but Simon layers his smacks in just the right spot to hit a tender area on every impact, and the effect leaves Johnny wanting to scream.

“Then where are they, huh? I’ve been good to you - stretched you out, ate your little cunt, even got you off. Didn’t get any thanks, did I?”

His palm shifts lower, focusing on the crease where Johnny’s thighs meet his ass. Simon’s fingers clip his folds on nearly every smack, leaving Johnny jolting around to try and get away and yelping at the pain.

It takes him a minute to get what Ghost’s asking for, but once he understands he doesn’t hesitate to give it. He can’t even bring himself to care about the humiliation of it all, only wants the pain to stop.

“Th-thank you!” He nearly shouts, eyes squeezed shut against the pain, ears pressed so tight to his skull that they nearly ache. “I’m sorry, so sorry, I just- fuck, please! Thank-thank you, thank you!”

“There you go,” Ghost rumbles, his hand immediately switching from smacking to rubbing across the whole of Johnny’s backside, shushing his whine. “Was that so hard?”

Johnny keens loudly, shoulders shaking as he tries to hold back his sobs.

“We’ll make a good boy out of you yet. C’mon now, back up on your knees.” Ghost slips a hand between his thighs, pushing Johnny’s stomach up and simultaneously tugging on his tail to urge him back into his position. He goes with minimal struggling, far too raw to fight anymore, left only with the instinct to avoid anything that could get him in more trouble with the bear

“There you go, attaboy,” Ghost praises, finally releasing Johnny’s tail and laying it across his back. “Bein’ good for me now, huh? Thought you mighta had a little more fight in you, Johnny.”

There’s a part of him that growls at that, that snarls and bites and proves that he does have more fight, that he’s not easy prey. But the larger part recognizes a stronger predator when it sees one, and urges Johnny to listen. That’s the voice that wins out, and he whines when Ghost laughs.

“Still wet for me, huh? Such a good mate, Johnny. Gonna give you a reward for learning, alright? Hush, pup, don’t whine. It’ll be good, I promise.”

Johnny sniffles, rubbing his nose into the furs beneath him. He whimpers when he feels something hot press against his hole, knows that it can only be Ghost’s cock.

“Be good,” Ghost says, then slowly begins to force his way inside.

Johnny feels like he’s being broken, like he’s being cleaved down the middle. He moans lowly, more pain than pleasure now as the stretch begins to hurt. He wants to crawl away, wants to dig his claws into fur and stone until he escapes the incessant push of Simon inside of him.

The bear moans loudly behind him, voice echoing through the cave as his head pops fully inside. “Fuck.”

More tears slip down Johnny’s cheeks. The push is endless, a constant pressure against his hole, the cock pushing into parts of him nothing’s ever touched. He throbs with need, his clit almost burning from neglect. He just barely manages to keep himself from reaching down, some last part of him clinging to what little dignity he has left.

“T-tight,” Ghost grunts, hips bucking forward with just enough force to make Johnny shout and push up from the furs at the shock of pain. “Fuck, you’re fine pup, get back down.”

Johnny whines at the command, but obeys when a heavy hand lands between his shoulder blades.

“There you go, good boy. Just… fuck, squeezing me so tight. Just let me fuck you, alright? I’ll get you off too, just gotta… just gotta be patient f’r me.”

Johnny’s hardly able to understand what Simon is saying, most of the words fluttering in one ear and out the other. He’s too focused on the invasion of his body, the internal betrayal as he only grows more wet between the thighs. He can feel himself fluttering around Ghost, both of them moaning every time he clenches down on the thick shaft against his will. 

Finally, mercifully, Simon bottoms out. His balls are hard against Johnny’s cock, but they feel perfect when Ghost grinds himself deep, the head of his cock nudging Johnny’s cervix. He yelps at the first hint of pain, jerking in the furs.

“Shh, shh…” Ghost soothes, stroking down Johnny’s spine in long, slow motions. “You’re alright, deep breaths, pup. I know, it’s a lot of cock for a little thing like you isn’t it?”

Johnny whimpers, nodding into the furs.

“Yeah, you’re… fuck, clench like that again, pup, God… you’re so little, huh? Tiny puppycunt hardly big enough for me, that right?”

He pulls his hips back just enough to shove in again, sending Johnny forward a few inches and drawing a high yelp at the sharp spark of pain.

“Shit, how’re you so tight?’ Simon pants, one hand gripping Johnny’s hip hard enough to nearly grind bone. “You clenchin’ down on me cause it hurts? Do I need to hit you some more to keep you tight for me, puppy?”

Johnny shakes his head as best he can, just barely managing to choke out a  “N-no!” as Ghost starts to find a slow rhythm, rocking in and out of his body. 

He hums, like he doesn’t quite believe Johnny, but he gives him a warm and solid squeeze to the nape of his neck, and he doesn’t hit him again. Johnny tries to breathe a sigh of relief, but he chokes on it as Ghost bottoms out again.

