#so it wouldn’t be embarrassing to be proven wrong after the game. because hey! it was just a friendly nod to a buddy right?

[whirlpool-blogs]

Q: Who do you think will score the first goal tonight? Jack: I’m gonna say… I’m gonna go: Matthew Tkachuk, or Jake Guentzel.

[thesolferino]

True Calling

⤷ dream x f!reader.

⤷ word count: 3.9k

⤷ requested: yes, by this lovely anon!

— summary: dream meets his favorite singer on an among us livestream.

“Dude, what could go wrong? Just do it.”

“What could go wrong?! Literally so many things, you ass.” 

Dream heard Sapnap sigh through the mic right into his headphones, the dim grey of his Discord background doing barely anything to illuminate his features as he stared at his open messages blankly.

“First of all, don’t.. speak to me like that, I am doing you a favour by sitting here and listening to you panic about stupid shit. Second of all, nothing big could go wrong. What, you’re a little awkward in the beginning, maybe, and that’s it.” Dream adjusted his headphones a little bit, Sapnap’s rant flowing into his ears but dissipating somewhere halfway to his brain, because, yes, things could go wrong and he can’t be proven otherwise.

“Did you forget that I’m a public figure? And that my fans are insane? I say one wrong thing and it’ll be memed and haunt me in my dreams. Did you forget that SHE’s a public figure? And that this is live? God…” he retorts back, listening to Sapnap helplessly sigh once again in response. He anxiously switches from his Discord to Twitter, then to YouTube, to Twitch and then back to Discord, frantically clicking around. In reality, he knows Sapnap is right, and it’s anxiety whispering into his ear that he’s gonna somehow fuck up, but maybe it’s simply easier to stay and argue with him into the night instead of actually responding to that message.

The stream is still going. Quackity’s voice speaks over Sapnap’s quiet breathing. “Damn, he’s still not responding. Um, let me try Tubbo, maybe?” 

Before he knows it, the opportunity to join the stream is slipping out of his fingers, and Dream isn’t sure if he’s happy about that or not. On one hand, he gets to meet one of his favorite artists whose album he’s played way too many times to count, and on the other, the chances of him embarrassing himself in front of that same artist and a hundred thousand other people are extremely high, and he’s not sure if he likes the odds of that.

“Man, I don’t know. You won’t listen to me, anyway. Don’t join if you don’t want to.” Dream hears the annoyed tinge in Sapnap’s voice, and that’s what pours the last bit of courage into his veins because the best way to do anything in life is to follow Sapnap’s advice after you’ve already irritated him to the point of defeat, and he murmurs a quick “bye” and hangs up before the other can even respond, typing a rapid “Sure, send me the VC link” back to Quackity. 

He hears a delighted exhale coming from his Twitch tab just as Quackity forwards him the link. “Okay, nevermind, we’ve got Dream! He’ll join in a second.” 

With that, he swiftly closes the Twitch tab and with an encouraging sip of water, he finally joins the Discord voice chat with the rest of the players. Your Discord image sticks out like a sore thumb to him despite being a super basic, Googleable picture of you that he’s probably seen a million times by now, and upon seeing it, reality slaps him right over the face and he realises that, oh shit, he actually joined.

“Hey everyone.” Dream speaks into the mic and a mix of excited voices greets him at the same time as he loads up the game. Your icon is missing the green halo. He stares at it, as if you’ll magically speak up if he stares long and hard enough. That, apparently, works.

Pokimane’s “Dream, hi!” seems to set something off in your brain, and you speak again.

“Oh, Dream?” the green halo appears, and Dream resists the urge to say something stupid or bite his hand or anything of the sort when you say his name. “Aren’t you the guy who listens to my music all the time?” you giggle.

Quackity laughs loudly in his usual fashion, and Dream feels his hands go cold as the Among Us loading page pops up. “Wh-huh?” 

“Yeah, you-you listen to my music a lot! Your fans always tag me under that… ‘Dream’s Spotify’ Twitter account, I remember you.” Dream swears his heart is about to jump out of his chest and start bouncing around on the floor because his ribs are way too restrictive for that type of movement, but he tries his best to play it cool and laughs lightheartedly.

“I do! I’m, like, your biggest fan.” he grins, as if you can see him, and you laugh in return.

“Yeah, man, you pay my rent. Thanks.” you say and a couple of people laugh while Dream inputs the code and his character finally pops up, immediately running around like the rest of the group. He runs around your purple character and hears you chuckle as you run around him too, but not for long, because the game starts and everyone mutes themselves. He audibly sighs, because he can afford to, considering he’s not streaming and nobody can hear the amount of courage this whole thing is taking him. 

A notification pops up on his screen - the Dream Team group chat seems to be talking. Must’ve already found some way to make fun of me, he thinks to himself as he huffs out a large breath and runs through cafeteria and weapons to do his tasks in navigation. Corpse is hot on his tail the whole time, and not to say he’s an untrustworthy guy, but Dream isn’t really looking forward to getting killed before even speaking to you properly, so he runs around, trying to find somebody to stick with so Corpse doesn’t shove a knife in his back while he’s doing a task. 

Thankfully, Karl emerges somewhere from the direction of storage right into communications where Dream was going, too. Just as Dream starts finishing download and Corpse and Karl line up behind him, his screen flashes bright red and white and the bold letters “Dead body reported” pop up. Everyone unmutes themselves and his eyes bore into your character, immediately.

“Alright, the body was in top left of the… uh, upper engine. I need everyone’s positions.” Rae immediately spoke.

“I was in electrical, I-I went through cafeteria to the upper engine with Poki, there was nobody there, we did our tasks, went down to lower engine, then Poki left with Toast, and I went to electrical and the body was reported.” Sykkuno said, and Pokimane confirmed with a hum of agreement.

“Dream?” Rae asked, and he spoke up.

“I never even went that way, I went through weapons to nav, and then to communications, and then the body was found. Corpse can vouch for me because he was following me the entire time and I kinda thought he was gonna kill me. And Karl saw me in communications, us three were all together when you… reported the body.” He rambled, trying to defend himself.

“Yeah, it’s true, he was with me the whole time.” Corpse supported.

“Karl, which way did you get to communications?” Toast asked.

“Uh, through storage.” Karl replied quickly.

“That’s funny, ‘cause I was in security, and I could swear I saw you walk past.” Toast said, and a couple of “ooh”s echo through the call.

“That makes no sense because even if I did go that way, I wouldn’t have time to get to communications and start doing my task with Dream and Corpse if I killed Ethan! And Rae, you-you saw me do my task in storage!” Karl loudly defended himself.

“...that… that’s true, yeah.” she said.

“If you ask me, Toast, you’re being real sus for lying about that.” Karl threw it back at Toast, who protested.

“Listen, I didn’t say you killed anybody, I just said I saw someone run past!” he claimed.

“Bretman and Y/N are being real quiet, though.” Corpse points out, and the green halo around your icon lights up once again.

“Oh shit, I didn’t realise I was muted. Sorry, guys.” you laughed. “Um, I was with… Quackity, in… what’s that shit on the right called?”

“O2.” Quackity quickly jumped in.

“Right, O2. I went to… top left, first, and I did my tasks there, and then to weapons and then to O2, and then the body was reported.”

“You were in top left?” Rae repeated.

“Yeah.”

“And was there anyone with you?”

“Um… no? I was alone, and then I saw Quackity in top right, and then we went to, uh, O2 together.” you said and Corpse sighed loudly.

“That means she could’ve had the time to kill Ethan and run.” Toast points out.

“Hey! I didn’t kill anyone! I don’t even know how this game works…” you whined into the mic and Quackity laughed.

“Yeah, I dunno Y/N, you were dancing real suspiciously around me…” he said, causing you to defend yourself louder.

“Why would I kill anyone?! I don’t even know how to do that, I’m a nice person!”

“I don’t think she did it, guys.” Dream pipes up, tugging at the wire of his headphones absentmindedly.

“Shut up, you simp.” Quackity fires back instantly, making everyone in the call laugh, including Dream.

“Damn right, I’m a Y/N simp. She can do no wrong. I mean, look at that innocent face! She did nothing, I’m-I’m sure.” He argued, making you cover your mouth and giggle.

“Their face is literally the same as everyone’s! We’re all astronauts!” Rae protested, but Dream kept shaking his head.

“No, hers is more innocent.” he said. “Toast, why are you so set on accusing everyone, anyway?”

“Oh, you’re so not attacking Toast right now-”

“Guys, I think we should skip.” Sykkuno pipes up to calm the conversation, and everyone agrees, even though most of them mumble “sus” under their breath as soon as they mute their mics.

Dream’s tiny green astronaut stomps his way over to the left side immediately, changing paths this time and making his way into the Upper Engine, trying to finish his tasks in time and possibly find someone to accompany him so he at least doesn’t have to argue over his alibi. He had four tasks left, two of them in Upper Engine, so after that he was free to roam around wherever his heart desired. Just as he started doing one of them, he watched your purple character step in and run circles around him, earning you a quiet laugh that he didn’t know he uttered until he heard himself do it and silently scolded himself for getting that flustered at something so simple.

The two of you did your tasks together before going down to reactor. Just as Dream started doing one of his tasks, a dead body was reported again and he unmuted himself as Toast immediately started borderline yelling into his headphones. 

“Bretman just killed Sykkuno RIGHT in front of me. I literally watched him do it. He killed Sykkuno in COLD BLOOD.” he confidently claimed and Dream, quite uninterested, grabbed his bottle of water and lightly sipped on it, wiping beads of sweat resting right above his eyebrows with his forearm, blindly looking around the darkness, trying to get his eyes to adjust looking away from the computer screen. His eyes searched for the window - it was open, just enough to let a fresh breeze inside, but it never seemed to do that, letting humid air in with open arms like a welcome guest. Florida is fucking hell, he thinks, gulping down some more water.

“No, I didn’t! I seriously did not, he’s the one who killed him and is trying to frame me now. I swear to God, Toast…” Bretman shouted into his worn mic, trying to argue back. 

“Yeah, to be honest, Bretman, you were silent the whole time when Ethan died.” Rae reasoned, earning quite a lot of “ooh”s and causing little “voted” signs to appear next to Poki, Toast and Karl’s names as Bretman tried his best to fight back.

“I didn’t know I was muted the whole time! You know I’m bad at this! Why would I... you know what, nevermind! Vote me! Vote me! You’ll see when Toast kills you all, I don’t care anymore. I literally saw-”

Dream slumps further into his chair, sure that the foam would have a dent of his body shape imprinted even when he’s long gone from it, and unlocks his phone with a quiet sigh. He opens Discord, and wishes he hadn’t, because Sapnap and George are always on the front lines and ready to make fun of him at any chance possible. He types back a stupid joke, calling them losers, but before he can press send, a Twitter notification pops up on his phone that almost makes his painfully sweaty hands lose grip of the phone. 

“this is so boring” your message reads, from your official Twitter account. Dream blinks a few times, and looks up from his phone to observe his murky, empty room, eyes flashing from the window to the ripped chocolate bar wrapper that somehow made its way onto the floor to a cup of coffee from this afternoon. Did the humid air finally get to him? Hallucinations?

He clicks on the notification - it proves to not be a product of his imagination, after all. Three dots dance around on his screen cheerfully, but they suddenly stop. His ears tune in. Bretman is still defending his honor. Something else must’ve interrupted you. His shaky hands barely hit the right letters.

He takes a handful of screenshots amidst his euphoria, and forwards them to the group chat with no caption besides an emoji sticking its tongue out - he wants to tell them to suck his dick, or something along those lines, but your message remains a priority as he rushes back to the Twitter app to reply.

“Right” he manages to write without a typo. “They’re annoying”

Three dots immediately return to his screen like a happy memory, and he almost can’t believe you’re texting back so fast. George would probably humble him by saying it’s because you have nothing better to do, but what George doesn’t know can’t hurt him, Dream supposes, and clicks on your profile instinctively as he adjusts his headphones on one ear. By the time you finish typing your message, the group decided to vote out Bretman, who ended up not being an imposter.

The three dots disappear as quick as they came, and so does the anticipation that bubbled up in Dream’s throat as he sourly leaves to finish the rest of his tasks. The rest of the game stays as boring as it started, save for the giggles and hushed laughter that came from you at every few jokes he made - of which he made quite a lot, in a desperate attempt to make you laugh, at least a little bit. Of course, Quackity was there every step of the way to accidentally mention how Dream sounded a lot more hype and alive during this game than he does ever, but you win some, you lose some, eh?

In the next game you actually decided to set up proximity chat, so of course Dream followed you around everywhere, hot on your tail at all times - what else is he supposed to do, when the chance presented itself, really?

“Are you imposter?” His character obnoxiously ran circles around you as you did your wires task slowly and unsurely since this stream was your first time playing.

“No, but I wouldn’t tell you even if I was, dummy.” You replied, running around his own character briefly before running up to do the rest of your tasks, watching the green astronaut follow you close behind. 

“Why not?” Dream questioned, eyes following all your movements since he didn’t have anything better to do considering he finished all his tasks. 

“Do you not know how this game works?”

“Yeah, but you’d tell me, right? I wouldn’t… rat you out.” He heard a sigh coming through his headphones in response, and his grin widened just a little, watching your character walk away from him.

“I know you wouldn’t.” you replied. “I’ll tell you if I’m imposter, I guess.”

“You wouldn’t kill me, would you?” Dream spoke into his mic, reaching to fix it and realising the way his hand trembled a little, fully aware he was walking the line between flirty and obnoxious more than usual. He lowered his gaze just to see his keyboard reflect the light of the computer back to him - the sweat from his palms seemed to seep onto the keyboard. He refused to think about the mocking things his best friends would say if they found out how nervous he was just to talk to you. 

“No, of course not! I wouldn’t be able to kill you.” You chirped just as a dead body was discovered and the two of you were torn from the conversation. 

In the next one, his screen flashed an ominous black and red with the word “Impostor” and your purple character stood proudly next to his green one, and he snickered to himself, adjusting his headphones one more time (the more he did it, the more he was convinced it was one of those anxious habits of his).

Shifting in his chair, he started moving and couldn’t believe his eyes when he realised the two of you managed to lock yourselves in a room with Corpse and Sykkuno, accomplishing a double kill in barely the first two minutes of the game. The two of you vented while Dream muttered curses under his breath, breaking out in a sweat wondering if you’re going to get caught or not as you casually hummed to a random tune while faking tasks, hitting the notes in such an effortless way that it made Dream relax and get even more nervous at the same time. It didn’t take too long before the body was found, and you seemed to adapt to the game very quickly, as Dream just sat back most of the time and watched you stretch out a whole essay on why you and Dream could NOT have been imposters. 

“Why would they stick together the whole time? Couldn’t they get at least someone else to vouch for them?” Toast complained. 

“Girl, Dream wants some… alone time with Y/N, obviously.” Bretman said, despite being the one most sus of you in the first place, forcing laughter out of the whole lobby, Dream’s sticking out the most as his mood constantly swayed from finding the whole thing funny to being worried sick if you actually find him weird.

“Exactly! And we’re gonna have our alone time if we want to, thank you very much.” 

Well, Dream thinks, taking a stressed gulp of water from his bottle, at least we cleared that one up.

“I don’t think that sounded the way you wanted it to, Y/N.” Karl pipes up, making Quackity burst into another fit of loud laughter, and you immediately protested.

“It sounded exactly the way I wanted it to! Now, vote Rae or else.” 

When the meeting was over, he ran after you through cafeteria, grin splitting out on his face before he even spoke.

“You’re pretty…” his silence extended as he watched your character stare at his. “...pretty smart.”

You snorted. “Right. You’re pretty…” you extended your silence in return, mocking him. “...too.”

His heart jumps. “You forgot a word there.” he says as you stomp out to storage.

“I said what I said, Dreamy.” 

He swears this can’t be healthy for his blood pressure. In the corner of his eye, Discord notifications pop up like crazy. The boys must be watching your stream. His heart swells with both pride and dread, knowing he’s about to be called something along the lines of pretty Dreamy for the next two months.

“How do you know I’m pretty? You’ve never even seen my face.” Dream replies as heat creeps up like a spirit rising from soil, from the back of his neck, seeping into his ears and cheeks somewhat equally. His eyes dart to the window again. Of course it’s the stupid Florida weather that has him burning up, flustered. Maybe he should open another window.

“Is this an invitation to see it?” you say, a teasing tone clinging off your voice and he can practically hear you smiling. 

“No, I’m just saying! If you want to see it, though, that… that can be arranged.” he bites his lip as a physical attempt of holding back the smile that breaks out as he waits for your response, chest puffing in both nervousness and odd confidence.

“Can it? I mean, I don’t need to see it, I just know already, you have those… pretty boy vibes. But I wouldn’t…” you chuckle. “...be opposed to seeing it, for sure. Don’t count on me not to leak the pictures, though. I want the clout.”

“What do you MEAN you want the clout, you’re Y/N! You don’t need clout from a Minecraft YouTuber!” He argues back, a small wheeze escaping him mid sentence as you giggle and run around, with him following your every move.

“You keep my fucking lights on, man! Whenever your Spotify Twitter account thingy tweets that you’re listening to my stuff, the streams go up! I need your clout.” you say as you run into admin and snap Toast’s neck and run back out casually, as if nothing happened. 

“Yeah, that’s how me listening to your songs on repeat works.” he says and you let out some sort of irritated groan.

“Shut up, smartass.” Just as you say that, somebody seems to find the body and you’re pulled into a meeting, where Rae susses both of you immediately.

“No, because both of you are always together! And someone always spots you walking by the place where the bodies are found! At some point that can’t be a coincidence, right?” she accuses, practically yelling into the mic.

“Of course they’re always together, check- check fuckin’ Twitter! They’re trending on like three different spots already!” Quackity jumps in, loud as always, and the lobby gives off mixed reactions.

“What? We are?” Dream asks, and Quackity confirms with a “yeah, man! Check!” and so he complies, quickly pulling out his phone to check the trending tabs. Sure enough, among the politics and sports, “DREAM Y/N”, “PRETTY BOY” and “DREAM FACE” are crammed, sat at 7th, 14th and 18th place, respectfully. A satisfied grin breaks out on his face. At least they see it, too.

“This has to be the first time Dream has trended for something heterosexual.” Karl points out, earning loud laughter from Quackity and Bretman, less loud on your part.

“Exactly! We’re a power couple! Stay mad!” You shouted, with Dream supporting you in the background, although still shyly adjusting his headphones every few seconds, unable to comprehend that oh, this is actually happening.

Both of you get voted out during the next few minutes, but that really means nothing to Dream - they actually do him quite a favor, because the two of you get to excuse yourselves and he sees those three familiar dots dance on his screen again as he leans back into his chair with a dopey grin, playing with the strings of his sweatpants, waiting for your next and next and next message. 

He opens Discord on his computer to type one last message into the groupchat before turning it off for the night:

Dream (03:14): maybe Minecraft wasn’t my calling after all

Dream (03:14): can’t believe I just met my soulmate on Among Us

[imaginesforjohnnydepp]

Met Gala (Johnny Depp x fem reader)

for anon @kittenlittle24 @evelynrosestuff

for the vibe of this, listen to Could It Be? by Christy Carlson Romano here 

You looked absolutely stunning, but you were always stunning. This was Johnny’s exact thought as you ascended up the stairs into the Met Gala, and he just couldn’t tear his eyes away from you; the lights from the camera flashes and the tent seemed to bounce off your metallic/silver dress... and the large diamond on your right hand that seemed to mock him. Johnny hated the way your fiancé’s hand gripped your waist, hated the way you smiled up at him as he did so. As the night progressed, you found yourself in the bathroom trying to get in Kylie Jenner’s Met Gala selfie with your head on some pop star’s shoulder. After dinner and the musical guest, you roamed the exhibit alone after Alex had to leave early.

The entire thing was absolutely beautiful, you thought as you snapped pictures for your friends and family back home, and you made a mental note to visit during the rest of it’s duration. While you thought you were the only person on this side of the museum, you were proven wrong as you heard the scuffle of feet on the marble floor and the hushed voices bouncing off the walls. “Are you out of mind? Y/N’s engaged and definitely not into me.” It was Johnny’s voice and it sounded like was talking on the phone. Johnny was quiet for a while as the other person spoke.

“Tim, I promise it would not make a difference if I told or not. You should’ve seen the two of them. The way she was looking at him, it was disgusting, and the worst part is that she can’t see that he’s using her.” You almost choked on your breath. What did he mean by that? Johnny’s in love with you, and if so, for how long? You quickly turned back in the direction in which you came, trying not to trip in your heels.

There was no way Alex was using you, right? He loves you, and yeah, it was a bit too fast, but when you know, you know. Isn’t that what everyone says? This wouldn’t be the first time someone said something like this about Alex, your fans online thought so too, but they were wrong about him, they don’t know his heart the way you do. You quickly ducked into a restroom and into a stall to check your Twitter feed, and after reading a few messages, you felt a little sick.

oh god, the met gala is going downhill. how tf are so many “influencers” getting invited? one said. Another one: y/n looks so gorgeous but that rat ruins it. And the last one: funny how y/n and alex have been together for less than a year and he’s already signed to a modeling agency and going to the met gala. The other comments were pretty much the same and you wanted to throw up. You thought back to everything that had happened since you confirmed our relationship with Alex; his following on social media had grown exponentially, he did sign with a modeling agency and landed a L’uomo Vogue cover and campaign for Gucci and countless other brands.

Your friends in the modeling world told you it took them twice as long to get steady work and to get their foot in the door. And then the paparazzi to deal with, they were always popping up, even at the most secluded places... like at your favorite restaurant in your hometown. You’ve never had to deal with that while visiting your family, and while you would take pictures with fans, that was it. All of it was starting to click.

You needed to end things with Alex, like yesterday, and you thought back to Johnny’s conversation: “It wouldn’t make a difference if I told her how I feel about her.” How could you miss that? The first time you ever met him was at an audition for one of his movies; the movie was based off a book and it was between you and another girl, and even though you didn’t quite match the physical description of the book, he fought tooth and nail for you to be in the movie. You had a small crush on him while filming, but at the time, he was in a committed relationship with two kids. You were a law school drop out trying to prove to your family that this “acting thing” could work, so you never acted on it.

He had taken you under his wing and supported you in the early days of your career, and still does. All of that was a decade ago, and now you’re at the top of your game and still remain close friends (which Alex doesn’t like), even filming a movie with Lily-Rose and interviewing her for one of her first magazine covers. Your little crush on Johnny never really went away, and before you could tell someone, you met Alex and the rest was history. You never thought Johnny would ever be interested in you and that you could ever have a chance with him so you let it go.

But now Johnny is single, and you’re engaged and ten years older. It was completely unfair. It’s not like you could pretend everything was normal, but what could you do? Go up to him and admit that you overheard his very private conversation? Yeah, that’ll work.

As the night wore on, you danced to the music the dj was playing with your celebrity friends and took pictures and videos with them before heading to an after party that Rihanna was throwing. You turned on your phone to see the multiple calls and text messages from Alex wondering where you were so you typed back: going to the rihanna after party. see you when i get back to the hotel. This was one of the things you hated about Alex. He could be so clingy and could constantly blow up your phone asking where you were. You turned it back off and went on with your night.

“Hey you. I’ve been looking for you all night.” You finally found Johnny at the bar nursing a glass of water. “I’ve been... around.” He took a sip of water before asking the bartender for another refill. You took a deep breath and let it out slowly; it was now or never, and you know that if you don’t do it now you’ll never do it.

“Johnny, can we talk? Like really talk? Because I feel like I haven’t spoken to you since I got engaged. You got engaged two months ago, and you and Johnny check in with each other every week. “Johnny, I know. About everything.” His brown eyes widened in fear and it reminded you of a child who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar before dinner. “God, Y/N, I’m so sorry, you must think I’m disgusting---”

You cut him him off. “No Johnny, I don’t” You told him about the crush you had on him while you were filming together ten years ago and you could feel your face heat up in embarrassment, then it was over. You kept your eyes down on the bar top the entire time. “Johnny, what are we going to do?”

All of this felt so wrong, and it felt like you were cheating on Alex, which you weren’t but still. Alex is your fiancé, you’re supposed to be in love with him. Of course you love him, but lately you’ve been feeling annoyed, about everything. You’re tired about being asked about wedding plans, fighting about where to live, Alex speaking calmly to the paparazzi as they invade your privacy. Sick and tired of all of it.

