#everything in the game is about The Problems

[sprenthecreator]

IMPURITIES EP. 4 | Falling Away From Me

Final episode from this LSF mini-series

Male reader x Chaewon, Eunchae

9,4k words

tags: hate sex for chaewon, fluff for manchae, threesome

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If you'd known how things were going to end, maybe you would have thought twice before falling for Yunjin and Chaewon's manipulation that night in New York.

You were in the living room, sitting in your usual spot, with an iPad on which you checked schedules that apparently no one cared about anymore, your hair messy and your shirt wrinkled, thinking about how you'd lost control of everything thanks to the seeds of chaos you'd once planted and that were now weeds impossible to prune.

A year had passed since that night, and what started as a little game you thought wouldn't amount to much had mutated into the main source of your exhaustion, because the truth was that your authority had eroded to the frustrating point where none of the girls respected you like they used to.

Nah. They didn't even respect you, in general.

Much of it was solely your fault, and it was something you'd made peace with a long time ago. But the girls had been consciously pushing the boundaries ever since, knowing it was as simple as giving you pussy once in a while to get you off your butt. That way, they killed two birds with one stone: they satisfied their carnal needs, and kept you appeased.

At first, it was one-off things you didn't worry too much about, like staying out late without telling you or breaking minor rules of living together. However, when they realized you weren't making a big deal out of it, they started skipping practices, staying out all night without checking in, and seeing as many guys and girls as they pleased.

And all this while making you cover for them.

For God's sake, what the hell had all that become? It was a fucking circus, and you were the highest-paid clown in it. It had to end, and soon. Of that you were sure.

Unfortunately, your only problem was that you had no idea how to proceed. While it was true that your emotional bond with Chaewon—who was the best-behaved of all of them—was by far the strongest compared to the other girls, your relationship had soured thanks to your constant encounters with the others. If it had happened a year ago, you might have been able to address the situation with the levity it required, but now you felt like there was a sea of ​​distance between you.

And all because of jealousy, bad decisions, and the audacity of four girls in their prime.

Laughter upstairs brought you out of your reverie. It couldn't be Chaewon, since you knew she was busy with her own things at that hour, and it couldn't be Kazuha, since she was out on one of her individual photoshoots. That left you with the Three Musketeers.

It wasn't your business to know what they were laughing about, and it never had been, since it was their personal space. But for some time now, you'd been suspicious of even the smallest thing. The laughter could only mean two things: either they were laughing at something innocent, or they were committing one of their misdeeds.

Experience told you it was the latter.

With a heavy breath, you put the iPad aside and stood up, heading for some stairs you hadn't climbed in days, maybe weeks. As you climbed them, you felt a strange discomfort run through your body, knowing you were entering a domain over which your jurisdiction was now null.

Upstairs, you looked around, noticing one of the doors was wide open: the bedroom Sakura and Yunjin shared. More laughter came from there. You walked cautiously, careful not to make your footsteps creak the wooden floor as you approached. A few feet away, you frowned as a smoky smell reached your nostrils. Like... burnt grass, but more intense.

When you peeked your head around the left side of the frame, your suspicions were confirmed and even exceeded.

Sakura and Yunjin were sitting on one of the two beds, dressed in loose clothing and with their hair down. Nothing out of the ordinary until you noticed that Yunjin was holding a lit joint between her index finger and thumb. She didn't notice you were watching, so you watched as she took a quick drag, held it, and then blew the smoke into the air.

They had a long history of inappropriate behavior, but this was completely new and more serious. At least for you. And you weren't going to tolerate it.

"Can you explain to me what the fuck you're doing?!" you asked, abruptly entering the room.

They both got a bit of a shock, but relaxed—yes, they fucking relaxed—when they saw it was you.

"Oh, calm down, manager-nim," Yunjin said, dismissing it with a wave of her hand. "It's just a friendly joint, it won't hurt anyone."

Maybe you were just too irascible and irritable, but that alone was enough to make your blood boil.

"Do you do this shit outside the house too?" You raised your voice and took a step forward. "Do you know that crap can ruin your fucking career? For the love of God!" You threw your hands in the air. "What the fuck are you thinking?"

"If you don't like it, leave," Kura said, shrugging. She took the joint from Yunjin's hand. "We're adults and we know exactly what we're doing."

"And I don't think you're the one to lecture us on morals, are you?" Yunjin asked with a giggle, tilting her head. "My throat still hurts from how well you fucked my face last night."

You snorted, feeling your frustration rising in your body.

"Maybe I'm not, but I'm still your fucking manager, and I've had enough." You walked over to them, grabbing Sakura by the wrist with one hand and taking the joint from her with the other. Then you turned around to walk to the door. "Next time I'll inform the company, see if that will get you in line."

Sakura and Yunjin laughed behind you. Did you tell a joke?

"Yeah, we'll just sit here and wait for you to do it," Kura mocked. "Take your time."

"Goodbye, manager-nim!" Yunjin said to you, still giggling, as you stood under the door, biting your tongue to avoid responding.

In the end, you left the room and slammed the door behind you.

The joint in your hand was still lit, and since you didn't have a stain-resistant surface nearby to put it out, you simply let it burn in a corner of the hallway floor.

As you turned around and started walking down the hall toward the stairs, one of the doors at the far end opened. You stopped as Eunchae emerged from her shared room with Zuha, wearing headphones, a cropped T-shirt that showed off a good portion of her belly, and tight shorts.

And she was carrying a can of beer.

"Oh, hello, manager-nim," Eunchae greeted with a nod of her chin after hanging the headphones around her neck. With a defiant look, she opened the can of beer in front of you.

You clenched your fists and teeth, closing your eyes to summon whatever patience you had left after dealing with the other two.

Since becoming an adult seven months ago, Eunchae had joined the others and started acting like a rebellious brat, and she was undoubtedly the biggest pain in the ass. Not because of what she did, but because, as the maknae, everyone jumped to her defense as if she couldn't even kill a fly.

"Hong Eunchae..." you began in a low but threatening voice. "You better have a good reason for having that damn beer in your hand. You know very well we don't drink here."

Eunchae walked toward you and stopped about a meter away, leaning her weight on one leg and crossing her arms.

"I'm 18 now. I think I can do whatever I please, right?"

"You can do it outside the house. But there are rules here."

"Rules?" Eunchae chuckled. "The same rules under which you fuck my unnies over and over again?"

You were silent for a moment. You had no defense against that.

"That has nothing to do with all of you being brats in constant disobedience," you opted to say.

"If we're in constant disobedience, it's because you haven't had the courage to stand up to us," Eunchae took a step forward. "Or am I wrong? Huh?"

At your silence, Eunchae brought the beer can to her lips and took a long sip. A bit of beer trickled down the sides of her chin and slid down her long neck. Then she looked at you again, closer this time.

"I just drank," she said defiantly. "Are you going to do something about it?"

Eunchae studied you for a moment, noticing your fists clenched in rage. You were about to say something, but she got there first.

"I thought so."

Then, leaving you fuming at her insolence, Eunchae turned on her heel and walked back to her room, her hips swaying.

Definitely, you'd had enough. Something had to change, and it had to change right now. Your mind immediately went to Chaewon. She was the leader, and also supposed to be the most mature, she had to take responsibility for the behavior of her members.

Feeling steam coming out of your ears, you walked to the other end of the hallway. The door to Chaewon's room was ajar, and with your best-contained anger, you entered.

Chaewon was sitting on her messy bed, knees pointed out and feet tucked under her thighs as she scribbled in a notebook. She was wearing short pajama shorts and a loose shirt that slipped off one shoulder, and she was listening to music on her AirPods. Her gaze shifted toward you when she noticed your presence, her expression stern.

"What's wrong?" she asked me with a coldness that made your heart sink, taking out her AirPods as you closed the door behind you with a firm click.

You stood near the door and crossed your arms, feeling the full pressure of being in a place you shouldn't be under normal circumstances weighing on your shoulders. You felt like an intruder, and that's probably what she thought.

"Chaewon, this has gone too far," you finally said, your voice calm and in contrast to how irritated you felt. "The damn house is in disarray. There's no more respect, no more order. Everyone does whatever the hell they want without fear of the consequences, and honestly, I'm fucking exhausted. Do you know what Eunchae was doing? She..."

You stopped saying what you were going to say when Chaewon put her notebook and mechanical pencil aside and got out of bed with a sudden movement.

"Same thing again?" she asked, her tone cutting, taking slow steps toward you until she stopped less than a meter away. "Do you realize the way you're talking?" She tilted her head. "I'm not your fucking babysitter! When are you going to get this through your head?"

You gritted your teeth, focused on not getting any more upset than you already were.

"No, you're not the fucking babysitter. You're the leader of the fucking group, and you don't seem to care that this shit's going down!"

Chaewon let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. She turned and walked over to the desk, where she began shuffling her sheet music, something she did when she was under severe stress. Her hands were shaking.

"And what about you?" Chaewon asked without looking at you. "How can you expect to blame me when this whole fucking mess is your fault?"

"My fault?" You pointed at yourself, walking over to her side. "I've been trying to keep them in line for a damn year, and you just let them do whatever the hell they want," you were inadvertently raising your voice. "You're not using the damn authority you're supposed to have! This is your responsibility too!"

Chaewon turned to face you, her face inches from yours.

"My responsibility?!" She raised her voice too. "I'm sick of taking the fall for your damn mistakes while you..." her voice cracked. "While you fuck the others like you don't care about what I feel!"

Bingo. That's the root of the whole damn situation. The worst part is that it was also your fault for letting her get involved not only sexually with you, but emotionally as well. You liked each other, a lot. But the nature of your working relationship complicated things a lot on your end. Of course, she didn't care, and she allowed herself to feel jealous of the others.

"Chaewon... ugh!" you huffed in frustration, bringing your hands to your face. When you lowered them, your eyes wandered down to her desk, where you noticed an envelope among the sheet music with what appeared to be the HYBE logo. "What's this?"

Chaewon looked where you were looking and tried to hide the envelope, but you were quicker and grabbed it. It was, indeed, an open envelope with the HYBE logo in one corner. She tried to take it from your hands, but you covered yourself and pulled out the folded paper inside.

"You've got to be kidding me..." you muttered.

The sheet contained a notice: an anonymous complaint about LESSERAFIM's behavior, mentioning rumors of parties in nightclubs, lack of discipline, and even dating scandals, with implications for legal action if these behaviors weren't corrected.

Every ounce of patience you'd been mustering evaporated in the heat of your boiling blood. That explained everything: both the girls' audacity at seeing their actions had no consequences and Chaewon's passivity in the matter. She was hiding it.

Betrayed by the leader of the group you were leading. It had gotten to that point.

"Kim Chaewon..." you slowly lowered the sheet of paper, your gaze fixed on the floor. "You knew about this and didn't do anything to fix it?"

Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed Chaewon tense, completely still on her feet. You could tell she hadn't planned for you to find out.

"It's not my problem..." she said hesitantly. "If they want to come, then let them. I'm tired."

You raised your gaze to face her, frowning.

"Then let them? What the fuck are you talking about?" You shook the sheet of paper in your hand and then threw it on the desk. "Don't you realize that your passivity makes you just as guilty as the rest of us?!"

"Guilty?!" Chaewon raised her voice, her face turning red. "Of course, because you can fuck the others like common whores in need of cock, and I have to smile and act like it's nothing!" She gave you a little shove. "You think it doesn't hurt me to see you with them? It makes me sick! Sick!"

"Chaewon-ah! It's not all about you!" you yelled, hands outstretched. "Don't you understand? You're being a fucking selfish bitch and letting everything get ruined over a fucking jealousy scene!

"I..."

"Grow up and talk things over with me instead of letting things get to this point!" Fuck!" You slammed the side of your fist against the desk and turned your back to take a few steps away, feeling your head start to hurt.

Chaewon, instead of closing the distance between you, took a slight step back.

"Do something, then," she said, her voice shaking.

You stood very still, thinking you'd heard her wrong.

"Excuse me, what?" you said, slowly turning around and closing the distance between you.

"Do something," Chaewon repeated louder. "Be a damn man, and do something. You're the highest authority in this house, right? Do something."

You stood in front of her, staring into her eyes as your breathing grew labored. Rage took hold of you and clouded your thinking, so you didn't measure your strength when you grabbed her by the arms and slammed her against the wall on one side of the bed, smashing your lips against hers.

Chaewon moaned and grabbed at your shirt, tugging at it and biting your lower lip as you kissed her furiously. You wrapped your arms around her body, and she wrapped her arms around your neck, one hand in your hair and the other across your shoulders. She fought for control of the kiss, making your teeth clash and your tongues swirl. In the end, it was your determination to prove your dominance that allowed you to subdue her.

You grabbed her by the thighs and lifted her into the air, spinning her onto the bed and throwing her face up against the mattress. Chaewon trapped your torso with her strong thighs, hands on your shoulders as you exchanged saliva and heavy breaths.

In a pure surge of desire and anger combined, you ripped off Chaewon's shirt with a sharp upward jerk. Chaewon gasped, her small breasts covered by a black bra that you wanted to rip to shreds.

"You're going to learn who's boss, you fucking whore," you growled. "Open your mouth."

"Make me, asshole," Chaewon barked back. "You're not gonna boss me around after months of being a pussy."

In response, you slapped her firmly across her left cheek, making her moan. Then you grabbed a handful of her short brown hair, pulled her head back, and bit her exposed neck. Chaewon dug her nails into your shoulders and let out another moan, letting you trail kisses and sucks down to her chest. You slid your hands under her back, and after removing her bra, you took one of her breasts into your mouth.

Chaewon's back arched as you swirled your tongue around each nipple and sucked on them like never before. After leaving each mound covered in saliva, you slowly lowered your mouth between them until you reached her tummy, pausing there for a moment before moving to her lower abdomen and, with your hands on her waist, yanked her shorts and panties down her legs.

With her now wet pussy exposed, you wasted no time parting Chaewon's legs, pushing her thighs back and planting your mouth there, giving her an upward lick before devouring her silky folds, addictive not only for their texture but for their taste.

"Oh god," Chaewon moaned after a few seconds, as you sucked and licked her clit. "Stop being such a fucking weakling and fuck me already."

"Shut the fuck up," you snapped, and slapped her pussy. She moaned. "You're not in charge. Get it through your fucking head."

Before Chaewon could protest further, you sucked on your middle and ring fingers and slowly guided them into her tight pussy. Chaewon reached out and gripped strands of your hair as you began pumping your wrist, simultaneously licking her clit in rapid motions.

Chaewon writhed on the bed, her moans getting louder as you went faster, your sole goal being to make her explode as quickly as possible. You succeeded after a few seconds, when Chaewon tensed her thighs and exploded against your mouth, stifling sweet squeals of pleasure that she muffled against the forearm she was biting.

"Cum again," you said, in a low but commanding voice, still pumping your fingers even though Chaewon was still squirming.

"B-But! I'm still-"

"I said cum again."

Chaewon grabbed your hair with both hands, pulling hard. Not even a minute passed before your commands sank in and she came for the second time in a row, her body seized by a series of spasms that made her crumple the sheets beneath her.

