#I TAP A BUTTON TO STOP GLIDING I TAP THE SAME BUTTON TO RESUME

[moon-lixie]

word count: 2.242k

song: Too Fast - Sonder

cw: Explicit sexual content, dom Chan, edging, oral sex (f receiving), fingering, protected sex, and creampie. There's also a bit of angst in there.

Useless, numb, and mediocre. You were now the things that you had feared the most, nothing but a piling clump of failures. It was hopeless to try to convince you otherwise, because that's all that you saw reflected in the mirror.

You felt nothing but sheer hatred towards the product of a lifetime. You had lived so long and yet this was the best you could do, perform poorly at everything that you meant to be good at.

You hated pitying yourself and being pitied but it almost looked like that was the only thing that you wished for now. Hands giving up even on begging for the slightest crumb of attention.

But you still tried, because if you were to beg then he would surely comply. His will would melt under your pathetic pleads, restrain dissipating into thin air, reluctancy being washed away by the thought of helping someone else.

He was the purest man alive, only when it came to his intentions. Always willing to try and fix the broken and stay by the side of pitiful souls.

But he was completely foolish sometimes, because some people had no repair and he never understood that.

"Are you sure?" He was reluctant but he would never explicitly say so out loud, that could possibly hurt you and he would never risk making you feel bad.

You nodded slightly annoyed that he kept asking over and over again if you were sure of this. His question was valid, you were intoxicated on failure and despair, so perhaps it wasn't the best option to take impulsive decisions. But you were laying already on his bed so you had no desire to back away now.

A soft sigh managed to reach your ears as a mere miracle, that's how meek it had been while coming out of his mouth. Following the puff that meant to release tension, he smiled at you. It was the sweetest smile you had seen in your whole life, it most surely belonged to an angel.

His hands wavered just like the wind; that's what you liked the most about him, he had the nerve of being shy after all. But then his hesitation would evaporate a second later, like the fake confidence that you allowed yourself to have often.

First he just caressed the side of your torso, slowly and taunting, knowing fully well that he drove you to the edge with the slightest graze of the tip of his fingers.

Lips were fast to follow his eager hands, crashing against yours hungrily. Whatever doubts he had a couple of minutes ago were now long gone. It was obvious on the way he moved his lips hastily against yours.

This is what you needed, so much attention that you couldn't even think about anything else.

He nibbled on your lower lip, softly at first but it became harsher as seconds passed by. A hiss escaped your lips when he bit down especially hard, he chuckled lightly at such a sound making its way up your throat before allowing his tongue to glide over your lower lip to soothe the stinging sensation.

With him you didn't have to feel so scared, he would take care of you no matter what. So you finally tangled your fingers on his soft locks, because he made you feel like it was okay to melt into his touch. If you did then he would still stay by your side and that was enough for now.

Despite having made several breaks in the connection of your mouths, to try and get some air, he still didn't leave the softness of your lips. The only difference was that now he eagerly let his tongue explore inside the cavern of your mouth.

Veiny hands pressed down on your torso as if it was possible to sink the mattress more under your weights. Then his fingers finally grabbed your waist firmly to stop you from moving, but it's not like you were planning to do such a thing.

You like the pressure of his grip, it reminds you that you're in fact there, alive and breathing the same air as him. You like even more the way in which he finds the way to rest his knee against the mattress in the small gap that your slightly parted legs allow him to.

When his mouth finally leaves yours for good you whimper shamelessly, wishing for him to be well aware of the displeasure his actions provoked in you. He chuckled once again, amused by how needy you could become. "Don't worry, baby. We're obviously not finished yet."

Cushions of flesh made their way along your jaw and the skin of your neck with kisses that feel so present yet quick and faint. Your hands fall limp on both of your sides as you try to relish in his warmth. He was your last anchor to life and right now the only one that you needed.

"You're boring me." You had the nerve to say when your agitated breath completely said otherwise. He knew better than to take your words literally so he slipped both of his hands under your shirt and explored the texture of your familiar skin eagerly.

He made you sit on the bed before tugging at the hem of your shirt. You complied and raised your arms so that he could get rid of the thin layer of fabric that hid you from his sight.

He unclasped your bra before tossing it aside and pushing you back towards the mattress. His mouth soon rested atop of your breast, sucking and biting hard enough for you to squirm under his touch but gentle enough not to hurt you.

After a couple of seconds he looked up at your closed eyes and smugly smiled. "I guess I'm not boring you anymore. Or are you still not entertained enough?"

"More." You lightly whispered under your breath. Immediately he dived back in to resume his previous activities while caressing your torso with his hands.

The pads of his fingers were soft and warm, just like the chocolate tone of his eyes. But his intentions were as burning as fire itself.

You would rarely allow him to help you, always closing yourself to the possibility of voicing your worries out loud. And that pained him; it completely broke him to watch you struggle on your own while he sat by your side. The only moment in which you were fully vulnerable were moments like these, in which you were literally bare under his eyes. So he always made the most of them, always gave his complete self into pleasing you.

Every time that he had the chance to have you this close he would claim you as his. Leaving purple and red proofs that he had been there, close to your heart even if just for a second.

He bit down harshly on your collarbone causing your nails to dig on his pristine white back. It hurt but it was better than feeling nothing at all, better than being on an amazingly boring loop of absolutely nothing.

His back hurt too, but he loved the kind of pain that edged him more into pleasure. The pain that you brought him was always the best he had ever experienced.

His teeth sunk into your skin various times more before he felt satisfied with his piece of art. He moved away from you to catch his breath and admire the purple and red combination of his neediness on your skin. It was perfect, just like you were in his eyes, but he knew that convincing you of that was perhaps impossible. That still didn't persuade him from trying to make you believe it.

"You're perfect." His thumb caressed your cheek with the same amount of affection that his eyes held while looking at you. And it felt too burdening, because you could never deserve him and all the love he had to offer.

"Ruin me, please." Ruin me until I have no tears left to cry, until my worries dissolve in between your thrusts, until I forget all of my problems. That's what you really meant to say, but luckily for you, the three words you mustered to pronounce were enough for him to understand exactly what you wished for.

"Your wish is my command, princess." It had been enough playing around already, his fingers finally found themselves at the height of your waistband. The button of your jeans presented no resistance against his complying fingers and soon you were completely raw in front of him.

Black fabric abandoned his torso before he lowered himself on the bed. His face ended up facing your inner thigh, the perfect excuse to kiss away at the skin of that area.

His lips were swollen and warm like flames, causing his kisses to be the responsible for the soft tremble of your knees.

With a swift movement he made room for him to lower himself onto your heat. It took a single puff of air for you to relax fully against the fluffiness of his bed.

You spared one last glance at him before closing your eyes and what you saw was a satisfied smile on his lips. It was nothing like the heartwarming smile that he had given you before, this one made you shudder in anticipation.

One kiss at the sensitive bud of nerves and you were sighing in satisfaction. That’s all he needed to continue joyfully sucking at the sensitive bud and slipping one digit at your drenched core.

He fingered you at a steady pace before he retreated his face away from your core. He slipped another digit and his fingers kept going steadily while his lips found its way to rest against your cheek.

You were biting down on your lip to stop yourself from making any noises. He started kissing your cheek adorably, making an obvious contrast between his lips and the sinful thrusting of his fingers.

“Please, make a sound for me.” The words floated on the room in between soft and tender kisses. And instead of complying to his plea you bit down on your lip with more force. “Please princess, do it for me.”

It seemed like he wasn’t the only one whose will dissolved in between pleads because you were soon reaching your high loudly, and his chest filled with pride at your sinful moans.

Eyes closed and head resting comfortably against his pillow, you attempted to catch your breath. Meanwhile he unbuckled his pants and discarded his undergarments; you knew too well that you were barely getting started. With him it always proved to be all or nothing, he wouldn’t stop until he was sure he had fully ruined you.

He tapped twice against your waist with his index finger and you quickly moved to rest against your knees and hands. You knew him, exactly what he liked and what he would never be willing to try just like he was well aware of how to make you scream. It was laughable to a certain degree; he knew of your deepest and most obscure desires and yet you wouldn’t allow him to take a glimpse inside your head, too afraid that he would end up seeing you in the same way you did.

Kisses were littered on your back as he opened a silver package and slipped a condom over his length before slowly pushing himself inside you. Once you had adjusted to his size he started pushing himself in and out at a pace that you could only call pleasing. Soon picking up his pace and not allowing your still sensitive core much room to last for long; you felt your high approaching and you whimpered loudly at the feeling of a knot tightening on your lower abdomen.

The loud and high pitched sound that slipped from your lips were the sign he needed to stop his hips abruptly and deprive you from the blissful feeling that was going to wash over you in a matter of seconds.

Before you had the time to comply he started moving again, slowly, one thrust at a time. Breathy moans were stolen from your mouth by the angle of his movements that allowed him to hit the perfect spot that made stars litter beautifully behind your lids.

He kept the slow pace for a while before moving rapidly without a warning; whimpers got stuck in your throat. Once again he suddenly stopped but this time you weren’t having it anymore. You tried to move to face him as you complained but his hands firmly held you in place.

“Don’t be so impatient.” He said almost mockingly before thrusting inside of you with force, just once. “If you wait then I’ll give you what you want.”

He was surely enjoying himself and you couldn’t deny feeling exactly the same. It would be futile and useless to deny the fact that just a simple glimpse at his torso could suffice to turn you on; when he touched you, you managed to make your way up to the clouds.

When he got impatient of waiting and teasing, he started thrusting in and out of you, going back to the perfect and somewhat relaxed pace from the start. The speed of his movements increased little by little, the knot in your lower abdomen making its presence noticeable more and more as he kept going.

Once he reached a pace that caused the mattress to rock along with your bodies, you knew you were done for. It wasn’t long before another wave of overwhelming pleasure washed over you, but this one made your legs and arms tremble as the pleasures came back every time you tried to close your eyes.

His thrusting became sloppier when you tightened around him and his pleasure was let loose not long after you had finished.

As you laid in bed trying to come back to your senses a couple of tears started rolling down your temples. After a couple of seconds it wasn’t a couple of droplets but a whole storm of emotions that didn’t allow you to live in peace.

You hadn’t forgotten your problems but at least you could finally cry with freedom. You could finally feel everything escape your eyes and tears while he held you close.

A soft kiss on top of your head and arms securely holding you close to a warmth you were too familiar with. That’s how you ended up.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

summertime sadness .4.

tgif

Sequel to kiss me in the d-a-r-k

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (masterlist under construction)

Warnings: dub con sex (oral)

This is dark!(dad)Steve and dark(professor!)Bucky explicit. 18+ only. I know they aren’t super dark, but like questionable so I’m keeping those tags just to be safe.

Summary: You settle into your new job but can’t get too comfortable.

Note: Okey, dokey. Here’s the fun part (for me at least). Still tryna figure out how exactly this one will pan out by part 6 but we’re all having a ride together, eh. Thanks everyone for their support and I love you all! 💋

<3 Let me know what you think in a reblog, reply, or like. I’m loving the feedback from y'all and the enthusiasm! Also as always, memes accepted.

💋💋💋

It had only been a few weeks since your last visit to the university but it felt longer as you walked onto campus. Just as planned, you were due to meet Bucky in his office. He texted you as you rode the subway. He was eager to start his ‘marking’. You smirked and wondered how long he’d last at that.

You entered the English Building, the elevator back in service and empty. Not many instructors were in their offices on a Saturday and most students were hungover or readying for another party. You knocked on Bucky’s door before you entered. He had a stack of essays on his desk as he sat behind them listlessly.

“Finally,” He said.

“I slept in.” You replied. “For the first time in a week.”

“Then you’ll have lots of energy,” He reached below his desk, the sound of his zipper discernible beneath it. “I’ve got about forty papers here.”

“Forty? And how many do you think you’ll get to?”

“Knowing that mouth, maybe one.” He snickered. “Come on, baby, I’m rock hard over here.”

He rolled his chair back as you neared and set your purse down behind his desk. He slapped your ass and you got to your knees. You grinned up at him as you ducked under his desk and gripped his thighs as he pushed closer. You pulled down his briefs and his cock sprung out. He groaned and grabbed his pen.

“Fuck,” He swore under his breath. “I can’t believe you’re actually doing this, baby.”

“You’ve got marking to do,” You reprimanded and stroked him. “Now get to work.”

You stretched your lips over his tip and he groaned. He slid closer and you could hear the clumsy scratching of his pen on paper. As he reached the back of your throat, his leg twitched. You pushed past your gag reflex and he nearly choked. You pulled back and felt the shiver in him.

“Mmm,” He hummed and flipped a page. “Just like that.”

The sloppy sounds of your mouth added to the flutter above, the scribbles of ink. You bobbed your head steadily, every now and then forcing him to your limit and holding him there. And then you stopped as a knock came at the door. You both froze.

“Shit,” He pushed himself against the desk entirely and trapped you underneath it. The front shielded you from view on the other side. “Keep going.”

“Buck---”

“Slowly, quietly.” He grabbed his dick and slapped it against your lips. “Now.” He cleared his throat and shoved your head down as he glided into your mouth again. “Come in.” He called and the door opened.

Your eyes widened as he pulled his hand away. You carefully dragged your tongue along his length.

“Hey,” He greeted in a smooth tone. “Tanya.”

“Sorry to disturb,” His visitor replied. “I was just grabbing some stuff from my office and I just remembered I still had this.”

A thump sounded on the top of the desk as you slobbered down his cock.

“Thanks,” He said and squeezed his legs around you. “I almost forgot myself if I’m being honest.”

“I owe you one,” She said. You recognized her voice. She taught the other section of journalism, though you had her for a social movements class in your first year. “Maybe a drink. I could hang around til you finish with those.”

“Ah, you know, I wish I could,” He lamented. “But I promised a buddy I’d swing around to watch the game.”

You kept from gagging and held your breath, afraid to give yourself away.

“You don’t seem like the sports type,” She countered.

“Not really but a few beers and I am,” He dismissed her easily.

“You sure you’re not avoiding me?” Her toe tapped impatiently just on the other side of the desk.

“Avoiding you?” He chuckled. A slight quaver in his voice as you swirled your tongue around his tip. “Why would I be doing that?”

“Well… Ever since our little… you know…” She hesitated to say it aloud.

“I thought we agreed that it was just a little fun.” He said and you stopped suddenly. He nudged you with his toe and you wrapped your lips around him once more. “A drunken bit of fun.”

“Hmmm…” She sounded disappointed. “You free tomorrow?”

“Sorry, maybe next weekend,” He said. “But I really gotta finish here.”

“Okay, okay,” She accepted with a trill. “We’ll sort out a time then.”

“Sure,” He confirmed unconvincingly. “Next weekend. See ya.”

“Bye,” Her voice was cheerier as her heels clicked back across the floor and the door opened and closed once more.

You tried to pull away but he caught your head and held you down as he emptied himself down your throat. You choked and smacked at his thigh as he cupped his sac with his other hand. He left your mouth salty and sore as he slipped out and rolled back with a sigh.

You spit his cum into your hand and crawled out from under the desk. “What the fuck?”

“Sorry, I had to-- fuck, I almost came with her right there.” He grabbed a tissue and handed it to you.

“You could’ve warned me,” You wiped your hand off with a grimace. “What was that anyway? Did you fuck her?”

“Why? You jealous?” He cleaned himself up and zipped up his pants.

“No,” You rolled your eyes. “But I did just suck you off within two feet of her as she obviously wanted to do the same.”

He laughed and pushed his shoulders back. “It was months ago. Before… us. There was a conference, there was wine, and I regret it.” He sighed. “And she looks back on it fondly but… lots of teeth and she was stiff as a fucking board.”

“Wow,” You said dryly and wiped your mouth. “You know, I’m barely surprised.”

“This… thing between you and I, it’s not--”

“It’s just a bit of fun. Trust me, I get it. I haven’t got time for anything but.” You tossed the kleenex in the small bin beside his desk. “Right? That’s what it is?”

“So much fun,” He assured you. “You wanna hang around till I’m finished?”

“Thought you already were,” You jibed. His brow furrowed and you grinned. “Sure,” You pulled up a chair. “I got nothing better to do.”

“Well, don’t sound so excited,” He said. “Besides, I might need some more help sooner than later.”

💋

You scribbled along the margin of your agenda and dropped the pen. The keys clacked beneath your fingers as you typed up a manic sentence. Your screen glowed back at you as the seconds ticked by with each letter. So enthralled by your task that the speck in your peripheral gave you a start.

You leaned back and turned your chair to face the man watching you. Loki’s lithe fingers swept up your golden pen and he admired the engraved letters beneath the fluorescent light. You watched him nervously as you pushed yourself away from your keyboard.

“Mr. Laufeyson.” You greeted him meekly. “I am just finishing the blurb you wanted.”

“Hard at work, as always,” He mused as he carefully set the pen back on your desk. “A beautiful pen…”

“A gift,” You smiled awkwardly.

“Well, I hate to interrupt you so I will let you finished,” His fingers brushed along your desk and he leaned on it as he casually cross his right leg in front of the other. “But when you have, I would like a moment in my office before you leave for the day.”

“Of course,” You affirmed. “It shouldn’t be more than twenty minutes.”

“As you will,” He stood straight and smoothed his jacket and buttoned it. “Then you are free to enjoy your weekend.”

“Okay,” You nodded and he turned away. 

You watched him go, his strides long but lingering as he retreated to his office. The usual crowd had thinned out and Stacey was readying for her own departure. You spun back to your computer and resumed your work. Your second week down and not a stumble yet. You dared to be proud of yourself. Even, to be happy.

Another weekend ahead of you and you weren’t entirely excited. You liked being in the office; liked working with the other journalists, writers, and editors. Enjoyed your chance to shadow one of the most powerful men in New York publishing. And he had achieved it all at such a young age. You could only hope to achieve as much in the next fifteen years. 

It was more than a bullet point for your resume, it was your own paradise.

So you finished up your blurb and attached it to an email. You logged out and packed up your agenda and pen beside your laptop. You pushed your chair in as you hooked your bag over your shoulder and trod tentatively to Loki’s office. You knocked on the open door and he looked away from his screen.

“Ah, there you are,” He beckoned you in with a wave. “Close the door behind you, please.”

You glanced back into the main office and did as he said. You stepped inside and sat across from him, your bag set down against the leg of the chair. His green eyes focused on you and he tilted his head as he absently traced his fingers over his phone. You fidgeted as you struggled not to shy away.

“I just wanted to check in,” He said. “And I was recently reviewing your references.”

“My references?” You wondered.

“Mmm,” He hummed. “Your professors speak highly of you. One of the reasons I even considered a second year, let alone one who had so suddenly changed majors, was a certain word on your behalf.”

