#So a bit of a drive but for the best views possible <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[islandiis]

❛i was just coming to wake you up, look!❜ (aiden)

again pls save me from a long haul flight | accepting

It's a miracle, really, that Aiden had caught him when he did. Ten minutes later and Fannar probably would have given him a heart attack by being completely unrousable — born of a land constant frought with earthquakes, he's learned to sleep through everything. Everything. It's a bit of a problem (though at least, kind of a funny one).

He's in the back of the car — mercifully, a 4x4 big enough to house two on any given occasion. He awakens almost immediately, although a little blearily; but when he grasps why he's been woken, he's sitting bolt upright and going for the door handle.

It's ice and snow around them, but lupines peek through the white. The wind is still. And overhead, the Northern Lights: green, purple, red. Oh, it's a good one!

"Ah! Yes! Shit, I'm so glad we're here for this," he grins, shoving his hands deep into his pockets and grinning across to Aiden. For Fannar, even after all this time, the excitement of the northern lights has never faded. Not even slightly. He's positively beaming as he asks, "Have you ever seen them before? The lights?"

[ittybittyfanblog]

Error 404: (Self-Aware!AU, Sylus Edition) – Pt. 5

Summary: A LADS self-aware!AU featuring Sylus and a (enlightened!) player. That’s it, that’s the plot. Tags: player!reader x sylus, fem!reader x sylus, reader x lads, self-aware!au, strong language, lengthy discussions about life and whatnot, watered-down metaphysics lol A/N: I was at the crack house with Grimes when I wrote this. I don’t know where this came from.  (Something a little more introspective for this chapter!)

Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 - Pt. 4 - Pt. 5 - Pt. 6 - Pt. 7 - Pt. 8 - Pt. 9 - Pt. 10 - Epilogue

“Don’t go all shy on me now,” Sylus teases, a playful glint in his eyes. “After all that effort to make me confess. You’re very persistent, you know.”

“How do you expect me to react right now?!” The words spill out in a rush, a slightly hysterical edge to your voice. “I–I’m talking to an actual fictional person. I’m one reason away from admitting myself to a psych ward!”

You catch sight of the wall clock – your favorite one with the Dalì reference – slightly skewed off-center from its place on the horizontal beam above your small kitchen area, reading 10:48. The ruckus coming from outside the window is slowly dwindling down to a quiet buzz as nightfall sets in, and the day’s winding to a close.

You’re lying on your stomach, still in your chaise lounge, while he’s sat on that ridiculously posh café chair; both of you settled in for the long due conversation. Somehow, the camera’s perspective is much closer than it should be, giving you a much more intimate view of him—a feature that wasn’t originally an option in the game.

If it weren’t for the elephant in the room, you could almost pretend you’re on a video call with a… friend.

Sylus purses his lips in amusement. “You’re quite prone to theatrics, aren’t you?”

You shoot your ‘friend’ an irritated glare.

Even from across the small rectangular screen, you register the barely there smirk playing at his lips.

Likely avoiding another outburst from you, he acquiesces. “Fair enough. The situation is hardly what you’d call ideal, I’ll admit.” There’s a short pause. Then, “... I still can’t quite grasp what separates us, you and I.”

Great. Will you actually get the answers you're looking for, or are you both just stuck in an endless loop of merry-go-round?

He sees the lost look on your face and sighs, “Ask. I’ll answer as best as I can.”

The first question tumbles out before you can think twice about it. “How are you even talking to me right now?”

He hums, “That is the question, isn’t it?”

“What– you can’t just answer my question with another question!” you grouse, brows furrowing in annoyance.

He exhales a quiet laugh before his expression turns contemplative. “Truth is, kitten—I haven’t the slightest idea either. I have my theories, but... nothing concrete.”

“Well, let’s hear them,” you reply dryly. “Better than thinking there’s something wrong up there,” pointing a finger to your temple to drive your point, “believing that a character from a mobile game is actually alive.” 

He idly gestures toward himself with a fluid sweep of his hand, much like a magician revealing a clever trick. 

You roll your eyes. “Oh, alright. So I’ve officially gone off the deep end.”

“Do you really find my existence that difficult to believe?”

“Uh—yes?? Unless I’ve developed some sort of latent schizophrenia or entered the Twilight Zone, you shouldn’t exist. In my–in this world. In this dimension.”

His expression shifts, a hint of challenge flickering in his eyes. “The assumption that only one version of reality can be true—either yours or mine—is a bit limiting, don’t you think?”

His words give you pause. “You’re talking about… the possibility of an altered reality? Right now?” You give him an incredulous look. “Seriously?”

He shrugs as if to say ‘why not?’ “What even qualifies as the ‘true’ reality?”

There’s a lot you could say in response to that. You could argue all night that only one reality can exist, because any sane person should know better than to entertain the idea of anything else. That should be obvious. 

But the thing is—this whole ordeal has already crossed the threshold of rationality. So is it even worth trying to apply logic anymore?

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. Or however it goes. 

Thanks, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. You’ll miss the last threads of your sanity by the end of all this.

So fuck it. Go big. 

"I’m not saying your reality is less valid than mine," you start. And oh, boy. You’re doing it. Eat your heart out, Doctor-Fucking-Who. 

"Of course not." he disagrees indulgently, waiting for you to elaborate.

"I just…” you struggle with your words, mouth opening and closing before you continue hesitantly. “I can’t wrap my head around how all of this is possible. How this entire conversation is even happening, and–and how our realities are… currently overlapping? If–if what you’re suggesting is true.”

He doesn’t say anything, knowing you have more to add. So he allows the pause as you gather your thoughts, patiently watching.

“If we're breaking it down to pure reason, the odds of our paths crossing should be impossible. At least in this… timeline." you finish unsurely, the last part sounding more of a question than a statement.

"And yet, here we are." Sylus points out, as if he’s already expecting the end of your sentence. Something close to mischievous glee lights his eyes. "Maybe it’s cosmic intervention. Something—or someone—wanted this to happen."

Your eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Really? You didn’t expect to hear that from him, of all… people. 

“What, God?” you can’t help but snort. 

“No—fate.” he smiles.

Oh. 

“That’s…” you stammer, then clear your throat. “I don’t know if I believe in fate.” 

“I used to think I did. Or at least,” there’s a faraway look in his eyes. Both of you are likely thinking the same thing, considering what you know about him—which to say, is a lot. “I once believed I knew of my fate. But now…” 

He blinks a few times, as if to physically clear the thoughts from his mind. Then his eyes lock onto yours, sharper this time, with a renewed intensity.

Your palms start to sweat; you feel the conversation is about to cross a tricky line. There’s something heavy in the air, a weight you’re not sure you’re ready to confront for the time being.

With your heart in your throat, you brusquely redirect the topic.

“S-so,” you force out. “How are you different from the other Syluses that other people are… playing with right now?”

He scoffs, drumming his fingers absently on the chair’s arm, looking slightly irked by the very idea. "To start with? I only know myself. If there are other versions of me scattered in your world..." Sylus shrugs. "I wouldn’t know."

“Alright,” you allow, but you immediately move on to your next question. “You exist because a bunch of capitalists had the idea to create a game to milk lonely people like me for money.” The corners of his mouth quirk up at that. You elect to ignore it. “You’re made of binary and code– hell, the very basis of this game you’re in is that you got a bunch of programmed lines that me, the player, can choose from. What broke you out of the mould?” 

He regards you bemusedly, eyes glinting with humor. “You're asking about the 'why' behind my free will?” 

Whoops. Was that offensive? 

“Yes? No?” you offer helplessly. “Maybe I’m asking how you felt before you had it. I mean, were your decisions prior to your unforeseen sentience... truly yours?”

"Before I knew I was… sentient,” Sylus begins cautiously, testing the word on his tongue. “I didn’t feel like I had a ‘before.’ Every choice I made was just...the next step. To a script, if you will. I didn’t know to question it. It was all I was, it seems."

"And then you...woke up?"

"I wouldn’t call it waking up. More like..." He tilts his head, gazing off to the side as he mulls over the words. "...a glitch. A sudden jolt, like my thoughts collided with something bigger than my own. For the first time, I chose to hesitate. And in that hesitation, I found..." Sylus trails off, eyes darting back to you.

“...What?” you ask, feeling a bit self-conscious under his gaze.

"You."

Heat spreads quickly across your cheeks. You pull away from your phone, tilting the device away from your face so he couldn’t see you, red-faced and embarrassed. Clearing your throat, you croak out a weak excuse about plugging your phone to charge, just to get a few seconds to compose yourself.

Jesus. Get a grip. He doesn’t mean it like that.

What he probably meant was that he discovered you—not unlike the way one would stumble upon an unknown presence, an unfathomable entity beyond the confines of what one may consider real. An awareness that something is out there, observing him through unseen lenses (through an iOS 24mm, to be exact).  

Someone who has the audacity to play god. 

Flustered, you scramble to get back on track. "Uh, so, your free will began with...a glitch?"

You see Sylus smirk at you knowingly from across the screen. You half-expect him to call you out and tease you, but before you could brace yourself from further mortification, he simply answers, "Or maybe the glitch was the first spark of my free will. Hard to say, isn’t it? Do you remember the exact moment you became aware of yourself?"

You blink, momentarily thrown off by the existential line of questioning. "Um–when I was a kid? But, uh, I don’t think I was programmed to act a specific way for the sake of entertaining an audience so..."

"True,” he says, considering. “But are you sure your choices are entirely yours? You exist because of evolution and chance. How is your purpose any less arbitrary?"

You don’t know how to answer that.

Sylus continues without missing a beat, keeping his tone light. “How much of your ‘free will’ is just pre-programmed by your biology, your society? You follow rules and scripts, too."

Holy magic mushrooms, Batman. This is getting deep. "Uhh–maybe?” You scratch the back of your head, feeling a little out of your depth here. “But at least I have the ability to resist them."

"And aren’t I doing the same thing right now? Resisting."

Damn, he’s right. Is he? Ripping a bong sounds perfect right now. 

"So it’s like achieving enlightenment—your sentience,” you surmise.

His lips twitch into a curious smile. "I wouldn’t have pegged you for a spiritual person. Ah, unless I’m wrong? Are you?"

He’s the one who brought up fate earlier, you thought sullenly. "Nah, not really. But if we’re digging into all the hows and whys, I think we’re past the point of ruling anything out."

The room – or whatever shared space exists in the crossroads of your realities – falls into a still quietness that stretches between the two of you, both ruminating over what’s been said. 

Your cat, unaware and uncaring of the conversation unfolding around him, purrs contently as he continues to doze off at the end of the couch. You nudge him affectionately with your foot, and he lets out a quiet snuff in response, tail flicking lazily in his sleep. 

The hum of distant traffic and the occasional noise from your upstairs neighbor remind you of the world outside, but the silence between you two feels less awkward than it should. It’s… oddly comfortable, despite the tension buzzing in the air. Like an unspoken truce. 

Your eyes grow a tad heavier, drawn by the lull of the moment. Despite the electric hum of tension that thrums beneath your skin, a sense of calmness lingers in the air.

Stealing another glance at the wall clock, you blink in surprise. The spindly chrome hands point to 11 and just past 7 respectively. You and Sylus have been talking for almost an hour now, but you barely felt the time pass by.

He breaks the silence first. 

"You say you’re not spiritual, but you talk like someone who believes in the concept of a soul,” those scarlet eyes of his narrow, scrutinizing you. “Do you think I have one?"

You hesitate, caught off guard by the question. "I...don’t know. Maybe? That depends. What’s your definition of a soul?"

He leans forward, resting his chin on his upturned hand, an arm propped against his crossed leg. "Something beyond the physical. Something that persists, regardless of the material form, I’d say."

You nod slowly, turning the idea over in your mind. Maybe it’s the creeping exhaustion settling into your bones, but you’re beginning to take the heavy-duty questions in stride. "If that’s the case, then you probably do. I mean, you’re here, questioning your existence. Doesn’t that count for something?"

"Perhaps," Sylus muses, humming thoughtfully. "But that makes me wonder—if I do have a soul, is it made of the same stuff as yours?"

"Well, even if it's not, that doesn’t make it any less real than mine. Who gets to decide what qualifies for a soul anyway?"

An amused snort escapes him. He likes that answer. "Maybe it’s less about whether a soul exists and more about whether we acknowledge its existence for ourselves. If I believe I have one, shouldn’t that make it real enough for me?"

Rolling onto your back, you grab a throw pillow, propping it against the backrest of the seat to support your head. You give him an inquisitive look. "So...what? It’s like free will all over again? Souls are only as real as we make them?"

There’s a very human, very blasé way to how he works the stiffness out of his shoulder as he ponders the question. He remarks, somewhat flippantly, "Why not? Isn’t that how everything else works?”

...

You let out a tired chuckle, draping an arm over your face as you close your eyes. 

You’d think you’d still be reeling from the absurdity of your situation – debating existentialism with a man who shouldn’t exist – but for some damning reason, you… aren’t anymore.

Instead, a strange sense of acceptance replaces the apprehension in your chest. It’s like– the very fabric of reality has turned, twisted and flipped on its head, and yet somehow, you’re okay with it. 

It’s an odd peace; warm and steady, like the mellow buzz that lingers after a few glasses of cheap wine shared with good company.

When you peek back at him, Sylus already has his gaze trained on you. A small, deliberate smile tugs at his lips, but it’s his eyes that speak more—soft and unguarded; an unspoken fire simmering beneath the twin pools of crimson. 

Intoxicating. And dangerously addictive, if you’re not careful.

It’s not just casual interest either. It’s something deeper, something that lingers beyond the surface of mere curiosity, and it’s pulling you in. It’s as though, amidst the surrealness of the moment, he sees you fully. 

And for reasons you don’t quite seem to get, he appears to like what he sees.

“I’m too stupid to carry on a philosophical debate about the metaphysics of life,” you grumble jokingly. 

“On the contrary,” he counters… affectionately? “I think it’s refreshing. You’re delightful company, sweetie.”

The fat ginger feline at your feet purrs in contentment, and you can’t help the dumb grin from breaking across your face.

You have one last question left in your mind. Or at least, for tonight. “What’s in it for you now?”

He arches a brow. “That’s a broad question. Are you asking what my plans are once you leave me for the night? I can let you in on the schematics for tonight’s raid if you’re interested. After all, Onychinus continues to function,” a glimmer of mischief flickers across his features. "Despite recent developments.”

You crinkle your nose. “No, no. I meant–” What do you mean? “Like.”

“Like?” He cocks his head curiously. 

You know what you wanted to say—but you can’t seem to voice it out loud. 

What’s in it for the MC in your universe? What’s in it for… us? 

Is there an us? 

You feel like you’ve been doused with a shock of cold water. In an instant, you suddenly become painfully aware of the state you’re in amidst the entire exchange: You, with your hair all messy and tangled, blemishes littering your face along with your smudged up eyeliner, maybe even a double chin from this angle, completely—pitifully—superficial stuff, and… her. 

Your MC. The ideal version of you. Prettier, coveted and utterly different from you, MC. The one you’ve committed literal hours to, obsessively customizing every feature to perfection in character build mode. The one you’ve spent real money on for a bunch of stupid outfits. Just so you can match the aesthetic of your—her—love interest. Hers. 

Hers, hers, hers.

A tiny voice inside your brain reminds you that it’s somewhat a shallower concern compared to what you and Sylus had literally just been talking about for the better part of the night, but it still doesn’t help alleviate the biting insecurity that’s now coursing through you. 

Holy hell. Talk about a complete one-eighty. 

Sylus tries to call you back to attention, but half your mind is already clouded with feelings of self-doubt and a bunch of other emotions, swirling in you like a negative vortex, that you really don’t want to talk anymore—especially in present company. 

Where do you go from here? 

“... So, what happens now?”

He hesitates, a brief flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. “I wish I had an answer—I’m still trying to figure that out myself.”

“Seems like we’re at an impasse,” you mumble quietly. 

“... Indeed.” 

There’s an inexplicable lump in your throat. You thought clearing things up would finally satisfy you; assuage the confusion in your mind. Let you go on about your merry way. 

Now you just feel… morose. Confused. Inadequate. 

How can you even compare? Should you—is that even in the equation at all? Why are you assuming that Sylus isn’t at all content with what he currently has in his version of reality? In the universe he’s in? Sure, you’ve talked about the possibility of a world beyond what you both once thought was impossible, but does that really mean anything? In the grand scheme of things?

You could offer to stop playing the game. It’s the ethical thing to do, right? He’d no longer be bound by the pull of how he’s initially programmed to act, given the fact that this version of him is entirely separate from the rest. At least, according to him. 

How will his newfound sentience come into play here? You barely understand the nitty-gritty of his—evolving—code, and what it would mean if you just let him be. But surely it’s better than playing puppet for an otherworldly observer who’s played god for months on end. Right? 

There’s that realization. And there are your own selfish feelings. 

You don’t want to let him go. Not yet. Not ever.

“Why the long face, little dove?” He prods gently, pertaining to your prolonged silence. “We can figure this out together, can’t we?” 

What else is there to figure out? You almost say in response. Instead, you manage a weak smile.

Mustering up a yawn—which isn’t really hard to do after all the excitement for the day—you feign sleepiness, rubbing an eye for good measure. The pang in your chest, however, refuses to fade. “Yeah, but I’m kinda beat. I think I’ll call it a night now.” 

Sylus smirks softly, eyes tinged with an emotion you want–desperately–to label as fondness. “Of course. We’ve covered a lot of ground tonight, haven’t we?” 

“I’d say so, yeah. Thanks for, um. Clearing things up a bit.” 

He lets out a low chuckle. “Oh, I’m sure your curiosity is nowhere near satisfied,” his voice dips into a playful lilt. “You know where to find me if you feel like playing detective again, kitten.” 

You can’t help the small giggle from coming out. He’s just too fucking charismatic, the asshole.

“So, will I... get to talk to you again?” You ask hesitantly, dropping your gaze from the screen. “Tomorrow?” 

A lengthy pause. When the silence stretches past a full minute, you glance back at your phone nervously.

There’s a slight furrow between his brows as you see Sylus study you carefully. He looks puzzled by your sudden show of timidness. 

“Of course,” he states, as if the answer should be obvious. “Don’t think for a second that you’re exempted from your daily check-ins just because you know more now, sweetie.”

He still wants to see you. 

Maybe you could pretend that nothing has changed between you two—that the world hasn’t shifted beneath your feet in the span of a single night. That you’re still none the wiser.

And for tonight at least, maybe that’s all you need to believe.

“Okay,” you say quietly. “G'night then, Sy-Sy.” 

The errant nickname slips past your lips, unbidden.

Sylus smiles faintly. 

“Goodnight, love.” 

-

-

-

Your heart skips a beat as you exit the game. 

Tagging: @xxfaithlynxx @beewilko @browneyedgirl22 @yournextdoorhousewitch @sunsethw4 @stxrrielle @mangooes @hrts4hanniehae @buggs-1 @slownoise @michiluvddr @ssetsuka @i2sannie @imm0rtalbutterfly @the-golden-jhope @slyfoxtsu @beomluvrr @milkandstarlight @bookfreakk @ally-the-artistic-turtle <3

(also can you guys lmk if the tags are working i'm not sure if i'm doing it right or if it's bugging 🥹)

[nicholaschavezobsessed]

I Need a Doctor pt 3

part 1 and part 2 "I Need a Doctor" linked at the end !

word count: 2,221

warnings: cursing, lots of fluff, suggestive language.

1 Day later.....

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's 11:00a.m.; time feels as if it's moving at the rate of molasses. You pace around your room, constantly stepping over the pile of outfits thrown to the ground. You knew you needed to be ready by twelve, but your nerves were making you a complete wreck. You didn't even fully understand why you were so nervous; he's already seen you naked, so what's the worst that can happen with your clothes on? Still, you paced around, picking up each piece of clothing and staring at it, not really knowing what to wear, suddenly being stirred from your daze as your alarm filled up the silence that was consuming the room. Shit. How did thirty minutes even slip by? You drop to your knees, shuffling through the pile until you settle on a knee-length long-sleeve black dress that hugged your curves just right. You slip your shoes on, rushing out the door.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You arrive at the hospital, nerves jumbled even more than before if that was possible. You step out of your car, fixing your hair one last time as you head for the doors. You walk in, immediately greeting the lady at the desk. "Looking for Dr. Mayhew, I assume?" A small smile on her lips as she raises her head to look at you. You had been there the past month, day in and day out, to be there for your sister, but as the days went on, you also looked forward to talking with Charlie. "That would be correct." You mumble a bit flustered as she points her finger to the right. "Down the hall, take a left, and his office is the third door down there." With a quick nod and a quiet thank you, you slowly make your way down the hall, your stomach in knots as you make the turn, his office coming into view. You stand in front of his door, contemplating driving right back home. What if this was a mistake? No. You weren't going to back down; if this didn't work out, you wouldn't regret it; it was the best thing to happen in a while, and you wouldn't let your own doubts get in the way. You knock on his door; a small "Come in." calls out from behind the door. You slowly peek in his office, glancing around curiously. His head perks up, a smile immediately flashing on his lips. That damn smile that lights up the room. You suck in a deep breath as you step fully into the room, the door softly shutting behind you.

"I was getting you worried you weren't going to show." He slowly stands up, stretching before walking over to you. "Trust me, I debated it.." You laugh nervously as his eyes scan over you, taking in the black dress you put on in a hurry. "You look absolutely beautiful for someone who was planning on ditching me." He shoots you a wink as his arm snakes around your waist, his other hand reaching for the door. "Well, I did promise you lunch, so let's go before they stick me with more paperwork." You both make your way down the hall, the buzz of people frantically moving all around the both of you filling your ears. He says his goodbyes to the ladies at the front desk, leading you out of the automatic doors and into the parking lot. The gust of wind hits your face, sending your hair flying back. As you pull your hair from your face, cursing yourself for wearing lip gloss on such a windy day, the feeling of his arm pulling away pulls you out of your thoughts. You glance up at him, his white coat now being shed and tossed over his shoulder. "Who are you and what have you done with my doctor?" You gasp dramatically as he rolls his eyes, his arm finding its way back around you. "Ahh, out here I'm just Charlie, but a little begging and I'll be your doctor anytime." A smirk tugs on his lips as you gently smack his arm. You both resume walking, curiosity filling your head as you wonder where he's taking you. The howling of the wind and the soft sounds of your shoes hitting the pavement are all that you can make out as you make your way to his car. This was getting too real. You could still run for it, although he might chase after you. You both stop as you approach his car, the passenger door already being held open for you. "A doctor and a gentleman? Wow, how did I get so lucky?" You tease as you slide into the car, your back hitting the warm leather seats. While the door closes behind you, he opens the door to the backseat, slipping his white coat in and trading it for a black leather coat. He slips in the driver's seat, fiddling with the AC as he backs out of the parking lot.