“Y/N, you’re engaged, not married. There’s still time.” For a second you thought about what it would be like with Johnny, how easy it would be. The both off you are private people and you get along with his kids, so nothing bad on that front. You fiddled with the engagement ring before pulling it off; that felt much better and your hand felt a lot lighter. “I don’t think I can marry Alex. I think I made a mistake.”

You finally said it. Said the four words you’ve been trying to push down for the last two months; it felt good to say out loud. You slipped the ring in your clutch. You threw your arms around Johnny and quickly kissed his cheek. “I have to break it off with Alex.” If all went well, then you would make plans to leave L.A. before the media storm could hit. 

Maybe your place in the countryside just outside your hometown? You could only hope that this break up could go smoothly.

[midnightsnyx]

Consequences - Matthew Tkachuk: part 8

summary: you absolutely hate Matthew Tkachuk so it’s just your luck when you wind up pregnant with his child.

here is it! the last part! please let me know if its too corny lol. epilogue will be posted either this week or next.

couples notes: 1. i don’t know anything about childbirth aside from what google taught me so i apologize for any wrong info! 2. i’m sorry this story was pretty short lol ya girl is doing the best i can😅 3. i wanna throw a couple quick thanks now and then the rest when i post the epilogue. 

first of all i wanna send a thank you to @hannahmb​ who let me bounce ideas off her, gave me feedback, listened to me complain about not knowing where to go with the chapters and also, helped name baby tkachuk! so thank you hannah! you rock 🖤

i wanna thank @notanotherhockeyblog95​ for also listening to me whine about not knowing what to write 😂 also, for giving me loads of encouragement and letting me throw ideas at her! you’re the best!!🖤

anyways here’s part 8! i hope you guys like it and thanks again for reading<3

word count: 2.3k

warnings: none

Part 8

41 weeks

“Matty. Wake up.” You whisper, shaking his shoulder in attempt to wake him. He doesn’t budge so you pull the blankets off him in hopes that it might work but again, he doesn’t move. It’s quite disappointing considering you’re now five days past your due date and if you were in labor, he won’t wake. Luckily, Chantal is sleeping just down the hall. After many conversations, you and Matthew agreed that it was probably a good idea to have her stay with the two of you in case you were to go in labor while Matt was playing a game. Yes, you had friends around but it comforted you much more having Chantal here because she’s went through this before.

With one last look at Matt, you roll out of bed and waddle like a duck, because that’s what you looked like according to Matt and Brady, to the kitchen. You were trying to wake Matt up because you felt like a snack but you didn’t feel like getting out of bed.

You’re digging through the freezer for some ice-cream you’re sure Brady had bought when he last visited when you feel the first cramp. It’s a little uncomfortable but you’ve been having some braxton hicks contractions on and off over the past few weeks, some feeling real enough that you went to the hospital only to be sent home which was very embarrassing even though Chantal told you it happens all the time. It wasn’t exactly the fact that you got sent home that you felt embarrassed about, but that Matthew left practice because he thought you were in labor. You just thanked your lucky stars that it wasn’t while he was in the middle of a game because it would’ve been ten times worse.

So you brush it off, cheering silently when you find the tub of chocolate ice-cream, idly wondering if it’s weird to eat it in bed at three o’clock in the morning. You decide it’s not, walking back to the bedroom and crawling in bed. You sit up against the headboard and grab the PS4 controller so you can put Netflix on since you know you won’t be falling asleep any time soon.

Matt rolls over and throws and arm over your legs and nuzzling his face in your side halfway through an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. It’s gives your belly a weird feeling again, not pain this time but something else. Something a little unsettling because you haven’t felt this particular feeling in quite some time.

You’re pretty sure you’re in love with Matt which makes you equally frightened as it does happy. You’ve realized that your hatred for him stemmed from that one night when he did something to make you angry when your breakup with your ex was so fresh and you were emotionally vulnerable.

Just like Johnny had told Matt good things about you, he’s mentioned things about Matt to you, obviously in hopes that the two of you would hit it off. It gave you a little hope that despite what you had heard from some of the girls, he wasn’t that bad of a guy which you know is true now.

Your only problem now is that you have no idea how strong his feelings are for you. Part of you is afraid that what he does feel is only from seeing you carrying his child. You know what he told you at the baby shower, that he liked you since you met but you still can’t shake the feeling that maybe what he feels for you might just be temporary.

That one day he’s going to wake up and decide that he doesn’t want you the way he does now and it breaks your heart thinking about it.

“You’re crying.” Matt mumbles and you look down to see him now wide awake. “What’s wrong?”

You didn’t realize that you were crying and you can’t wait for the day when everything doesn’t make you cry like a baby.

“I’m fine.” You say, swiping the tears away. “It’s the show.” This is a lie because you haven’t been paying attention to the show for about five minutes.

He looks at the TV and then looks back at you with an eyebrow raised. “It’s a sex scene. Something you been wanting to tell me?”

He has a tiny smirk on his face and it’s temping, it really is, but you shake your head and try to come up with some other excuse.

“My ice-cream melted.”

“Do you want more?” He frowns, sitting up and it drives you insane sometimes, how willing he is to do anything for you at any given time.

“No, I just -” you sigh, putting the tub on the night table. “I’m tired.”

You know it’s a lie and so does he but he doesn’t push like he normally would. You let him tug you down so you’re laying on your side and he’s wrapped around you, hand resting on your belly and face tucked in your neck.

“What about Jasper?” He whispers and you smile.

“I like it.” You tell him and he nods.

“We’ll put it on the list.”

. . .

It’s later that evening and you’ve been having what you’re telling yourself are braxton hicks contractions all day. You refuse to go back to the hospital already because you know you’ll just get sent home again. Besides, Matty has a game tonight and you’re determined to go because it’s the last game of the season. The Flames won’t make the playoff’s this year and you know Matt is upset about it but he said that what’s more important is that he’ll be here for when and after the baby is born.

His words made you fall in love with him a little more.

You and Chantal arrived at the arena early enough that you can go down to see Matt while she finds your seats. You text him when you’re outside the locker doors and he looks happy when he walks out to see you. You can see the hint of disappointment that tonight is the last game until next season but he smiles at you anyway.

“How’s Jasper?” He asks, resting a hand on your stomach.

“I don’t remember agreeing to that name.” You tease and he shrugs.

“Jasper Tkachuk. Has a nice ring to it.” He says, giving you a soft smile. He looks like he wants to say something else but somebody yells his name and you know he has to go.

He smiles apologetically. “I’ll come find you after the game.”

You nod, letting him kiss you before heading back to the locker room. You find your way to Chantal in the stands, trying to ignore the way the braxton hicks contractions won’t go away. There’s a small part of you that knows you shouldn’t be brushing them off but now really isn’t the time for you to go into labor.

You can’t hide the winces from Chantal though because halfway through the first period, she frowns.

“How long have you been having them?”

You wince when another one washes through you. It’s much closer to the last one.

“Since this morning?”

“Y/N.” She scolds gently but firmly.

“It’s his last game! I don’t want to miss it.”

“Honey, you’re in labor.”

When those words leave Chantal’s mouth, it feels like somebody smacked you because it’s suddenly so real.

“C’mon. Let’s get to the hospital.” She says, helping you out of your seat.

“Matt-”

“We’ll get a message to him.” she assures you. “he won’t miss it.”

. . .

As you watch the game from your hospital bed, Chantal paces around the room on her phone trying to talk to someone who can get a message to Matt.

Your water broke shortly after you and Chantal arrived at the hospital and you know how quickly things can progress so you’re terrified that he won’t make it in time. You know that it’s something that the two of you had talked about early on, in the case that he was on a road trip and wouldn’t be here but knowing that he is here but you can’t get a hold of him, is hard.

“I know it’s an unusual situation.” Chantal snaps. “Figure it out.”

When she ends the call, she sighs and presses a hand to her forehead. You know how stressed she is about the situation but when she turns to you, there’s a gentle smile on her face.

“He’ll be here.”

You admire her attempt at trying to reassure you but you know that you need to get yourself in a good mindset to be okay if he’s not here.

“Did you call Becca?” You ask, hoping for at least some good news.

“Yes, she’s on her way.”

A little bit of good news. Finally.

You start to ask if she’s called anyone else but a nurse comes in the room to check you. When she tells you it shouldn’t be much longer, your heart sinks, realizing that Matt’s probably not going to make it here in time.

“I just got word that Matthew Tkachuk will be out for the rest of the game.” you hear Elliotte Friedman say and your head snaps up. You forgot that the TV was still on and it’s now intermission. “I didn’t see him get injured during the game, Chris. Did you?”

“No, and he didn’t take any major penalties. Maybe we missed something.”

Your heart leaps when you realize that he’s probably left the game because someone got the message through to him and you’re proven right when your phone buzzes and his name appears on the screen.

“Matty.”

“Hey, baby.” he says in a rushed voice. “I’m on my way to the hospital, okay?”

“Yeah?” You sniffle, knowing you’re going to cry.

“Yeah.” He promises. “Fifteen minutes, okay?”

He stays on the phone with you until he reaches the hospital and even until he reaches your room.

He takes Chantal’s place on the chair next to your bed as soon as he walks in.

“Ready?” He asks, taking one of your hands in his and pressing his lips to it.

“Not really.” You joke, trying to lighten the mood because you’re scared out of your mind. Your entire life is about to change but when you look at Matt sitting next to you, eyes kind and warm and with the smile on his face, you know you can do just about anything with him by your side.

. . .

“I guess we need to pick a name now, huh?” Matt whispers, cradling the baby in his arms. He was natural from the moment he held him and it was like your heart exploded. If you thought you loved Matt before, you know that you love him now.

“What about Henry?” You ask, watching him walk around, bouncing the baby gently.

His mouth turns up in a tiny smile. “I love it.” Then he looks up at you and tilts his head a little as if he’s coming to a realization.

“What?”

He shrugs, looking back down at Henry before walking over and sitting on the bed next to you. He lets you take the baby out of his arms so you can nurse him.

“I just realized something.”

“And what’s that?” You ask, raising an eyebrow when he smiles.

“I love you.” He says easily and when your eyes start watering, he just laughs gently. “I love you so much it’s crazy.”

“Really?” You ask and he nods.

“Really.” He grins and you can’t help but laugh when he pulls his phone out of his pocket and waves it in the air.

“Now, shall we make this Instagram official?” He asks and you roll your eyes fondly.

“You’re such a dork.”

“But you love me.” He says and you smile, pulling him close enough so that you can kiss him.

“I really do.”

[tomhardydallasstarsgirl]

FUCK.YOU.ANGEL.REYES

Chapter 3

Characters: Angel Reyes x Black Reader

Summary: You return to Santo Padre after being gone for nearly 15 years. Your life and also others will change. Affecting everything you hold dear including your Mayan MC Family.

Warnings: Swearing, Unprotected Sex, and bodily fluids (Male and Female)  Sex/Oral Sex Female  and Male Receiving

Pic Credit @angels-reyes​

Angel finally lets you come up for air after eating you out again. As you two hop in the car to head over to hospital to spend some time with Mama Sadie. You sit back and watch Angel and your grandmother laugh and carry on for what seems like forever. He even takes her out for a walk during her physical therapy time which melted your heart and defenses even more. You loved his laugh as he enjoyed the dirty jokes your little slip of a grandmother was telling a man who was twice her height and weight. As you watch them interact you receive a call from Bishop.

“Hola Obispo. Is everything okay? You need to speak with Angel? I’ll get him if you need me too”, you ask.

“No sweetheart actually if he hasn’t told you I gave him the next 2 days off to keep you company” smiled Bishop.

“Oh, as in baby sit me right?” you ask.

“No not to babysit. He’s not your daddy Y/N”, says Bishop as you laugh to yourself because as of last night and this morning you’ve been calling Angel daddy non-stop.

“Actually to keep you busy because we have a surprise for you and it won’t be here until two days from now”, says Bishop as your interest is now piqued with curiosity of what it could be.

“Oh, Bishop can I have a guess pleeeeease”, you ask jumping up and down as Angel watches you looking curious.

“No mi amor. We all want to see the look on your face when you see what you have coming”, chuckles Bishop.

“Okay Bishop. So, I can’t ask Naomi about it?”, as you hear Bishop sigh heavily on the phone.

“Did I say something wrong by mentioning Naomi just now?” you ask with concern.

“Uhh no sweetheart no at all. I just think that I’m too old for her” as anxiety rises in his voice.

You had a look of apprehension on your face as your mind went back to the night before. Because from what you witnessed between Bishop and Naomi it was cute, adorable and at times very sexy and most definitely absolutely mutual. Even the phone conversation that he interrupted between you and Naomi to get her off made you feel that they would hit it off.

“So, are you wanting to stop getting to know her because of certain “Differences” you two have?”, you say as Bishop can tell that you’re getting a bit upset.

“No pequeno, that’s not what I want to do with Naomi. I mean I’m feeling her a lot. I mean she’s beautiful, smart, sexy and she funny too”, as he sounds anxious.  

It shocked you that the Bishop you heard about while you were growing up was all about his business, ruthless and cut throat at times. But, as you take in this conversation he seemed vulnerable about your good friend Naomi. It almost broke your heart to hear Bishop worrying if he can keep your friend happy.

“Bishop I don’t think you have anything to worry about. My homegirl digs you and you’re all she talks about. To me things can go nowhere but up. And also I don’t want to hear you two having sex on the phone anymore”, you say causing Bishop to bellow with laughter as a clear sign that he feels better after speaking with you.

“Thank you, baby girl for talking me down from that ledge.”

“No problem Bishop. Can you give me a hint of my surprise now?”

“Nope. Nice try novia” says Bishop.

“Can’t blame a girl for trying”, as you two say your final goodbyes.

“Everything alright bonita” says Angel as he walks back with your grandmother.

“Yes, it is. Just got off the phone with Bishop. He needed some advice about something that’s all”.

“So grandbaby been curious to know if have you and this tall strapping young fellow had sex yet?” as Angel goes off with the biggest laugh you’ve ever heard. All you wish is for the ground below to swallow you up as you to run and hide front this conversation.

“I take that back grandbaby”.

“Good. Thank you Mama Sa-”

“He looks more like a big eater to me. Maybe he’d tell you what you taste like too”.

“That I did do Mama Sadie”, as Angel is laughing non-stop now as you stomp off mad.

“Awwww grandbaby come back” says Sadie as she sits back into the wheelchair as Angel pushes her back to the hospital laughing his head off still at you demise.  

“Come on Colibri. Baby, Mama Sadie was just messing around” as your granny joins in laughing with Angel all the way back to her private room.

You sit in a chair next to her bed with a pouting look on your face as Angel wheels in your grandmother. Angel helps sit her back into her bed comfortably. You couldn’t help but, pay attention to his attentiveness and caring nature for Mama Sadie. If you’re not mistaken seeing him this way kind of got you all hot and bothered turning you on. Especially since you two haven’t had vaginal sex yet. Hell, you might just ride his dick later on tonight due to the way he took care of your grandmother. You gotta admit that it did upset you a bit how he openly admitted to eating your pussy to your to Mama Sadie. But, in retrospect he is not ashamed to admit his sexual nature out in the open when it comes to you. I’m mean you are so confident of yourself thinking you’ll be able to hold your own against the great Angel Reyes but, you’d hate to be proven wrong again.

After spending pretty much of the day with Mama Sadie Angel waited outside in the car as you were at home packing a bag to spend at Angel’s for the next of days. Heading out to the front door to the car you notice Angel being nosy attempting to open a package.

“Hey, excuse you!! Gimme that Angel right now”, as Angel holds the package up in the air over his head as you try your damnest to get it from him. He laughs at you as he keeps it away from you. You pout as you stop jumping hoping he lets his guard down. Right on time as he does you playfully punch him in the stomach. He keels over as you grab it from him to inspect the contents as you sit the package on the trunk of the car as you attempt to open it as Angel presses his body against yours. Having curiosity of what’s in it. He kisses you on top of your head and wrapping his tatted arms around your shoulders as you take a closer look.  

“Here take my knife”, as Angel offers you his.

“Oh, I got my own”, as you pull it from your purse and shake it open as Angel’s eyes bulge wide.

“Fuck girl, where the did you get this fucking knife from?”, as he inspects it.

“My mama got it for me”, as you take it back putting it away.

“Should I be worried?” asks Angel.

 “Do you want to find out?”, as Angel raises his hands in protest taking a step back as you laugh at him.

You finally open the box and curious to try to figure out why were sent this package.

“SAVAGE FENTY by Rihanna?” you both say at the same time as you notice a notice inside.

“To my beautiful and gorgeous grandbaby. Also, baby-girl you’re not getting any younger either. Wouldn’t mind that you and that tall drink of water Angel give me some beautiful grandbabies”, you read as Angel laughs under his breath.

“Uggghhhhh Mama Sadie”, you say as you look to the sky wanting to scream as you take a deep breath.

“Fuck girl are those crotchless?”, as Angel attempts to look at what’s in the box but, you snatch it away.

“If you behave Angel Reyes I may do a fashion show for you”, you say as Angel’s face grows dark but, your phone rings as it’s a call from Scarlett.

“Hey honey what you doing right now?”, she asks.

“Trying to tame Angel right now because of a package Mama Sadie sent me”.

“Whoa wait I was sent one too” says Scarlett looking out of the corner of her eye as Riz is anxious for her to open it.

“So basically my grandmother is pimping us to Mayans with sexy lingerie” you say as Angel can’t help but laugh.

“Has Danielle and Naomi called at all?”, asks Scarlett.

“Girl please I’m sure Naomi is walking around at home crotchless for El Presidente right now and as for Danielle EZ is probably enjoying the view or she’s hip deep full of baby brother right now.”

“Say Colibri you know I can hear you right?” says Angel as Scarlett laughs on the phone.

“My bad Daddy” as you blow him a kiss and he laughs rolling his eyes.

“Well I was calling to see if we all could meet up for dinner with the fellas tonight”.

“Sure sounds good to me Scarlett”, we’ll see you in a few.

“And wear something nice please”, she shouts before hanging up with you.

Later that evening Angel dropped you off at a local restaurant as the guys had to handle some quick business at the clubhouse. You met your best friends at the bar having drinks and catching up. Your friends teased and razzed you because what you told them about Mama Sadie embarrassing you and Angel going right a long with it. Especially he openly admitted to her what you tasted like. Oh you were further embarrassed now that your girls are aware of it too.

“Excuse me ladies these are from the gentlemen over there” says the bartender as he pointed towards a table of 4 very attractive men as they all hoisted their glasses in you and your friends direction. You all gave them a kind nod as you all went back to talking.

“Good thing the fellas aren’t here to see this. Especially Bishop”, says Naomi gyrating her hips.

“That hickey on your neck says it all honey. Along with how you walked in here”, says Danielle as you all laughed and howled.

“Scarlett are those Riz’s leather bracelets he always wearing?” Naomi ask while grabbing her wrists for a closer look.

“Yes sugar, Poor baby lost them in a strip poker game we were playing last night”, as you all laugh at her flexing playfully.

“Danielle you been quiet and all googly eyes since we got here tonight” you asked as she jumped being snapped back to reality.

“Huh, What you say?”, she asks looking guilty as he mind been wondering on and on about EZ.

“I can’t help it y’all. EZ has had me scaling the walls away from him last night, this morning and this afternoon. I don’t know what it is that he can’t get enough of”.

“Girl that Punani of yours”, says Naomi as you all clink glasses taking another sip laughing out loud.

Not even a minute later you all were approached by the gentlemen from the table earlier.

“Now why is that we see 4 beautiful ladies all alone”, says the leader of the group as his eyes are fixated on you flashing a big smile as you roll your eyes.

“Actually we are not alone just waiting on our daddies”, says Naomi as you choke on your drink from the surprise comment she just made as if she just read your mind as Scarlett is rubbing your back.

“Well we’ll keep you company until your DADDIES ARRIVE”, as the men attempt to invade you and your girls personal space.

“That won’t be necessary vato”, as everyone turns around seeing Bishop and Riz as Scarlett and Naomi approach them giving them passionate hugs and kisses.

The two other guys step away from you and Danielle not realizing that Angel and EZ are on the 6 as Bishop and Riz watch what is about to unfold in front of them with smiles on their faces and their arms around their ladies.

“BOO!!!”, yells Angel as the two men are startled as EZ laughs at his older brother taunt.

The dudes suddenly notice the Leather Kuttes with the words “MAYANS MC” all four of them are wearing which gives them second thoughts to want to challenge them

“Oh hey guys sorry the interrupting the lovely ladies evening” says the head one as he hurry to pay the tab as they all leave in a hurry.

“Hey thanks man” says Ez as he gives the bartender a tip for the heads up.

“Sorry we’re late. Got a bit hung up at with club business” says Angel pulling you close kissing your lips as you nibble on his bottom one.

You all vacate the bar and sit down to dinner which was a nice change for once. Everyone chimed in on conversations once in a while but, you all were too busy eating in hushed tones and being close to your Mayan men. Angel had his hand on your thigh making lazy circles while whispering sweet nasty Spanish in your ear making you warm around your neck and pool between your legs as you try to feed each other a slice of Chocolate Cake.  You hate that you decided to wear a pair of those crotchless panties as you regret it now. Because you swear you can feel your juices running down your thighs as Angel dark brown eyes were watching you. You didn’t want to make it obvious that you were horny and wet as fuck. You wish you could live out that fantasy of you riding his dick while others watch you come apart all over him.

“Hey let me use the Ladies room baby” as you excused yourself in a hurry hoping he doesn’t see anything.

Too bad all seeing eye Angel noticed that the cloth napkin and the seat were both wet as he watched you heading in the direction of the women’s restroom.

“Ladies will you join me please”, as you call your girls to join you but, you couldn’t help notice that smack on the ass Naomi got from Bishop as she giggled. To that passionate hand kiss from Riz to Scarlett’s hand and the ear bite EZ gave Danielle as she laughed running away.

As you used the restroom freshening yourself up you heard your phone chime as Danielle was holding it for you as you flush the toilet fixing your dress.

“Hey Y/N want me to check your phone for you?” Danielle asks you and you say yes with any hesitation assuming it would be something random or regarding Photography inquiries.

“I don’t think it was a good idea Colibri to be wearing crotchless panties when my pussy is wetting up the seat and this napkin you were sitting on”, reads Danielle as you bust out of the stall.

“Damn say what”, says Naomi and Scarlett simultaneously as you try to grab you phone from Danielle as another chime comes in.

“Girl this muthafucka sent pics too”, laughs Danielle out loud as you finally snatch your phone back seeing the second message.

“Damn querida I hope when you get on my dick tonight it gets the same treatment as these two” as you see a picture of the wet seat and cloth napkin as your face warms up.

“HA!!!! I know Angel stretching you out tonight” purrs Scarlett as the others laugh leaving the restroom ahead of you.

Angel pays along with his fellow brothers as you all leave the restaurant. Outside you all make small conversation as you all say your goodbyes.

“Well Naomi and I have an engagement that needs to be sought out”, says Bishop wrapping a strong arm around her keeping her close.

“Sounds more like an Entanglement to me”, you say as she pops you on your ass as you laugh making her blush.

“Is everything good with you two” you ask Bishop as he hugs you.”

“It is sweetheart. I’m sorry for calling you frantic like that the other day. Maybe I got all nervous because I can see myself with her in the end pequeno”, as he watches her laughing at Angel and EZ tease one another.

“No problem Obispo. Glad that its going good for you both” as you kiss him on the cheek while Angel comes up behind you kissing your neck.

“You ready carino?” asks Angel as EZ with Danielle along with Riz and Scarlett leave as you two are alone.

You hesitate as you see Angel’s motorcycle which you haven’t taken a ride on it yet.

“What’s wrong mi amor?” as Angel sees your doubt written all over your face.

“Hey its safe baby. Trust me. I won’t let anything happen to you. Just hold on. I want to see my beautiful Mujer Fenomenal ride with me” begs Angel as he flashes you those puppy brown eyes as you cave in.

“Okay Angel” you say as he hands you a helmet as he kicks the stand upright.

You finally climb on situating yourself firmly resting your small body against Angel’s tall one as he gives his bike a good rev as the vibration courses through your body as a moan escapes your lips as smirks as he pulls off. You grab his waist tighter as he speeds up as he laughs at you. He comes to a stop light as he rests his gloved hand on your thigh giving it a gentle squeeze sending chills through your body sending your senses into overload. You two don’t notice but, there are two vehicles flanking Angel’s motorcycle. One is of a couple and the second car is full of females. Of course, wearing the panties coupled with the revving of his massive motorcycle between your legs and Angel’s touch is driving you insane. All you want to do literally is just get on your knees and suck Angel off until he shoots his seed to the back of your throat swallowing every drop of him.

