#I don't even know who on my taglist is even active in the community or wants it anymore so I'm not gonna tag anyone in this post

[ramp-it-up]

Peach V

Peach IV | Peach VI

Summary: Steven Grant Rogers is a mob boss trying to get clean. Maybe it’s because he’s in love. With you. He's got you on his turf in NYC. Are you finally willing to admit that you want to be with him?

Pairing: Art Dealer/Philanthopist (Mob Boss) Steve Rogers x Reader (Peach)

A/N: I love these two like I can’t explain. The slow burn speeds up a lil bit in this. There’s some action. 🥹 This fic is connected to the Bucky Barnes Knock You Down AU, and DIRECTLY AFTER the events in the Steve Rogers fic Peach IV. Your interaction keeps me writing, so let me know if you like it by commenting and reblogging.

Warnings: 18+ Only, Minors DNI. SMUT. Read at your own risk. Angst. Slow burn, EXTREME Mutual pining, idiots in love, lusting, dancing lessons, use of the words ‘mad’ and ‘crazy,’ Bucky is a jerk, boy do you get jealous. Kissing and heavy petting in the form of oral sex, female receiving. Lil bit of Dom Steve if you squint. Not Beta'd. All errors my own.

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------

“Welcome to SOB’s.”

You were one of the first awardees up to present to the group. Each recipient picked a NYC area artistic landmark to research and lead the others on a tour, discussing the significance to the art form for which they received funding.

As always, you were going outside of the box.

You looked around and concentrated on not staring at Steve. He looked so fine, foregoing his tailored sport coats this evening for a black pullover pushed up on his hairy, corded forearms. 

Dark jeans clung to his thighs and black boots encased his huge feet. What he was wearing highlighted every physical attribute that made you weak. He was quite the distraction, but you were a professional. 

You smiled at your cousin and Bucky, who were beaming at you, and began.

“Sounds of Brazil isn’t just a club—it’s a melting pot of culture, rhythm, and history that’s been bringing global sounds to the city since 1982.”

You moved around the relatively small dark space, but then a screen came down on the stage and a slide show of performances danced across it, with accompanying music flowing from the speakers.

 “SOB’s started as a space to showcase Brazilian, Latin, Caribbean, and African music, and quickly became a go-to spot for hip-hop, R&B, and reggae too. The Afro-Caribbean Queen herself, Ms. Celia Cruz, as well as Marc Anthony, J Cole, HER and Mac Miller (rest his soul) have all rocked this stage.”

You were silent for a moment and then continued. 

“This place is more than music; it’s about community, culture, and the celebration of diverse sounds. For me, dance is life. And it’s music such as what was fostered here that inspires me. It’s places like this that give life to the creativity of my art and my soul.”

“The vibe here is immaculate. It’s intimate, electric, and always unpredictable. Just imagine the countless artists who’ve poured their souls into performances right on this stage.This isn’t just a club, it’s a meld of culture, rhythm, and history that’s been bringing global sounds to the city since 1982.”

The video and music turned to Celia Cruz’s “Toro Mata” and three beautiful women, who looked like showgirls, came from backstage.

“In February, Salsa Groove starts at SOB’s with free salsa lessons, happy hour, and many other fun things. These ladies are here to give us a preview, so find a partner and let’s dance!”

Sharon moved toward Steve, but Sam grabbed her and she plastered on a fake smile. You smiled over at your cousin who was currently in the process of being caught up in the arms of James Buchanan Barnes.

Activity swirled around you as the dance instructors organized groups to teach, but you and Steve were left in the center of the dance floor.

You smiled at him. 

“Looks like I get to teach you Mr. Rogers.”

“Lucky me. Hope your feet survive.”

His sexy chuckle did you in as you slid into his arms. You placed your arms in the right position, but shifted to help him adjust.

“Relax your shoulders,” you murmured, stepping closer and running your hand along his broad trapezius muscles. 

Your voice was warm and laced with patience as you looked into his eyes.

“Salsa isn’t just about the steps. It’s about how you feel the music.”

“I feel it,” replied Steve, swallowing as he watched your hips move effortlessly with the rhythm. You made it look easy, natural and beautiful. He, on the other hand, felt a little bit out of sync, out of breath, and out of his depth. 

You took his hand, lacing your fingers through his, your palms pressing together and conducting electricity. 

“Start with the basics,” you whispered, guiding him.

“One, two, three: back. Five, six, seven: forward.”

Steve looked down to catch the rhythm and you pulled his arm around you tighter, causing you two to meld even closer together.

“Don’t overthink it. Just listen to me.”

Steve nodded and looked into the kaleidoscope depths of your eyes. 

And he listened. 

He listened to the way your breath hitched as his hand slid to your waist. 

And he noticed. 

He noticed the way your eyes flickered to his lips when you moved together in sync, your bodies sinfully connected.

“That’s it,” you said, your voice lower now, “Now, feel me.”

You guided his hand to your lower back, and his fingers instinctively pulled you more firmly against him. This power from him made you high along with the way your body fit against his.

You moved in perfect harmony.

“Better,” you murmured as you watched his mouth again.

Steve was found himself smiling, his steps more fluid now, as if he’d been dancing with you forever. His confidence grew with each turn, each time your bodies came in contact. 

And when you finally spun into him, your palm resting against his chest, your breaths mingling in the space between you, he knew this wasn’t just a dance. 

It was his chance.

Steve was about to lean in to kiss you when a slow clap began, started by Sharon.

You both looked around, surprised there was anyone else there. The music had stopped.

“Great job, Mr. Rogers. You made that look convincing.”

Sharon’s voice grated on your nerves but you had to laugh at your cousin giving her the gas face. You just rolled your eyes. Not even she could bring you down at the moment.

“SOB’s opened early just for us, we have another hour to dance and have fun. I’d love to talk more if you all are inspired. Have fun!”

Steve stood back and admired you, his creative queen, as the others swarmed around you.

—-

The way you moved made Steve Rogers feverish. 

The sway of your hips hypnotized him and he had to concentrate very much to appear unbothered. The smell of you made his cock thicken and gotdamn, when you laughed his stomach did flips.

He’d pay a million dollars to the first person who convinced you to kiss him. 

He’d pay you ten million for each kiss you’d give him willingly.

Steve was down bad.

The nail in his coffin was your creativity and bravery; the way you shared your opinions on your art and everything else made him mad with desire.

He now fully understood Bucky’s insistence to get fully clean. Steve was glad they were so close to the finish line and was willing to beat Bucky there. 

Steve was determined to be the good man you once thought he was.

—---

Over the next couple of days, your heart raced each time you watched Steve across whatever rooms you were in. His six foot plus form dominated every space and his natural affinity for art was so fucking appealing.

You finally admitted to yourself that you were feeling him, although the issue of whether you could trust him would not die. But when he looked at you with those baby blues, you got weak. There was definitely a connection and a chemistry that you couldn’t resist for much longer.

You couldn’t deny it any more.

But that didn’t stop you from trying.

—--

Sharon would not stop talking. You were unfortunate enough to sit near her on the Sprinter as it took you back to the hotel for the mid-day break on Wednesday. She was going on about her meeting with Steve to Lily from Montana.

Each recipient had meetings scheduled with Sam, Steve, Bucky and Natasha, another requirement of the week. Frequently, the meetings included a meal. It must have been a dizzying pace for them, but you’d really enjoyed your coffee with Sam and lunch with Natasha. They were cool people.

And of course your dinner with Bucky was amazing. You couldn’t wait for him to be your cousin, although he remained coy about proposing no matter how much you pressed him about the holiday trip.

“I mean my meeting with Steve was convenient this morning. He was right there and we were already in our comfortable clothing… the breakfast place was perfect…”

Your ears perked up at that.

“I just woke up so sore this morning. It’s all Steve’s fault…and then he had the nerve to do it again…”

Your mind filled in the gaps and your blood started to boil. 

This must be why he hadn’t been around that morning. He was recovering from fucking with Sharon. Rational thought was out the window and you couldn’t see anything but red.

Instead of going up to your room to rest, you walked the four blocks to the Rebirth building. 

Your spine was straight and your chin was up as you entered the gallery, passed Natasha and headed to Steve’s office. He came to stand at the door as you approached, obviously warned that you were coming. He was in shirtsleeves, his black button-down clinging to his muscular frame, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms. 

You blinked because he looked dangerously, devastatingly handsome in a way that was almost too much to look at directly. His mesmerizing blue eyes locked with yours, and the rest of the world disappeared. For a moment, you were frozen, ready to fuck him or spring into battle.

Just then, Bucky Barnes bounded out of a door near Steve’s, looking like a black lab, and headed in the same direction you were.

“Yo, Steve. I think that we should… oh shit! Peach!”

You couldn’t help but smile at Bucky, who looked cute in a black pullover with his curly hair tousled. Over Thanksgiving weekend, you’d grown to like him a lot. 

Bucky Barnes obviously loved his friends. He also was a good guy, despite his line of work. The way he loved your cousin had earned your respect.

You smiled and held your hand out for him to shake.

“Hullo Bunny… eep!”

He pulled you toward him, drawing you into a hug and twirling you out into a salsa spin, causing you to laugh. 

“It’s Bucky, Mr. Barnes if you’re nasty!”

You were shaking with laughter.

“Oh gawd! Does my cousin know that you are so corny?”

Bucky had mellowed your harsh.

Momentarily.

“It’s part of why she keeps coming back, Peach.”

Bucky winked at you and instantly you understood the appeal. You grinned up at Bucky, lightly slapping him on the arm as he laughed at you.

Someone cleared their throat and Bucky smirked over at Steve. Then, he caught the drift. 

“I can see that you have important business to attend to with this Punk. Catch you later.”

Suddenly you didn’t want to have this conversation, because the way Steve was looking at you was too intense. You didn’t move. You felt Bucky’s warm hands on your shoulders and you were compelled to move forward.

“Onward. Into the fray.”

You glared over your shoulder at Bucky and then looked back at Steve.

“Mr. Rogers.”

Steve’s jaw clenched and he greeted you in kind. 

“Ms. Y/LN. Is there something I can help you with?”

He walked into his office and you followed him, making sure to leave the door open. Steve's gaze slowly dragged down your body and back up again until it settled on your mouth. You felt that look like a physical touch, making your clothes feel irrelevant. You took a deep breath to keep from shedding them right there.

“Yes, Mr. Rogers. I need you to be honest with me.”

Normally, that was a throwaway comment, but Steve knew how important him being honest was to you, so he nodded, cleared his throat and said, “Of course,” while looking you in those beautiful eyes.

“Did you fuck Sharon Carter last night?”

Steve’s eyes widened in shock. He blinked a few times to digest your question. Then he answered it. Blood rushed in his head.  

I’m gonna kill the mutherfucker that said that, he thought. But he was calm when he replied.

“No. I was very much alone last night.” 

Missing you, he thought.

“Did you fuck her this morning?”

Steve put his file down on his desk and leaned back on it, crossing his arms.

“Absolutely not. She showed up at my gym, for the second day in a row. I helped her with some technique and then had our meeting in a coffee shop. Who is spreading this rumor that’s got you so worked up?”

He would find the fucking liar and strangle them to death.

“That bitch is going around insinuating to everyone…”

Then you realized what was going on. You closed your mouth. Sharon. 

That bitch. Why were you letting some hoe rag get to you?

“Never mind. You’re absolutely right. I don’t care.”

You raised your chin like the regal queen you were and Steve wanted to fall at your feet. 

“Well for your information, I’m not interested in Sharon Carter. As a matter of fact…”

All I want is you. 

Steve looked you in your eyes. God, you were so beautiful.

“I’m taken.” 

Your breath caught in your throat and a feeling in between panic and jealousy furled in your stomach at those words. As he looked at you, understanding dawned about what he meant. 

This conversation was not going the way you intended it to.

Your eyes moved to avoid Steve’s and it was then you noticed Bucky leaning on Steve’s door frame and snacking while he watched you two.

“Popcorn? Really Bucky???”

Bucky extended the bag to you. 

“‘SmartPop. Want some?”

Steve went over and closed the door in Bucky’s face and then turned back to you. You noticed how his bicep bulged when he ran his hand through his hair and your nipples tightened into stiff peaks.  

“Sorry to that woman.”

You played dumb, hoping he wouldn’t press the issue. But Steve clocked you. He shook his head and chuckled.

You crossed your arms and jutted your hip out. 

“What?...What, Steven!?”

You were the most adorable human he’d ever seen. 

“Nothing.”

You turned around to leave and then whirled around again.

“And another thing!”

Steve was smirking now. 

“You upgraded me on the airline and at the hotel. Didn’t you? And you gave me more endowment than anyone else. You’re just trying to get in my pants again.”

Steve sighed.

“Okay, so first I fucked Sharon, now I’m trying to get in your pants. You’re going from one extreme to another.”

“Tell me I’m wrong!”

Steve clenched his jaw, but his voice remained even. He really wanted to grab you and spread you over his desk and give you his cock until you calmed down. But baby steps.

He stepped to you and you looking up at him was his Roman Empire.

“You. Are. Wrong.”

His glare was blue ice and you felt just a little bit afraid. 

And a lot turned on. 

“Do you realize that your cousin helped us out with travel and accommodations?”

You opened your mouth and then closed it.

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“And you didn’t get more than anyone else. Russ received $250,000. Awards were scaled according to the project.”

“Ah.”

“And I don’t just want to get in your pants. I want so much more.”

You stood there dumbfounded.

“W-what are you talking about?”

Steve gave you a rueful smile.

“Stop pretending you don’t know. Peach, I–”

You raised your hand to signal stop.

“Ain't nobody got time for this.”

He gazed at you with a sparkle in his eye and licked those red, red lips. But he put his hands up and backed away, still smiling.

“Also. Stop doing that!”

You waved your hand in the direction of this face. You needed him to stop looking at you like that.

He was trying to hold himself back. Your lunacy had him hard. And you not letting him tell you how he felt made him want to make you beg for him. He shook his head to clear his lust.

“Just what am I doing to you, Ms. YLN?”

That voice again. Your eyes shuttered and your pussy pulsed at the answer to that question, but you were determined to get him told.

“Sparkling those eyes down at me like that!”

“Sparkling my eyes…?”

Steve feigned annoyance, but he was enjoying the fuck out of this. 

“What does that even mean?”

“You know exactly what it means! Looking at me like.. Like.. like you…Just. Stop.”

He stopped smiling. 

“As you wish.”

Steve’s eyes roamed over your face, pausing to look at your lips. Then, he looked back up into your eyes and the sparkle was gone. It was replaced by a warm blue fire that for some reason caused you to shiver. You wanted to fall into it and his arms, but you shook yourself out of it.

“Nope. Don’t do that either.”

Steve huffed as the corner of his mouth hooked upward into a sexy side grin. Your panties couldn’t take it.

“Do wh–? Umph. Ummhmmhhmm!”

You put your hand over Steve’s mouth to stop him from assaulting you with his voice but he kept vocalizing. You realized that Steve’s hand was on your waist and was pulling you closer to him. 

Your breasts were pressed up against his rock hard torso and your hand was on his chest. Lord help you, all you needed to do was remove your hand. You stared into those blue depths for half a second and then moved back.

Steve licked his lips when your hand was gone and your body buzzed as he contemplated pulling you back into his arms.

When that look came into his eyes, you gave up. 

“Ugh. Never mind. I’ve got to go.”

You straightened your spine again, turned on your heel and marched toward the door. 

Steve followed you. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw that Bucky was pumping his fist as you made to leave the building. You thought about giving him a piece of your mind, but you had to get out of there; Steve was close behind.

“Peach. Stop running. Calm down.”

You stopped and whirled on him, poking your finger in his chest.

“NEVER tell a mad woman to calm down, Rogers.”

He smiled down at you and your world spun out.

“So you admit that you’re crazy?”

“Fuck you!”

You turned and walked toward your hotel at a steady pace but Steve was right behind you. He followed you back to your hotel lobby and was right there when you pressed the elevator button. 

“What do you want, Steve?”

You sideyed him as you looked up at the floor indicator panel.

“You.”

You whipped your head around as the elevator doors opened. Your heart was beating so fast you were sure he could hear it. But then you just  wordlessly walked into the elevator as Steve followed closely.

“You feel this thing between us, Peach. I’m not alone in this. I know I’m not.” 

He moved close to you as the elevator doors closed, placing one arm on the wall near your head and the other on the railing beside you. You were enveloped in him. But when you looked up at him. Jesus.

“You wish. You think you’re god’s gift to women, Rogers?”

Your whisper was fervent.Your heart was beating out of your chest and your cunt was soaking wet. The electricity was arcing between you in the small space. You felt it in the small of your back. 

“Judging by the way you look at me, Peach. I’d say you wish, too.”

You shifted, trying to rub your legs together on the low. There was an ache you needed extinguished.

“Boy, please...”

You were still trying to fight it as Steve moved close, his lips a breath from your ear.

“Not all women. Just you. And you don’t need to beg. Just ask for what you want, Peach.”

He pulled back and you almost chased him, but bit your lip and tried to remain calm.

“I don’t want anything from you, Steven.”

“Now, you’re the liar.” Steve intoned, his jaw working tightly.

When the elevator door opened, you ran out, moving quickly down the hallway to your room. You stood in front of your door and stared at Steve, not opening the door and not speaking.

He looked down the hallway and spoke, anger laced in his tone. 

“Open the fucking door and get your sweet ass in that room, Peach.”

You tried to stare him down, but he was determined. And something in those blue eyes made you want to comply.

“I’m not going to repeat myself.”

Your hands shook as you opened your door with Steve breathing down your neck, reminiscent of that night in Atlanta. 

Once the door was closed, he stalked toward you, tipping up your chin to meet his intense gaze. His thumb brushed your bottom lip and you suppressed a shudder. 

No one had ever made you feel this way with just a touch. 

“What do you want from me?” 

Your voice was barely a whisper. 

Steve leaned in close to reply, his breath fanning your face.

“Stop fucking running from me. I apologize for all the things I’ve done. But now I’m underwater and I’m drowning in my feelings for you.”

Your resistance were just bare thread now. And the last ones frayed into nothing at his proximity.

“Prove it,” you said as you met his gaze. 

Steve’s eyes glinted with something you couldn’t read, and his hand moved to your waist. 

“Careful now, Peach,” he murmured and bent his head, still not quite kissing you, but driving you crazy.

“You don’t scare me,” you whispered. 

“No?” 

His hand was on your back now, moving you impossibly closer. 

“I think that I do. I think the feelings you have for me terrify you.” 

His lush lips crashed down on yours, and you were completely lost to the way he devoured you, all heat and hunger and lust. Your tongues tangled and danced, and you moaned into his mouth. 

Steve broke away to nip down your jaw. 

“Taste so fucking sweet, Peach. ‘S all I could think about this past month.” 

His hands slid down your body to palm your ass, pulling you close and making you feel how hard he was for you. Damn he was big. He was right, you’d probably struggle to take him, but god you wanted to try right now.

Slowly, Steve lowered his head again, watching you intently as his lips capture yours. The kiss started off slow and delicious, then it deepened, growing more passionate, more demanding. Your fingers tangled in his thick hair, pulling him closer. And when you came up for air, you were both breathing hard. He leaned his forehead on yours.

“I want every single part of you, Peach,” he said roughly. “Not just your body.”

Your heart swelled. There was no more holding back now. 

“D’you think you can… can you think about trusting me with your heart?”

You hesitated and he knew he needed to get you not to get back in your head. He settled into the large couch and pulled you into his lap. His hands on your body was like nothing else. 

“You feel fucking amazing.”

Before he knew it, Steve wrapped a hand around your neck and pulled you down to his mouth. He nipped at your lower lip, then soothed the tender flesh with his tongue, leaving you a trembling mess.

He lifted his hand and ran a finger down the side of your neck; the touch was light but somehow burned. 

“Tell me you don’t think about being mine?”

You only whimper in answer, your stubbornness still in control.

He shook his head as he leaned down and followed the trail of his finger with his lips.

It felt so good that you tilted your head to the side with a soft sigh, giving him better access. Steve took full advantage, trailing kisses back up to the sensitive spot behind your ear that made you shiver.

“Fuck, Steve.”

You hooked your leg around his waist and rolled your hips against his like he was a pole. You arched your back and attempted to ride him to get some satisfaction to your core, which was 

aching and weeping.

“No. We’re not gonna fuck. Not until you tell me you’re mine. But we can play.”

He arched a dark blonde eyebrow as he kissed down your cleavage and  one big hand cupped your breast over your shirt and the other reached down to slip inside your panties. 

“You wanna play, Peach? You’re absolutely soaked Sweetheart. Want me to make you feel good?”

It was his one mission in life, and he could do it all day, bring you pleasure.

You pouted up at him, but you couldn’t resist. This high was too addictive.

“Yes, Stevie. Please. Make me feel good.” 

He growled lowly when you arched into his touch. You felt the hard length of him pressing against your core, and you reached down to palm him through his pants. 

“Fuck. You’re gonna be the death of me.”

Suddenly, your bra was pulled down and his mouth was closing over your nipple, sucking and teasing. He moved lower, getting on his knees beside the couch.

He stopped manhandling you long enough to unbutton his shirt and damn, did you pay attention. 

You bit your finger as those muscular shoulders and biceps and chest came into view. Your eyes followed the happy trail that flowed down his six pack and damn the bugle in his pants was big.

That shocked look on your face when you met his eyes again was so hot that Steve wanted to fucking ruin you, but he decided have settle for just tasting you.

“Don’t want you to get my shirt wet, Sweetheart.”

He winked and then reached underneath your skirt to find your panties.

You scrambled up on your hands and scoffed.

“It’s like that?”

Steve grabbed your thighs and pulled them apart, making your skirt ride up.

You leaned back and smiled as he winked and nodded.

He hiked your legs over his shoulders and a second later, his mouth was between them, his tongue teasing the skin near where you really wanted him to be. 

You grabbed his hair and ground against his face, already desperate for more. And when he licked straight through the center of you, a scream started in your throat but you stifled it, looking down to see Steve’s eyes twinkle up at you. 

He kept you pinned against the couch, gripping your hips with those big, strong hands and holding you in place. His tongue traveled up and down your slit, between your folds, and slid inside your wet cunt.

Your entire body trembled as his tongue toyed with your clit. You felt his smile as he started circling his tongue around the small bundle of nerves.

“Fuck! Give me more!”

Your eyes rolled as two of his long thick fingers entered you and scissored before quickly finding the pile of sensitive flesh inside you. He massaged it and at the same time leaned down to suck your clit into his mouth. It was at that point that your orgasm hit you like a wave.

“Steveeeee! Godddd!” 

You screamed as your pussy simultaneously clenched and squirted fluid into Steve’s waiting mouth. Your vision went white, and all the air was sucked out of the room. 

Slowly, your surroundings came back into focus. Steve kissed the inside of your thigh, then stood up, watching you with an intensity that made your heart stutter in your chest.

“The way you scream my name makes a man wanna buy you jewels Peach.”

His beard was wet and his voice was raspy, but you reached for him and he leaned down to kiss you, letting you taste your essence on his tongue.

Then, he pulled away and found your bathroom. You stared at the ceiling as the water ran and you assumed he was cleaning up. He returned with his shirt on and a warm towel to help you clean up.

He watched as you shed your clothes, sensuality on display only for him. You reached for his pants and he grabbed your wrists, shaking his head.

“Like I said. That was fun. But you’ve got to make a decision, Peach. Do you want me like I want you?”

The words were right there in your throat, but they refused to come out.

You just stared at him.

Steve smiled at you ruefully.

“Okay. It’s all right. I’m not giving up. Just giving you space.”

He handed you the fluffy white robe that was in the bathroom and you put it on to follow him to the door of your suite.

“See you tomorrow after the Summit for our meeting.”

He kissed you goodbye on the cheek and the dance you and Steve Rogers did continued as you watched him walk away from you.

——-

Hope you liked it! Interaction gives me lifeeeeee! Read, comment, reblog, like. TIA 🥰

Read the next part, Peach VI

[mrs-delaney]

Exploration

🏈 Joe Burrow x Y/N | 14k-ish words

request: Hi, whenever you have time, and if you want, could you write a Joe story?(He single and enjoying his single life with girls and meets the main character (because she moved to Cincinnati or something), who's bisexual, has a girlfriend, but they're in an open relationship (and things start to happen with Joe. She knows she's bisexual but she's never tried it with a guy because she's never been attracted to anyone enough.

P.S.: Personally, I'm also part of the community, but the first male crush that makes me feel something is Joe, and I'd like to see a story like that. 😊

Author’s Note: I was so excited to write this one. As someone who identifies as pan, it meant a lot to explore a story that reflects the fluidity of attraction and the possibility of something unexpected feeling totally right. I also really loved writing a dynamic where an open relationship isn’t about drama or conflict, but trust and support—and that it still ends happily, with everyone respected and cared for. That kind of softness and emotional honesty feels rare sometimes, and I wanted to write something that holds space for it.

This has barely been edited, so please forgive the mess. I was just too excited to get it out. Thank you for reading. Thank you for requesting this.

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: read my other stories :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: join my taglist :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

💭 talk to me sweet

Y/N Y/L/N adjusted her polo shirt one more time as she walked through the parking lot of Camargo Club, grateful she'd chosen comfortable golf shoes over anything with heels. Three weeks into her new role as Community Impact Director at the Tri-State Food Bank, and she was still getting used to representing the organization at events like this. Back in Portland, she'd known every donor, every partner, every face in the room. Here in Cincinnati, everything felt fresh and slightly overwhelming.

The Joe Burrow Foundation's annual golf tournament and luncheon was her first major networking event, and she was determined to make a good impression. The foundation had been one of the food bank's most consistent supporters, and Y/N had spent her first few weeks getting up to speed on their partnership through grant applications and impact reports, but she'd never met Joe himself.

