#Cigar Packaging Boxes

[leila0419]

How do you maintain your cigars?

[monkeyssalad-blog]

Mirifico cigar box label by totallymystified

[customizeboxesusa]

For brand awareness get Cigarette Packaging

You should visit the market before you introduce your cigarette brand. You will know that hundreds of cigarette brands are already selling their product in the market. If you want to introduce your cigarette brand, you must ensure that everyone in the market recognizes your product. It is possible if you get memorable packaging for your brand. It would help if you got Cigarette Packaging that you design yourself and get a logo of your brand printed on every single cigarette box of your brand. It is the only way your brand will get acknowledgment, and smokers will show interest in your product.

Consider Cigarette Packaging for product protection

While you are delivering the product yourself or your product is in the shipping phase, it will require safety and protection from external hazards in all situations. If you fail to choose the right kind of packaging, then there is a great possibility that the customer won't receive the product in its original form. If the buyer gets dissatisfied with your product, they might not return to buy your branded cigarettes. So, to ensure the safety of your product, you have to get quality and durable Cigarette Packaging for your brand. Otherwise, you won't be able to build your brand.

Give your product an alluring finish in Cigarette Packaging

Packaging plays a key role in the sales of your product. You can observe that the brands that use subtle and classy packaging for their product get more attention than the cigarettes in standard or low-quality packaging boxes. Therefore, you must get Cigarette Packaging made up of premium material for your brand. Try to give your product an alluring finish so the buyer will show more interest. Otherwise, your product will surely get lost in the crowd of other cigarette brands. So, now the success of your cigarette brand depends on your decision of packaging for your product.

Beat the competition with Cigarette Packaging

You would certainly want your brand to beat the competition, and your product must get all the attention of the smokers in the market. Doubtlessly it is possible if you get customized Cigarette Packaging for your brand. Customized packaging allows you to show your creativity in something the audience might like. The buyer will look for quality in your brand's packaging. If they find quality in the packaging, you sell them quality blends. Otherwise, the smokers will keep smoking their old cigarette brand and won't buy your cigarettes.

To make your product look alluring get Cigar Packaging

Cigars are a luxury to smoke, and not everyone can handle them. People who smoke cigars know how to choose the best quality cigar in town. Most of the time, the buyer will observe the product's packaging and judge the quality of cigars from its packaging. If you know that the quality of your product is premium, then the packaging must tell the same story. It would help if you considered alluring Cigar Packaging for your brand. If buyer finds your product packaging alluring and appealing, they will never step back from your brand for any newer brand in the future.

Consider Cigar Packaging for a fair price tag

Cigars are expensive compared to cigarettes, but if the packaging of your product is not top-notch, but you have a high price tag on your product, no one will show interest. The buyer will only show interest in your cigar brand and would love to pay the high price only if they find quality in your product's packaging. Yes, the packaging plays the main role, and the buyer will check your brand's packaging and then the price tag. Therefore, you have to get premium Cigar Packaging for your brand. It is the only way the buyer will agree to pay for your product's price.

Keep your product safe from shipping hazards in Cigar Packaging

Cigars will break easily in the shipping phase if you don't get quality Cigar Packaging for your brand. There is a great possibility that the blend from the cigars might start to fall out in the packaging if the product is not intact inside the packaging box. Therefore, you must get quality packaging for your brand that will keep the product intact. This way, the cigars will sustain their primary form for a long time. No shipping hazards will be able to cause any damage to your product, and the buyer will find the cigars in their original form.

[contact-guy]

lol THIS ENDED UP BEING SO LONG but it's such a cute story opening that I had to draw Watson roasting Holmes's messiness for the newspaper and Holmes skillfully maneuvering his way out of having to do chores. It's all canon, even the indoor sharpshooting, except for the bit about the cold bath.

canon text under the cut:

An anomaly which often struck me in the character of my friend Sherlock Holmes was that, although in his methods of thought he was the neatest and most methodical of mankind, and although also he affected a certain quiet primness of dress, he was none the less in his personal habits one of the most untidy men that ever drove a fellow-lodger to distraction. Not that I am in the least conventional in that respect myself. The rough-and-tumble work in Afghanistan, coming on the top of a natural Bohemianism of disposition, has made me rather more lax than befits a medical man. But with me there is a limit, and when I find a man who keeps his cigars in the coal-scuttle, his tobacco in the toe end of a Persian slipper, and his unanswered correspondence transfixed by a jack-knife into the very centre of his wooden mantelpiece, then I begin to give myself virtuous airs. I have always held, too, that pistol practice should be distinctly an open-air pastime; and when Holmes, in one of his queer humors, would sit in an arm-chair with his hair-trigger and a hundred Boxer cartridges, and proceed to adorn the opposite wall with a patriotic V. R. done in bullet-pocks, I felt strongly that neither the atmosphere nor the appearance of our room was improved by it.

Our chambers were always full of chemicals and of criminal relics which had a way of wandering into unlikely positions, and of turning up in the butter-dish or in even less desirable places. But his papers were my great crux. He had a horror of destroying documents, especially those which were connected with his past cases, and yet it was only once in every year or two that he would muster energy to docket and arrange them; for, as I have mentioned somewhere in these incoherent memoirs, the outbursts of passionate energy when he performed the remarkable feats with which his name is associated were followed by reactions of lethargy during which he would lie about with his violin and his books, hardly moving save from the sofa to the table. Thus month after month his papers accumulated, until every corner of the room was stacked with bundles of manuscript which were on no account to be burned, and which could not be put away save by their owner. One winter’s night, as we sat together by the fire, I ventured to suggest to him that, as he had finished pasting extracts into his common-place book, he might employ the next two hours in making our room a little more habitable. He could not deny the justice of my request, so with a rather rueful face he went off to his bedroom, from which he returned presently pulling a large tin box behind him. This he placed in the middle of the floor and, squatting down upon a stool in front of it, he threw back the lid. I could see that it was already a third full of bundles of paper tied up with red tape into separate packages.

“There are cases enough here, Watson,” said he, looking at me with mischievous eyes. “I think that if you knew all that I had in this box you would ask me to pull some out instead of putting others in.”

“These are the records of your early work, then?” I asked. “I have often wished that I had notes of those cases.”

“Yes, my boy, these were all done prematurely before my biographer had come to glorify me.” He lifted bundle after bundle in a tender, caressing sort of way. “They are not all successes, Watson,” said he. “But there are some pretty little problems among them. Here’s the record of the Tarleton murders, and the case of Vamberry, the wine merchant, and the adventure of the old Russian woman, and the singular affair of the aluminium crutch, as well as a full account of Ricoletti of the club-foot, and his abominable wife. And here—ah, now, this really is something a little recherchè.”

He dived his arm down to the bottom of the chest, and brought up a small wooden box with a sliding lid, such as children’s toys are kept in. From within he produced a crumpled piece of paper, and old-fashioned brass key, a peg of wood with a ball of string attached to it, and three rusty old disks of metal.

“Well, my boy, what do you make of this lot?” he asked, smiling at my expression.

“It is a curious collection.”

“Very curious, and the story that hangs round it will strike you as being more curious still.”

“These relics have a history then?”

“So much so that they are history.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Sherlock Holmes picked them up one by one, and laid them along the edge of the table. Then he reseated himself in his chair and looked them over with a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.

“These,” said he, “are all that I have left to remind me of the adventure of the Musgrave Ritual.”

I had heard him mention the case more than once, though I had never been able to gather the details. “I should be so glad,” said I, “if you would give me an account of it.”

“And leave the litter as it is?” he cried, mischievously. “Your tidiness won’t bear much strain after all, Watson. But I should be glad that you should add this case to your annals, for there are points in it which make it quite unique in the criminal records of this or, I believe, of any other country. A collection of my trifling achievements would certainly be incomplete which contained no account of this very singular business.

-The Memories of Sherlock Holmes: The Musgrave Ritual

[deanscherrypie69]

Familiar Strokes L.H

Summary: Logan buys a didlo for you to use when he’s away. And he helps you use it for this first time🤭🤭

Warnings; Smut 18+ please! Language Fingering. Oral (female receiving) use of a dildo (obviously) logan calls you good girl🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

A/N this is my first Logan fic EVER so please be nice, reblogs and comments are welcomed!!!!

🔥🔥🔥

Logan had been waiting anxiously all day for the mail to arrive. He leaned by the front door of the mansion with a cigar tucked between his lip. Watching every car drive by. His heart rate picking up every time he thought the mail truck would pull around the corner.

"You've been out here for like, three hours."

Scott's voice boomed through Logans' ears causing him to groan.

"Yea, and? how is that any of your concern?" Logan asked with a raised eyebrow. His cigar smoke blowing into Scott's direction.

Scott shrugs, "Just asking." Scott mumbles and walks away. Logan rolls his eyes with a groan followed behind.

Logan hears the sound of a truck pulling up into the driveway, his heart races with excitement. He watches as a man emerges out from the truck holding a brown box under his arm.

"Logan Howlett?" the man questions.

"That's me." Logan says with a bright smile.

The man hands Logan his package.

Logan could hear his heart thumping in his ears. "Have a good day." The man smiles and walks away, getting back into his truck.

Logan says the same thing, he ashes his cigar, and puts it in his coat pocket. Logan quickly gets inside shutting the door behind him, with the package tucked under his arm. Making his way down the hallway of the mansion, he heads to his shared room where you would be.

The door was cracked open, Logan softly opens it and makes his way inside. He closes the door behind him.

"Y/n?"

it was almost on cue, the bathroom door opened. "Hi, logan." You speak. Logan sets the box down on the bed and makes his way over to you. He wraps his arms around your waist, taking in your sent. "You showered?" He mumbles in the crook of your neck.

"I did." You hum.

Logan loved your sent he couldn't get enough of it. He especially liked when you put on that one vanilla sent, you'd bought a few weeks ago.

"I have something for you."

Logan pulls away from the hug, grabbing your hand, taking you over to the bed where the box was.

"Logan-" you say with a huff.

"I wanted too." He says handing you the box. "Open it." He speaks.

Looking at the box that was placed in your hands, you noticed how it was a pretty big box, it had Logan's name on it. And it was sealed with tape.

"Care to help a girl out?" You giggle.

Logan rolls his eyes and retracts on of his claws, in one swift movement, he unopen's the box.

Logan watches as you dig your hand into the box. There had been bubble wrap in the box, he watches with anticipation, as you pull out the item.

It was covered in, brown paper, tearing it open, you gasp at the sight. "A dildo?" You question holding in your hand.

Logan licks his lips, "Yes a dildo." He repeats.

You swallow hard looking up at your boyfriend that had been standing in front of you the whole time.

Logan guides you onto the bed, you were still holding the object in your hand staring at it. "I'm confused?" You mumble looking at the dildo then back at your boyfriend.

Logan clears his throat, "You know how lonely you get when, I'm away on missions right -" He watches as you nod, "Well I thought I'd get you something to keep you occupied when I'm not here.'"

You feel your cheeks begin to heat up.

"Plus, I would hate for you to use your fingers all the time."

"Oh-" You swallow hard, looking at the dildo you'd still were holding, it was big, really big. it had to be about almost eight inches; you felt your pussy begin to throb at the thought of it being inside you.

"Tell me you want to try it?" Logan hums into your ear, "I can smell your pussy leaking."

You practically moan at his words. "Please," You hum.

Logan growls at your words, he forces you to lay on your back, he was hovering over you. His hand trails uo your thigh.

"Please Loagan." Was all you knew to say.

Loagan couldn't help but let out a laugh.

Logan leaves his position; he kneels down at the edge of the bed.

"Come here." He demands.

Scotting to the edge of the bed, your feet dangle off, just a bit. Logan reaches forward capturing your lips in a soft kiss.

Logan doesn’t break the kiss. Instead he reaches under you, pulling off your leggings that you’d had on, along with your underwear.

Logan breaks the kissing causing you to moan. He pushes you softly back down onto the bed.

His eyes were now focused on the sight in front of him.

Your bare pussy.

He couldn’t help but growl at the sight. He felt his jeans begin to tighten.

But this was not about him right now.

Your hand was still holding the dildo.

“Let me se it.”

You knew what he meant, reaching your hand out you give Logan the dildo.

“You’re so fuckin wet.” She says kissing in between your thighs. Causing you to shiver.

Your hands bawl at the sheets under you.

Logan runs his tongue over your clit causing you to moan.

His finger traces down your pussy lips, his finger finding your hole. Pushing it inside he groans at the sight of your pussy swallowing his finger.

“Gotta fuck you with my fingers first.” Logan says before adding a second digit.

You were moaning mess, and Logan loved every second of it. Without warning, he attaches his lips onto your clit, licking and sucking as he still moved his fingers at a rapid pace.

You felt a familiar, sensation growing in your lower belly, grabbing onto Logan's hair, giving a warning that you were about to cum.

Logan knew instantly, he pulls his fingers from inside of you. Causing you to let out a whine. "Not yet." He hums.

Logan rubs the head of the dildo down your pussy, he slowly, pushes it inside of you. You let out a loud moan it was so big it almost felt like-

"Does it feel good?" Logan hums as he watches the dildo go easily in and out of you.

"Fuck yes." You shudder, "So good."

"You're being such a good girl for me."

You feel tears begin to spill from your eyes, from the amount of pleasure he was giving you.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Logan asks as he begins to move the dildo faster. The sound of your moans and your wet pussy was like music to his ears.

Not knowing what to say you respond with moan that gives Logan the okay, to continue, "The dildo- it's a replica of my dick." He hums, circling your clit with his thumb.

"I should've told you that, but. I didn't wanna ruin the surprise."

Between Logan's confession and the way, he was moving the dildo out of you sent you over the edge, you couldn't take it.

"Come on bub, cum for me."

With those words, you came, hard, all over the dildo, "Good girl, such a good girl." Logan hums removing the dildo and throwing it onto the bed.

Once you came down from your high, you slowly sit up Logan was still kneeling at the edge of the bed, "Did you mean what you said?" You ask.

Logan's green eyes look into yours. He knew what you were talking about, "What that the dildo is a replica of mine?" He questions.

You nod.

"Of course I meant what I said. Did it not feel just like mine?" He hums standing up.

You gasp when you see him stand up you couldn't help but notices his dick that was straining against his jeans.

"It did." You giggle.

Logan gives you a satisfied smirk.

"Good, now what do you say we use the real thing now mmh?"

[oneforthemunny]

new year's day |mafia!eddie munson x reader|

prompt: new years eve with eddie at his boss, rick's house. based off this blurb.

contains: complete fluff. hints at smut but nothing graphic. language, drinking, mafia themes. really just sweet and fluffy.

“I feel underdressed,” You muttered, free hand smoothing down the silk material of your cocktail dress, eyeing the woman who passed you in something adjacent to a ball gown. “I think I’m underdressed, Ed. Am I underdressed? You said this would be fine-” 

“-Relax, baby,” Eddie’s hand found the small of your back, rubbing the exposed skin above your back gently, leaving you shivering. “You look great. Perfect.” 

Your eyes rolled in annoyance, clutching the wrapped hostess gift with your clutch in your other hand. “Yeah, but am I underdressed?” You nodded towards a woman standing by the entrance, dripped in diamonds and feathers all over her dress. “I mean, look,” You whispered, eyeing pointedly towards the woman. 

It was Eddie’s turn to roll his eyes, offering you his arm as you started up the grand staircase outside. “Baby, I promise, you’re not underdressed. Some of the women just like to go big.” Eddie muttered, brows lifting at the feathered collar that stuck around the woman’s neck, nearly going into flames when someone lit a cigarette beside her. 

“Not all of them are like that, though. Just the ones who like to show out.” Eddie nodded towards the man who greeted them, accepting the two champagne flutes. 

“Alright.” You sighed, posture straightening as you followed Eddie through the open doors. “‘M just nervous.” 

“Don’t be. Why’re you nervous?” Eddie nearly cooed, head ducking close to yours, giving you a small grin that made your heart flutter to life. 

“I don’t know. This is- This is like your boss. The big boss, or whatever- I’m just nervous.” You babbled, hand tight around the gift, nerves fluttering with every step you took into the extravagant house. 

You thought Eddie’s house was large and impressive, this one made his look like a shoe box. Fountains and sculptures everywhere, candle operas by the dozen creating a warm, elegant ambiance. A string quartet set up in the middle of the spacious living room, playing softly but still it echoed off the marble flooring.

“Eddie!” You jumped at the bark of a laugh that came from behind you. “Look who finally made it. And on time? For once,” The man teased, clapping Eddie firmly on the shoulder with his free hand. 

“Yeah, yeah,” Eddie snorted lightly. “How ya doin’, Rick?” You stilled at the name, frozen as you looked at the man. He didn’t look exactly like what you thought he would. Far less intimidating, happier than you expected.

“Great, just great.” Rick grinned, waving a waiter over. “C’mere, gimme a cigar for me and my boy, Eddie.” Rick plucked too large cigars off the silver serving tray, snatching the lighter. “Got these imported from Cuba last week with the, uh,” His eyes met yours, blinking. You thought you might pass out, a prickly icy tingle of fear spilling down your neck and spine. 

“Well, hello there,” Rick grinned, lowering the cigar. “Where are my manners? You must be the Mrs. that Eddie is always talkin’ about.” 

“Not yet,” You squeaked, forcing a giggle, fumbling with the gift and your clutch to free up your hand as you stuttered around your name. “It’s very nice to meet you.” 

“And you as well, my dear. I’ve heard only the best thing about you.” Rick smiled, shaking your hand gently. 

You grinned shyly, eyes cutting to Eddie gently. “Thank you,” You muttered, an iron grip on your gift. “Oh! Um, this is for you. Well, you and your wife. A thank you for inviting us.”  

“Look at that, huh,” Rick grinned, taking the wrapped package from your hands. “Thank you. You are too kind, sweetheart. We’re happy to have you- both of you.” 

You beamed, sliding closer to Eddie, taking your champagne flute from his hand. Rick lit his cigar, passing the lighter to Eddie so he could  do the same. “I’ve got to go talk to Randal for a second, but hey, you two enjoy yourselves, alright? We’ve got hors d'oeuvres being passed around right now. You know where the bar is, don’t you, Ed?” 

“You wanna stay in here?” Eddie muttered, inhaling his cigar, turning the other way to blow the smoke. “Or are you hungry? I’ll see if I can find the waiters.” 

“I’m good.” You nodded tightly, shoulders stiff, clutching your champagne glass as you looked around the room that was slowly filling up. 

Eddie looked at you for a moment, snorting lightly. You looked painfully uncomfortable. Nervous and a little intimidated by the uncertainty of it all. “C’mon,” Eddie’s hand found your back again, stepping through the crowds of people towards a hallway. “I’ll show you around. See if I can find some food. ‘M starving, baby.” 

