#I’d love to meet more people who live in the city!

[nubs-mbee]

If any of you live in cities, I have a city-related question! If someone were interested in joining clubs or queer events in chicago, how would one go about that? Asking for a friend. Cause when I tried searching stuff up I wasn’t really getting much, and what did come up was more large events late at night, when I’d have work the next day. Is there a good way to look for smaller events? Or does anyone have suggestions of things I should look into?

[sleepysnk]

a/n: okay.. i never thought i’d ever write for wakasa, but this idea came to me and i couldn’t let it slide. shoutout to @wakashawty for being the sole reason why i did this. i love you kei bae! 🤍 i hope you guys all enjoy <3

pairings: wakasa imaushi x fem!reader

warnings: modern au, alcohol consumption (wakasa), mentions of harassment, club owner!wakasa, waitress!reader, use of cigarettes, very flirty wakasa, nsfw, smut, fingering, use of pet names (angel, doll, baby, good girl, princess), teasing, brief edging, use of blindfolds, consensual recording, possessive sex, mentions of jealousy, slight breeding kink, unprotected sex, choking, mentions of marks.

synopsis: you work as a waitress at the infamous club owned by wakasa imaushi. you hadn’t encountered the man ever in your entire time employed there, but one night you had a chance encounter with the owner looking for something other than your professional service.

the white leopard ft. wakasa imaushi

The White Leopard.

The infamous club that was located in the downtown of your city, and owned by a man named Wakasa Imaushi. The club had opened its doors just two years prior. It was well known amongst older adults and some older college kids as a hang out spot to get drunk, and hookup with men or women on the weekends. Many fine businessmen from the city often flocked to the place to grab a drink or meet pretty women to tuck away in their beds. With businessmen, came wealthy evenings for the people who worked at the establishment. Some of the bartenders went home with hundred dollar bills in their pockets from how active the nights would be. It was a truly luxurious club, despite what may have gone down on the inside.

You weren’t sure how you managed to snatch a job at the place, but you somehow did. 

You had been employed at The White Leopard for almost six months. One of your friends recommended you the job when she had heard about your termination from your previous job. At first, you thought you were about to become some kind of stripper. The idea of possibly twirling and swinging around on a metal pole made your skin crawl, but when your friend explained that you would be a waitress, that gross feeling dissipated from your mind. You had never worked a server job before. All of your previous positions had to do with retail or working as a barista at your local coffee shop. You had the customer service experience, but being a waitress sounded quite nerve wracking. 

Though, you didn’t have much of a choice. You lived by yourself with bills that had to be paid, and you were also still a college student. There was no possible way that you would be able to support yourself with no job, so you filled out the application and received a call back the next day for an interview. 

After that day, you began working at the fine club. You had heard many people on your university campus boasting about how exhilarating it is to party at The White Leopard, and from working there as long as you did, you could completely understand why they said those things. The place really kept up its reputation. Anytime you stepped inside, you could practically smell the whiff of money and expensive cologne that probably was worth more than your college tuition and rent combined. Being there was great, though. The job was just as you imagined it to be. Taking drink orders, assisting guests with questions, all the usual things a server would take care of. 

The weekdays were always pretty slow. Monday through Thursday were always the days you would go home with the least amount of cash, but occasionally you would have a decent night if there was some kind of important business being held by the businessmen who visited the club. The real action was on Friday and the weekends. Those were the busiest evenings, considering that most people didn’t have work or school to attend the next day. The very first time you worked a Friday night you swore to god that your pockets were overflowing with cash. Your coworker, Yuzuha, had informed you of how easy the men were with money during the night. She was right about that. You’d come back to tables with almost two hundred dollars in tips, sitting right in the center. It was so quick to make money that you never passed on a shift like that again, except if you weren’t placed on the schedule.

While it seemed like paradise, there were downsides to your job.

With being a waitress, came the idiots who never seemed to know how to treat wait staff. You had to deal with all kinds of people and witness all types of things all while at work. There were several occasions where grown men have shouted in your face and called you a whore for not serving their drinks quick enough. Some of the men inside of the club had said disgusting things to you as well. You’ve been harassed frequently by intoxicated guys that just couldn’t take no for an answer. You were thankful that security took care of it, but those kinds of words often lingered inside your mind and made you want to quit altogether. 

The issues didn’t stem from just men, there were also incredibly rude women as well. Many times random girls would accuse you of trying to seduce their boyfriends when you were simply just leaning over to hear them better. The music inside the club was deafening at times, and it didn’t help that some of the tables were directly by huge speakers that made it very difficult to hear the customers. You’ve also had girls dump drinks on you for no apparent reason. As much as you wanted to verbally tell them off, you remembered that you had a job and you weren’t in the mood to get fired. Your manager told you many times that you should never engage in an argument with a customer. It was bothersome, very bothersome, but you always bit your tongue and put a smile on your face. 

Besides some of those negative things, you still kept the job. You didn’t really have much of a choice in the matter. Plus, you got to work with some pretty kind people. Your coworkers were the only reason you hadn’t completely abandoned the job all together. That, and the fact that you made lots of money within just one week.

There was one person you had yet to see at your job, and that was the owner. Wakasa Imaushi was his name. 

You had been employed there for six months. Yet, you never had a single encounter with the man who opened the club all that time ago. Some of your coworkers had seen the man before and described him as this intimidating figure who would come in to have a drink or two, then leave with his buddies. Your female coworkers often raved about Wakasa. They said he was very handsome and they had even seen him leave with women from the club. Part of you envied the people you worked with. Seeing Wakasa in all his glory sounded like a total dream. You tried to go to the lengths of finding his social media. Surely a club owner like him would have business profiles, but much to your dismay, there wasn’t a single trace of this man’s existence on the internet. You could understand if he wanted to be private with his life, but not even a proper photograph? It was odd.

Maybe there would be a chance for you to properly meet him, but with his rarity of appearances, that seemed highly unlikely. 

Tonight was a usually busy shift for you. Being that it was a Friday evening, you expected such an exciting atmosphere from the moment you stepped in for work. It was a pretty nice night for you. So far, you had made about three hundred dollars worth of tips. 

Your shift had begun at six thirty and it was already nearing midnight. Your manager informed you that you only had to work for another fifteen minutes or so. You were kind of thankful for that, because the later hours of the night kind of got crazy. That also meant you got to go home early and retire for the evening in your comfortable bed. You had a fairly long day at school. Exams were kicking your ass and with studying and working you hardly had any time to get any shut eye. Tonight had also been pretty tiring, despite nothing serious going down. You still dealt with weird comments from drunk men that couldn’t keep it to themselves.

You were standing in the corner of the club where the cash register was. You had just closed out one of your tables and you were currently counting how much money you had. The clock displayed on your phone screen showed that it was now midnight. You were relieved to know that you would be able to go home soon. Your feet were killing you from the amount of standing and walking you did today. 

Sighing, you placed the cash into the pocket of your blouse. This is usually what you did towards the end of your shifts. You’d just stand in the corner until it was time for you to clock out. Your manager was okay with it, but sometimes he would remind you that not doing anything could get you into trouble. However, why would some drunk man come bombarding you with questions as to why you were standing there. Most of the people in this club came here to do whatever they pleased. You’ll never forget the time you caught two people having sex in the restroom. It was honestly mind blowing, but at least you had a funny story to tell whenever you were out and about with someone. 

You stood there on your cell phone. You scrolled through your socials, smiling at the posts your friends had made. You had the day off tomorrow, so you were pretty excited to make plans with your companions. The semester had been grueling and you were so ready to have a night out with zero stressors weighing on your mind.

“Oh! There you are, (Y/N)!”

You practically fumbled with your phone to shove it into your waistband. The familiar voice of your manager was the reason for your mindless scrolling to be placed on pause. Although he was a nice man, he had a pet peeve for staff using their cellphones in the middle of their shifts. There were a few times you had gotten caught on the job and you’d rather not get fired for something as small as a cellphone issue, so you listened to the man. “O-Oh, hey, Kakucho, what’s up?” you shifted around, trying to avoid the awkwardness of being caught by him.

The man placed his hand on his hip. He seemed rather unamused by seeing you on your phone, but that wasn’t much of a concern to him at the moment. He had a much greater worry at hand, and he needed your assistance with that. “I know this might be a lot to ask.. but can you stay a little longer? We have a guest coming and it’s important we have someone on the ready when he arrives.” he looked down at you, seeming desperate for your presence to remain at the club. “He’s quite.. a significant individual.” 

A sense of dread washed over you at his words. You were exhausted. You were surprised that you didn’t possibly fall asleep in the break room. Kakucho had asked you to do this many times before. Any time there was a big figure coming to The White Leopard, he’d ask a select few of servers to stick around after their shifts. You were used to that question being proposed often, but tonight? He must have been desperate, considering Yuzuha and Emma had been still there. He even gave you the go ahead to leave early, so that felt kind of unfair to you. It was almost like Kakucho was playing some sick joke on you to poke fun at you. All you wanted to do was go home and rest. If he would have asked another evening, sure, but tonight? It seemed out of the question.

You sighed, looking up at your manager with obvious frustration. Kakucho could easily see it in your expression. “I’m exhausted.. I know that’s not much of an excuse, but still. You also told me I could head home early, so why the sudden change of heart?” you crossed your arms over your chest. 

Kakucho combed his fingers through his jet-black hair. He understood your feelings of tiredness and desire to go home for the evening. He also did have a sense of guilt for informing you earlier that you could leave early, but he wasn’t expecting to receive a phone call from Shinichiro so late in the night. It was a rare occasion. “I’m sorry, (Y/N), it’s just Yuzuha and Emma are booked with tables right now. You’re the only one who doesn’t have a single one, and I’d rather provide the utmost service for our guest.” he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his dress pants. “I promise you’ll be paid extra for this.. I just really need you right now. I’ll even give you the entire weekend off.” 

You wondered if staying behind would be a good idea. Your eyes wandered to your coworkers who were practically bouncing around the lively club with drinks in their hands. Kakucho was right. Yuzuha and Emma had their hands full with customers, and your departure would only build onto the stress they were experiencing. It would be very unfair for you to completely dip without at least offering some help. Kakucho also promised more money on your next check and the entire weekend off. 

Sighing, you averted your gaze onto your employer who seemed a little antsy. You could read him like a book and his body language was the words inside it. It made you wonder who this guest was. “Fine.. I’ll stay.” his face lit up with relief, but also excitement at your response. “But, who’s the guest? Is it Hanma Shuji again?” 

“No, um, it’s Wakasa Imaushi.”

All of your blood went cold at the name that rolled off of Kakucho’s lips. Wakasa Imaushi was making an appearance tonight? And you had to be the one who served him and whoever else came with him? Your heart rate began to spike at the thought of waiting his table. You had been working this job for months and you honestly still felt like you were a newbie at times. Sure, you had served highly entitled men like Hanma Shuji or even Manjiro Sano at one point, but the club’s owner? That’s something you never imagined you’d have the opportunity to do. You had heard plenty of stories from your coworkers, but even that didn’t give you enough confidence. What if he was a poor customer to you? You had heard plenty of horror stories from other waitresses on owners who were complete assholes to the staff because of their status. What if Wakasa was the same? You would hate to possibly make a negative impression on the man who owned The White Leopard.

You tried to look on the bright side. Your coworkers had never said anything pessimistic about the man, and you guys often spoke about your negative experiences with customers. If Wakasa was one of those bad apples, you would have surely heard about it by now. Though, that was their experiences, not yours. He could be a complete jackass for all you knew.

Trying to calm yourself, you looked at Kakucho who was still staring at you. He seemed to be waiting for your reply about his mention of Wakasa swinging by the club. You weren’t sure what there was to say, but you had to come up with something. “Wakasa..?! Kakucho, can’t you ask one of the other girls? I don’t even know what he likes or what he’s even like as a person!” you started to panic a little, despite not wanting to. You didn’t like the idea of serving a man you had never met before. 

Kakucho placed his hands onto your shoulders. He could sense your anxiety and wanted to make sure you were relaxed before Wakasa arrived. The last thing he’d want is for you to have a meltdown and risk embarrassing yourself in front of the man. He had lots of confidence in you. “Hey, don’t panic, okay? Just treat him like a regular customer. All of his drinks are being pre made right now, so you just have to introduce yourself and just serve his drinks. He’s not a bad guy, (Y/N). Just play it casual,” he rubbed his thumbs on your skin, which somewhat calms you down. Though, that furious beat of your heart was making itself known within your chest.

You shook your head, feeling stupid enough to accept his offer of staying late. In all honesty, you should have just lied to Kakucho and said you had a headache so he’d let you leave. It didn’t seem like there was any other choice, nor could you go back now. Wakasa was on his way, and you doubted Kakucho would let you go after this. It didn’t matter how hard you may have protested. “Ugh.. fine, just let me know when he arrives.” you glanced over at the multi-colored strobe lights that danced along the walls. 

He nodded at you, tapping your arm as a way to reassure you that everything would be fine. “You got it. Thank you again for this. Wakasa will be here in a few minutes.” he said, pulling his phone out of his pocket to see his messages. 

He then turned and left you there, disappearing into the darkness of the club. You let out an anxious sigh and rubbed your hands on your temples. You couldn’t believe this was actually happening to you right now. To be honest, you didn’t think your evening would have been like this. You thought that you would have gone back to your apartment and crashed into your bed with a nice day upcoming tomorrow. You never imagined that you would be serving Wakasa Imaushi of all people. Hell, you didn’t even know what the hell he looked like. For all you knew, Wakasa could be this forty year old man who would call you a dumb brat for not bringing his drink fast enough. You really hoped that wasn’t who he was. 

You stood there for a while. Well, it felt like you had been there for a while, but in reality only three minutes had gone by. You disliked feeling anxious over crap this small. Kakucho told you to treat him like a regular customer, but that was difficult considering that Wakasa wasn’t just an ordinary person. He owned The White Leopard. It wasn’t like he was the son of the owner or something. You had to play it cool and be as proper as you possibly could. Any kind of slip up or inappropriate action could lead to your job being lost within the snap of a finger. You prayed and prayed that it would go smoothly, and he’d be a respectful man.

Ugh, you were going insane.

Your head instantly turned when you felt a palm connect with your shoulder. Your eyes were faced with the sight of Kakucho who seemed a little more stern now. He must have been nervous as well. Sure, he was your boss, but Kakucho’s boss was probably Wakasa. “He’s here.. those three drinks are his.” your eyes shifted towards the bar where there were three different glasses sitting on a tray. “He’s in the fourth booth on the main floor. Make sure to introduce yourself and bring the drinks with you. If he asks for me, you grab me immediately, okay?”

You swallowed thickly at Kakucho’s descriptive instructions. This was serious shit now. You were about to encounter the owner you had never come across in your life. “Okay.. I will.” you then walked past your manager and stepped towards the bar where the trio of drinks were. Your eyes settled on the glasses that were sweating from the condensation. The beverages almost seemed equivalent, considering their color was the exact same. It had to be some kind of rich whisky, judging by the odor of the alcohol. You were never really a fan of those stronger liquors. They made your mouth burn and it was just too heavy for your taste.

You took in a deep breath, then lifted the tray with the drinks on them. Your body turned around and began to walk towards the main floor of the club. You tried your best to not tremble or shake the tray in your hands, because you didn’t need to embarrass yourself in front of Wakasa. You also didn’t want to lose your employment because of some stupid mistake. You were silently telling yourself that you’d be okay and all you had to do was serve them every so often. There was no conversation, small talk, none of that. You just had to be polite and do your job as a waitress. 

You reached the stairs that led to the main floor of the club. The amount of bodies in the room began to increase now. The music had also become louder since the DJ was centered on the main floor. Many people passed by you as you stepped down the stairs. The aroma’s ranged from cheap perfume to the thick smell of marijuana. It was amazing what people could get away with in such a luxurious club. You would think the rules would be more strict, but it was far from that. 

“Fourth booth on the main floor.”

Your eyes scanned the many booths that were pressed against the right wall of the club. People who usually came in trios or groups often sat in those spots. There were already multiple abundances of people who had occupied those seats. You counted each one inside your brain until your eyes halted on the fourth booth. You weren’t sure which one was Wakasa, but the men sitting in the booth intimidated you to all hell. It made you hesitate for a brief second, but you had to do your job. You sucked in a breath and walked over to the table where the three men were sitting. As soon as you stood in front of the table, their conversation halted and they stared at you with those eyes. 

You took in the sight of the three. The man on the far left had jet-black hair that somewhat covered his eyes. A silver chain was hung around his neck and he wore a plain white button up shirt with dark pants. He seemed much friendlier compared to the other two. 

The man in the middle was the real eye catcher in your opinion. He had blonde and violet hair that was thrown up in a ponytail. Two thick strands of his hair hung over his eyes like a curtain. His eyes were lazy and the color of amethyst. There was a cigarette that was tucked between his teeth. The end was smoldering and seemed to be just recently lit. There were a plethora of tattoos that painted his arms and upwards on his chest. His outfit consisted of a similar one to the man to his left. A white button up and black pants. The only difference was he wore a tie, while the other didn’t. He had to be one of the most attractive men you had ever laid your eyes upon. There was this mysterious aura that seemed to be attached to the man sitting in front of you. Could that be.. Wakasa Imaushi? You had no idea. 

The man on your right was much bigger than the two men beside him. He had muscles that practically bulged out of the black button up shirt he was wearing. If he moved the wrong way, you were certain one of the buttons might fly off and hit someone in the head. He had a beard that was the same exact color of his pale hair. He seemed very menacing compared to the other two men. He seemed like the kind of guy who could crush your skull in if you stared at him the wrong way.

Snapping out of your mini analysis, you picked up the drinks one by one off of the tray. You leaned down and placed them each in front of the men sitting before you. “Hi there, welcome in! My name is (Y/N). I hope you all are having a great evening. If you need anything, I’ll be your server for tonight!” you tucked the small tray underneath your arm, trying your absolute best to seem unphased by their appearance. You had met plenty of attractive men inside The White Leopard before, but this was something else.

The male who sat in the center of the booth leaned forward. His sleeves were rolled up, giving you a whole view of the ink that trailed up his forearms. He stuck out his hand in your direction, looking up at you. “Wakasa Imaushi, pleasure to meet you.” his voice was smooth like butter. It sent chills ghosting down your spine from how nice it settled within your ears. You were right about him. “These are my friends, Shinichiro Sano and Keizo Arashi, but you can just call him Benkei for short.”

You made eye contact with him for a brief second, but immediately shifted your gaze away. His hues were so pretty, but the way he looked at you made your body feel hot. Wakasa Imaushi was what every woman cracked him up to be. He had to be a model or something with how perfect his features were. His smaller nose, lips that were just the perfect shade of pink, and eyelashes that could make any girl jealous. What a man. You reached forward, shaking his hand. His palm felt soft and quite warm against your chilled one. “It’s an h-honor to meet you, Mr.Imaushi!” you internally yelled at yourself for stuttering in front of such a high individual. You hoped deep down he didn’t notice your fumble of words.

Wakasa chuckled at your politeness. Not many people addressed him as “Mr.Imaushi” except for other coworkers, but seeing it from one of the staff was a surprise. He hadn’t met many people like that before, so it easily caught his attention. “Please, no need to be formal. Just call me Wakasa,” he reassured, removing his hand from yours to hold the glass that sat just a few inches from his body. “Thank you for your service. If we need anything, we’ll be sure to look for you, doll.”

You almost choked on your own saliva when the word “doll” slipped from his lips. Your cheeks burned with embarrassment, but also from being incredibly flustered with how kind he was to you. You weren’t sure if this was possibly a facade he had thrown on, but it was making you melt. In all honesty, you could listen to this man sweet talk you all damn day. He was quite the charmer. “O-Of course! I’ll be around!” you gave one more smile, then began to walk away from the table. Your heart thumped wildly in your chest from what had gone down. Wakasa completely blew you away from just a few sentences. Did he understand his impacts on women? 

You walked up the steps that led to where the bar was. In the distance, you could see Yuzuha in the corner where the tablet was to register tables and take care of bills. She seemed to be counting some of the cash in her fingertips. You made your way over to her and she instantly noticed your presence beside her. “Hey! I thought you left already. Are you clocking out right now?” she nodded her head to the side.

You reached over to type in your passcode for the tablet. You remembered Kakucho being very serious about entering your tables at the proper time. “Kakucho made me stay.. and you’ll never guess who the hell I’m serving right now.” you tapped the screen a few times to enter the drinks into the bill. You weren’t too sure on if Wakasa and his friends were going to pay for what they ordered, but you’d make sure to double check with Kakucho because it would seem rude to bring a bill to the same man who owned the club.

Yuzuha’s eyebrow arched at your words. She didn’t know of any important people coming to The White Leopard that night, so it seemed rather intriguing to her. “Who? Is it someone high up?” she questioned, sounding curious.

You moved your arm away and placed it on the small table underneath you. “It’s Wakasa Imaushi..” you replied, which shocked Yuzuha.

She was genuinely caught off guard by the owner’s sudden presence at the club. Yuzuha had been working there longer than you have, but she had never had the chance to properly serve Wakasa due to his infrequency of presentation at the place. She was well aware of what he was like to the other staff. Most claimed he was respectful and usually tipped pretty well, but she had yet to see the man in full action. “What?! No way! That’s awesome, I bet he’s a great guy considering what he does.” she tapped your arm to try and excite you. “He scares me though.. I could never serve him without dropping the drinks on the floor.” 

You had to agree with her there. So far, Wakasa seemed like a pleasant individual. There haven’t been any red flags and you usually picked up on customer’s vibes whenever they first sat down, but his didn’t seem bad whatsoever. His friends also didn’t look too harsh either. “Yeah, I almost lost it when I walked over to his table, but otherwise he’s been fine. I just have to keep an eye on him..” you quickly darted your head outside of your corner to see if there was that “look” on their faces, but as far as you could see, his friends seemed content in their spots. 

Your coworker giggled at your reply. Yuzuha leaned against the wall for a brief moment to collect her thoughts. It had been a long evening for her as well. She made good money, but she was physically exhausted with all of the running around she had to do. “I’m wishing you serious luck, (Y/N). I have almost four tables right now and I don’t think they’ll leave until we close..” she rubbed her tired eyes with her hands. 

You could honestly feel her pain. There were times where you didn’t leave until almost four in the morning because the customer’s you were serving just kept ordering drinks like they were food. It was an annoying experience because you lost out on so much needed sleep, and you didn’t wake up until noon the next day. You hoped that deep down Wakasa wasn’t the same way. If he was, you’d have a bone to pick with the owner of this club. “I’m wishing you luck too, Yuzuha!” you gave her a thumbs up, then poked your head out once again to check on the things at your table. 

Confusion settled within you when you saw that both of Wakasa’s companions had somehow disappeared. They were no longer in their seats and it made you grow worried. You doubted that this was a “drink and dash” type of situation, but you prayed that they weren’t out and about looking for you since you had departed earlier. There was an occasion about four months in which a man came storming up to you all because you didn’t come by fast enough with his drink. You were lucky that Yuzuha’s brother, Hakkai, was there to come to your defense over the matter. That thought alone worried you. It risked many things, and you didn’t want to be at fault for not paying proper attention to your table.

Your vision shifted to Yuzuha who was seemingly looking around at the bar. She was waiting for some of her drinks to be made at the moment. “Hey, I’m gonna be right back.” you said, nodding your head in the opposite direction. 

You then began making your way to where Wakasa’s booth was. Nervousness coursed through your veins as you grew closer to where he was. Your fingers couldn’t help but toy with the white leopard that was embroidered on your onyx colored skirt. Your worst fear right now was being scolded by Wakasa himself. You had only walked away for a good three or four minutes. It’d be even more alarming if you had disappeared for longer than that, but you remembered Kakucho explaining to you that you had to be on top of your service when it came to Wakasa. It was understandable. Could you have messed up already? You worried Kakucho was going to find out and potentially terminate your employment. 

Once you made it to the main floor, your feet moved quickly to the booth where Wakasa was sitting. Relief hit you like a truck when your eyes landed on the man who was still in the direct center of the table. He was still present, but that same question remained. Where were his buddies? 

Wakasa picked up on your presence expectantly. He could sense some distress in your body language, which perplexed the man in front of you. There wasn’t anything to be nervous about in his opinion. Though, it was somewhat worrying on his part. His club was always heavily guarded by high profile men, but there have been a few occasions where something unfortunate had gone down. “Everything alright, (Y/N)?” Wakasa questioned, placing his cigarette into the ashtray that was a few inches away from him.

His inquiry made your eyes focus on him. One thing about Wakasa was that he had this stare that made your body feel like it was burning. It was like he was studying you and his eyes were penetrating the deepest areas of you. You could hardly maintain eye contact without your heart leaping outside of your chest. He was attractive, so fucking attractive. It was still hard to believe that this was the man who owned The White Leopard. He was dreamy. You could get lost with him right in front of you. 

However, you remembered that he asked you a question. You must have been staring for far too long, because Wakasa seemed to be a little confused by your silence. “U-Uh! Yes! I’m sorry, Wakasa.. I was just worried when I didn’t see your friends with you.” you tried to sound as apologetic as possible, because you probably looked like a fucking weirdo. 

He chuckled, eyeing you up and down. He reached over and patted the empty spot that was to the right of him. “Come.. have a seat.” he then  grabbed his drink which was now almost completely empty. 

You were stunned at his request to have you sit with him. Usually, Kakucho never allowed the staff to sit down with any of the customers. It didn’t matter if the person was a friend or if they were family, it was prohibited. It was also implemented due to the harassment from the men who would come in. Some of them would try and coax you into sitting with them, or they’d try making you sit on their lap. It was a very uncomfortable thing that you had experienced many times, but you almost always declined. It was disgusting and you weren’t sure who the hell raised those men, but it must have been the wrong person. 

Would it be unprofessional to have a seat with Wakasa? He was asking you to join him in the booth, but there was the chance that this was a test to see if you’d actually go through with it. You cleared your throat to sound assertive in your words. “Forgive me, but it’s unprofessional for me to do so. My manager doesn’t allow it..” you placed your hands in front of you, hoping he didn’t have a negative reply to you. There was that chance he’d start yelling at you and making a whole scene. 

Wakasa’s expression shifted the moment he heard you. You were good. He wouldn’t care if you sat down, but you were very loyal to your rules and followed orders properly. Though, he didn’t find such a thing inappropriate by any means. He didn’t see you tending to any other tables or customers, so why not? He was also the owner of the club. He wasn’t going to get you into any trouble if you sat with him. If anything, he wanted you there. “Hm.. you seem to follow the rules, which is a good thing.” he took a brief sip of the alcohol in his glass, swallowing it without a second thought. “However, you won’t get in trouble. Kakucho won’t bat an eye with me here, so by all means have a seat. Though, you’re not obligated if you aren’t comfortable with it.” 

Your mouth fell slightly agape at his replies. You were certain that this was a test of some kind, but thank god it wasn’t. Now, you were left with two options. Sit with Wakasa, or completely decline the offer and go back to your little corner and be a shy little waitress. Either or sounded great! But, did they really?

This was Wakasa Imaushi of all people. He was actually inviting you to sit down with him. Your coworkers never mentioned him being this polite, so you wondered what his motives were. Maybe you caught him on a good night and he was in a greater mood than usual. It was still a really interesting request, but maybe you could do this just once. He was right about one thing. Kakucho wouldn’t say a single word if he saw you with Wakasa, so you could technically get away with it. 

Fuck it.

You pulled your skirt down just a bit, then sat down beside him. Your reason being that you didn’t want the thing riding up when you stood up the next time. 

Sitting just a few inches away, Wakasa stared at you with that lazy expression. He smirked briefly then took another swig of his drink. You caught on to the looks he was giving you, and it suddenly made you nervous once again. It felt like he was trying to seduce you with those expressions. The aroma of his expensive cologne intoxicated you. It was quite divine and it made these heat pool from your stomach towards your core. You shouldn’t have been thinking of such things about him, but how could you not? He was one of the most handsome men you had ever laid your eyes upon. You were certain any woman in your position would think the same about him. 

Wakasa placed his now empty drinking glass down on the table. He tilted his head to place all of his focus onto you. His eyes drank in the sight of your appearance. You were quite beautiful to the man. The swell of your breasts was briefly exposed through the top of your shirt, and your thighs looked quite nice in the skirt you wore. “Would you like a drink? It’d be my treat!” he raised an eyebrow, placing his elbows onto the table.

Your eyes grew wide at his proposal. There hadn’t been many attractive men to offer you a drink. You usually turned them down due to it being not allowed, but you weren’t really interested in having a drink that night. You were on shift and you had to drive yourself home too. It wouldn’t be a good idea. If it were any other night, you would have said yes. You wondered how many women had the opportunity to receive a drink from Wakasa of all people. “I appreciate the offer, but I have to decline. I have to drive and I’m pretty exhausted, so drinking may not be a great idea. Thank you again, though.” you tried to sound polite, because you didn’t want him getting the wrong idea from you. 

Wakasa nodded his head. He completely understood your reasoning. He wouldn’t press that matter any longer, but he would have loved to buy you a drink some time. “Smart girl, I like that.” he reached into the pocket of his pants, pulling out a small rectangular box. It was clearly a pack of cigarettes. “So, how long have you been working here? I’ve never seen you before, and I’d usually notice if there was a pretty woman serving people around here.” 

Your heart began to thump rapidly inside of your chest. Was he.. flirting with you? 

There was no way he was trying to do that. He probably did that with every woman he encountered to charm them. Sure, you’d take the compliment, but it was quite shocking that he’d be so direct with you. You liked a straightforward man, but this was a lot for you to handle. 

Maybe it had to do with the fact that Wakasa was in fact the owner of this club. He had a business and he was extremely respected among the people who came here. As well as your boss and your other coworkers. You would have expected a man who owned such a fine business to be reserved and quiet. That’s how a majority of them were when you encountered them. They were all married or were engaged, so it only made sense for them to never show special attention to other women. However, Wakasa’s ringer finger was completely blank, and he seemed quite young compared to the older gentlemen you would usually see. That didn’t mean he wasn’t seeing anyone, though, but he could have a girlfriend. Though, that made another question appear in your mind. Why flirt if you weren’t single? Maybe he was a cheater? No, there was no way. You were clearly overthinking this. 

You also hadn’t been in a relationship for a pretty long time. You had men flirt with you before, but none of them had the same vibe as Wakasa. This was much different than what you’ve ever experienced. 

You watched him take out his lighter and ignite the cigarette he held between his lips. Your nose twitched at the scent of the smoke filling your nostrils. “I’ve been here for six months..” you looked down at the table, avoiding his gaze which was set on you.

He shook his head, processing the information you had given him. He was surprised to hear that you had been there for that long. He had never seen your face before. He assumed that you must have been a new hire, but you weren’t. “Oh? Interesting.. has your experience been swell? I’d sure hope so,” he took a hit of his cancer stick, blowing smoke through his nose. “What time are you off the clock, by the way?”

You began to fumble with your fingers. You hated being obviously nervous around him, but you worried about possibly slipping up and saying the wrong thing to Wakasa. Kakucho often reminded you that first impressions meant everything, especially to the man who owned The White Leopard. He also intimidated you. It could sound mean, but his presence scared you more than any other man. It probably had to do with the high amount of superiority he had above you. “It’s been okay! It’s a great job! I like it here a lot..” your eyes flickered from his eyes to your hands. “And.. um, I’m pretty much off when you leave the club? I’m not sure..”

A laugh came from his mouth, which alarmed you. You really hoped that it wasn’t sarcasm. You didn’t mean for it to come out in a rude manner, but what if he took it that way? Oh, shit. You could have completely fucked this entire interaction up. “Ah, I see. Well I’m glad you’re liking this job. I believe fine dime’s like yourself deserve the princess treatment.” he winked, showing off that teasing smirk from prior. “With that being said, I’d like the check, angel.”

A frown settled on your features at the mention of wanting the bill. You figured that meant that he was planning on leaving the club, which was disappointing. In all honesty, you wanted to converse with him a bit more before he’d make his departure. Maybe you thought too much of his nicknames and his words. He was probably just trying to swoon you. “O-Okay! I’ll come right back with that for you!” you then stood up, brushing out any wrinkles from your skirt and leaving the booth. You didn’t notice, but Wakasa had completely eyed your backside from head to toe. 

