#I’ve been drawing really intense pieces lately so it feels nice to take it easy

[mogspawner]

Original by @genrihgayne

"There’s the door, we’ve got millions of applicants~"

[wizardofrozz]

Welcome to Westview!

Warnings: swearing

A/N: Tomorrow starts the Halloween chapters and I’m so excited 😁

Chapter 13

Clint POV

I tried to pay attention to the conversation with Nat, Wanda, and Vision, but I knew next to nothing about babies. I caught movement out of the corner of my eye, turning to look at the figures walking into the kitchen.

           “I’m going to grab a drink,” I whispered to Nat; she nodded, still focused on Wanda. I strolled towards the kitchen, deliberately keeping my pace slow, and listened closely; I could hear Bucky and (Y/N) murmuring on the other side of the door.

           “I keep having this feeling that something isn’t right, but….” Bucky trailed off. Damn you, Barnes, and you’re superhuman hearing. I nudged the door opened, walking towards them, but I stopped short when Bucky turned his head to face me. My eyes widened, and goosebumps popped up on my arms; I’ve seen that look before, and I had no idea where, but I knew it left me paralyzed with fear. His face was neutral, messy brown hair hanging around his face, his metal arm catching the light, the red star drawing my attention, but his eyes were the scariest part. Bucky’s usually bright blue eyes were a muddled gray, seeming empty and cold like there was no one behind them. I scrambled back, rubbing my eyes, and suddenly the image was gone; the real Bucky stood in front of me, concern swirling in his lively ice blue eyes.

           “Clint?” (Y/N) whispered.

           “I’m starting to think Clint feels it too,” Bucky mumbled. I started to relax as my eyes readjusted, and my heart rate slowed down again.

           “Like something isn’t right,” I whispered. Bucky and (Y/N) looked at each other and nodded; (Y/N) wrung her hands, and Bucky scrubbed a hand over his face. I moved closer to the pair, glancing at the door, and lowering my voice again. “Do Steve or Loki pick up on anything? Nat rarely seems to notice.”

           “Not really. I mean, if something weird happens, then Steve notices, but that’s about it,” Bucky mutters, glancing at the door.

           “Loki’s the same way,” (Y/N) whispered, glancing out the window, looking for him.

           “I don’t have a good feeling about this,” I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

           “I kind of want to talk to Wanda or Vision about it,” (Y/N) revealed, looking at the floor.

           “I’ll try to talk to Vision,” Bucky stated.

           “I’m coming with you,” I insisted immediately.

           “Okay,” (Y/N) sighed. “We should head back out before anyone comes looking for us.”

           “Grab me a beer. I told Nat I was getting a drink.” I ran a hand over my face, trying to calm the nervous hum under my skin; (Y/N) handed Bucky and me a beer. All three of us took a long pull, sighing in unison; I met their eyes, nodding once before pushing through the kitchen door again. We dispersed, finding our partners quickly; Nat was talking with Thor near the stairs.

           “I thought you got lost,” Nat jested, wrapping an arm around my waist, smiling up at me. I laughed dryly, settling my arm on her shoulders, pulling her close. I had no idea what her and Thor were talking about, but I couldn’t stop myself from watching her talk. I can’t lose you. I shook my head softly, shifting my gaze around the room, and saw Bucky inching closer to Vision; I pressed a quick kiss to Nat’s cheek and started towards Vision. Wanda moved away from her husband, leaving him alone near the couch, and I made my move; I caught Bucky pulling away from Steve out of the corner of my eye, but Steve quickly drug him back into the conversation with Loki.

           “Clint, how is everything?” Vision greeted cheerfully.

           “Oh, it’s great, Vis. Thanks for inviting us!” I tried to keep the smile on my face, but I had a feeling it looked more like a grimace.

           Vison narrowed his eye and leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Is everything okay?” I let out a heavy sigh, glancing towards Bucky again but quickly realized I was on my own.

           “Not really,” I started. I bounced on my feet slightly, shaking off the nervous energy that had to be radiating off me. “H-have you noticed anything odd lately?” A flicker of something flashed across his face too fast for me to decipher what it was; his lips pulled into a tight line, and he glanced up at the ceiling like he was thinking it over.

           “Not that I remember. Why?” Everything fiber of my being screamed to question him further because he was lying, but the words kept getting stuck in my throat. Maybe he doesn’t know anything. Before I could get anything else out, Vision glanced over my head, his carefully neutral face twisting slightly. “I’m sorry, Clint. I need to help Wanda with something.” Vision was gone before I could even comprehend what he said, then Bucky appeared at my side, his eyes following Vision to the kitchen.

           “Anything?” Bucky mumbled, leaning closer.

           “He said he hadn’t noticed anything, but I think he was lying.” I narrowed my eyes when Wanda quickly shut the divider to the kitchen; a soft pulse of magic left the hair on my arms standing at attention. “Did you feel that?”

           “Magic,” Bucky whispered. The faint movement across the room caught my attention, and I nudged Bucky; (Y/N) and Thor were both subtly looking around the room.

           “I think they felt it too,” I mumbled, bringing my beer to my lips again.

           “No one else seems fazed.” Bucky hid his mouth behind his bottle as he glanced at Steve, Loki, and Nat. “Oh shit.” Bucky’s eyes bugged out for a moment before he dropped his gaze to the floor, his brows pulled together in concentration. “They’re fighting.”

           “Wanda and Vision?” I looked back towards the kitchen, trying to hear something, but apparently, the magic was blocking the noise.

           “Whatever Wanda did is blocking their argument, but I can still faintly hear it if I concentrate.” Bucky’s face contorted again as he listened; his eyes fell shut, and his breathing came out in soft pants the longer he listened.

           “Take it easy, buddy,” I warned, shouldering him. Bucky finally let out a deep breath, his shoulders slumping forward as he massaged between his eyes.

           “I could only hear bits and pieces, but they were definitely arguing.” Bucky kept his eyes closed for a few more seconds, but I could see they were slightly bloodshot when he finally opened them. “Vision accused her of hiding something.”

           “Hiding what?”

           “No idea,” Bucky sighed. I opened my mouth to ask him another question but a knock at the door stopped me short. The entire room fell quiet as everyone turned to look at the door; Wanda stormed out of the kitchen, glancing around the room, then hurried towards the door.

           “Please don’t be Agnes,” I mumbled under my breath. Bucky snorted loudly, dropping his head when a few of our friends turned their confused gazes towards him.

           “Asshole,” he whispered; I smirked, turning towards the door. Vision stood behind Wanda, visibly upset, but his demeanor changed when the door opened; Wanda froze, staring out the door as Vision eyed whoever was standing there.

           “Wanda, who is this?” Vision’s face hardened, his eyes traveling over the person at the door.

           “Long lost bro get to squeeze his stinkin’ sister to death or what?” the stranger laughed.

           “Pietro?” Wanda gasped, her face lighting up. Every muscle in my body went rigid as I waited for him to step into the house, waiting to see if it was true. Wanda pulled her brother into a tight hug, laughing softly.

           “Holy shit,” I croaked, noticing the unmistakable silver hair.

           “Looks like I dropped in at the perfect time,” Pietro laughed, moving away from Wanda. “Who’s this guy?” Vision narrowed his eyes and leaned back some, looking offended.

           “This is my husband, Vision,” Wanda chuckled, resting a hand on Vision’s arms. I caught the slight tension in Vision’s shoulders as he tried not to pull away from her.

           “Sweet!” Pietro cheered, pulling Vision into an awkward hug.

           “Pietro?” I finally managed to speak around the lump forming in my throat; Bucky raised an eyebrow at me but didn’t say much.

           “Bird brain!” Pietro yelled, hurrying towards me. “How’ve you been?” Pietro wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me close, but something felt wrong.

           “I-I’ve been good. Where have you been?” I tentatively hugged him back, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something didn’t seem right. Something was different about him, and I couldn’t decide how to feel about it.

           “Around,” he laughed, patting my shoulder. “Who’s the oaf?” Pietro nodded at Bucky, raking his eyes over the man that could easily pummel him.

           “Pietro, this is Bucky,” Steve cut in, grabbing Bucky’s hand. “My partner.”

           “Stevie! How’ve you been, my man?” Pietro smiled at Steve, gently grabbing his shoulder, completely ignoring Bucky. “Sorry, nice to meet you.” Bucky narrowed his eyes at the silver-haired menace, his free hand clenching at his side.

           “I’ve been good, Pietro. It’s nice to see you again,” Steve replied. Nat, Thor, (Y/N), and Loki moved closer, standing off to the side; Loki eyed Pietro warily, his gaze intense as he grabbed (Y/N)’s hand.

           “You remember Thor?” Wanda piped up, gesturing to the large blonde behind Steve.

           “Hey there, big guy!” Pietro shouted, smacking Thor’s back. Thor smiled softly, gripping Pietro’s shoulder, then moved off to the side. “Is that my Tasha?” Nat laughed softly, lifting her arms to hug Pietro; I tried to push down the spark of jealousy in my gut as he lifted her off her feet and pressed an exaggerated kiss to her cheek.

           “Hi Petey,” she laughed.

           “Who’s the new faces?” Loki’s expression somehow grew darker as he met Pietro’s gaze; (Y/N) fidgeted uncomfortably at her husband’s side, glancing at Nat.

           “This is my friend (Y/N) and her husband Loki.” Wanda tried to ease the tension in the room, but Loki’s scowl never faltered.

           “Hey killer, nice to meet you,” Pietro snorted, reaching a hand towards Loki. Loki dropped (Y/N)’s hand, roughly gripping Pietro’s hand, staring him down.

           “Pleasure’s mine,” Loki replied with a devilish smirk. Pietro straightened up, raising a brow, pulling his hand away; (Y/N) rolled her eyes and held her hand out next.

           “Nice to meet you,” she greeted, smiling warmly.

           “I think you need to teach your attack dog some manners,” Pietro laughed, leaning closer to her. (Y/N) laughed weakly, her lip twitching; I didn’t notice that Thor had moved until he yanked Loki back, apparently stopping him from moving towards Pietro.

           “Well, it was great to see you again, Pietro, but I think Buck and I are going to head home. We had a long day,” Steve chimed in, and Bucky smiled tightly. The pair said their goodbyes, and then Steve pulled a grumpy Bucky out of the house; Bucky nodded faintly at me before he disappeared.

           “I think we’re going to head out too,” Thor added. Thor stood half behind Loki, his arm wrapped around Loki’s neck, most likely to keep him in place and away from Pietro. “My brother gets cranky when he’s tired.” Loki glared at his brother but kept his mouth shut; the three of them called out their goodbyes on their way out the door.

           “Are you two going to run out too?” Pietro jested, nudging me with his elbow. I realized I was staring wide-eyed at the floor, borderline ignoring the conversations going on around me. This isn’t the guy I had a love/hate relationship with.

           “Actually, we might.” Nat’s voice pulled me out of my head; I blinked a few times, shifting my gaze to my wife. “Clint looks exhausted.”

           “Yeah, ‘M tired,” I grumbled, rubbing my eyes. I tried to smile, but I could tell by Nat’s face it wasn’t compelling. A jolt ran through me when the cool night air hit my skin; I shivered slightly, letting Nat pull me towards the street.

           Nat led me into our house, pushing the door closed and turning on me. “What’s wrong?” She walked closer, resting a hand on my cheek, searching my face for something.

           “I…Sorry, baby.” I rubbed at the opposite eyes from where her hand rested and shook my head. “Does Pietro seem different to you?”

           “No, why?” Nat tiled her head slightly, her eyes flicking over my face, concern swirling in her greener than usual hazel eyes.

           “I just thought something seemed different, and I’ve been wracking my brain to figure out what. Sorry I kind of checked out,” I mumbled.

           “It’s okay. Maybe it’ll come to you after you get some rest,” Nat offered, gently rubbing her thumb over my cheek. I leaned into her hand, shutting my eyes, and focusing on the softness of her skin, humming softly.

           “Probably,” I grumbled.

           “Let’s go to bed,” Nat whispered, dropping her hand from my face. I followed Nat up the stairs, only half paying attention as I changed; I crawled into bed, wrapping an arm around Nat as she curled up against my chest. The twisting in my gut chased off any traces of sleep, leaving me to stare at the ceiling most of the night.

Chapter 14 | Series Masterlist

Taglist:

@marvelfansworld​ @imagine-yourself-happy​ @alluringshawn​ @shadowolf993​ @lovelokiqueen​ @neenieweenie​ @somegeekychic​ @wandas-love​ @starks-hero​ @jointhehunt67​ 

[emerald-amidst-gold]

Writing Tag Game

Thank you so much for the tag @noire-pandora! <3

Time to show people just how much of a baby I am in the fanfic world~! >:3

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

A total of ten! Mainly because I lump drabbles together for easy access!

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

....273502 words so far. :3 I like words. Words are good. Words are friends. 

3. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Emerald Eyes Amidst Golden Vows (the very first rendition!) - 48 kudos

Emerald Eyes Amidst Golden Vows - Bound Brighter - 24 kudos

A Dragon’s Hope - 15 kudos

Dragon Drabbles - 13 kudos

Poetry of Wolves - 11 kudos

(Honestly, the progression of style change in each of these fics is terrifying to me. I look back on the last one, and I’m like, ‘Oh my god.’ X’D) 

4. Do you respond to comments, why or why not?

I do, on occasion, respond! Though I may use a lot of words while writing, when it comes to communication? I suck. XD But, I do get extremely, extremely excited whenever I see a comment in my inbox, and I do go back and re-read them when I’m feeling down about my writing! I usually respond when a person asks questions, but I try to read them as rhetoric since I don’t want to spoil too much! X3 So, to everyone who has left me comments on my fics: THANK YOU. I do really appreciate and adore them. :3

What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

Many of my short fics (those ranging from one to two chapters) all end relatively happy. I like angst, but I also enjoy making characters that are usually somber and stressed a little lighter. :3 If we want to get technical, then the first several chapters of my main fic all have rather angsty endings because the beginning of Fane’s journey is...heh. It’s not easy, and it’s not supposed to be. 

Although, now that I look, a very old fic of mine called ‘A Dragon’s Guilt’ has a rather angsty ending. Basically, Solas’ frescoes in the rotunda send Fane into a momentary spiral, and it was me playing with Adamant possibilities before he was ‘set in stone’. Panic attacks and mixed memories galore! :D

What’s the fic you’ve written with the happiest ending?

*rifes through my fics* Uhhhh... All of them? :3 Okay, okay! No, if I had to choose it would have to be...one of the short stories in ‘Dragon Drabbles’. It’s a four part story (and my first hand at smut >:3) that’s titled ‘Existence is Not a Sin’. It starts off angsty, but by the end it’s so sweet, so sickeningly sweet that I’m like, “...How did I write this?” X’D ...I’m actually thinking of re-writing a lot of my previous fics just to see if I’ve improved with writing! :D

Do you write crossovers? If so what is the craziest one you’ve written?

I do not write crossovers, but I’m open to the idea! Sadly, my brain hyperfixates on one thing at time, so my imagination is limited. X’D

Have you ever received hate on a fic?

I haven’t, and I’m very grateful that I haven’t. To be honest, when I started writing and posting, I expected to get hate (prepare for the worst, you know?) because I was doing something that wasn’t really the ‘norm’ for a lot of people. After all, people are entitled to their own interpretations and mine some times don’t link up with someone else’s. I understand that, and I respect that, but some people...don’t offer the same courtesy. All I’ll say is, if you don’t enjoy my content, don’t read it. We’re all adults, so shrug your shoulders, say, “Not for me”, and move on. Just know that if you do leave a hate comment, you will receive no reply, no fuel. So, don’t waste your time and don’t waste mine. Simple as that. I’m here to share and make people smile, not argue. :3

Do you write smut? If so what kind?

I have. Once, and I for the life of me can’t figure out how to do it again. X’D I’m very into soft intimacy; gestures and actions that speak a thousand words. Close positions (missionary, straddling, etc.) and a lot of eye contact with some healthy crying in the mix. *winks* I’m kind of inching towards a theme of ‘body worship’ when it comes to Fane and Solas because those two.. *sighs* They really need to shown that they are beautiful people; inside and out.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

I have not. Thank God. XD All I’ll say is this though, you steal my fic, my son and claim them as your own? *gets close to the screen* I will track you down and demand a talk. Don’t steal other’s hard work. Don’t. Writing is not easy, and it takes weeks, months, years for authors to pump out their inspiration, so don’t steal that labor just because you want to say you could. Same goes for drawings and pieces of art. Don’t.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

I haven’t! English is my first language, but I understand some French! :D 

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No, I haven’t, but the idea is intriguing to me sometimes! I’m just a tad unreliable due to how my mood ebbs and flows. I have very long dry spells. X’D

What’s your all-time favorite ship?

Solavellan! >:D While I write solely M!Lavellan/Solas, I do support all genders and orientations for the ship! Because I didn’t get into the ship because of what I saw, it’s what it meant to me. 

What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

*side eyes my main fic* LISTEN. It’s coming! I swear. I’m just having intense writer’s block with my main fic, and I’m not sure why. That’s why I’ve been messing with prompts and drabbles. X’D There’s also my modernAU, too.. *sweats* TIIIIIME! WHERE ARE YOU?!

What are your writing strengths?

Describing emotions. I like emotions. Emotions are nice. :3

What are your writing weaknesses?

Dialogue. Mainly because Fane...doesn’t speak much at the beginning of his journey. He’s very curt, short, so I have hard time incorporating other’s reactions to him. I’m getting better though, I think! :D

What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

I’m for it! Sometimes that little splash of altering dialect can draw someone in and establish a connection! Language connects us, and it’s never too late to try and learn so as to reach out to another! :D

What was the first fandom you wrote for?

Dragon Age, my beloved~ 

What’s your favorite fic you’ve written?

A short story of mine called ‘Blood in the Snow’. It was one of my very first fics and it was the first time I was like, ‘This Lavellan is my muse. I can do so much with him.’ It was just so fun to write a vulnerable moment for Fane, but still keep him locked up. ...It was also where I went, ‘Oh. This is Solavellan Hell. I wasn’t meant to go there, but I DID.’ X’D

Tagging: @oxygenforthewicked @little-lightning-lavellan @dreadfutures @the-dreadful-canine @rosella-writes @aymayzing @drag-on-age @varric-tethras-editor and anyone else that’d like to play! (no pressure, of course! <3)

[what-the--curtains]

Not a Piece of Art

Part 1/4 - A Grudge Like No Other

(Javier Peña x f!reader)

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

Summary: You’re tasked with an impossible mission and an even more impossible partner to complete it with.

Authors note: I have never not once seen narcos all I know if based on other fics I’ve read so pls be kind but let me know if anything’s wildly out of character! Also I’m aware forensics wasn’t a solid discipline (especially DNA fingerprinting) but we’re gonna pretend it is. Lemme know if you’d like to be tagged (or untagged) 😊

Tw: Mentions of fake parental death, swearing, mentions of sex

Word count: 4.1k

Tagged list: @agingerindenial @diogodxlot

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

The morning sun radiates down on your shoulders as you lock the door to your apartment complex behind you. Despite the early hour it was already far too hot, but at least the humidity wouldn’t kick in until the afternoon. You’d been working in Colombia for a few months now, but the heat wasn’t something you’d ever get used to. You weren’t complaining, most days you preferred it to the frigid temperatures that painted your childhood. The frost bitten noses, wool socks and thick snow falls coating tree branches seemed all but a distant memory now. You’d settled on Columbia after your long time best friend Connie convinced you to take the universities offer. She had recently made the move down south and was eager to have you there with her.

She’d told you about the job and honestly, you wouldn’t be surprised if she had marched down to the university herself and dropped off your resume. She’d flown up to Brown and helped you pack up your life and then unpack it after your arrival to the terraced apartment Connie had picked out for you both to live in. It was a decent size and the balcony was south facing which gave you all day access to the sun. When you weren't working you spent your time out there soaking up the sun and watering the small garden you had been tending to since your arrival. Your days were primarily spent at the university working out the finer details of the forensics lab you were hired to set up. Your PhD in forensic anthropology has left you with various laboratory based skills, including DNA analysis, making you a coveted asset to the campus. Whilst in school you had also completed an art certificate which came in handy when facial reconstructions were needed.

After everything was in place you began running samples, processing unidentified remains by working on dental ID’s and facial reconstructions, as well as testing for drug residue. Despite being run by the University your job wasn’t as research based as you would have hoped with your work often falling under the DEA’s jurisdiction. You weren't involved in their day to day protocols. You mainly just ran the tests, or identified bodies recovered from the crime scene only conversing with them when it was absolutely necessary. Police work wasn’t in your wheelhouse, and it wasn’t a profession you supported or believed in.

Many faces passed through your workspace all demanding your utmost attention claiming their projects to be the most important. One frequent flyer through the lab was Steve Murphy, who Connie had met down in Miami a few years back. His relationship to your friend was the only reason you had bothered to make an effort with him. A friendship was established between the two of you faster than you had expected, due in part to his easy southern charm, but mainly because he and Connie evidently had feelings for eachother. You always found it easier to get along with men who weren't trying to get into your pants which was, unfortunately, a frequent occurrence in the male dominated discipline you worked in. There was only one flaw you could attribute to Steve, his work wife, the other half of the DEAs “dynamic duo”, agent Javier Peña. You’d never been formally introduced to the man, but his reputation preceded him. His was a face that also made frequent appearances in your lab but you'd never spoken more than three words to each other which was, probably for the best. You had what some might deem a confrontational personality and from what you understood Peña was, to put it nicely, an asshole.

He always came in sporting a more casual look and sunglasses which he kept on despite being indoors, a habit that drove you up the wall. He’d tap the file on the glass to get your attention always making you walk the five extra steps to get to him. You didn’t bother to look up when he passed the beige folders to you just grabbed the file from his hands and added it to the pile on your desk. He’d started attaching yellow sticky notes with “put a rush on” scrawled across them in impatient handwriting, as if his case was more important than the remains you were currently working on identifying. Not talking was a strategic move on your part, you’d heard he was quite the charmer when he needed something done, and you weren't going to let him get away with that. You ran this lab, not Javier Peña. Was your dismissal of him warranted? Maybe not, but your gut instinct was usually right and the rumour mill had painted Peña in a very specific manner. You weren't about to let yet another hot headed alpha male who took “too much male energy” to an entirely new level into your life.

Unfortunately, your knack for avoiding him became nearly impossible when you were called out to work on a crime scene. Despite your refusal to work in the field, the remains couldn’t be moved so you had to go to them. The site was just far enough away that a daily commute would have been tedious so you, along with the dynamic duo and your forensic team were booked into a nearby hotel. You weren't sure what you'd done in your past life to piss off the gods but somehow you’d ended up sandwiched between Steve and Peña. Steve wasn’t the issue, apart from the TV which you’d hear blare spanish dubbed reruns of Miami Vice between 4 and 8 PM, he was a quiet, considerate neighbour. Peña, on the other hand, was neither considerate or quiet particularly during the late hours of the night while you were trying to sleep. Sharing a wall with the agent proved to be an issue, so much so that by the third day just looking at him filled you with such intense rage that you'd given yourself lockjaw.

