#war robots cheats

[courtneydeservesbetter]

Hate that my favorite character is usually the least fav in a popular ship. This happens to me so often that I can feel it when I read a fanfic. That my baby just isn’t as fleshed out as the other half of the couple, that they’re basic personality traits are off, that the blame of everything bad that happened in their canon relationship is on them. So then I’m reading like HEY leave them alone, they’re BOTH freaks!

[figureitoutinthemorning]

Speaking of the robot girl story!!!!

Top row: still unnamed robot girl on the left, Diana (another robot) on the right. Diana is technically older, but was designed to appear younger, and is much more childlike. She was intended to be more of a spy than your typical living weapon — children can get away with things adults can’t.

Bottom row: Abby (the daughter of robot girl’s creator — hasn’t seen her dad in fifteen years. Refuses to answer to the name Abigail. He’s the only one who ever called her that), Abby’s wife Nell, and their son Oliver, who is about eight here (it’s hard to show age on Picrew)!

[wainswright]

moral arguments about this subject (what just pings to me as logistics) always have a completely random focus in media

[zorangezest]

omg pls talk about skybound soundwave hes so lovely hes so evil. Ive been gushing about starscream and this latest issue with them its so perfectly awful <<33

OH SKYBOUND….THE COMICS THAT YOU ARE…….

im just. THE WRITING IN THIS SERIES??? EVERY character thematic is getting nailed in the head, optimus’s melancholy, arcee’s rage, beachcomber’s philosophy, DUDE I WAS GAGGED AT HOW GOOD THAT BEACHCOMBER ISSUE WAS…how he chose not to revive everyone because he knew they carried the war wherever they went im just. Insane??? And Optimus?? Optimus in this series?? His character has always felt like the sage serious leader but in Skybound he just has so much….heaviness? It reads so well that he carries a quiet sadness all the time. THAT SCENE WITH HIM AND ELITA WHEN HE HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN EARTH AND CYBERTRON??? OK KICK ME IN THE GUTS WHILE IM DOWN WHY DONT YOU SKYBOUND???

And soundwave……Bro……..SOUNDWAVE……….…I JUST……………soundwave’s character has always been for a backdoors-background role, communications officer and all the nitty gritty finer workings behind the scenes, quiet and passive and going along with the narrative wherever it takes him—his character always feels guided along by the tomfoolery of the rest of the ensemble. but skybound made him such an active brutal threat like dude. they slapped him right on the frontlines killed off his cat for ten-something issues straight up had him rip out starscream’s guts and declare himself the leader. lies and cheats the favour of thundercracker and preaches his deluded greater good by razing everything lesser in his way to the ground. dude. he is evil. he burns cities. he is delusional. I haven’t seen a take on soundwave’s character before that ever made him so loud about being evil. I would fight for skybound like they were my country

NOT EVEN TO MENTION THE WHOLE DYNAMIC HE HAS WITH HS CASSETTES DUDE I THINK SKYBOUND WAS THE FIRST TIME HE WAS EVER EXPLICITLY REFERRED TO AS A FATHER TO THEM. BY MEGATRON NO LESS. HUGE. ABSOLUTELY HUGE FOR SOUNDWAVE NATION (ME) (I AM THE NATION) rest in pieces frenzy you were not the favourite child LMAO the emphasis they put on the familial themes of soundwave character is so very upfront HE STRAIGHT UP CALLS THEM. A FAMILY. KILLING MYSELF. ENGRAVING THE SKYBOUND WRITERS ON MY COMMEMORATIVE PYRAMID. ITS LIKE THIS SERIES WAS MADE FOR ME. THEY GAVE SOUNDWAVE BITE AND SASS

also can I just say starscream and soundwave have my favourite dynamic. they hate each other so much it’s so funny

and now that megatron’s back in the picture OUGHHHHHH. OUUUHGGGGGG OUUGHHHGGG. i am so so curious with this recent reveal that he can mind control his wielders. what does that mean for soundwave?? Does it mean everything?? Does it mean nothing at all?? I FEEL SO BAD FOR STARSCREAM OF ALL THE CHARACTERS BRO GOT TRASHED BY SOUNDWAVE AND THEN TRASHED BY MEGATRON. BRO DIDNT EVEN WANT TO DO THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE GET HIM OUTTT. somehow, incredibly, skybound made it so that soundwave has more deeper rooted evil than starscream and I for one am SEATTTEDDDDDDDD

like when I read this part for the first time i think I laughed out loud he just looks so miserable. bro is an instrument for someone else’s destruction and he’s having the worst time of his life

also!! skybound gave this panel to the world which is pretty much what the inside of my head has sounded like for six months

while I’m at it can I just….the art style for skybound ohhhh my god. The heavy gritty inking, the incredible, incredible stylized sfx, the vibrant colours they use for backgrounds and for palettes. This is my favourite art style of any comic series I’ve read recently and it’s such a huge inspiration (the big ol switcheroo fight comic was heavilyyyyy inspired by how skybound stylizes sfx and colours….) i just cant get enough of it. The way texture is hatched the way they made these clunky metal robots so fluid and expressive…..

also I just. Really love how they draw cliffjumper specifically. like this is a 50 year old man with a retirement plan

that’s a long textpost!! Wow!! the brainrot is Terminal!! round of applause skybound for making soundwave the Warmongering Maniac he deserves to be!! i am extremely stoked to see what’s in store for our dear characters!!

[imnotjustreadingg]

how not to date an avenger (according to bucky barnes) pt.1

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x avenger!Fem!Reader (y/n) Genre: Fluff - Bucky is a sweetheart - slight jealousy - little angst Word count: 1108 Summary: Bucky faced nazis, world wars, aliens, Thanos, survived in Siberia but his most difficult mission is to gain your heart

Attempt #1: Coffee.

It started with coffee. Bucky stood outside the kitchen on the 12th floor of the Avengers Tower for ten minutes, pacing like a malfunctioning robot. He was holding two cups from the small café down the street, the one you said had “the best oat milk cappuccino in all of Manhattan.” One cup was black and bitter for him. The other had your name scribbled on it, complete with a sad smiley face from the barista who always tried to flirt with him. He wasn’t nervous. He was a hundred years old. He’d lived through the Depression and the snap. But somehow, the thought of handing you a cup of overpriced, frothy oat milk made his metal fingers sweat. Metaphorically.

He finally marched in and slammed the cup on the counter in front of you. “Here.” You blinked up at him from behind your laptop. “Oh. Uh… thanks?” He crossed his arms and leaned against the fridge, trying to seem cool and casual. “It’s just… you said you liked it, so I figured-yeah.” You gave him a confused smile. “That’s sweet of you. But I just made some.” You held up your reusable mug. It said Please don’t talk to me until I’ve had my second coffee in aggressively sarcastic font. “But thank you!”

He nodded once and left without saying another word. Back in his room, he stared at the untouched black coffee and muttered, “Cool. Totally normal. Crushed it.”

Attempt #2: Flowers.

Sam told him that people liked flowers. “Just give her something pretty. She loves that stuff.” So, Bucky went out and bought a gigantic bouquet of wildflowers. Not roses, too obvious. Not lilies, too funereal. Just cheerful, colourful blooms that made him sneeze.

He waited until you were in the library on floor 17. He saw you typing something furiously, earbuds in, mouthing what he assumed was a dramatic monologue. Probably from a Shakespeare thing. You were always reading. He cleared his throat. Nothing. He cleared it again, louder. You flinched and pulled one earbud out. “Jesus, Bucky, you scared me.” He held out the bouquet like a nervous child handing over a science project. “These are for you.” You stared. “For me?” He nodded. “Yeah. Just, you know. I thought you might… like them.” Your expression softened. “They’re beautiful. But… is this because I beat you in chess last night?”

“…What?” You gave a teasing grin. “Is this a peace offering? Because I told you I didn’t cheat.”

“…No. It’s just-I wanted to get you flowers.” You tilted your head. “Oh.” Then came the words that haunted him for three weeks, “Well, thank you. But you don’t have to do all this. We’re friends. I like you just fine without bribes.” He left the flowers on the table and pretended to have somewhere urgent to be. Sam laughed at him for hours.

Attempt #5 (because 3 and 4 were just him “accidentally” brushing your hand during movie night and “coincidentally” showing up at the same bodega as you).

He was done being subtle. It wasn’t working. You were smart, sweet, and either completely oblivious to his feelings or, worse, not interested. So, he went with blunt force. He found you in the gym one evening, beating the hell out of a punching bag with the kind of intensity he usually reserved for Hydra agents. “You mad at someone?” he asked, keeping his tone light. You shrugged, sweat-slicked and glowing. “Just stress. Mission’s reports. Steve’s moral superiority. Take your pick.” He laughed. Then, before he could chicken out, he said, “Hey. I was wondering if you’d like to go out sometime.” You blinked. “Out?”

“Like… a date.” You looked genuinely surprised. “Oh. Bucky, I-I thought you were just being friendly.”

“Not very good at that,” he mumbled. You gave a small smile, almost apologetic. “You’re great. I just… I’m not really dating right now.” His heart sank. “Right. Sure. That’s fine.” He walked off before you could see the way his shoulders dropped. That night, he sparred with Natasha for two hours and didn’t block a single hit.

Attempt #6: Reverse Psychology.

If you didn’t want to go out with him, fine. He’d just… stop trying. For three weeks, he acted normal. Friendly. Polite. Aloof. You noticed. “Bucky,” you said one morning, poking your head into the common room, “are you mad at me?”

“No.”

“…Are you sure? You’ve barely looked at me lately.”

“I’m just giving you space.” You sat down beside him. “I didn’t ask for space.” He turned to look at you. “You didn’t want to date me.” You sighed. “That doesn’t mean I want you to ignore me.” He frowned. “You’re confusing.”

“You’re persistent.” He didn’t know what to say to that.

Attempt #7: A Proper Conversation.

He cornered you on the roof one night, both of you staring at the Manhattan skyline like you always did when life felt too big. “Look,” he said, fiddling with the zipper of his jacket, “I know I’m not great at this. And I know I might be... too much sometimes. But I really like you.” You looked at him, unreadable. “I like how you read three books at once and cry at Pixar movies. I like how you argue with Tony and win. I like that you remember how I take my coffee and yell at me to wear sunscreen. I like you.” He held your gaze. “So, if you’re saying no because you’re not interested, I’ll stop. But if you’re saying no because you’re scared or not ready or something else… I’ll wait.” Silence. Then, “I wasn’t sure if you were serious,” you whispered. “I thought maybe you were just being nice. Or bored.”

“I’ve been through wars. I’ve been brainwashed. I’ve been cryogenically frozen. I’m not bored.” That made you laugh. Soft and genuine. “Okay,” you said finally. “Ask me again.”

“…What?” You stepped closer. “Ask me on a date. For real. One more time.” He swallowed, heart thundering. “Will you go out with me?” You smiled. “Yes.”

Sam found Bucky the next morning sitting at the breakfast table with the goofiest grin he'd ever seen. “What happened to you?” he asked, suspicious. Bucky looked up, dreamy. “She said yes.” Sam blinked. “Wait. She? You mean-finally?!” Bucky nodded. Sam threw his arms in the air. “Jesus. I thought I’d have to ask her out for you.” Bucky growled, but he was still smiling. He had a date with you on Friday. He’d already bought the oat milk cappuccino. Just in case.

[ramen8008]

Give me Percy asking his mom if he can invite some of his orphan friends for the holidays. She says yes of course so he does. He invites Leo, Hazel, and Frank. And though Sally knows of them this is the first time she meets them.

So she opens to see this kid wearing nice clothes as if they are just wrong. His hair made as he continuously resists the urge to run his hands through it. He's shorter than she imagined. He's also too skinny. And it turns out he's Leo Valdez, the kid who can summon fire, who built not only a giant mechanical dragon but also the flying ship they travelled thousands of miles on past multiple oceans and monsters. The kid who Hera and Gaia presented themselves to as a kid, the kid who's the only one in centuries to possess the power he does only for it to be one that was a reminder of what killed his mom. And he's in her front door, a too skinny, fidgeting kid with a small gift bag.

Then it's Hazel and Frank (and Nico but she's mostly used to him). The girl who came back from the dead, the one who can bring out cursed jewels from the Earth, who was a black girl alive at the time of World War, and here she is. And she's this adorable kid who's well dressed and presented who calls Sally "Ma'am" and thanks her.

And then Frank who can turn into any animal in existence, the one who killed a titan while he was turned into a bear, the one who's a master archer, the one who's the son of ARES. And he's this pudgy yet buff adorable kid who seems awkward and gives her a small thanks as he hands her a cake box.

All this and she's amazed because although she knows, seeing them like this just reminded her that they're just kids.

Anyways they have a nice dinner, Paul plays games with them, Hazel has a sailor's mouth when she's playing card games, Frank has a horrible poker face so he just turns into a reptile or something to hide his face, Leo is always trying to cheat but never admits it, ( he makes a little robot to freak Paul out so he can change his dice).

Nico ALWAYS wins in card games except uno in which he loses horribly each and every time.

They all compete to wash the dishes and help Sally but she tells them no and to Percy's disappointment tells him to clean the dishes. Which he does, by controlling the water. And they lose it. They try not to show but they can't believe that Percy Jackson, the one who has defeated Kronos, who went through Tartarus, who fought Ares when he was 12, rejected immortality, and so much more. And here he is washing dishes for his mom while pouting about it.

[theonlyonesora]

The Man Who Married Me

PAIRING: Lewis Hamilton x Reader x Max Verstappen

CH – 11

London – Lizzie’s House After Australia

The clink of your fork hitting porcelain was the only sound in the room for a moment. Dinner sat barely touched between you and Lizzie, the comfort of home-cooked food long forgotten in the weight of her stare.

She’d been quiet at first. Watching. Reading you like only someone who’d known you since braces and church camps could. Then finally, she snapped.

“So you’re just going to let him keep cheating on you like this?”

Your head lifted slowly. You didn’t even flinch at the word cheating anymore. It had lost its sting.

“He’s not cheating on me,” you said, almost robotically, poking the mashed potatoes on your plate.

Lizzie rolled her eyes like she was physically restraining herself from throwing something. “Yes, he is. If he’s the only one who benefits from this nonsense of an ‘open marriage,’ it’s basically just you giving him a permission slip to do whatever he wants.”

“You’re not helping me,” you muttered.

“Oh yes, I am,” she snapped. “I’m trying to open your eyes. What happened to you?”

You exhaled. Tired. Hollow. “Honestly… I don’t know.”

She leaned forward, voice softer now, but still unforgiving. “You’ve become a shadow of the woman I once knew.”

That cut deep. Too deep. Because you knew it was true.

You laughed. Bitter and broken. “Do you think I don’t know that? Do you think I haven’t noticed that I’m not myself anymore? I feel like I’m walking through water all the time. Like I can’t breathe. I don’t know what to do. What do you want me to do?!”

“You only have two options,” Lizzie said firmly. “Either you start using this stupid contract… or you get a divorce.”

You stared at her, eyes wide with something like grief. “I don’t want to go to bed with someone I don’t know.”

She didn’t blink. “It doesn’t have to be a stranger.”

“It’s supposed to be without feelings, Liz. No attachment. And I can’t do it unless I get attached to the person.”

Lizzie leaned back, crossing her arms with a shake of her head.

“Oh, God bless your sincerity,” she muttered. “But please, for the first time in your life, lie about something.”

“I can’t lie to him,” you snapped, more to yourself than to her.

“Yes, you can,” she said sharply, leaning in. “Do you really believe Lewis is out there sleeping with completely random women he’s never seen before? Please, don’t insult yourself. You’re smarter than that. He’s Lewis Hamilton. If he was really sleeping with just anyone, it would’ve been in the press by now. He’s too careful. Too calculating. He’s probably seeing someone he’s known for years—quiet, discreet, safe. And you’re sitting here playing house while he lives a double life with your permission.”

Your eyes burned. Shame. Anger. But mostly the echo of one cruel truth: She wasn’t wrong.

You set your fork down carefully, voice barely above a whisper. “When did I become so stupid?”

Lizzie softened then, just slightly. Her voice lowered. “You’re not stupid,” she said. “You’re in love.”

And somehow, that made you want to cry more than anything else. Because being in love shouldn’t feel like this. Like being the only one fighting a war that no one else even admitted was happening.

2:07 a.m.

The city was asleep. At least, most of it was. Streetlights cast soft, golden halos over empty sidewalks. The hum of distant traffic rolled in faintly through your cracked-open window, mingling with the clink of the ice in your untouched glass of wine.

You were curled up on the couch, legs tucked beneath you in one of Lewis’s old hoodies—faded, oversized, and far too warm for the spring air. But you wore it anyway. Like a security blanket. Or maybe just a habit.

Lizzie’s words echoed in the quiet. “You only have two options...Start using the contract or get divorced.”

You didn’t feel brave enough for either option. But you also couldn’t sit in the dark waiting for your life to make the next move.

So you did something else instead. Something unexpected. Something honest.

Your phone lay on the arm of the couch, screen dim, notifications silent. You reached for it, unlocked it without thinking, and hovered over a name you’d stopped yourself from texting so many times.

Max Verstappen.

You stared at the screen for a long while, thumb frozen. And then, simply:

[You]: Can’t sleep. Want to come over for a drink?

The message sat there. Innocent. Small. But your heart raced like you’d just crossed a finish line at 300kph.

You didn’t expect an answer right away. But it came.

[Max]: Be there in 15.

