#Accident Firm Palm Springs

[thebaumlawfirm]

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If you have been injured in an accident in Palm Springs, our team of dedicated lawyers is here to help. We have years of experience representing clients in a variety of personal injury cases, including those involving car accidents. Our Palm Springs Accident Lawyer is well-versed in the state's laws and regulations related to car accidents and we use this knowledge to build a strong case on behalf of our clients. We will handle all communication and negotiations with insurance companies so our clients can focus on their recovery.

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[palmdesertaccidentattorney00]

Visit us:- https://palmdesertaccident.com/ 

[juw0ng]

g!p yunjin x chaewon

warning: smut

note: this is an adaptation,credit to the original author.

— —

Chaewon had been doing this since she was a sophomore,but the nerve wracking-ness of it was still strong as the first day she snuck out of school.

She swallowed hard and surveyed the empty hallway where her locker was.The exit towards the back of the school was a few feet away,and she knew for a fact that no one ever checks the security cameras.Hybe High was too lenient to do routine checks.So skipping class was too easy.Everyone had done it at least once,but common practice never made Chaewon feel better about it.

What made her feel better was seeing Yunjin.

Chaewon glanced at her phone and saw two texts from her girlfriend.

"— Where are you babe ? I’ve been here for more than twenty minutes"

"— Don’t tell me you’re feeling guilty now ???"

Chaewon chuckled and wiped her glasses.She liked making Yunjin wait,it made her needier and her desperation was always a turn on.Chaewon liked being in control like that.Still,she packed up her things and confidently,so as not to attract too much attention,walked out the back entrance to the student parking lot where Yunjin was waiting in the middle of the parking lot.She was playing with her phone,Chaewon’s helmet tucked under her arm.It was black with a haphazard spray paint of a gold star on it—Yunjin’s own doing.

"There you are." Yunjin grinned at the sight of her. "You didn't get in trouble, did you?" She was dressed in a black jacket, the collar popped up to ward off the spring breeze.Her eyes, hidden by reflective sunglasses,and her motorcycle rumbled while she was perched on it."Still feeling guilty?"

Chaewon shook her head and stood beside Yunjin as she placed the helmet on her head. She adjusted the straps and leaned in to kiss her,forehead bumping against the hard plastic. "Hop on,baby."

She rode behind Yunjin and wrapped her arms around her narrow waist,palms grazing her thighs over her tight jeans.Yunjin made a soft noise as she kicked the stand,the motorcycle pulling out of the parking lot."Watch those hands kitten,i don’t wanna get into an accident just because you can't get your hands off my dick."

Chaewon nudged her head against Yunjin’s back as she laughed,but kept her hands still for the time being.She instead relished the feel of Yunjin’s back against her body.Chaewon loved the firmness of her,her warmth,her smell.She closed her eyes while Yunjin wove through the empty roads,in no rush to get to wherever she wanted to go.

At a stoplight,Chaewon blindly palmed Yunjin’s crotch until she found the shape of her cock where the ripped denim stretched taut.She rubbed the growing bulge,Yunjin groaning under her breath.”Babe,you're not really planning on jacking me off while we wait for this red light,are you?"

Chaewon didn't reply.Instead,she tugged Yunjin’s zipper and wriggled her hand in between the slit to feel her cock."Commando?" She asked,her fingertip tracing the vein that was thick and throbbing along her shaft. "Yunjin,you naughty girl."

"Excuse me,miss hand down my pants." Yunjin continued to drive as the light turned green.The motorcycle stuck down the road."Seriously,Chaewon…Hands off or you'll get fined,by me.Distracted driving is a bad thing,remember?"

Yunjin was grasping at straws now and Chaewon couldn't help but grin.The power over her,it was intoxicating.She pulled out Yunjin’s cock and the brown-haired girl moaned,the engine revving fiercely when her grip tightened on the acceleration."Fuck..."

"Hurry up and take us home,Yunjin."Chaewon muttered."And I promise I'll pay my 'fine' by sucking your hard cock off."

Yunjin’s head tilted and Chaewon knew she was glancing at her hands wrapped around the thick stalk of her cock."I still remember when you couldn’t say dick without blushing.I kinda miss those days because you wouldn't pull out my cock like this while I'm driving."

Chaewon smiled and said nothing until Yunjin parked on the Kim driveway.Yunjin looked around before getting off.She helped Chaewon off the bike and carried her bag for her."Come on,let's get inside."

In no rush at all,Chaewon grasped Yunjin’s hand and led her inside.Once the front door slammed shut,Yunjin groaned in relief that no one saw them."You're getting more and more risky by the minute."She commented.

Chaewon smirked and tugged Yunjin’s cock."Shush."She pressed her into the door and pumped her thick shaft.Kissing Yunjin,she tasted mint candy and Chapstick on her lips."You better not be smoking again."Chaewon whispered against her lips.She locked eyes with Yunjin.Licked her hand to lube up her strokes. Yunjin convulsed at the action, the look in her eye.

She sank to her knees and licked the slit of Yunjin’s cock.It drew out a line of precum which Chaewon swallowed.Yunjin’s hand was pale on the doorknob,as if to prevent anyone from coming in."Look at you,still in the foyer but you're already on your knees for my dick."Yunjin smirked but Chaewon was having none of it.In one swift movement,Yunjin’s cock disappeared in her mouth,all nine inches of it."Holy fucking shit!" She groaned.

But as soon as Chaewon was on Yunjin’s dick, she was gone in the same instant.She looked at Chaewon,dazed."Wh—why did you stop?…"

Chaewon showed off the straight rows of her teeth and took languid steps up the stairs."I thought I might make you beg today."

Yunjin pouted but followed after her."But you just did it yesterday."

"What can I say? I like being in power,love hearing you beg and whine for my pussy on your dick."

Yunjin sighed and ran her hands through her hair."No one would ever believe me if I say that a nerd like you has such a big mouth with a propensity to be dominant."

"Oh, but you enjoy it so much."Chaewon laughed softly and opened the door to her bedroom.Yunjin kicked off her shoes and was about to strip off her pants.Chaewon stopped her."Keep those on,take off your shirt and jacket."

Yunjin obeyed,no questions asked."Yeah I like it when you own me,baby." She laid on the end,legs crossed,cock sticking out of the zipper of her trousers."But sometimes you do that thing where you don't make me come and it feels like I'm going to explode…But then you do make me come." She watched Chaewon walk around, folding clothes and brushing her hair."And it feels like my entire body is on fire, you know?"

Smiling,Chaewon nodded."That's the point.It's called edging,baby.Know your terms."

"What,I'm getting a vocabulary lesson now?" Yunjin grunted."No thanks."

"Fine,be that way.Tell me, are you going to be a good girl or am I going to have to tie you up?"

"I'll be good." Yunjin fidgeted slightly to get more comfortable.She gripped the runs of the head of Chaewon’s bed as her girlfriend stripped down to nothing.She crawled in bed with Yunjin,between her legs.Chaewon rubbed the muscles of her calves,the firm flesh of her thighs.The entire time,Yunjin watched Chaewon,and Chaewon took her time with her.She raked her nails along her legs.Fingertips brushed the swell of Yunjin’s cum-loaded balls.

A tremor coursed through Yunjin and she couldn't help but groan.She fidgeted a bit and swallowed.Chaewon winked up at her and nuzzled her abs,stomach sinking at the light touch.She needed more,and Chaewon knew it.But she won't give Yunjin whatever she wanted.First,she would have her fun.

Chaewon sprawled down on the bed,her naked torso pressed tight against Yunjin’s ribcage.She parted her lips and flattened her tongue on her nipple.She sucked on the stiff bud,swirled her tongue around it,as her palm grasped the thick stalk of Yunjin’s cock.Chaewon alternated between sucking and licking and nipping Yunjin’s nipples and the swell of her breasts while she lightly strokes her dick from the base to the swollen head.

"Fuck..." Yunjin’s eyes were squeezed shut and her upper arms trembled from the strain of gripping the metal runs.Chaewon ceased her sucking to kiss Yunjin’s cheek."Chae...I can't take too much of this fucking teasing."

"Patience is a virtue."Chaewon chastised and released Yunjin’s cock.She rifled through her drawer and took out a bottle of lube.Sitting between Yunjin’s legs,Chaewon crossed her legs and uncapped the bottle.She dribbled the cold liquid all over Yunjin’s hard shaft and set it on the floor.

Yunjin’s cock strained while Chaewon massaged the lube on her balls until they were shimmering and slippery enough for Chaewon to play with.She rolled the spheres in her palm,teased the baby soft skin,and licked the head of Yunjin’s dick.It twitched as soon as it made contact with Chaewon tongue,and Yunjin’s breath hitched.

"mmh…" Yunjin whined,back arching off the bed in a perfect curve.Chaewon relished her whimpers as she wrapped her dainty hands around Yunjin’s length.Two fists,yet it wasn't enough to cover Yunjin’s length,a few inches jutting out of Chaewon’s fist.She mouthed at the tip,tongue swirling and digging firmly into the slit that leaked precum."k—…kitten…fuck..."

Chaewon pumped her cock,slick noises coming from her palms as she fucked it on Yunjin’s dick.She released it fully and grinned as it bobbed between her legs.The brown-haired girl cried out,fisting the bed sheets.She didn't want to break the runs of Chaewon’s headboard like last time."Don't stop, don't stop..." She panted.

So Chaewon picked her cock up again.She bobbed her head,smoothing her hand on the rest of her cock that she didn't have down her throat.Each thrust of her mouth earned a wet,choking noise as Yunjin’s shaft breached Chaewon’s talented,gag reflex-less throat.Each time,Yunjin would gasp and her cock would twitch.Chaewon kept this brutal,rapid pace until Yunjin was whimpering that she was about to come.

Chaewon stopped.Left Yunjin’s dick jumping against her stomach.She wiped the corners of her mouth and smirked at the dazed look in Yunjin’s eyes."P—pl...please…let me come." Yunjin scratched out.Her cock twitched again.Chaewon straddled her stomach and she ground her pussy against Yunjin’s flexing stomach.”You're so fucking wet…Fuck."

Humming softly,Chaewon planted her hands on either side of Yunjin’s head.She humped her pussy against her abdomen and kissed her.Slow and deep.In time with her gyrations.Yunjin was breathing heavily and Chaewon could feel her hot breath,steady against her mouth."Fuck me." Chaewon murmured,sucking on the tip of Yunjin’s tongue.Yunjin trembled,her arms tight around Chaewon’s body.

Chaewon kissed Yunjin and shifted away from her.She went on her elbows and knees,cheek flush against the blankets.Yunjin scrambled to her knees.She parted Chaewon’s ass cheeks,licked her folds to get a taste of her while the smaller girl squirmed."Lick that pussy." Chaewon breathed,eyes squeeze shut.She'd been so aroused playing with Yunjin’s dick that she was sure that if she kept up the harsh sucks on her pussy lips,she would come.

And she did.With a squeal,Chaewon’s liquid gushed all over Yunjin’s eager tongue.It dragged up her folds and slid right into her clenching hole.Yunjin fucked her tongue into her until her convulsions eased,and that was when she slammed her rigid cock inside Yeji.

The black-haired girl cried out as her pussy stretched to accommodate Yunjin’s girth.She bent over her back,her arms sliding underneath Chaewon’s body to grasp her throat lightly.Yunjin covered Chaewon entire body with hers as she humped into her while her cock reached the deepest parts of her.Chaewon reached back and grabbed handfuls of Yunjin’s hair."That's it baby,mount my pussy." She gasped against her jaw.

"You're too much." Yunjin panted against Chaewon’s neck.Her legs went on a straddling position and it allowed her to pound Chaewon with heavy,hard thrusts that the smaller girl definitely liked.She squealed each time Yunjin sheathed her cock inside her."You're going to make me bust already."

"Keep fucking me."Chaewon whined,ass rutting back to meet Yunjin’s forceful thrusts—so forceful that the headboard would knock against the wall,acting as the metronome to their fucking."Don't you dare stop,Yunjin.I haven't had enough of your cock."

Yunjin snorted and mouthed at Chaewon’s ear.She licked the shell,nipped her earlobe with her lips and teeth."You'll never get enough of my dick."She retorted.

Chaewon tugged sharply on Yunjin’s hair and made soft noises in the back of her throat with every hard pump.Yunjin dragged her hands along Chaewon’s sides.Gripped her hips and leaned back to watch the way her dick slide in and out of Chaewon’s gorgeous pink pussy.Her cock would make a filthy noise-wet and somehow mind-numbing—and it would push her a little bit closer to the edge of coming.

Yunjin pounded into Chaewon,driving her face first into the sheets."God damn,baby…I'm g- gonna..." She trailed off.Yunjin’s ass continued to flex while she made shallow jerks of her hips,her cum spurting in thick ropes,enough to fill Chaewon’s pussy.It clamped around her throbbing cock.She came so hard she swore her vision dimmed for a minute.Yunjin was too engrossed in finally getting to come that she didn't realize Chaewon was coming too.

She rutted into Chaewon’s pussy as together they rode out their orgasm.Yunjin flattened herself against Chaewon’s body and kissed all over her neck."Fucking hell,babe…You're amazing."

Chaewon grinned and angled her neck for a kiss which Yunjin readily supplied."See,I told you edging makes you come harder."

Yunjin pulled out and rolled Chaewon to lay on her back.She spread her legs and hummed at the delectable sight of her load trickling out of Chaewon’s blushing pussy."It does…"she whispered against Chaewon’s inner thighs.Nibbled her softness, her sweat-coated skin."Let me clean you up."

Closing her eyes, Chaewon hooked her legs on Yunjin’s shoulders.Grasped a handful of her hair and dragged her nails along her scalp as she felt her tongue sliding against her hole. "Oh... You're so good to me…"

[foxyafroninja]

Thoughts about the 141

I normally don’t write more than just blurbs because I tend to get bogged down with details cause I’m a protectionist and never happy with anything. But every time I hear this song I get butterflies in my stomach. This is a hurt/comfort fic.

~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>

So here we go…

Song- Better Place by Rachel Platten

~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\

The soft steady ‘ humm’ from overhead fluorescent lights filled Soaps ears. It’s droning melody danced with the steady ‘beep’s from the hospital equipment. It was both a comforting sound and caused his heart to tighten in his chest painfully. This shouldn’t have happened, he should have paid more attention, should have been quicker…. Should have protected you better.

They had just stopped the missile launch off that oil rig in the Gulf. After checking that Alejandro and his team was okay and accounted for they took a half a second to congratulate each other, that’s when it happened. He was sure he had cleared the room, positive all tangos were down, but he missed one.

When all their backs were turned, as his last act of defiance the Tango had shakily leveled his gun at you and fired one last shot. Instantly, Soap, Ghost and Graves spun around and finished him but it was too late. Blood…so much blood.

The ‘woosh’ of the hospital room door opening brought him back from his thoughts. Soaps muscles instantly snapped taught ready to spring from his chair. Upon his tired eyes verifying the intruders as Alejandro and Price his body went lax again, settling back into his seat.

Nothing was said at first, Alejandro placed another bundle of flowers on the table of ever growing gifts and then took his place at the foot of the bed. Price made his way to Soap, placing a strong hand on the young man’s shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze.

“Just’ chatted with the Doc,” Price spoke softly, “ Aur’ girls autt’a the woods, just’ hav’ to wait’ for her to wake up.”

Soap didn’t reply, simply nodded his head, not taking his eyes off you.

“Hermano,” Alejandro pushed, trying to get Soaps attention. “it’s not your fault, Okay? It was an accident.”

A hard look washed over Soaps face. Again, not taking his eyes of you, he growled under his breath. “ Aye, but Ah should’av been paying’ attention, should’av checked better, they’re in ‘at bed coz a me.”

“ Son, yau can’t’ keep blaming yaurself. Thes’ things happen.” Price sighed patting him on the shoulder. “ Yau eaten today?”

Soap shook his head again. Price clapped him on the shoulder one more time saying he and Alejandro would grab him something from the caf’ before they exited just quietly as they had entered.

Soap shifted his seat closer to you, gently took your hand in his and places a soft kiss on your knuckles. Bowing his head, feeling tears prick the corner of his eyes, he pressed is forehead into your hand, whispering sweet nothings and apologies.

The first thing you felt was itchy bedsheets. Hospitals were never known for their comfortable bedding. The second thing was someone holding your hand in theirs. Your eye’s fluttered, then squinted against the overhead lights at first but they quickly adjusted and settled off the figure clutching your hand,head bowed.

“Johnny”

Your voice was rough and scratchy. John’s name came out in more of a strained croak than anything that sounded like you.

Soap’s head nearly flew off his shoulders it snapped up so quickly. His slightly bloodshot teary eyes wide with shock. He sat frozen in place for a second before timidly reaching to cup your cheek, afraid if he moved too fast you just disappear before him.

His calloused warm hand felt good on your skin. You turned to place a kiss to his palm before looking back at him. Soap couldn’t wait any longer and , careful of your wounds, launched himself at you planting kisses over your cheeks, nose and forehead, before landing a long loft kiss on your lips.

“I’m so sorry, lass. I’m sorry Ah let this happen. I’m sorry I’m sorry~” He continued to mumble against your mouth. Gently, you placed your hands on either side of his head and nudged him to move back so you could see his whole face.

The face of a physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted man looked back at you. Tears still stood in his eyes, waiting to be shed. You used your thumb to gingerly wipe them away, pressed your foreheads together, eyes closed and cooed softly.

“I’m alright, everything’s alright . You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

“I thought I lost ya’. ” Soap smiled nuzzling into you lightly.