Every night without fail you laid awake as the exaggerated, bordering on ridiculous, moans coming from whoever he'd enticed into bed that night reverberated through your shared wall. You'd tried it all, earplugs, pillows so forcefully wrapped around your head you were essentially smothering yourself, but the sounds still permeated through the plaster and into your head. On the fourth night when you heard the talking start you knew what you had to do. You furiously wriggle free from your sheets and make your way out into the hallway. You walk one door over and inhale deeply before aggressively pounding your fist on the door.

“Hey” you say, through gritted teeth.

“Hey?” a slightly disheveled Steve murmurs eyes squirting into the hallway’s bright lights as his arms cross clumsily over his bare chest.

“Look I hate to ask but can I sleep on your couch, the walls are thin and...”

“And Peña has a thing for loud women '' he finishes for you, shoulders relaxing as he opens the door up for you “surprised you lasted this long, come in i'll grab you some pillows”

“Thanks for letting me sleep here, I think I may have killed him in the field tomorrow if I didn't get at least an hour of sleep. Also this isn’t some tactic to get you to bed so you can stop trying to cover your modesty” You say wiping your eyes, as Steve drops his arms to his side laughing.

“I know, believe me, besides i'm sure you're aware I’m only interested in one person.” So he did have a thing for Connie.

“You should go for it, I think she'd say yes” you offer, even in your sleep deprived state you were still a pretty solid wingwoman.

“You think?” His eyes light up, further cementing your belief that Steve, despite being friends with Peña, was a good guy.

“Thanks��� you murmur as he hands you some pillows and a light sheet. It's not long before the AC’s quiet hum draws you into a deep sleep.

The alarm blaring out from Steve’s room pulls you from your dreaming state, groaning as you squeeze a pillow over your head. Why was it that you always felt worse after getting a good night's sleep? You briefly doze off again only waking as the smell of burnt toast convinces your brain that either a fire has started, or you were having a stroke.

“Tryna burn this place down?” you mumble, relaxing back into the couch cushions as you watch Steve scrape the burnt bits off into the garbage before buttering it and taking a bite.

“You think you got enough sleep to not kill my partner this morning?” he asks between mouthfuls.

“No, but I did get enough to realize if I killed him in the field there'd be witnesses” you remark pouring coffee into a cracked mug. “Thank you for letting me sleep here “

“Anytime, though Javi should be the one thanking me considering I basically saved his life. Lucky were leaving today or I’d have to put him into protective custody.”

“And I'll never have to hear him ever again” you say suddenly feeling a bit better. You were glad for Steve being so accommodating to your needs, especially considering he didn't really know you that well. “Well I should go get ready for the day ahead what it's supposed to be out?”

“A balmy 40” Steve offers, as he washes your cup up in the sink.

“Wow I should have packed my snow pants when I moved down here.” you dead pan, the delivery causing Steve to snort as you exit the room. As you exit, Javier opens his door kissing the woman he’d spent the night with one last time watching as she strides off down the hallway. You don’t see him, but he sees you. Specifically, he sees you leaving his partner's room, and in nothing more than an oversized t-shirt, he raised his eyebrows. Good for Steve from what he’d heard half the department had been trying to get your attention to no avail. Your head was always buried in paperwork and your ears were always donning headphones blocking out small talk, maybe he should take a page from your book. He didn’t say anything to Steve in the field, but he did watch you interact with one another. Paying specific attention to how you'd made Steve laugh while photographing the murder weapon. Javi watched as you meticulously gathered up a few finger bones that he'd overheard you saying would be used for DNA fingerprinting. He'd tried to talk to you a few times this trip, but the second he'd stepped in your direction he noticed your jaw clench and your body tense up, not wanting to upset you he decided it was best to back off. After getting what you need you packed up your things and headed back home, with no intentions of ever having to interact with Peña for more than 5 minutes ever again.

Several months later

Your lab was now contracted out full time by the DEA which meant you still got to do research but you didn’t have to teach any teenagers which was quite frankly a dream. Unfortunately, the contract meant you'd now be spending time in two male-dominated fields. The boys club offered little that would qualify as genuine friendship. Turns out the ones brave enough to approach you were only nice to you because they wanted to sleep with you. Something you’d found out after overhearing a less than true story about you from one of the guy’s you’d hooked up with. After that you’d stopped sleeping where you work and started looking elsewhere. Your few short lived romances were mainly found in dive bars only going home with people that had been thoroughly vetted (and vaguely threatened) by yourself, Connie and Steve. Who was now a relatively permanent fixture in your life after finally asking Connie out, and you really didn’t mind it. He was good to Connie and he never minded being excluded when you needed a girls' night without him. You also assumed the decrease in misogynistic talk amongst the agents was Steves doing, you made a mental note to thank him later, as you took another swig of the beer you’d been nursing for the past hour.

Steve was still inseparable from Peña and where he went Javi was sure to follow. Your inability to not become enraged by him meant you often found yourself leaving the room as soon as he showed up, subsequently cutting your Connie time in half. Devastating both you and her.

“You know he’s not really as insufferable as he acts” Connie states, Javi was due to show up any minute which meant it was just about time for you to leave.

“ You're not gonna sell me on this” you say, chewing on a stale nacho chip from food you’d ordered hours ago.

“Seriously, he's almost nice sometimes” your pointed look tells her to drop it. Connie was nothing if not resilient and you were constantly amazed by her. You don’t know how she worked as a nurse. You had a hard enough time with the dead, how she also dealt with the living as well was beyond you. She was a quantifiable saint which was probably why she saw the good in Peña.

“Remind me to never make you mad” Steve says.

“No one holds a grudge quite like her” Connie exclaims

“Awe you say the sweetest things about me” you retort after finishing the last of your beer.

“Alright well I’ve got an early morning shift so we should be heading out, tell Javi I say hi” Connie says kissing Steve before the two of you exit the bar.

“Are you really going to keep up this affront against Javi?” Connie asks, interlinking your arms together as you exit the bar.

“Yes, now please and can we stop talking about Peña even thinking about him gets me riled up”

“I thought you said you hated him” she teases causing you to roll your eyes.

“Please don't make me gag” you say pulling a face that causes you both to break into a giggle fit.

“What up her ass? Seriously, am I infectious or something?” Javi asks, slumping down across from Steve who's filling out paperwork at his desk.

“Well considering your history, probability is pretty high” Steve quips back earning him a thwack to the head with a folder you’d dropped on Peña’s desk earlier that morning.

“You know her, what's her deal, why does she hate me?”

“Everyone hates you Javi, it’s a fundamental part of your personality” Steve laughs.

Javier usually wasn’t one to concern himself with how others perceived him, but his work frequently overligned with yours and he figured his life would be made infinitely easier if he could get into your good books. Sure, at first his intrigue in getting to know you was purely physical. He knew looks aren't everything, but for what he wanted, they played a fundamental part. He wasn’t the only person to have noticed you the day you showed up, all eyes were on you as you walked through the DEA embassy for the first time. Your arrival had sparked a competitive energy amongst the men with the agents often vying over who got the honour of dropping off case files to you. A few were apparently even so lucky to have actually spent the night, at least that's what he’d overheard some agents proclaiming loudly, making him doubt their validity.

He’d cracked down on what some would call “locker room talk” when he thought you and Steve were sleeping together, after seeing you leave his room early that one morning. Though if Steve had been spending nights with you he’d never brought it up to Javi, and after he started dating Connie there never seemed a right time to ask about you, so he let it go. He’d gotten more proactive with stopping it once you’d been hired on full time. He’d upped his guard when he’d caught one trying to cop a feel of your ass the day you had been called in on your day off. You’d come in wearing a skirt shorter than what would be considered workplace appropriate gaining you more attention than usual. He noticed the guys hand drop down low, but any contact was stopped when Javi smashed the guys arm back into the wall behind him. In most cases a move like that would have earned him a swift punch to the face but a simple raise of his eyebrows was enough to get the pervert to sit back down.

Despite the scene playing out a few feet from you, you never noticed carrying on about your day as if nothing had happened, headphones on, paperwork in your arms and various scrawlings across your hand, reminders of meetings he knew you'd be late to anyways. He assumes your chronic lateness was a tactic to spend as little time around him as possible. Your hatred for him was palpable, he wondered if it was as obvious to everyone else as it was to him. He'd noticed how you would stand in meetings when the only seat available was next to him. It was starting to get to his ego. He wanted to know what he possibly could have done to be treated like the scum of the earth by you. He’d heard from Connie that you didn’t like cops, but you got on fine with Steve. Your lives continued on with minimal interaction until the day you were called into the head of the DEA’s office.

“Office now!” your boss shouts from the door. Fuck. What have you done now?

“Hey you need something?” you ask, lips parted and forehead wrinkled, feeling like a child who’d just been called to the principal's office. Your head snaps to the left when you feel eyes boring into you, eyes belonging to Peña. He shifts around in the chair to escape your violent gaze. You turn to Steve who's gazing up at the ceiling.

“I have the dental results here for the missing persons from the case last week, it’s a match, I know it's late but...”

“It's not that,” he gestures his hand to the chair beside Peña and you sit, placing the documents down on the table. Javi cranes his neck slightly, eyes darting over the various statistics strewn across the page surprised you were able to piece it all together.

“You have an art degree right?”

“I have an art certificate” you correct

“and you paint”

“A bit”

“She was featured in local galleries back in the States” Steve pipes up.

“ Good, we need you to go undercover” you snort before laughing aloud. Your amusement quickly fades when you realize no one else was laughing with you.

“Wait you're serious? You want me... to go undercover? I'm not an agent, I can’t use a gun, I don’t think I've even held one before” you say, tearing through all the excuses you could think of.

“You can shoot a bow and arrow,” Steve pipes up.

“Ya very different instrument Steve, also does Connie tell you everything about me” he shrugs his shoulders.

“You won’t need a gun anyways, you'll have a trained agent with you at all times.” Your boss reassures.

“No. No way! Im sorry but this… this is beyond the scope of my work and my skill set” you assert, not budging.

“You’ve been to crime scenes before, you’ve been in dangerous scenarios, excavated mass graves, we need you you’re the only one who can help with this”

“Why? You have multiple agents out there who would kill to go undercover, why me?” you push

“ Your background, and relative anonymity. There's been an increase in art dealing amongst the sicarios.”

“So what? Maybe they just really like art.” you offer

“Does anyone really like art” Peña pipes up

“ Yes, the whole world actually” you shoot back, successfully shutting him up.

“We think they're using convincing fakes to smuggle drugs without suspicion” Steve offered, helping to clear up the situation.

“Okay... then hire an art expert to go in and see if the paintings are real”

“We need you to test for residue on the paintings, and to recreate one in time for the next move”

“Okay im good, but I am not good enough to recreate a painting worth thousands of dollars.”

“From what I’ve seen you are,” Steve says further cementing your fate.

“What if I say no?” you ask, exhaling deeply.

“Then you're fired” Javier pipes up, once again causing your head to turn to him.

“And who, pray tell, made you judge, jury and executioner” you spit “last time I check Javier Peña wasn’t the one signing my paychecks”

“No, but I am, and you will do this” Your boss's backing of Peñas statement makes the smirk on his face even more aggravating.

“Fine, but just know I will be personally mentioning you all in my will so everyone knows exactly who got me killed, and I'm gonna want a raise, more vacation time and a new piece of lab equipment if I make it out alive. ”

“Fine” you smile feeling slightly vindicated.

“So what's my story? Who am I to have a million dollar painting in my possession?” you ask, as your boss pulls up a document on his computer.

“You’ll go by Melanie Alverez nee Smith, you were born in London England to parents Maria and Calvin who passed in a car accident four weeks after your nineteenth birthday”

“Shit” you mutter, thinking about your own parents who were very much alive.

“You dropped out of Oxford where you were undertaking a degree in chemistry and moved to New York where you began painting. You were a struggling artist for the first two years but received funding to attend Julliard. After graduation your first major piece was accepted by a local gallery and put up for auction. It sold for 10,000$. The buyer wanted to meet you after seeing your photo. He’d sent thousands of flowers to your gallery before showing up and asking you on a date.

“Must be nice” you murmur

“After a whirlwind romance you eloped and moved down to Columbia where you continue to work as an artist.”

“Alright easy enough, short live romance is a good call that can be used to explain why we don’t know certain information about each other.”

“You'll be staying here” A huge spanish style house appears on the screen. Its prestige was only overshadowed by the mansion looming over it from across the private beach. Must be the target's house, you think.

“It was built by the target, he lives there with his fourth wife. He’s rich, sources claims from drug smuggling, they think he may even have direct links to Escobar

“Like, as in Pablo?” you ask, eyes widening.

“Apparently he’s his art dealer. We need you to go in and see what he knows, if it's not enough then test the paintings in their homes”

“And if they trace?”

“You'll give them the fake implemented with a tracking device so we can target its route.”

“Okay well I'd say easy enough but the threat of being murdered isn’t lost on me. Who's my husband anyways? Obviously he’s rich but did he tragically fall down the stairs and die, did I kill him?” you ask, smiling as Steve laughs.

“What?” you say looking up

“What...” you say as Steve refuses to meet your eyes as he chokes on his laugh.

“Well you haven’t killed him yet but I give it a week.” He responds.

“Who's my husband” you ask, again suddenly afraid and very aware that there were two men in this room, and one was currently laughing at you.

“Your lucky day sweetheart.” Your head turns comically slow to face Javi, the effect only causes Steve to snicker more.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” you whisper.

“This mission is anything, but a joke.” your boss interjects “If we can trace the arts movement it brings us one step closer to catching Escobar. I don’t know why there's animosity between you two and frankly I do not care. You two must work together. If you are to succeed you have to be believable. Study up on each others aliases the target hasn’t made it this far without being killed by being stupid. We’ve tried to get to him before with no success, he will be on high alert. You two will have to convince him, and his wife, that you’re sincere.”

[mimirexx]

Im super duper late for the jeanpikuweek i feel so bad ;-; but i finally finished this work! I chose the promts AU, saving and alliance and tried to put it into a fic somehow! Since it got a little long i divided it into three chapters and will post one chapter each day 😌

Read it on AO3 or under the cut!

Breakout

An AU where Jean is a shifter and got caught by Zeke and his men. Beside the torture he was receiving, Pieck visits him and the two start to get closer. They want to escape together - but at what costs?

TW: torture, beating, rape (no explicit rape, not between Jean and Pieck!), blood, violence, angst

Chapter one - Chapter two - Chapter three

Deep down in a basement where no sunlight reached sat Jean, a man unfortunate enough to have been captured and imprisoned during a failed mission. He had long forgotten what day it was, spent too much time in the darkness to distinguish between day and night.

Heavy chains hung around his wrists, not allowing him to move more than a few feet away from the wall. There was a thin mattress on the ground where he slept and a shabby piece of cloth that couldn’t be called blanket in any possible way. The cell he was locked up in was small, the stone floor so cold.

They ripped off his clothes before they threw him inside, leaving him in nothing but his underwear, mainly to ensure he had no chance to hide any weapons whatsoever but Jean had a feeling it was also to humiliate him. He was on enemy territory, so of course they would use every opportunity to humiliate and torture him. Nevertheless, he never gave away any information. They could do whatever they wanted, Jean wouldn’t lose a word.

Whether it was beating him up, burning his skin or slicing off his limbs, the shifter remained silent. There was nothing that could make him betray his friends and comrades. Their safety was the top priority, he would be fine as long as they didn’t kill him- which he didn’t think was their intention. At least not until they knew what they wanted to know.

He’d be fine until then.

~

“Why the long face?” A male voice spoke up, standing in front of his cell. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”

Jean didn’t answer, instead just stared at the same spot on the wall he was staring at for hours. One would say there was something really interesting on it with how long and intensely Jean already stared at it. He was thinking deeply, thinking of a way to escape that cell.

Though, he had no idea where he was. Even if he made it out, he didn’t know where to go, which made him an easy target to get captured a second time and receive even worse treatment. The smartest move was to stay where he was and try to gain more information. Everything else would be suicide.

The male stepped into Jean’s cell, the sounds of his boots echoing as he approached the brunet. Only when he stood right in front of him did Jean look up and immediately received a kick in the stomach, making him groan.

Jean kept his volume as low as he could because he didn’t want to give anyone the satisfaction of hurting him. The man crouched down and turned Jean’s face towards him, his lips curled into a mischievous grin.

“My, my. You’re such a nuisance, you know?” He laughed. “Just tell us where your people are and you’re free. Are they really worth all this? I don’t think so, they aren’t even looking for you.”

The brunet looked up at the person that was Floch Forster, a man who betrayed the Survey Corps along with some others, and furrowed his brows in response. It could’ve been about a month already if Jean counted right and his chances of being rescued were shrinking with each passing day, but Jean wasn’t a person to lose hope. If his comrades didn’t come to help him out, he would find a way out by himself. Either worked fine.

“All of this could end right now,” Floch said while looking into Jean’s eyes. “You’re not who we are after. You don’t need to go through all this. If you tell me where the Commander is, I promise you will never have to see any of us again.”

“Fuck you.” Jean said very simply and spat into Floch’s face. “Different from you, I’m not a traitor.”

The redhead’s expression darkened at Jean’s action and his hand found its way around the other’s neck. “Hah, I just like being on the winning team. And I’ve been nice up until now but spitting at me? That’s intolerable.”

Before Jean had the chance to say much more, he was forcefully pressed down against the stone floor. Floch knelt down behind him and used his free hand to pull Jean’s underwear down.

“That needs to be punished, don’t you think?” He kept Jean pressed down against the ground and rubbed the tip of his member against his entrance.

Jean shivered in discomfort and cringed. That was about the most disgusting thing Floch could do, but not even that was enough to make Jean talk. He was convinced to keep quiet, especially in front of Floch.

“Just do what you have to do and leave me alone.” He muttered and closed his eyes. He wanted this to be over quick because any minute he spent without Floch around him was a minute well spent.

Floch didn’t need to be told twice.

Jean was left alone afterwards again and decided to lay on the mattress to spend the rest of the time there until he would fall asleep. It didn’t take long for him to do so and give his body and mind some rest.

~

When he woke up a few hours later, he was surprised to see that his blanket was draped over him. He blinked a couple of times before shrugging it off and looking around.

The second surprise was a person standing in his cell. After squinting a little, he saw that it was a very short person. The black hair gave it away and Jean slowly sat up. He winced a little, feeling sore, but managed to sit anyway.

“You look awful,” the ravenette hung up the torch on the wall and sat down in front of Jean.

“I’m sorry for not getting ready and greeting you properly,” Jean rolled his eyes.

Pieck giggled. “I forgive you, but only this once. Here, I brought you some stew. It’s still warm.” She carefully placed a tray in front of Jean as she said that.

He stared at the bowl of steaming stew and looked away. “I don’t want it,” he lied. The only things he got to eat were bread and sometimes an apple if he was lucky enough. Not that it affected him much, his titan powers allowed his endurance to grow stronger. He could stay weeks without food and would be fine if he wanted to. Not to mention that Pieck was the enemy.

A gorgeous, kind and caring enemy who brought him a little food whenever she came.

She was the only one who hadn’t made a wrong move on him yet. That didn’t earn her his full trust, however, he enjoyed her company. It was a nice change.

“It’s not poisoned or anything, look.” She scooped a spoonful of the stew and ate it, showing her empty mouth afterwards to prove her point. “It’s safe to eat and you need to eat something proper before you pass out or anything.”

“I’ll be fine,” he denied anyway and leaned his back against the wall. “Shifter and all.”

“I don’t care.” She lifted the bowl and filled the spoon with stew before holding it out for him. “Just eat it.”

“Will you tell me where we are if I eat it?”

“You know I can’t,” Pieck moved the spoon a little closer, “now open your mouth.”

Jean narrowed his eyes. He couldn’t deny that the stew smelled really good, and Pieck ate from it, it had to be safe. So he eventually opened his mouth and ate the spoonful, chewing it slowly while savoring the taste. It had vegetables and potatoes and even some meat. It’s been a while since he last had meat.

“...I can eat by myself.” He insisted and took the bowl and spoon from Pieck. It was a little embarrassing to be fed like a child.

Pieck let him and rested her hands on her lap. Her expression turned a little more serious, her brows furrowing. “What did Floch do?”

“The usual.” Jean replied nonchalantly.

“Can’t be, I don’t see any injuries…”

He paused to look up at her for a moment. “Healed. Not important.”

Pieck was quiet and lowered her gaze slightly. It seemed she put one and one together and didn’t need any further explanation.

As the cell fell into silence, Jean ate more of the stew, eating rather quickly so he would finish soon and avoid getting any of them in danger. But one question was on his mind.

“Why are you doing this?”

Pieck tilted her head. “Doing what?”

“Bringing me extra food and all… Is that your way of coaxing me to get information?” He raised a brow.

“Ouch, that’s not nice to hear. Although I understand why you think this way.” She shrugged and gave him a little smile, “that’s not my intention nor my job. I know we’re at war and that information is very precious but I do not like the way you’re being treated... You’re a human being just like the rest of us and I wouldn’t want one of my comrades to be treated like that if they were in a similar situation… So I’m trying to make it a little easier for you.”

Jean stared for a moment before he gave a nod and continued to eat. He wasn’t sure if Pieck’s words were genuine. She did sound like she meant what she said so, for the time being, he left it at that.

“Don’t you get in trouble for being here anyway? What if they find out you’re bringing me food?” Jean questioned next. Up until now, that was Pieck’s fourth or maybe fifth visit. She always brought him something small to eat. He did not want to draw any unnecessary attention.

“They won’t, it’s my turn to watch over the prisoners so I need to be here anyway.” She crossed her legs and leaned back against her palms. “And don’t worry about the food. I know what I’m doing.”

Jean was a little hesitant but nodded anyway. Nobody noticed that he was getting extra food or a chance to have a decent conversation with another person and he would rather keep it that way. “I see… I hope for you that this isn’t any kind of trick.”

“No way,” Pieck shook her head, “you’re too smart to play any tricks on. And I’m starting to like your company, so this is a win-win for both of us.”

“Mhm..”

The brunet was quick to finish the bowl and set it back down on the tray. “Thank you for the meal.”

Pieck smiled and leaned forward again. “You’re more than welcome. You know, talking with you is way more fun than talking with the others.”

“What, because I’m half naked?” He joked, making Pieck giggle.

“Of course not! Although I have to admit, that’s definitely a sight to behold,” she wiggled her eyebrows playfully.

Jean rolled his eyes and leaned back against the wall again. He couldn’t help the little smile from forming on his lips.

“What I meant,” she said, “talking with you, it feels so different. Makes me feel careless. It’s like talking to a good friend.”

“A friend, huh…” Jean repeated before shrugging. He missed his friends, they were all precious to him. What he would give to see one of them now... It’s been so long.

“Is there anything else I can get you for today?” Pieck spoke while taking the tray and standing up.

“How about the keys for these?” He lifted one hand, making the chains rattle. “And a map?”

Pieck smiled with sympathy and grabbed the torch. “Dummy. You have the keys and map to my heart, that’s the only ones I can give you. You know that.” She hummed and walked out of the cell, making sure to lock it behind herself before waving. “See ya.” And she disappeared in the dark.

Jean watched her leave and exhaled deeply. He already knew Pieck wouldn’t give him any of these but it was still worth a try. Even if only to humor himself.

It was after Pieck’s visits that Jean felt a little better. It was like she was restoring his energy so he could make it through another day or week. Talking with her was so calm and without any pressure, it was so easy.

He might not fully trust her but he still looked forward to the next time he would be able to have a chat with Pieck.