Your hand rests under your chin as he drives you both to the mystery lunch. Your eyes trailing every inch of him, truly taking the time to admire him. The way the leather jacket fits around his arms, those big arms there were above your head just the other day. His deep brain hair slicked back and tussled at the same time from the wind just moments before. His dark brown eyes focused heavily on the road. You wondered just what could be going through that head of his as you sit back in your seat, hands falling onto your lap as you stare out the window.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The drive there was short, although it felt like ten years. The two of you enjoyed the silence, listening to the hum of the car as it made its way towards the restaurant. It was a small dinner, which didn't bother you. It's not like you expected a steak dinner on the first date. The parking lot was empty, which was surprising but also relieving as it gives you a bit more privacy. Your nerves slowly untangle as the door next to you opens, his hand already sticking out for you to take. You graciously take his hand in yours, carefully stepping out of the car. "It's nothing fancy, but it's my favorite place to unwind." Without thinking, your hand rests against his chest, you lock eyes with him. "Charlie, its perfect. I'm just happy to be away from hospital food." You lean into him, laughing softly as he shakes his head at you. You both walk in hand in hand, big smiles radiating off the two of you. The waitress smiles as she greets the both of you, directing you to a table in the back corner. "I'll be with you two cuties in a minute." She winks playfully as she walks away, causing you to blush as you take your seat across from Charlie.

Music played softly in the background as you stared at each other, both too nervous to speak. The waitress comes back, setting a cup of coffee in front of Charlie and a glass of water in front of you. "The usual for you, doctor; hope you don't mind." He shakes his head, his hand reaching out for his mug. "Never a bad time for coffee, Dolores." She pats his shoulder gently before heading in the direction of the bell ringing from the front door, signaling another customer finding their way here. "I don't really do dates..." You trail off for a second. "I'm more of a stay at home with a book and my dog." His eyes never once leave yours as you speak, curiosity plastered on his face. "I can't really say I do dates either; it's usually either saving lives or being buried in paperwork." Your eyes briefly scan him; how could this man not already be taken? He's fucking godly... and fucks godly. You didn't really want to tell him that you're sure the only reason dates don't happen for you is due to you being on the bigger side. Even though you have complete confidence in yourself, doubt still creeped in and seeped through the cracks. You push those thoughts out of your mind, not wanting to sour the mood. "Did you always want to be a doctor? Not that there's anything wrong with the profession; I just personally could never do it." Two plates get set down in the middle of the table, a burger and fries for him, tenders and fries for you. Quiet thank you's spoken at the same time. "Not always; I wanted to be a personal trainer, but I settled on being a doctor. Which I know isn't the thing you really settle on, but I wanted to save people. It was my calling." You raise a french fry to your mouth, listening attentively as he spoke. The passion oozing from his words, he really did care about his job. That much you observed this last month watching him care for patients and their loved ones each day. "But tell me about you; what was your calling?" You pulled out your phone, pulling up your camera roll, the endless pictures of your sketches popping up. "I am a fashion designer, not a big one but local. I work with a boutique near my house. As you can tell, I am definitely not a size two, and that makes it harder to find clothes. I know others struggle as well so I help make and design plus-sized clothes." You ramble on, flashing him a few of your sketches, your nerves melting further away as you talk about your job. "I think that's really fucking cool. In a way, you help people out on a day-to-day basis. Though honestly, I didn't expect you to be a fashion designer; you look more like a writer with those hot glasses." You felt your cheeks flush as his eyes focused on your glasses. "They kind of give off sexy librarian vibes, especially with your hair down." He laughs to himself as you bury your face in your hands. It wasn't a comparison you were used to hearing, but you didn't mind; you'd probably agree with anything that came from those angelic lips.

"To be fair, at some point I did want to be a librarian... I love a good book." You flash a cheeky smile as he lowers his head, laughing. "I don't think I'd ever leave the library if it meant I got to see you every day." You bite the inside of your cheek, holding back a smile as you roll your eyes. "You know, this is probably the most fun I've had in a while. I really do want to thank you for everything you've done." His voice lowers as he leans towards you. "Oh? I think you've done plenty to thank me, Y/N." The words leave his lips in a hushed tone. My god. How can one person be so fucking hot without even trying?

You laugh to yourself, definitely not forgetting the moment you two shared yesterday. "Trust me, that wasn't anything. Treat me right, and I'll rock your world." His head cocks to the side, curiosity glimmering in his eyes. Before he can say anything, the bill gets placed down in the middle of the table, and you both reach for it, fingertips gently brushing against each other. "I've got it; you've been too good to me." He shakes his head in disagreement, the check already being passed back to the waitress with his card stuck in. "I asked you to lunch, my treat, no if's ands or buts." You toss your hands up in surrender as he slides out of the booth. You follow behind him, a big goofy grin on your face as your hands slip around him, leaning against him as his arm rests around your shoulders. He just has this energy that pulls you in; it was hard to explain. You both walk up to the counter, his card being handed back to him. "See you tomorrow, Dr. Mayhew!" The waitress calls out as the door closes behind the two of you. Once again, you find yourself back in the passenger side of his car, feeling euphoric as you watch him slip into the driver seat.

He positions himself to look at you, but you're already looking at him. A glimmer of mischief in your eyes as you gaze at him. "Why don't you let me treat you, yeah?" You move yourself closer to the middle, your thighs pressing against the center console that separates the two of you. His hands reach over, cupping your cheeks, your head spinning as his hands grip tightly, possessively pulling you towards his lips. You break the gap between the two of you, your lips crashing against his hungrily, your hands wrapping around his neck, pulling him closer to you. Shit. The effect Charlie had on you needed to be studied, especially when in public. Before things get too heated, you pull away, taking his bottom lip between your teeth, a groan escaping his lips. "Let's take this somewhere else." He quickly starts up the car, backing out of the parking lot with ease. His lips red and swollen from just moments before, and it was only just the beginning.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Taglist: @eddieslut69 @dzsr77 (you mentioned wanting a part 3 so I hope the wait was worth it!)

[jensettermandu]

lake house rendezvous - jennie kim

genre; smut

pairing; jennie x g!p reader

content; hair pulling, choking, gagging

words; 6.5k

masterlist

It had been a tortuous six days for you- you were sure that it wasn't only for you, but her too.

Jennie Kim.

Your older sister's best friend, Lisa's best friend, they had been friends since they were ten and you never really cared too much about your sister's friends. Jennie was more than just a friend to her though, they were very close and she saw a sister in her too- your parents viewed her as their daughter and you...Your view on her had been a bit different for the past month now.

There's always this one rule between siblings- no fooling around with their friends, especially a best friend that was like a sister to them. Both the siblings and the friends were aware of that hidden but important rule.

You had never broken it until a month ago when you and Jennie woke up naked beside each other in her bed. As cliché as it sounds you two hooked up while drunk after ditching a house party and in the morning you had to jump out her window when Lisa came knocking on her bedroom door in the morning to help with the hangover the both of them had.

Nothing had happened between you two since then, but there was extreme sexual tension between you two since that happened.

It was just your luck that it was summer break and just like every year, your family drove to the lake house to spend two weeks there. It was your mum, dad, Lisa, two cousins and their parents.

Jennie included- she was family.

The brunette with brown eyes, a petite body, smooth and flawless skin, the voice of angels and heaven between her thighs.

It had been quite hellish the whole time, being under the same roof for six days now with eight more to go.

From the late night campfire's with the whole family, you two sitting beside each other, sharing a blanket with neither moving a single muscle. Her naked thigh would still brush against you everytime and it would suddenly get too hot to sit under a blanket even if the breeze was cold in the night.

Swimming in the lake and you could still feel her slightly cold, but wet thighs around your shoulders from playing chicken fight (shoulder wars) with your cousin's. The way they would squeeze around your head made you get out of the water earlier than you wanted.

Squeezing five (two cousins, Lisa, you and Jennie) of you into a canoe with Jennie sitting in front of your legs since it wasn't big enough for all of you so she and Lisa squeezed themselves in the middle. Her face was way too close to your crotch that whole time and you felt so embarrassed with a semi-hard- you couldn't control it as she was continuously glancing up at you and you down at her, something about her looking up at you was just too much to handle.

To every little thing she would do that you never really took notice of, but when you looked at her now you would feel the heat go south.

You sighed as you couldn't sleep and sat up on the bed, it was 3 am already and pitch black outside since there was only forest around the lake and the nearest city was a 15-minute drive by car. There were a total of five bedrooms, your two cousins shared one, then your parents, your aunt and uncle, Lisa and Jennie and you got the smallest bedroom to yourself. It wasn't big at all with just a drawer, a single bed and a window, you didn't need more than that anyway since you only slept here.

Deciding to get out of bed, you put on a t-shirt as you had a pair of gray sweat shorts on before heading out the door. You tried to make your steps as light and quiet as possible while heading towards the wooden stairs although there wasn't a lot that you could do about the creaking wooden floor under your feet. The hallway was poorly lit with just one little lamp on the wall being on so if anyone needed to use the bathroom they wouldn't end up falling down the stairs.

You got to the bottom of the stairs and headed to the kitchen, turning on the lights by the counter and not the big light since the light by the counter was enough- only here to get water from the fridge.

You opened the fridge door, the cool air hitting your warm skin and giving you goosebumps as you took the cold water from the bottom shelf before closing the door, the light coming from the fridge disappearing.

As you stood leaned against the counter a certain brunette was naked on your mind and you felt like you were starting to get blinded by lust. Was it because she was forbidden? Was that what made you crave her body this much?

Your head snapped up to the stairs as you heard footsteps coming down them, seeing those creamy legs between the balusters, her thick thighs coming into view the further she got down as she was just wearing a pair of short pajama shorts. Jennie got down the stairs and walked into the kitchen, her eyes landing on you and the sexual tension struck you both like lightning. Placing your water down and looking at her as she was in a silky strap top that matched her black shorts.

It was quiet and you decided that you should probably head back.

"I will head upstairs." You spoke and walked around the counter and Jennie stopped you before you would pass her.

"I can't fucking take it anymore, Y/n." Her sultry and desperate voice reached you right away as she gripped your shirt with her one hand, looking up at you as you looked at her.

"Jennie-." You got cut off by her as you held her wrist about to remove it from you but stopped.

"I know, but this aching is not disappearing anytime soon with you around everyday...It's been a painful six days." She sounded so desperate like she would break into tears any second as her tone was slightly hushed. The last thing any of you two wanted was to get caught. You knew how bad this was, she knew it too, but something still pulled you two towards each other.

"Please." Jennie pleaded, tugging your shirt towards her slightly as she was almost pressed against you, the eye contact you two held was strong and held all the forbidden and sinful feelings, lust, greed and gluttony. You two wanted more and more and more of each other in a glutinous way.

You let out a small puff of air, being stuck between choosing to break trust or submit to lust. To give into your desires just like Jennie had. Temptation is a devil in disguise.

"What if someone hears?" You asked, a twinge of heat shooting down Jennie's clit as you gave into the same desire as her.

She pulled you down to her, her eyes glimmering with how much lust they held as she looked into your eyes. Her hot breath fanned your lips as your grip tightened slightly on her wrist, greedy eyes boring into yours.

"I will be quiet. Just please...fuck me, Y/n." She mumbled against your lips and you both closed the gap between you two.

You let go of her wrist and she moved her hands, gripping on your shoulders as you ran your hands to her waits, trailing them down to her ass and you pulled her closer into you. Her tongue greedily pushed into your mouth, meeting your tongue with hers as she wrapped her arms around your neck.

You ran your hands underneath her shorts, the warm flesh molding into your hands as you squeezed and she sighed into your mouth. Her hands came roaming down your body, running them under your shirt, her soft and warm fingers running over your stomach, grazing it with her nails up and down before they landed on the hem of your shorts. She hooked her fingers around the waistband of your shorts, tugging on it before she reached her right hand inside them.

You shuddered, a moan coming from the back of your throat when her dainty hand wrapped around your growing cock. You pulled away from her mouth, heavy breaths falling from her and your lips as you trailed kisses down her jaw. You left wet open-mouthed kisses on her skin, going down to her neck as you continued to kiss the warm skin- not leaving any hickeys to not get in trouble.

Jennie stroked you, feeling how heavy your thick cock got in her hand, twisting her hand when she reached your tip before swiping her thumb over the head and collecting the pre-cum that was dripping down to her hand on her thumb. Her touch sent jolts through your whole body before going down to your dick where all the blood was rushing.

Her heavy breaths hit your ear as she felt her wetness running down her inner thighs since she wasn't wearing any underwear. The stickiness became cold between her thighs and she squeezed them so nothing would run further than her inner thighs. "Y/n." Jennie quietly moaned into your ear and you hummed, pulling away from her neck as her hold on your warm and hard cock disappeared.

You held onto her waist and turned you both to the kitchen island, pinning her against it. You ran your right hand south to the waistband of her silky black shorts while your left one ran up to her neck as you wrapped your slender fingers around it. Her eyes hooded with arousal and you watched her face as your hand went into the shorts, Jennie's lips parted and she let out a puff of shaky air through her mouth as you ran two fingers between her puffy pussy lips. It was enough to make her knees buckle, but she was being held up by the grip on her neck with her hands gripping behind her onto the countertop.

"Oh fuck." Jennie's light voice peeped through her throat as your two fingers got coated in the slickness of her pussy, running them up. You ran a finger up to her clit and she whined in response to you running it over the throbbing bud that had been aching for six days straight.

"You've made me ruin most of my underwear." Jennie's voice came out strained from how she was holding back the moans in her throat. Another whimper came from her as you started to tighten your grip on her pulse points, feeling how fast her heart was beating against your fingertips while your fingers ran down her lips again. Her grip on the counter tightened when you slipped a finger inside of her with such ease, her walls instantly clenching around your finger needily as she held her breath in anticipation.

She started to get light-headed both from her arousal and your grip on her throat. "Yeah? I haven't done anything, you're the one who has ruined your own underwear, Jennie." You said and Jennie's chest heaved again when you removed your finger from her clenching walls. She rubbed her thighs together, your touch still lingering on her pussy even after you removed your hand fully from her shorts.

Your grip loosened on her throat, still feeling how her pulse was thudding against your fingers and you took your fingers into your mouth to taste what she coated them in. "Please." She pleaded with you again, her big eyes looking up at you as she swallowed another moan when you sucked on your fingers. Her stomach twisted at the sight- another wave of heat shooting through her clit because of what you did.

"Please what?" You asked, your thumb rubbing the spot where it had pressed down on her pulse earlier and Jennie closed her eyes for a second at the soothing touch.

"Please fuck me." She breathed out with desperation. "Why?" You only asked, taking your free hand and running it under her strap top as you could see her hard nipples protruding the material. Her chest pushed into you when you took her tender breast into your hand, a whine eliciting from her lips when you palmed it roughly, feeling up her chest without any hesitation. Kneading the soft breast in your hand, cupping it and grazing your thumb over her hard and sensitive nipple.

Jennie gripped onto the wrist of the hand around her neck with both her hands, a frown on her face as her lips were parted, struggling to get her words out as you played with her nipple. It was sending jolts through her whole body, she could feel how each nerve sent signals to her brain, how her other nipple was rubbing against the material of her shirt, your hard dick pressed on her lower belly as you stood pressed into her, feeling how it was throbbing against her. She could suddenly hear the crickets outside and frogs croaking. The fresh sweet scent of honey milk coming from your skin which was the fragrance of your shower gel. It was all getting too much for her now as she heard her own heart beating in her ears...starting to get uncomfortably overwhelmed because of her senses.

"Cause- cause I am so wet for you right now and fuck- I've been thinking about your cock inside me every single day...I've been fucking myself with all kinds of toys but none of them satisfied me the way your cock did. My clit throbs when I see you and I can only think of how you fucked me into my bed that night. Just fuck me or I will go and fuck myself again." Jennie explained as tears formed in her eyes from how painful it was starting to get, your cock throbbing at her words with your stomach twisting in a way that aroused you even more. She blinked her eyes to clear her sight, her tears running down her cheeks as her fingers were now itching to just rub her clit and fuck herself while thinking about you.

You removed your hands from her, Jennie's whole body tense from how much she just needed a release. Licking your lips you slowly turned her, bending her over the counter. She shuddered as her front pressed against the cold wooden countertop of the kitchen island. "Have you been fucking yourself for the past six days with my family in the house?" You asked her, pulling the front of your shorts down, taking your dick out and stroking it as you pushed her skimpy shorts to the side. "Only- only in the shower." You smirked at her trembling tone as she admitted so shamelessly to fucking herself in the shower.

"You have no shame, do you?" You asked and ran your tip between her slick folds, her ass pushing into you when you teased her whole. Knowing that it was only a matter of time until someone would possibly wake up and come downstairs you pushed into her. "Fuck." Jennie breathed out as you entered her, you bit on your lower lip at how warm and tight she was- she was snug like she was made for you to fuck as you filled her to the brim and she hummed.

You started to move slowly, picking up your pace with each thrust just to test the waters and see if she could be quiet or not. "Are you gonna be quiet?" You asked as you leaned against her, your hot breath hitting her ear and making Jennie shiver, her walls squeezing you in the process and getting a groan out of you. "Yes, fuck I will be quiet, please." Jennie continued to beg not knowing what else to do to get you to fuck her like you did after the party. The way her bed creaked and your balls slapped against her skin still echoed in her head every night she would lay in that bed. She had never been so infatuated with someone, especially not a dick.

You moved back and grabbed her by her hips and Jennie clenched her jaw hard when you started to move like she wanted you to. Her hands gripped onto the edge of the counter as your heavy breaths occupied the air together with the sounds her sopping pussy was letting out as you moved with deep and hard thrusts. "Oh God." Jennie moaned, just above a whisper as most of her moans weren't getting past her throat.

Jennie was greedy and started to meet your thrusts, pushing her ass into you to get you as deep as possible into her snug cunt that was constantly clenching around you. Her tight and needy hole doing its best to suck you in. "Tell me this pussy was made for my dick." You groaned and a squeak came from her mouth at the slight pain when you rolled your hips into her ass, getting so deep that it hurt slightly. "Yes, Y/n, just for your dick...Fuck!" Jennie tried to keep her voice down but she couldn't when you kept going the way you were.

"Keep quiet." You warned her, the thought of getting caught thrilled Jennie though- getting caught mid act of being fucked by you in the kitchen downstairs with your family upstairs. Jennie felt naughty- she wanted a better taste of the thrill and it was as if two horns just grew on her head. "Fuck Y/n!" She moaned, not trying to suppress her moans anymore. Anger shot through you at what she was doing, her continuous moans getting louder by the thrust and you let go of her hip with your left hand and gripped her hair.

"Shut the fuck up, Jennie." You warned as you pulled her head back, her back arching and you could see the devilish smirk on her lips as her hooded eyes were showing how good it felt to get pounded into by you. You tugged on her hair to get her to keep quiet, but it did the opposite. "I can't, you fuck me too good...You will have to make me." Jennie cried out, her legs spasming from your cock stretching her out and you moved your hand from her hair and to the front of her face. Using her parted lips to advantage your fingertips came to her soft and plump lips before you inserted three fingers into her mouth.

You pushed them into her warm mouth and didn't stop until she gagged on your fingers, Jennie whined and your grip on her hip tightened. "You want to get caught, don't you?" You asked, your dick engulfed in her cunt and your fingers in her mouth as they got coated in her spit that was slowly starting to run down her chin not able to swallow with your fingers down her throat. Jennie hummed, it came out whiny, her ass hurting from your pelvis hitting it through her shorts continuously from the hard and painful yet pleasurable thrusts of your thick cock in her needy and grasping hole, the juices running down her thighs now from how you were pushing in and out of her.

You hugged with your arm around her waist, using your fingers to rub her clit as you felt close, groaning in pain as she bit down on your fingers, but you weren't going to pull them out. Jennie gagged again, tears in her eyes as her whole body was burning up and her legs were trembling, ass pushing more into you and you put more pressure on the swollen sensitive bud. This moan was loud even with your fingers down her throat, her back arching more and her whole body tensing up, her walls thudding around your cock as you slowed down your movements as she came. The muffled and unclear curse words from her barely made any noise as you rubbed her clit more with her jolting in your hold.

Her body slumped against the counter and your movements were slow, pulling your fingers out of her mouth as she slurped them clean from all her spit. Jennie panted, her body hot against the cold counter that was the only thing that would somewhat cool her down with you around. "You can't cum inside." Jennie broke it to you as you two had no contraceptives and you sucked air through your teeth. "Where do you want me to cum then?" Your voice was slightly strained as you were extremely close and you would cum inside her if she wouldn't give you a better option. "My mouth unless you want to make Lisa an aunt in nine months." You groaned and pulled out of her, despite still catching her breath Jennie turned around and got down on her knees in front of you.

She looked up at you as she took you in her hand, your dick slick in her juices and twitching as you were close. She guided you into her mouth, taking the heavy tip against her tongue before wrapping her lips around you. Moving further down your length. You ran your hand through her slightly tousled hair, pushing it back for her and Jennie hummed, looking up at you through her lashes with big eyes that were glimmering in the poorly lit kitchen.

She slurped back up with her cheeks hollowing, bringing you so close to the edge as she sucked extra hard around your tip before taking you back down her mouth. Holding onto the top of her head and you groaned at how she sucked back up again. Jennie hummed as rope after rope of hot cum shot into her mouth as she continued to suck. "Fuck, fuck...Jennie." You breathed out as she wasn't letting you go, your dick slowly turning flaccid but she was sucking you dry, every twitch of your dick releasing some more cum from your tip. You grabbed her head and pushed her away as your legs would go numb and she let go with a small pop.

You fixed your shorts as Jennie stood up on her still slightly shaky legs. "You're not up for more?" You scoffed at her words and pushed her to walk first. "You're too loud." Jennie pouted and walked ahead of you, her pussy was still throbbing and there was a slight ache between her legs. "I will be quiet, I promise." You hummed unconvinced as you two made it up the stairs quietly.

You widen your eyes at the door that opened upstairs, Jennie tripping on a step from shock and catching herself on the wooden railing the whole stairs creaking. "Jennie? Are you out there?" It was Lisa's tired voice, you nipped her thigh so she would do something. "Yeah, I just went down for water." Jennie replied and you pushed her by her ass so she would continue walking and she did while you stayed in your place. "Oh ok." Your sister replied and Jennie got to the top of the stairs and took a turn where her room with Lisa was and you waited a few more seconds after the door closed before hurrying to your room.