You stared at the screen again. He didn’t ask questions. Didn’t say “is everything okay?” or ��why now?” Just be there.

And suddenly, you realized you hadn’t taken a full breath all night—until now.

You got up slowly, pulling your hair out of the messy knot it had lived in all day. The wineglass was still untouched, so you poured another.

.

The knock came soft and steady. You opened the door.

Max stood there, in a black hoodie and jeans, hair a little tousled, a small tired smile on his lips. His eyes met yours—and whatever they saw there made him hesitate for half a second.

Not because he was unsure. But because he knew this moment meant something.

“Hi,” he said simply.

“Hi.”

You stepped aside. He entered.

The door closed. The silence settled again. But it wasn’t the same kind of silence. It wasn’t empty.

You handed him a glass. He took it, fingers brushing yours.

Then you both sat on the couch. Close, but not touching. The TV glowed with an old Formula 1 documentary muted in the background—an accidental irony.

You didn’t say much. Not right away.

Just sat. Sipped. Breathed.

And for the first time in months, you didn’t feel like you were pretending to be okay. You were just… existing. With someone who didn’t ask anything of you except to show up.

After a long pause, Max finally spoke.

“You don’t have to tell me what happened,” he said softly. “But I’m here if you do.”

You looked over at him, lips parting, unsure what to say.

But all that came out was: “Thank you for coming.”

His gaze didn’t waver. “Anytime.”

The second glass of wine hit harder than the first. It settled deep in your chest, loosening the weight that had lived there for far too long. Max sat beside you on the couch, his arm stretched along the backrest, fingers absently tapping against the fabric.

Outside, London had fallen into its quietest hour. Inside, you were trying not to spiral into the sound of your own heartbeat.

He hadn’t asked you to explain—but you felt it coming up anyway. A wave of truth, too heavy to keep buried.

“I told a friend,” you said suddenly, staring into the last sip of your wine, “about my marriage.”

Max glanced at you. “And?”

You nodded slowly. “She said I either needed to use the agreement I made with Lewis… or leave him.”

Max said nothing. Just let the words hang there. Let you lead.

“She told me to start seeing someone,” you continued, forcing a tight smile. “Or this is just letting him get away with cheating.”

“Is he?” Max asked quietly.

You exhaled. “I don’t know. I mean... I gave him permission, didn’t I?”

He shifted slightly, his gaze still fixed on you. You didn’t want to look back. But you did.

“And why me?” he asked, his voice still soft, but clear. “Out of everyone. Why’d you ask me to come over?”

You hesitated. Then, with the kind of honesty that only comes when you're this tired and this cracked open, you said: “Because I couldn’t think of anyone else.”

Max’s face didn’t change. He just nodded, once, as if he already knew the answer.

Silence again. But now it pulsed with something different.

Then, he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, turning slightly to face you fully. His expression was unreadable—but his voice was anything but.

“Do you want to sleep with me?”

You froze.

He had asked it plainly. Not out of arrogance. Not even with expectation. Just… calm. Still. Like he wanted to put the question in your hands, not his.

His eyes were on you. Unflinching. No shame. No hesitation.

Your breath caught.

The rational part of you screamed to wait, to think, to not answer after two glasses of wine and a month of heartbreak.

But the rest of you—the hollowed out, tired, lonely part—answered for you.

“Yes.”

It came out small. A whisper. But it was real.

Max leaned in slowly, his hand reaching up, fingers brushing your cheek before sliding behind your neck, his eyes asking one more time in silence.

And this time, you kissed him.

It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t messy. It wasn’t anything like what it should have been.

It was quiet. Warm. Safe.

Your hands curled into the fabric of his hoodie, his lips soft against yours, the wine and the weight of three months dissolving in the space between you.

And for a moment, you didn’t think about Lewis. Or Lizzie. Or the lie that your marriage had become.

You just thought about this: You chose him. And for the first time in a long, long time—you didn’t feel alone.

The kiss deepened slowly at first—but the restraint was short-lived. You didn’t move like two people testing waters. You moved like two people who had been waiting.

Max’s hand slid along your jaw, thumb stroking your cheek as he kissed you again, harder now, lips parting against yours like he was drinking from something he’d been dying for. His body shifted closer, one knee resting on the couch between your legs, and your hands gripped his hoodie like it was the only thing keeping you upright.

There was no hesitation—just heat.

No permission—just instinct.

You didn’t speak when you tugged his hoodie upward. You just broke the kiss long enough for him to help pull it over his head, revealing the smooth expanse of his chest, lean muscle under pale skin, the rise and fall of his breath already heavier.

Your hands ran over his ribs, his sides, every inch you hadn’t let yourself imagine before—but now you did. Openly. Hungrily.

Max groaned softly when your lips grazed the line of his jaw, then down to his neck, your teeth teasing just below his ear. “Fuck,” he breathed, his hand gripping your thigh over your pajama shorts.

“Are you sure?” he murmured, voice gravel low, lips brushing your collarbone. “Because once I start, I’m not stopping until I know you feel it—really feel it.”

You pulled back just enough to look him in the eye.

“I need to feel something,” you said, voice shaking with truth.

And that was all he needed.

You were already flat against the couch cushions when he kissed you again, this time deeper, hungrier. His hand pushed under your shirt, fingertips exploring every curve, every inch of you with reverence and urgency. Your back arched when his mouth found the sensitive skin just below your ribs, trailing kisses that made your thighs squeeze involuntarily.

Clothes disappeared between kisses and gasps. Your shirt. His pants. Your shorts. His boxer briefs. Every barrier shed like a truth you’d stopped hiding.

He slid down between your legs like he was built to be there, spreading your thighs with steady, patient hands, mouth pressing to the inside of your knee before trailing upward with maddening control.

“Max…” you whispered, a breath more than a word.

“Say it again,” he said, voice rough against your skin.

“Max.”

He didn’t tease after that. His mouth met you with slow, deep strokes of his tongue, your breath catching in your throat, your hips jerking up toward him.

He was focused, attentive. Worshipping. It wasn’t about performance—this was about you. And when you came with a cry into the dark, thighs trembling, fingers buried in his hair—he didn’t stop until he’d pulled every last ripple from your body.

He came back up, kissed your lips again, slower this time, and whispered against them:

“You’re not a shadow, you know. Not to me.”

You were still panting when he entered you—not fast, not careless, but with a deep, rolling thrust that made your whole body tremble. Your eyes fluttered shut as he filled you completely, forehead pressed to yours, breath mingling.

This wasn’t casual. This wasn’t just physical.

It was years of quiet admiration. Months of stolen glances. And a lifetime’s worth of longing pressed into skin and breath and heat.

Your legs wrapped around his waist, heels digging into the small of his back as he moved inside you—slow, deep, deliberate. Like he needed you to remember this.

Like he needed himself to remember it.

“You don’t have to lie anymore,” he whispered. “Not with me.”

You kissed him. Hard. And he swallowed your whimper when he angled deeper, stroking that place inside you that made the world go quiet.

The second time you came, you were gasping into his shoulder, nails digging into his skin, and he was still moving—still chasing, still worshipping, until he finally buried himself deep with a groan that broke apart in your ear, his whole body shaking with release.

He didn’t move for a long time.

Just rested his forehead against yours, both of you tangled in each other, breathless, undone.

“This changes things,” you whispered.

Max nodded, eyes still closed.

“I know.”

And for once, the truth didn’t feel heavy. It felt like relief.

Lizzie is so me!!

TAG LIST: @virtualperfectioncat , @starrgir1 , @the-secret-formulaone, @anunstablefangirl, @tillyt04, @dakotapaigelove, @loadedwafflefries, @forensicheart

[guiltyasreid]

Gorgeous ll Bucky Barnes x reader

warnings/tags: non, fluff, total fluff, fem reader, drinking word count: 1226 a/n: wrote this in an hour because i saw an edit of bucky to this song on tiktok and couldnt get it out of my head

It had been a long time since you’d been to the tower—maybe a year or two. A robot had nearly taken over the world (well, nearly decimated it, but details).

The tower still looked as it always did: people rushing around, trying to make something of themselves under the Stark name. The only difference now was that the Avengers had moved upstate. In an official capacity, anyway.

Stark still liked to host his parties at the tower, much to the dismay of his security.

When you got the invite, you rolled your eyes and ignored it. But then Pepper texted you to come, and you sighed, found a dress, and now stood in the middle of a sea of rich people.

Tony called out your name as he stumbled into you; he shook you, lifting you off the floor for a second.

“Tony,” you greeted him, giving him a small hug.

If there was one thing Tony Stark was, it was eccentric.

“No drink? Have mine,” he said, pressing his glass into your hand.

“You’re already drunk,” you snorted.

“I’m convinced Nat is giving me watered-down shit,” Tony replied seriously. “You have this. I’m going to get the real stuff.” He wiggled his brows. “Oh look, there’s Capsicle and his assassin buddy.”

He pushed you in Steve’s direction. Steve greeted you with a smile. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“I didn’t either,” you replied, taking a sip of the drink Tony handed you. You scrunched your nose. “This is not watered down.”

“Tony?”

“Tony,” you confirmed with a nod. “Here, you take it. It tastes horrid.”

“Then have mine. It’s something strawberry.” You swapped glasses, clinked them together.

“Oh, this is my friend Bucky,” Steve said, turning you to face the man who was watching you both.

If anyone asked why you choked on your drink, you’d say it was because you drank too quickly.

The truth was: Bucky was a gorgeous man. Tall, dark-haired, and too handsome to be real. Ocean-blue eyes that made you feel like you were drowning. Your breath hitched—you couldn’t look away. His hair fell around his face, sharpening his already rugged features. His broad shoulders were hugged by a fitted black shirt that had to be a size too small. It was ridiculous. How was this man just that handsome?

“A pleasure,” you said, holding out a hand that you hoped wasn’t clammy. Internally, you were on fire. He looked way too cool to be at this party. Full offence to the rest of the Avengers.

“The pleasure’s all mine, ma’am.”

His hands were calloused and firm, but soft enough to feel like a pillow to your own. His hand engulfed yours and you were pissed. Even his hands are hot.

“Ma’am?” You snickered, trying to ignore your thoughts. “Very Steve of you.”

“Bucky’s my friend from the war,” Steve explained quickly. You blinked at him, then looked back at Bucky, who was glancing between you both. If he looked at you for more than a second, you were sure you’d implode.

“That… makes sense,” you said, swallowing down your drink. “I’m going to get another. Want anything?”

“Whisky on ice?” Steve asked Bucky, who nodded.

If you took two shots at the bar, no one knew. Except Natasha, who raised an eyebrow. You shook your head, hoping she wouldn’t ask.

You returned with their drinks and your own, which you stared at instead of looking at Bucky.

Pool was played. Your body relaxed as the night went on. You were convinced Sam was cheating, but since he was on your team, you said nothing.

“Switch?” you heard and thought nothing of it—until Bucky stood at your side instead of Sam. You took another sip of your drink, bracing yourself.

“You want to go first?” he asked. You just nodded silently, not trusting your voice.

If you watched him lean over the pool table, that was between you and God. If you sighed when he grinned at Steve after potting a ball, you hoped no one heard. You were furious. There was no way this man was real. You didn’t know if you were mad that he was gorgeous, or that he wasn’t yours.

You snapped upright at your own thought.

Sam moved a ball with the back of his stick and you pointed at him. “That’s cheating!”

“I didn’t even touch it,” Sam said, offended.

“You’re lying. I saw it with these two eyes, man.”

“You sure? Pretty sure you were checking out Buck’s ass.” Sam grinned as he took his shot.

Your face burnt. But before you could respond, Bucky answered coolly, “Don’t call me Buck.”

He disregarded Sam’s comment like it was nothing.

Your thoughts spiralled. Why didn’t he react? Did he know? How obvious were you? Was he ignoring it because it was awkward? Oh god—what if he hated you now?

Unconsciously, you drifted closer to Bucky like he had his own gravitational pull. Your team won and you threw up a finger in Sam’s direction.

“In your face!”

You ducked into the bathroom. As you washed your hands, your thoughts raced. Did he have a girlfriend? Whoever she was, she was lucky. If he didn’t—why not? You pressed your cold hands to your cheeks, trying to ground yourself. The bathroom definitely made you feel more drunk than you actually were.

When you stumbled out (from the shoes, not the alcohol), you unfortunately bumped into the plague of your thoughts. Bucky.

“You alright there, doll?” His hands burnt against your bare arms—even the one made of metal.

“Doll?” You echoed. “I… doll.”

If you’d short-circuited, it must’ve shown—his face turned worried.

“I’m okay,” you rushed out with a quick nod.

He smiled, and your insides melted. “Good. Wouldn’t want you getting hurt.”

“Are you single?” You blurted.

His eyes widened. Yours did too. And before he could respond, you spun on your heel and rushed down the corridor.

The landing pad was blessedly empty. The rails were up, the wind was sharp, and the New York skyline was hazy in mist.

“So stupid,” you muttered, leaning over the rail.

It had to be the alcohol. You hadn’t acted like this since high school. First, you could barely speak to him. Then you asked if he was single. And every time he looked at you, it was like your whole body went up in flames. Maybe that was his superpower—making people fall for him.

The door opened.

You didn’t have to look to know who it was.

“Oh god,” you mumbled, not realising he could hear you.

He walked over, sleeves rolled up, eyes drifting across the skyline before landing on you.

“I am so sorry,” you began, already rambling. “I shouldn’t have asked that earlier. It was stupid. And I’m sorry about Sam’s comment. The question just came out like word vomit and I couldn’t stop it, and running away was definitely worse, and I’m just—really sorry.”

He stared at you with those blue eyes again. His hair was pushed back, showing more of his face.

“I am,” he said. “Are you?”

You blinked. “What?”

“I’m single. Are you?” He repeated, hands in his pockets.

You blinked again. Deer in headlights. You opened your mouth to say something—anything—but just nodded instead.

He smiled at your expression. “May I take you out to dinner, then?”

You nodded again, stiffly. What in the actual fuck was happening?

“Let’s get back inside before you catch a chill,” he said, holding out his arm. Without thinking, you took it.

“You’re pretty cute, you know.”

You grinned and looked away, a shy smile tugging at your lips. “You’re gorgeous. It should be illegal.”

He laughed, head thrown back, as you both walked into the party again.

You glanced up at him, studying him for a moment.

He truly was gorgeous.

[call-mi-jinx]

Theodore Nott X Reader - What of it?

warnings: the war did not happen, arguing, mentions of injury, mentions of hurting, slight hufflepuff hate, fluff

summary: you and theo were best friends. but when you both got accepted into hogwarts but sorted into different house. you made a promise to each other to stay together. after theo made new friends he broke his promise. now you and theo compete against each in quidditch and academically. until he badly hurts you in a match. will he change his ways? or stay the same person he now is?

Main Masterlist Theodore Nott Masterlist

a/n - this is based off of this ask, hope y'all enjoy becos i LUV this idea. ta ta my lovelies! xx

theodore nott x fem!reader

Nott and I had a history. We used to be best friends. Our houses were very close to each other growing up. And we were both accepted into Hogwarts when we were 11. He had run to my house and banged on the door 'til somebody answered to see if I had gotten a letter as well. We were so excited to go to school together. We hoped, prayed and begged that the universe would put us into the same house as soon as we were in the castle.

When Nott was placed in Slytherin and I was placed in Ravenclaw, we both promised each other we'd still hang out together every chance we could.

We both kept our promise. Until he became close friends with Malfoy. That's when the time he'd spend with me began to fade into less and less amounts. Until we never saw each other outside of lesson.

Now, I'm glad he didn't keep his promise. He's turned into a right dickhead ever since he became friends with Malfoy. We're in 7th year now, he hangs out with Malfoy and his lot. And I'm friends with the Weasley twins, Luna Lovegood and Delilah Halifax from my Quidditch team, we also share a room along with Luna. Although I only have 4 friends, I'm fine with it. I like when my circle is small.

It's lunchtime in the Great Hall and all of us are sat together. Although we're only supposed to sit at our House tables, the twins sit with me, Luna and Delilah at the Ravenclaw table. Delilah couldn't have lunch with us today, she decided to get some extra practice before the game later today.

"So Y/N, you ready to get beat at our Quidditch match on Friday?" I shake my head and laugh at Fred's cocky behaviour.

"That's if we beat Slytherin today first. So you should be the ones getting ready to lose cause Slytherin is an easy obstacle to get over." Fred and George mock fear and huddle together. That's until they both had disgusted looks on their faces.

I turned to see who they were giving dirty looks to, and it was perfectly understandable. It was Nott, Malfoy and Zabini. Nott and Malfoy had disgusted looks on their faces while Zabini didn't show any emotion at all. Sometimes I wondered if he was a robot.

"You seriously think you can beat us? We're ten times better than you even if we had only three people on our team." Malfoy laughs at us, Nott along with him. God, they were so annoying.

"That's rich seeing as you got beaten by Hufflepuff last month, and not to be rude to them but we know how bad they are." Malfoy and Nott stopped laughing. Obviously struck a nerve there.

"They cheated, of course they were going to beat us if they were cheating." Hufflepuff did not cheat baring in mind. Nott looked me up and down with utter distaste all over his face. I put my middle finger up at him and turned back to Fred and George.

"It doesn't matter who wins, it's just a game." Luna says to the Slytherin boys, trying to diffuse the situation. They look at her and burst out laughing.

"Oh pipe down Loony Lovegood, go chase some fargles or whatever you call them." Nott's words make Luna look down in embarrassment.