“Okay?” You were confused and gripped the arms of the chair as you blinked at him dumbly.

“James Barnes has earned his tenure at the university and on occasion, he has written pieces for my own magazine. A respectable writer, admirable in his work both in teaching and otherwise. And when he proposed this workshop, the tours, I thought it was a charming idea. He proved me right so I had no doubt when he spoke to me of you.”

You gulped but said nothing. Your stomach churned and you brought your hands together and wrung them.

“You see,” He lifted his phone and blindly unlocked it. “You have lived up to his reference and your work is commendable…” He smirked as he flicked a finger across the screen. “But I still questions the veracity of his endorsement as I find his integrity has come into doubt.”

He set his phone down and slid it across the desk. He nodded for you to pick it up. You slid forward on your chair and took it. Your lips parted in horror as you stared at the screen. It was you and Bucky in the bookshop, your lips locked and his arms wrapped around you. You looked up, mortified, as the phone shook in your grasp.

“I…” The breath went out of you and you put the phone back on the desk before it could fall. “How did you--”

“It’s a quaint little shop.” He purred. “I venture in every now and then.”

You chewed your lip as your cheeks burned.

“You do realize that this could be… damaging. To you more than him.” He stood slowly and came around the desk to stand before you. “He has tenure, he is established. You, my dear, you’re barely getting started.”

You gaped up at him. The pet name unsettled you and you wiped your sweaty hands on your thighs.

“And aside from the ethical dilemma, I do wonder what a girl your age sees in a man his age. Especially when your work speak so boldly on its own.”

You shook your head, speechless.

“Surely there are boys your own age who would be delighted to offer you… companionship.”

“I never… I would never use him like that.” You insisted. “It’s all… my work. My own work.”

“Oh, I know it, dear,” He said as his lips curled. “But to risk that work on him? On an affair better fit to a dime store erotica?”

“Are you-- Are you going to report him? Me?” You asked. “Am I fired?”

“Well,” He leaned on the desk, his long fingers gripped it’s edge as he leered down at you. “That depends on you, my dear.”

“Me?” You squeaked.

“Oh yes, this is a very powerful secret, don’t you think?” He slithered. “And in our business, well, it would sell.”

“What do you want?” You asked.

He pushed himself away from the desk and reached to tickle your cheek. His fingers crawled along your chin and he brushed his thumb over your bottom lip.

“I haven’t yet made up my mind,” He bent so that his face was only inches from yours. “But when I do, my dear, you will appease me, won’t you?”

You shuddered but didn’t pull away. You were too frightened. A lock of his dark hair fell forward as his pale skin shone sinister in the lamp light. His green eyes bore into yours and you wanted desperately too look away.

“Y-yes,” You stammered weakly. “I--I will.”

“Very good,” He drew away slowly. “Now, darling, go enjoy your weekend.” He scooped up his phone and tucked it in his pocket. “And give the professor my regards.”

[hisunshiine]

𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐨𝐤: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 - Part 2

𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐨𝐤: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 ထ written by @sunkissedwriter / m. a. tw.

↳ au based off of The King: Eternal Monarch | Cross posted to her AO3

The Kingdom of Corea

Hoseok’s hand snapped out at the same time as Jeongguk’s, startling the new attendant who was trying to fasten the last button on his shirt. Wide eyes glancing back and forth between the King and his guard at the sudden grip on his wrist.

Hoseok smiled, “I prefer to button this one myself.” He released the attendants wrist, fixing the collar of his shirt in the mirror.

Jeongguk narrowed his eyes at the attendant, “Are you new?”

The young man stuttered, “Y-yes, Captain Jeon.”

“His Majesty does not like others touching his body. Now that you do know, the first is a mistake, the second is intentional. Keep that in mind.” Jeongguk snapped at him, watching as the King’s lips twitched into a smirk.

The attendant bowed, “Of course, sir. My apologies, Your Majesty.”

Hoseok straightened his riding outfit, winking at the attendant as he strode out of the room, Jeon following close behind.

“His Majesty is on the move and heading to the stables, prepare for the arrival of the VIP and clear the stables,” Jeon muttered into his wrist, keeping his eyes trained on the King.

Hoseok stopped in his tracks, “Actually I think I’ll stop by my room first. I think I forgot something.” He cast Jeon a glance, “Unless there’s a reason I shouldn’t be going to my room, Jeonggukah?”

Jeongguk kept his face blank, “Of course not, Your Majesty. But we do have a schedule to keep, and it seems that Prime Minister Park has arrived early.”

Hoseok arched a brow before heading to his room, tilting his head at the sight of his Head of Court bustling around the room with an apprentice handing him talismans. He sat down quietly, watching as Jin tucked the tiny red envelopes into various hiding spots around his room, never once noticing the King was present.  Jin’s apprentice took notice of Hoseok, her eyes widening in fear as she bowed apologetically. Hoseok pressed a finger to her lips, a silent order to not alert Jin of his presence. He wanted Jin to notice him on his own time and give the nosy Court Head a much needed scare.

“And the last one should always, always be placed right under his pillow. These are replaced every month, in the same order, or else they won’t work! I paid the shaman extra for these, he swore up and down that these were more powerful than the last ones. ‘I swear to you Lord Seokjin, the King shall find his love by the end of the month with this batch.’ I think he’s just hoping I don’t throw them in his face like I did last time...Mijinah?” Jin glanced over his shoulder, “Minjinnie, why aren’t you-“ Jin turned fully, greeted by the King’s questioning expression. “Ah! My King! You almost gave me a heart attack...what are you doing here? I heard Prime Minister Park is early and waiting for you…”

Hoseok started thumbing through the talismans he had pulled out already. “You know, it’s money well spent on these. They have such a powerful pull...it must be why Prime Minister Park arrives earlier and earlier for every meeting,” he flicked his eyes up to Jin, “Maybe he should be my successor. Or better yet, his sister could be my Queen, hmm?”

Jin’s eyes widened, “No not that bitch!” He tightened his jaw, “I mean...there are so many options for an eligible bachelor like you. Why not pick someone more...suited for the position, Your Majesty.”

Hoseok stood, closing the gap between himself and his Court Head with a few quick steps, “Seokjinnie, if I catch you hiding this again, I’ll have you beheaded.” His tone was light and teasing as he opened the trash can at his feet and let the talismans drop, watching Seokjin’s eyes follow the red paper with a look of disdain.

Jin kept his head bowed but chuckled, “He’s kidding Mijinah. If I haven’t been threatened at least once during the day, I’m not fulfilling my duties properly.”

Hoseok raised a brow, “Beheaded, Seokjinnie.” He turned on his heel and exited the room, “Don’t tempt your King!”

Jin called out to the King as he left, “I wouldn’t dare dream of it, Your Majesty!”

Jeongguk was already on his horse when the King entered the stables. He quickly mounted and ushered his trusted horse, Mang, out onto a path. Jeongguk by his side and the rest of his guards trailing behind.

Hoseok leaned forward, patting Mang’s neck, “What do you say we give them a chase, Mangie?”

His horse’s ears flicked, suddenly taking off on a full blown sprint down the path. Hoseok’s laugh rang through the bamboo forest, the colors blurring together as he and his horse became one, flying through the wind.

A soft whistling played through the forest, catching his attention. Mang heard it as well, slowing to a trot, both horse and rider stopping in a clearing as the whistle faded.

Jeongguk came into the clearing, noticing the King’s alert stance. “Your Majesty?” He turned to the others, “Perimeter check B team, A Team, move forward-“

“Yah Jeonggukah, I thought I heard something, it was just a trick of the wind.” Hoseok tapped his heels, Mang huffing but moving forward nonetheless. His ears flicking in annoyance at his rider.

“My King, are you sure? If you don’t-”

“Kookah, it’s fine,” the soft tapping of hooves filled the air around them, attempting to replace the tension, “Besides. It was probably Jimin trying to catch my attention again. I found Jin hiding love talismans in my room again. 51 of them.”

“Only 51?”

Hoseok pulled Mang to a stop, “What do you mean only?”

His guard continued along the path back to the stables, his horse flicking his tail to show his rider’s amusement. “Nothing.”

Mang ran forward, cutting off Jeongguk and his horse, “I will behead you.”

“That wouldn’t be very nice, especially in front of your Prime Minister, Your Majesty.” Jeongguk smirked as he dismounted, leading his horse around Mang.

Hoseok sighed as he dismounted, leading Mang towards the grazing fields. He patted the horses neck, noticing Park Jimin and a crowd of paparazzi approaching them. “Be nice Mang. No biting.”

“Good Morning, Your Majesty,” Jimin bowed his head, flashing him a smile as he continued, “I know I’m early but the weather was so nice. And it’s been a while since I’ve seen Mang. Hi Mangah!”

Mang turned his head, deliberately looking away from Jimin. “Ah well, if you could smile, Your Majesty. They’re filming us back there. The Royal Public Affairs office thought a picture of the two of us out here would lift the Kingdom’s spirits.”

Hoseok smiled, “Well stand by me so they can see us properly. And I didn’t realize the Kingdom was unhappy.”

Jimin beamed, “That’s why I’m here, the people are worried about who will succeed the throne. Your father announced his marriage at your age, its time to announce yours.”

“Mm, and the rest of the state affairs.” Hoseok replied.

His smile faltered, “The country is peaceful, forigen relationships are stronger than ever, and the people are excited for the rowing competition. Things are...wonderful right now, Your Majesty.”

“And that is all thanks to you, Prime Minister Park.” Hoseok continued to pat Mang’s neck, looking out to where the photographers snapped photos.

Jimin cleared his throat, “You know. I’ve been wanting to take riding lessons. That way our meetings could perhaps be more fun, do you have any advice, Your Majesty?”

“The one thing I heard when I started riding was this; ‘If you train honestly every time, then your horse will take you to the edge of the world’,” he turned his attention to Jimin, “So tell me, Prime Minister, are you honest?”

“One has to be in order to reach this level in office, my King. Some of us are not born into this blessing.” Jimin tilted his head as he answered, quirking a brow as he studied the King.

Hoseok took the reins, clicking his tongue once to signal Mang, “Let us hope the people believe in that lie as much as you do, Prime Minister. You have one year left in your term, I suggest you make the best of it to win the rest of the cabinet. I can tell you they are not fond of a fisherman's son standing by the King’s side. I would hate to see you waste it on riding lessons.”

“I can assure you, Your Majesty. It wouldn’t be time wasted. Besides, the ones with the most life experience make the better leaders...wouldn’t you say so Your Majesty?”

Hoseok tilted his head, the answer primed on his tongue when Jimin’s assistant; Taehyung strode forward. “Prime Minister, the time. We must be going.”

“Ah yes, right. My apologies, my King. My sister is in town and I promised to have lunch with her. Why don’t you join us? She would love to see you again.”

“Unfortunately I have a prior commitment, please give her my apologies. Thank you for your report, Prime Minister.”

He left the Prime Minister seething silently with his assistant, the clicking of the camera shutters fading away with each step. A smirk taking over his features as he patted Mang’s side.

The sun beat down hard on his skin, his muscles ached and screamed at the repetitive motion, pushing and pulling the oar against the waves. “Long strides! Keep it firm!” The canoe continued to glide down the river, the other canoe’s around them keeping pace, “Naval Academy!”

The men behind him chanted, “88th class! 88th class!” The canoe began to glide faster, pulling ahead from the pack. Hoseok’s heart swelled with pride at his men, driving him to pour all his strength into each stroke. He could hear the roar of the crowd as they crossed the finish line, he raised his fist in victory laughing and cheering along with the rest. Jeongguk met him at the dock, resuming his place as his shadow and escorting him to the winner’s circle.

Hoseok was celebrating with his team, holding up the trophy for the crowd to see when a figure caught his eye. A woman pulling up her hood, rabbit ears that were attached to the hood falling forward as she hid her face, glancing over shoulder and moving cautiously through the crowd. Tilting his head in confusion, his brow furrowed at the sight of her bolting when she reached the edge, his fixation broken by a sudden gunshot ringing through the air. Jeongguk pulled him down to the ground, shielding him from the threat while barking orders to his team.

Jeongguk let him up, turning to assess the situation. Hoseok took that chance and sprinted from the stage, his bare feet hardly hitting the pavement as he flew around the corner. His heart pounded in his chest, but not from sprinting, it pounded at the chase of his prey. The familiar face that had lurked his mind and his dreams since he was child had suddenly appeared before him after years of searching, and he would be damned if he was going to let it slip through his fingers. The faint pounding of boots alerted him of Jeongguk chasing after him, however Hoseok paid him no mind. He turned another corner, fixated on his target in front of him, reaching his hand out and taking a fist full of the material, yanking the figure to a stop.

“Oh! Your Majesty,” a young man bowed his head, “I’m sorry did I do something wrong?”

Hoseok blinked twice, immediately releasing the startled man, “No.” He took a step back, glancing down the road, hearing the disgruntled panting from Jeongguk as he reached them, “Where did you get this jacket?”

“Ah this? I’m not sure, it’s my class jacket, our mascot is the Black Hare.” The young man answered, “Congratulations on the win, Your Majesty...can I go? I need to meet up with my class.”

Hoseok nodded, giving him a tight smile, waiting until he was farther down the sidewalk before letting out a sigh. He had been so close...how did he lose her?

“Your Majesty...you have incredible stamina, rowing 2,000 meters and then running like that?” Jeongguk took a breath, “Why did you chase him? Is he a threat?”

“I thought I was chasing the White Rabbit with the clock.” Hoseok trailed off, eyes still scanning the bustling streets.

“What do you mean? Are you saying you saw a rabbit or a clock?”

Hoseok huffed, facing his guard with a glare, “Were you not listening when I read to the children earlier? Alice in Wonderland?”

“I was busy prioritizing your safety, Your Majesty.” Jeongguk’s lips twitched, threatening a grin.

“You really need to learn how to listen to your King, you know that? You need obedience in your life.” Hoseok griped, crossing his arms.

Jeongguk placed shoes in front of Hoseok, “And I think you need shoes, Your Majesty.”

Hoseok kicked them out of the way, starting back towards the award stage, “Those aren’t my shoes, Jeongguk. You should know better.”

Hoseok hopped back up onto the stage, smiling and holding his hand up to quiet the crowd. He gave a short explanation, calming the spooked hearts of his people and urged them to continue celebrating with no fear, as the culprits were caught. The tension in the crowd eased at his words and the fanfare began again. They expected him to join them, multiple faces coming up to see him, offering words of congratulations.

None, however, where the face he wanted to see.

He strode into his study, ruffling his still damp hair and sighing at the sight of Jeongguk.

“You need to wear this when we’re in public,” he held up a kevlar vest.

“No.” He sat down at his desk, “It doesn’t look comfortable.”

“It’s not about being comfortable it’s about being safe.”

Hoseok’s eyes flicked up to his guard, “You’re going to protect me anyway. Why waste comfort if you’re just going to save me.” He hummed, intertwining his fingers as he rested his chin on his fists, “Would it make you feel better if I wore it?”

Jeongguk leveled him with a glare, “Obviously.”

“Then wear two, that way you’re wearing one for me.”

Jeongguk let out a deep sigh, “In other news; the men who caused a scene at the awards ceremony will all be questioned in the morning. And for your White Rabbit with the clock, I have a team looking for it. Once we track it down, we can figure out if it was a rabbit or a clock.” His guard tilted his head at the end of his report, round eyes sparkling with mischevity.

Hoseok stood, moving around the desk until he was toe to toe with his guard. His stoic guard, ‘The Unbreakable Sword’, stood his ground, merely blinking at the King’s action. Hoseok leaned forward, practically nose to nose with Jeongguk and forcing him to lean back in shock.

“Are you having fun, teasing your King, Jeonggukah?” Hoseok chuckled at the widened eyes of his guard, “For an Unbreakable Sword, you bend so easily.”

He rolled his eyes at the King, straightening himself, “Why did you want to catch the culprit yourself? Do you want the Brave Citizen Award?”

Hoseok opened one of the large glass cabinets, removing a wooden box with his sigil etched on the top. “Why should I be the one to catch the culprit? You should be catching the culprit as Captain of the Royal Guard, Unbreakable Sword.” He ran his thumb over the lid, letting out a sigh, “I’m not trying to catch anyone...I’m simply trying to find the face only I can recognize.”

“Hoseok hyung...was it her that you saw? The girl in that photo?” Jeongguk dropped the formalities, stepping closer and examining the saddened King.

He nodded, “She saved me all those years ago, Jeonggukie...but why hasn’t she come forward? Why save me and then never look for me?” Tears threatened to roll down his cheeks, a forced laugh came from him, “Don’t I deserve love?”

“Hyung...your people love you...I love you. There are others out there that love you...it’s been twenty five years...don’t you think it’s been long enough to let her go?” The guard questioned, changing his tone at the fall of the King’s shoulders, “You don’t need a savior anymore, hyung.”

Hoseok took a shaky breath, half smiling, “So you do love me?”

“Of course I love you hyung...that’s why I want you to wear this vest.” Jeongguk held up the vest again, blinking expectantly at the King.

Hoseok full on smiled, patting the younger’s shoulders, “You can go now, Jeonggukah. And take that vest with you.”

Jeongguk rolled his eyes, but bowed, bidding the King goodnight and leaving the vest on the couch in his study. Hoseok flicked it off as he passed it, settling down at his desk and opening the box. An old, worn copy of Alice in Wonderland sat against the pale wood. The cover of the White Rabbit running, seemed to be taunting him more than ever.

He ran his fingers along the cover, sliding down until he reached slight space between the pages. The thin ID card weighed heavy in his hand, “Where are you, Lieutenant...why did you save me then...and not see me now?”

The soft smile of the woman in the picture made his heart ache, “What secret do you hold, Lieutenant? What secret do you not trust me with…a King can be trusted with anything...I would protect you...you wouldn’t even have to ask.”

He sighed and placed the card on the book, “Ah Hoseok, if she heard you now she definitely wouldn’t want you. A King talking to a photo from the future.”

A soft tune suddenly started in his ear, sending a chill down his spine. The same tune he heard all those years ago.

Your path awaits you.

His eyes locked on the riding crop, his body moved without his knowing, fingers wrapping around the grip and driving him to flee the palace. He startled the guard at the stable, moving past him to where Mang stayed, his horse equally agitated and kicking the door of his stall.

“Your Majesty. I’m sorry I wasn’t told you would be out here...not this late.” The young guard looked flustered, moving to help him saddle Mang.

“Because I didn’t tell anyone,” He swung his leg over, taking the reins and holding Mang from bolting to the stable doors, “Tell Captain Jeon that I will return when I catch the White Rabbit.”