“Never baby, not now not ever.” You whispered to him, guiding him to climb onto the small bed and settle in near to you.

Being extremely careful not to jostle you too much, Soap moved around to have your head tucked against his chest and his arms securely wrapped around you, trailing his fingers up and down your arm. Eventually your eyes closed and Soap was left alone again with the soft steady ‘beep’ of the medical machines. But now there was no tightness in his chest, just the feeling of you.

===========================

Well it’s my first big post done and over. A huge thank you to @multi-fandom-imagine for taking the time to beta read this for me. I hope you guys enjoyed it as well.

[teaandfiction-28]

Hello lovely readers! 💛

Happy Sunday - I hope you’re all keeping well and enjoying the spring weather...unless, like me, you live in a country where spring equals endless amounts of rain! 😅

The next chapter of Turn Back Time will be out very soon - it’s called “Say My Name” and, not only do we see Hank deal with the aftermath of decking Kelton in chapter eight, but we also get a bit of a flashback to the early days of our favourite duo’s relationship. 

I’ve included a little sneaky peak below the cut to tide you over - hope you enjoy! 

“Miller tear you a new one?” Kate asked after a moment, Hank’s eyes drifting to hers from where he had been gazing out of the window, watching the light spring shower patter against the glass.

“Kelton’s filed a formal complaint. They want me in front of a review board first thing on Monday.”

Kate released a long sigh, pushing to her feet to slowly close the space between them. It wasn’t as though it came as a surprise that Kelton was doubling down on his efforts to force Hank out of the unit. He had made it abundantly clear from the minute he stepped foot into the 21st District that he would make Hank’s life a living hell if he refused to play by Kelton’s rules and it was no secret that Hank Voight didn’t play by anybody’s rules but his own. While she was eternally grateful Hank had made the decision he had, it was also abundantly clear that her husband didn’t exactly make life easy for himself. 

“Well you did disobey a direct order and you broke his nose.” Kate said gently, struggling to contain a chuckle when he eyed her cautiously as she approached, mentally steeling himself for yet another telling off for doing what he needed to do to get the job done.

“The stupid prick deserved it.” 

This time Kate couldn’t control the quiet laugh that bubbled in her chest at his somewhat petulant tone, half expecting him to jut out his bottom lip in the exact same way Alexis did when she didn't get her own way. 

With Alexis sandwiched between them, Kate wrapped both arms around his body, her palms softly gliding along the firm planes of his back until her hands met at the base of his spine, her fingers interlacing so that he was caged in her grip. 

“I know. And I’m very thankful you did. But you can’t expect him to just let that slide.” She reasoned, already anticipating his counter argument when he rolled his eyes towards the ceiling with a huff.

“Of course I can.” He scoffed, brows pulling into a tight frown. “All the guys I’ve ever had in my unit have clocked me at least once... except maybe Ruzek.”

He paused for a beat, his expression gradually softening until the corner of his mouth twitched upwards into a wry smirk. 

“In fact…” He husked quietly, his eyes visibly darkening as he peered down at her. “…I think I can add you to that list as well.”  

“That was an accident!” Kate squawked indignantly, jabbing her fingertips into his ribs none too gently as she recalled the incident he had incorrectly added to his list of work-place scuffles.

[goodgodwhysposts]

Just realized that I accidently sent the last ask in anon, so yeah, I'm the one who sent it.

So for college percabeth prompt, you can pick any of those :

-a part 2 which is a direct follow up to the first drable with their first time

-a similar story than the first one, just a couple years later. It starts with a date in New Rome and ends with them flirting hard and discussing a new kink or something they should try, but now they are way more comfortable and less shy.

-just a smutty drable set in New Rome (like their appartement, but could be the library or the park). Kinda miss your smut, so feel free to write any smutty drable in any setting :)

<3

84 years later...

I'm alive, sorry for taking so long to fulfill this prompt.

This is college percabeth two years later, showing the progression of their confidence and comfortability as a couple.

-----

Annabeth cracked her neck and stretched her arms above her head, feeling her shoulders pop.

“Fuckk,” she sighed. 

“My thoughts exactly,” a voice said behind her.

She craned her neck, looking up at Percy. He placed his hands on the back of her chair, and tilted it backwards so that he could lean over her, lifting her feet off the ground.

“Hi,” she mumbled with a sleepy grin.

He bent down to brush his nose against hers before pressing a light kiss to her lips. It was a little awkward since they were facing opposite directions, but his mouth was soft, and his breath tasted like chocolate, so she didn’t really care.

After another peck to her forehead, he stood to full height and released his hold on the chair, sending her springing back into place. He set a paper bag on the table next to her and beckoned her to stand. Slowly, she pushed out of her seat and let him wrap his arms around her, his hands resting low on her spine.

“You look pretty,” he told her.

She quirked a brow, “I’ve been wearing the same shirt for the past two days.”

He smiled, leaning closer, “you smell good too.”

“You’re weird,” she laughed. 

“I missed you,” he shrugged, “we’ve both been so busy with studying, I thought I might be able to entice you into taking a break with some food.”

She melted in his hold, brushing some hair out of his eyes. “thank you,” she said, softly. 

He shrugged again, smiling, “you’re welcome.”

She turned in his arms and reached behind her for the bag, trying to sneak a peek inside, “so, what’d you bring me?” 

Percy stopped her, “ah ah, not yet,” he said, sliding his palms over her ass and lifting her onto the table, before stepping between her spread thighs.

“I’m hungry,” she pouted, but she didn’t hesitate to hook her fingers together, gripping the hair at the nape of his neck.

Percy leaned down and nuzzled his face into her collarbone, “so am I.”

She exhaled shakily as he dragged his warm lips over the base of her throat, pulling gently at the skin. He positioned his hands on either side of her on the table, crowding her space and pressing his hips against hers. She felt heat beginning to simmer low in her gut.

She swallowed, “are you gonna keep me trapped here all night?”

He hummed, tracing the length of her neck with his nose, “I might.”

“Aren’t we gonna eat?” she asked, tilting her head back to give him better access.

“Oh, I have plans to eat,” he replied, his voice dark as he bit down on her earlobe.

She shivered, her hands roaming over his broad back, feeling the shift of his muscles, “you’re in a clingy mood.”

He forced her backwards, pushing her onto the table until she was lying flat, legs dangling over the side.

“Like I said,” he whispered, face hovering over hers, the firm weight of him squeezed tight against her. “I missed you, and you look really good.”

She probably should’ve been wearing a bra, but she was a week into exam season and her shirt was really baggy, and right now she was kind of pleased with her choices as Percy’s chest dragged deliciously against her hardened nipples.

She pursed her lips, her breathing a little uneven as she smoothed her fingers over his shoulders, “and you’re just hoping to have your way with me, right here in the library?”

He nodded, “why not?”

She twirled a lock of his dark hair around her finger, “oh, I don’t know? I kinda like New Rome, and I don’t really want to get expelled for public indecency.”

“No one’s here anymore,” he said, eyes darting quickly around the room, “it’s like two a.m.”

She knocked her forehead against his, “Jesus, is it really?”

“Mhm.”

She grabbed the top of his head and shoved it down, “well then, get to eating, mister,” she joked.

Percy laughed against her stomach, looking up at her, his chin digging into her belt, “so pushy.”

“Have you met me? This is not a surprise.”

He lifted a brow and smirked, “when it comes to this stuff? A little,” he teased.

Her cheeks warmed despite herself, “shut up.”

He crawled his way back up her body, “what? It’s hot,” he promised.

“I’m sure it is,” she rolled her eyes, “the guy who’s always saying, ‘that’s a good girl, you feel so good around me, you take me so well, Beth’,” she rasped huskily in a bad imitation of him.

He squinted at her accusingly, “well fine, if you don’t want the praise, I can keep my mouth shut-”

She punched his arm lightly, “I didn’t say that.”

“Good,” he laughed as a smug grin spread across his lips, “then you won’t mind me saying that your boobs look great in this shirt and I really want you right now.”

She chewed her lip and his grin widened, like he knew he had her. He started to scoop her off the table, throwing her over his shoulder before she could even respond.

“Can’t we eat first,” she whined, although she giggled when he smacked her ass.

“Later, there’s got something I gotta do,” he answered, carrying her towards the empty bathroom.

[sokoloffweinstein]

Slip And Fall Attorneys West Palm Beach

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[idealeaf18riverside]

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[k-comfyspace]

Protect

Star: Kim Minji (Dreamcatcher)

Idea: Yes

Love: hi, this is kinda late since it’s halloween today, but I was rewatching dreamcatcher mind horror hospital and thought of a request. can you write something about 8th member reader and Jiu being partners? they’re both scaredy cats, but Jiu tries to act tough so she can protect her younger gf? i hope that makes sense, thanks!

A/n: First story of the year! It’s a bit short but I hope you still like it love

You held the ball in your palm, anxiously waiting and glancing around to see who had the same color as you. Counting down, you held your breath and it took a second to register until Minji wrapped her arms around you and started jumping excitedly. You were a bit relieved at first, knowing that your leader would accompany you in the hospital.

There was a fleeting moment of joy before you remembered how much of a scaredy cat your leader was. You stopped celebrating and glanced at your girlfriend, seeing excited eyes, though you could see through her. She wore a confident smile but she was easily terrified.

You were a bit lucky when Yoohyeon and Bora went first, gauging how scared they were going to be in their first run. However, they hadn't left the vicinity of the cameras and they were already screaming. You buried your face into Minji’s shoulder, feeling your girlfriend wrap an arm around your waist, pulling you closer to her while maintaining a reasonable distance to not be seen by the cameras.

She was commenting about the two younger members, shocked by their screams as she absentmindedly rubbed your back. You were visibly relaxing at her presence, but the dread wasn’t even comparable when the two returned minutes later. They were considerably paler than they looked, walking with nervous smiles while holding an envelope.

When it was down to you and your girlfriend, your face had gone considerably stiff, holding the camera shakingly with your hand while the other was tightly clinging unto Minji. You were so scared that you could feel your teeth clattering together.

Thankfully, your girlfriend sensed your discomfort, lowering her hands until they intertwined with yours. Your hands eased up, albeit still a little scared, it became subtle.

When you stepped out of the small room or as you liked to call it, safe room, there was a sense of tightness in your chest. Yet, you still ventured into the darkness, keeping a firm grip on your girlfriend’s hand. Not only did your objective include going to the back of the hospital, but what made it worse was the fact that it was a floor above the current one.

Standing before the stairs, you swallowed harshly, walking after your girlfriend who bravely went first. But what both of you didn’t expect was the shadow looming over the stairs waiting until both of you reached the top suddenly springing up behind both of you. While you froze up, Minji screamed to the top of her lungs, tugging your hand wherever her feet took her.

She whined exasperatedly, looking at the camera with a playful glare when both of you got to a safe enough location inside a dimly lit room. She glanced to check on you, worry building on her face when you stared at an empty space, waving a hand she was glad when you blinked.

“Are you okay?” She asked softly, though you could easily read her eyes, she wasn’t the only one afraid. You nodded your head, mirroring her smile when she cupped your cheek, forgetting about the cameras in your hands. Taking a deep breath, Minji pulled away from you, glancing around the room before she saw a wooden box on the table.

She chuckled at the sight, happy that you were able to arrive at the correct room in a panic. You walked behind her, looking around at the decorations the staff placed around. When your girlfriend approached the table, she wasn’t expecting someone to be hidden in the corner.

They jumped up, scaring your girlfriend as she practically bumped into you, but you were able to catch her, preventing an unwanted accident. She buried her head in the crook of your neck, causing a small giggle to bubble from your mouth, seeing the contrast to your girlfriend’s protective attitude a few minutes ago.

When Minji realized where she was she pulled away swiftly, a pink hue staining her cheeks while rubbing her nape. You chuckled at her cute antics, approaching the wooden box, fully aware of the person who looked at you. Muttering a quick apology, you took the letter, as well as your girlfriend’s hand and ran out the room.

You practically closed your eyes as you ran, letting Minji take over and keep you close to her, screaming past all the people who tried to chase after you. Your moment of bravery from taking the envelope disappeared when the darkness of the hallways greeted you, however, you were glad that Minji guided you.

She tucked your head under her chin, keeping a hand on your back. Even if she was screaming every time she saw something move in her peripheral vision, she did manage to guide you both until the bright lights at the end of the hallway relieved her.

On the final stretch, she kept screaming until both of you crashed on the floor, panting while your hearts pounded against your chests. You felt like you ran a marathon, even if your girlfriend did most of the running and looking around.

You reached for the envelope in your pocket and raised it up, slamming it on the floor. Your hands sprawled out, searching for Minji’s who met you in the middle. When you held her hands, it was moist, shaky while it still intertwined with yours.

The staff and your members chose to laugh at the scene of their leader and Maknae, seemingly having gone through a lot in the past ten minutes.

“I am never doing this again.” You muttered, making the others laugh more at your statement.

[alcinadimitrescuwu]

The Night Before (An Alcina x Reader Fanfic)

Warnings: NSFW

You are trying to go about your daily tasks in Castle Dimitrescu but are finding it very hard to focus. It could be the fact that spring has finally arrived in Romania, the birds chirping, the sun beaming down from the heavens, the snow finally melting away to make way for new life teeming from the earth.

It could also be the fact that your wedding to Alcina Dimitrescu, the love of your life and the Lady of the Castle is tomorrow.

The housekeeper turns in your direction and gives you a pointed look. “Are you going to stand there all day away with the fairies, dearie, or are you going to polish those candelabras like I asked?”

You immediately snap back to reality. “Of course! Sorry, Mrs. Fischer.”

Mrs. Fischer shakes her head, clucking to herself. “Tomorrow you may be the Lady Consort, but today you are still a maid and you have your duties to perform.” She inspects you over the half-moon spectacles perched over her nose. “Now I expect you to polish those candelabras until they sparkle!”

“Right away, Mrs. Fischer.” You turn and set to work on your polishing.

“Oh, and Y/N?” Mrs. Fischer calls over her shoulder.

“Yes, Mrs. Fischer?”

She gives you a conspiratorial wink. “Congratulations, dearie.”

You can’t help but be shocked. Mrs. Fischer never gave out compliments or congratulations freely. You only knew you were doing a job correctly if she wasn't constantly checking up on you to make sure you didn’t mess anything up. You start to get emotional in spite of yourself. You may have started out working at Castle Dimitrescu as extra income for your aging parents, but there had always been something satisfying about taking care of a large house. You didn’t even mind the extra hours that you put in saving up for your engagement ring to Alcina, which had turned even more beautiful than you could have imagined.

Alcina had put her foot down about you staying on in your job once the two of you got married, however. “Darling, after our vows, you’ll be a part of this house. Your place will be with our family, not working for it,” she had said, taking your chin in her hand and stroking your cheek.

You finally agreed and she smiled indulgently at you as you asked to work just one last day, for old time’s sake. “Of course, draga mea,” she said, pressing a kiss to the back of your hand. “If that is what you wish.”

A sudden crash breaks you from your reverie and you smile as you see one of the parlor maids, Constanza, making her way over to you with a sheepish grin on her face after picking up the tray she had dropped on the floor. Constanza was a lovely young woman with auburn hair and blue eyes, perfect for a parlor maid. Unfortunately, she was also very accident-prone. She finally comes to a stop in front of you with a silver tray. On the tray is a single envelope sealed in wax with the Dimitrescu family crest.

“Good morning Y/N!” Constanza says brightly. Then thinking better of it she tries, “Er, good morning Miss -no, Lady Consort- wait you’re not Lady Consort yet-”

You stop her before she can continue her babbling and put a placating hand on her arm. “Constanza, you’ve been working here as long as I have. You can still be familiar with me if you want to.”

Constanza breathes a sigh of relief and breaks out into a grin. “So the big day’s tomorrow! Are you excited?”

Yes, you were excited. And nervous. And terrified as all hell. But you give her a smile as you say, “Yes, Connie I am. Alcina and I have been waiting for this day a long time.” It still felt weird to say Alcina’s given name out loud and not in private like when you were first courting.

Then your attention turns to the sealed envelope on the tray Constanza is holding. “Is that for me?” you prompt.

Constanza’s face suddenly turns a lovely shade of puce and her blue eyes grow wide behind their spectacles. “Er- yes, the Lady herself gave it to me with, er, very specific instructions to tell you to not look at it until you’re alone in your room. At night. She said she would give you a call when she wants you to open it.”

You feel your own cheeks start to burn as you take the envelope off the tray. “Thank you, Constanza, I’ll just take this back to my room for now.”

Constanza gives you a nod and turns to leave. Suddenly she turns around and gives you a brief curtsy. You suddenly notice all the other servants of the house staring at you and you feel a pang of sadness as you realize you won’t be able to interact with them as freely as you normally could. You’ll be in your own separate worlds.

Without a word you head back to your room, the envelope clutched in your hand. Night cannot come soon enough.

***

After what seems like eons, night has finally fallen on House Dimitrescu. You’re alone in your bedroom pacing back and forth like a caged animal. You’re not used to sleeping alone as for the past couple of months you had been sharing your bed with Alcina in her bedchambers. However, Alcina’s daughters- no, your daughters too, soon- had insisted that it would be bad luck for the two of you to see each other before the wedding. It had taken you aback as you hadn’t considered the girls to be traditional, but they were insistent and after some protesting, Alcina had finally relented.

Still it wasn’t easy. You hadn’t seen Alcina all day since you had left her side this morning. You had heard her talking with the Duke outside earlier discussing last minute wedding arrangements, her elegant velvety voice carrying through the entrance hall. You had longed to run over and put your arms around her, burying your face in the curve of her hip, but you held yourself back out of respect for your future daughters’ wishes.