“You want another?” Eddie muttered, his voice carrying a gravelly rasp that it only did when he’d been drinking. It made you squirm, pressing yourself closer into his side on the sofa.

“Maybe in a second.” You hummed, hand sliding over the silk material of his dress shirt, teasingly over his tummy, hand dipping just low enough that you could feel his abs clench at the teasing. 

After too many champagnes and filling up on shrimp cocktail, you found yourself back in the living room with the others, pressed into a small ottoman, perched on Eddie’s knee as he smoked a cigarette. He looked irresistible, you decided, looking at him through drunken, hazy vision, bottom lip rolling between your teeth. 

“What’re you doin’, baby?” Eddie grinned, lopsided and soft, looking at your through dark lashes. 

“Nothin’,” You sighed sweetly, eyes batting at him. “Just looking at you. You look really pretty.” 

“Pretty?” Eddie grinned, a wide smile that had your heart skipping. “You’re the pretty one, baby. Prettiest fuckin’ thing here, you know that?” 

You beamed, champagne soaked giggles trilling past your lips, folding yourself forward so you could kiss him, taste the nicotine on his tongue. 

Eddie pulled back too soon, leaving you huffing softly with protest. Eddie’s head craned around, looking at the others, too drunk and enthralled with their own conversations and activities to notice. 

“C’mon,” Eddie muttered, patting your thigh gently. “Let’s go outside.” 

“Outside?” You giggled, brows lifting in surprise. “It’s freezing.” 

“I’ll keep you warm.” Eddie winked, grabbing your hand sweetly in his. “Seriously, wanna show you somethin’.” 

You followed him, of course, blindly and wholeheartedly through the clouds of smoke and loud conversation, past the others smoking on the balcony, and down the stairs towards the garden. 

“Where are we- Ed!- Where are you taking me?” You squealed, nearly tripping as you shuffled down the cobblestone next to him, skin covered in chills from the frigid night air. 

“Just come with me.” Eddie jerked his head towards the small garden area, barren of any leaves or flowers. His hand dropped from yours, just for a moment, tugging his tux jacket off, stopping to drape it around your shoulders, hands running down your arms to lock in the warmth. 

“Thank you,” You muttered, chin ducking with a swelling blush of adoration. 

“Don’t want you to freeze, baby.” Eddie grinned, his arm looping around your waist, pulling you close to him. He stuck his arm out, looking at his watch under the cloudy moonlight. “Two minutes.” 

“Two minutes to what?” You lifted a brow. “To New Years? You brought me out here for that?” 

Eddie smiled tightly, giving you a tiny shrug, hand squeezing your hip. “You’ll see.” 

You scoffed lightly, still pressed into his side. “What? You couldn’t kiss me inside with the others? Are you thinking you’re going to get something more than a kiss?” 

“Ooh, that sounds pretty nice, sweetheart. You offerin’?” Eddie snickered lightly. “Wasn’t why I brought you out here, but I certainly won’t stop you.” 

“Why’d you bring me out here then?” Your brow furrowed, looking up at him. 

“Just wait. You’ll see.” Eddie hummed, his hand rubbing down your hip, dipping towards your ass, grabbing your left cheek playfully, grinning when you squealed. 

His nose moved to brush over your cheek, you could smell the whiskey on his breath still. Full lips moved to kiss your cheek, so softly you could barely feel it, other than the pricks of electricity that always came with his touch. You melted into his warmth, eyes fluttering shut, body leaning closer and closer into his chest as his lips made their way down your cheek, nipping at your jaw. 

Hands clutching his jacket around you, you turned towards him, tipping your head back to catch his mouth, barely feeling his lips brush yours before you both were startled- a chorus of cheers from the house were brief before the crescendo of cracking pops of fireworks cut them off. 

Eddie’s hand pressed to your back, protectively, before he looked up, the gold sparkles of the first firework catching in his eyes before the others followed. An extravagant firework show that lit up the entire sky, seemingly all around you. 

Eddie grinned, looking down at you. “See? Wanted you to see this.” His voice carried over the cracks of the fireworks. “Much better view out here.” 

You turned to look back at the sky, the red and gold mixing together, before more were set off. “So,” Your lips rolled into a playful purse, brow lifting when you turned back to face Eddie. “You’re not going to kiss me? No New Year's kiss?” 

Eddie snorted lightly, cold hand cupping your jaw, rings icy from the night air when they touched your skin. His lips brushed over yours, breath ghosting over your face nearly teasing, before he pressed you into him, mouth sliding over yours, hand tipping your head back towards him. His tongue slipped past your teeth, hand sliding to the back of your head to pull you closer and closer into the positively sloppy kiss. 

Your hands slid from the jacket, uncaring at how it moved so the cold air cut into your skin, so you could hold him, wrap your arms around his neck and pull him closer and closer. Eddie took a few stumbling steps back, a clumsy waltz until you found a marble fountain, pressing you against the cool stone, his hand moving towards your hips, your ass, back up to paw at your chest. A symphony of fireworks, your soundtrack to your own steamy makeout.

 Eddie’s hand moved, bunching the material of your dress sloppily until he found the end, hand dipping under and towards your core. “Ed,” You squeaked, legs clamping together when his fingers brushed your core, sliding over your clothed clit. “We can’t.” 

“Why not?” Eddie grumbled, nose still pressed to your cheek, lips sliding over the corner of your mouth in a wet smooch. “No one’s out here.” 

“You don’t know that.” You hissed, looking around, using the flash of lights from the fireworks to see. “Plus, this is your- Eddie- This is your boss’ party.” 

“He won’t care.” Eddie muttered, teeth grazing over your bottom lip. “This house has definitely seen worse than two people hookin’ up.” 

You shuddered at the thought, too scared to ask what he meant exactly but you had your suspicions. “Eddie,” You huffed, firmer this time, moving your hands from his collar, back to fix the jacket into place. “We can’t. Not here.” 

Eddie grunted in annoyance, pulling back with a grimace that had you fighting back a giggle- nearly pouty in his expression. “C’mon, we can be qu-” 

“-No,” You shook your head. “It’s your boss’ house and it’s freezing.” You clutched the jacket around you for emphasis. “Just wait until we get home. I promise I’ll make it worth the wait.” The purr in your voice had Eddie perking, eyes darkening with a dangerously, excited glint. 

“You promise, huh? Shit, sweetheart, let’s just go now.” Eddie grinned, hand snaking around your waist, pulling you close to him so you were pressed together. 

You rolled your eyes, lashes batting up at him sweetly. “You can’t just leave. Go say goodbye to everyone and we can go.” 

Eddie groaned, running a hand down his face. “You’re killin’ me, baby, you know that?” He muttered, hand still on your hip, pressing you into his side. 

You both started back as the last firework erupted with a loud crack in the air, the smoke beginning to settle around you two. “Make it worth the wait, hm?” Eddie muttered as you approached the steps, taking his hand so he could steady you as you walked up them. “Can’t wait to see what you’ve got in mind.” 

“Hm, it’s gonna be pretty good.” You purred, matching his playful tone. “Better than that New Year’s kiss.” 

“Yeah? Well, then let’s fuckin’ say bye to these people and get the fuck outta here.” Eddie laughed, squeezing your hand gently with affection as he pulled you back into the still packed house. 

[nexreturnsfromthedead]

Something Stupid

Summary: when Sevika finds herself unable to sleep, she can count on you to ease her mind; What starts off as a relaxing massage for an exhausted woman turns into something gentle and loving, forcing her to acknowledge the growing feelings she's desperately been trying to avoid.

Warnings: oral (Sevika receiving), strap-on (reader wearing), attachment issues (the porn part is short, I'm sorry :') ), generally really soft

Notes: this is the first fic I have ever finished and actually published, lol. I fear it's too repetitive at some points and kind of rushed..? Pls pls pls, tell me what you think (as long as you're being kind). If there are any more warnings I should be aware of (probably not), feel free to tell me :) I hate writing dialogs. The painting on the right was done by Tony Belobrajdic :]

Word Count: 6.9k

@venomvalley specifically posted this for you, any criticism is appreciated :D (I lowkey stole your way of... presenting (?) the story, with the colors, pictures and dividers and such, I thought it was really pretty <:3)

Anyways, I hope you enjoy :D

It was well into the night, maybe shortly past midnight, when she made her way onto the small balcony of her rundown apartment, eyes tired and heavy, yet not willing to stay closed. Immediately, she was met by the cold air, a stinging slap to her face. It nips at her skin, looking to break through and seep into her muscles, veins and lastly, her very bones. She didn't mind the harshness prickling against her nerves. She needed the distraction tonight.

A heavy sigh rips from the depths of her lungs, fingers reaching out to fumble for a cigarillo lying on the small, creaking metal table shoved against the railing. It was only there for that exact purpose: holding the packages of her cigars and cigarettes, an ashtray, and perhaps even a drink or two if she's feeling fancy. There was no reason for her to be on the balcony other than to have a calming smoke; no beautiful view waiting for her, no fresh air to catch either, not in the deepness of Zaun.

Flipping open the tin box, metal clattering against the table's surface, her fingers scoop in to lift one of her stress relievers out of its containment. Bringing it up to her lips, her hand reaches for a lighter, needing several tries to ignite a spark and correspondingly, her thin cigar. That simple action carries her mind back to you. You, who usually stumbled over their own feet to light it for her. 'Pretty women don't light their own cigarettes', you always said when she raised a questioning brow, that stupid, stupid grin adorning your lips whenever you did. You, who is currently warming her bed while she's out here, forcing stinging puffs of burning tobacco inside her lungs, only to gently blow them out with long exhales.

The smoke wafts past her lips, its tendrils twirling and swirling high into the sky, wanting to never be seen again as it becomes one with the fissures' polluted air. She felt the nightly tranquility weigh heavy on her shoulders, running thoughts nagging in the back of her mind. She should appreciate the quiet calm instead of bothering herself with these infuriating thoughts, yet her mind grants her no peace. The grip of her prosthetic grows tighter against the railing as she huffs, her lip scrunching up in frustration, quickly taking another drag of her cigar.

She stalls, holding the smoke deeply in her chest when she feels warm arms wrap around her waist, a face nestling between the hard planes of her shoulder blades.

Ba-dump.

Once she gets over the initial shock of your unexpected touch, she blows the smoke out slowly, watching as its wifts get carried through the winds.

"You should be in bed", she hums, feeling the nicotine take its course through her system. Her response was only to mask her own feelings, hoping to distract you from your initial mission. Always trying to divert the focus from herself.

"So should you...", you retort, your voice carrying the groggy roughness of leftover sleep, ".. You okay..?"

She huffs, puffing on her cigar.

"Never better", she mumbles sarcastically. It had always been easy for you to peek through her defenses, finding the smallest of cracks and managing to scratch them open with the very tips of your fingers; even if they did bleed in the end. Yet, every time you were close to reaching treasure, she seals the crumbling gaps with thicker concrete. She didn't understand why you kept on trying, kept on bothering to put up with her.

"A penny for your thoughts?", you murmur, nuzzling your nose against the crevice of her spine; a silent reassurance, urging her to open up.

"I'm fine", she sighs, flicking off the built up ashes. Her eyes trail down their path, seeing them disappear against the dirty cobblestone beneath her feet, beneath the balcony; they weren't worth a second glance. Couldn't even tell they had been there in the first place.

"You sure? Taking a lonely smoke in the middle of night doesn't exactly scream 'fine', you know..?", there's an empathetic smile on your face, trying to lighten the mood. She can hear it in the way you talk.

"Too much on your mind?"

"You could say that", she trails off thoughtfully, "It's not worth your time, no need to worry about it", there's a tiredness in her voice, a hint of self deprecation one could only catch if they really listened. Which you always did. Unfortunately for her.

"I worry about you"

Ba-dump

Protest laces your tone as you speak, ".. And if something's bothering you, then it must be important... Atleast to some degree.."

"It's not. Trust me, doll. I can handle a few stupid thoughts", you hear the way her voice changes subtly, forcing herself to sound less vulnerable, trying to once again build the wall higher around her heart; a prison for the lonely.

"But I do.. Because you're important to me.. And I care..", you reassure, trailing off. The unspoken; words she feared ever coming from your lips were left unsaid, but she knew they were there. Sitting on the tip of your tongue, itching to slip past the seal and bury deep inside her heart like barbed wire.

Your sigh is warm against her back when you realize she won't budge; she can feel it through the fabric of her shirt. She desperately fights off the crawling shiver threatening to run down her spine.

"You don't have to tell me.. But please just.. Remember that I'm here for you.. And whenever you need me, I'll happily lend an ear", your arms tighten around her waist, pulling her closer in comfort; wether it was for her's or your own, she's not quite sure. Regardless, she melts into your embrace, her muscles relaxing the tiniest bit. She's silent, no doubt contemplating your words. Cigarillo back at her lips, she closes her eyes, a heavy, smoky breath escaping her nostrils.

"I'm just.. Worrying over nothing, is all. Nothing severe", she murmurs, her metallic hand clanking against the railing when she let's go, instead bringing it to hold the cigar. The other one, her own, moves to rest over yours. She always prefered feeling you, your soft skin beneath hers. When in reality, she shouldn't. Shouldn't let you hold her so tenderly. Shouldn't reciprocate. It'll only be harder in the end. Companionship and romance aren't things that lasted in the dark pit that is the Underground. They wither, get stomped out and burned until the only thing that's left is the dismembered corpse of what could have been. That's how life was in this hell she called her home. She accepted it. Had to learn how to from an early age. Yet despite that, she couldn't help but hold her hand into the flame.

".. How about a massage?", she barely catches the sound of your voice, yet it still cuts through her racing mind.

"What?", she turns her head, looking down at you over her shoulder. You can't help but admire her from this angle, the faint, neon lights from the distance reflecting across her profile, her blue scars glowing. Greens, reds and purples catch against her skin, colors that all looked magnificient, in perfect contrast with the essence of her very being.

"I can massage you... Help you relax.. Get your mind off of things", you repeat, your hands travelling towards her hips, gently squeezing.

A small snort echoes through the night.

"Oh yeah? Pampering me now, are you?", she hums, taking one last drag of her cigar before stumping it out in the ashtray. She made it a habit ever since she noticed you picking up her thrown butts scattered across the floor one too many times. The same way she made it a habit of smoking on the balcony once she realized you couldn't breathe properly when she did it inside.

".. But I won't say no to that if you're offering".

She watches as that small smile forms on your face, standing on your toes to press a soft kiss against her cheek. You didn't have to, but knew it boosted her ego just a bit.

Ba-dump.

"Go make yourself comfortable in bed, I'll start heating up the oil", you pat her shoulders before the both of you part ways, her going back to bed while you grab the massaging oil from the bathroom. Filling a pot with water, you bring it to a soft boil before putting the container in to warm up.

Once you re-enter the bedroom, you find Sevika comfortably lying on her back, boxers the only thing adorning her scarred skin. Her right arm is tucked underneath her head, her prosthetic lying on the bedside table for easy access should she need it. Due to her lying position, her thighs appear even bigger than usual, excess flesh squished to the sides. They're spread the tiniest bit, enough to make your mind spiral as it immediately conjures the lewdest images of your head between them, squished to death as you lap at her cunt.

If you could paint realistically, you would capture the beauty of this moment in it's entirety; the way she lies before you making for the perfect muse. The way the low light of the bedside lamp casts breathtaking shadows across her muscles, contouring her in the best of ways. You have to actively stop yourself from drooling.

"Are you done oggling me?", there it is, that shit eating smirk you've grown to love so much, no matter how infuriating it can be at times. Your eyes roll on instinct, a grin of your own forming on your face.

"Oh hush. I can't be blamed when you're looking like that", a smile graces your lips, one entirely too intimate for her but her heart skips a beat anyways. You crawl onto the bed, one finger wedging between her thigh and the leg of her boxers. Pulling softly, you let the fabric snap back against her skin. Her eyebrow raises in response, challenging you to go further, watching as you position yourself over her.

She can see the mirth twinkling in your irises, no doubt conjuring plans on how to make her suffer.

Ba-dump

It only makes her heart beat quicker, rapidly hammering against the cage of her chest, wanting to be set free like a bird gazing at the ever growing horizon. She doesn't stop you when your head dips down to plant your first kiss against her collarbone. Breathing grows harder when your lips trail gently up her neck. She could feel their softness, the carefulness in your touch as if she was something fragile, something made to be broken. She wasn't. She was anything but that. Yet she enjoys it when your lips stream higher and higher, following along the reddened rivulet hidden underneath her skin until you reach the shell of her ear, lips threatening to fall off the cliff that is her jaw and she hopes you'll cling onto it.

She holds her breath when your lips wander along, tiptoeing against the line, never once losing your balance. But she fears. Fears you'll fall. Fears you'll drag her with you into the deep end, with no point of return. Once your lips finally meet hers, she realizes it is already far too late. She's drowning, air ripped from her lungs as her very being succumbes to your deadly touch; drowning in a sea that is entirely made of you. Your touch. Your smell. Your voice. Your taste. It's all you. And she fears it. Fears getting close to you. Fears that this will change. Fears this won't last.

She's afraid.

And she doesn't know how to swim back up to the surface as you drag her deeper and deeper into the dark abyss. But she's not complaining, quite the contrary. She's feeding into it, letting her body grow heavy as she let's you pull her under. She reaches out for you, pulling you closer as she craves more, addicted to the feeling of utter breathlessness and freedom, despite knowing she'll lock herself away the moment the touch of your lips passes. So she clings on, forcing you against her as your lips join and overlap like clashing waves.

She chases you once you pull away, like you're her only source of oxygen but when she grasps your lips are gone, she breathes in deeply. Eyes fluttering open, she finds your own already staring back at her, that stupid, stupid smile back on your face, taunting her with feelings she'd rather keep buried underneath harsh words and a tough exterior.

Ba-dump

She knew that there was something lingering between you two for quite some time now, something she didn't want to acknowledge, too afraid to do so. After all, she did invite you over to her apartment for the better quarter of a year now, to the point that you've basically movied in with her; your clothes strewn across chairs and the run down sofa she's been wanting to replace for a while now; replacing half of her wardrobe's contents with you; a second toothbrush occupying the small little cup on her bathroom's sink; her fridge filled with various kinds of fresh vegetables, fruits and self-made jams -the same way her stomach is filled to the brim with home cooked meals rather than random take-out.

She snaps out of her thoughts when your fingers tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, gently, warmly and she curses herself for leaning into the touch.