It doesn’t get any easier to bear. Johnny can never fully catch his breath, not if Ghost is pulling out to just the tip and thrusting back in on one fast plunge, and not if he’s just grinding himself right against Johnny’s cervix. It’s like he’s lost control of his lungs like his heart - both erratic, both making him feel like a struggling prey animal, even as he’s limp beneath Simon.

The bear is all but silent, for all of his horrible words before. Johnny would call it a mercy, but the way his fat cock bullies endlessly into his cunt could never be merciful, even in the near-silence. Johnny’s sure Simon doesn’t even know how to be merciful, not with the way he speaks, the way he takes.

Johnny can’t bring himself to be silent, though. He hates it, but the sounds are forced out of him on every thrust. Horrible, cock hungry moans, whorish whines, yipping noises that sound like they’re coming from the wrong form. His face flames, tears streaking down his cheeks, but he can’t hold anything in.

He feels unspooled beneath Ghost. Like the man had taken one look at him, found all his loose strings, and just plucked and pulled until he came completely undone. Johnny would hate him if it didn’t feel so good, but his mind works against him when it’s so overloaded.

With a hand clamped on Johnny’s nape and the other on his hip, Simon fucks him with a vigor that feels impossible - impossible to bear, and impossible to keep up with. His own drool smears against his cheek when it’s pressed into the furs, unable to do anything but take what Ghost gives.

Simon eventually finds a rhythm that allows him to pull nearly completely out and bury himself back to the hilt on every thrust, leaning what has to be most of his body weight against Johnny’s nape to keep himself at the right angle to nudge his cervix again and again.

It hurts - the stretch, the drag of his cock against slick walls, the sharp shocks on every thrust - but the pain only makes it better. Johnny can’t help but moan, humping the air in his best attempt to push Ghost for more.

“So good, puppy,” he moans, pace quickening. The slap-slap-slap of skin is audible, Johnny’s wetness only making everything sound more crass. “So tiny for me, squeezin’ around your mate’s cock so good… gonna make you feel so good, give you a reward for keepin’ yourself tight.”

Johnny’s whine is high, needy, and a distant part of him hates it but the present part is too wrapped up in the promise of feeling good to care.

“My good, tight girl. Didn’t let anyone else fuck you, huh? You a virgin, baby?”

He’s not - far from it, actually - but Ghost doesn’t answer and moans at whatever image he’s conjured in his head.

“Stay… oh fuck, stayed fresh for me? Didn’t let any other men make your cunt loose, did’ya? No, no,” he’s panting, his pace so quick, so hard, that Johnny would almost be convinced he was using a toy if not for his audible exertion. “No, my girl stayed nice and tight for me. She doesn’t have a sloppy cunt, not my mate.”

Johnny sobs at the shift of pronouns, the feminization. He feels something rise in him, a heat that comes from deep inside and feels like it might burn him up entirely. Johnny hopes it does, hopes it consumes him for long enough to forget what’s happening, what’s happened.

“She’s gonna…” he trails off into a snarl, biting roughly at Johnny’s shoulder before pulling back at his shout. “She’s gonna carry my cubs, take such good care of them. Keep my cum warm, then keep my babies warm… so good, gonna be so… fuck, puppy, I can’t… you’re too fucking good, can’t…” he huffs, trailing off into pure animal noises, growls and snarls the vibrate through Johnny’s spine.

Simon shifts a little on his knees, making his cock drive further up into Johnny’s channel and drawing a moan that sounds more like a scream from him. After that, it’s hardly any time at all before he’s coming.

Ghost’s orgasm is loud, something uninhibited and almost proud in the sounds he makes. Johnny can feel the hot cum spurting inside of him, feel it covering his insides. The few final erratic thrusts he gets are just enough for him to reach the peak too, that fire finally coming up to coat every limb, every nerve of his body. His ears fold over, flopping to the front of his head, and his tail falls limp to the side of his body.

He sinks into it eagerly, desperate to drown his brain in everything good to try and block out the bad. It works, and he’s left feeling like nothing but a brainless toy as Ghost shudders through the final vestiges of his own orgasm. Johnny lays boneless, riding the waves of euphoria and milking Simon’s cock slowly, trying to draw every drop of pleasure from the bear he can, trying to keep himself in this moment.

But it has to end, and Ghost’s breathing slowly evens out as he softens inside of Johnny. He can’t tell if it’s his own wetness or Simon’s come dripping from his hole, and he can’t work up the energy to care either.

“That was perfect, Johnny,” Ghost praises, his hand trembling just the slightest bit as he shifts from holding the smaller man down to stroking his spine again. “You were perfect, so good for me. My good boy. My pretty mate.”

Johnny whines, but even he can’t tell what the sound is supposed to mean. Later he’ll insist it was upset, displeasure but it sounds more like appreciation.

“You tired, puppy?”

He nods as best he can, unintentionally rubbing his face into his own spit and blood.

“Alright, you can nap. You’ve earned it, Johnny.”

Ghost tips him to the side with a soft grip on his ribs, keeping himself firmly lodged within Johnny and pulling his back to his chest. They’re left spooning, Simon’s back to then entrance of the cave and both of them pressed so tightly together than Johnny’s not sure they’ll ever be able to pull apart.