The phone begins to ring loudly in your bedroom and with your heart already pounding, you pick it up off the hook and hold the receiver to your ear. “Yes?”

“Draga mea?” Your heart skips a beat as you hear your fiancee's voice on the other line. “Is that you?”

“Yes,” you say, holding the receiver closer to your ear.

“Did you receive the envelope I addressed to you this morning?”

“Yes,” you say. The envelope is on a nearby table with your name on it in Alcina’s beautiful cursive handwriting with a letter opener nearby, ready for opening. “Can I open it now?”

“Not so fast, pet,” Alcina’s voice takes on a teasing quality. “You didn’t look at the contents inside did you?”

“No.” But you were certainly tempted throughout the day to sneak a peek. You held firm, though, knowing that even after all the waiting it would be worth it.

“Good girl,” Alcina purrs on the other line. “You’ve been so very patient and that ought to be rewarded. But first, tell me, what are you wearing right now?”

Immediately you wished you had put on sexier clothes than just your nightgown. Oh well. You have to deal with what you got. “Just my nightgown. Nothing fancy, I’m afraid.”

“Oh? Is it the one with the ribbon in the front?”

“Yes,” you say looking down at your nightgown. There is indeed a ribbon in the front. You remember when it’s unfastened that it reveals more of your cleavage. Your outfit choice might not have been so bad after all.

You can tell that Alcina is recalling the exact same thing as she says, “Loosen up the ribbon for me, dear, would you?”

You loosen up the ribbon and the nightgown slips off your shoulders slightly. You’re finding breathing normally difficult. You feel a slight pinch as you feel your nipples grow hard at the sound of Alcina’s husky voice.

Alcina chuckles. “All right, dear, I’ll stop torturing you. You may open the envelope now.”

You practically lunge over to the table to slice open the envelope. Inside are a bunch of photographs taken with a vintage style camera. As you take out the first one you see that Alcina is featured on it and you suspect that the rest all show her as well.

“Now, pet,” Alcina purrs. “Tell me exactly what you see in the first picture.”

You hold the picture in your hand to the light to get a better look. “You’re sitting in front of your mirror. Your hair is down and your hat is off. You’re, um, wearing a black peignoir and brushing your hair. It’s all, uh, very tasteful.”

Alcina lets out a laugh like tinkling bells. “Oh, rest assured, darling, the rest of the pictures will become progressively less tasteful.”

Your mouth runs dry and you feel your palms have grown sweaty. You wipe them on your nightgown before continuing.

You take out the second picture. “Just like before, pet. Describe it to me and leave no detail out.”

You clear your throat. “You’re standing before the window and smoking. You’ve cast off your peignoir and are wearing a red and black lingerie set. The bustier is black and your garter is clipped to red stockings, the exact shade of your lipstick.” You swallow before continuing. “You look stunning.”

She lets out a girlish giggle at that. “Thank you, darling. Speaking of garters, how about you unhook yours?”

With shaking hands you unhook your garter belt and peel down your stockings. You push the skirt of your nightgown up a little bit, but you know to wait until Alcina gives you further instructions.

Onto the next one then. You take it out and you suddenly find your mouth moving but no words coming out.

“Dearest?” Alcina prompts. “The next photo?”

“Um,” you stammer. “Your back is turned to the camera now and er, the back is very um, sheer.” The back indeed is very sheer with only a thin layer of lace covering the curve of her hips. You feel your core growing hot with desire. You feel your arousal drip down your bare leg.

“You sound a tad overwhelmed, darling,” Alcina purrs. “If you need to take some time for yourself you may do so now.”

Now that she had given you express permission you glide your hand up your skirt and slip it into your already dripping cunt. You let out a soft gasp as you feel your fingers move inside you. It’s not the same feeling as when Alcina’s fingers are inside you, but at this point anything will do. You can hardly wait for your wedding night. You try to maintain the pace she usually uses.

“There, pet,” Alcina is panting now too on the other line. “Just like that. Now the next picture, please.”

Alcina’s moans from the other line are driving you to distraction but you hold the phone against your shoulder while you use the other hand that is not in your core to pick up the next photo.

“You know what to do, now, draga mea,” Alcina gasps out.

The last photo nearly takes you out. You feel your climax building as you describe it to Alcina. She is sitting at the foot of the bed, her lingerie set on the floor, her legs open. You take in her full breasts and the soft black down that covers her nethers. One of her arms is extended and you see her muscles rippling in her shoulders as she beckons you teasingly to the bed.

You cry out her name as you orgasm and you lean your head against the table, spent. “Good girl,” Alcina purrs, still riding out her own climax. “That was but a foretaste of what our wedding night will be. I do hope you’re prepared, dear.”

“Yes,” you practically squeak.

“Good to hear,” Alcina chortles. “Well, I suppose we ought to get our rest before tomorrow. I’ll see you in the morning, my bride.”

You blush scarlet at Alcina calling you her bride. You could definitely get used to that. You have something prepared too. “Alcina?”

“Yes, my dear?”

“Te iubesc, draga mea.”

You can almost see Alcina’s beautiful face break out into a grin, her eyes crinkling in the corners, cheeks dimpling. “Your pronunciation has much improved, dearest. Very well done. And I love you too, darling. Noapte bună.”

You fasten back up your nightgown and head over to the bed. You are not the least bit surprised when you find you can’t sleep. There is simply so much to be excited about.

[thrillridesz]

the one that got away | k.m

in part of the ‘love die young’ collab hosted by @junjungsunwoo​

➔ pairing: kevin x reader (f) x juyeon

➔ genre: angst, love triangle, amnesia!au, artist!au, lovers to strangers, friends to lovers

➔ warnings: swearing, smoking, injuries, heartbreak, mentions and consumption of alcohol, accidents

➔ word count: 6.2k 

➔ fic playlist: The one that got away - Katy Perry | Don’t wanna cry - Seventeen | Faded in my last song - NCT U | Goodbye - The Boyz | Teardrops on my guitar - Taylor Swift | Spring Day - BTS | A thousand years - Christina Perri | River flows in you - YIRUMA 

➔ a/n : dedicated to one of my best friends/mutuals here @sunqnyu​ who I’ve cameoed in this fic! also unedited for the moment. All feedback is HIGHLY appreciated.

“Kevin, Kevin! I have news!”

Footsteps pounded against the wooden floorboard, the sound reverberating through the entire studio, sawdust flying beneath shuffling feet. The homely smell of a crackling fireplace and dark coffee hung delightfully in the air, the sounds of clinking metal ringing faintly as beautiful, wooden sculptures began to take form right before the artist’s very eyes. The studio was spacious and airy, the glass windows above allowing the bright sun beams to shine through, illuminating the room with its natural lighting.

Several wooden work tables were situated in the middle of the room with open toolboxes, enormous blocks of wood of all kinds and unfinished wooden art sprawled across the tables. On the walls, were shelves and shelves of elegantly carved wooden pieces of art from a wooden swan to a carved wooden house and a large canvas board where woodworking tools were displayed proudly despite looking well used. One could tell that whoever had them displayed had a great deal of pride in them.

At a far corner of the studio, Kevin looked up from the wooden sculpture he had been tinkering away, his dark eyes shining through the glass goggles he had on. The canvas apron tied around his slender waist wrinkled ever so slightly when he shifted, mild annoyance radiating off him at the now broken momentum he had just a few seconds ago. His raven hair fell softly over his eyes as he leaned back into his work, attempting to regain his concentration once more much to the lady’s irritation.

“I’m busy, Bella. Go bother someone else.”

The woman in front of him frowned, clearly affronted by his words.

“You need to take a break sometimes” She scoffed, pulling a chair and crossing her arms over the back of the chair as she sat down in front of him. “You’re such a workaholic, I feel like you could actually be some sort of masochist.”

Kevin lifted his gaze to look at her, his eyes intense yet piercing as his eyebrows furrowed together. The sunlight shining through the rustic, glass window from behind only made him look more intimidating, the shadows bringing out his features in sharp angles.

“I will when I’m done.”

“You’ll want to hear this. I promise.” Bella said slowly and this time, Kevin snapped his head up more in annoyance rather than curiosity.

“Fine, what is it? Shoot.”

“It’s y/n.”

Immediately, Kevin stiffened. His grip on the chisel in his hand tightened until he was sure he was leaving a mark in his own palm. He could feel his heartbeat picking up the pace just at the mere mention of your name before he shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. Turning back to his sculpture, he tried his hardest to maintain his focus.

“She’s none of my business. Why are we talking about her?” He asked in a cool voice without looking up but Bella noticed a slight wobbling at the last word. Suddenly, her hurriedness to get the news to him seemed almost cruel to her, like deep down she wanted to see how grief-stricken he would be. She bit her lip, feeling herself get cold feet but he needed to know.

“She’s getting married, Kevin.”

The tool in Kevin’s hand almost fell from his usually firm grip as he felt his stomach fall. He snapped his head up to look at Bella, with an indescribable look in his eyes. He could feel his hands begin to tremble as the fear crept in despite his best efforts to remain nonchalant. He could barely get a grip as he whispered softly, “Married?”

“Yeah. To...” She trailed off, an uncomfortable expression on her face. “To Juyeon.”

Kevin bit at his lower lip, his focus on his sculpture now wavering. The pounding in his heart was now so much faster and stronger than ever that he would be surprised if Bella couldn’t hear it. Trying his hardest to remain a strong front, there was an almost blank and careless expression on his face.

“Look, maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. Are you okay?” She asked, her heart tinged with regret.

Kevin looked away, a faraway look in his eyes. There was a moment of silence before he exhaled.

“Whatever she does, whatever happens to them… I don’t care.”

Bella watched quietly as the man turned back to his woodwork, his eyes trained intently on the sculpture in front of him.

This was just like Kevin. He was always pretending things didn’t bother him when they did. Having been friends with him for almost a decade, she was quick to pick up on things like that. She ought to have been used to Kevin’s mannerisms by now but seeing her best friend in such an emotionally damaged state made her upset.

Behind that blank, unmoving gaze, she knew he was fighting conflicting emotions and what was worse, was the fact that she could do nothing about it. The man had too many walls built around him, tearing them down would be akin to scaling Mount Everest without protective gear on - impossible.

Yet, could you really blame him? At 23, Kevin had been through too much and the last thing Bella wanted to do was tip him over the edge. Experience had told her that questioning it would only drive her further away from her best friend.

Opening her mouth, she hesitated for a moment before closing it again.

Perhaps it would be better to just leave it at that.

As Bella turned to go back to her station, Kevin stared quietly at his unfinished work, the inspiration to continue through it dying rapidly as he felt a dull ache in his heart.

Your hands feel small in his, delicate and soft.

Kevin couldn’t help but smile softly into your hair as he covered your body with his, his hands over yours as your fingers tried to mold the stubborn lump of clay before you. Your fingers were grey with wet clay and your body shook ever so slightly as you giggled to yourself, your eyes shining with playful joy.

“Stop laughing. We’ll ruin this again,” he scolded, his voice teasing and soft.

“I know I shouldn’t but the feeling of your hands on mine and this soft clay tickling my fingertips as it spins is almost unbearable.”

Bella, who was sitting from a distance away, rolled her eyes. “Get a room, you lovebirds.”

Your face began to heat up as you peered up at her shyly while Kevin merely tossed her an indifferent, smug grin, his hands still on yours with his body still hugging over your smaller frame.

“You wish you had what we have,” he winked.

“Ew, no way,” she gagged in an exaggerated way but her eyes twinkled. “Love turns your brain to mush, see Exhibit A.”

She gestured towards the two of you and Kevin rolled his eyes while you wore an intense blush on your face.

“We’re fine, thank you very much.”

“Sure,” she replied, “By the way, about the Sunday proj-”

She stopped mid sentence, her eyes wide with surprise as she stared at something behind the two of you. Her mouth has dropped to form an ‘o’ shape and the paintbrush she holds in her hand clatters to the ground.

Curious, Kevin turned behind him and his grip over your hands faltered, ruining the clay pot the two of you were sculpting. You were startled as your hands suddenly collapsed onto the clay, the soft curve the two of you had tried so hard to carve out together, destroyed. Frowning, you looked in the direction the two of them were gaping at.

Standing at the entrance of the studio, a certain tall, dark-haired man wore an excitable grin on his face. His features are sharp, defined and his eyes narrow but intense, sparkling with bright youthfulness. He had a handsome face, the kind of face that you’d stop when you saw him on the streets.

“Who’s that?” You whispered under your breath but Kevin didn’t seem to have heard you as he rushed over, almost tackling the man with a bone crushing hug. The man’s laugh rang through the studio and he didn’t seem to mind that his starch white shirt was getting stained grey as Bella bolted past you, joining in the hug.

Only you sat where you were, stunned and confused. Who was that?

“Juyeon! It’s been so long!” Kevin cried, clapping the man on his shoulder while Bella remained plastered to his side, hugging him affectionately.

“Um…” You looked on, unsure of what to do and finally, he seemed to notice the bewildered expression on your face.

“Oh! Y/n, this is Juyeon! He’s a good friend of ours, went to the same art school as Bella and I,” he explained, the grin on his face stretched wide on his face. “He went overseas to shadow a famous Italian artist and literally everyone in our batch was so jealous.”

“Oh come on, I was lucky,” Juyeon smiled and he turned to you, “Hi, it’s nice to meet-”

It was as if the words were suddenly caught at the back of his throat and his dark eyes widened both in what seemed to be shock and awe. You could feel his eyes sweeping over you carefully and instantly, you felt self conscious. Yet as soon as you thought you saw it happen, a kind, gentle look fell over his features.

“...Meet you,” he extended a hand, beaming warmly.

“Nice to meet you.” You replied uncertainly and grasp his hand, shaking it.

“Y/n’s my girlfriend,” Kevin explained and neither of you notice it but Juyeon’s shoulders drop slightly and his eyes darken ever so slightly.

“Ah, I see.”

“These lovebirds met in this studio. If it wasn’t for me, they would never have been together.” Bella quips.

Juyeon cocks an eyebrow at Kevin, who scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Well…”

“I knew Bella from the café I worked at and I was looking for a new hobby to pick up and she said this place had art lessons so I joined and… The rest is history.” You replied, smiling and Juyeon shot you a meaningful look. You are unsure of what to make of it and there’s something about it that makes your heart skip a beat.

“Right.”

Kevin sees the look his best friend is giving his girlfriend. It is critical, sharp and one of wonder, the kind of look he has seen on Juyeon’s face so many times when he analyses a piece of artwork. The look in his eyes is gentle, carefree but there is something different about it that he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

For some reason, it doesn’t sit right with him and a slight shiver runs down his spine. Something about it feels off but he cannot pinpoint what. His eyes dart between Juyeon and you, a tinge of dread tugging at his heart but instead, he smiles. He shakes off the weird feeling and dismisses it as mere overthinking. He was probably working too hard or just overjoyed at the appearance of Juyeon so much so that his feelings and emotions are all over the place.

It wouldn’t be until later that he realises that he should have paid it more attention.

That night, the drive home was silent.

He’d watched the streets roll past him in a flurry of lights against the dark canvas of the night sky. Usually, Kevin would have played some music on the stereo but today, he simply didn’t feel like it. He was exhausted and tired, too tired to do anything other than get himself home and in bed.

After he pulls into the garage of his home, he checks his mailbox and finds a small, off white envelope sealed with a golden wax seal. It is lavender scented and even though he knows what its contents are, he rips it open emotionlessly and easily. The wedding invitation itself is written in elegant calligraphy and as his eyes slide lower, he feels his heart constrict painfully.

Upon entering, his apartment was quiet, dark and as he plopped his keys into a nearby wooden tray by the front door, the sound of metal clanking against wood reverberated through the house. The dark windows reflected the emptiness of the house, the rustic, woody interior. A long time ago, this home was his safe haven, his abode and in a way, it still was. But it wasn’t the same kind of safe haven.

There were several messages from work and a few from Soodam, a girl he’d been casually seeing.

soodam: i won’t be around for the next week or so

soodam: it’s work.

The look on his face was blank, devoid of expression and he shuffled over to his room.

As the hot water hit his bare back later in the shower, Kevin’s head was downcast as he ran a hand through his wet hair. Steam was rising from his shower and the water was getting a little too hot, the droplets scalding his skin and stinging his flesh but he couldn’t seem to care.

“What is that supposed to be?” Juyeon gestured towards your sculpture, his brows knitted together in confusion.

You stared at the clay figurine in front of you, shaped awkwardly by your clumsy fingers that seemed to have no sense of artistic flair. What was supposed to be a clay figurine of a woman looked more like a tree and a very grotesque one at that. Bella, who was sitting at another table had almost spat out the iced tea she was drinking upon walking in and you scowled at him.

“It’s… It’s abstract,” you bowed your head, ignoring the teasing smirk on his face.

“Sure it is,” Juyeon snorted, turning his focus back to his oil painting. “You know, abstract and trashy aren’t interchangeable.”

“You-”

“Are you guys really at it again?” Kevin asks, his arms overflowing with rolls of paintings as he enters the studio. His hair is disheveled and his paint splattered apron is wrinkled as he juggles everything in his arms. Plopping everything onto a nearby work station, he wipes the sweat off his forehead with the back of his forearm as he shoots the both of you a questioning look.

“Juyeon’s just being a jerk again,” you said, rolling your eyes. “So much for being a gentleman.”

“Woah,” Juyeon held up his hands in mock surprise but his eyes held a glint of mischief and playfulness. He was clearly taking pleasure in ruffling your feathers. “Look at that and tell me that that thing over there does not resemble a sea monster more than a woman.” He points at your sculpture and you glare at him, holding your hammer like a weapon.