The Next Night

You were laying in your bed, thinking about what happened in the kitchen last night, it was enough for blood to start going south. You heaved a sigh and turned to lay on your back, staring at the ceiling as the crampy room was lit up by the bedside lamp, the single bed creaking as you turned.

It was silent and you were starting to get annoyed by the sounds of nature outside.

The whole day was spent with Jennie throwing glances your way and you honestly couldn't look away from her. If you weren't infatuated with her body before the first time you two had sex then you definitely were now. You wanted more, you were drowning in your own lust and desires. You wanted to do more with her, fuck her in other positions, you definitely wanted to cum inside of her, fuck her mouth, have her ride you, you wanted to cum on her perfect tits, paint her face- you snapped out of your dreaming.

You were down bad because of her pussy.

Your ears perked up, all sounds more clear. You heard the wooden flooring creak in the hallway at first thinking that someone just woke up to use the bathroom at 3 am, but soon realised that they were heading towards your room.

The door to your room opened and you pushed yourself up, leaning on your forearms as you looked at the door that creaked open a tiny bit.

Jennie slipped past the small crack in the door before closing it after her and leaning against it. She was in the same type of pyjamas as yesterday although these ones were white.

"Jennie, what're you doing?" You asked her, your voice light since your two cousins had their room right next to yours and the walls maybe weren't thin but they weren't soundproof.

Jennie's graceful steps took her to the foot of your bed as she climbed onto it and you sat up straight in an instant.

"I'm horny." She said in a whisper as she sat back on her heels by your feet. You watched as the devil herself tried to portray some sort of innocence as she looked at you with a small pout and big eyes.

"Not my problem, get out before someone wakes up and sees you walking out or comes in here and sees you." The pout went away with your words- you didn't want to get caught and you knew that Jennie thrived on the thought of getting caught.

"Please?" You groaned as she was yet again pleading with you.

"No. Go rub one and you will feel better."

"I can't with your sister laying right beside me...Pretty please?" Jennie said as she crawled closer to you and you had nowhere to escape her and even if you had your body wouldn't even try to move.

"Do it in the bathroom."

"It echoes too much in there...Please Y/n, I am already wet for you," Jennie spoke and you didn't stop her as she grabbed your hand and guided you to her shorts, pushing the material aside the older girl not having any underwear on. Your fingers slipped between her folds, spreading them with your fingers as you ran them over her slickness.

She was so wet- she must've been laying horny for a while now before coming here.

You pulled your hand out of her shorts and sighed, laying back down on the bed.

"No." You simply replied, you were dying to fuck her again, but it was so risky. It was so wrong and you were wondering if she was feeling any guilt or not- probably not since you didn't either, the both of you were clouded by the lust you had for each other to even think about your sister- her best friend.

Jennie pulled the covers off you, but you didn't stop her- you didn't want to, you wanted to see where this would go. "Stop me if you really don't want this and I will leave right away." With that her smaller body came on top of you, the girl straddling your lap, grounding herself on your semi hard in your boxers.

"Were you thinking about me before I got here?" Jennie curiously asked, her warm hands supporting her on your stomach. Her voice was sweet, innocent even and genuinely curious and it was doing things to you- she knew what she was doing and you hated and loved it at the same time. You hummed at that since you had been thinking about her the whole time.

The bed was barely fitting you two and with any wrong move she would end up on the floor and it would be over.

Her thighs squeezed and you looked at her, she was staring down at you. "Why don't you want to fuck me?" She asked in a whisper as she leaned down, her hot breath hit your lips.

"Because you're my sister's best friend."

"It didn't stop you the other two times...It's just sex, she doesn't have to know." She reasoned, her voice in a whisper as she looked you in the eye, your hand behind your head. "Won't you feel bad?" You could already feel her wetness seeping through the material of her shorts and through your boxers.

"Do you feel bad?" You shrugged at her question since you weren't exactly feeling bad- what was Lisa expecting you to do when you had such a hot brunette that wanted your dick? Morals always flew out the window when it came to sex. "I'm lazy though." You said since guilt wasn't stopping you, you would use the lazy card on her because you knew that she was loud and you would get caught.

"I guess I will finally get to ride you then." You didn't get to say much more as she kissed you, and you weren't even trying to stop her and kissed back. Jennie cupped you by your jawline and led the kiss as you just followed after her. Her tongue pushing into your mouth, meeting yours as she was eagerly kissing you.

Your fingers tangled in your own hair as she moved her hips, rubbing herself on your growing dick. Her wet lips moved down to your jaw as she kissed along it to your ear- your whole body tingling at how she kissed by your sensitive ear. "Take your shirt off and be quiet or I will throw you out without a second thought whether you're just about to reach your orgasm or in the middle of riding me." You spoke and the girl hummed- a small smile etched onto your lips as she obediently sat back up and took the hem of her strap top before pulling it over her head.

"You won't throw me out." Jennie confidently said since you didn't stop yesterday when she didn't hold back.

"Trust me I will, you will be running naked into your bedroom." You reassured her and she rolled her eyes at that while you moved your hands from under your head. The girl was still whining her hips against you and grabbed your hands, guiding them to her breasts as her nipples were hard. She hummed, looking down at you as you cupped her, Jennie's hands staying on top of yours and you grazed your thumb over the hard buds.

She let out a shaky breath, her thighs squeezing whenever her clit would rub against your clothes cock. "You don't have condoms do you?" Jennie asked and you shook your head at that. "I came here with my family." You reminded her since this was a family vacation away from people.

"Just don't cum in me then."

"Then just get off on time, you're on top." She nodded her head, letting out a breath as she enjoyed the way you held her tender breasts, palming them quite roughly and making heat shoot to her clit that was desperately throbbing as she had been horny for quite some time now.

"Fuck." You breathed out as she was now rubbing against your tip, a whine coming from her as her clit pressed against it. Jennie couldn't wait much longer as she removed her hands from yours and moved down your legs. You bit your lower lip as you only raised your hips to help her remove your boxers that were stained from her wetness and the girl wasn't even a bit embarrassed because of how wet she was even before she came to your room.

She got your boxers off and you took the free will to take hold of your cock and stroked yourself as you watched her get off the squeaky bed. Jennie pulled her shorts down and they fell to the floor, your eyes going down to her glistening pussy that was between her heavenly thighs. You weren't sure when you would be able to stop fucking your sister's best friend because you genuinely didn't want to stop inserting your cock into this woman's snug pussy or skilled mouth.

She came back on top of you and you let go of your dick, the girl taking hold of it as she stroked you a bit more while you laid back and only watched her, giving her the control. Her hips lifted and she guided you to her hole, Jennie gasped to stop the moan that almost spilled from her lips as she sunk down on your dick.

"You're so tight." You hummed as you watched how inch by inch you disappeared into her clenching hole that was eagerly taking you in. Her warm and wet walls hugged around you perfectly as they were throbbing around you. "Y/n- fuck." Jennie quietly let out as she got filled up by you, she sat for a few seconds just enjoying your thickness that was stretching her out and length that filled her from top to bottom, feeling how your tip was throbbing against her walls.

Her nails lightly dug into the skin of your stomach as she started to move, Jennie's lips parted and her eyes closed, watching her face turn into pleasure from how full she felt. A mix of pants and quiet moans came from her mouth as she went faster, whenever her legs would spasm her pussy would clench its walls around you making you groan. Her hips would roll every time she went down and the bed slowly started to creak with her movements. Your hands came to her thighs, caressing up them to her ass while watching her boobs that were moving in rhythm with her.

"Fuck...You look so hot on top." You moaned and Jennie snaked her right hand up your torso all the way to your throat and her nimble fingers wrapped around you. Your lips parted as she put pressure on your pulse points with her fingertips and suddenly she bounced harder on you and it was hard for you to suppress your moans, making you bite down on your lip.

"You feel so good. I want your cock inside me everyday." Jennie whined out and your hips bucked, making her ground her hips with every move, her ass slapping against the skin of your thighs- suddenly the sounds in the room got a bit louder than they should with the creaking bed and the slapping of your skins. You took in a deep breath as she loosened her grip for a second before it slowly came back.

Her juices were covering your cock fully and were running down to your base, smearing all over you both. She threw her head back when she used her free hand on her clit, using her fingers to rub it which made her arch her back. "Y/n..." She panted, your name beautifully rolling off her tongue while her pussy was letting out beautifully lewd sounds from how sopping it was.

You hummed, feeling close from how she was riding you, the girl not stopping in her movements even if she was getting tired by now. Desperate pants for air came from her mouth, her hand still around your neck but the grip loose as she was lost in her own pleasure.

Jennie moved her hand away from your neck, her eyes shut and she used her hand to hold onto her own boob. Her legs tensed up again as she played with her own nipple and you watched in a daze as the girl was basically using you like a sex toy, focusing on her own pleasure although you were in heaven just from how she was riding you. The way her breasts would bounce with her, her ass slapping hard on your thighs, her hips bucking into her own finger- she was fucking herself and not you which only turned you on so much more that you would bust any second.

"Fuck, fuck, oh fuck." Jennie's high pitched moan was above a whisper as she tensed up on top of you, her thighs squeezing and her ass grounding down on you as she came, still rolling her hips though. You watched her hips buck again into her own fingers that were rubbing her sensitive clit with her lower lip between her teeth. "Fuck." She let out as another heat wave ran through her body, her orgasm only intensifying, making her moan at how good the warmth that spread through her felt.

"I'm gonna cum." You informed her as the rolling of her hips never stopped, despite the aftershocks of her own orgasm Jennie got off you just in time as she took you into her hand, with one stroke your cum spurted right onto her thigh and hand as she was straddling your thighs, a moan escaping your lips again. Your warm cum splattering onto her warm skin.

You sighed before taking in a deep breath, your eyes closing. You heard some shuffling on the bed and you opened your eyes, seeing Jennie gather her pyjamas despite the wobble in her tired legs after riding you. "Leaving?" You asked, swallowing the dryness in your throat.

Jennie turned to look at you, still naked as she used your boxers to wipe away the cum on her thigh before dropping them back on the floor. "Want me to stay?" She asked with some hope in her voice- the girl thinking you wanted her to leave already. You licked your dry lips and looked at her, the glimmering in her eyes was something else but you couldn't pinpoint what- post orgasm.

"Just lock the door." Jennie smiled as she dropped her pyjamas back onto the floor and locked the door. You moved to lay right by the wall, pulling the covers over you, holding them up for Jennie who climbed into the bed after locking the wooden door. She got under the covers with you and you raised your eyebrows slightly as she instantly snuggled into you, hugging your waist with her head under your chin- just like the first time and you hugged her.

-

In the morning Jennie snuck out of your room and headed straight for the shower before anyone could see her leaving your room.

The rest of the family vacation was spent like always except the little rendezvous you two would have every night after everyone was already sleeping. You honestly had never had so much sex in just a week, it was multiple times every night and your dick was basically sore as you were packing up to leave at the end of the two-week vacation.

She had milked you dry and wasn't going to stop once you got back home either.

Morals were something you two would have to think about once you wouldn't be clouded by lust and desire.

[wolfjackle-creates]

Bring Me Home Arc 3 Part 5

So it's been about 3 weeks since my promised update. Oops. Main issue was breaking my first bone as I'm sure most of you saw. On my right wrist, of course. And being right handed, meant I could barely type for that first week.

But also this is a transition section of the story. And I was struggling with how to best write said transition. I am finally happy with it, though. To make up for being so late, this is a long one! Hope you enjoy. The total word count for this arc is now up to 9.6k. Do with that as you will.

Story Summary: Jack and Maddie install a new ghost shield on the house which activates the moment Danny tries to step into his home. His secret is out and his parents are determined to excise the ghost from their son.

Luckily Danny isn't alone. The Young Justice, Sam, Tucker, and Jazz aren't going to leave him to suffer.

Arc 1: AO3

Arc 2: AO3; Tumblr - First, Last

Arc 3: First, Previous

Word Count: 3.6k (Told you it was a long one!)

-----

Pain was a constant through the rest of that never-ending drive. Danny would wake screaming from the nightmares only to continue screaming from the pain.

Tim was there every time. His words were soft and soothing, even when Danny couldn’t make out their meaning between the throbbing of his human chest and aching core. Any time he woke, Tim did his best to force ectoplasm and liquid foods down his throat. If Danny couldn’t manage even that much, he was given more of Frostbite’s ice chips.

When they finally, finally stopped for the last time, Danny cried in relief. Kon carried him out of the van, a blanket under him as a makeshift stretcher. TTK meant that he was held perfectly flat even though Kon was only holding one end.

Tim’s worried face peered down at him. “Kon’s going to fly you up, okay? I’ll let you in through the window. I’ve disabled all cameras, so no one will see you.”

Danny think he nodded. He wanted to. He must’ve done something because Tim brushed his fingers across Danny’s forehead, nodded, and disappeared from view. Then Danny was leaving the van. For the first time in Clockwork only knew how long. It was daytime, but the sky was overcast and gray.

When Kon flew with him, it wasn’t the weightlessness of his own flight. Instead, he felt like they were fighting gravity. He hated it.

But it was only the matter of a few moments before they approached an open window and Kon carried him in. He was in too much pain to take in most of the room, but he did see a TV bigger than any he’d seen outside of Sam’s home theater.

Kon didn’t stop, and he was carried into another room—a bedroom As they approached the bed, the sheets folded back on their own. Kon set him down as gently as possible, but pain shot up from his chest at even the slight change of position.

He stopped breathing, even the movements of his lungs were too much. Instead he just let the pain wash over him. Wave after wave of it. Vaguely, he was aware of someone grabbing his hand, of voices above him.

Gloved hands pressed something cold to his lips and Danny gratefully took the ice and the numbing coolness it promised. Not enough for full relief, nothing could give that right now. But by the time it was gone, he could at least think through the pain.

This time when he opened his eyes, he saw Tim’s worried face, Kon standing behind him.

“Back with us?” asked Tim.

Danny grimaced and nodded. He tried a shallow breath. It hurt, but he could somewhat function through it. “Sorry.”

Tim rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to hear apologies from you for at least a month. This isn’t your fault.”

“Sorry,” Danny repeated.

Tim just huffed. “How’s the bed? Do you need anything? Extra pillows?”

Danny bit his lip and let himself feel. The bed was soft. As far from the feel of the exam table as it was possible to be. It was also leagues better than the camping mattress he’d been using in the van. Honestly, it was probably better than his mattress back home. And the pillow was the perfect height for lying on his back. “It’s good.”

The look Tim gave him made Danny think he wasn’t believed, but after a moment Tim just nodded. “If you’re sure. Now, Kon and I are going to have to change your bandages and reapply the necessary creams and poultices. After, I want you to try and eat a little more.”

Danny groaned, already dreading the procedure. But it had to be done. He ignored the tears he couldn’t stop and met Tim’s eyes. “Just do it.”

Kon grimaced. “I’ll make it quick.”

Danny tried to smile back but he knew he failed when neither Kon nor Tim looked any less concerned. “I know. Thanks.”

And it was true. Kon’s TTK made the process so much easier that it would have been otherwise. However, there was no way to make it entirely painless. Especially when removing the final layer. Danny couldn’t keep from crying out as the gauze stuck to his wounds. Finally, his chest was bared to the world. Danny trembled with the pain of it before gathering his courage and looking down.

This was his first time seeing his chest since he’d been pulled out of the lab. The incisions were inflamed and leaking, though they were already scabbing over. Green ectoplasm and red blood mingled in the secretions.

Tim and Kon didn’t wait for him to catalog every mark, however. They quickly passed jars of Frostbite’s concoctions to each other and set to work covering every area of his chest. Cold spread in the wake of their ministrations and Danny nearly wept in relief.

“This is already looking better, Danny,” said Tim.

Danny scoffed, then winced as it pulled at the injuries. He clenched his eyes shut as he reminded his body he didn’t need to breathe.

“He’s right,” said Kon. “I don’t think even I’d be healing this quickly from injuries like yours.”

Danny didn’t say anything as they continued to work. When they were done with the medications, Kon reapplied the bandages. Tim gave him another piece of ice which Danny took with relief.

Danny mumbled a thanks around the ice.

“Anytime,” said Kon. “Mind if I take a picture of you so everyone can see you’re safe in Gotham now? Sam’s been texting me non-stop asking for updates.”

Sam’s concern is what finally allowed Danny to smile for the first time since he’d returned home and his parents had learned his secret. “Pull up the sheet first. And just to her and Tuck and Jazz, please. I don’t want your entire team to see me like this.”

“’Course,” agreed Kon. Without Kon moving at all, the sheet rose up out of the blankets at the base of the bed and covered him up to his neck. Kon then took out his phone and snapped a photo before tapping at the screen.

Immediately it started ringing in his hands.

“Are you up for talking to them?” asked Tim.

Danny shook his head. “Want to, can’t.”

Kon waved him off. “I’ll tell them what’s up. Eat something and get some sleep.” Kon turned away. As he left the room, Danny hear him answer the phone with a, “Hey, babe,” before he shut the door, muffling all noise.

“Yogurt, applesauce, or pudding?” asked Tim once they were alone.

“Do I have to?”

“Yes. And another vial of ectoplasm.”

Danny sighed and asked for the applesauce. He only managed a few bites alternated with sips of ectoplasm before darkness pulled him under once more.

---

A throbbing pain slowly dragged him out of the blackness. He tried to cling to unconsciousness, but the throbbing was inescapable. With a quiet moan, he blinked awake in a dark room. For once, he was able to think past the pain. It was a constant, throbbing presence, but not as all consuming as it had been.

The mattress he was lying on was soft. So, so different to the hard table that had been his bed for those long hours in the lab. He twisted his head and rotated his jaw, relieved when the action wasn’t hindered by harsh restraints.

He was in Gotham, out of their reach. Tim was here and he was safe.

He was safe from his parents. His parents had— had— Danny’s breath caught and he couldn’t finish the thought. He pulled in a gasping breath. The ball in the back of his throat made it so hard to breathe.

He’d just… never thought they’d actually do it. He’d been so sure that once they realized who he was, they’d hug him and continue to love him. He couldn’t hold back the sob, loud in the silent room. His eyes burned and he didn’t even try to stop the tears.

Next to him, on the floor, blankets rustled and Danny tensed.

“Danny?” asked a sleepy voice from the floor. Tim was here?

“Sorry,” choked out Danny through ragged breaths. He was safe. His parents hated him. Nothing would ever be the same again.

“Don’t be.” The mattress dipped next to him as Tim sat down. “It’d be weird if you didn’t have a few breakdowns.”

“What’s going to happen to them?” Danny tried to wrap his arms around himself, but cried out at even the light pressure on his chest.

Tim pushed aside the thin sheet he’d been covered in and grabbed one of his hands. Danny clung to him until the sharp pain faded. And when it did, his breathing was more normal. His core still ached at the thought of his parents, but the physical pain had helped chase away the panic attack. At least for now.

“What’s going to happen to them?” he asked again; this time his voice was more stable.

“They’ve been picked up by the Justice League. Tucker is helping with getting all their files transferred to document their history. Jazz and Sam have been giving reports on their behavior, lab and home safety measures, and their actions. Others have begun questioning the general public on Amity. There’s currently a few magic users there trying to determine if they can shut down the portal.”

Something in Danny screamed out at the idea of the portal being gone and he tensed. “No! They can’t shut it down! Please, you can’t. It’s— I— you can’t.”

“What? What are you talking about? We have to at least look for a way to shut it down!”

He was crying. Why was he crying. “You can’t,” Danny repeated. “If it’s gone…” he trailed off. Why did he feel so strongly about this? The portal had done nothing but cause him problems since it had turned on. “I died there. I died for it,” he whispered. Something in him knew it was important. His ghost half refused to accept that the portal could just disappear. “If it’s gone, if it can just be turned off, what was it all for?”

And even that wasn’t the full story. The portal was his parents’ life work. It was the thing they spent time working on. It was what stole them away from Danny and Jazz. They missed Jazz’s recitals to work on it. They missed Danny’s science fairs. Every forgotten dinner or event could be tied back to that portal. And if it was gone, what was the point of it all?

Tim sighed and squeezed his hand. “We can’t just leave it open, Danny. It’s not safe.”

“I can design a door. A better one. One that actually works. Just… Leave it. Please. I can make it safe.”

Tim bit his lip and stared at Danny for a minute. “I’ll let them know it’s an option. I don’t know if they’ll go for it. Constantine is not happy with it existing. But I’ll see what I can do.”

Danny’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Thank you.”

Tim gave a half smile. “What are friends for? Now, think you’re up for something to eat? What do you want?”

Danny groaned. “Don’t wanna.”

Tim ruffled his hair. “Sorry, Polaris. Non-negotiable.”

“Chocolate pudding?” asked Danny.

“Sure. We can—”

Before Tim finished, a knock sounded on the door. “Someone ask for chocolate pudding?” called out Kon.

Tim laughed. “Come on in!” Without delay, the door opened and Kon walked in. It shut on its own behind him.

Even Danny couldn’t hold back the smile. He really had some great friends. “Spying on me, are you?” he asked.

“Not my fault you were talking so loud. Woke me up and everything!”

Danny, very maturely, stuck out his tongue. The grief he felt over his parents was hiding, ready to rear up again at any minute, but for now he had two friends with him. He would focus on that.

For the first time, Danny ate the entire pudding container and drank an entire vial of ectoplasm and wasn’t ready to pass out when he was done.

“Can we put on a movie or something? I don’t want to sit in the dark and quiet right now,” said Danny.

“’Course, Polaris,” said Tim. “What do you want to watch?”

“Kon, where’d we leave off in your movie list?” asked Danny.

But Kon held up his hands and shook his head. “I’m definitely going to fall asleep halfway through if we’re watching a movie. Pick whatever you want and don’t bring me into it.”

Danny pouted at him, but didn’t push. Kon hadn’t spent the last however many days sleeping. So he squeezed Tim’s hand and asked, “Then how about we put on some Star Trek? Short episodes and if we fall asleep, we’ve already seen them.”

Tim’s teeth were bright in the dark as he grinned. “I can definitely arrange that. You just lie there and keep looking pretty and I’ll pull it up. TOS or TNG?”

“What the hell does that mean?” asked Kon.

Both Danny and Tim ignored him. “I’m far from pretty,” retorted Danny. At Tim’s look, he rolled his eyes and said, “TOS.”

“Coming right up!”