You made your way to the small corner where the register was. Many people were just now entering the club, which made you pray for Yuzuha and Emma who were planning to stay the entire evening. You eventually made it to the tablet and printed out the small bill. It was surprising. He and his friends had only ordered three drinks the entire night. It was almost like they didn’t even enjoy their time there, but you weren’t going to question their sudden need for leaving. It did give you the chance to finally head on home and get some much needed rest. You were exhausted and that familiar ache in your heels was paining you. 

Grabbing the receipts, you took a small black pen from the cup next to the tablet. You then began to walk over to the booth where Wakasa was still sitting. This time, he was on his cell phone. He seemed to be typing a text to somebody. He noticed you standing there instantly and lifted his head to pay attention to you. “There you are, angel, thank you.” he said, taking the receipts and the pen from your shaky hands. “You were a doll tonight, thank you for being so great at what you do.” 

Your heart fluttered at such a compliment from the man. Not many people would say nice things about your service, so it was reassuring and quite comforting to hear such things every once and a while. “T-Thank you! It means a lot coming from you..” you gave a smile to him, which didn’t feel forced for once tonight.

Wakasa signed the bill, then proceeded to take his wallet out of his pocket. He removed many bills from it, and you were surprised to see that he carried so much cash on him. Once he was done, he placed his wallet back and then stood up to hand you the money. “This is for the drinks..” he handed you one twenty dollar bill. “And this is for you.. have a great night, doll.” 

Your eyes went almost as wide as saucers when you saw the amount of cash you had between your fingers. He gave you a tip. A tip that was well over the usual twenty percent that you were used to. He tipped you one hundred and ten dollars. You were about to turn around and protest, but he was gone. There was a single sign of his presence anywhere. You couldn’t believe he had actually given you that much money. This had to be the biggest tip you had ever received in your entire time working at the club. Sometimes, you didn’t even receive the full twenty percent, but this completely blew you away. You were well aware that he tipped his servers pretty nicely, but you didn’t think it was this nice. You didn’t even know how to react.

Coming to your senses, you realized you had a lot of money in your hands. You then walked away from the now empty booth towards the stairs that led to the tablet. It had been a pretty successful evening for you, and you had zero complaints about any of it. Now, it was time for you to head out and go home. You assumed that Kakucho was aware of Wakasa’s dismissal, so you figured your time here was finished for the night. 

Once you reached the corner, you cleared his table and closed it out for the night. You couldn’t believe the evening you had, but you surely were excited to tell your friends about it tomorrow when you saw them. It’d be an interesting story to mention. 

You were ready to place the receipt into your pocket, but you paused when you noticed there was something written on it. It wasn’t just his signature, but there was other writing on the top of the space. You flipped the piece of paper so you could read it properly. It was surprising that you didn’t notice him writing it down when you saw him sign for the check, but maybe you missed it and looked away at the wrong moment. 

“Meet me upstairs in the private rooms. Say I asked for you. I’m in the room all the way in the back on the right. Only come if you’re comfortable <3”

The private rooms.

There had been a few occasions where you had to head up to the private rooms. The only reason for your presence being there was because of high profile businessmen being there for their own pleasure. Nobody was allowed back there except if you were staff, or if you were a part of the group. It was highly guarded by security and they often questioned you whenever you brought drinks back there. Even Kakucho informed you that if you were back there you had to be quick. It was kind of odd at times, because it wasn’t that serious to you, but you were also curious about them. 

You never really knew what went on back there, because their conversations were usually very professional and never made sense to you. Hakkai theorized it was all mafia related and The White Leopard was some kind of money laundering scheme, but Yuzuha usually shut that down with a quick smack to his head. You heard from others that it’s where the men came to have sex and indulge in drugs and drinking, but you never really knew. 

All you were aware of was that you had been invited back there by Wakasa himself, but what did he want? 

The idea of this possibly being a hookup crossed your mind. It made your face warm with embarrassment and it made you nervous. This was a random man, no, this was the man who practically was the reason why you had employment. Sleeping with him sounded like a serious stretch, but could he want that? You didn’t know, but you despised the fact that your brain was telling you to go. Maybe he wanted to have a drink since you were now technically off the clock.

Your eyes scanned the entire club. Your other coworkers seemed completely out of sight, and there was no sign of Kakucho. You decided to go with your gut.

Go and meet with Wakasa.

You clocked out before you left, then made your way towards the corridor that led to the large door that would take you to the private rooms. Your heart beat was through the roof now. You worried that someone had seen you come back there, because you weren’t supposed to be back there without permission. However, you had to relax. You had the receipt with Wakasa’s signature and his note allowing you access to those rooms. If security wanted to make an issue, you had your proof ready for them if they asked for it. 

The loud blare of the music began to fade in your ears, and it became much quieter as you entered the hallway. There were two large men standing on either side of the door. The word “private” was written above the door in large bold letters. The two security men noticed your presence and sort of straightened up their posture to seem more intimidating to you. Kind of a lame tactic considering you never really feared them. 

You paused when you reached the entrance of the rooms. One of the men’s eyes trailed up your form, then cocked his head to the side. “Can we help you?” he asked, his voice deep.

You swallowed thickly, looking up at the two guards. You prepared yourself to reach for the receipt that was tucked within your waistband. You really hoped that neither of these two would report this to Kakucho. You kinda wanted whatever this was to be somewhat private. It wouldn’t be a good look if someone heard about you meeting up with Wakasa. “W-Wakasa asked for me,” you clasped your hands together in hopes that they would believe your words. 

Both security men exchanged glances with one another. The man on the right turned and opened the door. “Right this way,” he held the door slightly ajar for you. 

You were quite surprised that it was that easy to get into there. The men didn’t ask for any proof or identification. You would think that if Wakasa was back there, the men would tear you apart with questions. Did he inform them of your possible arrival to the private rooms? You wouldn’t be that shocked, but it seemed a little odd. You didn’t protest, though, because you didn’t want to miss the opportunity to have access to the rooms. 

You walked through the door. The atmosphere had a sudden shift when you stepped through the entrance. There was a long hallway with all kinds of rooms on each side. You had been inside of them before, but those encounters never really lasted long. The door behind you shut with a thud, and all you were left with was the soft beat of the song that played through the speakers above you. You were now towards the back of the club, so the only other sound you could hear was the vibration of the other music that played on the main floor. You were nervous. You hoped that you didn’t possibly run into some random person. You chewed on your bottom lip, hoping the best from the situation. 

Taking a deep breath, you began slowly walking down the hall. 

You passed by many closed doors. Behind them, you could hear the muffled voices of the people who were inside the rooms. You vaguely recalled Wakasa saying he was at the end of the hall on the right. It made you anxious not knowing what might lie behind that door. Wakasa could be messing with you for all you know. You had to try and think positive. Wakasa was a very kind man to you the entire evening. You found it hard to believe that his intentions would be anything but pure with you. Plus, you weren’t alone in this hallway. If there was a problem, you could always just scream your head off until security arrived. You also knew bad vibes. You didn’t receive them when it came to Wakasa of all people.

You paused in your footsteps once you reached the end of the corridor. You lifted your hand to knock on the vanilla colored door. 

Knock! 

It was noiseless for a moment. You wondered if you were too late by chance, but those thoughts diminished when you heard shuffling from the other side of the door. You prepared yourself for what was to come. 

The doorknob jiggled lightly, then it was pulled open. Your eyes focused on the same man you saw just a few minutes prior. Wakasa stood inside the room with that same expression he wore before. Though, that soon shifted when his eyes fixated on you. He smirked when he made eye contact with you. He honestly wasn’t expecting you to arrive within such a short period of time, but he was happy to see you. He was also somewhat relieved that you weren’t uncomfortable with his actions. He hadn’t done such a thing before. He thought for a while you’d toss out the receipt and laugh it off, but he was thankful that wasn’t the case. “Hey, angel, nice to see you here.” he leaned against the doorframe with that same grin. “Come inside..”

Goosebumps flared onto your skin at how sultry his tone was. He sounded sort of flirty, but you had to keep your composure straight. You nodded your head and advanced forward into the same room Wakasa was in. 

The room was quite large and spacious. There was a lengthy couch that stretched along the wall and a coffee table that sat directly in the center of the room. A cup of whisky was the only item that was on the glass. The lights were quite dim and the same soft music played through the speakers. There was a faint odor of cigarettes that lingered through the air as well. You assumed he had been smoking since he had a pack with him much earlier in the night. Wakasa was the only person in the room. You were half expecting Shinichiro and Benkei to be there, but they were still nowhere to be found. You had assumed they were somewhere in the club still.

Your ears perked when the door was shut behind you. Wakasa had then shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants. You noticed that his tie was now somewhat loosened, and his sleeves were still rolled up. God, he was so handsome. He had to be straight from heaven itself. 

Wakasa walked past you to the chocolate brown couch that was beside you. He plopped down, allowing the ponytail behind his head to swing from the motion. He lifted his glass that contained his whisky. “Feel free to have a seat, doll. No need to be tense,” he took a sip of the alcohol, then swirled the glass around which made the ice cubes clink against it. 

You nodded, then walked over to the couch he was sitting on. You decided to sit right beside him. You began to grow curious as to what he called you in there for. There were many possibilities swirling inside your mind, but none of them could be decided. He seemed just as casual as he was before when he was sitting inside the booth. Though, this time, there seemed to be a shift in the air. It was like there was some kind of tension circling within the two of you. You didn’t know what the reason was for it, but maybe he read your thoughts when you were sitting with him. Did he know you thought he was attractive? There was no way. You played it very casually and quite proper. “So.. um, what did you want to talk about? I was just wondering since these rooms are private..” you crossed your legs, trying to get comfortable on the leather couch. 

Wakasa shifted his gaze onto where you were sitting. Those familiar feelings from before began to creep up onto you once again. He had these seductive eyes that made your thighs squeeze together. “You piqued my interest.. and I think you’re a very beautiful woman. I could hardly keep my eyes off of you the entire night..” he maintained eye contact with you, causing your body to heat up once again.

A shiver ghosted down your spine. The atmosphere suddenly changed once again, and it was beginning to feel intense. It was blatantly obvious that Wakasa was flirting with you, and hard. Your body was screaming for you to just lean in and let this man have you, but Wakasa was practically your boss. He owned that club and what would happen if you two slept together? If that kind of secret were to slip through the cracks, you could possibly lose your job and it wouldn’t do so well for your reputation and Wakasa’s. You knew what he wanted to do, but could you even bring yourself to agree? Sure, you were more than welcome to hooking up, but would he keep it a secret? He could gladly expose you if he wanted to.

You turned your body so you were now facing him. His eyes kept leaving your face and focusing on random parts of your body. He was so captivated by your beauty that he had no idea where to stare. “Wakasa.. I think you’re handsome as well.. but how can I trust you? I could get into serious trouble and I don’t think I want this to be public knowledge..” you sounded very concerned, which worried Wakasa. He wasn’t trying to sound pushy with you whatsoever. 

He understood your concerns completely. You were right in some aspects. If he spoke about it, you could deal with serious consequences and he didn’t want to be responsible for you being possibly fired. He wanted good things for you, not bad ones. Wakasa wanted to assure you that he could be trusted. He’d never place you in such a position. “(Y/N).. you won’t lose your job while I’m here. I would never share such personal details either.. you can trust me.” he reached over and held your hand, brushing his thumb over your smooth skin. “I promise, doll.” 

His tone seemed rather trusting and sincere from your view. You also wouldn’t get an experience like this ever again, so you shook your head. You knew you were about to indulge in something that you couldn’t go back from, but his presence alone was making your body buzz with excitement and need. “Okay.. I trust you, Wakasa.” you gave his hand a firm squeeze to assert yourself.

He was happy to hear that you were willing to put your faith into him. He then patted the spot on his lap for you to take a seat on. “Come here..” he motioned for you to come towards him, to which you gladly obliged.

You maneuvered yourself onto Wakasa’s thighs, placing your arms around his neck. You couldn’t lie and say that you weren’t nervous to be on him like that. His body was so warm against your own and his muscles were so well defined underneath his dress shirt. You could hardly look at him without feeling flustered. This was honestly hard to believe. You were about to have sex with Wakasa Imaushi. If this was a dream, you were praying to god that you wouldn’t wake up before you got to the good part. He was so attractive up close. His features were flawless and quite dreamy. How could a man like this not have a woman by his side? He was better than you ever imagined him to be. 

One of his hands rested around your waist while the other was placed against your thigh. He began to trail up your leg, leaving sparks to snap against your delicate skin. He then began to kiss your neck. His lips were smooth and the pecks were quite soft. Instinctively, you spread your legs apart when you felt his hand trailing closer towards your center. Wakasa hadn’t expected you to become so needy that fast, but he didn’t have a problem with that at all. 

He nipped at your sweet spot, causing a whimper to escape your throat. Fuck, you sounded so pretty when you made those lewd noises because of him. “You like that, baby..?” he asked in a low tone. “If you ever want me to stop.. just say the word..” 

Your grip on his shirt tightened at every minuscule touch of his fingers. Butterflies swarmed inside your belly from his Impact on you. You weren’t sure if it was because of your lack of touch since having a boyfriend, but you were like putty in his hands. “Don’t stop..” you sounded breathless when his hand reached your clothed clit. 

Wakasa grinned devilishly when he made contact with the damp spot that had formed on your panties. He had barely done a single thing and your underwear was already a dripping mess. It made him so fucking hard at the thought. He used his other hand to bring your lips down onto his. The kiss you shared was firey and full of passion and desire. It started off fairly slow. He thought your lips were smooth like honey. He could hardly get enough of the strawberry chapstick you wore on them. You shuddered when the tips of his fingers touched your cunt. He began to draw small circles onto it, sending jolts of pleasure through your core. You moaned into the kiss, allowing Wakasa to swallow it.

His tongue swiped along your bottom lip, to which you granted him access to your mouth. He darted into it and deepened the kiss even more this time. You were such a great kisser. He knew those pretty lips would have gone to good use the moment his eyes landed on them. Everything about you was ethereal. He hadn’t felt such excitement in forever. 

Wakasa pulled your panties to the side, exposing your cunt to him. He smirked when he made contact with the sticky arousal that coated your clit. You were a fucking delight down there. He wanted to taste you so fucking badly. Eat you out until you cried his name so everyone in the damn club heard who was making you feel like you were on cloud nine, but he was too far into it to do so. He wanted to make you feel good, of course, but for now he wanted to use just his fingers to make that happen. The thoughts he had were unlike no other. It was almost as if you casted a spell on him, because he just couldn’t get enough of you. “Heh.. what a mess you are, baby. This pretty pussy is calling for me, yeah? You want my fingers in you, princess?” he looked into your eyes as he spoke to you. 

You nodded your head, twirling a few strands of his hair around your fingers. You were slipping right through the cracks. He was driving you up the wall from only one simple thing, but you needed him more than anything else. “Y-Yes.. Wakasa! I need you..” you whined, moving your hips towards his digits which were right near your hole. 

Wakasa sunk one of his fingers into your dripping hole. A gasp filled his ears once he was fully inside of you. You were so tight. He could hardly move his finger around, and not to mention, you were so wet. He could tell that your pussy was quite divine and he honestly couldn’t wait to fuck you with his cock instead. He then began to finger you at a decently fast pace. You were squirming and jerking around underneath him. Even though it was just one, you still felt so full and your body was heating up quicker than you expected. He was talented with those hands of his. His finger twisted and curled around your sweet hole to find that one spot he knew would send you to the moon. 

Wakasa used his hand to maneuver your body around. He wanted an even greater access to you, so he adjusted your seating to where your back was now against his chest. This in turn made you place both of your feet onto the couch, so you were spread completely open for him. Wakasa bit the inside of cheek, his mouth watering at the thought of how gorgeous you looked right now. He wanted to see what that pretty cunt of yours looked like. He then kept pumping his finger into you. Your hand went to wrap around his wrist. It was so good. You hadn’t felt such a thing in a long time. His fingers were much different than your own, and he was doing everything to make you fall apart. You shivered even more when you felt his cock completely hardened against your ass. He had to be big, judging by the print that you could feel.

He brought his free hand to wrap around your throat. He pushed you backwards so your head was now against his shoulder. His breath tickled against the shell of your ear. “Look at you.. being so obedient for me..” he gave it a squeeze, causing your eyes to roll back from the pleasure. “So perfect for me.. yeah? Say my name, baby..”

You let out a whine when his pumps only quickened inside of you. He had found that button and he could tell by the way your body was reacting to his motions against it. Your vision blurred with every movement of his fingers, and you started to grow louder. “W-Wakasa..! Right there! Please!” you gripped his wrist tightly as he fingered you relentlessly. Your pussy squelched and squealed from how soaked you were. Wakasa found that to be the hottest thing he had ever heard. A pretty woman with her pussy dripping just for him? He honestly thought of you as an angel, just for him. 

Wakasa didn’t understand how you weren’t with another man. You were so gorgeous and your body had to be a work of art. Normally, women as stunning as you were swept off your feet the moment you came into a man’s view. If it were Wakasa, he would have made you his without a second thought. He’d treat you so right. He would give you it all. He knew it might sound silly because this was indeed his first encounter with you, but you did something to him that no other woman had done before. He couldn’t wait to get the real show started with you. He wanted to show you how a man did things with another woman. 

He brushed his thumb over your swollen clit. His other hand moved to fumble with your breast. He couldn’t keep his eyes away from them the entire evening. He wanted to honestly pull your bra down and suck on your pretty nipples. “Such a perfect little body you have, angel.” he began to draw circles on your puffy clit. “Can’t wait to fuck you.. bet you’re so warm and tight..” 

You bucked your hips towards his finger, feeling your orgasm approaching you. He got off on how desperate you were for his touch. Your walls began to flutter around his finger and slowly trap him in. He wasn’t ready to bring you to your peak yet, so he removed his finger from your cunt. A whine slipped from your lips at his sudden retraction. You were so close. Teasing you made you go crazy. You desired Wakasa more than anything and him being an ass wasn’t helping your case. “W-Waka..!” you tried bringing his hand towards your throbbing cunt, but he remained stiff and didn’t let you move him. He wasn’t going to give in that easily.

He trailed his large hands along your body, exploring every curvature and crevice of your flesh. He left a small wet kiss on the spot underneath your ear. You were so whiny and cute it made his cock twitch inside of his dress pants. “I wanna try something with you, princess..” he cooed into your ear. “But only if you want it.. otherwise, we can move forward..”

Curiosity coursed through your veins at his mention of something new. You had experimented with many things with many different guys, but you had yet to try everything. Wakasa could have anything up his sleeve, which made you wonder more as to what this could be. It only made you more excited. You turned your head to make eye contact with the man who was sitting behind you. His purple eyes were now blown with lust, which made his pupils quite large. “W-What is it..?” you questioned, your eyes flickering from his eyes to his pretty lips you wished you had on you once again.

Wakasa reached towards the black tie that was loosened around the collar of his shirt. He untied it and pulled it off of him. Your eyes grew wide when you realized what he wanted to do. You have seen plenty of erotic videos where a man would use a tie for a specific purpose. Whether it was using it to restrain them, or using it as a blindfold, they were used for pretty kinky things. You hadn’t had one used on you before. It’d be a completely new experience. The thought alone turned you on, a lot. Though, it did somewhat make you nervous because of your inexperience with the clothing item. This could go wrong, but that was a risk you were willing to take with the man before you. You were certain that Wakasa would never put you in a situation where you could get hurt. 

He lifted his tie in his hand up to your level. He could already imagine you with his tie on your body. Fuck, that’d be a sight. You were already gorgeous enough, so you’d look even more sexy with it on. “I want to use it as a blindfold.. I won’t progress without your consent, so if you don’t want to, it’s okay.” he sounded sincere and quite sweet in your opinion. You thought it was considerate of him to think of your feelings in the matter. Not many men were like that. 

You felt comfortable with him enough for him to use the blindfold on you. He did mention that if you wanted to stop, all you had to do was say the word. “Okay.. I trust you, Wakasa.” you nodded, looking into his pretty eyes. 

He smiled at you, leaning in to give you a quick kiss. He then unrolled his tie, taking both ends into his hands. You then watched him place the tie over your eyes. Your vision went completely dark and you couldn’t see a single thing in front of you. Wakasa used both ends of the tie to form a knot so it would stay nice and firm behind your head. A shaky breath left your lips. You had no idea where he was going to move next, or what he was planning on doing now. Judging by how fast he seemed to be moving, you could only assume that he was preparing to fuck you. The images flashed inside your brain, making that heat form in your belly. 

The man behind you then began to move you around. Wakasa placed your head down, so you were now lying down on the couch. He began to undo the buttons of your blouse, exposing your bra that held your breasts. It took everything inside him to not completely ravage your pretty mounds. He then moved downward and began to tug at your skirt. He pulled the piece of fabric down your thighs, then towards your calves where it slipped off of your ankles. Wakasa’s eyes fixated on your pussy that was still as wet as before. He was right. Your cunt was so perfect and the sight of it made his mouth water with saliva. He began to ponder on the taste. He bet you were sweet and savory. He thought you had the prettiest pussy he had ever seen. He’d have to taste you some time. There was no way he was going to let you walk away without giving him a small taste.

Wakasa pulled your panties off of your body, tossing them onto the floor beside him. He then began to unbuckle his belt, which made you shiver. You couldn’t see what he was hiding underneath those pants of his. Anticipation bubbled inside your belly at the thought of what his cock was going to feel like. He removed his pants, his cock springing free from the confines of his boxers. He could finally breathe. It felt like he had been suffocated from how tight they felt around his waist. Pre-cum leaked from the tip, to which he wiped off with the pad of his thumb. 

His fingers trailed down the skin of your waist, then towards your hips. The lack of eyesight made your emotions all the more heightened. You were much more sensitive now. It was no surprise to Wakasa when you twitched at his minor touches. What a pretty baby you were. “Heh, don’t you worry, princess. I promise to be gentle with you..” he winked, tossing his white shirt onto the table beside you both.

He then positioned himself at your entrance. The pinkish tip brushed along your folds, earning a moan from both of you. Your pussy was so wet. It didn’t take much for Wakasa to push himself inside of you. He grunted loudly when he felt your delicious walls clamping around his cock. He couldn’t believe you felt that amazing. It made him question where you’ve been all his life. You squirmed at the sensation of his cock splitting your cunt apart. He was big. Wakasa searched your expression for any signs of discomfort or hesitation, but all he saw was your jaw wide open from his cock pushing inside of you. He took that as a good sign, and began to slowly rut his hips into you. He could hardly keep himself composed. You were squeezing his cock so perfectly that he swore you were made to take him.

Wakasa began to pick up his pace. Your hands began to run down your body, taking a hold of your breast. The thrill of using a blindfold was making the sex even greater than it would without it. You had no idea what he might do next, and that’s what excited you. “Wakasa..! Fuck.. you’re so good..” you whimpered, arching your back upwards from the pleasure you were receiving.

He liked hearing his name slip from your tongue like that. He could listen to your sweet voice all fucking day. Scratch that, he could fuck you all day and never get tired. There was so much to like about you. To think, just a little while ago you were serving him drinks and being a pretty little waitress for him. He disliked that Shinichiro stared at you a little longer than he would have preferred, but that idea was shut down the moment you made eye contact with Wakasa. “Yeah..? Look at you.. being so good for me, baby. You take me – shit! – so fuckin’ nicely..” he pried your legs apart further, placing them around his waist to reach into you more.

He was unable to see it, but your eyes rolled backwards behind your lids from the new angle he reached. He reached your g-spot instantly, sending deep waves of pleasure to crash along your body. This man must have known the female body much better than any other guy on this planet. He knew exactly what he was doing to make you see stars in your vision. 

Wakasa gritted his teeth at your walls, shuddering and twitching around his dick. He hated sounding so possessive, but he wanted you all to himself. He knew you didn’t belong to him and you both just met one another, but the idea of another man getting their hands on you made him green with envy. You were too good for these shitty men he knew in the world. They didn’t deserve such a kind woman, nor did they deserve the chance to fuck your perfect pussy. He wanted to be the only one to fuck you in such a manner. His dick should be the only one you thought about. It only made him want to fuck you harder and better. God, what the fuck did you do to him? Wakasa never believed in being tied down to one person, but you.. you had completely shifted his opinion on the subject. You were a little devil.

He used his hand to grip your throat. He gave it a harsh squeeze, which made your mind feel dizzy from the lack of oxygen. He leaned towards your ear. His deep breaths filled your ears, arousing you from how harsh they were. “Gonna make this pussy all mine, angel..” he purred. “You wanna – fuck – be mine, baby? Never gonna share you again.. I’ll give you i-it all!” 

His thrusts grew more aggressive, sending you over the edge with your mind becoming foggy with euphoria. He sounded so menacing and it made you so turned on. It stunned you, though. Wakasa wanted to keep you all to himself, yet he barely knew you. To be honest, you didn’t oppose that idea whatsoever. The thought of being Wakasa’s was not a bad one. “Y-Yes..!” you managed to choke out, considering you weren’t able to allow much air into your lungs from how tight his hold was on your throat. 

A chuckle rumbled in his throat at your reply. You were his little masochist and he couldn’t wait to see what else you were capable of. He couldn’t hide that smirk that appeared on his face when you said yes. He’d make you see that you would never regret such a decision to be his. “That’s right.. good girl, baby.” he released your throat, allowing you to inhale a breath. “Wanna see me fuck you, princess..? ‘Wanna see those pretty e-eyes look at me..” 

You nodded your head vigorously. You craved nothing more than to see his handsome face above you. Wakasa then slowed his thrusts and reached forward to pull the black blindfold down and away from your eyes. You squinted a little from the sudden rays of light that filled your vision, but your eyes then focused on the man who was fucking you. Wakasa looked so good hovering over your body. His ponytail was slightly messy and a few strands of his hair were clinging to his forehead from the sweat that formed on his skin. He was giving you a flirty smile that made your face burn. You wished you got to see him the entire time, but you were glad you got the chance to see him now.

Your hands went to rest on his muscular shoulders. His physique was quite nice and attractive. You couldn’t believe a man this handsome was fucking your brains out on a couch. “Wakasa! Fuck.. love your cock..” you made eye contact with him. Your desperate hues made him twitch inside of you. You were so so beautiful looking at him like that. 

He loved the sound of that. He then had an idea flow into his brain. He had done it before with other women, but he wanted to try it with you. He thought it’d be a nice way to remember this evening you two had with one another. Wakasa slowed his ruts and came to a complete stop, which made you somewhat upset. You thought it was unfair, because you were coming close to that delicious high that you craved more than anything else. The man then reached over to the glass coffee table that was right beside the couch. He pulled his phone off of the table and stared down at you with foggy eyes. He was breathing quite heavily and seemed almost as needy as you were. “I wanna record you..” he moved around inside your cunt, earning a cry of pleasure from your mouth. “Only if you want.. baby.” 

Being recorded? That was something you were completely new to. You had sent naked photographs and videos of yourself before, but to have a sexual encounter recorded? That was quite lewd and it was different. You worried the video might be shared with other people. You didn’t dislike the idea or anything, but your private business with Wakasa should remain behind closed doors. 

You shifted around underneath him. You were getting close to your orgasm, and you wanted to finish already. “I’ll only allow it if you promise to never share it..” you took his free hand into yours, placing it on your body. “Promise.. Waka?”

Wakasa heard your concerns loud and clear. There were many assholes out there that often betrayed the trust of their significant others by sharing those videos with others, but Wakasa wasn’t one of them. He’d never share something that intimate without your permission. He also didn’t want anyone else to see your body. He was the only person who should be able to see the private areas of you. “I promise, angel. You won’t have to worry..” he rubbed your belly with his hand softly to reassure you. 

You then gave him the nod to keep going. He started to pick up that similar pace he had prior. His tip kissed your g-spot, making your brain turn fuzzy each time he pressed against it. Your walls were beginning to spasm and close around his cock, earning several grunts from the man above you who looked fucking gorgeous. He was well aware that you were close. Heh, maybe he’d get your pretty orgasm on camera while he recorded you. He’d never stop viewing that video if that were the case.

Wakasa used his thumb to swipe over to the camera. His grip wasn’t the firmest, considering he was fucking the shit out of you, but he eventually was able to begin taping the scene in front of him. The flash appeared within the blink of an eye, and you realized you were being recorded. He grinned when your pussy quivered around him. You must have liked being on camera like that. He pushed your legs somewhat further apart to let the camera get a glance of his cock pushing your cunt apart. “Heh.. would you look at that, baby. You suck me in so fuckin’ nicely..” he cooed, shifting his gaze onto you. “You like being taped, hm..? ‘Can feel you getting nice and tight now..” 

His thumb swirled around your clit. The familiar knot in your belly was tightening with every motion of his hips. Wakasa gritted his teeth at how so fucking great he felt. He had begun to increase his assault on your cunt, allowing your cries to become much louder than before. Your volume was so high that it was likely that whoever was down this hallway heard you moaning for Wakasa. Neither of you gave much care to that fact. What were they going to do? Come to the club owner himself and argue over it? Fat chance. 

Wakasa groaned deeply when your pussy began to squeeze the life out of his cock. Your high had finally washed over you, making your thighs tremble from the affects. He was most thrilled to know that he had caught the entire thing on video. Your pretty voice calling out his name so loudly that he was sure you would have lost your voice from the high pitch. A creamy white ring surrounded his cock. You were a mess on him and the couch you were both fucking on. That was all he really needed in the department of recording you, because now it was his turn to reach his orgasm. “Fuck.. so good.. such a good girl, baby.” he then pressed the button on his phone, ending the recording and tossing it somewhere onto the floor. 

Your eyes were hazy and your body was still reeling in the affects of your climax. You felt as if you were on fire and Wakasa was the gasoline making that spark more intense. “Wakasa! N-Need you..” you whined. “Ah..!”

Those words brought a nice smile to the man’s face. The feeling was honestly mutual. He needed you just as much as you needed him. He would give you whatever you desired. “Yeah..? Don’t worry, doll. I’ll give you everything..” he leaned down, pressing a sloppy kiss onto your swollen lips. “Where do you – fuck! – want my cum, baby?” 

Although the words processed quite slowly into your brain, you wondered what would be the most fun. He could always leave his cum right on your face or on your pretty tits. That also proposed the idea of him taking a photo of it and saving it on his cell phone. Either option turned you on, but the other one made your clit throb. Wakasa filling you up crossed your mind and it was such an erotic idea. He was already opening your doors to new things like using a blindfold and recording, so why not let him cum inside you just this once? It would be nice, and you hadn’t experienced such a feeling in a long time. 

Your arms went to wrap around his neck, bringing his face towards yours. Those lazy eyes of his stared right into your fucked out ones. He could get lost within them if he stared for too long. “Inside.. please..” you sounded so desperate that Wakasa could have cum right then and there. He knew you were into things, but that? That was quite a surprise. 

But, who was he to deny your such filthy desires? He’d grant them any day he so pleased.

Wakasa began to rut his hips at that same fast pace from before. Your familiar cries returned, filling his ears like they were a song he could never get tired of. His cock began to twitch inside of you and his grip on your body was firm. He would grant you that need of wanting his cum inside you. He could only imagine what it would look like when his seed leaked out of your hole. It only made him more encouraged to keep going. He was so close. “Shit.. shit.. fuck, baby, I’m gonna cum.. ‘gonna fill this pretty pussy..” he looked down at you as he spoke. 

With one last thrust, he hissed as his high hit him like a truck. His cock twitched and his balls that were slapping against your clit tightened up, allowing his cum to fill into your womb. It was quite thick and warm, sending shivers along your body from how it made you feel. Wakasa’s grip on your hip must have been tight enough to leave marks. He didn’t dare move in fear that the mess inside of you would possibly seep out, so he decided to sit there for a brief moment. Your nails drew small circles onto his shoulder, trying to recover from the affects of being completely and utterly fucked out. You weren’t sure how long you had been at it, but it must have been quite late in the evening.

Both of you were quite messy. There were many loose strands falling out of Wakasa’s once neat ponytail, and sweat dripped down his tattooed body. He still had that dreamy aura attached to him even though he looked quite exhausted. 

After several moments of silence, Wakasa pulled out of your tired cunt. Some of his cum had escaped and began to trickle down from your pussy to your ass. He thought it was one of the sexiest things he had laid his eyes upon. His cum coming out of you. What a delicious sight. Reality then dawned on him, he had another event to attend for the evening and he couldn’t remain at the club for longer than he would have desired. He had to also find out where Shinichiro and Benkei had gone. He had so much fun with you. The experience he had with you was exhilarating and nothing like he had felt before. He doubted he’d find that similar feeling with another woman.