I stand up from the bench and get toe to toe with Nott. I was pissed. I'm fine him picking on me but when he picks on Luna. That's when I get pissed off.

"You better walk away Nott, or I swear to God." I looked at him with pure hate. My nostrils were flared, jaw and fists clenched, my back rigid, shoulders pulled back. He smirked then scoffed at me. What a prick.

"Come on, wasting our time on freaks like them." And with that, they turned away from us and walked to their table. I sat back down with Luna and the twins, and fake gagged.

"Cannot believe I used to be mates with him." The twins laughed while Luna smiled and then continued reading The Quibble.

"I can't either, you're the complete opposite of him. He's a massive dickhead, and you're not." I laughed at George's statement. But when I actually thought about it. I always wondered how and why he became like this. I mean, a lot can happen in 7 years but he changed drastically in the first year and has stayed the same since.

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It was 5 minutes before the match started between Ravenclaw and Slytherin. I was quite nervous, I really wanted to win this game. I had my broom in hand and was practicing my breathing techniques to calm me down. I felt a hand on my shoulder and it was Delilah, one of my closest friends on the Quidditch team.

"You're going to be amazing Y/N, don't freak out. You're literally one of our best players." I gave Delilah a tight lipped smile and that's when I heard the music, signaling for us all to come out and onto the pitch.

Ravenclaw flew up first and we all took positions, I was a beater. Then Slytherin followed and did the same, Nott was a beater as well. I just knew he'll try to pull the little trick he did our last match against each other.

Last match, he got one of the Slytherin girls to put a jinx on my broom, causing my broom to try and throw me off of it, but I had a firm grip and luckily I didn't go flying.

The whistle blew, starting the game. I still couldn't get control of my breathing, I don't know what was wrong with me today. I focused as much as I could.

The game was going quite well for us, the score was 50-30 to Ravenclaw. To put it simply we were winning. No one on our team had gotten hit by a bludger, pushed off their broomstick or anything like that. Yet.

I saw a bludger going straight towards Delilah so I flew over to her as fast as I could and successfully hit it in a different direction. She nodded her head at me with a smile but the smile soon turned to fear.

"Y/N! Look-" Before she could finish her sentence I was hit in the head very hard with something and was knocked clean out.

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I wake up in the medical wing, I had no idea how I got here and looked around to see if I could ask anyone what happened. Until I saw the twins, practically running to my bed.

"Blimey Y/N we thought you had died. Took a right hit didn't you?" Fred said, with that cheeky smile he and George always have on their faces.

"Did Ravenclaw win?" Was the first thing I said. God I sound like a right weirdo only caring about a game. Fred and George laughed.

"Jesus Y/N, that's the first thing you think about when you wake up?" I gave George a look and Fred elbowed him slightly while trying to hold back a grin.

"But yes, you did win. And Ravenclaw beat Gryffindor as well." I was confused. It's past Friday? How long have I been out for?

"Wait... What even happened? And how long have I been out?" I felt a sharp pain in the back of my head and realised my arm was in a sling.

"Nott hit a bludger to the back of your head. You were out in seconds. Then you went falling and falling and then you hit the ground and you'd be able to hear the sound it made from Luna's house." George explained to me, my eyes widened. What the fuck? I get that Nott and I don't like each other but that is low, even for him.

"And you were out for about 2 weeks. You've never been hurt that long it was like a bloody coma." Fred piped up. He then paused, as if he wanted to say something.

"What? Tell me." George and Fred looked to each other, silently asking each other if they should tell me.

"Nott visited you every day after the match." They both answered in unison. I didn't know how to react. Why would he visit me?

"Did you ever ask him why?" They both shook their head 'no' in unison.

"Didn't want to get a bludger to the head like you did Trouble." Fred's words made me giggle. But the question always stuck in the back of my head for the rest of the day.

Why?

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It's been around three days since I woke up from my 'mini coma,' as the twins call it. Madame Pomfrey told me that I shouldn't go to Quidditch practice or move my arm until the potion she gave me wears off. Delilah checked up on me whenever she could though, she was very kind.

Luna has been by my side ever since I was allowed to go back to attending my lessons, said she "wanted to protect me." Bless her soul.

She was walking me to my potions lesson, which was second period, because she had a free period and had nothing else to do. While I was walking and checking my bag for everything I needed, she was skipping alongside me looking at the walls and everything around her. She was in her own little world.

When we finally got to the room I had to be in, dread filled my whole entire body. Snape had changed the seating plan and had placed me next to Nott. How wonderful.

I said bye to Luna and walked into the room, Nott was already there. And he was staring at me. God I really hope he doesn't take the piss cause after what he did I won't care that he visited me.

I sat down in my seat next to Nott and got my books and quill out. There was such an uncomfortable silence between us but I did not want to talk to him at all.

Snape began teaching his lesson like usual, until he said that we were making a potion. In the pairs we were placed in. Meaning I was paired with Nott. Could my day get any fucking worse?

We had to make a Wit-Sharpening potion. This is probably what I missed cause what the fuck even is that? And that is when I realised we had to talk to each other.

"You know what to do?" Nott finally piped up. Damn, didn't think he'd actually talk to me unless it was something rude.

"Not at all if I'm being honest." Nott nodded in response. I just stayed sat in my seat and let him make the potion, only passing him things if they were too far out of his reach.

The lesson went by quickly, thank God. And it was also break, so I'd be meeting the twins, Luna and Delilah in our usual spot at the courtyard.

When I reached the courtyard, all of them were already there and my usual seat on the bench was still vacant. Buzzing.

"Hey there girly." Delilah greeted me as she walked up to me and gave me a hug. We both pulled away at the same time.

"First day back going good?" My face answered her question. I looked exhausted and annoyed at the same time.

"Snape changed the seating plan so I have to sit next to the biggest dickhead I've ever had the displeasure of meeting." She immediately knew who it was and let out a slight chuckle.

We both then headed over to Luna and the twins and enjoyed our break. The twins were playing pranks on people, me and Delilah were talking about anything and everything, and Luna was reading an unnamed book. This is how we liked it. Although we were focused on different things, it was still spending time together.

Break then ended so we all had to go to our lessons. Luna and George had DAD, Delilah had Transfiguration, and me and Fred had a free period, luckily.

On our walk back to the courtyard, something popped into my head. And my first thought was to ask Fred.

"Why do you think Nott visited me? Do you think it's just because he felt bad?" Fred raised a brow at me, confused as to why I would even care.

"If you want to find that out, Trouble, you'll have to ask him for that. I groaned. I just wanted to find out without talking to him.

"Why do you want to know anyway? Think he likes you?" Fred gasped and put his hands on his mouth, when he finally took them off his mouth he asked, "Or do you like him?" I slapped Fred on the shoulder and gave him a dirty look. Of course I didn't like him, did I? All I think about is him, but only because he's a prick and all he does is be a dickhead towards me. That's what I told myself anyway.

"I don't know to be honest, it's just... In the past few years, he hasn't cared about a single thing I do. And now I find out he visited me every day while I was in the hospital wing." Fred nodded in understanding and we left it at that.

We finally made it back to the courtyard and sat down on our bench. But, as soon as me and Fred settled down in the courtyard after walking everyone to their lessons, Fred got called to Professor McGonagall's office. Great, he's going to be forever if it's McGonagall. Now I have to spend 2 hours on my own.

I thought I'd just walk around the castle and try and find a new place I haven't been to yet, but I've been everywhere we possibly could go when I used to skip lessons with the twins.

When I turned round a corner, I saw Nott, just leaning against a wall and smoking a cigarette. Gross. That's when Fred's words played back in my head. "You'll have to ask him for that." Maybe I should. Before I could even make a decision my feet were already walking me over to him.

He saw me, put out his cigarette, put his hands in his pockets then turned his body to face me fully.

"What? Want to argue with me bout some-" I cut him off before he could even say something snarky, which earned an annoyed look from him.

"Why did you visit me in the hospital wing?" His face went a shade lighter. He thought no one except Madame Pomfrey had seen him and he had asked her to keep it between them. Then he thought. The twins.

"What of it? It's a need to know basis anyway Y/L/N." With that he turned around and began to walk away. No. Now that I'm here, doing this, he is not walking away until I get an answer. I began to walk at a fast pace to keep up with him.

"Well I need to know, so tell me." It was hard trying to keep up with him, he had such big fucking strides it was hard to keep up.

"No. You don't." It went back and forth like this for around 3 minutes until I heard him groan and was then pushed into an empty classroom. He had locked the door when I had realised we were in a classroom and I was leaning against a desk.

"Why do you want to know so badly? This is the most you've talked to me in years and it's about me visiting you in the hospital wing?" I subconsciously scoffed. Why the fuck was he acting like I had been the cause for the end of our friendship?

"Well I'd have talked to you more if you had let me. But no, Theodore Nott is way too fucking good for me to speak to. You are the reason we stopped talking in 1st year. I tried and tried to keep our friendship, but you were too busy becoming bum buddies with fucking Malfoy. So just answer my fucking question so I can leave." Nott rolled his eyes at me, acting as if I had done something wrong.

"We are not bum buddies." I scoffed at him and raised a brow. I stepped away from the desk and took a step closer to him.

"That's all you got from what I said? God you really have fucking changed. Dickhead." Nott began to get pissed off. His eyebrows lowered and nostrils flared.

"Now just fucking tell me why you visited me." I kept repeating it to piss him off. He ran his hand over his face and looked like he was about to lose it.

"Fine!" His voice boomed throughout the classroom. I took a step back, my eyes wide. I had never heard him shout before.

"You want to know why I visited you? Because I care about you, more than you can imagine and I felt so fucking bad for hitting you with that bludger. I didn't even mean to! And before you ask how come I only just cared now I haven't stopped caring about you. Even when we weren't friends. And it's because I love you! I have ever since start of 1st year." What the fuck? My eyes widened even more and my jaw dropped. Well that was a bombshell and a half.

"I thought we hated each other. And why didn't you tell me this sooner?" Nott laughed, but had a sad look on his face. He took a few steps towards me, we were now toe to toe.

"Because I'd rather you hate me and talk to me, than for you to not talk to me or acknowledge me at all." I felt horrible. All these years. He hadn't hated me, but he had loved me instead. My heart shattered, I had never felt so horrible more than I do right now in my entire life.

"Oh Theo..." I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tight. I didn't know what else to do. He didn't reciprocate for a few seconds but then I felt him slowly start to hug me back. We stood like that for God knows how long.

We then both pulled away and just looked at each other. I had forgotten how beautiful he actually was. His eyes were a beautiful shade of blue-grey. His hair fell perfectly on his face. His jawline had looked like it was carved by angels. He grew up to be bloody gorgeous.

"I'm sorry... Y/N..." Never in my whole entire life had I heard Theodore Nott apologise. Not once. And now the first time I hear it, it's to me.

"I wish you had told me sooner Theo..." My hands move from his neck to the sides of his face. He gave me a small smile and a slight chuckle.

"How could I have told you? I fucked it up for myself. Especially when I said all those things to your friends..." I rolled my eyes, he raised a brow at me in confusion.

"If you just apologise, and actually mean it, then I'm sure they'll forgive you. They don't hold grudges once someone has apologised and realised what they've done." Theo sighed with relief. He looked to the side, as if he was thinking proper hard.

"What?" His eyes come back straight to mine, his face looks like he wants to say something but doesn't know if he should or not.

"So what are we then?" The question took me aback. I didn't know how to answer that.

"Well... I don't know..." I paused, trying to make a plan in my head. "If anything can we just take it slow? Need to wrap my mind around all this." We both giggled. We both looked up to each other and just stared.

I felt myself moving closer to him, and I could see him doing the same. We both paused until our lips were centimetres apart.

"Fuck taking things slow." And with that our lips crashed together. His hands took place on my waist and he squeezed it. My hands were still on his face so I tried to pull him impossibly closer than he already was. My arm hurt slightly, even though Madame Pomfrey told me not to move it I ignored it anyway. The kiss was passionate, but soft at the same time. I think Theo couldn't decide whether to be gentle or not. We both pulled away for air, I opened my eyes and couldn't help but smile.

"I'm sorry Y/N/N, I mean it. I truly am." I hadn't heard that nickname in years. Only Theo used to call me that. It was reserved only for him, I told everyone else who used it the same.

"It's okay Theo, I was just as bad as you." We both laughed and then hugged each other.

Did not think my first day back would go like this.

[enjakey]

Chapter 1- prolonged interlude

THE CERTAIN ROMANCE OF WINGS AND WAR

previous chapter | next chapter

PAIRING: [DAD!JAKE SIM x FEM!READER]!MAFIA AU

TW/N: 12.5k- Mafia au | soulmates au | angel/devil wings au | childhood best friends au | frenemies au | I didn’t know I loved you until I lost you | eloping/running away | family friends au | found family au | cheating, blood, drugs, mentions of sex, alcohol, lots of cussing, mentions of murder, guns, therapy, trauma, abandoning children, adoption care, estranged families, physical abuse, anger issues, characters make terrible decisions, some characters have sexual relations but not romantic, mentions of a lot of fucking each other over (betrayal), can't trust anyone.

SUMMARY: five years after the death of Jay, Y/N remains entangled in her mafia family’s world, navigating dynamics with Jake, Sunghoon, and the others. Late-night calls with Jake become common, while preparations for a volatile family dinner reveal old wounds and secrets. Meanwhile, Luna, Jake’s daughter, brings moments of warmth amid the darkness, and Jungwon enjoys a rare glimpse of normalcy on a date with Alice, highlighting the stark contrasts of his life and Niki's.

SERIES MASTERLIST I MASTERLIST

It was one- maybe two- in the morning when Y/N’s phone began to ring, vibrating urgently under her pillow like a trapped insect. She woke with a sharp, startled gasp, her heart thundering in her chest and sweat already beading along her hairline. For a moment, she sat frozen in the dark, tangled in the sheets and disoriented, her breath coming in shallow bursts as though she’d been dragged violently out of a drowning dream. Only when the persistent buzz rattled against her ribs did she realize what it was. She fumbled beneath her pillow, blinking against the darkness as she pulled out the phone and answered without even checking who was calling.

“Hello?” She croaked, her voice low and rough around the edges, startling even herself with how small and shaky it sounded.

“Did I wake you up?” Jake’s voice spilled through the speaker, quiet and gentle, tinged with an odd softness that made something tighten inside her chest. Even half-asleep, she could hear the strain beneath it- the kind of hidden anxiety he never let most people see.

“From a weird dream, yeah,” Y/N murmured, slumping back against the headboard as her hair spilled over her shoulders. She wedged the phone between her cheek and her shoulder, free hand scrubbing at her eyes in a futile attempt to rub away the lingering fog of sleep. She tried to recall the fleeting fragments of her dream- neon skies and robots, cats with wings and hooves, maybe even two eclipses drifting across a violet sky. She had a vague memory of Jake being there, too, though she couldn’t remember how. But the thought of explaining all that felt far too exhausting right now. “I don’t really remember,” she sighed, letting her head tilt sideways against the cool wood of the headboard.

“Very well then,” Jake said, his voice dipping into that quiet register he reserved for late-night calls and confessions. “I couldn’t sleep. Figured I’d call someone.”

Y/N let out a breath, a soft sound that hovered between relief and resignation. Jake could have called Sunghoon, or Jungwon, or even Niki- after all, they all lived under the same roof- but he’d called her instead. And though she would never admit it aloud, a part of her felt oddly touched, even as exhaustion weighed heavy in her bones. “Why me?” She murmured, her voice still husky with sleep.

There was a small pause on the other end, just long enough for her to hear him breathing, the slight catch in his exhale. “I just… had a feeling you’d be awake,” he confessed at last, and the vulnerability in his tone cut through the last shreds of her grogginess.

She blinked into the shadows of her room, suddenly more awake than she wanted to be. “Why can’t you sleep?” She asked, her voice gentler now.

“Stressed,” he admitted, and Y/N could practically hear his heartbeat thudding behind the word. “We’re all meeting for dinner at your parents’ place tomorrow. Remember?”

“You’re stressed about dinner?” She asked, the corners of her mouth tugging upward despite herself.

“Yeah. Because Dad’s gonna be there- ”

“- like he always is- 

“And he’s gonna start a fight. Like he always does.”

Y/N tipped her head back against the headboard and groaned, scrubbing her palm over her face. “At least you know it’s coming. You can brace yourself for impact,” she tried to sound breezy and unconcerned, but the fond exasperation in her tone betrayed her.

Jake let out a low, frustrated huff. “Ugh. Doesn’t it ever just get… exhausting? How does your dad deal with mine?”

“He has this magical thing called patience,” Y/N shot back, her lips curling into a sleepy grin as she blinked slowly into the dark. “Ever heard of it, Jake?”

“Oh, fuck off,” he muttered, but a laugh slipped out anyway- sharp at first, then dissolving into something softer. The sound of it warmed her chest in a way she hadn’t expected. Before she knew it, she was laughing too, half-buried in her blankets, caught up in the way his laughter rolled through the line and pulled her along with it. For a brief, golden moment, it felt like the years hadn’t built walls between them, like nothing had changed at all.

“You’re worrying about something that won’t even matter an hour after it’s over,” she managed once the laughter subsided, still breathless and half-smiling. “Just go to sleep.”

“Yeah. You’re right,” Jake sighed, the rustle of sheets filling the silence as he shifted, presumably sinking back into his pillow. “I’m gonna try.”