One last, chaste kiss against her lips and you pull away. She almost panics, but your hand gently pushes over her heart, keeping her still. If it weren't for your reassuring smile and devoted eyes staring down at her, she'd feel embarrassed with how rapidly her heart drums against your palm, wanting to nestle into the warmth of your skin.

"How about you turn around, hm? So I can start the massage", she blinks once, twice before your words finally register in her muddled brain and with a single nod of her head, she flips herself onto her stomach, needing a few tries until her chest lies comfortably against the mattress. Her eyes stare blankly onto the prosthetic to her left, lying abandoned on the bedside table as her cheek rests on her arm, impatiently waiting to finally feel your hands upon her skin.

Instead, she senses the way your eyes burn into it, mapping out each and every crevice of her body. She doesn't know wether to feel shy, small, cocky or ashamed. Maybe an unhealthy mix of all four.

"Thought you were gonna massage me, not drool all over", her voice is quiet, barely audible as she murmurs her words in a flimsy attempt of keeping her pride, dignity and a semblance of her usual bravado. Though it's only a mask; she feels anything but. Your giggle makes her want to bury her face in the pillow and pull you in for another kiss, simply to drown out the addictive sound.

"I'm sorry, honey, but you're absolutely stunning"

Ba-dump

She scoffs, frowning into space with.. Is that a pout?

It deepens when you seemingly laugh at her misery, but before she can react, you hook a leg over her hips to straddle her, your buttocks against hers. An involuntary sigh flows out of her nostrils. Having you close was always so calming, but so, so nerve-wracking all at once.

You open the container for the oil, the glass warm against your palms like a hot cup of coffee. Inside Sevika's head, the sound of the lid opening echoes as anticipation builds higher and higher. Dipping the tips of your fingers inside, you spread the slickness in the palms of your hands.

"Ready?", an affirmative hum is your only cue before you place your hands down on her.

As soon as they make contact with her back, her whole body melts into the mattress, her eyelids fluttering shut as she let's her trepidations and stress wash away. They glide firmly over her muscles, rubbing the oil deeply into her skin. You watch as her shoulders rise with every even breath, falling in slow exhales, and you can't help but note how etheral she looks like this. So at peace, in absolute bliss. It was a rare sight and you understood why, her life was in no way an easy one, but you wished you'd be able to see it more often. You promise yourself you'll make it better.

With wandering hands and eyes, you heed the details of her body before you, carving each and every one into the mental statue molded inside the depths of your mind. From the occasional moles scattered across her olive skin, up to her blueish-purple scars that reach all the way from her shoulder to her cheek. They glisten under the warm, dull light of the bedside lamp, twinkling like a night sky full of stars; an entire galaxy mapped out on her body.

Taking the opportunity, your eyes trace over her features: her beautiful grey eyes that always tell you exactly what she's thinking, giving you a window to look through her soul no matter how many curtains she uses to hide. They're closed, but the way her eyelashes are curled against her cheeks is equally breathtaking. Her dark lips, so perfectly kissable, adorned with those tiny splits of healed cuts from prior fights. Those lovely lips that hide the most adorable smile you've ever seen, with the cutest tooth gap enhancing her charm. Without realizing, your hands slow their movements before coming to a full stop against her shoulder blades.

Pure and utter adoration lies down to rest on your face, softening your features as you lean forward, pressing a tender peck against the apple of her cheek.

Ba-dump

Heat rises, travelling from her face down her neck. Her eyes peek open, flicking over her shoulder to look at you and she hates the sight before her.

Hates the way you gaze down at her in the most tender way she's ever experienced. Hates the way your smile makes her heart race to the point she's overwhelmed by breathless dizziness. Hates the way your hands feel against her skin, forcing these gooey, weak emotions inside her to rouse from their century long slumber. Hates the way she craves more despite knowing better.

Of course she's aware that your hands are slowing, coming to a stop as you're stuck in mesmerization; how could she not when their movement felt so heavenly against her sore spots and deep knots? Though she's unsure wether she should vocalise her discontent; after all, you have done so much for her already and in no way does she want to come across as ungrateful. But you did promise her a soothing massage. And this was in no way enough.

So without uttering any comands, she simply pushes her muscles back against your hands, urging you to keep going. With snorted laughter and a teasing quip her way, your hands continue their trip to bringing her pleasure.

"Anything for my sweet woman~", your voice sings, your words deepening that soft redness on her cheeks.

Ba-dump

She wasn't necessarily the possessive type, but sentences like these had a way of playing her heart strings like they hadn't been in years. She hated it. She absolutely despised it. It made her weak. It made you a liability. Yet she couldn't help but crave more, her greed knowing no bounds even in this.

Only that she couldn't win this fight; the fight she put up against her own heart whenever it starts skipping two beats around you. The fight she puts up whenever she catches her own breath hitching at the sight of you cooking behind her stove, waiting for her to come home as you cook a filling meal for her after a grueling day of work. The fight she puts up whenever she realizes she was growing softer, more vulnerable around you. She knew that. Knew she couldn't win. So for now, she figures indulging in it was for the best. Only that her heart is pounding so horribly against her ribcage, it was hard to ignore. So was the low burn starting to ignite in her abdomen when she let her thoughts drift. It was only a matter of time until they did, with how well you tend to her every need, every single time, every hour of the day, no matter how often she pushes you away.

The longer your fingers glide across her skin, the more loose her lips become; small sighs and hums and things that sound suspiciously like whimpers vibrating through her throat. Of course, you notice. Just as you notice the way her body grows restless beneath you; back arching against your touch, ass, with you on top, lifting up and back down with each movement of her thighs, no doubt rubbing them together, arm tensing against her pillow and pulling it closer to her flushed face.

The control you have over her, despite her refusal to admit to anything of the matter, leaves you grinning giddily, light-hearted perversion running through every vein of your body at the knowledge of having her fully wrapped around your pinky finger, desperate for the simplest of touches. She'd do anything for you without so much of a blink, just like you would do anything for her. You'd burn the whole world down if she asked you to.

Though these touches might not be as innocent as they had started off anymore.

So without much of a thought, you slip off your position on top of her, moving between her thighs, sitting on your haunches.

You focus on her lower back, thumbs pressing into those two, cute little dimples of venus. Fitting name, she looked like a sculpted god.

Occasionally, those exact thumbs catch underneath the waistband of her underwear, on accident, of course, and you revel in the way her breath stops momentarily before picking back up slightly more labored each time.

"stop teasing", her voice would sound warning if it weren't for the shudder accompanied by it, or the hoarse rasp coating each word.

"whatever do you mean?"

Despite your words, you never really seem to be able to tease her for long, caving at each little command like you were born to follow obediently. Maybe it was the constant stress you've been put under about being 'the perfect little kid' that had molded you into exactly that; someone with the constant need for instructions, searching for the simplest forms of validation. But you don't mind; you have long accepted the fact that you wanted to be obedient, just for her.

The tips of your fingers dip below her waistband, agonizingly slow when tugging the offending fabric down, down and down until they're thrown off to the side; out of sight, out of mind.

You bite your lip at the sight before you, fingers splaying out across the fat of her ass, squeezing and prodding and digging and squeezing until her shoulders were tense, thighs squeezed tightly and her face hidden in the pillow.

She was cute like this, all flustered. It was a sight you've got to see more and more often these past few weeks the longer you stayed close by her side. And you loved it, loved whenever she averted her gaze or burrowed her face in your neck in a futile attempt of hiding her bashfulness.

"stop", she scoffs, loving hating the way butterflies swirled in her stomach like she's some teenage girl. But you knew she didn't mean it; she was pressing her flesh against your hands. She was pressing her hips higher in hopes you'll catch the hint, burying your face where she needs it the most.

You did, of course, catch the hint, but played dumb for just a little while longer.

"what do you need, honey? I'm not a mind reader, you know...", she can hear the condescending lilt in your voice, feel the barely perceptible brush of your thumb over her humiliatingly wet folds and she almost gives herself whiplash with how quickly her head twists over her shoulder to shoot you a glare.

Her mouth opens to curse you out, tell you to 'fucking touch her' before she takes matters into her own hands, but her words quickly die on her tongue, replaced by the loudest moan she's ever let slip as your tongue dives forward, running from her thrumming clit up to her leaking hole.

Her face burns, quickly pushed back against her pillow, entirely too embarrassed at the almost pornographic noise escaping her lips.

Really, it wasn't that loud. It was moderate, but usually, she was more on the quieter side, the most she'd let slip were groans and grunts, maybe the occasional, quiet whimper. So a full blown moan was something new, something that exposed her in ways she didn't want to be.

So she hid her face against the sheets, each kiss and lick and suck of your lips across her cunt luring more noises to slip past her own, only partially muted by her self-made gag. Surely, you'd love to hear them to their full extent, but you also knew she needed this, needed something to ground herself with, to keep herself from getting too overwhelmed, so you accepted it.

Your movements were languid, tongue dragging and basking in the salty taste of her arousal, nose pressed against her until every other sense was drowned out. You could stay like this, between her thighs, all day, all night, 24/7; feeling her gush on your tongue, arousal dripping as it flowed freely from her hole. The exact place you're shoving your tongue into, wanting to taste more, and she whimpers at your desperation.

Her voice is a tad bit higher than usual, raspy with need as the noises stream past her lips like a river across its bank.

Wet muscle slithering back up through her folds, her hips move on their own accord, jumping when your lips wrapped around that sweet, sweet bundle of nerves, sucking harshly and shaking your head from side to side.

It doesn't take long until she's gasping, hand shooting out behind her to press your face further into her cunt, hips grinding, chasing a high so close she could taste it on her lips. Your neck and cheeks were growing clammy, arousal and spit smeared across your chin and nose. You couldn't move even if you wanted to, and it got you hooked almost immediately.

Your own abdomen throbbed with heat as she just used you, dragging herself against your face until her own desire was sated, thighs riddled with small tremors as her body convulsed, clenching around nothing as her orgasm crashed over her in shocking waves.

You gently lick up the added slick, sucking her clean until you finally depart yourself with a wet 'pop'.

She catches her breath, eyes closed and body relaxed. You tug on her shoulder, forcing her to turn onto her back.

Your kisses are sweet when you pepper them across her face, trying to get her back to earth. When her breathing has somewhat gone back to acceptable standards, you spoke up.

"can I wear the strap tonight?", your voice is gentle, tender, like you're speaking to a wounded animal, knowing she'll need a second before registering your words. But already, she knows she hates your tone of voice. Despises how much her heart desires it.

There's a short pause as she contemplates what to respond. Did she even want to let you take complete control tonight? Give herself to you in such an open, vulnerable way? Let you take the lead as she, what, laid back and did nothing? Janna, yes she did.

A huff.

"Do whatever you want..", a grumble, a begrudging attunement without having to distinctly voice it, without the added exposure of telling you exactly what she wants.

Your hands squeeze firmly just underneath the cheeks of her sculpted bottom, your nose wandering along her jaw.

"You know I won't take that as an answer, honey. You want me to or you don't. Either is fine, but you gotta let me know, otherwise I'm not doin' nothin'!", your grin against her cheek is burning, leaving a trail of reddened marks to travel over the bridge of her nose and down the side of her neck.

"You're insufferable..", she whispers, refusing to meet your gaze like her life depended on it, "... Put it on.."

There's that same mirth flashing through your eyes, teeth flashing mischievously through tautly pulled lips and for a second, she thinks she might regret her decision. That is until you actually fasten the harness around your hips, not without undressing yourself first. Her eyes are laser focused on the way the straps dig into your skin, your flesh bulging over them.

At this moment, she realizes she's never appreciated anything more than you, exactly like this, before. The way you look above her, honey-skinned in the golden glow of the bedside lamp, naked as the day you were born. The way her strap fits so snugly around your hips, the dildo resting neatly over her pubic mound -and she might think you look even better than her wearing it. The way you've been taking care of her all evening; from the dinner you made for her when she got home, to your fingers carding through her hair as you washed it thoroughly, because you knew she was too exhausted to lift her arm, and finally, your ever soft hands against her skin, in more ways than one.

And you'll continue taking care of her going onward from this moment.

All she has to do is sit back.. Let go.. And simply pass the reigns to you.

The day has left her drained already, the leaching work and onslaught of haunting thoughts enough to bring her guard down, enough to lean back and simply bask in the moment.

She'll manage. It should be easy. And if she gets overwhelmed, she can always just roll you over- not that she'll get overwhelmed, that's idiotic, she can handle it. She's Silco's right hand woman, dammit, she handles fights and meetings and bribes and errands with ease, so she can handle a bit of vulnerability, she will.

Her expression portrays her confliction, corner of her lip twitching upward in what seems to be disgust, though her eyes show the insecurity lying beneath.

She snaps out of her mental prison when your voice calls her name, smile compassionate, sweet, lov- don't you dare finish that thought.

"we don't have to. I can just.. Take it off and we'll call it a day", she wants this. She wants this. 'So open your damned mouth and say it-'

"Don't..", her voice is a meek murmur, lips formed in an almost huffy pout. Her expression is one you would expect a dishonored person to wear, someone who's got their whole pride and dignity stripped from them, eyes not hitting their target.

"tell me to continue and I will. Tell me to stop and I won't hesitate. This is all about you, honey. Just look at me and talk, yeah?", she fights against the grip of your hand against her jaw, but decides to give up and look at you none the less.

Why do you have to be so damn convincing?

"Just get on with it, will you? Unless you're getting cold feet?", her tone is mocking, challenging, desperately trying to keep up the confident, unbothered front.

With a roll of your eyes and a knowing grin, you grind -in this very moment your- strap against her folds, coating it's underside in her arousal. Her breath hitches. She's almost embarrassed at how wet she is. She blames it on the lingering of your spit. Yet she can't disguise the stumbling of her breath.

"You like that, huh?"

With no response, you simply thrust your hips once more, tip of the silicone catching against her clit in just the right ways. In response, her eyes flutter shut for just a moment before immediately locking with yours.

She's almost mesmerized by the sight of you, so beautifully woven into her life, and Janna, she shouldn't be so excited to let you fuck her.

But she is, so she watches with bated breath as you spit against your dick, smearing it across with your hand firmly wrapped around, the exact way you've done when she was the one wearing it.

You're infuriatingly careful when ligning yourself up, almost like you're scared of hurting her. How.. Pathetic..

Ba-dump

She watches carefully as your elbows place next to her head, your face breathtakingly close to hers as you push in. Her eyes flutter closed instinctively, head relaxing further into the pillows as she clenches tightly around the intrusion, and you swear you can feel it.

It's all a blur, really. Pleasure so good it has her arching into your touch until her chest is squished against yours. Your hand finds hers, fingers interlacing, squeezing her hand with a kind of possession that makes her heart soar. Her throat is dry, you can hear it in the way she swallows, your nose nudging along her cheek, her scars. Eyes closed, she gives herself fully to you, lips parted with ragged breaths as she meets every one of your thrusts with a grind of her own.

So really, it's no wonder that the words slip past your lips, barely audible if they hadn't been whispered right beside her ear.

Immediately, her body freezes, eyes shooting open as she stares off beside your head. She looks positively terrified, and it tucks at your heartstrings, hips stopping as soon as you feel her stiffening, trying to lock herself back up.

Her head turns to the side, eyes filling with unwanted tears, burning as she stops them from cascading down her cheeks. Your hands reach out for them instead.

"hey, hey... It's okay.. I shouldn't have dropped that on you..", you refuse to say you're sorry. After all, it was true and you didn't want her to think otherwise. You were sorry for dropping the l-bomb so suddenly, so intimately, without any trenches near for her to hide in, to save herself from the inevitable first blow. But you weren't at all sorry for loving her. Why would you be? Ever since she has taken you in, invited you to invade her private life, you have been so much happier than you have ever been before. She could be kind if she wanted to, showing that she cared in the simplest of ways without having to voice it. You couldn't help but dig deeper into that hole you've called affection, infatuation growing the longer you've decided to hold onto her, everything she was willing to give you, you ate it up like someone starved.

She's almost choking on her own tears and the sight breaks your heart.

"breathe, honey... I'm right here... And I'll stay here for as long as you want me to...", your voice carries that same careful and tender tone it always does, wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes before they can fall and she doesn't know wether to feel thankful or burst out sobbing, "We can stop, yeah? Wait, I'll.."

Before you can pull out of her, her ankle hooks around your waist, keeping you close.

With a warring mind and heavy heart, she held you there, needed you by her side, to soothe her pain the way you did to her wounds after careless fights. Yet she refused to look at you, still figuring out her own reaction.

Her heart soared at the admission all the while squeezing with an unimaginable pain, knowing all her efforts to prevent this have grown to be futile. But maybe, just maybe if she let you keep going, you'll stay. Like you said you would.. So she indulged in it, maybe one last time, and quietly, she whispers.

"Don't stop"

And you don't, hips slowly starting to move again, more carefully than before, eyes searching her expression for any sign of discomfort, any sign of her changing her mind. But she doesn't, refuses to if this might be her last chance of being intimate with you.

She was afraid. Afraid you wouldn't like what she's hidden beneath despite your reassurances trying to ease her over and over again. It was drilled into her very being ever since she was born. Weakness is a curse, took the people you cared about and sent them off to fight their own war, slaughtered by the cold hands of life. Vulnerability was weakness. Better not show it if you want to live. Best not feel it if you want to survive. Yet with every little bit of vulnerability she showed, you've never strayed; never berated her for feeling, never used it to make her pliable in your hands, never used it as a weapon against herself. You've encouraged it, kissed her messy thoughts better. So why was she still so afraid?

Her confliction was etched onto her face, carved into her complexion like an eternal inscription. So you speak up.

"Want me to tell you just what I love about you?", her breath catches, hitching in her throat at the sound of your panting, your hips picking up their pace, starting to move against hers a bit more desperately.

"I love your pretty nose, your for some reason always perfect-looking hair, your jaw, your tummy, your happy trail, your thighs..", you pause shortly as you notice the precarious expression gracing her features.

".. I love your crystal-grey eyes, because no matter how hard you try to hide behind that tough persona of yours, they always show me just what you're thinking, what you're feeling.. It really is true when people say eyes are the mirror into one's soul.. And yours are the prime example..

I love your full lips; they're so damn kissable.. The way they feel against me, in any way, makes me feel like they were made for that purpose only. No matter if it's my lips, my cheek, my forehead or somewhere else entirely, you make sure that I feel breathless wherever they trail"

Her doubt is settling on her chest, locking it closed and crushing her lungs as it slings its vines around her neck like a noose, tighter and tighter until her breath is cut short. The pressure weighs heavy, repressed tears flooding her eyes with each word muttered, spilling from your lips as a healing balm for her aching heart.