He chuckled in response, his eyes shining with joy as he looked at you in a way that almost made you shy.

The look on Kevin’s face was one of amusement. “She’s trying her best, I think it looks fine.”

“Kevin’s the best,” you declare, as Kevin walks over and you hug him tightly at the waist while sticking your tongue out at Juyeon.

“I was just joking.” He says and Kevin couldn’t help but notice a slight tensing in his shoulders as the mirth disappeared from his eyes. His expression darkened and the buoyancy in him seemed to deflate ever so slightly but as soon as Kevin thought he saw it happen, Juyeon was already wearing his trademark grin. “Ever heard of a joke, y/n?”

Before any of you could reply, he waved his hand carelessly.

“Whatever, I’m going to focus on my painting here. I’ll catch you guys in a hot minute.”

With that, he picked up his painting and left the room without casting a second glance at either of you.

Kevin stood in front of the mirror, his expression blank as he looked at his reflection. How did he suddenly look so tired?

There were dark circles hanging under his eyes from the many sleepless nights leading up to this day, his eyes dull and icy. He looked impeccable in his black suit and coiffed hair but the expression and fatigue that was plain as day on his face indicated otherwise. He was an empty shell of a person, pretty and dressed up for the occasion on the outside, empty and hollow inside.

As he drove later down the streets, Kevin ignored the growing ache in his heart. It was a terribly painful and agonising ache, one that threatened to rip him apart but he pushed it away. Kevin’s face was devoid of even a shred of emotion and he stared straight ahead at the road in front of him. He wasn’t going to break, not if he could help it. He’d managed to ignore his own feelings for so long, what is another couple of hours?

His fingernails were making crescent shaped indents into the leather steering wheel by the time he rolled up to the wedding venue. He could hear the vague chattering of the wedding guests outside as they drank champagne from elegant glass champagne flutes and helped themselves to gourmet canapés while they waited for the ceremony to start. Kevin screwed his eyes shut, massaging the bridge of his nose as he leaned his head against the cushion of the driver’s seat, trying to calm the pounding in his chest.

He could do this, couldn’t he?

There was a sudden knock on the car window and he turned to see Bella, leaned over as she peered into the car and at him in concern. Her lips were moving but he could barely make out what she was trying to say. His legs felt like they weighed a ton as he exited from the vehicle and Bella frowned, a worried expression on her face.

She was wearing a gorgeous lilac purple dress, one that flared at her hips and hung off her shoulders. Deep down, Kevin wasn’t sure if he should feel upset that she’d taken the liberty to dress really well for the wedding or impressed at her get up. He just smiled weakly, “You look great, Bella.”

“I thought you weren’t coming.” She said, ignoring his compliment. “Why are you here anyways? We both know you’re not over y/n. Are you sure you can handle it?”

“Wow, not even a ‘thank you’ or ‘hey, you look great too’. Do I look that terrible?” He forced a laugh but Bella merely narrowed her eyes.

“Kevin.”

Her tone was firm, set and Kevin knew he wasn’t going to get anything past her. He sighed heavily, turning away from her. “Are we really going to do this here? I’m fine.”

“Are you sure you’re fine?”

There was a pause before he replied.

“No.”

The rainstorm was raging, violent and the wind was so strong that the branches on the trees swayed sideways, threatening to snap any moment. The roads were dark from the overcast clouds and fast darkening skies, making it difficult to look at what was on the road ahead. Raindrops pattered loudly against the glass pane of the car window but it was nothing compared to the chaos within.

“I don’t understand why you would do that! You know that she was just trying to get your attention!” You raised your voice, the red hot anger in you pumping adrenaline through your blood.

“Look,” Kevin said calmly but you could feel his annoyance from the way his words came out as controlled, restrained. “I have no idea what you are talking about. Yeji and I are just friends.”

You folded your arms, shaking your head vehemently. Your lips were pressed into a thin line as you stewed in your anger and frustration. You shot him a dark glare that was both icy yet full of disappointment as you said softly, “You clearly don’t care for my feelings. You can’t tell me you don’t notice her feelings for you.”

“Y/n-”

“Even Juyeon agrees with me!” You blurted out and at that, he finally turned to look at you, his eyes wide with shock but they quickly narrowed. You could feel a chill run down your spine, the way it always did when you’d seen him angry. But this time it was different, because it was the first time it was directed at you.

“You talked to Juyeon about our relationship? How much have you told him?”

“He’s our friend…”

“Why would you do that?” He asked, hurt at the revelation. He wasn’t sure he liked the idea of the two of you talking about your relationship. In a way, a part of him didn’t feel at ease with it. “You couldn’t come talk things out with me?”

“It’s because you’d never listen! I’ve given so many hints, told you so many times that Yeji likes you and is trying to wrap you around her finger! So many times, Kevin. But did you listen? No, you didn’t,” your words came out breathless and you could see that his expression had turned sullen but you pressed on. “You clearly don’t care much for our relationship, or my feelings. Who else could I turn to?”

There was a silence for a moment, thick, tensed silence, save for the rainstorm outside.

“You,” he said finally, “You are blowing things way out of proportion.”

“Me? Blowing things out of proportion?” You stared at him.

“Yeah. Do you not trust me? I’ve told you. Time and time again. Yeji and I are friends, for fuck’s sake and stop overreacting.”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he immediately regretted them. Kevin turned to you and his heart absolutely crumpled at the stricken expression on your face, the way your eyes held such sadness. He’d never swore at you ever and now in the heat of the moment, he’d gone and done it. You were frozen in your seat and as he reached out to touch you, you recoiled instantly like his touch burned through your clothes and seared your skin.

“Y/n, please… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t touch me.” You spat out the words as angry tears began to roll down your cheeks. Kevin could feel his pulse accelerating and his nerves were beginning to overwhelm him. He’d never seen you like this and it broke his heart. Knowing he was the cause of it, made things even worse.

“Please, y/n. Please, I-”

He didn’t manage to finish his sentence because the next thing he knew, the car was flying through the air and if it wasn’t for the seatbelt, he’d have flown off his seat. He could hear screaming and realised to his horror it was yours as the most excruciating pain imaginable shot through his body and before he knew it, his world turned black, uncertain.

The wedding processional music was beginning to play as the guests watched the groom take his place on the altar.

It was a beautiful day, with the sun shining bright above where the skies were dotted with several puffy clouds. The flowers were in full bloom today, their sweet fragrance hanging in the spring breeze and everyone was dressed to impress for this special occasion. The decoration of white tulle and elaborate floral setups were eye-catching in a subtle way that gave the place an almost ethereal vibe which Kevin and Bella could hear the rest of the guests whispering in hushed, awed tones about.

Kevin could feel Bella’s eyes on him as he took his seat, holding his hands together to keep from shaking. Now that he was here, every fibre of his being wanted to leave, wanted so desperately to leave but he forced himself to stay behind. The place was beautiful no doubt, but the knowledge that this was all Juyeon’s work and the thought of the both of you making such plans and arrangements together in your shared apartment. His artistic style was elegant, poised and everything here radiated a similar vibe, so much so that Kevin almost felt a little suffocated.

There he was, at the altar, proud and excitable. Juyeon had on his wide grin that Kevin had grown to be almost weary of. He couldn’t remember when was the last time he’d not felt this way when he saw that smile. His hair was styled expertly and the tuxedo he wore fit him extremely well and even from here, Kevin found his friend dashing but when the bride entered the premises, he found the wind knocked right out of him.

You were stunning, gorgeous… beautiful. Your dress clung to your curves, not obscenely but elegantly, gracefully. It had a lace bodice and in the fabric, there were tiny crystals embedded in and sewed into place by thin micro strands of white gold. It had a pretty cutting, one-shoulder which fitted you perfectly. The white velvet train trailed behind you, rustling the red rose petals strewn along the way. Your makeup was minimal but it gave you a glowing look which made Kevin’s heart skip and though you were wearing a veil, your beauty simply shone through.

He watched as you made your way over to Juyeon and felt Bella’s hands on his. He didn’t even notice he’d been pressing his fingernails into his palm, almost hard enough to break skin. You walked, no, glided down the aisle and watching you was like watching beauty and grace. Beauty and grace that will never, ever be his but the man at the altar.

Kevin’s heart ached so badly he thought he might pass out from the pain, the cracks already there growing deeper with each step you took closer to Juyeon and away from him. Every fibre in his being wanted so desperately to call your name, to be the one standing at the altar. He couldn’t tell you how many times he’d imagined this in head, in his dreams only to wake up to reality, a reality without you in his life. He longed to see you smile for him again, to feel your arms around him again. Tears were running down some of the guests’ faces, tears of joy but as the first tear escaped and rolled down his cheeks, he realised it was tears of sorrow and pain.

As you muttered the words ‘I do’, Kevin felt his heart shatter once and for all into a million little pieces, irreparable and unsalvageable.

The atmosphere in the emergency room was chaotic as doctors and nurses sped down hallways, barking orders into their beepers while they wheel patients into operating rooms. Anxious family members pace around the reception area, some of them crying and shaking out of fear and worry.

Kevin could barely move his body, the thick bandages making movement difficult and strenuous. With even the slightest shift, a sharp pain would shoot up his spine and send him reeling. He was in the most physical pain he’d ever been in but there was still something in his mind.

You.

He had been beside himself with worry ever since he’d awakened after his surgery and had no news of you. Being so heavily bandaged up and in so much pain he had needed doses after doses of morphine, it was impossible for him to even get up and try to find you. He couldn’t even make a few metres without needing to be back in bed.

It wasn’t until a week later did he find out from Bella and Juyeon that you’d been transferred to a different hospital for your injuries. She had kept it from him for fear of worrying him so it wasn’t as if Kevin could get mad either. It was important that you got the medical attention you needed and the knowledge that this had happened with him on the wheel, bothered and guilted him to no end. The guilt ate at his heart and everyday, he’d asked the doctors if he’d be able to be discharged only to get disappointed when they’d shake their heads time and time again.

“Juyeon.” He called out weakly one night when the latter had picked up his coat and was about to leave. Bella had gone to the restroom so it had only been the two of them in the ward. The dark-haired male turned to look at him, leaning into his bed, concern etched in his features.

“Yeah? What is it, Kev?”

“Take care of y/n for me.” He asked, eyes pleading even as he remained immobile. There was a flash of something indescribable behind those dark eyes of Juyeon’s as he made his request and there was a certain tightness in his voice as he whispered, “Yeah… Sure.”

Maybe he had been too high off the morphine then to recognise it but now that he knew better, Kevin knew that that was the voice of a man who had something to hide.

After the wedding ceremony, Kevin had retreated to the back of the garden where he sat behind a fountain. He could hear the chattering from afar, muffled and distant, like in a different world altogether. The sun was beating down on the ground and the smell of flowers hung sweetly in the air as he drew out a cloud of smoke from his cigarette, feeling the nicotine run through his blood and soothing his nerves. Never would he have thought that he’d ever pick up smoking, something he had previously frowned upon yet now, he couldn’t see why he’d ever thought that way.

When alcohol or work couldn’t do its magic of taking his mind off reality, cigarettes always did the trick. It slowed his heartbeat, calmed his nerves and made him feel light on his feet even as his heart felt heavy, so very heavy that he’d felt weighed down by it. The top buttons of his dress shirt was undone and the ends of his shirt untucked while his hair was ruffled - making him look beyond unpresentable but he couldn’t care less. Somehow, the will to upkeep himself had died along the way.

As he took another puff, he relished the way it allowed him to ignore the emptiness in his chest. After the pain, came the dark, hollow emptiness. Emptiness that nothing could fill up. It was as if something had switched off inside him the moment he’d seen you and Juyeon exchange a kiss and before Bella could talk to him, he’d made his leave.

He stared at the grass beneath his feet, laughing to himself. Just how pathetic did he look right now?

“Kevin?”

At the sound of your voice, he snapped his head up and had to take a deep breath at the sight of you. Up close, you were prettier than you were on the aisle if that was even possible. Your hair framed your beautiful face and the gown you wore made you seem almost like royalty, untouchable. Yet, there was a voice at the back of his voice that whispered, “It’s not for you.”

He forced a smile. “Yeah? How can I help you y/n?”

“We’re serving cake now, would you like to come with?”

Kevin tried to ignore the stab of pain and hurt in him at the tone of your voice. It was polite, kind but distant, like you were talking to someone you didn’t know very well which might seem to be the case in your perspective but it was so different from that in his. So, so different. Did you really not remember all those times and precious memories that you’d shared? He wanted to shake you, just hold you and look you in the eye and ask all those questions that were stuck at the back of his throat all these months. But he held back.

“Sure.”

As the two of you made your way back to the yard where everyone was mingling, Kevin trailed behind you, watching your dress slide over the soft grass. How easy would it be to just declare his feelings for you right here? It would take little to no effort to hold onto your wrist, pull you into him and tell you everything he’d ever felt about you but he couldn’t. Not when you were already somebody else’s lover. It was too little, too late.

“Juyeon!” You called out happily and as the groom turned, the smile on his face wavered when he made eye contact with Kevin. Kevin held his gaze steadily, his eyes emotionless as he made his way over.

“Hey, Kevin.” He said simply, a small smile on his face and if this was a few months ago, Kevin would have given into his urge to scratch that smile right off his face but right now, all he felt was fatigue.

“Hey.”

“We have like 5 different flavours here, would you like me to get you a bite of each?” You asked Kevin and he merely nodded. As you wandered away, there was a moment of silence between the two men as Juyeon shuffled his feet.

“Kevin-”

“I can’t talk to you right now.” He said coldly.

“Then why did you come?” The other man asked, a hint of aggression in his voice. Clearly, the man used to winning didn’t like to be talked down to, even after he’d gotten everything. Even his former best friend’s lover.

“You invited me.”

“Yeah but I thought you had a girlfriend. I thought we were cool.” The expression was one of indignance which Kevin wanted to laugh at both out of disbelief and anger.

“Soodam is overseas for work, plus I’m not here for you,” he turned to you over at the dessert table, laughing at something a friend of yours was saying, your melodious laugh ringing through the afternoon and sending a warm feeling in his empty heart, “I just want to see y/n happy.”

Juyeon’s lips were pressed into a thin line as he stared at Kevin.

“Look, if you’re thinking of-.”

“Of winning y/n back?” Kevin shot him an icy look, his voice dripping with venom. “Believe me. I want to. I dream of it every night but after all she’s been through… I can’t do that to her.”

“W-What do you mean?” Juyeon’s voice was a mere whisper.

“I see how happy she is. I know she’s happy with you and as much as that hurts me, her happiness matters more to me than my love for her. If it wasn’t for me… She wouldn’t have lost her memory and wouldn’t have spent months in a hospital in pain, fighting for her life. I couldn’t even be there for her during those hard times but you were. ”

Juyeon swallowed, “Kevin…”

Kevin ignored his words before continuing, “I don’t know what sort of stories you told her, what lies you fabricated but just promise me one thing,” he turned to Juyeon, “Promise me you won’t break her heart or tell her the truth, ever. She’s gone through enough. It fucking kills me to know the woman I love will never be mine but it hurts even more if I see her broken from the truth. If I ever see so much as a tear from her shed because of you, you are fucking done.”

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left, his cigarette abandoned on the grass as he felt a part of him, the one who’d loved you so deeply, the one that made it possible for him to be capable to love anyone, disappear from his heart forever.

You watched from afar as Kevin turned and left, leaving Juyeon staring after him. There was a stricken look in your husband’s eyes yet for some reason, your eyes were drawn to Kevin’s retreating silhouette. From where you stood, there was something eerily familiar about that gait all of a sudden.

Instantly, you could feel your heart beginning to pick up its pace and a searing pain suddenly ripped across your temple, making you wince and almost drop the plate of cake you had in your hands. The pain was terrible, head splitting and you almost felt lightheaded as you dropped the plate onto the table, holding onto your head.

As you closed your eyes, an image of a pair of hands that you didn’t recognise as Juyeon’s over your own, fingers lacing with yours. Things were flashing past your mind like parts of disrupted, damaged film. A soft voice, a voice so unlike the coarse sound of Juyeon’s at the back of your ear, humming Yiruma’s ‘River Flows In You’, your favourite classical piece. An unknown person placing his palm on your hands as you lay bedridden in hospital, kissing your hand. Was it Juyeon?

A rainy evening in a car. Someone’s hands gripping so tightly onto the steering wheel that their knuckles had turned white. A scream of your name.

When you opened your eyes, a lady friend of yours was holding onto you, her expression worried as she asked if you were okay. As you waved her concern away with a smile, you couldn’t help but feel a deep sadness penetrate through your heart. A sudden sinking feeling of regret, heartbreak and grief came in a large wave that washed over your heart and without you even knowing, you felt a tear drop from your eyes and onto your finger, on your wedding ring.

You stared at the diamond ring on your ring finger then at Kevin’s disappearing form.

What is this feeling?

[rattlerinthewheel]

Hypocrite: Scud/Reader

You’re going to kill him, willingly, if the thirst doesn’t make you do it first.

For the Season of Kink bingo square: blood play.

For the Kinky Things Happen bingo square: blood and punishment.

@pille1983 asked for some choking, so included a little thing here. Grabby vampire gets grabby, necklace was in reach...

- - -

It’s an odd feeling, the room being dark but loud. The TV’s off, but the radio’s thumping somewhere else in the warehouse, turned up enough that the bass rumbles all the way over to the smaller room. It works up the couch’s frame, thrums through you, itching in a way that’s distracting. And you want a distraction, with how he’s leaning back. With how he’s scooping his hair out of the way, leaving his throat exposed.