But Y/N hesitated, chewing on the inside of her cheek as her fingers toyed with the edge of her blanket. “Is Luna sleeping?” She asked finally, the question spilling out before she could stop it.

There was another pause, longer this time, and she could almost picture him glancing over at the other side of his bed, his eyes lingering on the empty space where his daughter usually curled up beside him. “Yeah,” he said at last, though his voice was softer, edged with something fragile. “But… she usually crawls into my bed around this time. Not tonight, though…” his words trailed off, as though admitting it made the emptiness feel sharper.

Then, in the background, Y/N heard the faintest creak of a door opening, followed by small, light footsteps padding across the floor.

“Oh- wait. Never mind,” Jake breathed, and she could hear the smile blooming in his voice. “She’s here. I just heard her open the door.”

Y/N felt an unexpected warmth radiate through her chest, the exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

“Goodnight, Y/N,” Jake murmured, his voice gentle and steady now, as though Luna’s presence had soothed something raw inside him.

“Night, Jake,” she whispered back.

The line went dead, leaving Y/N staring up at the dark ceiling, feeling the echo of his laughter and the faint image of a little girl crawling into her father’s bed.

Y/N found herself being wide awake. There was no particular reason for the restless energy buzzing through her veins- she wasn’t weighed down by any specific anxiety or haunted by dark thoughts. It was simply that she’d laughed a little too hard, and now adrenaline simmered under her skin, refusing to let her slip back into sleep’s gentle oblivion.

So she pushed off her covers and padded barefoot across the cool floor of her small studio apartment, the hush of pre-dawn wrapping around her like silk. She drifted from corner to corner, dusting the tucked-away canvases leaning against the wall- paintings her brother had made all those years ago, their once-vibrant colors slightly dulled by time. She paused over each piece, brushing her fingers lightly over the painted surfaces, as if touching them might summon fragments of a simpler past.

She moved on to water the cascading greenery that spilled from hanging pots near her kitchen and windows, their leaves dewy and reaching toward the first hints of dawn. Then she crossed to the balcony and tended to the row of sturdy plants lined up like silent sentinels.

Afterward, she brewed herself a strong coffee and slipped into a soft sweater, the fibers brushing warmly against her skin. She brushed out her hair, splashed her face with cold water, and stepped back onto the balcony, cradling the steaming mug in her palms.

There, she sat in one of the woven chairs, her laptop open nearby, soft music spilling out in hushed tones that blended with the quiet city below. She sipped the bitter coffee and watched as the night peeled away, layer by layer, to reveal the gentle glow of sunrise.

She smiled to herself, lips curving with a mix of amusement and resignation, struck by the sheer absurdity of how peaceful her life seemed in that fleeting moment. Because in just a few hours, she’d be driving to Jake’s house to deal with business that could just as easily descend into violence as end in a polite conversation.

Hours slipped past, and Y/N remained on her balcony, lost in the mesmerizing transformation of the sky, from velvet darkness to gentle gold, then blue streaked with pale pink. It was beautiful, this quiet changing of night into day. Sometimes, she wished life could be as simple as that seamless transition, predictable and inevitable.

But she knew better; her life could never be simple. The thought itself was almost laughable. So she drew in a long breath, let it out in a sigh, and finally rose. She carried her empty mug to the sink and rinsed it under cool water, listening to the soft gurgle of the drain. Then, with a kind of resigned grace, she glided toward her bedroom, already thinking ahead.

Before she knew it, she was slipping into her car, fingers curled around the steering wheel as she guided herself down quiet streets painted with the pale glow of morning. Above her, lovers drifted lazily through the sky, wings unfurled in graceful arcs as they laughed and soared on the crisp breeze. She listened to the echo of their joy, the fluttering rush of feathers and wind, until the trees began to thin and the towering silhouette of Jake’s mansion rose into view, cutting sharp and powerful against the serenity of the early light.

Y/N parked her car at the edge of the long driveway, drawing in a steadying breath before stepping out. The cool morning air bit at her cheeks as she made her way up the path, shoes clicking flatly against the stone.

At the top of the stairs, she spotted Sunghoon, standing stiffly near the grand front door. He had his phone pressed to his ear, one hand jammed deep into his coat pocket while his foot tapped out a frantic, agitated rhythm on the cobblestone. His entire posture radiated frustration, the kind that seemed coiled tight beneath his skin.

Y/N cleared her throat softly, a polite cough paired with the deliberate clack of her shoes. Sunghoon flinched at the sound, quickly shoving his phone back into his pocket. He turned to face her, summoning a smile that sat awkwardly on his face and never quite reached his eyes.

“Something’s wrong,” Y/N observed quietly, studying the way his jaw clenched and relaxed in rapid succession.

Sunghoon didn’t even try to deny it. “It’s my sister,” he muttered, voice thick with irritation and fatigue. “She’s mad at me. Again.”

A year ago, Sunghoon’s life had veered unexpectedly off course. In the middle of a quiet, late-night rabbit hole, he’d stumbled across a fragment of his past- a trail that led him to Natalie, his biological sister. Until then, he’d never known he even had a sister. He had no memories of her, no flickering images of a baby girl left behind. He’d been barely three years old when they were separated, each sent to different orphanages after their parents- a pair of high school teachers- died in a car accident no one in the system ever bothered to explain.

Those were secrets Sunghoon had never uncovered during all the years he’d spent in the place he and Jake eventually reduced to ashes.

“She’s scared, Sunghoon,” Y/N said gently, reaching out to lay a hand on his shoulder. Her fingers squeezed lightly,trying to soothe him.

Y/N had met Natalie only once. It was at an elegant restaurant Sunghoon had rented out entirely, determined to introduce his newfound sister to the whole family in one sweeping gesture. The evening had started polite enough- white tablecloths, flickering candles, the low hum of jazz drifting through the air- but it ended in a quiet disaster.

Natalie, trembling and pale, had erupted at Sunghoon. She’d confessed how terrified she was of his life, how she wanted nothing to do with men who carried guns or left bruises behind. She’d refused his offers of money, insisting she wanted no part of dirty funds, no matter how miserable her current job was. She’d accused him of trying to buy her affection, of dragging her into a world she wanted desperately to avoid.

Since then, it had become a vicious cycle. Natalie would cautiously open her heart to the idea of having a brother- especially one powerful enough to protect her, one who could open doors she’d thought forever closed. But then something would happen- Sunghoon would show up with a cut stitched across his cheek, or the cold imprint of a gun visible beneath his shirt, or grim news about another life lost under his roof. And every time, Natalie would recoil as though burned, fleeing back into her quiet existence, leaving Sunghoon standing there with his hands half-outstretched, always one step too late.

And no matter how desperately he tried to shield her from the darker corners of his world, Sunghoon always seemed to find a way to shatter the fragile peace between them.

Sunghoon let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah. And I keep screwing it up,” his voice cracked around the words, and for a second, he looked far younger than his years, like the boy he once was in that orphanage, just trying to survive.

“She’ll come around,” Y/N said gently, squeezing Sunghoon’s arm.

But Sunghoon shook his head, his jaw working as though he were chewing down words he didn’t want to say. It was clear he had no desire to keep talking about Natalie, not when the ache was still raw. Instead, he pivoted abruptly. “Do you remember Louis?”

Y/N blinked, tilting her head as they started walking toward the grand front doors. “Oh yeah- the shady guy who wanted to buy from us but never paid up?” The memory hit her just as she crossed the threshold into the house, Sunghoon trailing close behind. They made their way into the living room and collapsed onto the velvet couch, nearly in sync.

“Yeah, well, we found someone who works under him. But we’re not getting any information,” Sunghoon cracked his knuckles one by one, the sound sharp in the quiet room, while waiting for Y/N’s reaction.

“See? I told you guys not to trust him,” Y/N shot back, leveling him with an exasperated glare. “Look how much money he’s cost us already.”

Sunghoon sighed because, of course, he’d seen it coming. They never should have tried doing business with a man who wouldn’t even give them a real address. “Well, where’s this guy now?” Y/N asked, folding her arms across her chest.

“Basement,” Sunghoon replied flatly. “We beat the shit out of him, but he’s too loyal-”

“Damn, why don’t we ever find workers that loyal?” Y/N interjected dryly.

“- so he’s just tied up there,” Sunghoon finished, shrugging as he nodded along with Y/N’s pensive expression.

“Does he have children?” She asked, squinting as though already calculating her next move.

“No. We are not bringing kids into this,” Sunghoon cut her off immediately, shaking his head as though disgusted by the thought. “Jake spent hours picking at the guy’s wings already. We’re not dragging his family into it.”

Y/N rolled her eyes, brushing off his scolding. “Well, if nothing’s coming out of him, look for other loose ends and leave him alone for now.”

“Yeah,” Sunghoon agreed, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Now all we need is a decent lead- and Jake to cooperate.”

“Why?” Y/N asked, quirking a brow. “Does he just wanna keep beating the guy in the basement for fun?”

Before Sunghoon could answer, the rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed down the sweeping staircase, quick and light. Jake appeared, striding toward them in a crisp shirt and perfectly tailored pants, his hair still slightly tousled as though he hadn’t quite finished taming it. A grin stretched wide across his face, brown eyes bright and catching the morning sunlight pouring through the windows.

“Talking about me?” He asked, chuckling as he dropped onto the couch beside them, folding his arms across his chest in mock offense.

“Not everything is about you,” Y/N retorted, though a small smile tugged at her lips when Jake flipped her off playfully.

“We were talking about Louis,” Sunghoon clarified, rolling his eyes.

“Ah, that pain in the ass,” Jake tutted, shaking his head. He turned to Y/N. “You were right about him.”

“I’m always right about everything,” she shot back without missing a beat. “You lot just never listen to me,” she rolled her eyes skyward, as if searching for patience from the ceiling.

“Not the point,” Sunghoon interjected quickly.

“Never the point,” Y/N echoed, scrunching her nose as she tossed him a look of mock irritation. Sunghoon rolled his eyes right back at her, and before long, both of them cracked into reluctant smiles, their brief annoyance melting into quiet laughter.

Just then, another set of footsteps padded into the room, these ones soft and light as whispers on tile. A small figure appeared from around the corner- it was Luna, Jake’s five-year-old daughter, wearing a bright purple Rapunzel costume, her long hair spilling in messy waves down her back. Her eyes lit up the moment she spotted Y/N, and she squealed in delight, arms thrown wide as she ran forward.

“Good morning!” Luna chirped, flinging herself into Y/N’s chest.

Y/N caught her easily, scooping her up onto her lap as she settled back on the couch. “Hello, honey,” she cooed, pressing a soft kiss to Luna’s temple.

Jake and Sunghoon watched them, both of them folding their arms across their chests, quiet smiles tugging at their lips. There was always something tender in the way they looked at Y/N and Luna together, as though witnessing a patch of light in an otherwise dark and complicated life.

Luna looked so much like Jake- she had inherited his silky hair, the stubborn set of his jaw, and the spark of mischief in her eyes. But those eyes themselves, pale and opal, were Emily’s. A permanent, silent reminder of the woman who had vanished five years ago, leaving behind both wounds and miracles. 

Yet Luna was loved fiercely, and would always be.

Almost on instinct, Y/N began gently raking her fingers through Luna’s hair, untangling knots with patient care. “I want waffles,” Luna mumbled into her chest, voice muffled by Y/N’s sweater.

“Waffles?” Y/N echoed, eyebrows arching high. “Alright, honey. We’ll get you waffles before dinner,” she began weaving Luna’s hair into a delicate braid as she spoke.

“You spoil her,” Jake said, shaking his head with mock disapproval.

“Someone’s gotta be the cool aunt,” Y/N shot back with a grin. “Where are Jungwon and Niki?”

“Out,” Luna mumbled without looking up.

Jake, Sunghoon, and Y/N exchanged looks over Luna’s head, a silent understanding flickering between them. It was an unspoken rule- an ironclad boundary drawn the moment Luna came into Jake’s life- that talk of work, blood, or violence never touched the air around her. So instead, they simply nodded to each other, a quiet truce settling into the room.

“You and I have training,” Jake said finally, pointing between himself and Y/N, as though declaring a far more benign battle.

“And I have paperwork,” Sunghoon announced, straightening his posture with a dramatic sigh before glancing down at the small girl nestled on Y/N’s lap. “Hey, Luna, want to keep me company while I work? I’ll let you use my phone.”

“Fine,” Luna huffed, though her tiny arms were already stretching toward Sunghoon. He scooped her up effortlessly, settling her against his shoulder. She immediately snuggled into him, pressing her cheek into the soft fabric of his shirt as though she’d been waiting for this all morning.

“I swear, all of you spoil her,” Jake grumbled, shaking his head as he watched his daughter cling to Sunghoon like a koala.

Jungwon only realized why the house felt so empty when he passed the office and found Sunghoon wedged behind a fortress of paperwork, Luna perched on the corner of his desk, her head bent intently over his phone. Sunghoon, looking both harried and resigned, had asked Jungwon if he could lend a hand, but Jungwon had to politely decline.

He explained that he had a date planned with Alice at the carnival, and that Niki was supposed to join them later in the night. At that, Sunghoon just laughed, waving him off with an affectionate smirk and telling him to go have fun. When Sunghoon asked where Niki was, Jungwon only shrugged, guessing he was probably caught up with work somewhere- he hadn’t seen him since the previous night. Sunghoon nodded, understanding, and excused him with a weary wave before turning back to his mountain of documents.

Jungwon disappeared into his room and spent the next couple of hours meticulously getting ready. He devoted nearly an hour to carefully cleaning his white wings until each feather gleamed under the bathroom lights. He scrubbed his skin until it felt brand new under the steaming spray of the shower, then stood in front of the mirror, towel around his waist, carefully styling his hair into soft, precise waves. He tried on one shirt after another, stepping back, tilting his head, frowning, changing again.

Despite having seen Alice only two days earlier, his heart still beat faster at the thought of her. This was the girl he’d been in love with for over five years- the fact that she loved him back still felt like a miracle he couldn’t entirely believe.

Finally, when he was certain he looked perfect- when he was sure he looked good enough for Alice to fall in love with him all over again- Jungwon opened his window, climbed onto the sill, and launched himself into the sky. His wings spread wide and luminous in the afternoon light, carrying him swiftly toward the carnival and toward the girl who had his entire heart.

By the time he arrived, the ticketing booth already had a long queue winding across the entrance, and Jungwon spotted Alice waiting for him near the gates, her black wings folded neatly behind her, her phone clutched between perfectly manicured fingers. He saw her instantly and surged toward her, his white wings beating harder as he flew closer, hovering above her with an eager grin.

She looked up, and the moment their eyes met, her face broke into a radiant smile. Jungwon beamed back, feeling the warmth of it in his chest. And before he could even set foot on the ground, Alice rose onto her toes, reached up, and gently cupped his jaw, pulling him down so their lips could meet in the middle.

Jungwon’s grin widened- as impossible as that seemed- and he finally touched down, folding his wings behind him. Alice’s hands remained looped around his arms, his own fingers curling around hers, as they gazed at each other for a long moment. Then they leaned in and kissed again, Jungwon’s heart swelling so fiercely it felt like it might burst.

“Hey,” Alice murmured as she pulled away, covering her mouth as she let out a soft, embarrassed laugh.

“Hey,” Jungwon echoed, his entire body radiating quiet joy and devotion.

Alice said it again, “Hey,” her voice trembling with excitement and pride. She was looking at him- the man she’d somehow fallen in love with- and every piece of her seemed to glow with the knowledge of how far he’d come. From the day he’d confessed he was finally ready to stop therapy, to the day he nervously asked her out, to the first time he’d kissed her- every moment felt stitched into this one. She’d watched him grow for almost six years, and she was proud to call him hers.

“I’ve missed you,” Alice whispered coyly, leaning in for another kiss. Jungwon exhaled a long, content sigh, feeling all his tension dissolve as his wings folded closer to his back. The black feathers of Alice’s wings fluttered lightly as her lips brushed his again.

“I’ve missed you, too,” he murmured, and the two of them giggled as they pulled away, twin childish grins stretching across their faces.

Alice looked him over, eyes flicking up and down as she bit her lip, her warm brown gaze turning slightly glossy. She recognized the shirt he wore- it was one she’d bought him two years ago for his birthday. She noticed the watch on his wrist, the one he always wore whenever he left the house. And she couldn’t help but smile, unable to hide how instinctive and joyful it was. She bit her lip again, tilted her head toward the carnival gates, and raised her brows in silent question.

Jungwon only nodded and grabbed her hand, tugging her along before she could get in line. He led her straight to the ticket booth, slipping a few bills across the counter along with a few hushed words. The cashier hesitated but ultimately gave them a stiff, awkward smile and waved them through. Alice rolled her eyes at the whole charade, then caught a glimpse of the pistol tucked at Jungwon’s waistband.

Without thinking, she looped her arms around his, pressing herself closer as he guided her through the gates into a world blooming with neon lights, the sweet scent of cotton candy, and the buttery aroma of corn on the cob. A clown in a garish costume waddled past them, honking a rubber horn so unexpectedly that Alice burst into giggles, while Jungwon raised an eyebrow and let out a soft, amused chuckle.

They wandered from stall to stall, sampling everything in sight- corn on the cob, chocolate-dipped strawberries, creamy milkshakes, and glossy caramel apples whose rich color almost matched Alice’s skin. They laughed at each other’s messy faces and gorged themselves until their tongues couldn’t handle any more sweetness.