She pulled her phone from her purse as she approached the clubhouse, checking for any last-minute messages from Alex.

Alex: How's the schmoozing going? Remember, you're amazing at this even when you feel like you're not.

Y/N: Haven't even started yet. Wish me luck.

Alex: You don't need luck. You need to remember that you're passionate about what you do and that's infectious. Also, if anyone's rude to you, I'll fly there and fight them.

Y/N smiled at her phone. Even from two time zones away while Alex finished wrapping up her own work in Portland, her girlfriend had an uncanny ability to calm her nerves. They'd been together for three years, and Alex had been nothing but supportive when this opportunity came up—even encouraging Y/N to take the leap despite the temporary long-distance situation it would create.

The clubhouse was busy with activity as Y/N checked in, receiving a name tag and information packet. The morning golf portion was already underway, but the networking lunch was where she needed to focus. She'd prepared talking points about the food bank's current initiatives and had memorized statistics about food insecurity in the tri-state area, but mostly she hoped to make genuine connections with people who cared about the same issues she did.

"Y/N Y/L/N?" A woman in her fifties approached with a warm smile. "I'm Robin Burrow. We've been emailing back and forth about today's event."

"Robin! It's nice to finally meet you in person." Y/N shook her hand, immediately feeling more at ease. Robin had been nothing but welcoming in their email exchanges, and there was something naturally maternal and approachable about her in person.

"How are you settling in? Big change from Portland, I imagine."

"It is, but good so far. Everyone's been really welcoming, and I'm excited to dig into the work here. The need is significant, but so is the community support."

"That's exactly what we like to hear. Come on, let me introduce you to some folks. The golfers will be coming in soon for lunch, and then we'll have the presentation portion."

Robin led her around the room, introducing her to local business leaders, other nonprofit directors, and foundation staff. Y/N found herself relaxing into the conversations, her passion for the work overriding her nervousness about being the new person in the room.

"The food bank's mobile pantry program has been incredible," she found herself explaining to a group of potential donors. "We're able to reach communities that might not otherwise have access to our main distribution center. Last month alone, we served over fifteen hundred families through the mobile units."

"That's incredible," said one of the men, a local restaurant owner. "What's the biggest challenge?"

"Honestly? Awareness. People think of food insecurity and picture homelessness, but the reality is that one in eight people in our region faces food insecurity. That includes working families, seniors on fixed incomes, college students. It doesn't always look like what people expect."

The conversation continued, and Y/N felt that familiar energy that came from talking about work she truly believed in. This was why she'd moved across the country—not just for the career opportunity, but for the chance to make a real impact in a new community.

"Looks like the golfers are starting to come in," Robin said, approaching the group. "Y/N, I'd love for you to meet Joe when he gets a chance. He's been really invested in understanding the impact of our donations, and I think you two would have a great conversation."

Y/N nodded, trying to ignore the small flutter of nerves. She'd googled Joe Burrow when she'd first learned about the foundation partnership, of course. Hard not to notice that he was attractive, but she'd been more focused on understanding the foundation's giving patterns and focus areas. From what she could tell, they seemed to prioritize genuine community impact over flashy PR opportunities.

She was refilling her water glass when she noticed a small group entering from the golf course. Even if she hadn't known who Joe Burrow was, she would have noticed him—something about the way he carried himself, relaxed but confident. He was listening intently to something one of his golf partners was saying, a slight smile on his face.

He looked different than in the professional photos she'd seen. His hair was slightly messy from the golf course, and there was something approachable about him that the carefully posed media shots couldn't capture.

"Joe!" Robin called out, and he looked up, scanning the room until his eyes found hers. "Come meet Y/N from the food bank when you get a chance."

He nodded, finishing his conversation before making his way over. Y/N found herself straightening her blazer again, but not from nerves this time—from something else entirely that she couldn't quite name.

"Hey," he said, extending his hand. His handshake was firm, warm. "Joe. Thanks for being here today."

"Thanks for having me. And seriously, thank you for what the foundation does for us. It makes a huge difference."

"I'd love to hear more about that, actually. My mom mentioned you just moved here from Portland?"

"Three weeks ago. Still getting my bearings, but the work is incredible here. Your foundation's support has allowed us to expand our programming in ways that are really making a difference."

Joe's attention was completely focused on her as she spoke, a kind of intentional listening that was surprisingly intense. "What kind of expansion?"

"Well, the mobile pantry program I was just telling someone about—that's partially funded by foundation grants. But we've also been able to hire two new community liaisons to help connect people with other resources. Food insecurity is often connected to other challenges—housing instability, healthcare access, employment issues. Having people who can help navigate those systems makes a huge difference."

"That makes a lot of sense. I hadn't thought about the wraparound aspect as much."

"Most people don't, which is totally understandable. When you think 'food bank,' you think food. But often the families we serve need support in multiple areas."

Joe nodded thoughtfully. "How do you measure impact on something like that? The community liaison work?"

Y/N felt herself light up. This was exactly the kind of question that showed he was thinking seriously about the work, not just writing checks. "It's definitely more complex than counting meals distributed. We track things like how many families we're able to connect with healthcare enrollment, or job placement services, or housing assistance. But we also do follow-up surveys to understand whether people feel more stable six months later, whether kids are performing better in school when their families have more food security."

"Damn, that's a lot more involved than I realized."

"It really is. Food insecurity isn't just about hunger—it's about stability, dignity, opportunity. A kid who's worried about whether there's going to be dinner at home can't focus on homework. A parent who's choosing between groceries and prescription medication is dealing with stress that affects every part of their life."

Joe was quiet for a moment, processing what she'd said. "I grew up in a small town in Ohio. Different situation, but... I saw kids at school whose families were struggling, you know? It stays with you."

There was something in his voice—not quite vulnerability, but a recognition that felt personal. Y/N found herself studying his face, seeing something beyond the confident athlete she'd expected.

"So that's why this stuff matters to you."

"Yeah, it does. I've been fortunate, obviously. But I remember what it felt like to see friends whose families were struggling, and feeling like there wasn't much I could do about it. Now there is."

There was something genuine in his voice that caught her off guard. Y/N had worked with plenty of donors over the years—some genuinely committed, others more interested in the tax benefits or social cachet. Joe fell clearly into the first category.

"Well, you're definitely doing something about it. The foundation's support has allowed us to serve an additional four hundred families this quarter compared to the same period last year."

"Four hundred families," Joe repeated, as if calculating what that meant in practical terms.

"Which translates to roughly twelve hundred people, including about four hundred and fifty children."

Joe's eyebrows raised slightly. "That's amazing."

"It really is. And that's just our organization. I know the foundation supports other food-related initiatives too."

"We do, but I'd love to understand more about your work specifically. Would you be willing to give me a tour of your facility sometime? I like to see the programs in action when possible."

Y/N felt a flutter of something—professional excitement, she told herself. "Absolutely. I love showing people our operation. I'm still getting my bearings since I'm so new, but most people are surprised by the scale and the logistics involved."

"I'd imagine. What day works best for you?"

They were interrupted by Robin tapping a microphone at the front of the room. "If we could have everyone take their seats, we'd love to get started with the program portion of our event."

"We should probably grab seats," Joe said, but he didn't immediately move toward the tables.

"Definitely. I'll send you my contact information through Robin."

"Looking forward to it."

As they made their way to their respective tables, Y/N found herself glancing back at Joe once. He was being stopped by other attendees, but when their eyes met across the room, he gave her a small smile that made her stomach do something unexpected.

She settled into her assigned seat, only half-listening as Robin welcomed everyone and began introducing the various speakers. Her mind kept returning to their conversation—not just the content, but the way Joe had listened, the thoughtful questions he'd asked, the moment when his professional composure had slipped just slightly when he'd mentioned his childhood.

When it was her turn to speak about the food bank's impact, Y/N found herself scanning the room until she located Joe's table. He was watching attentively, and something about his focus made her feel more confident as she talked about the families they served and the difference the foundation's support was making.

"The foundation's contribution this year will allow us to provide the equivalent of one hundred and twenty thousand meals to families in our region," she concluded. "But more than that, it's helping us build a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has access to basic nutrition."

The applause was warm, and Y/N felt a flush of satisfaction as she returned to her seat. This was why she loved her work—being able to connect the numbers to real human impact, to help people understand that their support was changing lives.

As the event wound down, Y/N found herself exchanging business cards and making plans for follow-up meetings with several potential new partners. The afternoon had been more successful than she'd hoped, but she kept finding herself looking around the room for Joe.

She was packing up her materials when he appeared beside her table.

"That was really good," he said. "One hundred and twenty thousand meals - that's crazy."

"Thank you. I'm excited about the partnership and what we'll be able to accomplish this year."

"About that tour—I'm serious about wanting to see the operation. When would work for you?"

Y/N pulled out her phone to check her calendar. "I'm pretty flexible this week, if you want to come by before things get too crazy. We're always busiest at the end of the month."

"How about Thursday afternoon? Would two o'clock work?"

"Perfect. I'll send you some background information so you know what to expect."

"Sounds good." Joe paused, then added, "I'm really glad my mom introduced us. It's obvious you care about this work."

"I do. It's easy to care about something that makes such a direct difference in people's lives."

"I get that. Looking forward to Thursday."

They stood there for a moment, the conversation seeming to naturally wind down, but neither immediately moving away. Finally, Joe glanced toward where some other attendees were trying to get his attention.

"I should probably..." he gestured toward the group.

"Of course. Thanks again for today."

As Joe headed back toward the other guests, Y/N made her way to the parking lot, pulling out her phone to text Alex.

Y/N: Event went really well. Made some great connections.

Alex: Told you! Details when you get home. Proud of you.

Driving back toward downtown Cincinnati, Y/N found herself thinking about the conversation with Joe, the way he'd asked questions that showed he was thinking about the work, not just going through the motions of donor engagement. It would be good to have someone so committed to understanding their impact.

She was almost back to her apartment when she caught herself wondering what Joe would think of the mobile pantry operation. And whether he'd want to grab coffee after the tour again.

The thought made her smile.

Still, as she pulled into her parking spot, Y/N found herself already thinking about what she'd show Joe on Thursday. The warehouse operations, maybe the mobile pantry prep area. She wanted him to see how much his foundation's support actually meant in practical terms.

It wasn't until she was unlocking her apartment door that she realized she'd been smiling the entire drive home.

* * *

Y/N checked her phone for the third time in ten minutes. 1:58 PM. Joe would be here any minute for the food bank tour, and she was probably more nervous than she should be for what was essentially a professional meeting. She'd spent the morning reviewing statistics and operation details, wanting to make sure she could answer any questions he might have—though she was still learning some of the systems herself.

"You've got this," she muttered under her breath, straightening the visitor badges on her desk. Through her office window, she could see the main warehouse floor where volunteers were sorting through the morning's grocery store donations. The activity helped calm her nerves.

Her phone buzzed with a text from Alex: How's the VIP tour prep going?

Trying not to overthink it, Y/N replied. It's just a tour.

Mhmm. The fact that you texted me about what to wear for "just a tour" says otherwise. You've got this, babe. Show him why you're amazing at what you do.

Y/N smiled at her phone. Alex had been nothing but supportive about this meeting, even teasing her gently about her obvious nerves. She loved that she was with someone who encouraged her to appreciate attractive, interesting people rather than feeling threatened by it.

A knock on her office door interrupted her thoughts. "Y/N? There's someone here to see you," called Marcus, one of the volunteer coordinators.

"That'll be Joe Burrow," she said, grabbing her visitor badges and heading toward the front entrance. "I'll be right there."

Joe was standing near the reception desk, reading one of the posters about food insecurity. He was in jeans and a gray hoodie, and when he saw her coming, he smiled.

"Hey," he said. 

"Hey, perfect timing," Y/N said, trying to ignore the little flutter in her stomach. "Ready to see what your foundation's support actually looks like in action?"

"Absolutely."

She handed him a visitor badge and clipped her own ID badge to her cardigan. "Fair warning—I'm still pretty new here myself, so if I don't know the answer to something, I'll find someone who does."

"That's honest. I appreciate that."

Y/N led him through the first set of doors into the main warehouse space. The scale of the operation was impressive—rows of industrial shelving stretching up to the ceiling, forklifts moving pallets of canned goods, volunteers in bright yellow t-shirts sorting donations at long tables.

"Wow," Joe said, stopping to take it all in. "This is way bigger than I expected."

"Right? When I was interviewing for the job, they told me we distribute about two million pounds of food annually, but seeing it is completely different." Y/N gestured toward the organized chaos around them. "This is our main sorting and distribution area. Most of the food comes from grocery store donations, food drives, and federal programs."

They walked deeper into the warehouse, Y/N pointing out different sections and explaining the flow of operations. Joe asked thoughtful questions—not just about the numbers, but about the logistics, the challenges, the people they served.

"So how do you decide who gets what?" he asked as they paused near a section where volunteers were packing family-sized boxes.

"Great question, and honestly, it's something I'm still learning the nuances of," Y/N admitted. "We have a client choice model here, which means families can actually shop for what they need rather than just getting a pre-packed box. It preserves dignity and ensures people get food they'll actually use."

"That makes sense. Nobody wants to feel like they're just getting whatever someone else decided they should have."

"Exactly. But it also means we need a lot more variety in our inventory, and the logistics are more complex." She paused near a volunteer who was restocking the choice pantry shelves. "Mind if we watch for a minute? I'm still figuring out how they manage the flow during busy periods."

Joe nodded, and they stood off to the side observing the organized system of clients moving through with volunteers to help when needed. Y/N found herself genuinely curious about the process, asking the volunteer coordinator questions about peak times and inventory management.

"You really are new at this," Joe said quietly, but not in a critical way. "I like that you're not pretending to know everything."

"Would that be more impressive?"

"No. This is better. Shows you actually care about getting it right."

They continued the tour, visiting the mobile pantry prep area where volunteers were loading trucks for community distribution sites. Y/N explained what she knew about the program and asked the staff member to fill in details about the routes and scheduling.

"We serve about fifteen different locations throughout the week," the staff member, Janet, explained. "Senior centers, community centers, schools. Basically anywhere we can reach people who might not be able to get to our main location."

"How do you decide where to go?" Joe asked.

"Community need assessments, requests from local organizations, that kind of thing. Y/N's actually been working on expanding our reach into some underserved areas."

Y/N felt a flush of pride. "It's preliminary research right now, but there are definitely gaps in our coverage, especially in some of the rural areas outside the city."

"What's the biggest challenge with expansion?" Joe asked as they walked back toward the main warehouse.

"Funding, mostly. Each new route means more trucks, more gas, more staff time. And then you need relationships in those communities—people who can help spread the word and coordinate." Y/N paused, realizing she was getting into details that might not interest him. "Sorry, I'm probably giving you way more information than you wanted."

"Are you kidding? This is exactly what I wanted to know. When I write a check, I want to understand what it actually does."

They'd reached the volunteer area where people were sorting through donated items, and Y/N noticed they were short-handed at one of the stations.

"Would you mind if we jumped in for a few minutes?" she asked. "I try to help out when I can, and it looks like they could use extra hands."

"Sure."

Y/N led him to a table where volunteers were sorting canned goods, checking expiration dates and organizing by type. She grabbed two chairs and explained the process—a simple but important quality control step to make sure expired items didn't make it to families.

Working side by side, their conversation became more natural and personal. Joe told her about growing up in Athens, about watching his parents work multiple jobs, about feeling lucky but never forgetting where he came from. Y/N shared stories about her previous job in Portland, about the career move to Cincinnati, about Alex and their decision to try long-distance while Y/N got established.

"That's got to be hard," Joe said, checking the date on a can of green beans. "Long distance."

"It is, but Alex has been amazing about it. She's the one who pushed me to take this job, actually. Said I'd be crazy to pass it up."

"Sounds like a good partner."

"She really is. She's actually excited about me exploring a new city, meeting new people, trying new things." Y/N glanced at Joe as she said this, wondering if he caught the subtle implication.

Joe's hands paused for just a moment in his sorting before he continued. "That's rare. A lot of people would be more possessive about that kind of change."

"Alex isn't most people. She trusts me, and she knows that me being happy and fulfilled makes our relationship stronger, not weaker."

They worked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the rhythm of sorting creating an easy intimacy. Y/N found herself hyperaware of Joe's presence beside her—the way he moved, the occasional brush of their hands when they reached for the same box, the subtle scent of his cologne.

"Y/N?" Janet appeared at their table. "Sorry to interrupt, but we've got a reporter here for that feature story about the mobile pantry program. Do you have a few minutes?"

Y/N glanced at her watch, surprised to see they'd been at the sorting table for almost thirty minutes. "Of course. Joe, I should probably—"

"Go ahead," he said. "I can finish up here."

"You don't have to—"

"I want to. Take your time."

Y/N felt that flutter again, this time at his easy willingness to stay and help rather than just observe. "I'll be right back."

The interview with the reporter took longer than expected—nearly forty-five minutes of questions about the mobile pantry program, statistics about food insecurity, and photos of the loading area. When Y/N finally made it back to the volunteer area, Joe was still there, now helping move sorted items to the appropriate storage areas.

"You didn't have to stay," she said, approaching him.

"I told you I wanted to see how this place actually works. Best way to do that is to work." He gestured to the organized stacks of canned goods. "Plus, it's kind of satisfying."

"Meditative, right? I've only been here a few weeks, but I can already see how the repetitive work would help clear your head."

They walked back toward the front of the building, the official tour portion complete. Y/N felt oddly reluctant for the visit to end, which was probably not entirely professional of her.

"So what do you think?" she asked as they reached the lobby area.

"I think I understand now why my foundation money makes such a difference. And I think you're really good at this job, even if you are still learning."

"Thank you. That means a lot, especially coming from someone who's clearly passionate about this work too."

Joe was quiet for a moment, seeming to consider something. "Can I ask you something that might be overstepping?"

"Shoot."

"Are you free for coffee? There's a place down the street, and I'd love to continue talking about some of this stuff. Maybe brainstorm about those expansion ideas you mentioned."

Y/N felt her pulse quicken. It was a perfectly reasonable request—foundation donor wanting to understand programs better. But the way Joe was looking at her suggested it wasn't entirely about the food bank.

"I'd love that," she said. "Let me just grab my jacket."

Twenty minutes later, they were settled in a corner booth at a local coffee shop, the conversation flowing easily between work topics and more personal territory. Joe was surprisingly easy to talk to—asking genuine questions, sharing his own experiences, making her laugh with dry observations about the differences between small-town Ohio and Cincinnati.

"So how long have you and Alex been together?" he asked during a lull in conversation.

"Three years. We met through work in Portland—she's a graphic designer, was doing some projects for nonprofits I was connected with."

"And she's really okay with you being here while she's still there?"

"More than okay. She's actually the one who convinced me to take the job."

"That's cool of her. A lot of people would be more worried about that kind of separation. Even if its just temporary."

"Alex isn't most people. She's very secure in our relationship." Y/N paused, then added, "We're pretty open about a lot of things."

Joe raised an eyebrow. "Open how?"

"We have an open relationship," Y/N said simply. "We trust each other completely, and we both believe that connection with other people can enhance rather than threaten what we have together."

Joe set down his coffee cup carefully. "That's... refreshingly honest."

"Is that weird to say?"

"No. I appreciate honesty. Saves everyone time and confusion."

They looked at each other across the table, and Y/N felt something shift in the air between them. Joe's eyes were steady on hers, and she found herself wondering what he was thinking.

"So you're both free to... explore?" he asked.

"We are. Though honestly, I haven't really taken advantage of that much."

"Why not?"

Y/N hesitated, not sure how much to reveal. "I guess I haven't really felt drawn to it before."

"But you're open to it?"

"I am." She met his gaze directly. "Theoretically."

Joe's smile was slow and warm. "Theoretically."

"Well," Y/N said, feeling heat rise in her cheeks, "maybe not just theoretically."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, both processing the conversation. Y/N felt nervous but not regretful about her honesty.

"This is all pretty new territory for me," Y/N admitted.

"I figured," Joe said. "For what it's worth, I'm interested in getting to know you better."

Y/N felt her heart skip. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. But no pressure. We can take things slow, see what feels right."

"I'd like that."

Joe's smile was warm and reassuring. "Good."

They finished their coffee talking about lighter topics, but the undercurrent of attraction remained, humming beneath every exchanged glance and casual touch. When Joe walked her back to her car, Y/N felt like she was standing at the edge of something entirely new.

"Thank you for today," she said as they reached her car. "The tour, the coffee, the sorting help. All of it."

"Thank you for showing me around. And for being honest about... everything."

They stood close together in the parking lot, the late afternoon sun casting shadows between them. Y/N could feel the pull to step closer, to see what would happen if she did.

Instead, Joe took a small step back, giving her space but keeping his eyes on hers.

"I'd like to see you again," he said. "Outside of work stuff."

"I'd like that too."

"How about dinner? Somewhere we can actually talk without interruption."

"When?"

"Saturday? If that works with your schedule."

"Saturday works."

Joe pulled out his phone. "What's your number?"

As they exchanged contact information, Y/N felt a mix of excitement and nervousness that reminded her of being a teenager with her first crush. Except this wasn't teenage infatuation—this was adult attraction with all its complexities and possibilities.

"I'll text you about dinner plans," Joe said.

"Looking forward to it."

Joe got into his car, but before pulling away, he rolled down his window.

"Y/N?"

"Yeah?"

"Alex is lucky to have someone who's brave enough to be honest about what they want."

As he drove away, Y/N stood in the parking lot for a long moment, processing what had just happened. She'd acknowledged her attraction to a man for the first time in her life. She'd been honest about her open relationship. She'd made plans for what was definitely going to be a date.

And instead of feeling conflicted or guilty, she felt excited.

She pulled out her phone to text Alex.

The tour went really well. Joe's amazing - so genuine about the work. We ended up getting coffee after and talked for hours.

That's awesome! I told you he'd be impressed by your passion. How was it getting to know him better?

Really good. Alex... he asked about our relationship.

And?

I told him we're open. He seemed interested in exploring that.

How do you feel about that?

Nervous but excited. That's normal, right?

Totally normal. Good for you. Talk tonight?

Definitely. Love you.

Love you too. Proud of you for being open to new experiences.

Y/N smiled at her phone, feeling grateful once again for Alex's support and encouragement. Whatever was developing with Joe, she knew she had Alex's blessing to explore it.

* * *

Y/N stood in front of her closet Saturday evening, holding up two different dresses and feeling ridiculous about how much thought she was putting into this. It was just dinner. With someone she'd already spent several hours with this week. Someone who'd seen her in work clothes sorting canned goods.

But it was also her first real date with a man, and she had no idea what that was supposed to feel like.

Her phone buzzed on the dresser—a FaceTime call from Alex. Y/N answered, propping the phone against her mirror.

"Okay, show me the options," Alex said without preamble, already settled in what looked like her favorite coffee shop in Portland.

"You don't even know what I'm deciding between."

"Babe, you've been texting me outfit updates for the past hour. I know exactly what this is about. Now show me."

Y/N held up the two dresses. "The black one is probably safer, but the blue one is more—"

"The blue one."

"You didn't even let me finish."

"The blue one makes your eyes look incredible, and more importantly, it's the one you actually want to wear. I can tell by how you're holding it."

Y/N looked down at the blue dress in her right hand. Alex was right—she'd been gravitating toward it all afternoon.

"What if I'm overdressed? We're just going to some Italian place downtown."

"Y/N." Alex's voice was gentle but firm. "You're spiraling. Take a breath."

Y/N sat on the edge of her bed, phone in hand. "I don't know why I'm so nervous. It's not like I've never been on a date before."

"But you've never been on a date with a man before. That's different, and it's okay to be nervous about different."

"What if I don't know how to act? What if it's weird?"

"Then it'll be weird, and you'll figure it out. But Y/N, from everything you've told me about Joe, he seems like someone who'd make you feel comfortable being yourself."

"He does. That's what's confusing me. I keep expecting it to feel strange or forced, but it doesn't."

Y/N was quiet for a moment, processing. "I keep thinking about Thursday. The way he looked at me when we were talking. I've never had a guy look at me like that before."

"How did it make you feel?"

"Like... like I wanted him to keep looking at me like that." Y/N felt heat rise in her cheeks.

Alex's smile was warm and knowing. "That's good, babe."

"Okay. Blue dress it is."

"Blue dress. And Y/N? Have fun tonight. Don't spend the whole time analyzing everything. Just see what happens."

After they hung up, Y/N felt better. She put on the blue dress, touched up her makeup, and was ready with five minutes to spare when Joe texted that he was outside.

She grabbed her purse and jacket, took one last look in the mirror, and headed downstairs.

Joe was leaning against a dark sedan, scrolling through his phone, when she emerged from her apartment building. When he looked up and saw her, his expression shifted into something warmer.

"Hey," he said, straightening up. "You look really nice."

"Thanks. So do you."

He was wearing dark jeans and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up—casual but put-together. It was the kind of effortless style that probably took no thought for him but looked intentionally perfect.

Joe moved to open the passenger door for her, his hand briefly touching her lower back as she got into the car. It was a small gesture, polite and natural, but Y/N felt hyperaware of the contact.

"So where are we going?" she asked as he got into the driver's seat.

"This place called Boca. It's in OTR—Over-the-Rhine. Have you explored that area yet?"

"Not really. I've been meaning to, but I keep getting caught up in work stuff."

"You'll like it. Good food, not too loud. We can actually have a conversation."

The drive to the restaurant was comfortable, filled with easy conversation about Cincinnati neighborhoods and Y/N's impressions of the city so far. Joe had obviously put thought into choosing somewhere she might enjoy, which felt considerate in a way that made her chest warm.