"Good girl," you said, standing up while her legs were still shaking. "That's the least obedience I expect from now on."

Still somewhat dazed from climaxing twice in such a short amount of time, Chaewon remained silent as you removed your clothes. When you were completely naked, you climbed onto the bed with her and, kneeling beside her face, took your hard cock in one hand and forced it into her mouth.

Chaewon didn't protest and closed her lips around your cock with a moan, propping herself up on one elbow to grasp your shaft at the base and pump her head with long, hard pumps. Her control didn't last long, however, as you pulled a handful of her hair into a ponytail and began fucking her face.

"That's it, slut, take it all," you groaned, rapidly pumping your hips.

This wasn't anything new between the two of you, so she was able to take almost all of your cock before her gag reflex kicked in. Still, saliva slowly seeped from the corners of her lips and dripped down her chin, and it only got worse when, after a moment, you buried the entire length of your cock inside her mouth, resting it against her throat.

"Choke on it, bitch," you gasped, tightening your fingers in her hair, feeling her throat caress your tip.

Chaewon gagged against your cock, saliva spilling from her mouth in thick drops that fell onto the sheets. Her nails dug into your buttocks, a signal to stop that you ignored at first. Only a few desperate slaps on your thigh finally made you give her a break, letting her cough and catch her breath.

"You fucking..."

You returned the words to her mouth with another sharp slap to her cheek. Chaewon groaned, looking up at you with eyes filled with pleasure and anger.

"I don't want to hear you, shut the fuck up," you said, going to kneel between her legs.

"Fuck you, motherf... mmmgh!" Chaewon squealed as you took your cock inside her in one swift motion. "God, why can't you just be mine?"

You placed your hands on her thighs and pressed them back, fucking her slowly at that angle you knew she loved. Funny, but yes: even mad as hell at her, you cared that she enjoyed it.

"Because I'm not interested in belonging to a selfish bitch," you said, jaw clenched, panting at how good the way her pussy squeezed your cock so deliciously always felt. You didn't really think that, but it was the first thing your anger put in line.

Chaewon grabbed her legs behind the knees, keeping them spread. She moaned as you went faster and pounded her against the bed.

"Those bitches don't deserve you!!" Chaewon protested amidst her moans.

"And do you?"

"At least I truly love you!" Chaewon squealed, closing her eyes and tilting her head back. "Why doesn't that matter to you?!"

You pressed both of Chaewon's thighs together and rested both of her heels on your right shoulder, then leaned forward and pushed her legs against her body with your hands flat on the mattress.

"Then why did you let all this happen?!" you yelled through a grunt, reaching deep into her pussy with each thrust. "You don't do that shit to someone you love!!"

"And you don't deliberately fuck that person's groupmates either!"

That was the last thing Chaewon screamed before cumming again, suffocating your cock with her tight walls. She shuddered beneath you and gripped your forearms, every muscle in her body contracting in an orgasm that wasn't half as strong as what you knew you could achieve in her.

"If that bothered you, you could talk to me, Kim Chaewon," you murmured, fucking her slowly. "Talking. You know what that is, right?" You slowly raised your voice. "Talking instead of putting the fucking executives on our fucking heels!! What the fuck were you thinking?! Ugh!"

You pulled out of her pussy and grabbed her forearm to force her to stand up off the bed, carry her to the desk, and bend her against it. Chaewon braced her hands on the surface, crumpling some sheet music and knocking a couple of pens out of their containers to the floor.

"I don't have to go around telling you what the fuck to do and what not!" Chaewon yelled back, a moan escaping her throat as you came back inside her. "You're a fucking adult and you know exactly what you're doing!"

"And that excuses you from being fucking negligent?" you asked, hands gripping her waist as you pounded her pussy again with fast, hard thrusts. "I understand that you're mad at me, but hiding something like that from me? What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

"You had to wake up somehow, you fucking asshole! Mmmgh!" Chaewon squealed, slumping her upper torso against the desk, knocking more of her things over. "I hope it teaches you to think with your head and not your dick!"

You reached out and grabbed a handful of her hair. Chaewon moaned as you pulled it back, causing her to lift her chest slightly off the desk.

"So you're not even sorry?" you growled, your brow furrowed.

"I won't fucking be sorry until you are!" Chaewon snapped back. "And believe me, you have plenty of reasons to apologize!"

You wished your mind had come up with a response to that, but all you could muster was a resounding slap to her right buttock that reverberated throughout the room and made her scream. More like those landed, on each buttock. One after the other until her ass was tinted a bright red, making it look like a jelly cake that you jiggled with each violent thrust.

"Keep going, keep going, keep going!!" Chaewon squealed, her hands braced against the wall in front of her. "Keep going, daddy, please!"

Chaewon exploded within seconds, in an electrifying orgasm that still wasn't the strongest you could get out of her, so you lifted one of her knees and placed it on the edge of the desk to adjust the angle and continue fucking her through a climax that still didn't relax her body.

"Oh fuckkk!!" Chaewon slammed her hand on the table, resting her forehead on one of her notebooks. "That feels so good!"

You gritted your teeth, sweat dripping from your temples and onto your chest as you redoubled your efforts. You squeezed her left buttock with your hand, and with the other, you had her behind the neck, both grips tight and rough. The railing continued until Chaewon came again, and this time you smiled when her neck arched back and she screamed at the ceiling.

"My god!!" Chaewon growled, her pussy squeezing you as her whole body shook. "How can I hate you when you drive me so fucking crazy, son of a bitch!"

"I'm the one who should hate you for what you did," you gasped, sliding a hand from her ass to her waist and pulling out of her pussy.

"And yet, you don't," Chaewon turned to look at you over her shoulder, straightening her back slightly with her hands resting on the desk again. "I'm everything you've ever wanted, and that's why you love me."

"Then you understand how disappointing it is for me that you would hide something like that out of jealousy," you said, unclenching your jaw and calming your breathing. The anger was slowly dissipating. "I… didn't expect that from you, Chaewon,” you shook your head. “You're better than that."

Chaewon opened her mouth to say something, but only a stutter came out. Then her eyes glazed over, and she wrinkled her nose in an attempt not to cry. She was realizing.

"I-I..." Chaewon pouted and looked away, two tears falling down her cheeks. "God, I'm sorry."

That looked more like the Chaewon you knew, one who put her pride aside and was mature enough to know how to give in when necessary. But despite it all, it broke your heart to watch her cry. Always.

You sighed and tilted your head, watching her as she wiped away her tears to no avail, as she sobbed on and on. Chaewon then straightened her back, turned around, and snuggled up to your chest with both arms in front of her.

"I'm so sorry, I really am," Chaewon sobbed. "You don't deserve to go through this because of me."

You swallowed and wrapped your arms around her, holding her close. You stroked her back and hair to comfort her.

"I'm sorry too," you said quietly, staring into space. "For... acting without thinking about how you'd feel."

"What I did is much worse!" Chaewon whimpered. "I messed up, and now we're going to be in trouble!"

"Chaewon-ah, please breathe," you said, seeing that she couldn't find relief from her tears. "There's time to make things right. We just have to absorb the blow and improve. It won't be more than a scolding."

That seemed to calm her down a bit. Chaewon made an effort to regulate her breathing and hold back her sobs, after leaving your chest wet with her tears.

"You think so?" Chaewon looked up at you. "I really don't want this to end because of me. I've worked so hard in this group, and... and..."

You cupped her face and kissed her gently. Chaewon held onto your wrists, kissing back.

"We both made mistakes, okay?" you said, gently holding her face. "You've already apologized for yours, and I apologize for mine."

"Can you really accept my apology? What I did..." Chaewon looked to the side and slowly shook her head. "God, I'm really sorry."

"I can accept them as long as you commit to putting things in order. To really put things in order like the leader you are," you did a pause. "Can you accept mine?"

"I can accept them..." Chaewon now looked at you. "But you know what that entails."

"I... I think I know," you nodded.

"We have terms, then?"

"They're going to riot about it, and we will have to find a solution for them, but we have terms."

"Great," Chaewon sighed and rested her forehead against your chest. "I'm still mad at you, though."

"I know, I know," you said. "Can I do anything to remedy it, even just a little?"

Chaewon looked up at you, and slowly reached down to grab your cock and rub it.

"Fuck my ass," she said, her hand sliding down your cock, wet with her own fluids. "You've never done it, and I think this is a good time to."

You chuckled.

"Really? Right now?"

"Well... you're not doing it with Kura anymore," Chaewon scribbled on your chest with a finger from her other hand while giving you a lazy handjob. "So you better get used to doing it with me."

Damn it, you weren't going to fuck Kura's ass again. The thought was painful. The sacrifice was more than necessary, though.

"So be it, then," you said, and slid a hand behind her to squeeze her ass. "Turn around."

Chaewon obeyed and bent back against the desk, her fists resting on it. She pushed her round ass back, pressing the back of your cock between her buttocks. There was no lubricant on hand, so you'd have to settle for natural methods, using saliva and her own fluids to prepare her ass.

"Mmm, fuck," Chaewon moaned, straining as two of your fingers made their way inside her butthole. "Slow, slow."

"Haven't you done this before?" you asked, carefully stretching her insides. "Not even with toys?"

"Those three have put the wrong ideas in your head, honey," Chaewon sighed, your fingers now fully inside her. "Not all girls are sluts who like things up their asses."

"I had to ask," you shrugged. "Do you feel ready yet, sweetie?"

"I think so..."

You removed your fingers from inside her ass and grabbed your cock, pressing it against it. For her first time, her hole yielded quite easily to your length, slowly filling it. Chaewon dropped her chest onto the desk.

"Well, it's not as bad as I thought..." Chaewon murmured. "Wait stop!" she said, when you were only inches away from being completely inside her.

"Is that your limit, baby?" you asked, your hands on her waist. "You can relax, I won't push any further."

"Yeah, I'm sorry, darling," Chaewon sighed, looking at you over her shoulder. "I know Kura can take it all, but I..."

"Kim Chaewon," you grabbed her neck and pulled her closer so she was looking into your eyes. "Never, and I repeat, never. Compare yourself to other girls."

"But..."

"Never. You drive me fucking crazy, no matter what. I've told you that more than once, I’m pretty sure."

Chaewon remained silent, and looking into your eyes, she pushed her hips back and drove the rest of your cock into her ass with a small cry of pain. You took her hands and intertwined your fingers together.

"Hey!" You frowned, concerned by her pained face but also delighted by how good it felt. "Baby, you didn't have to do that..."

"Shut up," Chaewon reached behind her to cover your mouth, her eyes closed as she adjusted to having you inside her ass. "You shouldn't have said that: you forced me to prove how much you deserve the best of me."

Chaewon took your hand from her mouth and returned it to the desk.

"Are you sure it doesn't hurt?" you asked.

"Just move, asshole," Chaewon replied. "I'll get over it."

Somewhat hesitantly, you began to move slowly, your hands on her waist. Your cock slid in and out of her with some friction, lacking proper lubrication, but that didn't stop it from feeling simply delicious after just a few pumps. For Chaewon, it was a similar sensation: over time, her expression softened, slowly transforming to evoke the pleasure she felt.

"Is that better, darling?" you gasped, one hand slowly moving up her smooth, beautiful back to rest on one of her shoulders. Now your rhythm was steady, not too fast for fear of hurting her.

"Oh yeah, it's feeling like I thought it would," Chaewon replied. "You can move faster."

You did so, gradually picking up a steady rhythm until you were slamming your pelvis against her ass with each thrust. Chaewon's moans grew louder and louder, letting you know that ecstasy was taking over her and that she was beginning to enjoy every second of it.

"Do you like it, sweetheart?" you asked, gaping, your fingers clutching her shoulder and waist.

"Yes daddy," Chaewon nodded quickly, gripping the opposite edge of the desk. "I love it."

"Can I go faster?"

"I'm not in pain anymore... so use me however you wish."

Those magic words were like gunpowder to the flames, allowing you to slip out of your restraints and give her a good pounding against the desk. All Chaewon did was moan, squirm, and throw even more things off the desk, including HYBE's letter. The room erupted into a perfect cacophony of flesh against flesh and moans.

Interrupted by the sound of the door opening to your left.

You and Chaewon quickly turned your heads and turned your backs to hide your private parts, seeing Eunchae standing under the door, her eyes wide open, fascinated by the scene before her.

"Hong Eunchae!!" Chaewon squealed, frowning, her face flushed. "What did I tell you about knocking on the damn door?! Get lost!!"

"No... this is entertaining," Eunchae said, looking down—probably at your ass—with the door still wide open behind her.

"God, I said get out!" Chaewon yelled, grabbing a pencil to throw at her. She missed badly. "And close the damn door already!"

You grabbed Chaewon's wrist and leaned close to her ear.

"Let her stay," you muttered, glancing at Eunchae out of the corner of your eye.

Chaewon glared at you like you'd gone crazy.

"Huh?! Didn't you learn anything from our argument?"

"This is our chance to start weeding," you said even more quietly so Eunchae wouldn't hear. "Trust me. I have a plan."

Chaewon stared at Eunchae for a moment, rolled her eyes with a snort, and stared at the ceiling.

"Okay, Eunchae," she said loudly. "You can stay. But for God's sake, come in and close the damn door!"

Eunchae hurried into the bedroom and closed the door behind her. You then carried Chaewon to the bed, putting her on her hands and knees as she faced Eunchae, whose eyes lit up at the sight of your naked bodies.

"Should I just... stay around here?" Eunchae asked nervously, pressing herself against the wall next to the door with her hands behind her back.

"If that's what you want," you shrugged, and as you looked down at Chaewon, you thrust back into her ass with a single gentle thrust.

Chaewon moaned, her ass raised from you and her back arched. You left your hands on her buttocks and went back to fucking her with the same intensity as a moment ago, only now looking at Eunchae as you did so.

Eunchae watched intently, leaning against the wall, her breathing quickening as she brought a hand to her crotch to touch herself over her shorts.

"Enjoying this, huh?" you asked between gasps, watching her rub circles on her slit.

"You two look... so hot, yeah," Eunchae nodded, biting her lower lip as Chaewon whimpered in pleasure, seconds before experiencing her first anal orgasm.

You gripped Chaewon's waist with both hands, thrusting slowly and deeply as she moaned and writhed, crumpling the sheets beneath her hands. Her ass suffocated your cock at one point, forcing you to stop and enjoy the sensation.

When Chaewon's orgasm passed, you grabbed her shoulders and straightened her back to press her against your chest. She turned her face, kissing you as she met your lips. You wrapped your arms around her, one hand playing with one of her nipples and the other between her thighs, rubbing circles on her clit. Then you pulled your cock out of her ass and quickly slid it back inside her tight, warm pussy. Chaewon moaned against your lips, placing her hands over yours, and fell forward again as you began pounding her pussy with fierce thrusts that made her shake like a rag doll.

In front of you, Eunchae had one hand inside her shorts and panties, fingering herself faster. She let out small, almost inaudible moans.

"Look at that, baby," you told Chaewon, and you slapped her ass so she arched and looked at Eunchae. "The brat is horny."