“Relax now,” Simon rumbles, one hand wrapping beneath Johnny’s head to let him use as a pillow and the other tucked around his waist, holding him close. He buries his nose in Johnny’s mohawk, and Johnny can feel his ears pressing against the bear’s cheeks. “We’ll figure everything else out later.”

Johnny shifts, wincing at the squeeze to his stomach and the weight still resting inside of him. “Can you…?”

Ghost grunts a low, disapproving sound. “No. Gotta keep you plugged up, make sure it takes.”

If he had any tears left, Johnny might cry again. But he’s drained, emotionally and physically exhausted from all the day’s trauma, and he’s got nothing left to give.

So he sinks into the heat at his back, the solid arms around him. He feels almost shell shocked, staring at the way the shadows dance across the wall with a heavy bear behind him. If it weren’t for the thick cock plugging him up, he’d almost call the scene domestic.

Eventually, the peaceful embrace of sleep welcomes him. He doesn’t try to fight it off, desperate to leave the cave if only in his subconscious mind. 

Against his better knowledge, he can’t help but hope when he next opens his eyes he won’t see the cave at all. He knows it’s bad to hope, knows he’s only setting himself up for disappointment, but… Well, if he pretends the heat surrounding him is from his blankets, that the pleasant scent in the air is his den, not the heavy smell of satisfaction, then that’s his business.

[i-yap]

TIM DRAKE X Y/N-Headcanons with a reader that he's known since childhoo

I'm doing rich y/n cuz rich kids usually are allowed to interact only with rich kids and realistically in gotham I can see the parents being weary ( this may be slightly inaccurate my bestie is rich but I'm not so I asked her for a little help so...yea )

Getting to know you was maybe the biggest privilege he has as Drake's kid. Your parents prolly made you guys hang out a lot since you were really young. Rich people have these big ass private dinners at restraunts or at home which are so so boring and you and him would just excuse yourself with the excuse of "checking out the property" .

You have had the wildest adventures, once you guys somehow found an exit from the property and it was on the hills so you just roamed around a forest- got lost- slide down a hill and went back to the restaurant with holes in your clothes and mud in your hair. Or the habit of pushing each other in the fountains and swimming pool

The only reason your parents put up with this is because rich wants to marry rich and so two of you being together was a way you both could be free.

I can also see you guys carrying a small change of clothes underneath the fancy gala gown/suits or dinner dresses and sneaking out from the parties to eat greasy food, hit up shady places or concerts, go to the skate park or even just sit up on the rooftop and smoke greens

NOW I DO BELIEVE THAT TIM DOES A LIL WEED..and therefore you do too. but you keep each other in moderation and only do it when you guys are together ( ill make a separate post about this if you guys comment that you want one?)

When his mom dies, you are there. when your parents are being shit he is there. you guys support each other through rich loneliness ( rich kids don't have real friends type of thing) and honestly you guys are happy to just be together .

he sneaks up your balcony , you help him build those detective boards. you know everything, he just doesn't know how to no rush to you and tell you everything.

When he becomes robin, you prolly already knew bruce cause rich people know rich people. Bruce just thinks of you guys as a combined package (like literally everyone else) one can not exist without the other sort of situation.

you guys probably always talked about running away, in great detail.

so many irritating references and inside joke, you guys are unbearable but u don't care. sucks to be bitchless.

he would leave it all for you , say the word. he cant live without you, he doesn't know how to, he never wants to learn.

[cookiepie111]

࿐Drink from the leche of sirens࿐

Synopsis - An injury könig comes across a lake and pretty nymph. Greek au könig x black nymph reader. No minors. Smut

Part 2 here

A/N-

An alternate to the fountain girl fic I wrote.

Think this might be the longest thing I've written. There is a Pinterest mood board here. Shout out to @cinnamonbunboii cause their comment inspired this fic. Please like and reblog!

Tags: @terra-713 @cinnamonbunboii @kneelingshadowsalome @bucca2

       𓇼 - - - - - - - - 𓇼 - - - - - - - - 𓇼

Deities are petty beings, twisting the hearts of humans when things don't go their way. König and his army may have won the battle but the casualties were high, he himself was beat and bruised. Its just a game to them and what do you do when you're losing and angry, you flip out, over turn the board and scatter the pieces. Think of a new way to win while your opponent garthers up their fallen pieces.

Scattered by the wind, what a cliche but it works, in all the commotion the soldiers were separated, placed in every which direction, on land, and both above and below the heavens. How petty all this because you lost. Somehow this wasn't the worst part of könig's day just the final cherry on top the shitty Sunday the gods gave him. His lover betrayed him, separated from his allies, battered and bruised and now there's nothing around him but trees. If not for the situation and burning rage in his heart he'd find the place quite peaceful, beautiful even, a nice place to die.

The deeper könig went into the forest the more the atmosphere changed, trees bend and shift, covering the sky above. The slow dance of leaves and bright glow of the fireflies. All of it leading up to a lake in the clearing. It all felt too to unnatural to be real, like sweet honey leading him a trap. Pressing into the wound at his side, the sharp pain brought him back to his senses, this isn't the place to lose one's mind he'd need to keep his wits about him if he wanted to live.