Eventually, Jungwon decided it was time for carnival games. Together, they tackled bean bag tosses, popped balloons, smashed moles with rubber mallets, and threw darts at flimsy paper targets. Jungwon even managed to win Alice a life-sized teddy bear, its fur as white as his wings and its button eyes as dark as hers. She hugged it tightly, swearing she’d never let it out of her sight, and Jungwon teased her for being cheesy.

She teased him right back, pointing out that he was the one who’d insisted on winning it for her in the first place.

As evening slipped into night, the sky turned shades of deep purple and indigo. Alice dragged the enormous teddy bear alongside her while Jungwon held her hand firmly in his, refusing to leave until Niki arrived to join them. Alice didn’t protest, content simply to wait with him.

After a while, exhaustion began to creep in. Their legs ached, their throats were dry, and the bustling carnival had started to feel almost too loud. So they settled at a small table near the Ferris wheel, sitting across from one another while the laughter and music of the crowd pulsed around them.

“I had fun today,” Alice said, leaning forward to take Jungwon’s hands, threading her fingers through his in a gentle clasp. Jungwon let out a soft chuckle, dipping his chin as a lock of hair fell across his forehead.

“I’m glad you did.”

For a moment, they sat in quiet stillness. But Alice noticed the tiny crease forming between Jungwon’s brows, the subtle tension around his mouth as his mind spun in circles over something unsaid.

“He’ll be here, don’t worry,” Alice murmured, squeezing his hands as she offered him a warm, reassuring smile.

Jungwon gave a short laugh, shaking his head as if trying to dismiss her concern. “I’m not worrying,” he insisted, though his voice was too quick, too defensive.

“Sure you’re not,” Alice teased, peeking at him through her lashes as she rolled her eyes in gentle mockery.

“Shut up,” he mumbled, cheeks flushed pink. Then he sighed and glanced over the crowds. “Where is he, anyway?” He grumbled, his wings giving the faintest, restless twitch.

It hadn’t exactly been a busy day for Niki. He’d spent most of it preoccupied with work Jake had assigned him, determined to finish every task before daring to do anything else. He had no interest in getting himself into more trouble than he already managed to find on his own.

Now, the sun was slanting through the sheer curtains in Sophie’s apartment, golden light casting leafy shadows from her potted plants onto the walls- and across their tangled limbs. Soft music drifted in the background while they lay side by side, half-buried beneath her silk sheets, laughing at nothing and everything.

Niki was still there, sprawled beside her under the duvet, a lazy smile curled into his cheeks as Sophie gently carded her fingers through his hair. Every now and then, he tilted closer to her cheek, pressing a small kiss against the delicate mole beneath her eye, just to hear her giggle- a sound he couldn’t help but chase, even if the feeling behind it wasn’t quite what it used to be. Being with her felt like a reward. Loving her once had been one of the truest things he’d ever known.

But that was a long time ago.

“What are you thinking about?” Sophie whispered, her voice soft as her thumb swept lightly over his jaw. Niki tilted his chin toward her, still tracing absent circles on the smooth skin of her hip. Her nails played gently in his hair, tugging just enough to make him close his eyes.

“I’m not thinking about anything,” he said, giving a small shake of his head, grinning so wide that his nose scrunched up. But Sophie only stared at him, unconvinced.

“You’re always thinking about something,” she insisted, her eyes narrowing as he groaned and tried to wave the question away. He lifted his hand to tangle it playfully into her messy blonde hair, making her whine in protest. “Tell me!” She demanded, dissolving into laughter.

“Tell you what?” He teased, lips curving into a sly smirk.

Sophie let out an indignant scoff and grabbed a pillow, thwacking it into his face before tossing it aside. Niki’s laughter echoed in the small room as Sophie slipped out of bed, leaving his embrace behind.

“You overthink a hell of a lot more than your brother, you know that?” Sophie said as she pulled on a silky robe, tying it around her waist before heading into the kitchen.

“Jungwon? He’s been doing great for years now,” Niki muttered, frowning as he sat up, the duvet sliding off his shoulders while he peered around for his shirt.

“That wasn’t my question,” Sophie said over her shoulder, lips pursed.

Niki chuckled, finding his shirt on the floor and tugging it on before fixing his chain around his neck. He followed Sophie into the kitchen, leaning his hip against the counter beside her. “Calm down,” he said lightly, leaning closer. “I’m fine.”

Then, with a mischievous grin, he swiped Sophie’s coffee mug from her hands and took a long sip.

Sophie gaped at him, wide-eyed, before letting out a groan of exasperation. She rolled her eyes and turned to her coffee machine to pour herself another cup.

Niki watched her, a strange tenderness welling in his chest as he admired the way the early light haloed her features. He found himself wondering, just for a fleeting second, what it might have been like if things had worked out differently between them- if they’d ever grown wings together. But they hadn’t. They’d been just out of sync from the beginning.

He’d gotten a dove tattoo for her when they were teenagers, thinking they’d eventually be one another’s forever. But love had turned out not to be enough. She’d stayed in love with him. He hadn’t.

He cared for her deeply, fiercely even- but it wasn’t love anymore, not the way it once had been. And though they were tangled up in each other’s lives, the idea of being in a relationship again felt suffocating to him.

“You’re always fine, Niki,” Sophie murmured, leaning across the counter, one arm wrapped around her waist while she cradled her coffee in the other hand. Her eyes held him firmly, not letting him slip away behind jokes or teasing. “But then I find you knocking on my door at two in the morning, losing your mind, and I can’t help but worry.”

Niki dropped his gaze, scratching at the stubble on his jaw. “I know,” he said, his voice low. He repeated himself twice, softer each time. “I love that you care about me. But right now… I’m fine.” He reached for her, gently hooking his arms around her waist and pulling her closer.

“If you say so,” Sophie whispered. She forced a smile as he leaned forward, pressing his forehead to hers, breathing her in like a grounding force.

For a while, they stayed like that, neither speaking, letting the quiet hum of the coffee machine and the shifting shadows fill the silence between them. But eventually, Niki glanced at the clock, and an abrupt curse slipped past his lips.

“God, I’m late,” he muttered, breaking away as he darted out of the kitchen.

“For what?” Sophie called after him, arms folding tightly across her chest as she followed him into the hallway.

“I’m supposed to meet Jungwon and Alice at the carnival,” Niki said, tugging on his coat with quick, jerky motions.

“Oh, right,” Sophie said, realization dawning as she tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “Have fun, yeah?” She tilted her chin up to accept a goodbye kiss from him.

Niki hesitated for half a second, pressing his lips to her forehead instead of her mouth. He lingered there a moment longer than he meant to, before stepping back. His eyes lingered on hers, waiting for… something.

“When are you going to tell them about us?” Sophie asked softly. It wasn’t the question Niki had been hoping for.

He blinked once, as if he hadn’t heard her, then tilted his head and offered a crooked grin. “You think there’ll be churros at the carnival?” He asked instead, changing the subject so swiftly it left the air hanging heavy between them.

Sophie stared at him, her lips parting as though to protest, but she let out a quiet sigh instead. She bit her lip, nodding slowly, even as disappointment pooled like lead in her chest. “Yeah… probably,” she murmured, though the words felt paper-thin on her tongue.

Niki slipped out the door without another word.

Though he was already running late, he managed to make it to the carnival by tearing through at least two red lights and narrowly avoiding a dog darting across the street. It wasn’t the first time he’d ignored traffic rules, and honestly, he barely gave it a second thought. Besides- if he did get caught, Jake would sort it out for him.

By the time he arrived, stars were already scattered across the sky like spilled diamonds. He finally spotted Jungwon and Alice sitting at a bench near the Ferris wheel, hands intertwined, deep in some quiet, serious conversation. Jungwon’s brows were drawn together in thought, while Alice gazed at him intently.

Taking a deep breath, Niki jogged toward them, breath puffing in faint clouds as the night air cooled around him. He swore he saw his brother’s entire face light up the moment he appeared, and Alice looked equally relieved and happy to see him.

“Finally!” Jungwon exclaimed, springing up to hug Niki and giving him a solid pat on the back. “I thought you weren’t gonna show.”

“I promised you I’d come,” Niki said, returning the hug and giving his brother two firm pats in reply. He held Jungwon at arm’s length for a moment, eyes warm despite the tired shadows beneath them.

Jungwon chuckled and turned to Alice, beaming.

“You’re late by almost an hour,” Alice scolded lightly, her grin flashing as she showed her teeth.

“I was busy,” Niki defended himself, though he still pulled Alice into a small, friendly hug.

Without another word, Alice grabbed Jungwon’s arm, tugging both him and Niki toward the towering Ferris wheel. Jungwon laughed, and Niki found himself laughing too, letting the carnival lights wash over him as the night stretched ahead- a brief escape from the shadows always waiting to reclaim him.

Y/N threw her fists at the punching bag again and again, the steady rhythm echoing off the gym’s high walls. Each strike sent a jolt of pain through her knuckles, raw and flushed red despite the layers of duct tape wrapped around them. Her breath came fast and ragged, sweat collecting at her temples as the flickering gym lights buzzed overhead.

Across the room, Jake stood watching her, arms crossed, dark eyes narrowed in careful scrutiny. He tracked her every move- the dip of her hips when she twisted wrong, the perfect angle of her foot placement. When he finally sighed and cleared his throat, raking a hand through his damp hair, Y/N froze. She let her arms fall to her sides, glaring at him, annoyance flashing in her gaze as he crooked two fingers, beckoning her over.

She let out a matching sigh and trudged toward him, her steps reluctant but tinged with an undercurrent of relief. Each pace seemed to bleed the tension from her shoulders until, halfway there, she simply collapsed onto a nearby yoga mat with a soft thud and a small, exhausted whine.

“You overwork yourself,” Jake murmured, his voice low and a little husky from disuse, as he walked over and stood towering above her crumpled form.

Y/N frowned up at him, chest heaving as sweat slicked her hair to her forehead. Jake dropped to one knee beside her, chuckling under his breath as she rolled her eyes and muttered something under hers.

He reached for her hands without asking, gently starting to peel away the duct tape wrapped tight around her knuckles. His touch was careful, almost reverent, moving inch by inch as though afraid of causing her more pain. Still, she winced every time the tape tugged at her battered skin.

Neither of them spoke as he worked, the silence stretching between them while the low hum of the gym’s ventilation filled the space.

“I need to clean up,” Y/N finally muttered, blowing a stray lock of hair out of her face.

“Your room’s clean,” Jake shot back, his voice casual as he focused on unraveling another strip of tape.

Y/N winced again. “Careful-”

“- Sorry,” Jake said quickly, shaking his head, lips twitching as though he wanted to smile. “Your dinner clothes are ready. Just shower, get dressed, and we’ll deal with those bruises afterward.” He pulled the last stubborn piece of tape away from her knuckles. She hissed softly, flexing her fingers as she tried to shake the pain off.

“Thanks,” she muttered, shifting her weight as she prepared to stand. “You’re not nervous anymore?” She teased, raising a brow at him.

“I wasn’t nervous,” Jake scoffed, though he couldn’t fully hide the grin tugging at his mouth.

“Sure,” Y/N smirked back.

“What?” he demanded, chuckling. “I was just… dreading it,” he cringed slightly, glancing away for a moment before straightening up to his full height again. Y/N’s eyes tracked him as he rose, still lounging on the floor.

Jake extended a hand toward her, palm open. She hesitated for only a second before gripping it firmly, allowing him to pull her upright even though the motion sent sharp pain through her battered knuckles and sore knees. She hissed as she found her balance but brushed off Jake’s attempts to steady her further. Together, they began making their way toward the stairs, their steps syncing in silent accord, both of them focused on the same looming thought: family dinner.

“Be ready in an hour,” Jake said as they reached the hallway. He pointed a finger at her, albeit weakly, before peeling off in the opposite direction toward his own room.

Y/N lingered for a moment, swallowing down the lump in her throat, then turned and slipped into the room she’d slowly come to think of as hers.

Jake’s house had always had a place for her. He’d asked her to move in years ago, back when Luna was barely three and the fractures in their family were just starting to mend. He’d wanted her close- to help anchor the chaos, to help raise his daughter, to fill the quiet spaces left behind by too many betrayals. But Y/N had declined, not ready to surrender her own small freedoms. Around that same time, she’d left her parents’ house and found the studio apartment she lived in now, craving solitude and space even as her ties to Jake’s home remained strong.

So instead, her presence in this house became a quiet constant. Her clothes hung in Jake’s spare closet; her toiletries lined a corner of the guest bathroom. She never used the big bed in the middle of the room- it felt too much like claiming territory- but it was still hers in an unspoken way. Jake didn’t mind; neither did she.

By the time Jake emerged from his room, fresh from his shower, his hair tamed and a tie hanging awkwardly around his neck, Y/N was already stepping out of hers. She wore a simple white dress that skimmed her knees and a pair of plain white flats. Jake caught sight of her and let out a small laugh.

“Lose the tie,” Y/N ordered, wagging her finger at him.

Jake groaned, immediately yanking it from his collar and looping it over the doorknob beside him. “Why don’t you tie it for me?” He grumbled, clearing his throat as he met her gaze.

“I don’t know how to use that thing!” Y/N shot back, scrunching up her nose, which made Jake laugh outright.

His eyes drifted down to her feet, lingering on the flats she favored now. She hadn’t worn heels in ages- not since the night she broke her ankle at a godforsaken party and ended up in a cast for a month. After that, she’d thrown all her heels away without a second thought.

“Sunghoon’s waiting downstairs,” Jake said, shaking his head as he led the way.

They started jogging down the stairs together, footsteps echoing off the polished wood. But halfway down, the rapid patter of smaller feet joined theirs.

Luna appeared at the bottom of the staircase, wearing a sparkly dress and clutching a tiny pink purse to her chest. Her hair was pulled into two neat braids, and she beamed the moment she spotted Y/N.

“Auntie Y/N!” Luna squealed, barreling forward and nearly knocking into Y/N’s legs. Y/N laughed, bending down to scoop her up into her arms despite the ache still pulsing through her muscles.

“Hi, honey,” Y/N cooed, pressing a gentle kiss to Luna’s temple as the little girl looped her arms tightly around her neck. Leaning back slightly, Y/N tilted her head and gave her an approving look. “You look beautiful. Who dressed you?”

“Sunghoon did,” Luna declared, wrinkling her nose as if the idea was equal parts impressive and deeply suspicious.

“Did he now?” Y/N teased, raising a brow. “Well, he did a great job.”

Luna beamed at the praise, swinging her little pink purse over her shoulder.

“Ready for dinner?” Y/N asked, smoothing her fingers gently over Luna’s neat braids.

“Yes! But Daddy can’t wear the tie,” Luna announced solemnly, pointing accusingly at Jake, who was descending the stairs behind them.

“I’m aware,” Jake groaned, rolling his eyes as Sunghoon appeared at the foot of the stairs, keys in hand and an exasperated look on his face.

“Come on now, we’re gonna be late,” Sunghoon muttered. “Luna, are you riding with me or your aunt?”

“With Auntie Y/N!” Luna shouted, tightening her grip as Y/N chuckled and shifted her higher on her hip.

Jake threw up his hands. “She loves you more than her dad apparently.”

Y/N smirked over Luna’s shoulder. “Maybe if you learned how to tie a tie…”

Jake flipped her off playfully as Sunghoon sighed and ushered them all toward the door. 

Everyone seemed determined to give Jungwon far more attention than he was comfortable with. People kept asking him about his plans, about what he did in his free time, and he shyly admitted that he’d been thinking about going to college again- because helping his brothers with the mob business wasn’t exactly his idea of a fulfilling life.

Across the table, Chelsea and Sunghoon sat silently, neither having much to contribute. They could have spoken to each other, but they didn’t. Sunghoon had never seen Chelsea as anything except his best friend’s soulmate- and now that friend was gone, he found he had nothing left to say to her except silent condolences- everytime he looked at her, he could only see Jay. Chelsea, for her part, seemed to feel the same.

Meanwhile, David sat quietly nursing his wine, eyes occasionally drifting to the far end of the table where Y/N was deep in conversation with Nayna, her mother. Across from Y/N, Jake sat cutting his steak into neat squares, chewing slowly and staring into his plate. David couldn’t help noticing how Jake had chosen the seat farthest away from him. It had been like that for over five years.

Swirling the dark wine in his glass, David suddenly tipped it slightly toward Jungwon, who startled, nearly dropping his fork. He seemed relieved when he realized David’s question had nothing to do with the talk of college or the mob.

“How’s it going with your girlfriend?” David asked, voice casual but just loud enough that conversation around the table trailed off. Every eye swung toward David rather than Jungwon.

Martin, Y/N’s father, stiffened, knowing exactly where this line of questioning might lead. He’d known David his whole life- he’d be stupid to not know where this was going. He glanced at Nayna across the table, her eyes already worried.

Jungwon straightened in his seat, flushing, but forced a bright grin. He lifted his glass of bourbon. “It’s going great!” He said, eager to keep things light. He was sure David didn’t even remember her name, but at least he was trying- or so Jungwon thought.

“That’s great. You’re the first man in this family to ever sprout white wings, you know that?” David said with a chuckle, finishing his glass of wine in one swallow. He set the empty glass firmly on the table and added. “At least we know one of you is gonna get married.”

