#ESPECIALLY between forgotten characters

[when-fanart-ensues]

Hi

I cant believe I'm the only person that ships them and I'm bad at drawing them . What the fuck

[transingthoseformers]

Can you imagine being a child of the Thirteen and hearing Sentinel's account of what happened after he got back though🤔

[dilfosaur]

well i haven't spilled my guts on tumblr since i was in college but it's the platform that's felt The Most Mine thru the years, so

let's talk!

i've had a huge chip on my shoulder that i wanted off before the year ends. very bad professional experience to follow

so firstly to get ahead of the speculating, i'm not naming names or anything. some of you will puzzle out who i'm talking about, but please don't bother anyone especially not on my behalf. i've worked hard to distance myself from them the past few months. shit happens, especially when you're a dumb bitch (that's me!)

but also this person was someone i considered a close friend and it makes me uneasy to possibly direct backlash at them. "then why post about it" bc i did intermittent work for them for over a year. this is just about that. so hear me out

basically it started off fine. i initially did some commission work for good pay, then was invited to become more involved with their team. unfortunately as i became more involved with their operation it became more disorganized over time. projects started then forgotten, constantly shifting schedules, lapsing communication between roles, confusing financials, and often inconsistent if not late payments. during mid 2023 i was doing colorist work, sometimes on a one day turnaround (all while also preparing drawfee's summer merch launch). the payroll wasn't set up correctly so i wasn't paid for that work for over a year (more on that later), tho to be fair that was largely my own fault at first as i just didnt realize the payments didn't go thru lol

i always consider myself decently capable of separating friendship and coworker-ship; i run a company with 4 wonderful friends, going strong for almost 5 years. that didn't really work out in this case. by early this year our friendship was on the rocks; work issues fed into personal issues and vice versa. so as the rest of this shit plays out, we had just had our first "big fight" which i felt very bad about and added to all the upcoming tension

a huge point of friction was the fact that i really wanted to work with them to make a music video for one of their songs. i've always wanted a chance to make a music video, was confident in a concept i came up with, and even did some concept art for the idea. everyone insisted they loved the concept and that we should do it, but we kept pushing it back for various reasons. it ended up becoming a huge sticking point for my frustrations, which i tried to express productively. TLDR, we eventually got around to discussing it seriously around april.

i planned to ask for $4000 with negotiable add-on for the whole project, which was my Friend Discount price. i was offered a contract for $1000 flat rate, as they insisted that was the only budget they had for it.

don't ask me why i signed it lol. i didn't even counter offer

there was some girlmath to it: i wanted an extra 1k for a student scholarship i provide every spring and well, there it was. but if i had to guess, i saw it as something i just couldn't back down from any more. i caused these folks- my friends- a lot of problems bc i dug my heels in so deep to chase this project, so fuck it we ball

i had about 4 months to solo a 3 minute music video. they wanted it done in august so they could release it before summer ended, bc "it was a summer song". to be fair i was asked if i needed them to pay for anything extra like assistants (which i would have to find and manage) but i was so immediately overwhelmed that i didn't wanna slow down to wait on that process lol. there was very minimal communication other than brief progress check-ins every few weeks. i did everything for that project myself: the original concept, character designs, storyboards, layouts, backgrounds. i even did the editing/compositing for the final cut of the MV. the only favor i did myself was limiting the amount of it that was actually animated to simple loops and motions. hardly my best work but it was work still done

i did it all in between my full time job. i ended up having to take nearly a month away from most of my drawfee duties (with the support of the others) to make the august deadline. i only ever asked for a 3 day extension (notice given about a week in advance, around the same time i was given the final song file lol). i finished the music video at 6am on the final deadline and recorded drawfee the next day on 2 hours of sleep

but it was done, coolies. the team was very happy with the final product. honestly, without getting into it, those were a very emotionally taxing 4 months. on the professional side, i regretted agreeing to the project and especially for the dogshit rate they offered. i felt like a hypocrite- as someone who always wanted to advocate for younger artists demanding their worth in a world that's getting increasingly hostile toward creatives, i failed myself

so when i met with the manager to discuss the release plan, i told them to do whatever worked best for them as i only had one request: i wanted my credit removed from the project

tbh... like... lmao this dramatic bitch right!! but really, i decided that bad practices only breed worse business. friends or not, it was unprofessional of me to accept such a low paying job so i just didn't want my name used in association. everything felt so muddled to me and i was just really tired at this point

the manager was very understanding and then offered that i could be paid more. they said that their team "was surprised" i accepted their low rate and they would be happy to up the amount. this confused me as the initial budget seemed pretty set and at no point between april and august was i offered a better rate. i knew these guys weren't made of money. so, i declined. i didn't want to put anyone out of their means over work that was already done and agreed upon. but more importantly, i was over the whole thing and didn't want to prolong the project with a contract renegotiation. i just insisted my name be removed

they decided to use a pseudonym (which i was fine with) so they could create a story about a character who made the MV (this sounds really convoluted but i don't know how better to put it without getting specific, sorry). that way if people asked about the credit, they could speak comfortably about it without signaling that something went wrong behind the scenes. ok, kind of a silly narrative imo but whatevs. and maybe this is where i finally went truly wrong but. yolo i guess

i gave the name "D. Smithee", D as in dilfosaur and Smithee as in Alan Smithee. look it up for fun film trivia ig! was it passive aggressive of me to reference that in this context? yeah, honestly. but i thought it was kinda funny and really not that deep. if it was a problem, i have other real, non-cheeky pseudonyms i regularly use. the manager accepted it and all i had to do was wait for them to post the video and i could leave the whole experience behind me

a week later i received a message from the manager that my pseudonym had been denied by the rest of the team bc one of them got the reference. fair enough lol. however, they decided that rather than ask for a different name, the were going to make one up for me that they liked and would "fit the [story]", without asking me

and that! is when i finally snapped!

i was so tired of giving them concessions at this point and having a credit made up for me without any input from me felt genuinely violating and unethical. i started to Panic bc of how stressed i was, and asked for my overdue payments (aka the $500 still owed on the MV, and the colorist rate from a year prior that was never paid even tho i reported it in january) to be scheduled ASAP as i was leaving the work discord immediately

i finally told them off for exploiting me throughout the months while i kept trying to just be nice and finish my contact cleanly. in return i was told that it was unfair to say that as i agreed to everything- i accepted their cheap rate and denied further payment so that was all settled, and it was ok to change my credit without my consent bc i "said they could do whatever with the release". i called bullshit, ended the convo as kindly as i could, and cried lol. they agreed to ditch the pseudonym and just give no credit. that night was the last i heard from anyone on that team

and the real kicker?

august came and went. then september, october... and they never released the music video

and i don't know why, because i was never contacted about it. i've been removed from the picture entirely i guess. 4 months and boatloads of stress. just. up in smoke. i don't know what i expected honestly

it's hard to not take everything that happened personally and as done in bad faith. i really do, honestly. i've had plenty of shitty deals in my almost 10 year art career, but it hits different from people you saw as friends. but to the point of "why not keep it private", i have never felt so disrespected as a professional as i did this past year. i can toy with money and credits and other formalities all i want, but my work- my ideas, my labor, my effort- is still so important to me. i felt like the biggest idiot for doing so much work, pouring so much of myself into a piece for someone's use, for what has amounted to nothing

but more importantly i hated myself for undervaluing my work, even if initially i thought this person was a trusted friend. money is not really an issue for me- drawfee is my main job and i am fine and comfortable. it's so important to pay artists appropriately but i often undersell my own work bc i value the collaboration and passion between creatives more than the reward. i think a lot of artists tend to feel the same, and it often makes us easy to take advantage of. it's so difficult to find the balance between passion and making a fair living, and i think there's some shame within ourselves when artists choose to prioritize that passion

i wanted to finally get all this off my chest bc i was ashamed of every choice i made. things like this happen all the time i'm sure and hiding these mistakes only make it easier for it to happen to other people

tldr always value your work and protect your passion from people who just see it as a product. and don't give cheeky pseudonyms i guess lol

(and again pls don't bother anyone involved about this. a lot of chaos has left my life as i moved past all this, and this is me closing a door without opening new ones hopefully lol)

this shit was truly

so ass.

but i'm moving past it now

but on a nicer note. outside of all of this nonsense, i made lots of good memories this year. i'm truly so grateful to the many wonderful people in my life who keep me going even when i fuck up big time!

and thank you to all of you strangers who, despite everything, give me the time of day. especially if you read this whole thing. you're a real one :')

happy new year!

[cowboybeepboop]

Rescue

"Please, p-please, I want you to make me feel good."

Pairing: Robert “Bob” Reynolds x f! Reader 

Genre: Smut

Word count: 3.8k

Warnings: Needy and whiny Bob, kind of a dom fem reader, oral m! recieving 

a/n: Sorry chat.. This is such a ramble, but I  LOVE BOB omg Lewis Pullman is on top!!! As always, send any requests you have my way! I will write for any fandom or character, but I would especially love some Lewis Pullman character requests 😛

Bob stood in the dimly lit room, a flickering fluorescent light casting eerie shadows across the sterile walls. His arms were shackled behind his back, held tightly in place by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, a woman who radiated calculation and control.

He felt utterly isolated. No one was treating him with any kindness; he was merely an object to them, a tool to be used and discarded at their convenience. After his shift into Sentry and then the Void, she’s kept him locked up in this damn room. 

The room he was kept in was small and confined, barely large enough for him to move a few paces in any direction. The air was thick and stale, almost stifling. There was no comfort here, no human kindness. It was as if they wanted him to feel isolated and forgotten.

Bob looked around the room, his eyes darting from corner to corner. The only sound was the steady hum of the fluorescent light and the occasional clink of his shackles as he shifted his weight. He tried to take deep breaths, to keep his fear and anxiety at bay, but it was getting increasingly difficult.

While he could use his powers, he’s simply just too scared to bring out the void again. So instead, he spends his time pacing his tiny concrete room. The fluorescent light overhead flickered intermittently, casting strange shadows on the sterile walls. 

Every now and then, he would glance up to see if the light was about to go out completely. 

He was exhausted. 

Not just physically, but mentally as well. The constant fear and anxiety of being in this small space with no human contact was taking its toll on him. He could hear footsteps in the hallway outside, but no one came to visit him. 

They weren't even giving him any food.

After Valentina realized she couldn’t *use* him for what she wanted, she decided not to deal with him at all, assuming he would be too fearful to try and escape. Plus, if he did use his powers against her once again, she would just hit her kill switch. 

You'd been working with Bucky and the "Thunderbolts" to rescue Bob from Valentina's capture. This plan only works if everyone works together, which, for the most part, they've been doing pretty well, at least until you became involved. 

Creaking open the door, you hold your breath as you step into the small and dimly lit room, the sound of your footsteps on the cold concrete floor making the space feel even more claustrophobic. The room is barely illuminated by a single flickering fluorescent light above.

As you enter, you notice Bob pacing the length of the room, his arms shackled behind his back, looking exhausted and tense. He glances over at you, his eyes widening slightly as he realises that someone has entered.

"You're Bob?" Your voice is gentle while you creep over to him, eyes roaming over him, taking in his timid stance. 

Bob pauses in his pacing as you approach, his body tense and wary, but he nods slowly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Y-yes, I’m Bob,” he says softly. He studies you warily, his eyes darting to the knife between your teeth before returning to your face.

"I'm Y/N, I'm gonna get you out of here, alright?" You slip the knife into your pocket, skillfully you begin to pick the locks on his shackles, which are surprisingly weak for being meant to hold someone with his powers. 

Bob looks at you with a mix of surprise and relief, his eyes widening slightly as you begin to pick the locks on his shackles. "You're...you're here to help me?" he whispers, his voice cracking slightly.

He watches you with a sense of awe as you work on the locks, clearly impressed by your skill. The locks seem to come undone surprisingly easily, given the fact that they're meant to hold someone as powerful as him.

"Of course, I'm here to help you." You smile sweetly at him, brushing your fingers against his shoulder, offering some comfort, waiting for Bucky's all clear signal. 

Your touch seems to momentarily surprise him, and he flinches away from it, before realising that you’re trying to help him. He gives you a small, hesitant smile back, clearly not used to any kind of human contact in this place.

As you wait for Bucky's signal, the tension in the room continues to build. Bob glances around the room, his eyes darting to the door, clearly anxious to get out of here as soon as possible.

Bucky lets you know that it's time to move, you carefully pull out your knife again, preparing for any necessary defense. "Come with me, Bob, stay close and hold onto this just in case." You hand him the blade, pulling out a small gun as both of you move toward the exit. 

Bob takes the blade from you, holding it tightly in his hand. He follows you closely as you move towards the exit, his footsteps quiet behind you. He’s clearly on edge, glancing around the room as if waiting for someone to come bursting through the door.

The gun in your hand is a reassuring presence for him, and he sticks close to your side, keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of danger. As you reach the door, Bob places a hand on your shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle. "You'll p-protect me, right?" he whispers.

"I'll keep you safe," you respond gently, using your free hand to pat his hand that's resting on your shoulder before moving forward. Putting your focus back on getting him out. 

Bob nods at your reassurance, his hand remaining on your shoulder for just a moment longer before pulling away. He takes a deep, shaky breath, trying to steel his nerves as you move forward, your focus now fixed on getting him out of this place.

Together, you move through the building, keeping an eye out for any guards or obstacles in your path. Bob keeps close by your side, gripping the knife tightly as he follows you, his eyes darting around nervously.

With Bob safely in the back of the vehicle, you let out a ragged sigh of relief. The adrenaline that had been rushing through your veins starts to wear off, and you suddenly feel the overwhelming tiredness of the rescue mission catch up to you.

As soon as the vehicle starts moving, you look over at Bob, who is now sitting next to you, still clutching the knife in his hand. He seems just as exhausted as you are, if not more, his eyes tired and weary.

Brushing your fingers over his hand, you gently pull the knife away from his grasp. "You're safe now, Bob, I promise." The team knew that Val wouldn’t come after them, not with their hold over her, so it would be an easy trip back. 

Bob doesn't resist as you take the knife from him, his grip loosening as soon as your touch. He looks up at you, his eyes weary and tired, but there's a glimmer of trust there now, a hint of vulnerability that he couldn't have shown before.

"Thank you," he whispers softly, his voice hoarse. "Thank you for getting me out of there."

"Of course," you grin at him, scooting closer to his side so he can rest against your shoulder. "You should rest, close your eyes."

Bob looks at you with a tired expression, seeming hesitant for a moment. But then, as if too tired to resist, he starts to lean into your shoulder, his head heavy against your body.

He lets out a weary sigh, his eyes fluttering shut as he begins to relax, finally feeling safe in your presence. "I...I haven't slept in days," he admits quietly, his words slurring slightly with exhaustion.

"You deserve some good rest, Bob." You run your fingers down his arm, attempting to lure him to sleep.

Bob's eyelids seem to grow heavier with every passing moment, his body sagging against yours as fatigue washes over him. With your gentle touch, he seems to relax further, his breathing beginning to even out as he drifts closer and closer to sleep.

He mumbles something, a single word that escapes his lips in a tired slur. "Safe," he whispers, his voice barely audible.

A few weeks have passed since you all successfully rescued Bob, and thankfully, Valentina never tried to take him back. You sigh as your training with The Winter Soldier ends in another defeat, lying against the exercise mat, you take a few steadying breaths.

Bucky stands above you, a smirk on his face as he regards your defeated form. He offers a hand to help you up from the mat, his grip firm as he pulls you to your feet.

"Not bad," he says, eyeing you up and down. "You're getting better." Despite your defeat, there's a hint of pride in his voice, as if he's impressed by your improvement.

You catch a glimpse of Bob outside the room, letting go of Buckys hand and ignoring his compliment, you practically skip over to him. "How are you doing this morning, Bob?"  

Bob looks up as you approach, a small, shy smile forming on his lips as he sees you. "M-morning," he manages, his voice soft and tentative. "I'm, uh, I'm alright," he says, running a hand through his messy blond hair. He glances down at the floor, then back up at you, his eyes meeting yours for a brief moment before darting away.

"Wanna grab breakfast with me?" you grin sweetly, stretching and cracking your back. 

Bob nods shyly, a slight flush on his cheeks as he watches you stretch, his eyes darting away quickly when he realises that he was staring. He shoves his hands into his pockets, looking every bit the shy, awkward, but sweet man you're beginning to learn he is.