Wakasa leaned towards the floor and grabbed his pants. You watched him begin to redress himself and you figured you would do the same thing. That familiar tires feeling you had earlier in the night had returned. The sex you had only made you more exhausted than you originally were.

He finished up much quicker than you and now he was standing by the door. He decided to say one more thing before he made his exit. As much as he wanted to just go home, duty called. “Have a good night, (Y/N). I hope to see you again.” he gave you a flirty smile, then exited the private room so you were now completely on your own. 

You fixed your skirt and buttoned up your top. You looked down at the coffee table that was directly in front of you. Your eyes fixated on a random napkin that was folded up beside Wakasa’s empty whisky glass. You reached forward and unfolded the napkin. A smile made its way to your features when you read what was written in ink on it. 

“Call me sometime, I’d love to see you again ♡- Wakasa aka Mr.Imaushi”

[shattersstar]

bound

pairing: vampire x reader

summary: He supposed this was his true home, not the house he had kept himself locked in, but the wooden box with your picture in it. Dutifully kept under his pillow, bringing you to the land of dreams with him—if he could dream. It was a bitter punishment for the life he lived, the transgression—sin—he supposed would be held against the two of you. For how he wanted you more than anything, how he would tear whole cities to shreds at your behest and let the hunters who lurked in your town meet his fangs if you so desired. It was gluttony, to take eternal life and still want more.

warning: horror-ish elements, blood mention., religious undertones (aka general vampire themes/concepts)

a/n: i have so much to say about this lil piece of writing omg okay, i wrote this back in May i believe around the time i was reading we have always lived in the castle and it Shows. its lowkey fantasy which is not like anything i write but the horror-ish vibes r pretty consistent with my original stuff. it is heavily inspired by a lot of the vampire media ive consumed too though even if its not based on one particular character. i have been thinking about it since i wrote it and while im a bit ehhh about posting something original i quite literally have nothing else to share and as i said before y’all keeping i’d still eat the fruit in my notifs is so :)))) so this is a thank you to y’all and a Step back into writing for me hopefully. ramble aside enjoy ! feedback and comments r always appreciated

—

It had rained, no—poured, stormed, hailed, cried, screamed. It had swept in during the day, white noise to him as he slept, while it greeted you during breakfast. The clouds wept over the lands in what felt like divine punishment. It was as if nature or something higher than that was against him, accosting or trying to stop him. As he stood at the edge of the great forest, rain pelting the top of his head he assumed there was nothing greater than nature. Not even him. There was nothing higher nor more humbling. God could spite someone, but nature enacted it. It flooded your sleepy town and even sleepier forest and he was on the other side. Confined to his home until the storm cleared and the sun rose.

He would not be graced with your presence yet again and he tried to ignore the call to change you, to have his fangs pierce your skin and his blood run across your tongue. He gritted his teeth, reminding himself of the hurt it brought and he would never cause that for his love. His dearest who lived on the other side of the forest he was unable to cross. His icy glare moved along the border, not even noticing the rain drenching his billowing black cloak anymore. Somewhere in the forest a branch snapped and animals chattered.

He would live for eternity, he could wait for you. It was his resolution before heading back to his home in the woods and trying not to be angry, to let fury run through his long dead veins and restart his stilled heart. If anything—anyone—could, he knew it was you.

He followed the path compacted over the years of those travelling to stare at his home, humans daring each other to go near it, but never following through when the windows shuddered and a figure moved past one of them like a ghost. Times had changed, but people were as superstitious as ever. They saw his decayed and rotted home and prescribed evil to it. It was overrun with vines, leaves would not grow on them. Even in spring. They stayed black, and gnarled, tightening their hold in his house each season. Thorns protruding from some of the thicker vines, protecting him it seemed. You had noted that, staring at his wondrous home with bright eyes.

It was in a clearing in the forest, grey stone withered away and swallowed by nature. It still stood strong, the outside a grotesque picture that did not reflect the inside. Oil lamps and lighting fixtures alike lit the space from the inside out. It warmed the walls, revealing the deep brown wood panelling that made up the older parts of the house. The stairs were still the original wood, a grand staircase that greeted no one, but him and you these days.

Many of the rooms upstairs had been closed off, sheets gently placed over the old furniture and doors closed forever. He had no need for such space, other vampires stopped visiting when hunters started lingering in your town. You had told him of your many encounters, most were smart enough to stay out the forest, but they still killed many of his kind. Finding them in their carriages amongst the cars rolling down the freshly paved roads. Horses killed along with whoever dwelled inside. They saw themselves as vigilantes, but you had told him most of your town considered them a nuisance. Urban men thinking they can save the more rural lands that bordered their great cities. Cities that forgot the magic that once thrived in places like the forest.

“Their thinking of building a highway through it, connecting us to other towns or one of the bigger cities.” You had explained one day, sitting in his lap and letting him hold you. He hummed, long fingers curling into the fabric of your sweater. You placed your warm hand over his and leaned further into his chest. He asked you to let him hold you and you had obliged like always.

He kept those memories in mind, the soft questions he would extend your way and how you listened so dutifully. May I hold you? Will you lay with me? Come walk through the cellar? Can I drink your—

His fist slammed against his dinning room table, nearly snapping it in two as a crack ran jagged through the centre of the chestnut coloured wood. His fangs were out, nails morphed into claws dug into his skin and blood dripped into the crack. He stared at it, muscles in his face twitching as he waited for it to end. Waited for the creature in him to return to laying dormant and his own clear, sound mind to return. Though he supposed it was never very clear or sound anymore, not when you had burrowed inside of him and promised to never leave. And as if his thoughts beckoned you themselves, the old telephone in his study rang. It’s shrill scream echoed through the quiet house, though the ring was discordant, snapping in two halfway through its loop and screeching a pitch higher. The noise made his pointed ears twitch and with a swoop of his cloak he was in his study. He answered it on the normal ring, cutting it off right before it went off tone.

He held the phone to his ear, but waited to speak. “Hello?” You asked, your voice soft and worried. You’d never called him before—truthfully he had no idea this phone even worked.

“Hello my love.” He returned, and you breathed out a happy sigh.

“Oh my god, hi! I found this number in some old directory—phone book thing,” You explained with an airy giddiness that he wished to share, “I wasn’t sure if it was going to work, but…” You trailed off and he was smiling fondly into the receiver.

“I have missed you.”

“I miss you too, I hate this weather I can never get through the forest when its so rainy.”

“I know.”

“Maybe they should build a highway through it, I could hitchhike my way to see you.” You laughed, but he turned somber. Industrialization finally touching the sacred land of the forest didn’t sit right within him. It may be the great divider that kept him away from you, but it was his home. A highway felt like you were asking to be swept away, to a new town or bigger city that he could not adventure too. He could ask you to stay—he knew you’d oblige—but it was not his place to keep you here. “Is your phone one of those spin, dial ones?” You asked suddenly, breaking through the tension he hadn’t meant to create.

“A rotary phone?” He corrected with a ghost of a grin, “Yes it is.”

“I want to see it when I come over again.”

“And so you will.” It was quiet again and he hadn’t noticed the tears running down his face. He didn’t know he was able to cry anymore.

“I love you.” You whispered, holding your cellphone close, likely curled up in bed and staring out your window at the rain and the forest beyond it.

“I love you dearest.” His voice did not betray the sadness building in him. “Sleep beloved, I will see you soon.”

“Yes, I’m gonna come see you and your rotary phone.” You laughed, forced and watery.

“Soon.”

“Soon.” You repeated, and hung up. He kept the black phone, laced with intricate gold details, to his ear for a moment longer. He had heard your voice at least and could sleep. He moved through his home, snuffing out candles and flicking off switches before finding the one room without windows. A coffin laid on the floor, dark brown and glistening with the finish that had been applied centuries ago.

He supposed this was his true home, not the house he had kept himself locked in, but the wooden box with your picture in it. Dutifully kept under his pillow, bringing you to the land of dreams with him—if he could dream. It was a bitter punishment for the life he lived, the transgression—sin—he supposed would be held against the two of you. For how he wanted you more than anything, how he would tear whole cities to shreds at your behest and let the hunters who lurked in your town meet his fangs if you so desired.

It was gluttony, to take eternal life and still want more.

Though it was hard to think of such evil things when looking at your face, he had taken the photo while you were on the roof. Wind had wiped your clothes into a frenzy and you laughed as the night sky twinkled behind you. He had taken it and was surprised when you’d given it to him only a few days later. He had kept up with modern technology as well as he could, but there was always something so magical about photographs to him. He collected hundreds over his life time, faces he knew and others he didn’t. Organized neatly into a collection of books, which he’d let you look through on occasion. He showed you photos from the many lives he’s lived, something about them bringing warmth rushing to your face.

He was always so devastatingly beautiful, regal and hypnotic across all eras. Yet, he couldn’t focus on the kind words that bubbled from your lips as the rushing of the blood under your skin nearly shattered something inside of him. His fangs threatened to meet your skin, but with calculated focus he reigned in his hunger. It was hard at first—you were the only human he had been around in decades—but he did it for love.

Everything he did was for love, it was his reason for existence it seemed. You had other reasons for your claim to life, but to him? You were all he had, the only reason to not let the sun engulf him or let a hunter kill him. He could not break your heart until you broke his. He let that thought dwell in his mind as sleep overtook him just as the sun rose and the rain ended. Its incessant pitter patter had ceased and he somehow dreamt of you standing golden in the forest and beckoning him closer.

He woke up to your face—maybe it wasn’t a dream—as you crouched next to his coffin. Maybe he had finally died and you were welcoming him to where God decided to send him. If you were there it couldn’t be hell. Could it be?

“My love—“ Your hand pressed to his chest, keeping him still. “It’s still daytime, sleep okay?” You whispered, hand moving to his jaw and cradling his face in your palm for a moment. “I’ll be back in a sec okay, I just need to change.” He nodded against you, kissing your hand before you let him reside in darkness. He had caught a glimpse of your pants caked in mud and could smell the blood from your skinned palms. Despite the slick terrain it seemed you ventured through the forest to see him. It made his chest shudder and for a moment he thought you had actually restarted his heart.

It was only a few minutes later when you were carefully opening his coffin again, now dawning a loose fitting silk shirt that made his red eyes alight with something wild. You had cleaned your scrapes and mud off your skin, smelling faintly of rain water and the lavender soap you gifted him. You stepped over him, nestling against his side and letting him enclose the two of you. One of his arms wrapped around your shoulders as your head rested on his chest, knuckles grazing over your hair while you stretched an arm across his torso. Your legs intertwined with his long ones and you let out a breathy sigh.

“Are you hurt?” He asked, and while you likely couldn’t see as thing, he could see you perfectly. You shook your head no against his chest, yawning into the fabric of his shirt.

“I just wanted to see you.” You murmured, chin resting in his chest as you made hit best attempt at eye contact in the blackness. “I saw the dining room table, are you okay?” You asked, somehow staring through him in the darkness. He offered his hand instead of finding the words in his throat, slowly unravelling his fist to reveal a mark free palm. He wasn’t sure you understand what he meant or if your eyes adjusted enough yet, until you carefully closed it once again, kissing his knuckles and placed your hand over his. You both were silent for a moment, until you looked up at him again and breathed, “You’re all I want.”

“And you’re all I have.” He held you closer, watching a grin pull at the corner of your lips. He was sure it was that devotion, obsession even, with you that would bring about his downfall. Centuries old and all powerful, but reduced to nothing without you. His strength and knowledge meant nothing if he didn’t have you to share it with.

And you could not stand your stagnant life in a town full of people who wished his kind dead. You chose a trek through the forest during the twilight hours of the morning to see him, bringing him soft kisses and silk under his hands as you let your mouth meet his. You kissed him with all the exhaustion and lethargy wrapped up in the two of you, molasses slow kisses that were just as sweet. It was how you fell asleep, lips to his neck and head tucked under his chin before your warm breathed puffed across his pale skin. He fell asleep not long after, engulfing you in his embrace, his cloak draping over your frame as he decided home was where you asked him to be.

[mountymase]

i love you, it’s ruining my life

file one - mason mount

a/n: well, hi! i’d like to say that this isn’t my fave work but i’ve been mostly writing poetry lately and i needed to see if i still had my fanfic mojo. hope you like it nonetheless! 🤍

1.820 words

warnings: real angst, brief mention of anxiety, breakup, bit of fluff, harsh words.

It felt more like a ritual, one that you loved dearly - each morning, Lila, your pup woke you up with cheerful and endless face licks, her tail wiggling in the air, her frantic need to get under the covers with you and cuddle like you always did every morning. Your heart warmed with joy as you silently giggled, an arm tugging the two-year-old basset hound closer making her immediately calm down as a long sigh escaped from her.

There was something else about mornings like these: they brought a feeling of normality to the wild, nonetheless extraordinary routine you jumped into since your first book had been published — not your first piece of promising writing, but the one that turned into a giant success that started taking global proportions within six months, forcing you to travel around the globe on a tour to meet countless and extraordinary people.

And also to sign autographs for most of them.

They were boys and girls, mums, teenagers, middle-aged women, single women, and a bunch in long-lasting relationships. It didn’t matter, your writing reached every single one of them and, somehow, they now all had something in common: how much they loved your book.

All of it was still overwhelming to you, though. Coming from a small town where nothing fascinating used to happen, you’d spend your days writing when you weren’t with your regular group of friends from school. Getting used to the big city once you moved to graduate in journalism was difficult — you missed those peaceful days, watching the sunrise when you went for a morning jog, birds singing, and how comforting silence could be every evening. But you were also grateful for all the opportunities given and how unexpectedly great things turned out to be for you.

Moving to London had never been in your foreseeable future, although visiting England was one of your greatest dreams from a very young age when you used to spend hours listening to The Beatles and Elton John with your dad.

When you got a call from one of Netflix UK executives, telling you they’d like to turn your book into a miniseries, you choked on a large croissant bite. It took you a couple of minutes to put yourself together as the executive patiently waited, a low giggle coming from the other side of the line once you took a deep breath and asked if they were calling the right number.

So, from the afternoons of Penny Lane and Benny and The Jets, you ended up officially living in an extravagant flat located in Mayfair, fully paid for by Netflix UK, and dropped the news of your book being turned into a miniseries, officially, on a morning TV show.

If you didn’t have such an impatient dog, who was now staring at you with her best “feed me, human” glare, you would’ve stayed in bed for the rest of the day. The thought of being live in one of the biggest morning TV shows in England, sharing the screen with another famous guest made you feel immensely intimidated, and vulnerable.

But, from the very beginning, he made you feel safe.

Mason.

He was the other guest that day, invited to share more on his success playing for Chelsea FC and the charity of which he was a patron of. During the break, he noticed how you rubbed your sweaty hands against your jeans and how all your blood seemed to be concentrated in your cheeks - half of it wasn’t just the nervousness, though, it was also because of how intense his gaze was.

Mason’s voice soothed your nerves like magic once he caught your attention during those two minutes, and you were wonderfully calm telling Holly Willoughby about the serie’s pre-production, cast choices, etc.

And as expected, once it was all over, Mason asked if you’d like to go out with him for coffee.

The two of you instantly clicked, like magnets completely drawn into each other, so it was easy and fun being around him. His inner circle wasn’t entirely the nicest, but as you grew closer and became extremely close friends, Mason introduced you to his family and you finally had a mother figure to welcome you with warm embraces since yours was miles away.

You were supposed to be just friends, but the beauty of how well you got along despite each other’s imperfections felt like a glitch in a system that led to something magical. In the end, together, you and Mason discovered that true love can arise from the most unexpected and delightful surprises.

That was 2.190 days ago or, more specifically, six years.

Now, you found yourself facing the diamond ring on your finger, glistening under the moonlight.

Mason broke up with you, for good this time, because you were ruining his life. His words.

You, of all people.

You, who loved him the most.

Him, who was simply your whole world, just as much as you were his.

Still watching the engagement ring on your finger, you tried to remember when your relationship started to crumble. Perhaps, it was right after he returned home from the World Cup, even if it had been just a few months that he proposed. Things started to get difficult for him at Chelsea and he was distant, such a stupid cliche. Classic miscommunication, so finding comfort at your own work was the only thing you could do and you isolated yourself at the cottage you bought in Scotland so you could write in peace - eventually, you fell down the same old cycle of isolating, writing compulsively, and just a few months later having to leave everything behind to promote the book.

A book full of personal poems, this time.

Tears rolled down your cheeks and you sniffed when you remembered how Mason spat the words at you.

“How fucking dare you to expose us like this?” He breathed heavily, anger in his eyes like you’ve never seen before. “You never make things easier for me. It’s always all about you,”

You frowned as his words still echoed in the back of your mind - everything you’ve done was always about him, from the moment you two met on that TV show. What was supposed to be a polite talk in the beginning, ended in a heated argument fueled by miscommunication and insecurities and more harsh words from him while you just listened. According to Mason, while he was always including you in his career choices, your commitment to your own career outweighed your commitment to your relationship.

“My career will never betray me,” it was automatic, you didn’t think before saying those words, and you only noticed the damage when Mason’s eyes glistened with tears.

“I would never do that to you, but if that’s what you believe…” Mason sniffed. You watched him shake his head and focus his gaze on the wall - anything not to look at you. “I love you, Y/n. But it’s ruining my life.”

A shy lick on your hand brought you back from painful memories and you were able to smile a bit as Lila watched you with those sleepy eyes.

“It’s just the two of us now,” you mumbled, touching her nose with the tip of your index finger.

Scotland has been your permanent home for the past two weeks since the breakup. You tried to reach him, tried to call him, and even texted his family, but no one replied. Even his friends were gone and it felt like Mason and the life you shared with him were nothing but a dream. The only thing that you still had was the engagement ring, that never left your finger.

Two weeks were also making you realise that, perhaps, Mason was right. You should’ve talked to him, should’ve put him first, and asked how he’d feel instead of making how you felt about everything so public. Even if there were no names, everyone knew that most of those poems were about Mason - the good ones, but mostly, the bad ones where you romanticised all of your struggles.

There was nothing but regret and sorrow for you.

Lila’s lazy and hoarse barking woke you up. At her own speed, she went back and forth from your bedroom to the front door, scratching her nails on it as she was desperate to see who was knocking on your door at three in the damn morning. If you weren’t so sleepy, you’d care more about the marks it was leaving on the wood.

Letting out a loud yawn, you slowly opened the door to find Mason on the other side, puffy eyes and messy hair, with both hands in his pockets.

“You shouldn’t open the door without knowing who it is. Not at this time of the night,” you frowned at his whispered words, not knowing exactly what to say. “Are you going to let me in? It’s cold,”

You quickly nodded, taking a step back so he could walk in and be greeted by Lila. His giggle as the basset hound lazily wiggled her tail made you smile softly - you missed the sound of his giggle. You missed everything about Mason.

“She misses you,” and so do I, you wanted to say. Mason just nodded. “Are you here to take the ring back?”

His sigh was the only sound that filled the room for a few seconds before he let go of Lila to finally look at you. He was a mess, just as much as you.

“No”, Mason replied. A knot formed on your stomach and you suddenly felt the urge to vomit - anxiety always did that to you. “I’m here to take you back.”

You felt your heart skip a beat, but you also felt a slight anger burn your chest and bring tears to your eyes. Crossing your arms against your chest, you watched Mason carefully as he seemed to wait for an answer - he looked absolutely defeated, but he let out a sigh of relief once his eyes caught the diamond ring still on your finger.

“I thought I was responsible for ruining your life.”

Mason nodded. “But you also put it back together, Y/n.”

His words completely disarmed you - arms fell to the sides of your body, but quickly wrapped around his waist. In Mason’s arms, you silently cried. “I should’ve talked to you, Mase. I’m so sorry,” Mason’s hands traveled up and down your back, comforting you, as his lips found your forehead, then your cheeks and your nose, in soft and gentle kisses.

“I overreacted,” you shook your head, but Mason cupped your face in his hands, forcing you to look at him. “I did, but I hope you can forgive me.”

“If you can forgive me,”

“We’re both forgiven, then.”

A brief interruption, a slight malfunction

(...)

I thought we had no chance

And that's romance, let's dance.

[octuscle]

I’d like to know if you could help me! I want to be a professional open bodybuilder (just like Nick Walker, Derek Lunsford), but, at the same rate my muscles grow, so do my male musk (specifically sweat musk from my armpits and cock) - no shower, deodorant or anything else will clean/cover my strong smell - until the point people around me get dizzy with my musk, start to complain and ask me to leave the places. With more muscles and less body fat, more sweating and musk until it reaches a strong level that people start to avoid me from fear of my muscles and my intense gym musk! Could you help me with that? Thanks a lot!

It's always the same people who are unhappy. You're rich, you've inherited, you don't have to work. You look dazzling, you know the right people, you're always invited to the best parties. And you don't feel like it anymore? You want to change that? Do I have a free hand? Then I'll get started!

You're sitting with a few friends in your favorite bar and tell them about your plan. More out of politeness than anything else, everyone says it sounds very exciting. You loosen your tie knot and undo the top button of your shirt. Phew, that's how you get your breath back. But you still need some fresh air, it's too crowded and stuffy in here. And somehow you don't feel like going back to the sissies. You feel more like going home, maybe doing a few more press-ups and then going to bed. After a few steps, you take a deep breath. And the top button of your shirt is blown off your chest like a projectile. The seams of your suit trousers are dangerously taut.

In the stairwell of the magnificent old building next to the city park where you live, the first seams crack. Thank God you don't meet anyone. By the time you get back to your apartment, your slim-fit tailored suit is in tatters. Somehow you're not even surprised. You tear off what's left of your clothes and stuff everything into the garbage can. Even your underpants no longer fit properly and are thrown away. You go naked to your dressing room and do a few push-ups, then squats, then a round of sit-ups until you're drenched in sweat. You stand in front of the mirror. Yes, you've gone through a growth spurt. And you stink. Sweat and musk. Delicious. But you still take a shower. The towel smells awful after drying off. And you don't feel a bit cleaner.

When you wake up the next morning, your cleaning lady has opened all the windows and is airing out the apartment. When she hears your footsteps on the way to the bathroom, she comes around the corner and is about to ask you where this unpleasant smell is coming from. You almost collide. You are still naked, scratching your hairy balls while still half asleep. Your cleaning lady turns bright red with fright. Then she holds her nose. You smell your armpit and say with a grin, "Excuse me, Maria, I'd better go and have a shower". In the bathroom, the laundry basket smells like a football team's changing room. You jump in the shower, but it doesn't seem to do any good this morning either. Damn, you might as well go to your workout. At least everyone there smells of sweat.

Damn, that was a really good workout. You pose in front of the mirror. Your sweaty tank top on the floor. During the workout you were incredibly focused on the weights, only now do you realize how disgusted the other customers are looking at you

You check your reflection again. Holy shit, you look really good, what's wrong with them all? Probably just jealous. You pick up your tank top from the floor. Somehow it smells a bit. You hold it up to your nose. Yes, it's sweat and musk. Maybe a little intense. You love it. The smell makes your cock hard. The sweat stains on your sweatpants are joined by precum stains. You need to take a shower now. And wank.

When you check out, the receptionist looks at you in disgust. He puts some ointment under his nose and puts on a face mask. He informs you that the studio requires a minimum level of personal hygiene from its customers. Several customers have already complained. He asks you to come showered and with fresh clothes next time.

Yes, you smell bad despite the shower. You walk back home because you don't feel like complaining again on the subway. Normally a pleasant walk. But for one thing, your legs are really exhausted from training. On the other hand, you feel that you easily weigh 20 pounds more than you did yesterday. You look in the mirror of a shop window as you pass by. Fuck, yeah! You see the reflection of a serious amateur bodybuilder.

You're too exhausted to climb the stairs to your apartment. You get into the elevator. Mrs. Spencer from the floor below you shouts for you to hold the elevator and barely slips through the closing door with her daughter. She holds her nose in disgust. And her daughter, perhaps four years old, asks why the big man smells so bad. Phew, the elevator isn't big anyway. Today it feels even narrower.

That was all a few weeks ago now. You left your impressive apartment because the stuffy neighbors were getting on your nerves. The nagging was unbearable. You thought that the cheap apartment building where you were staying temporarily was really just a temporary solution. But there are a lot of guys living here who are like you: fuck the opinions of others, the main thing is that you grow up. Really big! When you walk through the front door, you take a deep breath. It must have smelled something like this in a Neanderthal cave.

Since you've been banned from your hairdresser, you cut your hair yourself. You like it, it looks even more brutal and masculine. Even in your hardcore gym, your stench stands out. But here the other musclemen envy you for it. Hehehe, and there's always someone who will even pay money to press his face into your armpit or suck your cheesy cock. Your life is great!

Pics found @antoinepaul and @maxx-magnum

[mysticmunson]

turn on that red light: eddie x reader x steve

gigolo!steddie x bestfriend!reader

summary: the indianapolis nightlife has become steve and eddie's career, but they didn't expect you to walk through the bar.

warnings: no minors! smut, brief mention of kidnapping, first time

author's note: hi! it's been awhile since i've been able to post and hopefully i'll have some more time to in the coming weeks :) thank u to @lilacletter and @andvys for being amazing and i love u! i hope you all enjoy :) xx elora. (didn't proof read)

It started off as a simple favor. 

Eddie was paranoid about reaching another birthday as a virgin, so Steve became his wingman, heading to the bar with him. The pretty brunette caught his eye, elbowing his friend who sprung into action, both going up to her with charisma and a few shots of whiskey down their throats.

She had been around Hawkins before, coming to the buzzing parties for drinks and a quick romp. Steve recognized her from some parties and she was always friendly, usually switching between conversations and dancing.

Earning her attention, Eddie fumbled some words, but was able to charm her. The issue arose when she grabbed both of their hands, pulling them to a darker corner to kiss Eddie. As Steve went to slip away, she turned to meet his lips, still grabbing onto his friend.

They stumbled into an uninhabited bedroom, covered in a peculiar shade of green that raised their brows. It wasn’t a typical first time by any means, but when the girl left, an idea sprouted.

“Shit, I’d pay for a fuck like that.”

Two days later while Eddie browsed the aisles of Family Video, their cumulative thoughts reached a tipping point when they saw a copy of American Gigolo, a movie neither of them had seen personally, but knew the plot and how scandalous it was considered. 

The erotic cover felt strange in the sea of movies beside it in much more pleasant art, but he still found himself looking at the plastic sleeve, reading the back intently.

Steve continued to check in movies, but kept his eye on Eddie, somehow picking up on what his friend must have been thinking. He just wouldn’t be the one to initiate it, abiding by his task at hand before Keith came in for the night shift.

“You think people do shit like this here?” Eddie wondered out loud, not averting his gaze, his friend was the only one in the building. 

Although he knew what his friend was referencing, he played clueless, sending a hum as a response. The tape was thrown in front of him onto the counter, Richard Gere standing in the shadows of blinds in a suit. 

With the curiosity harvesting, they went out later and later on weekends. After the friends' weekly movie nights, they’d meet up when everyone else retreated, walking around until they found something that piqued their interest.

Illuminated by the neon lights above their heads, they watched the only strip club in Hawkins go from a ghost town to welcoming people from the upper class to the lower class.

Yet, they knew they needed to head back to Indianapolis to dig a little deeper. Not only for more information, but to sustain their anonymity. Living their whole lives in a small town meant they had to be careful and in a big city, they faded into the background.

A few months later, they spent multiple nights a week in the big city, now one of the most sought talents in the clubs. Wandering from club to club, they received a call from the manager of the club, stating someone needed to see them. Sometimes, they were granted a brief description, but others remained a mystery until the door was locked.

The rooms began as motels, working for a hundred or two, but as they became more notorious, the luxury crept up. Large penthouse suites with skyline views, expensive wine that Steve had only had with his parents, and significantly higher pay.

None of their friends had discovered their little secret, keeping the extra cash saved with Eddie putting some towards bills behind Wayne’s back to avoid confrontation. It was only when Robin got a little too nosey in Steve’s room when he went to the bathroom, finding one of the envelopes with the outline of his appointment that night.

Despite using the alias’ in front of customers, it had Steve and Eddie’s names beside their fake ones, Titan and Sneak. Steve thought he would throw up when he walked in on his best friend holding the paper in her hands. 

“Robin! What the hell-” 

“Steve, what is this, are you and Eddie-”

Steve hushed her quickly, not even saying it out loud when home alone, paranoid of lingering ears. She looked at him with wide eyes, clearly taken aback, not just by the letter, but by Steve’s anxious demeanor. 

“Rob, you can’t tell anyone, please.” He huffed, sitting in front of her on the ground as she sat against his bed. She almost laughed at how juvenile he seemed, pouting with worry.

“I won’t, I swear,” She rushed, patting his shoulder awkwardly. With his heart trying to get back to its standard beat, Steve grabbed the paper back, crumpling it in his hands. 

That night at Steve’s house, Eddie, Nancy, Jonathan, Argyle, Robin, and you came over to watch a movie. Things went as normal, popcorn and candy with more joking than movie watching. 

But the lingering fear you would discover the truth remained. You had grown up in Hawkins and became friends with Eddie in junior high, meeting Steve at summer camp when you were 14. The two boys becoming friends after high school made your small trio form, practically attached at the hip.

There was a mutual protectiveness over you that the boys shared, knowing you were sensitive and had no ill will to anyone. While you weren’t naive, you were fairly innocent and hadn’t experienced as many things as they had.

Watching you walk into the door, smiling and giving both boys a tight hug, the strain in their chest resonated quickly. The warmth of your smile made them melt as you remained in their soft spot, joining the rest of their friends on the couch.

As the credits rolled, everyone, but Eddie and Robin left. She could tell Eddie was antsy, likely hoping she would leave so they could take the hour-long drive. While she knew she wouldn’t tell anyone, that didn’t mean she wasn’t nosey.

“So, how weird are these chicks that pay for sex? Or guys, obviously I don’t judge.” Robin blurted, Eddie choking on his beer with wide eyes while Steve threw his hands up in disbelief. 

“Rob!” Steve hissed, running his hands through his hair, cringing at the bluntness that they weren’t used to with that topic. 

“Why the fuck did you tell her?” Eddie practically yelled, beginning to pace around the living room anxiously.

After relaying the story, Eddie calmed slightly, knowing it was a pure accident and Robin would likely keep the secret as her closest friend is a central one involved. Her inquiries spewed as soon as both boys relaxed, getting ready for their night out.

Suddenly, Robin went from completely oblivious to their confidant, their ramblings increasing in detail as it went further. An encounter she couldn’t help, but laugh at was an older rich woman who asked them to dress like sailors and dance for her before sex.

“She paid a lot, so I don’t give a shit.” Eddie shrugged, spraying a bit more cologne and tying back his hair, “We’ll fill you more in later, we got to roll.”

—------

You and Robin had been sitting in Starcourt after she secured free ice cream from an old manager from Scoops Ahoy who couldn’t care less about their job. With a scoop of Oreo in your cup and cookie dough in hers, you sat down in a quieter corner of the bustling food court.

“I went to rent a copy of Dirty Dancing and Steve wasn’t working,” You sighed with furrowed brows, “He hasn’t been there the last few times I’ve been and Eddie hasn’t been at the mechanic’s shop either because I had to bring in my mom’s car and they said he’s only working one day a week, but they seemingly have more money than ever!”

The nervous glance she gave you was brief, but seen, making your suspicions rise. 

“What do you know?” You glare though not very menacingly, Robin was tempted to crack under pressure, you two had known each other for a few years now. You had never given her a reason not to trust you.

“They got second jobs.” Robin quipped, shoving her mouth with the treat that was melting into soup. 

“Oh, really? Where?” You pondered, accepting this, slightly wounded that they didn’t tell you. 

The crimson coating Robin’s freckled face puzzled you, her mouth opening to tell a lie, but as you looked into her eyes without an ounce of insincerity, it became more difficult. 

To say Robin made waves would be an understatement, she released a whole tsunami. Each new tidbit of information surprised you, that your two closest friends were sex workers. When the conversation ran dry, you went your separate ways and you went straight to your bedroom.