Even if he doesn't want to accept it there's no denying this would be a beautiful place to die. Even now he hates himself for still thinking of her, even at the moment of his death she still has place in his mind. she'd love this place, a backdrop like this would only accentuate her beauty more.

He walked close to the lake feeling the trees shift around him again. Laying back on the trees bark sword placed on the ground.

The waters surface ripples altering könig to the figure in the lake, its shape he couldn't quite make out. A head, a person maybe. This place could be cursed, it wouldn't surprise him. He stares back never removing his eyes from them watching as they stay just below the water.

If he's intruded on some beings land they'll just have to put up with him or force him out. He's got enough strength for one last fight. It is after all the way of the warrior to go out fighting he thinks, unsteady as he pushes off the tree bark.

You can't remember the last time you saw another human here, they often end up with your older sister although you doubt they've all been this large and imposing. Even injured he carries himself very well. The cut in his stomach only causing him to hunch over, you doubt the blood covering him is his own.

Once at the water's edge the thoughts of battle quickly die down. It a woman in the water, human she is not but a woman still. The skin of human women doesn't glow or shine. Their skin isn't adorned with scales of greans and blue hues around their eyes nor does their hair shift and swirl like small currents atop the waters surface like yours. No those features that were that of nymph. Women of nature blessed with great beauty. And unfortunately for könig drowners of men.

His odds are about 50/50 he wouldn't drown so easily but that wasn't a risk he wanted to take, with his body is failing him now, heavy breaths as he falls back to the ground. Eyes still on the nymph at his front, she makes no move, just watching.

It takes a few moments for her to move a few more heavy breaths and groans from könig for her to lift from the water.

When she comes out to meet him she bare. Thin pieces of fabric dropping over her waist and chest slipping under her right breast, past her womanhood, more like an accessory one would add cause they thought it looked nice than a piece of clothing. Thick curly hair swirling around her body

To think he could still get hard at a time like this.

Drowning doesn't seem so bad now if it is by her hand.Maybe a kiss from them would send him peaceful into the afterlife.

She stood over him head tilling side from side,trying to figure the man out. He hasn't said anything, he doesn't shout or draw his sword like the other men she's seen. He's also taller, bigger, more.... solid than other men, gracing a hand down his arm. Kneeling beside him, the injury is worse than she thought. did one of the gods bring him here? Or did he just wonder here himself? You held your chin swaying on your heels deep in thought

König felt delirious, he's injured, lost and now there's a pretty nymph circling round, staring, pocking and prodding at him. If this was any other situation he'd take her in the moment. Hull her over his shoulder and fuck her till scream or blesses him, gives him heavenly children. But he's tired and weak, he can do nothing but watch as she frees his egear cock from his tunic.

He's never felt like this before, grunting and wincing under her touch. He's sure she's sucking the energy out of him.  Maybe its the bloodloss maybe it the fire at the groin the licking and kissing along his shaft causing the dizziness in him, eyes shut tight and panting as he comes closer to the edge but the release never comes. feeling her tongue stroke the entire length of him as she comes up.

The next moment for könig were pure bliss, something straight out of dream. To have her now Straddling him bouncing so eagerly on his cock, was a feeling he could never forget. The sweet stretch as she sank. It was frustrating not being able to touch her, She didn't move fast enough not for könig liking. He was too weak to set the pace, his hand only able to rest on the plush of her hip. Even if she used him like a toy könig couldn't help but throw his head back in pleasure at the squeeze of her soft walls.

Her hands explored the body under her, digging into the wounds, ignoring his hisses and complaints, pushing him back down before he finds the strength to push her off. It felt hot then numb, as she dug into his wounds.

With new found strength he bucked his hips, against her. The sound of their love making filling the forest air, his hands firmly at her hips to move her at a pace he found fit, fast and messy before emptying himself inside her.

When he finally came back down from the high he finds her form shake and ripple above him. The words die on his tongue, as her form melts down, and fades away into the water

He gets up able without stumbling this time walking straight finding himself back at the army base. König's honestly not sure if that really happened or if he was just crazy. He has nothing to show for the whole ordeal to prove it was real. He knows on the brink of the death the mind can conger all sorts of things to keep one alive but nothing could explain sleeping with a water nymph. he'd like to think he wasn't deranged...To imagine sleeping with being that would normally drown you but...

The only evidence he had was his body. The open wound in his stomach gone, his whole body intact even stronger than before. He'll think about this alot after wondering if you were really real. It would be best to get you out of his mind. Yet he sees you in the lakes and bodies of water and in the faces of women passing him by

You on the other hand couldn't believe your luck! Showing off the keepsake you'd got from the soldiers.

Red bracelet shining under the sun as you turned it on your wrist to show off to your sisters. Giggling and splashing round the waters edge. You're so lucky such a strong and handsome man!

