ohhoneypascal - Tumblr blog

ohhoneypascal · 5 hours ago

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OH MY GOD!? Nah I loved this so much and it was perfect 😭😭

crossfire

pairing: manny alvarez x f!reader, enemies to lovers, jackson x wlf

summary: you're from jackson. he's a part of the wlf. everything about it was wrong, but an undeniable attraction keeps pulling both of you into a territory far more dangerous than everything you'd ever faced.

a/n: first of all tysm for all the love for under your skin pt 1 and 2 ♡ and YES another enemies to lovers with manny because i'm obsessed. of course none of those things from tlou happen in this scenario so let's just stick with this cutie version of manny. this is a one shot so its kinda long and english is not my first language !! hope u all enjoy it ♡

The first time you met Manny Alvarez, he had a gun pointed at your head.

And he was smiling.

Time seemed to slow as his finger rested on the trigger, but instead of pulling it, he paused.

His dark eyes locked onto yours as if he could see straight through you and his tan skin under the dim light, contrasting with the wild curls that fell over his forehead. For a moment, he didn’t speak, just watched you, as if savoring the tension.

“You’re way too pretty for someone who’s about to die,” he murmured, voice rich with mock sympathy. “What a shame.”

You swallowed, trying to ignore the way your heart raced, and the rush of heat that had nothing to do with fear.

With a soft chuckle, he lowered the gun, his fingers brushing against your skin as he did.

“Lucky for you, I’m not quite done with you yet,” he said, his grin widening.

Then, with a wink, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving you standing there, heart racing, caught somewhere between relief and something far more dangerous.

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The second time, there was no hesitation.

You spotted him across the street as the WLF and Jackson’s forces clashed in the ruins of a broken-down city block. The dust and smoke made the air hard to breathe, but your focus was on one thing: him, his dark curls damp with sweat, rifle slung, dark eyes scanning the chaos.

In one fluid motion, you darted forward, blade slicing his forehead as he quickly jerked back, blood starting to rush down all over his face.

“Guess letting you live wasn’t such a great idea,” he teased, swiping the blood away, his eyes still sparkling. “Now you’ve gone and left your mark on me.”

The smirk was back within seconds.

"Not bad, mi reina," he called out, his voice carrying through the chaos, full of mocking admiration. “But you’re gonna need more than that to take me down.”

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Months later, you’d been guarding the perimeter near the outskirts of Jackson, keeping an eye out for anyone trying to creep through. What you weren’t ready for was the sight of him behind an old rusted car, a grin plastered on his face.

“Well, well,” Manny said, a slow, teasing smile curling at the corners of his lips. “I was wondering when I’d see you again. Been thinking a lot about you lately.”

“Sure you want to finish that sentence?”

“It’s hard not to, you know” he reached up, fingers lightly brushing over the scar you’d left on his face, his touch lingering as if he was savoring the memory. “Guess I’ll always have a piece of you with me now.”

You couldn’t help but notice how the scar had settled into his skin, the blood long gone but the mark only adding to his dangerous allure. You hate to admit it kind of made him look even more irresistible — more tempting, even.

You tightened your grip on your rifle, instinctively aiming at him.

“You’re trespassing,” you said, your voice cold, as your heart hammered in your chest.

“It must get lonely out here, keeping watch all by yourself…” Manny ignored your words as he took a step closer, eyes never leaving yours. “Maybe you should let me in. I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”

You didn’t flinch, your finger tightening around the trigger as your eyes locked onto his.

He was standing closer before you could even respond. “It’s such a shame we’re on opposite sides. We could have a lot of fun together, don’t you think?”

“You’re not as clever as you think, Alvarez,” you said, and in one fluid motion, you fired a shot just past his ear, the crack of the bullet cutting through the tense air. The bullet embedded into the wall behind him, sending a clear message. “Now get back. I won’t warn you again.”

Manny took another step back, his eyes gleaming with mischief, clearly enjoying the game. “I’m not the enemy you think I am, you know. But if you keep looking at me like that, I might just become one.”

You narrowed your eyes, tightening your grip on the rifle. “Keep dreaming.”

“Can’t tell if that’s a threat or if you’re trying to seduce me” he teased. “Either way, it’s definitely working.”