Boca was intimate without being stuffy—exposed brick walls, warm lighting, and tables spaced far enough apart for privacy. Joe had made a reservation, and they were seated at a quiet corner table away from the main dining room.

"This is really nice," Y/N said, settling into her seat.

"I was hoping you'd like it. I figured somewhere low-key would be better for a first..." He paused, seeming to consider his words.

"First date?" Y/N supplied, amused by his hesitation.

"I wasn't sure if that's what you'd call it."

"What would you call it?"

Joe's smile was slightly crooked. "I'd call it a date. If that's okay with you."

"It's okay with me."

They ordered wine and settled into the kind of conversation that had come naturally to them from the beginning. Joe asked about her transition to Cincinnati, her impressions of the food bank's operations, her plans for the mobile pantry expansion. Y/N found herself asking about his off-season routine, his foundation work, what he did when he wasn't being Joe Burrow the quarterback.

"That's an interesting question," Joe said, twirling pasta around his fork. "Sometimes I'm not sure there's much separation between the two."

"That sounds exhausting."

"It can be. But it's also just... who I am now. Hard to turn it off."

"Do you want to turn it off?"

Joe considered this. "Sometimes. It would be nice to go to a restaurant without wondering if someone's going to ask for a photo. Or to have a conversation without thinking about whether what I'm saying might end up on social media."

"Is that what you're thinking about now?"

"No." His answer was immediate and certain. "This feels different."

"Different how?"

"Normal. Like I can just be myself without thinking about it."

Y/N felt something flutter in her chest at the sincerity in his voice. "I'm glad."

Their conversation drifted to more personal territory—family, college experiences, travel. Y/N found herself sharing stories she didn't usually tell on first dates, feeling unusually comfortable with Joe's quiet attention.

"What about you?" Joe asked during dessert. "What do you do when you're not being Y/N the community impact director?"

"Honestly? I'm still figuring that out here. In Portland I had routines, favorite places, a whole life outside work. Here I'm still exploring."

"What did you like to do there?"

"Hiking, mostly. Alex and I would drive out to the Gorge or up to Mount Hood on weekends. I miss that."

"There's good hiking here too. Different, but good. Red River Gorge in Kentucky is about two hours away."

"You hike?"

"When I can. It's one of the few things that actually clears my head completely."

"I've been trying to figure out where the good spots are around here."

"I could show you some places. If you want."

The offer hung between them, loaded with implication. It was an invitation to spend more time together, to share something he enjoyed, to continue whatever this was they were building.

"I'd like that," Y/N said.

After dinner, Joe suggested they walk around the neighborhood instead of heading straight back to the car. The evening was warm for October, and Y/N found herself agreeing easily.

They strolled down the tree-lined streets, past converted townhouses and small galleries, their conversation becoming more relaxed and wandering. Joe pointed out places he liked—a coffee shop, a bookstore, a small park tucked between buildings.

"You seem to know this area pretty well," Y/N observed.

"I bought a place near here when I first got to Cincinnati. Sold it last year, but I still like the neighborhood."

"Why did you sell?"

"Wanted something with more space. The place I have now has an actual yard, which is nice when I need to decompress."

They'd stopped walking and were standing near a small fountain in the tucked-away park Joe had mentioned. The space was quiet, lit by vintage streetlamps that cast warm pools of light on the walkways.

"This is really pretty," Y/N said, looking around.

"Yeah, it is." Joe glanced around the small park. "I used to come here sometimes when I lived in the neighborhood."

"Y/N," he said, his voice quieter than before.

"Yeah?"

Instead of answering, Joe stepped closer. His hand came up to touch her arm, just above her elbow, his thumb brushing lightly against the fabric of her dress.

"Is this okay?" he asked.

Y/N nodded, not trusting her voice. The simple contact was sending heat up her arm and making her hyperaware of how close they were standing.

Joe's other hand came up to touch her face, his fingertips tracing along her jawline. Y/N felt her eyes flutter closed at the gentle contact, her breath coming shorter.

When Y/N opened her eyes, Joe was very close, close enough that she could see the flecks of gold in his eyes, close enough to feel his breath warm against her face.

Joe leaned down and kissed her.

It was soft at first, tentative, giving her time to pull away if she wanted to. But Y/N found herself leaning into the kiss instead, her hands coming up to rest against his chest.

Joe's lips were warm and gentle, moving against hers with a patience that made her melt. This was nothing like kissing Alex—different texture, different taste, different rhythm. Where Alex was soft and familiar, Joe was firm and new and thrilling.

When they broke apart, Y/N realized she was breathing hard.

"Wow," she said, then immediately felt foolish for such an inelegant response.

Joe's smile was warm. "Good?"

"Very good."

They stood close together for another moment, Y/N processing the newness of everything she'd just felt. Joe's hands were still on her face and arm, anchoring her while she adjusted to the rush of sensations.

"That was..." she started, then trailed off.

"Your first time kissing a guy," Joe finished gently.

"Yeah. Was it obvious?"

"Not obvious. Just... different."

Y/N felt heat rise in her cheeks. "Different how?"

"Like you were really present for it. Like you were paying attention to everything."

"I was. It was... a lot to take in."

Joe's thumb brushed against her cheek. "What did you think?"

Y/N considered the question seriously. What had she thought? The physical sensation had been different than she'd expected—Joe's facial hair creating a texture she wasn't used to, his mouth firmer than Alex's, his hands larger and rougher. But more than that, it had awakened something in her she hadn't known was there.

"I liked it," she said simply. "You're a really good kisser."

"Yeah?"

"I thought it might feel strange or wrong somehow. But it didn't. It felt..." She searched for the right word. "Natural."Joe's smile was soft and genuine. "I'm glad."

He leaned down to kiss her again, and this time Y/N was ready for it. She kissed him back with more confidence, letting herself explore the newness of his mouth, the way he tasted, the way his hands felt tangled in her hair.

When they separated this time, Y/N felt more confident but also more aware of the attraction between them.

"We should probably head back," Joe said, though he didn't sound particularly eager to move.

"Probably."

They walked back to the car hand in hand, a comfortable silence settling between them. Y/N found herself stealing glances at Joe, trying to process the shift in how she saw him. An hour ago he'd been attractive in an abstract way. Now she was hyperaware of his physical presence—the way he moved, the size of his hand holding hers, the memory of how he'd felt pressed against her.

When they reached her apartment building, Joe walked her to the entrance.

"I had a really good time tonight," he said.

"So did I."

"I'd like to see you again. Soon."

"I'd like that too."

Joe leaned down to kiss her goodnight, and Y/N found herself rising up on her toes to meet him halfway. This kiss was brief but warm, full of promise.

"I'll call you tomorrow?" Joe asked.

"I'll answer."

Y/N watched from her window as Joe drove away, then sank onto her couch to process the evening. She felt energized and confused and excited all at once.

Her phone buzzed with a text from Alex: How did it go?

Y/N stared at the question for a long moment, trying to figure out how to encapsulate everything that had happened.

He kissed me, she finally typed.

And???

I really, really liked it.

I'm so happy for you! Call me tomorrow with details?

Definitely. Love you.

Y/N set her phone aside and touched her lips, still able to feel the ghost of Joe's mouth against hers.

Tomorrow she'd call Alex and try to put words to everything she was feeling. Tonight, she just wanted to sit with the newness of it all—the discovery that attraction could surprise you, that desire could be broader than you'd imagined, that sometimes the most unexpected connections were the ones that felt most right.

* * *

Y/N had been thinking about Joe's mouth for three days.

It was becoming a problem. She'd catch herself zoning out during meetings, her mind drifting back to Saturday night in that little park, to the way he'd kissed her with such careful attention. She'd touched her lips more times than she cared to admit, still able to feel the ghost of his mouth against hers.

Joe had texted Sunday morning, then called Monday evening. Their conversations were easy and warm, but underneath was a current of something that made Y/N's stomach flutter every time her phone buzzed with his name.

Which was why, when he asked if she wanted to come over Wednesday night to cook dinner together, she'd said yes before really thinking about what that meant.

Now, standing outside his house in the suburbs with a bottle of wine and her heart beating faster than usual, she was very aware of what it might mean.

Joe's house was bigger than she'd expected—modern but not flashy, clean lines and lots of windows. He answered the door in sweats and a t-shirt, socks on his feet, looking more relaxed than she'd seen him before.

"Hey," he said, smiling as he took the wine from her. "You found it okay?"

"GPS is a wonderful thing."

"Come on in. I'm making salmon, nothing too crazy."

The house was warm and inviting, decorated in neutral tones with touches that felt personal rather than professionally styled. Y/N could smell garlic and herbs from the kitchen, and there was music playing softly in the background.

"This is really nice," she said, following him toward the kitchen.

"Thanks. It's probably too big for one person, but I like having space."

The kitchen was sleek and clearly designed for someone who actually cooked. Joe had ingredients laid out on the counter—salmon fillets, vegetables, what looked like seasonings and a marinade.

"Can I help with anything?" Y/N asked.

"You can keep me company. And maybe open that wine."

Y/N found a corkscrew and opened the bottle while Joe moved around the kitchen with easy efficiency. There was something attractive about watching him cook—the confidence in his movements, the way he tasted the sauce and adjusted seasoning without measuring.

"You know what you're doing," she observed.

"My mom made sure I could take care of myself. Said she wasn't raising a man who'd live on takeout."

"Smart woman."

"She really is. You'd like her."

The comment made her stomach flutter a little.

They talked while Joe cooked, the conversation flowing as easily as it had at dinner Saturday. But there was an undercurrent of awareness now, a charge in the air that hadn't been there before they'd kissed. Y/N found herself watching Joe's hands as he chopped vegetables, remembering how they'd felt on her face.

"You're staring," Joe said, not looking up from the cutting board.

"Sorry." Y/N felt heat rise in her cheeks.

"I didn't say I minded."

When Joe glanced up at her, his expression was warm and knowing. Y/N felt that flutter again, stronger this time.

They ate at his kitchen island, the conversation turning more personal as the wine relaxed them both. Joe asked about her family, her childhood, what had drawn her to nonprofit work. Y/N found herself sharing stories she didn't usually tell, feeling safe in the cocoon of his attention.

"What about you?" she asked as they finished eating. "What did you want to be when you grew up? Before football took over."

Joe considered this. "I was actually better at basketball growing up. Thought that might be my path for a while."

"Really?"

"Yeah, but football won out eventually. Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if I'd stuck with basketball."

"Any regrets?"

"Nah. This worked out pretty well."

Y/N smiled. "Just a little."

The easy conversation made her feel relaxed, but she was also aware of the way Joe was looking at her as he stood to clear their plates.

"I can help with those," she said.

"Leave them for now," Joe said, setting the plates back down. "They're not going anywhere."

Y/N slid off her barstool, suddenly needing to be closer to him. "Good point."

Joe's eyes darkened slightly as she approached. "What are you thinking?"

They stood looking at each other across the kitchen island, the air between them charged with possibility. Finally, Joe moved around the counter to where she was standing.

"What do you want, Y/N?" he asked softly.

It was the same question he'd asked in different ways before—always checking, always making sure she was comfortable. But this time, Y/N felt more certain of her answer.

"I want to kiss you again," she said. "And I want to see what happens after that."

Joe's smile was slow and warm. "I can work with that."

He leaned down to kiss her, and this time Y/N was ready for it. She kissed him back with more confidence than she'd had Saturday night, letting herself explore the taste of him, the way his mouth moved against hers.

Joe's hands settled on her waist, pulling her closer, and Y/N felt heat spread through her chest at the contact. When his tongue brushed against her lower lip, she opened for him, a soft sound escaping her throat at the new sensation.

"Okay?" Joe murmured against her mouth.

"Absolutely."

They kissed until Y/N felt breathless, her hands fisted in Joe's t-shirt, her body pressed against his. When they finally broke apart, Joe rested his forehead against hers.

"Come sit with me?" he said.

He led her to the living room, settling onto the couch and pulling her down beside him. The room was dimly lit, warm and intimate, and Y/N felt hyperaware of every point of contact between them.

"I keep thinking about Saturday night," Y/N said quietly.

"Yeah?"

"About how it felt. How natural it was." She paused. "I keep thinking about your hands."

"My hands?"

"The way they felt on my face. On my waist just now." She gathered courage. "I keep wondering what they'd feel like other places."

Joe's breath caught slightly. "Y/N..."

"Is that too much?"

"No. God, no. I just want to make sure you're sure."

"I'm sure. I'm nervous, but I'm sure."

Joe shifted to face her more fully, his hand coming up to cup her cheek. "We can go slow. Stop anytime."

"I know. I trust you."

When Joe kissed her this time, it was deeper, more intent. His hands moved from her face to her neck, her shoulders, skimming along her arms in a way that made her shiver. Y/N found herself leaning into his touch, craving more contact.

"Can I touch you?" Joe asked, his voice rougher than before."Can I touch you?" Joe asked, his voice rougher than before.

"Please."

Joe's hands moved to her waist, then slowly up her sides, his thumbs brushing just beneath her ribs. Even through her sweater, the contact sent heat shooting through Y/N's body.

"How does that feel?" he asked.

"Good. Really good."

Joe's hands continued their exploration, mapping the shape of her through her clothes with a patience that was both torturous and perfect. When his thumb brushed against the side of her breast, Y/N gasped.

"Still good?"

"Still good."

Y/N's own hands had found their way to Joe's chest, marveling at the solid muscle beneath his t-shirt. Everything about touching him was different than touching Alex—broader, harder, unfamiliar in a way that made her want to explore more.

"Can I..." she started, then tugged at the hem of his shirt.

Joe pulled the shirt over his head without hesitation, and Y/N felt her mouth go dry. She'd seen him shirtless in magazines and on TV, but seeing him here, in person, touchable, was entirely different.

"Jesus," she breathed.

Joe's laugh was low and pleased. "Good?"

"Shut up, you know it's good," Y/N said, putting her hands on his chest, exploring the planes of muscle, the texture of his skin. Joe's breath hitched when her fingers traced along his collarbone, and the sound sent a thrill through her.

"Your turn," Joe said, his hands finding the hem of her sweater.

Y/N felt a moment of nervousness—this was further than she'd ever gone with a man—but she nodded. Joe pulled her sweater off slowly, giving her time to change her mind. But Y/N didn't want to change her mind. She wanted to see what it felt like to be touched by him, to discover this new territory of her own desire.

"You're beautiful," Joe said, his voice soft with appreciation.

Y/N felt exposed but not uncomfortable. The way Joe was looking at her—with genuine admiration and barely restrained want—made her feel powerful in a way she hadn't expected.

"Touch me," she said.

Joe's hands were warm against her skin, tracing patterns along her ribs, her shoulders, the line of her collarbone. When his mouth followed the path of his hands, pressing soft kisses to her throat, Y/N felt her head fall back against the couch cushions.

"You taste good," Joe murmured against her neck.

Y/N was quickly losing the ability to form coherent thoughts. Every touch, every kiss was new and overwhelming and not nearly enough all at once. When Joe's mouth found that sensitive spot just below her ear, she made a sound she'd never made before.

"I like that sound," Joe said, his breath warm against her skin.

"I like what you're doing to make me make it."

They kissed and touched until Y/N felt completely undone, her body aching with need and hypersensitive to every brush of his hands. Joe’s touch was confident but reverent, slow and deliberate, like he was learning her by heart. His mouth dragged along her neck, down to her collarbone, his stubble rough against her skin in a way that made her breath hitch. When his hand slipped under the band of her bra and found her breast, she gasped—his palm was warm, his thumb circling her nipple until it tightened under his touch. He watched her face as he touched her, like he wanted to see every reaction, memorize every sound she made.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Y/N felt like she was seeing the world differently.

"Fuck," she said, still breathing heavily.

"Still good?"

"I'm good, I promise." Y/N looked at Joe, taking in his disheveled hair, his swollen lips, the way he was looking at her. "Joe?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I understand now. What I was missing."

"What's that?"

"This feeling. This... wanting." She paused, trying to find the right words. "I always thought I just wasn't attracted to men. But I think maybe I just hadn't met the right man."

Joe's smile was soft and genuine. "I'm glad it was me."

"Me too."

They stayed on the couch for a while longer, talking quietly, sharing soft kisses, Y/N's head on Joe's shoulder. There was an intimacy to it that felt both new and natural, like they were settling into something bigger than either of them had expected.

"I should probably head home," Y/N said eventually, though she made no move to get up.

"You don't have to."

"I know. But I think I need some time to process all of this."

"I understand."

Joe helped her find her sweater, then walked her to the door. They kissed goodnight on his front step, a long, slow kiss that left Y/N's knees weak.

"When can I see you again?" Joe asked.

"Soon," Y/N said. "Very soon."

On the drive home, Y/N called Alex.

"Hey babe," Alex answered. "How was dinner?"

"Life-changing," Y/N said without thinking.

"That good, huh?"

"Alex, I think I'm really attracted to him. Like, I'm attracted to a man."

"I can hear the smile in your voice. Tell me everything."

Y/N found herself sharing details she might have kept private before, but Alex's enthusiasm and support made it easy to be open.

"How do you feel about all of this?" Alex asked when Y/N finished.

"Excited. Nervous. Grateful that you're okay with me exploring this."

"Babe, I love seeing you discover new things about yourself. It doesn't threaten what we have—it makes you more you."

"I love you," Y/N said, meaning it completely.

"I love you too. Now get some sleep. You sound exhausted."

"Good exhausted."

"The best kind."

As Y/N got ready for bed, she caught herself smiling in the bathroom mirror. Her lips were still slightly swollen from kissing Joe, and she looked... different somehow. More alive.

* * *

Y/N had made it exactly three days before texting Joe again.

Not that she was counting, but Friday afternoon found her staring at her phone, trying to compose a message that didn't sound as desperate as she felt. She'd been thinking about Wednesday night constantly—the way Joe's hands had felt on her skin, the sounds he'd made when she'd touched him, the way her body had responded to his attention in completely new ways.

Are you free tonight? she finally typed, then immediately deleted it.

Want to hang out tonight? Delete.

I can't stop thinking about you. Delete, delete, delete.

Her phone buzzed with an incoming text from Joe: Been thinking about you. Want to come over tonight?

Y/N stared at the message. Thank god. Yes. What time?

Whenever you want. I'll cook again.

7?

Perfect.

Y/N spent the rest of the afternoon in a state of nervous anticipation. She knew where this was heading—they both did. The question wasn't whether they'd end up in bed together, but how it would feel when they did.

She called Alex during her lunch break, needing to talk through her nerves with someone who understood.

"I think tonight's going to be the night," Y/N said without preamble when Alex answered.

"The night for what?" Alex asked, though her tone suggested she already knew.

"You know what."

"I want to hear you say it."

"I think Joe and I are going to have sex tonight."

"How do you feel about that?"

"Terrified. Excited. Like I might throw up."

Alex laughed. "That sounds about right for a first time. What are you most nervous about?"

"What if I don't know what I'm doing? What if it's weird? What if I don't like it as much as I think I will?"

"Babe, breathe. First of all, from everything you've told me about Joe, he's not going to judge you for being inexperienced with men. Second, you're allowed to not like things. You're allowed to ask for what you want. And you're definitely allowed to stop if something doesn't feel right."

"I know. Logically I know all of that."

"But?"

"But this feels really important. Like it's going to tell me something fundamental about myself."

"It might. Or it might just be good sex with someone you're attracted to. Both are okay."

Y/N took a deep breath. "You're right."

"I usually am. Now go have fun, be safe, and call me tomorrow with all the details."

"All the details?"

"Okay, maybe not all the details. But I want to know how you're feeling afterward."

"Deal."

Y/N arrived at Joe's house at seven on the dot, carrying a bottle of wine and trying to calm her racing heart. Joe answered the door looking relaxed and gorgeous in jeans and a simple button-down shirt.

"Hey," he said, smiling as he let her in. "You look nervous."

"I am nervous."

"You okay?"

"Yeah. I'll get it together."

Joe leaned down to kiss her hello, and Y/N felt some of her tension ease at the familiar warmth of his mouth. When they broke apart, he studied her face.

"We don't have to do anything you're not ready for," he said. "No pressure."

"I know. That's part of why I'm here."

They had dinner—salmon and vegetables again, because Joe said he'd been perfecting the recipe—and talked about their weeks. The conversation was easy, but Y/N could feel the undercurrent of anticipation between them.

"You're thinking really hard about something," Joe observed as they finished eating.

"I'm always thinking."

"What about specifically?"

Y/N set down her wine glass and looked at him directly. "About whether you're going to kiss me again tonight. About whether I want you to do more than kiss me. About whether I'm ready for that."

"And what are you deciding?"

"That I want to find out."

Joe's expression softened. "You sure?"

"I'm sure I want to try. I'm sure I trust you. I'm sure I'm attracted to you in ways I didn't know I could be attracted to anyone."

Joe stood and extended his hand. "Come here."

Y/N took his hand and let him pull her to her feet. He kissed her softly, thoroughly, his hands settling on her waist.

"If you want to stop at any point, you tell me," he said against her mouth. "Promise me."

"I promise."

Joe led her upstairs to his bedroom, and Y/N felt her heart racing. The room was clean and simple—dark furniture, white sheets, big windows. It looked like him.

"Second thoughts?" Joe asked, noticing her pause.

"No. Just... taking it in."

Joe sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her to stand between his legs. His hands rested on her hips, thumbs tracing small circles through her dress.

"We can go as slow as you want," he said.

"What if I don't want to go slow?"

Joe's eyes darkened. "Then we don't go slow."

Y/N leaned down to kiss him, putting all of her want and nervousness and curiosity into the contact. Joe's hands tightened on her hips, pulling her closer, and Y/N felt heat pool in her stomach.

"Can I undress you?" Joe asked when they broke apart.

"Yes."

Joe's hands were careful and reverent as he helped her out of her dress, pressing soft kisses to newly exposed skin. Y/N shivered under his attention, amazed at how different it felt to be undressed by a man—his hands larger and rougher than Alex's, his approach both gentle and possessive.

Joe let her undress him slowly, her hands exploring the broad planes of his chest, the definition of his arms, the line of hair that disappeared beneath his jeans. Everything about his body was different than what she was used to, and she found herself fascinated by the contrasts.

"You're staring again," Joe said, his voice amused.

"I'm learning."

"What are you learning?"

"That I really like looking at you. Touching you."

Joe groaned softly and pulled her down onto the bed with him. They kissed and touched until Y/N felt dizzy with want, her body responding to Joe's attention in ways that surprised her.

"How are you feeling?" Joe asked, his mouth against her neck.

"Like I understand what people write songs about now."

Joe laughed, the sound vibrating against her skin. "That good?"

"That good."

Joe's hands and mouth continued their exploration, finding places that made Y/N gasp and arch against him. When he asked permission before touching her more intimately, Y/N nodded eagerly.

"Yes. Please."

The first touch of Joe's fingers between her legs made Y/N cry out softly. The sensation was familiar but somehow completely different—his fingers longer and more insistent than Alex's, his approach confident in a way that made her melt.

"Feel good?" Joe asked, his voice rough.

"So good. God, Joe."

Y/N pulled Joe down for a kiss, tasting herself on his mouth and finding it incredibly erotic. Her hands moved to his jeans, fumbling with the button.

"Can I?" she asked.

"You don't have to—"

"I want to. I want to touch you."

Joe helped her get his sweats off, and Y/N felt her mouth go dry as she took in the full sight of him. She'd felt him through his clothes, but seeing him naked was different—bigger than she'd expected, harder, undeniably male in a way that made her stomach clench with want.

"You okay?" Joe asked, noticing her pause.

"Just... fuck."

Y/N reached out tentatively, wrapping her hand around him and marveling at the way he felt—warm and smooth and solid. Joe's breath hitched at her touch, and the sound gave her confidence to explore more boldly.

"Like this?" she asked, experimenting with different pressures and rhythms.

"Yes. God, yes."

Y/N found herself fascinated by Joe's responses—the way his breathing changed, the sounds he made, the way his hips moved seeking more contact. It was powerful knowing she could affect him like this.

"Y/N," Joe said, his voice strained. "I want to be inside you."

The words sent a jolt of heat through her. "I want that too."

Joe reached for protection, and Y/N watched as he put it on, her heart racing with anticipation and nerves.

"You sure?" he asked one more time.

"I'm sure."

Joe positioned himself above her, and Y/N felt her breath catch as she felt him against her. This was it—the moment she'd been both wanting and nervous about.

"Look at me," Joe said softly.

Y/N met his eyes as he pushed into her slowly, carefully. The sensation was intense—a fullness and stretch that was completely different than anything she'd experienced before. Joe paused, letting her adjust, his face tight with restraint.

"Okay?" he asked.

"Okay. Yeah, okay."

Joe began to move, slowly at first, letting Y/N get used to the rhythm and sensation. It was overwhelming in the best way—different than she'd expected but exactly what she'd needed.

"Feel okay?" Joe asked, his voice rough with effort.

"Yeah. Keep going."

As Joe's movements became more confident, Y/N found herself lost in sensation. This was what she'd been missing, what she'd been curious about. Not just the physical mechanics, but the emotional intensity of being connected to someone this way.

"Fuck, you feel so good," Joe said, his forehead pressed against hers.

Y/N could only moan in response, her body building toward another climax. When Joe shifted the angle slightly, hitting something inside her that made her see stars, she cried out.

"Right there?"

"Right there."

Joe maintained that rhythm until Y/N fell apart beneath him, her orgasm even more intense than the first. The sensation of her climaxing around him pushed Joe over the edge, and he came with a groan, his face buried in her neck.

They lay tangled together afterward, both breathing hard. Y/N felt overwhelmed and satisfied and amazed all at once.

"How was that?" Joe asked eventually.