The guard jumped out of the way as Mang reared back, slamming his hooves down and snorting as he galloped out to the bamboo forest. It was as if his and Mang’s mind were one, both hearing the lifting tune, grow louder and louder with every pounding step. He pulled Mang to a stop as they reached a large stone gate, the tune consuming every inch of his being. Mang reared again, neighing and surging forward through the gate.

Hoseok blinked, the tune long gone from his ears, replaced with the clacking of Mang’s hooves on pavement. The bamboo forest looked similar to the one they had just left, save for the paved path he found himself on. He followed the path out of the forest, examining the strange flag that waved on the pole. The flag no longer held his sigil, instead it was a circle made of a red and blue half. Pedestrians on the street stopped and stared, pointing at him and taking pictures as he lead Mang out onto the street.

“Hey!”

He ignored the voice, continuing forward to the plaza where the statue of his grandfather stood.

“Sir!?”

The billboard on the building flashed and showed a woman, “Our Beloved Queen Yuna”.

This parallel universe has a Queen.

“Hey horse rider! I’m talking to you!”

Hoseok finally turned his head to locate the owner of the voice, only to be met with the face of the woman whose ID card he held his entire life.

“It’s you.” He whispered, taking in your full appearance. The way your cheeks flushed with the sudden gust of wind, whipping your hair around you. His breath caught in his lungs, the camera did not do you justice.

“Why are you looking at me like that...ah.” You blinked before fishing your pockets for your ID card, holding it up, “I’m a police officer.” She slipped it around her neck, “You violated...several traffic laws….I think? It doesn’t matter, just..get down here!”

Hoseok dismounted, striding quickly over to you. His fingers wrapped around the ID card, holding it up so he could examine it, nearly identical to the ID card he had at the palace. “Do you know how long I have been looking for you? You have been in my thoughts for a very long time, Lieutenant.”

You smacked his hand away, “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Why would you be looking for me? How do you even know me?”

Hoseok’s hand cupped your cheek, his heart shaped lips forming a radiant smile, “I’ve known you for twenty five years, Lieutenant. Your picture does not do your beauty justice.”

His arms suddenly wrapped around you, pulling you flush against his chest. For the first time in years , Hoseok finally felt complete. He had caught the White Rabbit, he had found the woman who filled his dreams, and now he was holding her in his embrace.

He nuzzled his nose into your hair, breathing in the freshness of your scent. It was a surreal experience for the King, to have followed the sound and now have you in his arms. He held tightly onto you, not noticing how stiff you were against him.

A shove sent him stumbling back, “What do you think you’re doing?!”

Hoseok blinked at your strength, “Did you just shove a king?”

“Did you just hug a police officer?!” You pulled your hair up, tying it away from your face, “Enough, sir, I need to see your ID.”

He tilted his head, “You seemed softer in your photo...but you’re so full of fire...full of life. Have you always been this way? Or is there a softer side to you?”

Your eyebrow twitched, “Unfortunately I have been this way since the day I was born. Your ID card, sir.”

Hoseok smiled, taking a step closer to you, “You’re perfect...as for an ID card, I can’t show it to you.”

You scoffed, “And why is that?”

“I don’t have one. The King of Corea doesn’t need one. Everyone knows who I am.” Hoseok straightened his shoulders, standing tall and proud in front of you.

“Well here in the Republic of Korea , you need an ID card and you show it when an officer asks you for it.” You shook your head, “Enough, that’s it. You violated traffic laws, you touched a police officer, and you refuse to cooperate. You have the right to remain silent-”

“Are you arresting me? I’m a King, Lieutenant, I can’t be arrested.” Hoseok chuckled, losing his balance as you whirled him around and spread his legs.

The sound of the handcuffs clicking into place made Hoseok freeze, “Looks like you can be arrested.”

↣ all rights reserved © sunkissedwriter 2021.

↣ please do not repost work. images, netflix posters, and synopsis screens were made by @hisunshiine​ please do not repost. translations/modifications are not allowed.

↣ all stories are posted with the authors permission, and each story provides a link to the author and to their original content. due to some of them not having tumblr, they have asked me, the creator of the event, to post their stories.

[dreamlover31]

Love Will Find a Way: Chapter 21

For the next several weeks, Rafael and Alexa settled into their new brownstone, every box was unpacked and every piece of furniture were arranged in the appropriate setting. At the same time, they resumed their daily functions with Rafael prosecuting difficult albeit worthy cases, and Alexa doing her part in ensuring that abused women and children were safe from imminent threats.

Ever since the incident involving Nicole’s abusive boyfriend, security at the shelter had been significantly upgraded, aside from metal detectors, a key card system was put into place along with a security booth encased in bullet proof glass. In addition, despite numerous budget cuts, a patrol car is parked outside the building, the new measures have given the staff members as well as their occupants a worry-free state of mind.

Alexa sat in her office looking over case files for incoming residents, word had gotten around about her pregnancy, whenever she walked in, she found small trinkets and gift baskets that congratulated her or had humorous sayings about motherhood.

Her focus shifted from the manila folder in her hand towards a figurine that Gladys bought for her, it was of a woman who was cradling her swollen belly as she looked downward, a few words were scribbled underneath the small cobblestone walkway that it stood on. The scripture read ‘You are about to receive the most precious gift anyone could give you.’

She smiled as she stroked her clothed belly, slowly, her mind wandered with thoughts of what this baby…this precious gift would look like, if he/she would inherit its father’s sassy attitude, what he/she would grow up to be but while these happy imaginings were flowing through, a terrible fear over casted them, I don’t know anything about becoming a parent, what if I screw up somewhere down the line and it ends up being so screwed up that it’s going to need therapy for the rest of its life. Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door.

“Come in”

The door opened slowly, Alexa remained seated while she waited for the person to come into full view, her face lit up when she saw that it was Rafael holding a brown paper bag in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. She lifted herself off the chair and stepped to him, her arms slinked around his neck, in the same moment, the two shared a peck on the lips then nuzzled at each other’s noses.

“What are doing here? I thought you were in court”

“And hello to you too. The judge granted a continuance”

Alexa nodded as her gaze drifted to the paper bag in his hand.

“You brought me lunch?”

“Thought you might want to eat something before our appointment”

Alexa blinked a few times in the instant her facial expression changed into one of confusion, appointment? That’s funny, I don’t remember scheduling an appointment with anyone…but then again, I’ve been so busy with moving into the new house and catching up on my paperwork. Rafael observed her trying to recover the memory that had faded, ultimately, he decided to relieve her of her struggle.

“It’s ok, I know you’ve been busy…there have been times where I’ve forgotten a few things”

“You mean like the time you forgot that we were supposed to have dinner at that new Brazilian restaurant that opened up and ended up ordering in”

Rafael let out a small laugh while he simultaneously nodded.

“Not exactly my finest hour…but back to our present situation. We have an ultrasound scheduled today”

Alexa’s eyes widened, at the same time, she covered her mouth with both hands in a display of shock.

“Oh, my god…I totally forgot, I’m so sorry”

“It’s ok carino, here, why don’t you just sit down and have some lunch and we’ll head over to the doctor’s office”

“Ok”

She took the bag from his hand and opened it to see its contents, the aroma of fresh vegetables and salad dressing enveloped her nostrils, as a small moan vibrated along the inside of her lips. Her hand slipped inside the bag and removed a small plastic container and a black plastic fork, she passed Rafael the empty bag while he handed her the bottled water.

She made her way back to her desk placing the contents of her meal on top, Rafael spotted the loveseat on the left side of the room, before he lowered himself on it, he made a pit stop to the wastebasket at her desk and threw away the empty bag. They sat in a comfortable silence as Alexa dined on the fresh Caesar salad and sipped the cool crisp water, once she had her fill, she used a napkin to wipe any excess dressing from her mouth and then disposed of the remnants of her lunch.

“Alright then, you ready to go?”

“Yeah, I just have to let Gladys know that she needs to cover for me”

“I’ll be waiting out front”

Alexa reached for her purse then proceeded towards the door, she held it open as she gestured him to leave first, he thanked her as he headed out. The door closed behind her when she saw Gladys walking by, she signaled for her to come over, when they were in speaking distance, Alexa informed her that she’d be gone for the rest of the day due to a doctor’s appointment and that she had to hold down the fort so to speak, to which Gladys graciously accepted.

They embraced before Alexa followed Rafael to the front of the shelter, when she came outside, he had pulled up in the black SUV they recently purchased, since a little bundle of joy was on the way, they would need the extra space. After she climbed into the passenger seat and strapped on her seat belt, he put the car in gear and drove off.

As soon as he found a suitable parking space, they exited the vehicle and entered through the front lobby of the building, at the reception desk, Rafael announced their scheduled visit with the ultrasound technician. The receptionist concurred with his statement and directed them to the waiting area, she relayed that the tech would be with them shortly, the two of them spotted a couple of empty chairs and sat down.

As the minutes ticked by, Rafael twiddled his thumbs and nervously tapped his foot on the shagged carpeting of the waiting room, meanwhile, Alexa took a moment to survey the room, she observed some of the people but took an interest in the young couple that sat across from them. From the rings of that encircled their fingers, she surmised that they were married, the man’s head was curled up against his wife’s neck and shoulder; his hand was placed on top of her round belly gently rubbing it.

Alexa couldn’t help but feel touched by the show of affection he was giving not only his wife but their unborn child, at that moment, she pictured her and Rafael in that same position and inwardly chuckled. She turned towards Rafael and saw his current state, one of stress and nervousness, her hand intertwined inside his own, at that point he faced her.

“Hey, are you ok?”

“Yeah…I’m just a little nervous”

“Don’t worry, everything’s going to be fine”

“Alexa?”

Both turned and saw a young blonde woman in scrubs, she introduced herself as the ultrasound technician they were scheduled to meet with, Alexa and Rafael stood up then shook hands with the young woman and followed her lead into the examination room.

After engaging in small talk, Alexa laid flat on the examination table, she lifted her shirt until it bordered along her chest area; Rafael pulled up a chair alongside the table. The technician applied the ultrasound gel on her stomach, with her back turned she turned on and calibrated the machine, then she proceeded to place the wand in the middle of Alexa’s abdomen and glided it along the designated area where the gel sat.

While she was making her movements along her stomach, Rafael’s and Alexa’s attention went towards the monitor of the machine, they waited anxiously for a clear picture of their little one, just as she’d done for him, Rafael took her hand into his and then pressed small kisses on her knuckles. The technician was at work pressing buttons to focus the image on display before them, after a few moments, something came on the monitor.

“Ok…I think I’m getting something here…there we go, say hello to your baby mom and dad”

Pure, unadulterated bliss spread across their faces as they took in the sight of the small human being, who was about the size of a pea pod, that was their child, as they continued to look on, tears began to form in Alexa’s eyes. I can’t believe that this is my baby, this beautiful little miracle…this is the most exhilarating moment of my life and I am ecstatic that the man I love is here to witness it with me and be a part of it.

“Would you like to know the sex of your baby?”

“Are you sure it’s developed enough yet?”

“You’re at 13 weeks, that’s the appropriate time for the baby’s gender to form”

Alexa looked up at Rafael as if to obtain permission from him, but he responded with a nod and permitted the technician to reveal their child’s identity. She looked back to the screen and continued to slide the wand along Alexa’s belly, then after a few minutes, she could make out the baby’s private area.

“Alright, I don’t see any testicles or a penis, so I think it’s safe to say that you guys are having a baby girl”

“Oh, my God…” Alexa gasped as she covered her eyes to attempt to shield her oncoming tears of joy, Rafael was equally overjoyed as he leaned over and placed small kisses on her forehead, Alexa wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in the crook of his neck while streams of tears ran on to his jacket.

“I love you Alexa”

“I love you too Rafi”

“You guys want to listen to her heartbeat?”

“Of course”

With the click of a button, the rhythmic beating of their daughter’s tiny heart echoed throughout the room, Alexa’s tears continued to roll down her face, and at that moment, it was Rafael’s turn to show his emotions. Tears began to prick from his eyes, despite his efforts to remain strong, Alexa turned to him and gave him a reassuring stroke of his arm.

“It’s ok to cry Rafi, this is a very special moment for us”

“I know carino”

He gave her another peck on her forehead as tears began to fall from his eyes, a few minutes passed by as they regained their composure, the technician handed them their own copy of the sonogram picture of their daughter. She handed Alexa a paper towel to wipe the gel from her stomach, when they exited the room, they showed their appreciation with Rafael shaking her hand and Alexa enthusiastically hugging her.

Before they returned to their parking spot, they waved good bye to the technician and the receptionist, once they were inside and securely fastened, Rafael put the car in gear and made the turn around back to their home, during the drive, the expectant parents held hands while still feeling the sense of joy and overall wonder two parents experience after getting a peek of their child until the delivery day. Later that evening, Rafael and Alexa laid on their king-sized bed, her shirt was hiked up enough to where her stomach was exposed; as they laid side by side, Rafael traced small patterns across her stomach while she looked upon his face lovingly.

“It all seems so surreal”

“I know”

“Guess we need to get started on the nursery”

“I’m sure you have some ideas on how to decorate it”

“Maybe”

“Hmph…well I’ve already decided on the name”

“Really…when were you going to tell me?”

“Soon”

Rafael rolled his eyes as he scoffed while Alexa let out a small giggle.

“Alright, what’s the name?”

“Nadia…Nadia Jasmine Barba”

“I love it, it’s perfect”

She leaned forward and kissed him softly upon his lips, he returned her kiss as his hand perched itself on top of her hip, they continued to engage in a waltz of small tender kisses for a few moments while a medley of soft sighs and little bits of laughter joined in; they paused for a second to catch their breath.

In that instant, Alexa gazed upwards towards the skylight; tiny dots of light cascaded along the darkened sky, the natural beauty of this rare occurrence captivated her to the point where her heart clenched, Rafael shared in the experience as he draped an arm over her then held her close. Suddenly, there was a sliver of light that darted across the night sky, she pointed at it and exclaimed:

“Oh, Rafi look, a shooting star, quick make a wish”

“It came true already”

Once again, their eyes locked on to each other, she smiled at him then gave him another sweet and loving kiss, from there, he pulled the covers from under and placed them over their bodies. Alexa snuggled up against him with her arms splayed across his chest, Rafael in turn placed his hand on top the small of her back, within a few seconds; their minds drifted off into that of a deep sleep.

Tagging: @madpanda75 @laceybellerain @southern-magnolia @tropes-and-tales @teamsladsandgents @karens-imagined-world @itsjustmyfantasyroom @beccabarba @thatesqcrush @youreverycolor

[mantrabay]

Hitchiker From Another World.

Saturday an overarching day that's both conduit and shelter for souls in transition.

Thoughts of the more disturbing kind may intrude.

Little did I know what lay ahead.

All these scenarios flashed across my mind as the wheels of my car screeched to a halt.

Shafts of radiant sunlight revealed a light green leaf entwined placard.

An obscure but apocryphal question -

Going somewhere?

A hitchhiker appeared with the most expressive eyes.

Like shining windows admitting the rush of a golden dawn.

Her rippling nuanced voice spoke.

“Hello, I'm Lelia. Life is a series of stops

and strange encounters.

A journey of some kind.”

Thought-provoking stuff!

She extended her supple silken right hand.

“Hop in.

I'm Joshua King. Going anywhere in particular?"

I enquired archly after the ritual handshake.

"Besides going somewhere or nowhere!”

I continued.

"In one sense I'm not sure.

But there is this place we should all go to.

You'll know what I mean later.”

Lelia mysteriously.

"Not to worry.

Travel is therapy for me."

What made me, Joshua King, say that?

The mind can be overpopulated with figments.

Frustrated figments waiting for that frenzied freedom dash.

This svelte lady wearing an azure padded jacket and sea blue denims glided gracefully into my car.

Hatha yoga asana entry.

My pinstripe attire seemed conventional

on a philosophical journey man.

"Love the aroma ....air freshener.

Orchard in a vehicle.

Symbol of attempted purge."

The hitchhiker's dulcet voice drooping.

Redolent of metaphysics classes I had to abandon.

I was naive enough to believe that attending these courses would fix my “issues.”

More than just momentary bugs.

They couldn't be spray canned away.

I was, however, adept at avoiding their resolution.

My “issues” were other "selves.”

I called them timid, anxious, fidgety ,scrupulous withdrawn.

“What’s more I chat to them.

These chats I call the "whispers.”

Will Lelia notice?”

My twin brother, Jonah, a twin in “every sense” could point to my tendency to flee.

We spotted each other’s flaws with aplomb.

Banter between mirror images of real selves!

Tortured twin psyches.

Jonah was an integral part of these "whispers" too!

All these thoughts were doing hula hoops in my head.

In the process peculiarities surfaced with Lelia..

"I'm Lelia again. Don't forget. You probably won't.

This place I alluded to is but a distance from here.

Distance is a gulf whose magnitude is shaped by its smoothness of passage.

Or the fate that awaits one.

My destination is another world altogether."

Lelia’s cryptic crossword setter.remark.

Tapping my shoulder she extended her hand again.

Her fingers and thumb spatially arranged with tutored

stillness.

Was that repetition a neurotic oddity or a symptom of a deeper malaise?

I nodded to the said hand gesture.

We both brushed this bizarre incident off.

The spot on asides and the strict avoidance of that verbal litter referred to as small talk suggested we should.

Pauses. They did surface periodically.

The silence was then punctuated by a sudden remark.

"All those conifers. Look at how they reach out to the sky.”

One of Lelia’s poetic observations.

“They seem so close yet isolated.

There is something almost within their grasp.

Almost.”

Lelia nonplussed.

“See the adjoining fields. The green is but a cover. They are as neighbours in a high rise flat.

One could say they are both connected and disconnected at the same time.”

Lelia resting her case.

“I'm a bit of a writer and maths researcher.”

I proffered.

"Recluses some say.

Oh, I didn't mean you

Necessarily.”

Ouch, said my shattered Id.

Lelia, archer of the scar inflicting jibe.

Bow and arrow baroness of stinging broadsides.

This offshoot to our conversation was infused with a wry allusion.

Insight on a whim.

We both laughed at the incongruity of a conversation that had become elliptical in form.

Tangents cropped up as impetus to the other person's willingness to reveal themselves.

Lelia didn't exactly volunteer her vocation but left clues.

“You didn't say what you did?

Student ...essayist ...author."

Me sounding Lelia out.

“Oh no children….dashing right across the road in front of us.

Squealing with delight. Whoops of innocent joy? They are sticking out their tongues now!”

Hair-raising moment I hadn't anticipated.

I spied Lelia sticking her tongue out at those reckless varmints.

She stopped the minute I noticed.

“Children …….sometimes you have to act like a kid when dealing with kids."