“Hmm I gotta get you home baby. So I can wear you out all night long. But, first I must do this”, as Angel turns one of the handles to rev up his motorcycle.

“I need you nice and wet for me when I get you home mi amor”, as he revs it again as the people notice your body starting to shake.

“Bitch are you all seeing this shit”, says one chick with all her friends watching and gasp as is Angel getting you off in front of them as you grab onto his Leather Kutte as a smile is plastered all over Angel’s face.  

“Damn you see that? He got her coming all over his seat”, says the man in the other car as his female grips the door handle and crossing her legs.

Angel switches the rev pattern as it becomes short and fast as your breathing turns to short gasps. The light hasn’t changed yet as people are walking the cross walk smiling and blushing as your openly reaching your orgasm openly.

“That’s it baby. Come on daddy seat”, says Angel as you pull his body to yourself as he cheers you on.

With one hand he continue to rev the bike and with his other gloved hand he reached around dipping two fingers inside of you.

“Oh shit did he just dip in her pussy just like that?”, says one female in the car with her friends.

“Who want to bet that this muthafucka lick his glove after” says another female as there’s a wager raised.

“Your breathing harder now as the revs come faster as you rock back and forth on his seat behind him as his smirk turns into a full evil smile”.

Too bad you didn’t even notice your homegirls and their Mayan lovers pull right behind you both as they watch you unfold as their men are smiling shaking their heads and your girls are shocked by your unbashful moans as you rock your body against your man not giving one fuck whose watching you.

“I know your so close baby. Ven por papi, Ven por papi, Ven por papi”, as Angel gives his bike a long rev that sends you over the edge.

Finally tight corded rope pops inside you as you let out the loudest orgasmic scream. All the women gasp by covering their mouths as the men looking can’t do anything but smile as Angel removes his fingers tasting you as your body falls against his catching your breath.

“Good girl”, he whispers as he rubs your thigh again as the light turns green as he burns rubber blasting down the street.

But, of course the lady with her man had to light a cigarette while the car full of chicks had to pay the one female that made the wager of Angel sucking your juices off his leather covered fingers. Your girls were all now horny as hell as their Mayan men had to make haste to take them home to find the first available flat surface to put them on.

You both finally arrive at Angel’s as he had to carry you inside his house because of your wobbly legs.

You grab his keys as you unlock his door as he still holding you as he kicks the door closed.

He sits you down as you see his house is dark to only see candles are lit all over and there’s a trail colorful rose petals leading to his bathroom and beyond to his master bedroom.

“Angel when did you have time to do all this baby”, you ask as you can’t believe what is in front of you.

“You have to give thanks to Danielle and the prospect for all this”

“You like it querida”, asks Angel walks up behind you slowly unzipping your dress while removing your heels as he kneels in front of you. His dark brown eyes are fixated on you as he removes your bra and panties. Now you return the favor as you slowly undress Angel removing his leather kutte first. Followed by his shirt and dark jeans. You couldn’t help but, not notice Angel’s upper body as you circle him slowly tracing your finger-tips along his tatted and tanned skin. You wanted to run your tongue along his flex pecs, chiseled abs and those sexy veins popping out on his arms and chest. He kicks off his boots and socks as you remove his boxer briefs revealing his beautiful and heavy dick you haven’t had the opportunity to feel inside you yet as you nervously bit your bottom lip. You hop into his arms as he takes you to his bathroom to see a warm bath was also drawn for the both of you surrounding by tea lit candles. He pins up your hair as he helps you climb in first as he rests his body against yours. The only sounds that are heard are the splashes of water and the rising and fall of each other’s chest as  you both bath one another in a comfortable and romantic silence. After you’re both wrapped in towels as Angel walks you to his Master bedroom following the rose petal trail and more candlelight everywhere. You sit on the bed facing him as you pull off his towel grabbing his dick as he hisses through his teeth. The girth and length of his beautiful dick is astounding as you softly grab onto his balls as you give them each a soft kiss as Angel gets antsy. You flick your tongue at the mushroom shaped head of his dick as you lick the pre-cum that comes out as you circle your tongue taking it all. He grabs your hair as you take him deep into your mouth.

“FUCK GIRL!!”, shouts Angel as you start a rhythm taking him in and out of your mouth as saliva runs and your eyes water.

“Mierda. For a person who hasn’t really had sex or sucked some dick you sure is sucking me off like a fucking porn star Colibri” as his words spur you on.

You moan as you suck him faster as you flatten your tongue taking a bit more of him in as you feel Angel starting to tense up as he’s getting close.

“You fucking love sucking daddy��s fat dick like the sweet good slut that you are huh?” as his nasty words had you pooling between your legs again.

His stomach muscles tightened as he let out a deep-rooted guttural groan as hot shots filled your mouth.

“You better catch every fucking drop Cochina”, he says as he catches his breath.

Before you know he has you pinned onto your back as he kisses you deeply. Sending shockwaves through you causing your toes to curl. Flicking his tongue on your neck as he licks a trail around your breasts as he sucks on a nipple as you moan arching from his bed. He pulls you up into his as he lines his dick up to your center. He enters you slowly as the air was suck out of your lungs as you spasm trying to adjust to his size as you squeeze your eyes close.

“Open your eyes baby. Look at daddy as you ride this dick girl”.

You slowly move back and forth against him as you take him one inch at a time.

“Remember keep those beautiful eyes on me baby as you take my dick. Don’t fucking make me repeat again you hear me”, commands Angel as he smacks you on the ass spurring you on to ride him faster as begin to bounce on him as you shove his upper half onto the bed.

“That’s it carino. Ride the shit out this dick like it’s yours baby”, as Angel sits up making sure you keep your eyes on him as the first colliding wave of an orgasm washes over you.

“Yes. Oh fuck yes that was a good one. Keep coming on daddy’s dick” as you almost close your eyes due to that orgasm almost wiping out all your energy. Angel flips you on your back spreading your legs as he fills you up again as you grab his bed sheets.

“Fuck your tight Colibri”, as he starts to move inside of you again as his strokes were connecting with your g-spot as you moan and mewl as he stretches out to his liking as he whispers to you.

“You belong to me Y/N. These beautiful eyes. These soft lips (he kisses them). These long legs and soft arms. These cute toes and soft feet. They belong to me. Your heart. Your mind, soul and body all belong to me querida. You’re mine my love. No other man can make you feel like the way I do. Come like how I do”, whispers Angel as a second orgasm comes as you whisper to Angel.

“Then take it all my Angel. Take all of me daddy. I want you to have all of me”, as you cry out as Angel strokes faster as you dig your nails into his back.

“Fuck me harder my Angel”, you demand as he placed your legs on his shoulders as digs into you pounding you into the mattress as he grabs another orgasm from you as your eyes see pops and bursts of fluorescent lights of the heavens. The headboard bangs the wall harder as he pulls back to back orgasms. You are placed on all fours as Angel lines you up filling you in again burying his dick inside of you as you stiffen up. He fucks you into oblivion as he grabs your hair as skin on skin claps fill his bedroom as he strokes another one from you as tears fall as your crying his name over and over like a rehearsed line in your head over and over. He finally follows you as he grabs your neck pulling you towards him as he empties his essence inside of you as you both tumble onto the bed. His heavy body is on you as you feel satisfied, satiated and sore all at the same time. Angel finally rolls off of you as he grabs a washcloth to clean you up and covers your body in the black silk sheets that are on his bed. He puts on his boxer briefs back on as he returns with cold wine for you and beer for himself as he rolls a blunt to share with you.

He lights the blunt as he takes a hit first and passes it to you. He watches you as you take a pull from it with expertise as you finally expel the smoke. His back is to you as he sits on the floor at the bottom of the bed. You watch the flickering candles against his beautiful tatted skin as you run your fingers through his mane as you kiss his neck. He turns to face you ask he kisses you.

“Hey I want you to wear this mi amor”, says Angel as he removes his golden necklace.

“Whoa Angel I can't wear that. It belongs to you. Also, I notice Ezekiel has the same one”, you say in protest.

“Yeah the same one that Danielle is now wearing around her neck” says Angel as he gets up to sit down in the middle of his bed pulling into his lap as you face him. You notice that the candlelight dances in his beautiful brown eyes as you can’t help but, smile down at him. You have accepted that Angel Ignacio Reyes has to be the most beautiful man you’ve ever seen. You felt in your heart that he wouldn’t hurt or take advantage of you as those walls you built guarding your feelings, emotions and heart no longer existed as you gave in to him. He places the necklace around your neck.

“Eres mia Y/N. Te Quiero Mi Reina”, whispers Angel resting his forehead against yours.

“Te Amo Mi Rey”, you whisper to Angel as he slowly removes the bed sheet from you body.

He takes your body again and again through out the night. Sending your body and soul to heightened places its never been and what assumed never existed. Losing count of how many orgasms you both accomplished you both fell asleep holding each other close.   @lauraashley93 @claytoncardenasbabymama @sesamepancakes @pananegra

[killian-whump]

Game Night! [Liveblog #1]

Alright folks! There’s been a lot of to-do over the last couple days over this video... a lot of debate over paid content and whether folks have $10 or not and whether it’s worth $10 or not and who paid what for who to see it and why can’t we all just get along and what the hell are blobs, anyway?

Long story short, this video has proven rather difficult to rip from the site in order for us poor folks to share the video amongst ourselves so everyone can enjoy it... so I’m going to attempt to liveblog it in a fun, animated way that will (hopefully) let you all sort of enjoy it along with me. ‘Cos I paid ten fucking dollars to make sure everyone could enjoy it, and I’m going to make you all enjoy it somehow even if I have to make you a post like this.

Note: I don’t want any bitchy asks about how terrible it is for me to “ruin” the exclusivity of paid content or whatever. I’m a pirate. If I could, I’d rip the fucking thing off the website and send it to every person I know who doesn’t have $10 to spare or a credit card to use. So don’t waste your breath trying to shame me for making this post - I do not care.

Without further ado... LET’S ENJOY SOME CUTE COLIN CONTENT.

Okay... Here we go. I have to admit, Josh has a cute, professional-looking intro for his little channel/show here. I mean, it’s still a zoom call he recorded. But the intro looks professional.

Anyway... Josh is now introducing the show, and he makes a joke about his celebrity friends... or fake friends... or sort of friends... and then says, “We’re real friends, right Sam?” and Sam’s like, “No.” and Colin goes:

I DIDN’T EVEN MEAN FOR THAT TO LOOP PERFECTLY, GUYS, IT JUST DOES - and I feel like this is a fortuitous start to our journey.

Oh, there’s also some nice upbeat jazzy sort of music here, so you can play some while you read this post, that’s probably a good idea.

Now we have bagpipes as Josh introduces Sam...

HAHA, Josh introduces Colin: “He’s probably too classy to be here, but he’s also too kind to say no to me... You know him from Once Upon a Time and The Right Stuff: It’s Colin O’Donoghue.” Colin waves and Josh goes, “hey buddy” like he’s talking to a puppy, because he basically is, and Colin goes, “Hi Josh.”

Josh: Colin, is that the first time you’ve been called classy? Do I have you pegged wrong? Colin: It’s probably the first, and I suspect will be the only time I’ll be called classy.

I have to take a moment here to say that Colin still has a crap camera, lol. He sounds like he’s phoning in from a tin can under the sea, and his picture’s already broken up a couple times. Like, if my $10 went towards buying Colin a new webcam, I wouldn’t mind it. I’M JUST SAYING.

Now we’re talking about the trash-talking capabilities of the group... and Kat says something, Sam says he can’t hear what she said, and Colin says he can’t hear anything. I take back the nice things I said about the professionalism of the intro, like please, can we do a sound check 😭

Topic moves on to fandom overlaps... Kat says something about how they all wield swords on TV, so people who enjoy that would probably enjoy all of their shows. Sam nods thoughtfully and shakes his head a little as she speaks, and Colin looks frozen in time with a neutral smile on, in a way that makes me pretty sure neither of them heard a goddamn word of what she said. Josh repeated the bit about sword-wielding, and now the guys are chuckling and talking swords. Sam informs Josh that he doesn’t wield a sword, but at least he has a plant.

And it’s game time! We’re starting with Would You Rather...

We’ve got an animated intro... and then some sparkles and pictures to illustrate the questions, which all seems rather superfluous when we paid $10 to look at celebrities, but whatever, I mean, it’s his show.

First question: Would you rather hear dogs’ thoughts or your significant other’s thoughts? Colin says dogs. Josh asks why, and Colin laughs as he says “I suspect I know them, and I really don’t think... I really don’t think I want to know them sometimes.” He also says he has a dog, and he’d like to know what he’s thinking half the time. Sam says dogs, as well, because “they’re gonna be way more interesting than your partner” and this greatly amuses Colin.

(By the way, I’m using a GIF program with a screen recording function to make these GIFs. It’s not a viable method for recording the whole thing, but it works good for GIFs :))

Second Question: Would you rather have the body of The Rock with your face? Or the face of The Rock with your body? Kat answers, and then Josh says, “Colin you had something?” and Colin goes, “I didn’t really have something” because he didn’t really have something. He says it’s a real Catch-22, and takes a minute, but finally goes with “the body of The Rock... with my head on it, I guess.” Sam agrees, and there’s some chat about how awesome The Rock is. Colin also said The Rock has an amazing body.

Third Question: Would you rather always be naked or always be wearing the most embarrassing, uncomfortable costume you’ve ever worn? Josh shared a snippet of this part on his Twitter and Colin re-tweeted it, so you can actually see this part. Sam says he can’t stop thinking of when he wore Colin’s costume... and Colin’s having fun playing offended :D Kat answers and then Colin says his worst costume was when he had to wear just a pair of Y-fronts (he’s talking about when he did the play Outlying Islands), so he might as well pick being naked, and I’m feeling a little better about that $10 I spent if he’s gonna go on saying things like that and then making faces like this:

Bahahaha, Colin shares that the Y-fronts “had been stained for the production” 😂 Kat’s giving him two thumbs up and Josh intones, “The glamorous world you guys inhabit.”

Fourth Question: Would you rather have a mouth full of bees or one bee in your butt? 😂 “I’d probably have a bee in my butt,” Colin O’Donoghue states, after giving this very serious question a very serious moment of thought. Meanwhile, your fearless liveblogging friend had to rewind a couple times here, due to the sheer force of her laughter. Everyone looks flummoxed. This appears to be a real dilemma. Josh tells us that this (the bee in the butt) seems to be the common consensus, and that this is what Sam answered when Josh had asked him this question previously. “And how did that work out?” Sam asks. Josh says he doesn’t know and, “Have you tried it out?” “It’s still in there,” Sam says. Kat agrees with the ‘bee in the butt’ consensus, I’m pretty sure Colin and Sam still can’t hear her, and Josh thanks them for giving that question the intelligence it doesn’t deserve.

And that’s it for Would You Rather?! And this seems like a good spot to take a break and maybe have a beverage and post this bad boy, so you guys can start having fun too - and so I don’t end up with TOO long of a single post :)

As always, you can use any GIFs/caps in here however you like :)

Here’s a handy link to go on to PART TWO...

[stereksecretsanta]

Merry Christmas, mytumbler335!

For @mytumbler335 <3

Read On AO3

*****

Not A Silent Night

“What the fuck.” Summarises Derek’s morning. Dream? No, he’s fairly sure you can’t get a headache in a dream - and there was also the fact that his dreams wouldn’t start here anyway.

Usually his dreams started just as things got more heated - he kind of liked this change in scenery. But this wasn't a dream, and the reality was here; cocooned in a pile of tangled blankets (seriously, what did he do last night?) coated in some sticky substance – which he found was wine (Derek didn’t even drink wine, what the hell?) and engaging in a staring contest of the ages with Stiles Stilinski.

Stiles Stilinski, recent graduate from Berkley (“top of my class, suckers”). Stiles Stilinski, resident pack researcher and Spark in training. That Stiles Stilinski. Who was in his bed. Derek must still be groggy from the hangover considering he hadn’t yet properly had a mental breakdown at Stiles being in his bed. Or maybe it was because he was already having that breakdown. Either way, Derek kept his body frozen - because he was undeniably naked under the sheets.

“Oh my god” Derek would have said something snarky to this, at finally seeing Stiles speechless (a myth that has never been proven until today, and no one would believe him) - at least Stiles was doing better than Derek.

“Oh my god” Stiles repeats. Derek tentatively nodded his head in agreement. It would have been almost funny, the way they rolled onto their backs in unison, if they weren't engaged in a waiting game of who could get their mental faculties back first and break the ice.

“Dude we totally boned.” Stiles didn’t even look bothered by that statement, while Derek was startled into a coughing fit.

“You don’t know that.” Derek managed to cough out. Why would Stiles’ mind go straight to the least likely option? At least it worked on getting them to appear normal.

“We’re both thinking it.” Stiles retorted. Derek wanted to say that no, they weren't both thinking it, because Derek had common sense and supernatural senses. He'd know if it smelt of sex, semen and arousal. Derek really wanted to point out why that would be Stiles' first explanation. “Why else would we be naked in bed together?”

Well...Stiles had a point there. But Derek focused more on the fact that it didn’t even occur to him that Stiles might be naked under the sheets too – and now he couldn’t get the thought of a bare mole dotted arm inches away from his own out of his head.

Derek grunted - which suited as enough of an agreement to Stiles’ assessment to placate him. Mostly, Derek was trying to ignore the heat blazing up his side.

“Okay so how is this going to work?” Derek had absolutely no clue as to what Stiles was referring to, and he told him as much. “How is what going to work?” Stiles only offered him an exasperated look which didn’t belong anywhere on Stiles’ face.

“Well, I don’t see any clothes around and unless werewolves have superspeed like the Flash that I don’t know about, then we’re sitting ducks. Naked sitting ducks ” Stiles felt the need to add on. Derek couldn't exactly tell him that was stupid, since they were sitting ducks (yes, Stiles, naked sitting ducks.) Derek clutched the sheets tighter.

“We can close our eyes.” Stiles provided but Derek didn’t believe for a second that Stiles actually would. It wasn't like Derek hadn't spent the last week carefully monitoring Stiles around his house when he inevitably went looking for his Christmas presents. That had led to some embarrassing moments that Derek would rather not mention.

“Can’t you use your Spark to move the dresser closer.” Not his best suggestion, but how hard could it really be to drag the dresser within arm’s reach? With the power of belief or whatever Stiles said anchored his spark.

“Are you being serious? Like for real, ‘can’t you drag the dresser closer’. This isn’t Harry Potter Derek, I can’t just Accio clothes over here with a flick of my wand-” Or maybe not. “-besides we’re both adults. I’ve seen my fair share of dicks of all colours and sizes – locker rooms are not inclusive to the self-conscious believe it or not – and I know you were on the basketball team in school so you’ve been in the shared showers.” Derek was unabashedly gaping.

“No.” Stiles pouted. “Come on Derek, stop being childish” Stiles said as he sported a wolfish grin to put the actual werewolves to shame. Derek didn't trust that grin.

“No.” Derek didn't falter.

Stiles slumped with a dramatic sigh like Derek was the one being irrational.

“Fine I’ll go first.” Stiles stood with an over exaggerated stretch, showing off the winking dimples in his lower back and the lean muscles from years of running with the supernatural. Despite that display, Derek didn’t fail to notice the smirk that screamed of trouble Stiles threw over his shoulder before sauntering into the bathroom.

“Hey, can I borrow a toothbrush?” Borrow a what?

“What?” Stiles stuck his head out of the bathroom door - only his head, thankfully - the top one.

“Toothbrush?” Stiles sounded way too pleased with himself. “Under the sink.” Derek at least sounded more in control than he actually was.

Derek took Stiles’ absence as a ticking timer to find a pair of boxers – not briefs, definitely not briefs – that would hide his half hard cock. Derek resolutely ignored the way his mind said that Stiles won that round, and his claws that echoed it by almost making an appearance; but Derek did manage to have clothes on before Stiles appeared leaning against the bathroom door. (He counted that as a small victory)

Leaning was a strong word to use for what Stiles was doing – it was more like watching an accident waiting to happen with the way Stiles slowly tipped sideways and slipped away from the doorframe. Derek pretended to ignore the awkward stumble before Stiles caught himself. Although he probably shouldn't have, for the hell Stiles had given him so early in the morning.

“Boxers, really? I thought you were more of a briefs kind of guy” Stiles tried to pull off the cocky tone. Instead he ended up sounding like Jackson - Derek didn't mention that for his own safety.

“How’d you guess?” Derek mustered up Stiles level of sarcasm.

“Your ass deserves the best” Stiles shrugged like it was nothing new. “Also, your laundry basket is full of them.” His...laundry basket?

“What?” Somehow Derek failed to notice that Stiles was not standing in the nude but was sporting a pair of loose briefs that were undeniably Derek’s. Derek didn't know how to feel about Stiles scrummaging through his laundry (lie, he almost puffed out his chest in pleasure)

“Take. Them. Off.” Derek tried to intimidate Stiles but he still looked far too pleased with himself, like Derek was playing into his long, beautiful - stop it - hands.

“Well...because you asked.” That should have been Derek's cue, seeing as Stiles doesn't do things when asked. Agonizingly slow, Stiles leisurely pulled down the elastic band - until Derek could see the barest hint of dark curls.

“Stop!” Derek growled, Stiles paused. Derek ignored the sound of the elastic hitting Stiles' skin. “Why are you even wearing my briefs in the first place?” Derek tried to sound judgmental, but only came off as desperate.

“Well, I figured since we most likely had sex you wouldn’t mind me borrowing your underwear. Also, I needed something to wear unless you want to see the full package.” Stiles saucily winked.

“We didn't even have sex, Stiles” Derek was at the point where he had to stress Stiles’ name. If only he could manage to tell Stiles exactly why Derek knew they hadn't had sex.

“Well either we didn’t have sex or you did it wrong because I don’t feel any different.” Stiles sounded disappointed by that – at which part Derek didn’t know. Derek was only mildly offended, knowing it's intention was to hit his pride.

“Who says I’d be fucking you?” Derek finds himself asking anyway. Derek has to force himself not to do something stupid at the aroused scent Stiles give of on that.  

“Really?” Derek raised his eyebrows, what Stiles calls judgmental face number 4. He didn't even want to know what differentiated numbers 1, 2 and 3.

Stiles had the audacity to look offended “Are you shaming me? Seriously, I am a young, sexually mature-“

“You’re twenty-four” Derek deadpanned. “And sexually mature is pushing it.”

“-and honestly, what were you expecting?” Stiles carried on like Derek hadn’t said anything – nothing new there. “It’s not like you aren’t hot like burning and have an ass like a hockey player, obviously that’s going to make me thing of R rated things.” Stiles used his hands to accentuate his point for him. What point? Derek couldn’t remember anymore. “If we actually did the dirty and I don’t remember it I am going to be so pissed.” Stiles sounded like that might actually be true. Derek couldn't figure out why.

“Did the dirty?” Derek felt the need to point this out, in hopes that Stiles would stop.

It worked, mostly – and Derek was left to blatantly stare at the flushing neck as it flexed and gulped. Damn him. If Erica were here she would laugh right in his face. And then take a picture - or lock them in the room. Or both. Derek can’t truthfully say he would mind.  

“It’s not like there’s any evidence that we did have sex” Derek pointed out to break the second staring contest of the day. (Derek won: Stiles - 3, Derek - 2.)

“I agree” There was something wrong with that sentence coming out of Stiles' mouth. “I mean I feel pretty satisfied and achy after sex so that means we didn’t have sex or we did and it was unsatisfying”  Derek took that as the challenge Stiles wanted it to be.

He barely resisted the urge to growl – especially when Stiles looked so satisfied with himself. Derek wanted to pummel the little shit - and then maybe kiss, lick and bite him.

“Well, there’s only one way to know for sure.” Derek wasn’t about to let Stiles win. Their relationship relied on banter as it was, what's wrong with adding something a bit more intimate to it.

“What?” Stiles looked nervous now, and his gulp was audible from across the room. Derek barely hid his grin. "Scent."  

“If all you need to do is have a sniff of the room, why haven’t you yet?” Stiles sounded dubious.

“Scent is greater taken from a human than from objects” A complete lie that Derek had plucked from a completely bullshit website of werewolf 'facts'. But Stiles wouldn't know that considering his ability to tell if a website was fake almost immediately.

“Sniff yourself.” Stiles thought that was an acceptable solution. Derek didn't even know where to begin explaining how stupid that was so instead he parroted Stiles' words from earlier.