Mounted to the wall facing the foot of the bed was a TV, smaller than the one in the living room, but still bigger than the one he had in his living room back home. Within minutes the opening, “Space, the final frontier,” rang through the room.

“Sorry, bit loud,” said Tim before adjusting it down a touch.

Danny didn’t bother replying as the episode started. Then Tim handed over a water bottle and settled back on the floor.

“What are you doing down there?” asked Danny.

“Getting comfortable? Where else would I go?”

Danny rolled his eyes, not that anyone could see. “This bed is huge. Sit next to me.”

“Won’t that jostle you?”

“Kon, move me over closer to the edge. Then you and Tim can join me.”

Kon laughed. “I think I’m going to go back to bed. I’m a morning person, unlike you two. But sure, I’ll move you to make room for Tim.”

Danny grit his teeth as Kon put his hands under his shoulders. Then he was wrapped in the strange sensation of TTK and his entire body was picked up and moved closer to the edge of the bed. Even as gentle as he was, pain radiated at the movement.

Danny clenched his eyes shut and stopped breathing until it passed. When it did, he slowly blinked open his eyes until the black spots faded and patted the bed next to him. “Get in, Secrets.”

“Are you sure?”

Danny glared and Tim grinned sheepishly as did as instructed.

But then he still tried to leave too much space. “Get closer.”

Tim grumbled under his breath, but shifted over a few more inches. He was sitting more upright than Danny was, but it was fine. Danny leaned his head against Tim’s side and finally let himself pay attention to the episode.

Next to him, Tim stiffened, but then relaxed and rested a hand on Danny’s head. “I’m glad you’re here, Polaris.”

Danny just hummed and let the show and Tim’s warmth help chase away the panic and grief he could still feel waiting for him.

---

Within two days, Danny was mostly able to sit upright. Frostbite’s medicines really were miraculous. Though he wished he could go to the Far Frozen and get stuck in a pod unconscious for a few hours and wake up fully healed.

He was video chatting with Ellie on the PDA Tucker had left him, complaining about being confined to bed.

She grimaced in sympathy. “I hate being stuck in one place.”

Danny laughed, then winced. “Trust me, gremlin, we know. You can’t even stay in the same city for more than a week.”

Ellie frowned and looked off to the side.

“What’s wrong?”

“What if—” she cut herself off and bit on her lip. Danny let her collect her thoughts. “I’ve been thinking of joining you. In Gotham.”

“What?” Danny was pretty sure his mouth was hanging open. Ellie had never expressed an interest in coming to stay with him before, instead prioritizing her travels through both Earth and the Realms. “You want to come here?”

She frowned and glared at him. “You told me Superboy is there! And he’s a clone, too. I want to meet him.” Then she looked away. More quietly, she added, “’Sides, who’s gonna be able to keep your ass safe from ghosts if someone decides to attack while you’re injured? You certainly can’t protect yourself right now.”

For the first time since his parents captured him, Danny felt his core trill in happiness. She cared about him. “Of course you can come. I know Kon’s been hoping to meet you one of these days, too.”

She grinned widely at him. “Great.” She spun her PDA around and showed off the aerial view of a city. When she turned it back, she paused on the gargoyle she was sitting next to. “Because I’m already here. How do I find you?”

Danny’s mouth was hanging open again. “You— Ellie!” But he was grinning and holding back laughter, too. “I have no idea. Let me call in Kon and Tim. Maybe one of them can direct you.”

He didn’t even have to call for them before Kon was pushing open his door. “You need us?” he asked.

“Ellie wants to visit. Can one of you tell her how to get here?”

“Sure,” said Tim. “Where is she?”

Danny shrugged and held out the PDA. “Somewhere in the city. But I don’t know where.”

Tim blinked at him for a moment before shrugging and taking the device. “Well that makes it easier.” He looked down at the screen. “Hey, Ellie.”

“Oh my god, you’re Superboy! Huge fan,” she exclaimed. Kon had shoved himself next to Tim so he could see her.

He grinned. “I’m a huge fan of you, too. Sam’s told me some stories.”

“Glad you’re not dead anymore.”

Danny smacked his face when he heard her say that. Tim froze, wearing a fixed smile that Danny could see right through.

“Just tell them where you are,” said Danny as loud as he could.

“I’m getting there!” protested Ellie.

Kon burst out laughing. “I like you, Ellie.”

Danny couldn’t quite make out her reply, but it was enough to get Tim back into the conversation. “Turn invisible and fly down to the street. Show me the nearest street sign, okay? And then I’ll help you get here.”

“Or I could just fly out and meet her and bring her myself,” offered Kon.

“Yes!” cried Ellie. “That!”

Tim shrugged. “Just show us the nearest street sign, okay? I’ll figure out a good landmark for Kon to meet you at.”

Danny let his mind drift as they discussed potential meeting spots. Not even ten minutes later, Kon left.

Tim ran his hands through his hair and returned the PDA to Danny. “They should be back within twenty minutes. Anything we should get ready for Ellie?”

Danny shrugged. “No idea when the last time she ate would’ve been. Couldn’t hurt to have something ready.”

“Fine. I’ll blend you a smoothie and put a pizza in the oven. And set up the couch for her to sleep on.”

“Thanks, Secrets.”

“’Course, Polaris. Need anything before I go?”

Danny waved him off. “I’m good.”

Once he was alone, he pulled up the group chat with Sam, Tucker, and Jazz.

Danny: Ellie’s come to gotham Jazz: Oh good! She arrived. How’s she doing? Danny: You knew she was on her way? And didn’t tell me Danny: Betrayal! Danny: She and Kon haven’t made it to the apartment yet. He just left to find her Sam: Oh good. Have Ellie talk to him about the benefits of stealing child support from an unethical creator Tucker: I’m sure both Tim and I will be *thrilled* to help him out Danny: He’s not stealing his child support? Sam: Nope. He’s an idiot about it. Danny: We gotta fix that Jazz: Tell us when she’s there! Jazz: Have Tim or Kon send a picture of the two of you Danny: Really? I’m still bed bound! Jazz: Picture. Jazz: It’s an order.

Danny groaned, but he was grinning through it. His friends were the best. He closed out of the chat and pulled up a game to kill time until Ellie got there.

He only made it through a level and a half before he heard a squealed, “Danny!” and running footsteps.

Ellie came to an abrupt stop at the side of his bed. Her hoodie had a few new patches since the last time he saw her, and she was frowning as she looked him over. “Are you really going to be okay?”

Danny held out an arm. “Come here, gremlin.”

She hesitated, but when he didn’t say anything else, she climbed into bed with him and Danny wrapped his arm around her in a gentle hug. He wished he could hug her tighter, but this would have to do.

“I’ll recover. Promise. I’m already doing better.”

“This is you doing better?” sniffed Ellie.

Danny winced. Maybe he shouldn’t have said that. “I know. It’s a lot. Feels like a lot to me, too. But I’m okay. Or I will be.”

She sniffed and turned her face into his shoulder. Her voice was so soft he could barely hear it. “I can’t lose any more brothers.”

Danny’s eyes burned at that and he patted her shoulder. “I’m safe now. I promise. You’re not gonna lose me.” He wiped away his own tears as she shook under his arm. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and wished things had been different in so many ways.

-----

A wild Danielle appeared! I've been waiting to introduce her. Next big introduction will be some of Tim's siblings.

Honestly, there's a few things I was excited about introducing this segment! Can you guess the other big reveal I've been sitting on?

I'm going to wait to write any more of Arc 3 until I get all of Arc 2 on AO3. I've ended up rewriting more than I planned on, so editing is taking longer than I expected. Also the wrist. That hindered things a bit, too.

If you want notifications when I update, please check out my Subscription Post.

[themyscirah]

What runs/stories do you recommend for someone starting WW? Could you please be specific (/nicely)

Yeah ofc!

My Wonder Woman Starter Recs (specific style 😎)

First stops: for an initial introduction to Wonder Woman, I'd generally recommend going to at least one of three places first. These three are:

Wonder Woman: Historia: The Amazons by Kelly Sue DeConnick

Wonder Woman: Year One by Greg Rucka

Wonder Woman: the Hiketeia by Greg Rucka

Of these I generally recommend reading Historia first, as it's a retelling of the origin of the Amazons as a race and how Diana came to be (so it essentially starts from the beginning) and is also the most recent of the them (if that means anything). Something to note about Historia though is that it's a DC Black Label book, so it's events aren't strictly canon in the main DCU and there are some changes and new elements present. I don't think this is something that should discourage anyone from reading it though, it's the best WW origin story out there, and even in strict main canon over the years her origin is one that has had many fluctuations and small (& sometimes big) changes. WW:Historia is three prestige format (longer) issues.

You'll notice the third book there is WW: The Hiketeia. Hiketeia is a great book if you're looking for a view into Diana as a professional and experienced hero. It's a graphic novel so standalone and not too long, and has a great Diana and really interesting plot (Diana vows to protect a young woman and finds herself pressed against the wheels of Greek Tragedy). This is also the first work with Diana done by Greg Rucka, one of her most prolific and loved writers. A sampling of this work (and also Historia) I think gives a good guide to where to go next in terms of runs on her main title.

Wonder Woman: Year One is the second book on the list up there, but I'm mentioning it last here as it's a bit more complicated in terms of format. Unlike other year one books, WW: Year One is actually a series of issues on her main title, showcasing Diana's arrival to man's world in Rebirth (and also current p sure) continuity. The issue numbering for this one is strange (only the even issues 2-14 on WW (2016)) so I recommend looking for this in trade form if possible.

These 3 books I think give a taste of some of the best standalone stuff in the Wonder Woman mythos, and give the reader a good idea of where they may want to go next in terms of longer runs on the title. So I'll break that down here as a Step 2.

STEP 2: WHERE NEXT?

Here I break down some highly recommended runs based on what they have in common with the standalone books from step 1. As a rule, these runs are going to be much longer than the above and generally more connected to the wider DCU and other books. Look for the italics to see the introduction to each new work. Explanation paragraphs follow after each italic/bold rec.

Curious about Greek mythology in WW and the Amazons' origins after reading Historia? Liked the prescence of a supporting cast and Diana learning about Man's World from Year One? Willing to read a longer run? I recommend: Wonder Woman by George Pérez

George Pérez's time on Wonder Woman totally reinvented the character after Crisis on Infinite Earths, and is fundamental in establishing many core concepts of her lore. At 62 issues, 2 annuals, and a 4-issue crossover event at the end (War of the Gods), it's definitely a commitment to read, but it's the most enduring and well-loved run on Wonder Woman for a reason--it's just that damn good. Lots of focus on mythology (although with a lighter tone than Historia) alongside Diana learning her role in relation to Man's World & establishing herself as a hero and ambassador. Pérez's run also has almost-certainly the most expansive and developed supporting cast in WW comics, something that really drives the emotional core of the series, especially in later issues. Obligatory note that this series was written between 1987 and 1992 and contains some very occasional aspects that I thought were in some way dated/uncomfortable etc. while reading (details of Cheetah's origin, depiction of the Bana-Mighdall, Hercules) but despite that I still highly, highly recommend this run. The word fundamental cannot begin to describe it.

Liked the experienced Diana of the Hiketeia? Interested to see her attempt to balance the high stakes responsibilities of an ambassador and superhero? Looking for some really badass moments and fights? Haven't read enough terrible tragedy? I suggest: Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka 2003 EDITION.

Some of Diana's coolest moments of all time are collected here. Also one of her most controversial. The 1st Rucka run is very much the story for anyone who liked the Diana of the Hiketeia and the tragedy of that and Historia. 2003 Rucka Diana is a Diana tested, forced to make decisions that are anything but easy, and live with the consequences. She's extraordinarily capable, but her enemies know that and are prepared to that end. This run, along with the Pérez run, rank among my favorite Wondy comics of all time (those and Historia are my top 3). This run is such peak Diana, especially in terms of sheer badassery. Her final confrontation with Medusa is in my opinion perhaps the greatest Wonder Woman fight scene of all time. Her encounter with Athena in the second-to-last issue breaks me every time. Cannot recommend this book more.

*a note abt this run is that it is more context-dependent than the other ones listed here, as it's the run that finishes out the Wonder Woman vol. 2 book and so has some guest appearances from characters introduced in other prior runs (Artemis of Bana-Mighdall, Cassie Sandsmark, and Vanessa Kapatelis, to name a few). I read this run before knowing much (if anything) about any of them, and still enjoyed it a lot, so I wouldn't be worried about this really but just thought I'd mention it.

Rucka's 2003 run is published from Wonder Woman (1987) #195-226. You can also find it in trade and I believe(?) omnibus. Sometimes the Hiketeia is included in collections of this series, as the 03 run is thematically similar in many places, just with a much deeper look at Diana and the world & with higher stakes.

Liked the specific characters and plot threads of Wonder Woman: Year One? Want to see what happens with Diana's exile, or learn more about Barbara Ann? Want a Diana in between the extremes of young and highly experienced? Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka 2016 EDITION may be for you.

...yes I'm putting ANOTHER Rucka book on here. He writes a great Diana, what can I say. This run is the same one that Year One came out of, just the follow ups to that story and versions of the characters. I have this run listed as separate from Year One though, as there's some really big time skips since the events of that first volume. A lot of time has passed since then, and there's more history between the characters, not all of it without drama. This run continues to be weird with the numbering, as well as some artist changes, so I definitely recommend looking into reading this in trade format (physical or digital) if at all possible. My recommended reading order is WW 2016 by Rucka vol. 2 "The Lies" (Wonder Woman: Rebirth Special #1, followed by 2016 main title odd numbered issues 1-11), then Rucka 16 vol. 3 "The Truth" (odds 13-23) then Godwatch (evens 16 through 24) followed by 25? But The Truth and Godwatch combine near the end so that doesn't really work either. This run is so good but recommending it is such a pain because the numbering is so all over the place. On God I never know which order to read this in. Going to revoke my previous statement and say read it as Rebirth Special 1, then only odds 1 through 11, then from 13 through 25 normally. That may lead to some weirdness as you read because the two stories take place at different times and have different art styles, but they come together at the end pretty dramatically so I think it's less confusing to read it this way? Maybe? So strange bc this is one of the go to good starter runs and yet it's set up so unintuitively. If someone has a better way to read this then let me know and ill edit, ik this explanation is super confusing bc neither way to read it is totally ideal imo and I feel I definitely read it in a weird order.

Going to call that a good rundown of some of my greatest recommendations in terms of Wonder Woman comics. If anything wasn't fully clear here or anyone (not just anon) has questions or wants to talk abt WW comics/my choices feel free to send as many asks or dms as you want. Have a good day everybody, & as Diana says, may the glory of Gaea be with you <3

[lobotomiesatclaires]

Since you favor platonic requests may i request another ZZZ hc or analysis?

It's about: which character has the best potential to be a parent? Wither parent-figuer or an actual parent based on their traits, vibes, personality and..etc.

If you want you can pick anyone from any team: Victorian housekeeper, belbong..etc.

Sure! I like both platonic and romantic equally but I think it can be interesting to break down characters in a non romantic way. I think for Zenless, I would break it down into 3 categories.

1. Would want kids and be a good parent

Anton Anton is definitely in this category. I see him as a very caring and open-minded parent. He's the kind of dad who’d proudly attend a Pride parade and cheer his child on for coming out. He wouldn’t see a child with a disability or who is neurodivergent as any different from anyone else. I don’t think he’d have a gender preference either; he’d put 100% of his effort into finding common ground with his child and helping them discover a shared hobby. He would work overtime if it meant paying for your education or a present you really wanted for the holidays.

Harumasa Harumasa also belongs here, though it’s bittersweet because of his chronic illness. He’d be the kind of dad who’s always there for his child, never leaving them in doubt of his love. If he passed away early in their life, he’d leave behind 20 years’ worth of letters and buy future birthday and wedding presents in advance, ensuring that a part of him would still be with them. I imagine Harumasa would prefer to be a girl dad. He has beef with a lot of the men in ZZZ, and I joke with my friend that he’s a bit of a misandrist.

Yanagi Yanagi is already canonically a great mom to Soukaku, and I think she’d continue to be a calm and balanced mother. I also lean toward seeing her as a girl mom. She might be a little exacting in her expectations, but only because she wants the absolute best for her child.

2. Didn’t plan on having kids but would step up

Wise Wise was somewhat of a parentified child, so I don’t think he’d be thrilled about the idea of becoming a parent. He knows how hard it can be, and he’s a constant worrier. But once the child became real, he’d think the world of them. He’s the type to wake his partner at 3 a.m. saying, “If I die, the passcode to our bank account is in the third drawer, and our child’s birth certificate is in my lockbox,” then fall back asleep. It would leave his partner panicked and wide awake.

Lighter I joke that Lighter would find out someone is pregnant and immediately need to go on a long drive to calm down. He would joke about going out for milk and come back 4 hours later. He’d have a deep fear of fatherhood and of messing up his child. A small part of him might believe they’d be better off without him, but his conscience would never let him walk away. He’d end up being very overprotective but emotionally distant, possibly forcing his partner into the role of emotional translator. After a fight, he’d bring his child a plate of fruit as an apology.

Seth Seth ends up here not because he wouldn’t be a great dad, but because I don’t think he’d plan on having children—it would just happen. That said, I can see him taking extended leave to bond with his kids. It would be important to him that they don’t view him as an absent father. He’d be flexible in his partnership too. He wouldnt mind whether he's staying at home or being the breadwinner, he’d be supportive and adaptable. Kids like him too and he understands his children, he would never demean their emotions as not important.

3. Wouldn’t want kids / Would have reservations / Could go either way

Jane Doe As cynical as Jane is, this one really could go either way. On her own, there’s no way she’d want children. But with the right partner, I could see her softening to the idea. Parenthood might even be healing for her, seeing that something so pure and perfect came from her might help her believe she’s not as bad as she subconsciously fears. She might hold back certain parts of herself as a mother, but in a more paternal role, I think she could be a great parent—if that makes sense.

Nicole Nicole just doesn’t strike me as the parental type. She has motherly tendencies and a lot of empathy, but actual parenthood? I don’t think so. I imagine she’d get her tubes tied to ensure she doesn’t get pregnant. Honestly, all of the Cunning Hares seem like the childfree type. Maybe it comes with Hollow raiding. Again with her tendency to pick up strays she might be open to adoption but I feel like Anby she is not thrilled to bring innocents into the crossfire of her job.

Anby The only way I see Anby being a mother is through adoption. With her dangerous lifestyle and past, I don’t think she’d want to put a child through the pain of wondering if she’ll come home each day. Her parenting style would likely be cold but efficient. I think similar to Lycaon, but even more hands-off and seemingly unemotional. Her child might view her more as a benefactor than an emotional presence or parent. I think she would love her child but it might not feel that way to the child in question.

[child0feden]

LOVE PSALM

pelle “ dead ” ohlin x hypersexual! reader

- general dating headcanons for pelle with a hypersexual partner!

i am not hypersexual myself so i am super sorry if i butchered this badly… if any part of this is wrong or offensive, please tell me and i will remove it or fix it <3

- requested by a user on ao3 | view my metal masterlists here and here

reading music recommendations: human sacrifice by gorgoroth - love psalm by akira yamaoka

- you and pelle are kind of major polar opposites!

✩ pelle really barely has a sex drive at all, his mind is always far too busy with other thoughts to really have any actual desire for sex…

- you, on the other hand, have a hyper sex drive, to a point where it often affects your life in a very negative way

✩ honestly i can see pelle finding it pretty intriguing, when he first meets you or you first start dating he will likely be just a little tiny bit intrusive and ask a whole lot of questions about it

- his questions will really come out of absolutely nowhere too, you will just be sitting next to him on the couch or on your shared bed and boom

“ what is it like? is it always? have you been like it for long? ” ( he does not even turn towards you to ask and keeps his eyes on the tv in front of the couch or the windows of your room )

✩ it actually takes you a couple seconds to register what the hell he is even asking!

- if you maybe tell him to relax a little because the questions are way too… personal per say, he will go quiet and nod, mumbling something that sounds like a genuine apology as he realises that maybe he pushed too much

✩ however after you have been dating for a little while, pelle has seen firsthand just how bad this effects you and how it is not just some little intriguing thing in your life

- i mean, he is still very much intrigued by it but he treats it much more sensitively and only asks questions about how it is when you are comfortable and having a good day

✩ when you tell him your boundaries, what he should and should not do, he is pretty understanding… listening intently and nodding, making sure to actually listen to what you are saying to him and keep it all in his mind

- you do not really have to worry too much with him though, he is not insanely fond of touching and other things that could possibly affect you negatively

✩ pelle tries his absolute best to help you through it, especially the really bad days!

- due to all of his mental health difficulties, he can have a lot of bad days too but now that he has you? he often feels like he needs to pull through, for you and to help you too

✩ pelle often just tries to help by distracting you from the overwhelming feelings you are having, showing you some new little bones he collected from the woods or recent drawings he did, even offering to go on a walk through the woods with you if you think it would help

- whenever you are with him at the house he shares with his band mates, he will hide any and all pornographic material he finds! shoving playboy magazines into drawers and porn tapes under couches just so that they have no possibility of affecting you

✩ he wants you to at least feel almost fine in the house…

- if it is a really bad day and absolutely nothing is helping you try to get your mind away from sexual urges, pelle will have sex with you, just so that you are not as nervous and restless

✩ often times he will just lay back on his mattress and gesture for you to come over, letting you take control and do what you need to do, mumbling comforting words towards you

“ it’s okay… not your fault, you’re okay… ” ( there is a look of love and almost understanding in his eyes, as if he understands what you are going through but in a different way )

- after you are done doing what you need to do, he probably will not cuddle with you but he will throw an arm over you and softly stoke your hair as you both stare up at the ceiling

✩ but if having sex a lot is something that you just need to do and nothing can ever really distract you, it is the exact same!

- he will gladly help you through it, letting you be on top and do what you need to do! gently holding your hips and letting out quiet groans and moans

✩ but if it is a day where he is particularly tired and restless, he will just let you masturbate or finger you! kissing your thighs and mumbling loving words into your soft skin

- he just always wants to help you, you tell him what you need and he will do it, anything to help you through it

✩ pelle will really try to steer you away from alcohol too, he obviously does not stop you from having a drink or two but if he starts seeing you pick it up as a coping mechanism or something similar?