His lips curled into a grin again, and without another word, he winked and disappeared into the shadows.

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From that moment forward, the encounters became more frequent. No matter where you were, no matter what your mission was, Manny always found a way to show up, always with that smirk and those irritatingly charming words. And day after day, the attraction between you both grew.

You saw him again a month later, when his figure emerged from behind a crumbling wall and his eyes locked onto yours almost immediately. He was alone, no WLF backup, and his usual cocky attitude was nowhere to be found. He simply stood there, eyes studying you like a puzzle he was trying to solve.

“You’re not very good at this, are you?” he teased, taking a step closer.

“Don’t you have anything better to do than annoy me?” You couldn’t hide the frustration in your voice, though part of you knew, deep down, it wasn’t really what was getting to you.

Manny’s lips quivered, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Maybe I’m just trying to get your attention.”

“You’ve got it. Now leave.”

There was no hiding it now. The tension between you two had grown to something impossible to ignore — you weren’t sure if it was the way he always flirted with you, or how his presence seemed to make your skin tingle, but you knew it was becoming harder to pretend you didn’t feel it.

“You know, for someone who’s supposed to be the enemy, you’re kind of hard to resist.” Manny said, taking another slow step toward you.

You pointed your gun at him. “Easy,” he said, grinning. “Just want to talk.”

“You sure? Might be your last conversation.”

He should’ve been pissed. Should have raised his own weapon. But he only laughed instead.

“You ever relax?”

“You ever shut up?”

“I could. If you kissed me.”

──────────────────────────────────────────

You knew it was wrong — stupid, even — to let him take up space in your mind. But every time Manny sauntered out of the trees with that cocky grin and some ridiculous flirtation, you cracked a little more.

You’d found yourself thinking about him way too much — remembering the moments when his dark eyes sparkled with mischief, the way he moved just a little too close, as if he already knew exactly what his presence did to you.

He was the enemy, and yet your patrols started drifting closer to the places you knew he’d be. You told yourself it was a coincidence, that keeping tabs on him was necessary, but the truth sat heavier each day: you weren't just looking for him anymore — you were hoping to see him, and started to feel disappointed when you didn’t.

You knew he was trouble, dangerous even, and you knew it was wrong to want him, to crave his attention. But every time you replayed the sound of his voice, low and teasing, or remembered the way his gaze lingered just long enough to leave you breathless, something twisted inside you.

You weren’t looking for him the next time you met, but still found him on a construction site, blood crusted at his temple, dragging a broken rifle and muttering in Spanish. You could’ve left him — should have left him — but something pulled you forward.

Again.

“You look like shit,” you said, stepping into the open, gun aimed at him.

He turned toward your voice, too slow, too tired. And then he grinned.

“Well, well” Manny leaned like he had all the time in the world. “Didn’t think you’d miss me that much to come all the way here. Finally realized you're in love with me?"

You rolled your eyes, but didn’t draw your gun. Not yet. “Why are you out here alone?” you asked.

He stepped forward, hands half-raised in a mock surrender.

“Scavenging. Or maybe just hoping I’d run into you.”

You didn't answer, and he stared at your gun.

“You gonna finish the job this time, cariño, or just keep admiring the view?”

“You’re lucky I haven’t ended this yet.”

“Well, you never do” he says, smiling wider. “What does that say?”

“That I’m losing my goddamn mind.”

“Or maybe,” he says, taking a slow step toward you, “You’re starting to see what I’ve seen this whole time.”

You didn’t answer. Because part of you already knew. You just didn’t want to face it.

──────────────────────────────────────────

Manny stepped out of the shadows again weeks later, calm and cocky as ever, that familiar smirk tugging at his lips. His gun rested loosely in his hand, now more like an accessory than a threat. His eyes — dark, sharp, and far too amused — landed on you with precision.

You caught the movement and your rifle was up in an instant, aimed dead at his chest.

“Are you following me now, Alvarez?” you snapped, stepping into the open with your finger brushing the trigger.

He stopped, hands out to his sides in a lazy show of innocence, that infuriating smirk already forming. “Well, you do make it hard to stay away.”

“Don’t you think it’s funny that I had plenty of chances to kill you, and never did?” He took a slow step closer, gaze never leaving yours.

You didn’t move, didn’t lower your rifle. “I’ve had the same chances,” you said. “You’re not special.”