"Manager-nim... you move so well," Eunchae said with a small sigh, her cheeks flushed, moving her wrist faster inside her shorts. "When are you going to...?"

Perhaps sensing what her question was going to be, your body tingled to let you know you were close to cumming. So, grabbing Chaewon by the arms to keep her back straight, you pumped up your energy to give her a few last wild thrusts before erupting inside her pussy.

"Mmmgh fuck!" you groaned, balls deep inside her as you filled every corner of her pussy with slow pumps.

"Fuck..." Eunchae moaned. "Is he...?"

"Cumming inside me, yeah," Chaewon nodded, looking into your eyes with her mouth agape. "And he's cumming a lot."

Your head was spinning at that moment, overwhelmed by pleasure. Chaewon fell chest first onto the bed as you released her arms, now giving her buttocks a hard squeeze. Her grippy pussy was also throbbing around you, and you looked down before pulling out of her and watching your cum spill out of it.

Chaewon slid an arm underneath herself and with her fingers scooped a good amount of cum from between her folds.

"Baby," Chaewon looked at Eunchae. "Could you pass me a wet wipe?" She pointed to her nightstand, and as Eunchae watched, she brought her fingers to her mouth to eat your cum.

"Y-yeah, sure," Eunchae nodded, practically trotting over to the nightstand to grab the pack of wet wipes and hand them to Chaewon, her gaze fixed on your fluid-soaked cock.

While you sat down to rest and catch your breath, Chaewon took a brief moment to clean herself up. A minute later, Chaewon tossed the two wet towels she'd used, crumpled into her trash can and looked at Eunchae.

"So? What are you waiting for?" Chaewon asked. "Come here, cutie."

Eunchae kicked off her slippers and climbed onto the bed, kneeling beside you. Chaewon knelt in front of her and, taking her by the shoulders, led her into a gentle kiss that slowly turned passionate. Eunchae was visibly nervous, but Chaewon was sweet to her the whole time until she warmed up and was able to relax.

Chaewon grabbed Eunchae's crop top and slowly pulled it over her head, revealing the pastel pink bra underneath.

"Can I take that off too?" Chaewon asked, her hands behind Eunchae's back.

Eunchae nodded, and Chaewon unclasped her bra so it fell onto the mattress. Eunchae's tits were even smaller than Zuha's, but they looked soft, and her nipples were small and pretty. Chaewon brought one to her mouth, making Eunchae moan and grab the sides of her head.

"Unnie, touch me down there too..." Eunchae moaned, twirling strands of Chaewon's hair around her fingers.

"Hm?" Chaewon looked up with a nipple in her mouth. "Like, here?"

Chaewon slipped her hand inside Eunchae's shorts and panties, and you watched as she reached her pussy, making Eunchae roll her eyes as she circled her slit with her fingers.

"Oh yeah, just like that," Eunchae sighed, as Chaewon continued sucking and licking her small tits. "You can undress me too."

"I'm a little busy," Chaewon replied, kissing between her breasts. "Manager-nim, will you help me?"

You looked at Eunchae silently, and only when she nodded in approval did you knelt up to go behind her and pull both her shorts and panties down to her knees. Eunchae gasped, feeling your cock brush against one of her buttocks. Chaewon, for her part, arched her back and lowered her kisses to Eunchae's tummy..

"Just relax, princess," Chaewon said, looking into her eyes. "We're going to make you feel good."

Eunchae reached behind her to cup the back of your head, while Chaewon inserted two saliva-stained fingers into her pussy. She let out a moan, and you noticed a slight tug on your hair from her, a signal you took as a green light to bury your face in her long neck and shower it with kisses.

"Can I touch you, sweetheart?" you asked in Eunchae's ear.

"I can literally feel your cock against my ass, manager-nim," she replied, turning her head to look into your eyes. "I don't even know why you're asking."

Then Eunchae subtly joined her lips with yours, in a tender kiss you hadn't expected from her, considering the way she'd been behaving all these days. You placed both hands on her small waist, then moved them to different places: the left one to her tits, playing with one of her nipples between your fingers, and the right one between her legs to rub her clitoris.

Chaewon began slowly pumping her fingers in and out of Eunchae, who moaned against your lips at the double stimulus that made her squirm her hips and buck slightly. Soon, Eunchae's breathing became heavier as Chaewon fingered her faster and you rubbed faster, pushing her hips back to crush the back of your cock between her nude, soft buttocks.

"Does that feel good?" you softly said against her lips.

"So, so good," Eunchae moaned, her eyebrows raised and her mouth gaping. "I think... I think I'm gonna... Oh lord!"

Eunchae tightened her fingers in your hair as she came with a soft moan, her body trembling against yours. You moved your fingers slower, and Chaewon pulled her fingers out of her to go down a little further and lick her pussy with gentle licks. 

"I want you to... eat me," Eunchae managed to say in the midst of her climax. "Can you?"

"I'll take care of it," you replied, taking her hand and leading her to lie down on one of the pillows.

Eunchae made herself comfortable with a pillow under her head, right in the center of the bed. You got on top of her, and after a small, warm kiss on her lips, you slowly moved down her upper torso, stopping at her tummy to lick and kiss it. Then you went a little lower, now between her thighs, pressing them back and bringing your mouth to her pussy.

"Oh my... so good," Eunchae sighed, arching her back and grabbing your hair.

Chaewon joined you and lay down next to Eunchae to kiss her lips. Then she moved down her neck, stopping at her tits and sucking on them again, one hand coming down to join you as you ate her pussy with slow licks, soft kisses, and gentle squeezes of her thigh.

Eunchae's moans grew louder as you let go of the gentleness and began to eat her pussy the way you really knew how, resulting in another orgasm that had her whimpering against Chaewon's lips and cuddling her like a teddy bear.

"Mmm, I think it's time for the main attraction," you said, wiping your chin as you knelt between Eunchae's spread legs. "Do you want to do it?"

Eunchae broke away from Chaewon's lips and looked into your eyes, then at your cock just above her pussy. She bit her lip, her cheeks flushed and her breathing ragged, visibly very horny.

"Yes... I do," Eunchae nodded. "Please fuck me, manager-nim."

You took your cock and pressed the tip between her folds, but instead of taking it inside, you rubbed it up and down between them.

"Why should I?" you asked.

Eunchae frowned, confused. Beside her, Chaewon, on the other hand, gave a small smile, knowing where this was going.

"Well... because I'm naked in front of you and you just have to put it in?" Eunchae retorted.

"Indeed," you nodded. "But I'd be giving you what you want. Why would I give you what you want like you deserve it?"

"Oh come on, manager-nim!" Eunchae protested, clutching the pillow under her head with one hand. "Don't be like that! I'm sorry, okay?"

"Your apologies aren't enough, I need something more."

"What the fuck do you mean?" Eunchae tilted her head and grabbed your cock, trying to push it inside her. "Just do it!"

You grabbed her wrist and stopped her, doing it yourself, but you only got the tip inside. Eunchae twisted her hips in a desperate attempt to push more inside her.

"I need you to promise me that you'll start behaving," you said, with a stern tone in your voice that you hoped would work. "And that you'll start respecting my and Chaewon's authority, no matter what."

"And if I refuse, what are you supposed to do?" Eunchae challenged you.

You shrugged and pulled your tip out from between her folds. You made as if to get up from the bed.

"No, stop!" Eunchae stopped you, trapping you with her legs around your waist. "Oh my god, I can't believe you coerced me into this!"

"It's your fault for being nosy and not knocking before entering," you said. "And now you only have two possible choices. Decide."

"Fuck, fine! I promise!" Eunchae said. "Just fuck me!"

"You promise what?"

Eunchae rolled her eyes and growled in frustration.

"I promise I'll behave and respect your authority no matter what!" Eunchae finally blurted out.

A surge of relief washed over your body, making you take a deep breath. Nothing assured you she wasn't lying, but it was a start.

"Good girl," you smirked. "It wasn't that hard, was it?"

"Shut up."

"It's weird to ask, but are you a virgin?"

"That's none of your business!" Eunchae snapped.

"Just asking, rude ass."

Now certain you'd gotten what you wanted from her, you grabbed your cock by the base and slowly guided it inside Eunchae. The absurdly tightness of her pussy led you to believe she was indeed a virgin, but when you looked up, you didn't notice her even the slightest bit worried about it. A pained expression was what you would have expected, but Eunchae just seemed to be enjoying every inch of you filling her.

"Damn, look at you," Chaewon said from beside Eunchae, kissing her neck. "Taking all that cock in exchange for not being such a rebellious brat anymore. Don't you think that's a reasonable exchange?"

"I'm not so sure you know?" Eunchae retorted, when you were halfway inside. "But I don't think I’ll regret it anytime soon."

You sincerely hoped she wouldn't, because you wanted to get that matter with her over with so you'd only have to worry about the other three musketers.

After a few seconds of slow thrusting, your cock was buried deep inside Eunchae's pussy, which felt like a tight, warm glove enveloping you perfectly. You placed her right heel on your shoulder, and with your hand on her left thigh, you began to move your hips.

"Oh my god, Eunchae," you sighed. "You're crushing me, damn it."

"Yeah? Does it feel good?" Eunchae asked as you took the entirety of your length in and out of her with each slow pump.

"It feels amazing," you nodded, squeezing the flesh of her soft thigh beneath your fingers. "And for you?"

"You have no idea," she sighed, letting out a long moan.

Chaewon ran a hand down Eunchae's tummy and between her legs to rub her clit with swift, agile movements of her wrist. That urged you to go faster. Eunchae found Chaewon's lips again and moaned against them as you began to fuck her with swift thrusts, her hands cupping her unnie's face.

Not wanting to keep her waiting, you reached out and slid a hand between Chaewon's buttocks and found her pussy, inserting two full fingers inside her. Chaewon moaned and pulled away from Eunchae's lips, watching as you moved your wrist as you fucked Eunchae's tight pussy at a perfect pace.

The room was soon filled with both of their moans and the occasional thump of your pelvis against Eunchae's crotch. The two of you merged again in a kiss, and the first to cum was the maknae, squealing and squirming her hips. Her pussy felt even tighter that way, throbbing around your shaft and wetting it with her warm fluids.

After a few seconds, you pulled out of her and lay behind Chaewon, placing a few kisses on her shoulders.

"Come ride me, my love," you whispered in her ear.

Chaewon quickly pulled away from Eunchae and straddled you, taking your cock straight and impaling herself on it in a single motion that made you both moan. She placed her hands on your chest, and with her face only inches from yours, she began to rapidly move her hips to fuck herself against you.

Eunchae snuggled up close to you, making you turn around for a kiss. You gasped against her lips, and she caressed your abdomen. Chaewon then began to go faster, straightening her back to jump on your cock. Eunchae knelt right next to her, and returning the favor, began to kiss both her neck and her tits until she came.

Chaewon's nails dug into your abdomen as her slim, sexy body writhed on top of you, her hips grinding back and forth with your cock buried deep inside her. Soon, she got off of you, and Eunchae lay down next to you again, this time on her side. You turned toward her, and with her back pressed against your chest and your arms wrapped around her body, you went back inside her pussy.

Your lips and Eunchae's met again, this time in a fiery, heated kiss. Chaewon lay in front of her, intertwining their legs together as you fucked her pussy with hard, deep pumps. A few seconds later, you broke away from Eunchae's lips and brought Chaewon's face closer. Eunchae tilted her neck toward you, enough so the three of you could share a sloppy three-way kiss.

"Oh my fucking god, I'm going crazy," Eunchae moaned, breaking away from the kiss. "Keep going, oppa... god, keep going, keep going!"

You planted one foot on the mattress and gripped Eunchae's waist, slamming your pelvis against her buttocks and making her whimper in pleasure until she came in a maelstrom of moans and little whimpers. The way her pussy clenched around you made you moan and realize how close you were to cumming too.

"Eunchae, I'm really close..." you gasped, squeezing her against you as she writhed in pleasure. "Where...?"

"Out, oppa, please," Eunchae replied with a moan, clutching your forearm. "Not inside."

Exactly the response you expected. You buried your face in her neck, making her feel your hot, labored breathing as you resumed the rhythm in and out of her. Eunchae reached behind her and gripped your head, tugging at your hair. A minute later, you moaned as you felt that delicious tingle travel down to your lower region, and just before cumming, you quickly pulled out your cock, pressed the tip against her ass, and masturbated until you exploded.

"Mmmh fuck!" you groaned, squeezing Eunchae tightly against you as you shot a thick load that stained her waist and hips, and completely filled her ass.

"Mmm," Eunchae moaned, watching you cum, stroking your hair. "It feels so warm against my skin..."

"Let me do you a favor," Chaewon said, kneeling up to bend over Eunchae's ass and wipe your cum off with her tongue while it was still coming out from your tip. "Stay still."

Chaewon did an impeccable job cleaning every stained spot on Eunchae's skin, and when she was done, she brought your cock to her mouth to suck every inch slowly. When she left you glistening, with only a light layer of saliva, she lay down next to Eunchae, staring at the ceiling.

Silence then reigned in the room, your breathing slowly returning to normal. A while later, Chaewon sat up, covering her breasts with a blanket, and looked at you.

"This is the first and last time this happens, okay?" she asked. "You know exactly why."

"I know," you nodded, part of your head resting on Eunchae's. "You can trust me."

"Very well. The ship will stay afloat, then."

"Look on the bright side, we've already taken a step. It's one less weed to cut."

"Oppa... unnie," Eunchae said in a small, tired voice. "Please don't let the others find out about this. I'm a little embarrassed that they'll get that image of me."

You hoped Sakura and Yunjin weren't paying attention to the noise because of how high they must be, because otherwise, they would surely have realized it was two pairs of moans, not just one, and immediately associated it with Eunchae.

"They won't, sweetie," you replied, stroking her hair. "Don't worry."

You then felt a calmness you hadn't felt in a long time. HYBE's letter was still pounding in your head, but patching things up with Chaewon and putting Eunchae back in line was definitely a turning point you were grateful for.

Chaewon stood up and began searching for her clothes with slow movements. You stared at her, noticing a big change in her expression. Her anger and resentment had definitely disappeared. Eunchae, for her part, just squeezed your hand with her eyes closed, relaxing.

Then your phone rang with a notification. You looked for it, but the noise had come from the floor. Chaewon ended up passing it to you, and you sighed in relief when you read what you'd received.

"What's wrong?" Chaewon asked.

"HYBE postponed the meeting to Monday. We have time to sort this whole mess out."

Chaewon mimicked your sigh, putting on her panties and T-shirt.

"Thank the Lord," she said, lying back down.

Eunchae sat up a minute later and got out of bed to find her clothes. Her cheeks were still flushed, and she glanced at you, embarrassed.

"I'm... sorry about the beer, oppa," she said, putting on her panties and bra. "And everything. I promise to improve and help you with the others. To... I don't know, make them reconsider."

Chaewon nodded, a proud little smile on her face, a mirror of yours.

"Thanks, Manchae," you said, watching her get dressed and imitating her, putting on your boxers and sweatpants. "I really appreciate it."