The borderless confines of your mind ran with the thoughts of your friends, thoughts you had kept at bay for years in fear of ruining your dynamic, constantly in a limbo of liking one or the other. 

The insecurity of your sexuality had been potent as years went on, feeling yourself missing opportunities you didn’t realize were there. It seemed like some cruel joke that not only were your friends having sex, but they were getting paid to do it.

As you got ready for bed, your inquisitiveness crept upon you as you undressed, running your hands over your bare chest, pretending they were a set of hands that had yet to linger there. The mere thought of them seeing you in that light made you aroused, imagining how they’d be territorial, not wanting anyone else to see your gentle skin.

The adrenaline of lust drove you to your family's copy of the Yellow Pages, looking under Indianapolis and reaching the Adult section meant for clubs. Spotting one of the ones Robin mentioned, Dazzler, you clicked the loud buttons on your phone and held it close to your ear.

A man with a husky voice answered, seemingly not accustomed to calls this late, but you swallowed your pride. 

“Do Titan and Sneak work next weekend?”

—-----

The past few days had flown by for Steve and Eddie, beginning their search for an apartment closer to the city and seeing their friends. However, you hadn’t been as present, noting school or work was absorbing most of your time. 

As a busy woman, you didn’t always have time during the week, but when Friday rolled around and you were nowhere to be seen, they felt uneasy. You always requested off Friday nights, claiming it was your favorite night of the week and the movie night felt peculiar without you there. 

Like clockwork, as Jonathan, Nancy, Robin, and Argyle headed out, the two of them got ready for their shift. With only one ‘appointment’ tonight, they were hoping it was someone older with low stamina, getting them in and out of there before sunrise. 

Meanwhile, you paced around the lavish hotel room brought with your ‘package deal’ for the night. Taking a generous sip of the vodka from the alcohol cart, you winced as it stung down your throat, but the warmth coated your skin.

The dress you wore showed more skin than normal, accentuating your collarbones and neck as it scooped downward. The black dress flowed below your bust, accentuating your chest and legs as it stopped towards your upper thigh. 

Your instructions were to go to the bar downstairs and meet with them, saying you were Jane Doe, a standard anonymous title until you reached the bedroom. After that, it was up to the customer to continue with or alter the name, you hadn’t thought that far. 

The top level of the hotel had beige walls with intricate linework, likely wallpaper, but it looked far more elegant than anywhere you had stayed. The premium package was draining your bank account, but you didn’t want them to have to meet you at a motel, hoping this would prove you were being serious.

Pressing the square elevator button, the silver box slid up quietly, startling you when it opened. Thankfully no one was in there, giving you the time for a silent pep talk, even if there was no ridding of the butterflies swarming within.

Walking into the dimly lit room, your heels clinking against the polished floors were no match for the jazz music playing. The reality of your choice confronted you as you spotted curly hair beside fluffy, the two conversing with the bartender and enjoying a drink.

Part of you considered running away, taking the financial and esteem loss with stride, but your feet listened to the liquid courage cascading in your veins. Sitting on the barstool to their left, leaving one in between, it was now or never.

“I’ll have a martini, please.” You spoke after the bartender introduced herself, nodding as she began your drink. 

Their brisk movement was almost audible, heads snapping to you as you looked forward, accepting the glass gratefully and complimenting her quick assembling. Steve said your name, worry and confusion mixed into one as you looked over as if you hadn’t seen them, swallowing harshly.

“Oh hi,” You smiled, bashfulness taking over, wondering how the hell you were going to pull this off, “What are you guys doing here?”

Dumbfounded, the two struggled to vocalize their coverup until Eddie interjected, “Meeting a friend, why are you here?” The other brunette agreed, shaking his head far too enthusiastically.

They couldn’t believe you were here, not just in the context of their work, but caught off guard by you alone. Dressed well and paired with a nice shade of lipstick, they soon had mental backup if their client was bleak. 

They felt they could never admit they found you so sexy, feeling too perverted. But here you were sipping a martini with hooded eyes when you rarely drink in the first place.

Ignoring their inquiry, you saw your leeway, “Oh, who?”

Taking another sip of your colorful drink, you observed the way they squirmed, knowing you were likely the first person they knew to see them ‘in the act’. Steve’s eyes were scanning the rest of the bar, likely making sure your presence didn’t detour their client. 

“Jane,” Eddie began, “Why are you here? It’s late, you shouldn’t be driving this far with your mom's car.”

He was correct, your mom's car was in Eddie’s shop so much, it should have a membership card. Their concern made you warm, toying with the jewelry hanging from your neck. 

“I-” Your breath hitched, taking a deep breath, “I-I’m Jane.”

The surrounding noise went mute within your world, taking a large gulp to finish off the drink. A crinkled $20 bill from Eddie’s pocket hit the counter as he grabbed your arm, leading you towards the elevator.

“What’s the room number?” Steve spoke in a hushed tone, a sense of hostility completely obscure to you.

“628, but-” Remarking with the card in your hands, he grabbed it and hushed you, Eddie not moving his tight hold. 

The ride was dangerously silent, the doors opening on the final floor as you went to the large suite. You felt more akin to a young girl in trouble, not a mysterious sexy woman. 

With a click, the room unlocked as they flicked on the lights, the tight fingers on your arm releasing as you went in, sitting on the couch with your arms wrapped around yourself.

“What the fuck are you doing? Is this a joke? How did you find out- Was it Robin? I swear-” Eddie began to verbose, pacing back and forth as you shifted on the floral linen cushions.

The stress on Steve’s face showed as he scanned the room, the initial shock subsiding as he took in the indulgent scenery. This was an extravagant hotel, one they had only been to a few times, typically going to 3 or 4 stars. 

“How much did you spend on this?” Steve adjourned with crossed arms, the question causing the other man to stop as well, looking at you with hands on his hips. 

Even if you were going to tell them, you couldn’t due to the croak threatening to spill instead. Their stern glares made your skin turn to flames, the air becoming harder to push through your lungs.

“It doesn’t matter, this was so fucking stupid, you guys can just go.” You admitted, the tears spilling before you could halt them. Covering your face in your hands, your own cheeks exudes warmth to your palms, the wetness mixing in.

At first glance, they thought you were doing this as some weird joke or humiliation tactic. While extremely out of character, they only thought the worst when it came to people discovering their job.

There had never been a reason for them not to trust you, to worry you would judge them for their choices, but still, their guard was up. However, watching you crumble in front of them made them realize it was genuine, which was a whole other level of emotions.

Rushing to your sides, you tried to elbow them away, clearly humiliated by their responses. They stayed, Eddie’s arm slinking behind you while Steve’s hand rubbed your upper back.

“Sweetheart, you didn’t need to do this.” Eddie assured, but his words felt judgemental, making your body shake with anxieties and cries. Abruptly standing, you stepped forward a few feet, moving your hands to behind your neck.

“It’s humiliating!” You ranted, their faces in slight shock at your bluntness, despite knowing the information, “Please stop trying to spare my feelings and just go, I already paid so it’s fine!”

“Hey!” Steve interjected, moving to walk in front of you with Eddie facing toward your back, “Spare your feelings? We just want you to know you didn’t have to pay for us! Why did you?”

Though his words were direct, he sweetly swiped his thumb beneath your eyes. Finally looking up, you noticed his look was genuine, turning to see Eddie’s was as well. But the panic wasn’t gone, still feeling like this is some cruel joke that they’ll laugh at once you’re gone.

Looking down at the rug beneath your feet that cost more than your tuition, you felt your heart in every limb as you stood stagnant. The door felt too tempting, attempting to bolt to the gold handle that barely reached your fingertips until two tattooed arms wrapped around your waist.

Your feet were now a few inches off the ground, kicking them as you wiggled to no avail, forgetting how strong Eddie could be when he wanted to. 

“Please just let me leave with some dignity.” You whined, trying to wedge your fingers between his arm and your own skin. 

“You’re not going until we talk.” Eddie stubbornly stated, his hold not faltering as he walked backward, putting more distance between you and the escape route. Steve walked in front of you, feeling slightly trapped by their sturdy bodies.

Steve’s eyes remained on your face, trying to figure out any information, but was left at a loss. He could pick up clues for what the action meant, showing up anonymously, but he couldn’t figure out why you seemed so upset.

When you stopped struggling in his arms, Eddie released you back to the ground. You walked towards the bed, climbing towards the center and sitting with criss crossed legs. With your head in your hands, you felt the bed dip twice in front of you, situating on the corner.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” You whispered, “I thought we told each other everything and I’ve known you guys for so long, Robin found out before me!” The hurt was scattered on your face, wiping beneath your nose with the back of your wrist. 

The boy's shoulders drooped, shifting to sit fully on the bed, waiting for you to look up. After a few beats, you did with slightly red eyes, the skin inside your cheek slotted between your teeth.

“We didn’t tell anybody,” Steve cautiously stated, “Robin found out by accident because she’s a snoop. We’ve only been doing this for a few months. We trust you so much, doll, but we didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

The pet name was comforting, one that had stuck for the past few years after Steve planned out your outfit for a date, claiming it made him feel like he was dressing a doll. His doll.

“It doesn’t make me uncomfortable, I support you guys through everything.” You mumbled, running the pads of your fingers over your fresh manicure, freshly painted a dark blue similar to a night sky.

“We know, it was just so new for us,” Eddie affirmed, “And you’re so sweet. We look out for you more than everybody else.”

The gentle assurance made you smile, loving the dynamic you had built, but then he continued his thought. “But, uh, not to be frank, what was the point in calling us? Spending all this money just to see us and let us know that you know?”

The question was genuine, but it shrunk you to the size of an ant, hoping they would have understood the subtext initially and could drop this. The salty expression swam over your vision, threatening to overflow as their eyes zeroed in, a hitch in Eddie’s throat making you whimper.

“Please,” Eddie pleaded, “Please don’t tell me you did this to lose your virginity.”

Silence had never felt so heavy as you bent forward on the mattress, hoping the plush cloth would absorb you whole. 

“Oh, doll, no.” Steve sighed, hearing his hand brush against his stubble, rubbing his jaw. 

Letting your body take control, you sprang up, startling yourself and the boys. The attempt was futile as you didn’t even get two feet away from the bed before Eddie pulled you back. But a surge of anger jolted you back.

“You guys don’t get it!” You exclaimed, “I’m a virgin in my twenties and it’s embarrassing! I mean, fuck, I even tried paying for it and it still won’t work! I just want it to be over with.”

The bluntness of your words still startled them as you had certainly overheard the boys discuss vulgar things, you rarely verbally engaged. 

As your rant proceeded, they gave each other a look, knowing their thought process was likely similar. Steve went to speak, but you didn’t cease, with Eddie trying the same to the same response. 

With a booming voice, the longer-haired boy shouted your name, just low enough to not alert the neighbors. Stopping your frantic movement, you heard the squeaks of shoes until they stood before you. 

“You know how this started?” Eddie proposed, “It was all cause Steve wanted to be a wingman for me so I would lose my virginity, but the girl wanted us both and made a comment that she would pay for a fuck like that.” The admission made his skin warm, feeling so distant from that boy at the bar to now, but still so familiar.

The information widened your eyes, unknowingly making them shine under the illuminant lights. Each boy gave a smile of reassurance, taking an inch forward that it was practically unnoticeable.

“We don’t want you to feel embarrassed, we’re just confused,” Steve emphasized, taking hold of your hand and rubbing your knuckles, “We don’t want you to think you have to pay us to see us.” 

“Why didn’t you just ask?” Eddie pondered, “Is it only because it’s a job for us now?”

The head shake was immediate, soothing the man’s nerves as he worried their best friend saw them as mere sex objects. 

“No!” You interjected, using your spare hand to grab Eddie’s, “I thought about this before all this-“

The awkwardness was one-sided when you realized what you were saying, the boys raising their brows before smirking, feeling you release their hands as yours began to clam up. 

“Oh, so you have the hots for us?” Eddie teased, poking your side that he knew was ticklish, watching as you squirmed in chagrin. His goal was met when you laughed, covering half your face with a palm. 

Steve sat on the edge of the bed, patting his thighs before opening his arms. Tentatively, you approached him, holding his shoulders as you straddled his lap. 

A hand went to your lower back to keep you steady, another one following suit when Eddie sat beside him. The brown streaks in their eyes were distinct under the harsh lights, looking in wonder at the faint freckles you only saw when they were asleep.

Wordlessly, Steve leaned in, dragging his nose against yours as if he were an animal greeting its mate. There was something so primal about the communication of bodies, universally conceptualized, yet so misconstrued.

Eventually, your lips skimmed against one another, but they didn’t pucker, cheek drifting to press against yours to nuzzle. Inhaling your perfume, he tucked the hair on the opposing side of your face behind your ear before hastily kissing you, catching you slightly off guard. 

A different set of lips was soon pressed to yours, not leaving your spot as hands roamed against your anxious frame. It felt simultaneously natural and foreign to engage in this behavior with them, so new, but so instinctive. 

“This okay?” Eddie breathed out, pulling away from you and looking into your eyes. Nodding your head with dilated pupils, Steve patted your thigh as a sign to stand, following after you.

Maneuvering behind you, Steve grabbed the zipper perched on your back, glancing at Eddie who remained seated on the cloud-like bed. Your sharp intake of breath was in sync with the zipper becoming undone, standing between the man’s legs.

The black dress revealed your dainty set, a lace pink bra with a lace thong to match. Not too extravagant, but something you had stowed away for two years now, encouragement to get out there. The realization of the state of undress you were in made chills run down your spine, multiplying as both sets of brown eyes danced over them.

The man behind you pressed himself to your rear, hands trailing up and down your waist. The texture difference of the detailed material to your smooth skin was enough to make him hard, grunting as your shoulders relaxed. Eddie’s thumb brushed to the dainty flower at the center of your waistband, his other hand grabbing the plush of your thigh.

“I have a question.” You stated, releasing far more breathless than intended, but their brows raised in curiosity, “I’d like to know how to give a blowjob.”

Your eyes wouldn’t meet theirs, but they met each other, smirking in cheekiness. With your sights on the floor, you saw Eddie’s legs become unbent and soon two pairs of pants were on the ground with coordinating belts. Shirts were disposed of soon after, the other man disappearing from your sight as the bed creaked. 

Steve walked you closer to the bed as you kneeled, going to crawl to the center as he gave your bottom two pats of encouragement, causing a whimper. 

“Oh, we’re saving that for later.” Steve joked, sitting beside Eddie, who lay against the giant pillows, only he sat upwards.

Covering your face with your hands, stifling the quaint giggle at the absurdity of the scenario until they grabbed your wrists, waiting for you to look upwards. 

“Our shy girl,” Eddie teased, “Can’t be all that shy if you’re asking to suck our cocks. Just do what feels right, pretty girl.”

The vulgarity made your mouth hang open, shutting it to smile, shrugging with a nod. Adjusting to lay on your stomach, you propped upon his thigh, breasts smooshed against the tattoo that resided there. His grey boxers were skin-tight, not leaving much to the imagination as he began to chub.

Leaning forward, your nose breezed through the tuft of hair on his lower abdomen, a gentle kiss placed on his upper navel. A series of pecks were set on his waist, cheek occasionally bumping into his manhood, resulting in a pleasurable hiss.

Truthfully, most of Eddie’s sex experience was now work-related, only hooking up with a few girls for free who didn’t dote on him in this way. Not that it was expected, he just didn’t realize he’d like it this much.

The thick band was pushed downward until his hardness sprang free, blushing red as the cool air hit it. Looking at it for a moment, you pressed similar pecks on his length, gradually opening your mouth more to add spit and your tongue.

Sitting back, you fully removed his underwear before resuming position, kissing it a few more times. The boys watched as you pulled away and looked at him, the gears turning on what to do next. 

“Take him in your hand,” Steve coaxed, snapping you from the trance, “put some spit on ‘im too, it’ll make it slide easier.”

Pooling some saliva, you released some into your palm and held his warm cock, stroking up and down. He grunted, throwing his head back as you enclosed your mouth around his tip. The smooth skin touched your tongue, tracing over the slit and circling it.

As your mouth and hand found a steady motion, he relaxed in your hold while Steve mumbled the occasional words of encouragement, fixated on the way you handled his friend. He looked at his friend's blissed-out face as his eyes fluttered open, widening for emphasis on your skill.

“Oh, fuck me!” Eddie blurted, startling the man beside him, looking down to see you were still stroking him, yet your mouth had moved down to his balls. They couldn’t fit in completely, but they weighed heavy on your tongue, taking one at a time as slobber went against them.

“Okay, okay,” Eddie panted, tapping your cheek with one finger for you to halt, “Give Steve a shot.”

As great as he was feeling, he knew he was on the road of no return and was determined to last much longer than a three-minute blowjob. He had never come so quick in his life and he didn’t plan to start now.

Eddie sat up as Steve slunk down, removing his own dark green briefs and tossing them to the pile. Your mouth salivated for him, kissing up and down his twitching erection, tongue gliding against his sensitive tip.

“What was that, doll?” Steve asked, feeling your lips mumble against his hardness as you explored it, unaware it even slipped out.

“Oh, you both have pretty cocks.” You whispered, hearing their subtle gasps at your bluntness, but humming in approval. Spitting as politely as you could, you let it dribble to your palm, stroking him as your lips enclosed at the top.

“Thank you,” Eddie smirked, “Try twisting your wrist a bit- Ah, there you go, good girl.”

The wanton cry at his endearment made his mouth open, a grin peeking at the corners of his mouth, while Steve shuddered at the added vibrations. 

Noticing your embarrassment, they chose to keep that for later, seeing the glimpse at all of the fun they would have in store. Even without the few tips, they felt this was one of their top blowjobs ever.

“C’mere, doll,” Steve suggested, sitting up as you followed, “get comfortable.”

The three of you switched spots as you sat against the pillows, the boys on their haunches on each side of you. Their eyes ignited your skin, seeing an unfamiliar look in their eyes that you attributed to lust.

“Can we take this off?” Eddie pondered, looking at the lace detailing on the cups covering your breasts. Arching your back, you snuck your hand behind to undo the clasp, but was swiftly swatted away by his hand. He undid it much faster than you had anticipated, bringing it off your arms to join the pile. 

The cool air made your nipples begin to firm, coincided with the gentle touch administered by the men with Steve grasping them in his palms. You relaxed further into the pillows, head going back as you bit your lip, but he kissed you soon after.

It meant to not hold back, to not bite your lip, or repress your emotions. It was likely subconscious, knowing he just wanted to hear you and kiss you at that moment.

Eddie’s rings grasped at your hips, pulling the thin cotton down, stifling a chuckle. Steve looked at his friend who showed the wetness pooling in your panties and glistening on your cunt. 

“Sweetheart,” Eddie trailed off, smiling with adoration at how demure you seemed, lowering himself between your legs, “gonna taste your pussy, is that okay?”

Your brief look of conflict made them nervous, Steve leaning beside you, pushing away the hairs near your face. 

“You don’t have to, Eddie.” You confessed, picking at your nail that flaked off a thin layer at the tip. 

“I would like to, but we want you comfortable.” Eddie explained, sitting up, not an ounce of judgment eminent on his features. 

Glancing over at Steve, you saw the same genuine look, one that almost made you clench your thighs.

“How about we try something else and if you decide you’d like to try it, we can do it?” Steve offered, rubbing your hair as you nodded.

The thought of their faces between your legs was enticing, something you had selfishly dreamed about, but now that the situation presented itself, you felt a little too vulnerable. It was something you wanted eventually, but not tonight.

“Can we put our fingers down here?” Eddie mused, leaning on his elbow on your right, parallel to Steve. 

After your confirmation, you felt a gentle pressure on your bundle of nerves, legs widening. Eddie smiled against your ear, nibbling against your cartilage that made you whimper.

Steve shuffled lower, mouth latching onto your nipple, hand going towards your dripping hole. A finger prodded, long enough to find the spongy area swiftly, your back arching sharply as you moaned.

“Easy, tiger,” Steve smiled, lifting his head to its original propped station, and pushing your hip back onto the mattress. Eddie’s fingers filled you soon after, his lips meeting yours, entering your mouth smoothly.

The sound of rattling, pulled you two apart, seeing Steve grab his bag that was on the bedside table. Yanking out a line of gold-foiled condoms, he ripped off two, handing one to his friend. He grabbed a bottle of lube, placed it on the counter, and dropped the bag to the floor.

You watched attentively as they rolled the plastic on, a minuscule part of you wishing they’d come inside of you. The lingering thought that this was work crept in, but you pushed it away, too aroused to contemplate.

Eddie hovered over top of you, noses squishing as your lips engulfed one another’s, moving to kiss your cheek and jawline. 

“Tell us if it gets to be too much, doll.” Steve instructed, watching as Eddie lined himself up at your entrance. 

His tip entered you covered in your own slick, gasping at how he stretched you. He got on his knees, lifting your hips from the bed as he began to descend you onto his cock.

Your choked cry was suppressed until he reached halfway, Steve immediately coming to your side. His hand grasped your chest, distracting you from the ache in your core.

“You’re doing so good, doll,” He praised, kissing your temple, “It’s going to feel so good soon, I promise.”

It seemed foolish, but you would’ve believed anything either one of them would say to you. Having them inside you made your brain grow fuzzy, trusting them as your mind floated off and your body sacrificed control.

Steve’s spare hand cupped your cheek as Eddie’s grabbed your hips, rocking his hips back and forth rhythmically. 

“There we go,” Eddie praised, smiling down at you as his thumb met your clit as he was fully inside of you. 

The tempo increased as your body relinquished its stiffness, forehead pressed to Steve’s with your eyes closed, while he fixated on your sweet face contorted with pleasure and pain. Your mouth hung open in silence until a tearless wail came through, hips flinching in the ring-adorned man’s firm hold.

“Almost all the way down, baby.” Eddie announced, watching as your essence covered almost his entire member, his affectionate name making you throb and his smirk.

Throwing your head back on the pillow, you whimpered at the acceleration in his movements, moving to rest on your elbows to look at the two of them. It was the first time they noticed the genuine lust in your eyes, making Steve harder and Eddie sharply thrust. 

A groan exuded from the depths of your chest as Eddie’s cock fit snugly inside you, balls pressing to the curve of your ass. The sounds of pleasure you released were music to their ears, Steve playing with your breasts and occasionally kissing them or your neck. Letting out a breathy moan mixed giggle, they couldn’t stop their own smiles from appearing. 

“What’s so funny, pretty girl?” Steve grinned with creased eyes, reaching the dimples on his dewy face. 

“Feels so good. Didn’t know it would feel this good.” You sigh in awe of your bodies, how such pleasure existed within yourself at the simplest touch.

Eddie watches your hazy features contort as your back hits the mattress, a warmth that only came when you touched yourself hit your body, only this was far more intense. He lowered himself to be right above you, Steve’s nose pressed against your cheek as his hands continued to assist. 

“Open your eyes.” Eddie cooed, noticing how swiftly you obeyed his command, knees pressing against the sides of your thighs.

Before you could prepare, your orgasm blindsided you, grabbing onto Eddie’s shoulders as you writhed. He felt his own finish approaching, stuttering his hips with a gravelly moan that seeped through your incoherent haze. 

Steve could barely contain himself when Eddie rolled off of you, pulling away his condom and tossing it in the black with gold detailing trash can nearby. 

“Good job, sweetheart,” Eddie heaved, regaining his composure beside you, eyeing his friend who he knew was losing his composure, “You ready for Steve?”

Nodding, you barely looked at the boy before his lips were on yours, cupping your jaw in his palm that traveled to your hip. He pulled away with puffy lips, blown pupils, and messy brown locks.

“Do you want to try a different position, babe?” He mentioned, tucking hair behind your ear as you thought it over. 

“We can try on my tummy.” You proposed, already rolling over with Eddie at your other side, kissing the top of your head. Unknowingly, this was one of Steve’s favorites, though he enjoyed classic missionary, and Eddie smirked at his friend’s stunned face. 

Manhandling came naturally as he adjusted your hips, bringing them up so you rested on your knees, spreading out for him. Your previous orgasm was beginning to pool toward your center, watching as you clenched briefly, inadvertently pushing more out after. 

Groaning, he grabbed your ass cheeks and pulled this apart slightly, wishing he could lick a stripe up your cunt. He heard your bashful whimper, making Eddie chuckle, cupping your jaw, and kissing you. 

Steve got on his knees, giving himself a few tugs before sliding the tip between your glistening folds. He slid in much easier than Eddie given the extra lubrication, but the stretch was still foreign to you as he thrusted.

The pleasure arrived quickly, the softer part inside of you being hit just right as Eddie sucked the sweet spot on your neck. Steve grabbed the flush of your bottom, quickly letting go.

“Can I smack your ass?” Steve questioned, feeling slightly silly as most in this position expected a few taps, but knowing your inexperience, he didn’t want to startle you. A quick nod put his mind at ease, his firm hand sounding off your delicate skin with a pathetic cry.

“Oh, that is just too sweet.” Eddie cooed against your ear, snickering as you whimpered, head smushing into the pillows. His hand went down to the throbbing bundle of nerves between your legs, activating another whole level of stimulation as Steve showed you the new position.

With closed eyes, your prominent sense was touch as your body was explored. Ranging from delicate to rough, your mind wandered into the opening abyss, unable to conceptualize what would happen after this. 

Currently, your two best friends were splitting you open, tasting and touching you in a way no one ever had. They seemed intrigued, but was this because it was your first time or even because you paid? When the sun began to crawl up north, would they lay at your side or rarely speak to you again?

Typically emotionally sound, the thought of losing either of them overwhelmed you, along with the vulnerability you were placed in. You hadn’t realized your slight wheeze in your moans until Eddie pulled you up by the hair, a concerned look in his shimmering eyes.

What you hadn’t heard were their gentle calls for you, asking if it felt good or if something needed to change. When you barely moved, they felt sick, hoping there was no pain brewing.

“What’s wrong?” Eddie asked, seeing your lip pout with a tremble, Steve resting halfway inside of you. 

Gulping, you felt 5 inches tall, two sets of eyes on you examining your every breath. You pushed your hips back, only to be stopped by Steve’s grip, giving you a warning look to the back of your head.

“Nothing.” You stuttered, making Eddie scoff and roll his eyes, Steve adding a small pinch on the meat of your hip.

“Somethings wrong, know you too well to play this game,” Steve quipped, “We’re not starting again until you say what’s bothering you. Are you comfortable? Do you want to move positions?”

Like a petulant youth, you grumbled, furrowing your brows. The mix of insecurity, sexual frustration, and the reminiscing euphoria from your climax blended into a troublesome combination.

“Stop, I’m fine!” You sassed, looking down at the creasing sheet, “Just fuck me like you do all your customers and continue on with our nights!”

Not looking up, you didn’t see both of their eyes enlargen, mouths falling open slightly. Thankfully, Steve pieced some things together and knew stopping wouldn’t help this scenario. He figured they could try something else, mouthing for Eddie to follow his lead.

Suddenly you were facing the ceiling with a gasp, Steve’s hand around your neck as he pushed you against his chest, looking up at him through your eyelashes. The light made him look angelic, cheeks flushed red with a golden glow from the chandelier above their heads.

His hips snapped forward as Eddie pressed his chest to your front, a hand finding your nipple and the other to your clit. It seemed vengeful, the way they began to fuck you as if you were a measly plaything. 

“This what you want, hm?” Steve gritted, trying his best to ignore your clenching, “Want us to stop really caring about you? Just focus on getting you off and out of the door?”

His palm met your ass again as you cried, the one at your neck moving to sprawl across your chest, keeping you in place. Eddie trapped your cheeks in one of his hands, adding to the riveting lack of control you were experiencing. 

“Eds, Stevie.” You gasped quietly, trembling at the enthusiastic pace and intensity of the scenario. The following orgasm was coming closer than intended, hoping you’d prolong it farther to ensure more time between their heated skin.

Eddie patted your cheek warningly, “Nu-uh, our clients don’t call us that.”

Your whine made them satisfied, knowing your wall was tumbling down as you shook your head. 

“Don’t want to just be your client.” You murmured, looking at Eddie’s eyes that softened, his hand cupping your cheek before kissing you.

“Yeah,” He smiled, pulling away and wiping the dangling spit, “You’re our girl, right?”

“Yes!” You yelped, their joint attempt to help you finish succeeding as you shook, Steve’s hand moving away from your collarbone and to your other hip. 

Eddie catches your convulsing body, mewling into his glistening skin, as Steve groans into your shoulder and fills his condom. Slipping out of you, he fell back onto the bed, chest rising quickly as his eyes shut briefly.

His protection was soon discarded, watching as you lay with resting eyes in between them. The white noise that surrounded you was beginning to diminish, the sounds of their breathing coming to you.

Before your eyes were fully open, you were scooting off the bed, grabbing your clothes from the ground without looking behind you. 

“What’re you doing?” Eddie asked, seeing you fumble with the back clasp of your bra, hands still shaking from your orgasm.

Rubbing your thighs, trying to steady yourself before standing, “Don’t they usually leave after?”

Their silence taunted you, biting your lip until a hand reached each of your biceps, pulling you back to the pillows with a shriek. As if it were magic, Steve undid your bra with one hand as Eddie yanked it off. 

Soon you were sandwiched in their bodies, adjusting to find comfort in your frame, sighing contently like small kittens once they did. The insecurity fell into the mattress and seeped to the floor, smiling at their affections.

“Psst,” Eddie hushed, poking your side, “Psssttttt!”

Squinting your eyes, you looked at his joyful expression that was soon pressed against your cheek, nose jutting to your temple.

“Yes?” You replied, feeling Steve mimic the position on your left cheek.

“You’re still our best friend.” Eddie whispered, startled by his blatant sincerity until he blew a raspberry on your face. 

Squeaking, you flinched away, into Steve’s arms who encapsulated you in a warm hold. Yet, he betrayed you by blowing one on your neck, laughing boisterously as you squirmed. 

The ice was broken as you all relaxed, shrugging the blankets up to your chest as the air conditioning tickled your skin. Steve propped up on an elbow while Eddie remained pressed against you on his side, your head below his chin while laying on your back.

“Talk to us next time,” Steve began, hand petting your hair as you looked up at him sheepishly, “You’re getting your money back anyways.”

Before you could argue that you did make them drive all the way here, Eddie butted in, “Yeah, buy us breakfast in the morning and gas- Did you really drive your piece of shit car up here, oh my God.” His teasing transcended into legitimate worry, already envisioning the black smoke coming from the hood.

“I took a taxi.” You shrugged, feeling the end seem on the sheet, seeing Steve’s body tense in your peripherals. 

“You what!” He barked, making you hold back a laugh, “You took a taxi all the way- What if you got kidnapped! You’re very kidnappable!”

Scoffing, you looked up at him before back at your hands, pouting.

“I am not! I’m in my bad girl phase anyways.” You jested, making Eddie snort while Steve repeated your scoff. The impending playful tiff between you three was beginning, making you slink under the sheets.

“Hey! No, no.” Steve gaped, going to his back and going under as well with Eddie quickly following. 

You all laughed and playfully pushed at each other until Eddie halted, bringing your frame with him. Steve huffed, laying against your tummy, nosing at the small hairs below your belly button. 

“You know,” Eddie thought, “We should make a fort out of these sheets.”

“I’m down.”

“He’s my ride so I fuckin’ guess, but I want my boxers on. So should Eddie, but you should definitely leave yours off.”

tagging some mutuals! @lilacletter @munsonology @andvys @queenimmadolla @oneforthemunny @indouloureux @bimbobaggins69 @dearest-readers @corrodedcorpses @imjuststeddietrashatthispoint

[honeybeefae]

Forgotten Ties (Eris Vanserra x Reader)

Summary// Years trying to forget him. Years forming a new life, a new home, to try and rebuild what he had so carelessly thrown away. Only for it to all come crumbling down with a single meeting.

(Okay I totally wrote this all at once. It’s just an idea I had, I’d love to write more parts if y’all want! It’s a bit different from what I usually write so I hope you like it!❤️)

Part Two / Part Three / Part Four

Playlist for Story

WARNINGS: Slight angst

You lived with your daughter Helena in the Rainbow district of Velaris, having moved here shortly after giving birth thanks to a friend who opened up her home to you.

Being from the Autumn Court you had never known the beauty of the Night Court, especially Velaris, and even now you were still blown away.

When you had moved here you offered to create some gowns for your friend to display, to try and gather some money for rent and your child, and were surprised at how fast they were snatched up. It was so successful that you eventually had the money to open up your own store.