"Wow what's his name".... "You did get his name right???" ... you didn't get his name. You didn't get his name! And honestly you're not sure which army he's with you can't tell the difference between the armours

[jarvewrites]

team seven & their ideal dates!

characters : naruto uzumaki, sakura haruno, sasuke uchiha

gender neutral reader

make sure to like, reblog and follow if you enjoyed the post!

naruto uzumaki

— he's such a sweetheart, he would try his best to make sure that his s/o is comfortable and enjoy the date as well

— but he's so spontaneous. if he feels like this is the perfect moment to have a date, then he will have with his s/o.

— unfortunately he doesn't have much experience nor knowledge, so sometimes he can get quite clueless about "traditional" ideas of romance

— he would probably take his s/o out somewhere nice and homely.. like ichiraku! but that choice would be too obvious for anyone, so let's head into another direction

— i actually think he would enjoy picnics a lot! he likes the fact that you can bring your own food, enjoy the scenery and spend this amazing time with his s/o

— he would also bring some board games so that you guys wouldn't get bored. some cards at least.

— after a few good sessions of games i think he would love to cycle or feed the ducks near the lake, cuz that's fun and energizing (the ducks would run for the bread so that's some sport)

— and in the end of the date he would treat you both with ice cream, since it's the best way to relax after a long hot day

— also bowling or some arcades sound fun too. i think naruto is definitely this type of person to get lost in time and spend a little too much money on games like these. he got some competitive soul as well, so if his s/o ikez to join "who plays better" challenge then this is the man for them!

sakura haruno

— she is a romantic soul that overworks herself, but she never forgets about her s/o, so she is definitely the one who plans the dates and makes sure everything goes perfect.

— i can see her baking something for her s/o before the date and imagining how they enjoy the sweets

— she's quite artistic, so going to make some bowls together and decorating them definitely suits sakura. this is also the perfect time to just talk with each other and discuss different matters of the world without worry

— her bowl would be so pretty and aestheticly pleasing as if it came out straight from pinterest.

— after that a cup of tea or coffee at the local café would be perfect!

— sakura is very outgoing, so concerts would definitely take a special place in her heart. she is a big fan of music, so i don't think she would be too picky about choosing an artist, it could be a local band/singer and she would still enjoy the vibe with s/o.

— if her s/o is a musician, she 100% would join their concerts!

— they date would wrap up with a little walk in the park or nature. her and s/o don't even have to talk, sakura would definitely enjoy the comfortable silence of lovers. also, sakura is definitely an advocate for healthy life style, so she would love to do some "x steps" challenge with her s/o!

sasuke uchiha

— reversed kind of fella who at first glance doesn't show affection at all, but if you are someone who knows him well then you can notice all the little things he does for his s/o, that includes dates

— i don't think he is the fan of active dates such as clubs, karaoke, concerts. it doesn't mean he won't enjoy them with his s/o, he definitely would, but he would feel out of place at times

— sasuke is a busy guy, so he would want to make sure to appreciate every single moment with his s/o

— walks in nature, training(if his s/o is a ninja as well), going out to cafes, movie nights. it doesn't matter what he does, the most important thing is that his s/o enjoys it and they spend time together on a date

— as for his ideal date, i actually think he's a pretty simple guy. his ideal date would be him and his s/o in nature, be it camping or just walking in the forest as they spend some time together.

— he would definitely make some food, as a ninja i'm sure he had to learn how to hunt and make sure to never stay hungry in case of enemy alert

��� if there was a lake/sea around, his s/o might enjoy swimming in there as he would just chat with them on the shore. bonus points if his s/o splashes him with water

— as it gets cold sasuke would make fire and give his coat as a gentleman he is!

— so in sasuke's eyes, the most ideal date is a private one where no one is here to disturb him and his s/o, so romantic

[oncewhenalongtimeago]

I am so interested in learning more about what happened in Berk in your Thistle, Scout and Scottish Bluebells story; the tension between Hiccup and the other Berkians got me hooked 🫢

Thistle, Scout and Scottish Bluebells pt 4

Pairing: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III x Modern!Fem!Reader

Words: 3,339

Something wicked this way comes. Or, well, you come to him.

Tags:  httyd 1, aged up, au, time travel, bitter hiccup, semi-optimistic reader, edited

<Previous - Next>

Hypothesis, research, experiment, conclusion, or Research, hypothesis, experiment, results, or- or anything else. You weren't sure by which names the steps went by. You knew Hypothesis for sure. It didn’t matter, anyways. It was all semantics. 

You were loath to say your pitiful repertoire of K-12 scientific theory meant nothing in the world of wiles and physicality. There would be no point to it otherwise. However, this was much less theory, all practicum. It was all so much deeper than the scientific method. Hypothesis, experiment, research- it was like reciting your ABCs while writing a twelve-page thesis on transformational grammar.

What you needed to perry about was more along the lines of old textbooks with thick, laminate, card-board covers. You needed Columb and Ohm and Plank, especially if they and their theorems might have a smidgen to do with all of this. Any of this. With- what? Mechanics? Violent gear infantry? Postulates and axioms and whatever else… Oh, bother.