"I love your scars.. Every single one a testimony of the challenges you face everyday; the proof of your ambition, your willpower to fight and keep fighting for Zaun, your people -us. They glimmer like the stars hung above the sky. They're something to be proud of, something that makes you who you are. And I wouldn't have you any other way..

I love your faith in this city. How you give everything you have to do what's right. How you stay rooted to your beliefs.. And won't let anyone put you down. You're fighting for this.. Better and harder than anyone. 

I love how much you care, the way you show you care.. I love how despite everything life throws your way, you always find a way to keep going, you never give up..

I promise, you can be so proud of yourself, Sevika. I am so proud of you. Proud of calling you mine. It's an honor. And I love you"

With shaky breaths and a trembling hand, she grabs you by the back of your head, pulling you down to connect your lips in a soft kiss, filled with aversion and craving, reluctant surrender and reassurance, need and desperation; and for the very first time, she allows herself to admit it's love.

It's love when her legs hook around your waist, pulling you closer, flush against her so she's able to feel every press and rub and thrust to its fullest, indulging in what she's fought against for so long.

It's love when you focus solely on her, wiping the lonesome tears that slip from her eyes, replacing them with the residue of once-saliva-slicked lips.

It's love when you muffle her humiliatingly loud noises with breathtaking pecks, swallowing her sounds and saving them in the depths of your mind.

It's love when your hips speed up per request, when your thumb pushes against her clit because you know she's edging closer and closer.

It's love when she lets herself fall once more, body shuddering as she's blinded by her pleasure, though it might as well be the tears in her eyes.

It's love when you kiss her through it. When you praise her and tell her once more just how much she means to you.

It's love when you clean her up, letting her cuddle close when her mind has finally quieted down enough for her eyes to grow heavy.

And at the very end, she knows it's love when you whisper she'll be your wife one day.

[knoepfl]

A Gift Beneath the Waters

11/24

Characters

• Silco: The calculated and ambitious leader of Zaun, a man hardened by betrayal and responsibility. Beneath his stern exterior lies a rare softness reserved for someone he deeply trusts and values.

• Reader (You): Silco’s partner, someone who sees beyond his intimidating demeanor and strives to bring warmth and care into his life, even amidst the chaos of Zaun.

Trigger Warnings

• Themes of power and control: Silco’s characterization includes his struggles with trust and vulnerability.

• Melancholy atmosphere: The narrative carries a subtle undercurrent of Silco’s burdens and the harsh realities of Zaun.

Masterlist

Words: 768

Christmas.

---

The underground city of Zaun shimmered faintly under the glow of chem-lights and softly glowing trinkets hastily strung along the edges of dilapidated buildings. The air was thick with the usual tang of chemicals, but there was a strange warmth in the atmosphere—a warmth that had nothing to do with the city’s harsh environment.

You weren’t sure how much Silco cared for such traditions. He was a man of ambition and strategy, and he rarely allowed sentimentality to cloud his thoughts. But tonight, you couldn’t help but feel a flutter of excitement. After all, you had gone to great lengths to prepare something for him, a small token to show him that, despite the weight of his responsibilities, he wasn’t alone.

Clutching the carefully wrapped box in your hands, you made your way through the winding corridors of his base. The guards let you pass without question, their stoic faces softening slightly at the sight of you. Silco had made it clear to everyone that you were someone he valued—a rarity in his life.

Pushing open the heavy doors to his office, you found him seated at his desk, a cigar smoldering between his fingers as he reviewed a stack of documents. The faint light from the large window behind him cast an ethereal glow around his silhouette, highlighting the scar that marked his face.

“Busy as ever, I see,” you teased, stepping into the room.

Silco glanced up, his mismatched eyes softening when they met yours. “And what brings you here, my dear?” he asked, his voice smooth, though a hint of curiosity laced his tone.

You held up the box, a playful smile tugging at your lips. “I come bearing gifts.”

He arched an eyebrow, setting his cigar in an ashtray. “A gift? For me?”

“Well, you are the man who runs all of Zaun,” you said, walking closer. “You deserve something special.”

Placing the box on the desk in front of him, you stepped back, your hands clasped nervously behind your back. Silco eyed the package with a mix of intrigue and amusement before carefully peeling back the wrapping.

Inside was a sleek, silver pocketknife, its blade engraved with intricate patterns that resembled the flow of water. The handle was smooth and dark, etched with the unmistakable shimmer of hextech.

“It’s beautiful,” he murmured, picking it up and examining it under the light.

“There’s more,” you said softly, gesturing for him to look closer.

He turned the knife over and saw the inscription on the blade: ‘For the man who fights the tides and rises above.’

Silco’s lips parted slightly, his fingers brushing over the words. For a man who had built his life on strength and control, there was a flicker of vulnerability in his expression, a momentary crack in his armor.

“I thought…” you began, your voice faltering slightly. “I thought you could use something personal. Something just for you.”

He set the knife down and rose from his chair, his sharp eyes locking onto yours. “You went through all this trouble for me?”

“Of course,” you replied, your cheeks warming under his intense gaze. “You do so much for everyone else, Silco. You deserve something to remind you of how extraordinary you are.”

A slow, genuine smile curved his lips—a rare sight, reserved only for you. He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to cup your cheek.

“You continue to surprise me,” he said, his voice low and filled with a depth that made your heart flutter. “In a world filled with betrayal and greed, you bring… light.”

You laughed softly, leaning into his touch. “Don’t go soft on me now, Silco. It’s just a knife.”

“It’s more than that,” he replied, his thumb brushing against your skin. “It’s a reminder that I am not alone. That I have you.”

Your breath hitched as his words settled over you, heavy with meaning. You reached up, covering his hand with yours.

“You’ll always have me,” you whispered.

For a moment, the chaos of Zaun faded into the background. Silco leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to your forehead, then another to your lips—a kiss that spoke of trust, admiration, and something deeper, something he rarely allowed himself to feel.

“Merry Christmas,” you murmured against his lips.

“Merry Christmas,” he echoed, his voice a quiet promise.

The night passed in a rare stillness, the two of you wrapped in the warmth of each other’s presence. And though the city outside churned on in its endless struggle, here, in the glow of his office, Silco allowed himself to feel something he rarely did: peace.

---

[fuck-customers]

I work in a Dutch store where we are still allowed to sell tobacco products. For context, selling tobacco in the Netherlands had become limited to where you are not allowed to have it on display and only speciality stores and gas stations are allowed to sell it. The thing that had started to frustrate me to no end are those customers who come in and ask me for cigars. When I ask them which ones, they don't know. Unable to recall a brand, even if the cigars are cigarillos, senoritas etc. Often I just get the "well they were in a wooden box" out of them. Okay, congratulations, that leaves out maybe 3 kinds of cigars from the 30+ that we sell. How hard is it to bring the old package or at least make a photo? These are often also the people who buy them for themselves. How do you not know what you smoke?!

Posted by admin Rodney

[onelittlespiral]

Hey hi! I've heard you've got some kind of offer or sale going on, not too sure what its about but I'd like to buy your services. My best friend is a bit of ladiesman jock type and he keeps complaining he can't find a good relationship. So I wanted to know if you could maybe turn him into less ladiesman and more men's man, maybe daddying him up a bit? So i could maybe get a chance with him, and he'd get the relationship he wants.

Subject: Order #100714

Dear Dopple,

Thank you for your recent purchase from The Spiral, home for all your transformation needs! Your order #100714 has been received and is on its way as we speak. Your order includes:

(1) Daddy_From_Friend(Best;Jock)

(1) Mystery(Self)

Expect delivery in 3-5 days. Please note that joint delivery is expected.

Sincerely,

The Spiral

We knew you’d come around and round and round and round…

It was only a few days later when you heard another notification come through from The Spiral. At the same time, you hear a knock at the door. You were glad for the interruption. It was nice to head over to your friends’s apartment and hang out for the weekend. But if you had to listen to him complain again about how tough the dating market was for a white, straight, good looking guy like him you were going to scream. Glancing at the notification for a package delivery to this address, you realize that it is probably about time for the show to begin. No need to interrupt the process. You dart into the restroom as you hear him pick up the package. As you close the door, a rip is heard outside, and as you lock it, a faint poof is heard. A faint fog creeps under the door crack. It smells like fresh grass and sandalwood. Another notification comes through, as The Spiral provides you with product details:

Due to selected target changes, we have elected for our rapid delivery transformation system to best meet your needs. Upon receipt, subject will open box and full product delivery will commence. A dense cloud of product will be released directly onto target and rapidly absorbed. Your friend will age to around 35, with associated physical changes. His previously smooth, young body will change rapidly. Skin is expected to tan, hairline recede, muscles grow, and body and facial hair develop. As the product is breathed in, expect tastes to change. Your new friend will prefer whiskey and beer drinks, along with the occasional cigar. As mental changes set in, they will find themselves drawn to care and maintenance hobbies, like regular workouts, yard work, renovations, cars, and sports. He will be drawn to jeans and beat up tennis shoes or boots, and only prefer to wear a polo when they must go into the office. At the same time, his mind will be filled with images of men. Men staring at him. Men holding onto him. Men worshiping him. This will start the final change, a libido adjustment. He will feel a deep need to fuck, to control his partners, and leave his seed planted deep inside them. The added girth and heavy sack will ensure he never underperforms. As he adjusts and embraces his new personality, he will settle and seek a single partner to fulfill his needs.

Thank you again for choosing The Spiral

You finish reading and unlock the bathroom door, running from the upstairs bedroom through your friend’s spacious house to meet him on the porch.

He is standing on the porch, a box still in hand, just as described. You didn’t know he could be more handsome, but he has aged like a fine wine. He takes one look at you and simply holds out the package in his hand,

“It’s for you.”

For you? You check the label and he is correct. You grab the box and he crosses his arms, waiting. Unsure what is inside, you open the package.

“Ah, good. Been waiting for these,” he snatches it from your hands and inspects the well-worn frames. You try to turn away, but he catches you in his arms,

“This should make you behave.” He takes the sunglasses and sticks them on your face. In an instant, the world is dark. And then a pair of screens flicker to life. As spiral fills your vision, you try to take them off. But your friend is holding you tight. You can’t resist it’s allure for long. It’s right. You do feel so sleepy. As it counts down from ten, your body begins to sway and relax. But you can’t bring yourself to mind. The spiral knows best. You fade away, held in the warm embrace of release and the strong arms of a man…

You come to laying in a bed that feels familiar and foreign all at once. You scratch at your beard and inspect the scene. Lube is left open on the bedside table. Tank tops, jeans, and boxers are strewn over the floor. A pillow is still wedged under you. Heh, still got it. You wander downstairs as you stretch your muscles and rub some sore muscles from the night before. You find him in the kitchen preparing some eggs. Your love. Your master. Your beast in the sheets. You sneak up behind and wrap your arms around his waist.

“Stop, you’ll make me burn them.”

You don’t listen. You plant a kiss on his cheek. He turns around, spatula in hand, and smacks your ass.

“Act your age, boy.”

Something in that statement hits a trigger. You remember something. A younger body. Slender, taut, pale. A firmer mind. Less corruptible, less controlled. Then, you feel an arm around you.

“You okay, cuz you look faint. Don’t break a hip old man.”

You stare at your husband and the world comes into focus. He smirks and gives you a little growl, and you swoon a little in his arms,

“Give daddy a kiss,” he commands.

You lean forward, pressing your hairy chest against his, and love on your husbear.

“I’m going to finish these eggs. Go set the table and look cute,” he says with a wink. You walk off, dizzy for a new reason. You ignore the buzz in your pocket as you get ready for breakfast.

Subject: Order #100714 Fulfilled

Dear Dopple,

Your order has been fulfilled. We know you have many options, but thank you for supporting The Spiral.

Sincerely,

The Spiral

[loveshotzz]

All I Really Want Is You

older!neighbor!widower! steve x fem!reader chap five/ten - a slow burn series of blurbs - updated every wednesday

Whiskey & Cigars

summary: Trying to keep your promise to thank Steve for fixing your sink, you aren’t expecting him to have company when you show up at his front gate after work.

wc: 5k

warnings: 18+ series for future chapters but none really for this one. Drinking, cigar smoking, flirting and wait.. is that an almost kiss?? 🤭

authors note: the idea of this chapter is what sparked the entire series, i’ve been so excited to write this one and share it with you. I hope you guys love it, we’re half way through so you know what that means? (things actually start happening lol) But Leighanne, I want to date this older!eddie too! Guess what? You can in @carolmunson ‘s orange colored sky 🧡

🌇 <- chapter four ->chapter six

The Masterlist / The Playlist / The tune:

The box of tacos is warm in your hands, the package of cannoli’s you snagged on your way home from work moving around in your backpack as you step off the train. You take a shaky breath as you make your way towards your block, your feet taking you to his house. The nerves of him not expecting you has you talking yourself off the ledge the entire walk. Does he really like fish tacos? Was he just trying to be nice? What if he’s busy? What if he’s not even home?

Your overthinking is silenced the moment you hit your street, the string lights of his front porch catch in your sight, while the sounds of Eddie Money echo down the steps filling the quiet and hitting your ears. He was home, but he wasn’t alone.

You slow your pace when you get close enough to smell the smoke of his cigar, and hear the deep baritone of his full belly laugh. Another voice chimes in, it’s raspier, darker, and definitely not a woman’s. The unruly pang of jealousy that hits your gut subsides when you reach your apartment and he finally comes into view. 

His hair is messier than you’ve ever seen it, the gray and honey highlights sticking out at the ends like he’s spent the whole night running those big hands through it. His cheeks are flushed with what looks like the end of a fun day with friends, a half smoked cigar tucked between his teeth that show themselves in a wide grin for the man sitting on his porch steps next to him. 

He leans on the top step by his elbows,your thighs pressing together when the silver chain that’s usually hidden under his shirt swings over the soft blue tee that fits tight across chest when he laughs again. His cream jeans are loose fitting, stretching at his thighs with dark gray house slippers on his feet.

The guy next to him is not who you’d expect to find, he looks around the same age, gray streaks shining under the porch light in the dark curls that rest tied back in a loose low hanging bun. His chocolate eyes shine with excitement while ring and tattoo covered hands gesture wildly with his story, the ash at the end of his cigar is dangerously close to falling onto the wood of the porch. 

Steve picks up the ashtray between the two glasses of a dark liquor like it’s second nature, lifting it up for his friend, making you notice the silver chain that dangles around his wrist when he takes the offering. He’s dressed in all black, a contrast to the light colors of Steve’s wardrobe with a pressed Judas Priest band tee that sits half tucked into the tops of his Chino shorts that fall right above his knee. Black socks and black slides covering his feet. 

Bandit’s the first to notice you from his spot on the giant rug by the front door when you reach the gate. His ears perk as he sits up, paws dropping one after the other in excitement. A high pitch whine escapes him, catching Steve’s attention. Steve plucks the cigar from his mouth, looking at Bandit before finally following the dog’s line of sight to you. There was no getting out of this now.

You feel like you won some kind of prize at the size of Steve’s smile, lopsided with rosy cheeks pushed up and eyes crinkling in the corners. He sets his cigar down, ignoring the confused look his friend is giving him before sitting up, running a hand through his hair making it stand on end even more.

“She’s alive!” He does his best impression of Dr. Frankenstein sticking his arms out in front of him and you see the man next to him grimace before taking a puff and turning his attention on to you. Curious dark eyes watch Steve and Bandit go to meet you at the gate. 

“Yes, I somehow survived.” You can’t help but giggle, making the man on the porch shoot his eyebrows up. All the nerve you worked up on the way here is gone when your neighbor gets close enough for you to see the stubble you like so much is back. 

“I hope the Au Cheval burger helped with that,” he breaths with a smirk, his eyes landing on the to go box that’s threatening to succumb to the iron grip in your hand. “Is that what I think it is?”

Too caught up in how his eyes seem to light up when he asks, it takes you a minute to register that he’s talking about the fish tacos in your hand. 

“Oh!! - Sorry - Yes, I didn’t know you had company tonight. I have cannolis in my bag too, I don’t wanna interrupt anything - I can, I can just leave them with you.” Bandit jumps onto the gate while you stutter your words, suddenly feeling sixteen again. The heat of his friend's stare makes you shuffle around in place. 

Steve opens his mouth ready to protest but he’s interrupted before he gets a chance to say anything. 

“Harrington! You gonna invite the pretty girl up for a drink or what?”

The heat rises to your cheeks as you busy yourself with scratching Bandit behind the ear with a free hand. Steve lets out a breath through his nose before pinching the bridge of it. His ears turning red like the cherries on the ends of the cannoli’s in your bag.

“Sorry about my friend.” He takes another beat before he looks up, his eyes smoldering against yours, hope hidden inside the golden specks. “I was going to actually ask you if you’d like to come up for a drink, I promise he’s harmless. He met his wife shopping at Trader Joe’s.” 

You can’t hold back your laugh, not used to seeing this playful side of him- the sipper on his porch loosening up his nerves. His grin spreads wide at your reaction, and he’s opening the gate before you can even respond because he already knows the answer.

“I happen to love Trader Joe’s, Steve.” Narrowing your eyes at him as you make your way in. He takes the opportunity to grab the to-go box from your hands just in time for you to accept Bandit’s big paws.

“Bandit!” He hisses, stealing your move with a roll of his eyes at his rambunctious dog, closing the gate while you keep him distracted. “I’m more of a Whole Foods guy myself.”

“Of course you are,” you scoff with a condescending laugh, desperately trying not to meet the eyes of the man who’s been watching you this whole time.

“What? I like having a beer when I shop. Does that make me an asshole or something?” He tries to defend himself but he only validates you more and he knows it  by the way you smirk at him.

He tries to act offended and not think about how cute it is that you haven’t stopped petting Bandit the whole walk to his front steps.

“Yes, it does make you an asshole.” The raspy voice from before interjects and you can’t hide from his curiosity when you both stop at his feet. A warm smile meets your eyes when you finally look at him, a puff of smoke exhaling through his pierced nose.

Steve’s eye roll is real this time.

“This is Eddie,” he sighs, introducing you to the mystery man, “We’ve been friends since high school, and he’s just jealous he moved to New York where you can’t shop and drink at the same time.”

Your cheeks push up at his banter, all the color in his face seems brighter tonight, his shoulders are relaxed. No longer constricted by a tight work shirt, or weighed down by loneliness - Steve is happy.

“Best friends since high school,” Eddie corrects him, setting his cigar down before opening his hands out for Bandit who abandoned you the second you reached him. 

“Hi,” you greet, trying not to sound as awkward as you feel, silently begging for your next joke to land, “I’m Steve’s neighbor and I hate to break it to you, also Bandit’s new best friend.” 

Eddie snorts, eyes twinkling when he catches the way your lips twitch when you hear Steve’s laugh next to you. 