"Uh, yeah, that sounds nice," he replies, barely managing to meet your gaze. He's clearly trying to hide his nervousness, but failing miserably.

"Here, let's grab something from the kitchen, and then we can watch a movie in my room!" You're giddy at the thought of spending more time with him, you’ve been doing everything you can to get him more comfortable with you. 

Bob nods eagerly, his eyes lighting up at your suggestion. "Yeah, that sounds great," he says softly, a small smile on his lips. He follows you eagerly as you lead him toward the kitchen, his footsteps light behind you.

"Movie in your room?" he asks, a hint of surprise in his voice. "J-just the two of us?"

"Yeah, why not?" You grab some cereal for both of you, focused on the small task at hand. 

"Uh, no reason," he says sheepishly, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks again. "I just, uh, didn’t expect it to be just the two of us." He fidgets nervously as he follows you back to your room, his hand occasionally clenching and unclenching at his side.

You open the door for him, gesturing for him to walk in. "Well, we can keep things purely PG," you tease as you shut the door behind you, which is more a less a goal of yours than anything else. 

You find him simply irresistible; his kind, sheepish demeanor gets you weak in the knees. The two of you have never been alone in a private space very long before, so this opens up the opportunity for more than just friendly interactions.

Bob's cheeks visibly redden at your playful comment, and he lets out a small, nervous chuckle as he steps into your room. He looks around, taking in the space with a sense of curiosity and wonder. It's clear that he's a bit out of his comfort zone.

"Purely PG," he repeats, his voice cracking slightly. He stands awkwardly in the middle of the room, waiting for you to lead the way.

"Come sit," you plop on the bed, patting the mattress beside you. "We can find something together," your heart races as you notice the flush of his cheeks. 

Bob hesitates for a moment before slowly walking over to the bed and sitting down next to you. He sits on the edge of the mattress, his body tense and stiff as if he's afraid to get too comfortable.

He glances at you, his cheeks flushed red, as he tries hard to avoid your gaze. "Uh, sure," he stutters, his eyes darting around the room. "What do you like to watch?" he fumbles with the sleeves of his shirt. 

"I like comedy, shit to take my mind off of... Well, all of this." You scoot closer to him, reaching over his lap for the remote on the other side of him. Your breasts slightly brushing over his thighs with your swift movements. 

Bob's eyes widen and his cheeks flush bright red at the unexpected contact, and he tries hard to keep his gaze averted.

He lets out a soft, strangled noise, something between a whimper and a gasp. There's a brief moment of tense silence as he tries to recover his composure, his body completely stiff under your touch.

"You can relax, y'know," you grin as you turn the TV on, enjoying his reaction to your subtle touches. "I don't bite, Bob."

Bob blushes even harder at your words, his body slowly starting to relax under your touch. He tries to laugh it off, though the sound comes out as more of a nervous cough. "I know, I know," he stutters, his eyes flickering over to you before darting away again.

You find a random movie, glancing over to him, you question, "Is this okay?" Bob nods, his body visibly relaxing a bit more as he hears your words. He risks a glance at you, a small, shy smile appearing on his lips.

"Yeah," he says quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is...yeah, this is fine." He shifts a little closer to you, his thigh now lightly brushing against yours, as he focuses on the movie playing on the screen.

Butterflies fill your stomach as you notice the small gesture he makes; it's nothing crazy, but it's the first time he's really initiated anything between you since the day you met.  

Bob seems to realise what he's done, and he quickly stiffens up again, his cheeks reddening once more. He glances at you out of the corner of his eye, his expression a mix of nervousness and shyness.

"Uh, sorry, I, uh...sorry," he mumbles, his gaze darting back to the screen. 

"Hey, it’s okay! Don't worry about it at all." You both begin eating your breakfast, your eyes wandering to him every once in a while to admire his adorable features. 

Bob seems to relax a bit more with your reassurance, his body slowly unclenching as he starts to eat his cereal. He notices you glancing at him, and every time you do, he can't help but feel his cheeks heat up again.

He steals glances at you as well, his gaze darting over to you every now and then, his eyes lingering on your face for just a moment before darting back to the screen. There's a growing sense of comfortable intimacy between you two.

With a sigh, you push the empty bowl to the side, content with the feeling of fullness, you lean back on your arms with a small yawn. Bob finished eating his cereal as well, placing his bowl beside yours. He glances at you as you lean back on your arms, a slight smile on his lips as he hears your yawn.

He looks more relaxed now than he did when you both first walked into the room, his body no longer as stiff as before. "You tired?" he asks softly, tilting his head slightly to the side as he looks at you.

"Yeah, Bucky kicked my ass in there," you groan, thinking back to the morning training. "He always does." 

Glancing over to him, your lips curve into a small smile as you move to rest your head in his lap. "Is this alright with you, Bob?" You’re making some sneaky moves, which you know you shouldn’t, but fuck, the way he looks at you has your body aching. 

Bob blushes furiously as you rest your head in his lap, his body stiffening for a moment before relaxing again. He tentatively places a hand on your shoulder, his touch light and gentle.

"Yeah," he mumbles, sounding a little breathless. "I… I don't mind." He seems surprised that you're being so close to him, but there's a hint of pleasure in his eyes as he looks down at you.

"You're so cute," you give him a slight teasing response, nuzzling into his warmth as you relax, eyes slowly fluttering shut.

Bob blushes even harder at your words, a soft, startled noise escaping his lips. He's not used to being called cute, and your teasing comment has thrown him off slightly.

He feels a pleasant shiver run through his body as you nuzzle into his warmth, and he unconsciously starts to stroke your shoulder gently with his hand. "Y-you're the one who's cute," he mumbles, his words coming out a little indistinct.

It was your turn to be flustered now, his response catching you off guard. "Yeah? You think so?" You bite down on your lip, fingers tracing small shapes into his thigh mindlessly. 

Bob seems to realise that he's made you flustered this time, and he can't help but feel a small sense of pride in it. He looks down at you, a small smile on his lips as he notices your fingers tracing shapes on his thigh. 

He subconsciously moves his hand from your shoulder to your hair, his touch light and tentative as he starts to run his fingers through it. "Yeah," he says softly, his eyes flickering away from yours briefly before returning. "I...I really do think so."

Bob's breath hitches slightly as he feels your hand moving further up his thigh, your nails grazing him, sending a wave of tingling through his body. He tries to keep his composure, his eyes darting away from you for a moment as he struggles to control his reaction.

"S-stop that," he mumbles, his voice shaky and uneven. "You're teasing me," he practically whines the last part.

"Teasing?" you question, knowing exactly what you're doing, fingers getting achingly close to his crotch. 

Bob lets out a soft whimper as your fingers get ever closer to his crotch, his eyes widening as he looks down at your hand. His cheeks are flushed red, and his words come out as strangled stutters, "You know you're teasing me."

His body is tense under your touch, every muscle coiled taut as he tries to control his reaction to your actions.

"Is it okay?" You shift slightly, lips pressing gentle kisses onto his clothed thighs. "Can I touch you, *tease* you like this?" your fingers continue their wandering, slowly inching closer and closer to his cock. 

Bob's breath hitches at the feel of your kisses on his thighs, his eyes fluttering shut as he tries to control the sensations coursing through him. His hands clench and unclench, and he can't help but whine softly under his breath.

He nods, his head tilting back just a bit, and his voice comes out as a strangled whisper, "Yes, yes, it's okay. You can, uh, you can touch me like that."

You fumble with the waistband of his sweat pants, slowly exposing his lower half, eager to taste him, to take care of him. "I wanna make you feel good, Bob..." Your lips continue their torment, but this time against bare skin. 

Bob's breathing becomes more ragged as you start to expose his lower half, his body quivering under your touch. He lets out a soft gasp, his eyes wide and fixed on you as you begin to lay kisses on his bare skin.

"Oh, God," he manages to groan out, his thighs trembling with anticipation. He wants you just as badly, his words coming out in a breathless, needy whisper, "Please, p-please, I want you to make me feel good."

You push Bob's boxers down, revealing his hardened cock. Your eyes rake over the length of him, admiring his size and girth before you lean in closer, letting your warm breath tickle his skin. 

Bob's entire body jolts at the sensation, his cock twitching in anticipation of what's to come.

You wrap your soft, warm lips around the tip of his erection, your tongue swirling around the head as you gently suck. Bob's hands instinctively grab onto the bed sheets, knuckles turning white with the effort it takes not to touch you. 

You can hear his muffled gasps of pleasure as you slowly take more of him into your mouth, your teeth lightly grazing the sensitive skin. Your hands come up to gently caress his thighs, the smoothness of your skin gliding against his. 

Increasing the pace, your tongue dances around his shaft as you take him deeper, your throat muscles tightening around him. You can feel him getting closer and closer to the edge with each stroke, his hips bucking slightly as he tries to keep still.

The wet sounds of your mouth working him fill the air, mingling with Bob's breathy moans. You're thorough in your ministrations, not wanting to leave any part of him untouched. 

Your hand wraps around the base of his cock, pumping in rhythm with your mouth, your other hand gently cupping and playing with his balls.

Bob's breathing becomes more erratic, his moans growing louder as you work him closer to climax. His thighs quiver under your touch, and you know he's close. You look up at him, eyes locked with his, the intimacy of the moment almost too much to handle.

With one final, deep suck, you feel his cock pulse in your mouth, and with a strangled cry, he releases, his warm seed filling your mouth. You swallow it all, not missing a drop, the taste of him lingering on your tongue as you pull away, giving his sensitive tip one last lick before sitting back with a satisfied smile. 

Bob's body goes lax, his eyes fluttering shut as he tries to catch his breath, a blissful expression etched onto his face.

The room is filled with the sound of his heavy breathing, and the sight of his spent cock against his stomach is incredibly satisfying. You lean up to kiss him, sharing the taste of him on your lips, and whisper, "I told you I'd take good care of you."

Bob's mind is completely overwhelmed by pleasure, his body trembling beneath your touch. He can barely form coherent thoughts, his whole world reduced to the sensations you're bringing him. Your name escapes his lips in a breathy moan, and he clings to the bed sheets tightly, trying to anchor himself to reality. 

When you finally pull away, he pants heavily, his body flushed and spent. He looks up at you, his expression one of pure bliss, and he can barely manage to speak, his voice rough and low as he whispers, "You're...you're incredible."

Here’s part 2 😛

[luveline]

shy!reader and spencer who are in the early days of their relationship and are getting more comfortable with initiating physical affection with each other (especially reader lol) and spencer gets her to open up by playing with her hair / hands, tickling her, cuddling, the like <3

The first time Spencer let his head rest against yours, you were sure you’d die right there and then, half-asleep on the subway, then suddenly away as he’d started talking under his breath, his conversation for you and you alone. You'd flushed full body and forced yourself to stay still, until Spencer had confused your shyness for not wanting his weight against you and pulled away. 

This time you’re ready. This time, he’s working his arm over the top of your shoulders. Not a timid first move on the first date, he’d suffered through that already. Spencer lets his arm slip between your back and the couch as he tugs you toward him, resting his cheek against your temple, two points of skin turning hot as a burner. 

“Okay?” he asks quietly. 

You let yourself relax into it. “I’m fine.” 

“Did you want me to run that bath for you?” 

It’s imperative he doesn’t move. “No, I can do it. I’ll do it later, if that’s okay.” 

It’s Spencer’s bath, but he let you take one the last time you stayed the night, so you’ll work it out. You knew he wasn’t gonna peep on you, knew you were totally safe in his bathroom, but your heart hammered fast as a hummingbird’s whenever the floors creaked —just the idea of being near him when you were unclothed set you aflame. Your skin warms with the memory, a nervousness in your chest and hands that grows uncomfortably warm. 

You don’t move, though. You’re sending him all the wrong messages when you reject him out of timidity, you’re more than aware of it, but the longer he sits there gently holding you, the more the temptation to squirm builds. 

Spencer makes a soft, soft sound as his hand trails up your back, curling around your arm, and meandering a path to your elbow. 

“I got…” —Spencer begins, without any inclination to rush— “…more of that bath soak you liked, the camomile… and honey…”

You love the smell. Sometimes you swear you can smell it in his hair when he presses near you. 

“And a loufa, ‘cos you didn’t have one last time,” he adds. 

“Thank you.” 

“…You’re welcome.” He kisses the side of your head. Then, in a betrayal of his character, he laughs breathlessly, saying, “Sorry, I forgot what I was saying. The loufa– It’s purple. I put it on the towel rack, and I got you a new face towel, too, mine’s too rough for you.” 

“Did you get yourself a new one too?” 

“Yeah.” He taps your cheek, the hand you’d forgotten about drawing a short line to your jaw. “You’re pretty.” 

You drop your chin. 

“You are,” he says. 

“Thank you.” 

“You’re welcome.” Spencer’s hand slides down your neck, a caress that turns to a kind hold. “Can I…” He snorts softly. “You’re solid,” he says, squeezing your neck with enough pressure to wind you, which isn’t much. “You don’t have to get all tense.” 

“I’m trying really hard not to get tense,” you admit. 

“I know. I’m trying to help, but I’m just making it worse.” 

Spencer isn’t making it worse. Or, he wasn’t. “I thought you were gonna kiss me, is the thing.” 

“I was. Then you tensed up and I didn’t think I should.” His easy smile goes funny. “Could I have?” 

“Of course you could’ve,” you mumble, pressing your face into his shoulder before he can decimate the last of your self respect. He laughs —giggles, really, in a burst of sound— and tugs you in. “Not funny.”

He can hear the lie. “No, it’s not funny,” he agrees anyways, laying back and then moving forward, swaying you enough to turn the giggle into a full blown laugh. 

He murmurs something. You mumble back. His fingertips slip over the dip in your back and he’s saying something nice, if a little shy. It’s been nice getting closer to him, seeing the real Spencer, someone who’s hesitant but gentle beyond words. There’s no reason for him to be touching you like this, to talk sweet nothings behind your ear as he lugs you onto his chest, and maybe there’s no reason for you to melt. Butter in the sun, drifting bonelessly into his lap. 

“You smell like tea,” you say quietly. “I love it.” 

“You love it?” he asks, something oddly awed about him as he shifts your head back to look you in the eyes. 

“Mm. It’s nice. And your eyes are so brown… they’re my favourite thing about you.” 

Spencer teases the stripe of skin exposed by your rising t-shirt until you’re shivering again. “Thank you,” he says, letting one close in a wink as he taps your nose with his. “Am I allowed to say what I like about you, or–” You shake your head so violently he immediately stops. “Fine. But only because I want to sit like this for the rest of the night with you.” 

“I still need a shower.” 

“Later,” he says, his lips resting on your chin. “Way, way later, please.” 

[dior-luxury]

If you dont mind, i will love to request for the first year students (minus Ortho cuz he is the baby™ and we respect that) with a s/o that tells them that they love them out of nowhere and at random times

Like, both can be just hanging out or even studying together and s/o suddently just look at them with a cute smile and tells them that they love them

Please :3

S/O Tells Them They Love Them Out Of Nowhere

( ✧ ) ────── boyfriend stories . fluff/slight comedy - gn!reader .

- [𝐜𝐡.] first years

- [𝐩:𝐬] Romantic Confessions . Mild Language . Blushing/Flustered Characters . Soft Moments/Slice of Life . Unprompted “I love you” Confessions . Emotional Vulnerability . Minor PDA (Kisses on cheek/forehead/lips mentioned) . Heartwarming Overload/Tooth-Rotting Fluff . Sebek Volume Warning (Sebek yells. A lot.)

Note: This request is so cute!! Thank you so much for requesting this anon—now I'm in love with this prompt 😭Honestly, I loved how this turned out (Sebek made me laugh, Lol), and I 100% am going to be making more parts for this!

Ace Trappola

It had started off as an ordinary afternoon—one of those chill days where the sun peeked lazily through the windows of the Heartslabyul common room, casting a warm glow over the floor. Ace was sprawled out across your bed with his arms tucked behind his head, flipping through a deck of cards he had pulled out for fun, while you sat beside him with a book open on your lap, though your attention had been drifting away from the words for a while now.

He was talking about something silly—probably poking fun at Cater’s latest selfie spree or mocking Riddle’s latest “unbirthday party” decorations. His voice had that playful, teasing lilt that always made your lips curl into a smile. You glanced over at him, watching the way his brows danced with amusement, the corners of his lips twitching as if even he couldn’t fully contain his own jokes.