~

A few days or so later, Jean didn’t know how long it was, Zeke personally came down to his cell. He was in charge of these people and the whole mission, Jean learned. He was the one who suggested kidnapping one of the shifters to turn the tables. This far, it didn’t appear to benefit him much since Jean didn’t give away any information and the Survey Corps had yet to make a move towards them.

The brunet glanced up when the door of his cell was unlocked and the tall blond walked inside. Behind him stood a few other soldiers with rifles pointed at him. He stared at them before shifting his gaze up at Zeke.

“Jean Kirstein, am I right? I gotta say I’m quite impressed.” The blond stopped right in front of Jean and rubbed over his beard.

Jean just stared, the indifference obvious on his expression.

“You’ve been here for more than two weeks and haven’t lost a word. That’s quite exceptional.”

Just two weeks? It felt so much longer. But then again, Jean lost every sense of time he had. He couldn’t even tell if it was day or night at the moment.

Zeke hummed and tilted his head. “Aren’t you a smart man? You should know that your friends will not find you here, never. And you should also know that we will not stop searching for them. We’re at advantage. If you tell us where they are, we will let you leave. I will even prepare you a lunch bag for the way, how does that sound?”

“You don’t think I believe you would really let me go, do you?” Jean raised a brow before a sly grin came to his lips. “Kick and punch me all you want, tell your men to rape me as many times as your sick brain feels like. Do whatever pleases you. You’re not getting anything out of me.”

It was Zeke’s turn to stare. His eye twitched a little. He cleared his throat and nodded, “I see. Then we just need to continue trying out new things until we find something that works. Or until I’m sick of it and just feed you to someone.”

He waved two fingers, making one of the soldiers at the door enter the cell with something in his hands. Once he was close enough, Jean could see that it was some kind of bottle with a colorless liquid inside. At first glance, it looked like a bottle of water.

But Zeke wasn’t that innocent.

“Have you ever touched sulfuric acid?” He took the bottle and opened it, crouching down in front of Jean.

Well, that made him a little tense.

“Curious to know what this does to the skin?” Zeke’s glasses reflected the light of the nearby torch. The grin on his face didn’t make the situation any better.

Jean clenched his teeth and glared. “Tsk…”

“Where is your base?” Zeke questioned.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you climb some trees and search for it, Monkey?” Jean spat, unintimidated.

And that was when Zeke splashed a generous amount of the acid over Jean. It hit his face, stomach, arms and legs, causing Jean to cry out loudly. Every single drop of the acid burned in such a cruel way, turning his skin into a bright red mess with many blisters. It burned mercilessly through his flesh and Jean felt every drop of it having its effect on him.

He groaned and panted heavily, biting his lower lip in an attempt to stifle his noises. His body naturally began regenerating and steam rose to the ceiling. Jean looked at Zeke, shot him a look of disgust.

“Did that help your memory?” Zeke questioned with a dark expression. “Will you tell me now?”

Jean took a few deep breaths. Then he smirked. “H-hah? That only tick-tickled a bit... You-you gotta try better.”

The blond snarled and grabbed Jean’s face with one hand, shoving the bottle into his mouth with the other. “Then I’m sure you won’t mind this!” He tilted Jean’s head up so the liquid would run down his throat.

Jean tried moving his face away somehow while he tried to scream and felt how the acid burned his insides. From his air pipe down to his lung and guts. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling at all. In fact, that was the worst kind of pain he had ever experienced. It was a hundred times worse than just getting the acid on his skin.

It felt like he was melting from the inside, like he was decomposing while the acid devoured his organs and bones. He wanted to cough and throw up and breathe at the same time, wanted to get the acid out again. But chained up and held in place, he had no chance to defend himself. And for a split second, he was considering Zeke’s offer. The pain messed with his mind.

When Zeke finally pulled the bottle away because it was empty, Jean fell back and began wheezing. Breathing was almost impossible now and Jean was on the brink of passing out. Even though his body was regenerating itself, it would surely take a while and the pain was unbearable.

Zeke said something Jean didn’t hear. A few moments later, he did pass out and laid sprawled out across the floor. His mouth hung open, steam passing his lips with his body’s desperate attempt to heal itself.

This was rough. This Zeke was insane, a maniac, and he was sure he would get to experience even more of these psychotic torture methods in the next days.

But as crazy as Zeke might be, Jean was stubborn and strong. He just needed to hold on. And maybe he needed to find a way to escape earlier before all of this could cost him his life and pain wasn’t a pleasant feeling.

~

Jean groaned in discomfort and reached up a trembling hand to press it against his stomach. It already was much better from when the acid burned him but the soreness and irritation was still there. His body already healed most of the damage, Jean could tell, but it wasn’t fully done just yet.

His eyes blinked open tiredly to get a view of his surroundings. Still in the cell, still chained up. The only difference from the last time he was awake was that he was now laying on the mattress with the blanket over his body. There was something strange under his head too.

“Jean? Can you hear me?” He heard a tender voice by his side and turned his head slightly to look up at the person.

Upon seeing the worried expression on her face, Jean’s lips tugged into a tiny smile. “Your voice is… is soft like an angel’s... Not sure i-if I’m already dead…” He murmured and closed his eyes again.

“Oh, God… I’m so glad you finally woke up…” Pieck whispered, her hand coming up to run through Jean’s long hair.

“Don’t tell me... you were worried about the enemy. That’s.. That’s not how it works, Pieck.” He let out a small chuckle which ended in heavy coughing.

“Jean!” She exclaimed and turned him onto his side quickly, patting his back to help him ride out the cough. “Stop talking, you’re not in the condition to talk now. You need to rest so your body can focus on healing.”

Jean laid back once he got a grip of himself and let out a weak sigh. He glanced up at Pieck again and looked into her eyes. He wasn’t sure if he saw tears in them because he couldn’t focus too hard but it was easy to see that she was very sad.

“‘M fine,” he assured her and lifted his hand which Pieck took into her own. Her much smaller hands embraced his big one, squeezed him.

Pieck looked into his eyes and this time he saw rage in them, something he had never seen before. She always wore a smile on her face, so Jean never imagined how it’d look like if Pieck got angry. It was scary, in a way, to see her enraged, out of all people.

“You were unconscious for two days… Zeke went too far this time. He’s gotten so gruesome ever since all of this started, he’s not the person I once trusted anymore. I can’t trust someone who would go this far only for dumb information.” She stated, her voice loud enough for Jean to hear but still kept quiet.

“Jean.” She gave his hand another squeeze, “I’ll help you out of here. I thought Zeke was a good person- he’s clearly not. And I’m not gonna sit and watch how his actions will get worse from here on.”

Jean was silent for a moment, letting Pieck’s words process in his head. Surely, hearing that she would help him wasn’t what he expected, and he couldn’t tell if this was a trap or not. After what Zeke did, he had to be much more careful now.

“You just couldn’t resist my charm, could you?” He joked.

“Maybe that’s true too.” She reached one hand down and smoothed out Jean’s hair. “But I’m serious. You don’t deserve such treatment only because you're the ‘enemy’. I’ve made my decision.”

The brunet closed his eyes when he felt Pieck’s hand on his head. It’s been a while since he last received a tender touch and with Pieck it felt so right. He knew that it could be a trap but it was the most gorgeous and kindest trap ever.

For a moment, he wanted to believe Pieck’s words. Just for one moment.

When it was only him and her, Jean felt like everything was right. She always sounded so sincere and genuine and honest… always treated him as equal and even almost like a friend. Maybe that was how Pieck was and maybe she was honest about wanting to help him. This was a tough decision.

“Can you tell me where we are exactly?” He opened his eyes to look up at the ravenette, awaiting an answer from her.

Pieck gave a small nod. “We’re in an open area, about ten miles away from the nearest forest. They’ve spent weeks building this place to hold someone - preferably a shifter - captive. Right now, we’re underground. So if you planned to transform to leave, you’d have to get to the surface first or else you’ll be stuck in the ground. It’s too small.”

Her fingers entangled in his locks, giving him a few more strokes before she held Jean’s hand on her lap using both hands. “We’re pretty far away from any kind of civilization, so just running away won’t help, they’ll capture you again.” She explained, rubbing a thumb over Jean’s knuckles. “I would suggest going southwest, that’s where you can find the most people and hide until you know where to go.”

“I see.” He muttered and stared up at the ceiling in thought. If that was the case, he needed a plan to get out of the building and leave without anyone noticing to buy time. And he needed to be fully healed to be able to run that distance.

“I can sneak out the keys of your cuffs but I haven’t seen any kind of map here apart from the big one in Zeke’s room. I can’t give it to you but I will try to make a sketch of it for you from my memory.”

“Why?” Jean questioned, moving his gaze to her eyes. “Why are you doing all this for me? It can’t be only because Zeke poured acid over me. What’s the real reason behind all this?”

“...I don’t want Zeke to win. Not anymore. He’s my friend but his motives aren’t something I can agree on. If I can stop him or at least manipulate his plan somehow, I will.”

“What are his motives?” Jean was the one to squeeze her hand this time.

“...He wants to turn all subjects of Ymir infertile. He thinks that it’s better, that those who can turn into titans should no longer exist. He wants to rot them out and that’s wrong… but he won’t listen to anyone.”

“I see.” Jean said again and furrowed his brows a little. He didn’t only need to escape, they had to do something about Zeke and stop him. If his plan succeeded, it would be the worst outcome.

The brunet began pushing himself up into a sitting position, wincing a little when a particular move hurt too much. He exhaled carefully once he sat and glanced around the cell quietly.

While he looked around, he noticed that Pieck used her coat as a makeshift pillow for his head and couldn’t help but smile. Maybe she spoke the truth about wanting to help him out.

“Alright,” he looked up at Pieck, “will you be able to get me a sketch or something similar of the surroundings and this place by tomorrow? I’ll think of something to do against Zeke and his men.”

Pieck nodded. “I’ll do my best. And you don’t move around too much, your body needs to rest and heal.”

The brunet stared, a little deadpanned. He gave a short glance around the small cell, down to his cuffs and back up at Pieck. “Not like I have a choice?” He raised a brow in amusement.

“I meant it as in ‘don’t strain your body’.” She corrected.

Jean nodded quickly and held back a grin. “Oh, sure! I’ll just tell them not to beat me up too bad next time. Mhm, understood.”

“Jean!” Pieck pouted and gently slapped his arm. “You know what I meant, you big dummy.”

He let out a short chuckle. “I know, I’m just teasing you. By the way…” His voice became a bit more serious again, “what about you? I guess you will stay here?”

The ravenette gave a small shrug and looked around, scratching her head. “Not like I have a choice,” she repeated his words.

“Listen, if you really help me out of here and you really aren’t on Zeke’s side anymore…” he trailed off. “My people will understand. We can figure out something for you to stay with us, we could need someone intelligent and strong like you.”

“You expect your friends to welcome me with open arms after what I’ve done?” She tilted her head, brows furrowing.

“You were following orders.” Jean emphasized. “If what you’re saying about turning your back on Zeke is true, then I can talk with my people about this and we will figure out something. Whatever happens, I can assure you that you will not get this kind of treatment, even as one of Zeke’s soldiers.”

“Ah…” The ravenette looked down and scratched the back of her neck.

Jean reached out to touch her shoulder gently, making Pieck face him again. “I’m not telling you to make a decision right now. Zeke aside, I know you probably have close friends here. Just.. think about it and let me know once you made up your mind.” He offered.

Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy to just take her back with him, Jean knew that, but this place - and especially Zeke - were awful and someone this kindhearted like Pieck had nothing to do here. They could become really good friends if the circumstances were different, so Jean wanted her to go with him.

Not to mention that someone like Pieck would benefit them greatly. She was strong, she was smart. If Zeke lost her so suddenly, it’d be a big shock and a big disadvantage, that much was for sure.

Then again, only if what Pieck said was true.

Though, Pieck didn’t seem like the person who needed to lie to get what she wanted. Jean had a good feeling about it.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, try to get enough rest.” She reached up to take the hand that was on her shoulder and pulled it down. Giving his hand a few gentle pats, she soon stood up and grabbed her coat as well.

Jean watched her stand up and gave a firm nod. “Be careful.”

After she left, Jean carefully laid down again and closed his eyes, both to let his body do the work of regenerating and to think deeply. He needed to concentrate and think of a plan.

[readyplayerhobi]

The Evolution of You and I

; Hybrid!Jimin x Reader

; Genre: Fluff, light angst, mentions of smut

; Word Count: 10.2k

; Warnings: Mentions of loss of virginity, discussion of sex

; Synopsis: For 15 years, Park Jimin has been in your life in some form. From childhood penpal’s to the closest of friends now, you can’t imagine your life without him even if you’ve never actually met him in person. It doesn’t help that you’ve fallen for him, even across the distance that separates you. But what happens when you finally meet up and you discover he’s been keeping something secret?

; A/N: Based on this prompt from @hybridfanfiction! I read it and immediately wanted to do something, so this happened. It’s in a bit of a more unusual format to my other stuff but I hope you all enjoy it anyway :)

-

8 Years Old

“Can anyone tell me what a penpal is?” Miss Kim asks the class with a pleasant tone to her voice, pretty pink lips turned up gently. She’s so pretty, you always think to yourself, and you like to be in her class. She makes learning fun and never makes you feel bad for not knowing things.

Looking around, a few people raise their hands and give answers that get carefully turned down by her before she gives a bright smile, white teeth shining in the harsh lighting. “A penpal, is someone that you write to who lives far away. Sometimes they live in other countries, sometimes they just live in other parts of the same country. Lots of people become friends this way!”

Miss Kim starts to walk around the room and hands out plain, ruled pieces of paper. “We’re going to be penpals with students from another school in Busan. That’s on the other side of the country from us, on the seaside. Each paper I’m giving you has the name of a student that you are going to write to, so tell them about yourselves. Ask them about themselves. Try and make up a friendship!”

“Miss...what do we say?” You ask quietly as she hands you your sheet of paper. A few of the kids near the supplies are handing out packs of coloured pencils and pens and you take a handful of multi-coloured pencils that are pleasing to your young mind.

A letter can always use extra decorations!

“Well...tell them your name and your age maybe. What you like to do for fun. Your favourite film or animal. Whatever you want to say. It’s your letter!” Watching her carefully, you look back down at your letter with a frown and ponder what to write to your potential new friend.

Park Jimin (Boy), is written across the top in Miss Kim’s pretty handwriting. For a moment, you look across the room at the Park Jimin in your own class and marvel at the fact there’s another out there in Busan, only he’s a boy!

Taking hold of the pink pencil, your tongue sticks out cutely as your brow frowns intensely and you begin to write your letter, ignorant of the raucous laughter and yelling of the rest of your students.

Dear Jimin,

Hi! I’m Y/N, a girl! I go to school in Seoul. Miss Kim says you’re in..Boosan? On the seaside? Is it pretty? We don’t have sea here, but the Han river is okay. It smells sometimes.

Do you go to the beach? Are there crabs? I’ve never seen a crab! I like horses. Do you have horses? There’s no horses in Seoul. Do you like horses?

My favourite film is Hercules. I want to be a god too! Wouldn’t that be cool! I can save you if you want?

Please write back!

From, Y/N

Once done, you draw a bunch of tiny horses around the page in yellows, purples and pinks before adding sparkly stars and a crab or two for Jimin. Because he might like crabs, and you don’t want him to miss out on your decoration too.

You also draw a terrible stick person drawing of yourself. Lips pursing in annoyance, you draw an arrow and note down that your head isn’t really that big. It’s like an astronaut, and you don’t want Jimin to think that. He might not like astronaut people and never write back!

“Is everyone done?” Miss Kim calls out from the front of the classroom, hands clasped against her stomach as she waits for everyone to quiet down. You nod repeatedly before smiling at her brightly as you move to the front and hand her your letter. She looks over it before giving you an approving nod and adding it to her stack.

“That’s wonderful everyone. I’ll get these posted as soon as possible and then we just have to wait!”

And so you do, impatiently so and completely unaware that your life had changed for the better.

-

Hi Y/N!

I’m Jimin, it’s nice to meet you. I live in Busan and the sea is very pretty here. It’s blue, like the sky but more green. It smells funny sometimes too, but I like it. I see crabs a lot! Maybe I can send you one?

I’d like to see the Han river! It’s famous right? In movies and films. And I have no horses, but I have been horse riding! They’re big and scary, but friendly. They don’t really like me though. You should go.

I don’t need saving, but I like Spider-Man films. He saves people too! We can be a superhero team! Wouldn’t that be cool?

What do you like to eat? Do you like seafood? We have lots here, but I don’t like. I like meat, it’s yummy.

Please write back soon!

From, Jimin

-

9 Years Old

Hi Jimin,

It was my birthday yesterday. I’m now 9! Are you 9 too? So you know, my birthday is September 12th. It’s very important, so don’t forget. I’ll draw a picture of my cake for you!

When’s your birthday? Is it soon? Do you like cake too? Who doesn’t like cake? It’s so nice.

School is so boring. I don’t think I like school. Do you? What’s your favourite subject? It’s strange that you send your letters to my house now. I get mail with my name on! My mom puts it on the side for me.

Do you like getting mail too?

Write back soon.

Hugs and kisses, Y/N!

-

Hi Y/N!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Y/N...happy birthday to you!

My birthday isn’t until October 13th. So you’re older than me! Wow, that’s so cool. I hope you got a good birthday present! My mom helped me to pick out this friendship bracelet so I hope you like it.

I like cake! Your cake looked cool. I hope my cake looks like yours!

I love school! I love maths and science. I like numbers, they’re fun. If you need help, then I’ll try! I want to be a maths teacher when I grow up, it’d be cool. I can teach more kids about maths and get them to love it too.

I like getting mail cos it’s from you. What do you want to be when you grow up?

From, Jimin

-

12 Years Old

Hey Jimin,

So remember that stupid boy I told you about? Jackson? Well he kissed me today and it was totally gross and ewww. Why do grown ups like doing that? It was just...wet and icky. Have you ever been kissed yet?

I also had a maths test today and I think I did bad. I wish I was good at it like you! But I get to do arts tomorrow and I’m excited for that. I like drawing. I’ve drawn you a cute dragon on the back of this letter, so I hope you like it.

Is the weather in Busan nicer than here lately? It’s just been raining all the time and is so grey. Soyeon said we should go to karaoke for her birthday but...I don’t really like it. I’m not good at singing. Are you good?

Write back soon!

Hugs and kisses, Y/N.

-

Hey Y/N,

I’m so glad I got your letter today. It wasn’t a very good day :( these people in my school made fun of me for how I look. It made me upset. I can’t change any of that and it made my mom cry when I told her. I didn’t want to make her cry :(

I haven’t been kissed, but it sounds gross. Maybe I’ll stay away from kissing for a while, I trust you! But I guess maybe you need to be grownup to enjoy it? Who knows. We’re still kids!

And I’m sorry about your test. I hope you did well on it but if not then I’m trying to send you my maths knowledge! Your drawing was so good, you’re so good at it! I got my mom to put it up on my wall when I’d coloured it in for you. Can you draw me one that’s coloured in too so I can put that on my wall as well?

It’s sunny here in Busan! I’ve been going to the beach with my brother a lot and playing with our football. I like running around and doing things outside and we both like to play football. Would you play football with us if we ever met? We’re very fast!

Mom says I have a good singing voice, but I don’t like doing it. It makes me shy. You should go with your friends, it might be fun!

Write back :)

Hugs and kisses, Jimin

-

14 Years Old

To: Park Jimin <chim-chimminiepark@hotmail.com>

From: Y/N <aseoulmind@hotmail.com>

Subject: HI!!!!!!!!

JIMINNIEEEEEEEE,

Oh my god. This is our first email, isn’t this weird? O-o

Like…you’re going to get this immediately after I send it! We can talk so much faster instead of waiting for the stupid post. And now we don’t have to worry about writing neatly.

Not that I wrote neatly for you or anything. Cos I totally didn’t.

But still, this is so cool right? My computer is in my living room and my mom keeps track of what I do. Is it like that for you too?

How did your date go with Chaeyoung? Did it go well? I know you were nervous about it but you’re so sweet and kind. I think she’d be missing out if she said no! I’d love to see what she looks like, I’ve never seen a Fennec fox hybrid but I’m sure she’s so pretty and cute.

Argh, write back to me soon please! ^-^

Hugs and kisses, Y/N

-

To: Y/N <aseoulmind@hotmail.com>

From: Park Jimin <chim-chimminiepark@hotmail.com>

Subject: RE: HI!!!!!!!!

\(^U^)/ Y/N!

I’m writing this after only getting it five minutes ago. Isn’t that cool? This is going to make talking to you so easy.

You so wrote neat for me. I can tell. Your writing always got sloppy at the end when you were tired on the longer letters. But it’s okay. I’ll tell you a secret...I used to write neat for you too…

My computer is in my room, but that’s because my brother also has one and my dad has a laptop. They trust me, but they still check my history. So I have to be careful what I go on. I don’t want to get in trouble.

I did take Chaeyoung on a date! I was so nervous ^^; but she said yes! Can you believe that? I almost threw up. She wouldn’t have said yes then. But thanks for having faith in me! ^o^

She’s so pretty. She’s got this...blonde hair that looks like honey and it’s like light is in it. Her ears are so cute too, I bet the fur is soft. I sound sappy, my friends would laugh if I said this. You won’t right? Do...you like hybrids? Some people don’t.

I took her on a date along the beachfront here in Busan. We had dinner at a barbeque place and then went to the movies. I saw Iron Man and it was so cool. Then we had bungeobbang and walked along the front. The sea is pretty at night. Maybe I should take a picture for you? We can send pictures on email right?

Do you still like that Yugyeom? Or do you not want to kiss him because only grown ups do that and it’s icky? Hehe.

Hugs and kisses, Jimin.

-

To: Park Jimin <chim-chimminiepark@hotmail.com>

From: Y/N <aseoulmind@hotmail.com>

Subject: RE: RE: HI!!!!!!!!

OH MY GOD. SHUT UP. I WAS 12 AND KNEW NOTHING.

I hate you.

-

To: Y/N <aseoulmind@hotmail.com>

From: Park Jimin <chim-chimminiepark@hotmail.com>

Subject: RE: RE: RE: HI!!!!!!!!

ㅠㅡㅠ

I’m sorry! Come back...please. I swear, I won’t mention it again!

-

17 Years Old

Park Jimin has signed in.

Y/N: Jimin!

Y/N: Jimin!

Y/N: Jimin!

Park Jimin: Jfc what! Let me sign in first u demon

Y/N: So...I went on a date with Eunho yesterday. Said yes 2 him.

Y/N: He took me bowling and I really wanted him 2 kiss me but he was all ‘I’m being a gentleman’.

Y/N: Think my dad said something 2 him :(

Y/N: Do u think he even likes me?

Park Jimin: Y would u think that?

Y/N: Well...he’s a guy! A teenage guy! U r all dumb and hormonal right?

Park Jimin: Am I supposed 2 be supporting u? Or are u trying 2 offend me?

Y/N: Shh, u kno I love u <333

Y/N: But it’s true. Every1 in my class has done it. Why is Eunho being slow?

Park Jimin: Woah woah!

Park Jimin: Not a race! It was ur first date. Calm down James Bond. Mayb Eunho hasn’t done it either?

Park Jimin: I haven’t

Y/N: Ur school is full of dumb girls

Park Jimin: Y?