The shop you owned was small, squished between a pottery shop and an artists den. You were a seamstress just as your father was. You loved the intricate patterns you could create with your fingertips, how the different fabrics mixed and felt. It was something you had grown up doing and had also seen you through the trials under the mountain.

The nights were tireless, the days long as you took care of your daughter while also running your business. However you never let Helena see your worries. She was your entire world, the light of your life, and you did not want her to fuss over you.

She was a spitting image of her father with her auburn locks and amber eyes. You never regretted having Helena but you wish you hadn’t been so naive when you had met that man, hadn’t believed his lies and sweet words.

He still haunted your dreams to this day. The nightmares were of him leaving you the day you were all freed, passing you by as if you didn’t exist. The dreams were of the nights you spent together, the promises you had made and the comfort of his arms.

You kept a napkin next to your bedside table so you could wipe away the tears before Helena ran into your room in the mornings.

“Mama! Mama! Can I have this one? Pleaseeee?” She whined, breaking you from your thoughts as you turned to the window full of dolls.

The two of you were strolling through the shops on your way home. It had been a rare day off and you took her out to go see the ships sailing away with a picnic by the sea.

“Helena, don’t you already have that one?” You smiled lovingly, brushing the hair out of her eyes as she pouted. “Your entire room is filled to the top with dolls.”

“But not this one!” She argued, crossing her arms.

Your shoulders shook with a chuckle as you shook your head, placing a hand on her back and ushering her forward.

“Perhaps another time, love, maybe we can-“ You stopped in the middle of your sentence when you looked down the street, seeing someone you had never thought you would have to see again.

He was the same as you remembered, though he seemed to have more frown lines. People were whispering as he walked beside the High Lord and Lady, his hands behind his back as he took in the city.

“Mama?” Helena tugged on your arm, a worried look on her face. You took a deep breath and gathered yourself together, bending down to Helena’s height.

“I’m alright, darling. I just need you to hold mama’s hand tight, okay? We need to get home now.” You tried to say softly though even you could hear the urgency in your tone.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, observant as always. You kissed her cheek and stood up straight, grabbing her hand.

“Nothing, I just forgot that I left the stove on! I need to go turn it off.” You lied through your teeth, not waiting to see if she bought it as you started speed-walking through the crowd.

You had to go the way the trio was coming in order to get home so you did your best to lay low, weaving through the crowd like a snake. The sign of your shop started to peek through and just as you made into the clearing, you heard your name.

“Y/N!” Feyre called, waving her arm. You winced, closing your eyes. “Y/N! I need a favor from you, from Nesta!”

If you pretended you didn’t hear her you could be home within minutes. However, you knew she knew you had heard her. You pushed Helena behind your skirts and turned to your High Lady, bowing.

“What can I help you with, my lady?” You asked, giving her a small smile.

Feyre rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Please, there is no need to be so formal. Nesta was wanting a dress tailored for her for Solstice.”

“I can certainly do that…though it is short notice.” You point out, smirking. Feyre nodded and apologized on behalf of her sister but you assured it was fine. Nesta had become somewhat of a friend to you as you were apparently the only person who could get her outfits “right.”

“I appreciate it, Y/N.” She smiled, noticing Helena peering out behind you. “And how has this little princess been?”

“She’s been good. We just-“ You were cut off by Rhysand’s sudden appearance, his violet eyes warm as he gazed at Feyre. However you didn’t have time to dwell over the love between them as their visitor also appeared, his eyes widening when they connected with yours.

Tension was heavy in the air as you felt your heart stop. You felt warm and cold at the same time, your stomach twisted in so many knots that you were afraid you would vomit up your lunch. It felt like time stood still until he whispered, “Y/N?”

You took a step back, your heart breaking at hearing your name off his lips. It was too much. And Helena…

She was looking up at you innocently, red curls framing her face perfectly. You looked down at her, your lips parted, before back up at him.

“Do you know her, Eris?” Rhysand asked, his tone confused as he sensed something between the two of you.

However Eris was paying him no mind nor you. His gaze was entirely fixated on your daughter who was now clinging to your dress. You could see him studying her, working through dates in his mind, and watched as his face changed from confusion to shock.

“Goodbye.” You croaked, barely giving your High Lord and Lady a glance as you picked up Helena and tore through the crowds at breakneck speed. She was holding onto you tightly, mouthing of questions about the man with the red hair, but you couldn’t hear her over the roaring of your ears.

Eris stood there, watching you disappear with a child…a daughter.

His daughter.

[plutoccult]

BEAUTIFUL STRANGER

pairing: hwang hyunjin x gender neutral reader

description: a beautiful stranger shakes up your once boring and repetitive morning commute on the train.

word count: 3.4k

also available to read on my ao3 here

author’s note: hello! i’m no stranger to writing, but i’m definitely a stranger when it comes to writing for idols. this is the first time i’ve ever done so, and who better to write for than my ultimate bias hyunjin? stray kids is my favorite group, so i’d like to write more content for them in the future. thank you to my pookie wookie lills (YES, we unironically call each other pookie, it’s our thing) for beta reading, and i hope you enjoy <3

soundtrack: beautiful stranger, enchanted

tags: @solefleurs @heavenfilm @5sos-wdw @todorokiskitten @rylea08 @br3anna-nels0n @hyunjinloverrrr

taglist form here

you always found an array of characters during your morning commute on the paris metro. there’d always be locals, some on their way to work or home just like you. amongst the locals were tourists decked out in overpriced souvenirs specifically curated for suckers like them. at night, there were drunks who thankfully were smart enough not to drive. the reek of alcohol on them wasn’t that amusing, you must admit.

despite the variety of people you could see passing by on your commutes, it grew boring. always the same thing every single day. not even the music playing in your headphones or the book you brought with you that day could make time go faster. it’s not like it would be any better once you got off the train either. your life was incredibly dull and repetitive. if only something could serve as a change of pace.

to think that your life had become boring in a place like paris of all places. it’s the city of love, is it not? even if you were created out of love and born in a city all about that concept, you had none of it. maybe that’s why you felt this way. no matter how many times you pass the same streets or enter the same train station, you had yet to find the one thing everyone seemed to look for so easily here.

you had basically given up at this point, committed to living an empty life where all you did was work, eat, sleep, then repeat. it’s what most people do in other countries anyway, might as well join the party. the second you had fully lost all hope, however, was when you saw the most beautiful stranger on the train. you almost wanted to slap yourself for being so pessimistic before.

you walked onto the train with the expectation of just sitting around until you got to your stop. as you walked to your usual seat, that’s where you found your beautiful stranger, sitting in the seat right across from the one you sat in every single day without fail.

you knew you had never seen him before. you take this train almost every damn day, so who was he? had he just moved here? was he a tourist? where’s the “i love paris” shirt and the eiffel tower keychain made of shitty plastic? instead, he was dressed like someone meant to be on billboards and magazines. surely had the face to fit the bill too. he was undoubtedly breathtaking, and he ultimately captivated you upon first sight.

it was pathetic how you hesitated to sit down. he didn’t seem to waver, looking down at his phone. from the reflection of his sunglasses—yes, you were that curious—he seemed to be swiping through photos. you assumed they were ones he had taken around the city. paris was definitely filled with photo opportunities, so you couldn’t blame him for that one. it’ll look good on anyone’s instagram feed.

you try your best to make yourself look occupied. shuffling through your bag to find a book, the rummaging sounds catch the attention of your beautiful stranger. your eyes meet for a brief moment when you turn your body to lean back in your seat with a book in hand. despite how quick the moment was, you swore your heart dropped the second you caught his gaze.

oh god, was this the excitement you had been waiting for? you couldn’t mistake it as anything else. leave it up to you to fall for a stranger upon first sight, but who cares? finally, finally, your life had begun to be painted in color. even if it was just for a moment, you’d savor this one train ride that actually seemed worthwhile for once in your life.

you steal glances at him every so often, praying he wouldn’t catch you and make you feel embarrassed for staring. you just couldn’t help yourself, he was like a walking renaissance painting. actually, you don’t even think da vinci would be capable of capturing the essence of someone who looked like a real-life prince.

the moment you knew you had reached your stop, you wished you could glue yourself to your seat so you had no choice but to stay on the train with your beautiful stranger a little longer. as much as you wanted to, you simply couldn’t, having no choice but to say goodbye without actually saying a word at all.

it was silly to think a stranger on the train could change your life in an instant. still, you were grateful for the temporary change of pace. if only you could thank him somehow, but alas, you knew you had no chance of seeing him again.

•••

the next day, you found your beautiful stranger again, this time sketching down something in a sketchbook. you caught him looking at everyone who walked onto the train, and when it was finally your turn to step on, he actually smiled once he laid eyes on you. it all felt like you were dreaming. if this was cloud nine, then you had finally reached it.

when you walked over to your seat across from his, you noticed he clutched the sketchbook close to his chest, almost like he didn’t want you to see what he was drawing. you were too shy to speak up and spark a conversation with him anyway, so it wasn’t like you would pry. still, you were curious to know what was on the page.

it pained you knowing you lacked any courage. you found you were better off acting like you were interested in your book, on a random page as you were too in your head to actually start from where you left off and completely ignored the folded page that indicated that. what would happen if you said hello? would he say hi back? ask if you’d like to see what he’s drawing or ask about what you’re reading? the possibilities seemed to be endless, but the possibilities seemed safer as thoughts in your head rather than facing reality if you were to take a chance.

you can’t help but watch intently as his face scrunched from focusing on his sketch, his only tool a wooden pencil. did he plan to color it later? you can imagine trying to avoid rattling colored pencils leaving his possession due to the bumpiness of the train. he was quite brave for trying to draw in a place like this, you thought.

unnoticed by you, your beautiful stranger’s cheeks flushed and ears burned red as he could feel you watching him draw. the subject of his drawing still remained a mystery to you, however. tempting to spark up a conversation, yet so debilitatingly scary at the same time.

it seemed rude to stare for so long, so you put a stop to it immediately and busied yourself with your phone, catching up with texts you had missed since getting up for work. your phone was always blown up with texts from your friends, today being no different. if you didn’t silence your phone at night, you would never get any sleep.

they had been informed about your current saga, and the update would certainly excite them. it was hard to resist a smile as you texted them about the latest scoop, especially as the subject of said scoop was only a few meters away from you. maybe this should wait until later, otherwise they’d trying forcing you out of your comfort zone by talking to who was still a total stranger at the end of the day.

who knows though? for all you know, he could be a murderer. a stinking gorgeous one too. as if you need to be on the evening news. even so, those were just silly thoughts, all just an excuse to stop yourself from taking a chance at something for once in your life out of fear.

the second you reached your stop, you instantly regretted being so silent. would it have killed you to try? it felt like it would’ve, but you figured this morning was the last chance you’d have. if only you weren’t such a scaredy cat.

•••

after your shift, an unexpected reunion occurred on the evening commute. the train was quite crowded at this time of day, majority of the aboard trying to get home after a long day’s work, including you. the surplus of people made it quite difficult to find seating, but luckily for you, your beautiful stranger had a seat occupied by his bag, perfect for you to sit.

this was the extra chance you craved the second you got off the train earlier, cursing yourself throughout the day for not even attempting to just say hello. you were so thankful to see him again, it was almost like the universe blessed you for this very purpose. you were such a wuss this morning, but you refused to allow that reputation to continue now.

once you took a deep breath, you walked to where your beautiful stranger sat, trying to keep your balance as the train moved at rapid speed. in the midst of your struggle, the sound of your footsteps thumping on the ground caught his attention. he looked up in surprise, not expecting to see you, but thrilled nonetheless.

“hi.” you miraculously manage to speak out, your accent making an appearance during your pathetic english. it was agonizing how your heart raced a mile a minute just by uttering one word, so you tried your very best to calm yourself down. “is this seat taken?”

“no, no…” he replied to your question, picking up his bag and moving it to the floor by his feet so you could sit. “here.”

“thank you.” you say before taking the seat next to him.

god, your heart was thumping like the loudest drum ever created. to sit across from his was one thing, but right next to each other, shoulders brushing due to the lack of room? if only you could put a stop to this rapid percussion inside you. at least the sounds of the train rumbling against the tracks could serve as buffer for the unspoken tension between you and your beautiful stranger.

his sketchbook rested unopened on his lap. you recognized it as the one he had earlier, previously held close to his chest as if he were hiding secrets. what could someone as dashing as him be hiding in there, you wonder?

almost as if he were reading your mind, he suddenly opened up the sketchbook, flipping the pages—which revealed beautiful drawings in the split second you saw them—until he landed on a page of a finished sketch, one that you swore looked like you sitting on the train yesterday.

you look up and catch his eye. “is that me?”

“mhm.” he nodded with a soft grin.

his art style was something to be proud of, meant to be showcased in somewhere exquisite like the louvre. could this guy be any more perfect? drop dead gorgeous and talented? to see yourself captured in such a bewitching way was truly the greatest compliment one could ever receive.

the sound of the page ripping away from the binding of the sketchbook startled you. what was he doing? it was so perfect! why mess it all up? you couldn’t help but say something about it.

“what are you—”

“you can have it.” he interrupted you, holding the page in his hands, waiting for you to take it.

“oh…” your cheeks flush as your fingers accidentally grazed over his upon grabbing the sketch. “thank you.”

you almost felt bad holding this in your hands, afraid of ruining it just by the touch of your hand. how could he just let you have this without hesitation? even if this was a drawing of you, it felt like you didn’t deserve to have it.

you examine the drawing down to the details of the clouds behind you. you look for some sort of signature, assuming every artist had one in hopes to find a name. in the bottom corner, you see the name “hyunjin” written in cursive. you had finally put a name to your beautiful stranger.

“hyunjin?” you attempt to pronounce his name. your accent did you no favors, but you tried your best regardless. he furrowed his eyebrows in confusion until you pointed to where his signature was, then receiving a nod confirming that was his name.

“hwang hyunjin.” he said slowly. you repeat his name in full, speaking slower than him to make sure you were saying it correctly as you desperately didn’t want to screw it up. hyunjin, as you’ve now learned, gave you a nod of approval once you’ve won the battle with your accent.

“i’m y/n l/n.” you tell him. it would be awfully rude if he didn’t learn your name, after all. it seemed hyunjin didn’t seem to struggle at all when it came to pronouncing your name. his english was far better than yours, which wasn’t a shock as he seemed to be so insanely perfect in every aspect possible.

“are you an artist?” you ask, making an assumption based on the clues given to you the past two days. if he were anything else, you’d be surprised.

“i sing and dance.” hyunjin replied. you couldn’t believe his perfection could get any greater, but it just did. it would shock you if you learned your once beautiful stranger was a world famous one.

“well, your art is lovely.” you say.

“thank you.” he blushed shyly. to hyunjin, it felt so nice being treated like a normal person, appreciated for his art above all else. while there was no denying you found him to be the most breathtaking person you’d ever seen, there was more beneath the surface, and hyunjin was grateful to be seen for what he loves to do.

“is this your first time in paris?” you question, a chuckle escaping hyunjin’s lips over your pronunciation of your homeland. you were trying to get as much information out of him as possible before you were tortured with reaching your stop and leaving him once more. you had to take this chance while the universe let you have it.

“this is one of my favorite places to visit.” hyunjin said. truth be told, he always loved paris for its scenery and art, but yesterday he found one more reason to love it. is there any other place to love better than a city known all about that?

a visitor’s perspective was certainly different than the perspective of someone who’s lived here their whole life. there were so many reasons to love paris when you didn’t experience the greatest things about it everyday. to you, it was the same old thing. but to hyunjin, it was like a brand new experience each time in the rare event that he visited. but meeting each other allowed the both of you the ability to find something new to appreciate about this city.

“the eiffel tower gets old after a while.” you joke. hyunjin burst into a fit laughter, one more obnoxious than his calm chuckle from before. it infected you instantly, and you craved more of his laugh now that you’ve fully heard it.

hyunjin calmed himself down, letting out a sigh as he leaned his head back with his eyes closed and a grin on his face. he was truly the most beautiful person you had ever seen. “i hope i never get sick of this place.”

“i hope you never do.” you tell him, looking at his face as if he were a sculpture in a museum. “don’t wear it out.”

“i won’t.” he opened his eyes and responded to you, his smile not going away as you gazed into each other’s eyes.

you can’t help but stare at one another, almost like magnets pulling you together. was it normal to feel like this about someone you barely know? even so, it felt like you knew hyunjin before you ever met. such a thought would seem like insanity to someone else, but not to you, at least not in the moment.

your once unwavering stare was unfortunately interrupted by the sudden thrash of the train stopping. you look out the window and recognize it as your stop. if you were crazy enough, you’d stay on the train until they kicked you out, but you weren’t all that brave enough to try your luck. maybe you were better off savoring this moment for what it was; just a moment with a beautiful man who was once a stranger to you.

“ah, that’s my stop.” you say with a frown. hyunjin’s smile from before faded too. it was clear neither of you wanted this to end.

“oh, alright.” he replied. hyunjin watched as you quickly collected your things, not forgetting the drawing he gave you when you first sat next to him. you would cherish it as long as you could, and he could only hope that’s what you’ll do.

“maybe i’ll see you on the stage here someday, yeah?” you force a smile. you were actually sad to see this end, but if you keep a grin on your face, then maybe it’ll hurt a little less.

“yeah…” hyunjin nodded. “i hope you do.”

“bye, hyunjin.” you wave goodbye, hyunjin doing the same.

“thank you for making the train less boring for me.” you get those final words out before following the line of people exiting the train. hyunjin kept his eye on you for as long as he could, even staring out the window as you disappeared into the sea of people. if only he could have went with you.

“bye, y/n.” he said to himself, clutching the sketchbook that once held his masterpiece; a drawing of you, his beautiful stranger.

•••

on the third day, hyunjin was nowhere to be seen. you saw it coming, really. you knew last night was probably your final chance to ever see him again. still, a part of you hoped he’d magically appear on the train when you went to work the next morning.

the thrill you once had was no more. the spark lit aflame in your heart all gone. you weren’t sure if anyone would make you feel the same way hyunjin did. maybe meeting him was a lesson, something to teach you what the city of love was truly about, what you’ve failed at your entire life. at least now you were able to succeed, even if such a success was temporary.

you were thankful that your once black and white world finally had some saturation in it for once. if you were to meet hyunjin once again, no matter what the circumstance may be, the world would be in full bloom. you would look for him in everything you see, down to the bakeries you’ll eat at and sceneries you’d visit, for as long your thoughts echoed his name.

while your routine became repetitive once more, at least you had hyunjin’s image in your brain and his drawing in a picture frame on your shelf. if you were as talented as him, you’d try your hand at drawing him too, but you knew you wouldn’t be able to capture him like your eyes ever did. at least you have the memories.

hyunjin dreaded watching you leave, and he hated it even more when he left for the airport in the morning. he wondered if you thought about where he went, hoping you thought about him like he did now with you. you’d remain ingrained in his mind. whenever hyunjin thought about paris, a place he loved just as much as his hometown, he would think about you too.

he couldn’t explain this sadness inside him to anyone else. hyunjin couldn’t fathom anybody understanding the feeling of love at first sight like he did. a true romantic at heart, maybe you were the only one to be just as foolish as him when it came to romance. after all, you were instantly captivated by one another.

maybe, just maybe, hyunjin could write a song about this and sing it to the thousands of people he performed for like clockwork. but no matter what the days ahead held, hwang hyunjin, your beautiful stranger, was all that he would ever remain, and you would remain as his.

•••

(bonus)

@hynjinnnn: 파리에 있는 동안 기차에서 이 사람의 모습에 반해 그려보기로 결심했습니다. 나는 그들이 그것을 좋아했기를 바랍니다. 언젠가 다시 보고 싶습니다.

i was enthralled by this person on the train while in paris and decided to draw them. i hope they liked it. i'd love to see them again someday.

© plutoccult / 310802. please do not copy, repost, modify, or translate any of my content in or outside of tumblr. reblogs are appreciated <3

[undercoverpena]

come away with me and we'll kiss

javier peña x f!reader | one shot from late night texts world

you don't need to have read the series, but it helps - this one shot is set during the epilogue 🩷 chapter warnings: a photo booth, two idiots, javi realising how much he loves you, while also unable to keep his hands to himself. illusions and briefest of mentions of smut, but no actual ✨ wordcount: 1.9k.

an: BONUS CHAPTER. this wasn't planned at all but i saw @babyispunk's insanely amazing photo booth pic for Javi, and i had to write this little ode to it (hope you do not mind, lovely) biggest thanks to @guyfieriii who not only held my hand with this but also chose the title. ily.

text key: bold is you/reader | italics is javi

don’t forget tomorrow im taking you out for the day

You sure you told me this? 

good job I reminded you then

Javi, I am pretty sure I’d have remembered this. Are you sure you told me?

positive 

Javi hadn’t told you. 

The idea only came to him that week. You all curled up against him, asleep—your fingers on his chest—his hand placed right over yours. 

The minutes had been ticking down until his alarm would do its usual thing of disturbing the morning. Interrupting the time he got to just be, when he could lie here with your weight and warmth against him. 

That’s when his eyes landed on the photo frame with the photo strip, sitting on top, in the centre of the drawers the two of you now share. The strip of four photos captured from that week. 

For the past week, he’d thought of nothing but your two’s fast-approaching first anniversary. That week which had changed his life, the one where he’d had a taste of the life he lives now. 

From speaking to some of the people in town, it hadn’t taken much effort to learn where the closest one was. It all aligned, everything falling perfectly into place—all working out. 

On the morning of it all, the day even began the same as it had done when the two of you were in that hotel room. The tips of his fingers strumming up and down your back, your chest flush with his—all tangled in his arms, sheets barely keeping in place as your lips kissed the air with his name, the sound of yours leaving his mouth coated in grunts and hisses. 

It deviated after. The two of you shared a shower, with you sneaking out of the bathroom undetected to get dressed, leaving him to enact the next part of his plan: wearing the pink shirt. 

Stealing it back from your things had taken planning—discreet misdirections, his former skills in the DEA coming into use. He was just grateful it still fastened because even if he did more physical work now than he used to, Javi still wasn’t DEA fit. He was happy, for one—secondly, home-cooked meals were more a norm now than when he was over in Colombia. 

You said nothing if you thought anything when he met you on the porch. Not even when the two of you hit the road, hands smoothing down your dress as you turn the radio, focused, eyes glued, and head slightly tilted.

Fuck, you were gorgeous.

You always were. Always have been. Even way before, when all he had of you was words on his phone screen, you have been amazing to him. 

“So, whatcha’ thinking about?” you say, leaning back as the radio hums—the plucking of a guitar filling the journey as you look at him. 

Taking his hand from the wheel, he placed it on your knee—bare skin meeting his palm. “That I’m looking forward to taking you out of this dress when we get back.”

“No, you weren’t, you tease.”

He snorts, squeezing your knee. “Trust me, cariño. Most, if not all of the time, I am thinking about how I can get you out of your clothing.”

Your laugh fills the vehicle, feeling your eyes on him as the two of you pass the sign welcoming you into the city. 

“Think you need a hobby if you’ve got time for all that thinking, baby.”

“I’m busy enough.”  

Humming, he smiles as you rest your head on him. The scent of your perfume hitting his nose, recognising it instantly—the one he bought you, wrist tilted to his nose in the shop as you sprayed bottle after bottle until you landed on this one. 

The one, as you said, made his eyes widen. It wasn’t the only body reaction the scent now made happen. Least of all, when your hand was on his thigh, fingers sliding up and down his dark-wash jeans. 

“Te ves muy guapo, Javi—even in my shirt.” 

Snorting, he looked at you, finding your eyes already on him, waiting, a smirk slid up into your cheek that made it near impossible not to pull you close and kiss you. But he’d have time.

Plenty of it. 

Thankful he recognised the sign for the place he needed, when you were still none the wiser. Your brain not even catching on when he pulled into the arcade parking lot, your face still looking up at him, peering—studying every inch of him, as though you never get the chance to. Not that he could complain, he does the same whenever he gets the chance, too. 

By the time he’d come to let you out your side of the truck, your door was already open—smoothing down your summer dress. Taking your hand in his. “So, let me explain.” 

“You found us a photo booth.” 

Looping his fingers through, tightening his hold, he pressed a kiss to your cheek—both for being too fucking smart and also because fuck, you got him. “I found us a photo booth, cariño. C’mon.” 

Hidden in the back, there it was. Tucked away, it’s interestingly the one place in the arcade relatively quiet of people. The red curtain open, your hand practically dragging him—even if it was he who planned it—before stopping at the doorway, turning to him. Before your mouth even opens, he knows what you’re going to say, his hand already digging in his pocket, pulling out the money he knew would be needed. 

“We should think of poses,” you say, sliding in next to him, as you draw the curtain. 

His eyes glanced, taking in how it was a floor-to-ceiling one—more discreet, private. Even if the sounds of bells, cheers and loud music still made their way through it to your two’s space. 

“Unless you just want to recreate the last one?”

Handing you the money, he wraps his arm around you, fingers on your waist. Needing you to be close as he suggests you kiss his cheek, something sweet, innocent. Your smile twitches before you nod, doing your thing with the money and hitting the button to get it going. 

It’s only when he feels you twist towards him, his fingers sliding the strap of your dress up, that he realises how amazing the last year has been, and yet, while he feels the same as when he first met you, he also feels so much more—more than he ever thought possible after all the things he’d done and seen. 

Because, even now, you still make his heart skip a beat as you move closer like that first week. Make his cheeks warm as your lips ghost over his cheek. 

He knows the seconds are ticking down, both all set in place as the booth counts down, but he can feel the edges of his mouth bucking under the happiness you provide, it almost making him want to grin.

And he does—just after the flash. 

Something rising in him, desperate to ignite. It explodes inside him like fireworks; the feeling is born from the ash of who he used to be, spreading itself through him to add more weight to the person he now feels he can be because of you. 

His gratitude for it being pressed to your lips as the plan for chosen poses goes out the window, twisting his own body, a sudden need flooding through him just to have you close, pressed against him. His fingers slid around the base of your neck, kissing you desperately, hungrily. 

Javi tastes the mint from brushing your teeth, the warmth of your breath—and even if he gets to kiss you all the time now, it still blows him away. Because it’s you—you and him. 

Your lips part, inviting him in closer as the softest whimper escapes as his thumb and index squeeze your neck, wrist flush with your collarbone, as he crashes his mouth to yours—slanting, swallowing whatever you’ll give him. Lost in it, how you feel against him, how your thighs have spread just for him. The flash illuminates the space, his smile growing, pressing another to you, and another. 

It becomes a dance, a sudden know of what to do as he moves again. 

Giving his back to the camera, Javi buries his face into your neck as he hears you whimper his name—blissed out at the feeling of your hand in his hair, pulling, tugging as his fingers snake under your dress. A laugh falling, more in disbelief than anything, a whispered ‘we shouldn’t’ that he’s quick to swallow. 

Because he should—the two of you should. 

He couldn’t think of something more beautiful, more perfect to be captured and framed in your two’s room than you coming undone for him. That thought cruises through him, blood pounding in his ears, as he brushes over soft, warm skin before his thumb presses over the lace between your legs, feeling the sudden growing wet patch spreading across your underwear. Your laugh stolen, thieved, all twisted into a moan that made his smile grow as he rolled the tip of his tongue over that spot on your neck. The one which he knows has your eyes all lust-blown, just as the flash explodes white around the two of you as you moan his name.

His. 

A sound he collects whenever he can. Bottles it. Stores it on a shelf inside of him that used to be empty. That could never be filled by any vice he had picked up, but now it is all easily full of you. The happiness you bring, the comfort, 

And he knows he has seconds—if that. 

Sliding up, shifting the fabric from between your legs as he feels it. He’ll never tire of it, the proof that you want him—over and over. Your fingers find his chin at the last second, lifting him to stare as his fingers coat themselves in how much you need him. 

You saying it, beating him to it. Robbing him of it—not that he cares.

“Happy one-year anniversary, baby.”

In a way, he wishes his back wasn’t to the camera as his hand slides back to resting on your thigh. Because now he suddenly wants the chance to see how he looks as he hears the words. Imagining it from the effect it has on him; how each letter coats him, heals him. 

Instead, he whispers them back. Enjoys a front-row seat to watching the impact they have on you, now just wishing the camera is good enough to capture the shimmer in your eyes, the look of adoration, the thinnest crease between your brows he knows he mirrors. 

Because it’s you, it’s him. 

The two of you frozen like that, a sea of other words silently being shared—your hand reaching up, cupping his cheek, thumb stroking his skin, just like you always do as the machine begins to churn, preparing and readying the photos for the two of you.

“Thank you for bringing us here,” you add, only when the machine quietens.

Nodding, he swallows. “You’re welcome. I… I didn’t know you were an exhibitionist, cariño.”

Your eyes narrow, lips pursing before you smirk. “If you were a smart man, you’d put more money into the machine and finish what you started.” 

Javi does.

Because of course he fucking does. 

Haphazardly stuffing what he can into it before he’s pulled by his collar, his lips crashing against yours. 

AN: Halloween one shot of this pairing will still be up on the 31st. I've just missed them so goddamn much.

[jessamine-rose]

(:̲̅:̲̅:̲̅[̲̅⬩⊱ Housecat ⊰⬩]̲̅:̲̅:̲̅:̲̅)

Rip so I ended up writing another Genshin fic, this time to purge my Pantalone brainrot. I’d like to credit these posts by @bye-bye-sunbird and @ddarker-dreams as inspiration. 

An additional thanks to my beloved victim @diodellet for the lovely peer reviews and to @yandere-romanticaa for your interest in reading this ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶

This post is Part 1 of the fic!! Part 2 is linked below and covers the remainder of the story from Pantalone’s POV  o(｀ω´ )o

Lastly, enjoy the depravity. I suffered bc of this and now it is everyone’s turn <3

Tw:: YANDERE, unhealthy relationships, manipulation, coercion, electrocution, spice, mention of nsfw, MINORS DNI

Note:: Female cat-hybrid reader, pre-release Pantalone based on current lore crumbs

♡ 10.4k words under the cut ♡

i. scarlet quartz

Your fiancé is nowhere to be seen.

A look around the ballroom only confirms your solitude. Your parents are chatting within their social circle, far too busy to give you any attention. Your sister, in a similar vein, is approaching prospective business clients. Your friends are absent.

You glance at the decorative mirror on the wall. Your ears are folded back and your tail is thrashing. Your carefully-planned outfit is one out of many colorful images reflected in the glass.

Why are you even here?

The terrace is a breath of fresh air. You close the double doors and walk over to the ledge, taking in the view of Liyue Harbor. From your level, the lights of the city resemble dainty yellow jewels. The sky is studded with a glittery expanse of stars.

Your Scarlet Quartz jewelry gleams under the dull moonlight.

You had spent hours picking your dress and accessories. But what is the point if no one will appreciate it?

“Miss?”

Warm light spills from the open doorway. It disappears just as instantly.

The person approaching you is a stranger, a fashionable figure clad in dark clothing and violet jewels. His spectacles are adorned with a bejeweled silver chain.

Your ears flatten. “I beg your pardon, sir. Do I know you?”

Elegant appearance. Wavy black hair with a light streak in it. Snezhnayan style of clothing. Who were the Snezhnayan names on the guest list?

He gives you a polite smile. “We haven’t had the honor of meeting before, I’m afraid. I am the owner of the Northland Bank; you should be familiar with the alias ‘Pantalone.’ And you must be ______, correct?”

The Regrator.

You curtsy immediately. Any attempts at hiding your shock are dashed by the involuntary movements of your ears and tail.

“Yes, I have heard about you! My apologies for not recognizing you immediately, Lord Harbinger.” You pause, looking up. “And how do you know my name?”

“The Lai Lineage is well-known for their luxurious feline features. From that point, it was easy to narrow down your identity.” He peers at you through his lashes. “Am I mistaken?”

“No, you are correct.” You straighten your posture, tail poised. “I am Lai ______, youngest child of the family. What made you visit the terrace?”

He walks over to your side and faces the ledge. “I simply wanted to appreciate the view of Liyue from above. Quite the lovely sight, isn’t it?”

Your gaze returns to the city lights. “I agree.”

You can still hear the muffled sounds from the ballroom. Chattering voices, dance steps, the foreign orchestra. The music switches to a slow, lively waltz.