Jungwon’s wings twitched instinctively, feathers rustling against the back of his chair. He dropped his gaze, cheeks burning, and suddenly wished he could vanish. David, however, wasn’t even looking at him. His eyes were locked on Jake, sharp as knives. And because all attention was on Jake, nobody noticed Niki shudder slightly beside Sunghoon.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Y/N demanded, frowning. Her voice cut through the silence, sharp enough to make Jake pause mid-motion, his fork hovering above his plate. Slowly, he set it down and intertwined his fingers on the table, squaring his shoulders as he turned to look at David.

“Oh, nothing,” David said airily. “Jake knows what I’m talking about, though,” he leaned back in his chair with a grin, teeth catching the light from the chandelier.

“That’s not funny,” Jake said, his voice flat and cold.

“Then why am I laughing?” David shot back, his grin turning cruel. Martin shot him a warning look, silently begging for peace. He’d hoped, for once, to have a family dinner without drama. He didn’t want his daughter- or Luna, someone he proclaimed as his granddaughter- to suffer more stress.

“It was a joke,” Martin interjected quickly.

“Let it go,” Nayna added, clearing her throat, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere. Even Helen gently urged David to change the topic.

But David’s hand remained wrapped around his wine glass, his knuckles white, his eyes locked on Jake. “No. Let’s not let it go. Luna needs a mother.”

Luna’s fork froze halfway to her mouth. She glanced between the adults, eyes widening, a crease forming between her small brows as a creeping panic began to show on her face. She didn’t know what was happening, but she knew she was in trouble at the tone of her grandfather’ voice.

David pressed on, his voice growing sharper. “I don’t want my granddaughter growing up without a proper family. You all keep pretending love is enough, but it’s not. She needs stability. She needs a mother in her house.”

Jake lowered his fork slowly, his voice cold and quiet. “You don’t know what she needs.”

David leaned forward. “I’m her grandfather. I have a right to care about her.”

Jake’s glare sharpened. “Let’s not pretend this is about you caring.”

Y/N’s voice cut through the tension, brittle but fierce. “Luna has enough people caring for her. She’s got a dad. She’s got three uncles. She’s got two pairs of grandparents. She’s got me and Chelsea as her aunts. What more does she need?”

David snapped his fingers. “A mother, Y/N. A mother. And no matter how hard you try- or anyone here tries- you’re not her mother.”

“Fuck you, David,” Y/N shot back, heat rising in her voice, her hands trembling on the tablecloth. “I’m not trying to replace anyone.”

David’s eyes narrowed. “So that’s why you’re in Jake’s house most nights of the week? You left your parents after Jay died, claimed you wanted some space. And this is what you call space?”

“Don’t bring Jay into this,” Chelsea interjected, her voice sharp as a knife, posture rigid.

David swung his gaze toward her. “So we’re going to pretend like he never existed? You’re only here because you married him.”

“You don’t get to use his name as a weapon,” Chelsea nearly shouted, her eyes wet, her throat tight.

Sunghoon shifted in his chair. “Chelsea, calm down- ”

“Don’t tell me to calm down,” Chelsea snapped at him, and Sunghoon flinched back, stunned into silence.

David slammed his palm on the table, rattling the silverware. “Jay is gone, Emily left us with a child. Maybe if Jake had listened to all of us all those years ago, things wouldn’t be this goddamn messy.”

“Don’t you dare,” Jake shot to his feet, his chair screeching across the floor, his eyes blazing. “Don’t you fucking dare sit there and act like Luna was a mistake.”

Luna burst into sobs then, trembling violently as she tried to slip off her chair. Jake reached for her, scooping her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest, hiccuping cries shaking her small body. “It’s alright, honey,” Jake murmured into her hair. “I’ve got you.”

Helen’s voice quavered. “David, stop it. You’re scaring her.”

Nayna set her napkin down with trembling fingers. “I think it’s time we disperse.”

But David’s eyes were wild now, his words tumbling out in a slurry rush, fueled by too much wine. “No! You can’t keep pretending everything is fucking normal. None of you are willing to admit this family is a wreck.”

Niki and Jungwon sat utterly still, staring down at their plates as though hoping to become invisible.

Y/N’s voice cracked like glass. “The only thing that’s wrecking the family right now is your inability to forgive.”

“Forgiveness?” David sneered. “Is everyone forgetting that he’s the reason for everything that’s happened?” He pointed at Jake.

Jake’s jaw clenched, the muscles twitching beneath his skin, but before he could speak, Sunghoon cut in, his voice low and sharp. “That was an accident,” he hissed. “You know this.”

David scoffed bitterly. “And who caused it? Your beloved brother, isn’t it?”

Chelsea slammed her hand on the table. “Don’t put this on him,” her eyes glistening, fury and grief tangled together.

David swung toward her, voice rising. “Who else do I put it on, Chelsea? Jay is dead. Accidents don’t just happen in this family. They happen because of the life we chose. Because of the shit we’re all in.”

Y/N shot to her feet, palms pressed to the table, her voice shaking with rage. “You chose the mob life, David. You and Dad. And we were born into this. They were adopted into this. Does that make it our fault? Does that make it Luna’s fault?”

David opened his mouth, but Chelsea cut in, her voice softer now, thick with sorrow. “Jay would have hated this. All this fighting. He’d have hated it.”

David’s eyes glistened as he let out a brittle, humorless laugh. “Yeah. And he’s not here to tell me that, is he?”

Martin finally exploded, rising from his seat, face flushed. “Enough!” His fist slammed onto the table so hard that the glasses wobbled and a few toppled, red wine staining the tablecloth like blood. “Get out of my house if talking about my dead son is the only thing you want to do. There’s no place under my roof for anyone who makes that little girl cry.”

David fell silent, chest heaving, eyes rimmed red. Slowly, he sank back into his chair, staring down at the table, unable to look anyone in the eye.

The room fell silent except for Luna’s hiccupping sobs as Jake gently rocked her, his own eyes shining wetly.

Niki and Jungwon sat pale and silent, staring down at the table as though hoping to disappear.

The rest of the meal passed in strained silence, no one daring to speak of Jay, or Emily, or anything at all.

When dinner finally ended, the silence felt cavernous, lingering in the spaces where harsh words had been thrown. Chairs scraped softly against the floor as people rose, coats were retrieved, farewells were murmured in hushed voices, careful and fragile. Somewhere in the backyard, Martin and David were arguing. Chelsea, Helen and Nayna were trying to ignore it while cleaning the kitchen. Sunghoon, Jungwon and Niki waited near the cars, gazes fixed on the road.

Jake stood in the entryway, Luna nestled in his arms, her small body limp with sleep. Her face was pressed into the curve of his neck, soft breaths warming his skin. The anger in Jake’s eyes had long faded, replaced now with exhaustion and something Y/N couldn’t decipher- regret? Guilt?

Y/N hovered by the door, her coat draped over one arm, keys dangling loosely from her fingers. She was about to turn to leave when Jake shifted Luna slightly and reached out, fingers brushing lightly against her wrist.

“Want me to drop you at your place?” He asked, his voice husky, a quiet rasp in the dim hallway light.

Y/N paused. For a split second, her eyes lifted to meet his. The air between them tightened, as though the whole house was holding its breath. But then she gave a small shake of her head, her hair brushing over her shoulders. “No. I’m staying the night with Chelsea.”

Jake nodded, slowly, as though forcing himself to accept her answer. His gaze dropped to Luna, then back up to Y/N again, lingering there a moment longer than it should have.

“I’m sorry for everything my dad said,” he murmured, his words thick, almost shy.

Y/N’s smile was gentle, faint. “It’s okay. He was drunk,” she shrugged one shoulder, trying to make it light. “Everything will be back to normal by tomorrow anyway.”

Because it always was. No matter how vicious the fights, how harsh the words, somehow Martin would put David back in his place, and by morning, they’d all act like nothing had happened. It was routine at this point- a cycle of wounds and bandages, over and over again.

Jake let out a shaky breath, shifting Luna higher in his arms.

Y/N glanced down at the little girl, curled so small and safe against Jake, her lashes dark against her cheeks. A softness passed over Y/N’s face, her voice dropping to something intimate, close.

“It’s always been you for her, you know that, Jake?”

Jake blinked, his lips parting like he might speak. Instead, his eyes found hers and held them, a thousand unsaid things flickering in the shadows there. For a heartbeat, they just stood like that- so close, nearly leaning toward each other, the weight of shared history pressing them together.

Jake’s fingers twitched on Luna’s back, as if he might reach for Y/N. But he didn’t.

Instead, he swallowed and said roughly, “Yeah.”

Y/N smiled again, softer this time, eyes shining just a little. She reached out, brushed her fingers lightly over Luna’s hair, then let her hand fall away.

THE NIGHT JAKE MET EMILY- 6 years ago

It was yet another college party- a ritual Jungwon dreaded more than he’d ever admit, and one he only survived because Niki and Y/N dragged him out of the house and into sticky-floored rooms full of pounding music and bodies pressed too close. But tonight wasn’t one of those cheap house parties lit by Christmas lights and the sour tang of spilled beer.

It was someone’s birthday- no one knew whose- and they’d booked out an entire club. Expensive lights spun over velvet ropes, neon signs flickered against glossy black walls, and the line outside curled halfway down the block. None of them had any real business being there, but an invitation had found its way into Y/N’s hands, and that was enough.

“I wish you hadn’t told Jake and Sunghoon about this,” Y/N grumbled as the three of them pushed through the line, shoulder to shoulder against the autumn chill. Her voice was sharp as glass, her breath visible in the cold air.

“I’m sorry,” Jungwon said quickly, guilt twisting across his features. “They said some crap about never having gone to college and wanting the college experience. What was I supposed to do?”

“Not invite them to a party that isn’t yours?” Y/N shot back, rolling her eyes so hard it almost hurt.

“This is so fucking stupid,” Niki huffed beside them, jaw set tight. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket. “I don’t want to be babysat. I’m over this.”

Y/N shot him a look, half irritated, half amused. “I think we’re gonna end up babysitting them, Niki,” her voice slipped into something lighter, teasing. “Do you think they’re already inside?” She laughed softly, though she wasn’t sure if she was mocking Jake and Sunghoon, or if she was dreading what the night might bring.

When they stepped into the club, music pulsed so hard through the speakers that it vibrated in their chests. Bass thumped through the floor so hard Y/N felt it in her teeth. Strobes slashed through thick, perfumed air. People were everywhere, glittering under shifting lights, pressed together like one pulsing animal.

It took Y/N exactly three seconds to spot Jake and Sunghoon.

They were on the far side of the room near the bar, already half a glass deep in whiskey, laughing as though they’d been there for hours. Sunghoon, who still wore glasses back then, kept pushing them up the bridge of his nose with his knuckles- a nervous habit as familiar to Y/N as the sound of her own pulse.

But it wasn’t just them.

Emily was there.

And Y/N felt her entire chest seize tight.

Even under the shifting lights, Emily was unmistakable. She was leaning close to Jake and Sunghoon, her hair shining under the strobe, her smile sharp and bright as a blade. She twirled a lock of hair around her finger, laughing lightly, opal eyes glinting with mischief that made anyone swoon. The way she tilted her head, the way she leaned forward just enough to let her dress dip lower over her chest- it was all deliberate, like a dance she’d perfected long ago.

Y/N’s blood ran ice cold.

This was not good.

She loved Emily, truly- she did. They’d met as first-year roommates, thrown together by chance and bonded by secrets, and somehow lasted four years until the edge of graduation. But they were opposites in every way- Y/N was fiery and cautious, someone who guarded her heart like it was a loaded weapon. Emily, on the other hand, was pure wildfire- gorgeous, manipulative, unashamed. She was known across campus as the girl who could charm anyone into her bed, and she carried the label of “campus slut” like a crown rather than a curse. Over the years, Y/N had watched her break countless hearts, moving on without a single crack in her own.

Y/N’s family- and especially David- had hated her friendship with Emily Murray from the start. Emily’s family was whispered to be shady as hell, tangled in arms dealings and rumors of criminal enterprises different from their own. But it was impossible for Y/N to cut her off completely. The bond was too deep, the history too long. Instead, she’d made a silent vow to keep Emily as far away from her family as possible- to keep those two worlds from colliding.

But maybe some things were always destined to collide.

Because Jake was Emily’s type to the letter- handsome, powerful, dangerous. The perfect prize.

“What the fuck,” Niki snarled beside her, fists already curling tight at his sides. His voice was like a whip crack over the music. “How’d she get to them already?”

“She knows what they look like,” Jungwon murmured, his voice resigned. “Of course she would’ve made a move by now.”

Y/N could barely hear him over the music pounding through her skull. A sick feeling twisted in her stomach, coiling tight and cold.

“Guys, let’s just go,” she said sharply, her voice tight as she surged forward.

She began cutting a path through the crowd, shoving between sweaty bodies, her pulse hammering as she fought toward the bar. Niki and Jungwon were right behind her, faces hard as stone.

“There you guys are,” Sunghoon called out, his voice rising above the music as he finally spotted the three of them pushing through the crowd. His grin was easy and bright, as though he hadn’t just been sitting at the bar with Emily draped over his arm. He stepped forward and pulled each of them into a quick hug, patting them on the back with the familiar, casual affection of a big brother who never quite lost his protective edge.

Jake followed close behind, and the second his eyes fell on Y/N, his entire face softened. He stepped in without hesitation, folding her into a hug so tight she could barely breathe. It was how he always hugged her when they hadn’t seen each other for a while. His body was solid and warm against hers, smelling faintly of whiskey and his cologne, and for a moment, the din of the club seemed to fade into silence.

When he finally pulled back, Jake kept his hands lightly on Y/N’s shoulders, leaning in so she could hear him over the music. “We asked your brother to come,” he said, his lips brushing close to her ear, his voice low and rough. “He said he had a date with Chelsea planned already, though.”

Y/N blinked, still trying to pull her mind back into focus. Everything inside her felt rattled- the thump of bass, the adrenaline of pushing through the crowd, and the icy twist of fear at seeing Emily so close to them all.

But Jake’s eyes were steady, searching hers like he was checking for cracks in her armor.

Y/N swallowed and forced a tight smile. “Yeah. Chelsea would kill him if he bailed on her again.”

A flicker of a grin tugged at Jake’s lips. But even as he smiled, Y/N felt a prickle of unease crawl up her spine. Because over Jake’s shoulder, Emily was still standing there, eyes glinting in the neon lights, watching Y/N with a cool, calculating expression that Y/N knew far too well.

“I waited for you guys,” Emily said, turning her attention at last to Y/N, Niki, and Jungwon. Her voice carried the lilting sweetness that so often masked something sharper beneath. “But I got lonely and saw these guys come in, so I finally introduced myself.”

Her smirk curled at the edges of her lips, and it sent a shiver sliding down Y/N’s spine.

“Right,” Niki muttered beside them, not even trying to hide the annoyance in his voice. He leaned forward against the bar, signaling for the bartender, his jaw tight as he waited to order himself a drink.

Jungwon, meanwhile, had slipped into an empty chair beside Sunghoon. Almost immediately, he launched into a rapid-fire rant about one of his classes- a litany of professors, assignments, and campus gossip that only Sunghoon seemed to have the endless patience to endure. Sunghoon listened, nodding intently, glasses slipping a little down his nose every time he tilted his head. It was one of those small, soft moments that should have felt safe, but tonight it only made the rest of the room feel more volatile by contrast.

Emily, meanwhile, was already sidling closer. She looped her arm through Y/N’s, her fingers hooking lightly around the crook of Y/N’s elbow in that childish, possessive gesture she’d always loved. Her perfume- sweet, heady, almost suffocating- curled into Y/N’s senses as Emily leaned in.

“How come you’ve never introduced me to them?” Emily asked, voice coy, though her eyes glittered with something far more deliberate. “They’re so interesting to talk to.” Her gaze slid over to Jake, and the spark that leapt between them was unmistakable. She held his eyes, her lips parting just slightly as she smiled, and Jake- God help him- grinned back at her, wide and easy, letting himself be pulled into the orbit of her flirtation.

Y/N felt heat crawl up her neck like an itch she couldn’t scratch.

Jake turned, aiming a teasing grin at Y/N. “Y/N doesn’t like mixing college life with home life,” he said, giving Emily a playful nudge with his elbow before looking back at Y/N. “She didn’t even want to go to the same university as Niki and Jungwon until our dads forced her. Isn’t that right, Y/N?”

Y/N swallowed, pulse stuttering, her brain whirring as she tried to decide whether to keep playing along or drag Jake away from Emily altogether. Because in the neon glow of the club lights, she could practically see the moment Emily latched onto Jake as her next conquest- and Y/N knew from painful experience how relentless Emily could be once she set her sights on someone.

“Hey, Emily,” Niki interjected suddenly, his voice slicing through the charged space between Jake and Y/N. He wore the crooked grin he often used when he was up to something reckless, and for a moment, Y/N felt a flicker of relief- like maybe Niki was throwing her a lifeline.

Emily turned her attention to him, arching her brows, trying- and failing- to mask her annoyance. She and Niki had never truly gotten along. They’d once tried, for Y/N’s sake, but the tolerance had been fragile at best. 

“What is it?” Emily asked, her voice crisp as glass.

“Your friend. The one I said I found hot?” Niki coaxed, leaning closer, dropping his voice as though confiding a secret. “Help me find her, will you?”

Emily blinked at him, lips parting like she was about to protest- but before she could utter a single syllable, Niki’s hand shot out, curling around her forearm. With a determined yank, he dragged her away from the bar, eyes fixed on the mass of bodies thrashing on the dance floor. Emily stumbled, her faint protests fading into the roar of music and pulsing lights.