Y/N: Cus u r cute

Park Jimin: :3

Park Jimin: ^^; <3

Y/N: :( seriously tho…

Park Jimin: Hey...it’s ok. Don’t worry. Pls.

Y/N: K. Did u pass your test?

Park Jimin: :D

Y/N: Omg yay! I bet ur mom n dad are so proud!

Park Jimin: Yeah, they bought me dinner out. I got top in my class…

Park Jimin: I also got voted class president…

Y/N: Omg, my best friend is such a nerd

Park Jimin: >:o

Park Jimin: Y u so mean?!

Y/N: Cos I love u <3

Y/N: Well done tho. I kno u were worried. But I had faith!

Park Jimin: Thanks :)

Y/N: I asked my mom 4 a dog for my birthday btw

Y/N: But she said no :(

Y/N: Cos my parents work 2 much

Y/N: And I’m only home for 2 more years

Park Jimin: Oh no :( sry

Park Jimin: What would u have wanted? A puppy?

Y/N: Yeah...mayb. We couldn’t have a big dog

Y/N: Our apartment is 2 small here, so small dog

Y/N: My friend has a Cocker Spaniel

Y/N: She’s cute, but she jumps everywhere

Park Jimin: Spaniel’s r cute! :D

Y/N: Would u get a dog?

Park Jimin: Nah

Y/N: What?! Y not?! Dogs r the best

Park Jimin: I don’t like the idea :(

Y/N: Y not?

Park Jimin: Cos...I just don’t. Mom n dad wouldn’t get one anyway

Y/N: That sucks. Don’t get fish tho. They’re boring

Park Jimin: Haha, I won’t

Park Jimin: Hey, did u see that new show out? Game of Thrones?

Y/N: Omg yes

Y/N: So much sex

Y/N: My parents don’t want me 2 watch

Park Jimin: But u did?

Y/N: Hehe

-

18 Years Old

Park Jimin has signed in.

Park Jimin: Hi :)

Park Jimin: Hello?

Park Jimin: Y/N??

Park Jimin: Are u there?

Y/N: Hey...sorry. Yeah, I’m here

Park Jimin: ...are you okay?

Y/N: ...no

Y/N: Not really ;(

Park Jimin: Y?! What’s wrong?!

Park Jimin: What happened? Who do I have to 2 hurt???

Y/N: Eunho…

Park Jimin: What?

Park Jimin: Eunho?

Park Jimin: What’s he done? You’ve been dating for 7 months now?!

Park Jimin: Y/N...talk 2 me :(

Park Jimin: Pls

Y/N: We had sex last night

Park Jimin: Ok...but u wanted that? Right?

Park Jimin: I mean...u said u wanted it? That u were ready?

Y/N: :(

Park Jimin: :( what happened?

Y/N: It was awful Jimminie :(

Park Jimin: <3 u don’t have to talk 2 me. Have u talked to Soyeon about it?

Y/N: No...I don’t want 2. It’s embarrassing

Park Jimin: Ok, u don’t have to do anything

Y/N: No, I want 2 talk to u

Y/N: It hurt so much :( and he didn’t care

Y/N: I told him, but he just said it’s supposed to

Y/N: I cried and went home

Y/N: He broke up with me this morning

Park Jimin: I’m gonna kill him

Park Jimin: I’m gonna fucking kill him

Park Jimin: I’ll bite him so damn hard

Park Jimin: The asshole. I knew he wasn’t good enough for u >:[

Y/N: Jiminnie...y are u going to bite him silly?

Y/N: It’s okay. It’s my fault.

Park Jimin: NO!

Park Jimin: It’s NOT ur fault. U thought u were ready and u loved him

Park Jimin: But he was a dick.

Park Jimin: I’ll bite him for you

Y/N: Haha, y u biting people?

Park Jimin: I’m sorry :( please don’t blame urself

Park Jimin: Ur smart and funny and kind. He messed up. He lost something great. Ur amazing, remember that

Y/N: :)

Y/N: Thank u

Y/N: It hurts, and it will. But I’m happier talking to u already

Park Jimin: I’ll always be here 4 u

Park Jimin: As cheesy as that sounds

Y/N: No...I need it

Y/N: I need my best friend right now

Y/N: <3

Park Jimin: <3

-

20 Years Old

Sitting in the uncomfortable desk chair in your university dorm, you chew your lips nervously as the Skype ringtone plays into the silent air around you. Over the years, you’ve had phone calls with Jimin occasionally on special moments, such as your birthday or his.

In recent years, there’s been a few more but never too many. Plus it was expensive after a while. The two of you have preferred to instant message each other on your laptops in your rooms, but now video calling is a thing. A common thing apparently.

You’d been vaguely aware of it, but it hadn’t entered your head to ask Jimin if he wanted to. Particularly given your laptop was not the best. But you’d been given a brand new laptop for Christmas and so had he. There was no reason to not at least try it anymore.

So here you were, in the silence of your dorm room and waiting for the call to connect to Jimin.

Not only were you nervous because you would be talking to him instead of just typing, but it was a video call. You’d only ever seen the occasional picture of Jimin over the years, taken at some odd angle so that half his head was cropped out or something ridiculous like that.

He’d complained that he didn’t like to have his picture taken, but you didn’t understand why. You always remembered him as being pretty cute, though your last photo was from two years ago. So maybe he got really ugly or something.

Who knows? Stranger things have happened.

Looking to the side, you pick up your ballpoint pen to write down a few notes that suddenly enter your head that will be useful for your homework that you plan on doing later. It’s for your stupid required mathematics class, and you’re half wondering if you can get Jimin to stay online long enough with you to help you out.

It still boggles your mind that he’s going to voluntarily be doing a mathematics degree. Like...he actually likes numbers that much.

A soft laugh leaves you as you suddenly remember one of his original letters, where he’d said that he wanted to be a maths teacher. Who knew that he was entirely serious about that?

“Hello?” A quiet voice that was surprisingly husky calls out through your speakers and you look back with widened eyes, taking in the sight on screen eagerly. He must be laid on his bed or something, as his head is really close to the screen and you can almost see down his shirt.

Which immediately causes you to focus on his eyes, because you can’t handle that. You know he still does dance and soccer, even in uni, and he likes to playfully brag about his ‘rock hard abs’. He’s not quite Dwayne Johnson levels of fit though, despite his boasting over the previous year.

“Shit, damn,” You curse as you scrawl across the page in an ugly mark before dropping the pen and looking back at him with a bright smile. “Hi! Jimin! Hi!”

The two of you go silent, the mood slightly awkward between you both as you take in the sight of him. And he’s doing the same to you, big and bright eyes tracking over the image of your face on screen before he’s letting out a tiny laugh, sound hitching on the highest point of his exhale.

He’s got what look like a plain white shirt on, and you frown at seeing the black beanie pulled down over his head, honey-blonde hair covering up dark eyebrows. “I thought you didn’t like hats? You said they hurt your ears?”

You’d always thought that was slightly odd, but if it was painful for him then you’d just accepted what he said. But seeing him on screen with a hat pulled all the way down till the tips of his ears are hiding behind them has you frowning.

Almost immediately you see his tan cheeks flush red even through the combination of a screen and crappy lighting on his end and bizarrely, his hand taps at the top of his beanie, pressing down on the soft material with a slightly panicked look in his eye.

“I don’t...like hats. But...I mean...I just...use them now. I haven’t washed my hair and I did soccer practice today. So it’s gross.” Jimin’s muttering by the end, looking down at something before giving you a shy smile and you feel something flutter in your stomach at the sight.

It’s only then that you properly take him in, noting the softly rounded cheeks that are still filled with baby fat that are juxtaposed with the sharpness of his jawline. His lashes are dark and full, casting a tiny shadow on his cheeks whenever he looks down and you frown at the bizarre mixture of feelings that sizzle in your veins.

Jimin is your best friend, and has been for years. He knows everything about you. Literally everything. Probably stuff guys shouldn’t know, but he knows it anyway. Because he’s always been so easy to talk to and non-judgemental.

You’ve never even considered what he looks like because the pictures are so infrequent and you only cared about him talking to you. Hearing him speak alone is a feast for your ears as you continue to talk and idly discuss your classes in the days since you’ve last messaged, light and high when excited yet hoarse and almost gravelly when he gets serious.

But you’d be the dumbest girl in Seoul if you turned round and said Jimin wasn’t attractive. You felt a little stupid when you realised this, given how long you’ve known him. In fact, Jimin was perhaps the most attractive guy you’ve ever seen, and you suddenly felt shy with him as you continue to talk.

Oddly shy, and yet it’s like you’ve always talked face to face. For hours, the conversation flows and you even find yourself doing your homework with the camera facing you, getting Jimin’s help on your maths equations while the two of you discuss dumb stuff.

He even plays his favourite music for you, unfortunately a Chris Brown song, which leads to a whole argument about his music choices. Even if he spends half the argument laughing at your outrage before giving in with raised hands.

You struggle to look at him though, or to at least maintain eye contact with him. Because Jimin is beautiful. And you’re not entirely sure how to handle this information, nor the confused feelings in your body and mind.

-

21 Years Old

“Hey, are you listening to me?!” Jimin calls out, laughter in his voice as he chastises you for ignoring him. Humming lightly, you focus on painting your final toenail before letting out a tiny noise of success and grinning at him.

Shifting the laptop around, you wiggle your toes while they remain in the pink toe separator, nails a pretty purple that shifts colours to green and gold depending on the light. “Aren’t they pretty?” You ask, letting the camera stay on them before Jimin lets out a gross noise.

“Ew yes, god. Please stop. Please stop showing me your feet. I do not have a foot kink. Even if you do have pretty feet.” You snort at that, letting the laptop fall back onto the bed beside you and angling it so you can see the screen again. Jimin’s sat at his desk, a snapback on his head for some reason as he works on a maths project.

He’s always wearing a damn hat when you call, but he just goes all shy and always says he hasn’t showered. Jimin likes to shower in the morning and be clean for the day, whereas you’re a night person. There’s nothing like going to bed clean.

Which means you argue with him all the time. If he’s so unwilling to show his hair because it’s dirty after his dance or gym or whatever then why not shower at night? But he’d then get defensive and point out that he never asks you to change your routine.

True, but still. His hair always looks so soft, and you want to just see what he’d look like. He makes your heart race anyway, and you have the strongest urge to reach through the screen and move the strands of hair out of his face. But you can’t, because that’s not a real power.

“So what’s up? What’s going on in the ever popular life of Park Jimin?” You ask, leaning back on your mound of pillows while wiggling your eyebrows at him. He snorts quietly, pencil scratching over pencil before he lets out a quiet hum.

“Do I look like I’m being popular right? I’m literally sat doing my homework a week early,” He points the rubber end of the pencil to himself with a sardonic smile. “Your bestie is a nerd remember?”

“A cute nerd.” He looks at you with a soft smile before going back to his work.

“Nothing much anyway. I was...thinking about maybe asking Dami out. I think she likes me, she smells like it.” You look up from your romance book at this with a raised brow. He was always using weird phrases like that.

“She smells like it? Do you mean she looks like it?” Chuckling, you shake your head and completely miss the way Jimin glances at the screen with wide eyes.

“Yeah, yeah that’s what I meant. She smells nice, like oranges. It always makes me feel happy.” Your heart clenches at that, face souring slightly and you mentally chastise yourself. Jimin’s obviously happy with her, and he keeps talking about her a lot so he must like her.

“That’s good. If you like her and she likes you then ask her to be your girlfriend or something. I’m sure you can pull the moves out again. Though...if it’s anything like Jisoo then...maybe don’t.” Jimin’s whining at that, his voice doing that odd noise that you can never replicate as he scowls at the screen before pointing his pencil at it.

“You said you’d never bring that up again!” He scowls, plush bottom lip pushed out enticingly as he give you the most adorable puppy dog eyes.

“It’s not my fault you got so excited you literally peed yourself. Like...seriously bro. What the fuck?” Immediately you’re giggling again, teeth biting at your lip as you try to stop it. He’d not talked to you for a whole three days when he’d admitted he’d done that on his first ever date with Jisoo and you’d laughed so hard you’d cried.

He was a little bit sensitive about stuff like that.

“You’re so mean. Why do I put up with you?” He mutters quietly, rolling his eyes before getting back to his work. His version of giving you the cold shoulder, though he can never last long. Not talking to you is like losing a limb of his. Or so he’d said once.

Or rather, he’d said he’d rather give up jerking off for a week than not talk to you for more than two days.

Sweet, but a very bizarre way to put it.

“Because you love me and you’d be completely lost without me?” You tease lightly, poking your tongue out at him before leaning forward to check on your toenails.

It means you miss the way Jimin stares at the screen looking rather forlorn, lips twisting as he reaches out to touch the screen. “Yeah...that’s right.”

-

22 Years Old

“Have you been applying for any jobs yet?” Soyeon asks from the couch as you chop vegetables for the dinner you said you’d cook. Why you agreed to that, you have absolutely no idea but finals were almost over and your schedules had finally aligned.

Which meant that you were finally able to hang out instead of just passing each other like two ships in the night every morning and evening. Soyeon was in a pre-med course which meant that she was ridiculously busy whereas you were completing your final exams before you would be able to proudly graduate with a degree in history.

It wasn’t the most interesting of subjects but you’d found it palatable enough and it also offered up a lot of job options after graduation. Or it would, once you actually found the time to apply for the damn things.

As soon as college finished, you’d be moving back home with your parents before heading back one final time to attend your graduation ceremony. They were happy you were coming back, as they hadn’t been pleased when you’d said you wanted to live in Seoul in an apartment with Soyeon in your third year.

Why do you need to leave our perfectly good apartment and waste money on rent there? Is what they’d asked you frequently, and you’d rolled your eyes before spouting off something about wanting to experience financial responsibility and become independent from your parents in important life decisions.

In reality, you just wanted to have somewhere where you could party or brings guys home without having to sneak them around under the watchful eye of your parents. Not that you’d brought many home that is.

Soyeon had teased you relentlessly over the last two years about your lack of action in the romance department, and you’d tried your hardest to joke your way out of it every time. But she wasn’t stupid, and neither were you.

It was hard to invest yourself in a relationship when your heart was invested hundreds of miles away on the other side of the country.

Didn’t mean you couldn’t fulfil the needs of your body though. And you did, because you were a young and successful woman with a healthy sexual appetite.

“Not yet. I still have two exams left and I’ve been too busy studying for them and working. Need to bring in that cash some way.” You say sarcastically, raising a brow at her before scraping the vegetables into the soup broth. Letting it simmer, you head over and flop down on the couch next to her with a heavy sigh before smiling.

“You? Oh wait, never mind. Dumb question. Have you got your internship placement yet?” Soyeon gives a brief smile before running her fingers over her forehead with a deep sigh. She looks tired, and the bags under her eyes are large enough that you could probably fit a whole department store sale in them.

“Not yet. I think they’ll be telling us where we are in a month or so. But I’m just...so ready for the 12-hour shifts and all that crap.” She groans before flopping down further into the sofa, grabbing one of the pale purple pillows and smushing it over her face.

Laughing lightly, you pat her thigh before becoming distracted as your phone vibrates on the coffee table in front of you. Leaning over, you peer at the screen before grabbing it and unlocking it quickly with your thumb print.

“What’s lover boy have to say?” Soyeon asks, teasing laced into every word and when you look up to glare, she’s smirking in amusement. Pushing at her foot as it pokes your stomach, you stick your tongue out childishly.

“He’s not my lover boy. Just my best friend.” You murmur, opening up Kakaotalk and reading over his message before rolling your eyes. “And an idiot.”

Turning the screen, you let her read his latest message.

[6:24PM] Jiminnie 💖: Hey, question…

[6:25PM] Jiminnie 💖: What’s it feel like to have sex?

Soyeon squints as she reads, probably cursing herself for not wearing her reading glasses, before she’s snorting with laughter and rolling back into the couch. Looking at you, she wiggles her brows. “Tell him you’re willing to show him.”

“Shut up!”

[6:27PM] Y/N: Good. That’s why I do it

[6:27PM] Y/N: Why? Does it not feel good for you? You’re not doing it right then

[6:27PM] Y/N: If it’s burning...you might wanna see the doctor

“Do you not even find it weird that he’s asked you that?” She asks, shifting in position till she’s on her side, cheek squished into the pillow as she watches the latest episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. You’d rather wash your eyes with acid than watch this, but it’s her guilty relaxation programme so you didn’t get to dictate anything to her.

Unfortunately.

“Nope. He’s asked me weirder stuff.” You say distractedly, watching and waiting for him to respond. He’d finished his finals yesterday in Busan, so you had no doubt that he was likely partying it up with his friends before he had to move back into home too.

“You know...if I wasn’t so comfortable in our friendship...I’d feel put out that some guy hundreds of miles away in Busan is closer to you than me,” She pokes you lightly with her toe before smiling. “But it’s good. Unless he breaks your heart. Then I will put my medical knowledge to use.”

[6:32PM] Jiminnie 💖: Haha. Funny

[6:33PM] Jiminnie 💖: No, what does it FEEL like? Like...what does a penis in your vajayjay feel like?

[6:34PM] Y/N: Vajayjay? What are you? Five?

[6:34PM] Jiminnie 💖: Yeah, so answer.

[6:36PM] Y/N: Fine...it feels...like...a dick in your vagina

[6:37PM] Jiminnie 💖: Helpful. Really helpful.

[6:38PM] Y/N: Why do you wanna know?

[6:42PM] Jiminnie 💖: Talking with Taehyung and Jungkook. We wanna know what it feels like, but don’t have anyone to ask except you.

[6:43PM] Y/N: Doesn’t Taehyung have a sister?

[6:44PM] Jiminnie 💖: Omfg yes...but she’s only 19! What kinda sibling relationship do YOU have?

[6:45PM] Y/N: This is true. Okay...it’s like...feeling really full. Uncomfortable if you’re not turned on enough, but...full? And it feels good, but more so when they move. Some girls have a spot that makes it feel even better

[6:45PM] Jiminnie 💖: Do you?

[6:48PM] Y/N: Omfg Jimin. You can’t just ask girls that

[6:48PM] Jiminnie 💖: Well? Do you?

[6:52PM] Y/N: Maybe

[6:54PM] Jiminnie 💖: You so do. We find this fascinating, and yet cannot visualise it at all

[6:55PM] Y/N: So c’mon, what does it feel like for a guy?

[6:56PM] Jiminnie 💖: Well like...tight...hot...wet

You squirm on the sofa at that, thighs clenching together as you suddenly visualise Jimin whispering that into your ear with that deliciously hoarse voice while he’s going deep inside you, hands gripping your thighs.

Shivering, your fingers type on your screen while you glance at Soyeon self-consciously. Nothing like getting horny from texting your best friend while your other best friend lays opposite you. Particularly when neither is aware of what’s going on.

God, would Jimin be texting you this if he knew how you felt about him? Was it even okay to be feeling this for someone you’ve never even met in person? Who knows.

But then you suddenly realise something and look down with wide eyes.

[6:58PM] Y/N: WET? WET?! PARK JIMIN...HOW IS IT WET IF YOU’RE USING A CONDOM? ARE YOU GOING BARE? OMG

[6:59PM] Jiminnie 💖: WHAT? NO...maybe...I mean...maybe once or twice. BUT IT’S OKAY. I SWEAR!

[7:02PM] Y/N: WTF?! JIMIN! YOU’VE NEVER DATED A GIRL FOR MORE THAN 2 MONTHS.

[7:03PM] Y/N: ARE YOU TRYING TO BECOME A YOUNG DAD? OR GET AN STD??

[7:04PM] Jiminnie 💖: Y/N, I swear! It’s okay, I’m okay. Please!

[7:04PM] Jiminnie 💖: I can’t get them from the girls I dated! It’s fine

[7:06PM] Y/N: Wtf do you mean?! Did you get them checked out beforehand or something? Were they on the pill?

[7:08PM] Jiminnie 💖: No, that’s not I mean

[7:09PM] Jiminnie 💖: It just...trust me. Please. I’m okay, I’m clean. I don’t have to worry about kids. It...wasn’t an issue

[7:12PM] Y/N: Jimin...don’t be irresponsible like that.

[7:12PM] Jiminnie 💖: I’m sorry 😞 I didn’t mean to make you worry

[7:13PM] Y/N: I love you Jimin, I don’t want you to do something that you’ll regret just for a moment of pleasure okay? You’re my best friend, I care about you ❤️

[7:15PM] Jiminnie 💖: Yeah...you’re my best friend too. Sorry.

Sighing heavily, you drop your phone to your side on the couch before getting up to check on the soup that’s cooking. It’s so hard to hear Jimin talk about girls and dates, all with the knowledge that you want to love him in the exact way he seems to so desperately crave.

But he’s just your best friend.

Your best friend who apparently has unprotected sex with women. It makes you heart hurt for two reasons. One, because you’re worried he’ll do something stupid and get hurt. Two, because despite you reaming him out, there’s a part of you that’s jealous of the girls he sleeps with like that.

Which is ridiculously dumb and you curse to yourself quietly, hitting your head with a spoon until you wince at the pain and rub at the area. Putting it down and staring at the soup is as it cooks, you let out a long sigh that feels like it comes from your stomach.

You may be graduating university and entering the real world, but you were still clueless on what to do with Jimin. Because he owns a rather large piece of real estate in your heart now without even realising it. Does he even realise the important thing he has in his grasp?

[7:25PM] Jiminnie 💖: I love you too. ❤️

-

23 Years Old

Shuffling around on the spot, you contemplate whether you look more casual resting against the large LED sign currently advertising skin lotion or if it looks like you’re trying too hard. Crossing your ankles definitely was trying too hard but you felt like you didn’t know what to do with your limbs.

It felt like you were a big bag full of ants that were currently crawling under your skin. As soon as that metaphor runs through your mind, you shake your head with a grimace before patting your cheeks lightly.

“You can do this, it’s fine. It’s just...it’s just your childhood penpal that you’ve accidentally fallen in love with over the years. No big deal.” And it really wasn’t, because you’d been wanting to meet Jimin for 15 years now.

No amount of letters which eventually turned into emails, leading further into texts and Skype calls could ever compare to seeing someone in person.

You’d done your time of loving Jimin from afar. Surely you should be allowed to do so up close right? He was perhaps the sweetest and most loyal person you’d ever met, even if you’d never met him properly.

But he was Jimin. Your Jimin. And if there was one thing you knew about him, it was that he would be so upset to know that he’d made you feel awkward or nervous. His sweet nature would mean he’d spend the rest of the day giving you those obscenely large puppy dog eyes as he tried to make you smile.

The vibration of your phone in your hand distracts you and you look down with a smile that slowly spreads into a grin as you read the message that pops up, even if there’s a thread of confusion to you.

[1:02PM] Jiminnie 💖: Turn around 😊 Please don’t be mad

Almost immediately you’re spinning around, a scream of pure excitement ready to burst out of your throat when you notice two things that make your eyes widen while you step back in shock.

Firstly, Park Jimin is far more attractive in real life than on camera or in his pictures. He’s taller than he always makes out and you’re a little surprised to find yourself peering up at him. Despite this though, he looks just as slim and lean as you’d always thought.

As if you could just pick him up and spin him around. That does nothing to disguise the toned muscles you eye through his skin tight jeans, leading you to believe that his arms and torso must be equally as buff. Well, he was always doing some form of exercise as it seemed like he had endless amounts of energy.