"All yours, baby."

"Josh."

You’re going to kill him.

It’s not even that you’re pissed at him, at the end of your rope, put there by teasing and prodding. You’re too wound up, too focused on keeping your crouch from turning into a spring at him, to be mad. There’s no joke on his lips to make you, no glint to his eyes when he slants them towards you. For once, he’s deadly serious.

But you’re deadly. Thirst burns your throat like acid, shakes you with fine tremors that stutter the growl low in your chest. It cloys to the sides of your throat, the back of it, your tonsils, on its way out. So dry, so fucking dry, and Josh is right here and offering himself up...

You shake your head. It’s all you can do, all you can thaw without giving over to instinct. If you risk anything else you’ll be lunging, and then you’ll be opening your mouth, and then you’ll be draining him. Blade’s out, he’ll never get back in time to stop you, and you won’t let Josh go until you’ve had every last drop. You’ll kill him, really kill him, and you don’t think you’ll stop Blade from icing you when it comes to it.

But the slack look on Josh’s face hardens, just a bit. Enough for you to notice the nerves twitch and string.

"Said come here, bat," he sighs, patting his lap.

Your growl throttles, enough that you know he can feel it across the couch. "You got a death wish or something—"

You’re faster, but you’re thirsty and too busy honing in—not on purpose, fuck—on the pulse he’s offering up to jump away. His craftsman hand, steel under the soft, clamps around your wrist. His palm’s warm, flushed, and you drag your eyes off his neck to watch the blood blush out around the meat of his palm where he grabs, leak back fish belly-white when he eases his grip. Then it flares back out, warmer, when he redoubles his hold and yanks.

You flail, hissing, but there’s another firm grip hooked under your thigh and the lumpy couch under you is traded for a solid lap, and doesn’t this dumb boy know—

"You’re starving and," and the grip on your wrist jumps up to your face, craning it towards his neck while he hikes your bare leg—you’re just in your boxers, and fuck, you can feel his blood-heat through your flesh—to fold you up, "and I wanna try something."

"Wanna try death," you groan between your teeth.

The words come out flat, strained, because you’re trying not to breathe, trying to keep your eyes latched onto that stupid chain necklace and not the pulse thumping beneath. Your jaw locks, loosens, and locks enough times in a span of seconds that your whole face throbs, and you’re so, so tempted to just break it so you can’t clamp down.

"This’ll sting," is all the warning you get before something acidic sears into your thigh.

You snarl, and Josh releases you just as fast.

"Trial run. Sorry, bat."

Josh clucks his tongue like he isn’t sorry at all, wiggling the fingers of the hand that touched your thigh. You glare at the innocent-looking, fingerless glove that covers his palm. Something about it reeks, like rotten eggs and sulfur.

"Like it? Slipped it on when you were doing your impression of a viper. Not my favorite, if I’m honest. Too..." he hums, thinking, before turning his hand upside down and giving you reversed rabbit ears, "bitey."

Your growl only comes out as a pained moan, because you’ve got the shakes all of a sudden. Not thirst tremors. Sick shakes, like you’ve got the flu, and your leg has a rash of foreign pins and needles prickling that you shouldn’t be feeling.

"What," you groan, trying to flex your leg and only half-succeeding, "did you do?"

"Been fiddling around. Not exactly a fan of lethal-only weapons, what with a vamp on my side that can get fried in daylight."

A bone-tired, waterlogged feeling seeps into you like lead. "Uh huh."

Josh isn’t oblivious to your state. In fact, he takes advantage of it. You’re pliant, not limp but malleable enough that you’re positioned in his lap comfortably—for you and him. He goes on as he adjusts, "You’d be surprised what you can get blended up in fabrics these days. Best way I can explain it is, uh, those glow in the dark stickers? That, but bat repellent."

Another wiggle of fingers you want to bite off, despite how tired you are. "What?"

Josh’s easy grin drops, serious. "UV, bat. Try to keep up."

"No wonder I feel like shit," you growl, even as you feel some of your strength come back. "You’re fucking insane—"

"Ah."

You clam up at the noise. Not the threatening wave you get, that damn glove dangerously close to your thigh.

"Good, we’re making progress."

That easy grin returns and you bristle, regretting not draining him when you had the chance to.

"Now, drink."

You try to keep your mouth shut anyway, hold your breath, close your throat even as his non-gloved hand clamps the back of your neck and drags you close. You hate the ragged, pained whine of thirst and not wanting to kill him; but you hate the thirst a little more, and his thumb digging into the hinge of your jaw pries your teeth apart with no trouble at all.

You couldn’t turn him if you tried. You don’t have the... you don’t know if it’s a power, or something you have to activate that you haven’t figured out yet, or what—but you can’t turn him, and that’s good, because he’s already bound to a family and you’re good as dead if you turn a claimed familiar. Killing one? That’s an accident.

Turning? You’ll get staked.

That’s your consolation as you sink into his throat, fangs springing out and burying deep. Josh tenses, his grip goes slack, and you growl and push up so you’re straddling him. You seize that damn chain and yank it, and the flutter of his pulse, the throb of his windpipe as he tries to fight for a breath against the choke, works up some dark glee that gets you yanking it again. You gulp down hot mouthfuls that’s so, so good and...

... and you gasp, choke on the mouthful you inhale, as that goddamn glove skims your thigh.

"Easy," Josh warns, breathy but strong. Then he clears his throat, grimacing as he works his vocal chords, unintentionally tugging at the puncture wounds. "Ah, how ‘bout you use that tongue o’ yours?"

You’re recovering from the second touch, not as severe thanks to the blood, and you have just enough will to obey. Your grip on the necklace jumps off, and you frown at the pink marks you’ve embedded in the flesh: a ring of odd circles that’ll bruise. You don’t like having to lap at the blood that trickles down, either, like a damn dog; you smear just as much of it as you swallow, slathering his throat in red and saliva. But your throat isn’t parched, you don’t feel sick, and gradually, you begin working on cleaning him up.

"Do not get hard," you hiss, even if that’s too late to warn against; between his jeans and your boxers, there’s hardly enough fabric to hide the half-attentive shaft you’re sitting on.

"Hypocrite," Josh purrs, not touching with the glove but tenting his hand, fingers keeping his palm hovering, so it’s close enough that you feel the UV radiate. You don’t feel sick over it, just prickling, like burrs on the other side of a thick layer of clothes, so you feel...

... well, you feel like a hypocrite.

"This," you tell him, continuing to lap up your dinner, "will not become a thing."

But you can’t bring yourself to bare your fangs at the lazy, high-looking (he isn’t, his blood’s refreshingly plain) grin Josh gives. Or argue when he hums, "It will," in a sing-song pitch that clashes poorly with the dark and the thumping music.

About as well as a familiar and the vampire that can’t claim him.

[mxvladdy]

Hi! just finished reading your Tumblr request on AO3 and I just looooove your writing ;; if it's not a problem I wanted to ask how you imagine that Lucifer, Mammon and Beel would react to a MC who is usually very quiet and not very expressive, impossible to embarrass or make nervous, to suddenly, one day manage to make her blush for the first time (Also, English is not my first language, so I hope this is okey) I wish you a lovely week ❤

A/N: This is adorable! Sorry for the slow turn around, I hope you enjoy!❤

Lucifer

Stoicism is something he normally finds very attractive in a woman. To be able to keep such a level of calm outlook during even times that might even shake him. He loves the idea of a power couple, and the way you hold yourself. You definitely make one.

It does grate him that he can’t fluster you like you do him, especially during your time together in private. He tries multiple ways to even just draw some color to your cheeks. Flowers in the classroom, hand written invitations to private dining establishments and venues, he even went to the human realm just to find some kind of familiar comfort to give to you. You love them all he knows but he wants, craves to see an uninhibited reaction from you. He’ll get it one day, his pride depends on it at this point.

Luck graces him one evening after a hellish work day. A fight in the school yard leading to property damage he had to do extra paper work for. The only saving grace of that was it wasn’t one of his brothers, this time. Only followed soon after by a report of yet another racket engineered by Mammon. Then, to top off a horrible day one of Belphie and Satan’s little “pranks” blew up half his office.

All his loose or unprotected paperwork, gone. Nothing but smoldering bits of ash. He was now more than ever thankful to have you by his side. Before he could get his hands on the two you stepped in shooing him away to deal with the other fires that needed to be put out while you handled his office.

Things got done, in record time for once. He was able to rewrite his notes for the next council meeting, but at the cost of your weekday dinner together. A pity, but he knew you understood. Trudging up to his room he looked forward to perhaps a few hours of sleep before the next crisis struck. Then he found you.

He chuckles to himself quietly leaning against his door frame. You had beaten him to his favorite resting roost. You sat on his favorite armchair, rolled up tight in his comforter. All he could see was a tuft of hair and the very tip of your nose. Beautiful as always, but he wanted to rest. Well-two birds, one stone and all…

He scoops you up envious of how deeply you could slumber and places you on his lap. Kicking off his shoes he sighs blissfully before resting his head back on worn leather.

Mini fic

You didn’t expect to see Lucifer tonight. Today has been the absolute definition of a shit show, on nights like these it wasn’t uncommon for you not to see him at all. You would normally place your bets on him being unconscious at his desk. Though, he couldn’t really do that tonight. You pat yourself on the back mentally knowing that he would be pleased with the work you and the brothers did cleaning up his office. While you couldn’t get them to apologize to Lucifer you at least got them to clean up what was salvageable in his study.

After a few hours of cleaning his office was back in working order and your feet were screaming for a break. Bidding the two miscreants farewell and making them promise to hold off on the pranks for at least a week you let your body lead you to Lucifer’s room. The room was how you left it that morning. Your slippers next to his by the door and your robe tossed haphazardly on his linen sheets. You make a beeline for the only piece of furniture Lucifer loved dearly. How many nights had you snuck in only to see him melting into the old chain. His long legs sprawled out and tangled in his foot rest, while his body sinks into the imprints he has left from years of use like a lover's embrace.

Yanking the thin comforter from his bed you curl into the divots with a yawn. Before you know it your eyes close and the crackling of the fireplace lulls you to sleep. You awake with a jolt, confused and disoriented for a moment before your sleepy brain catches up. You fell asleep alone on the soft leather but woke to something unyielding beneath you now.

Lucifer sits underneath you snoring softly. His arms rest around your blanketed body. His head tilts down over you, his nose tickling your hairline. Like always he sports a mild look of annoyance. His lips were drawn in a scowl, brows crinkling in displease. You could tell his jaw was tense even while he slept.

Freeing your arms from your cocoon you reach up from him moving to cup his twitching jaw. With practiced ease you began to message the pin joints. You smile to yourself moving down to his tense neck and shoulders. This had become a nightly ritual for you when you shared a bed. When you knew he was asleep you would start trying to work away some of his tension from the previous day. You swear in the morning that he looks better on the nights you get the chance to.

This was your little secret though. You couldn’t bear the thought of him knowing you did this. Not that you thought he would disapprove. Lucifer appreciated acts of service, but just the thought of him knowing made your whole body heat in a flush. You push the thoughts away focusing instead on the extremely tight muscles underneath his brow line. It amazed you that he didn’t have any wrinkles after all this.

So engrossed in your perusal of his features you didn’t notice him stirring till his warm palm traps your hand to his cheek. Before you realize it his lips push a firm kiss into the flesh of your palm. Scarlet eyes meet yours crinkling around the edges. They were warm and radiant. “You’re blushing.” His voice was deep and husky from what little sleep he got.

“What?” You stammer.

Lucifer leans in tapping his forehead on yours. He studies your wide eyes and pink face for a moment before cracking a smug grin. “I’ve never seen you flustered before. Your blush looks good on you.”

“You caught me off guard.” He nods, kissing the tip of your nose tenderly taking impish glee in your squirming.

“Good-I will strive to do so more often. I wish to see you as undone as you make me.”

Mammon

Stoic MC? Rare pair? Rare pair. Mammon wears his heart on his sleeve. Nothing about him is slick. From week one everyone knew he had it bad for you. He is so open with his affections whether he likes it or not. Unlike you.

Honestly, how were you always so controlled. Ain’t the dame supposed to be all blushy and giggly too? It-it makes him think he isn’t doing something right. Is he not treating you right? Were you unhappy?

So he goes to do what he does best. Scheme. There has to be someway to crack that stoic disposition of yours. He gets clingy-well clingier now. He starts springing random vacations on you. Expect to skip class whenever he thinks he won’t get skinned alive for it.

He’ll take you anywhere all his internet research tells him to. Black sand beaches, crowded boardwalks to see the lights, deserted hiking trails late in the evening to watch the fireflies. He is sure it will work. But nope, nada. You love every moment of it and show him with a soul searing kiss and sweet words of praise. But damn you if you aren’t always so cool about it.

He is about to throw in the towel when he finally gets what he wants. At work no less. It was completely by accident but he isn’t one to complain. Perhaps he should go to work more often.

Mini Fic

“Pucker up!” Mammon’s make-up artist orders, squeezing his cheeks between her thumb and forefinger. “And for Diavolo’s sake put your phone down.”

“Shove off Cazzin.” Mammon sputters around the sour tasting lip stain and plumper. His eyes still glued to his screen. His freshly done nails swiping at picture after picture of fancy hotels and spas. Just thinking about taking you a private spring got his blood boiling in the best ways.

“Woooow.” Cazz whistles through her fangs looking at his screen. “Who is the lucky lady you are trying to impress this time?

“Mammon bristles, shooting her a murderous glance. The smaller demon blanches, purple skin turning ashy with fear. Her eyes drop to the floor immediately in submission, a sincere apology falling from her lips. “My girlfriend.” He says finally after cooling down. “I’m-I’m trying to impress her or something.”

“Well, pretty sure with a price tag like that anyone would be impressed.” Mammon only grunts barely glancing at the excessive amount of zeros on the page. Any other girl he knew would be a blushing mess after getting a gift like this. Hells, even Cazz was eyeing the site with open envy and excitement. Yet, this wasn’t the first time he had done something like this with you. Every time he did all he got was a blisteringly radiant smile and kisses that probably could send him back to heaven if he didn’t have a life long ban there. Not that that was a bad thing...but he just wanted more.

“You would think so…” He trails off clicking his phone off to focus on the rest of his routine. No sooner had his hair and make-up artist finished then his director was stomping and shouting down the hall for him to get his ass on set. Grimacing Mammon slides off his seat stretching to spare himself a few more seconds of peace. He stops at the door taking one last look at his get up for this shoot.

Damn, he looks good. It was time for a new spring collection, but more importantly, his most popular season. The light spring colors always brought out his best features. The pastel cotton shirt they “fashionably” threw him in hung casually around his frame. Buttons “tastefully” undone to show the smooth planes of his freely waxed and oiled skin. The linen board shorts and finishing touch of leather sandals gave him the perfect beach vibe. At top dollar mind you.

Hmmm-perhaps he could borrow this outfit for your next beach outing.

Unable to tone out his bosses shouting anymore Mammon makes his way to set. He thinks hard on what else he can go or take you to impress you, ignoring the poking and prodding of his camera men and set designers. His partners today, two incubus twins stood sourly next to him. They had been at this for hours and even he was ready for a break from the sweltering heat of the lights.

“Alright! Alright!” The director broke an hour later tired of the twins whining. He throws his hands in the air in exasperation. “We’ll break for an hour for lunch- lost the light as is.” He huffs stumping off for a smoke break.

“Finally,” Mammon sighs from his pose on the ground. “Think I got sand in my ass.” He gets up from the ground grimacing as he tries to brush the grit off his legs. “Shit starts to burn when they get hot.” One of the twins nods looking down at their own arms. Tiny burn marks showing on their fair skin, they will heal by the time the shoot resumes, doesn’t mean they will be happy about it.

“Want to grab lunch?” The twins ask tossing him a towel to blot at his sweating brow. “New food truck is coming in today.” Mammon shakes his head. You had packed him something to eat this morning and he kind of wanted to enjoy it in peace for once.

Waving the two off he hurries back to his room already salivating at whatever tasty food you got him. Halfway to the door he stops, the fine hairs on his neck standing up. Someone was in his dressing room. Devil’s please don’t let it be another rabid fan. He pleads before creeping forward to check. Whoever it was left the door ajar, peaking in he stares enraptured.

When did you get here? It wasn’t abnormal for you to just drop by while he was working, but you usually waited for him on set behind the cameras. You sit humming to yourself reading something on your lap, feet kicking out innocently while you wait for him. Flipping a page he gets a glimpse of what you’re reading. His feathers ruffle in satisfaction. He had plans on showing you these shots before their release date. They still needed approval from his director but he knew they were great. You flip through shot after shot humming or nodding at some. One shot makes you stop fully, eyes growing wide.

Mammon snorts to himself, knowing exactly which photo you stopped on. The next issue was focusing on “Elegance in the work space”, whatever that means. His designer for the projects went a little overboard with the cuts and designs of the business suites he was to model. The sketches and drafts she had thrust at him had made his head spin. They were all amazing in his opinion, but one had been killer, everyone had agreed on that. If he didn’t know any better he was certain that it would put him on the cover. By the way you were looking at it, he was hoping it would.

That suit really complimented all of his features. It was form fitting accenting his slim waist but hid the slight sloping of his shoulders. The gold of the threading of his vest was done up in soft floral patterns that popped against the dark navy blue of the suit's fabric. The dark blue really brought out the lightness of his eyes. The look was topped off with a bright yellow silk pocket square, polished leather wingtips and gold cufflinks. He was about to interrupt you when he saw it, that one thing he wanted more than anything.