“Now who’s the one being childish?” Derek didn’t wait for Stiles' rant and just stuck his nose in the curvature Stiles’ neck. “Not fair, dude” Was the only thing Stiles could say - what wasn’t fair was how intoxicating Stiles’ smell had become. The arousal had heighted everything that was Stiles. Derek couldn't resist nipping at the skin.

“Dude did you bite me?” Stiles actually sounded offended about this – like he hadn’t made every joke about werewolves and biting in bed. It was just a nip anyway.

“Stop calling me dude.” Derek didn’t know why he tried - except to test if he could still say words. It wasn’t like it worked the other three hundred times. Derek braved a taste. Derek was more than a little smug that Stiles was too worked up to manage an 'ew' at Derek licking him.

“Are you trying to turn me on right now? Because it’s working. Oh my god” Stiles didn't even try to hide his arousal, practically melting against Derek's chest. Derek continued to be smug about that for all of two seconds before Stiles’ hips shifted forward. Derek ignored the feel of Stiles' erection against his - in favour of panicking because Stiles had definitely felt his.

“Dude do you have a boner?” Stiles had an excited tilt to his voice that made Derek want to smother himself in Stiles' neck. Instead he took the still and silent approach.

“Can I help you with that? I really want to help you with that.” Stiles sounded way past want. Jesus Christ. Derek lifted his head to be on the receiving end of Stiles’ innocent face. Stiles wasn't getting out of this one now that he had felt exactly how Derek was feeling.

“Don’t say that and feign innocence.” Derek crossed his arms - which only made Stiles drool.  

“Maybe we could ignore that? For the sake of dignity please.” Stiles actually tried that - like Derek was going to let this go at the matter of dignity. Derek snorted. What dignity?

“No. Why did you offer to do...that?" Derek tried to articulate his point like Stiles - with full exaggeration of his arms. Derek could admit he and Stiles had grown closer from bashing each other's heads into steering wheels but that was one thing - offering to suck his dick was another.  

“Come on Derek, don’t pretend you don’t know about my giant heart boner for you. Please can we just forget this happened.” Stiles waved it off like it was old news. Derek should maybe start paying more attention to the news, if he misses stuff like this. He mouthed the words heart boner – part in amazement at Stiles’ refined vocabulary and well...He didn’t want to acknowledge the other part.

“Does heart boner-” Jesus Christ “-mean what I think it means?” Derek really hoped it did, it probably showed in his voice too - because Derek was just that far gone at the chance he could have this.

“Well, if you think heart boner means that I’m literally in love with you and want to do all the romantic shit with you but also want you writhing beneath me, then yes, it is what you think it means. But the writhing beneath me part is mostly from my actual boner. You can shut me up now...any time.” Derek never wanted to. He wanted the rambles and random rants about inconsequential shit that Derek will never think of again, even at 3 in the morning after fighting off a chimera.

“I do as well. Have a heart boner. For you.” Derek was really about to let that be their love confession story - and he told Stiles as much.

“I can’t believe that’s going to be our love confession story.” It was ridiculous and stupid, but it suited them.

“As long as we don’t tell Erica, we’ll be fine. Or Lydia, otherwise she’ll hold the fact that her parties had a large part in us getting together for the rest of our lives.” Derek didn't even want to think of the pack right now - they were going to be absolutely unbearable for three weeks at a minimum - what he really wanted to do was smother Stiles’ infectious grin. With his face.

“We are getting together right?” Derek shut Stiles up with a kiss instead - he could do that now, and with a lot of other things.

“Now, what did you say about having me writhing beneath you?” Derek didn't care if this was considered going to fast, not when the room was clouding his head with the smell of their arousal.

“Oh god, how can you switch from cute to sexy in under a second. You’re killing me.” Stiles flailed and stumbled out of Derek’s brief with his usual ungracefulness - he teetered at the edge of the bed on one foot, yanking the briefs down his calves where they had somehow gotten tangled. Derek found it endearing – and he didn't want to know what that said about his type.

Derek tried to resist, truly – but in the end he failed. He nudged Stiles’ shoulder where he was still yanking the briefs enough that they probably wouldn't even fit Derek anymore, and watched the balance tip. Stiles yelped as he bounced face first on the bed with his ass in the air. That was an added bonus, and was Derek's cue to take off his own boxers.

“Rude” Stiles huffed, muffled by the pillow – but he still rolled over and spread his arms. “Come here so we can do the dirty.”

Derek huffed as he fell into the warmth. He can’t believe he has a heart boner for this idiot.

[ice-cream-nekogirl]

lights will guide you home (Tokoyami Fumikage X Reader) PART 1

I’m back ya’ll~. Serving ya’ll up with some ANGST!! 

I’ve been wanting to try my hand at making a semi-long story consisting of some bittersweet angst with my bird boi Tokoyami~. I dunno, I heard about three different songs and for some reason they made me think about him, the mood of the song I guess... but I hope ya’ll enjoy~.

Summary: “This will be so much fun.” You had said before and during the Summer Training Camp because you were going to be with your crush Tokoyami, but... things happen.

And it finds me The fight inside is coursing through my veins And it's raging The fight inside is hurting me again And it finds me The war within me pulls me under And without you The fight inside is breaking me again 

-’Fight Inside’ Red

The red woman from Game of Thrones liked to say that ‘the night was dark and full of terrors’, but tonight the night was dark, but cool and serene. The moonlight lit up the darkness provided by the night sky as you looked up with a melancholic glance and a bittersweet glimmer in your eyes.

Something about the light that made you comfortable even though the darkness could also be soothing. However, you assumed that it had to do with your light-based quirk. You could see light in many things, even in the gloomiest and haziest of situations.

Light is what made everything clearer, light is what allowed you to see things when everything was too dim or too hazy, whether it was in a dark room or a dark memory.

Light was your clarity.

And clarity was something you had slowly gained over the past week after everything that’s happened to you.

It’s only been a week and yet you could still remember everything that happened at the Summer Training Camp. Everything.

The good memories and the bad ones. No, how could you forget the good memories? You were with your friends, you were training hard alongside them and you were with Tokoyami. The boy you’ve had feelings for since the first time you met in class.

It was awkward at first, but it helped that you weren’t much of a talker yourself, so the small moments you and he spent indulging in a little bit of small talk over things like quirks, music, horror movies and Gerard Way were moments you loved. You feared that you sounded dumb at times but the raven never judged you, he had a lot of respect for you and you especially respected the hell out of him too.

Then there was Dark Shadow, who was oddly just as kind as his host was, just much more expressive and childish. But sweet, you adored the shadow and never hesitated to give him head pats and scratchies, much to Tokoyami’s immense embarrassment as he would try to make Dark Shadow stop acting like such a needy dog. It was moments like that that made you adore him all the more, him and his quirk.

He was such a chivalrous and kind boy, no ulterior motive to him whatsoever. He had no real vices that you could think of, nor was he a pervert.

You liked him, you liked him a lot.

Part of you almost believed that he knew it too, because after all Tokoyami was a smart guy even if his grades didn’t always show it. And you weren’t wrong, he did know it, but didn’t have the heart to confront you about it because he didn’t know how he would talk to you about it. Also, it stemmed from insecurity that he wouldn’t be able to be a good potential partner to you, so he was perfectly content with being a good friend to you and always being there for you.

He’d be lying if he said he didn’t gain feelings for you too. Something about your kindness, the light in your eyes and your little giggle whenever you were excited. How he loved to hear you laugh...

The most mirthful sound that the gods could never replicate...

Unlike him, you had no idea if he felt anything else for you other than friendship, but you knew that he valued you and cared about you. And for now that was enough for you. Moments with him like that you cherished and adored, and it didn’t stop when you and he trained with the rest of your classmates at the summer camp.

But of course, there were the bad memories too. How could you forget those? You desperately wanted to but you couldn’t…

LAST WEEK…

You were so excited for this Test of Courage challenge as you giggled a little bit and stood by Tokoyami and Shouji, “Isn’t this exciting? I’ve always wanted to do something like this. And I have a feeling that this will be so much fun~…!” You whispered to the two males, both looking as expressionless as ever but that was just their natural default look and they paid their full attention to you.

“Revelry in the dark.” Tokoyami nodded in agreement and repeated that little phrase he’d been uttering, and this was the fourth time as you giggled at this. And just hearing it made his heart flutter a little bit and he couldn't help but feel just a little more bashful.

“It’ll certainly allow us to practice awareness of our surroundings.” Shouji also agreed with you as you smiled and gave him a thumbs up, “Totally… I need to work on that more. But I think I’ll be okay, whoever’s sneaking around won’t be able to get me. Not when I can… light em up~.”

You brought your hand out to create a small ball of light thanks to your quirk ‘Light Construct’ which let you control light and use it to make anything, but you favored making balls, a sword and wings. It was useful in combat to blind opponents especially.

Ah it was something Tokoyami was still fascinated with despite his penchant for the darkness. Your quirk was something positive, which was kind of ironic given your sarcastic sense of humor. Still, Tokoyami knew your heart and he admired how your quirk reflected that, because sometimes you could light up the darkness in his gloomy world. Literally and figuratively.

“I trust they won’t be able to sneak up on you (L/N). Not with your power. Light is what draws the terrors out of the shadows. If anyone can win this game, you can.” He said with admiration in his tone which made you blush and smile, “Hehe, true that~ And thank you!”

As much as you wanted to keep chatting, you had to do this thing and you had to go to Izuku since he was your partner, “Good luck Tokoyami. Shouji. I’ll see ya’ll back at the place, maybe before we go to sleep we can either listen to some MCR or watch the Cabin in the Woods on my phone and discuss which of our classmates would be the classic horror archetypes and who would get killed first.” You said with a little smirk which made Tokoyami chuckle a little bit. There’s no way he was turning down that offer.

“I would like that.” He said politely as Shouji nodded while you walked off with Izuku.

Shouji was well aware that his friend clearly had a crush on you, so he would do his best to be the wingman for him. And Dark Shadow for that matter.

‘You got a crush on (L/N)~!’

Tokoyami could hear him already teasing him telepathically, and although he wasn’t one to be flustered, such a (correct) accusation still embarrassed him as he could feel heat rising on his cheeks. ‘B-Be quiet! I do not…’ He claimed, but his shadow knew better and he wouldn’t shut up about it even as he and Shouji left to go into the trees.

You were smiling as you made your way to Izuku…

At least… until it became clear that something was very, VERY wrong and it all happened so fast that you had no idea what was going on until Mandalay sent everyone a message and urged everyone to go back to the pro-heroes and fight back if necessary.

You were ready to do so, but then Izuku told you to just go to the rest of our classmates and try to help them out as much as possible and let him find Kota to take him back to the place. So you did and activated your light wings.

Oh no, you should have stood with Izuku because you had no idea what he was doing or what kind of danger was looming over him. You should have stood with him, you should have…

But you also had to look around for your classmates, you had to find Ochako, you had to find Tsuyu, you had to find Shouji, you had to find Tokoyami…

Tokoyami…

Where were they? Why was it so dark? Dammit, your quirk worked better when it was daytime with the sun, and although the moonlight helped your wings weren’t as bright as they normally were in the daylight.

But then something sharp suddenly pierced through the air and just in time you moved away before it could cut through your skin although your wings automatically dissipated in that moment of distraction and you hit the ground with an ‘OOF!’

“(L/N)?! Is that you?!”

You sat back up when you heard Tokoyami. He saw the light and knew that belonged to your quirk so you were quick to get up to go follow their voices, “I’m here! I’m here!” You ran to both the males and Dark Shadow who were alert and waiting for the lurking villain to come out of hiding.

“Be careful (L/N)…” Shouji quietly whispered to you with one of his mouths as you nodded and brought your hand up to try and see if you could find this punk who was hiding. “What the fuck was that…?” You quietly whispered as you stood among your two friends.

“We don’t know. Stay alert though… this person’s quirk is long-range.” Tokoyami replied to you while he and Dark Shadow were still on alert, uncertain just what was going on, but he just knew that whoever this guy was, he was close and he had a long-range quirk based on the fact that he attacked you while you were in mid-air.

If what Mandalay said was true then there really were villains in the midst, and that meant there was one right now in the dark. Anything can attack you in the dark, because the dark played tricks on people…

You were proven correct when one of the same blades you saw nearly sliced through Tokoyami until Shouji quickly pushed him back to take the attack at the cost of one of his arms.

“Shouji!”

“Shouji!”

You and Tokoyami cried out his name as you activated your wings to become a distraction and get that villain away from him, you couldn’t let Shouji or Tokoyami get hurt. You had to protect them both.

“HEY!” So you called out the villain as you flew, “Show your face you pussy!” You outright challenged whoever this villain was if it meant getting him away from your friends but you gasped when you saw only a glimpse of his face under the dim moonlight... 

His teeth were like blades and his face was ugly, body bounded by a black straight jacket as he gave a raspy chuckle, “Flesh, flesh, sweet soft flesh!!” The man cackled as another blade came your way so suddenly out of the shadows and stabbed you right into your shoulder.

“GYAH!!” You couldn’t stop the agonized shout leaving you as the pain made your wings evaporate, “(L/N)!!”

You heard Tokoyami scream for you as you fell, he wanted to reach out for you but he stopped as soon as he saw Shouji retreat out of the bushes so he could catch you. Shouji was hurt… one of his arms was gone… your shoulder was bleeding…

As you grunted in Shouji’s arms you clutched at your bleeding wound, “(L/N) are you…?” But before Shouji could even ask if you were okay, his eyes started to widen when he saw the rage in his friend’s eyes, his quirk manifesting in a blind fury and festering rapidly.

How dare they? How dare they hurt his friends? How dare they hurt someone so good and kind? How dare they hurt you?

This villain… he could not be forgiven…

“I’ll... KILL YOU...!!” As his shadow roared, Tokoyami didn’t hesitate to let him attack as soon as that villain reappeared to try and attack him, and an enraged Dark Shadow struck with such brutal force that the tree his claw smashed was broken in half without a bloody mess occupying it.

The villain was fast, he kept moving even as the shadow attacked him again and again until he grew larger and all the more outraged as he let out an otherworldly roar much to the horror of you and Shouji.

“T-Tokoyami!”

You couldn’t help but reach out to him and cry out for him, as if hoping that calling for him would snap him out of his rage. Wide, shocked red eyes met your terrified, worried (E/C) ones as it momentarily brought him back as you started to smile a little bit…

Only for that to fade into a horrified look when Dark Shadow continued to roar and tried to viciously swipe at you, but Shouji quickly grabbed you and jumped away just in time before the shadow could mash you into a bloody paste.

Tokoyami shouted when for a moment, he thought his quirk was going to kill you and Shouji, but to his relief you both got away, but he couldn’t stop it… he couldn’t stop Dark Shadow, he couldn’t control him anymore.

It was raging…

It was raging so angrily, so violently no matter how hard Tokoyami tried to get him to stop…

He couldn’t stop it…

“Tokoyami…” You whispered sadly as Shouji carried you and ran away from the incensed shadow so neither of you would get hurt. It broke your heart but you knew that it was the right thing to do.

You both needed to hide.

“(L/N)… you’re hurt… can you move…?” Once you and Shouji were away far enough from Dark Shadow, he inspected your wounds as you weakly nodded. “I-It hurts like a bitch but… I’m okay… I-I can… I gotta keep going…”

He didn’t protest to this, because he knew that even through pain you tried to pull through things. And he thought that maybe, just maybe you and he could save Tokoyami and stop Dark Shadow before he spirals further out of control.

Dammit, you wanted to try and help but, in the darkness, and in this thick forest of trees the moonlight couldn’t give you enough light for you to generate a light bright enough. Shouji didn’t blame you though, you couldn’t help your quirk’s limitations.

You just had to find someone like Todoroki or Bakugou…

A blessing in disguise met you as you held onto Shouji when he heard Izuku coming and quickly, he swooped in to get him out of the way when Dark Shadow’s claw nearly got him too.

“Shouji! (L/N)!”

The first thing he noticed what that you and Shouji were injured, but that was also what you and he also noticed on Izuku.

“What the fuck Midoriya…? Your arms are fucked up even more…” Despite your cursing, there was nothing comical in your tone. And Shouji knew it as he commented on how his injuries were not normal at all.

But then you both quickly told him what was really going on at the moment, and how dire the situation was with Tokoyami as the three of you all saw him, engulfed by the power of his Dark Shadow.

“STAY AWAY… FROM ME…! YOU’LL DIE!!”

You furrowed your brows when you saw him like that, stuck, powerless and taking a backseat at the mercy of Dark Shadow. That quirk was that powerful without any light, and it honestly terrified you and had you scared for your friend…

“Tokoyami, no!”

As Izuku shouted for his friend, the three of you had to remain hidden so neither of you got turned into paste. You were shuddering as you stood behind Shouji, albeit also quietly fretting over how horribly injured Izuku was.

This was supposed to be fun… why was this all happening…?

You thought in horror until Shouji told Izuku how this happened and how Dark Shadow went berserk in accordance with Tokoyami’s anger, indignation and remorse altogether. It was both horrifying and fascinating how this kind of power exploded without any light as you could hear the shadow roar and smashing through trees and thick branches.

All it took was a small snap from a twig Shouji accidentally stepped on and WHOOSH, the shadow struck fast but your friend moved swiftly as you grabbed onto him to get away. The shadow became a beast, whatever sound was made, whatever move anything unfortunate enough to get in its way would be attacked, killed…

“FORGET ABOUT ME…! GO…! FIND OUR CLASSMATES… PROTECT THEM INSTEAD…!”

Tokoyami’s desperate shouting made your heart ache as he tried to made Dark Shadow to stop and begged him to calm dow, how could you just leave him like this? It didn’t feel right. No, this was wrong… you needed to go save Bakugou from getting taken by the villains but you couldn’t just leave him like this…

Wrong… it felt so wrong…

“If we can bring him to a fire back to camp…” You could hear some of Shouji’s words, but not all of them as you were both really scared and really worried that you almost didn’t hear what they were saying. But you knew what the plan was, after you explained to Izuku that you couldn’t do it because of the weak lighting not being enough to make a light strong enough...

Nonetheless, the three of you made a plan to save both Tokoyami and Bakugo. It was crazy as hell and possibly suicidal but at this point it was all the three of you had. Your wings would guide these two to camp, and also allow Dark Shadow to follow you.

Was it insane? Absolutely?

Were you reluctant to do this? Duh. It’s highly likely that you were going to die now. 

Were you doing this for Tokoyami? Hell yes…

“The things I do for love.”

You quietly groaned to yourself you glanced over at Izuku and Shouji, “If we die for Bakugou Midoriya I’m gonna kill you.”

As if to put SOME light on this situation you had to say at least SOMETHING kinda funny, which the boys noticed and gave you a weak chuckle before the three of started to move…

FAST…

As your wings lit up, this didn’t go unnoticed by Dark Shadow the second he saw light, something he hated the most and wanted to destroy…

“WORTHLESS LITTLE FIREFLY!!”

The shadow bellowed as soon as it saw your wings and he struck but you moved fast in terror, and you couldn’t see the horrified look on Tokoyami’s already distressed face as he struggled and shouted at the mercy of his shadow.

“NO! (L/N)! Get out of here!! What are you doing?! Fly away!!”

What were you doing? Couldn’t you see that he was dangerous? Run away (Y/N)! You’re going to get hurt!

And you were so afraid of that happening but you couldn’t stop now, you had to save Tokoyami and protect your friends and your classmates.

“We’re going to save you Tokoyami! It’s all right!!”

So you tried, you really tried to shout out to your friend in hopes that it could at least give him a little bit ease and it worked… but it wasn’t enough as Dark Shadow kept rampaging and destroying everything it it’s path as you shouted and had to dodge some of the flying debris.

“Leave me (L/N)!! Please!! Save yourselves!!”

“I’m not leaving you!!”

You shouted with tears in your eyes as soon as you saw the tears streaming down his face, you’ve never seen him cry before, let alone show this much emotion…

But you gasped and winched when a large branch nearly hit you and it urged you to fly away as fast as you could and followed Shouji holding Izuku. The moonlight was your only source of power now and you prayed that it didn’t fail you as you kept going, keeping an eye on your friends and glancing down to make sure Dark Shadow didn’t get them.

“YOU’RE IN THE WAY!!”

A vicious, furious roar reverberated through the air as your (E/C) eyes went wide and a rush of horror began to stream through your veins as you gasped when you saw the ginormous entity right behind you. He was so close that you could barely react on time.

“(L/N)!! Look out!!” Shouji and Izuku shouted when they looked back to see your flight slowing down when your nerves got the better of you.

“(L/N)!! GET AWAY!!”

You were so scared you didn’t hear Tokoyami’s desperate screams for you to fly, fly away far away from him until his pained and struggling shouts snapped you out of it.

Flapping through the cool air, he chased you and he wouldn’t stop... 

SLASH! SLASH!!

Sharpness cut through your flesh as you let out a sharp scream as your wings of light instantly vanished when the keen claw tore the skin on your back and across your abdomen you could feel gravity pushing you down. Consciousness beginning to slip as you didn’t even see Dark Shadow’s claw coming for you…

“DARK SHADOW STOP!! PLEASE DON’T!!”

You blinked slowly when you heard your friend’s voice but everything went black as soon as the claw back-handed you out of the sky and sent your body flying far away from your friends as they all screamed for you.

“(L/N)!!!”

But you couldn’t hear them anymore as you just felt yourself flying and whooshing through the air as you grunted and shouted with every branch you made contact with stabbing your body. Until finally your cut-up back and the back of your head made a hard, violent impact with the back of a dense tree trunk.

“AH…!”

Your eyes went wide as you blacked out entirely and fell back to the earth once more in a thicket, eyes closing shut as the pain clouded your being.

There was no light. 

Nothing at all, just a heavy shroud of darkness, dusty haze clouding your mind and the distant screams of your friends…

TO BE CONTINUED...

[ssa25]

Not for You - Sasuhina

Rated: T (for curse words and other implicit details) 

 Hinata pulled the lapels of her borrowed faux leather jacket closer together to keep out the evening breeze. And, under that pretense, cover up her decolletage that seemed to strain against the black tube top Ino had also lent (read:forced) her to wear. The girl had some crazy convincing skills.

“C’mon Hinata… We can’t have Naruto waiting too long… Lord knows he can’t keep it together for too long without letting his inner fuckboy out…”

The telltale blush on Hyuuga Hinata was creeping up slowly. But she tried to calm her nerves. She could do this, she definitely could. Flirt with Naruto. 

It had only been a week since she was introduced to him at the apartment she moved into. Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura were next door neighbours, and good friends with Tenten, her flatmate. 

The girls had been welcoming, much to her relief. It was hard to transfer universities in the middle of sophomore year, but desperate times called for desperate measures. After her father’s car accident and Hanabi being a teenager, her Uncle Hizashi had them move to Konoha to live with his family. Hyuuga Hiashi who was wheelchair bound for the next few months, now was under the care of his twin brother and his family. Hanabi could focus on school and Hinata didn't have to consider dropping out of university to care for him. Their Uncle's home wasn't lavish by any stretch and Hinata didn’t want to impede anymore than she had to, so she opted to rent out near university. 

It was there that she first met Uzumaki Naruto. Tall, blonde, fit and tanned, she was practically moony eyed for the first few seconds when Tenten introduced him to her. He had been kind enough to help Ino and Sakura assemble their new dining table, after their old rickety one collapsed, unable to bear Ino and her weird but sweet boyfriend Sai’s weight, as per Sakura’s accusations. All in all, moving to Konoha had been a weirdly pleasant experience, and meeting Naruto was just turning out to be the highlight of it all. 

Tenten was quick on the uptake and got Hinata to attend the Friday night party at a Nara Shikamaru’s mansion. She had never met him, but that wasn’t going to be a big deal. Everyone was invited. 

“Uh-oh, Sakura just messaged, she is too busy looking for Sasuke to keep a tab on Naruto.”, Tenten looked up from her phone at her blond and the blue haired companion. “The house is right around the corner. Let’s get going.”

They could even hear the low hum of music that was probably blasting over at their destination. Hinata took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She looked to the side and found dark tinted window of an black SUV, reflecting her flushed nervous appearance. Turning fully to it, she pushed her fingers through her hair touch up the sexy messy hair Ino had helped her with. Smacking her lips together to keep her lip gloss even, her eyes drifted downwards to birth of her cleavage and her face contorted into a nervous frown. Parting the sides of the jacket, she saw how the top was literally like second skin on her body. Never did she think that her body could look sexy and alluring. She traced the hem of the neckline wondering if others would deem it as slutty. 