Jimin’s face is also a work of art, cherubic in its innocence and statuesque in its beauty. Soft, rounded cheeks are tinged a sweet dusky pink that compliments his healthy golden tan, offset by the angular lines of his jaw and his plush lips that he licks at nervously.

You’d always thought that Jimin’s eyes were so sweet and kind, filled with a love that he simply couldn’t hide and you could see that even better now up close. He truly radiated joy and happiness to see you, but there was a ridiculous amount of tension in his body.

And between you both suddenly.

Because the second thing you noticed was atop his head. In amongst the familiar ruffled strands of dark honey-blonde hair are two floppy ears, silky smooth fur a shade or so darker and providing a pleasing contrast to his natural hair colouring. The texture of the fur matches his hair, as if he’s had a shower and spent the time running his hands through it till it’s dried in soft curls and waves.

The hesitant movement of something from behind leads you to peering around him, noting a tail with fur as dark as his ears. It wags slowly yet is very close to his legs, as if he’s unsure whether to be happy or worried.

Jimin is a hybrid.

You’re not sure whether to feel shock, betrayal or excitement at this revelation. He had told you that he had something important to tell you when you met, but you’d just thought that he would was going to say he loved you. Like you were going to tell him.

Not that...that he wasn’t even the same species as you. Or was he? Hybrids were humans right? Or at least part human.

It was with a touch of shame that you realised you weren’t too up on your hybrid knowledge. They had been integrated into human society for a century now. There was no one alive who remembered the days when hybrid’s were created in labs and sold to humans to be treated as glorified servants or pets and used for whatever heinous thing their owner wanted.

No, hybrids had long become normal members of society. They owned property and businesses across the country, educated themselves at the same halls of learning that humans did, were integral members of the government and even had families with other hybrids and humans.

It had taken them fifty years to get their full legal status, and since then they had just quietly integrated. Hybrids were born from other hybrids now, no longer being bred or forcibly bred in captivity.

And while there were humans who still resented the presence of hybrids amongst them in all levels of society, the vast majority had accepted it. Or...as well as humanity could accept anything that was different to them.

Your ignorance was horrifically embarrassing now, and you wanted to go back in time to when you first started writing to Jimin and tell yourself to learn everything you could about hybrids. Because this was Jimin, and it was an intrinsic part of him that he’d obviously felt the need to hide.

Why, you didn’t know. That was something he would need to tell you. At least you now knew why he always wore beanies or hats whenever he video called you. Or why his pictures always cut off at a certain point.

In fact, many of the things he’d said over the years were suddenly starting to make sense and you felt ashamed that you’d never clicked on faster.

“Jimin?” You ask slowly, confusion threaded so deeply into the word as you let it escape your mouth. Almost as if he can tell the emotional rollercoaster you’re going on, he dips his head quickly in response.

A flash of his tongue lets you see him wet his lips while his throat works as he swallows.

“Hi. I’m sorry...about this,” He gestures vaguely to himself and you frown instantly, recognising the negative tone to his voice. Despite your shock about his secrecy about something so important, you feel the intrinsic need to step forward and comfort him. Reassure him that he’s okay.

Though you’re not sure what you’re reassuring him for exactly, so you move forward anyway and place a hand lightly on his arm. He’s got a navy blue hoodie on with a white shirt peeking out from underneath, and you admire the softness of the fabric for a moment before peering up at him and giving him a tiny smile.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m sure you’ve got a reasonable explanation. How about...how about we go grab  a coffee and then we can find a bench or something? And...we can talk. Because...I’m really going to need an explanation here Jimin. This is not what I was expecting.” His tail had begun to wave enthusiastically at your words and from the deepening pink on his cheeks, you suspect he’s embarrassed that its doing so.

Which is silly. Even you know that dog hybrids can control their tails to a degree but that extreme emotions override any control they may have.

“Sorry.” Gently pushing at his arm and giving him a reassuring smile, you lead him towards a chain coffee shop before tutting at him.

“Please stop apologising Jimin. Please? You know me. You know I’m not going to judge you, I’m just...shocked. I wasn’t expecting this because...well you’ve never made any mention of it before.” You’re positive that he can practically smell the surprise on you at this point, but he just chews at his lip nervously while you enter the coffee shop.

Neither of you get chance to talk after that until after you’ve both grabbed your drinks in to-go cups, a caramel frappuccino for you and a gingerbread cappuccino for him. Why they were selling gingerbread stuff in September, you had no idea.

Either way, the two of you awkwardly head back outside to find somewhere that was a little more private to have what you suspected was going to be one of the most important discussions in your entire friendship with Jimin. And you’d discussed boys with him and sex, so this was big.

After a few minutes of searching around, the two of you settle onto a wooden bench in the middle of the leafy park in silence. It’s pretty here, and you can see the small pond just past the trees on the other side of the path, a few ducks quacking along with two swans gliding along the surface elegantly.

There’s a couple of families sat around the edge, some feeding the ducks pieces of bread despite the warning signs while others enjoy homemade picnics on cute blankets. It’s all so domestic that you can’t help but let out a deep sigh and you relax back, inhaling the delightful scent of nature.

“I’m a King Charles Cocker Spaniel hybrid. Pure. My family can trace our origins back to the very first lab hybrids in our lineage two hundred and sixty years ago. I’m proud of being a hybrid...I want you to know that firstly,” He looks at you seriously, his mahogany eyes filled with a surprising amount of fierceness and you nod slowly. “I just...I’d never had a friend who didn’t know what I was. And despite what humans say and think, there’s still some discrimination there. I just...I don’t know, wanted to talk to you without being asked dumb questions about myself.”

Playing with the cardboard wrap around your cup, you let out a sigh of frustration. “Jimin...why didn’t you just tell me? Surely over 15 years you knew that I wasn’t going to be mad or push you away? I mean...okay I’m a little mad now because you didn’t tell me for that long. But...did I give the impression that I’d react negatively to you or something?”

His ears droop a little at that and you watch in fascination. Jimin’s entire demeanour is timid and filled with trepidation, his slight shoulders hunched in while his tail curls around himself almost protectively.

“N-no...but...when you’ve lied consistently for years then it’s hard to tell the truth. I’m really sorry, I feel so ashamed of myself. Especially when you’d look so happy to see me and I’d be lying saying I was cold in the middle of summer or something. I’m so sorry. I never lied about anything else. This was the only thing.” He shifts in his seat and you can see the desperate need in his eyes to make you see that was being serious.

Sighing quietly, you reach out and place a hand on his thigh. The movement feels oddly natural to say you’ve never met in person, and yet it feels new at the same time. Fizzing excitement in your stomach kind of new.

For a moment, you get distracted at the feel of his firm muscles under the denim fabric, tensing up at your touch while your fingers idly trace unintelligible symbols there. You’re finally doing what you’d dreamt of, hoped of for so long and you can’t help the tiny smile that appears as you do so.

“Jimin...it’s a shock, yes. But only because you lied. The Jimin I know doesn’t lie. Or I guess he does?” There’s a touch of insecurity to your voice suddenly as your mind races through all your interactions with him over the years, wondering if perhaps he’d lied about other things despite what he said.

Immediately though Jimin is placing his cup on the bench before grabbing your hands and tugging them to his chest with a horror-stricken face, head shaking so hard it’s making his hair and ears fly endearingly.

“No, no. I never lied about anything else! This was it! The only thing. It’s not even that important. I have ears and a tail, I have better sense of smell and hearing along with a few traits that still linger but...that’s it. I’m still Jimin. I still love mint ice cream and action films and comic books. I still went to college and studied math, just like I said. I have a job here in Seoul as a maths teacher. I swear, I haven’t lied about anything else. I’m not expecting you to accept this instantly, but please. Please don’t leave me.”

You look him over carefully, noting the sheen of tears in his eyes as he pleads with you to understand him and accept him. His origin wasn’t really that important, not when you’d gotten to know him so well over the years. But still…

“It hurts Jimin. I’m not gonna lie. You lied about something so...fundamental about you. It’s not like you’ve lied all these years about green being your favourite colour instead of yellow. This is who you are. And I don’t know what to think right now. Are you ashamed of yourself?”

He shakes his head vehemently at that, his fingers stroking the smooth skin of your hand gently as he focuses on them. “No. I have no reason to be. I have good friends back home and some who moved here too. I have a family who loves me, and being hybrid has never really been brought up. I just...I was a dumb kid who made a stupid decision that I didn’t know how to escape.”

“Jimin...you should have just told me. I wouldn’t have minded. I don’t mind now really. Your ears and tail are adorable, and a lot of the things you’ve said over the years make sense suddenly. I’m just...hurt that you never felt the need to tell me if you’re proud of yourself.” His head dips low at that, lips pouting cutely.

“Because I loved writing to you at first, and pretending to be something I’m not. But then I just loved writing to you. It relaxed me and you knew everything about me, even the stuff my friends and family didn’t. Everything except one of my most defining traits. But I didn’t want to ruin anything because I couldn’t handle the idea that you’d just...ghost me. Because by then I loved talking to you, but I also loved you too.” His confession is everything you’d been hoping for before you’d turned around, only with the addition of a sad apology.

Looking closely at his face, you take in the attractive sight up close in person for once instead of through a pixelated or lagging screen. His eyes are so large and expressive as they watch you carefully with nerves, but you know that when he smiles hard or laughs so intensely he folds over that those pretty eyes almost vanish in happiness.

It’s as you look closely into them, that you realise he’s still your Jimin. Still the Jimin who had terrible spelling when he was only 8 years old and didn’t really know how to articulate himself. Still the Jimin who excitedly wrote to you at 14 to tell you about his first kiss then obviously got embarrassed halfway through. He was still the man who’s voice had gone soft and shy the first time you ever called each other and who’s cheeks had turned a cherry red upon your first video call.

He was your Jimin. Just not with a whole new aspect that you got to explore.

“You love me?” Is all you ask, because it’s all you really care about right now. Jimin can never change what he is, but his feelings can change if you hurt him too much.

He’s quiet for a moment before slowly nodding, that nut-brown hair falling into his eyes as he does so. “I didn’t move all the way to Seoul because they needed maths teachers. I did it because you’re here. And...I wanted to be something more than just your best friend.”

Smiling brightly, you give in to your instinct and reach up to brush it out of his eyes, marvelling at how fluffy the strands feel. Your eyes flick up to his ears, the fur shining healthily and you get the urge to stroke them too. But even you know that no one touches a hybrids animal aspects without permission. They’re often highly personal or sensitive areas and will react badly normally.

But despite never meeting each other before, Jimin knows you perhaps better than you know yourself. And he must read your curiosity on your face as he tilts his head slightly till your fingers butt the base of one; a silent permission for you to touch them.

Hesitantly, you run one finger along the impossibly velvet soft fur on one ear. Without even realising, you’re smiling brightly at how nice it feels. Turning your hand over, you let the backs of your fingers stroke along each ear slowly and simply admire how soft they are.

It’s only then that you notice the way Jimin is leaning closer to you with each stroke, eyes closed and a dopey smile on his face as you do so. You like your hair being stroked and find the feeling therapeutic, so you can only imagine how this feels for Jimin.

Smiling to yourself, you lean forward before you press a sweet kiss to the apple of his cheeks. Almost immediately he jerks away, eyes wide with shock while a hand presses to said cheek as he looks you over.

Moving your hands, you let one rest lightly on his thigh before the other moves to his slim waist as you give him a grin filled with mischief and a tiny bit of nerves. “Your ears are very soft. I hope you’d be okay with me stroking them more.”

Jimin’s lip open and close repeatedly for a moment, the dog hybrid doing a marvellous impression of a fish before he points at himself. “Me? You...you’re okay with me? And what I said?”

Nodding, you shuffle closer to him until you gingerly lean against him, head on his shoulder and take in his clean scent. “Yes. I mean...we’re going to have work on this whole lying to me for fifteen years thing but...yeah. You’re still my Jiminnie. And I still love you just as much as I did before. But no lying to me from now on. I mean it. I won’t forgive it a second time.”

He’s silent then, the atmosphere full of shock and shy nerves between you both. Leaning your head further into his shoulder, you inhale deeply and just take him in for the first time. There’s no overwhelming scent of cologne, but you expect he likely wouldn’t like using most because of his sensitive nose. Most hybrids have to have specially made colognes and perfumes.

Almost immediately your eyes widen as you gasp in shock. “Jimin! You let me send you cologne all the damn time for presents! You couldn’t even use it!”

His shoulder moves rapidly underneath your cheek as he laughs quietly, shaking his head before he shifts till you’re looking up at him. “I appreciated the thought. Asking for hybrid cologne would have given me away. And it got put to use! My friends, Jungkook and Namjoon, are human so they used them. I loved every one you sent though, and even if they were too strong for me...I liked them.”

“Park Jimin! You...you need to tell me what you like. So I can buy you that.” Your lip sticks out almost petulantly as you look up at him, feeling oddly childish with the excitement of what was obviously a relationship between you and the man you’ve loved for years. Neither of you feel the need to ask explicitly, because you just know.

He watches you for a moment with amusement, his tail thumping against the bench and betraying his own happiness as his eyes crease into those familiar shapes that you love and adore so much. A tiny giggle leaves his mouth, high pitched enough to make him squeak before he leans forward and presses the softest kiss to your lips.

It’s nothing major, and yet your first proper kiss with him takes your breath away all the same. Because it’s everything you’ve imagined for years. And yet nothing like what you’ve imagined, because it’s so much more than you could’ve hoped for.

Sighing into him, you lean forward and increase the pressure on his lips until he lets out a tiny gasp of a moan against you, breath puffing against your skin as he pulls away. Leaning his forehead against yours, the two of you simply take in the moment before looking at each other with shy exhilaration rushing through your veins.

“I like you,” He whispers, so close you can feel each word brush your lips and your own spread into a sweet smile. “No, I love you. So...you’re enough for me.”

Watching him so closely, you note how his mahogany eyes have a touch of whiskey amber in the centre, spreading out slowly in a burst of colour. Bringing up a finger, you trace over the impossibly soft skin of his lower lip before you kiss him once more with a tiny giggle.

“I love you too Jiminnie. At least you didn’t pee yourself.”

“Really? Maybe I take it back.”

“No! Don’t. Please. It was sweet.”

“Shut up and just kiss me. Please.”

[bodytoflame-ao3]

won’t you stick around? (sensation)

fem!percabeth + college late nights (part 2)

Read on Ao3

i kinda like the way we talk without the sound i'm living for the moments we can't be without

need u more ..//.. shaded

“Percy!”

“Hey,” she smiles, settling into the hug.

“You’re sure you won’t fail any classes for this?”

“Who could say no to the Hero of Olympus? And I’m not missing that much class. I left after my only class Friday morning, and I should be back in time for my Wednesday night.”

“I would scold you for taking advantage of your professors, but I missed you too much for that.” Annabeth takes her bag and sets it down in the corner of her room.

“I drove for two days for you, you better be nice.”

Annabeth pulls herself up onto her bed, grabbing the small sketchbook from its place on top of her pillow. “I’ll be nicer once I finish this sketch that’s due tomorrow.”

“You do that… I need to sleep for a few hours.” She’s barely slept in the past two days, but it’s not like she hasn’t had it worse. She took a power nap every few hours, and that was enough. With another nap and a quick shower at a motel in the middle of the night, she’s still feeling okay, but she knows she needs to rest up so she can start driving back in the morning. It’s still worth it — because she gets to see Annabeth, even if only for a night. And like Hades she’s getting on an airplane; that’s one fear she hasn’t quite conquered.

Annabeth stares at Percy expectantly, “Come on, Perce. You can sleep up here.”

“You're working, I don't wanna get in the way. I'll go crash on the couch.”

She rolls her eyes and extends her hand, “Come here.” It wouldn’t matter to her if Percy got in the way, though she knows it would be easy enough to work around her.

Percy sighs and climbs up with her, curling into her lap. She eventually settles, her head resting on Annabeth’s hip, arms wrapped around her leg.

She props up her other knee, resting her sketchbook up against her thigh. Glancing ahead at the reference pinned on her wall, she draws, fine lines and precise angles; a perfectly captured study of the industrial steel support beams of the dilapidated warehouse in the picture.

She nudges Percy once it's finished a few hours later, but she's in too deep of a slumber. It might just be instinct — a remnant of the days when sleep was hard to come by — but she looks so peaceful that she can't bear disturbing her.

So she draws, pencil moving across paper, with little reason. She draws the lamp in the corner of her room, the collection of objects strewn across her desk, little things she can see from where she is, trying to fill up the time until Percy wakes up.

When she’s run out of things to draw, Percy’s still sleeping; so calm and quiet. And still, she looks so beautiful. A hero, and the most gorgeous girl she’s ever seen. It’s striking to her, the difference between the way she looks in the middle of battle. Still beautiful, but her face so focused, eyebrows furrowed and lips pursed. The way she looks right now is so different, Annabeth almost can’t picture her as the same girl — she looks too innocent, filled with a peace they’ve never known. She wonders who they might’ve been if things were different, if they met as normal kids. She hopes they’d still be here; together.

It’s late, much later than she would stay up herself on a Sunday night. She's considering just calling it a night and making it up to Percy in the morning, when she starts to stir, stretching out with a yawn.

“How long was I out?”

“Almost 5 hours. Feel better?”

Percy hums an affirmation, “Finish your drawing?”

“Yeah. Did some other sketches too while you were sleeping. Figured you needed the rest.” Annabeth flips through the pages, showing her.

Her thumb catches two pages instead of just one. “Wait, you skipped one.”

“Ugh, don’t embarrass me, Percy,” she laughs, handing her the sketchbook and crossing her arms. It feels weird. She’s never been so sentimental — but Percy really looked so pretty clutching her legs, and she couldn’t help but capture that beauty.

Percy turns the page back, and a look of wonder falls onto her face. “Annabeth, this is incredible.”

She blushes, “It’s nothing.”

“No, this… it’s amazing.”

“I was thinking about minoring in art.”

“You should. Seriously, Annabeth. This is really, really good, I— Where did you learn how to do this?”

“Well, the major is based around the art history department. Remember how I mentioned we had to do one studio class?”

She nods. “You're taking that right now, right?”

“Yeah, and I really like it.” She bites her lip. “I’ve been practicing in my spare time. It’s kinda just like architecture drawings — observing shapes, and angles — but it's also looking at the way light hits things and how it changes your perceptions.”

Her eyes light up in the same way they do when she talks about her dreams for the future. “I think you should go for it.”

“Yeah?” Annabeth asks, a smile coming to her face as she sets the sketchbook aside.

“Yeah.”

She kisses Percy’s forehead and holds her close, fingers running through her hair. “I missed you.”

“You get possessive when you miss me,” Percy chuckles. “I like it.”

“I like you.”

“Aww, that’s so embarrassing,” Percy teases, running a hand up her stomach.

She grabs her hand, and leans in close enough that her lips brush Percy’s as she says, “You’re insufferable.” The mischievous grin on her face as she hops off the bed says it all.

“Where are you going?”

“Kitchen,” Annabeth answers, not looking back.

Percy follows on her heel like a puppy. “Hey. Let's go somewhere.”

She stops just short of the cabinet. “Yeah? What’s your plan?”

Percy shrugs. “Um. No plan? I just want to spend time with you.”

“Humor me, what’s even open at 1 AM besides… bars and McDonald’s?”

“Don’t know. Come on, let’s just go.” Percy tugs on her arm, digging her heels into the floor jokingly.

“We can spend time together here. I’ll put on a movie or something,” she manages through a laugh.

“Annabeth, we can watch a movie any time. I'm only here for—” she glances at the clock, “—eight more hours. You trust me,” she smiles, not a question, but a truth.

“Okay,” she sighs.

“Okay, I'm gonna go put on real clothes.” Percy presses a quick kiss to her cheek and runs off.

Annabeth gives a wide-eyed glance to her roommate, standing by the coffee machine, watching it drip into her mug with unparalleled fascination. She's not sure how much she heard or saw — and she's not sure she cares if she did, to be honest. The better question is why she's drinking coffee at two in the morning.

She points an accusing finger: “Not even a word. At least I have the decency to stay here and procrastinate in my pajamas.”

“No, no,” Annabeth laughs, “I wasn't going to say anything,” —an obvious lie.

“So, friend, huh?”

Annabeth opens her mouth to speak, the words catching in her throat. She takes a second; takes a breath, and says, “Actually. My girlfriend. And best friend.”

“Ah,” she smiles, “I thought I sensed overdramatic gay pining.”

Relief washes over Annabeth at how calm and casual her reaction is — but oh, how wrong she is. “Trust me, that's not pining.” She knows pining, regrettably, and this isn't it. On their scale of reactions to time spent apart, a month of talking almost every night while still getting used to their new schedules was nothing.

“Well, it seems like she really missed you.”

Of course she did. And— “I missed her.”

She's drinking her coffee black — what kind of masochist drinks black coffee in the middle of the night on a Sunday night (or rather, Monday morning)? Perhaps the worst part: she sips it slowly, like she enjoys it. “She looks at you like… god, I don't even know, but it's intense.”

Annabeth crosses her arms. “I mean, we've been together for two years, and we've known each other even longer.”

“My boyfriend hasn't looked at me like that since the first few months. Damn, here I thought you were still in the honeymoon phase.”

“We grew up together — been through some shit,” she shrugs, not particularly wanting to elaborate.

“I get that.”

Annabeth doubts she does. “Yeah.”

Percy emerges from her room in a plain navy sundress, jean jacket draped over her shoulder. Annabeth’s eyes linger a bit too long as she looks her over. “Stop staring at my legs, Chase.”

“I— they're long!” Smooth, Annabeth.

Percy chuckles, “Messing with you. Grab your shoes, let’s go.”

“Annabeth, when will you be back?”

“Um. I actually don’t know,” she grins.

It turns out, Washington Square Park is beautiful at night. Despite it being right outside her window, she never did much besides walk through it to save time walking to class. Much quieter, too. There’s still a bustle of tourists, but nothing like it was during the day.

Percy holds her hand tight, swinging their arms back and forth deliberately as they walk. “I miss the city.”

“I never realized how beautiful it could be.”

“You’re majoring in architecture.”

“Yeah, but like… here everything’s so cramped and purpose built. It doesn’t seem like there’s room for beauty. But when I see things like this,” she looks up at the arch, illuminated marble against the dark sky, “it reminds me of all the things I want to make. And why — for these moments. For the girl staring up at the great big world at her fingertips and noticing the little things. The grain of wood in a table; once bark of a tree. Speckles in marble statues. The stippled texture of brick on a walkway.” She leans her head against Percy’s shoulder, clutching her arm tight. “The person who made this didn’t know what it would look like a hundred years in the future. It stood alone, when the night sky wasn’t lit up by street lights, and ‘skyscraper’ meant 10 stories. That America’s long gone, and so are the buildings, but this little piece of it still stands.”

“That is beautiful.” She has a way with words, doesn’t she?

While not eerily quiet, the crowd has started to die down, the bustle of tourists slowing, and Percy knows that’s their cue to leave. She twirls Annabeth around, and pulls her in the direction of the street closest to them.

“Where are we going?”

“I don’t know!”

“Isn’t it, I don’t know, dangerous for two girls to walk the streets of a big city alone in the middle of the night?” Annabeth raises an eyebrow.

“First off, we’re right next to a college campus and tourist hotspot — this is one of the safest parts of the city. Second, we kick ass.”