"Life-changing," Y/N said, echoing what she'd told Alex after their first dinner. "Seriously."

Y/N turned in Joe's arms to face him. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being patient. For making it good. For helping me figure this out."

Joe's smile was soft. "Thank you for trusting me with it."

They talked quietly for a while, Y/N processing everything she'd just experienced. It wasn't just that the sex had been good—though it had been incredible. It was that she finally understood what she'd been missing, what her body was capable of responding to.

"I should probably head home," Y/N said eventually, though she made no move to get up.

"Stay," Joe said. "If you want to."

Y/N considered it. Part of her wanted to stay, to see what it felt like to wake up next to him. But another part needed space to process everything that had just happened.

"I think I need to go home tonight," she said. "But can I see you again soon?"

"Anytime you want."

Joe walked her to her car, kissing her goodnight under the streetlight. Y/N drove home in a daze, her body still humming from Joe's touch.

She called Alex as soon as she got to her apartment.

"So?" Alex said without preamble.

"So I definitely like men," Y/N said. "Or at least, I definitely like Joe."

"Details?"

"It was incredible, Alex. Different than I expected but so good. I understand now why people make such a big deal about sexual chemistry."

"I'm so happy for you. How do you feel?"

"Like I discovered a whole new part of myself. Like everything makes more sense now."

"That's beautiful, babe. I'm proud of you for being brave enough to explore this."

"Thank you for being okay with it. For encouraging me."

"I love you, Y/N. All of you. Including the parts you're still discovering."

After they hung up, Y/N lay in bed thinking about everything that had changed. A month ago, she would never have imagined she'd be here—sexually satisfied by a man, understanding her own bisexuality in a completely new way, grateful for the support of her girlfriend as she explored attraction she'd never known she possessed.

* * *

Three months later

Y/N was laughing so hard she could barely breathe, clutching her stomach as Joe continued his story about a play call gone wrong during practice.

"And then coach is screaming from the sideline, right?" Joe said, gesturing with his beer bottle. "But nobody can hear him because the music's too loud, so half the team runs the wrong route and I'm just standing there with the ball like an idiot."

"Oh no," Alex said from her spot on the other end of the couch, grinning. "Please tell me someone got that on film."

"Of course they did. It's probably still making the rounds on the internet."

They were sprawled across Joe's living room on a lazy Sunday afternoon, the remnants of the brunch Joe had made scattered across the coffee table. Alex was visiting for the weekend—her first trip to Cincinnati since Y/N had moved—and Y/N had been nervous about how this dynamic would work in person.

She shouldn't have worried. Alex and Joe had hit it off immediately, bonding over their shared amusement at Y/N's tendency to overthink everything and their mutual appreciation for good coffee. Watching them together, Y/N felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the mimosas they'd been drinking.

"I still can't believe you've been hiding cooking skills this whole time," Alex said to Joe. "Y/N made it sound like you lived on protein bars and takeout."

"Hey," Y/N protested. "I said he could cook fish. I didn't know about the whole Sunday brunch situation."

"Man of mystery," Joe said with a shrug, but his smile was warm.

The easy banter between the three of them was exactly what Y/N had hoped for. Over the past few months, things with Joe had settled into something she hadn't expected—close and comfortable, but not complicated.

They'd continued sleeping together for about six weeks after that first night, exploring Y/N's newfound attraction with an enthusiasm that had surprised them both. But gradually, naturally, things had shifted. Y/N had started dating other men—tentatively at first, then with growing confidence as she understood what she was looking for. Joe had been nothing but supportive, even helpful in navigating the sometimes complicated world of dating as someone in an open relationship.

"I should probably get going soon," Alex said, checking her phone. "Flight's soon."

"I'll drive you," Y/N said, starting to gather the dishes.

"Actually," Joe said, "would it be weird if I tagged along? I want to hear more about this gallery opening you're working on."

"Not weird at all," Alex said. "I'd like that."

An hour later, they were standing in the airport terminal, Alex's bag checked and her boarding pass in hand. Y/N felt the familiar tug of sadness that came with these goodbyes, even though Alex would be moving to Cincinnati permanently in just two months.

"This was really great," Alex said, pulling Y/N into a hug. "I'm so glad I finally got to spend real time with Joe."

"What do you think?" Y/N asked quietly.

"I think he's exactly what you said he was. Good for you, supportive, genuinely cares about your happiness." Alex smiled. "And I think you two have figured out something really special."

Over Alex's shoulder, Y/N could see Joe standing a respectful distance away, scrolling through his phone to give them privacy. The sight of him—patient, considerate, completely secure in his place in her life—made her chest tight with affection.

"I really love him," Y/N said, surprising herself with the admission.

"I know you do. And he loves you too, just maybe not in the way either of you expected."

Alex was right. What Y/N felt for Joe wasn't the same as what she felt for Alex, but it wasn't less meaningful. It was something else entirely—a deep friendship built on trust and discovery, seasoned with attraction but not defined by it.

"Thank you," Y/N said. "For being okay with all of this. For encouraging me to explore. For never making me feel like I had to choose."

"Babe, you never have to thank me for loving all of you."

After Alex's plane took off, Joe and Y/N drove back toward the city in comfortable silence. Finally, Joe spoke.

"She's really great."

"She is."

"I can see why you love her."

Y/N glanced at him. "How are you feeling about everything? The whole weekend, I mean."

Joe was quiet for a moment, considering. "Good. Really good, actually. It's nice to see you with her, to understand that part of your life better."

They pulled into Y/N's apartment complex, but neither made a move to get out of the car.

"Joe," Y/N said. "Can I ask you something?"

"Always."

"Are you happy? With how things worked out between us?"

Joe turned to look at her fully. "You mean am I disappointed that we're not dating exclusively?"

"I guess that's what I'm asking."

"Y/N, what we have is better than what I was expecting when I first asked you to dinner. You're one of my closest friends. You trust me with things that matter to you. We helped each other figure out things about ourselves we didn't know before." He paused. "Why would I be disappointed in that?"

"Because most people would want more. Or different."

"I'm not most people. And what we have isn't less than a traditional relationship—it's just different."

Y/N felt tears prick her eyes, overwhelmed by gratitude for this man who had helped her discover so much about herself and asked for nothing but her friendship in return.

"I love you too, you know," she said. "Alex was right about that."

"I know. I love you too."

"Different than Alex, but just as real."

Joe nodded. "I feel the same way."

They sat in the quiet of the car for another moment, both processing the weight of what they'd just acknowledged.

"So what happens now?" Y/N asked.

"Now you keep dating interesting people and figuring out what you want. I keep being your friend who you can call when you need to complain about bad dates or celebrate good ones. Alex moves here and you two build your life together. And we all hang out and drink too much and argue about whether pineapple belongs on pizza."

"It doesn't belong on pizza."

"See? This is why we work as friends."

Y/N laughed, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. "You're a pretty great friend, you know that?"

"I mean, I'm probably the best friend you'll ever have, but yeah."

Y/N leaned over to kiss Joe's cheek. "Omg. Thanks. For all of this."

"Thanks for trusting me with it."

As Y/N walked to her apartment, she felt good about how everything had worked out. It wasn't what she'd expected when she'd first met Joe, but it was exactly what she needed.

Her phone buzzed with a text from Alex: Landed safely. Joe's a keeper—as a friend and whatever else you two decide. Love you.

And another from Joe: Thanks for a great weekend. See you Thursday for that hiking trip?

Y/N smiled as she responded to both messages. Thursday's hike was with David, a teacher she'd been dating for a few weeks who shared her love of the outdoors. Joe had recommended the trail and offered to give David some pointers about the best routes.

Six months ago, Y/N would never have imagined her life could look like this—happily committed to Alex, confidently exploring her attraction to men, supported in that exploration by both her girlfriend and the man who'd helped her discover it. It wasn't conventional, but it was honest and loving and exactly what she needed.

As she got ready for bed, Y/N reflected on how much had changed since that first foundation event. She'd moved to a new city, started a new job, discovered new things about her sexuality, and built relationships she couldn't have predicted. Most importantly, she'd learned that love and connection didn't have to fit into neat categories to be real and meaningful.

Her phone lit up with one more text, this one from a group chat Joe had started with her and Alex: Next time I'm making pancakes. Y/N's in charge of coffee. Alex can provide commentary on our questionable life choices.

Deal, Alex replied almost immediately. But I want blueberry pancakes.

Obviously, Joe responded.

Y/N typed back: You two are never going to let me live down burning that one batch of pancakes, are you?

Never, they replied in unison.

Y/N fell asleep smiling, surrounded by love in all its beautiful, complicated forms.

[sturniolohohoho]

I. LOVE. MY. MOOTS

this is a long overdue appreciation post for all my favourite people!! I'm genuinely so blessed that I'm on this platform with you guys, and It might seem like I'm making it way more deep than it is, but honestly everything here has made me so much happier!

I never thought this was a part of my life that I was missing so much before, but having an online community and friends is so amazing. Even though we're all here together to simp over these mid white boys and read/write fanfics to feed out delusions, it's way more than just that!

ANYWAYS HERE WE GO!!!

@mattsglassezx you were my first moot here, and I'm so glad you literally just came back to tumblr <33. Ur SO sweet and SO gorgeous and you have great fic ideas!

@vanteguccir LELE!! AAGHHHH UR THE BEST EVER!! You give so much good life advice and you're so put together as a person. You're genuinely the best and i love whenever you come online in the gc and always think my stupid ahh jokes are funny <33 You're also such a name sayer like you always address me by viv and it's so sweet

@chrisspussygang SO supportive, you're writing a BOMB series and you're so funny! i can't believe we were within a couple kilometres of each other at some point. You get so delirious when it's late and its so funny, luv u!!!

@ellieluvssturniolos GORG GORG GORG GORG GORG you and your style is all i wanna be. You're so pretty and you also have an AMAZING edit collection (send me more pls pls pls) i have so much more I wanna say but its not coming to mind rn, but ILY!!

@bambisturns LOVE your writing, LOVE you, you're so freaking sweet and awesome and i also love talking to u <3 i heard you've been getting hate anons and i just wanted to say ill gouge their throats open for u! <333

@nottodaysari we don't talk that much on tumblr at all but you're so funny and gorgeous and i think you had amazing curls but I cant remember now. anyways thanks for letting me rant about men that one time, you're so sweet <33

@bernardsbendystraws you're so nice and funny and your writing is the BOMB fr. you say the most unhinged and random shit and you're also so prettyyyy!

@chrismakesmewet SUPPORTIVE AHH moot ily! ur my fav "anon" emoji fr. you always like my posts even if im just spewing random shit, luv u!!!!

@kenah-sturniolo you're my favourite australian and i love your series so far. i feel a magnetic urge to become better friends with you

@tits4matt UR THE SWEETEST PIE!!! you're gorgina and so funny on insta, you're always active whenever I feel like just yapping in the gc <3

@sturns-mermaid MARIIIIIIIIIIIIII ILY!! You're really sweet and fun and you and sunshine are always on some random shit lmaoo. you've also god BOMBASTIC writing. (add me to ur taglist pleasee <3)

@stvrniolostan my FAV editor you're so talented aaaaa!! i lowkey just found your tumblr cause i only knew you from insta but YESSSS

@amestulips i want to get to know you betterrr but you're my favourite swifty fr. im so excited for mechanic matt thoughhh

@riggysworld ik we've never actually talked but TYSM for being my number one supporter for my series. it's actually insane that you manage to like it not 10 seconds after i post every part. i'm literally doing this series for the same 5 people that always comment so shout to yall, you know who u are <33

Honourable mentions to my FAVOURITE and talented writers on this platform: @y3sterdaysproblem @evie-sturns @oopsiedaisydeer @strnilolover @chriscantwhisper

WOOF WOOF THAT'S IT!!! thank you everyone and i love you guys smm. i never thought writing fanfics would end me up with so many friends but YAYYY!

...so sleep over when?

also kinda sidenote but TYY for 350 followers!!

dividersss: @enchanthings

btw i'm sure i missed some close moots and i'm SO SO sorry if i did, just lmk and i'll add you (after killing myself of sadness bc i forgot u!)

[flow33didontsmoke]

hi! i'm not sure if ur taking fic request atm, but if ever u r, can i ask for a fic where f!reader also works for the bau, she is hotch's daughter, and she is dating spencer reid? 🥹 thank uuuuu

hi there ! i’d write it with pleasure, tysm for your request. :) (reminder: english is not my first language so I might be wrong/get lost in naming stuff lmao. it’s also my first fic since quarantine.💀🙏)

“That’s kinda weird”; Three times getting noticed by Hotch + one where he gets confronted.

pairing: Spencer Reid x Hotchner!f!Reader (playlist)

summary: see request - OR - hiding your new relationship with spencer from your dad

warnings/type: angst/fluff, can be read as GN reader, not proofread (i was s2 at the time), 1 mention of y/n, hiding a relationship

wordcount: 1.81k

taglist and asks: open.

1. Facial communication

10:07am, Behavioral Analysis Unit, bullpen.

You were sat at your desk, not really far from Spencer, looking up at him from time to time. It’s not as if your relationship was that new but it was still blossoming. However you weren’t over those looks you could give the other, the tiny smile on the corner of your lips when you catch the other’s eyes, mostly when you can't help thinking about last night. Skin against skin, warmth against warmth, and that relaxed feeling when waking up in the morning after those activities. To be honest, it may never fade. Your co-workers would find it cute if they noticed or just laugh at it at first if they catch you at the beginning, but they would stop with time.

It’s been over two months you’re dating, and a year of knowing each other, when you joined the BAU. Somehow, even by being the unit chief's daughter you’ve never got the chance to meet him before, as you were always out or the nose in your studies. Surprising right ? But to your father’s dismay, he would have preferred that it wouldn’t happen. That you would have continued to do your own stuff, become a pianist, instead of deciding to follow the same dangerous path as him AND decide to get in a relationship with one of your co-workers. As if you couldn’t get more involved with them, with a dangerous life that could, will definitely change you. But you were young, stubborn and now in love.

As you looked up at Spencer just to get a brief look at something else than down at your papers, somebody scrap his throat making you look to the side where the sound came from. You locked eyes with your father as he was walking to his office, eyebrows slightly furrowed in your direction. You feel your cheeks heat up and look back down at your work, as if nothing happened. This may be nothing but it was enough to feel embarrassed about, facial communication being important between the two Hotchners. You haven't told him but he is not dumb, it was that protective father scold, the "don't even come next to my daughter" type. Spencer seemed to have noticed that small interaction as he became a bit clumsy with his papers, which made you grin.

2. Longing touches

5:18pm, Kansas City, Kansas.

Here it is, the final moment. The UnSub was finally caught, Albert Schumacher an ex-teacher who couldn't bear the thought of being separated from his beloved job. If he couldn't take care of children, why not making his own kindergarten ?

Because of the sweet month of November, it was already dark at that time, and cold, but not enough to be blinded by the night. The unsub in the car, Spencer was once again to your side, his hand on the small of your back as usual. The case was heavy, but it was finally over. You let out a breath as he was just resting his hand here, stroking his thumb a bit as an attempt to provide you a bit of comfort. Honestly, if he could hold you closer, he would. Even in front of everyone, gluing at your side.

An hour and half later, you decided to take a walk to clear your mind. To warm your heart through Kansas' cold, Spencer decided to keep you company. Through the walk he resisted the urge to take your hand in his, wrap an arm around your waist, hold you, hug you, warming you with his body warmth to keep you from shaking and feeling yours as well. He hated when other people touched him but he never got enough of yours. He kept wanting more even more because of the situation with your father who still didn't know about the two of you.

3. Keeping compagny

9:10pm, FBI private jet, Kansas City, Kansas -> Quantico, Virginia.

It was late, the winter night and cold were almost overwhelming, the case was over, a case involving children disappearing. The flight from Kansas City to Quantico may have been a two hours flight, but everyone was tired from all the efforts given in the last few days, few hours of sleep in the agents' system and the possible small jet lag that might hit the next day, the cold hitting their bones.

When you sat in the jet, you sat as a reflex not next to your father but next to Spencer, seeking comfort to him just like most of your nights after work for the last few months. He didn't realize either that he took the seat where your father was about to sit on, as he just sat to your side, closer than if he was sitting next to anyone else. Your father walked, prepared to sit next to you but stopped when he saw Spencer almost glued to your side in a blink. Instead, he sat in the seat in front of him, keeping a visual on the both of you. It's been a while since he has been observing you, your bond. He knew something was happening, not just because he was your father but also because he knew there was something happening, something above co-working, above friendship.

You were doing your best not to show it even when going back together from a case but right now you just didn't really care hiding this. You were both too exhausted to continue on this, maybe it was the irrationality of tiredness talking but anyway. Everyone knew there was something between the two of you, he would have known a way or another. Fuck the way you planned again and again to tell him, you just want to lean into the other and sleep until the end of the flight.

Everyone took a small nap during the flight except Hotch who was keeping himself busy, thinking back about the details of your position, the way you leaned to the other in your sleep. He thought back about the glances you throw to the other, the touches and the more he thought about it, the more he was upset.

Two hours later, you woke up as long as the other as the plane had landed. You give Spencer a small shake to his shoulder to wake him up. At the same time, you saw your father getting up and giving you a quick look that told a lot. He seemed tense at you but you shake that thought off as Spencer woke up, looking at you. Oh, how you couldn't wait to go back to his apartment and just lie in the bed next to other and have rest.

You both get off the plane and see your father outside. Usually, he would wait for you to at least wish you a good night/evening or something of that kind, but this time no. He didn't go right away but when you got off the plane he was just starting to walk away.

"Good night..?" you said to catch his attention.

It visibly worked as he stopped walking. He looked at you with tired eyes but still with distance in his look.

"Good night..." he answered with a small hesitation. He seemed to want to add something so you just let him talk, even if it was a bit tensed. "Do you need a ride home ?" he added as he proposed you usually, but already knowing the answer this time. Not that he never did but this time he was just sure. He never liked the co-driving with Spencer. You had your driver license and you could afford for a car, why relying on your co-worker even if you lived not so far from the other ? He didn't need to make express his discontent to make himself understood this time. He wasn't waiting for an answer.

"No thanks.. Spencer is driving me back home tonight." you answered, it was a bit awkward but you tried to get past that.

+ Confrontation

He nodded and scoffed a bit. "Yeah, of course."

You felt a tinge of guilt at this, something was wrong. You may know why he reacts like this and you don't think to have the mind at this at the moment, and you don't think he has either. "What do you mean ?" you asked, oblivious.

He faced you, looking at you in the eyes. He was silent at first but finally answered. "You know what I mean." There was a hint of venom in his voice. He kept his voice low enough for you and Spencer to hear. Spencer who was just in the back, tired and uncomfortable. This was clearly not how he wanted to get things clear about your relationship and neither do you.

"Then tell me. Tell me what you mean, what's wrong." You replied, looking at him in the eyes. You knew it would hurt but the conversation had to be done, and if he was going that way then his suspicions would be confirmed that way.

"What's wrong is this," he said, referencing to Spencer and you, giving him a look. "Do you have any idea of how unconscious it is ? Dating your co-worker, really ? And without even preventing anyone, you could get more than suspended, did you even think about your lives ?" he added in his boss tone. Yes, he wasn't just your dad but also your chief, but to be honest, you weren't expecting your unit chief talking to you.

All you did was nod once, looking slightly down before raising your eyes to him again and as you were about to answer, throat tight, but he speaks again.

"I'm not finished. What if one of you gets in danger trying to avoid an something to the other ?" He added, his voice was hiding of emotion by his attitude. You catch a glance of Rossi in the back who was about to call for your dad to calm down a bit, to let his role of chief down to let the father speak. He knew that he just wasn't ready for you to grow up as your relationship looked serious and not just a story without tomorrow. He was still getting used to having you around at the BAU, his daughter, what's left of his family alongside Jack.

You said nothing, letting him cool down. The atmosphere wasn't as tensed but more awkward. "And- and he's too for you. Why didn't you choose someone your age ?" he added after a small blank. You knew it was just an excuse, your gap with Spencer wasn't even too big, around five years. You knew it was an excuse not to say "why didn't you choose someone who's not from the FBI ?", questioning your career choices.

A/N: I'm so sorry I didn't know how to end this so here it is. Might do this series though ? I would like that. I want to make a happy ending but I just can't align more words. I don't think anyone would be interested btw but let me know. Perhaps it made me think about the first chapters of that series "Spencer x Prentiss!Reader" if you read it but I can't explain why lmao. It was so weird how I wrote this: I started by 1 then continued with 3 and the bonus then ended with 2 so I'm sorry if it was short lol

©️2025 all copyright deserved. @flow33didontsmoke's work. do not copy or translate my work without my authorization.

[writeblrfantasy]

Reintro!

I've been on writeblr four years, I figured it's time for a reintro! a lot of the folks who were here when I first came to this wonderful community aren't here anymore, and it's time to meet some new lovely people!

I'm Lila, she/her, and I am a queer fantasy romance author! I'm an indie author with six books currently out! they are:

All of those are available here! This is my author website, and my author instagram!

I also have a monthly author newsletter, with first looks and sneak peeks!

This is my Kofi, where I post novelettes/short stories.

I have a general taglist that i use semi-often, so please let me know if you'd like to be added to that! you can find more details about my finished/unfinished works here!

I'm also a frequent fanfic writer, so dm me if you want my ao3 or my fandom blog.

I am always looking for new writeblrs to follow and wips to track! please especially reblog if you're a writer who fits any of these:

is an indie author (ALWAYS looking to support more indie authors)

writes mostly fantasy

writes queer romance

is active and posts about their wips often

but of course, all writers are welcome, even if you don't fit those points! boosts are encouraged!

GENERAL TAGLIST: @worldbuildng @muddshadow @nikkywrites @47crayons @directionoftime

@chayscribbles @magic-is-something-we-create @rodentwrites

[ladyveronikawrites]

LOST IN THE CONCRETE JUNGLE- Chapter Fifteen -final chapter

A Bad Omens Star Wars AU

Pairing: Zebastian (Noah) x Jax (Jolly)

CW: +18 MNDI blood play, violence, murder, post murder sex, blood kink, blood as lube, oral sex, weapons, blasters, Revan (nicholas) looks hot shooting guns, let me know if I missed anything<3

AN: currently crying at my keyboard as this is the final chapter. I don't think I am done with these boys so look out for one shots. A big thank you to @mysticdoodlez @cyrusunderscore @nerdraging4point0 for beta reading a long the way and being the best hype squad ever! Thank you to everyone who has read, liked, and commented on my story, This has been my passion project since discovering the band late 2022. Now I can start the next writing chapter of making it a book. Shout out to star wars youtube and wookiepedia and the community here on tumblr for coming in clutch. to the FBI agent stalking my history I hoped you learned a lot about star trek😇 . anyway, please enjoy

wc: 2108 || fic masterlist || taglist sign up

My eyelids grow heavy as I scroll through my datapad, reviewing the numbers from our lost inventory. There’s so much red. Groaning, I slam down the device on the small table next to me and rub my eyes. We are so–

A light beeping sound emanates from the side of the table at my bed, which is accompanied by a flashing indicator light of bright red. Shooting up from the chair, I race over to the table and snatch the comm and send out a message:

CODE TEN TWENTY TWO

CODE TEN TWENTY TWO

The perimeter sensor has been tripped. Swiping through the data pad’s camera feed, I spot one Imperial Lambda shuttle approaching. A few more swipes and the deflection shield is activated. I drag a bag from the closet and start shoving stuff in it. In the back of my mind, I hope the other guys are doing the same.

I glance back at my room one last time before pulling open the door. When I walk through the threshold, my jaw drops and my eyes go wide at the sight of Revan hunched over a blaster rifle propped in the window. 

“Don’t try to stop him,” Revan says lowly in warning. Stop him? I move closer to the window and immediately spot Zebastian strategically maneuvering through the forest with a blaster in hand and his katana strapped to his back. Fucking idiot.

Sighing, I dig through my pack for infrared binoculars. If he’s going to be reckless, at least I can keep cover. Searching the grounds, I spot five bogies combing through the wilds. Glancing at the ship, only a single body lights up. Amateurs. 

“Scarlet three to Actual”

“Go”

“Five on foot and one on the ship.”

“I know.” I hear Zebastian exacerbated huff through his deep and focused breathing. 

I don’t bother stopping myself from rolling my eyes at his cocky response. But then I remember that Zeb can be reckless at times when it comes to protecting what is his; he always has a plan. Even if I think his plan is stupid. Which it is. 

Another blast from my boyfriend’s favorite weapon. The Empire’s cronies never saw him coming. I look him over once more, captivated by his lean muscles flexing under his tunic. Bless the void, it has been a very long time since we’ve had to defend ourselves so heavily. 

Without another sound, it’s all over.

Revan shifts his weight to standing and saunters over to the kitchen island like he didn’t just decimate a crew of stormtroopers. His chest rises and falls steadily, and the metallic hoops in his ears glint in the overhead lamp light when he leans over and begins disassembling his weapon. He’s devastatingly handsome when he’s in his element.

“Close your mouth, Jax. I can see you staring.” Revan smiles, but doesn’t lift his attention from his task. “Go to him. Zebastian’s our rendezvous point now. I’ll take care of the house.” 

I shrug on my pack and then press a kiss to Revan’s cheek. “Yes, sir,” I whisper in his ear. His cheeks redden at my suggestive tone as pride swirls around in my chest. I greedily drink him in one last time before I turn and leave our home for the final time.

The cargo door bursts open as I approach. It’s eerily silent as I ascend the ramp, mouth open to call to Zebastian. Suddenly, the door to the cockpit splits open, and my body freezes. Zebastian’s usually neat hair is disheveled and matted with blood. Blood drips from his fringe and down his chest. With each droplet my cock twitches. His hands are bruised and bloodied as if he released all of the pent-up rage on whoever was left on the ship. My eyes glance over at a body slumped over in the pilot’s chair. 