You glance at Pantalone. His gaze is transfixed on the stars this time.

“Will you return to the ballroom? I am sure that many people are looking for you.”

“And what about you?”

You twist the bracelets on your wrist. “I will stay here for a while longer.”

“Well, in that case, may I have this dance?” He turns to you and holds out his hand.

Under the moonlight, his invitation could not look any more tempting.

You take his hand. “It would be my pleasure.”

He is wearing black gloves with an assortment of bejeweled rings. His perfume is a strong blend of sophisticated fragrances.

“Shall I lead?” he asks. His other hand is already touching your back.

Your free hand rests on his shoulder. “You may.”

The music continues. Pantalone leads and you follow.

“Has anyone told you that you are a good dancer, Miss ______?” he asks.

Your tail brushes against his legs. “I’ve received formal training, but I don’t have many opportunities to dance in Liyue. What about you?”

His grip on your hand tightens. “I am self-taught for the most part.”

“I could not tell. Your dancing is excellent, my lord.”

The waltz is ending. Right before the final spin, an idea hits you.

Pantalone twirls you. You activate your Vision.

“Oh?” He almost stumbles. The fire reflects in his glasses.

“Just a few special effects!” You wave your fingers, producing more thin flames. The sparks encircle the two of you in red threads and curlicues.

He laughs, pulling you closer. “What a lovely surprise!”

The music stops. The flames dissolve into the air.

“Well, Miss ______.” Pantalone adjusts his glasses. His eyes are wide open, gazing at you in wonder. “That was quite the dance. I was not aware that you own a Pyro Vision.”

You give him a bright smile, revealing the glowing red accessory on your belt. “Did you like it? It gets everyone’s attention.”

He is still holding you. “It was absolutely enchanting.”

The doors creak.

“______?”

You let go of his hand. A familiar pair of fluffy ears peek out from the doorway.

“There you are! Were you here this—” Your sister stops in her tracks. “Lord Harbinger?”

“Chairman Lai.” Pantalone’s polite smile has returned. “I just had the pleasure of making your younger sister’s acquaintance.”

Her tail swishes. “I hope she has been pleasant company.”

“Only the best.” Pantalone gives you one last smile before he walks to the doorway, bypassing your sister. “Thank you for your time, Miss ______. I hope to see you very soon.”

The doors close behind him.

Your sister faces you. “Were you on your best behavior?”

You nod. “Yes, Jiejie. I was surprised; I didn’t expect the Regrator to be so charming.”

She shrugs. “Knowing someone by reputation cannot compare to meeting them in person. From what I’ve heard, he is one of the more…approachable Fatui Harbingers.”

“He is quite the catch.” You smile at her. “Suitor number four, maybe?”

“Hardly!” she scoffs. “Shady associations aside, his family background is a mystery. I doubt he comes from reputable means.”

“Whatever you say. By the way, have you seen Chairman Jin?”

“He was speaking with the Qie heiress earlier.”

“Oh.” You run your hands through your hairstyle, subtly hiding your ears. “Jiejie, can I be your plus-one instead?”

She frowns at you. “I have associates to speak with. If you are bored, you can remain here or go bother someone else.”

“...All right.”

You reenter the ballroom and walk past your parents’ group.

Pantalone is speaking to them.

He catches your eye and smiles.

ii. vajrada amethyst

A few days after the gala, you get dressed for a new occasion.

“A meeting with the Regrator?” you ask your handmaiden.

Ru helps you into your dress. “Yes, my lady. Your sister and Chairman Jin are interested in opening a joint enterprise. It is a major investment so they are requesting a loan from the Northland Bank.”

“Hence the family dinner.” You attach your Vision to your belt. “But why am I attending?”

“I heard that you spoke amicably with the Regrator at the Shang family’s gala.”

Of course. Why else would you be included?

For jewelry, you select Vajrada Amethysts set in silver. Your engagement ring clashes with your outfit, so you slip it off your finger and leave it in your jewel box.

⬩◈⬩

“Lord Harbinger!” Your father bows. “We are honored to be in your company!”

Pantalone enters the room. “You flatter me. Have I kept you waiting?”

“Not at all,” your mother replies. “We arrived just a few minutes before you.”

“Thank you again for handling the dinner reservation,” Jiejie tells him. “It must have been difficult to reserve a room at Xinyue Kiosk on such short notice.”

“It was hardly a hassle.” Pantalone takes the empty seat between Baba and Jiejie.

The seat across from you.

He smiles at you. “We meet again, Miss ______.”

You bow from your seat. “Thank you for your invitation, Lord Harbinger.”

Tea is served. A few minutes later, Pantalone speaks up.

“So this is the esteemed Lai family.”

“Excluding our son,” Baba corrects him. “He is currently a student at the Sumeru Akademiya. He plans to join the family business once he graduates from the Kshahrewar.”

“You must be proud. And I understand that your eldest child has been in charge of the company for a few years now?”

“Yes,” says Jiejie. “I have been involved from an early age.”

“And what about Miss ______?”

Silence. You stare at your lap.

Mama’s tail hits your leg under the table. “Little ______ has…other skills. Our ancestors’ legacy is of no interest to her.”

Not if they had taught you anything about your family business.

“She is engaged to the heir of the Jin family,” Baba adds quickly. “If our son passes his thesis this year, they may hold their wedding as soon as he comes home.”

“I am already aware of that.” Pantalone drinks his tea, peering at you over the rim of his cup. “Do you have anything to add to that, Miss ______?”

You shake your head. “No, I don’t.”

Your saving grace is a knock on the door. Masked waiters enter your private room with Fullmoon Eggs, Golden Crab, and other Yue delicacies. The conversation turns to the food, restaurant comparisons, which wine pairs best with certain dishes.

You finish your meal and take a deep breath. So far, you have shown perfect behavior. This should prove useful for the Jin family dinners.

“Now,” says Pantalone, “I believe it is time for us to discuss your little business venture.”

The mood shifts.

Mama and Jiejie are doing an excellent job at keeping their ears in check.

Pantalone’s voice becomes serious. “You and Chairman Jin are requesting quite a large sum of Mora. Even speaking as a banker, your calculations seem a little improvident.”

Mama shakes her head. “The Lai Lineage has been expanding their wealth since the Cataclysm. It will not end with us.”

“I see.” Pantalone taps his fingers on the desk. He is wearing the same set of rings. “If the Northland Bank agrees to the loan, you are expected to pay us back in exactly a year, naturally with interest. Do you have that much faith in your proposal?”

“Of course, Lord Harbinger. We trust our daughter.”

“And what do you think, Miss ______?”

What?

You look up. Pantalone’s professional smile has returned and his hands are clasped together. But his charmingly polite image is completely negated by his gaze.

He looks as though he is staring directly into your soul.

Your ears lay flat against your head. “Excuse me?”

His gaze remains fervent. “Do you believe that your family is worth my time and resources?”

Now your family is looking at you.

“I believe so.” You hold down your tail. “I would be pleased if my family could work with you, Lord Harbinger.”

“Well, I can always recognize a good investment.” Pantalone nods at one of the masked waiters. “Tomorrow, we may go over the contract with the Jin family. For now, I propose a toast.”

The waiter brings over a foreign bottle and a set of wine glasses. The wine is blood red with a rich aroma; you recognize the label as an expensive brand from Fontaine.

Pantalone swirls the wine in his glass. “By the way, I will be regularly visiting Liyue over the course of the year. I am quite interested in what the region has to offer these days. Would any of you have the time to extend your hospitality?”

“Oh, ______ can do that.” Jiejie sounds confident this time. “She is extremely familiar with the city’s shopping centers and fine arts establishments.”

At least she is not complaining this time.

He turns to you. “Do you mind?”

You smile at him. “You can count on me, Lord Harbinger.”

You have no one else to spend time with, anyway.

“Excellent.” Pantalone raises his glass, rings gleaming under the light. The smile on his face is, without a doubt, directed at you. “I look forward to our new partnership.”

iii. smaragdus jadeite

The next day, your family allows you to visit their office.

You almost get lost in the maze of hallways, but you find your way back by the time Pantalone leaves the conference room.

“So where do we start, Miss ______?” He looks as stylish as ever. The fitted dark suit and silver chains compliment his figure.

You glance at the doorway. Jiejie is holding the signed contract, tail sticking upright. Chairman Jin is drinking his tea.

He does not bother to greet you.

You face Pantalone again.

“I thought we could start with the Heyu Tea House for their opera performances. Then we can go to the Mingxing Jewelry—the owner knows me—and eat at Liuli Pavilion for dinner.” You stare at your purse. “Are you fine with that?”

“It is worth my time.”

The two of you walk to the exit. Before you leave the building, he turns around to face you.

“Oh, and I must say. Your choice of apparel today is absolutely stunning, Miss ______.”

⬩◈⬩

“My lady, this letter was addressed to you.”

You can only stare at the envelope in Ru’s hand. “Me?”

The seal carries the official symbol of the Fatui. Upon opening it, you are greeted with a familiar fragrance and an embossed sheet of stationery.

-

Miss ______,

I must thank you again for your hospitality. My time in Liyue was immensely enjoyable on account of having you as my personal guide.

My next business trip is scheduled to take place in two months’ time. Would you be so kind as to greet me once you receive word of my arrival?

Yours, Pantalone

P.S. A new boutique in Snezhnaya has recently caught my attention. I believe that these purchases will make a fine addition to your wardrobe.

-

“Ru?”

She tilts her head. “Yes?”

You hold up a pair of violet ribbons trimmed with black lace. “I would like to tie my hair. Any style will do.”

⬩◈⬩

During his next visit, you bring him to your favorite boutique.

“What do you think of this?” You hold up a Noctilucous Jade brooch this time. “I noticed you have a fondness for diamond patterns.”

Pantalone allows you to pin it on his shirt. “Are you a regular customer of this establishment, Miss ______? The employees seemed particularly familiar with you.”

“I am.” You take a step back and twirl around the room. “This shop specializes in clothing from different regions and time periods. I take great joy in styling my outfits.”

His gaze flits to your neck. “That explains your affinity for foreign necklines and vintage hanfu. Or is that simply to make room for your necklaces?”

You are wearing a heart-shaped locket this time. “I simply adore necklaces. They make beautiful statement pieces.”

The shopkeeper returns from the backroom. “Lady ______, I forgot to inform you that the brooch is part of a set. Would you or your friend like to try on the matching necklace?”

They open a velvet box. The silver chains and diamond-shaped jewels are arranged esclavage-style. It would look nice with your dress.

Pantalone turns to you. “Are you interested?”

You turn around, facing the mirror. “Can you help me put it on?”

His touch is warm. You remain still as Pantalone unclasps your locket and replaces it with the jade necklace. His fingertips press against the back of your neck.

“Does it look lopsided to you?” he asks.

“A bit.”

The main pendant is not centered. You raise your hands to adjust it, but Pantalone is already doing it. His hand trails across your clavicle.

His perfume is different. It smells the same but there is a hypnotic edge to it. Did they change the heart notes?

You are sure that Pantalone can feel your tail swishing between your bodies. “It looks okay now. Thank you.”

He meets your gaze in the mirror. “The necklace looks wonderful on you. I have no use for it, but I would like the brooch for myself.”

It suits him. “In that case, would you like to pay for the set together?”

He raises an eyebrow at you. “Miss ______, you already asked the shopkeeper to set aside a few rings for you. What will your family say when they see the bill?”

“They don’t mind.”

If they cared, they would have encouraged thriftier interests.

“Whatever you say. How many more shops shall we visit? I cannot imagine that you brought me all the way to Liyue’s fashion district for a few jewels.”

“Oh, naturally. There are still so many stores to visit.”

You miss this. When will your friends find the time to revive your shopping trips?

You smile at him. “You are quite attractive, Lord Harbinger. It is fun to dress you up.”

“Hmph, flattery will get you nowhere.” Pantalone walks over to the counter and returns the brooch to its box. “But since it is coming from you, I will believe in your sincerity.”

⬩◈⬩

Your parents arrange another date between you and your fiancé.

“Sorry for being so busy lately. The Qie heiress and I have been negotiating business dealings with her family’s company.”

Just how stupid does he think you are?

You smile at him. “It’s perfectly fine.”

Chairman Jin is still staring at the menu. He holds your hand and you resist the urge to leave the table.

“Let me make it up to you. Are you busy later, love?”

You almost laugh at the sound of that word. “Not at all.”

“Would you like to visit my estate later? Our bedroom has already been furnished.”

Not again. Archons, spare you. “Sure. By the way, how is work lately?”

“The new enterprise is going along splendidly,” he replies. “The Regrator will be pleased with our progress.”

“I most certainly am.”

Speak of the devil.

The two of you look up. Pantalone offers a friendly smile.

“Miss ______, Chairman Jin, what a lovely surprise. Am I intruding on your date?”

You shake your head. “Not at all. Are you dining here with someone?”

“Unfortunately, my companion had to cancel at the last minute,” he explains.

“You can sit with us, if you want.” Chairman Jin thankfully lets go of your hand. “Wanmin Restaurant serves a variety of delicacies. We can order more if you are with us.”

“I appreciate the gesture. Do allow me to foot the bill.”

Pantalone drags a vacant chair to your table. The waitress arrives and you place your orders.

Chairman Jin begins speaking. “Regarding our most recent report—”

Pantalone cuts him off. “This is no formal meeting, Chairman Jin. It would be rude to talk business in a social situation, unless you plan to explain the details to Miss ______.”

He blanches. “Of course. My apologies, Lord Harbinger.”

It is difficult to suppress the smile on your face.

Pantalone turns to you. “It just occurred to me that despite our months of friendship, I know little about the two of you as a couple. How did your engagement come about?”

Stick with the story.

“Our families have been good friends for generations,” you explain. “Chairman Jin is the same age as me, but I spent most of my time with my childhood friends. Regardless, we fell in love when we least expected it.”

Love. What a cruel lie.

Pantalone nods. “What a charming story. I would not have expected it from you.”

“What about you, Lord Harbinger?” asks Chairman Jin. “I am surprised that an eligible bachelor such as yourself is still single. You have so many admirers.”

“Oh, me?” He straightens his glasses. The jewels on the chain glint under the light. “I already have my eye on someone, but I have yet to make them mine.”

What a lucky person.

Your fiancé nods. “Good for them. I wish you the best of luck.”

“Thank you.” Pantalone looks at your left hand. “By the way, Miss ______, I couldn’t help but notice your ring. Your sense of fashion is impeccable as always.”

“Oh, this?” You point at the ring on your index finger.

Normally, you would be happy with his observation. But not today.

“That is her engagement ring,” Chairman Jin explains. “I chose it for her.”

The ring is a thick gold band topped with a vibrant green jewel. If not for the basic design, you would like to wear it more often.

Pantalone leans in for a closer look. “What kind of gem is it?”

“Smaragdus Jadeite.” Chairman Jin gestures to his Dendro Vision. “A perfect match, isn’t it?”

“...A fine choice.” Pantalone sits back, a tad faster than his usual pace. His polite smile returns. “Only the best for your bride, after all.”

⬩◈⬩

A black cat interrupts your tour of Yujing Terrace.

“Oh, hello!” You crouch down in front of it, a string of purrs and meows leaving your lips.

The cat remains in its spot but responds with a high-pitched yowl.

From behind you, Pantalone laughs. “I almost forgot about your feline biology, Miss ______. Is it true that the Lai Lineage can communicate with fellow cats?”

You shake your head. “The Lai bloodline is already mixed with human blood, including that of my father. Aside from a few differences in biology, we are certainly more human than feline.”

If only you had that ability. The stray cats in your neighborhood would have made lovely company.

He is still standing over you. “And what of your species? Are feline hybrids classified under different breeds, similar to ordinary cats?”

“I would not know. I’ve heard of the Kätzlein Bloodline from Mondstadt; they are renowned hunters, so their genes must carry specific abilities and physical traits. Whereas the Lai Lineage has always been a family of businessmen and aristocrats. And we certainly lack the sacred powers or duties of the Adepti.”

You point at your ears. Your tail loosely wraps around Pantalone’s ankle.

“The rumors about our fur are true. My handmaiden always tells me that my ears and tail are incredibly fluffy. Given the shape and texture, I have reason to believe that we are more similar to domestic cats than wild felines.”

“That would be a logical conclusion.” Pantalone crouches down to poke the tip of your tail. He looks at the black cat. “The cat is a stray, isn’t it?”

You nod. “No collar, and its fur is quite matted. Poor thing.”

“We passed by a pet shop earlier. Would they take in the cat?”

“I doubt it. That establishment only sells purebreds and exotic breeds.”

“That is their loss. A common feline has its own charms.” Pantalone faces you. “What are your thoughts? Do you believe that a cat’s value is to be ascertained from the moment of its birth? In order to determine its desirability and its place in the world?”

He must really like cats.

“Not at all,” you reply. “I believe that any pet should be liked for its personality, not its background or circumstances.”

“It is good that we see eye to eye on this matter.” He stands up and gestures for you to do the same. “I would like to continue my tour. We can buy some cat food for our little friend before we leave.”

iv. azurite

“A letter from my brother arrived this morning. He passed his thesis.”

“In other words, you and Chairman Jin will be married soon.”

“We still have two months to prepare for the wedding.”

Pantalone doesn’t look at you. “Congratulations. The wait is almost over.”

You stare at the ceiling. The crystal chandeliers resemble twinkling stars against the dark wallpaper. Whether it is his own mansion or rented property, Pantalone’s estate in Liyue is as grand and mystifying as its sole resident.

The living room is still strewn with board games and cold teacups. Pantalone had been merciless in every match, particularly those which featured strategies and mind games. You could only play along and lose to him.

“You are invited, of course.” You open your purse and take out the gold-sealed envelope. “I told my family that I would give this to you personally.”

He makes eye contact with you. “You do not look happy for a bride-to-be.”

Your ears twitch. “Perhaps I am just salty from our last game.”

Upright officials are hapless in household affairs.

He stares at your hand before accepting the invitation. “No engagement ring? I rarely see you wear it.”

You shrug. “It does not match all of my outfits. Chairman Jin doesn’t mind.”

“And here I was, thinking you might be looking out for my personal safety.”

“Are you pertaining to your lack of a Vision, Lord Harbinger?”

The room becomes silent.

Why did you say that?

Pantalone’s eyes flash. “The Fatui Harbingers are equipped with Delusions; but to state the obvious, the gods have never gifted me a Vision. Let us leave it at that.”

You hang your head. “That was absolutely tactless of me. I apologize.”

“Don’t worry, I know that your intentions were not malicious.” He glances at your hip. “What is the story behind your Vision?”

“I would rather not divulge the details,” you reply. “All I can say is that it happened during one of my birthdays.”

“It must have been quite the wonderful present, then.”

“You could say that.”

-

It happened shortly after you ended your “tantrum” over the news of your betrothal.

Your parents threatened to disown you. You realized that if independence was without financial comfort or luxury, you were better off taking advantage of your fiancé’s apathy.

Your Vision had been the perfect consolation prize. A gift unlike the material distractions from your family, one earned through your own individual abilities.

If only your family’s attention had not been due to their fear of your flames.

-

Your Vision glows against your belt, a ray of promise. The only special thing about you, forever deprived of its full potential.

“Thinking about it now, I do question the criteria for receiving a Vision,” you mutter. You turn to face him. “I respect you immensely, my lord. You are ambitious, multiskilled, and far more worthy of receiving a Vision than me. I am blessed to have you as my friend.”

For a moment, Pantalone only stares at you. Then he begins laughing.

“I am equally fortunate to have met you, ______. You never fail to amuse me.”

Your name sounds so lovely when he says it.

“Keep calling me that, please,”  you mutter. “After my marriage, fewer people will call me by my first name. I will be mainly addressed as Mrs. Jin in the future.”

“I understand.” Pantalone rests his hand on your shoulder, a warm smile on his face. “I should continue preparing my wedding gift. I have a feeling that you will enjoy it.”

⬩◈⬩

After the wedding invitation, Pantalone stops requesting your company. A short letter addressed to you explains his “influx of work and a mission from the Tsaritsa.” Your engagement ring becomes a frequent accessory over the next month.

Chairman Jin remains scarce. Your parents and future in-laws take charge of the wedding plans, from the program to the guest list to every decoration.

Your dress is delivered to your room, an old-fashioned garment which looks more like a costume. Your friends find time in their busy schedules to help you pick your jewelry.

Your final choice is a set of gold bangles studded with azurites.

⬩◈⬩

Your family is shouting.

“Ru.” You stand in the corridor, clutching your shopping bags. “What happened?”

Ru sends a nervous look to the other servants. “We are not sure, my lady. They have been like this ever since they returned from the office.”

You could hear them as soon as you stepped through the front door. The commotion is coming from your parents’ private study.

You knock on the door. Jiejie is the one who opens it.

“Jiejie.” You can’t look her in the eye. “Is something wrong?”

“Everything,” she huffs. “Why don’t you come inside?”

The room is a mess of papers and folders. Your parents look absolutely haggard.

Your tail puffs up. “What happened?”

Baba is the first to speak. “Your sister’s idea was a failure.”

What?

Jiejie glares at you. “Don’t ask for the details. You wouldn’t understand. Just know that we were doing well up until recently.”

“Recently,” Mama says bitterly, “when the past months were already plagued with minor incidents.”

You don’t understand. “How?”

“I don’t know!” she snaps. “All you need to know is that we are ruined once the Northland Bank demands their repayment. We plan to install locks on the doors, for Archon’s sake.”

“Are you sure? Have you spoken with the Regrator? I could…”

“Do what?” asks Jiejie. “Little ______, in case you have forgotten, your friend is a Fatui Harbinger. Do you think he will forget about this if you ask him nicely?”

You look away. “...No. But is there anything I could do to help?”

“You could stop burning away our fortune, for once.”

A slap would have been less painful.

“That is enough.” Baba gives you a tired look. “Just go to your room. Leave it to us to sort things out.”

“That is the problem!” Jiejie shouts. “The two of you spoil her too much. Do you think it is fun reviewing her receipts and watching her laze around the house?”

The two of them begin shouting again. Mama intervenes.

Even when you are the subject of the argument, none of them notice your departure.

⬩◈⬩

“My lady!”

Ru is the first to approach you.

You walk past her.

Your shopping bags are still in the corridor. What did you buy again? A dress imported from Mondstadt. A ribbon for your tail.

Useless.

Ru takes a step back. “My lady, your—!”

The paper and fabric burn easily. You let the ashes slip through your fingers and scatter onto the carpet. Mama will scold you once she sees the mess.

Regardless of what happens, you are still moving out of this house.

The night sky is cloudy. There are no bright stars to greet you.

“Ru.”

“Y…Yes, my lady?” She remains in the entrance, staring fearfully at your Vision.

“Please prepare a carriage. I would like to see the Regrator.”

v. shivada jade

The estate is heavily guarded compared to your last visit.

“My lord!” The masked servant—no, Fatui agent—kneels before the door. “You have a visitor!”

The door to Pantalone’s office remains closed.

“State their name and purpose.”

There is an authoritative edge to his voice. The agent glances at you.

“Your visitor is Lai ______. She was insistent on meeting you to discuss her family business.”

Warm light spills from the open doorway.

Pantalone is wearing his classic outfit, another dark suit embellished with violet jewels and silver adornments. He looks perfect, not a hair out of place.

“______, I’ve been expecting you.”

Your tail wraps around your waist. “You have?”

“I figured that you would come to me for answers. Your family does not strike me as the type to share business details with their own child.”

The scent of his perfume is soothing. You had almost forgotten that aroma.

Pantalone places a hand on your shoulder. “You look terrible, darling. Why don’t you come inside and make yourself comfortable first?”

“Thank you.”

The office is tidy. The cozy atmosphere is a welcome change from your parents’ study.

Though you rarely visit it to begin with. That room could be in perpetual disorder and you wouldn’t have noticed the difference.

Pantalone gestures to the chair in front of his desk. “Sit. Would you like something to drink? I had just told a servant to brew a pot of osmanthus tea for me.”

You take a seat. “That would be nice.”

The desk holds an abacus, some pens, and a stack of reports weighed down by bright blue jewels. Shivada jade slivers, you think.

Pantalone’s chair is almost thronelike, made of upholstered dark fabric and intricately carved wood. As he sits down, you can easily imagine just how terrifying and powerful the sight must be for anyone else in your place.

You are not here to negotiate business with the Regrator, however.

There is a knock on the door.

“My lord, your tea is ready.”

“You may enter.”

The door opens. Another Fatui agent bows and places a traditional tea set on the desk. They carefully pick up the teapot and fill two cups.

Pantalone turns to them. “You are dismissed. Unless the matter is of utmost importance, my meeting shall not be disturbed.”

The sharp look in his eyes is enough to scare you. You had almost forgotten that your friend is a Fatui Harbinger.

“Yes, my lord.” They leave immediately.

The osmanthus tea is wasted on you. You can only manage a few sips before you put down your cup.

“Thank you for your hospitality. I…I don’t know why I came here.”

Pantalone’s gaze is sympathetic. “How is everything at home?”

“Not good.” You grip your tail. “Can you tell me what is going on?”

“Certainly.” He opens a folder and flips through the documents. “Simply put, the Jin-Lai enterprise has been a financial failure. On top of low profit and revenue, there have been recurring issues. Shipments gone missing, payment miscalculations, and most recently, the withdrawal of several major clients.”

“I didn’t think it was that bad,” you mumble. “My family had been so confident about the proposal. You even decided to fund it.”

“Even the most meticulous can fall prey to happenstance. Your family just so happened to be unlucky—or incompetent.”

No wonder they kept you in the dark.

Pantalone looks up from the folder. “I hate to break client confidentiality, but I believe you should know this: The Jin family is struggling financially to a far greater degree.”

“I see. That…they must be so anxious.”

“I am more concerned about you.” He holds your hand across the desk. “At this rate, your family and your future in-laws are set for financial ruin. And this does not account for their debt to the Northland Bank.”

You squeeze his hand. “And if we find a way to pay off the loans?”

“Even then, your wealth could not possibly be restored to their former glory.” He says it with full confidence, leaving no room for doubt.

No more shopping trips or material consolations. You will only become a bigger burden to your family.

Your cheeks are wet. You don’t know how long you have been crying.

“You poor thing.”

Soft silk presses against your face. You accept the handkerchief.

“Thank you for telling all of this. I…I don’t know why you are still so kind to me,” you sniffle. “I can’t give you anything to repay the favor or to help my family.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. As a matter of fact, I can offer a solution to one of your problems.”

You look up in confusion.

Pantalone is looking at you differently.

“I will confess that you have intrigued me over the past year,” he tells you. “You are quite the captivating jewel, ______, but your value is clearly underestimated by your family and your fiancé.”

Your tail puffs up. “What exactly do you mean by that?”

Pantalone is still holding your hand. He intertwines your fingers.

“I am asking you to become my wife.”

What?

“Lord Harbinger,” you stutter. “This is not a funny joke.”

His gaze narrows. “Do you take me for the type to joke about the marriage contract?”

“No!” you reply quickly. “I just…I don’t understand. Why me? You just said that my family owes you money and has no chance of paying it back. Shouldn’t you at least discuss this with my parents first?”

What could you possibly give him?

“Oh, ______. Do you still not get it?” He speaks slowly, as though he is teaching you a basic fact. “I am proposing to you, not the Lai family. Is that so difficult to comprehend?”

You nod. He sighs and lets go of your hand.

“Then think about it from your perspective. What do you gain from this?”

Financial stability. A partner who actually cherishes your presence.

“You, of all people, know of my status as the Regrator,” he continues. “I can provide you with comfort and luxury far beyond your current means. If you become mine, everything you desire will be yours.”

There must be a catch. This is too good to be true.

“And what would be my duties as a Harbinger’s spouse?” you ask.

“In my case, you will attend the occasional social function as my partner. But for the most part, you only have to live with me in my estate in Snezhnaya.”

It does not sound too bad. Not too different from your current situation.

His lips quirk into a smirk. “There are also your marital duties but that should not be a problem since you already find me, in your words, ‘attractive.’”

You cover your face. “Please don’t—! I am still trying to process everything.”

“You would be wise to make a quick decision, ______. Time is of the essence, and opportunities like this rarely arise.”

You look up.

Pantalone’s hands are clasped together and he is staring at you, waiting for your answer.

At this rate, he is the only person who will ever want you.

Your hands are trembling. You grip your tail and put on your best smile.

“In that case…I accept your offer. Thank you for your benevolence, my lord.”

He smiles. “Excellent. I knew that you would see reason.”

Despite yourself, you feel like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders.

“Is there a contract I need to sign?” you ask. “Anything to make this official?”

“We can sign the marriage documents later. But for now…” Pantalone stands up and leaves his desk. “...why not seal it with a kiss? It is best to familiarize ourselves with each other before our wedding.”

“If that is what you want.” You leave your chair and stand in front of him. “Um, how would you like to do this? Do you have any preferences? Eyes closed or open? With or without—?”

“Oh, ______.” He laughs and pulls you closer. The only thing protecting you from his gaze is his glasses. “Just let me take care of you.”

With that, he presses his lips against yours.

The kiss is anything but demure. As soon as you pull away for air, Pantalone reclaims your mouth is a rough manner. His hand cups the back of your head, the other one settling on your waist.

You are practically drowning in his perfume. He isn’t giving you a chance to escape.

“My lord!”

Whoever they are, this Fatui agent seems important enough to open the door without permission. They kneel immediately.

Pantalone breaks off the kiss and glares at them. “Were you not informed that interruptions would not be tolerated?”

This is the first time you have seen him look so openly irritated.

They hold up a sealed envelope. “I bear a message from the Jester.”

Pantalone sighs. He is still holding you, and you know better than to establish any distance from him.

“Leave it on my desk,” he tells them. “Before you retire for the night, pass on a message to the Lai family. Tell them that their daughter will be staying in my estate as a guest and that they may see her at our wedding next month.”

Next month?

You clutch his arm. “Wait, isn’t that too soon?”

He raises an eyebrow at you. “Is there a problem with that?”

“People will talk.” You stare at the floor, tail between your legs. “They will question the cancellation of my old engagement and the timing of our wedding. They may even suspect that you were already courting me over the past year.”

He only laughs.

“My darling, I am one of the richest, most powerful men in Teyvat.” He grasps your chin and gives you a light kiss. “My status will not be threatened by a few silly rumors.”

vi. noctilucous jade

Your wedding is completely different from your parents’ original plan. The color scheme features violet accents. Fatui personnel are hired as security. The guest list includes important names from Snezhnaya and other regions.

Your main piece of jewelry is the Noctilucous Jade necklace purchased from your favorite boutique. Pantalone is just as touchy when he helps you put it on.

“Did you ask my family for it? Was it awkward?”

You are still getting used to your reflection. The custom-designed wedding dress is the most beautiful outfit you have ever worn, with its elegant silhouette and detailed embroidery. Your hair is styled with black satin ribbons.

It is almost unfair how dashing Pantalone looks in the traditional attire for Liyue bridegrooms. He is wearing the Noctilucous Jade brooch along with his usual violet jewels.

“They showed no animosity,” he replies.

To him. You are a different story.

After a short pause, he adds, “There is no need for you to return to their house. Your necessary possessions have already been packed.”

Your ears twitch. “What do you mean by necessary?”

“Sentimental items. The clothes and accessories which seemed particularly important to you.” Pantalone secures the clasp of the necklace and adjusts the pendants. “I can buy a new wardrobe for you in Snezhnaya. We can visit the shopping districts together.”

“...All right. My family can just resell my things. The money will help them immensely and you won’t have to deal with extra luggage.”

Has the necklace always felt this constrictive?

Pantalone’s hands move to your tail, securing the ribbon bow. “Your tail has been erratic all day. Pre-wedding jitters?”

“More like reunion jitters,” you reply. “After all, I am seeing my family and high society for the first time in a month.”

“You will be fine.” He meets your gaze in the mirror. “For a second, I assumed you were having second thoughts about marrying me.”

⬩◈⬩

The ceremony goes smoothly. You and Pantalone are officially proclaimed as spouses. The Flower Ball is caught by Xingqiu. Guests approach you to congratulate you on your marriage.

He was right. Everyone is acting as though your original engagement never existed. If anything, you are receiving more attention as the Regrator’s wife.