She can’t refute that. It’s easy to forget Percy grew up here, and knows this city like the back of her hand. And they do kick ass. They walk for a while, with no sense of direction, passing blocks and avenues; ascending and descending, until Annabeth says, “Let’s get pizza.”

Percy’s face lights up, “I was waiting for you to say something spontaneous like that. Where do you wanna go?”

“Pizza place across the street.”

It looks divey, but it ends up being some of the best pizza Annabeth’s ever had, and she’s glad they took the chance. They share a pie and hold hands across the table, just laughing, and smiling, and she feels normal — It hits her hard.

“What’s wrong?”

Her smile falls away, but it’s not a look of sadness. It’s reflection; every moment that’s led them here. “I didn’t plan this,” she starts, squeezing her hand, “I tried so hard to have a plan for everything, but there’s no way I could’ve planned this. And I’m just realizing I’ve never been more happy with my life than I am right now, and it’s all because of things I wasn’t able to control. That’s… ironic, right?”

“You may not’ve planned it, but you still made this what it is. It’s what we make.”

“Don’t get all philosophical on me over pizza.” Annabeth rolls her eyes.

“You started it!”

That’s true — but she can’t help it. It’s like the whole world fell into place around her without her even noticing. Wasn’t it in her nature to know things? To be observant? “Touché.”

“What do you wanna do?” Percy asks her once they’ve returned to the streets, having polished off the last slice.

She hums, thinking. “Crêpe place. It’s on the way back.”

“It’s…” Percy glances at her watch, “2:30. It’s probably closed.”

“Nope, it’s open until 3.”

“And you know this why?”

“It was 2:45 AM and I wanted crêpes,” she shrugs.

They’re damn good crêpes. If there’s one thing she misses the most about NYC, it’s her mom. Second: Annabeth. If there’s a third thing, it’s incredibly delicious food from unexpected places. Let it never be said Percy’s a girl without her priorities in order.

They wander back, slowly weaving their way towards Annabeth’s dorm, Percy’s arm wrapped around her waist as they walk. “I don’t want to leave you.”

“I’m not going to beg you to stay, if that’s what you’re looking for,” Annabeth laughs. “You need to pass your classes.”

Percy’s pretty sure she could ditch every single class for the next four years and they’d still give her a degree. But… she likes her classes. Which is new. New Rome understands her — it’s a school for Demigods, of course they cater to ADHD and dyslexia. Even more striking, she’s learning about things that she actually finds interesting. While she isn’t dead set on a specific field like Annabeth, there’s a few things she’s genuinely excited to look into. Marine life and sustainability — because she’ll always be in touch with the sea and the earth — and somehow, education? She’s pressed to admit Paul has rubbed off on her more than she’d ever expected, and having teachers that understand her disability is something she wishes she had as a kid. It’s something to think about.

“I know. I just miss you. I call sometimes… just to make sure you’re okay.”

“Percy, I do too,” Annabeth admits, leaning into her shoulder.

She smiles, “Gods, I thought I was being so creepy and weird.”

“For the record, you are weird.” Percy glares at her, so she elaborates. “So I… had a bit of a nightmare last week. It wasn't bad, but… I called,” she pauses, cracking a smile, “And you had your head hanging off the side of the bed; all tangled up in the blankets. That's weird.”

Percy scoffs, but she’s most definitely not lying. After a pause, she shifts the conversation: “You can wake me up if you need me, you know that right?”

“No, I mean,” she sighs, “I just needed to see you. That's all.”

She knows. “I mean anytime.”

Annabeth nods, “Same here.”

The second the elevator doors in her building close, Annabeth pulls Percy into a slow kiss, one she’s been waiting for since the second she saw her today.

“Took you long enough,” Percy laughs, threading her fingers through Annabeth’s hair. She tastes like marshmallow and chocolate, which she should’ve expected. It takes all of her willpower to pull away when the doors open at her floor.

Annabeth unlocks the door, and as soon as they step inside she hears, “I’m awake, so for the love of all things holy — no loud sex!”

A devilish look pops onto Percy’s face. “Quiet sex, got i—” Percy shouts back; Annabeth sticks her hand over her mouth a second too late.

“Really, Percy?”

“What?” she smirks, “At least I didn’t tell her you were the loud one.”

“Seaweed Brain,” she shakes her head, and heads into her room, quickly tossing her clothes in a pile to deal with in the morning. For now, she grabs a t-shirt out of Percy’s duffel bag, and climbs into her bed. They have six hours, and Annabeth intends to spend them holding her.

Percy follows, kicking her converse off in the doorway and wrestling into a tank top and shorts, finding her way into Annabeth’s arms as quickly as she can manage. As she curls into her grasp, head resting on her shoulder and legs intertwined, a sense of peace washes over her, unparalleled even by the end of the war. Annabeth’s arm cradles her head, hand stroking her shoulder.

It’s a departure from how they usually sleep, Percy spooning Annabeth, arm around her waist to hold her close, their legs tangled together. She’s almost forgotten just how good it feels to be held by her. It’s a feeling she can’t easily explain. When she holds Annabeth, she’s keeping her safe. Of course, she could hold her own any day — but it brings her comfort to hold her in her arms; her warm skin and soft curves nestled perfectly, safe, real. This is so, so different. This is the feeling of Annabeth’s strength, and her own vulnerability, wrapped in the knowledge and trust that she’ll never let go.

Annabeth whispers, “I love you,” and Percy falls asleep faster than she has in almost ten years.

[razorblade180]

Lasting Embers pt18: Brewing Storm

[Blake’s Study]

*giant bookshelves on each side and a skylight up top. A desk with a stack off papers on it with Sun hard at work*

Sun:*wearing reading glasses*.......

“You look good in glasses; so official”

Blake:*wearing nothing but one of his shirts half buttoned up and no pants* You’re up early; I woke up and was surprised you weren’t there.

Sun:Had work that needed to be processed. Almost had it done before our unexpected reunion last night. I wish I was in bed.

Blake:*drapes herself over him* Not surprising, you barely got a wink of sleep last night. *kisses his neck and face*

Sun:*chuckles* Gee I wonder why? *reaches his left hand up to rub her ear.

Blake:*purring* Can you blame me? I spent ten years missing you. I like your new clothes by the way; orange is nice on you.

Sun:Thanks, I was going for a sunset vibe. After all my “moon” wasn’t around to make the tougher decisions. So I had to channel some of my inner Blake hehehe.

Blake:Active High Leader Sun Wukong. Looks like the people don’t even need me. Maybe you should keep the job for good.

Sun:Please don’t joke like that. I don’t know how I’ve kept this thing going for a decade but you can have it all back. I miss being second in command.

Blake:Well it’s a good thing I’m more than happy to be back. *picks up some papers* Is this the report from Illia?

Sun:Yeah, prevented another assassination attempt on Whitley. Not to mention the our unwanted guest that were promptly dealt with thanks to the little terror of the desert. Jael really is something else.

Blake:I met up with them before I came here. She looks healthy which is good; also she’s grown like a weed. Wouldn’t be surprised if she’ll outgrow my clothes in awhile.

Sun:She definitely has her father’s intensity that’s for sure. I’m worried about these attacks; there’s never been such a drastic attempt like this. Especially back to back. How did the last part of your mission go?

Blake:A lot of explosions in a mine. *pulls out a map with dozens of red x’s on it* we hit every single one we found. Even went around the world twice for a year just to be sure. Maybe this is a last stitch effort?

Sun:.....I hope so. *stands up* you might wanna get dressed. Adam should be back in a few hours, there’s a festival tonight for your return, I’m sure Illia wants to spend time with you, not to mention your parents.....

Blake:Sigh, no rest for the wary. Guess I’ll go shower, but.....*grabbing Suns arm* you’re helping me wash. High Leader’s orders.

Sun:*smiling* Well if they’re orders!

[Jaune’s Porch]

*Ruby sitting down and taking off her shoe*

Yang:*opening the door*I was wondering where you were. Go for an early jog or something?

Ruby:Visited dad. Felt nostalgic about seeing our home again. Almost nothing as changed; except the boarded up doggy door....

Yang:Oh....how long?

Ruby:Three years; Zwei just ran out of bark he said. Wish I got to hold him one more time.

Yang:Yeah that’s rough. *sits next to her* So, how long you’re bunking with us? Not that anybody wants you gone but I assume you want your own place?

Ruby:My home burnt down before our adventure started. Sure I could easily get another one but.....I’m in no rush to be alone.

...........

Ruby:This is gonna sound terrible but a piece of me wishes I didn’t have to deal with readjusting to life. Maybe our last mission should’ve been my-

Yang:Don’t say it...*holds her hand tightly* there’s no way I could’ve lived with myself coming home without you.

Ruby:....I’m sorry. I should no better than to say things like that by now.

Yang:You’ll get through this, with me. Just like always. I’m always in your corner sis. *smiles*

Ruby;....*hugs her tightly* Yang, I don’t know what I’d do without you. Thank you for everything; for being my sister. *whimpering*

Yang:*looking up at the sky*

*Dark clouds forming in the distance*

Yang:*rubbing Ruby’s head* (A storm is coming. Why.....am I worried?)

[Vale]

*alarm clock ringing*

Tenzen:*in his bed*Zzzzzzz

Ren:*shaking him* Tenzen wake up! You’ve over slept again.

Tenzen:Zzzzzz

Ren:Pancakes are made.

Tenzen:Zzzzzzz

Ren:Yujin made them...

Tenzen:*jumps up* Lies! She makes french to- what time is it?

Ren:Past sunrise; your mother is probably waiting for you to show up and running drills again.

Tenzen:Shoot! She’ll probably ramp up the difficulty now. *starts zipping around his bedroom causing the lights to flicker*

Ren:You might blow a fuse at this rate *catches him as he passes by* remember to eat before moving like that or you might just ended up worn out and sleepy again.

Tenzen:Valid point, I’ll probably end up grabbing some snacks to eat before I see her.

Ren:*holds up a protein bar* here, I doubt you have time to make breakfast.

Tenzen:You’re the best. I’m surprised you haven’t made breakfast yet.

Ren:*points to luggage outside* I’ve been preoccupied this morning.

Tenzen:*eyes widened* Already going on the medical trip? Didn’t think you’d pack so soon.

Ren:Nora is finishing up your training, thanks to you everything is paid for, and hopefully by next month you’ll ace the entrance exam to Beacon. Looks like you don’t need me around anymore.

Tenzen:Don’t phase it like that. *hugs him* I’m always gonna need you dad. Have a safe trip and speedy recovery! Looking forward to dancing with you whenever you return.

Ren:As long as there’s no camera; I’ll leave internet fame to you.

Tenzen:Deal! *suited up in his previous attire* well I’m off to another brawl in the emerald forest.

Ren:Some advice, go after your mom first.b

Tenzen:Got it! *dashes away*

Ren:*still holding the protein bar* Hehe Nora he is like you through and through sometimes.

•

*Blake fully clothed in a version of her father’s chief outfit. Complete with the the purple and gold family colors*

Blake:*drying her hair* You know it’s impolite to spy on people right? *looks up at the rafters*

Adam:I see you haven’t lost a step. *jumps down* also you sort of hired me to spy remember? *kneels*

Blake:*opens her arms* Stop with the formalities and greet me like an old friend. Or did you forget how to do that?

Adam:Sassy as always I see. *hugs her* Good to see you safe; I’ll admit I had my doubts.

Blake:You think you’d know better than to bet against your first pupil. *moves his hair* how’s seeing the world with two eyes?

Adam:Bright hehehe, but really nice. You’ve been back long?

Blake:Just since last night. Stopped by and visited your family. Jael has become quite the looker.

Adam:It terrifies me every day.

Blake:*snorts* got to talk to her a little bit. She seems lonely. Also missing you a lot.

Adam:Things haven’t exactly been....easy for her. It’s a lot to talk about.

Blake:Well there’s gonna be special spot here for higher ups only during the festival. You could bring your family without worrying about people seeing you; maybe we could all catch up them?

Adam:*rubbing the back of his neck* That might do her some good honestly. I sort of think I’m screwing up the one good thing I’ve brought into this world.

Blake:*smiles*......

Adam:What?

Blake:It feels really good to just talk to you again. We’ve been through some shit you and I. I missed this.

Adam:*smiles* You’re such a sap....

Blake:Wow! Okay you jerk. *folds her arms and smiles* the real sap is you; family life suits you well.

Adam;It’ll probably do wonders for you too. You’re only thirty something. It’s not too late.

Blake:*blushing* Mind your business! I just got back and that’s what you want to say!?

Adam:I’m just saying you might want to think about it. Sun won’t admit it but he was always his happiest spending time with Jael or any kid that ran up to him. *walking away*

Blake:......

Sun:*walks in* Oh hey loser. *holds out fist*

Adam:Sup loser *fist bumps him* see you tonight with my family.

Sun:Aye tell Jael her uncle I’ll make her favorite dessert! *grinning*

Adam:She’s supposed to be eating healthy! *leaves*

Sun:This is why she likes me more! So how was seeing your old everything basically.

Blake:*red*.........fruitful.

•

*Tenzen sprinting down a dirt path connecting to the forest. Clouds looming over him*

Tenzen:(I hope mom isn’t too mad I’m late. If she is this storm probably won’t my situation. Maybe I should’ve-) *immediately tries to stop. Skidding several feet anyways* What the!?

*trees snapped in half and bullet holes everywhere. Prints of human and multiple grimm types around the area with some blood as he looks around*

Tenzen:......(This isn’t right. So many grimm prints but not much blood. Who could get away from these numbers? Why would different grimm attack in these numbers?) Something doesn’t feel-

“tu...rn arou...nd.....”

Tenzen:*flips around and draws his weapons* Who’s there!? Fair warning I- *gasp* Emerald!?

*a flickering illusion of Emerald dawning a black and green trim version of her outfit points to a bush before fading *

Tenzen:*Walking through the bushes and looking*Emerald.......?

Emerald:Hey kid *cough* up here.....

Tenzen:*drops his weapons on sight; his face going pale* Guys?

*Mercury unconscious and bleeding on Emeralds back. Her chain dangerously close to being around their neck as they hang from a tree*

Emerald:*beaten up* H...help....

Tenzen:*snaps the tree limb off and catches both of them* What happened to you two!? Why are you-*yanked by the color*

Emerald:They....know where *cough* Nora.......

Tenzen:..........

[Launching cliff]

Nora:*sitting down* Late again I see; what am I going to do with that boy? We did spar pretty rough so maybe I can give him a break this one time.

*pit pat pit pat pit......*

Nora:Hmm? *turning around* finally decide to show up Ten- *gasp!!*

*several cult members stand facing her. Dozens of ursas, beowulves, and death stalkers behind them*

M:I’m sorry, were you expecting someone else? *eyes glowing read*

*the rain started to fall.....*

[musicalluna]

nice, a sequel

this is a commission for @ishipallthings who requested a sequel to nice

--

It's late spring in Manhattan and the weather's perfect when Steve leaves S.H.I.E.L.D. The sun is warm, but the breeze is cool, and Steve takes a deep breath as he starts toward the bus stop that will take him back toward the Tower. Days like this he likes to stay above ground where he can see the world go by. Today he doesn't pay as much attention to the trip as he normally might—his mind's somewhere else. On someone else.