“I was wondering who he was ditching me for.” He narrows his gaze a little as he sizes Steve up who seems to be focusing on anything but his friend before choosing to set his sights on you. 

“I’m going to go put these in the kitchen for now, I’ll grab you a glass. Thank you for this honey, you really didn’t need to.” His hand reaches out to squeeze your arm like after your hug the other morning. Goosebumps form under his palm when his thumb rubs the softness of your skin gently before letting go.

“It’s the least I could do, seriously you’ve been such a help.” You take your backpack off, the breeze making your shirt unstick from your back. “Don’t forget the cannoli’s.”

“Cannoli’s too? My, my Stevie boy. You must be quite the neighbor,” his friend chimes in, picking up his cigar again.

“Eddie,” Steve scolds just like he did Bandit, grabbing the pastries from you with an apologetic look that you wave off.

He stomps as he makes his way up the steps shooting his friend a glare. Eddie just smirks around the tobacco, leaning back with a raise of his eyebrows and a shrug.

The front door sounds heavy when it closes behind Steve, leaving the two of you alone. It’s quiet, but not for long, the gears in his head moving as he chooses his words before speaking. The crickets chirping in the grass and the hum of distant cars make your palms sweat.

“He must’ve done something real nice to get his favorite dessert hand delivered by his pretty next door neighbor.”

Your gaze narrows, a small smirk forming.

“I never told you I lived next door.” 

Eddie’s smooth facade cracks for a minute when he realizes he gave away what he already knew about you, letting you know that Steve must talk about you.

“He fixed my sink if you must know,” you tease, letting him off the hook, unable to hold back the smile that takes over your face when he barks out a loud laugh.

“How neighborly of him,” he hums around his cigar. 

The door’s opening before the conversation can go any further, a glass of the same dark liquor they’re drinking in Steve’s hand. Eddie catches the slight wrinkle of your nose at it chuckling to himself when you shoot him a look.

“I see he didn’t scare you off yet. That’s great.” Steve grins at the tattooed man, who smiles back with his teeth.

“I don’t know if I could have lasted much longer,” you sigh with fake annoyance, taking the glass from Steve, your stomach going off like fireworks on the fourth of july when your fingers brush, “Thank god you’re back.” 

The laugh you earn has you wanting to make him do it again.

“Why don’t you take a drink of that delicious Johnny Walker Blue label I saw you eyeing when he brought it out?” Eddie raises his glass in a silent challenge. 

Steve’s brows furrow when he looks at his friend in confusion, missing the way you’re scolding Eddie from behind his back.

“I would love to, Eddie, I thought you’d never ask.” You raise your glass in acceptance, already regretting it.

Placing the crystal to your glossed lip, the smell of it makes your gut churn with flashes of your hangover from the other night. You watch the realization wash over Steve’s face when the liquor hits your tongue in the smallest of sips.

“Oh no, that’s probably not what you want to drink after the other night, huh?” His concern dares to crumble when his lips twitch as he tries not to smile. 

“Don’t look at me like that Steve!” Your own smile breaks through your embarrassment.

“Jesus Harrington, go take your girl to get something she’ll actually enjoy,” Eddie laughs, extending his hand out to take your glass, his own now empty. 

Your girl. That’s my girl. Your face and neck heat up at the words again.

“It’s fine! This is okay, I can drink it!” You try to drive your point home by taking another sip, just for your face to give you away again.

“Honey,” Steve chuckles, taking the glass from your hands. “You don’t have to pretend to like it. I’m not offended.”

“I’m sorry, I just usually like something a little bit sweeter.” Your confession makes Steve’s cheeks dust pink.

“Of course you do.”

Steve’s place is intimidating, the overhead pendant light is dim in the entryway. Big paintings hang in perfect placements along his light gray walls that lead up a dark stained wooden staircase. The music is quieter inside, the smell of cedar hitting your nose from the crackling candle he has lit in the living room that you only get a small glimpse of as he leads you to his kitchen. 

He flips the middle switch and only one set of overhead lights turn on, matching the mood of the rest of the house. You take in the giant island in the middle of the kitchen, white paneling that matches the tile below your feet, topped with black marble that sparkles under the low light. The box of cannolis you brought him sits in the middle.

He stops at the stainless steel fridge, shoulder blades moving under his shirt when he opens the door with a firm grip that makes his forearm flex, the harsh brightness polluting the dark. You both squint for a second letting your eyes adjust, the low hum of the fridge drowns out the way your heart beats in your chest.

You were in his house. 

“Are you a margarita girl?” His voice is too smooth to startle you, something softer in it like this. His eyes meet yours with a lopsided grin in an attempt to soothe your obvious nerves. 

“Depends on if you have salt for the rim.” Letting your back hit the countertop, you fake difficulty. 

“Do I have salt for the rim? Please, honey. I’m not in my twenties.” He scoffs shutting the fridge with a lime and what looks like a homemade mixer in hand. The way you giggle for him makes him feel like he might have a chance.

“I’m just making sure is all.” You roll your eyes at him for the first time tonight, and he can’t wait to make you do it again. Addicted to the smile you try to hide, always giving yourself away.

“I’ll make it how you like it.” 

He walks towards you, invading your space just enough to smell the way the spice of his cologne mixes with the expensive whiskey on his breath. Freeing his hands of the ingredients he looks down the hard line of his nose, glazed mossy eyes taking in your face like he’s never got to really do it like this before. The wild stray falls loose and your hand twitches at your side wanting to be the one to brush it away from his forehead this time.

“I promise.”

The twitch of his lips lets you know he heard your breath catch before walking away to get you a glass and a shaker. You exhale through your nose when you get a break from his attention. Was this happening? Was he flirting?

There’s a salt rimmed glass filled with crushed ice in his hands when he comes back, too lost in your own head you didn’t even hear him do all of that. He gets close enough for his shoulder to brush against yours, the tension making your fingertips buzz. 

“This okay?” He asks, eyes avoiding yours as he slices the lime. “You zoned out a little, just want to make sure you feel comfortable is all.”

“Yeah - I - sorry, I kinda get lost in my own head sometimes.” You turn your body to face him, admiring the sharp lines of his jaw from the side, the hint of crows feet from years of laughter that meet the tip of his high cheek bone, the never ending expanse of freckles and moles that dot his skin. “I mean I could have kept those cannolis for myself and left, so what do you think?”

He snorts through his nose, measuring out the shot before pouring it in the glass.

“I ate one already.” He looks at you from the corner of his eye like a boy who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “I couldn’t help it.”

“Steve! Dessert before dinner? What are you on vacation or something?” Your laugh makes his face light up, pouring the mixer a little heavy handed just for you.

“What can I say? I was craving something sweet." He makes sure to look at you when he says it, begging you to catch the double meaning before dumping everything into a silver shaker.

His eyes watch the way your bottom lip tucks between your teeth at his words to try and hide your smile before he starts the loud process of mixing your drink. You don’t look away from him this time, holding his stare. It pours out smooth over the ice when he’s done, squeezing another slice of lime for good measure over the top. Pushing it towards you, he leans on the counter with his elbow to watch.

“Let’s see what you think.”

You give him your best poker face, your fingers wrapping around the now chilled glass. Pieces of salt fall off the rim when you bring it to your lips. He straightens up, grinning proudly at the way your brows marry together when it hits your tongue. You can barely taste the tequila, the sweetness of the mixer hiding all evidence while the sour of the lime balances the whole thing out. It was the best margarita you’d ever had.

“Wow,” you finally get out after you’ve had enough, only to have part of your sip dribble down onto your chin. 

“Careful.” He chuckles, taking the glass from you, his eyes meeting yours with something unknown swimming in them. 

He gets closer — close enough to feel the heat of his breath fan across your lips, for the tips of his slippers to touch the tops of your sneakers. Your favorite stray still taunts you, begs you to take care of it but it’s his hand that raises first. The pad of his thumb swiping across your chin, cleaning up what you left behind. 

“Is it sweet enough for you tough girl?” His voice comes out low, a question just for your ears. 

Your answer is lost on the tip of your tongue when he brings his thumb to his mouth. Pink lips wrapping around it before sucking it clean. 

“Steve - “ your fingers go to hook in his belt loops, your body demanding him closer before your brain can stop the movements.

“Hone-“ he starts, but someone clears their throat in the doorway.

Your hands drop expecting to hear the deep tenor of Eddie’s voice, only to be met with the silky softness of a woman’s.

“Steven! Who is this??” It comes out sweet like the drink he made, and it makes the man in front of you sigh. Whatever was going to happen is gone. 

“This is my neighbor.” He gives, not trying to hide his annoyance, and when you turn around it only seems to make her smile more.

“This is Eddie’s wife Peach.” Steve introduces, finally running a hand through his hair and you can’t help the pang of jealousy that you didn’t get to do it. 

Peach smiles brightly at you, extending a dainty hand and the rock on her wedding ring catches in the overhead light. She’s gorgeous and almost out of his league, but the way she gives Steve the same knowing eyebrow wiggle makes you realize quickly they’re a match made in heaven.

“Well now I want a margarita Steve.” She crosses her arms winking at you, relishing in the groan Steve gives her.

He wanted to kiss you, but bargained with himself that maybe this was the universe giving him the sign that it wasn’t time yet.

“Do you mind if I use your bathroom?” You don’t mean for it to sound so shy when it comes out of your mouth, but you needed a minute alone to catch your breath. 

“Yeah of course honey, it’s just down the hall right past the staircase.” He points down the doorway you both came from, grabbing your fingers and squeezing gently before busying himself with making another drink.

You're halfway down the hallway when you hear Peaches in the kitchen.

“That’s her??”

The bathroom is smaller than you thought it’d be. It’s only a half, meant for guest use, that part is obvious with the lack of a shower inside. It’s still nicer than the one in your one bedroom, the crisp white towels that hang on silver racks look almost untouched. The deep stone sink in front of the mirror makes you feel like you’re in a spa. 

You stare at yourself in the big oval mirror. He was going to kiss you, right?

You can hear the faint sounds of the two of them talking in the kitchen, choosing to stay hidden until the rate of your heart slows down to something less likely to make you pass out. Their feet shuffle against the wooden floor by the entryway before the sound of the front door opening hits your ears.

The light knock on the bathroom door makes you jump, his voice slipping through the cracks of it.

“Hey sweetheart, we’re going back to the porch. I’ve got your drink whenever you come out.” There’s a hint of worry in his tone, was he thinking about it too?

“I’ll be out in just a sec!” 

He lingers by the door for a minute before you hear his heavy steps head outside. You take one more look at yourself in the mirror, straightening out your work shirt, and pulling down the ends of your skirt before turning around to check from behind. 

“Okay, you’re cool. Just be cool. He was totally gonna kiss you and that’s fine,” you whisper to yourself before checking your breath just in case it happens again. 

Your hand lingers on the door knob for a second before you finally work up enough courage to face him again.

🌃🌃🌃

The front door is cracked open when you emerge from the bathroom, their voices battling over the low playing music inside.

“What do you mean you haven’t asked her for her number yet Steve?” Eddie’s question makes you stop in your tracks.

“Can you talk any louder?” Steve half whispers and half yells, making Peach giggle. 

“It’s obvious you both are into each other -“ Eddie starts again only to be cut off by his wife.

“I swear they were about to kiss in the kitchen, Ed.” 

The way Steve stays quiet tells you that it wasn’t just in your head.

“Look, I just - I don’t know.” He sighs deeply, and you can practically see the way he’s probably running a stressed hand through his hair.

“Steve..” his best friend's tone goes soft, “It’s been long enough, you’re not a bad person for having feelings for someone again. You and I both know Emma would want that for you. I see the way you look at this girl, I haven’t seen you look at someone like that in over a decade.” 

Since his wife.

Steve laughs a little and you hear the ice in his cup clink against the glass signaling him taking a drink before he answers, “Yeah, I know.”

There’s a second of silence and you wonder what his face looks like right now. 

“Look, you’re going on that camping trip next week right? Ask her to water your plants or something while you’re gone, then you can get her number that way. That’s less scary right?” The teasing edge to Peach’s words are gone, she’s gentle with the way she speaks to him.

“Yeah, I mean, that’s a normal thing neighbors ask right?” 

“Totally!” Eddie chimes in enthusiastically making you have to muffle your giggle.

You decide to open and close the bathroom door again to alert them of your presence when you feel like your eavesdropping has gone on long enough. 

Steve clears his throat and you catch the end of his silent scolding to his friends when you step outside. He smiles but there’s something missing from it when he holds up your drink from his place on the porch swing, Bandit curled up at his feet. 

“There she is!” He teases, desperately trying to bring the mood back to what it was before.

“I didn’t fall in if you can believe it,” your response comes out more awkward than intended, laughing nervously while taking your drink. You wonder if it’s obvious that you heard everything when you dare to take the spot next to him. Thighs and shoulders pressing together, your mind races with the new information.

Steve, your handsome older neighbor, the one who works for the Cubs, the one who drives a BMW to work every morning, the guy who fixes your sink and sends you dorky notes likes you. The weight of his guilt is the only thing holding him back from making a real move and it’s hard for you to wrap your head around the fact that the silly crush you’d been harboring is returned.

“Didn’t anyone tell you not to comment on how long a lady’s in the bathroom Harrington?” Eddie teases breaking the ice, making Steve flush deep crimson from his neck to his ears.

“That’s not - that’s not what I meant,” he grumbles inside his glass, the smooth confidence from inside the kitchen now gone.

You squeeze his knee gently with a giggle, the thick hair tickling your palm. 

Eddie takes control of the conversation for the rest of the time it takes you to finish your drink, Peach interjecting every now and then to roast him when he’s telling a story wrong. You half listen to as much of it all as you can, but it’s hard to focus when you can feel the way Steve keeps looking at you from the corner of his eye, turning away everytime you go to meet his gaze. 

He keeps his thigh pressed to yours despite there being more than enough room on the swing, the sides of your feet tapping together on the porch. The heat of his body and the strength of the nice tequila hit after a long day all at once, a yawn escaping you in the middle of another one of Eddie’s bike trip stories.

“If I’m boring you just say something, jeez,” Eddie teases, a warm smile spread over his plump lips.

“Sorry!” Embarrassment warms your cheeks, feeling everyone’s eyes on you, “It’s just been a long day at work and I think the late night is just hitting me.”

“I’m teasing, kid. I have stories like these that I could tell for weeks. Go get some sleep.” He pulls his wife deeper into his side, her eyelids droopy like yours. “I think the Mrs is ready too anyway.”

Steve’s hand spreads over your back, the warmth of his palm rubbing up and down the dip of your spine making you hum.

“I’ll walk you home honey.”

🌃🌃🌃

Your staircase feels never ending, both of you slightly out of breath when you get to the top. Turning around at your front door to face him, both of you smile, trying not to laugh at the sheen of sweat on your foreheads. 

“That seemed harder that time, no?” Steve breaks the silence sounding winded.

“I think maybe it has something to do with the liquor and the pastries, but I could be wrong.”

His laugh is booming, making you giggle while you try to shush him out of courtesy of your neighbors who are fast asleep. 

“Sorry, sorry!” He whispers, a smirk that tells you he’s really not tugging at his lips, his eyes meeting yours the way they did in the kitchen.

You don’t know when he got this close or how your back ended up pressed against your front door. It’s silent between you, but the comfortable kind. Words not ready to be said out loud being exchanged through looks and the tips of his fingers brushing against yours.

“Thank you again for bringing me dinner, that was very sweet of you.” His voice is soft like his touches.

“It’s not a problem. It’s the least I could do really.” You look up at him from under your lashes, you’re ready for what was meant to happen in the kitchen now.

He hums a little to himself, interlacing your fingers with his. His eyebrows knitting together like he’s deep in thought. 

“Listen, I’m going on this camping trip next week with Bandit. Peaches would kill me if I let those plants die, maybe you wouldn’t mind coming by once to water them? I can give you my number, that way you know, we can talk about details or if something else breaks in your apartment.” He lets out a shaky laugh, and you squeeze his hand in reassurance.

“Gimme your phone Steve.”

His eyes widen and you can’t believe he’s shocked you said yes. He lets go of you to dig it out of his pocket, and you try to stifle a laugh at how frantic he seems.

You save your number under Tough Girl before handing it back to him with your bottom lip tucked between your teeth watching the way it makes his cheeks turn red when he reads it.

“I’ll - um text you with the dates,” he stutters a little slowly, backing away. 

“You could also just text me.” You shrug and it makes him miss the top step, catching himself on the railing. 

“Good to know.” The smile he gives you knocks the air out of your lungs. “Have a good night, tough girl.”

——

It’s only an hour later when you’re in bed, halfway asleep when you hear your phone buzz next to you. You wonder if he can see the way you smile like an idiot at your bright screen.

--

---

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beta’d by @superblysubpar

dividers by @newlips

eddie munson edit by @eddiemunsons-missingnipple

chapter six

[leila0419]

Why do high-end luxury brands need custom packaging?

Packaging is more than just a packaging, it tells the story of the brand. Custom packaging communicates the brand’s culture, heritage and values, creating an emotional connection with consumers. Narrative packaging design can increase customer loyalty and strengthen the connection between the brand and its audience: https://www.creativepacking.net/industry-news/luxury-brands-need-custom-packaging.html

[edosianorchids901]

And Yet Not Cold

@sherlocktember2024 prompt - "scarlet"

“I have a gift for you,” Watson said suddenly.

Holmes, who had been automatically noting the professions and quirks of each person they passed on their walk, glanced up in surprise. “You have brought a gift for me on our walk?”

“No, no. I mean I have a gift for you back at Baker Street.” Cheeks red, Watson avoided his gaze. “It’s not for any special occasion.”

“Mm.” Uncertain what to say, Holmes simply kept walking. He and Watson were rambling about with arms linked this evening, sharing some little warmth against the chilly wind. “You might have waited an additional week, as Mrs. Hudson is once again enforcing her deeply ingrained belief that we must give each other Christmas gifts.”

Watson chuckled. “Oh, I have something else for you for Christmas. This is something extra. You have been working yourself particularly hard, and I thought you could use something nice. Well, hopefully nice.”

“I see.” Holmes had yet to do his own Christmas shopping. He did enjoy giving Watson gifts, but he preferred practical ones, such as a box of his favorite cigars or a bottle of fine brandy. Last year’s gift, a warm green cloak, was being put to practical use by Watson at this very moment. “Shall we return to Baker Street, then? I am a little cold.”

Watson gave him a knowing look. “Certainly, we may return to Baker Street.”

Holmes flashed a quick smile in response. He was indeed cold, but that was not what compelled him to return. Curiosity overruled all else. He could never resist a mystery.