Straight and to the point from this hitchhiker.

She now resumed the thread of an earlier topic.

“Work ….you asked about work.

I sort of work and play with the mind.

Play act too.”

A retort of sudoku like complexity.

As I digested lelia’s response it dawned on me how much like people my "selves”were.

Even when driving I "dialogued” those various aspects.

“You've an interesting face. The face is like a map, I say.

Heard you mutter about your "selves."

Leslie being cheeky.

Silence as challenge started to creep in.

Russian roulette without rules.

“Watch your driving, there." Lelia being brash.

Her different voices now somersaulting.

“Very quite aren't we, Josh?"

Josh mark you!

Grilling me like an interrogator trying to crack a stubborn suspect.

Without a word of warning Lelia raised her voice and got into a tantrum.

“What's the matter ….lost something?”

Joshua said anxiously.

A curious search resembling a scrum ensued.

Then more silence.

I craned my neck and spotted an uncanny regression.

Lelia talking to herself in a child-like manner and then changing tack.

“Don't worry. Found what I was looking for.”

Another void.

A tense lull. A little lockjaw appears when the juice runs out of discourse.

I squinted in the mirror once more.

This time Lelia was talking to her palm.

Staring vacantly at it she kept repeating the name Linda.

Lelia continued oblivious to what I saw or might be thinking.

She hummed this strange lullaby.

Suddenly my "selves" surfaced in an uncontrollable flurry.

I tried to suppress them but failed abysmally.

The "whispers and selves" started to have a life of their own.

This car is getting a bit crowded.

It's being converted into a train with fantasy passengers on board.

The sort one hears late at night hurtling through the countryside as dim lights flicker.

Both inside and outside this vehicle a tumult of events was took place.

Out of the blue the rain poured heavily.

“The gods or the elements must be cross or something.” Lelia opined.

“Let’s get introduced to my playmate in a palm.

Linda, these are Joshua’s true other selves.”

Lelia chuckling.

A comic situation arose where I changed my voice for each of my "selves" by way of introduction.

My great powers of concentration helped while driving.

"Pleased to meet you, Linda.”

Lelia altered her voice when teasing all my "selves."

She had some experience as a ventriloquist.

But Lelia was having this hypnotic effect too.

I was being manipulated.

One by one my highly personalised complexes were being extracted and subject to a rigorous interrogation.

This was some hitchhiker.

Was this car journey now becoming a high rent farce or a mock therapy session from an amateur shrink?

The rain continued to lash and my other "selves" felt like the last sting of a dying wasp.

A certain lightness ensued.

Almost as if my “aspects” were floating away.

For the first time my "other selves“ didn't seem to have this grip on me.

But deep down I knew I wanted to keep a little of them.

Although they were a burden they did have their positive aspects.

“Jonah … he still bugs doesn't he.

He’s almost like one of those "other selves!"

The "whispers" I heard earlier … I've a very delicate ear.

Those under the breath "whispers" gave the game away.

The names and complex relations between them."

Lelia now probing very deeply.

The wind howled and seafront rain waves splashed across my bonnet

There was a warped synchronicity.

As my complexes receded so did the thunderous weather.

They were working in tandem.

“Wash it all away. Come on, come on

See me waving my wand.”

Lelia chanted.

The Exorcist film had nothing on this.

Before his very eyes Joshua's "reticence" and the other "selves" were disappearing virtually.

Against the backdrop of all this inner and outer cacophony Lelia kept looking out the window.

Was that this home she mentioned earlier getting closer as Joshua was

"going home” to himself?

“Windows are amazing.

They show us the world but sometimes screen us from it.”

Lelia notes.

fog from the car window.

“Trees and branches swaying. Clouds darkening.

Thickening ominously.

Exodus of pedestrians seeking answers.”

Her voice penetrating Joshua.

“Am I being cleansed of what they call inner demons?"

Joshua panic stricken.

"This other worldly person has me spellbound.

There's a chessboard in this moving vehicle.

A total stranger has me in her palm.” .

Lelia assumed various postures.

As Joshua was the driver she didn't want to send him to sleep.

Lelia's voice was either hypnotist's drone or excited sports commentator.

Joshua could never forget this encounter.

“Don't forget Jonah too. Joshua wherever he might be.”

Her sinister tone rising.

“The name on your credit card.

I found it earlier when searching for my script.

Joshua Jonah king.”

Joshua confessed he was an only child.

“Am I a prisoner?.

Must button my lip.

I'm being freed and incarcerated by this person, the likes of whom I've never met before.”

Joshua felt a final therapeutic process coursing through him.

Very little was left of his "selves,” whispers.”

Joshua drove through a stoically preserved area whose haunting nature was blurred by this encounter.

“Terrible to have all these half-worlds revealed with such clinical accuracy.”

Joshua to himself.

Lelia's voice gradually lost its domineering tone.

At this point by accident or design the tense atmosphere eased.

“You are probably wondering where this is all going to end.

Maybe I have whispers, Jonah's and selves to face too.”

A casual Lelia random comment.

On this occasion a composite of adult confidence and infantile charm.

“Oh here we are, this place.”

She stated.

Joshua had undergone some sea change catharsis.

“Should I thank Lelia or what?

Jonah my make-believe twin. Don't really need him do I?”

Joshua pondered.

“Back to earth my dear.

This is where we part.”

Lelia again.

“Better change the name on that credit card.

It could bug your company!”

Lelia cackles..

“See that building..

It's called “Another World School of Acting.”

Acting is therapy..

Therapy in every sense!

They are auditioning for a play

“Inside The Split Mind." She said.

"Wonder will I get the part?”

Lelia looked away sadly.

“Off I go. Enjoy yourself or yourselves or whatever is left of them.”

Lelia laughing through her tears.

“Better get out of here fast, Josh.” Joshua to himself.

“I'm beginning to sound like her.” Joshua now driving at top speed.

“It will be awhile before I offer someone a lift again.

I suppose I should be grateful to her.” Joshua’s face now a deep red.

"Well, Jonah, I guess I'm going to miss you and all those "issues" in a way.

But at least I can be myself …. sort of.”

Short story by mantrabay copyright protected.

Completion of earlier submission

[milfgritty]

can’t get you off my mind | j. hughes

❀ ⇢ requested: yes | no ❀ ⇢ genre: fluff ❀ ⇢ word count: 1k

⇢ posted: 01.11.19 . | . masterlist

Positioned precariously next to you, your phone sprung to life with an incessant buzz.

A breath left you as you reached out to grab it with little doubt in your mind as to who it was. After all, it wasn’t like there was much variety in who had been texting you since what felt like the break of dawn. Your fingers glided over the screen, a smile automatically lighting up your face when you saw the newest text.

Jacky: I miss u :’(

Laughing, you shook your head and began typing out your response.

You: that’s what you said half an hour ago babe

Settling back into your chair, you scrolled through your twitter while waiting for his response. Fingers tapping away mindlessly, the ding that signified his reply nearly startled you.

Jacky: Skype?

A lighthearted scoff left you, your hands reaching out to grab your laptop and situate it on the desk in front of you. It took a minute to get it set up, but you quickly managed to get your skype pulled up. Hitting the call button, you leaned forward and rested your elbows on the flat surface while you waited.

The wait turned out to be less than a couple of seconds, which was easily written off as an overeager Jack.

“Hey,” he beamed once he saw you, a smile blossoming on his already handsome face.

“Hey,” came your laughing response, your body swiveling forward in your chair to see him better.

The video displaying him was less than stellar, but you knew both of you would take what you could get. Eyes roaming over what you could see of your boyfriend, your heart couldn’t help but clench almost painfully in your chest.

How had you gotten so lucky?

It seemed Jack was thinking along the same lines because the next second he spoke again. “I’ve missed you,” he told you, head coming forward to rest on his hand.

Trying and failing to stop a giddy smile from taking over, you retorted, “I’ve only been gone like a day.”

“A day and a half.”

“Oh my god,” you giggled, a hand flying up to cover half your face, “A day and a half, I’m so sorry.”

Peeking through your fingers, you saw him attempt a glare. His head ducked out of view, leaving only some of it in the frame.

“Can’t a guy miss his girlfriend?” He mumbled, voice embarrassed but his gaze soft when he looked back at you.

His words took you by surprise for a split second, something about them making you so inexplicably soft that you nearly stopped breathing.

Girlfriend, god that never got old.

“Well, when you put it like that,” you replied, feigning a sense of cool that you weren’t sure you possessed at the moment in an attempt to conceal the effect his words had on you.

You knew he could see past your act, your red dusted cheeks giving you away. “When are you coming back again?” He asked, surprising you when he didn’t take the chance to tease.

Mind blanking, it took you a moment to remember, “Uh, next week.”

An almost silent groan left him, his head falling back onto his chair and exposing his neck. His overdramatic reaction got a chuckle out of you, your eyes watching him with a bemused expression.

“That’s so long,” he moaned, looking tortured at the idea of you being away for any amount of extended time.

Airy breathes left you in a way that barely resembled a laugh as you couldn’t help but gaze at him fondly. “Can you really not wait that long to see me?” You questioned, tone only slightly teasing while a smile played on your lips.

“I can’t stop thinking about you,” he whined, crossing his arms in front of him and slouching down with a pout. “Oh, I’m sorry,” you laughed, mimicking his pose, “I wasn’t aware that was a bad thing.”

At that, a light blush spread across his cheeks. One of his hands came up to run through his hair, an action you knew was one of his nervous habits. “I just miss you a lot,” he muttered, fingers lingering by his ear as he gazed up at the camera in a way that reminded you of how shy he was when he first asked you out. The unexpected memory brought a soft smile to your mouth, butterflies erupting in your stomach.

“I know, baby. I miss you, too,” you told him quietly, the mood rapidly changing from carefree teasing to more subdued and quiet.

“You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now,” he laughed lightly, a sheepish grin appearing on his face.

Echoing his laughter, you responded in turn, “Trust me, I think I do.”

A comfortable silence overtook the two of you, content with being in each other’s presence. Or at least as close as you could get to it. Your breaths were more shallow than before; the way Jack was staring at you making it hard to breathe right. Something in his gaze made you feel like you were floating, dizzy with a feeling that you didn’t want to put a name to quite yet.

“You’re so beautiful, you know that?” Jack suddenly whispered, breaking the quiet that had stretched on.

You had to take a moment to recover from the abrupt sentiment, becoming nearly overwhelmed with that unknown feeling. “I’m pretty sure you’ve said something similar before,” you managed to choke out after a minute, your chest tight.

Both of you had matching pink cheeks now, avoiding each other’s gazes and yet drawn to them like a moth. It reminded you of when you had first started dating, of not yet being sure how to act with the change in shared affections.

Resisting the urge to fiddle with your fingers, you went to speak only to be beaten to it.

“How do you think our parents would feel if I drove up to you?” He asked, only sounding partially joking.

“Jack,” you gasped before erupting into laughter.

And so your lighthearted banter resumed, leaving you to quietly revel in what you could only call your newfound puppy love.

[pippki-writes]

An Ill-Fitting Name: Snippet 7

NOTES:

Snippet 1; Snippets 2 & 3; Snippet 4; Snippet 5; Snippet 6

Going off into another POV now, but since it’s part of Isaiah’s story I’ll throw it under the same tag. Eventually Isaiah learns to make a friend. I am mostly posting these in the order my deranged mind wrote them, so if you were expecting coherence? An overarching narrative structure? I’m so sorry, you should recalibrate those expectations.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&

I have been in exile before. Some more beautiful than others. The first thing I learned is not to hope. Others may find it sustaining, but for me, hope served as a reminder of the things I couldn’t have in exile, and the contrast of it would always threaten to break my heart. It’s bad enough to see a human heart broken, but ten times worse for one of my kind.

So. I do not hope.

The second rule of exile is knowing, invariably, that this is the worst one yet. Even if this is not objectively true, the exile one must presently endure is always worse than one that’s been completed. It does me no good to think of exiles past, whether they were much easier or far more torturous. They are not the existence I must suffer now.

A tolerable exile is full of knowns. What I can and can’t do. Where I can and can’t go. Much less preferred is the exile I’m in now, and not simply because it is the one I must live through. It’s an exile without a definite end. It will end eventually—they all, eventually, end, when you live as long as I do—but the conditions that would set me free? The infuriating sort: you’ll know when you know. When you see it. When you feel it. I’d rather be sentenced to a thousand years cast away from every life before, at least knowing I can count the days, can know where I stand, than this.

This is a most unusual exile. I can spread night-black wings and take to the skies, wherever I want to go, but I am trapped. Heard, but not understood. Seen, but never known. I cannot speak—only sound the call that comes of a sharp beak.

Hell, I can’t even understand the other crows.

At least, not in the meaningful ways they understand each other. And not in the ways I understand people. Nor do the crows understand me—I confuse them, I think. It’s not just that I can’t communicate properly. Nor is it because I’m quite obviously bigger than they are. I wonder if they can tell, somehow, that I am more than this shape, that I’ve been twisted and reformed, and bound down from a mischievous too-big existence into the body of a crow.

He wouldn’t tell me why a crow. Angry gods don’t need reasons. That’s the sort of thing that angry gods say, when they do things for no reason at all.

It’s easy to forget sometimes, when you’re lost in the thrill of pushing someone else’s buttons, that the someone in question is an angry sort of god. That the power you wield is NOT the same. That a mood can turn faster than a breeze and cut you down very quickly.

He’s not the only reason I’ve ever been exiled, but his are always the worst. And as I seem to have trouble learning, doubt it’ll be the last time he does this to me. Doesn’t matter now. I pissed him off good, and lost a lot for my trouble.

It’s been—let me count, hm, the numbers of the years don’t exactly line up nicely for easy math—seventy four years now. Seventy four years of carrion and French fries snatched from parking lots. Seventy four years of learning what polite puzzlement looks like from a corvid. Seventy four years and counting, accepting the facts that define my current fate.

Sometimes, he’s told me the terms of an exile. “You will stay among these islands until the last fogs leave for the season.” Or, “you will stay with this doomed cause until it drives you mad.” Sometimes he would even say why. “You don’t appreciate beauty,” or “your indecision damns you,” things like that. What had he said this time? “You’re so insufferably selfish. You think you’re clever, but all you do is think of yourself. You don’t care about others, and if they knew better they wouldn’t care about you.” Yes, it had been about like that. As good as I had gotten for a why.

Crows are social creatures, which is why seeing just one is a bad omen. But most people these days have forgotten what signs portend ill and well. Or maybe the signs have shifted. Whatever the reason, the young man (all men are young, when you’ve lived as long as I have) didn’t seem concerned by the presence of a crow all on its own perched on the back of a truck in the parking lot. He pulled out his phone, not daring to approach, his fingers spreading the picture on the screen, trying to get closer with a camera that no doubt couldn’t. He is strange, though I am stranger, and I watch him concentrate, his one good eye flitting from the screen to look at me, and back to the screen again. One good eye, the dark brown of rich soil, and the other eye missing, a ruined starburst of scar tissue radiating out from an unseeing sliver of white. An old wound, by the look of it. He straightens up, tapping on the screen, and takes one last look at me before going into his motel room.

Later, scattered carefully in the mulch near the door he went in, I find a few handfuls of crunchy cat food. I have had many forms, have eaten many unusual things suited to those forms. Crunchy cat food is pleasing to the body of a crow. I wouldn’t have eaten this sort of thing in times before, but now I gladly do.

The next day, I am on the roof, and the young man is focused on me, waving and pointing at something in his hand. A peanut. More of them, scattered in the mulch, and he deliberately tosses the one in his hand among the others. I top my head to the side, and wait for him to leave before collecting the offering. The peanuts are unsalted. I think I prefer the cat food.

Somehow, it seems I’ve gotten my preference across to him over the course of several days. I glide down from the rooftop to the little pile of kibble at my spot next to the shrub, and I do so before the young man has returned to his room. I tolerate his presence, not too close but not as far as before. As I grab a piece of my little snack, I see over to the side, he’s holding up his phone, slowly and carefully, camera open, to frame us both in the picture. He aims his other hand so that it points to me in the image, and even from this distance I can see mirrored on the screen of the phone, he is smiling. A genuine smile. Hesitant at first, like maybe his face had forgotten how to express excitement. I’m sure that’s how my face will look again one day, when I get it back, the memory of emotions having slipped away to the rhythms of weathering decades of avian existence.

Most immortals have tried to kill themselves at some point, and I’m no exception. Usually at least once per exile. I thought maybe this time I’d succeed. Surely, as a bird—

But no. There I was, broken wings, blood spilling, neck wrong-angled, thinking this time I’d won, like an idiot let down my guard and closed my eyes, waiting for death to come—

And there he was instead. Snapping my wings back into shape. Putting my neck back in alignment with uncaring, clinical precision. Gathering my blood from all its spilled places and returning my vitality. I was angry, and tried to tell him, and hoped he could understand every four-letter word when all it sounded like was a shrieking string of “CaaW”s.

He tsk-tsked and wagged a finger at me lightly, no indication on his terrible face that he could understand what I’d tried to convey. “Not allowed,” was all he said before he disappeared again.

The young man is even closer. Not close enough to touch, but he puts the cat food in the usual place and then sits on the curb in front of his room. I glide down from the rooftop and flutter to my feet. He has a nervous energy about him—I usually see him pacing the parking lot, opening and closing a pocket knife in his hands, or whittling sticks down to nothing, but for now his hands are empty and he simply taps the tip of his shoe up and down on the asphalt. I get the feeling he’s resisting playing with the knife because I am so near.

“I’m calling you Cat,” he says softly, “since that’s the food you seem to like the most.”

I turn towards him and top my head to the side. I have had many names in my time. Some better than others. This one feels appropriate.

“You can call me—“ he stops himself and chuckles quietly. “Whatever birds call people, huh?” He lapses into a thoughtful silence for a bit, watching me, before resuming. “Will you be my friend, Cat? I don’t...exactly have a good track record, with making friends...but I’m trying. Trying to be different this time.” He’s talking to his shoes now, staring at them intently, a crease formed in his forehead. “I’m not a good person—I wasn’t, I’m still not, I’m not going to be...but I am different. Not good, but...better.” He gives a little sigh. “And I think I’d like to make friends. Starting somewhere. Whaddaya say?”

I do what I can. A soft call in response—low-high-low, with a little hop and flutter of my wings. His expression brightens.

“All right! I’m gonna find you the best cat food I can.”

I do not name the bastard god I’m beholden to, because it would give him satisfaction if I so much as even think his name, but I admit with great hatred in my heart and coursing through my hollow bones that he was right, the bastard, that I would know. It is no certainty, but I can feel the possibility that the young man who calls me Cat and who would be my friend could bring this exile to an end.