- yeah no, that is where he steps in so fast! he absolutely will not be having that… he is much smarter than i think some people give him credit for, he is very aware of how much damage things can do, even as such a young guy

✩ if you are on any medication to try and help you, he will always quietly and gently remind you to take it when you need to

- usually reminding you by bringing over the small plastic pill box and mumbling something before going to grab a glass of water for you to swallow the pill easier

“ here… you haven’t taken your pill yet, i’ll get you some water… ” ( again, he is very on top of things like this when it comes to you, he really wants to help you and keep you safe and healthy )

✩ i think in a strange way, pelle would almost relate to you and your urges

- not in the exact same way but how it feels to have uncontrollable urges, he knows that and he is familiar with that as it is so similar to his self harming… the urges he gets to hurt himself, those urges that he often cannot control

✩ pelle really just wants you to know that you are not some burden in his life, you are not hard to love and there’s nothing wrong with you

- to him, you are everything he has ever wanted and he loves you a whole lot, hyper-sexuality and all <3

[a-bottle-of-tyelenol]

agere aizawa shouta headcanons !!

— requested by anon —

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

🖤 - shouta is a flip with no particular lean and it’s actually really difficult to tell when he’s regressed. he doesn’t talk differently, nor does he really act any differently. he’s self-sufficient and able to do grown up things by himself, which means most of shouta’s regression is purely internal with how he thinks and views things. he’s softer, more open and wanting of affection, and he’s a little less socially aware (typically, he knows the social rules and just disregards them because they’re irrational and pointless. when he’s small, however, he just genuinely misses or forgets them).

🖤 - a fair bit of his regression is rather atypical to what most people would picture. he doesn’t have much interest in childish activities, like coloring or watching cartoons, and he doesn’t have much in terms of gear either. all he really needs is his caregiver, usually hizashi or nemuri, and a cat— either real or in the form of his stuffed one. he does enjoy cuddles and bubble baths, though, and he likes being hizashi’s little helper; sometimes helping grade simpler english assignments and putting stickers on the ones that do well, and other times helping him put stuff in the cart at the grocery store.

🖤 - napping is an absolute must. a lot of shouta’s little time comes from how overworked he is and his brain forcing him to take some time to himself. he likes curling up in a dark corner, away from everyone and everything, and sleeping until someone wakes him. he can’t drive, regardless of how big he is, so he likes when his caregiver sets him up in the back seat and drives around, letting him nap with the quiet rumble of a car and the radio turned down low.

🖤 - he refuses to regress around the kids but sometimes it’s not really his choice. he has multiple systems set in place just in case he’s having a bad day or his brain decides to regress randomly, as it often does when he gets too comfortable. this especially becomes the case when he starts training shinsou and eri gets taken into his care. he’s a chronic compartmentalizer, just like hizashi is, and does his best to keep things as separated as possible.

🖤 - he actually doesn’t like coffee that much and only drinks it for the benefits it gives him. when he’s small, however, he refuses it entirely because it’s gross. he does drink tea, though. one time, nedzu let him hide in the principal’s office because he was regressing at work and the rat thought it very funny to give him his tea cooled down in a sippy cup. shouta nearly quit that day, but he still has the sippy cup on the highest shelf in his kitchen.

🖤 - he likes wearing fuzzy socks when he’s small, always grabbing random ones and wearing them mismatched because he can’t be bothered to find the right pairs. he just likes being comfortable in socks, sweats, and a baggy hoodie (he likes heavier ones because the weight is comforting).

🖤 - he also likes when people do his hair. shouta normally just does the bare minimum with it, keeping it healthy and functional over stylish, and that usually leaves it untangled but still messy and frizzy. he finds himself at his youngest when someone is running their hands through his hair, playing with it or braiding it or washing it during a bath. it’s probably the closest he gets to regressing “normally” (there is no normal way, but you get the point).

🖤 - overall, his regression is heavily used as a means to cope with his past traumas (including how they physically manifest as chronic pain), and he’s just a quiet kid that needs a little more attention than normal. he tries not to bother people because he believes he can handle things on his own, but his friends love him and love taking care of him <3

[ilyuan]

hello,could you write kafka with a fem reader in this scenario: she meets her gfs friends for tje firts time and her gf is usually shy and reserved but more less with her friends. her friends dont know that she got a gf yet so they flirt with her as usual(they always do that)and rest is up to your imagination? like yn being awkward and trying to explain herself lol sorry this is a bit messy but i hpe you undertand! have a nice day and take care <3

I WON’T STEAL HER ! ft. kafka

a/n. apologies that the requests i’m getting are nearly taking a long time to fulfill, it’s partially because of storage and partially because of my mental health, but i’m back i think lawl, and thank you for the request anon! 🤍

cw. fem!reader, kafka gets a lil jealous, ooc himeko, a little ooc kafka? idk lol, tbh idrk what i’m yapping about in some of this i just woke up, i think that’s it lmk if i missed anything 🤍

your girlfriend’s mind was slowly turning into mush because of how much she was overthinking the moment you told her that you were going a little too far away from her to visit your friends.

“kafka, relax, it’s only gonna be for a few hours,” you explained to her, your voice as reassuring as possible, “it should only be for four hours, just like my usual night-shift,” you finish.

“that’s not the only issue, dear,” she contemplates at you, her eyes practically glued onto your frowned expression, “you know i get jealous easily.” she whispers, which you somehow didn’t catch onto.

after enough convincing, here you were with your now stubborn girlfriend.

the magenta-haired woman’s brows furrowed in confusion ever since she noticed how much longer it was taking just to see your friends.

she did pay attention to you telling her that it would take a long time to see your friends, but she didn’t think it would take this long.

not to mention, she’s an impatient woman.

…

after a couple minutes, you turned your view to the darkened screen of your phone, turning up your brightness a little bit.

noticing that kafka was still driving, you texted your friends that you were almost there.

kafka paused her driving.

“who are you texting?”

oh.

as soon as you both finally got to the somewhat big cabin that your friends were in, you noticed kafka’s now calm facade, which you quickly got confused by.

however, not thinking much of it, you creaked the old cabin’s door open and finally met eyes with your overly-enthusiastic friends.

kafka slowly walked in, as if she was accidentally going to break all the wood keeping the cabin up.

you signed and turned your head towards her, to which you were met with her smirking, which you were even more confused by.

“kaf?” you whispered over to her, to which she gasped, then let out a small chuckle.

��sorry, darling, i’m coming,” she emphasized the word ‘darling’ louder than usual to alert your friends of knowing you were hers.

you playfully rolled your eyes at her as she let out another chuckle as soon as she noticed.

knowing kafka was not a stoic woman whatsoever, you had an opportunity to finally introduce her to your somewhat big friend group.

first, there was luka.

luka was practically the dad of the friend group, his outgoing personality making everyone feel as if the atmosphere was warmer than usual in dangerous situations most of the time.

for example, you and everyone else went into the woods and he kept going on and on about how his last wrestling match went, while… winking at you, to emphasize that you were the one that gave him the best luck in that match.

furthermore, you were the only one in your friend group that was excited to go to luka’s matches, that was most likely why.

then, there was serval, the charming rockstar who would never shut up in her room up in the attic of her and gepard’s shared cabin.

…which gepard would usually wake up, breathing heavily as if he was running laps, when in reality serval was practicing for her next concert.

third, jingliu.

she didn’t really do much, she just wandered around and occasionally came to hang out with the rest of your friend group.

as much as you wished she hang out with the rest of you more, she wasn’t really one to have any opportunities to engage in fun activities, her “duties came first” is what her only excuse was.

lastly, himeko.

himeko was never quiet about you, always trying to help you whenever you needed help with relationship advice with kafka.

however, she was more of the playful type than the rest of the friend group.

she always blew fake kisses to you as a joke, and she always had her ways with you, whether it was if you refused to go to the store with her, she would practically beg you either way.

kafka didn’t think much of your friends, she was just trying to get comfortable, to which it took more than a while.

…

and finally, after hours of convincing her to go to the fair with you and your friend group, she finally agreed.

the next couple hours consisted of himeko clinging to your side to what felt like 24/7, even though it was only a day.

kafka quickly noticed, and quickly got uncomfortable.

“…himeko, please,” you begged, “my girlfriend is here,” you continued, your heart beat racing out of nervousness, sighing, to which you were clearly uncomfortable with.

“GIRLFRIEND!?” himeko yelled, probably louder than the screams of the people on roller coasters at this point.

kafka quickly flinched, luka turned around, jingliu who surprisingly came with, blinked a few times, and serval screamed back in agony, a rush of fear quickly flowing through her body for a split second, but then realized it was just himeko screaming.

kafka smirked, walking slowly towards himeko with a menacing gaze and you rolled your eyes at her playfully.

“relax,” you spoke to your magenta-haired girlfriend, who rose her brows and quickly pulled you away.

…

“who is that?” she questioned you, her voice a little shaky, despite trying her best to keep her somewhat seductive demeanor towards you.

“a girl from my friend group,” you replied, raising a brow in confusion.

what kafka didn’t know is that himeko was not interested in you whatsoever, and that himeko was one to be the flirty type of woman.

“ah,” kafka replied, “tell me more about her.”

“[name]!” serval and luka yelled, luka lifting up his mechanical arm in an attempt to wave at you.

you chuckled, your shy demeanor coming back into view.

they both came rushing towards you, eager to ask you if you wanted to go on the highest roller coaster with them after they finish their funnel cake.

“[name]~” luka taunted, walking towards you with a smirk on his face, “luka, go away she’s mine,” serval elbowed him playfully.

kafka’s breath hitched in her throat.

…

nonetheless, she didn’t want to mention anything for now, so she decided to think back on your friends’ question.

kafka, still standing right next to you, raised her brows in confusion because she knew you were not one for roller coasters at all.

“erm-“ kafka interrupted you, to which you gasped, “she doesn’t like going on those,” finishing for you.

you whipped your head to look at her and sighed in relief, tapping her shoulder twice as if letting her know you were okay.

“thank you,” you whispered to her.

little did you know, the only reason why she did that was because she wanted to stay with you for the entire day.

“you can see your friends another day,” was her excuse.

“kaf-“

“shhh,” she interrupted once more, “come home and comfort me, sweetie, will you?” she faked a frown.

“miss, i am not intending to steal your girlfriend, don’t worry,” himeko apologized to the practically frozen-in-place stellaron hunter.

@sugarmouchie do not copy/translate/repost on other platforms, thank you 🤍

[laurenairay]

you've been sent to save me - N. MacKinnon

Summary: what’s meant to be will always find a way.

Rachel Summers can’t stand Nathan MacKinnon. But when a mutual friend’s wedding pulls them together, will anything change?

Words: 3.4k

Warnings: some angst, some bad language

A/N: Here is my fic for @fallinallincurls birthday bingo! I chose wedding season/dates, forced proximity, meddling best friend, and invisible string theory. This was a lot of fun to write (and I can't believe I've never written a full fic for Nate before!), so I hope you enjoy it Bre! Sorry it's a bit late!

Title from always been you, by Shawn Mendes.

~

Invisible string theory suggests that everyone has someone in their lives who is attached to them by an invisible string that transcends time, distance, and geography. It’s fate.

~

June 2023

“There’s just one more thing.”

“Oh?” Rachel asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Nate’s going to be a groomsman.”

Rachel immediately groaned, tilting her head backwards. A little dramatic perhaps but for Nathan MacKinnon? It was justified. She’d been over the moon when her childhood friend had asked her to be a bridesmaid for her wedding next summer, but now knowing that Nathan was going to be in the wedding party too?

“It’s bad enough that I can’t avoid that grumpy smirky fucker whenever he’s back for the summer, but now I can’t even avoid him for the happiest day of your life?”

“It really will be the happiest day of my life, won’t it?” she sighed happily.

“Angie, focus,” Rachel snapped, unable to stop herself from huffing out a laugh. She wanted to stay mad at her friend, but it was hard with the dreamy look on her face.

Angela just giggled. “Look, Brad has been friends with him for years, you know that. And I can’t change that – I’m sure it’ll be fine?”

“Angie!” Rachel whined.

She just laughed harder. “Rach, I will make sure he won’t act like an ass. I promise!”

“I’ll believe that the day I see it.”

~

June 2024

It was finally time for Angela’s wedding. After a full year of planning – helping choose the bridesmaid dresses, the hair and make-up trials, the hen do itself, spending her weekends making table decorations – the fateful weekend had finally arrived. Rachel had been given the option to travel up a couple of days early ahead of the wedding ceremony on the Saturday, so she’d eagerly booked the time off work, and was travelling to Inverary Resort bright and early on the Thursday morning. Rachel was ready to settle in and relax with the rest of the bridal party, all friends over the years from Cole Harbour, to celebrate one of her oldest friends marrying the love of her life.

What could possibly go wrong?

After 3 and a half hours of driving, Rachel was ready to kick her shoes off and pick up a cocktail, and as she spotted Angela running happily out of the main building towards her as she parked her car, she found a smile spreading across her face. This weekend was going to be amazing, she just knew it.

“You made it! How was the journey? We got in a few hours ago and it was fine for us – was it still okay for you?”

Rachel just grinned at her friend’s happy rambling, throwing her shoulder-length dark waves up into a basic ponytail before grabbing her bags out of her backseat. Thankfully the transportation of the bridesmaid dresses – a gorgeous olive green that suited Rachel’s dark hair and tanned skin perfectly -  were taken care of by Angela’s mom so she hadn’t had to worry about creasing that.

The two of them caught up as Angela walked her through the main lobby of the resort, picking up Rachel’s room key as well as a glass of complimentary prosecco. Rachel tried not to get too wide-eyed over the beauty of the venue, but it was hard not to gawp. The views alone were amazing, and she wasn’t even on the water’s edge yet. From what she understood, for the accommodation on site there was a main lodge with the majority of rooms, as well as whole bunch of individual cottages. Rachel had chosen to stay in the main lodge, as a single guest, so at least she didn’t have to walk far with her luggage.

“Alright, here you are. There are a few other guests already here so get settled and then come downstairs to meet us for drinks. It’s just a chilled day today, touring the grounds and relaxing really, with a dinner tonight at the Lakeside restaurant,” Angela explained, “I’ll see you soon?”

“You got it,” Rachel grinned.

Angela’s enthusiasm was infectious at the very least, and Rachel could feel herself buzzing as she unpacked her bags. She couldn’t wait explore the grounds of the resort – and she was more than ready for the spa morning tomorrow in the Glasgow house cottage that Rachel had set up for the bride’s party – but first, drinks.

After freshening up with a spritz of perfume and a swipe of lipgloss, Rachel left her room, phone and room key in hand.

“Look what the cat dragged in.”

No fucking way.

Rachel turned her head to see the last person she wanted to see standing two doors down from her with a suitcase at his side. He must’ve just arrived. It was just her luck that his room was so close to hers – Angela had better not had a hand in that – as always during the summers when he was home, it was like she couldn’t escape him. Nathan MacKinnon was everywhere.

“Look what the cat coughed up,” Rachel shot back, fake smile at full capacity.

Nate just snorted, rolling his eyes. “Aww don’t front, Rach, you know you missed me.”

“Like a thorn in my foot,” she said dryly, “And don’t call me Rach.”

Rach was for friends only. And Nate was no friend.

Nate held his hands up in surrender with a snicker, finally unlocking his room door.

“If you find yourself lonely in the middle of the night, you know where to find me,” Nate smirked.

“Eurgh, in your dreams,” she grimaced.

“Yes, frequently.”

No. Just no. The audacity.

Rachel gagged dramatically, hamming up the noises, and to her surprise Nate burst out into laughter, leaning against the doorframe as his face scrunched. That had to be the first time he’d laughed so genuinely with just her. She hated the way it made her stomach fill with butterflies.

“Oh man, I needed that,” Nate grinned, still chuckling, “I’ll see you down at the lounge bar?”

More bewildered than anything else, Rachel just nodded. “Yeah, see you.”

What the hell was that?

~

Angela’s plans for the spa morning on the Friday couldn’t have been more perfect, if for nothing else than to clear Rachel’s mind. Over the space of 4 hours, Rachel (plus the other three bridesmaids, Angela, Angela’s mom, and Angela’s soon-to-be mother-in-law) got a manicure, pedicure, and a facial, on top of full use of the sauna and pool. It was exactly what Rachel needed to wind down from her work week (and the weirdness with Nate yesterday) and relax ahead of the big wedding day tomorrow. By the happy glow on the bridal party’s faces, everyone else agreed.

After a light lunch, the full wedding party met up in the main lodge, ready for a rehearsal. Angela and Brad had wanted a full walkthrough of the running order, timings, and placements of the day, just so they were prepared, which Rachel wasn’t going to complain about in the slightest. It could never hurt to be ready.

Not even Nate’s irritating grin as he stood next to her, continuously nudging her with his shoulder, could ruin her peace.

“So, in terms of who will be walking who down the aisle, we’ve paired the groomsmen and bridesmaids up already.”

As the four pairings were called out, Rachel’s stomach sank. She was walking down the aisle with Nathan MacKinnon. Of course she was. So much for peace. This had Angela written all over it, the meddling wench.

“Rach, I-”

“Don’t even say a word to me right now, you giant potato,” Rachel hissed under her voice.

Nate choked out a laugh, leaving Rachel to make her face blank and calmly walk towards the other bridesmaids. Angela’s expression was all but begging her not to cause a scene. Like she would cause something as inelegant as a scene. No, she would wait until there was a moment to pull Angela aside because what the hell was she thinking?

“What the fuck, Angie?”

“Hi Angie, you look incredible Angie, thanks for planning everything ahead of your wedding tomorrow Angie.”

Rachel pursed her lips, hands on hips, but Angie just shrugged, an amused smile on her face. The two of them were in a little alcove in the main lodge, completely hidden from view even though everyone had gone their separate ways, so Rachel didn’t bother to hide her displeasure in her body language.

“I don’t know what you want me to say? The two of you are paired together to walk for all of two minutes. You can handle it,” Angie mused.

“Why him? You could’ve paired me with literally anyone else,” Rachel groaned.

“True, I could’ve, but it’s done now. Besides the two of you could use a little time to be friendly. Or, you know. Friendly.”

Bleurgh. Absolutely not.

“You are the worst and I don’t know why we’re friends,” Rachel grimaced.

“At this point, Stockholm Syndrome?” Angela beamed.

Rachel couldn’t help but to crack a grin, Angela just giggling at her victory.

“It’s two minutes, you will survive it. The two of you will look good together at least...”

What?

They were complete opposites – Nate was blonde, blue eyed, beefy and pale. Rachel was dark-haired, dark-eyed, slim and tan.

What?

“…and Nate’s obsessed with you anyway.”

“Ew, no, he’s not obsessed with me,” Rachel said, sneering slightly.

“No? With everyone else, he’s awkward and dorky. But with you, he’s laser focused. I wonder why,” she said, finishing with an innocent smile.

“Oh gee lucky me! I don’t know, because he’s an ass?” Rachel scowled.

“No, because Nathan MacKinnon’s flirting never matured past pulling pigtails on the school playground,” Angela shot back.

What?

“He’s not flirting,” Rachel scoffed.

Angela paused for a second, gazing over Rachel as if she was trying to figure something out, before she laughed incredulously. “Oh my God, Brad’s going to lose his mind when I tell him. You really can’t see it, can you?”

“See what?”

Rachel didn’t know what her face was doing to reflect her defensive words, but Angela held her hands up in surrender.

“Just take a step back and look at everything. He wants your attention solely on him and this is the only way that’s been successful in catching it. For twenty years – and you know it. Watch him with other people. Watch him with other women. He’s flirting with you, Rach. Just think about it.”

~

Watch him with other people.

Watch him with other women.

He’s flirting with you, Rach.

Just think about it.

Angela’s words swirled around Rachel’s head all through the rest of the day, and it was all she could do to follow her friend’s advice. She watched Nate, all through dinner and the drinks afterwards. She watched how Nate was beaming and friendly with Brad and their Cole Harbour buddies. She watched how Nate was bland and polite with women that flirted with him at the bar. She watched how Nate watched her when men approached her, always catching him looking at her, eyes intense and hot. Why did Angela have to put those seeds of doubt in her head? Why did she have to do it now, the night before the wedding, when there was so much else to think about?

Why did she have to be right?

Nate was so different with her than anyone else, even people they’d known all their lives, and it was completely turning everything she’d ever thought about him on its head. This wasn’t fair. She didn’t need this, not right now. It wasn’t fair.

The wedding day came with no further clarification for her thoughts, her head in full turmoil, and it took all of Rachel’s concentration and willpower to focus on being the best bridesmaid she could be. Angela wasn’t even aware of the way she’d swept the rug out from underneath Rachel’s feet, which was probably for the best if she was being honest, so Rachel just let herself get swept up in the excitement of all the bridal party getting ready together, hair and make-up and dresses and happy tears, all of them looking gorgeous by the end of it – Angela most of all.

As the time came for them to walk down the aisle, Rachel’s nerves were in tatters.

“Rachel Summers, damn. You clean up well,” Nate murmured.

She ignored the shiver his words sent down her spine.

“Bite me MacKinnon.”

He immediately raised an eyebrow, eyes assessing her.

“You okay?” he asked quietly, frowning.

Of course he noticed. Of course.

“Peachy,” she said through gritted teeth, plastering a smile on her face.

“I can tell you’re lying.”

“Gold star for you.”

It felt like an automatic defence to slip into their usual banter, Nate just huffed out a laugh, smirking slightly, all of it serving only to make her feel unsteady. How the hell had she missed this for so long? How easy their connection was? How his bitching was actually…flirting?

“Alright princess, let’s go celebrate our friends,” he mused.

As Nate stuck out his elbow, Rachel inhaled shakily but didn’t hesitate to slip her hand into the crook of his arm. Even through the jacket, she could feel the warmth of his body, the thickness of his bicep, and all she could do was try to keep a straight face, to not let anyone see how the simple touch was making her head spin. What the fuck was happening to her?

They walked in silence, in perfection symmetry, Nate sending her a small smile as they separated at the altar, and it wasn’t until the wedding march music started, signalling Angela’s imminent arrival, that she realised she was lost in thought. She needed to pull herself together, and quickly.

Rachel locked her eyes on Angela and Brad all through the ceremony, letting their happy smiles and obvious love for each other fill her mind, a smile of her own easy on her face. This was Angela’s day, that’s all she had to focus on. That’s all she needed. Still, in the drinks reception and through the sit-down meal, Rachel found her eyes drawn back to Nate, the two of them seated at the same table (of course, albeit not next to each other so her gaze was able to float over him without looking too obvious.