And it just hit you. Like a wave of warmth crashing into your chest.

“I love you,” you said softly, your voice barely above the gentle rustling of the pages in your lap.

Ace blinked. The cards slipped from his fingers and scattered across the blanket, forgotten. “Huh?” he sat up halfway, caught between surprise and disbelief, eyes narrowing playfully. “Where’d that come from?”

You just smiled, shrugging a little. “I don’t know. I just looked at you and... I felt like saying it.”

His mouth opened, like he wanted to throw out a sarcastic reply, something teasing and cool—but it didn’t come. Instead, he looked at you for a second longer, and his usual smirk melted into something softer, something real. His ears turned the faintest shade of red, and he rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding your eyes like a shy high schooler in a romcom.

“Tch… you can’t just say that outta nowhere, you dork,” he muttered, though there was no bite to his words. “You’re gonna make my heart explode or something.”

You leaned in closer with a grin, resting your head on his shoulder. “Good. Then I’ll say it again. I love you.”

“Ughh, you’re trying to kill me, I swear.” But despite the groan, he slung an arm around you, pulling you in with an exaggerated sigh. “Guess I’ll die happy, though. I love you too, alright? So stop being all cute or I’ll have to kiss you till you forget how to talk.”

And he did, actually—smack dab on your cheek, nose, forehead, lips—everywhere until you were laughing, half-flustered, half-giddy. That night, Ace couldn’t stop randomly blurting out “I love you more” every time you smiled at him, just to fluster you in return.

Deuce Spade

Deuce was always a little tense when he studied—he took his grades seriously, especially after his “delinquent past” days. So when the two of you sat in the library, books and notebooks spread out around you, he was hunched over his notes with his brows scrunched in concentration, muttering formulas under his breath like sacred chants.

You watched him in quiet admiration. The way his lashes lowered as he focused, how his hand moved quickly across the page, how his tongue poked out just a little when he was really trying to work through a problem—it was adorable. You couldn’t help it.

“I love you.”

The words left your lips soft and natural, like a leaf floating on the surface of a still pond.

Deuce blinked once. Then twice.

He slowly looked up from his notebook, pen frozen mid-stroke. “H-Huh? W-What did you say?”

You giggled, resting your chin in your palm as you looked at him with those warm, unfiltered eyes. “I said I love you. Just felt like reminding you.”

His entire face lit up like someone had flipped a switch. A deep crimson blush climbed from his neck to his ears, and he nearly dropped his pen. “W-Wha—you can’t just… drop that on me while I’m doing algebra!”

You laughed again, reaching out to poke his cheek gently. “But your reaction is so cute.”

Deuce groaned into his hands, completely flustered. “Y-You’re really unfair sometimes...”

But he peeked through his fingers at you, and the softest, sweetest smile curved his lips. “I love you too. A lot. I—I mean, like… it just makes me really happy to hear that, even if I get all weird and… yeah.” He was rambling now, but you could feel the sincerity in every word.

A few moments passed. Then, very shyly, he leaned over the table and pressed a featherlight kiss to your forehead.

“I’ll study twice as hard now. I wanna be someone worthy of those words.”

You swore your heart skipped a beat right then.

From that moment on, every time you said “I love you” randomly—during walks, between classes, even when you were both brushing your teeth—Deuce’s whole face would always light up like a firework. And no matter what, no matter how surprised he looked, he always said it back, even if his voice cracked a little from being caught off guard.

Because deep down, it meant the world to him that you loved him, just the way he was.

Jack Howl

It was a quiet afternoon in the Savanaclaw lounge, sunlight streaming in through the windows and casting golden patches across the floor. Jack sat beside you on one of the larger couches, a textbook propped open in his lap while he scribbled notes with furrowed brows. He was always so focused when he studied — sharp eyes scanning the page, tail occasionally twitching in concentration. You’d been flipping through your own notes, not really absorbing the words, more focused on the soft, peaceful aura around him.

You looked up from your notebook and rested your chin on your hand, just watching him. His ears flicked slightly, clearly noticing your gaze, but he didn’t look up right away. He was too used to your presence — comfortable, secure.

You smiled softly, the kind of smile that came from a full heart.

“I love you, Jack,” you said, your voice quiet but warm, like a summer breeze.

His pen stopped mid-word. Slowly, his head turned to look at you, those pale green eyes widening just slightly. “Huh?” he asked, blinking like you’d snapped him out of a trance.

“I said I love you,” you repeated, still smiling. “Just felt like telling you.”

Jack’s ears turned a little pink at the tips, and a faint flush spread across his cheeks. He cleared his throat and looked away for a second, trying to hide the tail wag he couldn’t quite stop. “You can’t just say that out of nowhere like that…” he muttered, ears twitching. “You’ll catch me off guard.”

“But I like saying it when you least expect it,” you said, leaning a little closer to bump your shoulder against his.

He glanced at you again, the corner of his mouth quirking up despite his efforts to stay composed. “Yeah, well… I like hearing it. Even if it throws me off.”

You grinned and leaned your head on his shoulder, and he adjusted his posture so you could rest there more comfortably. After a long pause, you heard him mumble — so quiet it could’ve been mistaken for a breath — “I love you too.”

And even though he returned to his textbook soon after, the way his tail curled around your ankle said it all.

Epel Felmier

The two of you were sitting under a big apple tree just outside the school gates. Epel had insisted you come with him to his favorite quiet spot — away from the noise of the dorms, where the air smelled fresh and the breeze danced through the leaves like a soft melody. He had a knife in hand, carefully peeling one of the apples he’d picked just for you, brows furrowed in concentration.

You watched him, utterly charmed by how focused he looked, how gentle his hands were despite the sharp blade. You reached out and touched his knee lightly to get his attention.

He blinked and looked up. “Somethin’ wrong?”

You shook your head, smiling up at him with that bright, sincere expression he could never quite prepare himself for. “I love you, Epel.”

He nearly dropped the apple.

His eyes went wide and a sharp flush bloomed across his cheeks and ears. “Wha—?! W-Where’d that come from?!”

You just shrugged, grinning. “I wanted to say it. I love you.”

Epel opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words fast enough. He stared at you like you’d knocked the wind out of him — as if those simple words meant more than a thousand grand gestures. He turned his head quickly, ears burning. “You can’t just go around sayin’ stuff like that outta nowhere! You’re gonna give me a heart attack!”

“But it’s true,” you said, giggling as you leaned into his side. “I love you. Even when you’re blushing like a tomato.”

“I ain’t blushin’!” he huffed, but his hand twitched before he awkwardly reached over and grabbed yours. His fingers were a little shaky, but he held on tight.

“…I love you too,” he mumbled, voice low and soft, like it was meant only for you. “Even if you say it when I least expect it… I ain’t ever gonna get tired of hearin’ it.”

He finished peeling the apple and offered it to you, trying to act cool despite his still-burning ears. You took it happily, giving him a kiss on the cheek that made his blush flare right back up again.

And he knew in that moment — with the apple trees swaying and your laughter beside him — that he’d never want anything else but this.

Sebek Zigvolt

The library was unusually quiet that day — well, even more so than usual. You and Sebek were tucked away in one of the far corners of the library, seated at a heavy wooden table stacked with textbooks, scrolls, and your combined notes from Professor Trein’s most recent lecture. Sebek sat rigidly across from you, pen moving with exact precision as he muttered formulas under his breath, brows furrowed in focus.

“It is vital that I maintain my grades for the sake of Lord Malleus’ honor!” he’d proclaimed earlier, thumping his chest with such intensity that half the dorm had turned to look. You were just happy to study with him — even if his dedication bordered on theatrical.

You were supposed to be reviewing your charms notes, but instead… you found yourself watching him. His hair glinted under the soft lantern light, and his eyes, fierce and serious, flickered across the page like a soldier reading a battlefield map. He looked so intense, so Sebek — and for a moment, your heart swelled so full of affection, it felt like it might burst.

So you leaned your elbow on the table, tilted your head slightly, and let the softest smile curve your lips.

“I love you, Sebek.”

His pen snapped in half.

He jolted back in his chair with such dramatic force that the back legs almost lifted off the ground, green eyes wide as dinner plates. “WH-WHAT?! You—YOU—!!” he sputtered, one hand clapped over his chest like he’d just taken a blow to the heart.

You blinked innocently. “I said I love you.”

“OUT OF NOWHERE?!” he barked, flushing so deeply that the tips of his ears glowed red. “I—W-WHAT COULD POSSIBLY COMPEL YOU TO UTTER SUCH WORDS WHEN WE’RE IN THE MIDST OF STUDYING?!”

You just giggled, leaning forward. “Because I was looking at you… and I realized I really love you. So I said it. That’s all.”

Sebek’s jaw worked for a moment, like his mind was trying to buffer. He looked down at the ruined remains of his pen and then back at you, flustered beyond belief. “Y-You cannot… you mustn’t say such things so suddenly! I-I am a knight! A guardian of the great Lord Malleus! I must remain vigilant, composed, and… and—!!”

His voice softened at the end, the panic in his expression melting into something far more tender. He looked away, shoulders stiff but trembling slightly as he gripped the edge of the table.

“…But…” he muttered, voice almost too low to hear, “…I suppose… there is no harm… in expressing your affections. Especially when they are… directed at me…”

You smiled again, resting your chin in your hand as you watched him squirm.

“Say it again,” he blurted suddenly, eyes still averted.

You blinked. “Huh?”

“I said…!” His voice cracked slightly. “…Say it again. Just one more time.”

You leaned closer, soft and slow like a breeze brushing through the trees. “I love you, Sebek.”

This time, he didn’t shout. He didn’t flail. He simply stared at the table, his face glowing red as he gripped the edge like it was the only thing anchoring him to reality. And then, after a few seconds, he nodded—almost imperceptibly—but with the seriousness of a knight taking a vow.

“I… I love you as well,” he said, firm and proud. “More than any mere declaration can express.”

You could tell it took everything in him to say that aloud, but the sincerity in his voice made your heart melt.

Later that day, as you were leaving the library together, he awkwardly offered his hand to you — and though he tried to act composed, his fingers trembled ever so slightly when yours slipped into his. He didn’t say another word about your random confession… but he walked beside you all the way back to Ramshackle in complete silence, lips pressed into the smallest, most bashful smile you’d ever seen.

[studiogrimm810]

Sweet Apple Pie

pairings/characters: (pining) dean winchester x gn!you

summary: subconsciously showing your affection for dean through baking leads to him admitting his feelings for you he didn't even know he had

warnings: fluffy and angsty, tension, pretty tame just super yearning

word count: 2,998

A/N: this was a request!! hope you enjoy (especially since this is my first dean fic lol) let me know how i did, i v much wanna start writing more for dean so PLEASE send requests!!!! ^.^

———————

The first time you made good use of the bunker's industrial kitchen was only a few weeks after you took residence with the brothers. Baking was an activity dear to your heart, and ever since you were a little kid you had made all sorts of sweet creations for you and others to enjoy. Unfortunately, due to life on the road hunting, an oven was hard to come by for such a casual hobby. But now that you’re presented with such a spacious kitchen already loaded with just about any appliance you could ever need, you had decided it was about damn time you whipped up your favorite apple coffee cake muffins.

You had never forgotten the recipe, nor the idle skill of measuring with your heart, so they came out perfect. The mouthwatering aroma of brown sugar and apple quickly filled the kitchen and spilled out into the hallways of the bunker.

When you had placed the sweets out to cool, it wasn’t long before Dean found his way to the rack with tunneled vision. You expected the boys to sample your creations, even hoped for it, but what you didn’t expect was the swell in your chest at the way Dean melted with delight as he took a too-big bite.

“God,” he had groaned, following with your name that he practically moaned. And holy fuck, did that awaken something you didn’t think you’d ever allow yourself to feel for the older Winchester. “Where have you been all my life?” He said, and looking back you could tell that he was just momentarily drunk on the baked good, but fuck, the way his face almost adored you with appreciation continued to stir the illogical thoughts in your chest.

Those same illogical thoughts caused you to, only a few days after the muffins, throw together some kitchen sink cookies. Now okay, hear out the process before judging. Dean Winchester is a closed off man, you’ve known him for a while now and his tough exterior is rarely ever cracked. Sure, he can be sarcastic and have a childish sense of humor at times, but it is still obviously a deflection to you. Never, and you really mean never, had you seen his guard fall like it did when he tasted that muffin.

You can also tell he didn’t even realize that he had let it happen. Maybe it was the domestic nature of the situation, or the lazy day that let his veil fall. Certainly, the reasoning didn’t matter, what did matter was the way you were able to unknowingly chip away at his tough exterior with something as simple as sugar.

It’s a late night and you stayed behind while Sam and Dean ran an errand regarding matters with Crowley that you weren’t really involved with- not that you were complaining. It was rare you got to enjoy moments like this to yourself.

You played your music loud as your body swam across the kitchen, stirring, rolling, and pressing the cookie dough and placing it neatly in the oven. Once a timer was set, you started on the dishes and hummed along to the music. You swayed your body and cleaned with a pep in your step.

Let’s go over again how loud your music was set, loud enough that you didn’t hear the front door open and latch back shut. You also didn’t hear the voices of the brothers and their footsteps as they ducked into the kitchen with amused smiles. And it was embarrassingly long before you noticed their presence, when you did, your heart nearly stopped.

“Jesus!” You exclaim, clutching your chest and scoffing an embarrassed chuckle. “Feel free to announce yourselves next time,” you shake your head and reach to pause the music. Looking between them, they looked exhausted and clearly the deal hadn’t gone how they wanted.

But beyond the exhausted look in his eyes, you saw a glint of vulnerability that made your breath catch. Something about the way Dean’s eyes watched you with such warmth holds a domestic feel beneath them. His eyes rake your body, presumably finding humor in your powdery apron wrapped taut around your waist due to the curled smirk on his lips.

“Enjoyin’ yourself, sunshine?” He asks with a raised brow that crowns his softened features as he shrugs off his coat and lays it on the back of a chair. His tone rushes a wave of heat to your cheeks in embarrassment. You turn back to the counter and try to look busy.

“Thought you were supposed to call on your way back,” you snarked lightly, trying to act nonchalant. Dean rounds the island and cracks open the oven and you’re quick to smack his hand with the closest item to aid you- a dish towel. “Hey! You’ll let all of the heat out,” you shove him away and replace your body in front of the appliance to latch the oven closed and keep guard. You spin around and Dean is standing with his hands raised in compliance.

“Don’t blame me,” he shrugs, his eyes still oddly melted with the glint that you’ve never seen before, or maybe just never registered.

“If you want cookies, you need to be patient,” you insist, setting the towel back down and untying your apron.

“I think I can manage that,” he smirks, scrunching his face up like he’s settling but the way his eyes crack back open, the warmth remains. Almost intensifies. “Now,” he leans against the counter on his elbow and latches his hands together. “How long am I expected to wait?” He asks, looking right at you.

You scoff and turn to grab the timer, “you’re unbelievable,” you mumble. “Five minutes, now is that gonna kill you?” You look back at him with a tilted head and feigned concern. The attitude is smacked right off your face as his tongue darts out to wet his lips.

“I think you can manage, Dean,” Sam speaks up, startling you with his reminded presence. You whip your head over to spot him, leaned along the door frame with his arms crossed and a slight roll to his eyes. “Smells great in here,” he compliments, pushing off of the frame, “save me a cookie or two, but I’m beat. Gonna call it a night.”

“Y-yeah, night, Sam!” You call after he’s started to leave, collecting your thoughts and feeling a little shameful that you forgot he was even in the room.

“Can I get you anything?” Dean asks, on his way to the drink cart to pull out a crystal bottle of whiskey. You’re still trying to play catch up with your flustered state but force the words out.

“Double, thanks,” you murmur, taking a subtle deep breath. He pours the drinks and hands you yours as he claims a bar stool. The two of you discuss your days mindlessly and you try to ignore the dimming glint and focus on the guard he’s let down. He’s honest with you and not cagey like he usually is with his words.

It isn’t long before the cookies are done and you pull them out to cool. And after insisting that he needs to be patient, he still can’t help himself as he burns his mouth with a gooey cookie and a satisfied moan.

“Damn, you’re good,” he says like he almost doesn’t believe it. He eats two more cookies before they’ve fully cooled and you two continue to discuss whatever.