"It’s nothing. But can we take a nap?" she asked, already dressed. "I'm exhausted."

As soon as she said that, Chaewon got closer to you and cuddled up to you.

"Yes, but he's mine," Chaewon said. "You lie down over there," she pointed to the other side of the bed.

Eunchae rolled her eyes, shook her head, and lay down with you two.

But not even five minutes had passed when you heard a sudden commotion in another room: music now playing incredibly loudly. The ones responsible? Probably Bob Marley and Willie Nelson.

You sighed against Chaewon's back, realizing you had a lot of work to do.

[azzinator3000]

Locked Doors

Word count: 2K 

Content: Friends-to-lovers, secret relationship, intense sexual tension, college basketball AU.

Warnings: None

Pairing: Pazzi

CHAPTER 2: The Ten-Minute Rule

It had been a week. One whole, weird, awkward, spiraling week since she accidentally stayed over at Paige’s. Since she freaked out.

The girls were acting normal. Maybe too normal.

And Paige was… well, Paige. Smiling at her in that way that made Azzi’s stomach knot up, poking at her during practice, trying to be cute after they got into that stupid fight about the game last night.

Paige always thought she was right about everything, especially when it came to reading the court. And Azzi, stubborn as she was, hated being told she’d missed a pass or a screen, even when Paige was usually right.

And Azzi hated being mad at her. She really did. It felt wrong, like a fundamental part of her day was missing when she wasn’t completely in sync with Paige.

But also? She had a paper due. A real, actual, grade-defining, future-threatening paper for Dr. Miller’s Advanced Psychology seminar, and she could not afford to waste another second thinking about Paige’s stupid, perfect face, or the way her blonde hair fell just so, or the infuriatingly confident glint in her light eyes. 

She needed to focus, to claw her way back to academic sanity.

So she was sitting in her room, headphones in, laptop open, trying to focus. Trying to be a serious, responsible person who could just move on and get things done.

Except then there was this knocking.

Bang, bang, bang.

Azzi sighed. Ignored it. Paige could wait.

Azzi stared harder at the textbook, willing the words to sink in, even as her mind kept drifting to the heavy silence of the dorm room this morning, the way Paige had watched her, that intense, unreadable look in her eyes.

Bang, bang, bang.

She didn’t stop. Paige Bueckers, of course, was the most annoyingly persistent person on earth.

It was infuriating. And endearing. Which was the problem. Everything about Paige was infuriating and endearing.

Azzi yanked out one headphone. “I’m studying!” Her voice was tight with forced exasperation.

She knew she was being childish, holding onto this petty anger from the game, but a part of her needed the distance, needed the excuse to not engage with Paige’s relentless charm.

“I know you are,” Paige’s voice came through the door, muffled but still somehow smug. Azzi could almost see the smirk, even through solid wood.

Bang, bang, bang. The rhythmic thudding was almost hypnotic, a physical manifestation of Paige’s stubbornness.

It was ridiculous. They were college athletes, not five-year-olds on a playground.

“Seriously, I need to finish this. I told you I was busy, Paige.” Azzi’s voice cracked slightly, betraying the crack in her resolve.

She just wanted to be left alone, to pretend her heart wasn't doing gymnastics every time Paige breathed within ten feet of her.

“I don’t like it when you’re mad.” The words, even muffled, held a hint of vulnerability that snagged at Azzi’s chest.

Damn it. Paige always knew how to hit her soft spots.

Azzi groaned, burying her face in her hands. She loved Paige, but she hated her sometimes. She grabbed her phone and texted quickly:

I’ll be out in 10 minutes.

The banging didn’t stop. Paige was literally ignoring her text.

The annoyance flared again, hot and sharp. This was Paige, always pushing, always testing boundaries. Always getting her way.

She glared at the door. “PAIGE. GO AWAY.”

From the other room, KK shouted, her voice carrying clear as a bell, “Please let her in! I can’t listen to this anymore!”

Azzi rolled her eyes. Part of her was genuinely annoyed — the part that knew she needed to be a good, responsible student and not let herself get sidetracked by the human hurricane that was Paige Bueckers. But a much bigger part was… what? Touched? Warm?

Whatever. Stupid.

It was just… friendship. Intense, flirty, occasionally-making-out-in-bar-bathrooms friendship.

Nothing that would shatter her carefully constructed reality or ruin her reputation, or worse, Paige’s.

God, this was getting out of hand.

She finally got up and opened the door, arms crossed, trying to look stern even though Paige was already grinning at her like she’d just won something major, like she’d just sunk a game-winning three-pointer.

She leaned against the doorframe, all casual grace and golden blonde hair, those light eyes sparkling with mischief.

“What?” Azzi asked, pretending she wasn’t softening immediately. Pretending her heart wasn’t doing a stupid little flip.

Paige stepped in, closing the door behind her with a soft click, leaning in like she was about to say something deeply important, her breath warm on Azzi’s cheek.

Azzi braced herself for another playful jab about the game. But then—

“Just wanted to say I miss you, baby,” Paige said, stupidly sweet, absolutely unserious, dragging out the “baby” like a fuckboy.

She pulled back just enough to watch Azzi’s reaction, that smug, knowing look on her face.

Baby. It was so casual, so flippant, so Paige. Paige always flirted like this. Always. With everyone, sometimes, but something about this time, this word, made Azzi’s stomach twist.

It felt like a direct hit, straight to that vulnerable, desperate part of her she kept buried deep. She felt a flush creep up her neck.

“You’re so annoying,” Azzi mumbled, turning away, pretending to rearrange books on her desk because she didn’t trust her face not to betray her. Not to show how much that word, carelessly tossed, had actually affected her.

How much she actually did miss Paige, even after a stupid argument.

“But you missed me too,” Paige teased, following her, bumping their shoulders together, her warmth seeping through Azzi’s shirt. “Admit it. You were bored without me.”

“You’re the worst.” Azzi tried for scathing, but it came out more fond than anything.

“You love me Fudd” Paige’s voice was a low hum, confident, absolutely sure. And that was the problem, wasn't it? Paige was always so damn sure.

Azzi sat back on her bed, trying to focus on her laptop screen even though her brain had clearly left the building, flying somewhere over the horizon with Paige’s carefree laughter.

Paige plopped down next to her, way too close, stealing a piece of gum off her desk like she owned the place, unwrapping it with a loud crinkle.

They bantered, like they always did.

Soft teasing, playful shoves, stupid arguments about which movie to watch.

Azzi tried to push for something serious, a documentary, anything to distract herself from the buzzing awareness of Paige’s thigh pressed against hers.

Paige, of course, insisted on a cheesy rom-com, something with explosions and a predictable happily ever after. They settled on something dumb, something easy, and somehow Paige ended up with her head half on Azzi’s shoulder, both of them crammed on the small bed, watching a movie neither of them were really paying attention to.

Paige’s arm was draped casually over Azzi’s waist, her fingers lightly tapping a rhythm on Azzi’s hip.

And Azzi hated that this felt perfect.

She just wanted to finish her paper. She wanted to focus on nationals. She wanted to not be utterly consumed by Paige Bueckers.

Azzi shifted slightly, trying to push those thoughts down, to create a microscopic space between their bodies, but Paige just snuggled closer, like it was the most natural thing in the world, her breath warm against Azzi’s neck.

Paige's fingers tightened ever so slightly on Azzi's hip, a subtle reassurance, a silent claim.

And from the other room, KK’s voice echoed faintly, muffled but clear enough to make Azzi’s stomach clench. “Oh, you ain’t mad now, huh? You went soft Azzi”

The casualness of KK’s comment, the lack of real surprise, sent a fresh wave of panic through her. She glanced at Paige, whose smirk only deepened, completely unbothered, as if KK’s comment was just another laugh line in their shared comedy.

Paige just smirked. “Told you you missed me.”

Azzi shook her head, fighting a smile she was definitely losing control over. “Shut up.”

But she didn’t move away.

“You know, for someone who put a ‘ten-minute rule’ on me,” Paige murmured, her voice a low rumble against Azzi’s ear, her lips just brushing the sensitive skin there, “you’re not very good at enforcing it.”

Azzi shivered, a response she desperately tried to suppress. 

The “ten-minute rule.” It had started as a joke, a desperate attempt by Azzi to carve out some solo study time, a boundary against Paige’s omnipresent energy. 

Just ten minutes, Paige, then you can come in. It was supposed to be her shield, her protection. But Paige had weaponized it, turning it into a countdown to intimacy, a game she always won. She’d bang on the door, text ridiculous memes, send pictures of herself making sad puppy dog eyes until Azzi finally caved. 

It was never ten minutes. It was ten minutes until Azzi remembered how much she loved having Paige around.

“It’s a work in progress,” Azzi mumbled, trying to sound nonchalant, even as her pulse hammered against her ribs.

Paige’s fingers, still on her hip, started drawing lazy circles, sending tingles through the fabric of her sweats. It was an innocent touch, a friendly touch, but it was Paige, and nothing about Paige was ever truly innocent for Azzi.

“Mmm-hmm,” Paige hummed, skepticism thick in her tone. “Or maybe you just like having me around too much to really want me to go.” She leaned her head back, shifting slightly so her blonde hair tickled Azzi’s jaw. 

The scent of Paige—clean and faintly sweet, like the campus laundry detergent mixed with her own unique, intoxicating smell—filled Azzi’s senses, distracting her from everything. 

Her paper, the team, the impending national championship, the entire world outside this small, cluttered dorm room.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Bueckers,” Azzi countered, but her voice was weak, wavering. She could feel the smile tugging at her own lips. It was a losing battle, trying to resist Paige when she was like this – soft and playful.

Paige chuckled, a soft, warm sound. “Oh, Princess, I’m not flattering myself. I’m just stating facts.” Her free hand, which had been resting on the bed between them, slowly stretched out, her fingers just brushing the edge of Azzi’s open laptop. 

Azzi instinctively tensed, watching her. Paige’s eyes, still fixed on the movie screen, seemed to hold a mischievous glint. “You know, you could always just admit it.”

“Admit what?” Azzi asked, trying to sound bored, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her.

Paige finally turned her head, her gaze locking with Azzi’s.

Her light eyes were intense. “That you like me. Like, really really like me.” Her voice was a low murmur, just for Azzi, soft and dangerous.

Azzi’s heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat. She wanted to deny it, to laugh it off

She didn’t 

The movie played on, a distant, irrelevant soundtrack to the silent war raging within Azzi. She could hear the faint sounds of the dorm hallway, a door opening, laughter, the mundane backdrop to their intensely private moment. 

Someone could walk in at any second. The fear was still there.

She shifted again, this time not to create distance, but to subtly lean in. Paige’s gaze dropped to Azzi’s lips, then back to her eyes, a silent question passing between them.

“Paige,” Azzi whispered, her voice barely audible. It wasn’t a denial. It wasn’t an admission. It was a plea. A plea for understanding, for patience, for a moment to breathe.

Paige’s smirk faded, replaced by something softer, more tender, but no less intense. 

Her fingers on Azzi’s hip tightened almost imperceptibly, a silent reassurance, a promise. “It’s okay,” she whispered back, her voice a soothing balm against Azzi’s panicked heart.

And then, without another word, Paige leaned in, just a fraction of an inch, pressing a soft, chaste kiss to Azzi’s temple. 

Azzi closed her eyes, biting down on the inside of her cheek. And Azzi knew, with a terrifying certainty, that she was falling. Hard.

[angelsafa]

The only post you need to stop doubting.

Hi my loves,

Wdym you are not able to manifest that thing because some thoughts are popping into your head, and are making you doubt, and there's a voice that says that you are not able to do it???

Okay. Let's take a deep breath and relax.

You’ve been feeling like maybe your doubts are blocking your manifestations? Maybe you overthink a lot? Or you feel scared sometimes? Or you’re like "omg do I have to believe everything all the time or else it won't happen 😭😭"??

I got you my angel. I came here to save you hehe

First of all: NO. Your doubts aren’t ruining anything. The only way they “delay” something is if you start BELIEVING them. Like if you go “ugh I feel doubt... that means I won’t manifest” then obviously you're giving power to that version of reality. You’re choosing it. But that doesn’t mean the doubt is the problem — it’s your decision to let it be more important than what you want, yk?

The doubt itself? Harmless. Like a mosquito. Annoying but whatever. Just don’t feed it. That’s it.

You’re not supposed to feel perfect 24/7. You’re not a robot. You’re still pure consciousness, yes, but in a human experience. You get to have thoughts and still manifest instantly. You get to have doubt and still shift. You get to have fear and STILL BE THE MF CREATOR.

You think infinite consciousness is gonna get blocked by a lil anxious thought? Pfft. Be fr.

Now listen to me: You don’t need to believe in the void. You don’t need to believe in yourself. You don’t need to feel like you’re floating in a magical cloud. You just need to decide.

“I have this. It’s done.” That’s it. You decide, and the 3d shifts. Period.

And you already KNOW the 4d is the real reality, right? Sooo... you already shifted. The 3d just has to catch up. That’s literally all.

"B-but S-afa I-im scared the d-doubt is p-pushing i-it away..." My sweet angel. Let me say this lovingly: stfu. (not because I’m mean, but because I love you and you need to snap out of it). You’re too powerful to keep acting like a lost little sheep my sweet angel. YOU’RE A LION BABE. YOU ARE THE DESIGNER OF YOUR REALITY. WAKE UP.

The fear isn’t doing shit. You thinking “the fear is ruining it” is the only thing getting in the way.

Now. About the void, 4D, all that stuff...

Let’s simplify:

4D = your inner world. Your imagination. Your decisions. That’s what’s real. That’s what manifests.

3D = the mirror. The echo. The leftover energy (stop reacting to it. It’s not even real).

The void = your natural state. Pure being. No thoughts. No ego. Just the real YOU. When you’re not playing the “I’m this little human with trauma and fears” game.

Shifting = literally just choosing a different version of you and living from that. That’s it.

(Tbh I don't really belive in those terms because we are simply everything and anything all in one. But I use them so you my sweetcheeks understand it)

And no, you don’t need 100% belief. You don’t need perfect thoughts. You just need to say “I’m in the void because I said so.” And that’s it. DONE.

You think the void is a special club that only chosen ones can enter? My love, YOU ARE the void. You’re it already. You’ve just been pretending you’re not. Or maybe you forgot. Idk.

So... stop pretending, and remember who you truly are.

Be like: “lol okay yeah I feel scared and got doutbts rn but that doesn’t mean shit. I still get what I want. It’s already mine.”

You’re not affirming for fun. You’re not persisting for the aesthetic. And certainly you are not faking anything. You’re doing it because YOU ARE THE CREATOR and the 3D literally has to obey you.

You wanna manifest in the void? Go in. Say “I’m there.” That’s enough. There’s no waiting. There’s no test. It’s yours.

You wanna manifest in the 4D while still thinking random negative thoughts? Cool. Do it. Because YOU are the one deciding what’s real and what isn’t. And those couple of shitty thoughts won't do anything to the manifestation sweetie.