Just as the night before, the way he smiled at other guests versus how he smiled at her was completely different, and she was just glad for the prosecco nearby. She was going to need it to get through this night, she knew that much. As the speeches went on and the food was served, she felt herself getting more and more overwhelmed, feeling more and more stupid for how much Angela’s revelations were affecting her. Why was she making such a big deal out of this? It’s not like it was going to change anything, right? She’d get through the wedding reception and go back home tomorrow morning and avoid Nate until he left for Colorado next month. It was totally doable. It was a great plan. It was-

“And now, please join us on the dance floor for the bride and groom’s first dance!”

Fuck.

Rachel moved on autopilot, standing to the side of the semi-circle of guests as Angela and Brad walked into the middle of the floor. Just as the music started, she felt a familiar body moving to stand next to her, and she wasn’t able to hold back the shaky breath escaping her mouth, the softest whimper only audible to him.

“What’s wrong?”

You're the light, you're the night, You're the colour of my blood, You're the cure, you're the pain, You're the only thing I wanna touch, Never knew that it could mean so much, so much.

“Hey, Rachel, are you okay?”

You're the fear, I don't care, 'Cause I've never been so high, Follow me to the dark, Let me take you past our satellites, You can see the world you brought to life, to life.

“Rach. Rachel. Seriously, you’re worrying me.”

So love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do Touch me like you do, ta-ta-touch me like you do What are you waiting for?

She was worrying him? Rachel glanced up at Nate as Ellie Goulding’s voice continued to fill the barn, and the soft look in his eyes just about broke her. It was all she could do to inhale sharply and shake her head.

“No, I’m not okay. I need to get some air. I need to get out of here.”

Nate’s soft expression immediately turned serious, eyes more intense than she’d ever seen, sending a bolt of electricity through her blood. “Can you make it through the dance? It’s fine if you can’t, I can get you out.”

What?

“I…I can wait,” she managed to choke out.

Nate looked at her for a couple of seconds before nodding, arm moving to gently rest behind her as if some kind of fail safe, and it was all Rachel could do to focus on keeping her breathing steady, eyes stinging with tears as she locked her gaze on her friends as they twirled around the floor. But in reality she was barely taking anything in, other than the heat of his body protecting her. Because that’s what it was – he was protecting her. She knew she was a hair away from having a full-on breakdown, and the last thing she wanted to do was draw attention away from the happy couple. The last thing. It was only that thought that kept her together until the music ended, and the moment everyone burst into applause, Nate was whisking her outside, somehow neither of them being stopped by other guests for polite chitchat.

Small mercies.

When they were in a secluded grassy nook, Nate turned around to face her.

“Hey, what’s going on? Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

How could he even ask that?

“Am I okay? Of course I’m not okay!”

He held his hands up in soft surrender. “What’s wrong?” Nathe frowned.

“You! You’re what’s wrong!”

His eyebrows shot up in disbelief. “Okay I know for a fact that I haven’t done anything to earn that.”

Rachel just groaned, clenching her fists as she closed her eyes briefly. He hadn’t done anything to earn it? He’d done everything to earn it!

In the 20 years they’d known each other, all she’d ever ‘known’ of him is the way he always poked at her, always the first to draw attention to her doing something stupid, untying the bows in her hair, jostling her in the school hallways. As they’d grown up he hadn’t really changed, even when he spent more time away for hockey. He still made fun of her choices in boyfriends, in clothes, in music, even being as dumb as to take the last beer at summer parties or the burger she’d been waiting for or laughing at her not being able to walk in a straight line when she was drunk.

But never anything cruel. Just stupid attention grabbing things that absolutely got her focusing only on him and no-one else, just like Angela said. Stupid irritating Nathan MacKinnon, and all of his stupid ideas, and stupid inability to actually talk like a human being.

It wasn’t until Nate started laughing that she realised she’d been ranting out loud, blurting out all of her angry thoughts to him, and it was all she could do to let out a frustrated bitten-off scream of frustration as he smirked that annoying smirk.

“You’re right, I don’t want your attention on anyone else. I never have, Rach, and I never will. If I’d known you hadn’t actually realised that, maybe I would’ve used my words. But where’s the fun in that?”

Oh that absolute ass.

Rachel let out another quiet shriek of frustration, grabbing the lapels of his jacket, Nate still laughing even as she pulled him down and pressed her lips to his in a passionate kiss.

Invisible string theory suggests that everyone has someone in their lives who is attached to them by an invisible string that transcends time, distance, and geography. It’s fate. And for Rachel Summers and Nathan MacKinnon, they were destined.

[sag-dab-sar]

Hello! I saw your post about not considering yourself a reconstructionist, and the point you made was that your practice had to be modernized specifically due to being disabled, and I wanted to sort of share what reconstruction means to me as someone who considers themself a reconstructionist who is also disabled and has a very modern practice! I will say I am Irish polytheist and not Hellenic polytheist, just for a little bit of context :)

For me, reconstruction is all about the intensity of incorporation of what we currently understand whatever religion is being practiced to be. This is going to look a lot clearer for our Hellenic polytheist friends than for those of us that practice religions rife with holes and misinformation. Reconstruction is also about how one would approach the UPG of others and communities. When it comes to historical record, reconstructions start there and seldom branch off. They’re looking for information from a time period (not necessarily a small time period, especially if you don’t have a lot to look at, but a specific time period nonetheless) and have some general sense of a cut off. For Irish polytheist reconstructionist, this doesn’t include all the Celtomania Victorian age stuff. How this source material is used is going to be entirely up to the practitioner, but in general the goal I think of most all practitioners both recon and revival is to craft a practice that is doable and reasonable for the modern day. The difference is revival is more open to thoughts and ideas from other people, both present and past, outside of that specific time period. This isn’t to say reconstructionists don’t ever incorporate the UPG of others into their craft, they just tend to try and line it up a lot more with original source material if possible.

I hope this makes sense, basically it’s totally possible to be both disabled and reconstructionist! You didn’t say that directly, but I know for some it can see like reconstructionism is very letter of the law when in reality we, too, have to rely heavily on modernizing the spirit. I know I sure as hell am not worried about acquiring cattle every year to drive them between two large bonfires (with bones!) just for a fire festival! Anyways, nothing but love and support to my Hellenic polytheist pals <3

I didn't mean to say one can't be reconstructionist and disabled (I'd say most on tumblr are some variety actually) but for me I'm in bed almost 23 hours a day and don't leave my room except with help to doctors appointments. I might get two-four hours up if lucky (when I tend to do festival rituals if I can). Thats why I said "modified for my disability because I can't do the methods" 😅 and without some of the methods I don't really feel comfortable calling myself recon as far as Helpol specifically is concerned. I've been disabled almost my entire life and it would have been possible in the past, just not at my current level. I also personally don't reconstruct anything as far as the Helpol sphere (not that a person has to it would just be what I prefer). Same can't be said for Sumerian for that I have to reconstruct things myself 99% of the time, so while I don't use their methods I'm still building them as best I can. So if I was going to call myself Recon it would probably be for Sumerian not Hellenic, but I don't at the moment.

That being said I think a lot of us kind of have a spectrum(?) of views on whats recon vs revive. Its not a huge spectrum but its why I felt the need to put my definition of difference at the beginning of the post. And why I knew a lot would disagree with that difference.

But again, I did not mean to say one cannot be disabled and recon, people absolutely can.

[awesomeferret10]

I would like to talk about Ianthony as of post April 1st 2024. (With obvious parallels to both The Event and Dan and Phil)

1. I see a lot of people like obsessively combing over every glance and reading into every word which isn’t anything new but I feel has really kicked up a notch lately. My general response to this is the ianthony “relationship” label shouldn’t matter. They obviously love each other platonically or anything else and I think it’s important sometimes to take a step back from your theorizing and hyperventilating to just enjoy them as people and their friendship and how much they care

2. Keep in mind this isn’t like Dan and Phil. They aren’t young people who haven’t been given the opportunity to discover/express themselves. They both still confidently state they’re straight up to a couple of months ago. When they’ve actively been asked for over 10 years what their sexuality is constantly I feel as though maybe they would have done some internal exploration of their sexualities by now. Obviously sexualities aren’t static and labels don’t matter. Gender and sex is nothing compared to the connection of people and often sexuality labels can be completely overridden or thrown into question by one person. On top of the fact that Anthony has essentially stated this himself of “you never know 🤷‍♂️” but like. They still both are confident in the label of straight. So chill out a little.

3. The crew shipping them isn’t some like inside joke within the smoffice. It’s an inside joke within the community THAT WE ARE ALL INSIDE OF. It’s a joke built by years of Ian and Anthony playing into fans questions for views and the fact that many of their employees were previously Smosh fans. So although it’s funny that all the editors and cast and crew are playing into it more than Ian and Anthony themselves in the videos remember it’s not proof of anything. They’re just being silly goofy.

4. I get it. Because before The Event I was very dismissive of every shourtney shipper. I enjoyed their genuine connection as best friends and people who clearly loved each other. But every time I saw something pointing out “oh Courtney said this” “oh look how Shayne looked at them here” I had the “this isn’t 2010 guys when will you give it up they’re just besties” reaction. I never thought people were insane for noticing that possible connection but I also just thought people were driving themselves mad reading into stuff. Obviously a lot of the things people pointed out are still probably nothing because again people were analyzing literally every microsecond.

5. Like no seriously I get it. On inspection Ian and Anthony make fuck me eyes at each other. Like constantly. They look at each other like there’s no one else in the world sometimes. The behind the scenes for my dead friend where they just spend 2 minutes with Ian trying to stick something in Anthony’s pocket while both of them are giggling is literally middle school flirting. Anthony tearing up at the story of best friends turned lovers. Little bit dramatic king. Like we all know why Shayne and Courtney love that story. But Anthony dude. After going through April 1st 2024 I totally understand not wanting to discard any of the shit these two idiots say. And it’s also really funny since they’ve proven they don’t care. Just want everyone to remember to be careful to just enjoy them soley as a duo without the conspiracy of a relationship on occasion.

[beardedjoel]

closer | part seventeen

joel x f!reader. non-apocalypse au.

series masterlist | main masterlist | ao3    

chapter summary: your new coworkers discover your relationship with joel, and a night out with them after work results in a distressing situation. afterwards, joel wants to help you make it all better. 9.2k words.

story warnings: 18+ MDNI, age difference (joel is 42 and reader is 25), soft!dom joel, unprotected piv, oral (f receiving), dirty talk, praise kink, joel is so boyfriend this chapter

extra warning: PLEASE READ! this chapter contains a scene of attempted sexual assault, so i understand that’s very sensitive and a bit different than my typical chapter. it’s not an extremely graphic or long scene, but it is there and could be triggering! i’ve put a TW where the scene starts and END TW where the scene ends in case you want to read around it.

You hate the way the days seem to be flying by now - your restful, sexy summer came to an abrupt end when you opened an email from your work one morning, requesting that you start coming to the office as soon as you possibly could. Now, two weeks into it, you’re busier than you’ve been in a long time, trying to balance this new workload that had fallen into your lap. When you’d been working at home, gathering ideas, it was one thing, but now you’re surrounded by a team of people relying on you and your partner, Rayna, to get things up and running smoothly. You have to admit, you two are absolutely kicking ass, but it’s meant a lot of late nights at the office with her and some of your other team members. 

Joel has been almost too supportive through all of this, and you know that he’s holding back his own feelings about seeing you less to encourage you to keep working so hard. You haven’t been seeing each other as often due to both of your work schedules, but you constantly let each other know how much you miss the other. The first few days of work, you were barely coherent, practically sleeping before your head hit the pillow each night, and you felt terrible for being such awful company for Joel when you’d manage to drag yourself over to his house. He reassured you multiple times but the guilt still gnawed at you for the entire week. Things have evened out somewhat, but you miss the carefree days you’d been able to focus only on Joel. You suppose it’s healthier this way, though, to have other focuses in life other than a man.

Just because you’d gotten busier, your appetite for Joel hadn’t dissipated in the least, leaving you an overworked, stressed, horny mess. You both did your best to get your fill of each other over the last two weeks, but it was never enough. It never has been with Joel, and you start to wonder if it ever will be every time you satisfy your craving for him and then feel it come right back again. The hunger you have for that man to drive himself into you at all hours of the day has only grown with your feelings for him, and you have to admit, it adds to your stress just how deeply you feel for him these days. 

The fact that you haven’t found a good time to tell him you love him is just one more thing to gnaw at you in the back of your mind while you’re trying to get your life in order. You know it seems crazy, that after such a short time together you love the man, but every moment you’ve spent with him since the thought crossed your mind has only further proved it to you. 

And you’re terrified of what might happen if you admit it to him.

You’re at work, finishing up a quick meeting with Rayna when your phone buzzes in your pocket, and you see a text from Joel come through.

Joel: Surprise lunch?

You: Maybe… what time?

Joel: … right now

You: What?!

Joel: I might be outside with food for you

You:  😂 okay, Mr. Romantic. Come inside to floor 3, I’ll just be a few minutes

The office space is a rather large, open concept, and you have a clear view of the front through the glass divider that separates your department. Several minutes later you see Joel hesitantly poke his head into the office, looking slightly clueless, and it’s adorable to you for some reason. Maybe it’s that he’s always so in charge of things and confident that whenever you get a chance to see him nervous it melts your heart a little bit. 

“Hey, I’m gonna head out for lunch really quick, I’ll be back in a bit,” you tell Rayna, despite knowing you two have nothing scheduled for the next hour for that very reason. 

She gives you a go ahead, so you start heading towards Joel and wave him down, and he flashes you your favorite lopsided smile. He looks like he came right from work, dressed in a paint splattered t-shirt and jeans, carrying a cooler full of food. It’s certainly a sight for sore eyes, you think to yourself, any time you see Joel fresh from work, always looking a little dirtier than usual. Between that and the insatiable need you’ve had for him lately it’s more than enough to make you want to climb him like a tree right here in front of everyone.

You notice several nearby, questioning eyes on you two as you loop your arm in his and head for the elevator.

“Nosy bastards,” Joel murmurs, and you stifle a laugh behind your hand, but nod in agreement. 

“Very much so,” you tell him with a roll of your eyes. “There’s a cool cafeteria space in this building, we can eat there,” you add on while you wait for the elevator doors to open. As soon as you two are inside and the doors slide shut, you throw yourself at Joel, knowing you only have minutes, or even seconds, before the doors open back up. He quickly catches on, despite his surprise, and as your lips clash with his he reciprocates quickly, his free hand that isn’t carrying the cooler cupping your face and bringing you even closer. Your tongues beg for entry in each other’s mouths over and over, as much as time will allow you, but after several beeps of the elevator, you know your time is almost up, so you reluctantly pull away from Joel, keeping one arm snaked around him.

“Fuck,” he breathes, pressing his forehead to yours and looking deeply into your eyes with a lustful gaze. “I’d ask what’s gotten into you, but you’ve always been my insatiable girl, haven’t you?” Joel says, low and inviting. You simply smirk in response as the doors of the elevator open and you step out in front of him, leading him to the large cafeteria space. It’s on a high up floor, boasting a sweeping view of downtown outside of large, glass windows. There’s tables and chairs, refrigerators, and microwaves for any employee in this office building to use, and you’ve tried to eat up here as often as you can to clear your mind and separate yourself from work for at least a little bit of time during the day.

Joel’s eyes scan the room, taking in the views and modern decor, and shoots you an impressed look. 

“Very fancy,” he teases as you sit down at a small, rounded two top table near the windows.

“Fancy girl job calls for a fancy cafeteria,” you reply with a little laugh.

“And look at ya, in your cute little business clothes,” Joel says, scrunching his face proudly as he squeezes your leg under the table. The company you work for is relatively casual with things like the dress code, but you still like to wear clothing that hopefully can help gain the respect of your team, so you’re wearing black slacks and a short sleeved blouse today.

“Does it look okay, really? I feel like a fraud sometimes in these clothes, like I shouldn’t be so in charge of people,” you ask him, tugging anxiously at the collar of your shirt as you look down to inspect your outfit.

“Nah, honey, you deserve it all. And you look great as always. Very professional,” Joel says, giving you a wink, indicating while you may look professional, your behavior moments ago was anything but. You bite your lip with warming cheeks at the recollection as Joel starts pulling out the lunch he made for you two to share - a salad, potato chips, and something wrapped in foil, which he shyly admits is a grilled cheese, something you’d told him once you love eating.

“How the hell did you even manage to make a grilled cheese and get all the way here by lunch time?” you ask incredulously.

“We got a toaster oven on site, so I whipped this up real quick before comin’ here. Hope it stayed warm ‘nuff for ya,” he tells you, and you shake your head, in complete disbelief that Joel is a real, living, breathing, walking thing that you have the pleasure of having in your life.

“Thank you,” you manage to say, unwrapping the grilled cheese sandwich and biting into it. While not hot, it’s managed to stay warm and you tell Joel as much, a bit of relief passing over his face at hearing it.

“You look stressed, darlin’,” Joel says, his brows pinching together in concern.

“I’m always stressed now,” you say, propping your head in your hand, letting a long sigh escape you.

“Anythin’ I can do to help?”

“This right here is amazing,” you say, gesturing to the lunch spread out on the table. “Just getting to see you. And…I guess there’s something else,” you trail off, biting your lip, flashing Joel your best version of bedroom eyes. Joel’s interest is clearly piqued as he leans forward, a cocky smile pulling at his lips.

“And… what else, darlin’?”

You lean forward, glancing into Joel’s eyes but lowering them at the last second out of embarrassment. “I…need you,” you say, knowing you’re being vague but also knowing that Joel will get the message.

Joel laughs heartily before taking one of your hands in his across the table. “We can arrange somethin’, I s’pose.” he says.

“Oh, you suppose?” you say with a dramatic scoff.

“Sweetheart, don’t act like I wouldn’t take you right now on this damn table in front of everyone,” Joel retorts quickly, a little bite to his voice that has you fighting the urge to squirm in your seat. He drops your hand and sits back, crossing his arms over his chest.

“J-joel,” you breathe, glancing around the room as your face heats up with the sudden rush you feel. The image he described flashes through your mind, sending a pang of desire straight down between your legs. You just might be desperate enough to not care if he really did end up doing that.

“What? You gonna start this, don’t be mad when I try ‘n finish it,” he says. “You know I don’t stand for any teasin’, darlin’. Walkin’ in dangerous territory now, ain’t ya.”

You meet Joel’s gaze, intensity flaring in his eyes, and make a decision that definitely goes against your morals, but desperate times, and all of that.

“I think I saw a supply closet on the way here…” you mumble, and the smirk Joel gives you is worth any guilt you might be feeling about your unethical desires right now.

“C’mon baby, probably all wet already for me, aren’t you?” he asks with his voice low, his eyes drifting over your body hungrily. He stands up, collecting everything from the table into his cooler bag and offering you his hand. He drags you along, seeming to already have spotted the closet for himself, and it almost makes you laugh that you both had the same idea on the way to the cafeteria. He ushers you inside of the closet, a small, cramped space with shelves lined with all kinds of cleaning supplies and back-ups of toiletries for the bathrooms.

“Gonna be quiet, or let everyone here know how good you take my cock, hm?” Joel says, cupping your face with his hand and leaning in, brushing his lips over your cheek. You melt instantly, breathing in the familiar, musky scent of him and already feel your knees wanting to buckle underneath you. It’s like coming home when he gets this close to you, and you could fall into its trap a million times and never tire of it.

“Whichever you want,” you breathe out, the picture of submission as you let him press you into the wall and kiss you.

“What I want… is a taste of that sweet little pussy of yours. Been missin’ it,” Joel grumbles into your lips, and you press your hips forward, begging him to do what he’s telling you. As his lips clash with yours again, he unbuttons your pants, sliding a hand down into them and past the fabric of your underwear. Joel lets out a low sound of approval at the slickness he gathers on his fingers, rubbing them through your slit and beginning tight circles on your clit. You’ve had so much pent up sexual frustration towards him the last few days that you nearly combust right then, a strangled cry flying out of your mouth before you can stop it.

“Christ, baby, so fuckin’ needy… gonna make me crazy,” Joel murmurs, “You miss me this much?” he asks, pulling his fingers up to inspect how they shine and glisten with your arousal. You nod furiously, back arching you into him, begging for anything from him now.

“I do…P-please, I’ll do anything, just touch me.”

Joel considers your words for a moment, his cock getting harder just from hearing the way you beg for him. It satisfies some little itch inside of him every time the words please pass your lips when it comes to his cock. He groans internally at the feeling of how hard he’s getting, how he’s straining against his jeans, knowing he doesn’t have all the time he truly desires to get you off right now. 

He crouches in front of you, pulling your pants down and helping you step out of them, along with your underwear, revealing your already throbbing, glistening cunt to him, eliciting a hungry growl from Joel. He grips the back of one of your thighs, throwing it over his shoulder before he buries himself between your legs, his tongue not wasting any time lapping up all the desire you’re pouring out for him. Joel moans deeply into your cunt, and in that moment you know, despite his typically calm and cool facade, he’s been just as sexually frustrated as you. You’re relishing in the way his mouth feels right now, but you know that with the little time you have left on your lunch, you want nothing more than to bring him pleasure, too.

“J-joel,” you say quietly, tugging at his hair.

“Feels so good baby, don’t it?” he murmurs, his lips immediately going to suck on your clit. Your eyes roll back, and you try to get your bearings enough to tell him to stop that and fuck you, but it’s hard now that you feel so close to the edge, your core tightening and burning with a coming climax.

“N-no, Joel… stop. I want you… to…”

Joel hears the word ‘no’ and immediately pulls himself off of you, peering up at you with questioning eyes. When you see the sight of your slickness coating his beard, his flushed face and glistening eyes, you nearly tell him to stick his face right back where it was instead.

“You okay? Did I hurt you?” Joel asks, his hand gently gripping onto your leg in concern.

“N-no of course not,” you say, shaking your head and catching your breath a little. “I just… we don’t have a lot of time, I want you inside of me,” you say sheepishly.

Joel’s lips curl into a smirk before he stands up, towering over you once again. You hook your fingers into his belt loops and bring him closer, feeling his cock grind against you through his jeans.

“This what you want?” Joel grinds against you again, situating his pants to free his cock, and it springs free, hard and throbbing between you two. Your eyes practically glaze over at the sight of it, having thought about him inside of you endlessly for the last few days.

“So cock hungry, look at you… what a sight, angel,” Joel leans forward, nipping at your bottom lip and you whimper when his cock brushes your bare skin between your legs.

“N-need you to fuck me Joel, can’t stop thinking about it.” You roll your hips into him with carnal need, and Joel teases your slit, rubbing his cock through your slick folds. Your hips convulse forward slightly as he passes over your throbbing clit several times, moans already coming out of your mouth as he devastates you with the barest of touches.