———

The muffins, the cookies, a few sweet breads and some specialty pastries later- you now decide it’s time to make Dean’s favorite. You’ve been wanting to try at an apple pie for a while now and tonight was the perfect night. You had just gotten back from the store, bag of apples and a few other needed items in hand, and you excitedly set them up in the kitchen where Sam was making dinner.

“Smells delicious,” you compliment, placing your items out of the way until Sam is done with his meal. He glances over his shoulder at you with a warm smile. You can bake like nobody's business but you were a complete lost cause when it came to a savory meal.

“Stuffed peppers with rice,” he lists his meal. As you near his spot hovered over the stove, you see six hollowed peppers in a baking dish and a skillet filled with grilled chicken, onions, tomatoes and jalapeños.

“Hell yeah,” you approve, going to the fridge to fetch yourself a beer. You hold up the one in your hand as a silent offer to Sam and he declines.

The kitchen was calm and homey and the silence was comfortable as you sat at the bar and watched Sam work. However, after filling the peppers with the cooked combination, you could tell something was on his mind. He retrieves a block of cheese from the fridge and a grater from the cabinet to crumble a layer of queso fresco over the peppers. Once the pan is in the oven and a timer is set, he turns to you, curiosity in his eyes.

“Is that stuff for an apple pie?” He raises a brow, gesturing towards the items you recently purchased.

“Yep!” You say with a nod and a swig of your beer. “Pie’s are a first for me, believe it or not,” you chuckle.

“Well good luck,” Sam nods simply, still not saying something that you can tell he wants to but you don’t pry. He pushes off the counter and heads out the kitchen, “Oh hey, can you get those out in about 10 minutes? I gotta take care of something real quick but I’ll be back to do my share of dishes.”

“You got it,” you stand to start your apples. You pull out a cutting board, knife, and peeler, and start on the apples. Humming softly to yourself and prepping the fruit. The 10 minutes pass quickly and you pull out the peppers, placing them on the stove next to the pot of finished rice. You’re about to call for the brothers when Dean rounds the corner.

“Hey,” you greet with a warm smile, scooping some cut apples in a bowl. He just ticks his head up with a dull smile, he looks nervous. Your own smile falls and you try to examine him. “Dean?”

He heads straight to the fridge and grabs a beer.

“Yeah?” He asks, popping the cap with his ring and taking a generous swig.

“You okay?” You ask, setting down your knife. Dean avoids your gaze.

…“I’m telling you, man. Whether they know it or not, they’ve got heart eyes for you like crazy,” Sam says in a shushed voice and a knowing smile.

“No,” Dean rolls his eyes and stands from his relaxed position at a table in the library.

“Dean, you’re not that brain-dead. They’re making you an apple pie as we speak. And it’s not like you haven’t been returning the glances,” Sam keeps his voice hushed but a bit sharper for emphasis. Dean considers his words, thinking back to the more intimate moments shared between you, him, and a freshly baked dessert…

“Yeah, sorry, just a busy day,” he shakes his head to knock out his thoughts but it doesn’t work.

…Pistachio croissants. Sam’s favorite of yours that you’ve made so far and it took Dean some convincing to try but for you, of course he did. This was the first time Sam really put it together. Years of Dean complaining about Sam’s ‘rabbit food’ and mocking him for it but here he is, trying a ‘weird green food’ just because you asked it of him. And he loved it. You laughed when Dean tried to suppress an eye roll at how annoyingly good the pastry turned out to be…

“I understand,” you say, biting a small portion on the inside of your lip and looking down to the apples. “I’ve got a new dessert in the works if you’re interested.” You offer, your smile returning out of pure excitement.

Whether it’s the idea of pie or the happy expression on your face, Dean's lips perk and the nervous pit dies down in his stomach.

“Apple pie,” you say, popping a cut piece of apple in your mouth.

…The first time Dean felt it unknowingly, was when you had made strawberry cupcakes- your favorite. After frosting all dozen of them with Dean's help, there was just enough icing to scoop up on your finger and suck off. Call him a romantic if you want, but good lord that act made him lose all train of thought and ended up causing him to seek out the next time you used your mouth in such a way…

Dean has to tear his eyes away from your face and he goes to look at Sam’s cooking.

“Don’t they look great?” You ask, eager to dig in but waiting for Sam to come back to take his pick first. Dean doesn’t respond.

He turns back to face you as you take the bowl of cut apples to wash off in the sink. The contentment in your figure swells something in his chest. You look at peace. He’s seen you- the killer you. When you’re neck deep in vamps, you become a machine. Your face hardens with a snarl as you abandon your mercy for the sake of the fight. He always admired how committed you could be in a hunt, it reminded him of himself, but now as he sees you wrapped in an apron and your hair neater than usual, he can’t help but adore. Your clothes are comfortable and not tactile, there are no bruises or cuts on your exposed skin, and there is no edge to your being. You’re comfortable.

You set the bowl of rinsed apples back on the counter and catch Dean's eyes. He looks pained. Like a deep ache is pulling him down but something keeps his eyes determined.

“What’s going on?” You ask, taking a few steps closer to him. This mood isn’t like him. He doesn’t get stuck like a deer in headlights over anything, but something has him frozen. He opens his mouth to speak, darting his eyes away, but nothing comes out. He places his beer off to the side and rubs the back of his neck.

You wait patiently, wiping your hands dry on a clean portion of your apron and just watching him. You make sure to look more over his shoulders or his stubble, hoping to seem less intimidating by not staring directly into his eyes. But when you feel his gaze land back on you, you meet him again.

Before you can form an encouraging smile, he progresses to you, his hands cupping your jaw and pulling you up to him. A quick gasp parts your lips and locks into him. His brows are scrunched in pain but he transmits nothing but pure need in his kiss. He knows this is stupid. He knows this is useless. He just can’t seem to care.

His dominant hand stays on your jaw as the opposite slides around to you back of your neck and down your back, pressing you into him.

You finally catch up with him and your hands find their way under his flannel and to his waist, digging your nails into his sides and anchoring yourself to him as you tug at his shirt.

His breath warms your lips when he remembers to breathe, resting his forehead against yours. His eyes are still screwed shut and he looks regrettable. You move your dominant hand to rest on his cheek and he leans into it instantly as if it’s a magnet.

You don’t say anything, you just let him take the time he obviously needs. And when he finally opens his eyes, they’re red with threatened emotion.

“Am I really that good a baker?” You ask with raised brows and a soft chuckle. A small smirk lifts his lips and he closes his eyes with a loaded sigh.

“We’ll have to see how that pie comes out first,” he jokes back with a more confident smile. Your thumb caresses the apple of his cheek and his eyes remained closed as if to place all of his focus on the physical affection.

“What made you do that?” you ask, not stopping the soft motion on his skin.

“Stupid ignorance,” he says it like a joke but you know he believes it to be true.

“Thank god for that then,” you combat, not wanting to think a kiss that damn good as a mistake.

“I just couldn’t help myself. You-,” his words catch in his throat and he keeps his eyes closed. Your thumb still runs along his skin.

“You don’t have to explain yourself,” you shake your head and his hand slacks to rest on your collarbone. You rise up to press a soft and delicate peck to his lips, and he desperately leans in for more as you pull away. He finally opens his eyes again and he looks like a teased puppy.

“Help me get this pie made and in the oven and I’ll touch you all you want,” your eyes dip down to his lips as you run your hand down his neck in a teasing manner. You look back up at him through feigned innocent lashes with a tilted head, awaiting his response.

He swallows and wets his lips. You can see a playful womanizer glint in his eyes but he’s drunk on your touch so all he can do is nod with a smile of relief at how well his impromptu decision to kiss you went. He follows every instruction you give him but he can barely keep his hands off your body as he watches you work. He really is helping- one handed tasks are helping, you rationalize. And you also note how swift he is with just one hand. How enticing.

———————

thank you so much for reading!! <3

>pictures are not my own, i have the originals linked here (pinterest) >>check out my other works here

>tags: @blossomingorchids

[aleksatia]

💗 Rafayel – Five Years Later 

The second in a series of stories exploring MC’s return after five years of silence. Others are coming soon — links will be added as they’re published.

Original ask that sparked this continuation.

Sylus | Caleb | Zayne | Xavier (coming soon)

CW/TW: Trauma & PTSD themes, Implied past abduction, Betrayal / emotional manipulation, Poisoning & near-death experience, Violence (including one execution-style kill), Self-sacrifice, Intense emotional conflict, References to grief, guilt, and long-term separation, Complex relationship dynamics, Themes of forgiveness and healing While inspired by the original characters and lore of the game, this is a personal interpretation. Some aspects of character behavior, relationships, or world-building may differ from canon — especially given the five-year time gap and the impact of traumatic events. Consider it an alternate emotional timeline, shaped by growth, grief, and what-ifs.

(He taught himself silence. Learned to paint with absence, to breathe through longing. But when your shadow crossed his path again — living, breaking, real — the stillness inside him remembered how to shatter.)

The thing about disappearing is — if you do it right — no one comes looking.

Not because they don’t care. But because you made it easier to pretend you were never real in the first place.

You left the sea behind. The salt. The songs. The man with sunlight in his laugh and grief in his hands. You traded it all for concrete, steel, smoke. Somewhere between New Madrid and the Eleventh Sector, you stopped being a person and became a profile: Level 3, Tactical Division, Close Range Neutralization. Specializing in high-value body retention.

A shadow with a badge.  A ghost on retainer.

It suited you.

You didn’t drink anymore. You didn’t play games. You didn’t say his name.

“Client arrival is in twenty minutes,” crackles the comm in your ear. "Full week assignment. High confidentiality. Zero contact protocol unless engaged."

You glance at your reflection in the elevator’s gold trim.

Eyes colder. Shoulders straighter. Gun holstered under a matte jacket that still smells faintly of last week’s adrenaline. You're not the girl who once cried into coral bedsheets. You're her replacement.

The hotel smells like money. That antiseptic richness meant to distract from the emptiness.

You position yourself in the lobby near the marble fountain — half concealed, half obvious. Just enough to look like part of the architecture. Just enough to see everything.

The concierge nods. The manager paces. The staff adjust flowers no one will notice.

Then: the cars. Black, sleek, ghost-silent.

Doors open.

Two assistants spill out first. Press, probably. One on a tablet, one on comms. Then a manager — with a face oddly familiar, like a half-forgotten memory trying to surface. Then—

Your heart forgets how to be a muscle.

He steps out like the city belongs to him. Like time bent itself around his absence.

Still tall. Still too elegant for the world he’s forced to live in. Purple waves of hair tied back. Sunglasses sliding down a nose built for poetry. He’s wearing that long beige coat he used to throw over your shoulders when nights got too cold, and his cologne hits you like déjà vu dipped in seawater and regret.

Your mouth is dry. Your hands are ice.

He doesn’t look at you.

Not yet.

You do what you were trained to do: you check for threats. Scan exits. Ignore your pulse.

He walks through the lobby as if unaware. As if untouched. But when he passes, just before the elevator closes — he turns his head.

And smiles.

Like sin. Like summer. Like he knew it would be you.

Then—

“Hello again, Ms. Bodyguard.”

***

The suite was silent. Too silent for something this expensive.

No music. No hum of ventilation. Just the hush of carpet under your boots, and the faint, distant rhythm of city breath outside the window.

You stood near the corner, hands behind your back, spine too straight. Default position. Default you.

He was across the room, jacket already off, sleeves rolled. Moving like someone who was used to being observed. Not by the public — by ghosts.

The wine had already been poured. He handed you a glass like it was part of the ritual. You didn’t take it.

He arched an eyebrow.

“I’m working,” you said.

He didn’t insist. Just smiled, faintly.

Of course.

He used to fill every room — all noise and color and heat. But now, somehow, he'd grown quiet. Not in absence — in weight. Like a masterpiece in a gallery. Like the only rose in a field of thorns. You could look away, but you’d still feel him. Like a crosshair you couldn’t shake.

The window beside you looked out over the city — not that you were looking. Your eyes were trained on his reflection in the glass. Even blurred by distance and light, you could tell: he hadn’t broken. But he’d bent.

Harder than most things could survive.

His voice came low, like something remembered instead of spoken.

“You weren’t always stone.”

You didn’t answer.

He crossed the room without hurry. You didn’t move.

His eyes found yours — not searching, just… waiting. Like the question wasn’t whether you’d speak. It was whether you still could.

“And yet here you are,” he murmured, “standing in my suite like you were carved to fit the corner.”

You felt the words land somewhere deep in the ribs. You didn’t flinch. Didn’t speak.

He took a slow sip from his glass. The color of the wine caught in the light — the same shade he used to mix on his palette when painting you in shadow.

“I saw the new series,” you said, voice even.

He glanced at you over the rim.

“Did you?”

“Less gold. More... grief.”

A pause. Then a smile — dry, almost kind.

“I ran out of yellow.”

That made your throat tighten. You looked away before it showed.

He studied you. Not your face — your posture. Your silences. You weren’t hiding emotion. You were holding it.

Like a soldier holding a wound closed with one hand.

“And you,” he said, softly. “Still chasing bullets?”

“I don’t chase. I shield.”

“Of course you do.”

He stepped closer. Not enough to touch. But enough that you could feel him again. That impossible warmth, wrapped in restraint.

He looked at you like an old painting. The kind you see once, remember forever, and never find again.

“You followed me,” he said, almost offhand. “Even after you left.”

You didn’t deny it.

“I had to know you were… functioning.”

He laughed — quiet, empty.

“Functioning,” he repeated. “Right.”

You searched his face for anger. You didn’t find it. Only something slower. Older.

Like ash.

“How have you been?” you asked.

It was a mistake. The question hung in the air like smoke from a match — small, stupid, but dangerous.

He stared at you for a long moment.

Then the glass in his hand cracked. A clean, bright sound. Like winter splitting.

The wine didn’t spill. He didn’t move.

“You left,” he said.

Not bitter. Not accusing.

Just: you left.

“And now you want to ask if I’ve been well?”

You shifted. Just enough to register discomfort. Nothing more.

He looked at the flame creeping along his knuckles — Evol, awake and restless. He closed his fist, and the fire vanished like breath from a mirror.

“What did I do?” he asked, quieter now. “What sin did I commit to earn a silent goodbye?”

You drew breath through your nose. Measured.

 “I was tired.”

“Of what?”

You looked at him.

“Of being a story you told instead of a person you knew.”

That did it.

Not an explosion. Not a slam. Just a shift. Like something in his chest cracked, and he had no hands free to hold it in place.

He turned. Slowly. Set the broken glass down. No sound. No shatter.

Then he walked to the adjoining door, pressed it open.

“You’ll stay here,” he said.

A simple guest room. Clean, unpersonalized. Quiet.

He didn’t look at you when he added:

“You’re my shadow for the week. No leaving. No exceptions.”

“And if I object?”

He paused at the threshold. Then turned. Finally met your eyes again.

“You won’t,” he said.

Not a command. Just a prophecy.

***

The days blurred.

They stretched long — drawn out by tension and silence — and yet they flew past with the quiet cruelty of something you couldn’t stop. You caught yourself counting minutes. Not until the assignment ended — but until he left again.

You told yourself it was duty. But no. You knew. The closer it got, the more it scared you.

You’d thought you’d buried the past. That five years had been enough to cauterize what you felt. Enough to flatten grief into dull, predictable weight. You’d taught yourself not to cry. Not to ache. Not to wake up reaching for a voice that wasn’t there.

But now—

Now the thought of losing him again bled through you like poison Slow. Sharp. Relentless.

For the first time, you truly wondered — had you made the worst mistake of your life?

You’d always known leaving was cowardice. A reaction. A wound reacting to pressure. You’d told yourself it was necessary — that you couldn’t survive another secret, another lie, another impossible moment in his orbit.

But now, as you stood in his shadow again, you returned to the one truth you kept avoiding. It wasn’t just the secrets. It wasn’t just his careful, curated nonchalance. It wasn’t even the things he didn’t say.

It was that moment — the one you could never forget.

The Nest. The kidnapping. The deal he’d made behind your back.

The betrayal.

The man who once made you feel like a myth had handed you over like a pawn. And you’d left. Because you couldn’t find a version of yourself that could love him and survive it.

But now…

Now you knew. The price you both paid for your fear had been too high.

***

He treated you like a shadow. Professional. Polite. Silent.