In a blur, Zebastian closes the distance, gripping the collar of my jacket and roughly pulling me into him. His lips are hot and rough with dried blood, which turns me on even more. My hands slide to his hips, but he swats them away. 

In a flash, he turns us around and shoves me against the control panel. The keys and buttons jab into the skin of my palms, nearly missing being stabbed by a few levers. Despite my long hair tumbling over my shoulders in the corner of my vision, I see the dead body. Bile churns in my stomach. It’s not Lord Cyrus.

“Don’t you dare look at him,” Zebastian growls possessively. “He is nothing.”

Rough hands dive under the waistband of my trousers, and for a second, I consider just letting him use me like he always does. He and I are a lot like that after fighting, when your blood is still pumping full of adrenaline. Horny and bloodthirsty, primal desire consumes every fiber of your being. 

But he just murdered the lost girl’s father.

“No,” I defy, pulling his hands away and turning on my heels to face him. 

His eyes narrow in warning at my disobedience, but they widen when my knees hit the ground. Zebastian sighs deeply when I pull his hard cock free. I take him in all at once with practiced ease until the tip meets the back of my throat. I don’t gag anymore at his invasion, but instead, I relax my throat a little more. His grip is tight around the back of my skull while the other grasps onto the control board behind me, caging me in. At his mercy. My safe place. Despite being the sadist of the group, Zebastian has been the only one ever to find my switch from dominant headspace to complete surrender. 

I suck him down harder pushing him closer to the edge. My arms twitch from behind my back where they are self-bound. My aching cock cries out to be used but I resist the urge unless he commands it. Suddenly, Zebastian starts to whimper. I look up to find his lashes wet and cheeks stained with tears. 

“C-come with me,” he sobs and starts to shake, both from his impending orgasm and emotions. Zebastian drags my head back, pulling me off of him. Hastily, I free my throbing cock and then drag my hand through the blood at knees. He grips my wrist, leans down to spit into my blood-drenched hand, and then guides me to pump his cock hard again. It’s then I realized I could come untouched watching his cock turn red. 

“Please,” I whine through clenched teeth, my cock pulsing with jealousy. 

He releases my hand to shove my face forward. Groaning, I lick and suck the sticky blood from his cock, savoring the metallic taste on my tongue. Without straying from my task, my hand blindly seeks the blood on the floor once more, and this time, I present my hand to Zebastian. 

With a satisfied hum, he lets his saliva drip from his mouth and onto my hand. I lather the makeshift lubricant over my shaft. It’s warm and perfectly slick. Stroking in time with the bobbing of my head, it won’t take me long to climax. I double my efforts. 

Zebastian must notice this when he thrusts faster and further into my mouth and releases his grip on the back of my head and cradles my neck. The angle slams his cock into the back of my throat. My eyes roll back as a mixture of blood, drool, and precum drips from the corners of my mouth despite my efforts to swallow everything down. 

Zebastian sucks in a breath, “Jax.” 

Hearing my name spill from his lips has me groaning with my mouth stuffed full. My jaw tightens, teeth grazing around his shaft as he spurts his hot cum down my throat. The mix of blood and his cum catapults me over the edge and I’m releasing all over my hand and Void knows where else. My shoulders slacken, and my hands rest on my knees as I swallow every last drop. Only when he releases me do I finally breathe. 

“We gotta go.” Zebastian extends his hand to me, still a little breathless. Wiping my mouth clean with the back of my hand, I grasp his hand to stand.

The familiar low hum of our starfighter zooms past, rattling the Imperial shuttle as we depart hand in hand. Zebastian unwinds his fingers from mine when he spots our girl with Nash. She assesses us from meters away. There’s understanding in her eyes when she glances my way. She knows she is finally free. Her shoulders relax when she exhales in certainty. And then she breaks out into a sprint. She doesn’t shrink back from the sight of Zebastian covered in blood. He wraps his arms around her and lifts her into the air. 

“You’re ok!”

“Well, of course,” she giggles as he sets her down. Her laugh is bright and comforting. “Nash took us straight to the ship when we got the alert. I knew he would keep me safe.” She steps in closer, looking up at him as he towers over her, but she’s unafraid. “You would keep me safe.” 

I turn and watch as he caresses her cheek and then tilts her chin. He leans in slowly and gently, pressing his lips to hers. The same lips that moaned my name only moments ago. Something deep within me stirs like a raging wildfire, and it propels me forward. Each step doesn’t feel like my own as I approach them. 

Suddenly, a caw breaks my trance, and I stumble forward, catching Revan’s bright gaze on me. I shake my head and narrow my eyes at him, and he immediately relaxes, blinking a few times before taking a step back. His eyes darken back to their usual stormy shade. He rarely uses his magick at all. Still very rare for him to use it on us. 

Nash comes to Revan’s side with Havock on his shoulder, watching us intently like always. He nods his head towards the two still locked in a lover’s embrace. My heartbeat skyrockets as I approach. Only when Nash gets high on Spice do I hear about what she’s like. He can’t shut up about her. 

Shoving my hands in my pockets, I keep my eyes focused on the ground. My mind starts to race. What will I say to her? What if she doesn’t want me there? Her soft voice shatters my internal downward spiral, “Jax! You’re ok too!” 

My shoulders tense when she throws her arms around my neck, pulling me into an embrace. Astonishingly, she doesn’t turn away from me because I’m covered in blood; instead, she curls herself into me. I hug her back tightly, and she instantly relaxes. She pulls back slightly, and all I can see are her bright eyes searching mine, hesitating. Her gaze drifts lower to my lips, and I wait in anticipation for her to turn away and run back to Zebastian, but instead she leans up on her tiptoes and presses her soft lips onto mine. Groaning, I grip her hips, pulling her closer, kissing her deeper. 

Boots crunch nearby, and another’s body heat warms up the space, but I pay no mind as I dive my tongue in between her lips. My hand slides up under her shirt to the small of her back, when suddenly there’s pressure against my hands. His scent fills my lungs, and her soft moans make my knees weak. Long fingers grip my chin just as she parts from my lips, gasping for air. For a moment, I search her eyes for any hesitation and find none. She smiles and then bites her lip. 

“Yes,” Zebastian says softly, his gaze fixed on mine. “We are all okay. Right, Jax?”

Her hands unclasp from my neck to press against my chest when he lifts my chin to meet his dark brown eyes. I’m ready to respond when I sense her stir between us, hands roaming up and down my chest. In the corner of my vision, her eyes flick between Zebastian and me. But he only sees me when he captures my lips greedily. 

“I-I don’t know who to kiss?” she sighs with a hint of desperation. Kriff, she’s practically whining. 

“Why-” Zebastian starts. Revan shoves his way into our circle.

“Choose?” Revan cuts him off and answers her with a kiss to her cheek. I loosen my grip on her backside and step back to widen the arch around her.

“You can have all of us, baby,” Nash smirks, closing in the circle of us.

She turns slowly and assesses each of us, “You are mine and I am yours. No longer lost, I am finally found.”

She kisses each of us on the cheek. We part when she reaches for Zebastian’s hand, and he takes her’s firmly, entwining his other hand with Revan’s. She extends her other hand to me, and I take it with a smile. Nash, true to his nature, slaps my shoulder with his hand, and I roll my eyes, resisting the urge to punch him back.

Zebastian looks at all of us and says, “Let’s go home.”

end transmission epilogue coming soon

@deathblacksmoke @mysticdoodlez @itsmrsfuentes @tearfallpixie @cncohshit @circle-with-me @blackveilomens @kingdomof-omens @cookiesupplier

@agravemisstake @whenthesummerdies @iknownothingpeople @nerdraging4point0 @dominuslunae @xxrainstorm @lyschko666 @kingdxmxfcxrds @the-ancient-fae

@measuredingold @to-be-written @lacktoesandtoddlerants @koskeepsake @blackveilomens @monotoniscreaming @trvshdxddy @emzandthevoid @th4t-em0-k1d @knivesforapro @alastriaa

@collapsedglasshouses @snarkysolaris @anameunmusical @jakeygvf21 @caitcoreeeee @lihlelecrizzi @baddestomens

[davycoquette]

Questionnaire~

Thank you for the tag, @drchenquill!

1. Is writing a hobby or way of life?

I always call it a hobby, but almost always prefixed with some form of, "greatest," "most important," or "favorite." I think way of life fits a helluva lot better. I've been writing since I can remember.

2. A journal full of writing notes or a clean, completed manuscript?

The journal one. I have like 900 I'm actively writing in at this very moment.

3. Who (or what) is your writing inspiration?

Cormac McCarthy. The love I have for my shitty characters. The agonizing unignorable need to put words on paper or screen.

4.Which is worse: someone you "idolize" reading your first draft or listening to you sing?

The singing one. I am not ashamed of my writing, but I have been taught to be ashamed of my singing lmfao. Which is weird and dumb because singing isn't something I go around telling people I can do decently - I don't tell people, "Oh, I sing," or, "I'm a singer." So, I have nothing to prove on that front, yet... I don't think I could make a peep of noise if someone said, "Sing me a song." Meanwhile, even when my writing's not at it's best, I'm like, "Yeah, I'm a writer. Here's some shit I wrote that isn't good. Sometimes I write good stuff, though."

5. Has writing from someone else's POV ever changed your own perspective?

I mean... in the literal sense, sure. A story looks different from the eyes of a character. By the same token, it helps me "understand" when people make choices I've not personally made. I think, for this reason, it's important to write about characters with different belief systems than we have - to write about them as sympathetic people with complex emotions. Not just to villainize or cathartically punish them, but to explore why people do the things they do and what life events might drive them in that direction. But cathartic character murder has its time and place, and who am I suggest what others write? Y'all do y'all.

6. Tumblr, AO3, LiveJournal, or FFN?

I have not used LiveJournal since I was a teen - is it still a thing people use??? That sounds nostalgic and fun. Not sure what FFN is; something to do with fanfiction? I only write original fiction, so that rules it out if so. AO3 is very cool, but the interface isn't my favorite. Also fanfic-heavy, so I never know if I've got a place there. Tumblr always freaked me right the fuck out, but the Writeblr community has proven to be my favorite writing community I've discovered online. And in a very short timespan, I might add!

7. AO3 wordcount, and are you satisfied with it?

I do not use AO3 but wordcounts can never be high enough 😎

8. What movie/book/fic gripped you irrevocably?

Probably too many to count. Little House on the Prairie A Separate Peace The Road Fight Club (recently rewatching this was humbling because it showed me how much of my writerly personality seems to be inspired by the way it rearranged my brain chemicals) Bullet Train (I fucken love this movie) Lawn Dogs Box of Moonlight Harold and Maude (book & movie) Pride and Prejudice (book & movie)

9. What’s the highest compliment you’ve ever been given, and have you been given it?

I've received some absolute banger compliments, and I don't want to dismiss any in favor of others. My favorite compliments are often ...questions? Just things that let me know people really did read, absorb, and are interested in things I wrote. Also, my love language is when people think about me of their own volition. So, any time people come to me apropos of nothing or say "this reminds me of you/your characters/your writing, I giggle and kick my feet and do a lil' happy dance.

10. What defines your writing style?

Gritty, casual. If it was art, it'd be the kind with the sketchlines still visible. Deep, silly. Visceral, I hope.

Taglist and blank template under the cut!

@albatris

@capnmachete

@harmonic-melodii

@illarian-rambling

@michellekarnold

@nathaniel-zellos

@sableglass

@saturnine-saturneight

1. Is writing a hobby or way of life?

2. A journal full of writing notes or a clean, completed manuscript?

3. Who (or what) is your writing inspiration?

4.Which is worse: someone you "idolize" reading your first draft or listening to you sing?

5. Has writing from someone else's POV ever changed your own perspective?

6. Tumblr, AO3, LiveJournal, or FFN?

7. AO3 wordcount, and are you satisfied with it?

8. What movie/book/fic gripped you irrevocably?

9. What’s the highest compliment you’ve ever been given, and have you been given it?

10. What defines your writing style?

[victimeyez]

Me and my buddy stumbled on your writing andnow we're hate reading just to see how low you're willing to go for the shock factor. So far the Enema Bag Shiver is the funniest, it has turned into our favorite character so far, but the #1 is still the toddler costume for the pedophile implications. To be honest its brave you included that in a story all about kinks you personally have :D Anyway I'm sure its important to the plot too. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to saturday :)

Idk man, kinda sounds like you're my biggest fan.

This story has not been updated regularly until very recently, and It's been ongoing for almost a year. Are you on my taglist? Would you like to be?

I'm not sure how you would stumble across my content. No one has a strictly My Little Pony blog and then randomly reblogs my work. Everything I write is tagged to hell and back, and is exclusively shared within the whump community. Obviously something attracts you to whump, and I write whump. My blog is labeled Dead Dove: Do Not Eat. If you look in the bag and yell at me that you find a dead dove in there, that's not on me.

You have to be actively checking my blog, because you've sent me multiple anon messages, and check to see if I've answered them. When I don't within a few days, you still want my attention so you send more. You want to read the story, and you openly enjoy it, but you're having a hard time reconciling the judgement you make on me with the fact that you genuinely like my content. So you eagerly read it, but send me anon hate so you can still give yourself a big pat on the back and feel like you have a moral superiority. Your case isn't special. It is incredibly common, and certainly nothing new.

What if you could just enjoy the things you like? There's a whole community here that shares your interests and has fun interacting with it. You don't have to put it on your resume, but there's a space here that is appropriate for it. It involves sensitive content, sure, whump is a facet of horror. Torture scenes are incredibly common, even in mainstream media. Game of Thrones featured graphic rape scenes and incest, yet it has unbelievable mainstream appeal. It's okay to like content that involves mature themes and touches on sensitive topics, and the majority of people do.

A lot of people have a hard time being genuine about their interests, whether they carry a taboo or are just considered cringe. I realized years ago that by owning the things I enjoy, no one can hurt me with it. I was a superwholock teenager to the core. I am bad at ice skating and swimming! I'm a fat little boy and I dance funny!!! When you refuse to be ashamed, other people have no power over you. In fact, they start to feel more comfortable being themselves around you, too.

I'm not stooping to anything. I'm an adult with a busy life, who chose to post my writing online, fully knowing the possible consequences, and being fine with them. I have made interactive elements of the story so people can vote for what they want to see - and when I listed the crazy BDSM couple Lisa and Mark, they won the poll by a landslide. There are plenty of people who can distinguish fiction from the author's core morals, and I'm not interested in pandering to anyone who doesn't.

The shock value comment is interesting - if I'm just trying to shock people, why would I hold back? Why didn't I write a whole disgusting scene with the enema? Why have I stated that I will not be writing any kind of age play scenes in this series? There is a plot, character arcs, backstories... Sarge could not be more of a parody unless I had him wear a shirt that said "I am a caricature of the american military industrial complex, republican politics, imperialism, and the intersection it finds with men who struggle socially and turn to red pilled reddit and toxic masculinity as a balm". Seems a bit on the nose, though. Do you think all content that involves horror or mature content is only designed to shock?

If you think I've got this all wrong, and I'm a huge pretentious asshole, that doesn't change anything for me. But you have committed yourself an awful lot to something you supposedly hate. Why don't you just stop reading? You won't even come off of anon, because you know I'd just block you and move on, and I think you would be upset if you couldn't read it anymore. I'm just another freak on the internet, right? Block me and move on. Prove me wrong. Throw a party that you trumped me and won. Feel superior. Do a backflip. Good for you buddy. Or maybe tell me, who actually is your favorite character?

TLDR; you wanna fuck me so bad it makes you look stupid

[egopocalypse]

A List of Marvin Headcanons

And the general timeline of his character in my non-series related lore, because I had to go the extra mile.

General:

He’s pan-ace and sex-positive.

Uses he/they pronouns and calls people out if they try to make him pick one.

Has dabbled in a wide range of magics, ranging from elemental to illusions to mind magics to necromancy.

They’re the type of bastard to use their voice to get what they want and practically purrs when manipulating someone.

(People simp for his voice and he takes full advantage of it.)

(Chase and Jackie may or may not be two of those people.)

Morally grey.

Charming as fuck and knows how to gain people’s favor.

Will have you wrapped around their finger and get all the information they want from you before you realize how much you’ve spilled.

He has several friends who are sex-workers and will smack down anyone who tries to harass them.

Friendly with most people (especially if you have something he wants) but has a very small group of actual friends.

However, he generally keeps people at an arm’s length, even when they’re his friends, and is a very private person.

Has had a few long-term partners, but most of the time prefers casual relationships that only last a few months, and isn’t looking to settle down any time soon.

Whether or not this is due to his fear of intimacy and inability to be vulnerable so he doesn’t seem weak is up to you to decide. (Spoiler: it is.)

He still struggles with being his own person outside of an ego at times, but mostly feels secure in his identity and the personality he’s painstakingly crafted for himself.

(And I’m throwing the lore below the cut, because it took up a page and a half in google docs and this is long enough already.)

Lore:

Started off with a lack of identity after springing into existence after his power hour. 

Went through an identity crisis and proceeded to make himself as Not Like Jack as possible, to the point of choosing a different name than what he was originally given to distance himself from his creator.

Jackie tried to help him as best he could, and after a few weeks, things seemed to start getting better.

Then Henrik showed up with an accent, a personality, and a name.

This pissed Marvin the fuck off.

They did everything they could to sabotage Henrik and make him miserable as petty revenge against Jack (and also because they just did not get along with him).

Jackie started to distance himself from them and bonded more with Henrik, which pissed them off even more and they fought with him.

They ended up leaving the house to let off some steam one night, which is when Anti targeted them.

Anti recognized his potential and promised to give him the attention and power he’d been craving.

Marvin said yes and started working with Anti.

They created the tether that tied Anti to Jack and strengthened the connection between Anti and Jack, which allowed Anti to overpower Jack on Halloween and kill him.

But Anti blamed Marvin for Henrik’s interference and saving Jack’s life, so they had to prove themself to him to gain his mercy.

This is when Marvin officially gained Anti’s strings.

Marvin returned to the ego’s residence and started spying on them, collecting information for Anti.

Jackie was ecstatic to see he was back and embraced him, spending more time with him like before Henrik arrived.

Marvin soaked in the attention and things stayed relatively calm for several months.

Chase’s arrival ended that.

Once again, Jack had created a new ego, and this time with a very detailed backstory. Even more so than Henrik’s.

And the worst part is, Marvin couldn’t hate him.

They wanted to, but Chase ended up latching onto their heart somehow and wouldn’t let go, no matter how many attempts they made to push him away.

They ended up becoming the one that Chase turned to with his secrets the most, especially regarding his fears and doubts.

Anti noticed Marvin turning away from him and started threatening Chase’s life and freedom to get Marvin to obey again.

Marvin agreed and started arranging for Kill Jacksepticeye to happen, slipping things into Jack’s food/drinks, using voodoo and black magics to worsen his health, and working on a ritual to bind Jack inside his mind so Anti can control it without problems.

When the day arrives, Henrik comes across Marvin performing the ritual and causes him to fuck it up, so Jack dies.

To get him out of the picture, they offer Henrik up to Anti as a temporary replacement.

Marvin then proceeds to use necromancy once they’re gone to bring Jack back, but he’s left in a coma as a result of the damage his body took from the failed ritual.

Chase and Jackie’s worry over Hen’s disappearance causes him to be ashamed of his actions, and he fakes his own abduction.

They live with Anti for the next few months, and when Jameson is snatched by Anti, it’s Marvin’s job to guard him and Henrik.

Like Chase, Jameson worms his way into Marvin’s heart, and he sees him as the apprentice he never had.

It’s through Jameson’s careful work that Marvin and Henrik’s relationship gets mended, though it takes a lot of effort from the three of them.

May 2019 comes around and Anti finally causes Marvin to snap.

They use their magic to try to bust themself, Henrik, and Jameson out.

Henrik is the only one to make it.

Jameson got caught by Anti and Marvin surrendered to keep him from hurting him and as a distraction to keep Anti’s attention off of Henrik’s escape.

It takes them until the new year to get out from there, and Anti took every available opportunity before that to subdue them and beat them into submission (see: Jameson Jackson’s Jolly Jaunts).

The last year or so has been dedicated to healing and dealing with the trauma, as well as coming up with a plan to stand against Anti and take him down once and for all.

That is where we stand now, and we’ll see what tomorrow’s video has to do with the lore. 

(Dear god, please let some of this be correct. Please.)

[missmaywemeetagain]

ATTENTION: User Elv1sPresl3y on Wattpad is STEALING OUR ONE-SHOTS!!

It's been brought to my attention that another thief is out there on Wattpad taking credit for eTumblr's amazing creators and their work. (Thanks @mrsniallhoran505 for letting me know.) User Elv1sPresl3y is stealing Austin, A!Elvis and Elvis oneshots and calling them their own.

Now, y'all organized and took down my thief in record time, so let's go 'ride or die' for our community once again! However it sounds like this thief is proving more elusive, so I think a targeted approach might get more results, since it sounds like some of you have been suffering with this for a while. Messaging Elv1sPresl3y has NOT been effective and sounds like it will only get you blocked.

✅✅PLEASE CHECK IF YOUR STORY IS ON THEIR WATTPAD AND MAKE A COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT CLAIM. Apparently, we can report if it’s not our story but Wattpad WILL NOT REMOVE IT unless claims are made by the ORIGINAL OWNERS.

Let's help our creators out by:

REBLOGing this post

If you are a writer/reader, check Elv1sPresl3y on Wattpad and let us know in the comments of this post if your/someone's work has been stolen (or who's stories have been stolen if you read them). Let us know which specific stories are yours!

REPORT on Wattpad once we have specific tumblr authors to defend.

Check the comments on this post periodically and then COMMENT on THE SPECIFIC STORIES in the collection of stolen ones to let those readers know that story is stolen from "@ name" on Tumblr. Keep comments on Wattpad clean and specific (it looks like ones that include cussing/ranting are flagged & may get removed!)

Message Elv1sPresl3y's FOLLOWERS on Wattpad to let them know they are actively following someone who is stealing other author's works. I would recommend keeping it clean and to the point so you don't get blocked or flagged.

Messaging Elv1sPresl3y has NOT been effective and sounds like it will only get you blocked, so I would NOT interact with them one on one.

If anyone else has ideas, please let us know! I am so, so sorry to all the writers who've had their work stolen by this thief!

Let's show them once again that the Elvis & Austin fandoms are the best fandoms and try get this shit shut down! What pisses me off even more is that they are ranked #1 in Austin stories. I've included some screenshots of one of the "collections" they've posted, but please go check for yourselves.

WE RIDE OR DIE FOR THE ETUMBLR COMMUNITY!! Don't mess with us.

I hope you don't mind, but I'm using my taglist and just tagging some peeps just to make sure this post gets traction! @powerofelvis @aconflagrationofmyown @troubleinapinksuit @karamelcoveredolicity

@atombombbibunny @yesimwriting @uselessbutinteresting @mirandastuckinthe80s @dark-as-love

@domaniquessidehoe @im-lame-irl @allybrooke05 @hangmanswhore

@jazmin2211  @kvcssghbjbcd @coldonexx @dudinhahoff @whatstruthgottodowithit @tiredbuthappy  @amiets2  @saintmagx

@kvcssghbjbcd @butlersluvbot @babydollie43 @vainbimbo @meladollsims @wstelandbaby @dre6ming @normatural @ash-omalley @xcallmetaniax @galvz-42 @thejezebel @fullmetal-falcon @robinismywife @dre6ming @seaweedbrain00 @amiets2 @mslizziesblog @heisatroubleinapinksuit @calusussss @dont-feel-so-good-peter @rainydayz101 @pizzaisrelationshipgoals  

@liaaacantwrite @kittenlittle24 @kaitaesupremacy @butler-trouble @eliseinmemphis @russian-soft-bitch  @tattywood 

@sassanoe @re3kin @thella @suspiciousmidge @hiddlepiddlediddlewiddle @carolinesbookworld @juggernort @aesthetic-lyss @stitchattacks @donnamarie23 @ab4eva 

@fic-over-cannon @lacyluver @littlebitofgreen @paigevis 

[bearseungmin]

BEARSEUNGMIN'S FAREWELL POST [ ! ]

the time has come for me leave this blog </3 I've loved most everything I've written here, and I am forever grateful for this experience. idk what is in skz fanfic writer's water but it is pure talent because I have met some of the coolest and most insanely good writers just from writing here. I seriously hope y'all get actual stuff published in the future because holy fuck don't keep posting such good works to wandering eyes who don't even understand that reblogs are how this site works LMAO.

I'll be around for a little while longer (hopefully long enough to catch everyone's spooky season activities & events), but this blog will eventually become inactive over time. I'll reblog and queue as I can. my planned series and recs lists have been discontinued rip. I'm not deactivating this blog any time soon so feel free to keep reading my stuff + going through my recs and to read tag!!!

& special thanks to everyone who made my dumbass clicking into tumblr to post my own fanfics completely worth it. really wishing the best for all of you and hope you all know that you have something so special that I can't even put into words—but you can create so much from letters that it's beautiful. take care, and please feel free to send me an ask or dm if you want any of my other blog urls or socials to keep in contact!

please show these writers as much love and support as possible. they've created a community here that is so much fun to be a part of, whether you are reading or writing, and it got me (and I'm sure many others) through a lot. follow, leave feedback, & reblog their content since I won't be here to!

amazing people & writers btw — @lixesque @aliceu @cb97percent @etherealinowrites @linoguistics @petrichor-han @lotus-dly @hyuneater @abiaswreck @neo-shitty @hyunee1 @decembermoonskz @yyxgin @sulfurcosmos @dom--minnie @sleepylixie @huenjin @binniesthighs @ohmysparkle @feliix @quokkacore @stayndays @formidxble @linothinker @hhjs @seungisms @ballelino @noramoons @dreamescapeswriting @chaninfused @blossom-hwa @chogiwow @mostlycompetentwriter @seungmoe @planetdream @crispy-chan @seo--changbin @matryosika @jl-micasea-fics @seungmoomin <3 love you guys <3

+ my taglist for the last time — @jaerisdiction @fairygirl18 @late-minhours @onlycherryblossom @white-compass @whatudowhennooneseesyou @19yearsmemories @lachinitaaaaa @marzipaanz thank you a million times for supporting me <3 it means a lot!