The pink starts at your ears swiping across the bridge of your nose before blooming on your round cheeks. It was breathtaking. Thinking he was being sneaky, Mammon whips out his phone for a quick picture, no one would believe him unless he had solid evidence. But the flash gives him away.

“Mammon!” You jump caught, hands flying to cover your warm face.

“Oi! None of that!” Mammon moves quickly snatching your hands away from your face beaming. “I’ve been waiting for ages to see this face on ya, an’ all it took was a picture of me?”

“You- you clean up really nicely, Mammon.” His hearts flutter at your soft admission.

“Huh,” Mammon scratches his neck, feeling his own blush coming forth. “Well- I mean I could do that more often, so long as you keep looking at me like this when I do.” He picks up the stack of photos from the floor where you dropped them in surprise. “Ya know- I still got that suit.”

Your face turns molten- oh he was going to have a field day with this.

Beelzebub

Doesn’t even notice at first. He is kind of the same way with expressing himself too- unless food is involved. So if you are content then he is content, so who cares if you don’t show it on your face?

Well- he didn’t care, until Belphie brought it up. His twin didn’t mean anything by it; he knew that, but it made him wonder. He trusts you when you say you are happy, you have no reason to lie to him. But date nights, game nights, and family dinners you were always so impassive.

It makes him wonder, not enough to ask you though. Truthfully, he is a little embarrassed that he can’t read you as you do him. He won’t force it like his brothers might. He is patient and hopes one day it will just come naturally like it does for him around you.

Mini Fic

Beel watches you over his lunch. You two were silent as you ate, but that was to be expected on days like these. The school cafe was packed with students all jockeying to get a place in line for today’s special. He had gotten there early for the both of you to gap a few of the specials and sides before they were gone. “Are you ok?” He puts his fork down leaning in close to speak to you across the small table. It creaks dangerously under the weight of his elbows on it. You look up from your tea mug. He smiles at your perpetually mild expression, your eyes were hard but your lips and brows were relaxed giving away nothing.

“Of course.” You smile up at him, face smooth and controlled. “Just excited about tonight.”

Hmph, could have fooled him. Beel leans back, studying you intently. He hopes you were as excited as he was for tonight. A new arcade had opened on the edge of town last week and he thought it would be a great date night for the two of you. He had expressed to you on several occasions how he was looking forward to the roller rink and the hoop games. You seemed eager, giving him a closed lip grin every time he brought it up. “Me too.” Beel says finally turning back to his food. “Think we will win any prizes?”

You snort dismissively. “Us? The dream team? I would be surprised if we didn’t win something. Have you seen the plushies?” You pull out your phone and show him their Devilgram. “I want to try and get the hydra one…” You prattle on and scroll through all the cute prizes on their site. He nods along taking a mental note of all the ones that you pointed at, determined to get each and every one for you.

School goes by quickly, far too quickly for him. Each tick of the clock caught him by surprise, jacking his nerves up more and more. It wasn’t like it was his first date with you, but it never stopped the butterflies from starting in his stomach. After school he changes quickly and waits for you by your bedroom door. He fiddles with the zipper of his jacket until you finally open your door.

“Ready?” The smile you throw up at him is breathtaking. “Hope you don’t mind my get up. You mentioned a roller ring so I figured something sporty and functional would be appropriate.” You kick out a leg waving a hand over your bright sport leggings.

Beel chuckles offering you his large hand. “You look adorable as always.”

Being with you was as easy as breathing to him now. After all your time together in the house getting to know you you became one of his closest friends, even before you started dating. You shared many of his interests and wasn’t afraid to argue your point if you saw fit. You fill the train ride to the arcade with idle chatter, goofy selfies to send to his siblings, and annoying the other passengers with your ill-contained chuckles.

The place itself was packed but well spread out to handle the massive throngs of demons and beasts coming for drinks and a good time. “Come on!” You shout over the other very drunk and very loud customers tugging at his sleeve. “Let’s get some coins and find an empty station.” He lets you lead. You take full advantage of his impressive frame to part the crowds around you as you hunt for a free spot. “See anything?”

Beel peers over the heads of most of the demons and looks out. In the far corner sat a few jump rope games that were free. “Stay close.” He murmurs in your ear wrapping a protective arm your shoulders so you wouldn’t be swept away in the flow of the crowd. The games were...hard. Mentally Beel kicks himself. Of course an arcade in the Devildom wouldn’t be geared for humans. They were built for demons' fast reflexes and inhuman strength. You were a good sport about it though, cheering him on when the games began to move too fast for your senses. If a game broke in his zeal to get you tickets, well you were both fast walkers.

“Think we have enough?” Beelzebub asks hours later around a popsicle. His jacket pockets bulge with multicolored tickets screaming to be spent.

You hum around a scoop of ice cream. “Possibly-” Your eyes flick to the prize booth. “And extra, you want a plushie too?” He shrugs. No doubt the moment it got into his room Belphie will steal it to add to his horde.

You end up getting your stuffed hydra and a giant fuzzy minotaur to keep it “company”. You clutch them close to your chest, seemingly happy with your bounties. After that you spend a bit at the roller ring before you finally had to call it a night. Exhausted you lag behind Beel as you make your way back to the train station, feet dragging with each step.

Wordlessly, Beel stops just in front of you. “Here,” He squats, offering you his back, arms stretched out behind him. “I can take us the rest of the way to the stop.” He feels you hesitate for a moment before climbing on to his back.

“Thank you.” He thinks nothing of how soft your voice was, just barely a tickle at the base of his neck. Beel treks one once you are secure, stuffing his hands in his pockets to lock you in place. The rest of the walk was quiet but he didn’t mind it, your warm body and soft breathing in his ear was a comfort.

He stops at the benches with a few minutes to spare before your train. “We are here. Do you want-” He gasps quietly, cutting himself off before he could accidentally wake you. You sleep on unperturbed by his voice. Your hold on around his neck was tight, your head buried in his neck.

It seems only when you're sleeping do you let your guard down. A blush sweeps across your face, your lips pulled up into a serene smile. You looked-happy. Happy in a way he never saw before. He won’t say anything about it, he decides. He’ll cherish this tiny expression all the same. Perhaps one day he’ll see when you're awake too.

[lune-hime]

Garden of Tulips (Levi/Reader) Chapter 10

~Click me for more chapters~

“What did it look like?”

“Hmm?” Levi looked up from his place next to your sleeping form. “The titan that tried to snack on my darling granddaughter.” “Ugly as fuck.” “Aren’t they all?”

Levi recounts memories of the reader and their shared life together while she recovers from a serious injury.

!!WARNINGS!! - Violence, gore, smut, wholesome content ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tulipa alba coreulea oculata ~ A modest tulip of pearl hue that awakens before its sisters in the early spring. When she blooms, the inky beauty of her indigo heart is revealed.

↞↠↞↠↞↠

Colors danced in soft swirls under your closed eyelids. They were so thickly painted that you felt as if one swipe of your hand would intertwine their chromatic trails and mix their hues. You recognized this work of art as your euphoria; the painting of which you dreamed of many moons ago.

The delicate hands of your little muse patted your cheeks in a gentle reminder that you were too close to the surface to drift back into darkness. Here you waited in this limbo with the young girl, watching as the colors spun faster against her obsidian locks. She was the culmination of everything you could have in the future where you recovered.

The colors gained ferocity as the natural lighting from the wide window above your bed assaulted your eyes. It was as if you were an infant gazing upon the unfamiliar world so intensely it was painful. The searing brightness crinkled your brow and pinched uncomfortably at the corners of your eyes.

Sharp pain bombarded you just as the light did. It’s ivory beams peeled the lengthened sleep from your body and left a dull aching in its wake. The discomfort that now hugged your form was worth it, though, for when your vision gradually sifted up from the murky depths of unconsciousness you wanted to cry on spot at the valkyrie before you.

He contrasted so vibrantly against the pearly essence of the wallpaper of your room that you weren’t sure if you were still actually dwelling in your painting. An overwhelming urge to mold into him wracked your sedentary muscles. You were agitated at your weakened body, irritated that it couldn’t give your mind what it desired. The magnetic sensation was so strong that, willing your mind could override your physical short circuitry, it would have ejected itself out of its damaged shell and crashed into his open chest.

“Lee-” You rasped. Your voice was an exclamation within but manifested into a barely audible moan.

The minute noise grasped his attention, though.

Your phantom limbs bounced with touch starved compulsion when his head whipped around. You finally laid actual eyes on your favorite features sculpted by the universe.

“Lee-vi.” You croaked. The excitement of saying his name sapped what little energy you had from you as you fell into the little girl’s awaiting palms once more.

You lingered momentarily on the rickety bridge between consciousness and nothingness, listening to his muffled frantic calls. A warm wind rocked the bridge as his hands against your cheeks hit you like a summer heat wave. His touch endowed you with newfound vigor and your eyes opened once again.

He hovered mere inches from your face. The skin you longed to embrace was carved with petal-soft streams of tears that pooled from his desperate eyes and traversed porcelain slopes to drip down his chin. Your eyes instantly brimmed with salty gratitude upon being able to swim in those stormy seas of silver.

“Levi…” You breathily whimpered, the corners of your mouth quivering upward as what felt like years of being trapped in a bottle. Ten minutes he had grappled for his name on your lips but to you, it had left like a passing fancy.

“It’s me. It’s me-Y/N, it’s me .” He reassured for both himself, and for you. His voice wobbled with the desperate tambour of a colt eager to stand on its own among spring grass. The sheer quaking of his form; from his deeply furrowed brow, to the tears that fell in divine pools, to the frantic hesitation of his touches was in a magnitude that you had never seen in him before.

“Levi.” You sighed again, a weak smile sluggishly tugging at the corners of your lips. Like a chick learning to chirp you repeated his name as a mantra.

And by Ymir every time you chirped he vibrated at a frequency you couldn’t outwardly match.

“I’m here, Y/N.” He cooed as his emptiness finally filled with the colors of your essence. He pressed your foreheads together and basked in the warmth of your skin. “And you’re finally here.”

The simple physical touch satisfied both of your needy minds; Levi to know you were awake and you to feel like you were present. He wanted to say more. Explode with everything he had seen and felt these past few days. To unload what felt like months of unshared memories in your absence. But he didn’t want to overwhelm you any more. So he settled on four words.

“I love you, Y/N.” He uttered. You could hear the incoming flow of tears diluting his tone. Those words had fallen from his lips countless times since your accident, both internally and externally, but now they actually fell upon you. And it felt like nothing else mattered. “I love you, I love you.”

“And I love you.” You cried, fingers ever so tiredly trailing up his arm to weakly touch the softness of his hair. The strands glided between your languid flutters. There you stayed basking in the feeling of home and letting the bulbs of your love bloom between you.

“Wh...where are we? It looks like…” You trailed off as your head lolled onto his shoulder. Your eyes trailed the room, from window to wall and bureau to bedside table.

“We’re at Oma’s.” Levi explained as he smoothed down some hairs tangled in your drool from the corner of your mouth.

“Oma…” Relief was evident in your exhale. There was no other place and no other sheets you would rather be cocooned in than your childhood room after the last image your eyes captured was that carrion swamp of toothy rocks.

“She’s here then?” You asked, blinking to make sure you were actually awake.

“She left a bit ago to run errands with Felicia-”

“Felicia…” Your lips wandered over their names as if you were recalling them from a story read long ago.

“Mhm. She and Oma have been taking care of you.” Levi checked your eyes for any signs of dilation and disorientation as you processed everything. Everything seemed fine until you groaned when a chord of pain shot up your taught muscles.

“My side hurts.” You complained as your body reflexively stretched.

“I know. Don’t try to move too quickly.” Levi instructed gently. He tried to reposition you into a less painful sitting position with as much sweetness as his voice.

“How bad is it?” You bared your teeth as he shifted you. Levi kept his face from cringing at the memory of Oma fabricating a new seam for your flesh. He played with your fingers to keep your attention on staying awake.

“Oma had to stitch almost your entire side. You...had lost a lot of blood already before I found you. But I was able to put enough pressure on it to keep you-” Levi swallowed and finished his sentence with a deep inhale.

The grotesque images of the incident were painted in thick brush strokes along the bow of your brain. To push them down you focused your gaze on Levi’s doting touches and the smoothness of his milky skin.

“Do you remember what happened?” He pressed, gentle and hesitant.

You hummed in affirmation. You were sure not even the void could remove the scars left upon you by death’s cradle; both physically and mentally.

“Connie and I were alone. We were clearing out the titans to the west when Reiner knocked the wind out of me and I fell right into the abnormal…” You felt Levi’s fingers twitch in aggravation. You were too exhausted now to feel that intense hatred that had been palm-up body slammed into you.

“It grazed my side with its teeth...but I managed to take it down.” You drew in a ragged breath, the pseudo-smell of carcasses overpowering the sweet smell of the tea still steeping in the kettle nearby.

“I...I felt like what being chewed alive is like, Levi.”

Your utter outpouring of torture and fearful tears had Levi’s heart shattering all over again as it had the moment he retrieved your limp body from that sticky pool of blood. He caged the animosity that steamed under his skin for Reiner’s negligence, for the titan’s bloodlust, and for the dangerous oath both of you had taken. He had more to be grateful for right now than angry over.

His thumbs pressed feather-light kisses to your water lines, drying the flooded areas. He brought his hands to your cheeks and leaned in close so you were forced to reside within the shining slate mines of his irises.

“You’re alright now. You’re here, I’m here. You made it out, sweetheart, and nothing will be able to bring you back to that moment.” Levi said with a firmness and sincerity that bathed you in immediate serenity.

Levi rarely used pet-names with you. His terms of endearment came in the form of actions and gestures rather than words. Only when he wanted to communicate something deeper, a feeling he would never come close to conveying with his vocabulary, did they break through the surface.

“I’m assuming I fucked him up since I’m still alive.” You tried to joke as dizziness further loosened its constricting grip on your head.

“From what I saw, you absolutely fucked him up.” Levi cracked a smile when you wheezed out a laugh.

“Did Eren-?” You began. Your blackout had left you with many unanswered questions.

“I don’t know. By the time I had seen your flare they had already disappeared.” He answered.

“Don’t even.” He added. He sifted through your disorientation and hurt to find the fledgling tendrils of guilt creeping up your brow.

“None of us expected that attack. We all did what we could and no one can fault us for that.”

You chewed the inner corner of your lip and let his words sink in.

“You fought so well. You protected Connie and killed that abnormal who most likely would have gone on to kill someone else. I’m proud of you.”

Your bottom lip quivered under his earnest praise.

You strained towards him and Levi realized you were attempting to give him a kiss. He hesitated momentarily, afraid of embracing you in a sore spot or accidentally pressing you backwards at an awkward angle. With a delicate crane of his neck he met you more than halfway. His lips fell upon yours with the tenderness of a newborn fawn’s footsteps but the ferocity of lovers parted by a great ocean.

He drew back to see a pout where his lips had just resided.

“What is it?”

“I really have to pee.” You stated.

Levi’s rocking waves of baritone laughter and his steady arms lifted you from your bed.

“I want to try walking.” You proclaimed with determination, gaze focused straight ahead on the ensuite bathroom.

Levi was impressed with how well you tottered across the room, with his structural support of course. He would wince every time you did but you didn’t let the fire in your side impede your locomotion.

“Do you need me to stay?” He asked in genuine concern. He watched you skeptically as you wobbled above the toilet.

“You pervert.” You huffed, grimacing at the tightness in your thighs as you crouched down. “But yes please.”

Once business had been taken care of and you had assured him you felt coordinated enough to slowly walk back to bed yourself, Levi had gone to clean up his fallen tea cup. He had just finished dabbing the bedside rug with a rag when your sniffle dragged him to his feet.

The fabric of your nightgown, despite being silken to the touch, had snagged the rough skin of your stitches like sharp brambles as you bunched it up to your breasts. With your torso fully exposed to your morbidly curious gaze, you had never been more disgusted with yourself.

Your body resembled the two sides of a coin in how starkly different they looked. Supple curves flowed beautifully into strong and nimble legs. Across the way, a crescent moon of scissored flesh dug its hooks into your once smooth skin. Lightning bolts of broken blood vessels and bruising held your thigh to your hips like a haphazardly made corn doll.

“I’ve never looked so weak.” Your disbelief manifested itself in a dark chuckle. The image of your battered body had left you in shock at your forced metamorphosis. Your fingertips barely tapped at your stitches as if they were repulsed to be in the vicinity of your wound.

You couldn’t tear your eyes away from your tears until Levi’s body carefully wrapped around yours from behind. He didn’t dare touch your scarring, but he did intertwine your hands with his and placed his head on your shoulder.

“I don’t think you’ve ever looked so strong.” He whispered with an airy kiss to your neck. You looked up to meet his eyes in the mirror and your chest clenched at his unfiltered adoration.

“You will heal. And to speed that up you need to not push yourself.” Levi gently ushered you away from the mirror and turned you back towards the bed.

As you walked, your gaze fell to the open bedroom door. Your eyes began to water once again, pooling at your bottom lids like the body of water you now cried for. Levi anxiously regarded you and your newest bout of tears.

“Levi...is Puddle?” You coughed. A heavy rock of dread plummeted into your stomach. You couldn’t recall the last time you had seen your other beloved boy. Levi grinned fondly.

“He’s fine. He’s out in the pasture.” He assured you. He felt the breath you had been holding release against his side and you continued your journey back to bed.

Once you had practically deflated back into the blankets, it dawned on Levi that you would need sustenance.