So now tell me, are you gonna keep crying over a thought that says "but what if it doesn’t work?" OR are you gonna laugh and say "anywayyy it’s already done so shut up?"

Your choice.

Now go be delulu, go script like crazy, go feel it, go DECIDE. Go live in the 4D like your life depends on it (bc spoiler: it kinda does). The 3D is just the old news. Boring. Let it catch up. (Or well, tbh it doesn't even need to because manifestation is instant lol).

You’re the void. You’re the imagination. You’re the power. You're everything.

So go and act like it!!

And I better see you out there ACTUALLY manifesting and not procrastinating!! Stop with reading the same information, that is just written with different words in blogs. You already know all you need.

Oh and I better read your success stories soon, you hear me my sweet angels?? Because you literally got this. Like you are the designer of your reality do you realize that??!!

Anyways, remember who you are, and you got this my loves!

Lots lots lots of love,

Safa

[thesimstree]

Clear Sims 4 Cache: Fix Lags, Errors & Slow Loading (Windows & macOS)

Sometimes The Sims 4 starts acting weird: little bugs pop up, thumbnails don't display right, and loading times get a bit longer than usual. These are all pretty normal signs that it's time to clear your game cache. Deleting temporary files is a good habit for any player – it helps keep things tidy and makes everything run a little smoother. Let's figure out together what cache is, why you need to clear it, and how to do it properly and safely.

What is cache and where does it come from?  

In The Sims 4, cache means temporary files and folders that the game creates to speed up loading, store thumbnails, save mod info, log errors, and handle various in-game processes.  

Every time you start or play the game, it generates or updates some of these files. Cache is there so the game “remembers” which thumbnails and objects you’ve used lately, finds things quickly, and saves certain settings and operational data.

The cache includes:  

— Images (thumbnails) of Sims, lots, and objects;  

— Temporary settings and launch data;  

— Working data from mods and scripts;  

— Logs about errors, crashes, memory limit overflows, etc.

Why do you need to clear the cache?  

If you don’t clear the cache regularly, it builds up old or corrupted data – which can lead to all sorts of problems:

Lags and long loading times because of excess or broken files;

Errors and crashes, especially after removing or updating mods or the game itself;

Wrong thumbnails showing: for example, an item is deleted but its thumbnail is still there;

Mod and script bugs due to leftover data;

Endless loading screens, crashes, or even corrupted saves;

Overall drop in performance.

This happens especially often if you use a lot of custom content or actively add/remove mods.

How often should you clear your cache?

1. After every game update.

2. Whenever you make changes to the Mods folder (adding, deleting, or updating mods).

3. If you notice weird bugs, really long loads, crashes, or errors.

How to clear Sims 4 cache (Windows and macOS)  

Step 1  

Exit the game. Never clear cache while the application is running.

Step 2  

Open The Sims 4 folder:  

Documents — Electronic Arts — The Sims 4

Step 3  

Delete the following files and folders (important – not all of the folders or files listed below will always be in your The Sims 4 folder, and that's totally normal):

General cache  

— cache (folder): holds temporary data (mostly image previews from the Gallery); this folder gets filled only while the game is running, so you can safely clear it between sessions  

— cachestr (folder): cache for script mods  

— onlinethumbnailcache (folder): thumbnails of Gallery items  

— avatarcache.package: used mainly to fix Gallery errors on Mac, but can grow quite large  

— localsimtexturecache.package: cache of composite sim textures (max size – 100 MB); deleting helps solve character display issues  

— localthumbcache.package: thumbnail file; it’s useful to delete this from time to time, and absolutely after adding, deleting or updating mods  

— UserData.lock: auxiliary or temporary service files, may pile up  

— ReticulatedSplinesView: auxiliary or temporary service files, may pile up  

— notify.glob: auxiliary or temporary service files, may pile up  

— ConnectionStatus.txt: auxiliary or temporary service files, may pile up  

Error logs  

— lastCrash.txt (all files)  

— lastException.txt (all files)  

— lastUIException.txt (all files)  

These log crashes and game errors. Most players don’t need these, but if you’re having constant errors you can show them on forums for troubleshooting. Old ones (with numbers) can always be deleted.

Auxiliary folders (delete only if empty)  

— ConfigOverride

— Recorded Videos  

— Screenshots  

Step 4 (optional)  

You can take it a step further and clear cache files built up by certain mods:  

— BE-ExceptionReport.html (all files)  

— BE-UIExceptionReport.html (all files)  

— WickedWhimsInfoLog.log / WonderfulWhimsInfoLog.log  

Important: Don’t delete the Saves, Tray, or Mods folders – these are your games and custom content.

Step 5  

Restart the game. Sims 4 will automatically recreate all the necessary files from scratch. You may need to re-enable mods and CC in the game settings after clearing the cache.

You can make it easier  

For players who want to cut down on the routine, there’s an automated solution – a Cleanup Script for Windows by @andirz-mods. This is a special one-click utility that automatically deletes all recommended temporary files and error logs, without touching your mods or save files.

It automates the cleanup, but you’ll need a Patreon subscription to the author for access.  

So, to make sure you can always tidy things up quickly on your own (without scripts or third-party programs), keep this guide handy:

🌱 Create your family tree with TheSimsTree

❓ Support 🌸 Our Blog

[vampiricram1]

Can we not jsut agree the patriarchy sucks and hurts everyone?

Cause it does

Like even the people that benifit from it

aren't benefiting

They're just placed above others

Which contary to popular opinion is not actually a benefit is jsut fucks over everyone in even more ways

The patriarchy holes is all prisoner yes this is more oppressed classes in these systems

But we are all under its boot

And we would all benefit from it's removal

I'm kinda exaughted by people like this wierd cis white men that turn everything into oppression Olympics behind his crackpot ideas about trans people they show a underlying problem with how they are viewing the world

As a limited sum game

People do with with race politics too and it just feeds into this fascist idea of "everyone is for their own tribe supporting one takes from another supporting equality means I'll get less"

But reality doesn't support that

Because when you opress anyone

Everyone is oppressed

The systems are destructive to everyone

A non racist society would be for everyone including white people or any other oppresser class in a race dynamic

A non transphobic society would benefit cis people

A non homophobic society benefits straight people

A non misogynist society benefits men

Because a non bigoted society benefits everyone

If anyone wants to me to talk about exactly how I would love too and intersectionlism and how impressive society harm everyone in that society regardless of how obvious it is and it's nuances are kind of like my little hyper fixation

Non passing trans men don't benefit from misogyny whatsoever, besides possibly on the internet. If they are seen as a woman in someone's eyes, especially legally, they do not benefit from it. If you are not seen as a man by society, regardless of if you are or not, you do not benefit from misogyny.

It's that fuckin simple.

[esotericcangel]

MANCHILD ♡ R.CAMERON

⋆. 𐙚 ̊ manchild!rafe x bitchy!reader ⭑ .ᐟ

SUMMARY: you’re fed up with rafe’s bullshit.

WARNINGS/TAGS: asshole/loser rafe, consumption of alcohol and drugs, language. reader putting rafe in his place!

NOTES: part of @zyafics MRGA campaign! hope you guys like it ♡

stupid. or is it.. slow? maybe it’s useless? but there’s a cuter word for it, i know.

manchild. rafe cameron was the worlds biggest manchild.

born and bred into a life of riches, the boy never faced anything worse than daddy issues, and god, did it show. you’d be in an on and off relationship with rafe for months now—a will they won’t they sort of situation.

you knew what everyone was thinking when they watched you. who will be the first to break?

and unfortunately for rafe, you weren’t a fucking pushover. you wouldn’t let him continue manipulate you, to try and get a reaction out of you. you wouldn’t satisfy his useless needs just because he couldn’t get what he wanted from his father as a child. validation.

music blared through speakers, the smell of expensive perfume and liquor permeating through the atmosphere. one rafe knew well. one he thrived in. and for him, it was like second nature. the drinking, the games.. the manipulation.

he was four shots in, mind a little hazy, dulled, but in that nice way, the way where his muscles felt looser and his brain stopped spinning for a second. he had a girl in his lap, his glossed lips mouthing at his neck, his large hand engulfing her waist. that’s how he liked his women. soft and docile, so eager to please.

but you were anything but what rafe cameron liked. and maybe that’s what drew him to you in the first place. how opinionated you were. how you didn’t take bullshit from anyone, much less him.

and in the corner of the room, where you chose to reside away from the main hustle of the party you really didn’t care for anyway, you were seething. not because you were jealous, no. but because somehow, rafe had managed to manipulate you. time and time again, he’d reassure you when you were suspicious of his actions— ‘baby, you’re the only one i want’, ‘you know she means nothing to me’. god, you were only even here because he’d invited you!

you’d been there for rafe through everything—his daddy issues, his addiction. you were a fool to think you were an exception. and truthfully, you knew you weren’t. but it was nice, even if it was for a fraction of a second, to feel like you meant something. even if it was to an overgrown child. a manchild.

you pushed past sweaty bodies and drunken women, trying hard not to slap the next person that stood in your way—and soon enough you were standing in front of rafe. rafe, and his girl of the night. and you didn’t hesitate.

your fingers wrapped around the first cup you found, and you ignored the ‘hey!’ from the guy you’d yanked it from—and you threw it.

“what the fuck?!” rafe cursed, abruptly standing, the girl who was once on his lap letting out a shriek of her own.

“the fucks your problem, huh?” he shouted at you, cerulean eyes shaking with anger, his body angled toward you like he was about to fall of the deep end.

you did something about it before he could.

a sickening crack sounded through the room—almost loud enough to compete with the music. and rafe’s cheek, once occupied with kiss marks from the lips of that girl, now held a red hand print.

“are you having fun, rafe? having fun with the ‘girls who don’t matter’? huh?” you mocked, your own eyes icy, narrowed and fixated on him in a way that made him feel exposed. rafe almost ever felt exposed.

he could only hold your gaze, unspeaking, and doing nothing, while all his friends and peers gawked at the scene. and while he felt utterly humiliated, for once, he didn’t do anything about it.

“hope she keeps your dick warm, and your heart beating for the night, rafe. because god knows no one could love you enough to do it unconditionally. especially not me.” a malicious smile spread on your lips. mirthless, but satisfied.

and then you were gone, walking, disappearing into the crowd as if you were never even there.

RAFE CAMERON MASTERLIST ♡ WANT TO JOIN MY TAGLIST?

© 𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋 𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 please refrain from copying, translating or claiming my work as yours .ᐟ

🏷️: @winnie1emon @drewswife @urcoolgf @angvl3tears @browniepop62 @angel06babysworld

[serenity-loves-red]

IT STARTED WITH THE CAT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Cat distribution system featuring Phainon.

Part 1. Part 2. (Current) Part 3. Part 4.

In which• The Deliverer of Amphoreus is suddenly transported to your home as a cat.

Living with your cat has never been this refreshing. Life college may be giving you lemons, at least you now have a cat with you.

Mr. Blue Balls- you named him. A bit(?) unhinge but meh. His eyes are blue and the cat has balls. The cat even looked traumatized, went limp on your arms as if his soul just left his body after you just suddenly flip him over to look at his rear.

He wasn’t even able to look at you for a while an hour, hiding at the corner or under your table when you look at him. It was as if you just stole him all of his dignity. You did, you just didn’t know.

You even have to bribe him with tuna so that he’ll get out of his hiding spot. He’s that embarrassed. And that what makes you want to tease him more.

So you better stock more tuna to bribe him after or else he may not let you cuddle him anymore.

Anyways, aside from teasing your cat, you talked with him. Like a full rambling talk. It’s way better than talking with yourself when you are alone. Now, you have a cat you can talk trauma dump.

Although it seems to be therapeutic for you. But for him? Not at all.

I mean it’s nice hearing you talk–about yourself, your life, problems, etc. Phainon doesn’t mind that at all. What he does mind is that when you talk about this game.

About them, his friends, his world.

Have you ever seen those cat videos where the cat doesn’t seem to know if it’s alive? Just looking at nothingness? Well that’s what happens.

At first you find it cute. It happened after you played with the game. He sat on your lap as you did the trailblaze mission with Mydei. You got busy so you really haven’t really done it yet. So as you played, you keep rambling to him about your pain and resentment about the quest.

*Anaxa died*

“Fuck you Hoyoverse! Why is it always the hot men??!!!”

*10 mins after the start of 3.3*

“OmfG can’t you give me a breakkkk?? Agleaaaaa noo! Fuck you Caenis! Fuck youjsjdhhdvdjsjsvshsk”

So yeah, a bit of mental break down here and there together with your cat that seems to be meowing at it in disbelief.

Cue: existential crisis

Phainon had it hard to accept that all he had experienced was just part of a program of code and game. So he can’t help but to get lost in his thoughts sometimes.

Either staring at nothing or at you. You swear his eyes either glows or flicker from blue to yellow.

It took him about a week to accept everything. He still think of finding a way home though. After all, he still has a world to save. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like it here. He’ll miss you when he leaves.

You may be a bit hyperactive, unhinged roommate/owner?, but you cared for him. Which he is grateful for. And you may or may not have been growing on him.

So yeah, just keep talking and he’ll be listening to you. You are quite cute when you do it after all.

Oh? A livestream for the next patch? He doesn’t know what that is but you can watch it together.

Is-is that me? Holy Kephale he look so coo-

“HOT! That’s MY MANN!!! Plsplspls Phainon go home the kids misses you plsplspls!🙏”

But he’s already home though *meow purrs lick*

He’s still a cat so until then he doesn’t mind giving you cuddles and kisses. I mean how awkward would it be?

He did wonder though how will you react if he turns back to normal.

[elleaitch22]

Love on Fire

Chapter 9: Everything, Again

Pairing: Paige Bueckers x Azzi Fudd

A/N: Happy days are coming soon! Wings won, Paige is getting rest, Azzi posted, AND Tea, Luisa, and (hopefully) Nai are back the next game?! Thank you for all the well-wishes while I’m recovering from that concussion! I hope you love it! xx Elle

Warnings: Fertility treatment, injections, medical appointments, mentions of pregnancy loss

Word Count: 3.9k words

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

Azzi took six weeks off after the first IVF cycle failed.

But she wasn’t resting. Wasn’t living – at least, not really.

She threw herself back into everything. At work, she apologized to her staff about missing so much work by giving them four days off. She completed two wedding orders, a bridal shower order, and a baby’s first birthday all by herself. She worked every day. From 5 am to 11 pm, grief smothered by flour and frosting.

It wasn’t healthy. It wasn’t sustainable.

But it helped her a lot. Kept her upright.

It helped her process her anger, her grief, her frustrations. Now she was actually able to comprehend that nothing that had happened had been her fault; all that anger she had for herself was slowly fading.

The grief she felt for Peanut didn’t fade – it softened. She was learning to grow around it.

It wasn’t any better at home.

She got rid of all the nonstick cookware in Paige’s house and replaced it with cast iron and stainless steel.

She raided the fridge and pantry, throwing out anything that wasn’t organic or unprocessed.

Paige watched it unfold, like watching a hurricane form in real time.

“Azzi,” She called gently, “Sit down, come talk with me.” Paige asked, moving to the couch.