Manny laughed, closing the distance between them with a few easy steps.

“But see, I know exactly why I haven’t pulled the trigger.” He stopped just a breath away, his eyes locked onto yours, the smirk fading into something quieter — something more dangerous. “What’s your excuse? What’s stopping you, cariño?”

You didn’t answer — you couldn’t, not when he was looking at you like he already knew everything.

He leaned in slowly until his lips hovered just a breath away from yours. His hand brushed lightly against your arm, barely there. Then he paused, lips twitching into a crooked smile.

“That’s what I thought” he whispered.

“I don’t have time for this,” you muttered, your voice trembling slightly. You stepped back, trying to maintain the distance between you.

But Manny was quick. In one fluid motion, he was right back in front of you, his hand brushing against your arm, sending a shock of warmth through your body.

“I know you want it,” he said softly, his voice so close that it made you dizzy. “It’d be easier if you just admitted it.”

Your heart skipped a beat at his words. You knew exactly what he meant, but still couldn’t afford to acknowledge it.

You were from Jackson. He was from the WLF. Everything about you two was wrong — everything about it was dangerous.

“I don’t know what you're talking about” you said, your heart racing, your breath caught in your throat.

“You’re a terrible liar,” he whispered, his breath warm against your face. “You think I don’t see the way you look at me?”

Your pulse quickened as his lips hovered near yours, his words sending a wave of heat through you. The world around you seemed to disappear, and the WLF, Jackson, the fight — it all faded into the background.

“Tell me to stop,” he murmured.

You didn’t.

Before you could even think, his lips were on yours. It was fierce, desperate, like both of you had been waiting for this moment far too long. Manny’s hand slid around your waist, pulling you closer, deepening the kiss as your body reacted before your mind could catch up.

When you finally pulled away, breathless, you blinked, trying to clear your mind. What had you just done?

──────────────────────────────────────────

You didn’t see Manny for a while after that kiss, as you started avoiding the routes he used to show up and skipping outposts you knew he might be near.

He was WLF, after all — the enemy — and no matter how much that kiss haunted you, getting close again felt like crossing a line you couldn’t afford.

Then you started finding the notes.

A bottle by the barn: “Miss me yet?”

A note under a bike tire: “Bet you can’t stop thinking about it.”

One tucked into a tree branch: “Don’t act like you don’t want to do it again.”

And another one between the gate you used to patrol: “Can’t keep running forever, cariño."

Each one, signed only with an M, sent your heart into a familiar spin.

You were doing your best to brush them off, but then you found one that was impossible to ignore — a torn piece of a map with a red “X” and scribbled in blocky handwriting:

“Midnight. I’ll be waiting. M”

Still, curiosity — and something else you weren’t ready to name — got the better of you.

The place was far from the patrol routes — an isolated cabin you’d only ever hear whispers about. It was a risky spot, but you trusted him. Mostly.

He was already there when you arrived, leaning casually against the weathered porch when he saw you.

“Well, well,” Manny drawled, hopping down. “Look who finally decided to show up.”

“You’ve been annoying me with those stupid messages for days. When are you going to stop?” you asked, crossing your arms.

“Ouch. Didn’t like my love letters?”

“That’s what you call stalking now?”

“I prefer the term dedicated admirer.”

“What do you want, Manny?”

“Just wanted to see you. You know, since you’ve been ignoring me lately.” Manny smirked, stepping closer. “But I wasn’t sure you’d actually come, since you’ve got a lot of reasons to stay away from me.”

“So do you.”

The truth was you couldn’t keep ignoring whatever it was that was happening between you, couldn’t pretend that it didn’t stir something in you every time he was near.

"You’re right," he said quietly, his voice taking on a seriousness you hadn’t heard before. “We both have reasons to stay away. But we can’t. And we don’t have to.”

“Don’t start, Manny. You know this can’t happen again.”

He stepped closer. “Why not? I mean, you sneaked out in the middle of the night just to see me.” He paused, then added, voice low, teasing, “That’s something, right?”

You shoved him — lightly — but didn’t step back when he caught you again.

“And you know what else I’ve figured out? Despite you hesitating to kill me at every chance you had..” he asked, leaning in. “Every time I’m around, you act like it’s an accident. Like it just happens that we cross paths. But it’s not, is it?”