“Are you hungry? Thirsty? Lightheaded?” He mused like a mother hen.

“All of the above but I don’t think I can stomach anything right now.”

“I’ll just get water, then.” He decided and dipped out of the room. The steady tick-tock of the carved clock and the twittering of the birds above you almost lulled you to sleep when Levi re-emerged.

The water was unpleasant; too cool against the dryness of your throat. As you forced yourself to gulp it down, you registered Levi’s outfit. The realization made you lightly gasp.

“What’s wrong?” Levi bristled, fearing one of your organs decided to pop.

“Those clothes…” You whispered as you licked the final droplets of water from your lips.

Shit, were you upset he had borrowed them? Maybe he was encroaching on something precious.

“Y/N I didn’t-”

You shook your head and smiled sweetly.

“They look good on you.” You giggled at the blush that rose on his pale cheeks.

“The pants are a little too long though...shorty.” You winked weakly. Levi was relieved that you felt alright enough to tease him. It was a more than welcome nuisance.

“Not my fault everyone in your family besides Oma seem to be giants.” He countered as he sat down on the empty side of the bed.

“Oh Ymir, I’ve been out for...how long have I been unconscious?”

“Two and a half days.”

“ Shit , that means you’ve been all alone with Oma.” You whined. “I take full responsibility for anything she’s done or said.”

Levi shut you up with another kiss the consistency of butterfly wings. He pulled back and your heart fluttered at the light in his features.

“We get along pretty well.”

“She hasn’t scarred you yet? That’s a first.”

“I didn’t say that.” He replied with impish jest.

“We...understand one another.” Levi stated simply. You beamed at his comment and gave him a once over, noting his seemingly pristine physical condition.

“You’re doing okay? You look fine.”

“My shoulder is bruised and I feel stiff but that’s it.” He reassured with a spirited flex of his shoulder blades.

Your mouth hung open in incoming speech when a crashing at the base of the stairs followed by two sets of groans interrupted you.

“Dammit Felicia just-place them at the bottom of the stairs. No! See I knew this was going to happen, your arms are the consistency of chicken legs. You could have easily made a second trip from the carriage.” Oma scolded her with fiery disappointment obvious in her tone.

You and Levi exchanged amused glances at the antics below the stairs.

“Levi, are you up here?” Oma called as she ascended to the second floor. You bit your lips in anticipation of your reunion with your grandmother.

“I’m in here.” Levi replied with a squeeze of your hand.

“That foolish girl has just spilled half of her suitcase onto the floor.” The old woman complained as she approached your bedroom. A pair of crutches under one arm and a fresh package of bandages entered your room just before she did.

“I mean, really, she has to be aware that she has the strength of a bumbleb-”

“Hi Oma.” You hiccuped. Your cheerful greeting faded into a whimper at the sight of her. She looked as lively and as lovely as you had last seen her. The crutches fell to the floor with a sharp clatter and she turned to you with wide eyes.

“ Oh , my darling.” She croaked, gliding to your side and smothering you with careful kisses on every corner of your face. Levi pulled away to let the weeping woman embrace her kin. You buried your head into her shoulder and sighed into her familiar cradle.

The beautiful, joyously tearful reunion drove that stake of peculiar familial warmth deeper into Levi’s chest as he silently watched on as Oma and you began to catch up.

“Y/N!” Felicia screamed. She stood at the foot of the bed utterly petrified with relieved shock.

“Hi Felicia.” A grin parted the wetness on your face. She was quick to take you into her arms as well, and held you there as she rambled on about how ecstatic she was that you were awake.

“Thank you for taking care of me.” You said as she pulled away. Your eyes crinkled and her’s mirrored yours.

“All of you.” You added, looking to every one of your earthly angels around you. “What time is it?”

“Half past three.” Oma said, squinting at the clock.

“Aw, I missed my morning coffee.”

The once fragile room was filled with hearty laughter and smiles for the rest of that afternoon.

↞↠↞↠↞↠

After spending the next few hours lazing with second swigs of tea and half eaten dinner plates, Levi gave your interlocked palms a squeeze. He broke away and padded out of the room to give you and Oma much needed alone time. The clanking of porcelain against the sink drew his attention to the kitchen archway and he paused momentarily along his descent.

“It sounds like an earthquake is breaking all of your dishes.” Levi commented dryly. Felicia yelped in surprise, generating even more clanking.

“Eek, I apologize if my cleaning has been bothering you! Oh walls, has it been loud enough to disturb Y/N??” She buzzed in anxiety. Levi threw her a half smile.

“I was joking. Clearly you didn’t take it that way...do you need help?” He said and leaned in the archway to the kitchen.

“O-oh...ahahah.” She sputtered and offered a wiggly, but calmer, grin back. “No, I’m all good here despite the noise. So no need to trouble yourself! Although I know you do love cleaning…”

Levi deadpanned into a single nod and continued out to the front porch. Two rocking chairs perched themselves along the ornate railing as they relished in the feature film that was the evening tulips. The fields were dulled by the blue haze of the encroaching moonlight.

He plopped down into the aged wood and took in his new favorite smell; country air. He had absolutely no idea what he had been missing with the must and dust of the underground and the metallic smell of blood against pine needles outside the walls.

He let time take the backseat to his rocking as he mildly entertained himself by finding shapes in the swaying flowers. His hand absentmindedly fiddled with the contents of his pocket. He sighed contently and brought them out of their cotton resting place and into the open. The two little bands of gold were illuminated against the pale floral sea.

A snort jolted the rings back into his pocket and whipped his head to the source. His body stiffened like an agitated teenager harboring stolen alcohol. Oma had appeared with a pony, a creature of small mousey brown and stout stature. It bore a harness with large wicker baskets hanging from either side of its chubby shoulders.

“Wanna help a brittle old woman with some last minute harvesting? I’m extremely behind on today’s work for obvious reasons." Oma invited with spice in her tone. If she had seen the jewelry, she was very convincing at hiding otherwise. Levi indulged in the rocking chair, creaking back and forth a couple times, before heaving himself up silently.

“It will do you good to get those muscles moving.” She said, patting his good shoulder as he neared. Once he was standing next to her she gripped his collar and yanked it downward. Levi faltered at the unexpected grapple and stumbled backwards. She peeped under the cloth, admiring the progress of her handiwork.

“Looks good still.” She affirmed, playfully snapping the band back and she waltzed into the field. “Damn I’m one hell of a seamstress.”

Levi followed the pony’s hoofprints down the main lane until the house was barely in view. They arrived at a patch of tulips the color of midday sunshine and lemon drop candy.

“Alright, look here boy.” She rubbed her hands together in anticipation. Levi regarded her as she kneeled down in front of her chosen flowers, one of the wicker baskets loyally resting at her side.

“It’s not as simple as pulling the damned thing up, you might tear the bulb out that way. If you do that you owe me whatever I would have earned from the re-cultivation of that tulip.” She sternly explained, sending him daggers in her eyes he had come to recognize held no malice.

Levi watched carefully as she dug out around the base of the stem, twisted gently with a firm grasp, and lifted, effortlessly releasing the flower from its anchor. He kneeled down in his picking area and mimicked her movements. After a couple broken stems and constructive criticism they had fallen into a steady rhythm.

“So...do you want to show me what’s jangling around in your pocket?” Oma inquired with a sly innocence. Levi eyed her with his grasp mid stem. Her features were smug with knowledge.

“You want to see what is inside my pocket?” Levi quipped back as he yanked the flower from its birthplace.

“Uh-huh.”

“Like...lint?” Levi returned matter-of-factly. He was grateful straight facing was his most coveted skill in interrogations such as these.

Oma cackled and blew the excess dirt from her fingertips.

“I saw the rings, Levi. No use playing dumb with me.” She stopped her harvest and gauged him for a reaction.

Levi cleared his throat and continued working.

“How do you know I wasn’t keeping them safe for Erwin’s wedding to his eyebrows?” Levi replied with an even tone. He cringed at his bullshit.

“Now that’s a wedding I’d like to be invited to.” Oma laughed, and Levi couldn’t help but grin at his absolute shitty cover up.

“It doesn’t- didn’t - really matter that much to me. Getting married.” He began as his hand hovered over the wind kissed petals of his next flower. It took a couple of soft sways for him to decide how to articulate his feelings.

“Why should I let a piece of paper, a circlet of metal, and some holy man manifest a promise that I’ve already committed to her myself?”

Oma hummed along in acknowledgment.

“But...realizing how much marriage meant to her made me place my opinions aside and realize I was being selfish in my reservations.”

A grasshopper popped in and out of the columns of stems.

“She’s never made a big deal out of it, but I’m not blind. I see the way she fawns over wedding dresses and how her eyes light up when she sees families on the street.”

His tone grew somber as thoughts of doubt flooded his mind. When the thought of becoming a husband and even a father crossed his mind he shoved them immediately into the darkest corners of his subconscious. But despite those intimate fears, he would never doubt he wanted to make you happy for the rest of his days.

“I want to give Y/N something that she can cherish for a long time in a world where everything we have seems so temporary. And standing through a ceremony celebrating our commitment...I guess isn’t the worst thing I could think of.”

With a slow exhale, he removed the rings from his pocket and held them up. Oma noted he regarded them with the same tenderness he reserved for you. His self awareness and lack of confidence intertwined with the utter devotion she could see he had for you brewed a hearth in her chest.

“Well, congratulations. They’re lovely. She’s going to absolutely love them.” Pure fondness spread through every crevasse in Oma’s face and overwhelmed Levi with domesticity. He averted her gaze and repocketed his trinkets. He grunted awkwardly with a nod.

“Thank you.” She said and began working again.

“For what?” Levi’s brow furrowed as he too resumed.

“For loving her, and receiving her love in return. It sounds like a lot of fairy-tale bullshit and troll scrotums, but love is quite the powerful ally.”

He rose his head to a crinkled smile and he nodded with a half moon of his own on his lips. His smile, however, did not betray the bleakness in his features.

A comfortable silence fell over the two of them as they continued to pluck the beauties from their earthy homes. They eavesdropped on the occasional yowl from a fox and the croaking of toads.

“Do you know what makes a good, sturdy, lively tulip, shorty?” Oma asked as she strong-armed one from the ground. She examined the flower with eyes that Levi’s own vision would never be able to duplicate.

“Water.” He guessed offhandedly, flicking a worm off of the roots of his own flower.

The older woman scoffed at the blandness of his answer.

“If that’s all it took, I’d be richer and my lower back wouldn’t ache like a bitch.” She cackled. “You’ve got the basic idea. But you haven’t even scratched the most important bits.”

Levi’s verbal silence pressed her to continue as he scooted over to the next patch nearest to him.

“First you need rich soil. If you live where that soil is contaminated-ya know too much clay, too little nutrients. Then you need to physically make the soil capable of growing life.” She began with a bulky wheeze as she lifted her basket to reposition herself over her floral children.

“Here, thankfully the soil is loose, airy, and just a bit sandy. But that wasn’t the case at our old place. A downright hard job it was to get those little bastards to grow. But we did.”

“Once you’ve got your soil sorted out, you need the bulbs. Some of the bulbs won’t make it. That’s just how it is. But the ones that do poke their little heads above the ground and leave their dark incubations.”

“Then comes the water.” She looked at him pointedly and he rolled his eyes. “It’s the one constant thing in a tulip’s life that nurtures it into maturity.”

“How versed are you in tulip anatomy?” Oma asked as she held her latest victim up. Levi blinked at her.

“Expertly.”

His sass made her smirk.

“Well, then you’ll know that petals-arguably the most cherished and viewed piece-are a part of the tulip. So is the stamen, pistil, and pedicel.” She lectured while supporting her points with gestures to the places on the plant she was talking about.

“While they are all interconnected with the flower, they aren’t the whole tulip.” She stated. She threw the saffron colored flower in an underhand swoop to Levi who caught it effortlessly. He twirled the soft skin of the largest petals between his thumb and index finger as she talked before tossing it into his own basket.

“There’s a lot nature can teach us about ourselves. I mean we’re all natural beings, even the titans.” She said with pursed lips and swiftly grabbed at the pony’s halter when she saw him mouthing for the buffet in her basket.

“That’s why I’ve stuck with this job for so long. By looking at them, they remind me that my oddities, mistakes, and what-have-you, may linger with me and be a part of me...but they aren’t all of me. There’s still a bulb down there under the earth waiting to re-blossom.”  

Levi now understood the depth of her analogy. Normally, if someone was beating around the bush to tell him he needs to cheer up he would have either slammed the door in their face, or their face into the door. But this didn’t feel like that. Her words seeped into his heart and rested there in what he could only begin to grasp as...parental warmth.

“That’s what you need to do to help yourself, I’ve learned. To cultivate learning to live with yourself and then in turn others.” She sighed as she pressed the disturbed soil back into place.

When Levi looked down, his hands were suddenly so small and so caked in dirt. But not dirt from the fields. No, it was an oily, slick dirt that tasted like oxidized metal when he ate stale bread from them.

“Tulips don’t live forever even though they blossom every year. Life could not exist without death, and it only hurts yourself to deny mortality in you and in others. It only makes you suffer, not the loved ones that have passed before you or the ones that slipped through your fingers.”

He was shaking like he used to when his malnourished body constantly teetered on the edge of starvation. His bony wrists buckled under the immense weight of the flower and it tumbled to the ground in front of him. He wore a once expensive sleeping gown gifted to his mother by one of her regulars. It was clearly for her, but she had given it to her poor son to provide him with that extra warmth when she was too sick to wrap him in her love herself. It was tattered and stained from years of wear. But it still smelled of her.

“Everyone and everything in this world of ours must die. Life is a precious gift with that knowledge. And a gift so precious can’t be wasted on beating yourself down for existing, for living . Self proclaimed demons and mistakes in all.”  

Levi felt the childish pressure of tears building behind his eyes. He wished to choke out a whine, to let them burst out, to feel the safety of his mother’s chest against his wet cheeks instead of her lifeless embrace. He felt the tantrum of frustration at all of this emotion he kept so expertly under lock and key. His bare toes sank into the flowers behind him as he knelt on the soil just as he did the cramped trailer where he resided when his mother worked in their room.

He finally felt like a child in the presence of a mother’s comfort. Oma’s consolation brought back that gangly, mute, shelled boy. The boy who had to grow up into a man overnight, surrounded by reflections in knives and last words as screams. The boy who never had the chance to cry it out about foolish things like his mother not being able to take him on a walk through the city, like his bloated belly eating itself instead of dinner, like never being able to see the sun. The boy who was always the pillar for others and never had a guardian to stroke his head and tell him that better days are coming.

“I’m rambling like this because I see the intense self loathing in you that I used to feel for myself-” She half chuckled to make light of her weighted words. The dry laugh faded into the air with the rest of her sentence when she gazed upon him. Her smile dropped as bubbling tears cascaded over his dark bottom lashes.

“Oh, my dear.” Oma gasped out a breathy coo. She instantly dropped her basket, not caring if her naughty pony ate some of her crop. She flew to him; her knees before his and her hand pressing his head to her shoulder. Her other arm rubbed ginger ovals into his back that urged him to crumple into her strong embrace.

For a moment, he wondered if this is what his mother would have felt like if she hadn’t been so frail. He could only guess that this is the feeling he had missed. The childhood was never nurtured into him. The childhood he had forsaken for survival. And in a twisted way, he was now more than ever thankful for the horrors of his youth as he nestled into Oma’s loving arms. Because he was beginning to understand that his own life was precious. Not just yours or Oma’s or Felicia’s or Erwin’s or Petra’s or everyone he fought for.

She was right, and Levi was too prideful to tell her how grateful he was for her in this moment.

“I.” He fought to swallow his shame in his childish behavior, but the soft strokes of her fingers through his hair and the solace in his chest at her gentle rocking plunged it down his esophagus.

“I needed to hear that.” His voice quivered into the puffy fabric of her shoulder.

"We all do." Oma hummed and continued her ministrations, allowing him to tearfully bleed a lifetime of juvenile sorrows onto her and out of him.

Maybe he did need to let his withered leaves and wilted colors fall from his body, leaving him with just his skeleton and his heart.

↞↠↞↠↞↠

The creaking of the wood under his boots was the only sound in the dim darkness of the newborn night as he made his way upstairs. He paused at your door, glancing in to see you tucked back under the sheets. A half smile carried him back to his temporary chambers to wash up. He managed to fully wash the silt from under his fingernails and his knuckles while still keeping Oma's comfort there.

When he deemed himself fully cleansed, he slunk through the crack in your doorway without causing the hinges on the old wood to groan. He deftly sat in the chair still positioned next to your form. His eyes softened at the slight twitch of your nose and your steady breaths.

Just as he began admiring the warm glow of life rising back up into your skin, your eyelashes fluttered in greeting.

“Did I wake you?” He whispered, his voice devoid of anything but airy tenderness.

You shook your head, the plushness of your pillow swallowing your face then regurgitating it up.

“No, I was just resting my eyes.” You blatantly lied through a smile that was blinding in comparison to the muted candle light.

“I’ve slept too much these past few days. I don’t want to right now…” You began with the saddest attempt at a pout Levi had ever witnessed. Just speaking that sentence already almost sent you into another deep slumber.

“Then just keep resting your eyes then, instead of sleeping.” Levi whispered as you trailed off in obvious exhaustion. He pressed his hand to your forehead, blissfully cool from the tap water, and moved your hair away. In its place, his lips placed the sweet hum of affectionate proximity on your skin.

You registered the chair rubbing against the floorboards through the incoming sleep.

“Will you stay, Levi?” You asked, doe eyes blinking up through the gray.

You didn’t even have to ask him.