Azzi hesitated, wooden spoon in hand, halfway through stirring something on the stove. But one look at Paige’s face, soft with concern, and she surrendered. She sat stiffly on the far edge of the couch. “What’s up?”

“Maybe you should tell me what’s up.” At Azzi’s confused expression, she continued. “You’ve been on a rampage, Az.”

 “I have not.” Azzi scoffed.

“You don’t think I’ve been talking to KK? She’s one of my best friends, Azzi. And she’s worried about you. Said in the last week, you’ve filled enough cake orders to feed a thousand people. Not to mention the cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and macarons.”

“We had orders!” Azzi snapped, cutting off whatever else the blonde was going to say. “I’m not letting things fall apart just because I’m trying to have a baby!”

Blue eyes widened in disbelief, “You sent everybody home last week, knowing the bakery had three massive orders to prep.” At her friend’s silence, she continued. “And then, instead of resting when you got home, you completely cleared out my kitchen. You didn’t even –”

“Fine! I’ll just leave!” Azzi shot up, turning to walk away.

A pale hand reached to grab a brown one as the crease between Paige’s brows deepened. “Do not yell at me, Azzi.” Paige said firmly. “And we don’t walk away from each other in the middle of a conversation. You know that.”

Azzi huffed, moving to an armchair across from Paige. She crossed her arms and stared outside stubbornly.

“I’m not mad.” Paige started, voice low. “I’m just worried. You’re not talking to anyone. You’re not getting any rest. You’re sitting in front of me, but I feel like we’re so far apart.”

Blue eyes, full of concern, searched her face.

“Just talk to me, Azzi, please.” Paige begged.

Silence fell between them, heavy and aching.

Then –

“I feel so broken,” Azzi’s voice shook with sadness. “This is like the one thing my body is supposed to do naturally, and it just won’t. And that makes me feel failing at being a mom before I even get the chance.”

Paige was frozen in place. Azzi needed to talk through her feelings, through her problems, or they would fester and boil over. She was going to sit there and wait until Azzi got everything out, give her the space to break, then she’d do her best to put her back together.

“I’ve been researching. Every time since the first cycle. About hormones, egg quality, toxins. And everything says no processed foods and nothing that leaks chemicals into your food. I didn’t mean to wreck your space; it was just something I could control.”

She sniffled, tears falling regularly now. “And I can’t even talk to my mom about anything. I miss them so much, but they don’t understand. And Katie’s amazing. Like, I’m so thankful for her and Bob, but it’s different when it’s your actual mom.”

Tears streamed now, silent and steady. But Paige still didn’t interrupt, she waited until she moved closer.

“You’re not broken Azzi, and I know it’s hard to make your brain believe that. So, I’ll be here to remind you every day.”

She pushed a dark curl behind her ear. “And even if it doesn’t work this time, you’ll still have eggs left. We can do whatever you want. We can take a long break and try again. Or we can look at the other ways to make you a mommy.”

We.

One syllable. Two letters. And they hit Azzi square in the chest.

We. Not you.

“And the food is fine. You’re the best chef I know.” She paused. “I just want you to talk to me instead of closing yourself off.”

Azzi stared at her, something raw flickering in her eyes.

“Your mom loves you, Azzi. Why won’t you just talk to her?” She questioned quietly.

“They think I’m making a mistake by doing this alone.” She wiped at the tears on her cheeks. “They don’t care that you’re here. That’s I’m never really alone. Or that I’ve never wanted anything more. And if I talk to them before I’m really pregnant, it feels like they’re right. That I shouldn’t be a mom until I have a partner.”

A long silence. Then Paige reached up and cradled her cheek. “You’re not alone. And you never have to leave. You can stay here as long as you want. This is your home too.”

“Even when I have a screaming baby?” Azzi mumbled into her hoodie.

“Especially when you have a screaming baby.” Paige said, pulling back slightly. When Azzi’s eyes met hers, she continued. “I love you more than anyone in the whole world, Az. I’m gonna love your baby just as much.”

Their eyes met.

And for the first time in weeks, Azzi didn’t feel quite so far away.

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

The next week, Azzi had to brave an appointment without Paige.

And it was almost odd sitting in the waiting room alone. She hadn’t realized how much she’d relied on Paige being the calm in the storm – the low hum of her voice, the way she knew to keep stroking the back of her hand, the hand on her bouncing knee. The waiting room felt colder, quieter, lonlier.

She left her appointment with a prescription for an injectable (boo) birth control. The medication was only for ten day – enough to make her ovaries and endometrium to behave and to keep her mood sour.

Her next appointment was set for March 7. Just another baseline check her endometrium.

She pouted the whole way to the fire station.

When she arrived, she didn’t say a word. Just hauled a massive basket of muffins to the kitchen. She dropped it on the kitchen counter with a thump and looked around for one face.

Not seeing Paige immediately made her annoyance grow exponentially.

“Oooooh, Paigey!” Rickea called from the hall, smile clear in her voice. “Your girl’s here, and she does not look happy.”

Seconds later, the firehouse was filled with shouts and booted feet pounding down the hallways.

“Azzi’s here?” She heard Jalen shout.

Then a high pitched, “Azzi Raaaaay!” Cameron Brink, of course.

“Thank you, Azzi!” Phee and Stewie called simultaneously.

Finally, a blonde rounded the corner, panting. “What, what is it, Azzi?”

Azzi only pouted harder. She just walked straight into Paige’s chest.

“More shots.” She mumbled into the gray t-shirt.

Paige didn’t hesitate. She just wrapped her arms around the woman she loved and pulled them into a side room, away from all the chaos.

“What do you mean, Mama?” She questioned lowly, hands rubbing her back.

Azzi lift her head. “I have to do ten more days of shots. Every morning. To get my cycle lined up with the transfer.”

Paige’s hands stilled. “We got a transfer date?”

Azzi’s lips twitched despite her bad mood. “March 20.”

Paige’s whole face lit up like the sun. Her body practically vibrated with excitement. “It’s really gonna work this time, Azzi. I can feel it in my bones! You’re gonna be a mommy. We’re gonna have a baby to hold in ten months!”

Her arms tightened again, almost lifting Azzi off the ground in the excited embrace.

“Let me have my mood!” Azzi laughed into her shoulder. “Ten whole days of shots before we can even check and see if the rest of the cycle is a good idea, or if we should wait until the next.”

Paige pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. “But think about it, Princess. Ten days from now, you might be closer to meeting Jellybean.” Her voice softened, the nickname curling around them like warmth. “Every shot gets us a little closer.”

The excitement was palpable, and it made Azzi smile again.

Before she could reply though, the intercom sounded. “Engine 22, Squad 5, Ambulance 35, structure fire at –”

Paige leaned in, forehead pressing briefly to Azzi’s. “I’ll give you your first shot in the morning, okay?” Her hand lingered at Azzi’s waist. “I love you.”

Then she turned and ran.

“I love you too,” Azzi whispered into the silence, hugging herself where Paige had just been.

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

Every morning at six, Paige got up and made Azzi a hot chocolate.

She would pad to the kitchen half-asleep and stir in a packet into oat milk. It was a mindless task, but the ritual was gentle, sacred, and treated with all the care she could muster.

Then she’d tiptoe back to the bedroom and pause, cradling the warm mug in her hands.

She leaned against the doorway and watched. Kept her eyes on Azzi wrapped in Paige’s sheet like she belonged there – body completely still like she was still curled into Paige’s side.

She gave herself five minutes to let her mind savor these moments, let herself imagine.

A perfect life – one that was hers.

One where she got to make Azzi hot chocolate, coffee, or tea every morning.

One where she kissed her awake. Lips trailing across her eyelids, cheeks, tip of her nose, before finally settling on her mouth.

One where tiny feet pressed into her ribs.

But it wasn’t real. Not yet. Not until she got the guts to confess.

And still, the ache for that future with Azzi tugged at her every day.

After mourning what could have been, Paige would pad forward and wake Azzi. She started with a gentle rub on her back, pressure increasing with each pass. Then a kiss to her forehead and a soft, “Azzi, wake up.”

Like always, Azzi grunted and pouted in protest. She pulled the blanket over her head without fail, and didn’t even think about emerging until Paige said something about her drink.

Then, once the warmth had settled into her bones, the brunette would rise, ready for her shot.

The routine was muscle memory now. Wipe. Blow. Stick. Pray. Kiss.

And every morning, Azzi felt it all.

Because the way Paige wiped her skin was slow, tender. More caress than cleaning.

Because her breath, cool and careful, always sent a shiver across Azzi’s stomach—and lower.

Because the shot, though sharp, came with a litany of love whispered in Paige’s low, raspy voice.

“Good job, Mama.”

“Jellybean is so lucky to have you.”

“You’re already the best mom.”

“You’re the strongest person I know.”

And then, always, the prayer. Never the same, but always heartfelt. Paige would close her eyes and press a palm just over Azzi’s skin.

“God, let this work. Keep her safe. Keep Jellybean safe. Let love be enough.”

Finally, the kiss.

Right below Azzi’s belly button, warm and lingering. Paige would hold her lips there for several seconds, whispering something Azzi couldn’t quite make out.

It made Azzi feel seen, loved, cherished in a way that scared her sometimes.

And maybe it worked because at Azzi’s next appointment, Liv was more than happy with the results of the ultrasound.

“You’re right on track. No more shots for now. Just oral estrogen, three times a day with food.” The doctor instructed.

Paige had already rationed Azzi’s prenatal vitamins for the week, something she treated as sacred. She added the estrogen to the pill organizer and texted reminders for every meal. Even when she was on shift, she FaceTimed at lunch and dinner to make sure Azzi ate and took the pills.

Then, it was back to the progesterone shots.

A different one than last time. This round was in her hip. A thicker needle. A deeper ache.

Only the two nights before the transfer, but it felt like too much.

The first time, Azzi stood in front of Paige in loose boxers, her hands shaking as they held the counter in a vice grip.

Paige stepped behind her and wrapped her arms around her waist. She rested her chin on Azzi’s shoulder, then kissed the side of her neck slowly.

“Breathe,” She whispered, one hand still pressed to her stomach.

Azzi exhaled. Paige struck.

The flinch wasn’t unnoticed – Paige closed her eyes like she was the one in pain.

“You’re so strong, Mama.” She murmured against Azzi’s temple. “I’m so proud of you. You’re so close to getting little Jellybean.”

Later, when Azzi limped toward the couch and couldn’t quite sit without wincing, Paige didn’t say anything. She just pulled her in, settled her between her thighs, and held an ice pack to her hip until the ache eased.

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

The morning of the transfer was different than others.

There was no panic. No racing thoughts or stomach knots. Just a strange calm, like everything was frozen in exactly the right place. Maybe all of Paige’s prayers had paid off because Azzi went into the clinic with a peace she hadn’t known since this whole process started.

“Good morning, Azzi, Paige.” Liv smiled tiredly as she entered the waiting room. “Ready for today?”

Azzi squeezed Paige’s hand, “Yes. I’m ready.”

“We’re doing three today, right?” Paige questioned.

Liv nodded. “That’s what you still want, right Azzi? You’ll still have two frozen after this.”

“Might as well go all in, right?” Azzi glanced at Paige.

The blonde smiled softly, “Go big or go home.”

Paige helped her change into the pale blue cloth gown, fingers gentle as she tied the back. She smoothed her hair into a loose bun and pulled the hair net on carefully.

Then she leaned her forehead against Azzi shoulder. “You’re amazing, Azzi.” She started, breathing her in. “You don’t even know how much I admire you.” She whispered.

Azzi turned, wrapping her arms around her waist.

“And you’ve been everything I could’ve hoped for, Paige.” She murmured. “More than I could’ve asked for. Thank you so much.” She hugged her tightly.

“Let’s go make this baby, yeah?” Paige smiled.

Just this once, Azzi let herself act exactly like she wanted – like she was hopelessly, irrevocably in love with Paige Bueckers.

She held her hand like it was her anchor. She stared at her with warm brown eyes and didn’t look away. Not when the IV was interested. Not when the embryologist went through the checklist. Not when Liv returned to review the post-op instructions. She knew Paige would remember every word anyway.

She kept her gaze on Paige even as the mask was lowered over her nose and mouth, her vision starting to blur at the edges.

And Paige stayed. Whispering steady, soft things into her ear like promises.

“I already told Jellybean to behave. They’re listening already.”

“I got you. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Just take your nap, Mama. I’ll be here planning when you wake up.”

Even after Azzi’s eyes slipped shut, Paige didn’t stop.

“You’re so beautiful, Azzi. Especially now.”

“You’re doing this, Az. You’re really doing it. I’m so in love with you.”

Azzi couldn’t hear the last things she said, Paige knew that.

But as she walked to the waiting room, hand still tingling from holding hers, a part of her hoped the words had found their way in anyway.

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

The next two weeks passed in a blur.

They were back in the routine of doing the progesterone. Shots every day until day fourteen.

Azzi woke up at 4:23 am on Friday, April 3. And even though she tried, she couldn’t go back to sleep. Her chest felt too tight. Brain too loud.

She slid into Paige’s sweatpants, her Ugg slippers, and pulled on a hoodie. She grabbed three pregnancy tests, her keys, and walked out the door into the dark.

She knew she was supposed to wait. Stewie was letting Paige off shift an hour early so they could test together at 6:30. But Azzi couldn’t wait.

She needed to know.

But she couldn’t do it alone.

Station 22 was quiet, the air thick with sleep and disinfectant. She padded softly through the halls until she found Paige curled in her bunk.

She nudged her gently, “Paige.” She whispered.

Nothing.

“Paige!” She whispered again, a little louder this time.

The brunette cast a quick glance around the room, making sure she wasn’t disturbing anyone else.

This time, Azzi bent over, running her thumb over a pale cheek. “Paigey, wake up.”

The blonde pushed her face deeper into Azzi’s palm, brows furrowing the second time she did it.

Her head popped up, “Azzi?” She slurred, voice full of sleep.

Blue eyes widened at the sight of her best friend.

“Az, what’s going on?” Paige asked, much more alert.

Azzi shifted her weight from foot to foot, heartbeat loud in her ears. “I couldn’t sleep. I brought the tests. I didn’t want you to miss it.”

Paige gave a soft, tired smile. She sat up, slid her feet into her slippers, and dragged Azzi out of the room.

They didn’t talk. Paige too tired. Azzi too scared.

In the bathroom, Paige sat on the counter, head tilted back, eyes closed while Azzi took the test. When the stall door opened, Paige opened her arms without a word.

Azzi stepped between her legs, face tucked into Paige’s shirt. “I’m not scared it’s negative,” she whispered. “I’m scared it’s not.”

Paige blinked awake. “Why?”

Azzi hesitated before answering. “There are so many things that could go wrong. I could lose this one too. I could do something that might hurt the baby. I might be a bad mom.” She swallowed. “There are about a million different ways I could fuck this up.”

Paige’s hand came up to cradle the back of her head. “No one’s perfect. But you? You’ll be the best mom I know. I believe that.”

The timer went off, but neither woman moved.