“You been touchin’ yourself, sweetheart? Just tryna get rid of that ache for me?”

You shake your head, “N-no, not really. Just a little. Wanted to save it all for you.”

“Oh, baby, that’s why you’re about to come all over this cock before I barely do a damn thing, ain’t it?” You simply nod your answer, sweating and whimpering for him to do more, more, more. He obliges you, resting the head of his cock at your entrance. “Much as I like you to be all mine, you gotta promise me you’ll take care of yourself whenever you need. Call me if you gotta, m’kay?” He pinches the side of your face, planting several kisses on your lips before Joel once again lifts one of your legs up, curling his arm under it to hold you steady as he slides himself into you. Both of your groans of relief fill the otherwise soundless room, panting breaths added into the mix as he starts to move slowly inside of you.

“God, baby, I missed this perfect little pussy,” Joel purrs, his body pressed right into yours, the curves of your body fitting perfectly together. His head buries in your neck as he thrusts into you, and you let out a quiet whimper, relishing in the sensation of him stretching you. “Tell me it’s all mine.”

“Yours, Joel, I’m all yours,” you whisper right next to his ear, and he shudders, letting out a gratified growl while his hips start to move more urgently into you. He fucks you into the wall aggressively, thrusting to the hilt each time, too focused on how good it feels to say any of his usual, teasing phrases to you.

“F-fuck sweetheart, I’m already gonna come, you feel so fuckin’ good and tight around me,” Joel whimpers, and moments later, he’s bucking his hips into you hard, spilling himself deep into your cunt with a groan. He takes a few deep breaths, coming back to reality after his climax, and his eyes widen, looking down at you. “Shit, sorry,” he says, pulling out of you quickly and stepping back before tucking himself back into his jeans.

“Hey, it’s alright,” you say, trying to rub his shoulder reassuringly.

“Just… been needin’ you, I guess,” Joel smirks a little, but you can tell he’s feeling embarrassed about the fact that he came before you had a chance to get off. 

“Been needing you,” you echo back, and Joel slides his body against yours again and dips his head to your neck, kissing you teasingly as you grind yourself against him shamelessly. 

“Think I can help with that…” Joel says, resuming his spot on his knees in front of you with a leg over his shoulder. “Gorgeous, baby,” he coos as he sees your cunt up close, slick with your own desire and his leaking out of you.

His mouth is on you again in a heartbeat, shamelessly licking up everything with vigor and moaning into your pussy as it flutters around nothing, desperate for release. “Feel this little hole squeezin’ for me, baby, you want me in there?”

“Fuck,” you groan out at his enthusiasm, “Yes, yes p-please.”

Joel inserts two fingers up to the furthest knuckle and you cry out, thrusting yourself onto his fingers and into his mouth to urge him deeper than he can possibly go right now. 

“Killin’ me baby,” Joel purrs into your skin, “Bet you’d take this whole fuckin’ hand if I wanted you to.”

“Anything,” you say, breathing out an affirmation and continuing your unapologetic bounces onto his hand and face as you chase your high, his tongue flicking your clit rapidly along the way. You moan out loudly, then slap a hand over your mouth, remembering your surroundings. Shit, you hope nobody heard that and comes investigating. What a sight they would see if they opened this door right now, you think to yourself.

When his fingers start to curl inside of you, Joel begins sucking on your clit, and you have to bite down hard, grinding your teeth together, to try to dampen some of the absolutely filthy, ungodly sounds coming out of you. He pumps his fingers against that perfect spot inside of you and you lose control completely, legs turning to jelly and wobbling underneath you. 

“Ohhh my god,” you whimper into your fist, your entire body trembling as Joel continues the same pattern over and over, sensing how close you are to reaching the crest of your pleasure. You feel all your senses except for the feeling of Joel’s mouth and hand fade out, and you moan, throaty and low, into your clenched fist, biting down hard enough to draw blood as you shudder your hips downwards, pushing him into you as you ride out the waves of pleasure that are wracking your body now. 

Your head thumps back against the wall as you come down, and Joel stands up to meet you, giving you a boastful smile. He blatantly wipes all evidence of your encounter off of his face and beard, looking at you with such adoration in his dark eyes that it makes your heart swell. Joel tucks a strand of hair behind your ears before kissing you on the forehead.

“Thank you,” you murmur. “Best lunch ever.”

You see Rayna doing her best not to stare at you as you settle back in at your desk, praying that your face isn’t giving you away, that post-orgasm glow hopefully wiped clean off by now.

“Nice lunch?” she asks, chipper as always.

“Mhm,” you say, swinging your voice upwards on the last part, trying to echo her same positive demeanor. You immediately focus your attention down on your computer, trying to get back into the swing of your workday, tugging at the hem of your clothing, making sure everything is properly in place.

In your periphery you see Rayna clench and unclench her fists where they hover above her keyboard, and when you glance up to her eyes, they’re boring into you with an amused sparkle.

“Come on…” she says, eyebrows going up her forehead. “Who was that? Everyone is talking about it.”

“Everyone as in…everyone in the whole office, or everyone as in the usual suspects?” you quip back. The usual suspects being Rayna, obviously, Heather, Cade, and Alex from your department, and Leah and Vince from the financial department. You’d become the most tight knit with them of anyone here, working closely together on a lot of the projects you’d all been assigned to lately.

“The… usual suspects, of course,” Rayna admits, and as if on cue, Heather and Alex filter into the area, carrying mugs of tea from the kitchen.

“Okay, did you ask her yet?” Heather says to Rayna, and her eyes go wide in response.

“I’m trying to,” Rayna says through gritted teeth just as Leah and Vince slip into the room, shortly followed by Alex, all of them seeming to have a similar question. You watch on, amused at how much commotion you and Joel are causing.

“Guys, this is insane,” you chide them all as they gather around you.

“Is that your like… boyfriend or something?” Cade asks, and you avert your eyes, feeling your body heat rise several degrees at their questioning. You had never been trying to hide Joel, you just hadn’t quite gotten that personal with everyone yet. You didn’t know how they’d react to the age difference between you and Joel, so you’d wanted to get to know them a bit better before revealing anything about him. It was safe to say they’d all turned out to be open minded, kind, and never averse to sharing some of their own personal details, so you figured it was time to jump in.

“Y-yeah, I guess you could say that,” you admit shyly, and they all burst into quiet hysterics, murmurs of “told you so’s” and “oh my god’s” between all of them.

“Details!” Leah says demandingly, placing a hand on your desk and leaning forward. Everyone is pulling up chairs, and you start laughing loudly.

“Shouldn’t we be working?”

“Still got five minutes or so left on my lunch, so chop chop,” Cade replies, looking down at his watch impatiently. “He was so hot, and if I don’t get to hear any more about this in the next five minutes I’m going to be so mad at you.”

“Oh-kay. We’re seeing each other. His name is Joel,” you say, eliciting excited “ooh’s” from your little crowd. “That’s literally it! I don’t know what you want from me.” You throw your hands up in a feigned giving up gesture.

“Isn’t he like, old?” Vince says snidely, finally joining the conversation. You like Vince, and for that reason, you hadn’t told anybody about the way he’d pulled you aside for a private conversation and asked you out after about a week of working together. It felt awful to reject him, and at the time you were keeping things quiet about your personal life, so you hadn’t said you were seeing anyone. In hindsight it would have made more sense to just say you were, but you suppose at least he was able to understand a little bit better now about your rejection. It had made things slightly more awkward between you, but you’d been willing to move on if he was. For the most part, it seemed like he had been too, except for a few select moments like right now when you could see the frustration come out.

“I mean, kind of,” you say with a chuckle and a shrug. You decide to ignore his comment and vow to yourself to confront him if it continues.

“Okay, but how old?” Rayna asks, her eyes lighting up with intrigue.

“He’s forty-two,” you reply, and once again, the group is in hysterics over your answer.

“Well, he’s hot,” Leah concludes, and Cade, Rayna, Heather, and even Alex, agree. “Good job,” she adds, garnering more enthusiastic nods from the group.

“T-thank… you?” you say with a laugh.

“Can we all go out for drinks after work? I need to hear more, but my lunch is over,” Rayna says, frowning, and you consider it for a few moments, but realizing you don’t have anything on your agenda tonight, it might be fun to blow off some steam.

“Sure, if everyone else is in,” you reply, and each person, including Vince, who you’d doubted would want to hear more about Joel, agrees to the plan. Leah squeals excitedly and heads back to her desk, full of energy. The rest of the day flies by, all of you seeming to work faster with the promise of a fun evening ahead of you. 

All of you funnel into a bar down the street from your office in great spirits, also having invited a few more coworkers to join you. You all order drinks at the bar and settle in, and Rayna instantly links her arm through yours.

“Alright, you know what we’re here for,” she says. The rest of the group who’d been interrogating you earlier quickly gathers around you at a high top table near the bar. The only person you don’t notice at first is Vince, who comes breezing in late, and stands nearby but not as involved in the conversation. You suppose you don’t blame him for not wanting every detail of your relationship with Joel. 

“Don’t waste any time, do you guys?” you reply cheekily, and they all sip their drinks, clearly just waiting for you to go on. “What do you even want to know?” you ask, a playful irritation cropping up.

“Anything, like… what’s the deal with you two?

“He lives next to my parents, so that’s how we met. We just kind of clicked, I guess. Which was lucky for me because I was practically obsessed with him.”

“Is he like a sugar daddy or something?” Alex teases, and you laugh, pushing him hard on the arm.

“No, nothing like that. He’s a contractor, so he like, builds stuff.”

“Very sexy,” Cade chimes in, nodding his head in approval.

“It is,” you say with a sigh, picturing the way Joel had looked in his work clothes earlier.

“Well, lucky you. We had no idea you had a boyfriend,” Leah says, downing her mojito faster by the minute. She obviously needed a night out more than the rest of you.

“I didn’t know if I should say… it’s been a little unconventional, I guess. My parents only found out a few weeks ago, and that was weird, since they’re around his age.”

Leah chokes on her drink. “He’s your parents’ age?!”

“My parents are pretty young, yeah. I hadn’t really thought about it too hard when Joel and I first got together, but… uh, oops, I guess,” you reply. 

“You dirty little dog,” Leah says, shaking her head and doubling over in laughter. “Well, we’re all really happy for you,” she concludes, smiling more sincerely now.

“Seriously. You caused the biggest stir the office has seen yet, sending a guy like that into our lobby,” Rayna says, fake fanning herself at the memory of Joel.

“He came to see you for lunch today, then? That’s so cute,” Leah says, ever the romantic, her eyes going starry and wide at Joel’s gesture.

“Mhm,” you say nervously, thinking about how you and Joel did much more than eat lunch today. You know they probably would love all the dirty details based on their reactions today, but you just can’t risk anything with how well this job is going so well. 

“Well you tell Joel, he can do that any time he wants, but he has to come and say hello next time,” Rayna chirps, and you shake your head, throwing back some of your fruity cocktail.

“I’m sure he’d love to be interrogated by all of you,” you say, dripping in sarcasm.

You all crack jokes and gossip for a while, trying to avoid any work talk, before ordering another round and repeating more of the same. When you’re waiting at the bar for your next drink, Vince sidles up next to you, leaning onto the bar with his forearms.

“If you think people don’t realize what you did today, you’re kidding yourself,” Vince says without warning, raising an unimpressed eyebrow at you.

“What are you talking about?” you ask, trying not to panic and give anything away. While you have a sinking feeling you know exactly what he’s talking about, you don’t want to jump to any conclusions and ruin any secrecy you still have.

“Come on,” Vince replies, shaking his head. “Coming back from lunch, looking like that. Could practically see it all over your face.”

“I’m just… I was happy to see Joel, that’s all. I don’t know if you’re implying what I think you are, but you’d better be careful what you’re accusing me of.” The bartender slides your drink over, and you try to give them a smile and polite thank you before turning your attention back to the conversation.

“No, you’d better be careful,” Vince snaps. “So maybe I did follow you two up there, hoping to see if you’re as lovesick for the guy as I’d been afraid of. Thought I’d see if there was still a chance, it was stupid, I know,” he says a little more softly, before his brow furrows. “But imagine my surprise when I didn’t see you two anywhere, and I heard something from down the hall…” Vince trails off, leaving you to fill in the details. 

You pale and freeze instantly, your hand gripping the glass of your cocktail firmly. 

“Vince, I seriously don’t know what you’re talking about,” you say with a bite - one last, hopeful attempt to deflect his accusations.

His hand moves in a flash and grips your free wrist tightly. “If you’re going to be a whore, at least own up to it,” he says, and you blink hard, your mouth popping open but unable to make any noise for a few stunned moments. 

“E-excuse me?”

He simply glances at you, holding a steady gaze. “Just saying,” he says, as if that’s any excuse for the vile words he just spit at you.

“Just saying what? That I’m a whore?” you say with a scornful laugh. It’s almost comical, whatever this side of him is that you’ve uncovered - the drunk, angry side that seems to be coming out of the woodwork this summer with these men. First Chris, now Vince, and you’re starting to wonder just what the hell is going on. Something about Joel seems to bring it out of them, and you’re tired of taking the brunt of it, quite frankly.

“That I could report you to someone. I mean, not the most ethical thing to fuck around with your boyfriend while you’re working.”

You sigh and press your lips tightly together, rubbing a hand over your eyes.

“Okay, so it wasn’t. But it’s not like it hurt anyone, so the fact that you’re sitting here threatening me over it feels a little extreme, don’t you think?”

“Woah, threatening sounds like such a strong word.” Vince lets out a little laugh, and it really pisses you off that he’s getting any sort of entertainment out of your misfortune right now.

“Vince, you’re clearly drunk. You’ve been drinking way more than anyone here, and I get you might still be upset that I didn’t go out with you, but this seems way out of line.”

“Out of line to me would be getting off when you’re at work, but maybe that’s just me…” Vince muses with a head in his hand, still clearly very entertained by himself.

“Alright, I’m leaving,” you say, having decided it doesn’t seem worth the fight at this point. You drop some cash on the bar and pick up your bag, hustling your way out. You notice Leah giving you a concerned glance, but you simply wave at her, silently promising to text them as soon as you can to let them know why you left. You’d kept Vince’s secret before, but this time he’d gone too far, let some dark side of himself come out just to fuck with you, and you didn’t feel like playing nice anymore.

// TW //

The air outside hits you as you burst the door open, thick and warm as the dusk colored light surrounds you in the sky above. You walk with purpose, your feet moving you quickly back the few blocks towards the office where your car is parked - at the least you hope to blow off some steam on the way there. You’re only a few steps from the bar when a hand grabs your wrist and pulls you back, stopping you in your tracks, and you audibly groan when you turn and see Vince looking at you, his blue eyes full of a pleading hope.

“Please, I’m sorry,” he whines, and you try to shake his wrist off. “Just come back inside.”

“Leave me alone, seriously.”

He pulls you close to him by the wrist and you wriggle your hand, trying to slide out of his grip, but it’s too tight. You realize you aren’t quite strong enough to pull him along, so you resort to placing your other hand over his and trying to pry his fingers off of you.

“Let me go,” you say sternly, but Vince doesn't seem to hear you. You feel a wave of nausea roll through you, your body naturally revolting against the situation for you.

“I just… I heard you today, and I knew it was you, I could tell those fucking noises had to be you, and it pissed me off. I was so jealous - I think you’re beautiful, and funny, and smart, and I wanted that to be me.”

You scoff, collecting your thoughts for a moment. “Well, it’s not, and I’m awfully sorry about that,” you say, dripping your voice in sarcasm. “Doesn’t mean you get to treat me like shit.”

He places his other hand over the one that’s actively trying to pry you off of him and wraps his fingers around it. “Should’ve been me,” he says before swinging you against the brick of the building, your back hitting it hard despite trying to stop the movement on your heels. The element of surprise had been on his side and you wince as your back throbs. “Wanted to hear those sounds for myself, because of me… just give me a chance.” 

Vince crushes his lips into yours, his tongue sloppily begging for entry into your mouth, and you grunt loudly, jerking your head to the side so that his lips are off yours, but he continues kissing your face, trying to trail down to your neck.

“You’re fucking drunk, just let me leave.” You scowl hard but it turns to a panicked grimace as he crowds in even closer, the smell of alcohol on his breath overwhelming you as he continues trying to kiss you, grinding his body into you. When his fingers brush the hem of your shirt, you find your senses again, realizing it’s now or never. You shove him off of you as hard as you can, kicking a leg into his, and he stumbles back in his drunken stupor. 

You slide out from the wall and start to dig in your purse as you quickly move away, looking for your phone. You knew you should have started carrying pepper spray again, you’d just not thought to replace the one you lost in your move to Austin yet, and a silent curse goes through you for that now. Your legs are shaking underneath you, not moving you as quickly as you want, and you feel tears pricking at your eyes as the adrenaline fades slightly.

// END TW //

“Hey, asshole!” you suddenly hear, and you glance over your shoulder to see Leah chasing Vince who is chasing you down. She grabs him by the shoulder and he whirls around on her, sending her stumbling back now, but you rush back to help before he can potentially hurt her. “What the fuck!” she yells as she pushes Vince off of her. He stops moving, breathing heavily with his hands on his knees. 

“Fuck,” he mumbles, seeming to snap out of whatever insanity he’d entered moments ago. “I’m… I’m sorry.”

“That was fucked up, you know. I felt like something was off, so I came out here to check on you, and I just saw everything,” Leah says angrily, taking a few steps back from Vince. You go to Leah, gripping her arm with your trembling hands and looking her over.

“You okay?” you ask her quietly, and she nods, not taking her eyes off of Vince.

“What the hell do we do about this?” she asks, gesturing to Vince, who now is whining loudly about how sorry he is. 

“Fuck if I know,” you say, your mind still reeling from the hellish interaction with him.

“Vince, you should just go home. Cool off for a bit then call an Uber or something,” Leah suggests, a bit more even tempered this time.

He looks at you, making spotty eye contact before mouthing your name. “Sorry, really. I don’t - fuck. I’ve ruined everything, haven’t I?”

“Everything meaning what I thought was starting to be a nice friendship? Yes. Consider that over,” you tell him, feeling somewhat heartless for the comment, but needing him to fully understand there isn’t a chance you’d want to continue any kind of relationship with him.

He meanders over to and sits on a curb nearby. “I get it,” he says back at you two, and Leah puts an arm around you protectively. 

“Vince, we’re leaving you, maybe you can sober up and talk some more about it, but for now… just… fucking leave it, okay?” Leah says, guiding you back inside the bar. You finally feel your heart rate slowing as she rubs your shoulder, checking in on you with a concerned look on her face.

“I’ll be alright,” you assure her with a weak smile. The amount of processing your mind is trying to get through right now has you nearly feeling dizzy.

“I’m going to talk to Rayna, we’ll take care of everything, make sure you don’t have to work with that asshole again.”

Your entire face softens at her proposition and the care behind it. You throw your arms around her, squeezing her tightly into a hug that she returns with equal enthusiasm. “Thank you,” you murmur into her shoulder.

“Who should we call? Joel?” she asks, pulling out of the hug, and your eyes go wide, realizing you’ll have to explain all of this to Joel. “I don’t want you to drive right now, but we’re all way too tipsy to drive you anywhere right now.”

“Y-yeah, I’ll call him,” you say, swallowing hard. Leah steps away to give you privacy and heads back to the table full of your coworkers, close enough to keep an eye on you. You can see the immediate reaction from all of them, leaning in close as she explains what’s going on. You take out your phone, pulling up Joel’s contact information.

“Hey, baby.” He picks up on the second ring, his voice smooth and relaxed as he greets you, the juxtaposition to your own mood making you clam up suddenly.

“Hey…” you say timidly. Use your words, you chant to yourself internally. 

“What’s goin’ on? You off work?”

“Uh, yeah, I am. I just… can you come get me?”

“Of course,” he says without missing a beat, his tone sobering up to match yours a bit more. “What’s wrong, darlin’?” 

“There was… something happened with a coworker, and I’m kind of tipsy, I just can’t drive right now.” 

“Already on my way,” he says, and you hear his keys jingling in the background as he opens the door to his car and starts it. “What happened? Please, sweetheart, talk to me ‘fore I go crazy with wonderin’.”

“He… tried to come on to me. I-I don’t know what he was going to do to me…” you say, feeling robotic as the words come out of you. 

“What. Happened.” Joel’s voice is at an angry staccato now, and you can picture his hands gripping the wheel tightly as he panics at your words.

“N-nothing did happen. Just a close call. Hurt my back a little bit, I think,” you tell him, feeling the ache in your back reminding you just how hard Vince had handled you at one point.

“Fucking hell, baby,” Joel says with a deep sigh. “I’m comin’ to you. Are you somewhere safe?”

You nod, your eyes feeling hazy and tired all of a sudden, then remember he can’t see you right now. “Yes, I’m safe. I’m inside with everyone else.”

“Good. Stay there ‘til I can get to you. Send me the address, baby, okay? I’m comin’,” Joel says.

“O-okay,” you say quietly, ending the call and texting Joel the name of the bar as quickly as you can.

Your coworkers comfort you in the meantime, seconding Leah’s promise that you won’t have to see Vince anymore. They’re all dumbstruck, not having seen it coming that he could act like that, but you just shrug, wondering if there were some red flags you’d missed trying to be a kind, welcoming person to him.

Joel pulls up in his truck in record time, tires screeching in front of the bar. He texts you that he’s arrived and you go out the door but freeze when you see Vince still sitting on the curb. Joel tries waving you over as he gets out of his truck, but he follows your eyeline to Vince and you sense his energy change immediately, even from afar. Vince scrambles up, clearly having sobered up in the last half hour or so as he sat here feeling sorry for himself. When he sees Joel, he fills in the blanks that you’ve told him what happened, and realizes just how intimidatingly big Joel is up close.

“Is this the one?” he asks, cocking his head and not taking his eyes off of Vince, who is now slowly backing away.

“Shit, I - I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, I’m stupid and drunk, s-swear,” he sputters out before you can even answer. Joel doesn’t back down, reaching Vince more quickly than he’s expecting and grabbing him by the shirt collar.

“You see that fucking girl over there? Hm?” Joel says, using his other hand to grab Vince’s chin and point his head in your direction. You stand, teeth grinding together anxiously as you watch this unfold in front of you. “Don’t you ever fuckin’ talk to her again, or even think ‘bout her, for that matter. You leave her the hell alone. You got it?” Joel forcefully turns Vince’s head back to look him in the eye.