He didn’t try to speak. Didn’t joke. Didn’t prod. Whatever playful gleam had once lived in him now belonged to the stage.

You watched him wear charm like a costume — perfectly tailored, easily removed.

The real man?

He wore quieter things now. No more garish brands. No flash. Just silk-lined precision. Weight without noise. Like he’d stopped needing to be seen in order to feel powerful.

And yet — you felt it. The way his gaze burned across rooms. The way silence wrapped around you both like a loaded pause.

Something was coming. You didn’t know what.

Only that it would not be small.

***

Then came the reception.

A charity event. Wealth, power, and politics pretending to like each other in the same room. He handed you your role the night before — not as a request.

You weren’t the bodyguard tonight. You were his date.

No one must suspect otherwise. His reputation demanded it.

And so here you were:

Draped in sea-glass velvet, cut to glide and cling. Your hair swept into soft, impossible waves. Sapphires at your ears, your throat. Everything felt too heavy. Too expensive. Even your heels were a weapon you didn’t know how to use. You hated how they made you move — slow, deliberate. Exposed.

The car slid to a stop. He stepped out first — a vision in black and steel. Then he turned, offered you a hand.

You took it. His skin was cold.

But the touch — the touch burned. Like nothing had ever healed.

Cameras. Screams. Flashing lights.

Your instincts screamed — scan the crowd. Find the threat. Always the threat. But his fingers tightened around yours. Hard.

He leaned in, breath against your ear — warm, familiar, furious.

“Smile, for fuck’s sake.”

You did.

Not for the cameras. Not for the cause.

But because you knew — the storm wasn’t over. It was just beginning.

***

You played the part well.

Neutral. Polished. Cold enough to earn whispers you never heard, but felt just behind your back. 

No one dared speak them aloud, of course. They looked at you and said the compliments to him.

“She’s stunning.”

“Such a refined presence.”

“As if she was made to be on your arm.”

As if your face belonged to him. As if your silence was his design.

In some twisted way, maybe it was.

You didn’t remember how you got here. One minute you were cataloguing exits with your eyes, tracking the crowd with practiced ease —

 The next —

You were dancing.

His hand on your waist, the other guiding yours. Everything too close, too warm, too practiced.

The chandelier above cast a slow rain of light. The room turned gently, spinning around its own silence.

His touch wasn’t tender. It was intentional.

“Your expression,” he murmured, “is slowly assassinating my reputation.”

You didn’t look at him. “Your reputation as what, exactly?”

He paused. Just a second.Then:

“A man of appetites.”

You tilted your head slightly. “How poetic.”

“I thought so,” he said. “Though the press prefers playboy.”

A beat.

“So you’ve read it,” you said.

“I have someone who clips the good parts.”

“Must be a short list.”

He smiled — not kindly. “Normally, I’m seen with far more… expressive company.”

“Then why break tradition?”

His fingers flexed slightly at your waist.

“I suppose I wanted something quieter.” A beat. “Something that might bite back.”

Your gaze flicked to him. Just once. A sharpened glance.

“And how does this help your image?”

“It doesn’t.” He leaned in, voice a thread. “But it’s not always about image, is it?”

You could feel it — the heat building between syllables.  Not passion. Not yet.

Just tension. Waiting.

You moved together like two creatures pretending not to hunt each other. Each step precise. Each breath withheld.

“You used to enjoy this sort of thing,” he said, voice soft now, too close. “Crowds. Light. Being seen.”

“I used to believe in things,” you replied.

He said nothing. But his hand curled tighter against your spine.

For a second, you let the silence say everything.

Then—

You noticed it.

The way his eyes had started slipping away from you. Again and again — to a single shape on the edge of the room. A man. Grey suit. Clean line. Controlled posture.

You knew that look.

The dance ended, but you weren’t let go. He took your arm, like a gentleman.

But you knew better.

***

The garden was colder than it had any right to be. The kind of cold that wasn’t about temperature — it was about distance. About the way stone walls and sculpted hedges swallowed sound and left only the weight of footsteps behind.

You followed him without a word. Because you already knew.

You’d seen his eyes stray to the man in the grey suit half a dozen times during the reception. Not nervous glances — calculated ones. Not curiosity — confirmation.

And now here you were, walking straight into the web.

The man waited by the marble fountain, one hand resting casually in his pocket, the other holding a glass of something expensive and unnecessary. His smile was pleasant. His suit was quiet money. His name was carved into memory from the briefings you used to skim with more detachment.

Elias Varrick. Publicly: philanthropist, investor, art collector, father of four. Privately: suspected ties to high-level biotech experimentation, classified marine acquisitions, and several quiet disappearances.

 All rumors, of course. Nothing on paper. Nothing proven.

Still — you knew. Your gut always knew.

But you didn’t know what Rafayel knew. Not yet.

They greeted each other like old acquaintances. A handshake that looked effortless. Painless.

“I thought it best to deliver the piece myself,” Rafayel said. His voice had its old rhythm — slow, warm, dipped in charm.

You watched him as he spoke. Not the words — the tone.

Polite. Polished. Performing.

“That kind of personal art,” he added, “deserves a personal hand.”

Varrick smiled wider. “Very kind of you. My family will love it. We’re planning to hang it in the main lounge — the one where we gather in the evenings. My wife, the children, my mother. It’s where we live.”

And that’s when it happened.

You didn’t freeze. Not outwardly. But something inside you did.

That phrase. The way he said it — we live here.

You didn’t hear a lie. That was the problem. You heard sincerity.

You saw the portrait — Rafayel’s portrait — hanging above a mantel. You saw children playing on a rug beneath it. An old woman sipping tea in a chair nearby. You saw innocence. Unaware. Wrapped around a weapon.

And suddenly, all the scattered images connected. The rumors. The names. The “environmental” fund. The experimental projects tied to Lemurians. The disappearances.

He wasn’t here for charity.

Rafayel was hunting. And you were holding his arm like a lover while he did it.

It wasn’t the lie that made you pull away. It was the memory of all the ones that came before.

You stepped back. A breath lodged in your throat.

“I need a moment,” you murmured.

He turned. “Wait—”

You didn’t let him finish.

“Don’t.”

You turned away.

You needed air. Space. Time. You needed to stop hearing the echo of his voice in your chest, the one that said it’s different now, even when you knew it wasn’t.

But he followed. Of course he followed.

“Let me explain—”

“No,” you snapped, more sharply than intended. “No more explaining. That’s always the beginning of the lie.”

He reached for your arm. You stopped him with a look.

“I want to know one thing,” you said. Your voice was low, barely steady. “That painting… it’s a weapon, isn’t it?”

He hesitated. Just a breath. But it was enough.

“Not here,” he said softly. “Please.”

“There are children in that house, Rafayel. Children. How can you guarantee there won’t be innocent blood?”

His jaw tensed. The silence between you vibrated with unsaid things. Then:

“Come with me,” he said. “I’ll explain everything. But not in public.”

“Answer me.”

“I said not here,” he whispered. Not angry. Not cold. Just—desperate. Controlled. And that — more than anything — told you what you needed to know.

And that’s when it happened. The movement was too fast.

You heard it before you saw it — a hiss of compressed air.

Then the glint of metal. Then the needle, already buried in the side of Rafayel’s neck.

Everything shattered.

Rafayel stumbled, hand flying to the injection point. His eyes widened — not with pain. With realization.

Varrick stepped back with chilling calm, adjusting his cuff.

“I knew it was you,” he said simply. “The moment I saw your face, lemurian. I knew you were the one behind Raymond’s death.”

You didn’t wait for orders. Didn’t need permission.

You drew and fired — one shot. Silent. Precise. Varrick collapsed with a grunt of pain, clutching his leg.

You were on him in three strides. Knee in his chest. Barrel to his throat.

“What was in it?” you growled.

His breath rattled, half from the pain, half from the thrill of it all. He was enjoying this — the game, the brink.

“I’m not—”

You slammed the muzzle harder against his neck.

“Tell me. Or I swear, I’ll have your lungs painting that lovely family room of yours by morning.”

He laughed, blood in his teeth.

“Requiem Coral,” he gasped. “Gen-modified. Synthetic compound. It bonds to Lemurian blood — slow neural degeneration. Burns out the body one nerve at a time. Quite poetic, really.”

You stared at him. Then you fired again.

Between the eyes.

No poetry. Just silence.

***

You found Rafayel still upright. Barely. His pupils were uneven. Sweat glistened on his temple. His balance was shot.

You got under his arm, bore half his weight.

“No hospital,” he muttered.

“I’m not a moron,” you snapped. “We’re going home.”

You drove with one hand clenched around the wheel, the other wrapped tightly around his — clammy now, fingers twitching less and less.

The city blurred past like water through glass, useless. Silent.

He was slumped in the seat beside you, head tilted back, jaw clenched.

“Is this your version of a confession?” he muttered, voice paper-thin. “Waiting ‘til I’m half-dead to finally hold my hand?”

“Shut up,” you hissed.

He smiled — barely. “So harsh. Romance really is dead.”

You tightened your grip on his hand. His skin was cold.

“Don’t do that,” you said. “Don’t talk like you’re not about to die.”

“I mean, statistically—”

“I said shut up.”

Your voice cracked on the last word. 

The rest of the ride was agony. You didn’t feel the road. You didn’t feel the turns. You felt him — fading beside you. His breath going shallow. His body heavy.

And all you could do was drive faster.

***

Your home wasn’t built for tenderness. It wasn’t a place to recover. It was a place to survive.

The door slammed behind you, and you half-dragged, half-carried him to the medical bench. He tried to help. He couldn’t.

He collapsed like a broken marionette, breathing hard, sweat cold on his brow.

You moved by instinct.

Antitoxin. Anti-inflammatories. Burn stabilizer. Anything. Everything.

Tubes. IV. Scanners.

Your hands didn’t shake — until you realized that nothing was working. His vitals dipped. Once. Again.

No improvement. And you weren’t a doctor. You weren’t a biotech. You were a weapon.

You could take a man apart in thirty seconds, but this — this—

You couldn’t fix this.

You hovered over him, swallowing panic, shoving down the scream forming in your throat.

He opened his eyes — only halfway. Saw the mess you were making. He lifted one trembling hand, and caught your wrist.

“Stop,” he whispered. “You’ll do more harm than good.”

You shook your head violently. “No. No, I can— I just need time—”

“There is no time.”

His voice was barely there.

“I don’t— I don’t know how to stop it,” you said, broken. “I don’t know how to fight it—how to save you—”

“Then listen.”

His eyes found yours.

“If this is it…” His breath caught. “If I’m not waking up from this—”

“Raf, no—”

“Then I want the truth.”

He looked at you like a man watching his own shadow disappear. Like someone who knew there was no second chance this time.

“No secrets. No lies. Nothing between us.”

You froze. And something inside you cracked.

The words came out on a sob.

“I know.”

He blinked slowly. “Know what?”

“I know you sold me out. N109 Zone. Five years ago.”

The air stopped moving. His lips parted, but no sound came.

You looked down, ashamed and shaking.

“I found the records. I connected the drops, the timing. You handed me over.”

There was a long pause. Then, suddenly — he laughed. A ragged, broken sound that became a cough.

“Oh, you—God.”

His smile was pained. Too pained.

“You wanted to reach Onichynus, remember?”

 You looked up.

“There’s no easy road there. No clean path.”

 He coughed again, winced, and gripped your hand tighter.

“I was watching. If things had gone wrong, I would’ve stepped in. I wouldn’t have let them break you.”

Your lips trembled. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I didn’t trust myself not to stop you. I didn’t want you to look at me like you are right now.”

He coughed again — something wet in the sound now.

“I never betrayed you.”

His hand drifted to your chest, barely touching.

“You were always my heart.” He smiled faintly. “And when you left… you took it with you.”

You crumpled. Your hands went to his face, cold and pale, and your voice shattered into pieces.

“I didn’t know. I didn’t know. I thought— I thought you used me. Manipulated me. Like everyone else.”

His eyes stayed on yours.

“I would’ve died for you.”

“I know. I know now.”

Tears streamed down your face.

“I took your heart, Raf, but mine—” You pressed a hand to his chest. “Mine never left you. I… still love you.”

Your voice broke like a body under fire.

 “God, I never stopped loving you.”

You leaned down, kissed his lips — dry, cold, still his. Your tears landed on his skin.

“Please,” you whispered. “Fight. Just… fight. Tell me what to do. Anything. Because if you die— if you leave me now— I swear—”

“I’m already leaving,” he said.

A beat. A breath.

“I don’t think anything can stop it.”

You shook your head. “No—”

“But there’s something you can do.”

You stilled.

“Take me to the sea,” he whispered.

His eyes were almost closed.

“If I die… I want the ocean to take my last breath.”

***

You helped him into the water, one arm steady around his waist, the other gripping his wrist as if holding on could somehow hold him here.

The sea was cold, even for nightfall. Each wave climbed higher, tasting skin and memory as it came. Rafayel leaned into you, too light, too quiet. His steps were uncertain, but not from fear. He wasn’t afraid. He was done.

By the time the water reached his chest, he stopped.

His breath caught. Not sharply — softly, like a curtain falling.

For a moment, under the pale gleam of moonlight, he closed his eyes. His features relaxed. And it struck you — how little color remained in his face. How glass-like his skin looked. Almost translucent. Almost not there.

You opened your mouth to speak, but the words never found shape.

Because he let go.

He stepped back. And before you could stop him, before you could tighten your grip — he slipped beneath the surface and vanished.

No sound. No splash. Just absence.

“Rafayel.”

Your voice wavered, swallowed instantly by the dark. Then louder—

“RAFAYEL!”

But there was only the sea.

You surged forward, boots stumbling, breath catching in your throat as you threw yourself into the waves.

Cold bit into your spine. Your jacket dragged you down. Salt stung your eyes. None of it mattered.

You dove.

Once, five years ago, it had been the same. Different ocean. Same cold. Same fear.

You remembered that too well — sinking below the surface on a job gone wrong, your lungs seizing, your vision narrowing. And just before the dark closed in, it had been him who pulled you out. His arms, his breath, his voice.

Breathe, cutie. Come on. Breathe.

And now—

Now it was your turn to find him.

You kicked downward, deeper, into the black.

You couldn’t see. The moonlight didn’t reach this far. But you didn’t need to see. You needed to find.

The water grew colder the further you went. Each stroke slower, weaker. The pressure in your chest building, blooming like fire. Your hands swept forward, wide, desperate — fingers searching for fabric, for skin, for anything.

You found nothing.

The panic came slowly. Not like a scream, but like a slow tightening, a noose drawn carefully across your ribs. Your lungs began to burn. Your mind whispered it was too far. Too late. But your body refused to listen.

You kept going.

Until your arms stopped obeying. Until your legs stopped kicking.

Until your last exhale slipped from between your lips, and with it, the only word that still meant anything.

“Rafayel,” you mouthed.

And sank.

Everything stilled.

Time, sensation, thought.

And just as the darkness began to take you—

Something changed.

A pulse. Not from the sea. From inside.

Evol. Dormant until now — roared awake. But not with power. With purpose.

It didn’t surge to protect you. It didn’t scream in defense. It answered something quieter. Deeper.

A wish.

You weren’t trying to save yourself. You weren’t trying to rise.

You were trying to give him your heart back. To pour your strength into his veins. To reignite the spark inside him — even if it meant extinguishing your own.

Let me give it back. Let him live. Let me take the weight.

That was the prayer beneath your ribs, and Evol obeyed.

It moved through you like liquid fire, searing down to your bones, pulling from every corner of your being. It hurt. God, it hurt — not like dying, but like unraveling. You were emptying yourself willingly. Not out of fear. Out of love.

And then — resonance.

Not just from you. From him.  Like something in the darkness roared back.

No. Not her. Not this way.

You felt it — a pull in the opposite direction. Not rejection. Not resistance. Reciprocity.

His Evol flared back — instinctive, involuntary, desperate. Refusing the gift. Refusing the cost.

He wouldn’t let you die for him.  And you — you couldn’t let him die for you.

And so you were pulled. Not rising. Not flying.

Drawn back. Both of you. Together.

Because even now, even here — at the edge of everything — neither of you could bear to leave the other behind.

***

You came back coughing.

The world hit in pieces — salt on your lips, sand beneath your palms, the weight of your own chest struggling to rise.

And then—

Arms.

Not the ocean’s. His.

He was holding you. Soaked. Shaking. Alive.