“Whatever you’re afraid of,” Paige said softly, “I’m here to catch you if you fall. I won’t let you fail, Az.”

Azzi pulled back, eyes glistening. She looked at Paige like she was searching for something…and found it.

She flipped the tests.

Pregnant.

Two thick lines.

Pregnant.

Paige slid off the counter. Her mouth parted, but no words came.

She just pulled Azzi into her arms. Held her.

“You did it,” she whispered.

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

Azzi went to the clinic for bloodwork twice over the next four days.

The first time, her beta HCG was super high. 374. Much higher than it was with Peanut, and Azzi thought, just for a second, that she could relax.

The second time, Azzi was anxious. She knew the numbers needed to be at least double. She wondered if her first numbers were so high because there was something wrong with her baby.

832.

When Liv called to tell her, she giggled with glee. “With numbers this high, it’s looking like twins.”

Azzi’s eyes doubled in size. She was expecting bad news – heartbreaking news.

But twins?

She tried to tell herself not to get too excited, too attached. But what if Peanut sent an extra sibling?

Tears welled in her eyes, choosing to think about the gift of two babies instead of how overwhelmed she’d be in nine months.

“We’ll be able to see if my suspicion is right when you come for your ultrasound in two weeks.” Liv chirps through the phone. “Congratulations, Mommy!”

Azzi decided not to tell Paige about the possible twins until the ultrasound. She wanted to see the look on her face when Liv said that five letter word.

The time passed quickly, and the pair sat in the exam room, waiting for an ultrasound.

Paige was tense, while Azzi’s anxiety had her wound tighter than a trampoline coil.

Instead of an ultrasound tech, Liv was the one handling the equipment.

“Good morning,” She smiled brightly.

She ran down all the basics, making sure Azzi was still getting the progesterone shot every day and taking her estradiol like she was supposed to.

“Any symptoms?” She questioned.

Paige scoffed when Azzi shook her head.

“Her boobs hurt. She’s nauseous until around 4 pm. She’s been constipated a couple times. She’s had a little bit of cramping over the last few days, but nothing bad, and no blood.” Paige listed.

“And sensitivity to smell!” Azzi added.

“Those are all very normal. Your nausea may become actual morning sickness in the next few weeks. And you’ll likely be extremely fatigued, so let the bakery know. Nothing else should change before your next appointment though.” Liv said, looking at her documents.

“Let’s see this baby.” She grinned.

Azzi wore a dress today, so it was much easier to set up for the ultrasound. She winced when the wand went in and held her breath.

Liv tapped away at the machine, her grin growing.

“Two sacs. Two heartbeats.” She said, turning the screen to them.

But Azzi wasn’t looking at the ultrasound.

She was looking at Paige.

Paige’s blue eyes went wide. Her breath caught. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. For a second, she looked like someone who’d just stumbled into a dream.

“Twins?” she whispered. “We get two babies?”

Azzi reached for her hand, squeezed gently.

Paige turned, eyes full of sudden suspicion. “Wait. You knew?!”

Azzi laughed, her own eyes glassy. “Liv told me it was a possibility. But you can’t be sure until you see them.” Her voice caught. “I just... I wanted to see your face.”

Paige was still staring at the screen, like she couldn’t look away.

“Twins,” she murmured again. “Peanut sent backup.”

“Your little ones should be making their arrival in early December if everything goes as planned.” Liv smiled, handing them a few copies of the ultrasound.

The rest of the appointment passed in a blur. Measurements, questions, Liv’s voice in the background. Paige barely blinked, her hand anchored on Azzi’s stomach the whole time.

Later that night, Azzi was curled on the couch under a fleece blanket, watching Scandal for the fifth time. Paige returned from the kitchen, slid down to her knees in front of her.

She didn’t say anything at first.

Just rested her cheek against Azzi’s belly. Eyes closed. Hands gentle. Breath uneven.

Then she whispered, soft and sure, “Hey babies. I’m your Paigey. You don’t know me yet, but I already love you more than anything. And you’ve got the best mama in the world. I promise I’ll be here every step of the way.”

[lorrainestea]

I don't even care that it wasn't a happy end, I personally don't mind when the power of good and heroism doesn't redeem everything and not all heroes can always win, but there were three different plot lines and two of them insufferably boring and long and for what?

For the main character to have a minimum of screen time?

This was my main problem with this season. It couldn't pull me in the show to feel really interested and hyped and excited about knowing what's happening next, I was annoyed with the "we can't find the island" trope because it was now taking two who seasons and in the end it didn't matter.

And the final game? Most of the time it honestly was just too long to be watchable. There was only one moment that honestly shocked me, but when I compare it with all the 'Oh shit' moments from S1 and S2, I can't say it would hit me that hard.

Thank you Netflix, once again you butchered the show's finale and made everyone hate it❤️

(I still didn't forgive them for The Umbrella Academy)

Season 3 didn’t happen

Season 3 didn’t happen

Season 3 didn’t happen

Season 3 didn’t happen

Season 3 didn’t happen

Season 3 didn’t happen

Season 3 didn’t happen

Season 3 didn’t happen

Season 3 didn’t happen

Season 3 didn’t happen

Season 3 didn’t happen

[deerspherestudios]

Hi I absolutely love your art and everything you make! I’m obsessed and it’s brought me so much joy.

Could you please tell me what software you use to draw and how you get the fuzzy texture effect? Thank you!!

Thank you so much! I use Clip Studio Paint! As for the fuzzy effect, I assume it's the one I use for literally everything from backgrounds, to sprites and objects in Mushroom Oasis' game art haha.

It's actually a Black and White Static brush on very low opacity with the Overlay blending mode! My friend taught it to me years ago, and I've been obsessed with applying it to everything since tbh haha.

I'll use a Vida sprite to explain:

Here's what the brush looks like when on a bigger size. It's about 300px on the canvas I'm using:

Here's what it should look like when I wanna apply the effect:

Notice how if you look really closely, the pattern is duplicating. That's because I made the brush really small, made one big blob and copy-pasted it over and over on the canvas until I end up with one big block. Don't worry about it because it's hardly noticeable when applied to an image.

You can adjust the size to however you'd like, but I prefer it soft and subtle.

Next is application; here's a finished Vida sprite without the static effect. I've highlighted the Black and White Static layer in green so you can ignore the rest. It's currently toggled off.

With it on, you can already see the applied effect with Overlay.

Then it's just a matter of clipping it and lowering it to the desired opacity! My go to is between 20-30% but feel free to experiment!

The final result is a fine fuzzy texture, and it does affect the colors just a bit, but it's usually no problem for me and I personally like how subdued and muted softly it looks at the end.

It's been a few months since you've sent this ask, but I hope it helps!

[onboardsorasora]

Everybody knows that what happens during the championship celebration meant nothing in real life. 

So when pictures of the redbull championship club party started being posted online, no one batted an eyelash at the pictures of Max kissing Daniel or Daniel kissing Max— even if it seemed to have happened on four different occasions. 

There was also a picture of Daniel licking Max's chest and biting his nipple. But it was fine because they were drunk and celebrating and Daniel had also licked Yuki’s chest. 

Everyone saw the pictures of the mechanics lifting Max while singing we are the champions, and no one truly questioned why Daniel was the one who seemed to have the biggest hold on Max's ass and thigh. And why was his face so close to Max’s crotch? He didn’t need to be there. 

There was a picture of Max straddling Daniel's lap while Daniel poured alcohol down his throat, his pale thighs were obscene. But the mechanics around them, clearly egging them on didn't trigger anyone's radar. 

Daniel walking around with his shirt open and an obvious bruise on his nipple was pretty much par for the course as well.

Daniel climbed a stripper pole while Max watched on like he was having a religious experience was completely explainable. Daniel arching his back while Max laughed and seemingly slipped money into his waistband also made sense. 

Max leading Daniel to a dark and enclosed area was glossed over in the photo dump. So too was the picture of– what seemed to be but no one could be sure– Daniel sucking Max off. It was all fine because it was the championship party and the picture was grainy. It was dark and zoomed in and no one could know for sure that it was them.

There was a picture of Max on stage with a mic, obviously thanking everyone, with the front of his shorts askew, but no one noticed cause of the half naked bottle girls behind him probably.

All the trending topics were about their bromance and how Daniel was there for Max and how its great that they were close and such good friends. 

Daniel sighed and threw his iPad on the bed beside him. “I can't believe we got away with it again.” He said incredulously. “I thought for sure me giving you head in front of like twenty people who were looking at us, would have been enough.”

“I told you you should have fucked me on the couch or something.” Max pointed out like they were discussing breakfast options. “Guys get a little gay when celebrating. Everything short of dick in hole, is free game.”

“What if we released a sex tape?” Daniel stood to drape his body over Max's back. 

“We tried that already, didn't we? That time in Ibiza for your Monza win party?”

“Nah there was too much plausible deniability in that one. We need to post like a full, raunchy, there is no way people think we're straight after this kinda tape.”

“Or…we can just accept that people see what they want to see when it comes to us and live our lives.”

“But where's the fun in that?” Daniel whined. “What about if we kissed at the track?”

“We did that already, after I won my second championship– we kissed in Qatar and no one batted an eyelash.”

“Damn, you’re right. Maybe the problem is that we only ever try when we’re celebrating something–”

“Daniel, we've been trying to come out for years. We're out, even if no one wants to believe it.”

Daniel sighed. “Fiiinnnee.” He kissed Max's cheek loudly. “Next time I'm fucking you in the couch.”

“How about you fuck me on the couch now.”

“What are we celebrating?” Daniel teased, lifting Max over his shoulder when he squawked in outrage.

[lakesparkles]

After a lot of thinking, I think I'm ready to give my initial thoughts about Nam-gyu's character in season 3. But, at first, I would like to make it clear that 1) this is just my own vision and opinion as someone who deeply cares about him and 2) that, in general, he was one of the best parts of the season to me.

In fact, I was truly enjoying all of his scenes. I thought he was being funny and charming in his own weird Nam-gyu way, especially in the two first episodes. So much that, in the end, I got surprised with how disappointed I felt with his plot once it was over. If I liked his personality and character this much, why did I feel like something was missing?

Then I realized it was not like his scenes were the problem. What was lacking for him, to me, was the context. He had everything there that made me love him in the first place (all his inferiority, his wish to be loved and to have someone's full attention, his fear of his own feelings and the fact he'll soon end up alone). But it all was presenting in a kind of... Shallow way, for the lack of a better word? In the level that I'm worried that some people will finish the season and think "yeah, Nam-gyu fully and completely hates Thanos, it's what he said so".

I missed something more emotional for him, as he's a very emotional character. Sometimes, and I hate to say this, it was like the plot was treating him as "someone who is barely human anymore" at the same time it wasn't taken seriously.

My main problem was that I was expecting something else between the moment he lost his (Thanos') cross and his death in the jump rope game. It was the perfect moment to show a new side of him. It almost happened (with him being so afraid he kept shaking and even voted to leave the games), but it didn't. Again, I wanted something more emotional: maybe a new hint of his life outside of the games; how the way he was often mistreated made him the way he is today; or really anything about the feelings he does everything to ignore.

But he just died. And it felt bad because I knew his plot was over forever. Him as a character would forever miss something

[beabatoru]

10 things I hate about you pt. 2 ｡𖦹°‧ hockey player! gojo x reader

pt. 2/2

pairing ⊹ ࣪ ˖ college au - hockey player! gojo x reader

summary : after the events of the hockey game where you found out you were the centerpiece of a bet between the boy you grew to like and his hockey teammates, you now also have to struggle with family problems miles away with your father on the verge of passing. piles of hospital bills are stacking up and you have no idea how to pay them off and on top of that, gojo is still begging for your forgiveness.

warning / tags ⟢ fluff, angst, smut, college au, this fic is based on the film '10 things I hate about you', partial angst with readers father regarding sickness, reader is low income. gojo is very pathetic.

w.c : 1.8k

a / n . hello everyone ! I hope you all enjoyed the first part of this fic. sorry it took me a while to put the second part out I just wanted to make sure it lived up to your guy's expectations. I wanted to take this time to announce that I have opened an ao3. im still learning how to use it so if anyone has any tips please reach out !

his hugs were warm.

thats the first thing you noticed when he embraced you, watching as your tears stained his shirt but he didn't care. he was quiet allowing your sobs to fill the room. something told him that he didn't even have the right to comfort you like this, but he did it regardless.

"I never found a time to bring it up to you.." you said between broken sobs. he didn't ask why, just letting his cheek rest on top of your head inhaling the sweet scent from your shampoo. "i'm here now. i'm not going anywhere." part of you wanted to believe him. part of you did believe him. but the other part was reminding you of what he did.

you pulled back to look at him, seeing how he too was on the verge of tears and the way his long white lashes were damp. "...you lied to me." you whispered reminding yourself. "you dont get to say that you're here for me. not after you played around with my feelings." your voice broke out of its previous soft whisper making gojo's eyes widen a bit, still holding onto you. "you said I wasn't something to play around with but it turns out this was just a bet. that I was just a bet."

"it started off as that." he interrupted. "but god, it stopped the second I talked to you." you shook your head, not wanting to believe anything that came out of his mouth anymore. "you told me-" it was impossible to say anything else with the way your voice was trembling. "you told me I wasn't something to play with.." you repeated. "baby listen to me.." he begged but you refused.

"I don't think me ignoring your texts and calls were enough so I'll say it now, I don't want you around satoru. I don't want you in my life anymore."

"can you just let me explain everything?" he sighed, moving his hands to hold your shoulders lightly enough that if you wanted to leave, you could. he would never force something on you. he couldn't bring himself to ever hurt you again.

satoru’s breath caught in his throat. “i meant every word, even when i shouldn’t have,” he said. “the bet was real. i won’t lie to you about that, but what happened after? that was real, too. i swear it.”

"do you even know what a promise is anymore?" you reached to wipe your cheeks but he beat you to it. his thumbs softly wiped them away the second they left the eyes he fell deeply in love with.

"im not the girl who will forgive you just because you suddenly realize you care." you continued.

"ive always cared." he looked down at the letters in your hands, reaching out to grab one bringing it up to his face to read it. it was the one from the hospital. "you're not.. sick are you love?" he asked, afraid that you were the one dealing with a bunch of health problems. you shook your head. "its my dad.. he has cancer and... and his bills are expensive and he's in the hospital and I dont know what to do."

the bills were expensive.

there was multiple zeros right after that two. ".. you dont have the money." you shook your head, placing it back on his chest feeling how his hand rubbed your back.

the mail room meetup was yesterday. you've been stuck in your dorm looking through american airlines, seeing which flight was the cheapest to fly back home to possibly see your father for the last time. no, you shouldn't be thinking like this.

he was going to be okay. you'll go back, pay what you can, hell you'll drop out of university just to pick up as many jobs as you can. and then you'll make your father and brothers the blueberry pancakes they love so much and join in on the hockey games they play on the tv.

satoru has been quiet. he hasn't reached out and you figured he gave up in wanting to explain himself to you. maybe he gave up because he really didn't care as he said he did.

your laptop screen blurred for a moment as your eyes welled with tears again, but you blinked them away immediately, determined not to fall apart at least not until you booked the flight.