She had always dressed modestly, her dresses always below knee length, her jeans always baggy and her tops always three sizes bigger. Her father had severely restricted her since she was very young and forbid them to wear anything remotely suggestive. Now that she was on her own, she had the chance to change her style, but this outfit was clearly an exaggeration.

She pulled up the neckline to cover what she could and pulled the jacket close. And tried to look more determined than shy. 

"I can do this… I can talk to Naruto…. Yeah..", she muttered words of courage to herself. 

“Hinata..??", Ino called her. Tenten and her were already a few yards away.

“Yeah, I-I’ll be there…”

Just as she cast a final glance at her reflection, she heard the whirring sound of the tinted window lowering. She gasped and took a step back, horrified to see a dark haired stranger looking back at her from the inside of the SUV. 

It was so embarrassing, she wanted to smack her head somewhere. Unsure of what she should do in such an awkward situation, she muttered a ‘sorry’ and started walking away, mentally cursing her rotten luck. Ino and Tenten were nowhere in sight, they had probably just turned around the corner. 

She decided it would be better to join them. But on hearing a short whistle from behind her, she halted and turned slowly to see the guy in the car, open his door and get out. He had a slight smirk on his face as he looked at her and shut the door. 

"You might want to take off your jacket. Naruto would come talk to you himself." 

If she thought she couldn't get any redder than she usually did, she was proven wrong.

--

“Sasuke’s back!!! ”, Sakura’s voice boomed over the loud music. 

Hinata choked on the cheap wine she had been sipping on, while talking to Naruto, when she saw the man Sakura had pulled towards them. It was the same creep of a guy she had seen minutes back. 

Trying to cough it out, Naruto helped pat her back.

“Hey, hey, you alright?”

She nodded her head and thought about ducking away under some excuse. 

“Hinata, I want you to meet Uchiha Sasuke… Sasuke, this is Hinata, she just moved in with Tenten.”

“Hi. ”, Sasuke greeted her nonchalantly, but his eyes hovered over her. She shifted on her legs, clearly uncomfortable. Now that she remembered, she had heard his name in quite a few conversations between the girls. 

She felt mortified to even think that this Sasuke guy might tell on her to Naruto. And then Naruto might think she was a weirdo. Amd avoid her. Oh, how she hated her luck.

Lost in her thoughts, she realised a little late at the few pairs of eyes staring at her, waiting for her response. She realised her mistake and quickly muttered a garbled ‘Hello’ back at him. 

“Bastard, where did you disappear to? Sakura was going crazy looking for you…”, Naruto complained to him. 

“I needed some fresh air.”, he replied leaning on the wall beside him. 

“I told her you would lurking somewhere nearby, but she wouldn't listen…Anyway, I was just telling Hinata here about our upcoming basketball game against Suna .. Right before she choked on her drink…”

“Clothes too tight maybe…”, Sasuke muttered. 

“What?”, Naruto and Sakura asked together. 

“T-T-Tell me more about the game Naruto… ”, Hinata distracted Naruto from the evil acquaintance who was tattling on her. She had zipped up her jacket to make sure no one got an eyeful of what he had already seen. If that was the reaction, it was going to garner, she wasn’t too sure she could handle the attention. 

"Sure.", her blonde haired crush grinned at her. "So, Sasuke and I are like….the star players of our team… Though, Shikamaru is the captain…. He is a lazy ass, but is the best strategist… And Suna Uni has an amazing team too… My friend Gaara plays in that team… Super guy, I'll introduce you to him at the afterparty. "

Hinata was only half listening to what he had to say, because it was starting to feel like a hot furnace inside the jacket. It was too crowded, the music was too loud, it was all just too much for her senses. She lifted her long locks over her shoulders just to ventilate herself. 

"F*ck, why is it so hot in here..", Ino commented as she joined the group with her boyfriend Sai. She was fanning herself with a magazine. And had already taken off her denim jacket. 

Just then, a brown haired guy with triangle shaped tattoos on his cheeks snickered and butted in between Sasuke and Naruto. "Yo yo yo…. Guess what I did… It's genius…" 

Tenten looked at him suspiciously and replied. "What Kiba?" 

"Turned up the heaters to the max in all the rooms…. In no time, chicks will be shedding their clothes.. It's gonna be epic.. ", Kiba laughed and patted the guys' backs and walked away in the direction of the dancing crowd. 

The girls gasped at his revelation and Hinata could only frown worriedly. She was definitely not taking off her jacket, but the only other option was to either get out of there or pass out from the intense heat. 

Before she could inform any of the girls about her problem, Ino and Sai volunteered to find Shikamaru and get him to fix this mess, while Tenten left to refill her cup. The only other person left was Sakura, but she had pressed herself to Sasuke's side with no intention of letting go. 

"Narutooooooooo" 

A shrill voice screeched over the music. . 

"F*cking hell…. Shion is here..", Naruto said as he nervously glanced around. "Who the f*ck invited her?" 

"No one you idiot. It's an open invitation.", Sasuke replied with a straight face. 

"Sh*t!", he scratched the back of his head and took a few steps back. "Well, it was nice chatting to you guys… See ya later."

With that, he rushed away from them to a different part of the mansion. 

Hinata looked at his back in confusion. "What happened to him?", she asked Sakura. 

The pretty pink haired woman wearing a tight red tube top and dark skinny jeans laughed in response. "He is avoiding Shion… He slept with her few months back… And now he can't get her off his back. Trust me, don't ever tell her that you like Naruto… That woman is crazy possessive about him…" 

Hinata looked wide-eyed at Sakura, who didn't seem perturbed about spilling out about her crush on Naruto. She glanced at Sasuke who gave her a knowing smirk while drinking from his cup. It made her break out in a fresh round of sweat. As if, her jacket already wasn't feeling sticky on her skin. 

"I… I need some fresh air.", she announced and walked away from the duo. 

It took her a bit to navigate through the half drunk crowd of young adults, before she located the door to the back garden. 

From the little, she had seen the mansion seemed even bigger on the inside than it looked from the outside. She had not met Shikamaru yet, but it seemed like his parents were loaded.

The back gardens seemed even more ostentatious than the front. There was a small gazebo on one side of it, which seemed unoccupied. She quickly occupied one of the wooden benches inside the gazebo, with her back leaning on the inside wall. 

After a quick glance around, she unzipped the jacket and breathed out a sigh of relief. She should have stuck to wearing her own clothes, she surmised. This whole daring outfit was a bad bad idea. She slung the jacket down from her shoulders to her elbows to air out her back. 

“You should take off that jacket.”, her heart lurched as she heard someone speak into her ears. 

She spun around in her seat to find Sasuke, his eyes filled with mirth.

"What are you doing here?", she asked him suspiciously.

But he just walked around and got into the gazebo, sitting on a bench opposite to her. This time he had a bottle of beer in his hand. 

She slipped the jacket back up her shoulders and looked away from him. Was he following her? She didn’t even have the courage to ask him blatantly. 

She decided to ignore him, hoping he would go back to wherever he came from and she could continue cooling herself. If not, she would have to look for another place for some solitary cooling off. 

"So, Naruto, huh?", he spoke again. 

"E-excuse me??" 

"Quite curious I think, he hardly had anyone pinning after him when he was younger. Noe he's got a handful. Is it the hair? Or the tan?", he mulled over loud enough for her to hear. 

Hinata crossed her arms across her abdomen and looked down on the weather-worn wooden planks to hide her blush. "I don't believe that's any of your busi-" 

"Aa, both then." 

Hinata huffed in frustration and glared at the man, but he seemed unruffled. She really wanted to speak up for herself. 

“Y-you know, it isn’t polite to look at a woman in her vulnerable state without her knowledge.”

“Hardly my fault. You did all of that yourself.”, Sasuke replied as folded one leg over the other. 

“But you could have let me know of your presence behind the tinted windows.”

“Why would I do that? In fact, as I had mentioned before, you are quite appropriately dressed for Naruto…. He is looking for a good lay tonight… Like most guys here… ”

She looked aghast at what he was insinuating. He was clearly an obnoxious person.

“Most guys like…. you?...”

“Hn… Depends… Are you suggesting something?”

She narrowed her eyes at him and grimaced. “You… You are really obnoxious."

The man chuckled at her. 

“Aren’t you overreacting?”, he asked as she folded her arms and looked away from him.

Hinata was a very patient person on a good day. But today, she was not in the mood to put up with any judgement from a guy who, up until a few hours back, had not even been aware of her existence. Or maybe it was just the wine talking. 

“Maybe I am, I’m not so sure myself. But I’m positively certain that I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”

That was when they heard some giggles behind the some thick bushes few yards away. 

Sasuke didn't say anything after she made her reluctance to chat, verbally clear to him. An awkward silence followed for the next minute or so, and Hinata considered going back home. Naruto was hiding, and she was uncomfortable with her clothes.

When she stood up, the quiet of the evening was disrupted by lewd feminine moans. 

"Umm...Ah...Yes...Yes…. F*ck…. yes…..yes…. Sai…. F*ck… you're so big…" 

Hinata was horrified beyond words, while her face looked like a ripe tomato. When she heard Sasuke snicker at her, she floundered internally to snap back at him. 

"Yes, Ino… Now we know that Sai is big.", Sasuke announced loud enough for the whole garden to have heard. 

They heard Ino shriek before hearing a loud thump. Seconds later, they had Ino straightening her skirt as she stood in front of them, glaring at the Uchiha, with Sai right behind her. When she saw Hinata with him, she was surprised, to say the least. 

"Oh… Hinata… What are you doing here? With Sasuke?" 

With Sasuke? Hinata was shocked at the mild implication in her words. "N-Nothing… I… I-It was too hot inside, so I came here to cool off." 

"Ino said the same thing.", Sai said with a passive expression. "So she wanted to f*ck outside." 

Ino elbowed him lightly to shut him up. "My apologies. Sai doesn't have a filter. I tried to get Shikamaru to turn off the heaters, but he doesn't seem to want to come out of his room. Apparently, he had a fight with Temari earlier. So he is sulking by himself."

"Tch."

Ino put her hands on her hips as she looked at Sasuke, before turning to Hinata again. "Stay away from him Hinata." 

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the blonde woman. "What the f*ck is that about?" 

"Nothing.", she replied with a shrug. "Just that Sakura has serious dibs on you. Hinata was probably not aware of it." 

Sasuke sneered, "Ah, dibs. Sure. Because you are still pre-schoolers who don't understand when someone says that they are not interested."

"Well, you are never interested in anyone." 

"Not true.", he snapped back at her. 

Ino seemed a little surprised. So she leaned forward with a mocking smile. "Oh, really…. Tell me one person who has your interest." 

Hinata moved her eyes back and forth between the two, preferring to be the passive witness of the exchange, like Sai. But when she saw Sasuke stare at her purposefully with an upward tilt of one corner of his lips, she got a strange sense of foreboding.

[bubble-tea-bunny]

an exercise in teamwork 

[freddy freeman x reader]

author’s note: painted my nails a cute spring shade and i am v happy  

word count: 2,882

Ever since you and Freddy had agreed to split the price of the new video game coming out at the end of the month, you have seen its name popping up everywhere—a commercial on television, plastered upon billboards you spot in passing down the freeway, the front page article with the biggest coverage on gaming news sites. This release was going to be huge. Of course the two of you had to get your hands on what many are beginning to argue may be game of the year.

People talk about it at school, in the hallways between periods. In the chaos of those five minutes, you catch snippets of conversations, finding out who’s already pre-ordered, who is going to, who’s going to be there for midnight release, and so on and so forth. At this point, from how much you’ve heard, half the student body must be buying this game.

Freddy laughs when you say that. He says you’re exaggerating and you don’t correct him because maybe you are, maybe you haven’t actually heard as many people talking about it as you think you have. And he tells you about a phenomenon called the Baader-Meinhof effect: It’s a frequency illusion. When you become aware of something, you start to notice it all over the place.

Huh, so that’s what that is! You’ve always wondered, and Freddy’s finally given it a name. You consider it for a moment, all the other times in your life you’ve experienced it, and you turn to him and say Wow, you’re so smart and he playfully tells you to shut up because he thinks you’re teasing and he’s embarrassed but you’re not teasing. He’s smart and he knows a lot of things and that’s only one reason you’re glad he is your best friend. You learn a little bit more from him each day.

Neither of you looks forward to the school lunches. Well, no one does. They certainly leave a lot to be desired but you eat it because you know you’ll regret it when you get hungry in a couple of hours and you’re still stuck in class. Today, however, Freddy is unable to get himself to follow your lead. He steps out of line to search for a table, and once you take the chair next to him and ask if he’s just going to buy chips from the vending machine, he shakes his head. He’d been running late this morning and failed to grab his wallet on his way out the door.

“But I’ll live,” he promises you, grinning lopsidedly.

You smile back but it’s not a satisfactory assurance. You’re about to offer to lend him a dollar, but you remember you’d spent it this morning when you bought a can of soda at the convenience store around the corner. So you begin scanning the other students in the cafeteria, and Freddy’s brows furrow and he asks what you’re doing, but you don’t answer.

“Be back in a sec,” you declare suddenly, standing up and rounding the table. Freddy watches, still thoroughly confused, as you walk across the room.

Delilah is at a corner table with who you assume to be her partner for the project in history, for they sit side-by-side with the rubric and a piece of paper scrawled in what you assume to be their ideas for how to tackle the assignment. She spots you before you speak up to announce your presence, and you smile widely when she does.

Freddy can’t read your lips from this far away, but he can see your smile clearly. It remains on your face for the duration of your conversation with Delilah, who reaches into her backpack. Her body blocks whatever she digs through it for, but then she’s produced a dollar bill that she holds out to you. If it were even possible, your grin widens even more, and with the dollar now in your grasp, you return to the table.

“Now you can get your chips.” You sound quite smug as you hand it off to him, plopping down in the hard chair (these cafeteria seats suck).

“What’d you say to her?” Freddy inquires, taking the dollar.

“That I’d pay her back tomorrow.” You shrug. “She trusts me.”

Freddy chuckles and shakes his head at your antics, but this is nothing new. In the time he’s known you he has found out just how easily you can get your way with that smile. You’ve gotten deadline extensions, an extra chocolate chip cookie from the lunch lady (it’s the only cafeteria food that’s actually good), and by now, he swears you could ask someone to do a backflip and they’d do it. It’s almost like your own superpower.

As he feeds the dollar into the vending machine and presses the buttons for the chips he wants, he’s thanking you silently in the back of his head (and Delilah too, to some extent). Once he has his snack, he turns back around, and you still wear the ghost of a grin as you watch him, like you heard him anyway.

One week before the game is set to be released, an announcement goes out that there will be a collectible handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Upon discovering this last piece of information, you and Freddy deflate. The line will be long at midnight, and the likelihood of their being anymore remaining figurines by three o’clock in the afternoon that Friday are incredibly low. Standing in line with everyone else, waiting for 12 AM to hit, is out of the question. You wouldn’t be allowed to go so late, and on a school night to boot.

“Hey, Anthony is working that night, isn’t he?”

Freddy nods and glances over at you where you sit on his bed, homework spread out on the sheets. “Yeah, he should be. Why?”

“I’m sure I could convince him to keep one for us.”

While Freddy is aware of the power of persuasion your grins hold, this is a case where he is very skeptical that it would be effective. Anthony hardly seems like a person who could be swayed. “A pretty smile can’t get you everything.” And though he is the one saying it, a part of him almost doesn’t believe that statement. Perhaps he’s wrong about Anthony (it’d be nice if he was and Anthony was indeed willing to hold onto an extra figurine).

But this remark is no blow to your confidence. Instead, you flash that aforementioned pretty smile in his direction. “We’ll see about that, Freeman.” Then you proceed to dive into your first assignment of the evening, flipping through a hard cover textbook with glossy pages and that took up almost half the space in your backpack.

Freddy laughs and, at least for now, concedes, murmuring Okay, [Name] and returning his attention to the computer.

On Thursday, you go straight to the game store after class. The bell atop the door jingles quietly and Anthony twists around. He lifts a hand to give a wave when he notices both of you walking farther in, towards where he is by the register.

“Oh, hey, guys,” he greets.

There are multiple boxes stacked on the table behind the register which no doubt hold multiple copies of the new game. Freddy’s almost inclined to ask for a peek, for the anticipation is nearly unbearable this close to release. He thinks if sees the cover art in person, even for just a second, he’d last until tomorrow. But he doesn't get the chance to bring this up, for you start speaking, and it reminds him to stay on track.

“Hey, Anthony,” you respond brightly, walking up to the counter and resting your arms on it. “So listen… you’re handing out those figurines tonight right?”

Anthony nods. “Yeah…” His eyes narrow and his brows furrow, signs that the cogs in his head are starting to spin, trying to figure out what you’re going to say next. You’re already continuing before he’s able to do so.

“Well we can’t pick up the game until tomorrow, and I was wondering if you could maybe hold onto one for us?”

At hearing this, Anthony sighs and shakes his head. “You know I can’t do that. It’s first-come, first-serve.”

“Pretty please?” You lay it on thick, smiling your familiar smile and you give the Cheshire cat a run for its money. Freddy’s gaze briefly slides from Anthony to you and if he had anything to say about it, if you aimed that smile at him, he’s not entirely sure he’d be able to refuse.

Anthony doesn’t reply right away, and there’s a moment where Freddy thinks you have managed to get your way. And if that is what’s happening right now, he doesn’t even care that he’s been proven wrong. You’d probably gloat, telling him in a sing-song tone I told you so, and he’d be a good sport and accept it and he’d promise not to underestimate you again.

Unfortunately, it appears as though there are still those out in the world who are impervious to your charm, for Anthony shakes his head again. (Freddy notices that he does look considerably more apologetic as he does, which means your grin had had some effect, at least.) “Sorry, [Name].”

Your smile drops, replaced by a slight frown, and your shoulders slouch—a picture of defeat. It occurs to Freddy he’s never seen you legitimately bummed about anything. Whether your dejection comes from the fact this means there will be no collectible figurine to be had, or from the fact your honey-dipped grin hadn’t worked, he’s not certain. Suddenly he hates that he had been right about the limitations of what he had always coined as your little superpower.

But he’s not going to let you flounder, disoriented in the face of loss. He’s your friend, your best friend, and what kind of friend would he be if he did that? So he wracks his brain—Think, Freddy, think!—for anything he could say to come to your aid.

“I’ll give you my lunch money for the next few weeks,” he proposes.

Anthony’s nose scrunches up like he’s smelled something bad. “I’m not taking your lunch money, Freeman. That makes me sound like a bully.”

It’s quiet again for a few seconds, and Freddy’s scrambling to come up with something else. Money was supposed to work! If Anthony didn’t want that, what else could there be to bribe him with? In the midst of his flurried thoughts he catches the small grin you aim his way from over your shoulder, appreciative of his attempts to assist you, and it’s the eye of the storm. And then you’ve turned back around, and your mouth opens and he knows you’re going to concede and tell Anthony it’s fine but before you can do that, Freddy beats you to the punch.

“I can get you a date with Mary.”

This stops you short, and your mouth closes and you look at him again, but this time your eyes are widened a fraction in surprise. Anthony’s shock matches yours, and Freddy’s gaze flickers from Anthony over to you briefly, and in that short instance he can tell you’re silently asking what he’s doing.

“You’d do that?” Anthony’s question, voiced with skepticism and complemented by a raised brow, steals back Freddy’s attention.

Freddy shrugs. “Yeah, man.”

Mary had accompanied him to this shop in the past, giving him a ride so he didn’t have to take extra time using public transport. And whenever she’d been here, Anthony had been positively enamored. If one were to point it out, he’d vehemently deny it, but to Freddy, it had been glaringly obvious, almost embarrassingly so. He wonders if Mary noticed it too, and concludes she probably had. From what he can remember, their interactions had been fairly amicable, so perhaps this seemingly insane suggestion isn’t actually that insane.

Anthony braces his hands on the edge of the counter, staring down at both of you and seriously considering the offer. You wait with bated breath for his decision, at the end of your rope now and if this didn’t work, well, nothing would and then, then, it would be time to throw in the towel.

The bell jingles again as a customer enters and it startles you, causing you to flinch slightly, and Freddy catches the jolt in his peripherals. He chuckles at your jumpiness, and the melting away of the tension of the last several seconds prompts Anthony to finally come to a decision.

“Okay,” he states.

Your eyes light up and the smile Freddy likes seeing so much is back on your face. He forces himself to look away before he’s caught staring, and he looks at Anthony and joins you in thanking him profusely, interspersing the string of gratitude with phrases like You’re awesome, dude and You’re the best employee we know. Anthony waves it off and says I’m the only employee you know but he’s grinning a little so you know he’s not annoyed.

Other people are beginning to come into the store, some of them your age, for they had all made their way here as well after school was dismissed, and Anthony moves the conversation along, the bell continuing to chime in the background. “Was that all you guys needed? I got a full shop and still have to take inventory for tonight.”

“Yes, totally.” Freddy nods.

“We’ll get out of your hair now,” you add.

And as the two of you make your leave, in high spirits and practically buzzing with excitement because the day you’d been waiting months for (though it had felt much longer) is just around the bend, Freddy tosses over his shoulder, “See you tomorrow!”

On the walk to the subway station, you ask if Mary would be okay with what Freddy had done. That’s when Freddy realizes he never did recount to you those times she had come to the store with him and how much Anthony had taken a liking to her. He fills you in during the trip to his house, and at the end of it, remarks that he thinks Mary will be just fine.

The next day at 4:19 PM, the two of you are sitting on the floor in Freddy’s bedroom, eyes glued to the screen and fingers flying over the controllers. The sound effects floating out from the speakers is forced to compete with the loud clacking of buttons, and it would be for a while yet, for it’s Friday, and as far as either of you is concerned, this is how your Friday afternoon and evening will be spent.

Between levels, you hit pause to take a few minutes’ break, stretching your backs and clenching and unclenching your hands, for they had begun to strain with how hard you gripped the controllers. The house is steadily filling with noise as the others return, and it reminds Freddy to ask if you’re staying for dinner. You say sure, and he says he thinks he might be able to convince Rosa and Victor to order pizza. It’s the perfect gaming food, after all he reasons.

A breeze wafts in from the open window and it prompts you to take a deep breath, chest expanding and then shrinking with your exhale. The exclusive collectible figurine, a PVC recreation of the game’s main character, sits between you both, next to the sodas you had picked up on the walk here. You lean over to pick it up and hold it out to Freddy.

He knows what you’re implying by doing so and merely shakes his head, gently pushing your hand, and thus the figurine, back in your direction. “No, keep it.”

“But you’re the one who convinced Anthony to get it for us.”

“Hey, you softened him up though,” he shoots back, and then, with a grin, he continues, “It was… a team effort.”

At this comment, you mirror his grin, lowering your arm and setting the figurine back down. “Well, we make a great team.” You don’t say anything after this, but Freddy, still surveying you closely, can tell you want to, so he calls attention to it himself. He has a sneaking suspicion he knows exactly what you want to ask.

“Did you want to flip a coin?”

Immediately you nod, a smile creeping onto your face and it’s contagious. Freddy’s smiling too and he chuckles and says Let me just find one and he rifles through his pocket for some spare change. You’d feel more comfortable if you ended up keeping the figurine after a coin toss, to keep it fair, and Freddy is willing to indulge this because even if you call it wrong and by the rules of the game, the figurine comes into his possession instead, he’ll just sneak it into your backpack before you go home.

“All right…” Having produced a quarter, he curls his hand into a loose fist, then rests it atop his thumbnail. He flicks his thumb and the coin clinks quietly, and both your gazes follow as it flies straight up, spinning over and over—heads, tails, heads, tails… “Call it.”

[mollymauk-teafleak]

Decaf Coffee

Something very self indulgent I wrote basically for myself and @spiky-lesbian

Part of my modern AU Percildan series, Black Coffee

Warning: discussions of trans male pregnancy

-----------

It started as a series of small realisations. Alone, they were just moments passing by, it was only when Vax thought about them all at once that things made sense.

It was the way Percy would only cry over a film if it included a family, particularly if there was an emotional reunion at the end. It was how he’d linger in the clothes sections of stores, finding an excuse to hang back amongst the children’s clothes, smiling at racks of mini dungarees and shoes that looked impossibly tiny for any feet. It was how he’d eagerly make plans with Molly and Caleb, only to spend the whole time hunkered down on the floor with their son and daughter, happily playing any role they gave him in their imaginary games.