While Pantalone chats with business associates, you approach your friends. They are happy for you, if not confused by the change in your situation. Their wedding gifts include long-sleeved dresses and fur-lined coats for the Snezhnaya fashion scene.

You belatedly realize that your meetups will become even more infrequent. At least you finally have your own responsibilities to keep you preoccupied.

Towards the end of the event, your family privately approaches you and Pantalone. Your brother’s presence is what breaks some of the tension.

“Gege.” You leave Pantalone’s side to hug him. “It is good to see you again. How long has it been? Ten years?”

He looks so different, dark eye circles included. You saw his wedding gift earlier; you will enjoy trying on the gold princess-length necklace from Sumeru.

“Nine. You’re all grown up.” His tail intertwines with yours. “Sadly, I have to return to Sumeru immediately. I accepted a job offer after…what happened. Are you well?”

“I haven’t felt better.” You turn to the others. “How are all of you?”

“You don’t need to worry about us,” is all your mother tells you. She gives Pantalone a stilted smile. “Lord Harbinger, our child will be in your care.”

Baba does not even look at you. “Thank you for the generous dowry, my lord. It was unimaginable, considering our circumstances.”

Pantalone only smiles at him. “Oh, please. You should differentiate a debtor’s kindness from a son-in-law’s observance of tradition. By the way, is Chairman Jin in attendance?”

He was invited?

“He isn’t,” says Jiejie. Her ears twitch. “I spoke with him recently. Given the timing of your union, he felt betrayed—his words, not mine.”

The audacity. “That is too bad.”

“Well, that is quite rich coming from him,” says Pantalone, “given that my wife was not the first to breach the pre-marriage contract. It can be argued that infidelity is a far greater violation.”

He knew?

You stare at him. You vaguely register your brother’s questions and the others’ silence.

Pantalone only shrugs. “He was hardly inconspicuous.”

⬩◈⬩

In the month leading up to your wedding, Pantalone was gracious enough to provide you with a guest room in his estate. His own bedchambers are far from comfortable.

“My darling, there is no need to look so afraid.” His smile does not match his gaze. “One would think that I am about to ruin you.”

Why do you feel like a captured prey rather than his lover?

The candles and rose petals do little to comfort you. The dim light casts dark shadows against Pantalone’s figure and sets his eyes aglow. He looks like a beautiful devil, alluring and ominous all the same.

You dig your nails into the mattress. “Forgive me, my lord. It is our first time, after all.”

His thumb traces swirls on your thigh. “Haven’t I waited long enough?”

He was already impatient in the days leading up to your wedding night. Somehow, the heavy makeouts and fleeting touches were still insubstantial preparation for you.

Your tail curls. “You have. My apologies.”

Your Vision rests on the nightstand, the only other source of light in the room. You wonder if it will look good with your new outfits in Snezhnaya.

Pantalone’s next gesture is more comforting, if not sudden. Your reaction is half yelp, half purr. He only laughs and continues scratching the base of your ear.

“Are you purring? And you claimed to be more human than feline.” His words are cruel and sweet. “Does this help?”

“It…it does.” You look up, biting back another purr. “Can we kiss, please?”

“Of course.”

The kiss is passionate as always. Flavored lip balm. Heavy perfume. The chain of his glasses grazing your skin. Gloved hands wandering, cold rings leaving goosebumps in their wake. Your own gasps and pleas for air. A laugh and a kind smile when he decides that he has had enough.

He is greedy. So, so greedy. Yet he always gives as much as he takes.

“My precious jewel.” Pantalone’s eyes are half-lidded. The smile on his face is equal parts angelic and sinful. “After all this time, you are finally mine. Won’t you indulge me?”

⬩◈⬩

“Pantalone, that is enough. My ears are already clean.”

“Are you sure?” He strokes the back of your ear, sending another shiver down your spine. “I am only being thorough. This is my first time grooming a cat, after all.”

You stare at the water. “Please stop teasing me.”

The bubble bath is an unexpected luxury. After all of the kind words and intimate touches, it was your husband’s insistence on proper aftercare which made you cry from the sheer gravity of his affection.

You were equally dazed by the sight of the Regrator with his glasses off and his hair clipped up. But before you could fully appreciate his domestic beauty, he had insisted on scrubbing your back.

“Do we have anything planned tomorrow?” you ask. “What about our honeymoon?”

He moves on to your tail. “I have to continue my work in Snezhnaya. We may have a long vacation once I am less busy.”

Busy. “Of course. I’d like to get used to our home as soon as possible.”

“Your tail is shaking. Are you still nervous?”

“Why do you ask when you already know the answer?”

The thought of the future terrifies you.

You had been prepared for the Jin family mansion in Yujing Terrace, not an unfamiliar manor located all the way in Snezhnaya. You had been raised for Liyue high society, and now you must learn to fit in with a completely different crowd. Your years of local etiquette lessons were a waste.

No mistakes. As the Regrator’s wife, you must be perfect.

He places his hand on top of yours. “Don’t work yourself up over this. I will be with you every step of the way.”

“Thank you. I will be in your care.”

Underneath his fine gloves and fancy rings, Pantalone’s hands are slightly rough. Your fingertips brush against his bare skin, feeling the calluses and light scars.

He tenses. “Your hand is so soft.”

“I can lend you my hand cream later.”

“I doubt that it will change anything.” He takes your hand and lifts it to his lips. “This is lovely. I can get used to doing this regularly.”

You shift your legs under the water. The bubbles disperse, and you catch a glimpse of the love bites decorating your thighs.

He had been cloying and relentless all night. The bath isn’t helping your sensitive state.

“I would appreciate it if you could be more gentle,” you admit. Your face burns. “You were quite…intense.”

His teeth dig into your skin.

You gasp. When you turn your head, Pantalone is still holding your wrist and there is a ringlike bite mark around your index finger. His smile is far from innocent.

“I just need to train your body for that.”

vii. sango pearl

The Regrator’s manor in Snezhnaya is palatial. The local architecture, dark and light color palette, and classy decorations create an ambience which is both subdued and exquisite. The veneer of refinement is unlike the opulence of his estate in Liyue.

Despite his moments of extravagance, your husband has a calculated eye for this. Perhaps you can send some pictures to your family.

The staff contribute to the mysterious atmosphere. They all wear masks, from the guards to the domestic help to your two personal handmaidens. They keep themselves scarce and answer only to your husband’s commands.

Ru will be sorely missed. Hopefully, she has already found a new family to work for.

The doors and gates are always locked for security reasons. You will have to get used to that as well.

⬩◈⬩

You quickly learn the full extent of Pantalone’s responsibilities. From the Northland Bank to Snezhnaya’s economic policies to his Fatui missions, he is always working.

“I’m home.” He shrugs off his fur coat and kisses your forehead. “How was your day?”

You wrap your arms around him, breathing in the scent of his perfume. “It was all right.”

Dull, to say the least.

What are your friends’ day-to-day activities? Yuehua is leading her family business. Yinji is in charge of her household’s affairs. Liangqu is a full-time parent to her baby.

Pantalone expects none of those tasks from you. While he is at work, you spend the long hours styling your Snezhnaya lookbook, taking naps in your empty bed, and experimenting with your Vision. You rarely have any social functions to attend.

At times, you feel more like a pet than a wife.

“______, you are a terrible liar.” His hand cradles your face. “If you feel lonely or neglected, you should tell me. I will make time for you.”

You lean into his touch. “Thank you. I wish I could do more for you.”

Pantalone hugs you back. His hand squeezes the fluff of your tail. “My priceless treasure, you worry too much.”

⬩◈⬩

Your new wardrobe is an elegant mix of blacks and violets. Every outfit is delicate and tight-fitting, prioritizing form over function. Picking your jewelry is the most difficult part.

“What do you think of this?”

You turn away from the mirror. The Sango Pearl necklace is an old gift from Liangqu. The warm tint adds color to your otherwise dark outfit.

Pantalone is already fully dressed. “Unoriginal, don’t you think? We are attending one of the most important galas in Snezhnaya. Every other guest will be wearing pearls.”

Your ears lower. “Of course.”

You have an image to maintain as the Regrator’s wife.

“I have a better suggestion.” He unclasps your necklace and sets a black velvet box on your vanity table.

“Another gift?” You shake your head. “You are too generous, my lord.”

He only smiles. “As lovely as your wedding ring is, I thought a one-of-a-kind piece would make a bolder statement. I had it commissioned for you.”

“Just for me?”

Nestled inside the box is a silver choker with sharp, intricate designs and violet diamond-shaped jewels. A scattering of purple flecks adds a bright pop of color—what kind of crystal particles? Amethyst? Crystal marrow?

“It’s gorgeous!” you exclaim. “This must have cost you a fortune.”

“I spared no expense.” He picks up the choker and clasps it around your neck.

It is a perfect fit. You smile at him in the mirror.

It even matches his signature jewelry. You are beginning to look the part of his wife.

Pantalone looks just as pleased. “It looks beautiful on you. Your outfit is almost perfect.”

You frown at your reflection. “What do you mean by ‘almost’?”

“It is only a minor detail,” he assures you. He points at your belt. “Your Vision clashes with the color scheme. That is all.”

⬩◈⬩

Pantalone leaves for a mission in Liyue. You stay in Snezhnaya.

It would have been a good chance to see your family and friends, but your suggestion was rejected immediately.

-

“This is a mission, not an ordinary business trip. I do not have the time for leisurely visits,” he had told you.

You kept your mouth shut after that.

On the day of his departure, Pantalone bid you goodbye with a kiss and locked the front door. From the balcony, you watched him leave the estate.

He looked up and waved at you before entering his carriage. That was all it took for you to smile and mark your calendar.

-

You are becoming restless in his absence, however.

You ask the guards if a private shopping trip would be permitted. They refuse.

Your handmaidens remain silent. One of them is a mousy little thing who can barely hide her fear of you. Her hands are always trembling as she clasps and unclasps your jewelry.

She rarely touches your necklaces. You wear your special choker on most days.

A week into the mission, she approaches you with a letter sent from Liyue. Your smile falters when she informs you that it is from Pantalone.

Your friends and family haven’t sent any letters. Have they forgotten about you?

The stationery is heavily scented with his perfume. Enclosed in it is a black hair ribbon.

-

My dearest ______,

How are you? As of now, my mission is progressing smoothly. During my travels, I purchased some magnificent gifts for you and the Tsaritsa. Expect a package to be delivered to the manor shortly.

You must be curious about the state of affairs in Liyue. According to my informants, your family has moved to a smaller estate and is steadily paying off their debt. Your friends are doing well, albeit they appear to be quite busy with their own personal matters.

Try not to worry too much. I will return to you as soon as possible.

Love, Pantalone

-

You stare at the final line, repeating the first word in your head. Then you take out your stationery set and write a response.

You can’t find the heart to feign mutuality. You end it with, “Sincerely, ______.”

viii. electro crystal

After much pleading, you are finally allowed to visit Zapolyarny Palace.

“Are you bored?” Pantalone puts down his pen and pets your ears. “I told you that I would only be doing desk work.”

You shake your head. “I am perfectly fine. It is nicer than waiting at home.”

You have to question his request of having you seated on his lap, however.

Your husband’s workplace is even more labyrinthine than your family’s office. The atmosphere is chilly and serious. You know better than to leave his side.

His office is comfortable, though. A spark of warmth filled your chest when you noticed your framed picture on his desk.

“Lord Harbinger!”

The door slams open. A Fatui officer rushes inside and kneels.

Pantalone’s hand presses down your ear. “Is it so difficult to knock first?”

You stare at your lap. You still haven’t gotten used to the sight of his glare.

Their head nearly touches the floor. “Forgive me, my lord! But the Jester summons all of the Harbingers for an urgent meeting.”

You feel your husband’s sigh before you hear it.

“Can you wait here? It is best that you don’t get involved.”

“Of course.”

You leave his lap. He stands up and puts on his fur coat.

“I will come back once the meeting is over,” he promises. He squeezes your shoulder, thumb brushing against your choker.

You nod and take the adjacent chair. “Take care.”

Pantalone turns to the officer. “Guard the door. Should anyone enter and bother my wife, there will be immediate repercussions.”

“Yes, my lord!”

They leave the office. The door closes.

You glance at the desk. There is a stack of folders which have yet to be organized. Perhaps you can finally help your husband with something.

Based on the reports you’ve seen him sign at home, the documents need to be arranged by date. It is an easy task, and you go through it quickly. His smile will make for the best reward.

Feiyun Commerce Guild.

You pause. Wasn’t that guild one of the main clients of your family’s enterprise?

No sign of incoming footsteps. You open the folder.

The documents are incomprehensible. Numbers, statistics, business terms which your parents had never bothered to teach you. Your family’s business is mentioned a few times.

There is an envelope amongst the papers. The seal is already broken.

-

Lord Harbinger,

After reading your report, the Feiyun Commerce Guild agrees with your predictions regarding the future of the Jin-Lai enterprise. We will cancel our partnership effectively.

-

What?

You read the rest of the letter. Xingqiu’s father goes on to mention the responses of the other clients. The letter is dated three weeks before they officially withdrew their investment.

This can’t be…Jiejie was right. You can’t understand any of these business terms.

You check the other folders. None of them mention your family.

The bookcase. You check the shelved reports, scanning for any familiar names. At the end of the top shelf, concealed by the adjacent book, you find a folder entitled “Lai Family.”

You still don’t understand any of the documents, but the first few graphs show upwards curves and positive predictions. The next few papers are calculations and lists of hypothetical worst-case scenarios.

No, all of those scenarios happened. And it is all written in Pantalone’s handwriting.

The remaining graphs show downward curves and negative numbers. At the end of the folder, there are more notes written in familiar penmanship.

Why is there private information on your family?

Your family history. A personality study on your parents and Jiejie. A brief mention of Gege’s studies in Sumeru. Entire pages dedicated to you, with a note on Chairman Jin.

Your hands are shaking. Your tail wraps around your waist.

Your husband…he caused your family’s downfall. To get to you.

⬩◈⬩

“After her!”

Another Fatui officer begins chasing you. You dash down the corridor, narrowly dodging their tackle. It is difficult to run in your dress and heels, but you persist.

Guard the door? No, their job was to keep you locked inside.

A new recruit blocks the exit. A Cryo Cicin Mage from the looks of it.

All of your pursuers have actively avoided harming you, but she could freeze you immobile. You have to attack.

No harmless red threads this time. You direct a flurry of orange flames at her, but she skillfully dodges it.

Your neck hurts.

Did you confuse the mage for her Electro counterpart? You feel as though electric currents are shooting through your neck. The pain is unbearable.

It is the final shock which knocks you out.

⬩◈⬩

The first you thing you register is the shackles on your wrists.

Thick silver cuffs chained to the bedposts, decorated with violet jewels.

The bed is familiar. Your pillow and blankets.

The aroma of perfume is overpowering.

“I was wondering when you would wake up. Did you sleep well?”

Pantalone.

He is seated at the foot of the bed, holding your Vision. He lifts it up to the window, watching it glow in the faint moonlight.

“So this is the gods’ blessing I was deprived of,” he muses. “It is less impressive up close. I may just prefer my own Delusion.”

Give it back.

Pantalone moves to your side.

“I have to give it to Sandrone,” he says. “She used just the right concentration of Electro Crystals to avoid any explosions. She made quite the effective shock collar, didn’t she?”

Your choker.

Your neck still hurts. The shackles make soft rattling noises as you sit up.

“Let…let me go,” you stutter. “You…”

His gaze is absolutely terrifying. You can’t get the words out of your mouth.

“And to think that I would later appreciate Pulcinella’s suggestion for a half-day rest,” he says. His hand reaches out to pet your ear.

You flinch. “Stay away from me! You…you ruined my family. To get me to marry you.”

“Honestly, ______,” he says, placing your Vision on the nightstand. “Cute as you are, I am surprised that it took you this long to discover the truth. But I suppose that perceptiveness is simply not your strong suit.”

His kiss is aggressive. He holds your face and bites your lip when you struggle.

You resist, anyway. Your tail swats his glasses. “No! Stay away or I’ll—”

“Or you’ll do what?” Pantalone pulls away from you and picks up his glasses. “Be rational, darling. What can you do?”

He taps your clavicle. The pain is immediate.

“Your family is at my mercy. All of your assets are under my name. And from what I’ve seen, you are utterly incapable of taking care of yourself. So tell me, ______, how do you plan to leave me?”

You don’t know.

Everything he says is right. You only know how to take, never give. And how could you be so selfish as to ruin your family any further?

You look away, blinking back tears. Pantalone presses his handkerchief against your cheek.

“Shh, it’s all right,” he tells you. “You are safe with me.”

There is no kindness to be found in his smile.

“You are my most valuable possession, after all.”

♡

Read the continuation ft. Pantalone’s POV!!

Read the Author’s Note after Part 2!!

The rest of the story will take a darker turn and cover more of Pantalone’s tactics. What will become of Darling’s happy marriage?? Just how cruel can the Regrator be?? Find out now  ˙˚ʚ(´◡`)ɞ˚˙

Absjsnaajanaaha I hope you all enjoyed Housecat!! It took up even more time and pain than Herbarium, but I’m happy with how I portrayed Pantalone’s manipulative side. The sexual tension and spice are a testament to just how thirsty I was while writing this ;-;

Tag a Pantalone enjoyer!! @shumidehiro @dear-yandere @harmonysanreads @theinnerunderrain @petrichorium @pantowone @northcafe @aluraveil @frostedclementine @teabutmakeitazure @xreaderarchive @uhhhh-hi-im-sorry-for-this @shadowthief78 @zhxnglii @lambdrop

[briebysabs]

Since I am such a normal individual I’ve decided to attempt breaking down vanoé’s character song “Le Formidable”. I don’t hear much talk about it but the lyrics are just as cryptic and wild as the OP/ED.

Before we get into it, in terms of translation, I could only find one on YouTube that thankfully color-coded the lyrics so I could decipher who sings what. If anyone has any other translations, I’d love to know please. So a bunch of the lines you can kinda figure out who’s singing but here’s how it’s gonna be:

Vanitas =💙

Noé =💜

Vanoe= 💙💜

Simple enough let’s get into it :)

💜: /I want to stay in bed feeling the warmth of the sun and drift in and out of this sweet dream/

Already we’ve mentioned dreaming, a running theme in this song. There is the well-known line Teacher says in chapter 55...

Sleeping, specifically in regards to Noé, is something mochijun makes the audience take note. He can’t sleep without holding something. When he can’t fall asleep, it is highlighted like the night Vanitas rejected Noé drinking his blood. He doesn’t want Vanitas to disappear and I personally like how in the recent chapter, Vanitas stays by his side for a while. Almost like callback to that moment on the train but I’m getting carried away. You get the correlation I’m making, it’ll get very important later on.

We also have those warmth and sun connections to Noé, a large part of his character and Vanitas’ gravitation towards him.

💙: /With this grey weather today, this day will go by without any harmony/

We see Vanitas’ pessimistic outlook on life; grey, cloudy, devoid of color. Devoid of comfort and obviously these two contrasting people will clash but mix together throughout the song.

💜: /Tarte Tatin, Altus Paris! Endless interesting things!/

💙: /It’s always like this! Here and there, endlessly losing sight./

This seems pretty straightforward, Noé is getting distracted by all the wonderful things as usual and Vanitas chastises him. But let’s frame this another way, Noé is choosing to not focus. It’s simpler that way. He’s turning his focus elsewhere to better things, more pleasant things. And Vanitas is trying to wake him up. I’ll explain more in my theory soon.

💜: /What to look for today from this city/

💙: /Ah with all these things/

💙💜: /There is no time to rest/

Simple lyrics here. No comment.

💙💜: /Le formidable! Le formidable! It’s really easy. Just colliding, rolling down, and repeating again/

Here we are entering the chorus. There’s a common thread of repetition in every OP and ED in VnC. Like clockwork, these two have fallen into this pattern.

Colliding- Vanoé meeting, two worlds learning how to come together, joining as one

Rolling down- their downfall, incoming despair and tragedy

Repeating again- they find themselves back where they started, fated to be born and to die

Let me say the first part of my theory and keep this in the back of your head while remembering the lyrics: VnC is not a time loop in the traditional sense but rather a loop of memories. Also keep in mind the first ED Zero: “Now I remember, oh I have never lived a day without you. Untie the layer of memories...”

💙: /This worthless-/

💜: /wonderful-/

💙💜: /world we are walking on. Even not knowing is sometimes nice, right?/

Again, vanoé with different outlooks on life meet each other. But more importantly, we see the display of ignorance or blissful unawareness. We the audience have a vague idea on how this story ends and in a way, so do they. Vanitas knows very well he is doomed and has already entrusted Noé to end his life if it comes to it. But we also don’t know the specifics of their downfall and neither do they.

So this line has a double meaning that refers to the characters and the reader. As yeah it is nice to read vnc and enjoy the happy moments without knowing the painful details of what’s to come.

💜: /Over there something is flapping their wings/

💙: /And these uncountable days pass by. It’s not worth worrying about. So many unknown things, without meaning/

💜: /Escalier! I want to see the bright colors beyond!/

Noé, again giving his attention to supposedly insignificant things as Vanitas tends to see the larger picture, not caring for the mundane. Uncountable days can be matched with the grey weather mentioned earlier. But that also means things are murky, blur together, cloudy. They don’t make sense to Vanitas (such as love, his self-worth, the nature within people) while Noé wants to experience all the brightness of the world.

💙: /I told you to be quiet today, yet here we are!/

💜: /Now you loud person!/

💙💜: /I told you I hardly have time to breathe/

So, hypothetical scenario if we take this song literal: Vanoé is exploring the city because Noe wanted to Vanitas couldn’t say no. Vanitas is fed up and Noé thinks his complaints are aggravating. But this part shows a lack of understanding. They’re yelling about their own hardships but don’t see the other’s perspective.

💙💜: /Le formidable! Le formidable! It’s a simple thing. It’s just finding, losing sight and repeating again/

💜: /I want to dream/

💙: /It’s just a dream/

💙💜: /The world keep walking while not knowing the truth at this point/

Ok there’s a lot to dig our teeth in here. First of all, the finding, losing sight, repeating is another way of describing the colliding and rolling down said prior. Vanoe find each other, they lose each other, it’s fated to happen all over again. Now the big piece here, I want to dream/It’s just a dream. Surface-level interpretation > another instance of their differences. Noé wants be surrounded by dreams and wonder. While Vanitas looks at that beauty and scoff at it, since it isn’t real therefore not worth caring for. But if we read into this carefully, Noé wants to dream. He wants to stay in these memories, he doesn’t want to live in a world without Vanitas.

Let’s go back to OP 1: “I love this world and the light only you give me.”

We know OP 1 is Noe’s POV so let’s ask ourselves why would the Noé we are seeing, the one smiling at all the colors of the world say Vanitas is the only light he has (emphasis on “only”). Because the Noé singing the first OP is operating with far more knowledge and despair. We don’t know the truth at this point. “This world” is not real.

Allow me to offer what I think is happening. Noé and Vanitas meet, they go on this journey of understanding, trust, and love, Vanitas reaches his end and is killed by Noé. Noé lives on. We can tell the Noé writing this story is full of regret and sadness. But why is he writing this all down? He’s retelling the memories, putting them down physically on paper. Two things happened:

a) He exchanged his name with Naenia, wishing to remain in a world with Vanitas in it. Because that wish is still very present, Naenia has great interest in Noé. She mentions seeing him before in Louis but it could be a classic mochijun misdirect and it’s actually from receiving his name in a different iteration. There is that official art with Noé wearing Vanitas’ coat with that goat entity he saw in Gevaudan, pinned to his vest.

However this can only work if Naenia is still around and isn’t resolved/defeated in the memoirs.

b) This is more likely in my opinion. Noé uses the Books and the memoirs act as a catalyst for him to have the world become his memories or for him to live in them. I know only those with blue blood or something can use the books.

Which is why Dr. Moreau had those experiments with Vanitas and Misha. Don’t worry, I already have a theory that Archivistes are some form of blue moon vampires but that is a whole other discussion. Point is, I think the Books of Vanitas are like an Elliot sword situation. Yes, Elliot owns the Nightray sword and carries it around but you don’t know its true purpose in the story until Leo wields it.

Noé causes these memories to replay, perhaps to save Vanitas or simply to dream again. Go back to when he was last happy. But here’s the thing, the Noé in this memory is unaware or ignorant of this, sees his present world as the real one and undergoes the events of the series. Vanitas dies, he lives on, and creates a memory world for himself. Rinse, recycle, repeat. Essentially, the first ED gave it away. The entirety of VnC is a layer of memories. Even the narrator Noé we are hearing is a memory that is trying to manifest a world of his own.

Reality and dreams are all intertwined now and Noé got lost in it. There are leaks in the cracks, for example when Vanitas cries and tells Luna his mother died at childbirth why would he call to her. Initially, you can read this as he’s just missing what he never had. But what if Vanitas’ mother was present in his life 9 memory loops ago but because these memories get further from the truth the more it happens, Noé simply forgot that detail when making the memoirs at some point in time. So now, in the memory layer #52 Vanitas has no mother.

💜: /We will see what we “cannot see”/

💙: /We will know what we “don’t know”/

💙💜: /The final stop of this world that seems to be changing, seems only further ahead/

Noe’s line possibly goes into his Archiviste nature and how he experiences reading memories. It can as well build back into the dream/memory loop thing, he’s seeing things he can no longer “see.”

Vanitas’ line can be drawn to what Noé said during their fight.

Vanitas acts like he has the final word and has a full grasp of how this world/himself works. But he really doesn’t and Noé is living proof of that, proving him wrong on several occasions that there’s still hope, they can’t give up yet, he won’t leave him etc. The final stop of this world is changing, but it’s further ahead. This is a story, a preserved section of time from the past. We gotta ask ourselves... why would the last stop be changing? Again, Vanitas’ death is the final stop but it’s changing, perhaps from the countless iterations we’ve gone through Noé writes the memoirs in a way that delays the ending. So he could remain just a little longer…

💙💜: /Le formidable! Le formidable! Everything is fine. While forgetting, hiding, and repeating it/

💙: /This worthless/

💜: /wonderful/

💙💜: /world we are walking on/

💙: /I don’t know but even so/

💜: /If it can make you smile.../

After this, it ends the song by repeating the first chorus with the colliding-rolling down part so I’ll make this the cutting point. The “everything is fine” totally doesn’t stick out in a story where we know everything will not be fine. The forgetting and hiding goes back to my dream-memory theory, Noé is hiding from the truth in these stacks upon stacks of memories and is possibly forgetting things as they really happened as a result. We already know he isn’t the most reliable narrator. But Noé wants to see Vanitas’ smile.

If it can make you smile again, if it can replay your laughter, why would I ever leave this wonderful lie? In OP 1: “Your laughing was reflected by a daydream”.

I’ll conclude this by saying two things. If you want to get even deeper, you can interpret Vanitas in this song as the voice in the back of Noé’s head. Its just a dream, this world is actually worthless, and Noé is trying to drown out those thoughts. Because yeah they sing lines together but the only time they’re directly speaking to each other is when Vanitas scolds Noé and Noé shouts back, calling him loud. Finally, I could be wrong in all this. I am aware how crazy I may look and I'm so thankful if you read this far.

But yeah if this is anywhere near canon, mochijun must be the most unhinged, absolutely cracked author I’ve ever seen. We’re going into Pandora Hearts levels of intricacy here. I hope you enjoyed my insanity 👍🏼

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

What do you think M6’s answers would be to the question “is it better to feel all the pain or nothing at all?” I haven’t played all the routes so I can’t answer for everyone but I think

Julian -feel it all

Asra -nothing

Muriel -at the start of his route nothing but as he grows as a character it would shift slowly to feel it all

Portia -feel it all

I’d also love to hear your answer if you’re comfortable with that! As someone who’s felt both my answer is nothing bc in my experience the numbness allows you to still function. Even if the life you’re experiencing isn’t as full as it could be, you still get to experience it. When I become so overwhelmed by Everything I completely shut down and cease to be a person. I am my emotions. And I think in Asra’s route this kinda gets explored in that they choose to not feel as deeply ever again bc a muted life with MC is better than a full one without them. Anyway can you tell I recently reread The Giver lol

Woah, that's a good question friend!!

To be completely honest, I think all the M6 progress from the "numb" to the "willing to feel everything" point throughout their routes - as is the case for many people who are in the healing process! (essay below the cut)

Julian, while fully embracing the misery of his situation, is also running from the part of him that wants a happy ending. Meeting the MC is his slow journey of self-acceptance, realizing that his happiness is valuable and worth fighting for. He stops choosing one feeling to drown out all the others and starts feeling everything in a context of loving and being loved.

Asra's in a similar situation. They don't see giving up half their heart as something to regret, but they still talk about the reduced ability to be attached to people as a loss. Reconnecting with MC, being able to slowly bring down the walls that used to facilitate a drifting, untethered survival mode, allows him to start caring more about the people around him since he has a person to call home again.

When Nadia wakes up, she's lost. Seven years of memory have blipped out of view, she's responsible for a city she knows very little about, and the people who are supposed to help her are only getting in her way. She speaks of a similar numb state, being detached and uninvested in the world around her, until meeting MC and finding a way forward gives her what she needs to flourish again. We see a lot of that emotional progression in her reconnecting with her family.

Muriel is an almost textbook case of complex trauma and the myriad of coping mechanisms that arise from trying to escape it. I've written whole essays on the effects of his deal on that process before, but his journey with MC starts with him just wanting them to forget about him, and ends with him asking MC to help him collect the memories of himself and his people.

Portia isn't quite as much numb as she is stuck. From the moment her parents' ship wrecked, she's lived her life in the orbit of other people. First her older brother, then the children and grandmas of Nevivon, then her older brother again, now the Countess - it isn't until she begins to receive that same attention from MC that she starts to really own herself and discover the true depth of her capacity. While we never see her choosing to be numb, we do see her hesitating to come fully into her own. With MC's empowerment, that's exactly what she ends up being able to do.

And finally, Lucio - he's literally numb. He's spent the last three years trapped between realms in a ghostly form that won't let him feel anything at all beyond hunger. While MC is instrumental in returning him the capacity to feel, it's Lucio's own choice to take advantage of that as a fresh start.

[astralm00ns]

WXS CYBER AU (my takes on it)

feel free to use these au ideas with credit! (if you decide to please tag me i’d love to see)

SHIBUYA, TOKYO | CYBER UTOPIA - 20XX. shibuya, tokyo, for the most part, has remained one of the most bustling and important parts of society as a whole. it’s many products, businesses, and overall heavy advancement in technology have made it a staple in the world, especially those looking for business partners. it’s technology has absolutely exceeded many, turning it into a cyber utopia.

though, what hides is the corruption underneath all of this cool tech and beautiful cityscape. crime is a regular, mostly by rogues who want to fight against businesses, who have turned creativity and art into nothing but a huge money making scheme. the higher ups always consider rogues as criminals, as they would prefer siding with the people who would give them money.

rogues for the most part, spread around their creativity without the form of payment, without needing to think of it as a cash grab. also engaging in fights and crime for the sake of defending art over fame. rogues typically act late at night, since ordinary folks are typically distracted by the cityscape and flashy products being shoved right into their faces. while they fight, they do have good intentions. merely wanting to put a stop to cash and fame grabbing scenes, and return to art being a form of expression.

companies released these power hungry robots to combat rogues. selling them in mass, disguising them as “protectors.” it’s gotten to a point where these robots have taken over a huge portion of shibuya, and it’s starting to become a major problem to the cityscape.