His heartbeat thudded beneath your ear, ragged but real. His breath skimmed your temple. His fingers gripped your shoulders like he wasn’t sure whether to anchor you — or himself.

You opened your eyes. The sky swam above you, vast and starless.

And Rafayel’s face was there. Pale with exhaustion, hair clinging wet to his skin, eyes too bright in the dark.

You reached up, touched his cheek with trembling fingers. He leaned into it.

No words passed between you. There was nothing to explain.

“This,” you whispered, voice torn to ribbons, “is exactly where I want to be when I die.”

His mouth twitched, a ghost of a smile breaking through.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he murmured, “next time we die.”

Your breath caught somewhere between a laugh and a sob.

“Raf…”

He hushed you with his thumb against your cheek, his gaze steady and quiet.

“It’s over.”

You shook your head. “But how—”

He didn’t answer right away.

Only looked at you, and for the first time in what felt like lifetimes, you saw it— light. Faint, buried, but alive in him.

“Cutie,” he said softly, “how could I keep dying when you needed me this much?”

The sound you made was broken, wild — grief and love tangled into one. You folded into him, arms tight around his shoulders, burying your face in his neck.

“Then you’ll have to live,” you whispered, choked, “for a long, long time. Because I need you. Every day. Every second. Every stupid heartbeat.”

He laughed — quiet and hoarse, and it felt like sunlight after rain.

“Another eternity, then. Sounds like a curse. Or a blessing. Maybe both.”

You pulled back just enough to see his face. Moonlight caught the water on his skin, and you felt like crying again.

“I was such a fool,” you said. “You shouldn’t have brought me back. I ruined everything. I wasted so much—”

“I’m not arguing,” he cut in gently. “But I figured… maybe you’d want to fix your behavior.”

A huff escaped you. Wet, shaky. Almost a smile.

“Will you let me try?” you asked. “Will you—can you forgive me?”

He didn’t even blink.

“Sweetheart,” he said, cupping your face in both hands, “this was never about forgiveness. Not really. Not about second chances or fresh starts.”

His thumbs brushed away the tears you didn’t realize were falling.

“We’re us. Flawed. Messy. Brilliant and brutal in equal measure. We hurt each other. And we heal each other.”

His voice dropped to a whisper.

“I forgave you a long time ago. I was only angry because I didn’t understand. I thought maybe—if I’d been softer. Or warmer. Or better—maybe you would’ve stayed.”

You closed your eyes, tears slipping free.

“I never left you,” you said. “Not really.”

“I know.”

He leaned forward. And kissed you.

Once — soft and slow, like breathing. Then again — deeper, like memory.

And when you kissed him back, there was no anger left. No questions. Just the weight of five years falling away between your mouths.

You broke away just long enough to murmur, “We almost died.”

He kissed the corner of your mouth.

“We’re always almost dying.”

You laughed, breathless.

“This is a terrible time—”

“There’s no better one,” he said. “You never know which kiss is the last. Which night is the edge.”

He pulled you to him again.

And beneath the moon, on wet sand and shaking limbs, you gave yourselves back — completely. No hesitation. No conditions.

It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t clean. But it was real.

You loved him like you remembered how. And he held you like he never forgot.

And this time, it didn’t feel like the end.

It felt like the beginning.

***

You woke to the sound of brush against canvas.

Soft, rhythmic. A whisper of motion. It tugged at something in your memory, something half-forgotten.

For a long moment, you didn’t move. Didn’t even open your eyes.

There was warmth on your skin — sun, blankets, and something else. You inhaled. Salt. Linens. Paint.

And him.

When you finally blinked into the light, it took a moment to understand where you were.

The room was high-ceilinged, the windows cracked open to the hush of waves. The bed was too big, sheets still tangled, your body aching pleasantly in ways that reminded you — yes, it was real.

Last night was real.

And then—

“Don’t move.”

His voice. Low. Focused. Familiar in a way that made your chest ache.

You turned your head slightly, and there he was.

Rafayel. Sitting on a low stool near the foot of the bed, bare feet braced against the floor, shirt half-unbuttoned, canvas before him. A brush in one hand, a palette balanced on his thigh.

You blinked at him. “What… are you doing?”

“I said don’t move.” He didn’t look up. “You’ll ruin the pose.”

“I wasn’t posing,” you mumbled, rubbing your eyes. “I was sleeping. Possibly drooling.”

He finally glanced at you. A glint in his eyes — amusement.

 “You were beautiful. Are. I wanted to keep this one.”

“Raf,” you said, stretching with a grimace, “I probably look like a tangled sea urchin. There’s still sand in places sand should never be. I need a shower.”

“If you let me finish, we’ll shower together.”

Your brows lifted. “Tempting bribe.”

“I know.” He smirked. “Also—note to self: never again sex on sand.”

“The ocean was too cold,” you teased.

“Not in my arms.”

That stopped you for a breath.

You smiled. A small, stunned thing.

And somewhere in the middle of smiling and remembering and wanting to kiss him again, you noticed something on the canvas. You squinted.

“Wait... is that yellow?”

He flinched. The brush stuttered.

And then—he groaned, deep and dramatic. “Dammit. Now I have to start over.”

You sat up on your elbows, eyes wide. “Was that my fault?”

He stood slowly, brush still in hand. “You moved. You talked. You ruined my masterwork.”

You grinned. “Your nude beach goddess masterwork?”

“Yes,” he said solemnly. “It was going to hang in the Met.”

“Well, in that case—” you started.

But before you could escape, he lunged — grabbed your ankle, yanked you toward the edge of the bed with a playfully feral grin.

You shrieked.

“Raf!”

“You destroyed art!”

“I was the art!”

You kicked. He caught your other foot.

Laughter spilled from your throat — loud, full, aching in your ribs. You couldn’t remember the last time you laughed like this.

He climbed over you, breathless with mock outrage, and you tangled together in the blankets, in limbs, in joy.

You were still gasping when you murmured, “I’m sorry I can’t erase the past. Those five years... they’re etched into us. But I swear, I’ll spend every day trying to heal what I broke.”

His expression softened — all teasing gone.

“Cutie,” he said quietly, brushing a thumb over your cheekbone, “you still don’t see it, do you?”

You stilled.

“Last night,” he said, “you were ready to give everything. Your Evol, your life, your soul — for me. Even when you thought I wouldn’t survive.”

He leaned his forehead against yours.

“In that moment, I think even the gods cried.”

You closed your eyes.

“My wounds healed the second you chose to stay,” he whispered. “There’s barely even a scar left.”

Then his voice dropped lower.

“Just promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“Never disappear again. Not without giving me the chance to fight for you. Not in this lifetime. Not in any other.”

You didn’t hesitate.

You looked him in the eyes — and felt the weight of every mistake, every mile, every ache that had brought you back here.

And then you said, quietly:

“Even if all the oceans rise, even if this world burns and time eats itself whole — I’ll find you. In every life. I’ll find you, and I’ll stay.”

His lips parted. He didn’t speak.

He just kissed you.

And this time, it wasn’t for survival.

It was for everything else.

[c0ffeejelly1]

I love the way your name sounds

Multiple character headcannon

Authors note: okay I won’t even lie I think I kinda liked this fic…ANWAYS here’s y’all’s warnings NSFW content! I put some of that Femdom shi, f!reader, m!receiving gawk gawk, dacryphilia…I guess, uhh just really cringe worth sentences... yall probably into that. (POST-TIMESKIP!!)

Summary: he likes to whine your name especially when he’s close

MEN who love to be buried between your thighs, though anytime you offer to reciprocate his good deed he insistently denies you, shying away from any form of contact. He initially claims it’s because he prioritises your pleasure over his and there is no need for you to sourer your lips. But would it be so bad if you just wanted to hear him whine in satisfaction?

That’s not to say there hasn’t been times where you have succeeded in changing his mind. However during those moments, the only sound you might catch is a faint hum, accompanied by him biting the inside of his cheek and knitting his brows in frustration, as if he’s forcing himself to keep quiet...

MEN who even when he has his cock between the folds of your heat, he keeps one hand pressed to his mouth or his face deep in the crook of your neck. He never lets you hear him, hear how good you also make him feel - and you had reached your limit. You just wanted to have a man moan, rather than it being a one-sided affair.

Did he not enjoy sex with you?

MEN who let out a small gasp of surprise when you suddenly approach him after a days of lounging. Your in that cute little apron he adores with your hands trailing up and down his chest through his worn clothes. He laughs nervously, gently taking a hold of your wrist, his eyes wide and confused, like a lost puppy trying to understand your sudden playful behavior.

But you don’t hold back, instead, you draw even closer, your hand pressing deeper into his chest causing him to back against the wall. Your breath fans over his neck and you catch the sound of him swallowing hard a slight gulp down his throat. His grip on your wrist wavers softly as a meek sound escapes his lips, “I…Is everything okay, baby?”

MEN who turn crimson at the feeling of your lips pressing into his, before trailing along from his jaw and down to his neck. Your sudden assertiveness was causing his mind to reel from the intensity of the situation. Before long, his shirt is tossed aside, forgotten on the floor, and he’s sprawled flat on the bed, his elbows propping him up, as he stares at you completely dazed and breathless, “hah…you’re really in the mood today, huh…”

You can only laugh at his admission. He had no idea what you had in store for him today. You were going to make him scream, so loud that he wouldn’t be able to speak the following day, so loud that the neighbors might just have to lodge a complaint against you, so loud that—

“A-ah…you…you can’t just…do things like that…”

MEN who feel a jolt of pleasure shoot through his body upon feeling your hand move inside the waistband of his underwear. A warning would’ve been nice, because now all he can do is have his breath hitch and back arch instinctively against your touch.

“Hand or mouth?”

Your question only turns his mind to mush, as he tries to make a coherent decision. Both options sound incredible, but he found himself succumbing to your hand. You knew he’d pick that. He doesn’t get as sensitive with your hand…which is why you decided to use your mouth, much to his dismay.

“W-why even bother ask— mhf…”

MEN who lose their words at the feeling of you tongue around his shaft. His hand immediately reaches up to his mouth, trying to stifle his shameful sounds, in which you quickly stop just before he could.

He lets out a small whine in protest, looking down at you between his legs with puppy eyes. Your intense gaze on him was only turning him on more and it was only a matter of time before he felt a familiar coil in his stomach begin to build up.

You had finally done it.

MEN who can’t help the babbles of “Ggh…you…you’re…so mean”, the whines of “d-dont tease the tip…” and the whimpers of “p-please faster…let me make a mess in your…in…in your mouth”, that escape him.

You couldn’t believe your ears of all the filth falling out of his lips. The way his eyebrows pinch up in that familiar look, his jaw slacked open, his eyes glued shut. You wanted him to look at you, see just who was making him fall apart like this, and so you tap on his thigh, prompting him to glance down at you, his eyes glistening as if he was on the verge of crying.

“F-fuck…m’so…so close…I’m so close, please…don’t l-look at me like that…”

You don’t stop. You don’t even allow him to bring his hands anywhere near his face.

“A-ah…baby— Y/N, please…I can’t. It’s too embarrassing Y/N…”

He was begging to cover his mouth, before the shameful chants of his high come to light. Begging you to at least slow down so he can catch his breath, begging you for some trace of pity on him in which you don’t grant, a coy smile forming on your lips.

There was nothing else he could do but to give in, to let go, to surrender completely to you, to be your “good boy”.

“M’gonna…o-oh Y/N, t-thank you…a-ahh…thank y-you so much, momm— Y/N, I—I’m c-cumming!…”

MEN who from that day on, never once hold back a single noise from you.

“You need to eat more fruit babe.”

“M’sorry…”

Characters: Reigen, SERIZAWA, GIYUU, Jean, ARMIN, REINER, KAGEYAMA, Hinata, Bokuto (I’m trying to convince myself but deep down I know this man is loud.), Osamu, CHOSO, MAMMON, Childe, THOMA, Rafayel, ACE, SANJI, Iruka

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Besotted 1

No tag lists. Do not send asks or DMs about updates. Review my pinned post for guidelines, masterlist, etc.

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as noncon/dubcon, virginity loss, age gap, and possible untagged elements. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: your new neighbour brings intrigue and a bit of danger.

Characters: ex-con!Bucky Barnes

Note: Saturday is fat tiddies day. I'm sorry.

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me.

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!) Please do not just put ‘more’. I will block you.

I love you all immensely. Take care. 💖

"Wow, uh, I'd say that's a lot but it's really not much," you snort at Angelique as she comes out of your bathroom in a tiny string bikini. The leopard print is loud on the tiny triangles barely concealing her tits and a few other parts. 

"Not all of us are nuns like you," she retorts and sticks out her tongue. 

"I'm not a nun," you roll your eyes. 

You're not exactly modest yourself. You like your booty shorts and your cropped tops. And when you're lazy enough, you can be caught walking around in your purple track pants that read sex bomb across the ass. Not exactly classy, but fun. 

"Right, right, sure," she scoffs. 

"That's a low blow," you hiss. 

"Well, it's the truth. What's that now? Twenty-two and you're as pure as the blessed Mother Mary." 

"You're a fucking bitch," you sneer. 

"I am," she grins and shakes her tits. "But the guys love it." 

"You are so dumb," you scowl. 

"Try a smile, babe, and maybe someone will want to get it in." 

"Wow, did you just come over here to be awful?" 

"No, I came over to have fun. Loosen up, have some vodka." She insists. 

"Oh, no, I get it, you came to drink my booze," you accuse. 

"Look, it's hot enough out that I don't need you breathing down my neck. You invited me over," she snips. 

"Regretfully," you tweak your brow. 

"Boo, get you're fucking swimsuit on. I'm dying." She crosses her arms and drags her feet across the floor. She grabs her drink; some strawberry kiwi juice and too much vodka. 

"Why don't you go start?" You ask. "Better than pouting over your drinking problem." 

"Cuntttttt," she growls the last consonant. "Oh, you are the worst." 

"Isn't that why you love me?" You blow her a kiss and skip into your bedroom. 

You better keep up with her so you can put up with her. Vodka and orange juice should do the trick. A little less sickly sweet. You pull out your bikini. The sides of the bottoms are silver hoops and there's another between the bra cups. It's not exactly a nun's habit, is it? Especially with your tits. 

As you come out, you tuck in your left boob, the bigger one. Angelique swirls around her glass before emptying it. It's barely noon. 

"You know, you'll probably be drunk before you even get a tan," you chirp. 

"Probably," she shrugs and spins. "Come on, I'm bored." 

You huff and stomp around her. You pour yourself some vodka then find the carton of orange juice in your fridge. Hm, only enough for one drink. Nice of her to bring mixer for both of you. You dump it in with the vodka and head for the door. 

You grab your sunglasses before you step out into the sunlight. It's blazing hot. You slurp back the orange juice laced with alcohol and look around. You don't have much but it's yours. Somewhat. The sunburnt grass and cracked walkway. That's really the dream home. 

You put down your drink on the folding table under the mailbox and grab the kiddy pool leaning against the siding. Angelique makes no effort to help. You don't expect her too.

You drag it over onto the lawn and go around to unwind the hose. You unwind it and haul it back with you, tugging out the kinks until it reaches the pool. You'd do this all in the backyard but there's too many ant hills. 

You hold the hose and spray it into the plastic pool. As you do, you notice the peculiar dark shape in the next lot; a motorcycle. There's boxes on the other side of the duplex porch. Huh, they must've found a new tenant. 

Angelique pops open a bottle of tanning lotion and generously applies it over her arms and chest. She's shining as she smears it over her sandy skin. You'll put on some actual SPF when you get a minute. 

You wiggle the hose as you grow bored of filling the pool. Your mind wanders. She always has to say something. Always has to embarrass you. Never lets you forget every time you struck out. Well, you're just a little awkward. Maybe you should stop giving a fuck. Like her. 

"Oh, summer feels so good," she struts over with her drink and steps into the pool.

She sits and shivers so her pert tits jiggle. A top like that would do nothing but go missing under your chest. As she reclines and basks in the sunlight, you sigh. 

"Gee, Ang, thanks for all your help." 

"No problem, girly." She smirks and bends her leg, swaying it as you notice the neighbours across the street gawking. The two pot-bellied men who meet up to gripe on their lawn chair. Ew. 