And it dawned on Vax at the most random time, when he was stood in the doorway that lead to the en suite, watching as Percy stretched out across the bed. He just looked so peaceful in that moment, lying on his stomach, hair sticking up from the shower.

Vax just stood there and let it sink in that he had his whole life ahead of him with this man. He’d signed for him and everything; he had the ring to prove it.

And maybe it was that thought, that idea of the future they had together, that knitted those dispirate moments together in a way that made sense.

Still tasting peppermint toothpaste on his tongue, Vax padded over and curled up next to Percy, wrapping his arms around him.

Percy laughed softly as he turned to embrace him, hand slipping down and resting lightly where his oversize college rugby jersey ended and Vax’s thigh began, “Finally come to join me, darling?”

Vax nodded, “I was just thinking.”

“Oh?” Percy’s lips softly met the crown of his head. Vax was notoriously clingy, the way he immediately anchored onto him like a drowning swimmer to a life preserver wasn’t worrying but there was something in his voice, “Would you like to share what you were thinking about?”

His husband seemed to pause, exhaling softly before he murmured, “You want a kid, don’t you, Freddy?”

Percy stopped, his mind running through the long list of things he’d been expecting before that question. And it wasn’t even a question really, it was a statement, a question mark only put at the end for grammatical correctness.  

He opened his mouth to say that he’d never thought about having children before, that it wasn’t something that had entered his mind. An oversight, maybe, given that they were approaching their first anniversary but not something that he’d considered.

But the words wouldn’t come. Because it was in that moment that he realised they weren’t true.

“I...I suppose I do,” Percy murmured, after he realised he hadn’t said anything for a very long time, “Though I haven’t given it a lot of thought. Does it... bother you? You seem bothered?”

“I’m not bothered,” Vax didn’t pull away from him, staying tucked up against him like he was a little embarrassed, “I mean, I’m confused. But more about how I feel about it, not about you wanting it.”

Percy’s fingers worked through his hair, enjoying its smoothness after just being brushed, “It’s okay to feel confused. I mean, I didn’t even know I wanted to be a father until now.”

“Really?” Vax looked up then, eyes wide and dark like some nocturnal animal, “I realised before you did?”

“Have you tried to be in my mind, Vax? It’s all blueprints and circuit diagrams up here, I don’t understand emotions,” he rather hoped the joke would undercut the realisation that they were talking about quite serious adult stuff now.

Vax did manage a smile and kissed Percy’s bare shoulder, “I just...I know you and me had shaky relationships with the whole idea of family…”

“Something of an understatement,” Percy said quietly, feeling a very familiar unpleasantness open up in his stomach, the one that followed having emotionally distant parents and difficult siblings for the biggest part of your childhood, only to have them violently ripped away from you and having preserving their legacy be the only thing able to keep you going through your grief. And once that was done, being unsure why you even did it.

Vax had his own trauma. He’d talked about it in the same fits and starts, punctuated by nightmares and sobbing fits, that Percy used talked about his own. Their common language.

He knew he and his twin sister had been taken away from their mother to live with their emotionally abusive father, only to then lose their only source of parental love when their mother passed away. Such a simple way to talk about an event that had shaken Vax so totally, left him unsure of himself, terrified to love anyone for fear they’d be taken away.

Of course the idea of being a father would terrify Vax. As it should terrify Percy.

But it didn’t.

Percy stroked his hand down Vax’s nack, fingers making soothing circles in the tighter curls there, “I know we’ve had some… less than ideal role models. But I think that just makes me want to do it more? I think I want the chance to make some things right. Like it might be a way to heal.”

Vax was quiet for a moment, absorbing that, before he murmured, “I think I want that. Or I want to want that. But I don’t know how to be that brave, I mean I have no idea how to even be a good dad. All I know is… mine. And I couldn’t bear to make someone else go through that?”

Percy shifted down so he and Vax were eye to eye. So close that Vax could see the little indents on his nose where his glasses sat.

“Vax’ildan,” he murmured softly, “You are not your father. You’d never act the way he did because you’re a genuinely good person and you’re kind and brave and brilliant. You’re so good to those around you and you’ve already proven that the things he did haven’t got to you. Part of the reason I’m so sure I want to have a family with you is because I know they’d be getting you for a parent.”

“Oh,” Vax seemed unable to say anything else, doing what he always did when he was confronted with emotions, particularly positive ones about himself, and hiding against Percy.

Percy had to giggle fondly, his own throat a little thick. He rocked his husband gently, waiting until he was ready to unfurl himself and keep talking. Getting through to him when he was curled up so tight like a woodlouse would be impossible.

Eventually he felt him relax a little and Percy immediately took the opportunity to kiss both his cheeks, his nose, his eyelids as delicate as a feather. Soon Vax was grinning in spite of the large red spots of blush on his cheeks.

“Now,” Percy rested his forehead against his husband’s, “I know my words won’t fix everything. And, I do mean this honestly, we absolutely do not have to have a family if you aren’t ready for it. I love what we have right now and if this is what the rest of my life looks like, I’m already the luckiest guy in the world.”

Vax looked tempted to dive again but he managed to just smile thinly and stroke his hand up under Percy’s pyjama shirt, “I… I kind of guess it’s been in the back of my mind when I’ve been watching you brood so much you can see it from space-”

“Kind of an exaggeration…”

“And I guess it’s been...um...what’s that word for the thing coffee does when you leave it a long time?”

“Percolating?”

“Yeah, that’s it. It’s been doing that. And I think I’ve realised I would like to have a kid, even if I’m kind of terrified of the idea. Does that make sense?”  he looked at Percy nervously, like he’d just confessed to something horrible.

Percy smiled tenderly, feeling like he really was going to cry before they reached the end of this conversation, “I think that’s exactly how parenthood is supposed to go, actually.”

That seemed to cheer Vax up, he leaned in and kissed Percy happily, a kiss that had a promise held within it.

“And I mean,” Percy hummed, holding Vax close, unwilling to have those lips too far away from his own, “The adoption process can take a really long time. Plenty of time to feel more comfortable with it.”

Vax blinked, “I mean, yeah, that would be nice, I like the idea of giving a kid a home. But… I have all the kit inside me right? I assumed when you were thinking about it you meant… you know, home grown?”

Percy’s eyebrows shot up, “Oh, really? I didn’t know if that was an avenue you’d want to go down?”

Vax shifted, biting his lip, “I don’t know, it’s just… it’s the first thing I pictured? It would be a pretty big change though…”

Percy nodded slowly, getting the sense that this was a time to stay quiet and listen. He was getting better at spotting those rather than jumping in with a million solutions, desperate to help rather than just sharing the weight of problems. Kiki had pointed that out to him.

“I… I want to think I can do it,” Vax’s fingers traced anxious patterns up and down his husband’s spine, “But there’s so many voices in my head saying different things about it and I don’t know how to sort them out.”

“Well…” Percy brightened, realising he could say something useful now, “We could make a list?”

Vax looked at him steadily for a moment before bursting into helpless laughter, “Of course. Of course that’s your answer…”

“Hey!” Percy grinned, cheeks darkening a little but delighted to see his husband laughing, “Don’t knock it until we’ve tried it!”

“Fine, you adorable nerd…”

Five minutes later and Vax was curled up in his duvet on the overstuffed, cracked leather sofa Percy kept in his workshop for those nights before he met Vax when he’d just give into exhaustion and collapse there, ready to rise like a zombie and keep working the next day.

Percy brought his chair over, glasses perched at the end of his prominent nose. He put his legs up beside Vax, resting a pad of paper on his knees. It was meant for sketching design ideas but it would do.

“Okay, so we’ll start with the cons,” Percy drew a line down the middle of the page, “What would be bad about carrying this baby? No wrong answers, just say what’s on your mind.”

Vax sighed and pulled a face, “The dysphoria is the main thing. I’d pretty much be at the mercy of it for nine whole months.”

Percy nodded, adding it to the list.

Once he’d gotten the first one out and realised the sky hadn’t fallen in on him, Vax picked up speed, “I’d be passing on my dad’s genes which is just ugh…childbirth doesn’t look like a whole lot of fun… it would affect my career, I wouldn’t be able to dance for a while and then I’d have to work really hard to get my fitness levels back up… I’d have to come off T for a while, right?”

Percy nodded, tongue poking out a little as he concentrated, pencil flying across the paper, “Anything else?”

Vax looked like he was trying to get more words out but they were fighting him, “I mean...would it, um...gods, this sounds stupid but would it affect how attractive you found me?”

“Oh Vax…” Percy’s eyes softened.

“I know, I know,” the half elf hunched further into his mass of blanket, “I just need to hear it?”

Percy nudged Vax gently with one foot, “Vax’ildan, you are the most gorgeous person I know, you’re beautiful inside and out. Nothing will ever change that.”

The tips of those slightly curved ears went cherry red, “Thanks, babe.”

“Is that all of the cons?” Percy smiles, thinking how badly he wanted to kiss those ears and see if they were as hot to the touch as they looked.

“Yeah,” Vax nodded, “That’s all the ones I could think of.”

“Righty ho,” Percy turned back to the paper, getting very into this now, “Pros. What would be good?”

Vax seemed to relax, eyes drifting far away, “It would be faster than adopting...and adopting would still be a good option in the future. I haven’t had a real bad period of dysphoria in ages and… well, even if I did, you’d be there to help, right?”

Percy smiled gently, “Every step of the way.”

“And that’s another thing, I really like the idea of doing this with you, making a baby with you...oh, the sex! We’d be obligated to have sex every day, that would be cool.”

“We have sex pretty much every day anyway,” Percy grins but he didn’t disagree.

Vax softened, “I’d be holding onto a piece of my mama. That would be special. And…the amount she loved me and Vex’ahlia, feeling a love like that would be incredible...and Vex, of course, she’d love to be an auntie and she’d be an amazing one.”

Percy nodded slowly, thinking the same of Keyleth, who was his sister in all but blood, and Cassandra, how this would bring some light into her life and maybe make the city their family died in less of a nightmare for her.

“And...well…” Vax bit his lip, looking suddenly uncomfortable, “I’m...I’m going to live a lot longer than you, Freddy. If I had a child, they’d...they’d still be with me even after…”

The pencil suddenly slipped on the paper, leaving a streak of grey across the divide between their columns. Percy felt a hollow open up inside him. It was true, as a half elf, Vax’s lifespan far outstripped his but they both hated being reminded of that. It was a darkness that lurked in the back of their minds, able to be beaten back on a daily basis, but every so often it would lurch to the forefront just to remind them it was, and always would be there.

He managed a brave smile, looking up at Vax, “That’s a really good point, darling.”

Vax nodded, sighing softly, “And I mean...we’d have a baby. A beautiful little baby who looked a little like me and a little like you and entirely themselves. And every time I looked at them, I’d know… I’d know I could do anything. I could make something as amazing as that.”

The tears were falling down his face before Percy really realised it, landing on the page and blurring the words a little.

“Don’t cry on our list,” Vax laughed, teary eyed himself, “We worked hard on that!”

Percy gave a damp laugh, wiping under his glasses, “Sorry...is that everything you want to put on the list?”

Vax thought, fingers twisting gently in his hair, “Well...Caduceus makes a really nice decaf coffee.”

Percy’s face split into a wide smile, “That he does.” On the list it went.

“So…” Vax smiled shyly, “I think that means we’re doing this? We’re going to have a baby?”

“Looks that way,” Percy murmured, emotion welling up in his chest. He had the sense that it was going to be a teary year ahead of them.

The list was left on the floor as Vax opened his arms for Percy to move into, crashing together into tear-stained kisses. But it would be picked up later, carefully folded and kept in the drawer by their bed. It would be taken out and reread many times over the next year, mostly the pros column, even added to a few times until it far outweighed the cons. It was badly needed a few times, a lifeline when Vax stopped his hormones, when they struggled to conceive for the first few months, the hectic day when they went to the first scan and realised it was twins, the two of them having forgotten somewhere along the way that this particular genetic quirk ran in both of their families.

And the day Elaina and Johanna de Rolo finally entered their lives.

[askthebemorechillcrew]

Passed out (Michael Mell X reader)

Just for fun! Plus, this did happen last year with my boyfriend, me, and my best friend and her boyfriend.  

Author’s note: This takes place when everyone graduated college, and they all moved in together with their SO

What do couples do? Spend as much time as possible. Hold hands, kiss, cuddle, talk about how much we love each other. Now, what do different pairs of couples do? Hang out with each other, doing all the sappy stuff that I just listed. That’s what just happened with Me, Michael, Jeremy and Christine. It was a rough day at work, since my boss was dumping an avalanche of work on me. Look, just because I was on my phone all day, doesn’t mean that I wasn’t listening....okay...maybe it does mean that. But still! It was my first week! I went home that day, totally exhausted from my boss giving me a hard time. I flopped down on the couch, just wanting this week to end. But no...Monday’s had to exist! I heard my fiance, Michael, come out of his study, as he sat down next to me. 

“Babe, you’re back. How was work?” He smiled, rubbing my back. I sighed, allowing him to relax my tightened muscles. 

“A pain in the ass,” I weakly chuckled through the pain, wanting to be in his arms all week. He let out a laugh, as he kept massaging my shoulders. 

“I’m sorry, honey. Work hasn’t been a walk on the beach for me either. Neither has it been for Jeremy,” He related to me, moving his hands from my shoulders to my back. I smiled, leaning into his chest, listening to his heartbeat. 

“Yeah. How’s the game coming along, by the way?” I asked him. Michael and Jeremy were both CEO’s of their own gaming industry. They were working hard to create a new sequel to Neverquesters: The Ice Desert. The first game was so popular, both geeky gamers decided to create a second one. Michael shrugged, rubbing soft circles on my back. 

“We’re almost done with the 3D models, we just need to set up the perfect settings to move them and make them hold weapons. Other than that...well....we still have to think of the title, backgrounds, endings, player choices, and a bunch of other crap,” He snickered, resting his head on my shoulder. We both sighed in unison, wanting a break from the hell that was our jobs. Not that we hated our jobs, but we were given too much work on our first weeks, we just wanted a breather. After Michael finished giving me a massage, his face lit up, as if he had a great idea. My theory was proven true, as he grinned and told me what was on his mind. 

“I have an idea! How about we invite Jeremy and Christine over? Have a little couples night?” He asked me, his eyes begging me to say yes. It has been a damn long time since we last saw our best friends. Jeremy was also swamped with work, just like his best friend and fellow co owner of their company. And Christine, being the new drama teacher at our old high school, was still in process of writing the script to a new play her students were performing in a couple of weeks. 

“You sure? I don’t think I can afford a break, Mikey. I mean, I have to submit a report by Friday, and then file a paper about--” Michael cut my off by kissing my lips, allowing me to melt into him.

“See? It’s that kinda attitude that’s preventing you from taking a break. Please, princess. I promise it’s gonna be okay. It’s not gonna hurt to take one day off. All four of us need this,” He convinced me, begging me at this point. Michael was always worried about my mental health, he always wanted me to be a good mood. I huffed, knowing that he was right. I guess it wouldn’t harm anyone to relax for just one night. And what was better than hanging out with my loving husband-to-be and my best friends. I giggled and nodded. 

“Alright, but we need to make sure Jeremy and Christine are up for it,” I told him. His face glowed up some more, as his smile got wider, and his chocolate brown eyes brightened up. 

“Awesome! Thank you, babe. I promise, this is gonna be the best night in months!” He hugged me, letting my nuzzle into his big frame. I let out another laugh, as I wrapped my arms around his waist. Our lips met each others, as we slipped our tongues into each other’s wet caverns. We got caught into a heated make out session, as I wrapped my legs around Michael’s waist, being carried off to our room for something even more fun than kissing. He gently laid me on our bed, already eager to rip off my blouse. I shielded my chest with my arms, as Michael frowned, wanting to see what was under my shirt and bra. 

“Don’t rip the shirt, Mell. It’s new,” I playfully warned him. He just rolled his eyes and giggled, gently unbuttoning it. 

“Fine, fine (Y/N). But don’t expect me to go easy on you. I need you to de stress, love,” He whispered sexily in my ear, as we began to take each other’s clothes off, making love all night. 

***********************************************

“Thanks for inviting us again, guys,” Jeremy smiled at us, taking off his blazer, tossing it on the couch. He wrapped his arm around Christine, as I giggled, placing four bottles of Crystal Pepsi on the coffee table. It was Wednesday night, aka, the only night where all four of us were totally booked that we couldn’t come over. Christine reached over for a bottle along with her fiance, as they opened them, creating a satisfying pssssssst. 

“No problem, guys. We all needed this,” I said, as I sat down on the couch with Michael. Me and Michael planned this whole “Couples Night” yesterday, after work. Nothing too fancy: Just playing games, eating a bunch of junk food and getting drunk/stoned. Michael placed a bowl of mini oreos on the table, as he flopped back on the couch, sitting me on his lap. I blushed beet red, as Jeremy and Christine bit their lips to conceal a chuckle. 

“Mi-Michael?!” I half whispered, half scolded him. He just laughed, hugging me, trapping me on his lap. I rolled my eyes, as I watched him deal out the money to my favorite, classic board game, Monopoly. We all started to pick our characters, as Jeremy began to move his character with a quick roll of the dice. 

“Hey, Michael, did you talk to the designers about Monica’s and David’s 3D model?” Jeremy asked his best friend, collecting 100 bucks. Michael rolled his eyes, adjusting his position carefully so he wouldn’t let me move off from his lap. 

“Jer, this night is suppose to be a breather from work. For all of us. So let’s just play the games and relax,” Michael calmly explained to his best friend, as he went this time. Jeremy nodded understandingly, still having his arm wrapped around his fiance. We spent the whole night playing old board games (and some video games), talking about our lives outside of work. After a few hours, we were all stoned and drunk...AT THE SAME TIME! I was still on Michael’s lap, my hair slightly disheveled, and hickeys trailing down from my jaw to my collarbone. There were the same red and purple marks on Jeremy’s neck, but less of them, only visible on the front of his neck. Christine giggled, as she knew exactly how to mark her fiance. As Jeremy and I were talking, Christine was cleaning up some of the board games, while Michael finally let me off his lap, getting more joints and drinks. 

“So last night, I--” I was about to tell Jeremy all about how I FINALLY finished my report for my asshole boss, my head started to pound. It felt like someone was banging a hammer on my head, as I rubbed my temples, wishing for the pain to stop. Jeremy gave me a concerned look, as he apologized to Christine, rushing up to me. Luckily, Michael was still in the kitchen, so he didn’t have to worry about me. 

“Hey, you okay, (Y/N)?” Jeremy asked me, furrowing his brow. Worry was plastered across his face, as Christine gave me an equally concerned look. I didn’t want my best friends to worry about me either, so I just forced a nod, smiling. 

“Yeah, don’t worry. Just...my head is kinda hurting. I’m fine, though,” I reassured them, my hand still on my painful temple. Jeremy frowned, but sighed, not wanting to argue with me. 

“Alright. Should we tell Michael at least?” He asked me. I immediately shook my head, the last thing I wanted was Mikey to know that I wasn’t feeling well. 

“I said I’m fine. Okay? Just...don’t worry about it. I’ll be okay,” I told them, more firmly this time. Jeremy nodded again, going back to his fiance. As if on cue, Mikey came back, with more beer bottles and joints. 

“Hey guys, I--(Y/N)?!” He almost dropped the stuff, as he saw my face. I gently looked at him, asking him what was wrong. He furrowed his brows, the same way Jeremy did. He proceeded to place the bottles and blunts on the coffee table, as he sat next to me, feeling my forehead. I would totally be embarrassed, since Jeremy and Christine were 2 feet away from us, but all I could think about was how concerned Michael was for me. Michael removed his hand from my forehead after five seconds, his frown getting bigger. 

“Babe, do you have a fever? You feel kinda hot. I mean, you always are, but....” He chuckled, trying to add light to the dark scenario. I smiled, silently thanking him for squeezing a joke into our conversation. But I shook my head again, assuring him the same way I did with Jeremy and Christine. 

“I’m fine, Mikey. Just...my head is pounding. But it’s okay! I promise!” I quickly replied, just wanting to get stoned and drunk with my friends and fiance. Michael still didn’t buy it, and kept convincing me to rest, despite Jeremy and Christine still here.  

“You sure, princess? Some rest won’t hurt. I don’t want you passing out during our couples night out,” He laughed again, peppering my face with kisses. I could hear Jeremy and Christine snickering in the background, watching Michael’s clingyness for me unravel. And I swore, I could hear Jeremy say “Get a room!” quietly! I gently pulled him away by his hair, kissing his cheek. 

“I said, I’m good Mikey, okay?” I said, wishing for him to give up. He was about to say something, but Christine chirped in, her worried face coming back. 

“(Y/N), I really think you should rest. You’re face is also red,” She handed me a hand held makeup compact. I opened it, seeing that my skin was mostly bright red, heating up. I looked at Jeremy for support, but instead he nodded, agreeing with Michael and Christine. 

“Yeah, (Y/N). You don’t look so good. Plus, you guys do have work tomorrow,” He said, defending his best friend’s and fiance’s points. I sighed, knowing that I couldn’t argue with three against one. Michael smiled lightly, as I finally agreed with the others. 

“You sure you’ll be fine, my love?” Michael asked me, as I chomped down on some crackers. I nodded, kissing his cheek. 

“I’ll be okay, Mikey. You just have fun with Jer and Chrissie,” I told him, as my two best friends giggled at their nicknames. Michael kissed the crown of my head, understanding, as he helped me up the stairs. 

“You go rest up, love. We’ll be downstairs if you need anything,” Michael tucked me in, as he gave me one last kiss on my forehead, heading back downstairs. I snuggled against our sheets, as I let my pounding headache die down, hearing the giggles downstairs. I sighed, hating the fact that they were having fun without me. I held back my tears, closing my eyes, letting myself fall into a deep sleep. 

Beep...Beep.....Beep....

“(Y/N)? Babe, please wake up!” 

I felt as if someone was shaking me. I fluttered my eyes open as I saw a worried Michael, Jeremy, and Christine standing above me. I focused my eyes to my environment, only to find myself...not in mine and Michael’s room? Well, for starters, it was really white. And....like....EXTREMELY bright. I squinted, as some light shined in my face. Michael helped my adjust my position on an uncomfortable bed, as I fumbled with the milk white sheets. 

“Wh...What happened?” I groggily asked my three favorite people in the world. 

“You’re in the hospital, (Y/N). This morning, Michael tried to wake you up, but you weren’t responding. After an hour of trying, he called an ambulance, and they brought you here. Me and Jeremy got here about an hour ago when we heard what happened. But we’re glad you’re safe,” Christine answered me, smiling lightly. Michael was sitting next to me, kissing my hand, trailing his lips to my elbow. Jeremy rolled his eyes, tapping his fingers on the desk next to my bed. 

“Michael never left that chair ever since he brought you here (Y/N). And it’s like...6 in evening,” He chuckled, lightening the mood. My eyes widen, as I checked the clock above my head. 

“Holy shit, you’re right, Jer! I was passed out for almost twelve hours?!” I exclaimed. Michael nodded, still kissing my arm. 

“Never scare me like that again, babe. I was worried sick when you weren’t waking up,” He half scolded me, half relieved that I was awake. I giggled lightly, seeing my lovable fiance so worried about me. I know I didn’t like to see him so worked up about me, but he was so goddamn cute! As they were filling me in on what happened, a nurse came to us. 

“How is she holding up?” Jeremy asked her. The nurse checked her clip board, smiling at the papers. 

“She’s just fine. There was just a huge amount of stress and pressure placed on her systems, it caused her body to shut down more than usual,” She explained. Michael sighed, knowing that my work was the cause of the stress the nurse described. 

“When can she leave?” He asked her. 

“We just need to give her a chewing tablet, sign some papers, and she’ll be good to go,” She smiled, before handing Michael and clipboard and leaving. Michael signed the papers, before placing it on the nightstand, walking outside. I cocked my brow, sitting up to see where Michael was going. 

“Wait, Mikey where are you--” Before I could ask him, he placed a kiss on my temple, before he told me he’d be back and walked out of my room. I just furrowed my brows, as I turned to Jeremy and Christine. 

“Thanks for coming here. It means a lot,” I thanked them, signing the papers. They both smiled, wrapping their arms around each other’s shoulders. After a few more minutes of us talking, Michael came back inside, smiling like a motherfucker. I crossed my arms, curious about what happened. 

“Michael...what did you do?” I asked him, wanting an answer to why he left my room. He just chuckled, holding out his phone. 

“Guess who’s ‘sick’ and can’t come to work for the rest of the week?” He asked me, as my eyes widen again. 