KAMISHIRO RUI

a vigilante who works alone in the shadows, though also once a well known figure in local parts. thanks to his past of showing off the inventions he made.

in his youth, his inventions were ADORED. absolutely loved by people, and that made him happy and all that. he wanted to keep making more such things since it’s something he really likes doing

though as he got older, he noticed people trying to buy his inventions off of him, saying how he’ll make it big and that he won’t ever need to worry about living his life the way he does anymore. and it gets consistent too. like, REALLY consistent these offers, when rui’s just really trying to enjoy making inventions for enjoyment and artistry. he doesn’t ever want to see his inventions as products that can be sold.

it starts infuriating rui since he thinks that these rich companies just want to get his inventions in their hands to make a quick buck, and it gets him really pissy and shit. so he stops showing off his works, keeping it private and only showcasing it to people he trusts. only works he does show off publicly are the ones he uses when it comes to combat, like his drones.

rui wants to find others like him. others who have seen through the minds of these other companies who are supposed to focus on art, not actually doing so and instead using it as a way to go viral and get money. he is a firm believer in using art to express, not to sell. he’s typically either working on inventions or out fighting, though alone most of the time. occasionally going out to combat with nene, a childhood friend of his. also since she’s really the only person he knows now that he still trusts a lot (prior to meeting emukasa)

TENMA TSUKASA

a well known rogue, at least around other rogues. he keeps himself undercover when not in public, but he goes full out flashy when engaging in combat. tenma tsukasa style and all that idk. he buys his tech, especially his combat ones, from other rogues, mostly to help them out. also to put it to good use. when it comes to being out in the city, he’s mostly hidden. watching over the cityscape overtop buildings and planning, or walking about scramble crossing. he really can’t deny that despite the amount of advertisements being shoved everywhere, all the lights do make up for a beautiful looking area.

tsukasa was often seen doing play battles as a kid, especially with little abandoned robots he had found laying around in parks or other public spots. taking them home to keep playing with them. his little friends that kept him entertained while his sister, saki, was in the hospital. he gave some of these robots to her so she could also have someone with her. tsukasa often prioritized going whenever his parents gave him the opportunity, doing anything with those little robots to make her happy. tsukasa then started going out more as he got older, starting to see rogues doing their thing. he believed it was one of the most amazing things he ever saw, and agreeing fully on their motives. he remembered saki talking to him once about them before, but never would’ve have believed he would see some in action. he wanted to do just that to make saki happy. once he was of age, he became a rogue himself. though forgetting his original motive, wanting to climb ranks, he moved up extremely quickly. now being one of the top rogues out there. both to his amazing ability handling tech and physical combat, his lack of identity in public too.

he met rui while taking down some robots. his ass was getting whooped by some robots, but rui found him, going in and dealing them off. tsukasa thanks rui for the saving and decides to ask him about his inventions, mostly since they caught his eye. something he’s never seen before. after rui explained to tsukasa that he made all of them all on his own, tsukasa was immediately taken back and impressed. he offered rui to join him, in which he was first denied. mostly since rui still had trust issues at that moment. eventually the pair kept running into each other, until finally rui gave in, seeing what this “oh so great tsukasa” truly had potential for. proving to be a great partner in combat.

KUSANAGI NENE

a not so active rogue, mostly spending her time in arcades. either for fun or for tournaments. though she does manage to get herself to go out whenever rui decides to ask her to. while she doesn’t go out as much as rui at all, she certainly knows her stuff. especially with robo-nene, a robot rui made specifically for her as a friend. also so that way she had someone to play games with. nene over time requested features for robo-nene, and now she often uses her as some sort of side kick when fighting other robots. thanks to robo-nene’s analyzing, it allows nene to act fast and prove to be a very strong opponent, whether it be human or AI she’s fighting.

she typically avoided being flashy and showy, mostly since she didn’t want to bring any attention towards her. mostly for safety reasons. she prefers keeping herself much more secluded, especially since it makes everything easier. it’s been like that since she was little, only exception being when she was with rui. often being shy and not really talking to people. she started fighting after rui introduced her to it, seeing it as a good way to bond with rui again after growing a little distant. often going on little side missions just to keep her busy, though she did eventually find enjoyment out of it. often thinking about it like playing a game. where the objective was to destroy as many robots as possible. she and rui complemented each other really well with each other’s fighting styles, the pair always working well the few times they fought together. though for the most part she fought alone with just robo-nene.

it was through combat where she tsukasa, seeing him do his thing. at first she felt second-hand embarrassment at how extra tsukasa was acting when talking about himself, at least before seeing him whoop ass. she couldn’t help but be impressed, then deciding to occasionally watch him fight. until eventually he noticed her, introducing himself and inviting her to join him. she decides to, occasionally fighting with tsukasa now as well. nene decides it’s best not to tell rui about him yet, just to be safe. besides, rui would eventually catch a guy like him anyways, considering how easy that man would be to spot. she met emu in an arcade tournament. watching her talk to one of the players about plans. then occasionally running into each other in rogue safe spaces. she came to grew an appreciation towards her after seeing her contributions towards rogues, despite not even being one at all.

OTORI EMU

her family owns OTORECH, one of THE most largest businesses in shibuya. they sell out a whole bunch of devices in mass, ones that supposedly are supposed to make things easier for people. emu, being an otori, knows what goes on behind the scenes. she often overheard her brothers and father discussing their sales, and how they only keep trying to come up with more products to make even more. emu believes the money her family makes could go out to other people rather than blowing it on even more products, but her proposals never end up getting to her family. 

what emu does instead is give insight for rogues. she delivers information about OTORECH and other companies they have partnered with, mostly to allow them to plan ahead of time which areas they need to deal with in terms of savage robots. she never asks for anything in exchange, other than the ability to either watch or help fight said robots. rogues have come to respect her a lot, always looking forward to what she has to bring. in turn she also keeps the rogue’s plans as secrets, that way they won’t be caught. enjoying delaying some of her brother’s plans so rogues could do what they need to do much quicker. she’s very skilled in using weapons way larger than her size, carrying them with ease and also using them to beat down robots. always wanting to go on combat missions solely because of how much she enjoys them. she’s hoping that one day she can be the one running her father’s business, that way she can put a stop to all the unbelievably pricey items her dad and her brothers decided to put out.

tsukasa was the one that introduced emu to rui. nene had already known her for a bit from the few times she encountered her at the arcade or at some vacant places with robots, but it was her first time meeting rui. emu was quick to like rui’s presence, not really hearing much about lone vigilantes, let alone ones with all of their gadgets being self-made. also trying to see behind rui’s serious exterior. she and tsukasa both then decide to take rui out to fight. eventually nene joins as well, the four of them forming their own small coalition with one another. each using their own unique skill sets to take down robots much easier, for the sake of bringing back art in its purest form.

[justalittlesolarpunk]

Hiya! Hope it’s okay to ask, but what were your kind of first steps to living in a more solar punk way?

Hi! Absolutely ok to ask, I love talking to people about this.

I can probably date my Solarpunk awakening, if you want to use the term, to a variety of points, but in the past few years due to both growing eco-anxiety and a new connection with nature (moved out of the city into the country) I became more concerned with the environment and this led me to give up flying and start educating myself on solarpunk topics through books and podcasts. Living with my parents, who have more disposable income than me, helped me see what it was like to be able to purchase organic and plastic-free food. Living rurally meant we got to know our neighbours. When our house flooded, they were the ones bailing it out with buckets beside us at 1am, up to our ankles in cold, dirty water. I learned a lot about community. I started foraging for snacks and treats (hello blackberries are delicious). I got interested in the ecological elements of paganism.

Later on I started incorporating more plant-rich food into my diet and getting interested in slow travel, rewilding, urban planning, etc. Then I started going to XR meetings, which led me to getting involved in (non-arrestable in my case) direct action. I joined some gardening volunteers which encouraged me to start trying to grow my own food at home. I decided to commit to not learning to drive or owning a car.

However, I’d actually say I’d been doing solarpunk stuff earlier than this without knowing it - seeking out positive news stories, attending protests, organising in my community (I was active in my school’s LGBT scene and ran several campaigns about it at uni), learning about indigenous cultures, telling stories. All of these things are solarpunk too.

But the single biggest thing that has helped me to be more solarpunk is changing the way I see the world, and for this the writings of Robin Wall Kimmerer have been hugely influential, along with a bunch of different writers that I can’t list all of here. But unlearning the idea that I am alone in a lifeless inanimate world has been HUGE for me. Today I thanked every element that made up my meal, from the rice in my noodles to mycoprotein that grew my meat substitute to the soybeans that made the sauce, the steel in my pan and the sunlight that powered the electricity that heated my induction hob. I walked along a river and said hello to geese. I noticed each plant and knew the names of many of them. I called my grandmother and tried to really listen as she narrated her experiences of the day to me, even though she can be difficult. Relationality has been the greatest aspect of my solarpunk work, learning to see myself as utterly interconnected with everything and everyone else, to remember that my very atoms were once compressed together with all the other atoms when this expanding universe first began. So a lot of it is about changing your thoughts, though it should also be backed up by action too.

Hope some of this helps!

[tornrose24]

I’ve been rewatching The Ghost and Molly McGee and have concluded watching season 1. These are my thoughts and observations:

-I love how Scratch slowly warms up to Molly across the season and it is easier to catch when you watch the episodes in order. From going to a complete jerk, to valuing her friendship, to caring about how she views him, to not wanting to lose her.

-I also love how this show’s art style is like a storybook come to life in every shot.

-It makes even more sense as to why Scratch haunts Adia’s old home. Todd’s soul gravitated to the one place in Brighton that held happy memories for him, where life had yet to turn him into an anxious, fearful adult. It was a safe space for him, and he was mad when a family managed to move in and invade it. Especially Molly specifically moving into his personal room/the safest spot in the house for him.

-Molly and Scratch are BOTH horrible liars. It’s funny how similar they are in that detail, and it’s even funnier if they call each other out on it.

-Scratch is an absolute asshole to a lot of people and enjoys seeing them suffer during this season, but I think that partly stems from a ‘I was/am miserable so I like seeing others suffer.’

-I’d say Molly’s worst episode is the Snow Day episode (not listening to what everyone else wants to do) and Scratch’s worst episode is the Internship episode (taking advantage of an intern to do basic, unhelpful tasks and being a bigger asshole than usual).

-Molly nearly dies 4 times (the machine during ‘Friend off,’ was willing to catch hypothermia in order to have fun in the snow, was almost hit by the truck, and was nearly sliced in half by Jinx).

-Scratch, Mr. ‘So afraid of dying that I never lived a day’…. Gets trampled by animals, eats poison berries, gets hit by a tour bus, gets blended by the machine from ‘Friend off,’ and is sliced in half by Jinx among all the possible things that WOULD have killed him in this season if he hadn’t been a ghost at the time.

-In ‘Very Hungry Ghost’ Scratch doesn’t get to eat any of the food intended for the ghosts. Because he wasn’t fully a ghost, that feast was not meant to be eaten by him.

-I admit I have yet to catch Scratch’s ‘nervous habit of scratching his arm’ during these episodes.

-There’s a recurring theme of the adult characters regaining their passion for something they once loved in a few episodes.

-However I also appreciate showing very realistic struggles, like financial concerns and how you can’t magically restore your community and town to its glory days without some effort put into it.

-Libby’s mom can be seen as an early cameo during ‘The (Un)natural.’ Of course, she would be there for her daughter ^_^

-I’m not a huge fan of the Christmas episode (never rewatched it until now) but GOD do I love the pink sky they use against the Christmas decorations and snow.

-In Pete’s news article in ‘Twin Trouble’, it mentions that other city planners mysteriously disappeared. However, I don’t think the show EVER addressed that, because such a story fascinated me and made me wonder if there was more to Brighton than meets the eye.

-There was a wasted opportunity in not discussing who or WHAT The Chairman was. Was this mystery meant for season 3?

-Scratch mentioning that he is dead throughout the show hits differently now that we know its quite the opposite. So does seeing him having to do mandatory things for the ghost world that he technically shouldn’t NEED to be doing at that moment.

-So does his interactions with Geoff. Oh boy.

-Was Scratch specifically assigned to scare Brighton? What about the other ghosts from there, like the Tugbottom siblings? Howlin Harriet? Sonia? Why don’t we see them doing their job as much as Scratch has to?

-The sheer irony of Scratch believing that he didn’t have any fears in ‘Scaring is Caring’ only for fear to be the reason WHY he was a ghost to begin with. Once again, there’s a hell of a difference between ‘Scratch as a human being afraid of everything’ and ‘Scratch as a ghost being afraid of losing Molly and would do anything to save her.’

-No seriously, it gets to a point where Scratch risks his existence to save Molly in this season and in the next one-if he had been human, he would have been willing to die for her.

-‘All Night Plight’ is an episode I hadn’t rewatched until recently. And it hits a LOT differently this time around. Molly wanted to form a forever memory with Libby and Scratch by seeing that comet and she managed to win over Scratch who went above and beyond to ensure that was possible. While that memory is now somewhere hidden in Scratch’s mind as a living person, this episode likely was one of the events needed to push him into becoming someone who would take chances and embrace life upon coming back to life.

-Considering the number of times Molly almost dies, it would have been one thing if Scratch didn’t take it too well if he failed to save Molly. But if he learned that he was the one who had the chance to come back to life and not her? Yeah, that would have seriously wrecked his mental state.

-That moment when you realize that it was TWO souls hovering on the edge between life and death that changed everything in the Ghost World. Also I could be wrong, but I caught that Molly AND Scratch both have a brighter glow compared to most other ghosts in the Ghost World. Was this stealth foreshadowing, or just a coincidence?

-Scratch’s declaration that knowing Molly was the highlight of his afterlife. That moment when you realize Molly brought him joy after years of being miserable as both a ghost and as a human. This girl reached out to him and was able to get him to open up when no one else did. This girl who is showing him how to truly live once more. This girl who he openly declares to be his friend no matter what others will think.

-When I see Wraith!Molly hugging Libby and Scratch, I just wonder ‘WHY DOES MOLLY HAVE 3 ARMS?!’

-As good as this show is, a lot of folks who watch these Disney Channel shows are likely used to the more story-oriented shows. While the ‘slice of life’ style for TGAMM did pay off, the slow pace and length it took for the episodes to release likely worked against it and I could see why it didn’t attract more viewers at the time.

Stuff relating to Todd:

-Scratch possesses people a lot in this show, but especially in season 1. I’m reminded of someone who talked about the wraith theory on YouTube and he had this guess that Scratch might someday possess Todd and then realize something is different this time. I think that having Scratch use the possession trick so often was building up to that one moment in the last episode because it WAS a matter of time until he possessed Todd.

-As I said in a previous post, I caught Todd in the stands during The (Un)Natural, which was his ACTUAL debut episode. It was easy to miss the first time, but its a noticeable establishing character moment since he’s the only audience member who is visibly NOT happy despite that the team is winning.

-Molly stopping at Todd’s house during the song montage in the bandshell episode hits a lot differently now after the series finale. But then I laughed when she smacked him in the face with a flyer upon stopping by the house a second time in the same episode.

-We have confirmation that Scratch (as Todd) knew the mayor when they were kids and that is a tale I’m very curious about.

-I caught Todd in the audience during ‘Citizen McGee’ when the mayor bestows the honor of being mayor for a day to Molly. I admit a cynical side of me thinks that this is how he actually remembers her name in the last episode…. But at the same time he was so on auto-pilot during that time that he likely wouldn’t pay much attention or remember those events that well. (Plus, you can’t be expected to remember someone’s name once all the time). I refuse to believe that he remembered this event and that Scratch’s memories were what actually triggered the name.

-Todd’s actual lines are very limited (I don’t think he gets many in season 2 compared to this one). While Dana Snyder was voicing him, Snyder lowered his voice so much that it’s really hard to tell that he’s the one voicing Todd. I keep putting my ear to my computer to listen, but Todd barely sounds like Dana. I think they did this on purpose to avoid making it too obvious that Todd IS Scratch. (And that’s probably why he doesn’t talk as much in season 2…. Until the last episode of course).

-The Internship seems to double as foreshadowing, and not just because Todd appears or that his ‘junk’ held some very crucial clues. Molly believes that the pawnshop is where happy memories go to die while Weird Larry assures her that it’s where memories can be reborn into something new. So… is the pawnshop a metaphor for Scratch’s own depression causing his ‘death’ and how he’ll be resurrected into a happier person?

[kimbappykidding]

Other Parts: Part Two

You were walking down the street one day in your new city when an old friend recognised you. "Y/n?" Wooyoung called, stopping dead in the street making you turn around. "Wooyoung!" you cried and both hugged one another. Growing up you and Wooyoung had been best friends. You only lived a few doors down from one another and stuck together all through school. Wooyoung left to go pursue his love of music and you were sad to see him go but supported him fully. You were still friends but hadn't spoken in a while which is why it was so nice to see each other.   "How are you? What are you doing here?" Wooyoung asked. "I live here" you said "I moved here about 6 months ago, what about you?". "I live here too! How did I have no idea you were here? That's crazy". "It is, how are you anyway, you look..." then you noticed his friend beside him "good". Wooyoung noticed and smirked "Y/n this is my colleague Seonghwa, Seonghwa this is Y/n. She was my best friend growing up". "Nice to meet you" you said and he nodded "likewise, so have you moved here permanently Y/n?". You nodded "yep I moved here for work and don't plan on quitting anytime soon". "Good, you should invite her to our place Saturday" Seonghwa said and Wooyoung nodded "totally! We're having a Halloween party this weekend and you should come!". You nodded "I'd love to" and Wooyoung nodded "I'll send you the details".

When Wooyoung sent you the address you thought he was joking. The house was more of a mansion! How did he afford it? Then you looked into Wooyoung a little more and realised he was an idol. How that escaped your notice you'll never know but it did and you discovered Seonghwa was one too which explained the good looks. So you were a little more nervous to attend this party as you figured it'd be a bigger event than planned. You were dressed as a princess from your favourite cartoon and walked towards the huge house to see the party already in full swing. The door was open so you just walked straight inside and looked around for Wooyoung. People were drinking, laughing, dancing and it was super busy. You decided to do a walk through the house to see if you could spot him and grabbed a drink in the kitchen on your way. When you couldn't see Wooyoung you texted him you were here and took a seat on the stairs with a higher vantage point. It was nicer upstairs because it was quieter and cooler. You were sipping your drink in peace when you heard a voice "Y/n right?". You turned to see Seonghwa. He was in a costume but you had no idea what that costume was because you were a little preoccupied by the fact he had no shirt on. You blinked taking him in before nodding "yeah, Seonghwa wasn't it?". He nodded "good memory. So you came?". You nodded "yeah but I couldn't find Wooyoung anywhere". Seonghwa nodded "yeah he's so social it can be hard to pin him down. Want me to help you find him?". You nodded and set off together "what's your outfit by the way? It looks so familiar". "Oh I'm Princess Azula from Avatar the Last Airbender". "Of course" Seonghwa said "I knew it was familiar". You smiled "and what are you?". He smiled "a surfer". "That's it?" you asked and he laughed "Yep! Pretty shit I know but I didn't have time to go all out". It worked though because as you passed a girl smiled at him "nice costume Seonghwa" making you both chuckle. "Well she appreciates it. Must be nice having that as your backup" you said nodding to his chest and Seonghwa smiled "oh you like it huh?". You shrugged slightly "you don't look terrible" and he smiled. Then Seonghwa spotted San. "Hey San!" he called and made his way over "have you seen Wooyoung This is his friend Y/n". San was dressed as a werewolf and looked really cute. The adorable werewolf shook his head "no I haven't sorry but maybe Jongho has?". So you followed Seonghwa to Jongho who was dressed as a pirate. He was with another member called Mingi who was dressed as a Fireman. "Hey nice Princess Azula costume!" Jongho said as you walked up and you smiled "thanks!". "Whereas your costume sucks" he said to Seonghwa who shrugged "well Y/n likes it" making you blush. "Have either of you seen Wooyoung?". "Last I heard he was nipping to the supermarket to get more ice" Mingi said. "But didn't Hongjoong fill the freezer with the stuff?". "Yeah apparently Wooyoung didn't know that" Jongho said. Seonghwa shook his head before turning to you "come on you might be waiting a while so let's get you another drink". Seonghwa got you a drink using the "good" alcohol which was hidden in a locked cupboard and then gave you a quick tour through the garden and house. With Wooyoung still not in sight Seonghwa started looking for chairs for the two of you and you paused."You know you don't have to stay with me" you said "I can wait for Wooyoing somewhere or go home". Seonghwa shook his head "Not at all! We invited you here tonight and I’m making sure you have a good time". "You don't mind?" you asked and he shook his head "not at all...I'm actually quite enjoying myself" and he gave you a flirty smirk which made you blush. When Wooyoung finally did arrive you'd been with Seonghwa for a while and were enjoying yourself. You'd both drank some more and were dancing when Wooyoung saw you. "Y/n?" he asked spotting you rather close to Seonghwa and you smiled "Wooyoung!" and rushed to hug him. Wooyoung shot Seonghwa a look over your shoulder and then smiled "it's so good to see you!  Your princess Azula is amazing!". "Thank you!" you smiled and Wooyung laughed "I'm sorry I wasn't here when you arrived but it looks like Seonghwa was keeping you company?" he asked looking behind you. You nodded "Seonghwa has been an excellent host, I've had a great time because of him". Wooyoung nodded "I'm glad, Y/n do you wanna come with me to the kitchen while I put this stuff away?". You nodded "sure..." before remembering Seonghwa and turning to him "is that okay?". "You don't need my permission" Seonghwa just said smoothly "of course you can go. Come find me whenever you want me" making you blush. "I will definitely do that" you nodded and disappeared with Wooyoung. "Okay so what the fuck is going on with you two?" Wooyoung asked "if I hadn't interrupted you would've been on your way to his bedroom right now". You shook your head laughing "no we wouldn't have!". "Oh so the two of you weren't flirting shamelessly?" Wooyoung asked "it's okay Y/n no judgement" he smiled and you blushed "he's hot okay and shirtless! Throw in alcohol and how do you expect me to resist?". Wooyoung laughed "you make some good points and you don't have to if you don't want to. I just wanted to make sure you were happy with it all". "I am" you nodded "but what is Seonghwa like in that sense?". "If you're asking me what he's like in bed I do not have first-hand experience" Wooyoung said laughing and you smiled "no I mean romantically. Am I the girl of the week?". Wooyoung shook his head "no Seonghwa is actually quite particular but I could tell he liked you from the way he looked at you when you first met". "Really?" you asked and Wooyoung nodded "he's not subtle when he likes someone". "I did think he was confident" you nodded and Wooyoung smiled "that's because when Seonghwa sees something he wants, he goes for it and the thing he wants right now is you". That made your stomach do somersaults and Wooyoung smirked "and you clearly want him too so go get him". You smiled "a cute boy can wait, I have a friend to catch up with" and took Wooyoung's hand, dragging him into the party. You hung out with Seonghwa a little more that night but as these things often do you got separated and left without saying goodbye. You figured that was the end and a small part of you was relieved. You didn't want to get involved with an idol. You'd heard how hard those relationships were and a fling surely wasn't worth that. Wooyoung texted you a week later asking if you want to go to the cinema with him and you agreed. You showed up excited to see the film but quickly realised you'd be preoccupied because Wooyoung wasn't alone. Seonghwa was there. Wooyoung saw you and waved coming to hug you. "Hey! So we have a stalker in the form of Seonghwa" he said gesturing behind you and the boy smiled. "Hi Y/n it's great to see you but I kind of miss the tiara". "I have a lot more to miss about your outfit" you replied and Seonghwa grinned while Wooyoung rolled his eyes. "Just to let you both know I'm sitting between you" Wooyoung said and led you to the snacks. Wooyoung did position himself in between the two of you but Seonghwa went to the toilet and when he came back seated himself in the seat next to you. When Wooyoung shot him a look he shrugged "what? I forgot to get popcorn and I'm sure if I ask nicely Y/n will let me share with her". "I have popcorn!" Wooyoung said waving it around in front of him but Seonghwa shrugged "I want Y/n's popcorn" and Seonghwa directed his gaze to you "if that's okay of course". In response you held the tub out to him "be my guest" and Wooyoung sat back poutily. Wooyoung didn't need to worry though, Seonghwa was a flirt but he wasn't a heathen so he behaved well in the cinema. Apart from whispering in your ear a few times and smiling when you laughed at the jokes he didn't do much. You were hyper-aware of him though and anytime his arm brushed yours it felt slow and deliberate. Once the film was over Seonghwa bounded up "Y/n are you hungry? Would you like to get dinner with me?" he asked. You smiled "I could eat, what about you Wooyoung?” but Wooyoung sighed "I've got work... which Seonghwa knows" he added under his breath. "Guess it's just you and me then" Seonghwa said and you blushed slightly. If you'd known tonight you were going to dinner with Seonghwa you'd have dressed up way nicer but when opportunity knocks you just have to answer. You made your way out of the cinema and then walked Wooyoung to his car. "If you don't want to go out with Seonghwa you don't have to" Wooyoung said "I can just take you home and claim something came up. Seonghwa won't mind". You paused "no I want to go with him I just...I wish I'd dressed nicer! He looked so good and I'm in my comfy jeans". Wooyoung shook his head "well Seonghwa was getting distracted by something on the stairs and I don't think it was the steps. You look great Y/n and he's super into you. If you want this then go and have as much fun as you want". You smiled and Wooyoung grinned "goodnight Y/n" and headed away. You made your way back to Seonghwa who looked really nice in the setting summer sun. "Do you like Japenese food?" he asked "there's a really nice restaurant not far from here". You smiled "I do like Japanese food" and Seonghwa smiled back. "Then let's go" he said offering his arm out to you and you took it walking together. The restaurant was nice and you found yourself in the bar next door afterwards. You weren't planning on this night going any further when two girls walked in and clocked Seonghwa. You could read the expression on their face easily and knew they were into him. They sat near the two of you, directly over your shoulder in Seonghwa's eye line. Credit to Seonghwa he made sure to never look at them but you could hear them behind you laughing and talking loudly to try and get his attention. You couldn't believe their audacity. You and Seonghwa weren't together but they didn't know that. Finally one of them knocked your chair with theirs and you turned around "can we help you ladies?". "No...at least you can't" one of them giggled looking at Seonghwa. "Look I get it, he's hot but see he's a bit busy at the moment so why don't you go for someone else?". "He doesn't seem that busy" the other one replied and Seonghwa watched you wondering if to jump in. You nodded "hmmm you're right, he doesn't...let me fix that". You leaned across the table and found Seonghwa was already there, more than happy to meet you halfway the second he realised what you were doing. Still you gently gripped his shirt and pulled him closer. You kissed him, slowly and deliberately so the girls could see until you forget about them. You got caught up in the kiss and Seonghwa kept pulling you back in any time you went to stop for breath. When you finally pulled away both girls were glaring and Seonghwa smiled "she's more than keeping me busy so run along" and they turned pink before rushing off, claiming Seonghwa "wasn't that hot anyway". "Ouch" Seonghwa said joking and you smiled "you know you're hot" and he smiled. "Thanks...for the compliment and that kiss. I was wondering when you were going to make a move". You blushed "I...can get pretty firey when I'm upset or jealous". Seonghwa smiled "well if that was what that was I like it, what can I do to make you jealous so it happens again?". You shook your head "well you could just ask me for another kiss" and Seonghwa smiled "much easier I like it and he leaned forwards. "Y/n may I kiss you?" he asked and you blushed nodding. The second time was even better than the first but that just made it even harder to pull away. Seonghwa could sense that by the way you were kissing him so he pulled away and leaned into your ear "if you want we could go back to mine and spend as long as we want doing this". You blushed as his breath tickled your neck but knew you wanted that so nodded. Seonghwa took your hand and led you out the door. Back at his you carried on where you'd left off but alone things progressed quickly. As clothing started coming off you suddenly felt a lot more self-conscious. Every woman had casual underwear and her best underwear and because you'd thought you were going out with a friend you'd worn the former. So you weren't feeling as confident as you could be and Seonghwa sensed that. You kept using your arms to cover yourself and once Seonghwa noticed he gently grabbed your arms and moved them away. "This is what you look like when you're not dressing for a date?" he whispered looking down at you "you're stunning" and you suddenly felt a lot better. Seonghwa continue complimenting you as he kissed anywhere he could until he ended up at your face. "You're so beautiful" he told you and you smiled believing him. So you kissed him and Seonghwa smiled. *** You woke up the next morning to hear your phone ringing. It was loud and you grabbed it quickly trying to shut it up and accidentally picked up the call. "Hello?" you asked half-asleep and heard a very energic Wooyoung. "Good Morning!" he called "so how was your date with Seonghwa?". Your eyes flew open and you saw Seonghwa beside you, sat up awake. He must've heard Wooyoung because he smiled. "It was good" you said trying to ignore the good-looking topless man beside you but you heard Seonghwa chuckle making you blush. "Come on I need more than good!" Wooyoung said "what was he like? How long did you stay out? Do you think you'll see him again?". Wooyoung was just rattling off questions and Seonghwa smiled "may I?" he whispered gesturing to the phone and you nodded passing it over. "Wooyoung please leave Y/n alone our date is ongoing and you're disturbing it". There was silence for a solid 5 seconds before Wooyoung screamed "oh my god you had sex?" and Seonghwa hung up the phone. "I'll deal with him later but right now I've got something more important...you". You blushed as Seonghwa looked at you "good morning" he said and even the way he said that made your stomach twirl. "Good morning" you replied and Seonghwa's eyes flickered over you. "I had a really nice night last night" he said "how was it for you?". You paused unsure how to put into words something that your brain was still processing. "I enjoyed it" you admitted and Seonghwa smiled "you did huh? I thought you sounded like you did last night but you can never be too sure". You nodded "you're very good and clearly very experienced". "You can have all the experience in the world but you have to be inspired and you certainly inspired me last night" Seonghwa said leaning closer so he could kiss you. You happily kissed him back, a hand pressed to his cheek and Seonghwa was working his way back over you when you were interrupted once again by a phone ringing but this time it was his. "One second" he said to you and snapped back to his side of the bed. "What?" he cried thinking it was Wooyoung but it wasn't. "Hongjoong? No, no I'm fine...what's up?". You heard the Ateez leader on the other side explaining something and saw Seonghwa sigh "but I thought that wasn't until 1?". More voices and finally Seonghwa nodded "okay whatever I'll try and make it but I might be late...I just might be, start and I'll be there as soon as I can okay? Okay bye" and he hung up. Seonghwa put down the phone and turned to you "I hate to do this but I have to go". You smiled "I gathered, it's fine I'll get dressed and get going". Seonghwa shook his head "no way, I'm driving you home". You paused "but don't you have to go?". "Yes but I'm civilised Y/n. We can get a Starbucks on the road and I'll drop you off home. I believe in treating women right". You laughed "wow I bet you have a great reputation" and Seonghwa smiled "maybe but I only care what you think of me" and you had to laugh at how shameless he was. "Do you ever stop flirting?" you asked and Seonghwa thought about it. "Not when I've got a beautiful woman like you in my bed. It's just against all my instincts" and you laughed. "You're very charming Seonghwa" you said pressing a small kiss to his lips before bounding out of bed. "I'll be 2 minutes" you said and grabbed your clothes disappearing into the bathroom. Seonghwa collapsed back into bed, there was no way he was forgiving Hongjoong for the morning he just robbed him of. A few hours later you got a call from Wooyoung. When you picked up he asked "are you going to talk to me now Seonghwa is no longer wrapped around you?". You blushed "how do you know he's not?". "Because he's stood 10 feet away from me, he's looking very very happy but I'm pretty sure you're not in his back pocket so I thought now I might actually be able to get an explanation...what the hell happened?". "You told me to have fun" you shrugged and Wooyoung laughed "I did but you never just hook up with guys! I thought you liked to go slow". You shrugged "typically I do but last night just felt right, I wanted to go with Seonghwa so when he invited me back to his I went". "And everything was okay?" Wooyoung asked and you nodded "it was really good and Seonghwa was simultaneously really hot and really sweet". "So he treated you good? I don't have to kick his ass?" Wooyoung asked only half joking. You shook your head "Seonghwa was perfect...although I'd kind of like to see that". "You minx" Wooyoung laughed "okay I have to go but I just wanted to make sure you were okay". "I'm fine but thank you for being a good friend and checking in on me". "Of course!" Wooyoung nodded "okay talk to you later. Love you, bye!" and he hung up.   You went on with your day like normal and tried not to think about Seonghwa too much. You blushed anytime he did pop into your head but were trying not to get attached. Neither of you had discussed anything when you left and so you couldn't expect to hear anything from him. The two of you hadn't even exchanged numbers so there was no way he could even contact you so you tried to ignore what happened. You were just getting ready for bed that night when you got a text "Hey sorry it's so late I've only just got in from training. I asked Wooyoung for your number because I got distracted from asking you this morning. Would you like to go on a proper date this weekend?". You got so excited as you read it and your plan to keep cool immediately went out the window. A few seconds later you got another text "I should've said...this is Seonghwa" and you smiled at how cute he could be. You texted back that you'd love to go out on a proper date and collapsed into bed very happy.