Jake burst out laughing, shaking his head as he watched them go. He leaned closer to Y/N, a wide grin stretching his lips as he jerked his thumb in Niki and Emily’s direction. “Does Niki always do this?” He asked, still chuckling.

Y/N stared at him, her mouth suddenly dry, her heartbeat loud in her ears. “Jake,” she managed, voice trembling.

Jake seemed utterly oblivious to the storm swirling in her chest. He cocked his head, eyes shining, lips still curved in that boyish smile. “What?”

“Don’t do this,” Y/N whispered, her voice barely audible over the throb of bass. Her hands were shaking where they rested on the edge of the bar.

Jake blinked, confused. Sunghoon was still engrossed in Jungwon’s chatter, but Jungwon’s eyes flicked toward Y/N and Jake, sensing the tension.

“Do what?” Jake pressed gently, like he honestly didn’t understand.

“Emily,” Y/N clarified, the name leaving a bitter taste on her tongue. “She’s bad news. Don’t go there.”

Jake frowned, confusion morphing into mild irritation. “Then why are you friends with her?” His brows knit together, like the answer should be simple.

“It’s not that simple, okay?” Y/N shot back, her voice rising despite herself. She struggled to steady her breathing, to keep her emotions from boiling over. “Just- please. I beg one thing from you. Don’t get involved with her.”

Jake threw his head back and laughed, rolling his eyes as though she’d just told him the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard. “Alright, alright,” he said dismissively, waving his glass in the air. “If it means that much to you, I won’t fuck your friend, okay?”

He tipped his whiskey to his lips, the amber liquid catching the neon lights as he leaned back against the bar. But even as he drank, his eyes were already drifting back toward the dance floor, scanning the crowd, as though searching for a glimpse of Emily’s shining hair.

Y/N stared at him, an ache blooming in her chest. Because she knew Jake well enough to hear the lie tucked into his laughter- and knew that the glitter in his eyes meant he’d already made up his mind.

“You always do this,” she snapped, folding her arms across her chest, each word trembling with a mixture of fury and heartbreak. “I don’t fall for your lies anymore.”

Jake’s eyes snapped back to her, his features sharpening. “Lying?” He bit out. “Don’t be a child, Y/N. Christ, go dance, have some fun. Want me to get you a drink?”

“Stop being so fucking condescending,” Y/N hissed, her voice shaking as she reached back and grabbed Sunghoon’s half-finished whiskey off the bar. Sunghoon didn’t even blink, lost in conversation with Jungwon.

“I’m not being condescending,” Jake shot back, his voice rising above the music.

“You are,” Y/N hurled back at him, the words ripping out of her like shrapnel. “And you’re an asshole.”

Jake’s jaw worked furiously, his breath coming faster, eyes blazing. “Seriously, Y/N, what the fuck is wrong with you tonight?”

“Nothing, Jake,” Y/N sighed, grumbling under her breath. “Just leave it. You never fucking listen to me, anyway.”

She pushed past him, determined to storm off, to put as much distance between them as she could. But Jake reached out on instinct, his hand closing around her arm just as a stranger slammed into her from the other side- a body colliding hard in the chaos of the dance floor.

Her heel buckled, snapping with a sharp, cruel crack. A flash of searing pain shot up her leg like a lightning striking bone. Y/N hissed, her cry slicing through the music, and then she was crumpling to the sticky floor, the world blurring into a riot of neon lights and muffled noise.

“Y/N!” Jungwon yelled, his voice high and cracking, as he lunged toward her, shoving bodies out of his path.

Sunghoon spun around, eyes going wide behind his glasses, his hand darting to steady her as he dropped to his knees beside her. “Fuck- move! Give her space!”

Jake was already kneeling, panic writ large on his face, his hands hovering inches from her as though afraid to touch her. “Shit, Y/N, fuck- are you okay? Let me see- ”

“Don’t touch me, Jake, seriously,” Y/N grimaced at him, teeth clenched as fresh waves of pain tore through her ankle.

Jungwon hovered close, his hands trembling as he tried to comfort her. “We’re gonna get you to the hospital.”

Sunghoon carefully peeled her fingers away from her ankle, his face grim as he caught sight of the unnatural angle of her foot. “We need to go. Now.”

Jungwon and Sunghoon worked together, lifting her gently, supporting her weight between them as she complained and tried to keep from screaming again.

Jake hovered uselessly at their side, his face pale, eyes glassy with guilt and shock. He reached out once more, as if to help- but Y/N turned her face away, refusing even to look at him.

And somewhere deeper in the shadows of the dance floor, Niki was still lost among the pounding beats, Emily trailing after him, blissfully unaware of the chaos unraveling back at the bar.

That night, Jake would take Emily home. No one knew it then except Niki, who, by sheer coincidence, caught sight of them as he emerged from the dance floor, breathless and still laughing from whatever nonsense he and Emily had been arguing about.

He’d seen them- Jake and Emily- tucked in a dark corner of the club near the back exit. Jake was leaning low, saying something into Emily’s ear, and Emily was laughing softly, tilting her head in that flirtatious way she always did. When Jake pulled her closer, sliding an arm around her waist, Emily didn’t resist. She leaned into him like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Niki stood there for a moment, frozen, sweat cooling on his skin, feeling something heavy and ugly sink into his chest. He thought of Y/N- still probably at the hospital with Jungwon and Sunghoon- and he felt a sharp, disloyal pang that he’d been so distracted, that he hadn’t even known she’d been hurt until much later.

He didn’t say anything to Jake as they passed him. Jake shot Niki a glance, almost daring him to speak, but Niki just looked away. There were some things you didn’t ask, even of your brother.

So he let Jake lead Emily out into the night, watched as the neon lights caught in her hair, watched as Jake’s fingers lingered possessively at the small of her back. And for the first time, Niki wondered if Jake ever truly listened to anyone but himself.

Y/N would find out a week later- when Jake showed up with Emily to their favourite bar and introduced her as the girl he was taking on a date.

[emotionallyattachednerd]

Lucky Winners ❙ ES Bumblebee X f!robot reader X Breakdown ❙ NSFW 18+

Word count: 2300+

Warnings: Smut ( valve in plug and port and double penetration ) threesome, mentions of BreakBee and a pretty tasty sandwich. NSFW 18+.

Notes: This...I really liked this! Thanks anon for sending through it was a lot of fun and excited to share with the world. Enjoy. 🥰

They are at it again. Bumblebee and Breakdown were having a few races together at the track while you watch on, unable to hold back your smile as you admire them both carrying on like sparklings. Honestly, you think it's cute, they both are, and you enjoy spending time with them.

After the horrible events with both G.H.O.S.T. and Mandroid there was a lot to repair and more verbal agreements to be made. All decepticons and autobots are finally working together to repair the space bridge, and to put the differences aside for a better future.

You're an autobot, loyal to Optimus, but even you grew tired of this war. Despite still being considered as young you felt ready for retirement. After the space bridge would be fixed you wanted to revisit cybertron, and from there you're wanting to consider what you want.

What you truly want is to settle, a change to start a family perhaps, but finding the right mech was no easy task. Right now your thoughts and optics are right on both Bumblebee and Breakdown. Both were rather handsome, funny, and they were both kind to you. But of course you can't have both, right?

Your thoughts are interrupted when you hear the sound of engines roaring and tires skidding, both bots come screaming around the track and as always Breakdown beats Bumblebee. They both transform in style right before you then.

"Too slow!"

"Not again! I know you're cheating somehow, there's just no way you can beat me every single time!"

"Just admit that I'm faster to you, Bee." Breakdown gave out a hearty laugh that you are fond of hearing.

"Y/N, to be honest, did he get a head start?" Bumblebee asks, bringing you into the moment.

"Breakdown a cheater? That's a serious accusation." Your tone is playful. "I'm pretty sure you both went off at the same time."

"I want a re-race!" Bumblebee declared.

"Let's make it interesting. Winner takes the prize." Breakdown grins with mischief.

"What prize? You've got nothing to offer!" Bumblebee argues with slumped shoulders before looking at you. "Name the prize, Y/n."

"Me?" You sound surprised. "Well, alright. The winner shall...." You think before giving a shrug, followed by a silky giggle. "The winner gets a kiss from me."

It's a joke, at least that's what you told yourself.

Both Breakdown and Bumblebee stare at you, then at each other, before they transform and are flying down the track as if their lives depended on it.

"Oh." You whisper to yourself as you feel your cheek plating warm up a little. It was a joke, and they both took it very seriously. Surely they didn't seriously think you are being for real?

Well, you sit there, anxiously waiting for the winner to finish. It's not that you were opposed to the thought of kissing either of them, you would like that very much, but perhaps it's just you overthinking it. It's just a kiss.

Eventually they finish, and once again Breakdown is the champion.

"Yes! I get the prize!" He looks rather proud of himself and even eager to get the kiss from you.

"No fair..." Poor Bumblebee sounded like a wounded critter.

"So, Y/n, how about that kiss?" Breakdown cruises towards you, holding a charming smirk as you stand up from the ground in front of him.

"Very well." Leaning forward you caress his cheek, turning his head lightly and kissing his cheek lightly, giving him a dainty giggle noticing his confused expression.

"What? That's all?" You don't miss Bumblebee's amused smile.

"Oh I'm sorry, were you expecting a hot make out session?" You teased with a seductive smile.

"Yeah?"

"That wasn't the prize offered." Patting his cheek you step away crossing your arms across your charris.

"Alright then, put it on the table." Breakdown sounded determined to get that kiss, which makes you blush lightly knowing what he wants from you. "Bee, one more race?"

Bumblebee vented heavily. "Fine! But I'm watching you, no cheating."

"Y/n, all good, kiss on the lips on the table?" Breakdown looks very anxious as he dances lightly on his pedas making you smirk lightly, an idea forming in your mind. It was crazy but you can't help yourself. After all, it's been a while since you've had any intimate fun.

"How about...whoever wins, get's to have me." You declare before leaning yourself against the brick wall and parting your legs a little, your servos cascading over the top of your thighs, teasing the two racers. "And they can do whatever they want with me."

Once again the silence lingers, and after a long moment of waiting, both Breakdown and Bumblebee have driven off down the track once again in a more desperate attempt to win. You can't help but giggle lightly, the joy and thrill already working through your frame as you wait, curious as to who was going to win and have their way with you. You are going to feel so sorry for whoever doesn't win.

As both come around the bend you notice that both are side by side as they floor it towards the finish line. Would this be the race that Bumblebee finally wins?

Keeping your optics at the finish, you anxiously bit your lips and waited, and waited, right before they both crossed. It's a tie.

"It's me! I won!" Breakdown yells as he's letting everyone know he's won.

"No way! I did! I won that race!" Bumblebee argues not wanting to lose this round.

"Y/n, be honest, who's the lucky winner?" Breakdown leaves it to you to decide, smirking lightly as he sends you a charming wink.

Of course though you answer honestly. "You're both the lucky winners."

"What?" Both looked confused at you causing an uplifting giggle to leave you.

"I saw it, and it's a tie, no more arguing about it. Now, if you two are done with your racing, perhaps you both would like to have your prize now?" You tease as you walk back into the sheltered part of the race track, optics illuminating in the shadows as you await their pounce.

It doesn't take long for either of them to do exactly that.

You find yourself being embraced by Breakdown from behind, feeling his servos roaming over your hips and waist, his lips planting against the back of your neck as he lets out a groan just from touching you. Bumblebee stood in front, his lips latched onto your own in a lustful aura, glossa's tangled gentle together as you both let out hushed moans into one another. It seems both didn't have any issues sharing you.

Curiously, you teased Bumblebe's horns between your digits, earning a short gasp from him as he pulled away in surprise, notice his cheek plating heat up from your actions.

"Sensitive?" You ask through a gentle teasing tone.

"Y-yeah, but it's alright." He gives an innocent smile.

"He secretly loves it." Breakdown says from behind you against your audio.

"And how would you know?" You continue to tease.

"I know everything." His tone was very suggestive.

You bit your lips in thought, considering that the two fool around with one another, which you actually found quite arousing. You digits continue to gently tease Bumblebee's horns, enjoying the sounds he made as you both kiss deep again. Breakdown's servo moved down between your thighs earning a low moan from you under their seductive touches.

"I bet you're already soaking for us, yeah?" Breakdown's tone seems to have that in depth effect on you.

"So much." You weren't going to lie or hold back as you spread your thighs a little, rocking your hips down against his touches. Moving your own servo behind you touch his heated panel, your other moving to Bumblebee's panel as you give them firm rubs, making the two groan from your touches. "And I bet you two are eager for this."

Their answer is by moving, and you find yourself straddling Bumblebee on the ground with Breakdown behind you still, feeling him tilt your helm to the side so he can steal another warm kiss from you as you grind yourself against Bumblebee, who has now retracted his panel and you do the same, rubbing yourself along his already throbbing spike. Breakdown does the same and you feel his thick spike rubbing up against your aft earning a thrilled quiver to rush through your frame.

"Are you alright with this?" Breakdown asks you gently, knowing very well you are about to take them both.

"Definitely."

You trust both to take care and satisfy you greatly. You end up retracting your port than for Breakdown and grind yourself against the two mechs to get them even harder and yourself more lubricated.

A lot of your juices have already leaked out and Breakdown uses this to coat his digits and gently probe your port to prepare you for him. The invasion was different but not bad, in fact you find yourself rocking back against his digits, right before positioning yourself over Bumblebee's tip and sinking down on him.

"Oh primus..." Bumblebee moans, servos holding onto your hips as you slowly lower yourself, feeling every ridge press through your inner walls before bending down to kiss him softly.

Slowly you rock yourself, clenching around his spike along with Breakdown's pumping digits, letting out soft mewls that linger and savouring every second of this. You honestly had no idea if something like this would happen again, and so you want to make every second count for the three of you and make sure they never forget it.

Breakdown removes his digits and you hear him shuffling behind before feeling the warm tip of his spike against your port, nudging gently, before he pushes forward slowly. His grunts hit your audio as you tip your helm back against his shoulder, moaning loudly before it's swallowed by his lips over yours, devouring you with his glossa as he continues to inch forward into your tight port.

Bumblebee found the sight of you both above him even more arousing while you rode his spike slowly, his servos resting at your waist while he vents through the heated desire rushing through him.

You take both their spikes fully, feeling every bumpy ridge and throb from them, clenching around them teasingly as you continue to rock yourself slowly against them. "You both fill me so well, so good." You send them both praises. "You can move, please."

"We'll take very good care of you." Breakdown purrs before looking down at Bumblebee. "You ready slowpoke?"

"Bring it, show off." Bumblebee grins at him.

Holding yourself above, both of them start to thrust into you in sync together, slowly and firmly. Your valve and port welcome both spikes eagerly, clenching around them, feeling every ridge dragging across your inner walls. Your optics shuttered as your mouth hung open, constant silky moans forming from you as you let both winners take you as their prize.

Breakdown's heated grunts are deep and continuous, pressing into you repeatedly as his servos grip your waist securely. Bumblebee's moans are different, softer, servos held a sturdy yet gentle hold across your hips, feeling his digits circling into your soft armour which sends pulses of bliss through your already quivering frame.

"Oh frag..." Is all you can whisper out through the intense interfacing you are receiving from two impressive mechs and their throbbing spikes entering you over again in perfect sync.

"Taking us so well." Breakdown whispers hoarsely against your audio, feeling ever heated vent from him as he rocks into you. "Think you can go for more?"

"Easy Breakdown, don't want to hurt her." Bumblebee's concern was sweet, you think to yourself.

"It's alright. Yes, please. I've got two speed racers fragging me. Give me your true speed." You are ready for them, and it's all the coaxing they both need.

It's as if something set off between them, an electric pulse, because the next thing you know is both of them let themselves go, and truly show you the speed racers they are.

Metal hitting metal, scraping together, throbbing spikes now being rutted into your valve and port repeatedly. Both their hips slam against you over again, but of course all you can feel is the overwhelming pleasure boiling through you as you somehow manage to hold yourself up above Bumblebee with shaky arms.

Your overload suddenly snaps, catching you off guard and half broke shout and collapsing against Bumblebee's chassis while clamping tightly around their twitching cables buried deep in you, aftershocks and pulses rocking through your frame as your moans continue to linger out through their rapid thrusts against you.

Both weren't too far behind, and as you let out short whimpers through they final thrusts, you suddenly feel them giving their final movements through their intense moans and filling you deeply with their transfluids, jerky thrusts lingering before Breakdown lays gently across your back, careful to not crush you or Bumblebee.

Laying on top of Bumblebee he turns his helm a little and you end up kissing him softly making him smile lightly in return as his servo caresses your shoulder. Breakdown leans down over your shoulder, moaning a little as you still feel him inside you, before he tilts your helm back to kiss you as well. That wasn't all though, and you watch through inquisitive optics as Breakdown then leans across to kiss Bumblebee.

You already guessed they are fooling around, and it only turns you on.

"Just so you both know, if you ever want me to offer myself as a prize through racing for each of you, I'm keen." You inform them.

"Guess Bee and I will be racing more often than." You can feel Breakdown's grin through his voice.

"One of these days I'll beat you." Bumblebee sounds determined.

"Sure thing, slow poke."

You let out a soft giggle and touch both speeders tenderly. "I can't wait."

[crying-fantasies]

TF Kinktober 2024

Transformers Masterlist

Special thanks to @tf-kinktober2024 for organizing the event, and for all the robot fuckers out there.