But I’ll be damned if I know how that’s supposed to happen.

So I take to the air and decide to go find a shiny button to give my new friend instead. This could just be one of the bastard’s tricks, that I’ll know who can help, but never be able to figure out how to free myself from this exile. And then I realize my latest mistake—deep down, rather than just take each day as it is, this realization has given me cause to hope. To hope for something different. That bastard really does know how to cut me, I think, with an angry flap of wings. This is undoubtedly my worst exile yet.

- NEXT SNIPPET -

[lukeysgirl]

The Note Tree ❋ L.H. Pt.1

Part O N E 

Summary: A cherry blossom tree, residing at the farthest part of the schools courtyard. Nobody dwelled there, and you didn’t care much for it. Until you kept hearing one song played over and over, with lyrics changed to touch at your curiosity. They knew you were listening, and one day you gave in and made your way to the pink tree. Waiting for you, a series of notes tied to a single strand of string. 

Word Count: 3.5k (on the dot)

AN: Hi guys, I’m alive and back! So here’s a new series (meaning requests are closed). This one is an original idea of mine, so this should be exciting. Anyhow, the regular rule stands at 100 notes for next parts. But my updates will be coming more slowly as I genuinely wanna develop this story so please be patient and I hope you enjoy. Lemme know if ya’ll enjoy, how it feels n what not. 

Parts: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty.

I M A G I N E 

Monday

“…So class, what could be a potential motif that is continuously being brought up in…” Tuning out…. Tuning out… Tuning out…

Click! Tuning out complete.

Sun poured itself into the left side of the classroom, it’s warmth licking all the students by the window (one being yourself). The professor with the typical monotonous voice pondered out loud to the minds who couldn’t shed a single drop of care. The fern chalkboard was ornate with several literature terms, part of an assignment that you didn’t bother to know just yet. Standard wooden desks with cheap metallic chairs were forced in rows, pure uncertainty in the germ quantity or the origin of zombie drawings scratched into the desks. 

On your desk resided your hands, clammy and still. Below your hands was a black, spiral notebook. To your right sat a mechanical pencil, red with size 0.5 lead. Next to that was a Bic pen you found in another classroom. Surely, it wasn’t yours, but you were too tempted to leave it alone. 

There it is again, you thought. Guitar boy is back. Every day in your English Literature class, there was this mysterious singer who sung nearby. He was never in sight from the classroom, impossible to find him even when you changed angles. As much as you wished to ignore it, it was impossible. 

After all, this voice picked on you every time. 

The same tune would be played, using the same chords every single week day. He has yet to make a mistake. It was an average 4-chord beat, who could mess that up? The voice type was a baritenor, the intriguing combination of tenor and baritone. He always sniffles right before beginning his tune. 

“Go to the pink tree, 

eat before three. 

Take my notes before the wind, 

don’t let my words go unpinned. 

Hung by a single thread,

don’t let my words go unread, 

Bic Pen Taker”

And there he goes. The guitar playing slowly fades away, all pairs of eyes still diverted to the front of the classroom. They had known this routine, too, and no longer thought anything of it. Even the teacher, Mr. Murphy, self-concluded that this was some sort of brief music session. It barely lasted a minute, and completely dissolved right after the tune. 

You paid no mind to it as well, refusing to interrupt your course of life. But, surely, your best friends wouldn’t dare let it leave your life. 

“‘Bic Pen Taker?’“ Savannah exclaimed, slamming her petite hand down onto the circular lunch table. She was a lovely thing when her mouth was shut. Perfect blonde locks danced down to the middle of her spine, loose curls at the end. She was very pale, very slim, and extremely preppy when it came to her clothing. Usually skirts and dresses with 3-inch heels to make her feel like an adult. “Y/N, you cannot ignore this!” 

“It really is big to pretend like it’s nothing,” Odessa, poking at the rim of her forest-green glasses. She was the loveliest shade of hot chocolate, her skin smooth and noticeable. Curvy one, she is, with braids that went down to her bum. Surely, your eyes diverted down to her curves, but what can you do? You concluded yourself to be a ‘bi-curious fuck’ when you first saw Halsey. Anyway, Odessa, or Des, was shorter than the rest of the group, but that just made her more endearing. 

“‘Eat before three?’ What’s that supposed to mean?” Alexis began, holding up a pink post-it note up to her face. Probably the cutest brunette, Lexi had freckles decorated all over her nose and cheeks. You were always tempted to take a Sharpie and create constellations. With a button nose and a kind smile, Alexis was definitely someone who stole peoples’ focus every time. 

“Don’t waste your time attempting to decipher it,” you groaned, resting your head in your arms as you looked down at the grey lunch table below you. It was cool, giving you a pleasant sensation. It was very in contrast from the muggy feeling provided by the crowded lunch room. “It’s a stupid song.” 

“It’s not stupid!” Savannah hissed, holding up her own post-it with the lyrics. “This is a secret admirer, Y/N! Straight-out-the-movies secret admirer!” 

“And I give a shit because?” You murmured, looking distantly at the entrance door where students pooled inside the room. Odessa shoved you playfully, sticking the note on the table before resting her elbows on the table. She hangs her head upon her fists, her cheeks pooling up her face as she studied the note. 

“Because he won’t stop pestering you indirectly until you do what he asks,” Alexis pipes. Shit. Good point. “It’ll never end if you keep putting it off.” 

“You’re right,” you respond calmly, closing your eyes to allow your weary body to refuel. Exhaustion always taunted you at school, but once you were home, some odd energy gets released and you’re wide awake until 2 in the morning. “Still don’t care enough.” 

“This has been going on since the beginning of the year, and it’s only been 2 months, Y/N,” Alexis points out, having you still shrug off her good points. 

“If we made sense of the song, you’d surely care then, wouldn’t you?” Odessa mumbled, turning over to you. You opened your eyes once more, slivers of your eyes being revealed to your friend group. They all stared with some odd frustration that you couldn’t really comprehend. 

“Ya’ll are acting like this song is complex,” you mumbled, having them stare back at their notes worth of the lyrics. You loved these girls dearly, but their brilliance put together and averaged out would be ‘meh.’ 

“So what does it mean?” Savannah hummed, tossing her post-it over to you. It hovered and indirectly glided to you, one of its corners hitting your elbow. Groggily, you forced yourself to sit up. You used one hand to weave your fingers into your hair to fix it up a bit. “The only part we got to is the ‘pink tree,’ which is that cherry tree in the courtyard.” 

“Oh wow, I’m so proud,” you sarcastically spewed, having Savannah roll her eyes as you picked up the thin sheet of paper. You held the paper, one hand holding it between your middle, index, and thumb as the other tapped at one of the pointy corners. “Yes, the ‘pink tree’ in this case would be the cherry tree that nobody gives a shit about.” 

“Why don’t people go there again?” Odessa asked, genuine wander sliding off her tongue. 

“Because it’s far as fuck,” Alexis breathed as the girls resumed to stare at you. The pairs of blue, brown, and green eyes frightened you as you kept yours diverted to the paper. 

“‘Eat before three...’ that’s probably another way of saying go there after lunch or before we get out of class,” you said with a shrug. It was your best guess, honestly. That line was just a bit tricky. “‘Take my notes before the wind, don’t let my words go unpinned.’“ 

“So you do care!” Savannah exclaimed, slamming her hands upon the table once more. Odessa’s milk carton jumped a bit as Alexis’ leaning position had been ruined by the sudden vibration. “You know the tune!” 

“That’s because it’s sung literally every day,” you groaned. “It was just like the ‘Call Me Maybe’ apocalypse where nobody could shut up about it.” Odessa snorted from your remark as you resumed with your analysis. “Anyways, that means that this kid would want me to go and read those notes and let them not be wasted.” 

“Cuuute,” Alexis moaned, having you shrug in complete oblivion to her definition of ‘cute.’ 

Sigh. “And then it’s ‘hung by a single thread,’ so string probably tied around a branch,” you said monotonously. “And again, he doesn’t want his words to be wasted so he wants me to read them. And then the ‘Bic Pen Taker,’ so obviously he knows that pen wasn’t mine.” 

“So he’s got his eye on ya,” Alexis teased, her smirk trying to indicate some sort of romantic reference. 

“More like he’s stalking me,” you groaned, tossing the paper back to Savannah as you rest your head once more into your arms. “No offense, but I don’t really like stalkers.” 

“He’s not stalking you,” Savannah tries to mellow the situation, but that definitely won’t do. Guitar dude is definitely stalking if he watched you while you were alone in a classroom stealing a pen. Creepy if you asked anybody. “He’s just interested but doesn’t know how to approach?” 

“Does that make him shy or what?” You mumbled, extremely bored with the conversation. 

“That makes you aloof,” Odessa brings up, having you frown at the chocolate girl beside you. 

“I’m not unfriendly,” you began with a touch of attitude. “I just don’t dedicate enough energy to make any more friends than I have to. If I don’t have to do it, I won’t.” 

“You’re colder than Antarctica, Y/N,” Alexis pouts, having you roll your eyes as you slowly closed them. You enjoyed napping, it was one of your favorite pastimes. It was overall easier, and required approximately no energy. But, as much as you wanted to sink into the bliss that is slumber, you were still in school with others far more... bombastic than yourself. 

“Oh shit, they’ve got pizza today!” Exclaimed the typically loud and annoying Michael Clifford. Eyebrow pierced, dyed blue hair, and immensely pale Michael had broken you from your attempts of a nap. You open your eyes in annoyance, seeing as the regular quad entered the cafeteria. 

Michael Clifford, the energy of the group. Calum Hood, Mr. I’m So Suave Because I Serenade Girls With My Guitar. And then Ashton Irwin, probably the friendliest person in heart and looks. Although they weren’t fawned over by all the girls like in the movies, they definitely weren’t ignored. Being the only legit band of the school, they were fairly known to get booked into the popular peoples’ parties and become the lives of the party. But it seems like they lacked something today. 

“Ash!” Alexis called the boys over, having you sink your head deeper into your arms until your nose touched the cold table. Fuck obligated interaction. It’s not that you hate people or anything. You just don’t want to spend so much energy on them. Odessa rubbed your back as you groaned quietly. 

“Hey Alex,” Ashton came, greeting her with his usual kind voice and lovely eyes. You tilted your head slightly to see, seeing one simple pleasure that was Ashton’s dimples when he smiled. “Savannah, Des. Hey, Y/N.” Of course he says your name in a separate sentence.

“Hey boys,” Savannah said, seeing as she smiled when Michael came over. It was rather strange with these 6. It was immensely obvious that Lex liked Ash, Sav liked Mike, and Des liked Cal. And vice versa, of course. But it’s the usual yucky high school love story where they all have to face complications before their happy ever after. Also, you hated the last member of the boys’ group. 

He was energy consuming, for sure. 

“Ladies,” Calum cooed, revealing a cheeky smile as Des leaned her cheek against her fist to ogle the Maori boy before her. You looked away, snapping your neck to face the other way to not see this gross love connections these 6 were having. You looked distantly through the cloudy windows, seeing the other students outside at the courtyard where more tables resided. You subconscious tried to find the cherry tree, but it was immensely far and there were too many oak trees in the way. 

“When do you wanna work on our English project, Lex?” Ashton asked, having those two discuss about whatever the hell project they’re doing. You could hear the other four discuss about some performance they’re having at some venue that you couldn’t even care less about. Along with their conversation, several others came into play as extremely loud background sound. 

“Hey, Y/N!” Michael called your name, having you sigh before sitting up and turning back to the rest of the group. All pairs of eyes were now on you, having you blink twice before staring up at the pale boy. “What’re you doing here?” 

“What do you mean?” You asked, pure confusion erupting in your mind. “I’m in school, trying to enjoy my lunch break.” Calum was quick to go and give Michael a slap behind his head, having him rub it while glaring at Calum. 

“He’s being stupid, as usual,” Calum suggested, having you barely smirk as Michael hissed at the Maori boy. “He just means that we always see you asleep or being lazy when you’re in school, so it’s odd to see you here.” 

“It’s not that I’m lazy,” you began with a shrug. You rubbed under your eye, cautious not to ruin the light makeup on your eyelids. “I just conserve my energy is all. Speaking of which, where’s the other one?” 

“Oh, you mean Luke?” Ashton asked, having you nod in confirmation. The other girls looked at him as well, just as curious about the missing blonde. “Lunch detention.” 

“What did cool boy Luke Hemmings do this time?” Savannah giggled, mocking the position that boy somehow held. But, of course he held the cool boy title. Blonde, blue eyes, devilishly handsome and lead singer of his band. Can we get any more cliche than this? 

“He drew a dick on the chalkboard over there for Ms. Lee’s class,” Calum said quickly, having you analyze his face as he spoke. Such a quick response. “Since it’s anatomy anyways, he claimed it’s for ‘educational purposes.’” 

“I see.” The conversation derailed quickly to the boy’s performance coming up this weekend. 

“Here’s the invites,” Michael began, smiling contently as he handed out the small flyers. There was a coffee stain in the right hand corner of each, having you roll your eyes at the boy. “All the info you might ask for is on there, trust me.” Savannah giggled, the two locking eyes quickly. 

“Oi, what are those notes you got there?” Calum began, pointing at the girls holding the lyrics in their spare hands. They were quick to press it against their chests with their faces losing it’s calm color. 

“Nothing,” you spoke for all 3, having the boys look strangely at all of you before headed off for their food. As they did, a few girls walked up to them and joined their stroll over for the pizza Michael long desires. Once they were no long in sight, the girls sighed in relief and put the notes back down. 

“That... was close,” Savannah said calmly. 

“Why the hell are you hiding them?” You asked all the girls. “Wouldn’t you think that they could help us decipher it? Being musicians and shit.” 

“Nah, we’re doing this ourselves,” Des began with a wide smile. “I want us to solve it. I’m trying to be an accomplished bitch, you know.” 

“Mm, I see,” you hummed before residing your head in your arms again. “Still not gonna go.” 

“Then I’ll go!” Des offered. “I have a free period after lunch so I can definitely check it out and share the note with ya’ll.” The other girls nodded in excitement, having you shrug simply at her choice. The girls had a few more discussions with you attentively listening, wasting the minutes before lunch had sadly reached an end. 

“...Okay class, take your seats, please.” Ms. Lee’s voice struggled over the sound of the students shuffling and finding their seats. You were always the first one in the room, already seated with your required materials out. You picked at your nails, enjoying the brief moment of being alone at your seat before the annoyance came. 

“I’m here, Ms. Lee!” And there is the nuisance. 

Luke Hemmings announced his arrival, stirring the class with laughter as he grinned giddily at your teacher. She kept her face stern, amused by his stupidity. He was leaning against the door frame, one arm straight up and holding the frame with the other resting on his hip. He stood with one leg, the other bent slightly in front of it. The usual skinny black jeans, a Nirvana shirt, and completely black converse, Luke looked of a punkrock try hard. 

“I see,” Ms. Lee murmured, agitation evident on her face as Luke strutted over to the seat beside yours. You clapped your hands together, shutting your eyes to pray briefly as the blonde boy adjusted himself on the wooden stool. You then began to wonder why the teacher hadn’t used his lunch detention as leverage for a clever remark. 

“Hey, Y/N,” Luke greeted, having you look over to see both hands weaved and under his chin as he stared at you. As annoyed as you got from seeing his face, you couldn’t help but adore his eyes. They were this ocean color, the one where the sky is perfectly blue and the sun was licking the beach. 

“Luke.” You turned away, no longer bothering to stare as you prepared for the lecture that proceeded. Luke always sighed in disappointment, always having you glance to see his eyes dim. You didn’t understand why, seeing as you two hardly knew each other and you had incredible doubt that Luke actually gave a shit about you. 

After the lecture, Ms. Lee had begun to pass out the tests. The assignment was already up and ready, having you the only student to jot suffice notes and begin a sketch of what you were to do. As you doodled, you notice Ms. Lee place Luke’s graded test. He grabbed it, holding it up as he smirked. 

“Yikes,” he uttered, having you shake your head at how careless he was. A 62 percent. That’s one of many reasons that you found Luke so infuriating. He didn’t care a single cent about his grades, taking them as a joke almost all the time. “Looky!” He turned around and showed it to the students behind you two, having them laugh with him as he passed it around. 

“You’re such a dope, Luke!” One of his friends said with a chuckle, having Luke laugh even more. Others laughed at him, fueling his idiotic antics and ways. Even though you didn’t care at all for Luke, you suddenly found yourself annoyed at his carelessness. 

“Luke, cut it out,” you said simply, having his group of friends silence themselves as he turned over to you. You felt his eyes, refusing to lock yours with them as you continued your sketch. “You need this class-- quit being such a dolt.” 

“Woah,” Luke said with awe, having goosebumps rise on your arms from his breathless word. You didn’t know what to think, with the way his clean, hoarse voice uttered the word in pure disbelief. “I didn’t think you’d care about it, Y/N, let alone anything I do.” 

“Correction: I don’t care,” you pointed, getting over your momentary mental ogle from his voice. “I just don’t want you expressing your stupidity around me.” Luke blinked, having you indirectly stare as he leaned closer to you. You leaned away, somewhat revolted by his antics. “What?” 

“I have an idea,” Luke began, having you already try to tune him out. “How about the 3.8-GPA student tutor me about anatomy?” 

“No,” you immediately shot him down. 

“C’mon now!” Luke kept trying, leaning closer to you as you found yourself flustered from his sudden closeness. “We can get real in-depth about the body... talking intimately about my anatomy and--” 

Suddenly, the dismissal bell rang. 

“In your damn dreams, Hemmings,” you announced, slamming your notebook close as you poured your items into your backpack and fled the room. Luke was wise not to call you back or chase you, having relief wash over you as you exit the school. 

You managed to catch up with Savannah and Alexis, listening to their heavy projects and paper homework. And you agreed: homework is a serious no-no. But how else could you retain your intelligence? It was the only thing you actually put energy into anyways. 

“Sav, Alex, Y/N!” Suddenly, Des’s voice called to all of you, having you halt and turn around to see the girl hurry to you guys. Cliques all around walked past as Des stopped running and gave herself a moment to breathe. “Goddamn... ya’ll walk damn fast, Jesus...” She panted, standing up straight with her chest heaving. 

“You alright?” Alexis asked, concern painting all of your faces as you stared at the short girl. Des nodded, waving it off as she adjusted her bookbag. “What is it? Everything okay?” 

“No...” She said breathlessly. 

“Why? What’s wrong?” Savannah allowed pure concern to roll off her tongue as you three stared at Des’s surprised face. She then turned to you, having you blink a few times until you listened to the words that left her plump lips. 