[hybridequalist]

At long last, it's out. I had to save this draft from the Ao3 shutdown, but thankfully it's all still here.

Previous Chapter (tumblr link)

Taglist (you can be added upon request):  @ sesquipedalian-aficionado   @nesli26, @manga-crazy, @venomemes, @galleyleelol, @makingtimemine, @jackie-sugarskull, @nightshade7117, @skysthelimit291, @randomshizzles101, @inumorph, @snow-massacre, @phantom-fangirl-stuff, @pixellated-sparks, @vsalamandor2, @otaku-mai, @snarky-badger​

                                            ************************

It was a weird feeling to be visiting one of the exam rooms in the hospital while off the clock--it was like you were playing pretend, sitting on the exam table like any other patient as if you didn't mop these floors or empty the trash cans regularly. Even weirder to be with someone who was not only ready for but expecting their thoughts to be read.

"I'm not going to lie to you, this was actually pretty open and shut in terms of examination," Dr Dan remarked, pulling out the MRI images from his folder.  "There was no damage that we could detect from your fall."

"No signs of any contact with a symbiote either. Can't say I understand the specific neurology of how it happened, but the connection you experienced with him left no physical impact."

How was he so good at communicating on two fronts? He couldn't have had practice with it--you didn't get the impression Dr. Dan had regular superhuman contact (leaving out Venom and Eddie). Maybe it had to do with how much he had going on in his head; he was an observer and was always analyzing stuff.

"There was one thing I took note of that I wanted to bring up, however," he continued aloud, picking up one of the printouts and placing it on a clipboard. He pointed to a specific gray spot, near the lower middle of the brain. "This is your amygdala--the 'fear center' of your brain. On most people, it doesn't show up as prominently as this on an MRI."

You held up your hand to stop the doctor and pulled out your phone, checking that the volume was up.

"Is that a problem I need to worry about?" the device vocalized for you.

"Not necessarily; it usually means that your amygdala has increased activation compared to most other patients we scan." Dr. Dan frowned to himself, something occurring to him. "It's not exactly the same, but it does resemble how the amygdala looks in patients with a PTSD diagnosis. However, that isn't something that can be diagnosed by MRI and I am not qualified to make that call regardless. Now, moving on to these other scans..."

He pulled out a few of the printouts, handing them over and waiting expectantly, his face not revealing his giddy excitement. You stared down at the monochrome images of your own brain from multiple angles (though thankfully not a cursed front-facing one), but they looked the same as any you'd ever seen before--they might as well be a stock image used in a medical drama.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what I'm supposed to see in these pictures," you commented, handing back the rectangles of glossy paper.

"That's just it: these are the scans I took while you were actively 'reading my mind'! They look completely normal! It's fascinating!"

"The procedure was similar to brain mapping, which basically tells anyone who knows how to read an MRI what parts of the brain are active at any given moment," he continued aloud, taking back the pictures and rifling through them to pick one in particular. "This one shows that your brain was engaged in the same way as when someone is actively listening to a conversation. But it's this one that's really interesting."

He flipped around another picture and you noticed this one seemed a bit clearer on some brain areas than the other scans you'd looked at.

"This scan, however, is when I asked you to pay attention to the memory. As you can see here--" he lightly touched towards the front part of the brain "--your emotional centers were wholly engaged, borderline hyper-activated which is why they're so clear. The language center is almost completely inactive by comparison."

"Now the exact reasons are a little unclear because there's not exactly any research about 'mind reading', but if I were to hypothesize as to why, I'd say that while passively 'listening' to thoughts, your brain operates like you're listening to a vocal conversation. But when it comes to focusing on a memory, you experience something closer to total empathy--you experience the memories of other people as if living through that experience in reality. When you connected with Venom's memory, you experienced this total empathy with a sapient but entirely non-human organism, meaning that your human sensory understanding of the world clashed with Venom's alien sensory experience, which is probably what caused the mental shock you reported; because Venom doesn't have the same senses as a human being when unbonded, his memory overwhelmed your brain trying to translate the information."

Dan was so excited. This was something new, something that had never been experienced or studied and he was lucky enough to witness it. But he was intentionally repressing that feeling, making a conscious effort to watch your face and remind himself that you were a person who potentially had some trauma mixed in with all the things he found so interesting.

He was really good at his job, unlike many others you could name.

You were in the midst of trying to think of a good response when suddenly your phone began to vibrate aggressively. You rushed to shut it off, feeling an involuntary flush color your body at the sudden interruption.

"I have a trolley to catch," you explained, standing up and gathering your things. "I can't afford to miss my errands before work today."

"It's perfectly alright," Dan assured you, giving a gentle smile. "I'll go ahead and note that you appear in good health, but if anything else comes up, do not be afraid to give me a call--or whatever form of communication suits you best. Eddie knows how to reach me directly if anything concerning develops."

You nodded, staring down at your shoes as you put in your earbuds, starting up music to drown out the thoughts of anyone you might pass--people tended to unconsciously advertise hyper-personal details or very gross things in medical contexts. If you had to "see" one more weird rash secondhand, it would be too soon. Oh yeah, and the small issue of lots of people being in simultaneous pain that made your body ache in sympathy.

Idly, you opened your phone calendar and looked at your list for today's outing, walking through the steps in your head for how to make your afternoon as easy as possible. As you stepped into the lobby, someone shoulder checked you as they went to grab a drink from the water cooler. Not gently either; there was some impact that hinted it might have been intentional.

"Shoot, I'm sorry! Thought I cleared you. Are you okay?"

You glanced whomever had just crashed into you and were met with a wall of pastels--blonde hair streaked with sky blue highlights, a pale yellow tee peeking from under white, sleeveless denim, dotted with vibrant pins of all shades and slogans. Focusing in, you realized that despite the height of your new forced acquaintance, their face was very young--they couldn't be more than sixteen at the oldest.

"I knew I shouldn't have worn heels today! But you're good, right? No injury?"

Nothing they said felt out of place, the tone was an appropriate level of concerned and the volume was just right for a normal conversation, but their thoughts were focused on anything but actual worry for your well-being. They were looking you over with a distinct focus, looking for any exposed skin and trying to strategize how they might be able to make some casual contact without appearing overbearing or drawing attention.

Aware that many eyes were on you and not wanting to draw any suspicion that you were escaping, you waved your hand in a "don't worry about it" way and adjusted one of your earbuds, praying it would be enough to signal that you were going to mind your own business and they should do the same.

Their mind confirmed you had succeeded, but your chest tightened as you felt their determination to put their hand on you spike. It didn't have any obviously malicious undertones--no lust, no violence, no harmful intent--but the simple fact they wanted to make skin-to-skin contact so badly set off all your internal alarm bells. You stumbled a few steps back, creating a gap with one of the waiting room chairs between the two of you, your gaze cataloguing everything you could about this person, determined to give a face to the thoughts that were triggering your flight response--another presence to add to the list of avoidance.

The world began to blur as your brain started to race, feeling an increasing number of thoughts focusing in on the small confrontation unfolding before their eyes. Breathe, you reminded yourself. I can't have a breakdown here.

You didn't care how it looked as you all but fled the hospital lobby--you just needed to GET OUT. The more distance the better. It didn't matter that you were basically blinded by the outdoor sun, you were out of there. You knew you weren't being followed, but the sting of frustration that came from the pastel stranger was plenty to assure you that it had been the right choice to ignore all social graces and follow your gut.

Once the hospital was long out of sight, you took a second to breathe, fighting tears that threatened to escape. You had too much to do and no one was going to cover for you if you lost it--that would require explanations that you couldn't give.

Work was blessedly normal--you had a few sticky notes of things patients had requested you pass on to the nurses (both literally asked and silently craved) and aside from someone accidentally tearing their stitches while stretching, no emergencies. But as you changed the linens on one of the recently vacated beds, the personal radio clipped to your uniform beeped. You frowned as someone spoke through it--the receptionist at the front desk, a friendly part-timer in her 50s named Janice.

"Can you come down to the records room? There's a situation developing."

You pressed the response button in the affirmative pattern--one long call, one short, two long to match the morse code "y"--and left your supplies where they laid to jog towards the room where you'd been summoned.

Janice was pacing by the door, barely dodging out of the way when you came in. Her face was scrunched in worry and she immediately pulled a pen and a scrap of notebook paper out when she laid eyes on you.

"Glad you came quick. There's a guy who came in asking if his girlfriend had been checked in. He gave a description that matched you creepily closely, claimed your last name was hers. Gave off bad vibes something fierce, so I didn't want to confirm anything. He's waiting in reception right now, refused outright to give his name."

The image in her mind was unmistakable: a shorter man, average build--a little on the scrawny side, actually--with a blonde crew cut and hazel eyes that held unmistakable malice.

You thought your stomach had dropped plenty when encountering the pastel stranger. The sight of Mitch at your workplace sent it through the floor.

Janice was still trying to explain what had happened at the desk and how she was trying to buy time, but you grabbed the paper and pen from her hand and scrawled as fast as your hands allowed without tearing through the flimsy surface.

He's bad news. Major bad news for me. Don't tell him I'm here. Long story, but he is not a safe person. I need to report this to Dustin, he'll get a notice to everyone who needs to know.

You shoved the paper back into Janice's hands and jerked the door open, sprinting for the elevators and thanking your lucky stars that the swing shift wasn't over quite yet--Dustin was on that rotation for the month and it would have been a nightmare to contact him if he wasn't onsite.

The administrative offices weren't an area of the hospital you spent a lot of time, but the unfamiliarity of the layout proved no big deal: there were only a handful of people up here and your sixth sense picked up on your handler's thoughts with little effort, serving as a waypoint in the boring, flat colored halls. You entered the office without knocking, setting the deadbolt and pulling the blinds on the small hallway-facing window shut.

"Excuse me, what are you--oh, it's you. Nevermind then; proceed." Dustin--a slightly fat man with a shaved head and square glasses--had jolted to his feet indignantly upon your entry but upon recognizing you, he settled back into his office chair, locking his computer and going to shut off his phone. Of course, you only ever came to see in of your own choice when there was something serious to discuss--and you weren't one to make mountains out of what he might consider molehills.

"A man came here to look for me," you signed, intentionally slowing your pace and giving the hospital admin time to read your signs as he was consistently out of practice. "His name is Mitchell Barrett. He's affiliated with a known agitator group."

"The one mentioned in your files or a separate entity?" Dustin whipped out a pen and began to write down the required incident codes.

"The one in my files, but I don't know if there is still an organized system. His current goals are unknown, but this is the second approach attempt he's made. I don't know how he found out this is my workplace, but I am so far his only target."

Your boss finished taking his notes and sighed heavily. Being a Hospital Admin was a seriously stressful job at times, but having to fulfill his secondary job at the same time? If it wasn't deemed a big enough concern by the USMS, then he'd be in charge of managing the response and with the investigation going on in regards to the--

"If you don't have any more relevant details to report, would you mind not following my thoughts all over the place?" Dustin interrupted, frowning at you. "You're free to clock out if you feel you will be more secure at home, I will excuse the absence as an emergency. I'll also have to pass along the warning to Dr. Joland and the other relevant staff."

Nerves twisted up, mouth dry and cheeks flushed, you stumbled back out of the office, struggling for a moment with the door latch. It hadn't been an intentional move to read Dustin's thoughts, but to be fair he was the only one who would know it was happening: he had a sensitivity for mutant powers that had forced him into the position he currently occupied. As you stepped through the elevator doors, your knees suddenly refused to support you any longer. Your hand dragged across the buttons, lighting up a handful of them as the doors slid shut, slowing your descent and giving time for you to silently weep at the years of your peace that had just ended.

[casart]

First, I just wanted to let you know I adore your style and am actually using it as inspiration for some of my own art. :)

Next, may I be added to the Spirit Complex AU taglist?

Finally, I have a question about the AU. Is Janus deaf or Deaf? I know you mentioned they use ASL, but you haven't really expanded on deafness and their identity.

(For those who don't know, deaf with a lowercase 'd' refers to just someone with hearing loss, whereas Deaf with an uppercase 'D' refers to someone who actively embraces Deafness as an identity and culture.)

Oh wow, thank you! ;;w;; I'm truly honoured to hear my style is seen as inspiration?? I don't think I even have words but know reading that made my heart warm♡♡♡

Looking back on the au, I realised I muddled a lot of Jan's story in particular ;;A;; I'm not sure how that happened but–

Janus was born deaf to a hearing family. They are not mute but are more comfortable signing over speaking

Their family was pretentious. They actually discouraged sign, thinking it was gonna alienate Janus further from communicating. They rather Janus practice their speech, so Janus didn't learn sign until after their elementary years

Janus struggles w identity overall. It just seemed their life consisted of being forced into roles. They never got much of an opportunity to really find themselves, and maybe that's part of why they haven't moved on

Janus is deaf. They were open about it when they could be, but never got the chance to really embrace that culture

[tranquilstudy]

Hey everyone! So I've seen a lot of these floating around and I've always wanted to make one but just never had the creative incentive to do so... until now! I think these are pretty cool in how they allow people to get to know each other and bond on the studyblr community and as a community of welcoming and acceptance. Not all of the challenges on here are study-related but I think they make pretty decent conversation starters for people to get to know you and your studies better! Because this may be a time for people to take a break from school as well, I think the questions are fairly fitting. But, it's my first time doing this so who knows, haha.

Basic Information

The challenge will run from kind of a weird time: May 2nd, 2021 to May 27th, 2021. However, you can start or stop at any time! Feel free to participate in this whenever you feel like it. Everyone is welcome!

There are 25 26 prompts / challenges, and they range from strictly academia to just fun prompts to spruce up your posts. It's honestly more about getting to know yourself and where you direct your energy. There's questions for productive days and questions for days when you just wanna crawl into a ball and fall asleep forever. The most important part is having fun and connecting with others here, that's why I decided to make this. They're meant to be answered once a day, but know that you can answer however your posting schedule fits you! I know for me I don't typically post everyday so I'll probably be answering these in a bit of a wonky fashion. Feel free to join me or answer them on the dime!

If you decide that you wanna participate, whether at the designated time or not, feel free to use the tag #tranquilstuddybuddies ! I'll be following it and I'm excited to see what you guys come up with. Also, please reblog this post so that I know you're at least thinking of doing it! Even if you don't end up doing it. I'll create a taglist below as I see more people becoming interested and reblogging this post so we can all stay connected!

Questions

Daily Question: So, I've been doing a lot of yoga lately.

...I swear this will all make sense.

And I've been doing a lot of Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube, and in her practices she always tells her followers to set intentions for themselves, which I thought was really cool. So, I'm gonna borrow her idea here!

For every day of the challenge, you can answer one or two of the following:

1. Fill in the blank: Today, I choose _______. (Kind of like an affirmation for your day.

2. Fill in the blank: Today, my goals are __________. (Like a to-do list! what are your plans for the day? What do you want to accomplish?)

These are meant to be done along with the prompt for each given day. So , for Day One you would answer the daily question(s) as well as the prompt for Day One, and so on. They don't have to be answered but it might be a nice way to set yourself up for success, both in an academic and a mental mindset.

...

Prompt questions:

Day One: Tell us a little bit about yourself! What classes are you currently taking, if any? If not, what are you currently studying or what is your current long term productive projects or goals?

Day Two: Choose one: "True love flows like water, coming and going, surging and receding, and must be followed accordingly." or "True love is choosing someone or something, over and over, no matter what." Explain your choice if you'd like! Kind of a philosophical way to get the brain churning.

Day Three: Share some pictures from your favourite vacation or travels. What's your favourite part of this place? (Or, if thinking of travelling makes you sad because of covid restrictions, take a picture of your study area and tell me what you love most about it!)

Day Four: What are you doing to take care of yourself today? Show us a picture of your favourite face mask, tea / coffee / hot beverage or your comfort activity.

Day Five: What is your favourite band? Share some of your favourite songs from them! (Bonus points if you also share your study playlist with us, or what you like to listen to to get in "the zone").

Day Six: What do you do on days that you feel blue? Share three songs that help you feel better.

Day Seven: What type of learner are you? (Visual learner, audial learner, etc.)

Day Eight: Tag someone that you would love to stargaze with, talking about anything that comes to mind deep into the night. Can be a studyblr, or it doesn't have to be!

Day Nine: Tag someone that you think deserves to have more recognition in the study community. What are two things you like about them?

Day Ten: What would you love to learn more about or do more of?

Day Eleven: What article of clothing that you own makes you feel your best? Share it today!

Day Twelve: Do you have any pets? Share a picture and an interesting fact about them!

Day Thirteen: What class have you had the most fun in during your academic journey? What class have you learned the most in?

Day Fourteen: Do you believe that dreams reflect real life? What do you think dreams represent? (Kind of a random one, but interesting I think)

Day Fifteen: Within your field of study, what particular issues are you the most passionate or interested in? OR, what subject or class in school is your favourite?

Day Sixteen: What is your process for writing notes?

Day Seventeen: What time do you usually go to bed? Do you find falling asleep easy or difficult? How do you cope with not being able to fall asleep?

Day Eighteen: If you're comfortable with it, share an experience or a struggle that has helped you to become who you are today. (If you're not comfortable, share a picture of your handwriting instead!)

Day Nineteen: How would you describe your best friend? How do you think your best friend would describe you?

Day Twenty: What book(s) are you currently reading, if anything?

Day Twenty-One: What keeps you motivated? What motivation tips would you give to someone in a slump right now?

Day Twenty-Two: What do you use to escape from reality, if anything? Do you think it's necessary to escape from reality every once in a while?

Day Twenty-Three: Tag yourself: Team "late night matcha lattes, snuggled up with a blanket for one last late night review session" or Team "staying out late at the soda shop, drinking a milkshake and popping quarters into the jukebox, dancing your cares away"? (Team cozy matcha or team sodapop for short)

Day Twenty-Four: Share your favourite recipe for one of your favourite dishes to make! Can be cooking or baking.

Day Twenty-Five: Tag someone that gets you. On, like, a higher level. They just get you.

Day Twenty-Six: The end of the challenge! What did you like or dislike about this challenge? What did you enjoy? What did you learn? What are your plans for the future now that this challenge is over?

Well, I can't count. I thought there were 25 questions... *sigh* this is why I failed stats...

Taglist

@lampstudy @notionblr @asterinunfathomed @predvmstudies @itsleahstudies @divinity-study @helianthuscryptid @jkjustplanning @econtwin1 @leillee @mangofiend @mangomybeloved @agriblr @fromtheatretomedical @elentiascodex @finchleaf :)

[captain-josslett]

Broken Melody - Part Thirty Two

Masterlist

Summary: Grammy Award winning Emma Danvers is the first to say she has a pretty good life. But what happens when it implodes around her and it looks like things will never be the same again?

Words: 8.6k+ (opps)

Warnings: Fluff, Angst, PTSD moments

Pairings: Emma Danvers x Lena Luthor, Alex Danvers x Sam Arias

This Part: Two weeks before the surgery, the Danvers sisters find out something about their Mom and the Superfriends go bowling!

Surprise! Two days later! What is going on? I had a lot of fun writing this. Sorry it got so long!

Thank you for reading and let me know if you wanna be tagged or any general feedback will be greatly appreciated. Please! I like knowing your thoughts.

Taglist: @finleyfray, @life-is-hella-unfair, @natasha-danvers, @supergirl-writingz, @camslightstories, @thinking1bee, @aznblossom

2 Weeks Before The Surgery

Emma slowly wakes up and stretches her whole body while voicelessly yawning. Generally her sleep hasn’t been as disturbed as before, but Emma is still finding she doesn’t feel as refreshed as she should when she wakes up.

Her hand reaches out for Lena, but finds the space next to her empty and cold. She blinks her eyes open and silently sighs when there is no sign of her girlfriend.

Lena had warned that she may have to work on Saturday due to the volume of business piling up. But she'd already said she needed to recharge.

Still.

Even though Sam and Lena have been hiring more staff to work the caseloads and Lena has been supervising the team leaders in the labs. The workload just seems never ending for L-Corp at the moment.

Causing Emma to barely see her girlfriend this week leaving Lena to usually stumble tiredly into the apartment after Emma has gone to bed. She’d sleepily brush her teeth, flop into bed, sometimes fully clothed and make Emma jump awake by the bounce of the bed. If Lena was still clothed in her tight business clothes, Emma would carefully change Lena into her pyjamas so she could sleep more comfortably. Emma would then kiss her on the forehead due to the raven haired beauty already being asleep.

Then Lena would wake up before her alarm, leaving Emma to sleep in as Lena quietly sneaks out of the apartment to head to L-Corp before sunrise. There wasn’t even much time for them to have lunch together but Emma would savour the moments she could have with Lena.

However, last night when Lena stumbled through the bedroom door, Emma had still been awake and once Lena crawled into bed and into Emma’s arms, she had groaned that she would take Saturday off to recharge.

‘Guess not.’ Emma thinks sadly while rolling out of bed to use the bathroom. She wobbles slightly as the room spins but Emma was getting used to the sensation.

Afterwards she grabs her phone and sees a message from her Mom

Eliza: Morning Sweetheart! Was wondering if you and Lena wanted to grab breakfast/brunch/lunch with me? Depending on what time you wake up of course!

Emma’s heart warms at how her Mom always wants to include Lena in their outings, which evidently, has started to dwindle. Emma glances at the time on her phone and sees it’s just gone 10:30am.

Emma: Yes please! Although it will be just me cause Lena has to work. 🥺

Where would you like to go? Do you want me to pick you up?

Due to everything happening Eliza had decided to rent an apartment that was close to the DEO and in a location that was in the middle of her daughter’s apartments. Emma was still impressed that her Mom managed to achieve all this in such a short time. But once her Mom’s mind was set on something, she went for it and no one would dare tell her to go back to Midvale.

Eliza: That’s a shame. How about that beach cafe you rave about so much?

Emma snorts at her Mom’s text.

Emma: Mom, I rave about a lot of beach cafés…

Eliza: Is that sarcasm I detect?

Emma: Noooo

Eliza: Anyway, you choose sweetheart, I am ready when you are. Just let me know when you are leaving.

Emma: Great! Give me 15 mins!

Emma quickly places her phone on the bed and races to the walk-in wardrobe, having had her shower the night before she waited for Lena to come home.

Suddenly the room spins and warps around her. Emma closes her eyes, waiting for the moment to pass. Thankfully it does and she continues her task. Choosing blue skinny jeans, a white t-shirt with gold stars on and a black hoodie. She stuffs her feet into black converses and grabs her phone, texting her Mom and places it into her messenger bag.

Emma: Just leaving now.

But as Emma heads for the door she notices a piece of paper on the island. Intrigued, she zips over, banging her knee into the corner of the unit. Unknowingly cracking the hard unit slightly.

‘Mother fucker!’ Emma’s mind screams as she rubs her knee before focusing on Lena’s handwriting.

‘Good Morning my love,

I’m sorry for leaving you like this but I have to go into work. I will hopefully be able to come to the bowling alley. If not, please apologise to Nia and give her a hug from me.

All my love, Lena x’

Emma lets out a voiceless sigh, she knew Lena was not in the apartment, but seeing the proof frustrates her. Disappointment in her girlfriend starts to creep in, she hopes Lena can make it to the bowling alley, not for her, but for Nia. Who has been bouncing around like a puppy with how much she was looking forward to spending time with the Superfriends to celebrate her birthday.

Due to Lena’s connections they’ve managed to hire a VIP private room with a few lanes, meaning once they are through the doors they don't need to have any face modifiers activated.

Because of Lena’s note, Emma grabs Nia’s birthday gifts and card, just in case Emma doesn’t return to the apartment before the party.

Her phone bleeps and Emma quickly takes it out as she exits the apartment.

Eliza: Okay Sweetheart! Drive safe!

Emma rolls her eyes at her Mom’s message and resists sending a sarcastic comment back. Instead she smiles down at her phone while she enters the elevator and activates her face modifier. She chooses a face with a beauty mark like Marilyn Monroe and she can’t help but pull a sexy pout while studying the new face in the mirror of the elevator.

Soon the doors open into the garage level and Emma approaches the L-Car, while mournfully staring at her bug. She gets into the car Lena designed for her and drives to her Mom’s apartment.

Eventually she pulls up outside Eliza’s building and finds her Mom is already waiting outside, with J’onn by her side. They haven’t noticed her arrival as they continue talking. Emma watches them with interest, noticing the smiles on their faces and how close they are standing while facing each other. Her eyes lower and widen at the realisation that they are holding hands.

Emma gets out her phone and records a short video of the pair interacting, zooming in on their joined hands before turning the camera on herself and raising an eyebrow. Immediately she sends the video to her sister’s group chat and another to Lena.

Emma: Morning love! Hope work is going okay? So… Picking up Mom for brunch and I’ve come across this… I don’t know how to feel… I want to squeal in happiness and simultaneously wretch! Oh Rao… We’re gonna have to give him the shovel talk aren’t we? 😬

Suddenly there is a knock on the passenger window, making Emma jump in her seat. Looking over she realises her Mom is standing by the door, waiting to be let in and Emma unlocks the door.