Balancing chemical equations in redox reactions, titrating and Gel Electrophoresis- that, you might have been able to do. With the right tools provided, of course. You could deal in physics theory, but in mechanical practicality? That was a whole new beast. 

It was a fact that you were no expert on the ups and downs and mechanical sideways of technological genius. You were also loath to craft- half the things you needed, you were sure, were products of the forges and fires. Black lung was a worry… And soot, too, in a more general sense. And so, you were stumped. And lost. And miserable, and cold. 

It was very, very dark. Your hands clutched at your upper arms, your eyes blinking tiredly. It was much too early for this, and you felt much too useless to make a way for yourself. Really, no matter what you did, you were certain you’d end up dead in a ditch somewhere, anyways. 

You could nearly hear it, the low thrum of ominous horror-movie music in your ears. It wasn’t a tangible sound, more something you felt in the air. It was the breeze strumming against the baby hairs at the back of your neck and arms, it was all made up by the sound of the skin on your palms rushing over the prickled gooseflesh of your arms.

It was creepy, it was cold, and it was very-very gray out. It was just like Jaws or Scream, but in the woods, and you were alone, and there was less drinking and no teenagers. You were quite sure that you were no Final Girl, either. Or, maybe you were. You hoped so.

You didn’t have your phone. There wasn’t even a signal for you to search for, not that you felt that a phone signal would at all decrease the likelihood of you getting murdered. There were no park rangers- none of that modern-day security. Not that security had ever stopped anyone from getting lost in the woods…

 It wasn’t a magical forest or a particularly unique one. You hadn’t even really seen a dragon yet. It just felt dangerous.

You probably wouldn’t be fine, no, if anyone showed up. Any one or anything. You thought very haughtily that your ability to flee was outmatched. Still, it was odd- strange, even, that you hadn’t yet seen any much of a glimpse of a dragon.

If it hadn’t been for everything else, you would have assumed that this was all one big hoax. Like The Truman Show… But, at least, if your situation was being televised to the country, you would be liable for some good pay.  

It was very misty. And your stomach was empty, too. And you were very, very nervous. 

Hiccup. That piece of shit. You weren’t sure how or why you found him so responsible for all of this but you did. That dreaded, disastrous rat. That foul lump of ragged blanket on that dumb, rickety bed, back-turned and silent.

Your feet crunched and squished against the old and damp forest floor, along a path that felt not at all like a path. It wasn’t so ‘carved out of the forest’ as it was just the clearest way, dead plants and wilting fauna giving the area a wide berth. You assumed almost that perhaps the forest was sick, or something. Very hard on the, ‘or something.’

The hairs on your arms prickled even more so than they ever had before, which you hadn’t known was a thing that your arms could do. 

You stopped, suddenly, clenching your mud-crusted hands against your arms.

The sound of thumping grew louder. You thought it might have been your heart in your ears, or something in your head. Maybe a burst brain vessel, or the sound of a million medieval diseases trying to ruin your… Everything. Whatever.

You waited some more, and then were overcome by the thought that perhaps the sound wasn’t all coming from inside your head. It was less echoey, so perhaps not at all like a drum.

You fought a physical shudder. Or, well, you didn’t. You just shuddered.

Go away, go away… You started, thinking very hard.

You extended your palm, letting it graze against the side of a tree, wincing as your wrist scraped against a bundle of leaves and twigs.

You could turn your way around and probably find your way back, but you were still mad. 

You turned around to leave, lifting up a large-booted foot before pausing quite suddenly, your arms up by your sides. 

You were overcome by a sudden thought. What would Hiccup do? Or… have done? 

Well… You had no idea. None at all. You weren’t particularly sure what you should do. This was no twenty-first century, after all. If you were, perhaps, to consider your best course of action… You wanted to go home. 

And if movie-logic was at all a factor to be considered in relation to your strange and awful circumstance, the amount of progress that you made must have been equivalent to the proportion of main-character-ness exhibited by you personally. 

There might have been some flaw in your rhetoric. It was also a fact of life that you’d never get results if you didn’t first test your hypothesis. And that meant… Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Or, in Rome… What was it that people said? ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do?’ Either, or.

It meant being strange. And stupid. Like Hiccup. Because he was both of those things. You could hear it now, his voice- Normal, mostly, but with an underbite. ‘Hand me the rag.’

Suck on it.

Damn, damn, damn.  You thought of all the mish-mash of scattered pieces at your feet, and at the poorly secured -and stolen- hammer that you had had in one hand before cursing and throwing it down into the mud. You did not have that pure talent. You did not have an inventive mind. No, all of this would have to be learned the hard way. And the hard way meant…

You grimaced. You had to suck it up.

You burst forth through the undergrowth, twigs scraping against your knees.

“Ah-ha-haha..!” You shouted weakly. You stilled. Your voice… tapered. Viking-ly.

There was a man there, and he was old.

He had a gnarled, thin face and a long beard with a limp moustache, in the Viking fashion. Despite his stick-like limbs, there was not a cane in sight. No helmet, either. He wore Viking clothes-looking rags. He just hardly paused what he was doing and gave you a hard, disinterested, distasteful sneer. 