He contemplated his available data in regard to the unexpected gift, and discovered that he had virtually none. It was likely something somewhat unusual, or else Watson should not be blushing and nervous. Unusual, and emotional or personal?

By the time they reached Baker Street, walking more slowly than they would have done in their younger years, Holmes had still come to no conclusions. This merely made him more eager.

“I hope you like it,” Watson said, and now his voice was taut with anxiety. “It’s all right if you don’t.”

“How could I not like a gift from my Watson?” Holmes said, indignant at the thought. “Deliver it to me this moment.”

Watson chuckled and extracted his arm from Holmes’ grasp, then limped upstairs. Holmes watched him, smiling. They would perhaps at some point require two beds down here, as it was becoming more difficult for Watson to ascend the stairs. Neither of them were young anymore.

On his way down, Watson groaned, but he was beaming as he entered the sitting room with a wrapped box. “Sit down, old man.”

“So I do not collapse from surprise?” Holmes said wryly.

“So you do not collapse from exhaustion.”

“Mm. I am a little tired, admittedly.” Holmes was always tired these days. It did not stop him in his work, although he was certainly not climbing up and down the side of buildings anymore. But on certain days, especially after a long stretch of cases, even a short walk left him breathless.

He sank into his armchair, and Watson promptly set the package in his lap. Watson did not sit, instead watching Holmes with considerable nervousness.

Still catching his breath, Holmes opened the package, and drew out a scarf. It was a rich scarlet, a brighter red than he usually wore, and knitted in somewhat uneven stitches.

“You made this, Watson?” Holmes asked, skimming his fingers across the soft weave.

Watson winced, cheeks going as scarlet as the scarf again. “I did. I know it’s brighter than you normally like, but the lighting in the yarn shop was deceptive. And I’ve only just learned to knit, so it’s—”

“It is excellent, Watson.” Pleased, Holmes turned it over in his hands. “It is certainly a bright scarlet, but I do not mind brightness in my scarves. And you have chosen a perfect yarn, both in weight and in texture.”

Watson half sat, half collapsed with seeming relief in his armchair. “Thank God. I asked Mrs. Hudson to teach me how, and I’m afraid I’m not particularly good at it.”

“Nonsense. You have made a scarf!” Holmes put it on and flashed a smile at Watson’s pleased laugh. “And as my good friend Watson knitted it for me, it shall no doubt be my new favorite.”

Leaning back in his armchair, he picked up his pipe, and Watson did the same. The wind howled outside their sitting room, and Holmes suspected from his observations that snowfall was on its way. But in here, with his new scarf and Watson’s warm company and laughter, he was well fortified against the cold.

[zepskies]

Strong as Blood - Part 2

Pairing: Soldier Boy/Ben x F. Reader

Summary: After you accidentally break through a solid wood table, you know there’s something wrong with you. You begin to have your suspicions, but can you keep it from Ben long enough to find out? 

(In other words: This is the story of how you and Ben discover that you’re pregnant.)

AN: Did you like Part 1? Well, here's Part 2! This two-part fic can be read as stand-alone, but it’s really a bonus sequel to Break Me Down!

(Also, for those of you in the medical field…try to suspend your disbelief on this one. 😅)

Word Count: 6,200

Tags/Warnings: Angst, hurt/comfort, fluff overload.

To find the chronological reading order for the series, check out the series masterlist. ⤵️

💚 Break Me Down

Part 2: “One Year, Forty, and a Hundred”

About a week later, you and Ben told your family the good news.

Your mom, Marie, took Ben’s face in her hands and pressed a delighted motherly kiss on his cheek, and then his forehead.

He very narrowly tolerated it with his usual gruffness, but you knew better. You saw the fond glint well hidden in his eyes, even after Marie released him.

It hadn’t taken her long after meeting Ben to start treating him like a son; always asking about his missions with Supe Affairs, praising a job well done when he had a successful report, and offering a supportive word even when they didn’t quite go his way.

Ben maintained his usual stoic bravado, but you knew he secretly ate up the praise, along with Marie’s genuine, nurturing nature.

Every time you saw your mother, she would give you baked goods in tupperware—for both of you, she claimed. But you noticed they were most often his favorites. You had a feeling she’d won him over early on with her macadamia nut brownies. (She still couldn’t cook worth a damn either, but she’d been taking a baking class.)

So Ben continued to help her do the dishes, even though she insisted he was a guest in her home. He claimed he was doing it so you wouldn’t jump in yourself.

And now we’re family, you had pointed out. Then Ben gifted you with one of those smiles, subtle and pleased, just for you.

You felt somewhat lazy, just sitting at the kitchen table with your sister Luisa. She sat close to you with her arm looped around yours, and she rubbed your lower back, which you now realized had been aching more often. For God’s sake, you hadn’t even realized you were late on your period.

I need to take some time off work, even before this kid gets here, you mused.

Realistically though, you should’ve expected this might happen. You hadn’t ever gotten around to replacing your IUD after you’d gotten it removed a few months ago. And God knew, Ben didn’t know how to pull out. (And he certainly didn’t buy condoms.)

“What’re you hoping for, a boy or a girl?” Louisa asked you and Ben, disrupting the path of your thoughts. You turned to your sister thoughtfully.

She still had her reservations about him, but she seemed to be warming up to your boyfriend a bit more after you told her the news. Especially after Ben had explained one of his plans over dinner.

His first thought was to hire Frank and Loco back as your personal security throughout your pregnancy, and likely even afterwards.

It was a rare time when you didn’t argue with him; the idea made sense, especially if you were going to continue working in Surveillance at Supe Affairs until you went on maternity leave. And, it would just be great to see them again. Frank had already agreed to start on Monday, after giving his polite congratulations.

(You and Ben each got a package in the mail yesterday: a box of bonafide Cuban cigars for him, a maternity body pillow for you, and a hand-crafted toy box for the baby. Inside had been a white noise sound machine to help the baby sleep.)

But now, Ben brightened at Louisa’s question. He crossed his arms and leaned against the kitchen counter.

“A son,” he replied. How brow rose, as if the answer was obvious. “I’ll be able to bring him up right. Strong. Not like these beanie-wearing pussies running the fucking Starbucks.”

“Ben,” you warned. He crossed his arms at you, quite literally standing firm on his stance. But your mother just smiled and pat his arm.

“It’s okay, honey,” she said. “I understand what you mean.”

You raised an incredulous brow.

Oh sure, you thought. She didn’t mind salty language when it was Ben, but God forbid you or Luisa bang a toe in your mother’s presence. Nor did it surprise you that she was agreeing with him.

But then Marie turned to him more earnestly.

“The way you take care of my daughter, I have no doubt you’ll make an excellent father,” she told him.

Ben treated her with a charming smile that showed touches of warmth.

Damn, you thought, as you felt the telltale burn of tears in your eyes. But it wasn’t just about what Marie had said. You had hoped for this one day, but it seemed he was finally making room for your family in his heart too.

“Football. A man’s game,” Ben continued. “I’ll teach him, take him fishing. Everything my old man didn’t bother with, I’ll do it all. Bring him up right…”

As your boyfriend chatted away with your mom, you hid a tendril of worry. You wondered what would happen if the baby turned out to be a girl.

With a glance at your sister, her subtle, raised brows told you she was thinking along the same lines. You sighed and got up; once again, it was time to pee.

Louisa followed you into the hall and laid a hand on your back.

“Hey,” she said. “You know how much I care about you, right?”

“And where’s this going?” you quipped. But you turned around and gave your little sister a half-smile. You knew what she was about to say.

“So what are you going to do about that?” she asked, gesturing to your man in the kitchen. “Mr. Macho wants his prized stud. What happens if he doesn’t get him?”

You sighed. “Ben’s wanted this for a long time. He’s got an idea in his head of what it’s going to be like, and…we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

Louisa’s lips pursed, like she wasn’t quite satisfied with that answer.

“And what about you?” she asked. “How do you feel about this?”

You blinked back at her in slight surprise, but then your expression melted into a soft smile.

“I’m happy, Lou,” you said. Tears welled up in your eyes, yet again. “I’m really happy.” 

Louisa relented then, squeezing your hand. “Good…then good. I’m happy for you too.”

And that was really all you wanted.

“What? You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me,” Ben said, peering harder at the ultrasound. The kind OBGYN faltered, though she again tried to point out that what he was looking at was actually a small foot.

“Congratulations,” she told you both. “She’s the right size for twelve weeks of development. And look there, you can even see the umbilical cord—”

“You sure this thing isn’t on the fritz?” Ben asked, bumping the ultrasound monitor with his hand.

“Ben.” You looked over at him with a glare. “Are you serious right now?”

He looked back over at you, and you saw his stubbornness in his frown and knitted brows.

“I’m just saying—” he started, but you didn’t let him get that far.

“You heard the freakin’ doctor. We’re having a girl,” you snapped. “I’m the one who has the transvaginal probe shoved up inside me, so shut the fuck up!”

Ben’s jaw worked as he barely held himself from barking back at you. It wouldn’t be the first time you levied your smart mouth at him, but it wasn’t often that you disrespected him.

“Excuse me?” he still groused.

His anger got waylaid though. He watched you heave a sigh and blink quickly, so you wouldn’t release the well of frustrated tears building behind your eyes.

The doctor looked between you both warily. You turned to her with watery eyes, and you sniffed to keep your emotions at bay.

“Continue, please.”

When the appointment with the OBGYN was done, you didn’t let Ben help you down from the examining table. Nor did you let him touch you, all the way to the car.

An hour later, you both made it back to the apartment you shared in Scarsdale. You stomped up the stairs ahead of him and beelined into the bedroom. You had half a mind to slam the door in his face, but you didn’t have the energy to be that petty.

Frankly, you were exhausted with a tinge of nausea. But you didn’t know if that was pregnancy sickness, or if you were just that anxious.

You sat down on your side of the bed, and you sighed when you heard Ben’s heavy footsteps enter in behind you.

“All right, that could’ve gone better,” he said. “But look at it from my point of view—”

That nearly unhinged you. Your stomach roiled, but you got to your feet and turned around to face him where he stood by the foot of the bed, arms crossed.

“It’s not all about you,” you shot back. “In case you’ve forgotten, I’m the one carrying this baby. I’m not just a human incubator.”

“I fucking know that,” he retorted, but you raised a hand to silence him.

“And you’re not the only one who’s wanted this,” you said. Against your will, your eyes once again burned with tears as you held yourself. “You know very well what I’ve…that I didn’t have a normal family growing up.”

Ben quieted. His irritation softened around the edges, especially as your voice trembled.

“Don’t you know what it’s going to mean to me to give our child what I didn’t have?” you asked. “Stability, support, and…and love, from both parents?”

Tears slipped down your cheeks. And when he didn’t seem to have anything to say to you, you shook your head and walked away.

Ben let out a heavy breath. He followed you and stopped you in the living room. “Listen—”

“No, you listen,” you snapped, whirling around on him. “I would’ve been content no matter if it was a boy or a girl, and you ruined that today. You really did.”

His gaze briefly fell to the floor, before it met yours again.

“But even with that, I’m still happy,” you said, as your vision became blurry and wet. “I’m so damn happy…and so scared.”

When you finally broke down crying, Ben got a full picture of just how badly he’d fucked this up. He collected you in his arms and guided you to sit with him on the couch. There he held you as you clung to him and wept into his neck.

The longer it went on, the more he felt like an asshole—with the kind of uncomfortable, gut-churning remorse that only you tended to draw from him.

Ben hesitated, but he knew you deserved to hear him say it. (And you probably wouldn’t let this go until he did.)

“Okay, sweetheart, calm down,” he rumbled in your ear. Along with, "…I’m sorry."

The weight of that fell between you for a moment. You nodded, with a sniff, and he slowly rubbed your back.

“You don’t need to be scared,” he said. “My blood’s making you nice and strong.”

Well, technically it was the baby’s blood, and the super genes they held. You shook your head against his neck.

“That’s not it,” you said. “I mean, that’s part of it, I guess. Dr. Baker didn’t do a great job of reassuring me, but she did say that if the strength lasts throughout the birth, she didn’t expect serious complications.”

Fuck. Ben’s hand tightened in your hair. That...was a thought he hadn't considered. It now made his stomach clench, though he remained silent.

He wished you would’ve taken him with you to see Dr. Baker, but he guessed he couldn’t begrudge you for your worries. He knew he'd be having his own talk with the good doctor soon enough.

“I love my mom. She did her best, you know? But I…I’ve had to take care of myself for most of my life,” you explained, with a hand fisted tight in his shirt. “What the hell do I know about being a mom?”

Ben considered that with a frown. He pulled back enough to see your face, tucking his curled fingers beneath your chin so you’d look at him.

“You looked after your sister, didn’t you?” he reminded. “Made sure she was safe, and grew up right. Now you take care of me, like I take care of you… And you got no problem calling me out on my bullshit.”

That got a slight smile out of you. He brushed away another one of your tears with his thumb.

“You’re gonna be great, sweetheart. I never had any doubts about that,” he said, “The truth is, I couldn’t wait to fuck you raw to make this happen.”

You spluttered a laugh then, even though you were still weeping.

“Yeah, I know,” you said with a wry smile, stroking his bearded cheek. You leaned up and kissed the other cheek. He turned his head and went for your lips. The kiss was slow and tender while he held you where you always felt safe.

Ben grasped the hand on his cheek…and an idea flickered through his mind.

He parted from you, only to say, “Wait here.”

Your brows furrowed, and you blinked through wet lashes. “What?”

“Just stay put for me,” he said.

But he didn’t tell you what he was up to as he left you on the couch to duck into the bedroom. You took the time to wipe at your eyes and take some deep, calming breaths.

Ben came back soon after, seemingly empty-handed as he sat down next to you. You gave him a curious look.

He slipped a hand into his pocket. “Just for the record, I’ve had this for a while.”

And he pulled a black velvet box out of his pocket. You let out a shaky breath of surprise. The ring he pulled out wasn’t a flashy, gaudy thing like you half-expected. It actually looked delicate, and vintage, pale gold with filigree around the hexagonal stone. It glittered, even in the dim lamplight. 

“Where’d you find that?” you asked. But somehow, looking into his eyes, you knew what this was. 

“Besides those old pictures, the only thing I’ve got left of my mother is right here,” he said, holding up the ring for you. More burgeoning tears fell down your cheeks as your heart constricted. 

“Marry me,” he said, rubbing his thumb across the back of your hand. 

Despite yourself, a smile raised the corner of your mouth. “Hmm, I don’t know. Is that a question?”

Ben released a breath. Reluctantly, he smirked.

“Fucking figures that you’d make this difficult,” he said.

“You’re the one who fumbled at the goal line, Romeo,” you replied cheekily.

You then gestured at the ground in front of you. He raised a brow.

But, he obliged your demands, making a show of sliding from the couch, down to the ground. He parted your jean-clad knees so he could move in between them. He knelt one knee on the hard wood, and once again took your hand.

Ben somehow hesitated on the question, even though you both were hanging on his words. With your free hand, you smoothed his hair away from his eyes, subtly encouraging him. 

“If I had to go back, do it all over again,” he said, “I wouldn’t have done a damn thing different.”

You frowned at him. “Really?”

“That’s right,” he said. “Because I’m right where I want to be.”

You teared up all over again when you realized what he was really saying. You laid a hand on his chest, where his fiercest power resided. He squeezed the hand he held. 

“So what’s it gonna be, sweetheart. Will you marry me?” Ben asked. His smirk was almost boyish, despite his age. And yet, it was so very him.

You reached out with your free hand and slid your fingers through his hair, resting it at the back of his neck.  

“Yeah,” you agreed, with a beaming smile. “Let’s do it.”

He slipped the ring on your finger, where it fit well. And it was now the most beautiful thing you owned, not only for its shining beauty.

You pulled him in for a kiss. His hands burned up your thighs, squeezing your hips. But again, he hesitated. His lips pulled away from yours as his hand moved to brush your belly. It was already brimming with life. He’d seen the images, heard the heartbeat.  

“Thank you,” Ben said. His voice was deep and gruff.

You smiled. With a nod, you held him to you, laying a sweet path of kisses from his cheek, down to his neck.

“I love you,” you said.

He just nodded in response. His throat was tight at the moment. But you wouldn’t let him get off that easy.

“Say it,” you jostled him in your arms. “I’m only growing a super melon for you.” 

It earned you an amused look from him. 

“I love you too,” he said. His voice was a bit coarse, and laden with rare emotion. You pulled him into a stronger hug, which soon became him dragging you into his lap when he raised himself up onto to the couch. You took his face in your hands. 

“See? We made it here,” you teased. You knew he remembered the conversation you two had a few months ago, about waiting a little while to take this next step in your relationship. To have a family.  

“Soon. Not someday,” he’d told you. And you’d agreed.

You reminded him of it now while you stroked his face. “I promised you, didn’t I?”

He snorted at that. “You sure took your fucking time with that one, huh?”

“Excuse me?” you retorted.

Ben pulled you into a kiss before you could truly get going. Arguing with him was one of the things you did best.

But what you two ended up doing on the couch was second to none.  

A few months later…

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Ben said. His tone was edged, his brows crunching. “What kind of development?”

You curled a hand around his wrist, shooting him a calming look before you returned your attention to Dr. Baker.

“What do you mean, Tonya?” you asked. Your other hand continued to rest over your belly.

At the seven-month mark of your pregnancy, you felt like you were beginning to resemble a parade float as you sat on the medical examining table in the doctor’s office. But you were grateful for Ben’s warm hand spanning the small of your back. It gave you stability as a coil of anxiety began to bloom in your chest.

Dr. Baker reviewed her charts once more. You didn’t like that gleam of scientific interest in her eye while she perused the data, then looked up at you and Ben from her narrow-framed glasses.

“Not with the baby. She’s doing very well,” she said.

That gave you a measure of immense relief.

“The development concerns you,” she clarified, meeting your gaze. “As you know, we’ve been monitoring you very closely.”

You nodded. The weekly checkups and monthly blood panels served to both soothe and increase your anxiety, but you knew that it made Ben feel better, that you were being taken care of in this aspect of your pregnancy.

To government knowledge, no one other than Becca Butcher had ever gone through a pregnancy of this nature. And Homelander had been created in a lab. This was breaking somewhat new ground (which was only in the top five of “things that made you nervous.”)

“I found something…interesting in your bloodwork,” said Dr. Baker. She pulled out two charts from her files and clipped them onto her whiteboard for you and Ben to see. They looked virtually the same, with one graph’s red bars slightly lower than the first.

“What’s that?” Ben asked.

“It’s your wife’s cell regeneration levels,” the doctor replied, pointing to the second graph. “Hers have become almost as high as yours.”