“I went to the tree,” Des said simply, weaving her fingers together, somewhat nervously. “But the notes weren’t there.” 

aha please do lemme know whatcha think right here, thank you x

[crispychrissy]

Shrink - Chapter 17

Summary: When patients of a psychiatrist that caters exclusively to hunters start going crazy and dying, Sam and Dean Winchester investigate what might be causing these bizarre episodes. Pairing: Sam Winchester x Ellen Barnes Word Count: 3373 (whoops lol) Warnings: Smut, oral (female receiving), fingering, fluff A/N: My first fanfic! This is going to be a series, probably over 30 chapters total. Any feedback is appreciated, I am a newbie!

Still smiling as he drove down the road, Dean happily drummed his fingers on the steering wheel of the Impala. Hearing his phone vibrate, he glanced over to his coat laying on the passenger’s seat. He fumbled around trying to get his hand into the inside jacket pocket, making sure to keep his attention on the road as he felt around. Finally maneuvering his fingers inside the pocket, he pulled out his cell phone to read the text message from Sam. “218 Snyder. Nice. Score one to Sam. Let’s hope you can score with Ellen, too.” Dean said, smiling and laughing to himself. Right as Dean was about to lock his phone and toss it back onto his jacket, it started to vibrate again. He turned the phone over and read the caller ID. It was Jody. Jody Mills is a sheriff in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. An acquaintance of their late friend Bobby Singer, Jody and the brothers have known each other for over five years now. They have worked several cases in the time since then, and Sam and Dean have taken Jody under their wing to teach her the basics of the hunter life. Currently Jody lives with Alex, a former captive of a vampire nest, and Claire, the daughter of Jimmy Novak, Castiel’s vessel. Dean tapped the Answer button and put the phone up to his ear. “Hey Jody. What’s shaking?” Dean said cheerfully. “Not much, still getting to know your friend Castiel. Thanks for the heads up that he was coming, by the way.” Jody said sternly. “Huh?” Dean said, tilting his head to the side, confused. “Castiel came to ask Claire about her sword yesterday. He just showed up at my door. I had no idea who he was. I mean…I know about him…just not…who he is.” Jody said.

“Ohhh. You’ve never met Cas before, have you?” Dean said, shaking his head. “I have not had the pleasure. Until yesterday.” Jody replied, her tone a lot lighter than earlier. “Claire didn’t tell you he was coming?” Dean asked. “Are you kidding me? The kid barely speaks at all, let alone to me.” Jody replied. “Teenagers. Yeah, I get it.” Dean said, before clearing his throat. “I, uhh, heard about the rave incident.” “Yeah, that was fun. Didn’t think angels could get high on ecstasy. Yah learn something new every day.” Jody said, laughing lightly. “I would have paid good money to see that.” Dean said, laughing along with Jody. “I guess I can check ‘rescue an angel from a rave’ off my Bucket List.” Jody said as a car door slammed shut in the background. “Hey, he deserves to relax. Things have been pretty intense with all this crap going on with The Darkness.” Dean said as he changed lanes on the highway. “The Darkness? Is that some kind of heavy metal band?” Jody asked as she turned the key in the ignition of her truck, causing it to sputter before roaring to life. “If only. Don’t worry, we’re gonna do what we do best. Kill the bad guy. Save the world. The usual.” Dean said as he took the phone away from his ear and hit the Speaker button on the screen. “If you need anything, you know I’m here.” Jody said, the soft hum of her engine in the background. “Thanks, Jody. Let me know if Cas becomes a handful.” Dean said as he tapped on the navigation app on his phone, putting in Natalie’s address. “Awww. Don’t worry, I can handle your boyfriend just fine.” Jody said, over exaggerating a soft and empathetic voice before she started laughing. “Bite me, Mills.” Dean said hastily, but smiling slightly. “You wish, Winchester.” Jody replied, smiling, before she hung up. Dean shook his head and rolled his eyes as he finished putting in Natalie’s address. He tapped the Go button and a woman’s voice began speaking, telling him to take the next exit off the highway.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful of your leg." Sam purred into Ellen's ear as he leaned down and began to kiss her neck. Ellen closed her eyes, feeling the warm sensation of Sam's breath and lips on her neck. She moaned softly as Sam playfully nibbled on the side of her neck, feeling the gentle abrasiveness of the stubble on his face rub against her. She could tell he was smiling. She reached up and slowly ran her fingers through his hair, feeling how soft it was in comparison to the stubble. Sam sat back, his knees on either side of Ellen's waist, and began to undo the buttons on her shirt. Sam smiled and stared into Ellen's eyes as he undid each button, before sliding his hand underneath Ellen's torso and pulling her shirt off, tossing it to the side of the bed. Feeling herself get lost in Sam's multicolored starburst eyes, Ellen smiled as she felt Sam run his fingers over her back before they began to undo the clasp on her bra. Ellen felt the elastic band of her bra go slack as Sam unclasped it. Sam gently lowered Ellen's torso back down on the bed. He traced his pointer finger from Ellen's bottom lip, down her chin, onto her chest, before hooking his finger on Ellen's bra and pulling it down. Ellen moaned softly, feeling the fabric of her bra rub against her already hard and sensitive nipples as Sam removed it, before throwing it in the same direction as her shirt. Sam leaned down again and started gently kissing the same spot on Ellen's neck, before slowly making his way down from her neck to her breasts. Sam grasped Ellen's right breast before taking it into his mouth, swirling his tongue around Ellen's nipple. Ellen arched her back and pushed her hips into Sam, feeling how hard he already was through his pants. Sam glided his right hand over Ellen's chest before taking a firm hold of her left breast and twirling his thumb and middle finger over her nipple. Ellen was amazed by how hard she was grinding against Sam, her moaning growing louder and louder as he switched breasts and began to nibble on her left nipple, kneading her right breast with his hand. Sam began to kiss back up Ellen's chest, over her breast, up her neck, and back onto her lips. He playfully bit onto Ellen's lower lip before firmly pressing his lips against hers, his tongue dancing around inside Ellen's mouth. Ellen, meeting her tongue with his, felt Sam's right hand begin to slide down her chest and down to the waistband of her skirt. Ellen could feel the familiar tingle of anticipation begin to warm between her legs as Sam swiftly undid the button on her skirt and slid his hand down into her panties. Slightly chilled by the cool air seeping down, Ellen could feel how wet she already was and ready for Sam's fingers to begin exploring her. Involuntarily spreading her legs a little wider, Ellen felt Sam's warm fingers begin to feel around her wet folds, before one finger rested over her clit. Slowly circling his middle finger over her clit, Sam, still kissing Ellen, began to twirl her left nipple between his fingers before pinching gently. Ellen moaned louder, her moans coming out as a soft growl that she could feel vibrate through her lungs. Sam tilted his head back, detaching from Ellen's lips as he removed his hand from her panties. Ellen opened her eyes and whimpered, before seeing Sam lean back and pull down the zipper on her skirt. He wiggled himself backward, still on his knees, as he slid Ellen's skirt down, being careful not to rub it against the wound on her leg. At the edge of the bed, he leaned backward and stood up, reaching down and pulling Ellen's skirt the remaining way off, dropping it to the floor next to him. Sam looked up at Ellen and undid the buckle on his belt before unbuttoning and unzipping his pants. He rapidly pushed his pants down, refusing to wait for gravity to do the job. Ellen bit her lip, she could see how hard and big Sam was in his boxers as he kicked his pants to the side and resumed his position on top of her, a knee on either side. Kissing her again, Sam squeezed Ellen's left breast before sliding his fingers back down into her panties. Ellen snapped her eyes shut as Sam's fingers explored her again, the intoxicating feeling of desire pooling in the pit of her stomach. Sam slipped a finger inside Ellen, causing her to gasp in pleasure. Amazed at how wet she felt and unable to resist, Sam removed his fingers and began to slide off Ellen's panties. Ellen slipped her left leg through the elastic waistband, leaving them wrapped around her right thigh. She slipped her legs out from under Sam, intentionally rubbing her leg against his package to tease him. "You're going to pay for that." Sam growled at Ellen before he firmly grabbed her waist and pulled her hips toward him. Leaning back up, Sam kissed Ellen's lips before slowly kissing his way down her chest, over her stomach, and onto her thighs. He lightly traced his fingertips over the inside of Ellen's left thigh as he kissed and suckled on the inside of her right thigh, dangerously close to Ellen's still dripping wet pussy. Ellen grinded her hips side to side, trying to move Sam's lips closer to her spot. Sam rapidly slid his hands under Ellen's butt and firmly placed them on each of her hips. Ellen could feel his large hands push into her skin as she squirmed, unable to move her hips anymore. Sam stopped kissing her thigh and looked up at her, smiling. He slid his right hand out from under her and slowly rubbed his middle finger it up and down the length of Ellen's slit. Ellen grunted and moaned as Sam pressed his finger down more and more with each pass before leaning in and quickly running his tongue up the entire length of Ellen's pussy, tasting her delicious juices as they covered his tongue. Ellen gasped, then moaned as Sam repeated the same motion, curling his tongue at the last second to ensure he passed over her clit. Sam began to dance his tongue around Ellen's clit, watching her hips buck wildly and press harder in his mouth with each flick of his tongue. He slid his middle finger back inside her and began moving it in and out as he began to suck on her clit. Ellen moaned louder and louder, overwhelming desire taking over as she found herself unable to control the movement of her hips. She felt another finger side inside her as Sam continued to switch between flicking and sucking on her clit. She grabbed a handful of blankets and pulled, hard, her back arching and hips wildly grinding as she could feel her whole body tingle with pleasure. Sam slowly slid his fingers out of Ellen and stopped licking. Ellen exhaled quickly and breathed in deeply, trying to catch her breath. Sam climbed back up onto the bed and kissed Ellen once more, his mouth wet from pleasuring her. Ellen danced her tongue over Sam's lips, tasting his saliva mixing with her juices. Sam turned sideways and fell to his right, next to Ellen, still kissing her. Ellen turned to face him and ran her hand over Sam's well defined chest and down his abdomen, before sliding into his boxers. Ellen firmly took a hold of Sam in her hand as she began to stroke up and down. He was a lot larger than she expected, causing her mind began to wander, but she was snapped back by the overwhelming feeling of warmth and tingling returning between her legs. She slid her hand up and down the length of his shaft, feeling the hum of Sam's deep moaning vibrating her lips as he kissed her even harder. Ellen swirled her fingers around the tip of his cock before sliding her fingers down, tracing a vein on the underside of his shaft. Sam detached his lips and pressed his forehead against Ellen's, heavily breathing and groaning as she moved her thumb over the tip of his cock again. "I want you, Sam." Ellen whispered, feeling his warm breath against her face as he continued to moan. Sam reached down and pulled Ellen's hand out from his boxers. He lifted himself up and pulled off his boxers before kicking his leg out, sending them flying across the room. He laid on his back and reached into the drawer of the night stand. He removed a condom from the drawer, ripped it open, and slid it over his throbbing manhood. Ellen rolled over and straddled Sam, pressing her breasts flat against his chest. Sam looked up into Ellen's eyes, brushing the hair away from her face. Sam rested his hand on the left side of Ellen's neck and smiled. Raising an eyebrow, he quickly flipped Ellen back over onto her back and positioned himself between her legs. Ellen giggled softly and reached her hands up toward Sam. He intertwined his fingers into hers and pushed her hands back onto the bed. He wiggled his hips up and teased Ellen's opening with the tip of his cock. Ellen rocked her hips toward Sam, causing him to push harder onto her hands, pinning them firmly down. Sam moved his hips forward in one swift but quick thrust, entering Ellen. They gasped and moaned in unison as the entire length of Sam's cock slid inside her, both feeling how well it filled and stretched her walls. Ellen arched her back and opened her legs even more as Sam began to slowly thrust in and out, making sure he pulled out to the tip before plunging himself back inside. Ellen wrapped her legs around Sam's waist so he could go even deeper, feeling his weight press down on her hands as she tried to move her arms. Sam released his grip from her left hand as he took a handful of her hair and pulled, leaning down and pressing his body flat against hers as he thrusted faster and deeper inside her. Sam ran his teeth along Ellen's neck and nibbled, sucking gently as he groaned louder each time his hips slammed against hers. Ellen kept up with Sam's erratic rhythm, moving her hips to meet his, practically gasping every time he entered her and stretched her, hitting every sweet spot she had...and some she didn't even know she had. Ellen could feel herself getting closer to climax, the muscles in her core beginning to tighten as her moan turned into a soft yell of pleasure. Ellen wrapped her free hand around Sam's torso and onto his back, lifting herself slightly and digging her fingernails in as Sam began to push harder and harder into her. Both panting and sweating with exertion, Sam groaned, feeling that they both were getting close. Ellen grunted and arched her back as her muscles began to contract, squeezing down on Sam's cock that was still rapidly pushing into her. She loudly moaned, the moan blending into a scream, as she squeezed her eyes shut and held onto Sam, digging her nails into his back. Her whole body began to shake and tingle as she climaxed. Sam lowered his head and grunted, feeling Ellen shake beneath him and squeeze down, he thrusted into her a few more times before succumbing to climax himself. Sam let out a loud and guttural groan as he felt his body tense up and release, his cock throbbing as he came. Ellen opened her eyes to see Sam positioned over her, hands on either side of her upper torso. Breathing heavily, his hair dangled down into his face, both were slick with sweat. Ellen reached up and brushed the hair away from his face and smiled. Sam smiled back and leaned down, kissing Ellen...his tongue sliding between her lips and exploring once more. Ellen met her tongue with his before Sam detached and slid out of Ellen. She let out a small gasp as she felt him rub against her sweet spot again as he pulled out. Sam smiled and chuckled lightly, his adorable dimples making an appearance as he smiled. Ellen sighed heavily and closed her legs as Sam turned around and sat on the edge of the bed momentarily before getting up, pausing a moment to regain muscle control in his legs. "I needed that." Ellen said as she sat up on her elbows, still smiling at how hard she came. "Me too." Sam said as he practically stumbled over to the bathroom and flipped the light on. He turned around and faced Ellen. "Be right back." He winked before he closed the door to the bathroom. Ellen nodded and pulled the blanket over her body, allowing herself to flop back down on the bed. She closed her eyes, replaying what just happened in her mind before being snapped back to the present by a loud buzzing coming from the table. It was Sam's cell phone. "Sam, your phone's vibrating." Ellen said. Sam emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist, and he walked over to the table. He picked up his phone and looked at the screen. "It's Dean." He said to Ellen before tapping the Answer button. "Hey Dean, how'd it go?" Sam asked, secretly hoping his brother wouldn't make a big deal out of him and Ellen. "It didn't. Address is bogus. You sure you got the right one?" Dean replied, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "I'm sure. Only one listed. I followed the paper trail." Sam replied. "The trail from foster care, to the women's shelter, then to the Doc?" Dean asked. "Yes, Dean. I know how to do my job." Sam snapped back. "I know that, Sammy. You were...distracted, though. Gotta make sure." Dean said with a chuckle. "You on your way back?" Sam replied as he walked over to the TV and removed his boxers from the top of it. He turned around, showed them to Ellen, and smiled. Ellen nodded and giggled. "Maybe. You finished getting your love injection from the good Doc yet?" Dean asked. "See you when you get here." Sam replied, ignoring Dean's comment. "Come on Sam, did you open yourself up and talk about your feelings? Or did she have an illness that can only be cured by some di-" Dean replied, before being cut off by Sam. "Goodbye Dean." Sam said sternly before hitting the End button on his phone and sliding it back onto the table. Ellen raised an eyebrow at Sam as he pulled off his towel and stepped into his boxers, pulling them up to his waist. "Dean's on his way back. He'll be here in about 30." Sam said smiling at Ellen again as he grabbed a pair of jeans from his bag, slid his leg inside, and began putting them on. "I'll get cleaned up. Need to put a bandage on this cut anyways." Ellen replied as she flung the blanket off, swung her legs around over the edge of the bed, and stood up. Her panties that were still around her right leg fell to the floor. She bent over and put her left leg back through and pulled them up. Shifting her weight off her injured leg, she limped a few steps toward the bathroom before Sam came over and grabbed her arm, helping her walk. At the doorway to the bathroom, Ellen spun around and kissed Sam. She could still taste herself as her tongue moved across his lips. Sam grabbed a firm handful of Ellen's ass and squeezed as she stopped kissing him. "Ooooh!" Ellen yelped, then giggled, before playfully pushing on Sam's chest. "Knock it off." "Mmhmm." Sam replied as he took a few steps back and laughed. Ellen smiled and turned around, stepping through the doorway to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Sam walked toward his bed and pulled a shirt out of his bag, finding himself unable to stop smiling.

[kookmint]

Dream Team

pairing: jikook

length: oneshot, 2.3k

genre: domestic fluff, subunit!jikook, implied sexual content

summary: “Jikook would be that couple that would 100% un-ironically high five after sex”

or

Jimin and Jungkook are quite literally the definition of a perfect team, in all aspects of the word.

based on this post

[Crossposted to Ao3]

“You’re doing it again.”

Nimble fingers freeze where they had been so avidly typing away on the black plastic keys of a laptop. The buttons feel heated under his fingers, and now that he had noticed it, under his palms too—the computer was overheated. Had been for sometime now. But of course his brain never processed that information until someone else had brought his attention to the fact.

He spares a glance at the clock.

12:23 AM. Shit.

He hadn’t realized that he had been cooped up in that office for so long. He had been so immersed in his work that he hadn’t even bothered to check the time. It was the usual: Bills and, well, writing. Song writing.

“Hm?”

His lame attempt at feigning innocence was enough to make him wince slightly at his own response.

“Come on. How long have I known you for now? Are you really trying to be coy with me Jungkook?” responded the voice from the doorway.

Jimin stood in the doorway, hip leaning against the white painted frame and head resting there too, arms crossed. The very tips of his hair were clumped together, indicating that he had taken a shower before heading off to bed. Jungkook loved him like this—clad in an oversized hoody (who’s color was faded from being washed one too many times) and a pair of black sweatpants that draped down to the tops of his feet, stopping just in front of his toes. His skin was fresh and clean, makeup cleared from his face, revealing the softness in his eyes rather than the sharp look his typical eyeliner gave him.

Though, the ‘heading off to bed’ part seemed to have been interrupted due to the face that he was standing here in his office rather than tucked away under their covers.

Jungkook sighed deeply, rubbing his hands down his tired-ridden expression, exhaustion finally hitting him like a freight train at full speed.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I didn’t look at the time.” The guilt was starting to kick in.

The man at the doorway shrugged his shoulders and gnawed at his lip lightly. “You never look at the time.”

It may have been a harsh reality to face, but Jimin was right. Carelessly thrown into his work, he never bothered to check the time when he was in the zone. The only think on his mind was finishing.