You drop the hose in and go back to the porch. You dip inside for your bottle of sunscreen and come back out. You work at rubbing it in. You'll wait a bit before you get in so it doesn't wash off. It's no Hawaiian coast but that small dented pool is your only relief from the summer heat. 

Angelique swishes her second drink in the glass. You don't think she'd help with your back. She's in her own little bubble. As usual. 

You hear the snap of the door behind the wooden crisscross that blocks the other half of the porch. You glance over at the shadow that passes by. The unit's been empty almost since you got there. No tenant stayed longer than a month. 

The man tramps down his stairs and to the motorcycle leaning on its kickstand. He digs around in the saddle bags then turns. As he does, you catch his eye and give a half-smile. You wave weakly as he keeps going. Oh. 

You blink and look at Angelique. She's completely unaware; of your new neighbour or her audience. Two teen boys pass by in a not so subtle detour from their side of the street. You grimace but they're not looking at you. 

You turn the bottle in your hands. That man. He's kinda handsome, if he is a bit older. His long hair is a mix of fading brown and grey. His beard is seasoned with silver and his blue eyes shine boldly. And his jawline. That's to die for.  

Why had you been so hung up on boys your own age? 

The thought make you cringe. Are you serious? Angelique is right. You're too desperate. 

“Anj,” you approach the pool. 

“If you’re not offering to refill my drink, I don’t want to hear it.” Her eyes are closed behind the dark lenses. 

“Why are we friends again?” You mutter. 

She just giggles and finishes her drink. Nope. If she wants more, she can get it. You spin away and catch sight of that man again. 

Your new neighbour grabs a box from the stack on the front porch. You step up to the property line and smile. He doesn’t notice you as he disappears inside. 

There’s not much. The boxes are dusty, marked with the logos of the local storage facility, and his motorcycle is the only other thing there. He must’ve had the stuff dropped off. 

He emerges again and you wave, “uh, excuse me? Hi. Neighbour?” 

He pauses and his shoulders tense. He faces you slowly. His left arm is covered in ink. The patterns are intricate. His other arm is marked with scars. 

You introduce yourself as you sidle up the property line. He stares. 

“It’s nice to meet you.” You say. He still doesn’t answer. “What’s your name?” 

He looks up then back at you. “Bucky,” he grits out. His voice is sexy. 

“Oh, Bucky? That’s cute,” you say. “Say, neighbour, can I ask a favour? I’ll bring you a casserole for your trouble.” 

He considers you, “don’t gotta do that.” He crosses his arms. His biceps bulge and so do your eyes. He is built. 

“Oh, but I wouldn’t mind, it’s just...” you peek over your shoulder at Angelique as she lazes in the water. The sun beats down on you hotly and sweat beads on your nape. You look at Bucky. “I can’t reach my back.” You show the bottle of sunscreen and smile sheepishly. “Could I get a hand?” 

He grumbles and tilts his head. He looks you up and down. 

“I really don’t wanna burn. It’s so hot out.” You plead. 

Reluctantly he unfolds his arms and comes down the porch steps. He approaches and his chest decompresses visibly as he exhales. He extends his palm to you. You press the bottle into it. 

“Thanks!” You let go and shimmy then turn your back to him. 

There’s a moment before the lid clicks. He still doesn’t speak. You hear the lotion squirt and brace yourself. He smears it, barely touching you. As the lotion only slides over your skin, he sighs. He shifts and rubs it in more firmly. You push back against his strength, arching your back just slightly. 

Your heart races. His hesitance is disappointing. You know you’re not ugly. The reasons you got for your many rejections were that you didn’t want a one-night stand or you insisted on protection. It’s not too much to ask for. You really don’t think it’s your looks. 

“All done,” he says. 

The lid snaps shut loudly. 

You face him, your bikini top stretching dangerous as your chest bounces. His eyes flick down briefly. You nearly laugh. It’s a nice reassurance. 

“Thanks, Bucky,” you smile. 

He grumbles again and hands you back the bottle. Your cheeks are on fire. He’s so hot. He’s got that definition that makes you all fuzzy. You bet he knows exactly what to do. 

“So if you need anything, I’m just next door,” you point to your side of the duplex. “Oh, and I don’t mind noise. At all.” 

He nods. You wring your hands around the bottle. 

“But you know, if you do, I can be quiet,” you say, realising the double meaning only as your words hang between you. 

His brows rise and he dips his chin again. He turns and stalks away. He’s busy. You’re bothering him. You’ll try again when he’s not unpacking. 

Your eyes linger on his bike. That might be good place to start. It’s all harmless. You’re being a good neighbour. 

You go to your own side of the porch and put the bottle on the top step. You go to the pool and poke Angelique with your toe. “Move over.” 

She snorts but gives you room. You get in, arms around the edge, feet up on the other. She giggles. 

“What?” 

“He’s a bit... ancient,” she flips her sunglasses up and gives you a pointed look. 

“Whatever,” you shrug. 

“Even so... he’s in good shape,” she sits up slight, flattening her hands against the bottom of the pool. “Hmmm... maybe you might have a chance with the old man.” 

“You’re such a bitch,” you growl. 

“No, really. Do you think you do?” She asks. 

You furrow your brow and search her face, “why?” 

“Oh, it could be fun. How about a bet?” 

“A bet?” 

“Sure, you know, we’re going down to the beach. Got that old house by the shore and there’s only so many spots. You could have one if you can reel him in. No virgins on vacation,” she taunts. 

“Fuck, I hate you,” you sneer. 

“You love me and I know for a fact, you don’t have a chance of seeing the beach if you don’t come so...” 

You take a breath and peer over as your neighbour swings the door open once more. He’s entirely undistracted as he lifts another box. Your stomach swims with nerves. You can flirt; it’s that next thing you never got the hang over. But so far, he’s not even flirting. 

“Guaranteed?” You arch a brow in her direction. 

“Promise. It’ll give you something to talk about.” She cranes to watch, “you better hope his dick still works.” 

[amiableness]

Remus Lupin x Fem!Reader ☼ 659 words

"Y/N, love, what should we name him?" James asks curiously from his seat beside you.

For the past twenty minutes, you've been nestled on the couch between James and Remus, completely engrossed in the romance novel cradled in your hands. The story is reaching a pivotal moment, and your anticipation grows as the main characters edge closer to acknowledging their long-held feelings for each other.

James's right arm rests comfortably behind your shoulders, a reassuring presence, while Remus quietly turns the pages of his own book, the room enveloped in a serene hush. Despite the delay of Sirius and Peter, you hope they'll at least allow you to savor this crucial juncture in your literary escape.

"Name what—" you begin, turning to look at James curiously. But a sharp shriek escapes your lips as you spot a fairly giant spider crawling across his left hand. Your book slips from your fingers, forgotten, as adrenaline kicks in. 

In pure desperation, you scramble across the couch towards Remus, your movements quick and almost frantic. With adrenaline coursing through your veins, you find yourself in his lap, straddling his thighs. Remus, caught off guard, drops his book with a soft thud, his arms reacting instinctively to encircle you. His solid and reassuring arms pull you close against his chest, your own chest pressing firmly against his sturdy torso while you loop your arms around his neck for added security.

You watch James with wide eyes and parted lips, a sense of panic creeping in as he flashes you a teasing grin. You know he's about to tease you— it's inevitable.

“You don’t want to hold him? I can just plop him right-” James extends his left arm towards you, his tone teasing. 

Your reaction is immediate—a gasp that turns heads in the room, “Don’t you fucking dare!” You cling to Remus all the more, your fear palpable as you avoid any closer contact with the unwelcome intruder.

You and James both know there isn’t much of a threat behind your words. It’s hard to come across as intimidating when you’re buried in Remus's arms, seeking refuge from James's teasing.

"You can't keep running to Remus every time you have a problem." James teasingly huffs out, recalling the countless times Remus has scolded him for teasing you.

"Yes, she can." Remus asserts firmly, his voice carrying a hint of protectiveness.

"I promise he won’t bite." James continues, carefully adjusting his hands, one in front of the other, to let the spider crawl freely.

"Mate, leave it alone." Remus grumbles, adjusting your position so you nestle closer into him. Your cheek finds a comfortable spot on Remus’s shoulder. You consider giving James a defiant glare, but then remember he could easily toss the insect in your direction.

"I’m just teasing her. She knows I’m just messing around." James protests.

“James, leave her the fuck alone." Remus snaps sharply. James quickly complies, dropping his hand towards the floor and shaking off the spider. You watch with tense shoulders as the arachnid scurries off towards a dark corner. James glances nervously at Remus, guilt prickling in his stomach as he meets Remus's searing glare.

He knows better than to push Remus when he’s agitated, especially when it involves the girl he's so desperately into.

Several minutes passed in silence before James broke it.

"The spider's gone, love. You can get off his lap now. I'm sure Remus wants to go back to reading his book alone." He teases with a mischievous glint in his eyes, throwing a playful jab your way as he eyes how content you look being held by Remus.

"If Remus doesn't mind, I think I'll stay right where I am." You retort with a hint of defiance, glancing at Remus for confirmation. He responds by pulling you closer, his arm wrapping protectively around you, and giving James a pointed stare that silently asserts your decision to stay put.

That settled that.

[rabotimagines]

"Thief" GN BOT Reader x Sunstreaker, Skyfire, Bumblebee, Hound, Ratchet [Yandere/Obsessed] Scenario

Summary: He steals your cleaning cloth and finds himself unable to resist the perverted thought that immediately pops into his helm.

Warnings: Obsessed/Yandere bots. Smut MDNI🔞

G1 characters: Sunstreaker, Skyfire, Bumblebee, Hound, Ratchet

Genre/Theme: Smut 🔞

Notes: AutoBOT reader, The autobots jerking it perverted style, (I wanted to do some of the cons too but this got kinda long...)

Pronouns: You, you, your

You're in one of the lounge areas on the Ark and Sunstreakers watching you get the excess dirt off of yourself(excess to Sunstreaker anyway). Digits making sure to get in between the grooves of your junctures while Sunstreakers telling you how you need to polish after that. And Trailbreaker comes by and pulls you away which Sunstreaker really wants to bite out something for it but you seem like you actually want to go with Trailbreaker, so he instead bites his glossia. But you also leave your cleaning cloth on the table, apparently having forgotten to sub space it before leaving him. Sunstreaker doesn't exactly think he just reaches over and shoves it in his subspace as soon as it touches his servo. Next thing he knows Sunstreakers back at his habsuite, alone thankfully (Sideswipe having been on patrol) sitting on his berth and staring at your cleaning cloth.

Sunstreaker knows he's... captivated with you. But he's also never felt like this with anyone before, so he had to concede you were everything he'd thought of you. That you were worth a bit more than whatever you were in the autobots. That with no doubt for himself to be so- focused on you that you were more than extraordinary to be on the end of Sunstreakers affections in the first place. Problem was Sunstreaker was used to bots failing over themselves for a chance with him and he has no idea how to have you do that too. So instead Sunstreaker has taken to sharing his polish with you. (He wants you as shiny as you can be.) And Sunstreaker has the high quality stuff and he doesn't exactly share with other bots (especially not his polish!) Which if you're not too concerned with your shine then it might lead to Sunstreaker polishing you himself. (Even if you aren't too up to that either which can maybe led to friction but hey, who are you to say no to a free touch up you aren't lifting a digit to do yourself? You should be grateful. Especially when it's him.) Which has worked a touch since you aren't as standoffish as when Sunstreaker starting talking to you. But you still weren't close enough. Especially not close enough to satisfy the near constant burning ache in his frame.

Sunstreaker lifts the cloth up to his faceplate and he slowly inhales. Instead of the strong smell of acetone that he'd expected there's just the slight neutral smell of oil. More importantly Sunstreaker also smells you- And he's suddenly thankful you hadn't listened to him when he said you should have polished yourself earlier. Sunstreakers abruptly burying his faceplate into the cloth and his spike starts throbbing against his modesty panel at his next inhale. Sunstreaker lets his panel pull back and he's fisting his spike as soon as it pressurizes. Every greedy huff of your scent has his helm feeling hotter and hotter- and his spike twitching harder in his own servo. He remembers your frame under his digits barely separated from him by a cleaning cloth. Sunstreaker imagines you under him, frame leaning into his touch as his servos fan over your plating. Sunstreaker opens his mouth and bites down on the fabric in his grip and Sunstreaker tastes you- Sunstreaker overloads with a muffled groan while fragging his own fist in quick strokes. Sunstreaker is huffing in vents from how hard he overloaded and he's taking in the absolute mess he'd just made with his transfluid.

Sunstreaker may have an obvious preference for you with a shining frame but if you let him mess your paint up like this? Sunstreaker didn't know if he'd let you even glance at a cleaning cloth afterwards.

-

Skyfire is asking you your opinion of a human activity. You did know a touch more than Skyfire having been acquainted with human culture longer than Skyfire had been around on earth for. Skyfire does value your input, he really does. (He also really values the time he can spend with you, and your optics focused on him, and your voice-). You're busy at the moment but you still find the time to step on the side to talk with Skyfire (and Skyfire tries to ignore how his wings perk high and how badly his chassis aches for him to reach out to touch you when you make the effort-) You're about to go back out on patrol and you're using a cleaning cloth to get some dirt off of your chassis. Skyfires optics are immediately drawn to the swipe of your servo and he finds himself zeroing in on watching your digits dip into the seams of your armor. And Skyfire feels like a pervert! Thankfully Skyfire is well adjusted enough to know how to hide mild embarrassment. So he shutters his optics closed and smiles to hide the brighter hue his optics have while you continue talking. Then Tracks is telling you to "Get off your aft or he's leaving you here!" before he transforms and starts heading out. You jolt in surprise before tossing your cleaning cloth at Skyfire without thought which you immediately realize you'd done and apologize. Skyfire smiles watching you scramble before you ask Skyfire to take care of it for you. Then you rush to transform and to catch up to Tracks.

Skyfire ends up back at his habsuite on his berth staring at the cloth you'd accidentally given him in the moment. And Skyfires optics brighten when he even considers doing- that of all things. Being stuck vorns under the ice must have done something to Skyfire. Because Skyfire has struggled to keep his thoughts in check as soon as he met you and it didn't seem to be improving any. His spark thrumming hard in need whenever he got close to you but if he got too far away all he could think about was you- You had an ever present place in his processor even when he was doing scientific work. He's crushed before yes, but this was- it was so much more... all-en composing. It was like you had somehow worked your way under every part of his frame from his struts to his very spark. And it frankly scared Skyfire a touch. Especially when you weren't even that close with one another for Skyfire to be feeling this strongly.

But with most things involving you Skyfire finds he can't help indulging into the ache for more even if he's disappointed with himself. Skyfire lets himself bring the cloth up to his olfactory and inhale tentatively. Skyfires optics brighten hard when he smells you so clearly. Skyfire inhales deeper and his array quickly kick starts into action with every continued huff he takes. Skyfires other servo palms down his frame before sliding down his still closed array. Skyfire doesn't let his modesty panel pull back. Instead Skyfire rubs over his rapidly heating panel and bucks into his own teasing servo. Stars- he could imagine this was you instead. Every desperate huff against your cloth has his own servo pressing down harder, as Skyfire rocks his hips against his own touch. Skyfires array aches, his spike was throbbing and his valve was soaking his own panel in pre lubricant. Would you tease him with your words if this was you? Would you praise him? Or would you scold him for being so- so perverted? Skyfires digit pads dig against his own panel and he overloads at the image of you in between his thighs. Skyfire has to bite back his own whine when he huffs another inhale of your scent in. His own array was sticky serving as a clear reminder of how he couldn't control himself.

Skyfire really hoped you wouldn't think any less of him for his own weakness. Even if that weakness was you.

-

Bumblebee is telling you about Cliffjumper tripping after trying to start slag with Mirage in the cafeteria. Delighting in how a small smirk curls at your derma and how your field while close to yourself is barely brushing against his own. Open but friendly, close to be polite but not closer than you'd typically share with acquaintances. You had been near when Wheeljack tried to unveil an invention. Which ended up exploding. Not a big explosion thankfully but the front of your chassis had been covered in smog. You're basically clean now (after having used three or so cloths to wipe the mess off) and you're thankfully just wiping for any stray streaks you may have missed with a new cloth. Wheeljack ends up swinging by, asking if you'll come explain what you saw happen from your angle. And you get up and say bye to him only Bumblebee offers to drop your dirty cleaning cloths off for you since he's heading that way anyway. You thank him and hand him the mildly to very dirty cleaning cloths and disappear with Wheeljack.