She pointed to the first graph for comparison. You leaned in closer to see as your eyes widened. With the weight of your belly making you off balance, you nearly slid off the examining table. Ben noticed and caught you quick. His arms came around you, though as the news donned on him, his face slid into shock.

“What?” he uttered.

“That’s got to be because of the baby,” you reasoned. “Is it…just temporary? Like the super strength.”

Even that was somewhat intermittent. Some days, you felt your aches and pains and experienced morning sickness and food aversions, like any other pregnant woman. On others, you were able to lift one side of the couch one-handed and vacuum up the dust bunnies underneath it.

“I believe that blood transfusion, as well as your pregnancy greatly accelerated the effects, but no, this isn’t an isolated incident.” Dr. Baker shook her head. “Your DNA has mutated.”

“Are you serious?” you nearly choked out. She nodded. Dr. Baker never joked.

“By my calculations, this process started before you conceived. Over the course of the past year, or more,” she explained. “Do you understand what this means?”

“Y-Yes, I think so,” you said. Your hand squeezed over Ben’s; it was the hand that carried the weight of your gold wedding bands. A lump of emotion rose in your throat. “It means…I’m going to heal from injuries quicker than normal. And…I’m not going to age like a normal person.”

“That’s likely correct,” she replied.  

That news fell in the room like a stone. You shared a wide-eyed look with Ben. Neither of you knew quite what to think just yet. Even though he was trying to maintain an even-keel expression, you could see his eyes were beginning to brighten with hope. Yours were too…though you were still confused.

“How the hell is this possible?” you asked. “I mean, Ben gave me his blood for a transfusion. But like you said, that was one time, two years ago now. And you said the pregnancy accelerated this, but that’s not how it started…”

Dr. Baker actually smiled. You didn’t like the wry turn of her lips. She crossed her legs where she sat at her desk and tapped her clipboard with her pen.

“How often would you say you two have sex?” she asked.

That was certainly not where you thought this conversation was going. You couldn’t help but blush.

“How is that even remotely relevant?” you asked.

You glanced at your husband, who merely gave you one of his smug smirks, while his thumb stroked your side. Fucking typical. 

“Once a week?” the doctor prompted.

Your face heated up further, and you had to cover your mouth with a hand. Your sex life wasn’t quite as…vivacious as it had been since before you’d gotten pregnant, but it was still a good one, even with your growing size. Ben was nothing if not creative.  

And you were still newlyweds, after all.

“Assume we’re doing a healthy amount of fucking, doc,” Ben remarked.

You gasped and hit his thigh, and finally covered your whole face in thorough embarrassment. He just smirked and took your hand so you couldn’t hide. It amused him that you still got like this.

He then pressed a kiss to the back of your fingers.

You sighed and held his hand back. I chose this man. Remember that.

“Again, what does that have to with this?” you asked, your voice a bit higher.

Dr. Baker’s lips flickered at another one of those smiles. “Well, how often did you use condoms over the past two years?”

You and Ben both snorted in response.

“He’s morally opposed to them, doctor,” you said dryly.

She nodded. “I assumed as much.”

Once again, Ben smirked, but Dr. Baker plowed ahead.

“Let me explain it this way,” she said. “Think of how HIV spreads sexually. The infected DNA is transmitted, and it eventually hits the partner’s bloodstream, affecting the entire body. What we have here is a similar case…if for the fact that this was a gradual effect, over the course of several months.”

Ben blinked, and a frown also tugged down his brows.

“Are you saying that I gave her my superpowers…like an STD?” he asked.

Your eyes became as wide as saucers.

Holy shit! you thought, and another one occurred to you. If this all started from the first time you and Ben ever had sex…then that was over two years of being dosed with literal super sperm.

“Not quite,” Dr. Baker said to him. “Just the essence of what sets your DNA apart, even from other supes.”

“Right. Because how the hell hasn’t this happened to anyone else who’s normal?” you asked. “What makes Ben different?”

Dr. Baker finally set down her pen. She folded her hands in her lap to address you with a patience that you didn’t often see from her.

“Remember, the serum he received was still a prototype,” she said. “Vought continued to refine the recipe after the ‘Soldier Boy’ project was successful. For example, the way his cells regenerate is one of those factors that needed to be weeded out, if Compound V was to be a successful product in the long-term.”

You nodded slowly, as that made sense to you. If every supe suddenly lived over a hundred years, it would make it pretty hard to secretly inject that shit into newborns. They had to package it in a more insidious way.

“This is an unpredictable outcome of your exposure to his unique genetic makeup,” Dr. Baker continued, “and there may very well be more to come in the future.”

You weren’t sure how to take that potentially foreboding news, but on the other hand…

“Oh my God! I’m going to live to be a hundred,” you said, holding tighter onto Ben as shock began to make you tremble. His grip was firm and steadying in response. And yet, his face betrayed how he was trying to process this as well.

“Likely much longer than that,” Dr. Baker said, shocking you even further. And she reminded, “Your cells aren’t regenerating at quite the same rate as his…but it is close.”

Again, holy fucking shit.

You let out a halting breath, and you looked up at Ben, a smile growing across your face. You reached up a hand for his bearded cheek. He looked down on you with his usual stoicism, but it was merely a front. You saw through to the true emotions shining in his eyes.

“Well, looks like you’re stuck with me, baby,” you said, even as your own eyes stung with tears. Your heart felt full to the brim, and even overflowing. If this was what it took to be with your husband, then altering your genetics was a price you were willing to pay…at least in this way.

Though you gave him a more teasing smile. “You’re not gonna be able to welch out of that ‘til death do us part thing. So cancel the caravan of blow and strippers.”

Ben chuckled deeply. He held your hand and stroked the inside of your wrist. For a moment, he just looked down at your face. It had become a bit more rounded with your pregnancy—thighs and arms (and ass) thicker too. And to him, you were still perfectly his.  

“Fine by me. You’ve got something they don’t, anyway,” he said. He remembered the same words he’d said to you just a year ago, in the bed he still shared with you.

Your eyes gleamed with amusement, and so much more. You played along.

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” you asked.

He smirked. “You’ve got a supe STD.”

Your eyes widened at his audacity, but you burst out laughing and hit his shoulder.

“Yeah, from you,” you quipped back. “I should’ve known you were carrying something.”

The two of you didn’t know it, but that was when Dr. Baker smiled to herself. She decided then to leave the room, giving you some privacy as Ben laughed and framed your face with his hands.

His thumbs brushed against your cheeks, catching stray tears as they fell. You bit your lip as your glassy eyes met his once more. Ben became more serious as he let out a sigh.

“It’s not gonna be easy,” he reminded you. “Your family, your friends…they’re going to change, and you’re going to stay the same.”

Your excitement dimmed as that realization hit you. Your hands clenched in his shirt, over his chest. You thought about your mom, your sister, Yvette and Devon, Annie and Hughie and the rest of the team (even Butcher, you would miss).

“Yeah…that part’s not gonna be fun,” you said with a heavy, tremulous sigh. Your heart clenched at the very thought of them growing old, leaving you behind.

But your gaze eventually drew back up to him. You wondered then, not for the first time, how it must’ve been for him. For his parents to grow old and pass on long before him. For childhood friends, old lovers…

“Do you know what I worried about when we got married?” you asked.

Ben’s hands traveled down from your face, down your arms, to finally rest at your waist and thigh. He stared back at you expectantly.

“When you first told me you loved me, you said you were holding back the truth. Because you thought that one day, you’d be alone again,” you said, stroking his chest. “That honestly broke my heart. And it made me wonder if I was selfish to be with you anyway.”

Ben frowned, but you shook your head before he could respond.

“I told myself that after the baby was born, I’d go to Dr. Baker and ask her to find a way to make this happen,” you said. Another smile grew across your face. “But guess what? We figured it out all on our own, super stud.”

Ben smiled then, huffing in amusement as he thumbed at your cheek. You couldn’t really understand the full force of his relief. It might’ve threatened to buckle him into a seat, if he had been standing.

But now, he struggled with the warmth in his chest that for once, had nothing to do with his powers. He moved in to tug you into his arms, and he let out a long breath through his nose.

You couldn’t see how his eyes closed, but you felt his lips press against your forehead. You held him close. Or as closely as you could with your belly getting in between.

You rubbed his back and rested against his chest, hearing the calming, steady sound of his heart beating under your ear.  

“And at this rate, I might even live longer than you,” you teased. “After all, you got a head start. Compared to you, I’m still a hot young thing.”

Ben snorted and shook his head. “All right. Now you’re pushing it.”

You smirked into his chest.

“I’ll have to figure out where you rent those caravans.”

“For fuck’s sake,” he muttered. At the sound of your giggle, he couldn’t help but smile.

He still swatted you on the ass though.

A couple more months later…

He smelled like cigar smoke. For which you had no doubt, Ben had been puffing away with Frank and M.M. outside the hospital. 

The team of doctors (led by Dr. Baker) had finally left you alone with your husband, allowing you to take your first relaxed breath of the day.

“Your mom and your sister are waiting. Blondie and the others are out there too,” he said quietly, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “My girl’s got a whole possy of bitches.” 

You assumed he meant Annie and the rest of the team.

You shot him a look, but you were careful not to disturb the sleeping newborn resting on your chest, in the crook of your arm.  

“They’re my friends, babe,” you whispered. “And they’re your friends now too, you just don’t want to admit it.”

Ben didn’t acknowledge that, but he laid a hand on your shoulder as he sat down on the edge of your hospital bed.

“How’re you doin’, sweetheart?” he asked. “Got everything you need?”

He’d become even more protective, but also very sweet to you in these past several months. More so than you’d thought him capable of, but it warmed you every time, when you considered how rough, how stoic, and how damn-near emotionally repressed he was not so very long ago.

It seemed that fatherhood was beginning to soften him, even before he began. You quirked a smile at the thought, and at his question.

“Imagine pushing a super melon out of your dick. That’s how I’m doing,” you said, tired but still cheeky as ever.

He snorted a bit loudly at that, and you shushed him, as if it wasn’t your fault he was laughing. He expected nothing less from you.

“But I’m okay,” you answered his second question. “All I need right now is you.”

Ben considered you for a moment, a slightly softer smile curving his lips, and he nodded.

“All right,” he said.

Your daughter woke and began to squirm in your arms, prompting Ben to look down at the bundle wrapped in a soft pink blanket. Gently as possible, he brushed the tuft of downy brown hair on her head. His hand shook ever so slightly, touching her small cheek. 

How can this little thing be mine? he wondered. His lips pressed into a firm line.

There was a thought, deep and thrumming inside him, that he didn’t deserve this. That just a couple of years ago, he had nothing to lose.

And now, his entire world was in this room. He’d never admit it, but it was a terrifying thought, for a man who’d had everything and nothing.

You unknowingly stopped the path of his thoughts when you raised a warm hand to his cheek. It earned his attention, and he grabbed your hand to keep it there.

You smiled up at Ben with weariness in your eyes. The super strength had drained out of you a few moments after the umbilical cord was cut, which had made for a less painful labor than you anticipated. But it had also been a long and uncomfortable eighteen hours.

“Wanna hold her for a while?” you asked.

The offer caught him off guard. His brows drew together, but he very carefully took his daughter from you, into his arms. Despite your temporary abilities throughout your pregnancy, he didn’t know if she already had his strength, or if it was something she’d grow into. Ben didn’t want to take any chances.

As he looked down at a small face that already had some of his features, he inhaled a faltering breath.

It was the first time you ever saw true tears in his eyes, as one managed to draw a path down his cheek. You smiled, and the pair of rings on your left hand caught the lamplight as you rested your hand on your chest.   

Ben held the bundle close in the crook of his arm. One of the baby’s hands was free, and he tickled his finger in her palm. She grasped it on reflex, opening her mouth on a yawn. Despite his red and shining eyes, he smiled, especially when she reached up for a strand of his hair with small, grabby fingers.

He let her get a hold of it, smirking when she gave it a little tug. Just hours old, and his girl was already demanding his attention. He didn’t know if newborns were able to do that this early, or if it was her blood that made her special.

Either way, he knew then that she was going to be a handful. Just like you. 

Ben glanced over and found you watching him with soft amusement. He looked back down at his daughter and told her the obvious.

“You know, you’re blessed to have my genes, baby girl,” he said. It elicited a knowing scoff out of you. However, his smirk softened. “But you’re also lucky as hell to have your mom.”

Ben looked back at you, and there was the predictable well of tears forming in your eyes.

“She’s the best damn woman you’re ever gonna meet,” he said.

He knew then that what he said to you before was right. If he had to go back to 1984, or even 1944, he’d do it all exactly the same.

It all worked out pretty damn well, from where he was standing.

AN: I’m not crying, you’re crying. 🥹😭

I sincerely hope you enjoyed Strong as Blood. Let me know what you think! And then you can...

Keep Reading in the BMD-verse:

Coming up next, get ready for some short Christmas fluff:

Summary: Yet again, you convince Ben to indulge you in a new Christmas tradition.

▶️ Next Story: Sleigh Ride

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[rpreaperperson]

What happen if Claw got too many catnip?

Zoomies..absolutely zoomies..

Masterlist

Puffing out a cloud of smoke from his mouth Price relaxed in his office sitting on his dingy sofa

The smell of cigars scattered around his office, he's done with his paperwork and reading the report

"Hmm...at last some quiet time.." closing his eyes while exhaling the cigar, so unusual that the boys (and one hybrid) become so quiet these days, but at least they didn't do anything ajjs@!jq#qjk or something disaster

Or so he thought...

A loud thump of boots coming from outside then his door is slammed open

"No knocking?" Said Price not opening his eyes, but his forehead could be seen frowning

"S-sorry Cap, its urgent" Gaz approached Price slightly huffing, let out a hard sigh Price put out his cigar and adjusted his hat

"Who is it this time?" asks Price as they walk out of his office

"It-" Before Gaz could even tell him, they heard a loud crash and a couple of distressed voice

then there they saw....

"NYAHAHAHA I'M UNSTOPPABLE!!"

"F***! "

"Someone block her way!!"

"Fuckin' trying over here!"

"Nyahahahaha!!"

Price furrowed and pinched the bridge of his nose shutting his eyes tried to hold down the headache, the fluffy hybrid ran around the trail puff of smoke spreading everywhere where she transformed into a cat and a human

Some of the recruits that helping Soap try to catch her coughing because of her smoke

"I-I don't know why she getting like this, but after she got a package from someone, she's been like this"

"Did you go search for the package?" asked Price, he got a very bad feeling about this

"Well...she hid it in her room its like she doesn't want us to know what's inside the package, now Ghost went to investigate it" explained Gaz, on time Ghost arrived with a medium box in his hand

"That damned..Mexican Cat lovers.." mumbled Ghost as he showed them inside the box

"Cat nip..." grunted Price

"Bloody hell...and so many variations.." Gaz stare at it flabergasted

"she's getting high on a Fucking Catnip" Ghost narrowed his eyebrows, cursing certain Mexican cat lovers

"Not that all that Professor of her secretly send a bunch of snack to her " huffed Ghost, the moment he entered and searched around her room he found a secret snack stacks there

"aside from that scary face she has, she does have a soft spot for Claw... " Gaz muttering about the stoic cold face of old Professor

"what the plan Price?" gruff Ghost still holding the box

"let's catch the fluff --"

 "CAPTAINNN~~!!" squealed a certain hybrid as diving herself into Price

Wh- UAGHH!" suddenly his face was being struck by a soft sensation, Gaz gasping and Ghost just stood there like a statue watching their Captain fall off on his back while his bulk arm wrapped around the hybrid waist

As the other recruits stared wide eyes, Gaz tried to take Claw off Price he could almost see Price's soul just snuff out from his mouth

"C'mon sweetheart off you go --" he grabbed her shoulder, then Claw swatted his hand away hissing at him 

"NO! NO! My Captain!!"

.

3 hours later...

They manage to calm Claw down and put her to sleep on the sofa, the panting Soap lets out a sigh of relief as he crouches beside the sofa and caresses her hair

"Damn... she's really wearing us out, good job there lads... ya can go now.. get some rest" Soap waves to the recruits that helping him as they walk out and wave back at him with a grunt some of them snicker in amusement

"Gonna ban those catnip" grumbled Ghost crossing his arm and eyes on the hybrid

"Couldn't agree more...you okay over there Cap?" Gaz glances at the slumped disheveled Price, his hat placed on his lap you can see a red bump on his forehead

"....Just..leave me alone..and let me rest" Price almost forgot that he got another troublemaker...a big one infact, then he raise his head stare at the sleeping woman on the sofa

Huff in amused, he just couldn’t be mad at her no matter what  

Just another day in 141 base...

taglist: @lilpothoscuttings @unicorngirly1 @kaoyamamegami

[cod-thoughts]

Day 15 of 31 days of COD

Word count: 4.4k

Relationships: NikPrice, team as family

Tags: secret admirer, supportive team, getting together.

“What’s this, Cap?” Soap’s teasing voice broke through his thoughts as he strolled into the office, arms crossed over his chest. “You got yourself a secret admirer, haven’t you?” Price scowled, though there was no real malice in it. “Don’t start.” Soap leaned in, examining the cigars with exaggerated curiosity. “Second gift in two months, eh? Someone’s puttin’ in a fair bit of effort for you.” Keep reading under the cut or on AO3

January

The first package arrived on a cold, grey afternoon, delivered without much fanfare to Captain John Price’s office. It was just a bottle of his favourite whiskey—the kind he hadn’t seen in months. No note, no name, just a familiar amber liquid sitting there, waiting for him.

He turned the bottle in his hands, inspecting it carefully. Had he ordered this and forgotten? It wasn’t impossible—he had enough on his plate to misplace the odd delivery. Yet something about it felt different, almost intentional. Thoughtful, even.

For a moment, Price considered the possibility that someone might have sent it deliberately. He immediately dismissed the thought. Why would anyone go through the trouble of sending him a gift? His past relationships, when they happened, had always been fleeting—too short and too strained by the demands of his job to allow for any real connection. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had given him something simply because they cared.

As he poured himself a glass that night, the warmth of the whiskey settling into his bones, Price allowed himself a rare moment of contemplation. He had spent so long being alone, so long not expecting anything from anyone, that he couldn’t even imagine what it felt like to be on the receiving end of someone’s kindness.

The bottle sat there, a small mystery. And as much as he tried to brush it off, the thought lingered.

February

February arrived, cold and unforgiving. The missions had been relentless, and Price found himself wearing down, the weight of command pressing on him more than usual. So when the second package appeared on his desk—a box of premium cigars—he almost laughed out loud. It was as if someone knew exactly what he needed, right when he needed it.

Still, no note. No name.