“Jungkook,” he knew what was coming, “You’re just—you’re just working yourself too hard. It’s been what, almost two months since we’ve finished our mini tour? Don’t you think you should be relaxing just a tad. We just finished working our asses off. Now it’s time to rest up a bit.” The concern in his eyes was unwavering. And in a way, it scared Jungkook, because he knew that he could never effectively argue back. But at the same time, he was thankful for it.

The younger reaches up to pull down the screen of the laptop, closing it and pushing it away from his body. “Hyung, look, I get that. But we can’t just stop now. Our tour was a success, yes, but we have to keep rolling off of it. A comeback date has already been set, I’m just trying to get on top of this.”

Jimin groans, he seems to be as equally as exasperated as Jungkook. “I understand that.” He pushes himself away from the door frame and glides easily over to behind Jungkook’s office chair, sliding his hands onto his shoulders and slightly down his chest. Jungkook feels him lean down to press a chaste kiss behind his ear, leaving an oddly comforting tingling sensation behind. “But there is such thing as a break.”

Jungkook slumps in the leather chair, letting Jimin massage his shoulders lightly, thumbs digging into his sore muscles. Jungkook only grumbles in response, making Jimin chuckle behind him.

“You’re starting to sound like Min Yoongi,” he whispers lightly. Jungkook’s expression softens at the mention of their good friend. How many months has it been since he’s seen him? The thought of the older made him crave a conversation with him, see how he’s doing. Maybe he’d invite him to lunch later that week.

“Jungkook,” Jimin starts again, “Starting this subunit—just you and I—probably has to be one of the best decisions I’ve made in my entire life. Being on stage together…it’s honestly incredible in every single way. And in the back of my mind, I thought I’d get to see you more. But it’s hard to do that when you are in here all the time. Do you understand, Jungkookie?”

Jimin’s voice is light, airy, and more importantly, convincing. It reminds Jungkook of when they first went solo together. Jimin had always been an overwhelming presence of encouragement. He was so good to him when Jungkook was scared out of his mind with the new arrangement. It hadn’t been an easy transition—going from seven members to just two. But Jimin held his hand through the entire adventure, and in the end, it had payed off.

Jungkook nods sheepishly, letting the older’s hands continue to rub lovingly at his shoulders. Jimin leans down once more to press a kiss onto the younger’s warm cheek. “Come on now. Let’s go to bed.”

“I’m not even tired though,” Jungkook weakly protests.

Jimin bites his lip in an attempt to hide his blooming smile as he tugs Jungkook up from the chair he always seemed to be glued into. “Then I’ll just have to make it worth your while, don’t I?”

At these words, Jungkook’s eyes flicker up to the older’s to find a mysterious glint sparkling behind those beautiful irises. A sort of heat pooled in Jungkook’s belly at the insinuation, an excitement beginning to course through his veins.

“Is this your way of getting me to go to sleep?”

Jimin merely shrugs his shoulders taking a few steps backwards towards the door, pulling Jungkook with him. “It’s my way of getting you to relax. There’s nothing wrong with a little incentive is there?”

The older’s hooded eyes and thumb brushing against the top of his hand was enough incentive for him. He found his breath hitching lightly, eyes unable to steer away from the man before him.

“Not. Not at all.”

And with that, Jimin takes this as an invitation to finally drag him to their shared bedroom. They had two bedrooms in their apartment, of course. But they found no use in using separate bedrooms when they always slept in the same bed. The spare room was being used as a guest room, for the days one of the boys decided to visit or if they had a family member coming.

Jimin was quick to push Jungkook through the doorway of their room, backing him up quickly to the edge of the bed until the backs of his knees lightly bump it. He didn’t lock the door—they could do that now.

One step closer, and Jungkook already lost his balance falling onto the soft duvet with a muffled thunk. Jimin only takes this as an advantage and pushes lightly at his chest until the younger’s back was flush with the sheets. He swings a knee up on the bed, crawling to straddle the man below him and caging him between his hands.

“Hey there.”

Jungkook smiles up at the beauty above him, eyes sparkling with their usual galaxies and constellations that Jimin had loved so much.

“Hello.”

The younger bit his lip, waiting for the older to do something, but it seems as if he was too busy taking in the moment. Jungkook taps his wrist lightly and smiles shyly up at him. “Kiss me.”

And how could Jimin resist?

He surges down without another word, pressing their lips firmly together. Both men let out sighs, like it was the feeling of coming home. Jimin shifts his hands to lightly cup Jungkook’s face, thumbing at his soft cheeks and kissing him a little harder.

Jungkook loved this feeling—the feeling of Jimin’s plush lips moving in sync with his own. He can feel the love emanating with each movement of their lips, pulling him in and pushing him away like waves, yet gradually getting closer.

Jungkook let’s his hands roam the expanse of Jimin’s back, trekking further and further, until they run over the curve of his ass pulling so that his chest was flush to his. Satisfied with their proximity, Jungkook shifts his hands lower so that they rest on the back of Jimin’s thighs, rubbing in slow circles. Jimin moans softly into their kiss at this sensation, Jungkook taking the opportunity to slowly slip his tongue into the older’s mouth, deepening it further.

“Jungkook…” Jimin whispers heatedly into the younger’s mouth as he lightly ground his hips downward into Jungkook. His fingers tighten in their place on Jimin’s thighs as he feels himself become harder in his sweatpants, the material suddenly becoming too hot.

Jungkook shoves Jimin away gently to rip off the older’s shirt, followed by his own, and tugged him back down to resume their heated kiss. Jimin continued to grind their clothes erections together at an achingly slow pace, causing his head to go dizzy.

It was almost too much for him, Jimin changing it up to press fervent kisses to his neck, sucking lightly every so now wand then. Jungkook lets out low groans, squeezing the older’s ass as “I love you’s” were promised into his neck.

Jimin pulls away, pecking Jungkook’s now swollen lips once more before speaking. “I want you, Jungkook.” His voice was raspy and deep, sending an unexpected shiver creeping down his spine.

“Then have me.”

Jimin presses one to his lips before moving towards their bedside drawer where he pulled out a bottle of lube and a condom packet. He passes it over to Jungkook to then hook his thumbs in the waistband of his own sweatpants, beginning to pull them down.

Jungkook laughs. “You know, I thought I was meant to be sleeping. Or resting perhaps.”

Jimin raises an eyebrow at him. “Would you rather stop?”

Jungkook shuts his mouth as quickly as he had opened it.

The older successfully pulls his sweats off along with his underwear, and doing the same for Jungkook leaving them both bare and panting. Without a word Jungkook pushes the lube and condom at Jimin. “Oh, do you want me to prep myself?”

Jungkook shakes his head lightly. “I want you to prep me.”

Jimin’s nose wrinkles lightly. “But you bottomed last time.”

The younger shrugs his shoulders before shimmying out from under Jimin. “What’s one more time?” He says with a small smile and fondness in his eyes.

The older man chuckles and lets himself fall between Jungkook’s parted legs, capturing his lips between his own. “I love you Jeon Jungkook.”

“Show me then.” He whispers against his lips, their hot breaths mingling together.

And so he did.

Jimin spent that night taking Jungkook apart, piece by piece—breath by breath. He was gentle, more than usual, fingertips ghosting over the most sensitive parts of Jungkook’s skin, followed by kisses sealing every touch. He pulled soft moans and gasps for breath out of Jungkook’s throat and swallowed them up. Fingers dug into the skin of the younger’s hips, leaving faint bruises behind. Jungkook’s nails scratched lightly at each dragging movement of the older’s hips, hopefully not breaking the skin. He couldn’t pinpoint where Jimin ended and where he began. He had never felt so close to older before.

But as soft and slow as it was, they were always unable to keep it that way—the desperation of being close becoming too much. Pace quickens as well as breath. Desire to want to feel everything and anything took over. Jungkook writhing with every harsh movement, unable to keep quiet. They were insatiable.

And before he knew it, everything was crashing down like tidal wave upon tidal wave. violent shudders wrack their bodies as they fall into each other’s arms, limp and satisfied.

Jungkook panted heavily, chest heaving and it almost seemed like he wouldn't be able to catch his breath.

“Holy—” he pauses to catch his breath in order to be able to force out another word. “Shit.”

Jimin—who was as equally fucked-out as Jungkook—nodded, breath almost wheezing out of his chest. “Shit indeed.”

“Fuck, that was so good. Why was that so good?” Jungkook continues, mind clearly blown.

Jimin shrugs, tucking his head into the crook of Jungkook’s neck.  “I dunno, maybe sex just gets better when you haven’t done it for a while because you were too busy working,” the older says ever so innocently.

Jungkook’s mouth drops. “Hey!”

Jimin raises his eyebrows his eyebrows looking up at the ceiling. “Or you know, maybe we are just a really good team.”

The younger chuckles and kisses Jimin’s sweaty temple. “We have good sex. Like, really good sex.” He holds a hand up to the older, Jimin laughs before obliging and meeting his hand in the middle for a high-five. They keep their hands together afterwards, fingers linking between their chests.

“Yeah we do.” Jimin agrees. “Almost like we’re a dream team, huh?”

At these words, Jungkook has flashbacks to their most recent stages. The crowd going wild as Jimin and Jungkook perform, just the two of them, powerful and a force to be reckoned with. The older’s beaming smile flashes in his mind as he looks at him across the stage, a smile that left him knowing that, yeah, they were in this together.

“Yeah. Dream team.”

This was supposed to be a drabble that turned into a fic for @jikookiejar wowzers. Sorry I wrote an entire backstory just for jikook to high five after doing the horizontal tango. Anyways, this is unedited sorry for mistakes! 

Feedback is always appreciated :)

-Immy

[taneyhana]

Left Your Mark On Me || Edgar & Taney; Late August 5th

Taney is invited over for drinks at Edgar’s and the night got sexy.

Taney: Taney looked at the address Edgar had messaged her, scooped up her helmet and two bottles of booze, and headed out of her apartment. After securely tucking them in the saddle bags and zipping up her leather jacket she made her way to his. This wasn't uncommon for her to hang out with strangers. Drinks and-or sex were all she needed to clear her head... and it was a bit refreshing for her to brush up on her Spanish. When she parked her bike at his place and went up to his door she wondered if she looked half as shitty as she felt. Normally she dressed up for this sort of thing. Instead she wore tight black jeans, a light gray flannel button up that was tied mid-waist with the sleeves rolled up, and no bra or panties. She ran her fingers through her damp hair, knowing that she at least smelled nice was a pleasant change of pace. She put on a small smile and tapped the door, putting the bottles in front of her face. "He llegado con regalos, Mister Sexy."

Edgar: Edgar wasn't one to deny a pretty face or one that was blunt with their intentions. Causal sex was something the Venezuelan indulged in here and there, but it was something he didn't make public. The idea of joining the site was not to meet people for this purpose, however, he was not going to deny himself. He didn't know how long it would take for Taney to get there, but he moved around and cleaned up the small clutter around his apartment. It was pretty basic and did not have a whole lot of appeal to it. He walked around in his flannel pj bottoms and no shirt. There was no need to get dressed up considering why they were meeting. Strong fingers run through his hair and he turned towards the door when a small tap was heard. He opened the door to find Taney standing there, she was much smaller than he though she would be. "Ya veo. Pasa. Sientase cómodo. Nos conseguirá vasos." He opened the door further and stepped aside to let her in.

Taney: She slinked past him, her fingertips running across the top elastic of his flannel pajama shorts. “Cute.” Taney purred as she took a seat as he’d asked. Unzipping her jacket the set it to the side on top of her helmet and keys. It left her thin flat stomach, exposing both scars and tattoos. Crossing her legs at the ankle, Taney realized just how bare the place was, not so different from her own place. “You haven’t been here long, have you?” It left her to study him and she didn’t mind it at all. She loved his features, the scruffy jaw and thick dark hair, the rapid accent. Normally she’d’ve climbed the man like a tree already, but she’d come for much needed drinks and she was more curious about him than she had been others in quite a while. “My apartment is pretty bare itself. I’m not far from here. I’m in Oceanside Loft, have you heard of it?”

Edgar: Hazel hues danced the path the petite woman traveled. The purr and touch had a lazy coy smile creep into his features. He was aroused to find that she could ride a bike, making him think of his downstairs in the underground parking. He took notice of her tattoo's and scars, having some of his own that were on his arms. He moved around in the kitchen to fetch them two glasses, grabbed the two bottles of alcohol she brought and went to join her. "I've been here three years now." He placed the glasses down on the coffee table, opening the first bottle to pour them a drink. Edgar welcomed the company. He leaned back into the couch, running his fingers through his dark locks. "How long have you been in your apartment? No, I can't say I've heard it. This is pretty cheap on rent." Money was not an issue, he would rather live with the bare minimum which allowed him to send more money back home. Edgar turned his body towards the woman, something about her intrigued him.

Taney: She studied him, a little smirk painted across her face, she hadn’t expected him to have so much in. Taney was almost more excited to study the tattoos than his other features...almost. When he said he’d been there three years her eyebrow rose curiously, “Not much for decorating?” She took her drink with a quick, “Salud!” and clink of their glasses. After listening to his explanation she answered the same question. “I’ve been in my current apartment nearly six months. The lease is up, so its time to sort out what’s next, I guess.” She crossed her legs so that they brushed his and she pivoted her hips so she was angled to see him better. Taney let her fingers trail over his tattoos, “These are beautiful. Did you design them? What do they mean?”

Edgar: His head slanted to the side before he clinked glasses with hers. "I am one that isn't materialistic. I only need the basics. Everything else seems pointless." His lips rested against the rim of his glass, watching her change positions. "Where do you plan on going next? Stay where you are?" Dark hues glanced down to watch her finger trace over his tattoo's. "I have always liked being out in the forest. Nature has a way to relax me. Each bird accounts for a family member. The writing is 'To thine own self be true' reminder to be who I am. The arm band is something me and one of my sisters both have. Tell me about yours." His finger grazed over one on her stomach.

Taney: Taney quirked her eyebrow, “Is that just a lifestyle choice or are you really in to the environment?” She knew the meaning of his questions, more about her traveling than sex, but Taney-being-Taney flipped it. “I plan on going to your bedroom, but I’ll stay here if you prefer a couch session first.” She winked at him and then turned her attention back to the tattoos. “It’s good that they all mean something too you. I’ve had a lot of clients that just want a tattoo to have one.” She stood up with her back to Edgar, untying the knot in the flannel shirt. On her left shoulder blade sat a watercolor dragon, red and blue. “I thought this was the best representation of my true self.” She pulled her hair long dark hair out of the way. Unashamed of her body she turned to the side and displayed the watercolor lion. “This one I did myself. It covers some scars I didn’t want to see anymore. The guy that saved my life... I used to call him Lion.”

Edgar: Edgar raised the same brow at Taney. "This is a lifestyle I have chosen for myself. I don't need much to live off. I have had less back home." He noticed the way she turned things around on him, though he wasn't one to question it. He knew where their night together would go. "We can fuck on any surface of this apartment if it would please you Taney. I will not be picky." He had met people who had tattoo's they regretted years later because of what they had done then. His eyes skimmed over the watercolor dragon, admiring the artwork. "Strength, courage, and fortitude. I can see how that would fit you." His eyes moved over to the lion one. "Used to call him lion, what has become of him?"

Taney: She nodded, not needing him to go on about it, it was something she’d understood fully until she lived with Maverick and money was....well, thought about differently. His words, concerned her, however. Taney slinked out of the rest of her clothes, letting them fall to his feet in expert fashion. She turned around slowly and climbed into Edgar’s lap, her legs on either side of his. “It would please me, to please you, sir.” Then she ran her fingers over the lion, all too aware of the difference in the texture of her skin where there was ink, wasn’t ink, and where ink covered scars. “The lion’s gone now. Doesn’t exist except in this memory. I think it’s a nice treasure though, isn’t it?” Her green eyes went a little sad, just for a moment, so she closed them, hoping he’d kiss her so she wouldn’t have to think about it.

Edgar: Edgar sat back in his couch and hooded hues watched Taney take the rest of his clothes off. His eyes raked over every inch of her body, looking over every scar and tattoo that covered her body. She was beautiful to him. His hands rested on her hips and pulled her closer to him, to feel her skin upon his. "Sir?" He quipped a brow but couldn't stop the small smirk that etched into his features. "The Lion will always be a part of you. For good or bad." He noted the look in her eyes, a curled finger tilting her chin up where he leaned forward and captured her lips with his, his hand sliding behind her neck and grasping the hair at the nape, tangling.

Taney: The way Edgar kissed her was refreshingly different than most men. She let him pull at her and didn’t complain at all. Her hips rocked back and forth as she kissed him back. Taney’s tongue glided across his lips, slipped into his mouth, and massaged his tongue. As her fingertips explored his chest and she moaned into his mouth she wondered how long the pair of them could last like this, the sexual tension obvious to, at the very least, her. In a breathy whisper she uttered only two words in his native tongue, “Te quiero.”

Edgar: Edgar didn't object at her tongue's request, parting his lips and his own tongue seeking out hers, massaging. He knew the talking was done now, or any words verbalized would be in pleasure. His eyes widen at those words she uttered against his mouth. Two words he had not heard a woman say to him since his dead fiance. His lips paused against hers, hazel orbs locked onto her wanton emeralds. "Te quiero también" he muttered back before resuming the kiss, his times his hands moving to grab at the sides of his sweats and started to pull them down. Those words tonight might have different meaning but he would lose himself in this moment.

Taney: Taney lifted herself ever so slightly to let him pull his pants down, kissing him all the while. Taking her time to cross the sharp angle of his jaw, she opened her eyes to watch the space between them, the way his muscles moved and how hard she’d made him. Taney nipped at his jaw playfully, a smile finding her lips before she wrapped her small hands around him, stroking him slowly. As she lowered herself onto him, slowly, she watched him, always being one to enjoy a man’s reaction to taking a woman. She moved the tips of her fingers up his chest and behind his neck, rocking her hips slowly, grinding. Her head fell back and she purred in delight. “Te sientes tan bien.”

Edgar: Edgar’s head lolled back. Wanton hues opened to witness her actions. A gasp parting his lips when she stroke his hard erection. Strong fingers grasped at her small waist, helping her lower herself down. He groaned, fixating his eyes on hers, feeling the way her walls stretched around him. He guided her hips, rocking them back and forth at the pace he wanted; slowly and deep. Edgar was going to savour this moment with the dark haired beauty. Each touch that adorned his flesh left a burning sensation. Her purred caused him to growl. "Mierda, se siente a tan bueno Taney."