His arms were all limp muscle and bone, stick-thin. His skin was deeply sun-spotted and of a slightly yellowish shade. He was a bony old man.

A second later, and there was another ‘thump’ as his axe once again hit the top of a piece of wood, which you noticed was already littered with an array of aggressive axe-marks. 

You didn’t relax though, no. He had the type of look about him that made you think about skinned girls in basements- a bundle of blonde hair and runny eyeliner. A city kind of alleyway and a mugshot. Number-one suspect.

If he had a basement, you were sure that's what he’d have put in it. He would dig a hole and bury them in it, maybe. Or maybe he never had a basement. Maybe he buried his victims outside. Or maybe he burned them- you saw, at the corner of your eye, something flickering. There was a weak fire just behind him, swaying pathetically with the… There were no breezes. None at all.

You weighed the pros and cons of body burning in your head. Burying, too. Burning… Pork was something that came to your mind, which didn’t sound all too bad, if, in context, it hadn’t come hand-in-hand with a burning human body. 

Your heart was beating like a madman against the inside of your chest. The man’s teeth were bared as he shouted at you, “Gerrotff!” 

You yelped, startled, and nearly stumbled as the man took a rough step forwards, axe at the ready.

You didn’t run, though, petrified, you pulled arms up by your chest as you jumped away, the sharpest end of the old man’s dull axe embedding itself into the body of a tree trunk. It went in by a few measures of something relevant. You had a hard time peeling your eyes away from it.

After a hurried loud moment of angry, incomprehensible yelling, the man, painting, stopped trying to pull his axe out of the tree. He turned to give you a hard look.

“Whatar’ yerh?!” He demanded, arms hanging loose and tensed by his sides, at the ready. His jaw ground into itself like a horse’s chewing. It was erratic, moving in time to the irrational twitching of the corner of his brow and to what must have been the seductive thrum of violence in his head. His eyes told you that, wide and way-too-focused.

You could try running into the trees behind him, but that would involve going near him. He could grab you, if he had the strength- he had the strength to swing an axe, so his looks must have been deceptive. Not necessarily in terms of… Anti-appeal, but in terms of other things. You could try running to your side or behind- you couldn’t see either ways. If you tripped or fell, or fidgeted or found yourself in any way delayed, it would be so easy to grab you by the collar and drag you back.

What had he said? What was he saying? Your mind was racing. You were going to die, you were, sure. Your eyes twitched in place. Look around- or stay put?

“You- You were- Hi.” You tried, finally. If you were going to die, you wanted to- to- you didn’t know what. “Hi-hi, hi. Ah- Uhm… need any help?”

You stepped back, shoulders hunched and your hands clasped down by your waist, though they never stopped shaking. Your head was ducked and your arms straining as you watched him. You fought the urge to scuff your boots, too, feigning bashfulness- and cowering. Fawn, fawn, fawn.

Did he understand you? It-that-whatever could have been a product of your poor English. Or… Your poor Viking-ish. Norse. That had… That had him acting this way. You didn’t know of a grammar mistake that would warrant attempted murder, but ah, well….

You took everything in. You focused deeply on the man. Despite the blurring in your periphery, though they could hardly be called piles, you saw those too, spotty and slim though they were. There were what looked to be crude likenesses of wooden dragons ripped from walls or supports or some other such thing all in them, and there were some other things, too. Wooden handles, all chipped and old, what looked to be an old fur, and some belts- 

“A ainae repea-”

There wasn’t really any place to hide. You might be able to run for it, but- You felt slightly behind you, the side of your hand whipping against odd, spindly bark in thick and thin formations, scattered through the air- in your panic, you’d lost your grip on the exit. Or, its whereabouts. The thought of which left you scrambling.

Your neck broke out in a cold sweat. You found yourself unable to look him in the eye, suddenly. If you’re going to kill me off, please make it quick. 

Your breath hitched the hardest it ever had, your eyes locking into a dark stain deep in the side of one discarded leather strap, seeping out towards the body from a great, big gash in its thick and ragged side. 

You looked just beyond the man’s feet. And then… Something fluttering at the edge of the fires caught your eye. A thin piece of parchment, covered in clumsy scratch marks and rune numbers in the oddest of orders-

“- Whit's yer kith-?!” He lunged forwards again threateningly. 

“Hey- wait! Don’t- that-” You ended weakly, pointing with stiff arms, though they felt much more like butter at that moment.  “What for it?”

The old man glared at you again, again. Then harder, when you didn’t run off. He wouldn’t eat you- you, well, you didn’t think that you would taste so good. Or, at least you hoped so. 

“It’s important! Please, please-” You begged hands clasping as you took a step forwards, almost matching him. There was a pressure building behind your eyes, though it wasn’t a sorrowful sort of cry. It was more… Stressed. Obviously so.

Your heart thumped. Once, twice, three times, four and then five.

Would he bury you at six feet or ten? You heard bodies took longer to decay the deeper they were set into the earth, so maybe two. Two feet. It’s not as if there was anyone out here who’d look for you.