“What’s this, Cap?” Soap’s teasing voice broke through his thoughts as he strolled into the office, arms crossed over his chest. “You got yourself a secret admirer, haven’t you?”

Price scowled, though there was no real malice in it. “Don’t start.”

Soap leaned in, examining the cigars with exaggerated curiosity. “Second gift in two months, eh? Someone’s puttin’ in a fair bit of effort for you.”

That’s what unsettled Price the most—effort. He wasn’t used to it, not in this way. He could count the number of times someone had genuinely put in effort for him on one hand. His relationships had always been strained, with people pulling away because of the demands of his work. Long deployments, missed calls, and the constant looming threat of death—it wasn’t conducive to romantic entanglements.

Who would care enough to send these gifts, month after month? And more importantly, why?

Soap’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Whoever they are, they’ve got good taste. Better than most of the blokes around here.”

Price forced a chuckle, but his mind wandered back to his past. No one had ever taken the time to learn his likes, his preferences—not like this. He had always been the one putting in the effort, trying to make it work. But in the end, no one had ever stayed.

Why would this time be any different?

March

By March, Price had begun to anticipate the monthly arrival of these mysterious gifts. This time, it was a leather-bound journal, the cover smooth and worn, the kind of thing that felt like it belonged to a man with stories to tell. Price wasn’t much for journaling, but as he held the book in his hands, a thought struck him: someone knows me.

That realisation was unsettling. Price had always kept people at arm’s length, not because he wanted to, but because it was easier that way. Less messy. Less painful when they inevitably left. But whoever was behind these gifts clearly knew him in a way no one else had ever bothered to.

And that made him wonder.

Sitting alone in his office one night, the journal in front of him, Price let his thoughts drift to Nik. He’d known Nik for years, long enough to understand the depth of their connection. They’d shared missions, laughs, and more than a few drinks. There had always been something unspoken between them, a bond forged through fire and war.

But Price had never dared hope for anything more. Why would he? Nik was... well, Nik. Confident, charming, and always surrounded by people. Why would someone like that ever look at him, an old, battle-hardened soldier who had more scars than smiles to offer?

Price shook his head, banishing the thought. It couldn’t be Nik. That was wishful thinking. And Price wasn’t the kind of man who entertained fantasies.

Still, when he flipped open the journal to the first page, the thought of Nik lingered, just for a moment.

April

April brought another surprise—this time a bottle of cologne, an old brand Price hadn’t worn in years. The scent was familiar, comforting even, and it stirred memories he hadn’t touched in a long time. It reminded him of a younger version of himself, back when he still believed he could balance a personal life with the job. Back when he thought there might be someone waiting for him after the missions ended.

But no one had waited. The demands of his role had always been too much. Every relationship he had tried to maintain had fizzled out, the distance and danger too overwhelming. People moved on. They always did.

So why was someone—this mysterious sender—so persistent? Why put in the effort when Price himself had given up on the idea of anyone caring?

He caught Soap giving him a knowing look from across the base. “Another one, eh, Cap?” Soap grinned, his teasing never-ending. “Whoever it is, they’ve got your number.”

Price shrugged it off, but there was a part of him that wondered more deeply than ever, why him?

That night, as he sprayed the cologne and let the scent settle around him, Price couldn’t shake the feeling that whoever was sending these gifts wasn’t just playing a game. This was something more. Something... personal.

And for the first time, he let himself admit what he had been trying to ignore for months now: he wished it was Nik. He wanted it to be Nik.

But that was just wishful thinking, right?

May

The fifth gift arrived in May—an elegant pocketknife, the blade sharp and precise, clearly chosen with care. Price tested its weight in his hand, admiring the craftsmanship. Whoever was behind this knew him well. Too well.

He sat in his office, staring at the knife, the weight of everything suddenly pressing on him. There had been no one in his life who had ever put in this kind of effort for him. No one who had taken the time to know him in this way.

In the quiet of that moment, Price couldn’t help but feel the sharp sting of self-doubt. Why would anyone go through this trouble? For him of all people? He was an old soldier with more ghosts than friends, more bad memories than good.

He thought back to his failed relationships, to the people who had grown tired of waiting for him to come home, who had stopped returning his calls when he was deployed for months on end. The people who had told him, in no uncertain terms, that he wasn’t someone they could build a life with.

So why now? Why would someone, after all these years, decide he was worth the effort?

Price sighed, running a hand over his face. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this was some kind of elaborate prank. Maybe the team was in on it. Maybe they were testing him, trying to see how long it would take for him to crack.

But deep down, he knew that wasn’t it.

And more than that, he wanted this to be real. He wanted to believe that someone saw him, that someone cared enough to send these gifts.

He wanted it to be Nik.

June

June was hot, the air thick with the promise of summer. The sixth package arrived quietly, as usual. This time, it was a rare, out-of-print military history book—something Price had given up on finding years ago. The sight of it left him speechless.

He flipped through the pages slowly, reverently, his heart pounding in his chest. This wasn’t just a gift. This was... something else. Something meaningful.

As he sat there, holding the book, Price felt a strange mix of emotions. Gratitude, yes. But also a deep, aching sense of longing.

He had spent years keeping people at a distance, convinced that his life wasn’t one that could accommodate things like love, or connection, or happiness. He had accepted that a long time ago. But now, with these gifts arriving month after month, that wall he had built around himself was starting to crack.

And in the quiet of his office, with the book in his hands, Price finally allowed himself to admit the truth. He wanted it to be Nik. He needed it to be Nik. He had spent years pushing those feelings down, hiding them behind layers of duty and professionalism. But he couldn’t ignore it anymore.

He had been longing for Nik for years—far longer than he had realised.

But what were the chances that Nik felt the same? What were the chances that the man who had always been just out of reach might feel something for him, too?

Price sighed, leaning back in his chair. He couldn’t let himself hope for too much.

But that didn’t stop him from hoping anyway.

July

July brought an unexpected lull in the chaos. The missions had slowed down, the team taking a rare breather between assignments. Price had more time on his hands than he knew what to do with, and that only gave him more room to think.

When the seventh package arrived—a finely crafted wristwatch, sleek and understated—it felt almost too much. Too personal. The kind of gift someone gives when they’ve spent years understanding the recipient, learning their habits and preferences.

Price turned the watch over in his hands, watching the light catch the polished metal. He couldn’t ignore the significance anymore. The time, the effort, the thoughtfulness behind each gift... whoever was sending these knew him intimately.

More intimately than he was comfortable admitting.

Sitting alone in his quarters, Price’s mind wandered back to Nik once again. It had become a constant in his thoughts lately, the idea of Nik being the one behind the gifts. He had tried to bury that hope, to convince himself it was ridiculous. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake it.

He wanted it to be Nik so badly. He had never allowed himself to entertain the thought before, had never dared hope that someone like Nik could feel anything more than camaraderie for a man like him. But these gifts had stirred something in him. They had made him realise how much he longed for that kind of connection—for Nik.

He had never told anyone how he felt. Not even the team, who had become a close friends over the years. Price had always been too guarded, too careful to let anyone see that side of him. And now, after all this time, he found himself questioning whether he had made a mistake.

What if Nik did feel the same? What if this entire time, Nik had been waiting for him to make a move?

Price shook his head, pushing the thought away. He couldn’t let himself hope for that. He couldn’t afford the disappointment if he was wrong.

But the watch ticked softly in his hand, a constant reminder that someone out there cared. Maybe it wasn’t Nik. Maybe it was someone else entirely.

But whoever it was, they were getting closer.

August

By August, the anticipation of the monthly package had become a familiar rhythm in Price’s life. He found himself looking forward to it, even though he told himself he shouldn’t. He was too old for this kind of thing—too set in his ways to be swept up in the excitement of a secret admirer. And yet, there he was, checking his desk more frequently than usual, as if hoping the package would arrive early.

This month, it was a hand-stitched wool scarf—simple but well-made, the kind of practical gift that Price appreciated. He ran his fingers over the soft fabric, imagining cold nights on the field, wrapped in warmth that someone had chosen just for him.

It was... touching. Too touching. And it made the doubts creep in again.

Why him?

He couldn’t stop himself from thinking about the past, about all the times people had drifted away, growing tired of waiting for him to come back from a mission or call late at night. People who had told him, in so many words, that he was too distant, too focused on his work to ever make a real relationship last.

Why would this time be different? Why would anyone choose him, knowing the life he lived?

His mind went, inevitably, to Nik once again. Nik, who had always been there, steady and reliable. Nik, who knew what this life was like, who understood the long silences and the constant danger better than anyone. They had been through so much together, forged a bond stronger than anything Price had ever known.

But why would Nik be interested in him? Why would a man like Nik—charming, confident, and always surrounded by admirers—choose him of all people?

It didn’t make sense.

But as Price wrapped the scarf around his neck that night, he couldn’t help but wish, more than ever, that it did make sense. That somehow, by some miracle, Nik had been the one behind these gifts all along.

It was a dangerous hope—one that could leave him broken if he was wrong.

But Price had spent so many years fighting battles, facing death head-on. Maybe, just maybe, this was a risk worth taking.

September

September was unseasonably warm, but the ninth gift arrived right on schedule. This time, it was a framed photograph, an old black-and-white shot of a war-torn city Price recognised from one of his earliest deployments. The image was hauntingly beautiful, a reminder of where he had come from and how far he had travelled since then.

Price stared at the photo for a long time that evening, lost in thought. He didn’t know how whoever was sending these gifts had gotten their hands on this picture, but the fact that they had gone to such lengths... it felt almost overwhelming. This was someone who knew his history, his life. Someone who had taken the time to understand not just the man he was now, but the man he had been.

And that made Price feel... vulnerable.

He wasn’t used to this. Wasn’t used to someone caring so much, knowing so much about him without asking for anything in return. It made him feel exposed in a way he hadn’t felt in years. His instincts told him to pull back, to retreat, to put up the walls he had built so carefully over the years.

But he didn’t want to pull back. Not anymore.

His thoughts wandered, as they always did now, to Nik. He had long stopped trying to suppress the feelings. The truth was undeniable: Price had been longing for Nik for years, probably since the first time they had worked together. But he had always kept that part of himself locked away, convinced that nothing good would come of it.

But now? Now he wasn’t so sure.

These gifts... they had opened something inside of him. Made him realise how much he wanted to be seen, to be known by someone. And not just anyone.

He wanted, no needed, it to be Nik.

And as he stared at the photo that night, the weight of the past pressing down on him, Price made a decision.

He needed to know.

October

The tenth package arrived on the first day of October. This time, it wasn’t an object but a handwritten letter. Price’s heart skipped a beat when he saw it. The neat handwriting, the way the envelope was sealed with care—it felt different. Final, somehow.

He sat at his desk, staring at the letter for what felt like hours before finally opening it. His hands were steady, but his heart raced as he unfolded the paper inside.

The words were simple, but they hit him harder than any mission, harder than any battle he had ever fought:

John,

I have waited too long to say this, but I cannot keep it to myself anymore. I hope these gifts have shown you that you mean more to me than just a comrade or a friend. I have wanted to tell you for so long, but I did not know how.

I will be waiting for you at our usual spot tonight. If you feel the same, meet me there.

Nik.

Price felt like the ground had fallen out from under him. He read the letter again and again, just to make sure he wasn’t imagining things.

Nik.

It had been Nik all along.

The man he had been longing for, the one he had convinced himself would never look at him that way—he was the one behind the gifts. He was the one who had spent all these months, all this time, showing Price in the only way he knew how that he cared.

Price’s hands shook as he folded the letter and placed it carefully on his desk. His heart pounded in his chest, louder than it had during any firefight, any mission.

This was real.

And for the first time in years, Price let himself feel the hope, the excitement, the joy that had been building inside him all these months.

Tonight, he would meet Nik.

Price hadn’t been this nervous in years.

As evening fell, he found himself pacing the narrow confines of his office, the letter from Nik tucked safely in his pocket. He had read it so many times now that the words were etched into his memory, but the weight of it still hadn’t settled. Nik. It was Nik. All those months of secret gifts, all the small, thoughtful gestures—it had all been him.

And Price was supposed to meet him. Tonight.

His mind raced, his thoughts an unpredictable mix of anticipation and self-doubt. Was he reading too much into this? What if he’d misunderstood Nik’s intentions? The letter had been clear, but still, a small, stubborn part of Price refused to believe that someone like Nik could feel that way about him. Not after all these years. Not after everything.

Price paused, running a hand through his beard, trying to steady himself. There was no way to know until he saw Nik. He just had to show up. He had faced death a hundred times over—this, this, should be easy.

But it wasn’t.

And of course, just when he was about to head out, Soap strolled in.

“Cap!” Soap’s voice was far too cheerful for Price’s current state of mind, and he winced inwardly. “Heard you’ve been actin’ a bit... distracted today. Got somethin’ on your mind?”

Price shot him a look, but Soap was undeterred, leaning against the doorframe with his trademark smirk.

“Not now, MacTavish,” Price grumbled, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair. “Got somewhere to be.”

Soap raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Oh aye? Somewhere important, I take it? Not like you to be in such a rush.”

Price could feel Soap’s eyes on him, and he knew what was coming before the words even left his sergeant’s mouth.

“Wait—” Soap’s grin widened. “It’s tonight, isn’t it? Your mystery admirer finally reveals themselves?”

Price stiffened. He didn’t respond, but the silence was enough of an answer. Soap’s eyes practically lit up, and he let out a low whistle.

“Bloody hell, Cap,” Soap laughed. “So it is someone on base. I told Gaz it had to be! You’ve been all secretive about it for months.”

Price sighed, pulling on his jacket and shooting Soap a sharp look. “If you’ve got any sense, Sergeant, you’ll keep your nose out of it.”

Soap held his hands up in mock surrender, but the grin never left his face. “Aye, aye, Cap. But the lads are gonna have a field day with this one, I’m just sayin’. It’s been the hottest topic of conversation.”

“Not my problem,” Price muttered, but he could feel the heat rising in his face.

Soap chuckled, but there was a surprising note of sincerity in his voice as he added, “Good luck, Cap. Hope it works out the way you want.”

Price shot him a quick nod before turning on his heel, leaving Soap behind and heading out into the cool evening air. His heart was pounding, and his nerves were jangling, but there was no turning back now. Nik was waiting for him.

---

The rendezvous point was a quiet spot just outside the base, an old observation tower that they sometimes used to get a better vantage during drills. It had become something of a regular meeting place for Price and Nik over the years—just the two of them, sharing a quiet drink and watching the world go by.

Tonight, though, it felt different. Everything felt different.

Price arrived first, the evening air crisp against his skin as he leaned against the old stone wall of the tower. He glanced at his watch, noting that it was just after dusk. He had left a little early, partly because he wanted to compose himself and partly because the thought of seeing Nik had him more rattled than he cared to admit.

He didn’t have to wait long.

Nik appeared from the shadows, his silhouette unmistakable, moving with that easy confidence that always made Price’s chest tighten. When he stepped into the light, Price could see that familiar grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Evening, John,” Nik said, his voice warm, rich with amusement as he closed the distance between them. “I did not think you would actually meet me.”

Price huffed, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips despite himself. “Couldn’t exactly ignore an invitation like that, could I?”

Nik’s grin widened, and for a moment, they just stood there, the silence between them thick with unspoken words. The easy banter that usually flowed between them seemed to falter, both of them caught in the gravity of the moment.

Price was the first to break the silence, his voice low, almost hesitant. “It’s been you, hasn’t it? All those months... the gifts. It was you.”

Nik’s smile softened, something more vulnerable flickering in his eyes as he nodded. “I thought it was obvious by now. Thought you would have figured it out before I had to spell it out for you.”

Price let out a breath he hadn’t realised he was holding, shaking his head. “Didn’t let myself believe it. Thought it was too good to be true.”

Nik took a step closer, his gaze locked on Price’s. “And now?”

“Now...” Price hesitated for only a second before he continued, his voice quieter. “Now I don’t know what to say.”

Nik laughed softly, the sound rumbling through the cool air. “You do not have to say anything, Johnathan. You never were one for words anyway.”

Before Price could respond, Nik closed the last bit of distance between them, reaching out to gently cup the side of Price’s face. His touch was warm, grounding, and Price’s heart stuttered in his chest.

“For once,” Nik murmured, his voice low, “just let yourself feel.”

And Price did.

He leaned into Nik’s touch, feeling the tension that had been coiled so tightly inside him finally unwind. He wasn’t sure who moved first, but suddenly, they were kissing—slow, soft, and filled with the weight of everything they hadn’t said. It wasn’t rushed, wasn’t hurried. It was patient, as though they had all the time in the world.

And in that moment, it felt like they did.

---

When they returned to base, Price expected things to go smoothly and quietly.

He was wrong.

The second they stepped back inside, Soap was waiting for them in the hallway, leaning casually against the wall, clearly having been waiting for their return.

“Well, well, well,” Soap drawled, his smirk impossible to miss. “Look what the cat dragged in.”

Price shot him a withering glare, but Soap wasn’t deterred. In fact, he looked even more pleased with himself. “So,” he continued, crossing his arms, “how was it, Cap? Finally kiss the bloke?”

Nik, ever the devil, grinned at Soap, unbothered by the teasing. “Let me just say it was worth the wait.”

Price groaned, feeling a flush creeping up the back of his neck. “I swear to God, Nik...”

“Oh, relax, Cap. You’re too easy,” Soap laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. “Just glad you finally did somethin’ about it. We were all gettin’ tired of waiting.”

“We?” Price arched an eyebrow. “Who’s ‘we,’ exactly?”

As if on cue, Gaz and Ghost appeared down the hallway, exchanging knowing glances. Gaz grinned when he saw them, giving a little nod of approval. “Took you long enough, Captain. We were all starting to think it’d never happen.”

Ghost, though silent, tilted his head in a way that made it clear he knew exactly what had gone down. His eyes flicked from Price to Nik, and for a moment, there was an amused glint behind the balaclava.

Price sighed, running a hand over his face. “Christ. You lot don’t miss a thing, do you?”

“Not a damn thing, Cap,” Gaz said with a grin. “And trust me, we’re happy for you both.”

“Yeah,” Soap added, his smirk softening into something more genuine. “You deserve this, Cap. Both of you.”

Nik gave Price a sidelong glance, his grin warm and full of affection. “Looks like your boys approve.”

Price rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips. “Yeah, well, don’t expect me to thank them for it.”

But the truth was, as much as the teasing was relentless, Price felt something else beneath it—a quiet approval, a sense of contentment that settled into his chest. His team was more than just soldiers; they were his family. Price allowed himself to believe that maybe, just maybe, he could have all of it.

Nik. The team. The future.

It wasn’t just a dream anymore.

It was real.