He and Tony had sat in the kitchen for hours talking and passing the spoon back and forth while they made a considerable dent in the carton of ice cream the night before. With the cat out of the bag, Tony had wanted to know everything about the little gifts, details about the classes Steve was signing up for, which edits he'd liked best. Now that Steve was watching for it, he could see Tony taking mental notes of their conversation. More gifts would come out of it, Steve could feel it to his bones. He'd gone to bed feeling lighter than he had in years. Even now, in the searing spring sunshine, the memory hasn't tarnished. Without asking for anything in return, and without any recognition at all, Tony has been making Steve's life more bearable. Something he's realized as he thought about it is that no one does that for Tony. They ask him for things and thank him when he does them (it's fifty-fifty odds as to whether or not they also give him a hard time). Tony doesn't seem bothered by it or inclined to stop, but it bothers Steve. Now that he's paying attention, he knows he's been less gracious than Tony deserves for all he's done. Ma would be disappointed. Which is why Steve stops by a place on his walk from the stop to pick up a burger and fries. It's not unusual for Tony to show up in the kitchen ravenous because he's forgotten to eat. Bringing him something before he gets to that point isn't much, but it's something Steve can do. He pauses at the door to the workshop and says, “JARVIS, can you ask Tony if I can come in?” JARVIS doesn't respond, but inside the shop, Tony cocks his head and then glances back over his shoulder. Steve waves. Tony says something, and the door opens with a hiss. “To what do I owe the honor?” Tony asks and the question is casual, but there's something guarded in the way Tony looks Steve over. It makes Steve feel worse. Tony does all these nice things for Steve, but he still doesn't trust him. Pushing the thought aside, Steve holds up the bag. “I stopped for lunch, and I thought you might be hungry.” Tony stares in surprise for a moment. Then he gathers himself and says, “Yeah, I could eat.” To say the meal is awkward would be an understatement. Steve doesn't know where the easy conversation from the night before has gone, but he feels like a dolt as they stagger their way through. “Well, I'll see you later,” he says, when they've both finished, and Tony's eyes keep sliding over to the holographic displays nearby. “Oh,” Tony says, a mishmash of emotions crossing his face, “yeah, sure, okay. Thanks for lunch.” “Anytime,” Steve says and then makes a not-too-hasty retreat. That had been a disaster. Steve can't understand it, and he wants to, so he goes to the gym and starts going through his routine with the bag, trying to break things down like he would after a battle. He's nearly thirty minutes in when it hits him—Steve had come in the afternoon after finding out Tony's been giving him all these gifts and immediately given something to Tony and stood right there. Steve had liked that he didn't feel pressured to react in a certain way or to reciprocate the mystery nice person's gestures. Maybe that's why Tony had done it that way in the first place, and Steve's gone and put that exact pressure on him. “I have to be more subtle,” he realizes aloud. “Aim for the stars, Cap,” Clint calls from across the room. Steve swipes a wrist across his forehead and shoots Clint a dirty look. “I didn't ask the peanut gallery.” Clint grins toothily at him. “I offer my nuggets of wisdom freely.” “Let me offer you a nugget,” Steve retorts. “Don't.” – Before Steve gets a chance to try again, Tony beats him to the punch. Steve has an appointment with S.H.I.E.L.D. medical. He despises medical, but he recognizes that it's necessary to do regular checkups to be sure he's recovered from old injuries and to make sure he's healthy. Anything he might catch could easily kill the other Avengers. Better safe than sorry. He's not sure how Tony finds him, but he strides out of a hallway Steve passes on his way to medical and falls into step with Steve. His eyes are hidden behind a dark pair of sunglasses, his hands tucked casually into his pockets. “Hey, there, Cap. Where you headed?” “Medical.” Tony glances over at him, sunglasses glinting under the fluorescents. “Care for some company?” It's embarrassing, but Steve does. The idea of Tony watching on while the doctors poke and prod at him relaxes the knot in his belly. Tony won't let them do anything they shouldn't. “I'd like that,” he says, and Tony's mouth curls slightly at the corners. “You got it, Cap.” Tony talks the whole way to the medbay and hardly lets up once they get there. He talks about his projects and asks Steve questions to help him with the new advanced helmet he's working on for Steve. He wants to put a heads-up display into the eye holes. While the doctors put him through the shoulder maneuvers for the physical exam inspecting his muscles and joints, Steve tells Tony what kinds of information would be useful in a HUD and what would just be a distraction. Tony keeps trying to talk him into adding things, and Steve keeps patiently reminding him that as smart as the serum made him, he's still no Tony Stark. It makes Tony look quietly pleased. “Come on, Cap, I think you're underestimating the amount of data you can process.” Steve chuckles. “No, you're overestimating it, Smart Guy.” Tony's presence makes the appointment go by that much faster, and it should be uncomfortable doing all this in his skivvies while Tony watches on, but Tony keeps his eyes firmly on Steve's face and at this point, the more naked he is, the more comfortable he is with Tony there. He knows Tony will have his back. It's a funny, warm realization. – Steve's next attempt to be nice is less showy. Tony doesn't even see him doing it, because what he does is guard the coffee pot so there are still a couple mugs worth of Tony's favorite in the carafe when he comes to the kitchen. It takes a week worth of watching Tony to see what coffee types he likes best, JARVIS' help keeping track of his movements, and Clint being annoyed with him, but he does it. It makes him proud, and the satisfaction of watching Tony's contented expression as he takes his first sip motivates him to think of more things he can do to make Tony happy. Once he remembers Tony saying that's why he started doing it, that makes it much more comfortable. He's beginning to recognize what Tony looks like when he's happy and starts scribbling notes in his sketchbook alongside his doodles whenever he notices something in particular. Tony always seems pleased by gifts, even when they're stupid things like Natasha giving him a sauce packet from a restaurant with Iron Man on it, so Steve keeps his eyes peeled when he goes out and picks things out occasionally. A scarf with gold flecks that reminds him of Tony's eyes, an itty bitty Iron Man figurine, a pack of his favorite snack, anything that makes him think of Tony. Once he buys Tony a piece of art—a painting of the reflection of a chrome bumper—and Tony's face when he presents it to him makes him flush and start to draw back. “NO,” Tony says loudly, and grabs hold of one edge of the painting. “It's mine now. Thank you.” Steve swallows, his heart pounding at the base of his throat. Tony's fingers are touching his, and he feels completely unmoored. “You're welcome,” he finally manages. – It doesn't occur to him how much things have changed between him and Tony until he goes to the SI R&D department to deliver fifteen bags of take out because Tony had told him his team was working sixteen hour days trying to fix something that had gone wrong. Tony smiles as he watches the team dig into the bags, but it's heavy on his face, his eyes lined and his face a little gray. Steve curls a hand around the back of his neck and says, “Hey. You all right?” Tony looks at him and sighs. “As all right as I can be. My back hurts, and it feels like my brain's bleeding, but sure.” Steve squeezes his neck lightly. “Well, I can't do anything about the brain bleed, but I could rub your back?” He realizes immediately how intimate what he's proposing is, but before he can think better of it, Tony says, “Could you really? I might die.” That settles it and Steve nods. “Of course. It may not be very good, but I've got strong hands.” “You've got strong everything,” Tony mutters. “Come on.” He leads Steve over to one of the conference rooms and slumps down on to the nearest armless chair backward, pressing his face into the leather back. Steve puts his hands on Tony's shoulders but doesn't start in intense right away. He rubs his palms slowly over Tony's back, kneading lightly with his fingers, but not using too much pressure. He drags the tips of his fingers across Tony's shoulders and then down either side of his spine, just getting him used to the touch. After maybe five minutes, Tony's posture softens, and he leans heavily into the chair back, the tension slowly easing out of his shoulders. That's when Steve starts massaging more deeply, using his whole hands to squeeze the muscles and pressing harder. Tony groans. It gives Steve an immense sense of satisfaction to see Tony come apart like that, bit by bit.  There's something about it that just makes him feel accomplished, like he's done something that really needed doing. He keeps at it for the better part of half an hour. By that time Tony's slumped against the chair back, his face mashed into the leather, arms dangling loosely at his sides. Steve's pretty sure there's drool on the chair. “Ngh,” Tony finally grunts. “'f I don't go back I never will.” Steve slows his hands, kneading more lightly at Tony's shoulders. “All right. Let me know if there's anything else I can do.” “Help me up?” Tony asks. Steve helps him find his feet, steadying Tony when he wobbles precariously. Tony's face is right there, his eyes hooded and his breath warm on Steve's jaw. Steve freezes, staring directly into Tony's eyes and he watches them widen the slightest bit, Tony's breathing suddenly stuttering. His skin is warm under Steve's hand where he's still touching him, lingering on his skin because Tony's shirt is unbuttoned halfway and his collar's open and he smells like espresso and sweat and the lotion Steve had grabbed off a nearby counter at some point. Steve's heart is beating so hard in his chest it feels like being small and weak again, it feels like tachycardia, it feels like panic and anticipation and an urgency he hasn't felt for anyone since he said goodbye to Peggy seventy years ago. Realization takes his breath away. Oh. Oh. That's why he wanted so badly to give back to Tony. Why he wanted to see him happy. It's not gratitude, and it's not teambuilding, or it is, but it's all buried under the need to see Tony happy, thriving. He's in love with Tony. He doesn't know when exactly it happened but now that he's staring at it—Tony—straight in the face, he knows that's exactly what this is. At his back, the door opens, and panic lurches up Steve's throat. He steps back, letting go of Tony so fast he tips forward a little. Steve turns his head enough to see Pepper peering around the door. “Tony?” she says. “Here you are, they've been looking for you. Oh, Steve. Hello.” Steve reacts on pure habit and nods his head. “Ma'am.” He winces the minute it's out of his mouth because Pepper told him a long time ago that she didn't want him calling her ma'am or Miss Potts unless they worked together which they did not. She doesn't seem to notice though, busy approaching Tony who's trying to get his shirt back in order. Steve flushes as he watches them, suddenly all too aware of how this must look, him and Tony squirreled away in a conference room, Tony looking mussed and dopey. With an intensity that surprises him, Steve finds himself wishing that was precisely what had happened, and that Pepper knew it. “...lost track of time,” Tony is saying. “Captain America gave me a massage.” He sounds smug, and Pepper smiles indulgently at him. “Well, that was very nice of him, you needed something like that. Unfortunately, we need you back out there being brilliant now.” “Story of my life,” Tony sighs, but it's in good humor. “I should go,” Steve blurts, “let you get back to work.” “Hey, thanks, Steve. I feel a million times better.” Steve nods and smiles and flees. – Steve goes out to a coffee shop where he can get some distance and think. He does this often enough that he has a usual spot and one of the baristas smiles at him from where they're wiping down the other tables as he sits down. He sketches while he considers the piano that fell on his head while he was with Tony. He's interested in Tony as more than a friend. This isn't the first time he's felt something like this, and it's not even the first time he's taken a shine to another man, but. Well, he'd been aware of it then, it hadn't hit him like Thor's hammer out of seemingly nowhere. He feels guilty for it because if he'd only been doing nice things for Tony out of some kind of attempt to get Tony's attention that was wrong. As his sketch of the shop storefront develops though, the guilt fades. He hadn't been doing them to get Tony's attention, he'd been doing it to see Tony happy. As happy as Tony had made him. Steve's breath catches and his pencil stills on the page. Was that why Tony had done it? “You deserve to be happy, Steve.” The thought that Tony might reciprocate Steve's feelings fills him with a giddy bubble of happiness. When Tony has some time, Steve will talk to him and find out if he's right. – When he gets home, it's early evening, and Steve is feeling loose and contented, still warm with the thought that there may be something between him and Tony they can explore. He brightens when he walks into the kitchen to find Tony in his rumpled dress shirt leaning against the island countertop. He's grinning across it at Clint who has his hands thrown up in the air. “A dog park!” “Yes,” Tony says, voice thick with amusement. He takes a bite of the breadstick in his hand. “In the Tower!” “Where else would I put it?” Tony asks. “Lucky should be able to run around with his friends.” “You're unbelievable,” Clint says, which is his way of saying thank you. Tony grins. “I know.” Clint throws a wadded up napkin at Tony's head as he leaves. “Send pictures!” Tony yells after him. Then he catches sight of Steve and his smile widens. “Steve, hey. Thanks again for earlier.” Steve shrugs. “You needed it. What was Clint all worked up about?” Tony returns his shrug. “I had a dog park installed on the fifteenth floor. A high-rise isn't the best environment for a dog, you know? Clint doesn't get up early enough to take Lucky to Central for the off-leash hours, and SI's got plenty of employees with dogs—I figured why not?” “That's awfully nice of you, Tony,” Steve says, feeling his heart sink to his feet. Maybe he's not so special to Tony after all. – Steve feels like a heel for his reaction to discovering Tony does nice things for the others. He should be happy that Tony is a good, kind person who does stuff like this for no reason. It's part of what Steve loves about him after all. Despite the logic of that, he's jealous. He wanted to mean something more to Tony, that's all. It's embarrassing, how badly he misinterpreted things. More than ever, he owes Tony repayment for all the good things he's done. He just...can't quite face Tony with how foolish he's been, so he does his best to repay Tony's kindness without interacting with him directly. Natasha watches him enter the kitchen one morning just after Tony's left—Steve had waited in the hallway until he'd heard him leave. “Steve,” she says tone heavy with unspoken words. Steve grimaces at the coffee pot. “What's going on with you and Tony?” she asks, and he sighs. Of course she knows. “Nothing,” he says, knowing it's a feeble denial at best. “Mhm.” She sips her tea judgmentally. “Did he—say something?” Steve asks, voice getting stuck part way through the question. “Why, what would he say, Steve?” Steve shakes his head, feeling the back of his neck grow hot. “Nothing. That I know of.” “Which is why you waited in the hall until he left.” Steve's heart throbs, caught out. Natasha sighs. Steve slinks back out of the kitchen with his coffee, feeling guilty. Later, he's in the gym (after making sure Tony isn't, of course) and Clint strides in with a sigh. “Steve, man, I love you, but what the hell did you do?” Steve pauses his workout, wiping a hand across his sweaty forehead. “Uhh…?” Clint throws something at him—a small piece of paper that Steve catches against his chest. When he lowers his hand to see what it is, the paper drifts into his palm and Steve's throat goes tight. “Where did you get this?” he rasps. “Tony gave it to me and told me to give it to you.” Tony. The small paper is a photograph. He doesn't know who took it or where or how, but it's a photo of him and Peggy. There's a hand on Steve's shoulder in the picture that he's almost positive is Bucky. “Why's Tony giving things to me to give to you instead of giving them to you himself.” “What?” Steve says and tears his gaze away from the photo. “He made me an errand boy. Whatever you did, fix it, Steve.” Clint kicks him in the ankle, none too gently, and leaves. Steve looks at the photograph again, his heart clenching like a fist in his chest. He's never seen this one before, and Peggy looks… For a moment, the loss yawns so wide and dark inside him it feels inescapable. Then he remembers why he has this photo, and he swallows down his embarrassment and disappointment and heads down to Tony's workshop. Tony is sitting at his workbench working with a screwdriver and some kind of electronic with a hologram hovering close by feeding him readouts. “Tony,” he calls, “I can't...I can't accept this.” Tony pauses in his work and then turns slowly, one eyebrow rising up his forehead. “What exactly do you think I'm going to do with it?” Steve doesn't know how to answer that. Tony planned this he realizes when he meets Tony's eye. Tony's lips press into a thin line, and he whaps the screwdriver against the meat of his palm. “Why'd you stop talking to me, Steve?” Steve swallows, pulling the photo back in toward his body. Miserably, he says, “I'm sorry, Tony. I keep trying to fix this, and I just keep making it worse. I thought if I got some distance I could stop myself.” Tony frowns. “Stop yourself from what?” Steve closes his eyes, chin dropping. “Stop myself from being a jealous jackass.” He sighs. “Obviously I'm not doing a very good job.” “Jealous?” Tony echoes. “Jealous of what?” Steve scrubs his face with his hands. The sweat from his workout has dried, itchy and uncomfortable on the back of his neck. “I thought… I thought I was special. That maybe...you were doing these things—” He holds up the photo. “—because you—” Steve trails off, grimacing. “But then you gave Clint the dog park and—” He sighs again. “It's nothing you did, Tony, honest.” “Hang on—you're jealous because I gave Clint the dog park?” “I shouldn't be upset that you're a good guy, Tony, but—” “But you are.” “That's not why I'm upset!” Tony gives him a profoundly skeptical look. “I'm upset because I thought it—meant something.” Steve is mortified when Tony stares at him. He starts backing toward the door, hands raised. “I'm sorry—Tony, I'm sorry, I am. I'm going to—stop, I promise.” “Hang on,” Tony says, raising his voice, and Steve freezes. Then, very carefully, Tony says, “Steve, how many dog park-like things have I done for you?” Steve shrugs, uncomfortable. “Dozens, maybe?” “And do you know how many I've done for Barton?” Steve shakes his head. “One,” Tony says. Then after a beat, “Okay maybe two or three. A handful. But nowhere near the dozens I've done for you. Do you know why that is?” Steve swallows, his heart suddenly beating faster in his chest. Tony's eyes are intense, his lips trembling ever-so-slightly. “Because you're different, Steve.” Steve can't find his voice around his pounding heart. He's special to Tony and Tony's a good, kind person. “You're...something else, Tony,” he finally croaks. “I hope someday I can be half the man that you are.” Tony's eyes go wide, his tongue darting out nervously over his bottom lip. He gives Steve an uncertain, puzzled smile. “You're Captain America,” he says like that's half as important as Tony constantly working himself to the bone to make the people around him happy and, not only that, to keep the world around him safe. Steve is just a sickly kid from Brooklyn with something to prove. He shakes his head. “Tony, you fight the little everyday battles alongside the world-changing ones. You're the reason I can keep fighting at all.” “I think you're underselling yourself.” “I think you're underselling yourself.” Tony's mouth twitches upward on one side, and he twists the screwdriver between his hands. “So...you think I'm pretty great. And I think you get where I'm coming from now. So.” His eyes flicker to Steve's. “What now?” “Well,” Steve says, taking a slow step forward. “My last good kiss was in 1945.” A grin blooms over Tony's face, brightening until Steve feels like he's going to burst with the warmth filling him up.

[negasonicimagines]

There’s No Such Thing as Too Much of a Good Thing

request: Do you think you could write a nsfw daddy kink fic for Ellie please (as the dom)? (Preferably with spanking and choking but it’s up to you) if you don’t want to it’s ok!! Thank you ❤️❤️

notes: I’ve been really excited to write this, but I didn’t know where to start! I assume you meant Ellie as the dom? If not, I can totally write another piece! Haven’t written a dom!reader in over a year, lol. I added a surprise other than choking and spanking, i hope you don’t mind.

warnings: smut! (duh...)

Ellie was on a mission. Again. You’d begged your parents to let you stay at the school and keep her company over spring break because her family lived out of state, and it was unreasonable for her to fly out for the week when she’d be flying back for summer vacation soon enough.

So, the two of you basically had the X-Mansion to yourselves, at least in terms of other students… But Piotr dragged her from your bed and back to the mission she started yesterday. if you ever met this Deadshit guy, you were gonna give him a piece of your mind.

Whatever. You can handle yourself, in more ways than one. After all… Well, actually, she did tell you not to do anything without her. Maybe she wouldn’t mind if you texted her asking if you could finish yourself off, though. After all, sometimes it’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission. And if she didn’t forgive you, well…

That’d be even better.

Having just finished breakfast, you freshen up a bit before falling back into bed. Giggling a bit to yourself, you get started. You peel off the leggings you wore to bed last night, and wonder what Ellie would think if she saw you getting off in one of her tee shirts.

Maybe you should tell on yourself, you think. Just to see what she’d say. No… Better save it for the end.

You start off by stroking your clit, moving in circles with your fingers before deciding to finger-fuck yourself a bit, curling your fingers nice and hard.

You feel your breathing getting heavier as you get closer and closer. You almost forget to text your girlfriend.

Y/N💞: Hey daddy

Y/N💞: Hey

Y/N💞: Hey can I cum please? pretty please?

You continue to keep yourself on the edge, not wanting to have to work even harder to get back on track. She’s taking so long to reply, though, so you end up accidentally-

You let out a quiet whine as you orgasm, feeling a teensy, tiny bit guilty for getting off without permission.

E🖤: No.

You bite your lip, smiling a little bit. After all, it really was her fault for not texting you back sooner… Or so you might say later, when she gets back.

Y/N💞: Too late.

E🖤: When I get home fuck I gotta go

You’re nearly shaking in anticipation, filled to the brim with excitement. But, who knows how long she’ll be gone? You decide to take a shower to pass the time, so you’ll be all fresh and clean when your girlfriend gets back.

Once you’re finished and even completely dry, well, at least on the outside, Ellie’s still not there. You pout to yourself.

E🖤: Almost back. Be ready

After around ten minutes, the front door downstairs is opened. Normally you wouldn’t be able to hear such a sound, your mutation being super-strength, but, in an echoey, nearly-silent house, the sound is audible. Not only that, but you can also hear conversation.

“Jesus fucking Christ, all that and he’s not even joining up?!”

Piotr doesn’t bother correcting her language, so this Deep End guy must’ve been a doozy. Ellie sounds quite tense. Thinking of the ways she’ll get out her frustration has you ready to defy her again.

“I’m going upstairs,” she grumbles, stomping up. You lay back on the bed, excited for her to tear off your clothes and have her way with you. Ellie throws open the door and you squeak in surprise, somehow not having heard her in the hallway outside. She closes it quietly, though.

“Hi,” you say, a bit flustered now that you’re seeing her. Ellie’s hot, even in that ugly ass uniform. She needs an upgrade. Cheapest way to do that right now is to just take it all off, but, of course, but you don’t have permission and she’d likely not grant it with what you’ve done.

“This is what you call ready? Take off your fucking clothes,” she commands, stepping closer to the bed. Ellie takes off her boots while you do as you’re told.

She regards you, now in your underwear, with a smirk and a bit of a lusty flush to her cheeks.

“Face down,” Ellie tells you, and you shove your face into the pillows, letting your arms go where they will and letting your ass stick up into the air. “That’s a good girl. Everything okay?” She asks you quietly, her face close to your smushed one.

“Mmhmm,” you respond quietly, muffled by the pillow. She draws back slowly.

“Good.”

That word in that tone renews your anticipation. You wonder what she’s going to do with you like this, a few ideas swirling around your head.

You see it coming in your mind’s eye, but still yelp when she spanks you the first time, before arching into it. She does it again, a bit harder, and you moan a little.

Ellie chuckles.

“So, how many do you think you deserve for disobeying me, and then disobeying me again? For touching yourself and cumming, all without permission?”

You offer her a muffled “I don’t know…” and she smacks your ass again. “Daddy!” You cry out.

“I think… Five more?” she offers, snickering a bit more. You nod into the pillows. “Count for me.”

“Mmf! One… Ah, two…” You continue moaning and counting. She strokes the spot she hit gently, soothing the sting a bit before flipping you over.

“Now, what do you say?”

“Thank you, Daddy…” you mumble, a little embarrassed that she can see your face as you say it. You avoid her eyes, but she grabs you by the neck, using her pointer finger to angle your jaw so that you must look at her.

“Again. The right way.”

You feel your face heat up at her words, her expression.

“Thank you, Daddy,” you say, a whimpery tone to your voice. You’re barely able to meet her eyes, you’re so embarrassed at how turned on you are, lying here in your underwear while she’s fully clothed.

“You sure this is okay?” She asks you quietly.

“I could kill you with a punch, babe. I promise that if I didn’t like what was happening, I’d stop you,” you respond at the same volume. She grins.

“You remember your safeword, right?” Ellie continues, and you smile at how sweet she is.

“Leprechaun. Yeah. Seriously, don’t worry, I don’t think I’ll need it.”

“Okay…” She trails off before letting her smile fall back into an expression that is far more tense, dominant. “That’s a good girl. If only you could’ve been so obedient earlier.”

“If only,” you reply, but find yourself smiling as Ellie adds pressure to her grip on your neck. She moves a hand into your underwear, sliding two fingers inside of you easily and looking pleasantly surprised as she pulls up her slick digits.

“You’re awfully wet for me,” Ellie comments before pressing her lips to yours, squeezing your neck and your chest at the same time.

You moan softly, volume reduced even further by the restricted airflow. She pushes the cups of your bra down, not bothering to take it off before pinching and rubbing your nipples with her free hand.

Ellie removes her lips from yours and you whine. She places a hot, open-mouthed kiss on one of your breasts before sinking her teeth in. You nearly squeal at this, clutching at your girlfriend’s shoulders tightly.

“B-babe,” she gasps, and you let go, suddenly aware.

“Sorry…” you apologize, blushing, and she grins.

“It’s okay,” Ellie replies, before squeezing your neck tighter in pretend revenge. She pulls your underwear down, letting you work them the rest of the way off your legs yourself before capturing your lips with her own again. You feel a bit lightheaded, both her kisses and her choking reducing your air intake. She rubs your clit and you let out a limited moan, clutching at the sheets and hoping you don’t tear them.

“F-fuck…” you choke out. Ellie rubs faster, stroking you in circles and occasionally sliding her fingers inside of you. The anticipation and foreplay make it quite easy for her to get you on the edge. “Can I- Can I please-” You cut yourself off, chest heaving as you gasp and moan, but you eventually get it together enough to try again. “C-Can I please cum?”

“Can I please cum…? Dot-dot-dot...?” Ellie responds in a taunting tone, curling her fingers.

“Daddy, daddy, oh my fucking god, please let me cum,” you beg in a strained tone.

“Go ahead, love.” She begins stroking your clit again, faster than before, and you come undone in no time, feeling your release coat her fingers as you moan and arch your body into hers, still being choked as you shake. It was always more intense with a lack of air, and she squeezed even tighter as you were cumming. She loosens her grip, eventually stopping altogether, but she doesn’t stop rubbing your cunt.

“Ellie, I- ha, I c-came…” You tremble as she continues to stroke your clit, slowing down a bit but still overstimulating you.

“What was that?” she asks, giving you a warning look.

“Daddy, I- I-”

“Since you like to cum so much, I didn’t think you’d mind cumming again, and again, and again…”

“F-fuck…” you whimper as she practically frenches your neck, lips and tongue, soothing the ache her hand left.

“What? You didn’t think I was just gonna spank you, did you? After defying me like that?” Ellie scoffs, taking one of your boobs in her hand and kneading it gently.

“I- I- I think I’m gonna- C-can I-?” You’re practically convulsing in pleasure, hands shaking and far too weak to clutch at anything, now. At least you wouldn’t have to worry about the sheets.

“Don’t worry about asking, at least for now. Wouldn’t be very fair for Daddy to get onto you about cumming without permission in these circumstances, would it?”

Despite no longer being choked, you can barely speak. You just weakly whine as she draws some wetness from inside you, mercilessly jamming her fingers into you.

“Would it?” she repeats her question, that lusty and intimidating expression returning..

“N-no, Daddy… Oh my fucking god…” You orgasm again, when she returns to stroking your clit, not taking as long this time.

Ellie just chuckles at this, continuing to get you off. You pant as she does this, as well as using her mouth on your chest some more. Your toes curl as you feel yourself dance from the edge and back a few times, too overstimulated to tell how close you are or aren’t.

“Please… Please…” You’re not even sure what you’re asking for, your mind’s a mess in the best way and your skin is on fire. You don’t want it to be over, you want just one more, just one fucking more…

You rock against her hand weakly, and nearly scream when your third orgasm rips through you unexpectedly. Silent sobs of pleasure burst from your lungs as you scrunch your eyes shut, your legs thrashing about involuntarily.

“Oh, we’re definitely doing this again sometime,” Ellie decides. “I wonder how you’d react to that after being edged, babe.”

You whimper at the thought, feeling yourself throb a little. You’re sweaty and tired, wanting to curl up and sleep for a very long time.

“You want some water? A bath?” Her tone is far softer, sending a different kind of pleasure through you that leaves you with chills and a calmer heart rate.

“Hmm… Water. Bath can wait, I jus’ wanna sleep…”

“I’ll go get you a glass,” she tells you. “Wait for me, we can nap together.”

“Agreed…” you manage to tiredly say, letting exhaustion set in now that you’re not actively doing something. You think you drifted off for a little while, because when you blink, Ellie is back. “Hey, honey.”

She doesn’t reply, instead creeping over towards the bed and helping you sit up, putting the glass to your lips. Normally you’d insist on doing it yourself, but you’re tired and you know how happy it makes her inside when she gets to take care of you like this. You take some sips of the cool water before letting her know that you’re finished, for now.

Ellie peels off her super suit, throwing on a too-big black hoodie and a pair of “men’s” shorts before helping you get some clothes back on. The two of you snuggle in bed, and she checks in on you:

“You did so good, love. Was there any part you didn’t like?”

“Mm-mm,” you shake your head a little, and she strokes your back.

“Anything you liked in particular?”

“S’all really good,” you giggle a bit, and you can feel her smile.

“Good.”

“What about you?”

“I had a great time. You’re sure I wasn’t too rough?”

“I liked it,” you reassure her. “I like you. I love you.”

“I’m glad. I like and love you, too,” Ellie replies, and the two of you fall asleep together, enjoying your afternoon nap in the peace and quiet of the empty house.

[artboitrash]

His Bloody Rose (Stefano Valentini fanfiction) Chapter 6 - Wary

I sat alone in the hallway. I had been waiting for several minutes, there hadn't been another person to walk passed me for a while. I needed to talk to the head of the art department about my work in the gallery, to ensure all the current paper work was up to date.

The dean was late to come back to the office. It happens, but I was still a little annoyed. Sometimes the staff doesn't come in until later in the day, but the dean had been called across campus.

My painting instructor, the gallery organizer, walked passed and saw me. "Good afternoon." she said, making me look up.

"Oh, good afternoon." I said as well, standing from my chair.

She laughed. "Are you waiting for me, or are you waiting for your bus, or. . .?"

I realized I must have looked incredibly bored or annoyed. "Oh, no... I was waiting for the dean of the art department."

She smiled in understanding. "She went home today. There was a family emergency and had to run home."

I looked down sheepishly. "Alright, I'll try again some other time."

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I was trying to make sure all of my working paperwork was in order."

"Oh." My instructor nodded. She smiled at me. "Don't worry, there's always tomorrow or the next day. The semester doesn't end for a few months still, so you'll have time to come back."

"Alrighty." I said quietly.

My painting professor continued walking down the hallway to her office. The main office was locked, and no one was coming to unlock it.

That cleared my entire day. My last class instructor had cancelled, and my only other class had been let out early. I frowned to myself, then turned to gather my things.

It's not a bad thing, it happens. I thought in my mind, trying to stop this perceived slight from making my mind tumble into a worse depression. It's not a bad thing, it's not a bad thing, it's normal for things to go slightly wrong.

I decided to go down to the gallery and chat with Angela. I had already done my hours for the day, so maybe I can just chat while I wait for the next bus. I began walking down the hallway, thinking about what I would talk about.

Or, I really don't feel like socializing. I frowned to myself, and stopped walking, pulling out my phone to check the time. I had an hour and a half at least until I have to catch my bus.

I sighed. I walked down the hallway, but looked for an outlet near a sitting area instead. The hallway was almost completely empty, so I could make my choice of sitting area, but most hallway outlets were on the bottom floor. So I hoped I could make find one up here that was free. Maybe I can just lose myself in the internet for a little while.

"Hello again."