The old man stepped back, features not softening but changing shape almost as he regarded you. “Aye, ye mad lass! What’re ye on abot?”

Who is he? Why is he doing all of- That? You took a hard moment to pant as he relaxed some. You felt a bit like a bug under a glass- you felt the heat most definitely, even though there was no sun to be had. 

It was silent. The old man didn’t ask again. Not the same question, or a clarifying one. He didn’t make a statement either.

“Just-” Your voice cracked violently, both stuck at the highest pitch and getting softer by the second, “I want to ask you for a- a-” 

A favor, a favor, a favor- What was the word? You swallowed in such a way that your throat caught. It hurt. “A fa- A ‘favor?’”

“A favor, eh? for an odd lass i’ these odd woods…” He let out a high scoff, verging on a cackle, all sardony, no intrigue. “If ye wander these halls, a stranger s'till an enemy! An Outcast ye be, an it’sa fool wha takes ye intae his woods! Why shouldnae ‘A cut yeh doun where ye stand?!”

The man sneered at you again, knobbly, hard-knuckled hand grasping at the handle of his axe. He took a step forward threateningly, though he halted suddenly as his axe still refused to budge from the tree. 

You felt slightly less intimidated.

“Please. Give-me.” After a very long moment, you spoke again. You wanted to kick yourself. “And- And, I’m not an outcast! I’m- I’ve been here for a while. I’m a- I travel, yes, but- I’ll find you anything you want!” 

“Anything, you say?” The old man spat, showing ugly, gnarled, yellow teeth, some there, most not. He turned slightly away from you for a moment, tugging against his axe and grinning wickedly under a messy, gray moustache as it budged slightly. Without looking, he shot out a booted foot, knocking a half-stack of parchment from the fires. “There’s nothin ‘a worth on this Gods forsaken island… But I’d like tae see ye try.”

Your eyes widened as he took a step forwards, knowing with your most animal brain what he was about to do before he did it. You glanced towards the array of junk by your feet. If it was there- if the paper was there, then maybe you could grab it and run.

But all in a moment, the man lifted his axe, and he began to run at you, yelling.

“I’ll find it! I prom- I promise I’ll-” With the highest scream you’ve ever let out, you started sprinting, arms scraping violently against dry and brittle branches that reachout out like claws. You didn’t wait for a path to appear to you, you just pushed your way through the spiny underbrush. 

As you burst your way backwards, tears trickling down your cheeks, cold and wind-bothered, despite the adrenaline, you couldn’t help but to think of about those strange and mysterious characters- the outline of a gear, and the inklings of something round and wooded sketched out onto paper, slightly hidden between two old, scratched leather covers.

What was on those papers? Well, you weren’t completely sure. But you knew you needed them.

Hypothesis: …

-

“God-damn it!” You stormed in place, letting out a grumble from way back in your throat. “It’s fine. It’s fine.”

Doesn’t sound fine. There was something smug about his silence… And him. There was alway something smug about him and his darned shuffling and everything else.

You huffed, cringing at the sound of your boots scuffing against the wood planking. Disgusting- that is what it was. Not that Hiccup cared- he stepped everywhere in his boots. Wore the same shirt and pants every day… At least he bathed. Maybe. You’d never seen him do it but you didn’t smell much, really, so he had to be clean. At least, he was as scentless as anyone could be without deodorant.

You mussed your hair with your hands, eyes clenched shut with frustration. 

He was sitting there, ignoring you. Back to that, are we, then?

Stupid, stupid- Happy.

I’m happy, I’m happy. I’m happy.

You were not happy, Glaring back, you sent him a look that said, ‘None of your business.’ Angrily, hastily,  you clenched your elbows.

“What do you want, Sherlock?” You snapped, finally. Of course, you were sure he didn’t get the reference. Though the result of geography and time that might have been, you still found him to be quite plebian for it. Sherlock Holmes.

He didn’t respond to you. 

You huffed, shuffling back slightly before throwing yourself onto the bed. 

Ouch.

You landed with hardly a bounce, though you stubbornly refused to readjust, crossing your arms over your chest and planting your neck awkwardly against the wall. You ignored the way your heels of your bootes felt against the frame and the slight layer of fabric over it, your neck prickling and wood creaking dangerously as you waited for the bed to collapse.

Hiccup sent you an awnry look, annoyed by the noise. Not ‘probably,’ no, the implication was clear. And, probably, he was annoyed by your own propensity to take up space. His shabby stool squeaked slightly as he shifted from where he had been hunched over whatever it was that he was doing in the corner of the room.

You glared back at him stubbornly.

Get out of my bed. You read it in his eyes.

You stared at him even more stubborn-ly. No.

After a very quick and tense stand-off, Hiccups turned away.

You still didn’t feel guilty. You doubted he would really kick you off today, not that he had ever had to. You usually slept on the floor. It was most probably a forge night, anyways, and the bed was always yours on forge nights. Still, you hoped he felt appropriately put off.With budding, frustrated energy burbling back up to the corner of your eyes, You glared at him in a way that you hoped came off appropriately disrespectful. It’s mine. It’s mi-ine.