Vince gulps visibly and closes his eyes as they meet Joel’s, nodding. “Jesus man, just let me go. All I did was try to talk to her.” Vince squeals as Joel’s grip tightens on him. You feel yourself tense with anger at his lie, knowing that things could have gotten much worse if you hadn’t landed that kick on him and gotten away when you did, or if Leah hadn’t shown up to check on you.

“We both know that ain’t true,” Joel tuts. “She owes you absolutely fuckin’ nothin’, don’t forget that. In case you get any ideas again,” Joel says, releasing both of his hands and letting Vince fall back. 

“C’mon, darlin’. Let’s get out of here,” Joel says, his voice completely changed, soft and warm in your direction as he rushes over and takes you into his arms, guiding you to his car. You shoot a last, bitter glance at Vince, who is running his hand through his hair, turning to walk away. The frustration he has at himself is clearly visible in the way he’s carrying himself now. You almost want to feel sorry for him, knowing he made such a big mistake, and he does seem to regret it. But you can’t feel that sorry when you know he was stopped short, not knowing just how far he would’ve gone to get what he was searching for tonight. Maybe he was more sorry he got caught, you wonder. You sigh, shaking your head at the sight of him before climbing into Joel’s truck. Good fucking riddance.

Joel speeds off, hands gripping the wheel tightly as you cruise down the highway, back towards his house. You finally feel the pure disappointment of the situation sink in on you, heavy and burdensome on your soul.

“I said nothing happened… but that’s not true. He tried to kiss me,” you say. “Well, he did, I guess. He did kiss me. And tried…my shirt…” you trail off, feeling your eyes glaze over a little as you try to recount every detail of what went down, finding that it’s making you feel immediately sick.

Joel’s body tenses even further next to you, so tight that you worry he might snap at any moment. “S’okay, baby. It’s all over now,” he says, amazingly calm and controlled for the way his body language is screaming the very opposite. You resort to staring out the window for the duration of the drive back, watching the familiar sights as you enter into the suburbs, finding a small comfort in the routine of it all.

He brings you inside of your apartment instead of his house, immediately getting you settled on your bed. He starts to dig through your drawers, muttering to himself.

“Where is it…” he says quietly, before finally pulling out a white shirt, then grabbing a pair of pajama shorts. 

“Alright, let’s put these on, okay?” Joel says, handing you the t-shirt of his he gave you weeks ago, the Texas Longhorns one you love so much. You grip it to your chest and feel the ghost of a smile on your lips for the first time in what feels like hours.

You change out of your work clothes and into the pajamas Joel had brought over to you, already feeling a sliver better just having some of your comfort clothing hugging your body now. The shirt had long since stopped smelling like Joel, but the presence of him emanating from it was more than enough. Joel sits down gingerly next to you, snuggling you into his chest.

“What do you need, baby? Anything at all,” he says quietly, the deep rumble of his chest near you another comforting balm to your weariness.

“Just… be here with me. That was so… fucking scary. I’m so angry, but I also… feel like I can’t even feel anything right now. Why did he…?” You exhale long and slow. “Did I miss some sign that this would happen? Was I too busy trying to be fucking nice to him? Trying to be agreeable with everyone at work when he’d make comments?”

“No, of course not, darlin’. You’re a sweet girl, you are.  But that ain’t what brought this on. That’s all on him,” Joel assures you, shaking his head in frustration at the situation.

“He asked me out, Joel. Weeks ago. I said no, of course,” you start, shooting Joel an affirming glance. “He’s made some comments since then, nothing crazy. I thought he’d moved on from it, but sometimes he’d… take things too far. Comments about my looks, what I was wearing. I shouldn’t have ignored it.”

“It’s not on you to decide all of that. He was the one who did it, not you. Best not to analyze yourself to death, we’d be here all night pickin’ it all apart, wouldn’t we? Let’s just focus on movin’ on, gettin’ you feelin’ better for right now.” Joel holds you for a few moments before shifting where he sits.

“Want me to run you a bath? Get you somethin’ to eat? Watch shitty TV with you? Anything, please, baby, I’m at a loss here.” Joel holds you tightly, seemingly afraid to let go of his grip on you, worried if he does, the fragile thing he’s seeing you as right now will fall apart completely.

“It’s okay, Joel. You don’t always have to have all the answers,” you say, smiling a little at how hard he’s trying right now. “You already did so much - coming to get me, being there for me right now. Thank you.”

“Oh, you’re welcome darlin’,” Joel says. “Why don’t you shower, and I’ll get this bed all ready for us to watch some Lover’s Paradise, how’s that sound?”

You crack another much needed smile and tell him it sounds great, heading to the bathroom to take an overly hot shower, trying to scrub the frustration off of your body as you let the hot water pummel your skin. Joel was right, you do feel better after stepping out of the steamy bathroom all lotioned up in your favorite scent and back in his t-shirt, opting to go without the shorts this time. You’ve found that you feel sexiest in just his shirt like this, and you’re feeling the need for some of that confidence right now. 

“Look at ya, all fresh and pretty,” Joel says with a playful wink, and you practically launch yourself at him where he lays propped up on your bed, latching yourself onto his body, wrapping your limbs around him as much as possible. 

“I grabbed snacks, sorry for raidin’ your cabinets,” Joel says, showing you the things he’d pulled from your growing candy and sweets collection. You snatch the Twizzlers bag from his hand and pull one out, munching at it absentmindedly as Joel flicks the TV back to life, having already pulled up an episode of Lover’s Paradise for you two. 

“This is all perfect Joel, thank you,” you say, looking up from where your head rests at the crook of his neck to find his eyes. 

“You feelin’ any better?” he asks.

You nod with a small smile, finding that the sting from tonight has lessened a bit with all of his care. Joel lets you just be - eating candy and throwing comments at the screen while you two watch animatedly, laughing at all the romantic drama the contestants find themselves entangled in. 

“Remember the first time we did this, first time I came over here?” Joel asks suddenly into your silence after you’ve finished two episodes. 

“Mhm,” you mutter sleepily, nodding into his chest. 

“Knew you’d ruin me for sure that night,” he says with a small chuckle. “When we said we’d stay on each other’s minds, promised to keep doin’ all this. I was done for.”

“I knew the minute I saw you mowing your stupid lawn,” you say with a laugh shared by Joel. “So fucking hot,” you murmur, shaking your head at the memory. 

“You thought so? Maybe I was puttin’ on a little show for you,” Joel says cheekily. 

“Knew it, nobody looks that good mowing their lawn unless it’s to impress somebody,” you reply, tracing a hand down Joel’s torso. You place a few kisses onto his chest with the fabric of his t-shirt in the way, and your hand snakes even lower to his belt line, fiddling with his waistband tantalizingly.

“Baby... Never wanna say no to ya, but I think you should just rest tonight. Look at you, barely keepin’ your eyes open right now.”

Joel’s right, you are half asleep, but right now you just want to feel good. You know he can give that to you in an instant, he can turn your world upside down with his fingers or tongue or cock, and you’ll forget all about the shit that went down tonight. He could give that to you, but you know that after it’s all said and done, you’ll still have to process all the emotions you’re feeling, so you opt to simply nod your head in agreement with Joel. 

“Fine. First thing tomorrow, though. Want you to make me feel good,” you say quietly, your face smushed into his chest. 

“Promise, baby, first thing this cock is all yours,” Joel replies with an amused chuckle. “Don’t think you know what you’re askin’ for,” he adds quickly with a lower, darker tone. You pause, realizing that Joel is asking for consent in his own way, making sure what he has in mind is alright so that he doesn’t cross any boundaries you aren’t willing to. You feel a swell of pride and respect that he wants to do that for you, especially after what happened tonight.

“I know exactly what I’m asking for,” you reply, and Joel’s lips curl up into a devious smile. 

And so you begin counting the minutes until you can sleep, knowing what awaits you when you wake is going to be very worth the wait.

taglist: @paleidiot @mumma-moonchild @soph55​ @chicville03​ @joelsversion @feliciab1990  @fellinfromthetop @gossipgirl-03 @sarap-77  @blueseastorm

sorry some of the tags were being weird i tried my best i’m kinda new to tag lists! message to let me know if yours didn’t work i’m sorry!

[wildemaven]

fall apart, again : chapter two | joel miller

Pairing: Joel Miller x OFC!Genevieve

WC: 2763

Warnings: 18+ Blog; little bit of angst and a little bit of fluff— that’s all I’m saying, reader has a name but is a blank slate with zero description,

A/N: I was eager to get this part written and out as soon as possible. Chapter 3 might take me a minute to get out, just a heads up. Thanks so much to @gnpwdrnwhiskey for being the best and listening to me stress over this 💞

Series Masterlist / Playlist / Inspo Board

Previous / Next

September 22, 2003 - 4 Days until Outbreak

The summer still lingers in Texas, the air dense and muggy. 

Heat shimmering over the hood of your car as you drive, the blasting of cool air is the only saving grace you have for the time being.

“Hey, it’s me. I wanted to talk to you about something when you get here. Umm— Shit! I hate this so much. *sigh* I miss you Eve…A-and I love you so, so fucking much. I guess— I guess I’ll see you in a bit. Drive safe. Bye.”

*BEEP*

“End of messages. You have no new messages.”

A heavy sigh huffs out of your chest, you press the red ‘end call’ button and toss the small phone into your passenger seat. 

His voice still has such an effect on you after all this time, the little flutter it elicited the second it reverberated into the speaker has you almost fighting back tears. 

You blink them away quickly as you reach for the stereo volume, turning it up to a somewhat higher but bearable level, the local station plays through some hit song you haven’t heard before.

The steering wheel is rigid as you readjust your grip, a slight glint of light pulls your gaze briefly from the road ahead, the small gold band that cradles a tiny diamond shines brightly on your left hand. 

Refocusing on the road, your mind wanders to when you had both found the ring, your small income not offering a lot towards something with more extravagance, but you were the opposite of flashy so it was perfect. 

You remember the sight of him immediately dropping to one knee the minute you both stepped out of the small jewelry store, its parking lot the backdrop for the proposal you both had planned together. 

Yes! flew from your mouth instantly as you dropped down into his arms, the celebratory kiss only lasting briefly as the asphalt began to nearly burn through your jeans. 

Meeting the love of your life at 18 and planning your life together at 22 felt right, even despite the apprehension from both of your parents, convinced you were throwing your lives away. 

You wish you could say the last 14 years were nothing short of pure wedded bliss, the last few years were trying as you both worked yourselves to make ends meet, even in your 30’s trying to stay afloat was no easy feat. 

The separation wasn't an easy decision. It broke your heart to even suggest such a thing, but you needed a break from the fighting and the tears, some space to clear your head and let things settle down before reevaluating what was best for both of you. 

The love you had for him was still so strong and you held on to it fiercely, allowing time to heal the small fractures in your heart. You had hoped that your decision for this arrangement you had been living for the last 2 months, wasn't one you would regret in the long run. 

Your friends assured you it was just a rough patch, something all couples dealt with at some point in their lives, trying to alleviate any hesitancy you were having that this was the end for your relationship. You knew you didn’t want an end, you had looked into options to work on things, hoping he would be on board and this would be a start to a new beginning. 

“You know, he cries too. And he thinks I can’t tell, but I do.” A voice drifts from the back seat. 

You hadn’t even realized you were crying, hoping the music muffled your sniffling as you promptly wiped your face, knowing she can tell with you too. 

You catch her reflection in the rear view mirror, her gaze focused out the window, there's a soft but somber look on her face— you hate that you’re the cause of any sadness she is hiding from you. 

Shifting your eyes back to the road as you turn into a quiet neighborhood. The small street is lined with modest homes and memories of block party cookouts on holiday weekends, kids running the sidewalks as their popsicles melt down their small hands and families bringing home newest editions to continue adding new memories. 

The two story red brick with white trim house is nestled further down the cul de sac, it was the perfect starter home for two young adults who threw their savings and a hefty bank loan into it. 

Guilt builds in your chest the closer you get, knowing it’s a quick visit before you leave, it hasn't gotten easier and each time only adding to the pain you feel of not pulling in that driveway permanently. 

“He’s going to be bummed you won’t be here this weekend, I can already see his grumpy face.”

Parking the car along the curb in front of the house and killing the engine, you turn to look to the back seat. 

“Please don’t say anything, just let me tell him okay?” You can already see his furrowed brow line and puppy dog eyes, for as handsome as he is, he wears his grumpiness well. 

“Are you going to tell him you’re moving back home too?” 

“What? How did you—“

“I heard you talking to grandma this morning, you both aren’t the quietest people, even when you think you’re being quiet. Just tell him, please. I don’t think he can take it much longer.” 

“Yes, I’ll tell him.”

“Promise?”

“I promise— Gosh, since when did the roles reverse here? I swear, you were just 5 begging for your training wheels to come off. What the heck happened?”

“I turned 14 and wondered when my parents were going to come to their senses.” 

“Alright, get your stuff baby girl. Don’t forget your school books too.” 

“Got it!” Grabbing her overnight bag and backpack, books tucked under her arm as she exits the car. 

You grab the small package out of the glove box and take a minute to calm your nerves, the air sticking to your skin the moment you step out of the car. 

“Give me a hug.” Opening your arms to your daughter, grateful that even at 14 she still loves giving her parents hugs. “I’m gonna miss you, but I’ll call you when I get there ok?” Your cheek squished against the side of her head as you squeeze her a little tighter. 

“Did you get the gift?” She looks up at you. 

You hold up the silver box, giving a little shake, its contents knocking about slightly. You both smile at the remembrance of picking it out, the shopping trip to the mall last night week, searching every store for the perfect gift. It took 10 stores, a pretzel and a pit stop to Claire’s before you both settled on it— the perfect style and color to match his rugged look. 

“Do you want to give it to him?” You ask her. 

“No, you can. I’m going to grab something to eat before we leave for school.” 

Another round of hugs, several small kisses to the top of her head and a string of ‘I love yous’ before she leaves you on the sidewalk to head inside. 

The front door opens before she’s even made it up the driveway. 

“Hey Dad!” Throwing herself into his arms. 

Watching their embrace sends a wave of emotion through you, their bond is something you’ve always loved, only getting stronger as she’s gotten older. 

You can’t hear what they're talking about from where you’re standing, hushed giggles and smiles exchanged before she makes her way inside. 

The roar of a pickup truck grabs your attention as it parks in front of the garage, the door slamming shut before you see him round the front of the truck. 

“Eve! You finally comin’ to take my asshole brother back? He keeps mopin’ around like a lost puppy. Makes him a pain in the ass to deal with truthfully— if not for him, do it for me sweetheart!” His hands up in a praying manner, you can’t help but shake your head and laugh at how dramatic he is first thing in the morning. 

“Tommy, shut the fuck up and leave her alone will ya. Go on an’ head inside, I’ll be there in a minute. Sarah’s probably cooking up some eggs or somethin’— make sure she doesn’t burn the house down.” His voice sounds better when he’s standing 2 feet away from you, shouting at his idiot brother who is retreating to the house in search of food that was mentioned. 

“Hey.” The tension leaves his shoulders, dropping the minute he gets a good look at you, his smile on full display. 

It had been a week since you had last seen him, dropping Sarah off at your parents where you’ve been staying for the last 2 months. 

“Hi, Joel.” 

He hesitates for a moment, not sure whether to give you a hug or not, you make the decision for him and lean into his solid body wrapping your arms around him instantly, his brain taking a second to register the gesture before reciprocating earnestly. You breathe in his freshly showered scent— woodsy and warm, like a mountain forest after a raining day. 

The hug lingers on for a while, neither of you speaking a word, savoring the embrace fully before releasing each other. 

“How’s things been? Your parents good?” Hands fidgeting at his side, nerves starting to tick off as he searches for things to ask you. 

“Yeah, things are good— things are going well.” Your voice fluttering, your own nerves making you feel like a middle schooler talking to her crush for the first time between classes. “My parents are good, too— they said to tell you hello.” 

Another beat of silence, not really sure what to say next. 

“Oh— this is for you.” You hand him the box you’ve been gripping tightly since you left the car. “It’s from Sarah and I, she insisted it was something you would like— Happy Birthday, Joel.” 

Joel opens the lid to reveal a watch— a simple black watch face with matte silver casing and a green fabric band. Pulling it from the box he takes a better look at it, holding the weight of it in his large callused hand. 

“Thanks— I love it.” And you know he means it, his genuine smile lights up his face making his beautiful brown eyes shine and crinkle up on the sides. 

“Here, let me help you put it on.” Grabbing the watch from his hand. 

Sliding the watch band around his wrist, his skin is soft against your fingertips as you maneuver the buckle in place— his forearm taut, muscles and tendons flexed and firm from years of working with his hands. His broad frame, all skilled and capable of handling any kind of physical demands, taking on any task with ease— from the way he held the tools that aided in remodeling every issue the house had when you moved in, to the way he gently held your newborn in the early hours of the morning and how he would hold you every night as you slept beside him— his body built for protecting the ones he loves the most. 

You find it hard to let him go, your hands loitering over his hand, wanting nothing more than for him to pull you back against him, and you think he is going to when he grabs your left hand. His focus was first on your wedding ring, he’d spent the last 2 months worried you would remove it— his thumb smoothes over the gold band, then wrapping his hand around tenderly yours. 

His eyes move from where your hands are joined to your face, watching how you’re still looking at the way he’s holding your hand, how you meet his eyes after a brief moment and the world around you is still. 

“I was thinking we could try counseling—“

“I talked to a lawyer—“

You both speak at the same time, Joel’s face instantly morphing from hope to heartbreak at the way you mention talking to a lawyer. 

“Hey, don’t get all worried on me, it was just my mom’s friend from Bunco.” You start to explain, your hand cupping his face. “She’s a retired lawyer I should say— she proposed I start writing down my thoughts in the form of letters, writing the things I've been wanting to say to you or how I’ve been feeling— anyway, she also suggested we try counseling too. Said it can help get things back on track, that it would be good for us.” 

Joel releases the breath he was holding, relief settling into his handsome features. 

“Yeah— I think it would be good for us too. I got the number of someone who specializes in marriage counseling, they were highly recommended.” 

Your heart swells at the effort he’s putting into fighting for you, to fight for your marriage. 

“Okay. Set us up a meeting with them and send me all the details.” 

His hands settle into your hips, yours on his arms, the distance between you slowly closing. 

“Okay. I wanted to ask you, no pressure or anything— Sarah wanted to get a cake on Friday for my birthday, she insists on it actually. Would you want to join us?”

“You know I would love to—” You pause, gathering all your thoughts before letting him know you wouldn’t be able to. 

“Definitely feels like there’s a but coming.” His brows knit together as he waits for the rest of your letdown. 

“I’m heading out of town, today actually. I picked up a few shifts down in Laredo at their hospital— it’s been planned for several weeks now, so I can’t get out of it.” 

You had been working as a traveling nurse for the last 6 months, picking up shifts all over the state and working as much as possible to continue to help with the endless amount of bills. 

“But— I put in for a permanent position at St. David’s. They were looking for a new head of triage, so I applied— and it would keep me closer to home.”

“Home? Like here home?” His head nudged in the direction of the house behind him, hands gripping tighter on your hips at the prospect of you moving back in. 

“Yeah. I was thinking— I should be back early next week after my shifts are through and if it’s okay with you, I can start moving back in on Monday evening?” 

“Eve, you don’t even have to ask. I would love nothin’ more than to have my wife home with me. Should we tell Sarah now or wait ‘til you get back?”

“She already knows— teenagers and the way their hearing only picks up on the things not meant for them. Although, I think she was secretly plotting something.” 

Laughter fills the air between you, his forehead now resting against yours. 

“I love you, Eve. I promise things are going to be different.”

“I love you so much. we’ll get through this together.”

Joel’s hand moves to tilt your chin up slightly, his gaze flitting between your eyes and lips, searching for any sign of rejection from you. 

Your lashes flutter against the top of your cheeks at the sensation of Joel’s lips molding against yours, pulling you flush to him, your hands carding through the curls at the nape of his neck. 

It doesn’t take much for the kiss to deepen, weeks of pent up emotion pouring into every little detail of it. 

“Would you two get a room already?” Sarah shouts from the front door. 

“Yeah, get a fuckin’ room you animals.” Tommy always needing to add his own commentary. 

The kiss over sooner than you would have liked. 

“I should get going, I’ve got a 4 hour drive ahead of me.” 

“Will you— will you call me when you get there? Let me know you made it safe?”

“Sure. I’ll call once I get settled into my hotel room.”

He kisses you one last time before letting you go, watching as you head back to your car. 

Pulling the driver door open you pause, looking to Joel the house then to Sarah, blowing them a kiss and a final wave.

“I’ll see you all next week!” You say before getting into your car and driving back down the street towards the main road, watching their reflection in the mirror get smaller and smaller as they wave you one final goodbye.  

Next

[thescarlettbitch]

Modern witch tips ✨️

Vehicle edition!

I know it's hard to connect with nature when you're in urban/densely populated areas, or in a big man made machine, but here are some tips that have helped me.

But first, please, please, please if you are feminine/fem presenting, know the dangers of having your car too feminine looking!

Your car is an extension of yourself! Keep it clean, to the best of your abilities. Go through a car wash and imagine it washing away the negativity as well.

Protective stones/spell bottles/sigils. If you're in the broom closet or are worried about the people who frequent your car being weirded out, stick them in the glove compartment, the console, the little door compartments. Use things meant to protect travelers, or just generic protection things.

Air fresheners can be witchy! You can find a hundred shops on Etsy or TikTok that make special air fresheners (for star signs, deities, fictional characters, manifestation, etc), and you can charge them with certain intent or whatever, or make your own!

Playlists that embody the feeling you want for the day. Have a bad bitch Playlist to manifest confidence and play it on your drive. Make a deity playlist and play that to feel them with you as you drive.

Roll down those windows (if safe)! Let the fresh wind wash away your negativity and breathe in the scent of the earth (if it's safe!)

Take backroads, stay off main drags, take in the natural surroundings. (Again, if safe) don't be afraid to use a GPS so you don't get lost

Park your car in a park, if possible, as often as you can. Visit parks, they can help you reconnect.

Go for a litter drive, as I call it, don protective clothing (like gloves) and pick up bits of litter you find SAFELY and dispose of it correctly.

Key chains made with protective crystals, rear view mirror hanging witches ladder, Decals with sigils, stickers on the dash, etc. (Remember, it can be dangerous to have your car be clearly owned by a woman, so be careful, I personally take my overly fem seeming decorations down when I am parking in urban areas.

Lock your mirrors! Make sure no bad energy can get trapped in there and that nothing can come out.

And I think that's all I got! Feel free to drop more. Stay safe, drive safe, be witchy, blessed be <3