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

You felt the bed dip to your left. He settled in beside you on his side, his arm a firm resting place for his head as he gazed upon you through the night veil. He didn’t draw you to him as he usually would. It would scar him if he selfishly undid the hard work of Oma and Felicia. For now, just basking in the aura of your wellbeing was enough of a security blanket. You weakly shifted so your head was perched in his direction.

The two of you laid in silent fear of sleep. You didn’t want your beautiful little angel to carry you back into the void. Levi didn’t want his demons to vouch all of this as a practical joke and take you from him when he rose the next morning.

“Levi.”

“Hmm?”

“You called her Oma.” You mumbled, finally relenting into the arms of rest.

“I did.”

[writingwithacupoftea]

The Unexpected Visitor in Small Heath

Summary: Y/N Shelby was a nurse during the war. What happens when a ghost from that past comes looking for her? A ghost with definite intentions...

Word Count: 3683

Trigger Warnings: a slightly handsy dude

A/N: *peeks out from my hiding place* hi guys, I’m back!! Hope you’re all good - to me it feels so amazing to be posting some writing again! As you can probably tell by the word count, I got a bit carried away with this one and so it’s basically unedited, so apologies for any mistakes 😂 Hope you enjoy it! 😘

"About fucking time, Y/N, I've been waiting here for almost a quarter of an hour."

"You've knocked on my door five minutes ago, Tommy, stop being such a dramatic shit!"

To any passers-by outside of Y/N Shelby's house, for a moment it would have looked like the two siblings were about to get into another argument. But any anxieties about that were washed away when they observed the teasing glint in the younger girl's eye and the playful shove given by the man, as they made their way down the cobbled streets of Birmingham.

Tommy and Y/N Shelby were as thick as thieves, there was no doubt about that. The brother and sister loved each other fiercely, and where one of them was found, it was almost certain that the other wouldn't be too far behind. But when they rowed, oh boy, did they row.

It was only a few days ago that the occupants of the Garrison were subjected to their shouting, after Tommy had scared off yet another one of Y/N's dates. As usual, however, the argument had soon blown over.

***

Y/N loved living in Small Heath. It was a shithole, but it was her shithole, so she didn't mind it as much.  

To Tommy's surprise, she had turned down the offer of either living with him in Warwickshire or buying her a place of her own in the country. Instead, she had asked her brother if she could move into his old house on Watery Lane, to which he had agreed.  

His swaying factor had been that someone would always be close-by if anything happened at the office, and the rest of the family had a place to crash if they needed to.  

Y/N, on the other hand, had more emotional reasons for wanting to stay where she grew up. Since training as a nurse for the war, the Shelby girl had got to know the children of Small Heath very well: she had somehow become the go-to person whenever one of them got into a scuffle or had an accident, and always fixed them up with a smile on her face as she listened to their innocent voices babble away. Y/N wanted to see them grow up, and didn't want to abandon them. She also didn't want to leave behind some of the poorer families in Small Heath, who she paid a visit to once a week to check that everyone was as well as could be.

Tommy had had one condition for Y/N's staying in Small Heath by herself – that he walked her to and from work or the Garrison (wherever they were the latest) every day, and the days that he couldn't make it that she would let him get one of the blinders to do the job instead. The Shelby name and his sister's capabilities alone were not enough to settle his worries about her wellbeing.

And this job was what had brought Tommy to Y/N’s house that morning. It had come to Y/N’s attention that her brother seemed to be at his happiest during these walks - and when she said ‘happiest’ she meant that there was often just a slight glimmer of a smile on his face and his eyes looked a touch softer. Sometimes the indicators were bigger, but more often than not this was where the happiness would stop. It was in these moments that Tommy seemed to be at his most human, and they were the favourite part of Y/N’s day.

Apart from today.

The pair navigated the streets with ease, speaking quietly to each other, just as on every other day of the year. Suddenly, however, Y/N stopped still, lips parted slightly in shock. Tommy examined her expression carefully, and after realising (with a sigh of relief) that his sister wasn't scared shitless, followed her line of sight. It landed on a man. A rather scruffy man, who appeared to have done an awful job at trying to make himself look respectable, Tommy thought. The Shelby man knew that this was a stranger to Small Heath, not only by the fact that he had never seen such a distinct person before, but also by the way that he looked at the buildings and the people in the street. Yes, Tommy concluded, that was definitely a look with purpose.

Breaking Tommy away from his thoughts was the delicate hand that grabbed his wrist tightly, causing him to look down at his sister. "Tommy, how do you fancy taking the scenic route to the office today, hmm?" Whilst her voice was light, as if she were simply commenting on the day's weather, the forced smile that was plastered on her face was the one that she used at parties when she wanted to get away from someone (usually when she was being annoyed or bored to death).

Amused by Y/N's desperate desire to get away, he resisted her impatient pull on his arm towards a side street. "What's wrong with this way, Y/N/N? This is the route we take every day, I'm not going about changing it now." Tommy's voice was teasing as he casually lit a cigarette.

"Yes, yes, Tom, I know you're a stickler for routine – but for once in your fucking life can you do as I say?"

"Ah, well I was considering it, but since you've been so rude to me..."

The man was getting closer.

"Please, Tommy, I'll do anything." Y/N hated that she was having to practically beg her brother, but the situation was one that she definitely wanted to avoid. She even slipped her hand down to grasp his tightly for emotional effect, something that she hadn't done for years (but, oh, how she relished that warm and safe feeling that it brought with it).

Surprised at his sister's actions and looking into her wide eyes, he was about to relent and let her drag him down the side streets to the office. But it was too late.

"NURSE SHELBY!" The man's deep voice bellowed down the street, causing a few people to look towards them.

"Fucking hell," Y/N mumbled under her breath, giving Tommy's hand a tight squeeze and then letting go, before addressing the man. "Henry. What a surprise! What brings you to Birmingham?"

"Well, you, of course!"

Y/N cringed internally as she saw Tommy's eyebrows shoot up at this statement. Tommy cleared his throat. "Aren't you going to introduce us, Y/N?"

Sending a quick death glare up to her brother out of the corner of her eye, the woman replied with strained politeness: "My apologies. Henry, this is my brother, Thomas Shelby. Tommy, this is Henry Mathers, one of my former patients."

"Pleasure to meet you, sir." Henry shook Tommy's hand, the latter trying his hardest not to grimace at the thick layer of sweat coating the other man's palm.

"Likewise, Mr Mathers. You met my sister in France, then?"

"Yes, sir. We said that if we both made it out of there alive, we'd go for a drink. Ever since I got back I've been searching for her and here I am! And, oh, it was worth the wait to see that face again."

Tommy could no longer suppress the smirk threatening to escape as he looked between Henry's longing gaze and Y/N's very clearly faked happiness crossed with panic.

"Well, my sister is a woman of her word, Mr Mathers, and I'm sure she'd be delighted to be able to catch up with you after all these years." Tommy decided to pause for dramatic effect. "Perhaps you can go to the Garrison tonight, Y/N? We've had it done up recently, it's just around this corner here" Tommy added, pointing in the direction of the pub.

"Oh, that sounds perfect! I shall meet you there at eight o'clock, Miss Shelby." Before Y/N could get a word in edgeways, Henry was removing his bowler hat and bowing his balding head. "Good day to you, Miss Shelby, Mr Shelby." The man continued to walk down the street, a definite spring now in his step.

As soon as he was far enough away, Y/N sent a firm punch to her brother’s stomach. “What the actual fuck, Tommy?” She started to storm down the street quickly, leaving Tommy hurrying after her. “One minute you’re chasing men away from me, and next you’re setting me up on dates with people you don’t know the first thing about!”

“You’re the one who agreed to go for a drink with him in the first place, don’t go blaming me.”

“He had a lot of drugs in his system when he asked, I didn’t think he’d actually remember it.” Catching her brother’s amused smile at her excuse, she continued. “He was on the verge of death, I wasn’t exactly going to say no, was I?”

“Oh, so he fought to stay alive just for you then, eh? Sounds like a keeper to me, Y/N/N.”

“You’re an arse, Thomas Shelby. A complete and utter arse.”

***

Y/N remained in a foul mood with Tommy for the rest of the day, not that this surprised him.

When the hands of the clock hit ten to eight exactly, however, he still knocked on his sister's door to take her to the Garrison himself.

Tommy couldn't help the chuckle that fell from his lips at the sight of Y/N, clad in a beaded black dress, scowling as she stepped out of the house.

"You do know that you're not going to a funeral tonight?"

"Oh, it's my bloody funeral, alright. Might be his too, if he reverts back to his old ways." Y/N started playing with her hands as they made their way towards the pub, something that she'd done since she was little when she was nervous.  

Tommy noticed it immediately, eyebrows furrowing slightly in concern as he recalled Y/N's desperation to avoid Henry. It hadn’t really hit him properly in the moment how desperate she had been. But before he could begin to question what the man's 'old ways' were, his sister spoke again.

"But you were right about one thing earlier, Tommy. I did still agree to go out with Henry, no matter what state he was in when he asked. It would be rude of me not to go through with it and at least act like I'm having a nice time, seeing as he's come all this way for it. So," her voice became sterner, "I'm going to smile my way through the evening, and you'd better not start any fights - do you understand me?"

The older of the two Shelbys sighed, a feeling of dread beginning to build up inside of him. "I can get you out of this if you -"

"No, Tommy." An angry fire was dancing in the young woman's eyes. "You don't get to land me in this situation and then try to snap your fingers and revert it. That's not how this works. This is happening, no thanks to you..." The last part was mumbled under her breath as she pushed the heavy pub doors open.

Tommy hadn't wanted to lose his sister in the same way that he had lost Ada at the beginning – not giving her enough freedom, especially given their argument the other day. So, when a man came along who she had agreed to go for a drink with previously, he had decided (for once) to take the light-hearted and supportive approach, a far cry from the overprotective older brother that he had been since the moment that Y/N had been born.

He was starting to regret even considering changing his ways, and the night had barely begun...

***

From his seat at an ordinary table at the Garrison, Tommy looked at the occupants at the bar once again, probably for about the fifth time in the past two minutes. He had decided not to retreat into the snug, as he usually did, wanting to keep a close eye on Y/N and Henry.

So far, the evening had gone surprisingly well - it was far better than any of Tommy’s imaginings after his discussion with his sister previously. He had heard his sister’s gentle laugh ringing across the room on multiple occasions (and he could tell that it was genuine), and the pair had barely stopped talking.

Maybe this would prove to be a success, Tommy had mused.

One thing that the man’s careful eye had picked up on, however, was how many whiskeys Henry had thrown back. Tommy had concluded that no matter how well things appeared to be going now, he wasn't leaving just yet.

And he was glad he didn't – for just 15 minutes later, as the alcohol began to kick in to Henry's system, things began to go downhill.

It started with the occasional nervous laugh, or a smile that didn’t quite reach his sister's eyes as she avoided Henry's intense gaze. This grew more frequent as Henry continued to drink, and Y/N began playing with her hands once again as well.  

The head of the Shelby family was an inch away from leaping out of his seat when he saw Henry leaning over to whisper in Y/N's ear, and her nose crinkled in disgust at the stench of alcohol on his breath. After a few subtle attempts, she finally managed to push him away from her, and Tommy relaxed slightly as he heard her state a firm "No." His sister was always a lot tougher than he thought.  

But her efforts were undermined as Henry grabbed her left hand, holding it as if he were about to kiss her knuckles. However his grip was far too firm for that. Ripping her hand out of his, Y/N grabbed her bag hurriedly and started to get off her seat, and Tommy stood up himself.

The final straw for the protective brother was when he witnessed Y/N freeze completely as Henry rested a hand on her knee to stop her from leaving. Fists clenched as he tried to contain his anger, remembering his sister's warning about not starting any fights, Tommy marched over to the bar, his lie for getting her out of there already prepared.  

"Y/N, something urgent has come up, we need to call a family meeting – now." Tommy extended a hand to his sister, which she gratefully took as he helped her get down off the barstool and pulled her safely to his side. "Would you get my things from the back room, I've just got something to sort out quickly before we go. I'll see you outside."

Y/N nodded, knowing exactly what Tommy was doing. Shooting her brother a grateful glance, Y/N mumbled a quick "Goodbye" to Henry, and walked off quickly, not wanting to be in the man's company for any longer than necessary.  

***

She slipped out of the back door and into the cold night air, relief washing over her. Lighting a cigarette, Y/N waited for her brother, wondering how he had got to her so quickly – she hadn't seen him once after meeting up with Henry.

A few minutes later, Tommy emerged and went straight to Y/N. "You alright?" His thick Brummie accent comforting her as he, too, lit a cigarette.

Y/N sent him a soft smile as she replied, "I'm fine, Tom. I'm assuming there isn't actually an emergency?" Her voice was laced with amusement.

"Nope."

The siblings stayed there for a while, smoking and listening to the sounds of the pub behind them. Y/N vaguely wondered whether Henry would find them, but looking up at her brother's solid presence beside her, she felt any worries lift off her shoulders.

Out of the blue, Tommy threw his cigarette to the ground and stubbed it out, turning to Y/N. "Come on. Do you fancy going for a walk?"

"Yeah, I need to clear my head." Tommy started to move towards the street. "Oi! I'm finishing this first, you know I hate smoking and walking at the same time!"

***

"You gonna tell me what happened tonight then, eh?"

The pair didn't know how long they had been wandering the streets of Small Heath for, but Tommy's curiosity had finally gotten the better of him.

Y/N sighed, her eyes focused on the cobblestones beneath her. "When Henry first came to us, back in France, he'd been caught up in an explosion. After the doctors had seen him, he was still very drugged up and the chances of him surviving were about fifty-fifty. We had to keep administering him the drugs for a few days, because he was in so much pain. He kept calling me over, wanting to talk to me no matter how busy I was – said that he needed a 'pretty girl' like me to keep him company. I humoured him. But then he started saying things like we were 'meant to be together', 'soulmates' even."  

Y/N paused, thinking hard. "He lied when he showed up today: he said that he asked me out for a drink, but he didn't. What Henry actually said was, and I quote, 'If we both survive this fucking war, I'm going to find you and marry you.' I had no clue what to say. His chances of making it out of the hospital alive, never mind the war, weren't improving. So I said something like 'Well, I hope you buy me a drink first.' I ran off after that, and another one of the nurses took over his care. I had no clue that he was still alive until today.  

"At the pub tonight, I will admit that I did enjoy catching up with him. For someone who I believed to be a lost cause all those years ago, it was nice to hear that he'd actually done something with his life. But then he brought up getting married again, insisting that I was still 'the one' for him and that it was the thought of me that kept him going until the end of the war. He just kept repeating over and over again that he was going to marry me and that we'd be so happy together.

"But just before you came over, he was getting rather forceful about it. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see your stupid face." She laughed a little, noticing her brother's annoyed (yet secretly amused) glare as they sat down next to the Cut.

"It wasn't him that freaked me out, necessarily - it was the thought of marriage. I'm not ready yet, Tom, and to be honest I don't know if I ever will be, no matter how many boys I try and date. I'm terrified of being tied down to someone and losing my independence. I enjoy being by myself too much – and with you lot, I suppose." Y/N nudged her brother's arm.

A comfortable silence settled between the siblings, and Y/N let it sit there, wanting to give Tommy the time to process everything that she had said in her little monologue.

Happiness was one emotion that the elder Shelby didn't expect to feel after hearing his sister's answer to his question. And yet it coursed through his every vein, accompanied by a sort of relief. Tommy wanted his sister to find contentment and peace more than anything; even though he hated the thought of her marrying, of her having someone else to turn to that wasn't him, a few years ago Tommy had come to accept that one day Y/N would want to move on from him and the family. Maybe even start her own family. This acceptance, however, hadn't been able to stop him from deterring nearly any man who came her way. In his mind, anyone that couldn't stand up to Tommy definitely wouldn't be able to deal with his youngest sister, and that they simply weren't good enough for her.

To hear, though, that Y/N had no intention of leaving him yet, was music to his ears. It was also a comfort to know that she was waiting for the right person to get serious with – Tommy felt as though he wouldn't have to spend as much time hunting down every single potential suitor. Instead, he could spend the time with his beloved, if annoying, little sister.

But this was Tommy Shelby, and he would never communicate such vast amounts of emotion verbally. "So I'm stuck with you for a bit longer then?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Y/N couldn't help the grin that spread across her face, understanding the exact meaning behind her brother's words. It widened as she heard Tommy chuckling slightly in response, a sound that she had nearly forgotten. "What did you do with Henry? After I left the pub?"

Tommy cleared his throat, uncomfortably. "He won't be proposing to you again any time soon, don't you worry, sweetheart."

"Tommy, I thought I said - "

"No fighting, I know. And I did as you said, I didn't start any tonight." He looked, almost sheepishly, over at Y/N, who had adopted Polly's stern expression. "I told him that if I saw him again in our city, I'd cut him myself, and the same applies for if he tries to contact you again."

The younger Shelby sighed and rolled her eyes, fondly. "Well, I can't complain about that, can I?" Y/N heard the bells of the church chime, telling her that it was midnight. She turned to Tommy. "Home?"

He nodded. "Home," and he knew exactly where that was tonight. Tommy stood up and brushed the dirt off of his trousers, whilst Y/N got up too. They were about to set off when Tommy held his hand out to his sister, just like he used to when they were younger. Y/N instinctively took it, a feeling of warmth spreading throughout her body. She felt loved, and knew for certain that this love was the only one that she needed at the moment.

Tommy didn't let go until they reached the front door, comforted in the knowledge that Y/N was going to remain his little girl for a while longer yet.