CW: alien sex (I know the title already states the obvious presence of sex and so on in this work But still I'm going to say it), MINORS DO NOT INTERACT.

I'll take my time, mostly long posts to go with the flow, and will be working with different continuities.

Day 1 Exhibitionism | Filming/photographing

Featuring Cyberverse! Soundwave, smut/angst, CW: fingering, kissing with tongue, denied orgasm (from SW’s part), mentions of war.

Day 2 Spanking | Frame modification

Featuring TFAnimated! Jetfire and Jetstorm, smut/humor, CW: heavy touching, licking, massage(?), fingering, blowjob, humping, alien courting (gone wrong), aerial crash.

Day 3 Power play | Gags

Featuring IDW1! Thundercracker, smut/fluff/tiny bit of angst, CW: power play, licking, masturbation (on the mech) talk of the war.

Day 4 Roleplay | Insecticons

Featuring G1! Shrapnel, Bombshell and Kickback, smut/fluff/humor, CW: stretch marks fetish too(?), insect courting (goes with the mech I guess?), oral (receiving), the Insecticons do it like insects and you rock their world moving, Bombshell is into gore (caution).

Day 5 Wet & messy | Group sex

Featuring G1! Bluestreak, smut/fluff/humor, CW: Bluestreak is a goofball and a fluffball, slight dubcon (he’s drunk), heavy petting, licking (gotta keep that mouth busy), oral, lube consumption.

Day 6 First time | Blindfolds

Featuring G1 Springer, smut/fluff, CW: virginity take, penetrative sex, fingering (attempted), handjob, experienced partner (not really), sassy friend (in this house we stand a sassy Arcee).

Day 7 Plug & play | Sex toys

Featuring IDW1! Acid Storm, smut/fluff, use of a dildo, mentioned use of lube/gel and bondage tape, use of mass displacement mods, humping, slight overstimulation, penetration, feelings of love (the Decepticons need so much love, damn), Acid and reader are in a long relationship.

Day 8 Medical play | Fisting

Featuring TF: Earth Wars Game! Barricade, smut/humor, CW: reader putting a hand over the mech, dubious consent (both are drunk every time they get nasty), licking, implied oral, implied fingering and penetration, implied blowjob, messy make-out, Barricade is a menace and an afthole, the reader has a thing for praxian frames (who doesn't?)

Day 9 Spike worship | Overstimulation

Day 10 Spark play | Oviposition

Featuring G1! Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, smut/fluff/humor, CW: sensual thoughts, heavy make-out, the twins being a menace (what's new?), Sunny vowing to kill his brother (what's new??), jealousy, almost oral (giving and receiving), spark electricity, a little of bit of foot (how else are we supposed to touch them while being so little?)

Day 11 Dirty talk | Autobot/Decepticon

Day 12 Edging | Noncon/Dubcon

Featuring IDW1! Deadlock, smut/humor, CW: penetration, licking, mounting, use of teeth and nails, teeth fixation (he thinks your little teeth are cute), the reader is mad and Deadlock is horny, mention of cheating (as if).

Day 13 Beastmorfers | Tentacles

Day 14 Dom/sub | Free use

Day 15 Bot/human | Hatesex

Day 16 Voyeurism | Robogore

Day 17 Valve worship | masochism

Day 18 Bondage | Somnophilia

Day 19 Alt form sex | Vore

Day 20 Praise kink | Monsterfucking

Featuring Merformers! Rodimus Prime, smut/fluff/humor, CW: you fuck the fish, that's it, Roddy doesn't know about kissing, licking (sexy and lovingly), handjob, penetration, mention of a knot, barrier language, nesting, light gore (in a fight), mention of Rodimus’ creators, mer pups/cubs (I love these fictional babies so much), long fic.

Day 21 Phone sex | Captor/prisoner

Day 22 Size difference | Predacons

Featuring TFA! Megatron, smut/fluff/angst, if the size difference is the thing then this Megatron is the one, CW: mentions suicide/death, grief (denial), TFA Megatron first form (I prefer that one over the Earth one), mention of deep emotion, infiltration, use of drugs and alcohol, long fic.

Day 23 Sex pollen | Public humiliation

Day 24 Oral fixation | Stuck

Day 25 Seduction | Size kink

Day 26 Electricity play | Watersports

Day 27 Pet play | Anonymous sex

Day 28 Bathing | Knife play

Featuring TFA! Optimus Prime, Smut/fluff/humor, CW: The reader wants the robot, kissing, indecent thoughts, use of lube/fluid, painful stretch, penetration, and mass displacement, mention of off comments about xenophobia (it's the Animated universe), Optimus is a prudent lover, get yourself someone that looks at you like Optimus does.

Day 29 Secret identity | Minicons

Day 30 Femmedom | Riding

Featuring SG! Tracks, Smut/angst/fluff, CW: the most (pitiful) self-centered Tracks you'll ever see, penetration, mention of sexual assault (sadly a reality that should be stopped), Needlenose likes the reader (too), negation, homicide.

Day 31 Wild card!

[nuttersincorporated]

Portal Timeline Including Fan Content (accurate to the best of my ability)

1944 Cave Johnson buys a salt mine and starts Aperture Science Innovators

1950’s Aperture’s heyday! Astronauts, war heroes and Olympians come to Aperture to help advance science

1952 Testing on Repulsion Gel begins

Portal Stories: Mel; Mel arrives at Aperture and goes into long term relaxation

1953 The first quantum tunnelling portal technology is created

1968 Aperture is investigated by the US Senate over missing astronauts.

1971 Testing begins on Propulsion Gel

Aperture now promises to give $60 to anyone desperate enough to volunteer for testing

1981 Cave Johnson buys moonrock, finds it makes a good portal surface and turns it into Conversion Gel. He also finds that he’s allergic to moon rock and develops cancer (Fun fact! Moon dust does give people allergic like reactions. We don’t know how toxic it is)

1982 Cave starts looking for a way to live forever through technology. He says that if he dies before it’s finished, his assistant Caroline is to be put in charge of Aperture whether she wants to or not. If they need to, he tells them to put her in his machine – once it’s finished – and make her immortal.

Aperture starts to have AI staff.

The human staff are now forced to be test subjects.

Portal: Revolution; One of the scientists working on brain mapping technology is Emilia Conly.

1986 Aperture finds out Black Mesa is working on portal technology. In response, Aperture starts properly working on developing GLaDOS

1987 Cave dies

Late 1980’s or early 1990’s Aperture Desk Job; A personality core called Grady and a human Aperture employee test toilets. They make toilet turrets and meet a version of Cave who survived death by becoming a giant robot head.

Robot-head-Cave begs for death but can’t be killed. He falls into the bowels of Aperture where he will live forever. Grady and the human Aperture employee go into witness protection.

1990’s Caroline is forced into having her mind uploaded into GLaDOS

GLaDOS tries to kill everyone

The scientists attach personality cores on her, to try and control her

Extrusion tunnels are invented

2000’s GLaDOS kills almost all the scientists and begins perpetual testing

Portal Reloaded; An AI learns that GLaDOS will be defeated at some point in the future. They wake test subject 4509 and gets her to test with the triple portal gun, in the hope that she’ll be able to change the future

GLaDOS makes the Lazer Redirection Cubes

Lab Rat; Doug Rattmann puts Chell at the top of the testing list

Portal 1; you know how it goes

Between Portal and Portal 2

With no humans or central core to tell them what to do, some of the AIs start to do their own thing

Aperture starts to fall apart

Portal Reloaded; Test subject 4509 and the time aware AI appear, solve tests and go back in time.

Test subject 4509 escapes and probably dies almost immediately

Betty Help; Betty wants to help everyone

Portal: Revolution; Aperture continues to decay. A cleaning core called Stirling decided to reactive GLaDOS by getting a test subject to use the Spire. The Spire doesn’t work as intended, things get teleported about and the test subject ends up deep underground.

Emilia Conly has a copy of her memory and personality uploaded into a core. Emilia and the test subject stop Stirling and they end up on the moon.

The Underground; Due to the shenanigans in Portal Revolution, another one of Cave’s try-to-cheat-death machines is activated. A version of Cave finds himself in the Mainframe.

The Mainframe instructs some Aperture AIs to set up a sifting system for cores. Cores the Mainframe likes get added to the Mainframe. Cores he doesn’t like get turned into Party Escort Robots.

Portal Stories: Mel; Virgil falls into old Aperture. He wakes up Mel and gets her to help him get back up. The two inadvertently triggering AEGIS. AEGIS sees them as a threat and try to kill them.

AEGIS shakes Aperture while trying to kill Virgil and Mel. This scares Wheatley who starts waking test subjects and spending them to find the portal gun. He wakes six test subjects (Doug Rattmann is possibly one of them) and assumes they die when he can no longer see them.

Mel beats AEGIS and Virgil helps her escapes to freedom. As AEGIS shuts down, it wakes Chell.

Wheatley knocks on Chell’s door

Portal 2! If you’ve read this far, you know the plot of Portal 2 and you don’t need me to summaries it

Portal 2 Co-op

Aperture Tag: The Paint Gun Testing Initiative; Nigel – a personality core designed by GLaDOS – gets a test subject to test with a Paint Gun. The Paint Gun shoots repulsion and propulsion gel. The test subject tests and does maintenance by deactivating the Aperture Laboratories Stability Stable Energy Reactor (ALSSER).

Meet the Cores; various Aperture cores are doing their own thing around the facility. Aperture seem to be falling apart again

Edit: Since the multiverse is a thing in Portal canon, anything that doesn’t fit properly can be treated as if it happens in another universe. VALVe has said that Aperture Desk Job can be treated like an AU but might also become fully canon at some point.

There’s a good chance that The Underground is set after Portal 2 rather than between the main games. This means that GLaDOS and the Mainframe could conceivably have a showdown at some point which would be fun to see (I might write a fanfic about this at some point).

[sickospaghetti-o]

Random future head cannons for Gravity Falls.

(I can’t sleep so I’m gonna make it everyone else’s problem)

Dipper:

- Starts the first ever ddmd club at his high school as well as a Cryptid/ Mystery club (Mabel is the vice president of the club and always plans club events)

- Studies ancient history and journalism in college

- Is 100% a loser trans boy (Mabel always helps him with his t shots)

- Makes journals of his own and tried to publish one (Didn’t go well)

- Meets a really nice girl in college that helps him get out of his comfort zone. She finds Dipper’s work on cryptids very interesting. “She’s the one, Mabel. I know it. She just gets me.”

- Forgets to tie his shoes all the time and is constantly tripping because of it

- Still loves BABBA but also listens to Midwest emo

Mabel:

- Waddles still lives with Mabel and wins the world record for oldest pig alive

- Studies Fashion in college and starts her own alternative clothing business (it’s very successful)

- Stan taught her how to con during the first summer she visited gf and she got really good at it but has refused to use her skills unless someone is being an asshole and “Totally deserved it, Dipper! It’s not my fault he didn’t know how to cheat at poker”

- Listens to bands like lemon demon and will wood after she goes through her boy band phase (she goes back and listens to several timz when she misses Grenada and Candy)

- She and Pacifica have been dating since the beginning of their junior year in high school (they confessed to each other over the summer and are currently doing a long distance thing)

Ford:

- He and Fiddleford hang out after weirdmagedon and manage to rekindle their friendship

- Started a new journal with Stan while they traveled the world on the Stan’o’ war

- Found out that the Cold War ended and he learned about the attack on 9/11 and he found out that gay marriage was legalized all in the same day (had to sit down because he thought he was going to pass out)

- Is slowly learning to forgive himself for “falling for Bill’s tricks” and still has to accept that it wasn’t his fault and that he was manipulated

- His favorite new “technology advancement” is bluetooth

Pacifica:

- Over the years she and her family have drifted apart and Paz has learned to live to be completely independent from her parents

- Works at the dinner with Lazy Susan and has come to see her as a mother figure

- Is actually really good with computers and technology

- She went on a walk on night and ended up at the old Northwest Mansion. She was feeling really homesick and so she walked around the gardens for a while and met Fiddleford. They found out that they have the same passion for computers and bonded of it.

- She made an indie mystery puzzle solving game based loosely on weirdmagedon with the help of Dipper and Fidds

- In a relationship with Mabel and still gets butterflies whenever she’s around

Fiddleford:

- Divorced his raccoon wife (the break up was messy, he doesn’t like to talk about it)

- Invites Tate and his family to live in the mansion with him and they all accept

- He and Tate talk a lot and Fidds apologizes all the time for leaving when Tate was a kid. They mange to figure it out and their relationship is getting stronger

- Teaches Pacifica tons about computer tech and teaches her a little bit of robotics (her first robot blew up and set fire to the south garden of the mansion)

- Relearns banjo and is still one hell of a musician

- Barely remembers dating Stan when they were younger but still has feelings for him, he won’t tell him until later (don’t mind me just spreading my fiddlestan agenda)

Stan:

- Took Ford to go visit Shermie (Shermie hits them both and then hugs them immediately after)

- Has stopped conning people as much as possible and now only does it when absolutely necessary (Normally while on adventures with Ford)

- His favorite band is They Might Be Giants and he and Ford sing their songs together all the time

- Bill still lives in Stan’s mind but has no power he’s just like an annoying little voice in his head (they manage to be “friends” and get along)

- He picked up lace making and is incredibly talented (He originally learned how to knit from Mabel, but didn’t like it as much. She showed him what Lacemaking was and he fell in love with the hobby)

- Has gaps in his memory but has been able to regain most of them

- He and Fidds used to date when he was rebuilding the portal but they don’t talk about it anymore. He has lingering feelings but he won’t ever admit it.

[casstratophizing]

Let me make myself clear, Scott Summers is a fuck up. 

He is someone who walked out on his wife and kid to go see their equivalent of a highschool crush after one call. He is someone who cheated on his wife with another woman, he is someone who killed his parental figure whilst under the influence of a cosmic entity. Those mistakes and moments of weakness will forever define him more than any heroic act,  good decision or life saving order he gives. Scott Summers is a man who defines himself more by what he isn’t than what he is. 

Scott was burdened by responsibility since a very young age, after the plane accident that let him and his brother freefalling into the woods, his responsibility as a protector was so present he made sure Alex, his brother, would land safely even if that caused him to suffer brain damage that affected him through the rest of his life, making him unable to control his eye beams, and yet, if you ask him if he would go back an change that, he would say no. The burden of protection and responsibility is as natural to Scott as breathing; An instinct that remained within him throughout his life even long after he and his brother were separated when they went to different orphanages. Scott who has been haunted by a mad man obsessed with him since a young age was sent to an orphanage where he was experimented on and tortured as well as ostracized and shamed and yet when he awoke his mutant powers his first fear was to hurt someone else with them. 

His mutant powers are a representation of the burdens he holds, a powerful beam that emanates without control and thus he must live wearing eyewear at all times to protect others around him and yet if this beam is not released and only contained it leads to severe headaches to Scott which he suffered through most of his early years after this power awoke. His fear of this power, that got to the point where he would not allow himself to cry because of the uncertainty of how his powers would affect his tears, alongside the past traumatic experiences of his life led him to become someone who seeks to be prepared for everything. Reading books on the art of war, strategy and how to fly planes since a young age. He needed to be prepared for everything so that he can protect everyone involved and never have a tragedy occur in his watch. 

All these qualities are why he made the perfect child soldier for Xavier’s team, he was impressionable, lost, alone and yet had the instinct to protect and be prepared. Despite his fear of his power, of his feelings of not being prepared he understood that another burden had been placed upon him, the burden of leadership. “If I don't do it, who will?” after all. And lead he did, despite only being able to see one color, he learned to pilot a plane in his young teens, he memorized every button, every position of lights and code. Despite having a simpler, more limited power than many of his peers, He planned out work regiments for himself and fellow team members and for a time it was simple. 

But things can’t remain simple and predictable in life, and Scott had to learn that lesson many times. Alternate timelines, Evil robots, Chaos magic induced extinctions all these and more are the things that Scott must prepare a team for at a given notice, he has been caught unprepared for this many times  but when the worst comes to pass, when the world is in chaos and someone must take a position of leadership, it’s not Xavier who listens to the cries of people and responds and it is not Magneto who makes a proper plan and unites the mutants under a structure, it’s Scott.

To put it simply, Scott Summers is someone who wants to foolishly prepare for everything and yet when he fails he is also the first to take responsibility and act. He is a martyr, a revolutionary and a hero. He is a protector and a leader. One who no matter what he does, can never recognize that for himself, who will forever see himself more in his failures than in his victories and someone who lives with more memories of his regrets than his joys. Because above all things Scott Summers is a fuckup, but so are we all.

[shadowblade8192]

ok so hear me out

space babies and robot revolution - new companions being taken to space for the first time

devils chord and lux - set in the past - about a member of the pantheon - a character is tangled in a black material and suspended in the air

boom and the well - hole - something brought back from rtd1 as the antagonist - companion gets shot - varada sethu is there but thats kinda a cheat-y point

73 yards and lucky day (question marks for speculation) - focused on ruby? - doctor is mostly not there?

dot and bubble and the story and the engine - idk there isnt much to go off

rogue and the interstellar song contest - gay kiss please please please please

legend of ruby sunday/empire of death and wish world/reality war - 2 part finale - probably pantheon member trying to destroy all of reality again?

i have no idea where im going with this tbh maybe ill edit this after next weeks episode with a more concrete conclusion to be taken from this