“Morning Sweetheart.” Eliza says while  sliding into the car and gives her youngest daughter a tight hug.

When they part, Emma looks around for J’onn.

“Oh he’s already left, doesn't want the shovel talk just yet.” Eliza jokes as she puts on her seat belt, Emma tilts her head, wondering how he would know that. “He heard your thoughts as you were messaging your sisters and Lena.”

Emma snorts and shakes her head, of course J’onn would have heard her. She  drives the car away from the pavement and back into the traffic. The pair stay in comfortable silence as they listen to the radio with Emma tapping along to the beat. Eliza has been learning some sign language but knows Emma won’t be able to communicate while driving the car.

About half an hour later they pull into a car park by a very long beach and Emma grabs her phone to communicate with her Mom. She sees multiple messages from her sisters but decides she will look at them later. Instead opening the notes app and writing a message out for her Mom.

‘Do you mind walking 20 minutes to the café? I can see if there are more spaces near it, but they are generally full.’

Emma shows her typed out words to her Mom.

“Of course sweetheart! I know I’m old, but I’m not that old!”

Emma shakes her head in amusement. Not liking the thoughts of how her Mom is growing older, that her blonde hair is getting lighter and more lines are appearing on her face.

As Eliza goes to pull the handle on the door Emma stops her, causing Eliza to look back at her daughter.

“Sweetheart?”

Emma circles her face, indicating she needs to engage her face modifier.

“Oh! Of course!” Eliza quickly taps her temple and her face morphs into another.

Emma silently sighs as they both get out of the car, hoping the face modifiers can be made obsolete soon. When Emma closes the door she stumbles slightly as the world spins but she manages to catch herself on the car. She looks over at her Mom, but luckily it seems like she doesn’t notice.

“So! Which way do we go?” Eliza asks as she links her arm with Emma. Her daughter points down to the path leading down to the beach and the pair walk in sync along the coast.

Both breathe in the salty sea air and enjoy watching the waves as they gently crash against the shore.

“I’ll never get over how beautiful the sea is.” Eliza comments and Emma nods in agreement. The colours were especially beautiful today, more turquoise than blue.

“Do you remember the amount of times you’d drag us down to the beach? How you wanted to go, even when it was raining?” Eliza smiles brightly at her daughter and Emma nods. Remembering the amount of pictures showing Alex and Jeremiah sat together while Emma enjoyed being in the sea. “And then once you found out about surfing, that was it! Your Dad and Alex put their foot down when you wanted to go all the time.”

Unable to respond Emma just smiles at the memories and the utter thrill she felt when she managed to catch her first wave. How her parents cheered and Alex tried to look unimpressed, but her eyes gave her away that she indeed was impressed and proud of her sister.

Eliza continues reminiscing as they walk towards the beach hut café Lena and Emma had gone to a few weeks ago.

“Oh this looks wonderful!” Eliza says as she steps through the door and follows Emma to a free table by the window. Eliza sits and takes in the beach decor of the cafe. The white walls and ceiling with the wooded furniture and beach elements in the decoration.

Emma grabs her phone and types out a message for her. ‘Yea Lena and I love it here.’

“I can see why.”

Their waitress comes over and greets them, handing them menus for them to look over.

“What drinks can I get ya?” The waitress pulls a pencil from behind her ear.

“Oh a pot of tea for me and-” Eliza looks over at Emma who points at an apple juice and a bottle of water.

“Great! I’ll get those for you and leave you to decide on y’all food.”

“Thank you.” Eliza watches the waitress go before turning back to her masked daughter. Who sits looking out of the window and even though her daughter’s face is hidden, Eliza can see something isn’t right “So, how are you sweetheart?”

Emma picks up her phone and starts typing.

‘I’m okay, nervous about the surgery but also excited. I miss talking to you.’

“And I miss hearing your voice.” Eliza reaches out and takes Emma’s hand. “But whatever happens I’ll be here to take care of you. Even if we need to go home and get some of that mountain air into you.”

Emma smiles at the thought of going back to Midvale. She goes to type her reponse when a message from Alex pops up.

Alex: Emma answer me!

Alarmed Emma opens their group chat and starts from the beginning of the thread where Emma sent the video.

Kara: Wait what?!

Alex: When did this happen?!

Emma snorts as she reads through the continuous back and forth between her two sisters as they try to piece together their Mom’s relationship with J’onn and how they felt about it. Ranging from many different emotions, Kara seemingly being more accepting, while Alex pleads Emma for more information and her location.

“Kara and Alex?” Eliza chuckles as she watches Emma’s expressions as she reads. Emma nods and grins back at her in confirmation.

Emma: Sorry I’m with Mom atm and didn’t see your hundreds of messages.

Kara: Where?

Emma: In a café ☕️

Alex: Which cafe?

Emma: Not telling 😜

Emma places her phone back on the table as the waitress comes over with the drinks. The pair order their food and Eliza can’t help but notice how Emma’s phone keeps lighting up.

“What’s that about?”

Emma hesitates but clicks on the video she recorded of her Mom and J’onn.

“Emma!” Eliza’s eyes widen as she watches. “Did you send that to your sisters?”

Emma nods guilty.

“Oh well.” Eliza takes a sip of her tea. “I did think you all already knew something, Sam and Lena seemed to have cotton on.”

Emma tilts her head and tries to remember any conversations she had with Lena about this topic. But she comes up empty.

“Oh what a surprise!” Eliza places her cup down and smiles over at the door.

Emma twists in her seat to see Alex rushing through the doorway with her phone in hand and Kara standing right behind her.

“Look! All I’m saying is that tracking Emma’s phone feels like an invasion of privacy.” Kara whispers as they move further into the cafe.

“She’s with Mom, it’s fine.” Alex snaps back and notices the table with two blondes. One beaming at her and the other looking confused. The redhead quickly marches over and sits next to, who she presumes, is Emma. Kara drops into the chair next to Eliza and straightens her glasses.

“What a nice surprise! I thought you said you were busy this morning?”

“Plans change.” Alex quips back.

“They sure do, are you joining us for brunch?”

“Do you want us to?” Kara looks directly at Emma, knowing they are taking her time away with Eliza. Emma nods and shrugs, signaling she was okay with it. “Okay, I’ll get some menus and drinks.”

“Make mine a scotch.” Alex calls after her and turns back to her Mom. “So, how long has it been going on?”

“Alex.” Eliza tiredly sighs. “We are just enjoying each other's company and supporting one another through this time.”

“But why him?” Alex asks in frustration.

“Why not him? We’ve been through so much together and I know he views you as his daughters.”

“Makes sense.” Kara places two mugs of coffee on the table and the menus. “The waitress will be over in a second and will bring our food out together.”

The table falls silent as Alex and Kara look over the menu while Emma’s eyes glance between her family, surprised by Alex’s simmering hostility.

The waitress comes back over and the sisters order. The waitress turns to go but pauses and turns back around. “I don't mean to be rude but aren't you Emma Danvers’ sisters?”

“Erm-” Kara’s eyes go wide when they realise their mistake of not activating the face modifiers.

“Don’t worry, we won’t say anything! It’s a pleasure! Also, when you see Emma, please tell her we miss her and look forward to serving her again.” The waitress beams at them before heading to the kitchen to process their order.

Touched by her comment Emma’s eyes begin to fill with tears and she looks out of the window at the sea to hide them from her family. But she misses the knowing expressions on their faces.

“So.” Alex clears her throat and focuses on her Mom. “Is it serious?”

“I would like it to be.” Eliza says honestly, making Emma wipe her face and turn back to look at her.

“But what about Dad?” The redhead says quietly, almost sounding vulnerable, as she crosses her arms over her chest.

“Alex, in some ways, I will always love your father, despite everything that happened. But he’s gone and we had spoken that if anything ever happened to either one of us we would want the other to move on. For a very long time I didn’t feel at all able to, but I’ve finally got to the stage where I finally feel like I can.”

Emma sucks in her bottom lip and reaches out for her Mom’s hand. She nods and gives her Mom an encouraging smile, giving her blessing on the matter.

“Thank you sweetheart.” Eliza places her other hand over her daughter’s.

“When did it start?” Kara asks, blinking at her family as if trying to make sense of it.

“For me, I’ve always-” Eliza pauses, trying to find the right words for her daughters. She feels Emma gently squeezing her hand in reassurance. Eliza takes a deep breath and continues. “I’ve always liked him, in either form.” A small, sweet smile plays across her lips, Emma mirrors it as she watches her Mom closely.

“But when did it start?” Alex asks sternly, causing both Kara and Emma to give her a hard look.

“Girls, it's fine.” Eliza lets go of Emma’s hand and motions for Alex to give her her hand. But Alex keeps her arms crossed. Eliza sighs before continuing. “The truth is, our relationship developed while you all were still in the DEO. I mean, everyone had been so kind and welcoming, Nia especially made sure I always had a drink or she’d give me these little cakes from the bakery I like. Brainy, bless him, seemed at times unable to process what he was feeling. At one point I came into the lab and he was just so-” Eliza lifts her hands and motions them forward to emphasise the words. “Angry. I held him as he wept for the three of you. In some ways I fell into the Mom role for all of them. Sam likes to think she was the Mom too, but there were times I had to remind her to take care of herself.”

“And then there was J’onn. He saw the pain I was in and was the one who held me, told me that everything was going to be alright and we’d get through it together.” Eliza’s eyes mist over with tears. “For the first time, in a long time, I felt safe as he held me in his arms and the feelings we have for each other grew. We understood each other, our pain at our daughters' situations and the love between us grew.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Kara asks curiously.

“It wasn’t really the right time.” Eliza’s mind shoots back to when Kara and Alex had been imprisoned in their cells. The hatred burning in their glowing red eyes and the agony within Emma’s bloodshot ones.

“Or after that?” Alex asks, trying to process what she is feeling.

“Maybe, selfishly, I wanted to have this to myself for a while. Because I knew you’d react this way.”

Alex’s nostrils flare and she leans forward. “Well maybe if you had been honest in the first place-”

Emma’s hand on her arm cuts her off and she turns to angrily glare at her.

“No, Em! Mom should have told us.”

“You’re right.” Eliza’s words make her daughters’ heads snap to her. “I should have told you, but I didn’t. However, now you know.”

“Please Alex, Mom deserves to be happy.” Emma pleads.

“I agree.” Kara softly says and places her hand on Eliza’s shoulder.

Before Alex can say anything the waitress comes over with their food. They start eating with the tension simmering between them.

“I’m sorry.” Alex murmurs quietly, her head down as she cuts her food.

“I know.” Eliza reaches across the table and takes Alex’s hand “And I am too. I know how much you still love your Dad and that will never change.”

Emma places her hand on Alex’s arm, completely understanding what her sister was feeling but also wanting her Mom to be happy.

“Soo, talking of love.” Kara begins, trying to steer the subject away from Eliza but soon loses her nerves as three pairs of eyes focus on her. “Erm-”

“Someone caught your eye?” Emma signs and raises an eyebrow at her sister.

“Maybe.” Kara giggles shyly.

“Who?” Alex widens her eyes slightly. “That new guy working with James?”

“What new guy working with James?!” Emma signs to both of her sisters and looks at her Mom in disbelief.

“His name is Benvolio Rossi, Ben for short, he was named after his Grandpa who migrated over from Italy and Ben moved here a few months from New York. I saw him around the office but didn’t talk to him until recently. Well, Nia kind of pushed me over to him and we ended up chatting, flirting and getting coffee.” A shy, beaming smile grows on Kara’s face.

“Picture?!” Emma signs excitedly and claps her hands.

“Okay!” Kara pulls out her phone and goes onto Ben’s facebook profile. “Here he is.” She turns the phone around.

“Eh.” Alex shrugs half heartedly and shoves in a mouthful of food.

“Alex!” Kara yells at her sister.

“What I’m a lesbian! Man things don’t do it for me.”

Emma snorts and motions Kara for her phone, so she can look at the picture properly. She tilts her head as she studies his face, feeling a sense of familiarity as she looks at him.

His olive skin glowed in the sun and his face was chiseled and handsome with shiny black hair, groomed stubble and warm brown eyes.

“Em?” Kara asks, intrigued by the curious expression on her sister's face. Emma hands the phone to Eliza who also wants to look.

“Oh he’s handsome.” Eliza exclaims. “Wow!”

“Yea.” Kara says with a goofy smile. “But-” Kara turns back to Emma. “Why were you looking at the picture like that?”

“I feel like I’ve met him before. Was he press at the gigs?”

“Well he does everything but, yea, I imagine he would have been at some of your gigs.”

“Cool! What’s he like?”

The conversations soon flow onto Kara’s new crush as the Danvers eat their meal.

-- -- --

Time passes and the family realise they need to be leaving soon to get to Nia’s bowling birthday party.

“Shall we go together?” Emma signs as they exit the cafe.

“Sure.” Alex says and holds out her hand for the keys. “But I’m driving.”

Emma looks at her scandalised and backs away from her eldest sister. “Excuse me?! I’m a better driver than you!”

Alex stalks her as Kara and Eliza link arms, trailing behind them and chatting amongst themselves.

“Don’t be so ridiculous! I’ve been trained-”

“Whoop de doo!” Emma holds her hands up.

“I can’t believe you actually just signed that!”

Emma shrugs. “Are you forgetting that I had two minors on my driving test and you had fourteen?! I still wonder how you managed to convince that poor man of passing you.” Emma signs cheekily and quickly lifts her top slightly with a raised eyebrow and sticks her tongue out to the side.

“Oh now you’ve done it!” Alex yells and Emma immediately turns around and runs after seeing the spark in her sister’s eyes.

“Run Emma!” Kara yells as Alex chases after her, both laughing as Emma dodges her attempts at catching her.

“Those two.” Eliza chuckles and shakes her head as she watches her daughters jump down onto the beach, sand flying everywhere from their chase.

Eliza turns her head to look at Kara, who watches her blonde and redheaded sisters with a big grin and laughs along with them.

“So, Ben, does he know anything?”

“No.” Kara says quickly. “I mean, there was one incident.”

“Kara!”

“Okay, maybe four.” Kara admits and quickly continues talking. “But they were completely out of my control and I don’t think he knows anything.”

“Does Alex know about these ‘incidences’?”

“No…”

They both look over and watch as finally Alex manages to grab a hold of Emma while the blonde slips on a sand mound and Alex jumps on her back, wrapping her arms around Emma’s shoulders.

“Onward valet steed!” Alex yells and points at the path.

Emma blows out a breath of amusement and trots back up to Kara and her Mom, glad that she could take Alex’s weight.

“How far away is the car?” Alex asks her Mom with a grin.

“Well after you're messing about, probably ten minutes.”

“Ah kay. Peanut let me down.”

Emma answers by shaking her head as she starts walking and tightening her grip on Alex’s thighs.

“Em-ma!” Alex laughs as Emma picks up her speed and runs further down the path.

-- -- --

Soon the Danvers are pulling into the carpark outside of the massive bowling alley and Emma can’t help but feel excitement as she gets out of the L-Car.

She quickly double checks everyone has their face modifiers activated, which Emma can’t wait to deactivate when they enter their private room.

“Ready?” Eliza says, smiling at her daughters.

“Yup!” Kara bounces on her toes and grins happily.

When they approach the doors Emma winces at the overwhelming sound of the bowling balls slamming the pins.

‘Why’s it so loud?’ Emma thinks but tries to hide her discomfort from her family. The blonde zeros in on Kara who also looks slightly pained. Emma then focuses on Kara’s glasses and realises the damper isn’t turned on. Reaching over she presses the hidden button to turn them on and Kara visibly deflates in relief.

“Thanks Em.” Kara breathes out.

“You’re welcome.” Emma signs and wishes there was a similar device for humans as she can’t help but flinch when they enter the building.

“Hello ladies!” A man greets them at the desk.

“Hi! We’re here for Princess Leia’s birthday party.” Alex informs the clerk with the hidden codename, who nods and waves over one of his colleagues.

“My colleague here will escort you to your room. Have a great time!”

“Thanks!” Kara squeals happily and follows the clerk up towards some stairs that are roped off and being guarded by security personnel.

Emma raises her eyebrow slightly at Alex as they pass them. Knowing they were Lena’s doing to make sure no members of the public will intrude on the Superfriends and messing with Emma’s timeline of recovery.

The most recent post to Emma’s social media accounts were of staged physiotherapy sessions, showing Emma slowly walking between the rails. So to have any other photos of Emma moving around more freely would cause a media frenzy that no one wanted to face.

Lucy had sent strict instructions to all the Superfriends that photos can be taken but they will have to wait to be posted.

“Here we are!” The clerk leads them to the doors where another security guard is standing by. “Shoes should already be in there plus many different balls for you to choose from.”

Emma lets out two quick breaths of laughter, causing Eliza to tap her shoulder in disapproval. Which makes both Alex and Kara chuckle while they walk through the doors.

Once inside the room Emma turns around and signs with a smirk on her face. “Balls!” Making her sisters laugh louder.

“You’re here!” Nia rushes over to them and flings her arms around Kara. “Isn’t this amazing?!”

Emma looks past Nia and has to agree, the room was an upgraded version to the main area downstairs. It almost looked brand new and was filled with tables of food and drink.

“Kara, save some for later.” Eliza instructs in a motherly tone as Kara makes her way over to the feast.

“O-kay.” Kara pouts and rushes over to grab their shoes instead.

“Oh! And Emma?” Nia beams at the blonde when their eyes connect. “Please disengage your face mask immediately!”

Emma nods and taps her temple. The Superfriends cheer and immediately Emma enjoys the freeing feeling on her face when the modifier disappears.

“That’s sooo much better!” Nia opens her arms wide and Emma beams at the brunette while she gives her a hug. When they pull apart Emma notices that her family have disengaged theirs too.

But then Emma’s eyes search around the room for Lena.

‘Where is she?’ Emma worries when she can’t find her girlfriend.

“Sam said Lena was right behind her, so she should be here any minute.” J’onn answers and takes an apprehensive step towards the blonde.

‘Hi J’onn.’ Emma thinks coolly, her smile fades as she crosses her arms and sizes him up.

J’onn hesitates for a moment until Emma’s face breaks out into a grin and she holds her arms out to him.

‘Come here!’ Emma’s mind happily yells out.

J’onn laughs in relief and wraps her in a bear hug.

‘But seriously though, you hurt my Mom and I will hunt you down! Even if you go back to Mars or something!’ Emma threatens while still in his arms.

“I promise I won’t hurt her.” J’onn whispers gently in her ear.

‘Pinky.’ Emma demands, stepping back and holding out her pinky finger.

“I pinky promise.” J’onn says seriously and wraps his big pinky finger around Emma’s.

“What you pinky promising about?” Kara asks as she bounds over to them to give J’onn a hug.

“Well, that I won’t hurt your mother.”

“Yea cause if you do I will fling you into the sun!” Kara says seriously and Alex comes to stand by her side.

“Or I kill you with said pinky.” Alex threatens while drinking a beer.

“Alex!” Emma signs and rolls her eyes at the bottle.

“What?! It’s my day off and it's past lunch time!”

Emma shakes her head and goes to collect her bowling shoes. She frowns when the only pairs left are her and Lena’s.

Reaching into her bag Emma pulls her phone out and still sees no messages from her girlfriend.

“So, shall we wait a little longer or get started? We have the room for five more hours, meaning plenty of games of bowling.” Brainy asks everyone as he rubs his hands together. Allowing his feelings of glee to come through.

“Yea, why don’t we start and we can always bowl for Lena until she arrives.” Nia smiles at everyone and races over to the scoring computer to input everyone's names. Kara follows her as they debate whether to use their real names or make nicknames up for everyone.

“If she comes.” Sam mutters under her breath as she angrily pulls her phone out. Both Kara and Emma turn their heads to stare at her in confusion, not quite believing what they heard. Surely Lena wouldn’t miss this?

“Emma, have you chosen a ball yet?” Lucy asks, making Emma jump by her sudden appearance.

The blonde shakes her head and goes over to the rack where the bowling balls are kept.

Emma looks for a ten pound bowling ball, the kind she normally uses and finds a cool looking purple and black one. Emma reaches down and prepares herself to pick it up, not wanting to twinge a muscle for not lifting the heavy ball properly.

Only when Emma puts her fingers through the holes and pulls, she overcompensates, hitting herself in the chest and crashes backwards onto the floor with the ball in her lap.

“Em?!” Alex’s voice shouts as she rushes over to Emma, still sat dazed on the floor, with Sam right behind her. “Are you okay?”

Emma nods, feeling a bit shocked and embarrassed. A blush starts colouring her cheeks as the Superfriends turn to look at her in concern.

“I’m fine. Just being clumsy.” Emma signs, trying to laugh it off and goes to get up.

“Here.” Alex grabs the bowling ball and holds it while Sam helps Emma up.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Sam asks, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studies the blonde’s face.

Emma gulps but nods that she was indeed okay. “Just embarrassed for causing a scene.”

“Alright.” Sam nods as well before smiling and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Ready to be beaten Danvers?”

Emma snorts and kicks her leg up behind them to hit Sam’s butt.

“Hey!” Sam yells and does it back to Emma. The blonde lets out a heavy breath of voiceless laughter.

Alex grins and shakes her head while she places Emma’s ball on the rack by the ball return and laughs at her girlfriend. “I think Em was saying no.”

“Are we bowling as teams or individuals?” James asks as he goes to pick up his bowling ball and looks up at the screen with the names on.

On team one: Nia is Dreamgirl, Brainy is Brainakins, Kara is Glasses, Emma is Stargirl, Sam is Hotmama and Lena is Irish babe.

On team two: James is He-man, Winn is Futureboy, Eliza is Aurora, J’onn is Martitan, Alex is Director of Sass and Lucy is Army Green.

“Why not both?” Eliza offers and smiles when she sees the name she has been given. “See which lane is better but also amongst ourselves in general?”

“I like that idea.” J’onn agrees.

“Of course you would.” Alex grunts before taking a swig of her beer. Only to splutter when Emma digs her elbow into her side.

“Nia? You’re first up on our team!” Kara points at the screen and everyone cheers. Emma claps her hands loudly to make enough noise. “Go Dreamgirl!”

“And remember, no powers!” Lucy orders from the stool by the computer and picks up James’ camera to take some photos.

“Yes ma’am.” Nia nods as she grabs her ball.

“You ready Dreamgirl?” James playfully taunts Nia.

“Bring it He-Man!” Nia grins back at him while lining herself up.

They both go at the same time and the game begins. Laughter, whoops and cheers fill the room as pins crash to the floor.

Kara completely misses on her first try due to the red sun dampers.

“I can put the rails up if you want?” Lucy jokes cheekily.

“No thanks, just need to get used to it.” Kara huffs out and shakes her hands. Her second attempt was much better and Emma claps loudly for her.

Next it was Emma’s turn and she makes sure not to overcompensate this time when she picks the ball up.

“Go Emma!” Lucy cheers and the blonde gets herself into position and aims.

Emma takes a few deep breaths and steps forward, releasing the ball at the lowest point. It shoots from her hand like a cannonball and knocks down all the pins.

Emma jumps up and down in excitement and the Superfriends cheer loudly behind her.

“Well done sweetheart!” Eliza pulls her into a hug. “Just how Dad taught you.”

Emma nods and goes back to sit down. Her eyes flick to the door, wishing Lena had seen her first strike. Naturally her hand reaches for her phone. She silently sighs when there are no messages or responses from her girlfriend.

Emma: Hi Lee, guess what?! I just did a strike! Your name is on the board, so you can start playing when you get here ❤️

Emma also takes a photo of Sam about to play her shot to send to Lena. Hoping this will cause some kind of response.

But her phone doesn’t bleep, causing Emma to run a hand through her hair.

“Hey, I’m sure she’s okay.” Alex notices Emma’s concern and tries to reassure her. But also looks over at Kara, silently communicating with her. Kara nods and gets up to bowl.

“Alex?” J’onn pulls the redhead’s attention away from Emma. “It’s your turn.”

“Yea! Go Director of Ass!” Sam winks at her girlfriend, causing Alex's cheeks to blush.

It soon gets to Lena’s name and everyone allows Nia to take Lena’s go and do her own.

They play seven more frames and when it gets to Lena’s name again everyone pauses.

“Kara? Do you wanna have another go instead?” Nia asks, trying not to show her disappointment.

“Er, sure! But please excuse me, I’m going to use the bathroom.” Kara squeezes out of the booth and rushes to the door leading to the restrooms.

Emma doesn't think anything of it until the door opens again and Emma turns her head to see a wind swept Lena walking in front of Kara. Emma's eyes move up and down her girlfriend’s body and takes in Lena’s fitted maroon coloured dress with black high heels.

Their eyes connect and they both feel a rush of giddiness.

“Finally!” Sam shouts as she places her hands on her hips, cutting off their moment as Lena’s eyes snap to her best friend. Causing everyone else to look over to where Sam was looking.

“Lena!” Nia squeals and rushes over to the raven haired beauty.

“Sorry Nia.” Lena apologises while they hug.

“Don’t worry about it. Contracts blurgh!” Nia gags and giggles.

“Exactly!” Lena laughs and follows Nia into the booth. She immediately sits next to Emma and kisses her lips. “Sorry I wasn't there when you woke up love.”

Emma shrugs and flattens parts of Lena’s hair that's still a bit messy from her flight over, making her girlfriend laugh.

“Thanks!” Lena chuckles and looks up at the names on the scoreboard. “I’m guessing your Stargirl?” Emma nods proudly. “Wow love. You’ve got a strike on almost every go?”

“I know?! I don’t know how.” Emma signs happily. “I even managed with a heavier ball!” Although for Emma it didn’t feel much heavier, even though it was meant to be six pounds heavier.