Bumblebee had actually dropped the dirty cleaning clothes off before heading to his habsuite. Well- he dumped them all off... except for one. Bumblee kept the last one you had used at the end of your conversation with him. You were basically clean, mostly running the cloth along your frame for certainty, and to maybe even draw Bumblebees optics- Okay no, you hadn't done that for him. Bumblebee knew he was um- he was crushing. And he was crushing badly for you. He's genuinely never fallen so hard for someone before like this and it makes him feel pretty stupid whenever he interacts with you. You didn't seem to think he was too weird for his own occasional bashfulness (Thank Primus for that at least). But still- You weren't even exactly friends. Even with Bumblebee really wanting to ask you out- ( Wanting to kiss you, wanting to touch you, wanting to feel you-) But he knew he should definitely get to be your friend first. But the ache for you was bad- Like distractedly bad in Bumblebees frame. This would just be a- compromise for the ache in his frame. That's all it would be.

Bumblebee takes a long look at your cleaning cloth before sighing and letting himself fall back flat on his own berth. Bumblebee shoves the cloth over his olfactory and inhales slowly. Oh slag yeah- so that's what you smell like. Arousal swims in his frame fast and Bumblebee doesn't try to stop it. Bumblebees processor imagines if you were actually here, on top of him- and its so easy to do with your scent in his senses. Bumblebees modesty panel snaps aside and he shoves the cloth over his own faceplate- It wasn't like he needed his visuals right now especially when he could offline them and use his imagination. Bumblebees servos reach down for his already worked up array. Bumblebees jerking his spike off with one servo with his other teasing his own valve. Bumblebee almost chokes on his next inhale when he gets the filthy imagery of you sitting on his faceplate. (You could be a triple charger even- It does not matter Bumblebee needs you to smother him!). Grinding your array down on his olfactory while your bending over to play with Bumblebees own array. Bumblebees stuck wondering if you'd pay more attention to his spike or his valve- his servos both alternating between his equipment fantasizing about both scenarios. Bumblebee arches hard off his berth when his overload rocks through his frame. Bumblebee waits till he's come down from it competently before he reaches up and slowly drags your cleaning cloth off his faceplate.

Bumblebee really hoped you'd be okay at least being his friend soon. Bumblebee didn't know how many more compromises he could actually make about you.

-

You're on patrol with Hound and it starts raining, it also doesn't stop till patrol ends. Now you're both back at the Ark toweling the water and the little bit of mud off of yourselves. Hounds talking about the family of deer he'd scared off when he drove by. You're nodding along and just listening to him, having grabbed another cleaning cloth and are now working in between your junctures and the dips of your frames kibble. Hound wants to smack himself in the middle of his chassis with his fist when his engine stutters when he watches your servo dip between your inner thighs. You're completely unaware of Hounds sudden stutter and just continue to nod, optics focused on your own task of getting the water out of your thigh junctures. Hound keeps talking even when his optics and most of his processor power are now focusing on your servos dragging the cloth along your frame. Brawn calling out your designation makes Hound jump and you both turn to Brawn who Immediately interrupted Hounds rambling. Your about to go off with Brawn when Hound stops you and he quickly gathers all the cloths you'd both toweled off with. Hound wordlessly holds the pile out and waits for you to drop the last cloth in his servo before waving you goodbye with his free servo.

Hounds back at his Habsuite basically staring a hole in the floor because why did he take it-? Hound unsubspaces the last cleaning cloth you'd had- He dropped the others off but he just picked this one up and subspaced it before he could tell himself "No! Bad Hound! Drop it!" And now Hound was here. Staring down at the cloth you'd been using now in his servos. Hound knew he was practically a wreak about you- he was enamored with you. With your faceplate, your optics, your frame, your field- Hound felt like a starved mech and no matter how much he experienced of you he was never satisfied. You weren't close enough as Hound wanted especially. You were acquaintances- and you'd give him polite expressions and your presence next to him, and your time- But it wasn't nearly enough for how badly Hound wanted. Hound wanted to kiss you, to hold you, to- Hound can feel heat starting to gather in his array and Hound tears his gaze away from your cleaning cloth. This was so wrong- This was so wrong- But you didn't need to know. You didn't need to know- With that Hounds little bit of resolve crumbles and he shoves his olfactory right into your cleaning cloth. Hound inhales deeply and his plating fluffs up and his digits curl tighter around the cloth. Primus, you smell fantastic- Hound's Spike is begging to be released before long.

Hound's inner thighs end up slick when his valve practically gushes pre lubricant as soon as his panels pulled back. Hound bites his bottom derma and has to bury the urge to whine when his spike throbs in the open air on his next inhale. Oh, there was something seriously wrong with him! But Hound doesn't think he can stop now- Especially when he's already started and now knows how good it is! Hound climbs onto his berth and drops down on his hips and gauntlets and starts rutting down against his own berth. Hound feels absolutely light helmed on his next inhale- imaging he was rutting against you instead. Hound slowly drags his hips across his berth imaging if he was dragging his length along your own throbbing spike. Hound rocks harder and harder and imaging you calling out for him and Hound does end up whining this time. Hound shutters his optics closed tight and his next greedy inhale has him groaning deep and overloading. Hound whimpers against the cloth when he jerks his hips slowly in the afterglow of his own overload. Pressing his already spent spike against his berth again. Every huff out of him to try and catch his vents lends him yet another huff of you and Hounds slightly shaking when the full effects of it finally settles down.

Hound can not look you in the optics for a few solar cycles. Especially not when the optic contact makes his array throb under his panels.

-

Ratchets looking you over for serious internal damage because your dumbaft got into a scuffle with Slag of all bots. (You got into a fight with a dinobot! And it had to be Slag?!) Ratchets muttering profanities the entire time his servos are running over your frame to check for anything serious. You cut through his assessment to ask him why he didn't just scan you instead of feeling you up? Ratchet stops immediately and his optics brighten in anger and indignation. Ratchets yanking his servos off of you and snaps- he lays into you for being a dumbaft and wrestling with their most hostle dinobot- Because what were you thinking!? He doesn't stop till he's thoroughly chewed you out before pulling a cleaning cloth out and dropping it in your lap. You were thankfully okay, only scratched and a bit dirty. So Ratchet tells you to wipe up and leave. Ratchet waits till you start scrubbing it on your chassis before he goes to help Ironhide with his knee joint, muttering the whole time as well. After Ironhide leaves Ratchet sighs and starts cleaning the med bay a touch. Only he finds the cleaning cloth you'd used sitting where you had been, haphazardly discarded. Ratchets optic brow twitches in annoyance. Ratchet picks up the cloth and sub spaces it so he can focus on doing what actually needed to be done.

Rachet sits down in his chair with a deep sigh, he had retired for the night, and he finds himself thinking of you again. Ratchet remembers the scratches on your frame, and he scowls, thinking he hadn't ripped into you enough for your little stunt. Then the memory of his servos trailing along your frame hits him, and Rachet freezes. Rachet scrubs his servo over his faceplate because you had been completely right- He should have done a frame scan. Instead, Ratchet had jumped directly into a servos on approach and began- almost accidentally fondling you- Primus. Ratchet might need to step back and assign Hoist to do anything for you that didn't require his expertise. Whatever this was was steadily becoming dangerous. "This" being his sudden and sickeningly smitten infatuation he'd developed for you. Ratchet was too old for this- for how you made him feel. The continued urge to see more of you, always accompanied by the deep ache for even more. More than Ratchet would ever allow himself to think about for more than a nanoklick before smelting the thought into ash. Ratchets optics brightened when he involuntarily recalls almost being in between your thighs, his servos fanning along your frame- Ratchets array trying to begin a charge makes him scrub over his facplate again.

Ratchet pulls out that one cleaning cloth he'd handed you in the infirmary from his subspace. He'd forgotten to discard it because he was so frustrated at the time...

Slag it all, Ratchet needed to get this sick fantasy out of his helm before he snapped and did a bit more than accidentally fondle you. Ratchet brings the cleaning cloth up to his olfactory and inhales leisurely. The groan that sounds out of Ratchet almost surprises himself. But Primus below, just the scent of you should not be making Rachets array this pent up this quickly. Ratchet curses under his vents and lets his modesty panel pull back. His servo wraps around his spike and he's dragging slow and steady pumps down his length. Ratchet huffed in a deeper vent of your scent and he's struck by the imagery of you pressed up against him, in his lap, taking his spike. Ratchets engine revs before his servo starts stroking faster. Ratchet should teach you a lesson for being so stupid and getting into that fight with Slag- Ratchet inhaled deep while imagining bucking up into your valve while you scratched the paint off of Ratchets pauldrons. Ratchet could frag you so hard you could only apologize for it- And Ratchet wouldn't stop till he was sure you'd learned your lesson- Ratchet grits his jaw and overloads so hard his siren turns on for half a nanoklick. Ratchet abruptly silences it, but he's left cursing under his vents over it even happening while his overloads shakes through him.

... Ratchet was going to have to message Hoist about Ratchets new distance regarding you. Ratchet didn't think he'd be able to stop at fondling if he got that close to you again.

[dumbfucksystem]

so im procrastinating on my work by thinking about scum villain, as one does, and i can't help but think of how much peerless cucumber's internet behavior is fanon. cause iirc, the only perspectives we get of his online behavior is from 1) the unreliable narrator himself (just because he rants about airplane in his head doesn't mean that he actually commented everything that he thought verbatim. remember that this guy is a millennial. i could be wrong about this though, i just dont think he was as crazy as he makes himself out to be), 2) airplane shooting towards the sky. which most of the vitriol we saw between them was from airplane's reaction to his comment, and 3) the actual comments that peerless cucumber made. which actually seem pretty chill and not saying stuff like "this is the most garbage piece of writing i have ever laid my eyes upon." especially because from what we have seen of the way sqq acts around people without the OOC limits, he is probably the kind of person who behaves same online as they do in person. unlike airplane- who canonically only has online friends- who does the opposite (behaves the same in person as he does online).

but anyways. the point that I'm trying to make here is that i think most of us have forgotten which character has the most potential to be a troll online: shen jiu.

[lannistertwinz]

I was going through the notes I took the last time I reread Cersei’s chapters in A Feast for Crows, and this parallel between Cersei’s first and last chapter stood out to me as especially interesting:

She followed them back inside and watched as they bundled the girl up in her father’s bloody blankets. Shae, her name was Shae. - A Feast For Crows, Cersei I

"I had the Blue Bard delivered to the High Septon, as Your Grace commanded. He is here now, somewhere down below us. My whisperers tell me that they are whipping him, but so far he is still singing the same sweet song we taught him.” The same sweet song. Her wits were dull for want of sleep. Wat, his real name is Wat. - A Feast For Crows, Cersei X

These lines are easy to overlook, but I think they add a subtle touch of humanity to the character. Not in the sense that Cersei is weighed down by guilt over how she used and discarded these people — Shae, through false promises of wealth in exchange for her testimony against Tyrion; Wat, through the torture she ordered to extract a false confession against Margaery — but in the sense that, in those moments, she does register them as real individuals. Almost intrusively so — which is likely why George set those lines in italics.

The idea of naming as a form of recognition — of seeing someone beyond their reputation, outward image, or social role — is a recurring theme in the series, most notably in the dynamic between Jaime and Brienne. In that light, these passages with Cersei feel like part of the same thread: an acknowledgment of personhood.

Which, again, seems deliberate, as George also shows Cersei willfully denying said personhood to characters she vilifies — precisely through her refusal to speak their names, replacing them with something derogatory instead:

"Allow me a moment to dress. Ser Osmund, you shall accompany me to the Tower of the Hand. Ser Boros, roust the gaolers and make certain the dwarf is still in his cell." She would not say his name. - A Feast For Crows, Cersei I

"Your Grace has forgotten the Lady Sansa," said Pycelle. The queen bristled. "I most certainly have not forgotten that little she-wolf." She refused to say the girl's name. - A Feast For Crows, Cersei IV

[necer0s]

One of the things that’s fascinating about Superboy to me as a shameless powerscaler is that he’s like. Right on the edge of being too powerful. There’s a line between characters that can be active heroes and beings that are so powerful as to basically be gods, who have to be shuffled off to their own corners of canon and only show up for really big cosmic threats so as to not break the plausibility of the setting. Superman stays out of Gotham, Silver Surfer stays out in space, Jean Gray dies if she goes full Phoenix. Kon should be in that category, but no one at DC pays enough attention to him to realize it.

Can you imagine? A character who is basically Jean Gray and Superman combined, but no one ever thinks about it because he wears silly shades and a leather jacket and his telekinesis has a minor range limitation that he’s outgrowing. If you seriously introduced a character like that, the idea of them being an oft-ignored minor character would be laughable.

And yet, somehow Kon sneaks in under the radar! At least part of it is the Kryptonian powerset, obviously. Between the various members of the Superfam and the many copies and parodies across different settings, we get used to treating all those very powerful abilities as one thing, so it doesn’t feel like as big a deal to add all of them onto one other power, especially when Tactile Telekinesis is often forgotten or underused by writers who can’t manage inventive power use.

But what it all adds up to is one of the most powerful characters in DC canon, with a huge amount of room to grow, being consistently treated as a minor sidekick. It’s truly wild.

[ayamari-no-goshi]

I’d like to clear up some common misconceptions about the Attack on Titan Tower, aka when Jason infiltrated it to attack Tim

If you want to read this for yourself, here are some links: readallcomics - I have the best luck with this site on destop zipcomic readcomicsonline - this site can be temperamental

1) Jason did not go there to attempt to kill Tim

Jason seems to have 3 separate goals for this: - size up the new kid. - make sure he knows Bruce just sees him as another soldier - prove to Tim just how dangerous the job is (heavily implied, in my opinion, especially after Tim tried telling Jason he was wrong about how Bruce saw him) He also voiced his anger over being forgotten by everyone. Depending on your interpretation of Jason and his character, this could also be a reason. To me, this feels more like an afterthought because they moved to the Hall of Fallen Heroes before he said this, and Jason likes to be dramatic.

Side note on this. Jason never says anything about being replaced.

2) none of Tim’s injuries were life threatening

Once again, Jason was not attempting to kill him. He beat him up pretty badly, but it was designed to prove a point

3) Jason did NOT cut Tim’s throat.

That happened during Hush which predates both Under the Red Hood and Titan’s Tower. Jason was pretending to be Hush, put a knife to Tim’s throat, and put enough pressure to make him bleed (it was not an actual slice) to get Bruce to react to him. That injury was not life threatening either

Edit: I’ve seen some comments about the ‘not life threatening’ statement. Yes, it needed stitches, but it wasn’t spurting blood, therefore not life threatening. Just because you’re bleeding from a neck injury, it doesn’t mean you’re at an immediate risk of dying (spoken from experience). It’s if the carotid artery or jugular vein are cut that it’s a problem, and you’ll know if that happens because of SO MUCH BLOOD. You will bleed out within minutes.

The way it’s portrayed, it’s not a life threatening injury

4) Jason developed a respect and a bit of envy for Tim after fighting him

At the end of the issue while he’s leaving (while outside the tower), Jason acknowledges Tim’s skill. Jason also wonders if he could have had a life more similar to his, where he had friends and a better support system, if he could have had a different life.

5) Tim was NOT a damsel in distress during the fight, and he did NOT develop a fear of Jason.

Tim was making quips and dissing Jason the entire fight. Tim was not afraid of him nor did he bat an eye at being attacked by Jason. He also vocalized just how much he had to work for his cape because of how Jason's death affected Bruce

Also, the next time Tim saw Jason after this, he made sure to kick Jason in the groin

6) Jason wrote "Jason Todd was here" and signed it with a hand print on the wall.

It looks like it could be in blood, but Tim's not injured enough for there to be that much... and blood darkens after a while. There's a bit of time between Tim getting knocked out and the rest of the Titans finding him and the writing so it's probably paint. Again, Jason likes to be dramatic

7) more Robin!Jason slander by Raven

Once again, we get the mention that Jason was "aggressive". I swear, this is the only thing writers remember from Death in the Family and not the point that that behavior was out of the ordinary for Jason. This is a personal pet peeve of mine in the comics.

8) almost forgot to add the most important part, Jason made a homemade Robin costume and wore it under his Red Hood outfit because he could

Again, Jason is a dramatic bitch.