“Seriously, Mikey?” I asked him, in utter shock. I didn’t know if I was happy or angry, but hey! I couldn’t stay mad at my gorgeous fiance!    

“What? Now we can cuddle!” He defended himself, taking my hand again, nuzzling it with his cheek. I rolled my eyes, knowing that was gonna enjoy these next two days off with my Mikey. Jeremy rolled his eyes, about to leave with Christine. 

“I’m guessing you’re taking the day off today and Friday?” He asked Michael. He nodded in response, just wanting to stay with me and cuddle. After I was given the chewing tablet, Michael and I went home to cuddle, play video games, and of course, get stoned together. 

A/N: GAHH!! I’m so sorry this was short and suckish, but I just really loved this idea and wanted to get it out of the way! So...yay! Hope you enjoyed my crappy story! 

@i-just-love-writing-crap @imanadultnotamatureone

[tiny-maus-boots]

War

“Hey Ice Princess.” Aubrey didn’t look up from her clipboard even though she knew Cole was talking to her. She sighed softly, willing herself to calmness as she checked off a few items before signing the sheet. Her current group of executives had done very well in the time management skills portion of their camp experience but they were still in need of some direction when it came to trust building and co-operative skills. That didn’t surprise her in the least given that they were mostly mid-level management. The director of operations for the lodge had asked her specifically to lead the group, hinting that if she handled the group well Aubrey would be directly in line for the newly opened activities coordinator position. It was a big leap from her current position but it left her in direct competition with the only other employee nearly as good as herself.

“Isn’t calling me that getting a little old and sexist?” Aubrey looked up at Cole’s looming figure when he intentionally blocked out the sun. Really she was getting tired of his constant needling but she’d been bullied before, it wasn’t anything new. Her father had always told her that there were two kinds of people in the world. People born to lead, and everyone else. Aubrey knew she was born to lead. She’d already proven that at Barden. True she’d handed the reins to Beca when it came time to win the ICCAs but Aubrey didn’t consider that a fault in her leadership. She considered it a shining moment for herself and one that had ended in a shining moment for all her Bellas. Cole was sadly of the latter.

“How about Ice Queen? That work better for your feminist sensibilities?” Aubrey’s lip curled up in irritation but she smoothed the expression off her face almost immediately. The moment Cole realized he was getting to her would be the moment he would actually gain some footing over her. And that was something that could not be tolerated. God she hated him, likewise he seemed to hate her just as much although for very different reasons.

“As long as you know my place over you, peon.” She gave him a tight smile and shoved past him as her group finally started to drift to their assigned meeting place after lunch. When the announcement had been made about the new activities position the director had immediately set up a series of challenges and tests. There had been six potential candidates to start but in the course of the past two months only she and Cole remained in the game. They were fairly evenly matched and as much as she hated to admit it, he was good. Good at his job and good at winning. But Aubrey was better and far more determined. So Cole hated her with the passion of a severely wounded male ego.

“Yeah I remember you liking it on top.” He smirked down at her and snatched the clipboard from her hand. “I got this.” For her part her hate stemmed from a moment of weakness. One she regretted immediately upon waking in his bed. Aubrey wouldn’t allow herself any excuses. Lonely or not it had been stupid and completely unsatisfactory. She hadn’t expected it to be good exactly, she just expected it to be mind numbing and at the time that was exactly what she wanted. Cole was handsome and clearly interested in her. So she’d slept with him. Aubrey had slipped out of his cabin without a word, leaving him passed out in bed. He had tried many times to get back into her pants but Aubrey rejected him every single time. It had been easier to keep him at arm’s length once she and Chloe had started to talk again but that had only made him angrier and more vindictive.

Aubrey watched him with a narrowed eyes ready to take control of her group once again. “POSEN!” She scanned the area behind her noting the director gesturing from the Round House. Aubrey gave Cole one last look before trotting up to her boss quickly.

“Sir?” The retreat director was a short bull necked man with too much hair on his forearms and not enough on the top of his head. He was hard and she thought he might get just a little too much sadistic pleasure from making them all compete for a promotion but she respected him. Liked him even. Maybe because he reminded her of her father sometimes. Not in appearance obviously but something about his nature seemed familiar. He gestured to the shade of the porch and handed her a folded sheet of paper.

“Cole is going to take over your group for the rest of the day. You two will work cooperatively from here on out to ensure that these guests complete each of the assigned tasks for their session.” Her face fell a little but she managed to gather herself quickly. Sharing with the enemy wasn’t her idea of fun but war was rarely fun. “I’ll be making a decision on who gets the spot after the final challenge this weekend. Those are the details. Family and friends are welcome to attend in a show of support.” Well that seemed…interesting. Aubrey opened the folded sheet and scanned it quickly her lips pulling to the side as she read and reread the only words that seemed to matter. Obstacle course. The director watched her carefully trying to gauge her response to a task obviously more suited to Cole who was physically stronger, taller, and probably faster. Whatever he saw or didn’t see made him smile. “You have the rest of the day off I suggest you use it. From this point out there is no rest for the weary, no sanctuary for the wicked. There’s only one spot to fill Posen, don’t let me down.”

“Sir yes sir!” Aubrey watched him go and then spun on a heel, sprinting for her cabin with sure footed grace. She closed the quarter mile distance, neatly avoiding bear traps along the way and slammed into her cabin without breaking a sweat. It never even occurred to her to call her father. He was busy. He was always busy. And her mother…well. That was best left unsaid. Aubrey flopped onto her stomach on the bed and checked the time. Chloe should be home any minute so she quickly FaceTimed her best friend. The phone rang for a few before it was answered and Beca’s face filled the screen. Both her brows came up in surprise. Had she dialed the wrong person? “Beca…hi? I’m sorry I thought I dialed Chloe.”

“Oh. Hey Aubs. Yeah you did but she forgot her phone this morning. I saw it was you….so…surprise?” There was a moment of awkward silence between them and Beca seemed to hesitate. “Do you want me to hang up so you can leave her a message?”

Aubrey thought about it for a second then shook her head. “No. No actually…it’s good to see you again Beca.” They hadn’t spoken very much since her drunken fiasco at Callum’s but Aubrey was well and truly grateful for Beca’s care with her. Even when Beca had to chase Aubrey around a parked police car for ten minutes the smaller woman hadn’t complained. Much. It was more embarrassment that had kept her from contacting Beca. And Beca seemed to understand that, choosing to let Aubrey dictate when they spoke.

“Yeah. You too Bree. You look good. How are things across the pond?” Aubrey snickered softly and rolled her shoulders in a shrug.

“Not bad. Did Chlo tell you about the possible promotion?”

Beca nodded and quirked her lips into a smirk. “Yeah. It seems…well…a little psychotic but totally your brand of crazy. But I hear you’re kicking ass like we all knew you would.”

Aubrey laughed at that not at all minding the teasing. “We have one last challenge. It’s down to me and this guy, Cole…”

Beca cut her off with a scowl. “Cole? That dickbag.” It was pretty clear that Chloe had been telling Beca about her run ins with Cole every time she came to visit. When he realized he was having no luck getting Aubrey’s attention he had shifted it to Chloe in a very sad attempt at sparking some jealousy. And it had almost worked, just not in the way he had hoped.

“Hm. Yeah.” It was non-committal because the truth was she didn’t really want any one of her friends to know she’d slept with him. They already disliked him and Aubrey felt that maybe they would look down on her just a little. It wasn’t as if she were proud of herself either. Beca squinted at her suddenly blank expression as if she could read every thought tumbling around her in brain so Aubrey changed the subject quickly. “How are the Bellas this year? Chloe says you guys have never sounded better.”

Beca gave her a distracted shrug and sighed. “Good I guess? I mean. Yeah we sound good but I’m…I dunno Aubrey. Picking a set list is one thing, leading a team…that’s. I don’t even know. What if I’m not doing the right things? We won ICCAs last year but how am I supposed to actually get us through the whole year of competition AND win the finals?” It was uncharacteristically insecure for Beca and Aubrey chewed her lip in thought.

“Beca…” When the other woman didn’t look at the phone Aubrey sat up and tried again, her tone more gentle and patient than she had ever been as captain. Beca chanced a glance at the screen surprised by it. “Bec. I left you in charge because I knew you could do this. You’re amazing and I know all of this is new to you but you’ve got Chloe there. She’ll keep you steady, you just have to trust her. And yourself.” The brunette let a tiny smile creep across her face even as a slight flush rose to her cheeks. It had been hard losing Chloe but it hadn’t been hard losing her to Beca. Aubrey let out a quiet chuckle and shook her head. “I trust you Beca. I trust you with my Bellas. I know you’ll make us all proud, and if you ever need me…well I’m right here.”

“Yeah?” Aubrey nodded and offered Beca a smile. “That actually makes me feel better. So. Thanks for all that. I won’t let you down.”

“Impossible.” This time Beca’s smile grew wide and Aubrey felt as though her world solidified a little bit more. Being apart from her friends…her family…had broken more of her than she had realized. The girls meant everything to her and even though she couldn’t be with them this year she still wanted and needed to be a part of them in some way.

“So what’s this challenge thing you have to do?” There was a sound of a door opening and closing before Aubrey could hear Chloe in the background.

“Beca have you seen my…is that my phone?” It took a second before Chloe’s face popped up behind Beca’s shoulder and Aubrey grinned. “BREE! Hey! Oh my gosh I was just about to call you. Tom got married!”

“No way!” Beca looked at Chloe then back to the screen and raised her brows in question and what Aubrey was sure was mild amusement. “To who?”

“Mary Elise!”

“What!?!” Chloe laughed at their simultaneous exclamation and nodded.

“Yeah that was totes my reaction too. Jason Eckmeyer was the best man. Or witness. I guess they eloped. I think she’s pregnant.”

“Wait. Tom…isn’t that the guy that used to ‘accidentally’ walk into people’s showers?” Her use of air quotes left no question about how accidental those walk ins were.

“Eyeah that’s him. Guess he got lucky when Mary Elise didn’t kick him out.” Chloe scratched her nose ruefully and Aubrey laughed. It felt so good to be talking like this, to be close to them. Chloe had been right, she needed this and she was glad that the redhead had been stubborn enough to make Aubrey see it. “So what’s happening over there? Did you get the job?”

“Not yet. I was just telling Beca that the director here is going to decide after our last challenge this weekend. It’s an obstacle course. I’m pretty sure Cole thinks he has it in the bag. He’s being…ugh…insufferable lately.”

Chloe groaned that and shook her head. “I really want you to win. Mostly so you get the promotion but also because that turd deserves to be taught a lesson.”

Aubrey giggled at that. There was something just undeniably cute about Chloe saying ‘turd’. Beca seemed to agree because she gave a grumpy scrunch of her nose. “Why are you so damn cute Beale?”

Chloe shrugged happily and beamed at them both. “Just lucky I guess. So Bree when is the event? Will there be a live stream or something?”

The blonde hesitated a minute and considered carefully before she answered. “It’s Saturday. There’s no live stream that I know of but well there is a family and friends BBQ schedule for after. They’re kind of making a big deal of it since it’s just the two of us now.”

“Good! What time? I’ll go cheer you on!” It was so Chloe to want to be there for her.

“Yeah dude, I’m looking forward to watching you make that prick suck it.”

It surprised Aubrey. She had expected it from Chloe but she hadn’t expected the support from Beca. Aubrey tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear shyly. “You guys wanna come up?”

“Dude. Yeah! I mean as long as there are no snakes, or bears, or large birds of prey. I’m pretty sure I look like a tasty slow moving morsel to anything bigger than a raccoon.” Chloe laughed and shoved Beca hard enough to tip the smaller woman over out of frame of the screen.

“Of course we want to be there Aubrey. You’d be there for us in a heartbeat. We’re family.”

“I’ll email you guys the details. I have to go right now though. I need time to do an evaluation of my readiness and plan out a training schedule.

“Yep. That’s our Bree alright. See you this weekend!” Beca and Chloe waved and Aubrey gave them a final grin before hanging up. As soon as the screen blacked out Beca turned to Chloe and handed the phone over a little sheepishly. “Sorry I answered it. I just thought it might be important if it was Aubrey calling.”

Chloe shifted on Beca’s bed so that she was cross legged and nudged Beca playfully. “That’s okay. I’m kinda glad you did. Did you guys have a good talk?” Beca gave a slow nod and Chloe raised a brow wondering why she was quieter than usual. “Everything okay Beca?”

“Yeah. No. Everything’s…fine. Actually it was nice. I was pretty glad we talked too. I just…I thought she didn’t want to talk to me because of…you know.”

“Because of what?” Chloe had an idea of what but she didn’t want to put words in Beca’s mouth. They were SO CLOSE to crossing that line between friendship and more but Beca seemed to hesitate, pulling back when the change seemed imminent.

“You know. Because of stuff. And…stuff.” This time both brows shot up and Beca sighed rubbing her face with both hands. “Because of the you and me stuff. I thought she might hate me or…”

“You thought Aubrey hated you? Oh my God Beca!” Chloe reached out and grabbed Beca’s hand, holding it in both of hers. “She asks about you all the time. I promise she doesn’t hate you.”

“Yeah. I’m starting to see that now. I just was worried. Before.” Beca let Chloe tug her closer and wrap an arm around her shoulders. Usually she disliked people touching her but Chloe always got away with it. Maybe because Beca not so secretly loved the affection. “I think we should cancel practice on Saturday. We can make a road trip of it with the girls. Cheer Aubrey on or whatever.”

Chloe blinked in surprise glad that Beca couldn’t see it since she was looking down. “You wanna bring the team?” Beca looked up quickly at that and scratched nervously at her ear.

“I mean. Yes?” Beca squeaked out in surprise when Chloe bunched a hand in the front of her shirt and pulled her forward and kissed her hard. There was only a split second of hesitation before she realized what was happening and kissed Chloe back making the redhead whimper just a little. They pulled back and stared at each other for a long second. “Not that I’m complaining here but what was that all about?”

“You’re amazing Beca Mitchell. That’s all.”

Oh. Beca felt warmth creeping up her neck and cleared her throat. “Yeah, um…thanks I suppose? Or…”

“Stop talking and kiss me already.” Yep. She could do that. Beca leaned forward, pushing into Chloe and toppling her back against the bed. They hadn’t talked about this in a while but maybe they didn’t need to. Maybe now was finally the right time for them to see where this was going. Chloe slid a hand up the back of Beca’s tank top, finger tips trailing along her spine just enjoying the feel of smooth soft skin. Beca gave a tiny grunt and deepened the kiss propping most of her weight on the hand at the edge of the bed.

“Oi, you two. Get a room.” Amy’s voice startled Chloe into shooting up straight which made Beca wobble and slip off the edge of the bed right to the floor with an indignant squawk.

“DUDE! We are in a room!” Chloe giggled and leaned over the edge of the bed to look down at Beca. She mouthed sorry and held a hand out to help the brunette up.

“Yeah. Let me clarify. Get a room I’m not currently in.” Amy gave them a knowing look and flopped onto her bed openly staring at them. “It’s about time you two…” She made a complicated gesture with the fingers of both hands and Beca frowned again, sitting up against the edge of the bed.

“I don’t even know what that is but if it’s a sex thing I’m kind of afraid.” Chloe’s breath tickled Beca’s ear as she laughed and Amy gave them a look as if to say ‘sure you don’t.’ Beca’s eyes widened a little and she sputtered. “Seriously I don’t! If that’s some universal code for girl on girl sex…it’s fucking terrifying.”

Amy gave her an exaggerated wink. “Yeah, ‘course. You’re not that kind of girl.” Chloe laughed harder. Beca looked up at the ceiling and sighed dramatically.

“Seriously? Why?” Why did the universe conspire against her?? Chloe leaned over further and kissed Beca on the cheek.

“We’ll finish that talk next time. I’ve got class anyway. See you tonight?” She nodded weakly and watched Chloe scramble off her bed. When she was sure the redhead was at least halfway down the stairs she chucked her pillow at Amy with all her might. Amy deflected it easily and gave her a leer.

“You know what it means.”

“Oh my God!” Not for the first time nor would it be the last Beca wondered how this was even her life right now.

[beige-eclipse]

Bitty Drabbles 37

(Hey there, I hope you’re enjoying the drabbles. If you want to enjoy them without all the stuff I reblog, I made a space just for them. Just look up Bitty Drabbles and you’ll find it. As always, be sure to check out @vex-bittys :3)

Crim was quick to head over, using the ladders that were still around for him to crawl onto the bed and place a bony hand on my knee, using the other to sign questioningly at me.

“Mom?” I locked my phone and placed it on the bedside table face down.

“I’m ok.” He didn’t look too convinced and I sighed. “I just got an email from my old boss. I have no idea what it says, but I’m not sure I wanna find out.” Crim signed again.

“Bad?” I shrugged a little tensely, my voice about two octaves higher than normal at seemingly random points in my sentences as I started rambling.

“Probably not, but I get really anxious when I get things like that. I won’t be able to open it myself. I’ll probably have either Ella or Jay open it for me whenever they get back. Bill was a great boss, so it’s really probably nothing bad, but I feel like, maybe, there was something wrong that I did before I left and they didn’t notice it until now? Even if it was like three years ago. I dunno. I’m probably stressing over nothing, but I just absolutely cannot check it myself.”

Crim was staring at me worriedly, and even Kin seemed a little less hostile than before. I just stood, picking Crim up and walking over to Kin as well. Kin, at the very least, went back to his normal stone cold expression. I was getting used to it, so it didn’t bother me as much any more.

“How about we all go outside for some fresh air.” I held out my hand and Kin, after only a moment of hesitation, climbed on. I grabbed the Gameboy on my way out; it would work better in the sun anyways. Sitting us down at the table out in the backyard, I tried not to think about the phone currently sitting in my room.

I was able to distract Crim by encouraging progress in his game, and he made it all the way to the final gym before we all heard the front door open. Ella soon emerged from the back door and looked at us quizzically.

“What’re you all doing out here?” I shrugged, offering my hands to the boys and picking up the Gameboy which was starting to turn red with low battery.

“It was a nice day out.” I placed the game and the two lamia on the kitchen table once again before resigning to my fate and grabbing my phone from the room. Ella looked at me funny when I handed it to her, but I sat at the table before burying my head in my arms.

“I got an email. You need to open it for me.” Ella understood despite my groan being stifled by my folded arms. She said nothing and I could hear the sound of my phone being unlocked. After a few moments, Ella began to shriek. I nearly joined her, both because it was startling and because it was either a really good or a really bad shriek. I would assume the latter unless proven otherwise.

“Beige!” I sunk even lower into my arms before replying.

“What…”

“They’re offering you your old job back!” I perked up immediately.

“Wait, what?” Ella was practically bouncing where she stood.

“They wanna rehire you as staff! Like, staff staff! They want you back and you don’t even have to be a student anymore!” My mind went blank. They really wanted me back? After all this time? Ella trotted over to me and patted my back. “I mean, of course. Who wouldn’t want you working for them? You literally got that promotion before having to leave, right?” That was true. They milked my last two weeks having me train the new recruits. I still couldn’t believe it.

“Gimme that!” I hastily took my phone from Ella’s hands, scanning the email myself. It was true! They were really offering me my job back! A smile broke out across my face. “I can’t believe it!” I stood from my seat and Ella and I began jumping around in circles right there in the kitchen, giggling like schoolgirls. That’s how Jay found us, walking in from his own shift at work.

“Woah, what’s with all the jumping?”

“Beige is getting her old job back!”

“What? You serious?” Ella nodded her head so quickly I’m surprised it didn’t scramble her brain.” Jay came right over and picked me up, spinning me around in a circle once before setting me back down again, planting a chaste kiss on my lips. “Congratulations!” I blushed and looked away, a little embarrassed, but still happy.

“I still need to respond to the email, you guys.”

“Well what’re you waiting for?” Ella handed me my phone again, “Reply!”

First Previous Next

[thecupcakeconsumer]

Playing Ball pt. 4 - Eavesdropping and Shortstopping

A/N: This took forever, I'm so sorry, school and new meds have been catching up to me! Luckily this is a fairly good-sized baby. ^-^

Part One |  Part Two | Part Three | Part Four (You are here!) | Part Five

Navigation: Masterlist is here.

Taglist: @writers-block0o0, @imaginesbyemma.

Summary: It's not just a challenge to the team any longer. It's a challenge to your pride and morals, and it's time to take a stand – once and for all.

Warnings: Mild language.

Word Count: 3,050.

Other Notes: Female reader. Post-Terminal, pre-Spike.

Suspended.

There weren't enough words to describe the numerous ways it made you feel, lying on the grass while you fiddled with a softball, outdoors with Shelton, Hi, Ben and Tory.

Were you embarrassed? Of course.

After all, you'd finally stood up to the person who had been tyrannizing your entire team, and been shut down, with her receiving no repercussions.

It was humiliating, and the way your coach had talked down to you afterward certainly didn't help.

Blaming it on female hormones? Coward's way out.

While Delilah had suffered a broken nose, you had suffered a broken image – a blow to your pride, and a severe detriment to your respect from the team.

Or, at least, so it would seem, considering none of them – not even Sarah – had reached out to you after the incident, mysteriously silent and, if choosing any side, staying on hers.

Of course, that wasn't to say that you weren't infuriated – why did she get to go off scot-free? Why was everyone pretending she didn't say anything?

What had Delilah done to make everyone so scared of her?

“Y/N? You okay?” asked Shelton, glancing over at you concernedly. “You've been awfully quiet.”

“Yeah, sure,” you replied, tossing the ball in the air and yelping as it came down and hit you in the nose.

Cautiously coming closer, the older boy nudged you. “Hey. Have you eaten anything today?”

You tried to think back. “I… think so?”

“Y/N.”

“No, no I haven't.”

Grabbing his bag, he reached into one of the pockets despite your (admittedly feeble) protests, pulling out a granola bar. “Eat.”

“But-”

“Listen, I know you're upset about being suspended.” Shelton's eyes met yours, and you weren't quite certain whether his expression was sympathetic or scrutinizing. “It's ridiculous and entirely unfair that because you responded with physical violence, her verbal abuse is being ignored. I know you're sick and tired of being lectured on it. But it's not the end of the world, I promise.”

“I didn't say it was the end of the world,” you argued, begrudgingly taking a bite of the proffered snack. “I didn't even say anything.”

“Oh, please, we've known each other, what, four years now? I think I have a slight idea of what's on your mind by now.”

You huffed.”Am I expected to know what you're thinking now?”

“What? No, of course not. Nobody's allowed to know what I'm thinking. That's what makes me so interesting.”

He slid away, leaving you with a granola bar in your hand and, despite your upset, a smile on your face.

You shouldn't have let her get to you. That you knew.

You've already been suspended. Why isn't that enough for you to learn your lesson?

And yet, here you were, flaring in public during lunch on the day of an important game which you wouldn't be a part of.

Even your common sense was currently being drowned out by the screaming of every nerve in your body – screams of how good it felt to finally let go, the relief now sung by the same veins pumping you full of adrenaline.

“I can't lose this,” hissed a feminine voice, piercing the conversational buzz of the cafeteria yet unrecognizable, even with the range you could pick up. “You know without it I'm nothing.”

“So, this is your plan? Sabotage everyone and make it seem like you're the only one who can play so that you're captain and the team fears you?”

Sabotage? It sounded for certain like a certain someone, but… “Look. If I'm not on top here, I'm vulnerable. And if I can't keep this, there's no telling what they'll do to me. After the first time I did it, I became something to be feared. And speaking of which… Reyes has been getting cozy with Claybourne lately.”

“What're you planning, Lee?”

Lee.

Delilah Lee.

You choked on your lunch as you heard the two girls converse. No wonder so many people are off the team so suddenly. This way no one could get in her way in being the next captain. One decent player after another mysteriously quitting or getting kicked off the team.

Ignoring the activity at the table around you, you listened further to attempt to hear what she was planning.

“How are you going to sabotage a catcher?”

“Easy. Loosen a few screws, mess around a little, suddenly the face mask won't stay down... and one can't exactly play if their face is crushed by a ball, now, can they?”

“What makes you think she'll get hit?”

“A little distraction. It's about the message, not the impact. I'll see if I can get in the supply shed before practice tomorrow.”

Did she really just share her plans in the middle of the cafeteria? you thought to yourself as Tory snapped her fingers in front of your face.

“As I was saying, Y/N, we should really...”

You were nodding, but you weren't listening, wondering how you could convince your coach of what would transpire.

“Sarah,” you called out, jogging a little to catch up with her.

She didn't appear to have heard, walking faster.