$387. one way. non-refundable. leaves tomorrow. at 11 am.

you couldn’t afford this flight. but you couldn’t afford to stay either.

you watched the cursor hover over the 'pay now' button before it pressed down on it. 'thank you for your purchase ! a confirmation email has been sent to you along with your ticket. thank you for choosing american airlines and have a safe flight.'

"you're leaving tomorrow?" miwa's small voice spoke out behind you. she's been the only thing keeping you from having a full breakdown with her soft words and how understanding she was. you felt guilty for leaving her.

"..yeah just for a bit. until things get sorted out. I'll hopefully be back before next week."

she nodded. "I'll help you pack then."

"no its fine-"

"im packing." she repeated.

you gave her a small smile before turning to look back at your computer staring at the same message before a new one popped up.

"thank you for your payment of $25,000 at kaiser permanente hospital." your eyes widened. 'no way, did they take out money from my account? I dont even have $25k?!' you thought before reaching for your phone, opening up the Bank of America app to look at your account. nothing. just the amount you spent for the plane ticket. $387.

it showed nothing about a hospital or 25 thousand.

was it a scam? no, that was the hospital your father was staying in. and it was dressed to your name and the sender address was real. you looked through papers and letters trying to find the bill you grabbed out of your mailbox yesterday. it wasn't here.

"is everything okay?" miwa asked walking over to the desk.

"the hospital bill.. its not here. the one I got yesterday of the amount I owe for my fathers stay at the icu.." it definitely wasn't with you. thats when it hit you. satoru grabbed it from your hands and he never returned it.

your fingers were already moving, looking through your contacts before finding "my sugar daddy"

it rang.

once.

and he picked up.

"hey.." his voice was soft. your lips parted aware that you were crying again. "toru.."

"mhm?"

"what did you do?"

there was a pause. you could practically hear him turning away from wherever he was, like he needed to find a quiet place just to breathe. "paid for you. forgot to ask you to send over the rest of the bills to pay them off."

"no.. no you already paid so much.. why, why would you do that satoru.."

"cuz I love you? because I want you back in my life and I want to meet your father and personally thank him for making such a beautiful daughter like you."

"...we've known each other for how long? a month yeah? a month is all I need to know that you're it for me. is it wrong for me to say that im thankful I took on that bet?" he chuckled. "to me you weren't a bet baby. everything about you felt raw. you kept rejecting me and god, that made me want you even more."

you didn't speak, allowing him to finish letting out his emotions. "and I hated myself for liking you, for falling for you like a fucking idiot. because it meant it wasn't a bet anymore, it was love. and I hated how I took that bet. I hated your stupid hair, and the way you made me have butterflies. I hated the music you listened to, your dorky smile. I hate the way your voice softens when you talk about the shit you like. I hate that I dont know every detail about you down to you favorite childhood movie. but.. I hate how I don't hate you at all. and I hate how I dont regret doing the bet at all, because otherwise, I wouldn't have met you."

you smiled at his confession. "you can't just fix this by paying for my fathers medical bills.."

"I know." he whispered.

"..and you lied to me." you continued, but at this point you were just playing with him.

"I did. but im not lying now. I stopped lying weeks ago."

"why?"

"because I fell in love with this really awesome girl. a girl I want by my side at all times. and a girl I really want to see right now. please, come over?..."

"yeah.. yeah ill be over."

"okay.. thank you."

you let out a shaky breath, a tentative hope flickering inside you. maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t the end.

miwa grinned as she saw you putting on your shoes to head out to his dorm.

"have fun!" she called out.

you reached the airport just in time with your luggage on one hand and satoru's warm hand on the other. "y'know this is my first time flying in like three years?" he whispered over to you.

"seriously? are you scared?" you teased.

he immediately shook his head. "not at all." but the way he was gripping your hand said otherwise. "glad you let me come with you.."

"well I think my family would like to meet the boy ive talked about and the one who took care of my fathers hospital bills."

"youve talked about me?"

"yeah when you lied to me."

"they're going to hate me."

you let out a breathy laugh, the sound reached his ears and it made him smile like a dork that has fallen for you all over again. you didn't let go of his hand once, not even when you were seated on the plane.

you didn't let go now, and maybe not for a while.

bonus

"so, you're the guy that broke my sisters heart." yuji stared down gojo at the dinner table. the white haired boy looked up with a mouthful of your blueberry pancakes. "I fixed it." he gulped down the food. "this is delicious love." he groaned reaching to grab the last pancake from the plate set in the middle of the table before it got snatched by yuji who stuffed it in his mouth while maintaining eye contact with gojo.

"you're right they hate me.." he whispered to you.

you shot yuji a look in which he only stuck his tongue out at you. "they'll grow to love you."

matt climbed over your lap to hand gojo half of his eaten pancake. "I think they already do" you whispered to him. he smiled, accepting the pancake from the little boys hand before placing a sweet kiss on your lips.

ending a / n . i completely raw dogged this in one sitting after seeing that 'part 2 of 10 things I hate about you' was winning. anyways i hope you all are satisfied with the ending ! I will continue to write little drabbles for 10tihay! gojo and reader, so if you have any ideas for that lmk ! ty for reading !

🏷️ @bakugouswaif @charlotterosea13 @levermilion @blackhawkfanatic @admmsatoru @einawnimie @k0z3me @cosmic-101

[zyettemoon1800]

Baby SFW

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A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

He is not the most affectionate person, however if you want to cuddle than he is down

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

You two probably meet at an underground rap battle

you two battle against each other and hung out a lot afterwards

He is the quiet friend that has no problem standing on business.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

He likes to cuddle you when it is just the two of you because he hates it when the guys tease him

He loves to cuddle you when you two are just lying in bed

He also like to be the little spoon, but he will not tell anyone that

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

At some point down the line, he does want to settle down, he is young and wants to enjoy his like before doing so.

He sucks at both cooking and cleaning, but he is not a messy person

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

He would just be straight up with you and tell you

F = Fiance (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

When he is down for you, he is down for you

As long as you are loyal and not toxic yall are good.

He would probably wait two or three years before asking you to marry him

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

Physically, he is very gentle with you

You are his partner and baby

Emotionally, he can be kind of hard depending on the situation

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

He loves to hug you and will do it every day

Some hugs are just side hugs, but when he is really feeling lovey, he will wrap his arms around you and pull you into a big hug

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

He will wait about a month to see if he is really vibing with you

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

He doesn't get jealous often, but when he does, he will just pull you away from the situation

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

In front of fans, he will kiss you gently on cheek or hand.

When you both are at home, he will kiss you on your neck and lips

He also likes to be kissed on the neck or lips

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

He would want two kids since he was an only child

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

You two are wrapped up together in bed

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

You two are up late playing games or watching videos

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

It takes a while for him to truly open up to you

Since he is since as the baby of the group, he puts on a big front that makes him seem untouchable.

So, he has to make sure that you are the one, before he makes himself vulnerable

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

He doesn't get anger quick, but he does get annoyed pretty fast

When he gets like this, he will just walk away

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

He actually remembers a lot about you, but he acts like he doesn't just to get on your nerves.

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

When you two have rap battles especially when you can't rap

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

He is very protective over you and will protect you to the end of the world.

He has no problem with fighting someone or getting into someone's face in order to protect you.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

He would put enough effort into anything that will make you smile

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

Sometimes he doesn't take serious things seriously which would make you upset

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

He is very concerned about his looks since he seen as the baby of the group

so he makes sure to take really good care of his skin

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

He would be upset when you are not around him because he loves being around you

As soon as he is by you again, he is clinging to you

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

Though he loves hot and spicy food, he also has a sever sweet tooth and will eat bag after bag of sweets daily

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

I can see him not liking someone who treats him like a baby or someone less than

He is a man, and he expects to be treated like one

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habits of theirs?)

He is a busy sleeper

This being said he will kick and push you around when he is sleeping

[kawhh]

the ultimate manipulation tactic that dark!quinn uses is pretending to let u have some control, he notices how u have recently been a little off and seem to care less about him so he decides to pull this move after a hockey game

he comes home and acts all sad and subby, while in actuality he is perfectly fine and just trying to make u feel even more emotionally attached to him

(bonus he has been stalking your search history and saw smth along the lines of mommy- umm who said that)

Everybody will be glad to know that in the time it's taken for me to answer this ask, I'm in the very beginning stages of maybe finding out that this works for me— even if it's more of a mocking thing that ticks the box for me. Warnings: very badly written, I am once again out of practice. Mommy mention. dark!Quinn. Manipulative little shit. Using your behaviour and personality against you. Fake crying, he's really committing to the bit.

It'd be so effective for him— he'd know how to prey on the fact that you care, that you love him. He picked you for a reason. You were perfect for him, so caring, so honestly kind.

So sensitive to every change in him, even ones he didn't notice. So concerned about his health, his head, his mood. it's honestly shocking how you've never caught on to him, how you've never seemed to clock his behaviour.

How you don't notice the way he looks at you— maybe you're blind to him.

But he notices everything about you. Watching you. Hovering over you, crowding you. Nothing you do escapes him, he knows how you tick. He knows what you worry about and how to manipulate you to keep you with him. He knows your concerns so he can squash them instantly, needing to give you no reason to leave.

So he definitely notices the second your attitude changes towards him in the slightest. He might let it slide at first, figuring it's the stress, figuring that you just had a bad day.

But it sticks around, his feeling of doubt in you. His worry. You used to check if he'd eaten, you'd even prep food for him often. You'd know what he can and can't eat with his part self imposed diet. You'd want to cook with him, to spend time with him. But now you're different.

Maybe not enough for some people to notice— but he's different. You're different.

You've stopped prepping food for him unless he asks. You've started including food you know he can't eat. You aren't being malicious, you're just checked out. Your head isn't in it. You aren't concerned about him like you were. You take hours to respond to some of his texts. It's a slow pull away.

You can't blame him for looking through your phone, really. You just spend so much time on it on the couch with him now instead of giving him love and attention— did you really think he wouldn't be concerned about what's distracting you?

He'd be confused about what he's found for a good while. The information not processing in his brain. The websites you've been constantly visiting— you've been on.. questionable forums. You've been talking about kinks. Why the fuck have you been talking about kinks with other people while you're pulling away from him?

Are you pregnant? Are you scared? Is that the problem? A mommy kink? It's too random for him, he doesn't understand. Is that why you've been so caring in the past? But if that's the case, why are you still searching it up while you're running from him?

On the other hand, maybe he can use this. It's current. It's new. This is new information. You don't know that he knows. He can use this. He can save you from whatever's happening in your head to pull away from him— you're clearly confused.

He can manipulate you with this. It goes against every fiber of his being, but he can fake it.

He's been giving you space, but now he's sure as fuck not doing that.

His plan would kick in the minute he comes back from a long road trip— he'd need to have any longing for him sparked for this to be effective.

Forcing his way next to you on the couch, his fists clenching in anger as you still try to move away from him, to create the distance he hates. Burying his head against your stomach, hiding his eyes with his hair. Ignoring your questions, just nuzzling you. He knows silent treatment will work— he knows it'll get your attention.

It also helps to not blow his cover. Fake tears soaking through your shirt. He's pressing himself closer so you can feel them. He's been practising— turns out having younger brothers is useful.

Hiding his smirk as he feels your hand cautiously reach up to hover above his head. He knows it's working, knows he's at least pulling you back in for now. Almost purring like a cat when you make contact. You're fucked now. You've touched him, you've committed.

The fact that you don't run away when he looks up at you, his lashes full, tears clinging to them like a lifeline. His gaze satisfied, maliciousness swimming in his eyes. The way your own eyes soften in response, blind to him. You're so concerned again. He can tell. He doesn't need to hear it from you.

He can see the sweet tears forming in your own eyes at his pathetic behaviour. The way you coo at him, like you're trying to soothe him like a child. It's almost laughable how easy it was. So helped by your search history. Playing on your need to care for him, to push your buttons. Your grip stronger in his hair, guiding him up to your chest, pressing him against your breasts as a comfort.

He can build on this. He can act like this every day of the week if it keeps you chained to him, so emotionally attached to him.

He'd watch you from up close, resting his head against where you clearly want him, his best puppy dog eyes on display. Preparing himself to seal the deal— to degrade himself in his head as a sacrifice to keep you here.

"Thank you.. mommy."

[windblumewishes]

Hey, thanks for that post about no leaks. You're totally right. Could you please give us some tips on how to avoid ticking off Japanese fans? Like, what are the unwritten rules or things we should know about their side?

Hello, Dearie!

So there are a few ways you can avoid ticking them off, but it’s important to remember that many of them are rather protective of TWST and will legit pick fights with global fans for even trying to enjoy it.

Here are some that I picked up on so please don’t take this the wrong way or stir up unnecessary drama or problems. This is based on what I have seen, had happen to me, or have asked a JP fan about… wouldn’t exactly call them unwritten rules- just what I have noticed gets them angry…

No sharing the ABEMA stream content UNTIL the stream has concluded. They are VERY protective of the ABEMA streams as those are only accessible through Japanese VPN servers if overseas. I was sent death threats by one person because I posted a picture of Skully back at Halloween.

NO DATA MINING! There have been major leaks throughout the game’s runtime, most notable being the Ghost Marriage cards… someone went in and shared all the leaked groovy cards for that event all over the internet and the JP fandom was FURIOUS, understandably so. Someone did that recently with the Nightmare Before Christmas event in October- someone leaked the sprites and the entire lineup BEFORE the stream and it was all over YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter.

Card edits are a big one, now I have seen some beautiful edits by fans but many on the JP fandom find it to be highly offensive and disrespectful to the original artist. They hold a firm belief that it should not be touched and scribbled on as means to change the character entirely. I recently learned from a JP fandom individual that these card edits people make are a hot topic in many groups and make that side of the fandom look down on global fans because they believe everything is about them and how they desire to push certain narratives. Of course, that’s is only what I know from one individual.

Headcanons regarding gender, sexuality, etc. A lot of the fandom gets confused when people push certain headcanons and try to physically rewrite the canon by saying that their HC is the real deal. We all love to say a silly HC about the characters we love, I do to, but I learned that some of them can cause the JP side to get rather… upset. I’m cool with all HCs as long as they are not being forced onto people but I can’t speak for everyone or are pushing toxic narratives or offensive stereotypes.

Using official tags to spread spoilers, they absolutely HATE that. I’ve seen people do that many times and have to deal with messages like “umm hey, take that down, spoilers.” and etc.

REPOSTING THEIR ART IS A BIG NO NO! I have seen so many accounts on instagram reposting JP artists work and it’s just horrible… I get there is a language barrier but there are translator apps! No one should have to say “oh I didn’t know” when it takes a simple screenshot and upload to the Google Translate. Don’t do it.

Those are just a few I could think of off the top of my head, there are probably more so feel free to contribute to this in any way possible because it’s time we start heavily respecting the JP community as we as a global community have done enough damage over the years and it needs to cease.

- Windblume