“Well your arms are getting more toned.” Lena nudges her shoulder into Emma’s. She had noticed Emma’s body changing and put it down to the running and weight training Emma is doing to fill her time.

A familiar twinge of regret hits Lena’s stomach at how busy she has been lately. ‘It won’t be forever.’ Lena thinks, trying to reassure herself.

Lena breaks her out of her thoughts by Emma flexing her arm and raising an eyebrow at Lena, causing a rich laugh to burst out from the raven haired beauty’s lips.

This heavenly sound makes Emma’s heart flutter and she beams sweetly at the woman she loves.

“Lena? It’s your go. Unless you want me to take it for you?” Kara asks and points at the scoreboard.

“Oh sorry!” Lena apologises and looks up at the board. “Who chose Irish Babe?” She laughs as Kara and Nia point at each other. “Right, I better get my ball and shoes.” Lena places her hand on Emma’s thigh and goes to stand up, but Emma takes her hand, stopping her from moving.

“I got them for you.” Emma pulls them up from under the bench and hands the shoes to Lena. “Also I got you a size eight ball but there is also a nine if you’d rather use that one.”

“Thanks love.” Lena places a gentle kiss on Emma’s lips. After she immediately kicks her heels off and goes to put her shoes on. Suddenly a pair of neon lime green socks appear in front of her face. “You think these socks go with this outfit?” Lena questions Emma who pouts out her lips and nods.

“I mean the shoes go exquisitely as well!” Emma signs, making Lena chuckle and puts them on anyway. Everyone wolf whistles when she gets up to bowl making Lena break out in a huge smile.

“Looking mighty fine there Luthor!” Sam hollers in a southern accent, causing everyone to burst out laughing and Lena to stare back at Sam in a mock glare.

Lena bowls and manages to get a spare. Emma claps enthusiastically when the last pin tumbles to the ground.

Lena smiles as she heads back into the booth, giving everyone high fives. Sitting down she snuggles into Emma, who wraps an arm around her waist and they watch the Superfriends bowl. Lena cheers along with everyone and takes a few deep breaths. Ridding herself of her work anxiety that had no place in the bowling alley.

They play a few more games before having a break to eat.

“Finally!” Kara yells dramatically and zooms over to the table. Emma is sure that if the sun red dampers weren’t on, Kara would have flown over.

“Kara!” Both Alex and Eliza yell in disapproval at Kara running to get the food.

“Sorry! I’m just hungry!” Kara whines while piling the food on her plate.

“Hey! Leave some for us Kara!” Winn calls across to her, making Kara squint her eyes at him.

The Superfriends get their food and sit together at a table set out for them and eat. Laughing and chatting about anything and everything. James takes a few photos before Lucy takes the camera off him to give him a chance to eat.

“Hey Lena! Em!” Lucy positions herself across from the couple and aims the camera.

The girlfriends smile widely at her and wrap an arm around each other's waist.

“Beautiful!” Lucy comments and keeps taking pictures as Lena kisses Emma’s cheek and the blonde beams at the camera. Emma turns her head and softly kisses Lena’s lips.

“Hey hey! Keep it under the R rating please!” Lucy says seriously and Emma flips her off.

A few of the Superfriends laugh and Emma smirks at Lena before pressing their foreheads together. They both close their eyes and breath deeply in.

Soon mostly everyone has finished eating and Brainy stands.

“Shall we play some more games?” Brainy asks, looking around at his friends.

“Yes please!” Nia squeals and runs back to the booth. Everyone follows other than Winn and James.

Emma and Lena sit close together and Emma goes to take a sip from her cup.

Suddenly the lights go off, causing Emma to violently jump, spilling her drink down her top.

“Happy-” Winn starts singing and everyone else joins in as he brings the cake over with lit candles. “Birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Nia! Happy birthday to you!”

Emma tries to smile as everyone sings, instead she lets out a long, heavy breath. She jumps again as Lena places a comforting hand on her thigh.

“Sorry love.” Lena whispers into her ear as the lights come back on.

“Emma! What happened to you?!” James laughs as he notices Emma’s wet, brown t-shirt.

Emma shrugs and looks down embarrassed. Missing the glares some of the Superfriends send to James. Lena grabs some napkins and tries to dry the worst of it.

“Who wants some yummy cake!” Lucy claps to draw the attention away from the blonde and goes to get the knife.

“Oo me!” Kara raises a hand and bounces in her seat like a nine year old kid.

“I’m sure the question was rhetorical Kar.” Alex snorts in amusement.

“Yea, but I want cake.” Kara shrugs with a grin.

Emma tries to smile as well but she finds herself rocking slightly as she tries to calm her racing heart.

“You’re okay.” Lena's calming voice whispers into her ear. “You’re safe. You’re with me and people who love you. Nothing bad is going to happen.”

Emma nods, resting her head on Lena’s shoulder and nuzzles into her neck. Trying to seek comfort and feel safe.

If the Superfriends notice they don’t say anything about it or draw attention to Emma, leaving Lena to help Emma though her trigger as they share the cake around.

When Emma sits back up, looking less pale, Nia hands their plates with pieces of cake over.

“Thank you.” Emma signs gratefully and digs in, trying not to focus on her embarrassment at what happened.

Once the food is eaten and cleared away the bowling begins again. Although the group of friends are not as quick as before but still as competitive.

“Seriously Emma!” Lucy yells when Emma does another perfect strike. “You need to show me your technique or something.”

Emma holds her hands up in surprise and just motions her bowling.

“Nah I’m not fooling around anymore with this ‘I can’t bowl’ act!”

Emma can’t help but voicelessly laugh at Lucy’s competitive side making itself known.

“Ooo, she’s laughing at you Luc.” Alex grins at her sister.

Emma holds her hands up again in surrender at Lucy’s enraged face.

“Hey relax.” Kara tries to soothe the brunette down and rubs her back affectionately. “It’s all about the fun of playing.”

A few nod but suddenly everyone bursts out laughing and continues for a while. The Superfriends never play just for the fun of it. Mostly everyone in the group are extremely competitive.

“Good one Kara!” Winn wipes the tears from his cheeks.

-- -- --

Finally they complete their last game and Emma is the clear winner. Although she is still very confused at how she managed it but takes the praise.

The food and cake is distributed into takeaway boxes and the Superfriends say their goodbyes and birthday love to Nia. With Emma and Lena being the first to leave.

“Do you need a ride?” Emma signs to Alex.

“No, Sam is- I’m, er, going with Sam.” Alex stutters and goes a bit red as she smiles shyly. Causing Emma to smirk and shake her head.

“Yea, my director of ass.” Sam whispers into her girlfriend's ear.

This makes Emma snort and sign at her sister. “Use protection.” Emma winks.

“Protection? Protection from what?” Kara asks after watching Emma’s hands.

Emma snorts loudly again but Lena drags her away before she can hear anyone's responses.

“Modifier.” Lena yawns before they go through the door and waves farewell to everyone. Emma taps her temple, shivering slightly as the mask crawls across her face.

The couple walk down the stairs hand in hand and out into the evening air. Emma leads her girlfriend to the L-Car and opens the passenger door for her.

“Thanks love.” Somehow, despite her exhaustion, Lena still slides gracefully into the car, even with her drooping eyelids.

Emma gets into the driver's seat and leans over to plug her girlfriend in. A hum of acknowledgement leaves Lena’s lips and her eyes finally close.

Emma can’t help but smile at how cute she looks and turns the electric engine on to head for home.

-- -- --

In no time at all they are pulling into their space under the apartment building. Lena looks like she’s already in a deep sleep and Emma wonders if she can carry her up to their apartment.

Remembering how easy it was to piggyback Alex, Emma decides to go for it. She quietly unplugs Lena’s seatbelt and gets out of the driver's side. Emma quickly goes to Lena’s side and carefully opens the passenger door, hoping Lena wouldn’t fall out, but thankfully she hasn’t moved.

Leaning down Emma attentively runs her right arm under Lena’s legs and her left under her back. She manages to lift Lena and the bag of food, carrying her girlfriend bridal style out of the car. Carefully she heads for the elevator, thankfully that the L-Car locks automatically when the keyholder walks far enough away from the car.

Somehow she manages to press the button to call the elevator and again for the penthouse apartment.

‘Nice one Emma!’ She praises herself and kisses Lena’s head when the doors close.

However, once the elevator doors slide open, Emma voicelessly groans. She exits the elevator, debating what to do to unlock the door and open it.

“You know you could just put me down?” Lena says sleepily as she blinks her eyes open.

‘Of course you're awake!’ Emma rolls her eyes and gazes down at her girlfriend.

“Well?” Lena asks with a yawn, waiting to be put down.

“Get my key.” Emma mouths, causing Lena to squint up at her.

“Get your key?” Lena says back and Emma nods. “Where is it?”

“Bag.”

Lena reacts down to Emma’s messenger bag by her side.

“You know this would be a lot quicker if you just put me down.”

Emma shrugs and grins happily, liking the sensation of holding Lena close.

“Got it!” Lena pulls it out and stretches for the lock. Emma moves a bit forward to make it easier for her. “Thanks love.” Lena yawns out again and unlocks the door, partly opening it.

Emma kicks it open fully and manages to step through before it swings back.

“Impressive.” Lena chuckles while nuzzling into Emma’s chest and closing her eyes.

Emma lets out a voiceless laugh and carries Lena into the bathroom.

“No, just dump me on the bed!” Lena whines but doesn’t complain when Emma places her feet on the tiled floor and pulls her dress up and underwear down. “Ooo kinky.” Lena says seductively while cracking an eye open as Emma guides her onto the toilet.

Emma shakes her head with a smile at Lena’s comment and goes to grab Lena’s pajamas and a fresh pair of underwear.

She hears the flush and Lena whining out her name.

“Em-ma!”

‘Le-na!’ Emma yells back in her head but she quickly makes her way back to her girlfriend, who was sleepily brushing her teeth.

Emma closes the lid on the toilet and places Lena’s clothes on top, Lena watches her every move and as Emma begins to sign. “We are staying in bed tomorrow. No excuses!”

Lena clears her mouth and places her toothbrush back on the counter. “Bed all day? Lucky me.” Lena says sultry and lifts an eyebrow.

Emma rolls her eyes. “Not like that you bad girl.”

“Hmm but you’d want me to be your bad girl huh?” Lena slowly tilts her head and leans in, kissing Emma’s lips slowly and passionately. Emma could taste the fresh mint of the toothpaste on Lena’s tongue.

But Lena soon breaks the kiss, closes her bloodshot eyes and rests her weary head on Emma’s shoulder.

Emma carefully bends down and grabs the clothes so she can place Lena back on the toilet lid. She lovingly changes Lena’s clothes and kisses any exposed skin that she comes across, making Lena hum and smile.

Once Lena is changed Emma reaches down and picks her up again. Attentively carrying her over to their bed. Next she pulls the covers back and carefully places Lena on the bed and tucks her in.

Lena hums sleepily in approval but doesn’t open her eyes or makes any other movement or noise. Seemingly falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Emma smiles down at her sadly and kisses her forehead.

“Hope, dim the lights to the lowest setting.” Emma signs to the AI before reentering the bathroom to get herself ready for bed.

After she’s brushed her teeth and hair, dressed in her tank top and shorts, Emma quietly tiptoes back into the bedroom. The corner of her lip pulls up when she can hear Lena softly snoring.

When she reaches her side of the bed Emma carefully pulls the covers back and slowly gets into bed. Trying desperately not to jostle Lena.

“Hope, lights out.” Emma signs once she’s settled.

The lights slowly fade and the window dim to blackout.

Emma swallows as she turns towards Lena, listening to her steady breaths as she sleeps. Almost becoming Emma’s lullaby when her own eyes slowly grow heavy and close.

(Part Thirty Three)

[pvrkacciosan]

Part 6¦ Forgetful World

¦Previous Part

¦Creatures Within us masterlist

Taglist: @dreamiezpsycho @rockteezy (if you wish to be added just ask)

Arms folded over her chest Suki observed from the door way, watching Yeosang as he sat onto the bed next to Tia.

Everyone else had left a couple mintues ago, though some were more reluctant than others, especially after Yeosang's little display with the wall.

Her curiosity had gotten the best of her, clearly. Other wise she may not have been standing in the door way, observing the suspected pair of mates.

But no one had bothered to tell Yeosang, not yet anyway. No one wanted him to lash out and create further holes in the walls. They didn't even know if he had already figured it out or not.

He hadn't, but he was getting to a point of which he was begining to feel something more than attraction towards Tia but still nothing clicked.

Tia was next to him, fiddling with the touch cut edge of the fresh bandage thatay over the cut on her palm from the shard of glass she had previously used as a weapon. He took hold of her hand, this time she didn't pull away.

"I can't imagine how hard this must be for you"

She looked at him when he spoke, "H-how did...I lose my memories"

Tia's eyes were drawn to his lips when he brushed them with his fingers in thought, recollection of a past feeling made her own lips tingle, she bit the inside of them trying to stop the tingling from numbing her lips.

"Well...." from the corner of his eye Yeosang saw Suki stand up straighter against the door frame.

"there was a creature that bit you and when it did, it took your memories"

The frown lines deepend on her face, fingers brushing the bandage wrapped around the puncture wounds in her neck, sharing a look of understaning she concluded that the ache in her neck was because of that thing, whatever it was.

Mind fuzzy, she could feel something trying to brush its way to the surface of her mind,

blood red eye.

"I remember..." she cleared her throat, "I remember, red eyes glaring at me, then" she raised one hand to her neck "A sharp burning pain"

Yeosang had no idea how to actually proceed with this conversation, in order for her to fully understand what happened to her, of which he felt she had the right to know, but he didn't want to risk tarnishing her bright spirit with the darkness of his world.

But still she watched him with her blue eyes, awaiting an answer. "There are things in this world that are..... not human"

She didn't understand what he was getting at, but there was something inside her that stirred, ticking her head to the side he huffed.

"there-" he paused, he didn't want to down right tell her, damning her soul to this dark and unsafe world.

The increase of rogues, doubled with the rise in hunter activity had taken away their right to roam safely and freely. The mere thought of exposing Tia to that made his insides feel queezy.

Their gazes collided when he looked up from his lap, breathing shakily he took a leap of faith, "There are creatures which live in this world, werewolves, witches" her face softend and scrunched in confusion at the same time, "And vampires"

By the way Yeosang had left vampires till last. Tia concluded it was because of one, that she no longer had her memories.

Suki tensed at the door, along with Yeosang as they watched Tia, she stared off into space in the middle of the room, thinking, trying to recall or understand how the revelation didn't distrub her as much as it should have.

"What are you guys?" she didn't waver her gaze from the emtpy space of air when she spoke,

Yeosang flitted a wary look to Suki at the door before answering "I'm a werewolf so is Suki and everyone else in this house" Tia didn't look panicked, instead she didn't break their eye contact as she asked

"So you have change into a wolf?"

"Yes."

It was only now that she looked away from him, "Is it only on full moons?" her blue eyes shimmered with curiosity and not fear, which Yeosang took as a positive.

Shaking his head while chuckling, "No, I can shift whenever I please"

"Oh"

She didn't know what she had expected his answer to be, but the idea of him seeming so ordinary and being able to physically become a wolf did baffle her.

Two figure appearing behind Suki made Yeosang and Tia divert their attention from one another.

As if sensing the tenseness in the room Mingi stopped causing Yunho to almost walk straight into him, Yunho sucked in a breath, trying to stop the content of the food tray from falling off and onto the floor.

"Jesus Mingi"

"Sorry" he said meakly, stepping out the way.

Yunho raised the tray up, facing Tia "Sustenance!"

His happy mood and bright smile lifted the dark cloud in the room, Suki watched as he stepped infront of her "Ooo"

Quickly she snatched up a waffle from the tray, Yunho scowled at her, she smiled as she bit into the fluffy goodness. Letting out a satisfied groan when the sweet flavour dissolved around her mouth.

Yunho walked towards the table next to the bed while shaking his head. He slide the food tray with one less waffle on it onto the table. Smiling at both Tia and Yeosang, he sensed the mood in the air but chose to ignore it when he walked back over to the door.

"Come on Suki" her eyebrows shot up and she looked at him through her lashes, while she raised the remainder of the half eaten waffle to her mouth "Mmh?"

"Lets give them some privacy?" she rolled her eyes, biting down on the last of the waffle she followed him and Mingi out none the less

The three of them didn't talk while they moved through the house, towards their longue area.

With every step going down the stairs Suki's thoughts grew louder and louder in her head, so much that by the point she reached the longue she just had to talk to someone about it.

As soon as she stepped one foot into the room she let out a dramatic groan, all of the others besides Mingi and Yunho, who were behind her, sat on the couches and chairs around the room.

Wooyoung's gaze clicked in her direction in confusion, thinking there was something wrong.

All the boys said nothing, simply watching as she threw her self dramatically over the back of the L-shaped sofa, pratically landing on top of Seonghwa.

He grunted head moving back on instinct so she wouldn't hit him in the face, Suki had her gaze fixated on an invisable spec on the ceiling, deep in thought.

Wooyoung watched his mate from across the room, layed in the lap of her non-biological brother, the tensesness to her body and faint worry lines creased into her beautiful face made his stomache drop, something was troubling her.

The other seemed to sense it as well, they all sat in silence just waiting for her to communicate her worries to them.

"Did you guys notice it as well?" she turned her head in Seonghwa's lap to look at the rest of them.

Suki pushed herself up from him before any of her brothers or her mate could answer her question.

By this point Yunho and Mingi had sat down next to the others, she paced back and forth infront of them all, chewing her bottom lip in thought.

"if you're talking about Yeosang and the girl, that's what we've been discussing for the past few minutes" Hongjoong stated from his single chair, elbows rested on his knees.

Suki stopped her pacing giving them a hurt look, "You talked about it without me?" she placed a hand on her chest "I'm hurt"

Wooyoung smiled up at her, he knew she wasn't badly effected, she would just be happy she wasn't the only one who noticed Yeosang's odd behaviour around the girl still sat upstairs.

"Sit down Suki, you're pacing is giving me a head ache" Seonghwa said to her, she huffed before moving over and plopping down onto the couch next to Wooyoung, he took hold of her hand, rubbing his thumb in small circles on the skin.

"So what was it you guys were saying exactly?" Suki asked watching as Wooyoung became slightly rigid beside her. She frowned but didn't react to his new bodily posture.

"Well Wooyoung suggested that the two may be mate" Seonghwa said from the other side of the couch, he wiggled his shoulders back into the cushions to get comfortable.

"Yeah" Jongho giggled, Suki turned her gaze to him, a small "Please don't" came from her mate beside her.

"he suggested that after telling us all about how much he loves you and how you're his whole world, it got cheesy real fast" Jongho added as Wooyoung tugged his hand from hers, covering his pinkening cheeks.

Now his odd posture made sense.

The others grinned and smirked when Suki 'awww' while turning to Wooyoung poking him in the side, he moved to get away.

"Thanks Jongho, you just fed into her ego" Wooyoung muttered from behind his hands. Causing the others to laugh.

His ears burned hot of which Suki took quick notice of, rubbing her finger along the ridge of it, "You love me that much to talk about it infront of my brother"

Peaking out from behind his hands, Wooyoung kept his face hidden from the other boys, "You know how much I love you, don't you ever question that"

Suki didn't believe she could ever have felt better then the day Wooyoung had officially made her his, and him hers but clearly she was wrong, heart swelling twice its size in her chest at his words.

She took hold of his hands, pulling them away from his face, leaning forward she kissed him.

All five of her brothers sat up, ever single one of them looking away, Seonghwa began to pick off non-exsisatnt fluff from his clothing, while the others looked at anything around the room that wasn't Wooyoung or Suki.

Suki pulled away, looking down to her lap. Only when she moved her gaze up did she notice the awkward looking brothers of hers. She sighed, realising she had broken the promise she had made to herself about restricting the amount of PDA her and Wooyoung had around her brothers.

Hongjoong quipped an eyebrow up, "Shall we continue with our conversation?"

Suki nodded, it was her cheeks that started to grow into a hue of pink this time, Wooyoung grabbed hold of her hand giving it a light squeeze. The touch was like an ice pack, cooling down her body, but yet at the same time his touch electrified her in the best way possible.

"Do you think Yeosang has figured it out yet?" Jongho asked, leaning back in his chair, relaxing after the awkwardsness of the previous moment.

Suki shook her head, "No, I don't think he has, not yet, he still has that...look in his eyes when he looks at her" she looked at her mate beside her "Do you know what I'm talking about?"

He nodded, "I have to agree with you on that"

"Like you ever disagree with her" Yunho joked letting out a huff of air that could be dubbed a small laugh.

Wooyoung frowned, "I do sometimes!" he tried defending himself

"You really don't" Seonghwa interjected, Wooyoung leaned back, folding his arms over his chest like a five year old would if they were having a tantrum.

Suki smiled at him, patting his knee for comfort, "It's okay, I'm always right anyways"

"The hell you are!" Mingi yelled across the room at her.

It didn't take them long to start up a slibling like argument, petty comments going back and forth, Hongjoong groaned placing his fingers to his temple, he was starting to get a headache with all the yelling.

He eventually started to yell back which only made the volume of the room go up, Jongho sat grinning in his seat, he was the only one who wasn't joining in on the yell-fest, he only sat and watched the carnage as it unravelled amongst the Fedora pack siblings.

Jongho laughed when Suki stood up, Wooyoung desperately trying to get a grip of her arm as she advanced towards Mingi, The giant stood leaping over the back of the couch.

Wooyoung lost his grip of the female's arm real quick mutter a small 'she's loose' under his breath, she threw herself over the couch as Mingi took of running.

"GET BACK HERE YOU SHITHEAD!!" she yelled, the other still continued to argue among themselves, unfazed by Suki as she took off after the running Mingi.

He screamed as she got closer, grabbing hold of a pillow from the nearby chair he threw it over his head, hoping it would hit and deter her from her course of possible homicide.

Thinking he had gotten away he turned to check were she was, he was deadly wrong, eyes widened when she jumped onto the table in the middle of the room, she emitted a small scream as she lunched herself at him.

Mingi panicked, jumping back to get out her way he crashed straight into a book case, it knocked sideways taking all the items encased inside with it.

Realising the items inside all belong to Suki, Mingi's blood ran cold when it thundered down against the floor.

The yelling in the room momentarily paused, everyone looking in the direction of the two of them.

Mingi looked guilty, face flushed white with fear, Suki was seething, "Did you just?-"

Mingi didn't wait for her to finish her sentence, jumping over the bookcase, his arms flaring out around and up over his head when he heard her jump over after him.

"Help Me!!" Mingi screamed, his brothers simply laughed watching him run the room, trying to get as far away from Suki as possible.

She tackled him, and he went down like a sac of tatties, a burst of air exploding from his chest.

The others finally jumped into action, yelling at Suki to let Mingi go when she grabbed hold of the giant by the ankle.

Seonghwa and Wooyoung grabbed her, while Yunho, Hongjoong went to grab Mingi's hands.

Mingi desperately held onto them, praying to get away form his now demonic sister. She continued to scream, Seonghwa and Wooyoung had now lifted her complety off the ground in their attempt to pry her off the ever screaming Mingi.

Her grip didn't ease up and in the end Mingi also ended up in the air with her, he continued screaming.

Jongho was bent over laughing at the scene, finding it highly amusing as he wiped away a tear. His stomach hurt as he watched his siblings screaming at each other.

Mingi was just screaming, Suki was screaming at him that she was going to kill him, Seonghwa, Wooyoung, Hongjoong and Yunho were all screaming at Suki to let go of Mingi but she wasn't listening.

And it was at this perfect time that Yeosang opened the door, Tia at his side.

They both stood in shock, seeing Mingi and Suki hung in the air by the others trying to pull them apart, Suki was pratically growling at Mingi by this point, trying to claw her way along his body towards his face, the other continued yelling.

Tia was slightly intimidated by them all covering her ears from the onslaught of loud innvassive noise.

Yeosang glanced at her when she did so, he sighed, this was the best first impression ever.

"Guys" he started. They ignored him.

"Guys" he tried again, they continued screaming.

"Guys" he was losing his patience as they were making him look stupid in front of Tia.

"Guys" they got louder.

"GUYS!"

They all froze mid position as if they were statues, slowly they all looked at him heads all moving in sync they smiled at him innocently as if they were children caught in the cookie jar.

Realising who was stood next to him, their smiles faded from their lips, They others swiftly dropped Mingi and Suki onto the ground.

The pair landed with an 'oof' sound emitting from both of them. They quickly stood up side by side, Suki glared at him through the corner of her eye. She bit the inside of her lip to stop herself from growling at him.

"What, What are you doing down here Yeosang?" Seonghwa asked panting, from his efforts of fighting with his sister.

Yeosang scratched his nose, sighing once more, looking to each of his siblings, "I came to formely introduce Tia to my family" he said gesturing to Tia stood at his side, she gave them a small smile and little wave.

Awkwardly the siblings waved back.

Tia was a little taken aback, edging closer towards Yeosang, the female stood across from her smiled at the action. weird.

"Tia, this is my family," Yeosang started, pointing a finger at them going along the brief line they had formated in, "That's Jongho, Seonghwa, Wooyoung, Suki, Mingi, Yunho and the short one is Hongjoong"

"For the last time, I'm not THAT short" Hongjoong yelled, the others in the line tried to hide their laughter, covering their mouths with the back of their hands or hiding the laughter with a forced cough, Hongjoong glared down the line at each of them.

Suki stood, narrowing her eyes she casually chewed the inside of her cheek, watching Tia, the only other female who could possible stay at the house, her first friend, her first sister.

But judging by the situation Tia had met them all Suki would be surprised if she chose to stay, oh well First introductions could fuck themselves.

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