Taney: The curse as Edgar guided her movements in a slow dance only made her smile. Before he could comment on it, Taney was leaning in and kissing him harder. As he filled her up and she moaned louder and louder, her fingers began to wander. Taney’s nails dug into his shoulders as she picked up their pace. Noticing she was going to be a puddle if they kept this up she pulled him to her as she leaned to the side, her back falling to the couch cushions with him now on top of her. With her hands moving up his chest, Taney wondered if he was going to be so sweet the whole time or take her harder.

Edgar: The less words they spoke, the better the night would play out for him. When her lips latched onto him again, he deepened the kiss. He was hungry. Hungry to release the pent up frustration he had in sex. No strings attached. He hissed into her mouth feeling her nails dig into his shoulders. He followed her movements, having her back fall onto the couch. One foot planted on the floor and the other had his knee rested on the couch. His hands angled her hips that gave him a better access. Thrusting his hips down hard and skin smacking against each other. He liked the sound of their bodies meeting echoing in the room, followed by moans and grunts. One hand splayed across her stomach, cupping underneath her breast, flicking her hard nub with his thumb.

Taney: She didn’t mind that he didn’t want to talk, but making out the whole time they were screwing was a bit much for her if it was going to be a one time thing. Taney leaned back, her hands on his shoulders as she road him. Taney’s head lulled back as she enjoyed every sensation, moaning loader with every thrust as she could feel her climax building up. The only things breaking up her moans were the occasional inclusion of Spanish and English. “Más, por favor, papi,” eventually required too much thought and simply became “yes” as her nails scratched down his arms. Taney could feel herself standing on the edge and she begged him to push her over.

[mantrabay]

Hitchhiker From Another World.

Hitchiker From Another World.

Saturday an overarching day that's both conduit and shelter for souls in transition.

Thoughts of the more disturbing kind may intrude.

Little did I know what lay ahead.

All these scenarios flashed across my mind as the wheels of my car screeched to a halt.

Shafts of radiant sunlight revealed a light green leaf entwined placard..

A cryptic but apocryphal question -

Going somewhere?

A hitchhiker appeared with the most expressive eyes.

Like shining windows admitting the rush of a golden dawn.

A rippling nuanced voice spoke.

“Hello, I'm Lelia. Life is a series of stops

and strange encounters.

A journey of some kind.”

Thought-provoking stuff!

She extended her supple silken right hand.

“Hop in.

I'm Joshua King. Going anywhere in particular?"

I enquired archly after the ritual handshake.

"Besides going somewhere or nowhere!”

I continued.

"In one sense I'm not sure. But there is this place we should all go to.

You'll know what I mean later.”

Lelia mysteriously.

"Not to worry.

Travel is therapy for me."

What made me, Joshua King, say that?

The mind can be overpopulated with figments.

Frustrated figments waiting for that frenzied freedom dash.

A svelte lady wearing an azure padded jacket and sea blue denims glided gracefully into my car.

Hatha yoga asana entry.

My pinstripe attire seemed conventional

on a philosophical journey man.

"Love the aroma ....air freshener.

Orchard in a vehicle.

Symbol of attempted purge."

Her dulcet voice drooping.

Redolent of metaphysics classes I had to abandon.

I was naive enough to believe that attending these courses would fix my “issues.”

They were more than just momentary bugs.

They couldn't be spray canned away.

I was, however, adept at avoiding their resolution.

My “issues” were other "selves.”

I called them timid, anxious, fidgety,scrupulous withdrawn.

“What’s more I chat to them.

These chats I call the "whispers.”

Will Lelia notice?”

My twin brother, Jonah, a twin in “every sense” could point to my tendency to flee.

We spotted each other’s flaws with aplomb.

Tortured psyche twins.

Banter between mirror images of real selves!

Jonah was an integral part of these "whispers" too!

All these thoughts were doing hula hoops in my head.

In the process peculiarities surfaced with Lelia..

"I'm Lelia, again. Don't forget. You probably won't.

This place I alluded to is but a distance from here.

Distance is a gulf whose magnitude is shaped by its smoothness of passage.

Or the fate that awaits one.

My destination is another world altogether."

Lelia’s cryptic crossword setter.remark.

Tapping my shoulder she extended her hand again.

Her fingers and thumb spatially arranged with tutored

stillness.

Was that repetition a neurotic oddity or a symptom of a deeper malaise?

I nodded to the said hand gesture.

We both brushed this bizarre incident off.

The spot on asides and the strict avoidance of that verbal litter referred to as small talk suggested as much.

Pauses. They did surface periodically.

The silence was then punctuated by a sudden remark.

"All those conifers. Look at how they reach out to the sky.”

One of Lelia’s poetic observations.

“They seem so close yet isolated.

There is something almost within their grasp.

Almost.”

Lelia nonplussed.

“See the adjoining fields. The green is but a cover. They are as neighbours in a high rise flat.

One could say they are both connected and disconnected at the same time.”

Lelia resting her case..

“I'm a bit of a writer and maths researcher.”

I proffered.

"Recluses some say.

Oh, I didn't mean you

Necessarily.”

Ouch, said my shattered Id.

Lelia, archer of the scar inflicting verbal.

Bow and arrow baroness of stinging broadsides.

This offshoot to our conversation was infused with a wry allusion.

Insight on a whim. Fleeting.

We both laughed at the incongruity of a conversation that had become very elliptical in form.

Tangents cropped up as impetus to the other person's willingness to reveal themselves.

Lelia didn't exactly volunteer her vocation but left clues.

“You didn't say what you did?

Student ...essayist ...author."

Me sounding Lelia out.

“Oh no children….dashing right across the road in front of us.

Squealing with delight. Whoops of innocent joy? They are sticking out their tongues now!”

Hair-raising moment I hadn't anticipated.

I spied Lelia sticking her tongue out at those reckless varmints.

She stopped the minute I noticed.

“Children …….sometimes you have to act like a kid when dealing with kids."

Straight and to the point from this hitchhiker.

She now resumed the thread of an earlier topic.

“Work ….you asked about work.

I sort of work and play with the mind.

Play act too.”

A retort of sudoku like complexity.

As I digested lelia’s response it dawned on me how much like people my "selves”were.

Even when driving I "dialogued” those various aspects.

“You've an interesting face. The face is like a map, I say.

Heard you mutter about your "selves."

Leslie being cheeky..

Silence as challenge started to creep in.

Russian roulette within the rules.

“Watch your driving, there." Lelia in a more down to earth tone.

Her different voices now somersaulting..

“Very quite aren't we, Josh?"

Josh mark you!

Sounding me out like an interrogator trying to crack a stubborn suspect.

Without a word of warning Lelia raised her voice and got into a tantrum.

“What's the matter ….lost something ?”

Joshua said anxiously.

A curious search resembling a scrum ensued.

Then more silence..

I craned my neck and spotted an uncanny regression.

Lelia talking to herself in a child like manner and then changing tack..

“Don't worry. Found what I was looking for.”

Another void.

A tense lull. A little lockjaw appears when the juice runs out of discourse.

I squinted in the mirror once more.

This time Lelia was talking to her palm..

Staring vacantly at it she kept repeating the name Linda.

Lelia continued oblivious to what I saw or might be thinking.

She hummed this strange lullaby..

Suddenly my "selves" surfaced in an uncontrollable flurry.

I tried to suppress them but failed abysmally.

The "whispers and selves" started to have a life of their own.

This car is getting a bit crowded.

It's being converted into a train with fantasy passengers on board.

The sort one hears late at night hurtling through the countryside with dim lights flickering.

Both inside and outside this vehicle a tumult of events was taking place.

Out of the blue the rain poured heavily.

“The gods or the elements must be cross or something.” Lelia opined.

“Let’s get introduced to my playmate in a palm.

Linda, these are Joshua’s true other selves.”

Lelia chuckling.

A comic situation arose where I changed my voice for each of my "selves" by way of introduction.

My great powers of concentration helped while driving.

"Pleased to meet you, Linda.”

Lelia altered her voice when teasing all my "selves."

She had some experience as a ventriloquist.

But Lelia was having this hypnotic effect too.

I was being manipulated.

One by one my highly personalised complexes were being extracted and subject to a rigorous grilling.

This was some hitchhiker.

Was this car journey now becoming a high rent farce or a mock therapy session from an amateur shrink?

The rain continued to lash and my other "selves" felt like the last sting of a dying wasp.

A certain lightness ensued.

Almost as if my “aspects” were floating away.

For the first time my "other selves“ didn't seem to have this grip on me.

But deep down I knew I wanted to keep a little of them.

Although they were a burden they did have their positive aspects.

“Jonah … he still bugs doesn't he.

He’s almost like one of those "other selves!"

The "whispers" I heard earlier … I've a very delicate ear.

Those under the breath "whispers" gave the game away.

The names and complex relations between them."

Lelia now probing very deeply.

The wind howled and the rain splashed across the bonnet like seafront waves.

There was a warped synchronicity..

As my complexes receded so did the thunderous weather.

They were working in tandem.

“Wash it all away. Come on, come on

See me waving my wand.”

Lelia chanted.

The Exorcist film had nothing on this.

Before his very eyes Joshua's "reticence" and the other "selves" were disappearing virtually.

Against the backdrop of all this inner and outer ferment Lelia kept looking out the window.

Was that this home she mentioned earlier getting closer as Joshua was

"going home” to himself?

“Windows are amazing.

They show us the world but sometimes screen us from it.”

Lelia wiping

fog from the car window.

“Trees and branches swaying. Clouds darkening.

Thickening ominously.

Exodus of pedestrians seeking answers.”

Her voice penetrating Joshua.

“Am I being cleansed of what they call inner demons?"

Joshua panic stricken.

"This other worldly person has me spellbound.

There's a chessboard in this moving vehicle.

A total stranger has me in her palm.” .

Lelia assumed various postures.

As Joshua was the driver she didn't want to send him to sleep.

Lelia's voice was either a hypnotist's drone or excited sports commentator.

Joshua could never forget this encounter.

“Don't forget Jonah too. Joshua wherever he might be.”

Her sinister tone rising.

“The name on your credit card.

I found it earlier when searching for my script.

Joshua Jonah king.”

Joshua confessed he was an only child.

“Am I a prisoner?.

Must button my lip.

I'm being freed and incarcerated by this person, the likes of whom I've never met before.”

Joshua felt this final therapeutic process coursing through him.

Very little was left of his "selves", “whispers.”

Joshua drove through a stoically preserved area whose haunting nature was blurred by this encounter.

“Terrible to have all these half worlds revealed with such clinical accuracy.”

Joshua to himself.

Lelia's voice gradually lost its domineering tone.

At this point by accident or design the tense atmosphere eased.

“You are probably wondering where this is all going to end.

Maybe I have whispers, Jonah's and selves to face too.”

A casual Lelia random comment.

On this occasion a composite of adult confidence and infantile charm.

“Oh here we are, this place.

She stated.

Joshua had undergone a sea change catharsis.

“Should I thank this lady or what?

Jonah my make-believe twin. Don't really need him do I?”

Joshua pondered.

“Back to earth my dear.

This is where we part.”

Lelia again.

“Better change the name on that credit card.

It could bug your company!”

Lelia cackles..

“See that building..

It's called “Another World School of Acting.”

Acting is therapy..

Therapy in every sense!

They are auditioning for a play

“Inside The Split Mind." She said.

"Wonder will I get the part?”

Lelia looked away sadly.

“Off I go. Enjoy yourself or yourselves or whatever is left of them.”

Lelia laughing through her tears..

“Better get out of here fast, Josh.” Joshua to himself.

“I'm beginning to sound like her.” Joshua now driving at top speed.

“It will be awhile before I offer someone a lift again.

I suppose I should be grateful to her.” Joshua’s face now a deep red.

"Well, Jonah, I guess I'm going to miss you and all those "issues" in a way.

But at least I can be myself …. sort of.”

[unpretty]

i keep accidentally hitting genshin buttons while playing tears of the kingdom, and while i have tried to remap my controls in genshin to be closer to zelda's controls, my biggest problem is not one i can remap

see the thing is, in genshin, you use the same button to jump, to glide, and to stop gliding. so you can glide a ways, tap to stop gliding, and then tap the button again right before you hit the ground to catch yourself before you eat shit and die without burning too much stamina.

in zelda, you use the same button to jump and glide, but a different button to stop gliding. and if, while you are in freefall, you hit the 'stop gliding' button again, you do not resume gliding. instead you fall faster.

which means. if you're in freefall from the fucking mesosphere and try to wait until right before you hit the ground to slow down and land. and then instead of hitting the different glide button. you hit the same button you hit to stop gliding. you slam top-speed head-first into the fucking ground and die.

[becuzpurple]

Another TEASER for chapter 24...

I feel bad it’s taking me so long to finish this chapter, so I thought I’d share a little bit more.  Chronologically, this actually comes right before the last blurb I teased.  But I think it stands alone nicely, too.

It’s pretty self-explanatory, I think.  But to set the scene...Ed and Kate just arrived at their destination in the heart of Mexico’s wine country.

WARNING:  MATURE (i.e. some smuts)

Enjoy!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We arrived at La Villa del Valle, a small, 6-room luxury inn, in Valle de Guadalupe - the heart of Mexican Wine Country, just before 6:00 pm.  The sun had set while we were still about 30 minutes out from the inn.  It was spectacular, but the dimming light made navigating the rugged terrain a bit more challenging.  It’s a rural area filled with mountains, vineyards, olive groves, winding dirt roads, hiking trails, and beaches.  It’s beautiful and isolated - exactly what we’d hoped it would be.  

The inn itself is perched on a hilltop, and has panoramic views of the entire valley.  I already knew from its website about the winery on the property, and the 5-star restaurant.  I was looking forward to what was sure to be a few days of heaven.

Our hosts greeted us (they were American ex-pats, oddly enough), gave us the spiel on the area, and showed us to our lovely rooms.  We had a large, corner suite on the second floor, with a king-sized bed, a small kitchenette stocked with the basics, and a beautiful private bathroom.  We also had a private balcony with a stunning view of the entire valley.  Being that it was only mid-week and off-season, we were one of only two couples staying at the inn at the time, and were the only guests on the second floor.  So we had plenty of privacy.

We had a reservation for dinner at 8 pm, so that gave us some time to unpack, freshen up, and unwind.  I quickly showered and put on a casual, short, red cotton dress and sweater.  The temperature was mild enough that we didn’t need jackets.  Then I called home while Ed showered, letting them know we arrived safely.

Ed soon joined me on the balcony with a couple glasses of wine.  The inn provides a complimentary bottle from the adjacent winery for all guests.

“Mmm, thank-you.”

He sat down next to me on the large, outdoor sectional, and took a lingering, appreciative once-over of me and my dress.

“I’ve never seen you in a dress before.  Oh, well on New Year’s.  But that’s different.”

“Yeah.  Chicago winters don’t really lend themselves to short skirts.”

“I suppose not.”  

He groaned contentedly as he leaned his head back on the back of his seat.  “This is...nice.”

I nodded in agreement.  

We sat in contented silence for a few minutes, relishing our peaceful, secluded corner of the world, sipping on our wine.

“It’s so dark, isn’t it?  No bright city lights.”

He reached for my hand and turned his head toward me, his eyes smiling.  “My view is beautiful.”

I shook my head gently, grinning.  “You’re so cheesy.”

“Yeah,” he softly answered with a shrug, unphased.

I saw that he’d finished his wine.  “Here.”  I took his glass, and along with mine, placed it on the table in front of us.  When I turned back to him I rested my hands on his thighs and began to lightly drag my nails all over them.

“We have some time before dinner, right?”

He glanced at his watch and nodded.  “Our reservation is in an hour.”  I could see the beginnings of a smirk on his lips as he turned to face me.

“Good.  Because there’s a thing I want to do,” I whispered.

He leaned in to kiss me just as I was pulling back a bit, so he missed my mouth.

“Sorry,” I grinned, biting my lip.  I looked down at my hands, still roaming his body, and moved them up from his thighs to his waist.

“You want to do a thing?”

“Mmm-hmm,” I nodded, still focused on my hands, which had started unbuckling his belt.

“Out here?”

“Mmm-hmm,” I repeated as I rearranged myself onto my knees next to him.  

I undid the button and zipper on his pants, and looked up.  He’d been watching my hands, too, but raised his eyes to mine.  I finally gave him that kiss, then - lightly, teasing, small brushes of my lips across his, my tongue darting out now-and-then for a brief taste of him.

I pulled away again, smiling, and brought my hand inside the front of his pants, but over his boxer briefs.

We both watched as my hand caressed him through the fabric - my fingers stroked and tapped and gently squeezed and glided up and down his growing length.  

After a minute, I felt his fingers against my jaw, turning my head back towards his.  “Don’t stop,though,” he murmured, and then his lips were on mine.

His kiss actually did cause me to almost forget what I was doing - almost.  I didn’t realize my hand slowed until I felt him shift his hips.  I resumed what I’d been doing, and that seemed to make him happy again.  He moaned into my mouth as we kissed, and I continued stroking him through the fabric of his underwear.  

Eventually, I dragged myself away from his mouth and reluctantly removed my hand from inside his jeans.  “Pull down your pants.”

He looked at me blankly for a second, as if he couldn’t figure out why I’d stopped.  He blinked, and then his brain seemed to catch up with his ears.

“Oh,” One corner of his mouth curved up in a half-smile.

I nodded, and scooted over on the sofa a little bit so I could rest on my elbows.  At the same time, he lifted his hips up and tugged his pants and boxer briefs down to his knees.  

I found myself biting my lower lip at the sight of him.  I wrapped my hand around him, and gently rubbed the pad of my thumb over the top of the head, where a bead of fluid had already formed.  I looked up to watch his face as I stroked him.  His eyes moved back and forth between my face, and my hand.  

With my free hand I lifted the bottom of his sweater up to just above his bellybutton, and I left a trail of soft, wet kisses, licks, and nips all over his stomach.  Then I gently held his dick up against his stomach, my hand flat on it, and continued my attention to his belly, purposely avoiding his cock.

I could feel him tensing his abs.  I looked up at him, my eyes twinkling, as I licked and nipped and kissed everything but his dick.

“Teasing me...” he grumbled softly but stared hard down at me.

I just grinned and continued.

Finally, I shifted my hand so that, although it still held his cock against his belly, it only covered the head.  Then I kissed his shaft, leaving soft, wet kisses and licks all up and down its length.  I opened my mouth for some of the kisses, using a sucking action, and made my way up, finally letting go of the head so I could put my mouth around it.

When I glanced up at him again he was still all eyes, and taking a deep breath.

I swirled my tongue around a few times and popped my mouth off of him, my lips still touching his head.

“I’ve missed this,” I breathed, blinking up at him.  Then I took him into my mouth properly.