“Sarah! Get back here!” Was she ignoring you? “Sarah Reyes!”

Finally, she stopped, letting you fall into step beside her. “Claybourne. You're not gonna punch me?”

“What? No, of course not. Why would I do that? I like you. You're a good person.”

“So's a lot of folks who've received worse.”

“What's gotten into you?” You quickened your pace to walk in front of her, before stopping as the taller girl tried to get around you. “Why're you being so… frigid?”

“Frigid. Seems artistic. Smart words. Smart person. Guess you're brains and brawn.”

“What did I do wrong?”

She glanced around, before pulling you into a classroom. “You want to know what you did wrong? You went against everything I told you. You got on her bad side, even though I told you to stay neutral. You went and made her look bad, and then, like an idiot, you decided to punch her. Now the goddamn girl has a broken nose, and she's never been so volatile!”

“What does it matter to you?”

“What's it matter? It's not like I'm on the team or anything.”

“Sarah, I… She's going to try and sabotage you. Next game. She doesn't like-”

“That I talk to you.” Sarah smiled, what was supposed to be a gesture of happiness instead coming off so ironic it was almost humorous. “Thanks for the warning, Claybourne.”

She left, ignoring your calls and slamming the door behind herself with a slam that seemed to shake the whole room.

What have I done?

“Hey, coach,” you spoke, leaning against the doorframe of his office.

He glanced up. “Ah, Claybourne. Last I checked you were suspended. Unless for some reason I should put you back on the team?”

“I… I need to tell you something.”

“Oh? What? That it wasn't your fault? That you didn't mean to? Or that-”

“Delilah Lee has been sabotaging girls on this team since the beginning. I have names, I know that-”

His laugh cut you off.

“Of course, of course. Delilah Lee – the team's captain – who just happens to be the reason you're suspended right now, has been singlehandedly tearing the team apart. She's been doing, what? Making anyone who gets on her bad side leave the team?”

“Y/N, even if I had kicked anyone off the team, I assure you, it has nothing to do with her.”

“But-”

“Is that all? A false accusation without proof?”

“But I can-”

“Come back to me when you have something worthwhile to talk about, Claybourne.”

Lily Aquino – former pitcher, quit the team under mysterious circumstances after having been suspended five consecutive times.

Around the same time, rumors had been spreading around the school that she had slept with Delilah Lee's man.

After ardently denying the incident, however, it had never been proven – or disproven – that anything had actually transpired between the two.

Rumor has it the very person who started up the story was the supposed girlfriend of one of the perpetrators. But at the moment, you weren't focusing on the past.

Now, you were focusing on the present – the person who owned the locker in front of which you stood, who should be getting here about-

“Hi! Can I get to my locker?” The short Filipina girl smiled widely, the picture of innocence in a stark contrast to what she was accused of.

You moved to the side, and her eyes lit up. “Oh, you're Y/N! The new girl on the team, right? I hear you did really good this season. Did you need something?”

“I wanted to talk to you,” you answered simply.

Her eyes widened. “Me? Are you sure? If you've been listening to Delilah I assure you-”

“She sabotaged you, didn't she? Led to your suspensions, despite how hard you tried to keep up your resolve and stick to the team, convinced if you just kept your head down she would leave you alone?”

Pushing up her glasses as she tugged open her locker, Lily murmured quietly, “I don't know what you heard, but-”

“Lily, I'm suspended right now because of her,” you interrupted, and she nodded slowly.

“What do you need? Do you need proof? I don't have any, but I have accounts – she threatened me, said if I didn't back off from her boyfriend she'd have me kicked off, and that I should stop being such a candidate for captain because the position was hers – I'll do anything, just give me the word.”

All of a sudden, she shifted so easily from being on the defensive to on the offensive, slightly chilling considering her size and just how much resentment could be packed into someone so small.

“Will you help me make a case against her in front of the coach?”

Determinedly, she nodded. “Anything.”

Two cameras set up in the supply room surely served as evidence, didn't they?

At least, that was what you thought when you did so, and after having returned to remove them, you grinned.

Thanks to your warning – or at least, so you'd like to believe – Sarah had stayed cautious, and when her mask flew open paid enough attention to be able to immediately close it before anything could happen.

And these cameras, surely, would hold the proof.

An account. A video.

Would it be enough?

You fit the SD card into your computer, double-clicking one of the videos once it loaded and quickly adjusting settings so it would play at twice the speed.

And there she was.

You sat back a moment in amazement, still somewhat disbelieving of the fact that you'd managed to catch this on video.

Of course, the best person you could get to testify against Delilah was the only major candidate for captain – who'd been on the team for just as long a time, and whose word was almost as credible, considering she'd never been sabotaged.

“I won't do it.”

You stared in shock at Sarah, books almost falling out of your hand. “I'm sorry, what?”

“I won't do it. I mean what I said, Y/N.”

“But she's been-”

“You have enough of a case without me stepping in. I don't need to be a part of the reason she gets kicked off the team.”

You stepped closer, trying to discern her expression even as she looked pointedly away from you. “But if she's off the team, you won't need to be afraid any more of her sabotaging you-”

“Sabotage.” She laughed mirthlessly. “That's not what I'm concerned about, Claybourne. Forget it. Carry out your vendetta on your own.”

“What happened to teamwork?” you demanded, as she turned to start walking away.

Sarah froze, slowly rotating to face you again, before hissing, “It's not about the team, Claybourne. If it were, this wouldn't be happening in the first place.”

“Then why won't you testify?”

“Because I love her, damn it!” she shouted, causing you to jump. “Because I'm the damn idiot who's fallen in love with the bad girl, the stupid catcher who honestly thought she had a chance with such a beautiful girl, who looks over her flaws and doesn't want to cause her to lose the only good thing she's got going on!”

“Sarah, I-”

“You know we slept together? Junior year, we got wasted. I don't remember the first time I've slept with anyone, and it was the only time she'd look at me without disgust, contempt, and it's ruined any chance I ever had with her! I'm in love with the villain, okay? So call me a villain myself, sure. I won't do it.”

She stalked off without another word, refusing to turn back, as if hoping you wouldn't notice the fact that she'd started to cry, eyeliner starting to streak her face as she crumbled, the resolve of such a seemingly powerful girl now shed and making her seem like something you'd never have thought of Sarah Reyes as.

Helpless.

“I'm planning on getting Delilah Lee kicked off the team,” you announced, less than a week after what you had overheard, at lunch with Tory, Shelton, Hi and Jason.

The four paused, Jason being the first to speak. “I'm sorry, you're sinking down to her level for your revenge?”

“No, that's not it at all,” you answered, shaking your head with a slight smile. “I've found evidence that she's the reason the team is failing. I'm going to confront the coach with it today.”

“What kind of evidence?” asked Shelton interestedly, leaning forward on his hands.

“Well, let's just say… sometimes people don't check for cameras in the supply rooms when they go and play with helmets.”

Tory grinned. “You're picking up some stuff from us. I like it. Is that why you were talking to Lily the other day?”

“Yep.” Nodding, you turned to Hi, who'd been silent this whole time. “Hi?”

He shook himself. “My girlfriend is beautiful, kind, and a genius.”

Flushing under his praise, you shook your head. “We'll see how well that works out.”

“Videos don't lie.”

“Videos don't lie,” repeated the coach, nodding slowly. “And… she's the reason?”

“She's the reason.”

He looked up at you and Lily, before shaking his head. “She's off the team. You're back on, Aquino. Pitcher. Current pitcher will return to out-field – she was always better there, anyway.”

“And me?” you asked quietly.

He smiled sardonically. “Well, Claybourne, how do you feel about being short stop?”

This was real.

This was happening.

And you'd broken Sarah's heart to do it.

“I can try it.”

All's fair in love and war – and yet love was a battlefield.

“Excellent. I'll tell her the news.”

Was it worth it?

“Now,” called out Sarah as the team flooded the locker rooms after the first practice without Lee, “that Ms Lee is gone, we seem to be in need of a new captain.”

How easily she shifted from falling apart to her newfound composure.

“I nominate Claybourne.”

You froze, shirt over your head, quickly pulling it back down to cover you as all seven of the girls in the room turned to you.

“Wh-what? No, I can't take that on,” you gushed quickly, as Sarah quietly started chanting 'Claybourne, Claybourne.'

“Let's have a vote with what remains of our team!” called out Young. “Ready? All in favor of Claybourne, say aye.”

A resounding 'aye' filled the room, causing you to flush.

“Guys, I joined the team two months ago.”

“You got Lee kicked off the team, that took some will power,” argued Lily.

“You helped! You should be captain, all in favor of Lily-”

“I don't want to be captain,” she laughed. “I'd rather have the very person who broke Lee's nose in charge.”

You shook your head. “How about you, Reyes? You've been playing since freshman year – you're team captain.”

She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Just accept the offer.”

Looking around at the eager faces, you finally relented. “Fine. I'll be team captain.”

“Yes! No take backs, you're team captain until your death or graduation. You can take your shirt off now, love.”

“Oh, thanks, I was waiting for your permission.”

Even with the sarcasm, there was no denying the excitement beneath the surface – at the support that your team offered, and at the new future for you under a new leadership.

A fair one, this time.

Now alone in the empty locker room, you pulled out your phone, tapping in Hi's number and almost buzzing with energy as the ring reached you.

"Well, guess who got kicked off the team?" "No babe, did he really... that coach is such a bastard..." "Yeah. I guess it's a good thing that there's a new team captain now." "But I thought Lee was - wait, did she get kicked off? Is Reyes the new captain?" "Lee's off, Sarah's not the captain, though." *dramatic gasp* "You're captain! I'm so proud!"

“Hey, sexy.”

You smirked as you feigned a sad voice. “Well, guess who got kicked off the team?”

The line went silent for a moment before his voice came back on. “No babe, did he really... that coach is such a bastard...”

“Yeah, I guess it's a good thing that there's a new team captain now.”

“But I thought Lee was-” He stopped. “Wait, did she get kicked off? Is Reyes the new captain?”

“Lee's off,” you replied, twisting your sleeve in your free hand, “but Sarah's not the captain.”

A crash seemed to only say that he'd dropped the phone – the very reason why Hi had such a protective case – before a gasp sounded when he picked it back up. “You're captain! I'm so proud!” “It's not a-”

“What're you doing for dinner tonight? No, not important, because now you're coming over to my house. Pizza. Your choice.”

“Are you finally giving me the recipe?”

“What? Never. That, my love, is something I'll tell no one. Not even you. I love you, babe! See you tonight!”

“See you,” you replied, a smile breaking out across your face as you ended the call, before packing up your bag and leaving the locker rooms, turning off the lights and closing the door on the past of the team, looking forward to your new beginnings.

A/N: We got some regret going on here, as well as (as my English teacher would say) some rebirth following death! I'm super excited to announce that the next (and likely final) instalment in this will be up on Friday. Thanks so much for reading! I'm sorry for the wait! Part five is up!

[quipsandcollins-blog]

Table For Two || Darcy & Inez (chatzy)

Inez tried to think about the    last time she had a date and the fact that she had to think about it,    embarrassed her. It was all her fault too. She was focused on entering the    police force that the thought of going to parties or to a bar and club was    just out of the picture. She tried online dating for a moment, but she was    still figuring out her preferences and the onslaught of messages proved to    be too much. Inez really liked the Darcy, even if part of her struggled    with how much came naturally and how much was in result of the being    essentially drugged. Inez worried it was more the latter than the former,    but things were just starting and there was no need to worry about things    like that. They were just having fun, maybe they’d just come out of this as    friends, there was no pressure. However, Inez still felt some pressure to    look nice for their date. She had to change from one button up to another,    eventually she settled on something, not too formal, but not too casual.    She wanted to show that she respected Darcy enough to look nice for her on    a date. It’d have to be quite an outfit to make that statement. Coming up    to Darcy’s door was bringing a deja vu, although she was only a bit more    nervous. Not enough to ruin the whole night, but enough to keep her heart racing    and boy did her heart race when she saw Darcy. “You look - amazing.” The    adjectives that came to mind were numerous and yet that was all that    managed to come out.

Somehow it was easier deciding what to wear    this time around. Now that they'd had their time at the movies and gone to    the carnival together, now that Darcy actually    knew for sure that she was going on a date, she didn't worry so much. She    picked out a cute dress, nothing too fancy but different from the usual    sweaters and blouses she usually wore, and rushed to the door when she    heard the bell. "Okay, I'm leaving! I'll be back later!" she    called to her aunt before answering, beaming at the compliment. "You    look amazing too." Yep. She was definitely about to go out with a girl    who drove a pick up. She kissed Inez on the cheek, figuring after someone    had licked you, cheek kissing couldn't really be considered too forward,    and started toward the truck. "You're going to love Red Dragon, I    swear."

As Darcy kissed her cheek, Inez moved to brush her lips against her cheek    as well before moving to the truck. “I think I will too,” she told her with    a smile before setting off to the restaurant. Inez made sure they were just    on time for the reservation she had made in their name. 6 pm. For Inez.    Their best two seating available. So once they arrived, they had only a    moment to stand before a host came over to seat them. Apparently their best    seat was near the big koi tank. The decor of the area was beautiful, Inez    thought that much. Still it didn’t quite beat the nerves she had, forming    themselves into a sheepish smile as she moved to pull out a chair for Darcy    before taking a seat herself. “The place is really nice,” she admitted,    eyes dropping to the menu handed in front of them. “What do you usually get    here?”

Darcy was probably going to drool    before Inez did tonight. The Red Dragon was her favorite restaurant in    town. It was almost embarrassing how often she ordered takeout from here.    "Oh, I like to mix it up. It's way too hard for me to settle on just    one thing. I like to try different stuff." She shrugged. God, that had not been meant to foreshadow    the news that she also had a date planned with Wren, but now that she'd    said it, she couldn't help but think about it. "The salt and pepper    ribs are really good. And I love fried rices, anything that comes with    black bean sauce, or duck... or chicken. Or shrimp." She grinned a    little. "See what I mean?"

Inez let out a gentle laugh,    picking up her menu and turning it over. “It’s fine. I can decide.” Inez    looked over the options, they really did all sound good, even with Inez’s    restricted diet. She could indulge a little on this date, though. However,    she’d be mindful of any future indulgences. It wouldn’t be completely weird    to just get vegetables either. “I think I’ll get chicken with garlic    sauce.” Her eyes look up at Darcy as she gives a small smile, wondering if    Darcy would get the tease. “Lots and lots of garlic sauce. Extra garlic in    the sauce.” Her smile widens a bit, eyes still on Darcy.

Darcy giggled a little.    "Mmm, sexy." Garlic. Lots of garlic. On a date. She was going to    have to try not to take that as a message, and not to read too much into    Inez's emphatic 'I can decide'. So simple. It wasn't like there was some    kind of scorekeeping or competition or anything. Darcy just had to follow    her gut. Or her heart. Or both. "So are you... are you seeing anyone    else? Or have you been? It's not a trick question, I promise."

Inez smiled as she went back to    look at her menu, eyes finally finding something to order when Darcy came    out with a question she wasn’t expecting. Her eyes dart to Darcy first    before her head moved up to look at her. “I’m not seeing anyone, no.” She    leaned back a little into her seat, giving a smile even though she didn’t    know where Darcy was going with this question. So she decided to refrain    from going further into explaining herself without knowing what Darcy    wanted. “Why do you ask?” They had only just started going out, Inez didn’t    really take that as ample time to develop into becoming “girlfriends” and    found herself a little anxious at the thought that might be coming next.

Darcy didn't know whether the fact Inez wasn't seeing anyone else made it better or worse. She gave a little shrug, reaching across the table to touch her fingers against Inez's, lightly gripping them, still smiling at her. She was doing her best to keep the whole thing casual. "I'm just asking. I am. I mean, it was kinda bad timing that I happened to meet you both at around the same time. But I just wanna be honest, you know? I'm not looking to dive into anything serious, but I'm not looking to... to not explore this either, you know? I think you're pretty great."

Inez listened to Darcy, brows coming together as she tried to figure out where she was going with this. “Okay,” she started with, shifting in her seat. “I don't mind exploring this either.” It was good to start things on a positive note right? She paused to wet her lips, making sure she didn't say anything wrong. “If I'm being honest, it's been awhile since I've dated anyone so I'm not really sure what to expect here.” She chuckled as her eyes dropped down to the table. “But I do like… this.” She looked back at Darcy with a smile.

Darcy almost wanted to breathe a sigh of relief. Inez took in her words calmly, but she didn't seem shaken by them. It meant something, to be honest, right? It had to. "I'm kind of just playing it by ear as well. I just know that I like you, and I want to eat nice food with you and cuddle on the couch and kiss you." She chuckled a little, hanging her head and shaking it, almost embarrassed, but not quite. "Not necessarily in that order. And probably not until you brush your teeth, but... still."

Inez laughed a little harder this time, shaking her head. She felt her face heat up, but she was happy, if “I promise, I’m not ordering garlic sauce or extra garlic.” Her eyes turn up to Darcy as she strokes the back of her hand with her thumb, giving her a small grin. “At least not if that means I have to wait to kiss you again.” She looked away, a little bashful as she tried to confine her grin that continued to pull at the corner of her mouth. Inez wasn't even sure what she was looking for and Darcy had proven to be a cool person to spend time with, so what was the harm in letting it be casual at this time? Inez wasn't in any rush.

Darcy laughed too, giving a knowing nod, her tone so easy and relaxed as she teased her date. "Oh, I see how it is. You were just teasing about the garlic to see how bad I wanna kiss you. I'm onto your games." She couldn't make the stupid grin disappear from her face. "Well, probably not by leaning over the table in front of all these people. But hey, outside, in the car, at my door... all fair game."

“Is that right?” Inez couldn’t meet Darcy’s eyes, because she knew she was blushing. However, she was ready to order and gave a short nod in response. She was caught off guard again as Darcy assumed Inez would come over. “Yeah,” she laughed out, nodding. “Yeah, that sounds good to me.” Just then the waiter came to take their orders. It was a nice dinner, full of easy conversation and laughs. Inez could have stayed there talking to her but talking to her on the couch of her place was better than in a restaurant. So, since it wasn’t the end of their date, she was to wrap it up and have them back in the car, heading to Darcy’s place.

Darcy had put the offer ot there, not sure what she was expecting in return, but a pleasant warmth ran through her veins at Inez's answer, the cute little laugh that came with it. She paid for dinner when the bill came. If Inez was going to pick her up like a gentleman then the last she could do was pay for dinner. She was even starting to like the truck as she set next to Inez in the front cab on the way home. Katherine's car wasn't there, but just in case, Darcy called her name when she unlocked the door. "Auntie Katherine? Hellooo?" No answer, so she turned to grin at Inez. "Perfect. She already left for her business trip to Portland. Stepping backwards into the living room, she led Inez with her by the hand, slumping into the couch and finally kissing her. "I've been waiting all night to do that."

The idea of her aunt being home didn’t come across until they were already at her door and only then Inez was relieved to hear she had left for a trip. Things were a little different this time around. Back under the spell, she was just overwhelmed with her feelings about Darcy but everything felt calmer now. She felt clear-headed, knew for sure she wanted to do this. She laughed into the kiss, realizing that when she kissed Darcy weeks ago, it had been her first time in a while but that knowledge now kept any nerves away. Darcy’s lips were kind of familiar, even if it had been a while since they last kissed. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” she teased before leaning in to kiss her again.

Darcy let the pair of them sink into the sofa cushions. Katherine wouldn't be back until Monday. No chances of interruption. Being with Inez felt comfortable. It felt safe. She lightly ran her fingers through Inez's hair, kissing her slowly. "It's alright. Patience is a virtue, apparently." She chuckled, accepting as Inez kissed her again. "Did you want that wine, or...?"

“Uh,” Inez blinked as she moved back and a smile slowly came to her face. “I actually don’t drink.” Inez knew that of course, prior to accepting the glass of wine after dinner. It was clear what they did didn’t matter so much as accepting the invitation back to her place. She had forgotten about that wine though. “I guess you fell for my game again.” Her smile widened into small grin as she leaned forward, brushing her lips against Darcy’s.

Darcy paused, staring blankly at Inez for just a moment, digesting what she'd just said before chuckling. "Oh, wow." She leaned in, continuing to kiss Inez, grinning against her lips. "You got me." She tried not to read into it. All it meant was that she had wanted to come over. They'd never explicitly said they were going to take things slow, but did say 'casual'. That could have meant anything.

Inez was about to kiss her, but wanted to set things straight, so she quickly pulled away. “I’m not playing any games though, just to be clear. I didn’t want to say I don’t drink and have that come off like I didn’t want to come over. Because I did.” She moved close to kiss Darcy but then something popped up in her mind. “Also - there’s no pressure, okay?”

Darcy couldn't help but grin. She hadn't known what to expect of Inez. Last time they had dated, it had been under a spell. They didn't have any inhibitions. They couldn't help but be honest, but now, without any need of a spell, Inez was being open and honest, making sure they communicated. It was refreshing. "I know," she whispered, cupping Inez's cheek to kiss her again, slow and soft. "The same goes for you. I want whatever you want."

Inez had never been through anything like this - where they had begun in a relationship only to backtrack and start over, kind of. Inez was perfectly fine being friends, but this was nice too. “This is… this is fine.” She said in between kisses. “For now.” She smiled into the kiss, moving closer as they made out on the couch. She put her hand on Darcy’s knee to steady herself, not expecting her hand to come in contact with the warmth of Darcy’s skin. “Oh,” she broke the kiss. “I’m sorry.”

"It's more than fine," Darcy whispered, kissing Inez's jaw and ear, grinning a little before bringing her lips back to Inez's and lying back against the sofa cushions. She let out a soft giggle as Inez's hand came into contact with her knee, shaking her head and brushing the hair out of Inez's face. "It's fine. Really. You can touch me." Apart from the recent awkwardness of iron skin, Darcy was very comfortable with her body.

 “Okay,” Inez breathed, closing the distance to continue kissing Darcy, returning her hand on her knee. It seemed her edge of her dress continued to recede the longer they continued, giving Inez more space to move her hand further along. It wasn’t the first time they’ve made out, while they had been under the influence of a “love drug” they had done it a couple of times, but it never escalated to anything else. Inez wasn’t sure that would be the case this time.

Darcy wanted to put everything in Inez's hands. She knew what she would be fine with, and so she let Inez be the one to set the pace, sighing happily against her lips as her hand made its way up her thigh. Good. She hadn't misread the situation after all, and she hadn't scared Inez away, which might have been the most exciting part. Darcy took the hem of Inez's shirt, slipping her hand under it to softly stroke against her stomach. "Tell me if you want me to stop, okay?" she whispered.

Inez continued, only stopping when she felt Darcy tugging at her shirt and ultimately her hand against her stomach. She pulled away, taking in what was happening before nodding. Seeing that Darcy was okay reaching out to her too only made her bolder as she moved further up her thigh, her thumb softly stroking the inside of Darcy’s thigh. “Do you,” she started, thinking she could pull away from Darcy, but her lips returned momentarily. “Do you want to, uh,” the last thing she was focused on was coming up with coherent sentences. “Do you want to move this somewhere else?”

Darcy felt like her heart was in her throat. She'd had a couple of flings and partners over the years, not necessarily all of them people she was dating, but it was still scary and exciting exploring it with someone new. Inez's hands were so soft and so warm, she just wanted them to keep touching her. "Yeah," she nodded, sitting up a little and giving Inez a quick kiss before climbing off the couch. "My room is this way." Except Inez already knew that. She led her there anyway, kissing her in the doorway before stepping back toward the bed, reaching for the zipper at the side of her dress and pulling it down. Yep. This was happening. With her dress loose, she stepped toward Inez to kiss her again, stepping out of it. "You're really beautiful. And that's totally cheesy, but... I don't care." She beamed.

Her heart was pounding and she was finding it difficult to catch her breath even as they paused to head to Darcy’s bedroom. There was just a sense of a rush for what was to come. Inez wasted no time taking off her jacket, other items following with it, but stopping as she looked up at Darcy coming close. Her smile matched Darcy’s as she met her for a kiss. Inez found her beautiful too, reaching out to touch her as soon as she came close. She smoothed her hands along Darcy’s stomach, kissing her as well as guiding her closer to the bed. Inez only pulled away from the kiss to remove her shirt, but as soon as it was off, her lips were back on Darcy. She hadn’t expected the night would end like this, not even hoped but was pleasantly surprised at the route the night took. She wasn’t sure what it meant and maybe it didn’t mean anything. One thing for sure, though, this wouldn’t be the last time.