You opened your mouth to protest, but he raised an eyebrow and kept going.

“You try not to. But you do.” He stepped to the side, just enough to catch your gaze again. “You’re looking for me, cariño. Just like I’m always looking for you.”

You kept trying to think of an answer, a pushback — anything — but nothing came.

Manny smiled again, slower this time, softer. “You don’t have to say it. I already know.”

“I shouldn’t be here,” you muttered.

“But you are. And you wouldn’t if you didn’t want it as much as I do.”

That night, every movement between you was slower. Hungrier. There was no rush, just the quiet understanding that this was the only place either of you could be honest.

Out here, hidden from the world, the war, and the walls you each had to keep up — he could touch you like you weren't enemies, and you could let him. You didn't have to pretend anymore.

──────────────────────────────────────────

It kept happening after that.

You would sneak away at night, meeting Manny in the quietest corners of Jackson’s outskirts, in abandoned places you knew no one would look at.

One day it was behind the old greenhouse, where vines had overtaken what used to be neat garden rows.

“Told you this place was romantic” Manny said, holding up a wilted flower with a mock charm.

You snorted. “Trying to impress me, Alvarez?”

“Depends. Is it working?”

“Not really.”

“Doesn’t matter. You’re already in love with me.”

──────────────────────────────────────────

Then in a hollow near the river, where an old campfire pit sat unused. Manny was crouched, drawing something in the dirt with a stick when he heard you approach.

“Planning something?” you asked.

“Mapping escape routes,” he teased. “In case you finally admit you want to run away with me.”

You snorted. “I’d get sick of you before we made it three miles.”

Manny’s smirk only deepened, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Three miles?” he challenged, taking a slow step toward you. “You know I can keep you entertained for way longer than that.”

──────────────────────────────────────────

Every time it became harder, riskier. The fear of getting caught got you both, but neither of you could stop. It was dangerous, reckless, but every touch, every glance, pulled you both deeper in.

The risk was a part of the excitement at first — sneaking out at night, staying quiet, but as the days passed, the weight and meaning kept growing heavier, and soon you both knew it wasn’t just about the that anymore.

It was the way Manny would ask you to stay a little longer, the way the time with him never seemed to be enough, the way you started wishing everything was different — that the rules that kept you apart didn't exist.

You almost didn't make it on a rainy night, but managed to find him waiting beneath the half-collapsed roof of an old tower.

“You’re very late. I was starting to get worried." he said, his tone light but with an underlying edge of frustration.

“Were you scared I wouldn’t come?” you shot back, but the teasing smile on your lips betrayed you.

“Nah. I knew you’d show.” he murmured, lips touching your neck. “Can’t stay away from me.”

You didn’t answer. Instead, you kissed him as if the rest of the world didn’t matter.

When it was over, you lay side by side, fingers entwined, staring up at the sky through the broken roof.

“I did get scared you wouldn’t come,” Manny said, barely above a whisper. His hand tightened around you, but his eyes refusing to meet yours.

“Why?”

He hesitated, still looking away, as if searching for the right words. “I don’t know. Thought maybe wouldn't want to risk being around me anymore. Keep doing this for real."

You leaned in, your hand gently cupping his cheek, making him finally look at you. “I’m all in, Manny. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“What if you change your mind?”

"I won't," you said firmly, your eyes locked with his. "I'm exactly where I want to be."

His lips pulled into a faint, almost relieved smile. “Yeah?” He leaned closer, the vulnerability in his eyes slowly giving way to something deeper. “Good. Because I don’t think I can walk away from this.”

You smiled back, kissing him. “Neither can I.”

The next time you saw him, the question you both had been avoiding finally slipped from your lips.

“You ever think about what happens if someone finds out?” you asked as your fingers touched the scar along his face, the same one you gave him the first time you met, feeling like ages ago.

“Every time I see you,” he said, lips brushing your temple. “But it’s always worth it.”

It was dangerous. Reckless. But in the darkness, when it was just the two of you, you didn’t care. All you wanted was him. And he felt the same.

The war might never end, but maybe, just maybe, you and Manny had found something that was worth fighting for, too.

#manny alvarez #manny alvarez x reader #tlou #i love him your honor

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