I looked up from the floor of the hallway. I saw a well dressed man standing before me with bangs covering his right eye several paces away. He wore a light blue dress shirt and what looked like suit pants, probably the most casual I'd ever seen him dressed. I hadn't seen him for about two and a half weeks, but there stood the enigma of a man, still out of place in a college atmosphere. Stefano smiled at me, and I blinked in surprise. He began to close the distance between us, and stopped in front of me.

"I had come for a follow-up meeting to discuss the gallery I am hoping to host, and here you are again." He chuckled lowly. "I always run into you before I go on to my meetings, it seems."

I smiled weakly. "It's nice to see you again, too."

Stefano stopped smiling. "Is everything okay with you?"

I blinked and turned away. I still felt guilty from thinking about his involvement with the serial killer case. Of course I would run into him while I'm not feeling well. "Yeah, sorry. I'm just not having the best day."

"We can't have that, miss Rose." A hand gripped my chin, making me look up at him. His eyes seemed to darken when he looked at me. "Stay with me. After my meeting I can make you feel better."

I pulled out of his hand. "Sorry, I. . ."

I felt a sickness pool in my stomach. It was enough to make me overwhelmed, to make the depressive feeling take over. Before I knew it, I was completely overcome with helplessness and ready to cry. I felt stranded with nowhere to turn. I knew it wasn't true, but the sensation in my head completely ruined any thought that might help me calm down.

I can't let myself do this. Not again.

I felt fingers guide my chin up, more gently this time. I was looking into Stefano's eyes. There was a burning intensity in them, he seemed angry, but not at me.

"Has someone hurt you?" he asked lowly.

I looked away, backing away from the man in front of me. "Go on to your meeting. I'm fine--"

"You're about to cry."

I looked back at him.

"Miss Rose, you do know that I can see through everything people try and show me, correct?" He frowned, but didn't make a motion to touch me again. "I am a photographer, and I have seen every emotion hidden under the sun. It is impossible for someone to hide their feelings and real thoughts from me when it is always so plainly written on their face."

I watched as his unhidden eye flickering between mine, seemingly unsure of which one to focus on. I nodded.

"Were you on your way home?"

"No, I was thinking about just sitting until the next bus."

"You take the bus?"

I nodded again, letting myself look at his face. "I don't drive. I'm a little too scared to."

He didn't respond to that. After a moment, Stefano held out his left hand towards me, as always clad in a leather glove. He smiled warmly.

"Come with me, Rose."

I looked at his hand, hesitating. I couldn't bring myself to care what would happen to myself. If I would regret it, I would regret it. If I was right those weeks ago, if he was the serial killer, I couldn't bring myself to care if I was the next victim.

Swallowing the nausea and lump in my throat, I lifted my hand and fit it in his. His grasp gently closed around mine, and when I looked up, his smile had not changed. His eyes looked at me with a gentle look that I hadn't seen in them yet. I swallowed again and just watched him.

He began to walk slowly down the hallway. I felt warm, and oddly safe. I blinked and walked a little closer to his body.

"Why do you want me to come with you?" I managed after I found my voice.

Stefano glanced slightly down at me. "You have been kind and helpful to me, bella. You have treated me in ways that is rare these days, so I think that should be rewarded."

"Rewarded for you or for me?"

He stared at me, an obvious puzzled look crossing his face. "Why would I reward myself for your work and kindness?"

I smiled slightly. I couldn't bring myself to respond to him.

My chest hurt. For some reason, when I was around Stefano or let my thoughts meander about him, I began to feel sick. If I keep thinking about him, my chest begins to hurt. Like I'm hollow, searching for something to fill me. Trying to ignore it never seems to help, but I can't really do anything about it.

I don't want to feel myself falling anymore, but it's so hard to keep myself from my own emotions.

I leaned my head against his arm, his cologne surrounding me as we walked. I felt empty and sick, but comforted by staying with him.

Stefano stopped walking, and I heard a clunking sound. "Oh, damn." he muttered.

I looked up, realizing we had come to the dean's office again. I stood up straight, feeling an odd sense of vertigo overtake me.

"It seems they've gone out again." he said with a tone of annoyance. "Would you mind waiting with me?"

"Oh, sorry, I should have said that." I said.

Stefano looked down at me quizzically.

"Sorry, I had been waiting too, before we met up. She went home because of some family emergency."

He sighed, though it seemed to be for show. "Perhaps we should try to reschedule again. I'm not quite fond of having my plans rewritten."

"The gallery organizer is here, though. I can take you to her office."

Stefano smiled at me. He lifted his right hand, patting my head, then drawing a knuckle down the side of my face. I shivered as a tingle went down the back of my spine. He chuckled.

"Would it be too much to ask of you?" he murmured, leaning down and planting a kiss on the top of my head.

I froze, feeling the emptiness ache even worse. I turned to him, unsure of what I felt as he rested his right hand on the back of my head. I leaned into his kiss, trying to make the pain go away, my heart beginning to burst inside of me. He had kissed me three times now, as though to just reassure me that he only wanted my kindness, but since we had only met three times it seemed improper.

"Why do you kiss me?" I murmured as he pulled away.

He looked down at me with that same neutral expression that covered his face when he was thinking. He just blinked at me, then turned away.

"Can you show me where her office is?" was all he said.

I paused, trying to piece together if that was meant to be an answer. I realized I was an idiot, then silently turned and began to walk towards my instructor's office. He followed me, letting his hand let go of mine.

I didn't look back at him. I felt my stomach turn, feeling unhappy for some reason. I realized how unrealistic I had been. There is no reason that I'm putting any trust in this man, no reason I'm letting him touch me and especially kiss anywhere on my body. I've only met him three times, I don't know him.

He's a stranger.

I felt my emotions boil over and I felt overwhelmed again. I could only imagine how he thought of me. I probably looked so easy to him, an easy target to make fall for him, someone to chew up and use.

I felt my eyes tear up as I tried to choke down my emotions. God I was being irrational about everything. The first person I've ever met to get this kind of rise out of me, to make me feel like I wanted to be around them. I couldn't keep Stefano out of my mind since I met him, the way he held himself and spoke just intrigued me, and all I could think was how I wanted to know more about him.

I wonder if I'm about to hit my period. My hormones turn me on my head when I'm about to start my monthly cycle.

We reached the teacher's door, and I silently pointed at it. I heard his footsteps stop behind me.

"Thank you, bella Rosa." Stefano said. His voice was withdrawn, as though coaxing me to look at him.

I didn't, I simply turned down the hall and kept walking. I felt pain in my chest as I walked away. Who am I fooling? No one but myself.

I sniffed as I heard a knock on the door behind me. I opened the door to the stairs and started walking down. I kept choking down my tears, holding onto the railing to make sure I wouldn't fall. I can't let myself go through this, not again. I've been heartbroken enough, I don't need to let myself feel it again.

Why am I choked up about this? Why do I have to be an emotional idiot?

I made my way to the bottom of the staircase. I walked into the hallway, and looked out the window. The sky was dark and it was raining. I laughed, feeling myself snap out of the depression I had been stewing in all day. Even if it was at least for a moment, it was alleviated.

How moody.

I walked to the window and pulled out my phone. I took some pictures, hoping they turned out decently. I love the rain, love the feeling it tends to instill in people.

I walked to the door next to the window and went outside. I took my bag off and set it by the wall. I stood still in the rain, looking out into the sky. I sighed quietly, feeling the heavy rain hit my face and dampen my clothes.

This is real, I thought to myself. This is the world around me. I don't have to find happiness or love, I don't have to find anyone.

I don't want anyone, I told myself. I knew that wasn't quite true. But it was what I've been telling myself for so many years.

I glanced at my bag, then walked further into the rain, beginning to smile. My shirt was almost completely wet, and I felt a chill begin to instill into my body.

This is real. The ridiculous feelings I've been imagining aren't.

I just stood in the rain.

This is real...

I stopped smiling. I turned my face away from the sky. I could feel hot tears beginning to flow down my cheeks.

What am I even doing?

I'm behaving like even more of an idiot, that's what. I'm arguing with myself over something so insignificant, about someone who isn't even remotely part of my life.

I felt something wrap around me. I looked down as what appeared to be a black blanket covered my head and blue-clothed arms wrapped around my stomach.

"Dio mio. . ." I heard a voice murmur behind me. "You are going to make yourself sick, my dear."

I turned around, looking into the eyes of Stefano. He sighed.

"What are we going to do with you, hm?"

I tucked my head into his shoulder, closing my eyes. I realized he had put a coat around my shoulders, it looked like the coat I had first seen him in. I placed my hands on his chest, feeling warmth branch through my body. Stefano held my body to his, rubbing my shoulder.

"Why are you so sweet to me, Stefano?"

"Does there need to be a reason?"

I hesitated. "What do you want from me?"

Stefano went silent again. He simply held me close, and I let myself just... feel it. It hurt inside my heart. I didn't want to feel anymore, I wanted to tear out my heart and forget my life.

His warmth, his cologne, and his pulse were all I was aware of. I could still feel the rain hitting my back, but his head was blocking it from hitting mine.

"Stefano?"

"Hmm?"

"Why are you acting like this today? You haven't acted like yourself since we met."

He lowered his head, turning his face into my hair. I could feel his breath running through my hair, rain water running down onto my head and sending a chill down my back.

"You are inspiring me, bella." he whispered. "You do not act like others to me, and you see my work in its true beauty. You have shown me more kindness than anyone I know."

I could tell some of what he was saying was rehearsed. I couldn't bring myself to care. I didn't want to feel pain anymore, I was so tired and ready for it all to stop.

"Come with me, bella mia." he whispered to me. "Let me capture your beauty."

I laughed into his shoulder. "You might want to take a second look, I'm not someone you want in your portfolio."

"Then you need a better mirror, or perhaps a better photographer."

I pushed myself into him. I knew then, I knew.

He was the serial killer. He was the murderer looking for victims in Krimson. If I was his last resort, or newest victim, then so be it. I didn't want this life, so I would rather give it to someone who would care more about it than me.

I looked up at him, seeing his eye open and look into mine.

"Only if you let me do one thing." I whisper back.

"Anything, bella. Anything."

I raised my hands, gently touching his face. His eye followed them, then met mine again. It was strange how human he felt, how real he felt under my touch. I pulled him down to me, pressing my lips to his. His jaw moved under my hands as his lips molded to mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling his hands tense around my shoulders.

He leaned into me, lips parting mine and filling my mouth with his breath. The ache took me over and I held tight. I anchored myself to this singular moment, feeling the softness of his lips press into mine, the heat of his body warming me and holding me, securing me to him.

I pulled away, feeling him pull back as well. His visible eye opened and looked down at me.

"I'll come with you now." I whispered.

His face didn't change as he looked at me. His eye shifted, changing like a strange liquid giving away his emotions. It flickered down my face, looking at me.

He pulled back, walking away from me. He picked up my bag and something sitting by it that I hadn't noticed. A camera lay by my bag on top of Stefano's portfolio.

He walked back to me, tucking his portfolio and camera into my bag and closing it, slinging it over his shoulder. He wrapped his left arm around my shoulders, guiding me with him. I shivered as the warmth came through me again. I leaned into him and let myself close my eyes. If this was going to be my last time, I wanted to feel happiness. I never felt real happiness, never felt anything like this. Any time I had fallen in love I was used, abused, and left heartbroken.

Stefano Valentini is a serial killer.

And I want him to be the last person I fall in love with.

Because he is the only one that has been truly kind to me.

[charlisdailyjournal]

January 1, 2020

The last spring quarter I had in college, I had an english professor that required a biweekly visual journal consisting of drawings and writings. I started the journals at the beginning of that quarter which was a generally happy time in my life and continued it into a rougher time in my life. Once the class ended I stoped the journal only doing an entry here and there. But looking back I realized how much it allowed me to deal with what was going on and heal in a healthy way. 

Life has gotten hard, I’ve had to make difficult decisions and am experiencing some “mental growing pains” (that’s the best way I would know how to phrase it). Looking back and seeing how much that journal helped, I want to do my best to pick up some form of it for this year. 

I’m not going to call it a resolution because no one keeps those and the ‘New year, New me” is complete bullshit. I don’t want to be a new me, I want to keep growing and be a better me. 

Growth and change is a very important thing to me. I believe that no matter how old you get you should always strive to keep becoming a better person. You should never become complacent with who you are because no one is the perfect human. 

Few people like to admit that they are flawed. I find beauty in flaws and I find strength in those who strive to better their flaws. I am an entirely flawed human being, but everyday I reach to better myself and expand upon what I know or believe to be true. 

This year is going to bring some pretty big change. 2019 was a tremendous year of change, each season brought it’s own highs and lows and learning experiences. As hard as it was I tried to welcome the good and the bad and learn from it all. 

Lately has been a really hard time for me. I was in pretty deep denial of what I was experiencing for several months and still have a hard time admitting it to myself. I’ve fallen back into a deep depression since August/September. I even decided to go back to therapy for some time in the summer before, I left my therapy sessions feeling good and was alright for a month or two... but I didn’t follow through and use what I had learned, The skills I learned to cope with my life and the things going on around me, 

I want that to change. I went back to therapy because i knew it would help me and it did, but I have failed myself in not putting those teachings into practice. It wasn’t easy and it isn’t going to be easy. That’s never stopped me before and I don’t plan on ever letting something of difficulty standing in my way. 

I’m tired of not having the motivation to do art, I’m tired of wasting hours upon hours aimlessly scrolling on the same three platforms of social media when they provide little to my life. I’m tired of not having the energy to do simple things like cook, clean, or play with my cats. I have such potential inside of me and it’s being wasted right now. 

I know it isn’t going to be an overnight change, but I will work everyday in an effort to make positive changes to bring back some joy and some happiness into my life. 

At the begging of 2019 I thought I had found happiness in myself, then my boyfriend at the time broke up with me and I realized I was wrong, I worked for it and he came back, and I stopped working on it again thinking I had found it. Then he left for good, ‘breaking up’ this time and then he slowly faded away. My happiness went with him. I tried reaching out on many occasions, just wanting my best friend back and trying to keep in contact with the one person I was close with in my area. I was pushed away and ignored, and only got a short happy birthday text and a message on Christmas. I don’t understand these messages and they hurt to get. It would be one thing if he was reaching out for contact or conversation again, but just reminding me that you are still there is pointless. He said “well always be friends” the last time I reached out, but it’s obvious that the friendship between us didn’t mean the same thing to him as it did to me. 

For a short time after the second break up I was working on myself again, trying to find some happiness in myself. Then life kept throwing it at me. I started school again, and struggled so much to keep up with everything. Work started to get harder and my boss started to get meaner. I was going to school full time while working almost full time hours to pay for my existence. I had to empty out my saving to buy myself a used car after my dad made me give him the vehicle I was using back, I paid for the last quarter of school on my own. I was having issues with family left and right, and it just seemed like nothing was going in my favor. 

It wore me down. Over time my happiness faded further and further away, everyday was just a routine in trying to get by. It was and it is fucking hard. 

My life is doing a complete 360 right now. All the pieces are moving once again. Change is important to me but also extremely difficult. I never saw my life where it is right now. I don’t think that is a bad thing, but it is hard for me to accept. 

Since I was young I had my entire life planned out and everything I wanted to do. Life has a funny way of taking those plans and lighting them on fire. I know I will make it through this and I will come out an ever stronger woman. This last year has taken me and thrown me into so many things I thought would completely destroy me. But I’m not going to give up that easy. 

Just because I am hurting right now, I will not let that hurt harden me and I will not let it spread to others. I have done a very bad job of allowing my emotions to seep into those around me or take out my frustrations on those around me. I’m still not perfect, but I try to me much more self conscious of my actions when I am in an area of intense emotions. Sharing and projecting are two very different things. 

As hard as 2019 was, there has also been so much good. Don’t let this fool you, just sometimes it’s so much easier to focus on the negatives. I know this is something that I can overcome and I am really exciting to see what this new year will have in store. Although there are some terrifying changed and choices coming up, they are things that I have decided to do and things I have decided to change in attempt to work on my happiness and well being. 

Some days it going to feel like the whole world is against me on an uphill battle, some days are going to be a breeze, some days aren’t going to feel like much. Everyday I will work on myself. Everyday I plan on writing or drawing - even if its something small. It doesn’t have to be something super thoughtful or meaningful, but it will be a short time of the day devout to myself.

This year I will be selfish with myself, but that does not mean I will close out others. I used to think closing myself off from others and being cold was the way I was going to make it in and out of this world. However, I love being open and forth coming with people. Sometimes I get anxious to be so open and willing with people, and sometimes I do have to draw lines for myself as to not devout so much time to another human and none to myself, but theres something so nice about being able to be genuine with another person. I have found some of my best conversations in 2019 to have been with complete strangers. I have met some AWESOME people in 2019, some I wish I had been able to know for longer than I was able to. But I am a firm believer that every single interaction was meant to happen. Everything that happened was meant to. It is all a lesson. Some of it I have already learned from, and some of it I still have much to take and learn. 

[thecutestvamp]

Beauty of the Dark - A Damon/OC Fic (Chapter 2)

Pairings: Damon/OC

About: With the hopes of starting fresh, seventeen year old Lucy Adams moves to Mystic Falls, the town where her parents grew up. Shortly after arriving, she discovers that the seemingly boring town has secrets even darker than the ones she carries. Lucy is forced to confront her past as she ends up tangled in the dangers of Mystic Falls. 

FanFiction Link

CHAPTER 1 - Begin Again

CHAPTER 2 - Black Hearts (On Fire)

When I make it, I'll be on time Gonna take what I want and give you a piece of my mind

Your black hearts waited too long, Just to see me fall down, fall down, fall down Your black hearts won't be around, just to see me fall down

Your hearts on fire, so come on, burn brighter Your hearts on fire, so come on, burn brighter

Your hearts on fire, but your cold to the touch I know you want it but you love yourself too much Your hearts on fire but your head is a rut You best believe it, I ain't ever giving up

I groaned as my alarm clock went off. It would've been nice to have more than two days to settle in before starting school, but moving in the middle of the school year doesn't really leave you that option. I reluctantly got up and headed over to my closet to pick something to wear. I settled on jeans and a striped sweater, and my favorite pair of converse.

"Hi mom, hi dad!" I said, finding the two of them sipping coffee in the kitchen as I came downstairs.

"Hi honey, are you excited for your first day of school?" My mom asked.

"Excited and school are two words that never pair together." I said, pouring coffee into my thermos, "But I'm hoping it'll be a good day. What about you mom, any big plans today?"

"Nothing too exciting, but I did run into an old friend from high school at the store yesterday and we have plans to get coffee later." Mom smiled.

"Oh yeah, thanks for the reminder to swing by the school library and see if I can find yearbooks that document how dorky you two were back in the day." I teased.

"Anything to get you into a library." Dad chuckled, "But your mother was just as beautiful back then as she is today, so you might be disappointed at the lack of embarrassing photos."

I fake gagged, and went over to hug both of them.

"Aren't you going to get some breakfast?" Mom asked.

I held up my thermos, "Coffee is the best breakfast. Love you both, see you after school!"

I grabbed my keys and went out to my car. I glanced at the jacket on my passenger seat, the only reminder that I didn't dream up the beautiful stranger I met at the Mystic Grill. I left it there to avoid questioning from my mom, and wasn't quite sure what to do with it. Damon still hadn't called. I figured he would at some point, because it was a nice jacket, but his interest in me must've been chalked up to the liquor.

Heads turned towards me as I maneuvered into a parking space at Mystic Falls High. One girl in particular, a blonde, narrowed her eyes at me as I got out of my car. I'd be lying if I said I didn't love to make an entrance. It was apparent that not a lot happened at this school, and that "new girl showing up in a sports car" would be most interesting thing to happen this month.

I managed to get to my classroom right as the bell rang, thanks to the guidance from the secretary who helped me get my schedule. I walked up to the teacher to introduce myself.

"Hi I'm Lucy Adams," I said, "I'm new."

"Wow am I the luckiest guy in the world or what?" The teacher stood up to greet me, "I start here in the middle of the semester and still manage to get someone else to take over the role of "new person" for me."

"You're new too?" I asked.

"Accident with the old history teacher. But don't worry, I'm at least partially qualified to be teaching this class." He reached out to shake my hand, "Mr. Saltzman."

I smiled, he seemed a lot nicer than the teachers at my old school, "Pleasure to meet you."

"Tell you what, most of the kids sit in the same seat every day, why don't you go sit at the empty desk next to Ms. Gilbert?" Mr. Saltzman suggested.

I gulped and looked around, "Mi-Miss Gilbert?"

"Right over there." Mr. Saltzman gestured.

I made eye contact with who I presumed to be Miss Gilbert, and she lifted her hand to give me a small wave. I shuffled over to her and took my seat. She was beautiful, her hair was a deep brown like mine but instead of frizzy curls her locks were perfectly smooth and straight. She had large brown doe eyes that lit up as she gave me a warm smile.

"Alright class, as I'm sure you've all noticed we've got a new person with us today. Why don't you introduce yourself?" Mr. Saltzman suggested.

"Hi everyone, I'm Lucy Adams." I said, as all eyes in the classroom turned towards me. "I'm from Lynchburg but my parents grew up here, and uh. . . yeah."

Mr. Saltzman nodded, "Thank you Lucy. Alright lets get started with todays lesson which you should be easy to follow along with if you did last nights reading."

I tried to follow along with Mr. Saltzman's lecture on the Battle of Verdun, but I ended up alternating between assessing my classmates around me, and drawing amorphous blobs in my notebook. Despite my boredom, the bell rang soon enough. I turned to say something to the girl next to me, but all I saw was her brown hair swishing behind her as she quickly walked out of the classroom.

I saw her again before lunch, leaned up against the lockers talking to a girl I recognized as the blonde who was glaring at me earlier, and a taller boy I didn't recognize. I caught her eye as she passed, and she waved to me.

"Hey new girl!" She called, "It's Lucy right? We have history together. This is my best friend Caroline and my boyfriend Stefan."

I studied the trio. Caroline looked like your stereotypical popular girl, with perfectly curled blonde hair and an equally put together outfit to boot. Stefan was unlike anyone I had ever seen before. His face structure was intense, with thick eyebrows and beautiful green eyes that had a touch of darkness behind them. He was mysterious and entrancing- if she hadn't just said he was her boyfriend, I would've let my eyes linger on him longer.

"Nice to meet you." I said. Stefan just nodded.

"Pleasure." Caroline said, with a tone that let me know it was not, in fact, a pleasure.

"What did you say your name was again?" I asked, turning back to the brunette, "Sorry I missed it earlier."

"I'm Elena, Elena Gilbert." She smiled.

I nodded, "Gilbert, huh. Any chance you're related to John Gilbert?"

Elena grimaced, "Unfortunately yes, he's my deadbeat Uncle. Why, do you know him?"

"Just a family friend." I shrugged.

"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry!" She said, "I didn't mean to be rude, he just skipped town a while ago and I haven't heard from him since."

"No worries," I forced a laugh, "He's my parents friend, not mine. I've never met the guy."

"Well consider yourself lucky." Elena said, "Oh my gosh, Matt! Come say hi!"

Elena waved to someone, and I turned around to see the bartender from the Mystic Grill. I felt my face break out into a huge grin at the sight of someone I recognized.

"Who's this, your cousin?" Matt asked Elena.

"Hey! No, we've met actually." I said, "At the grill, remember? I'm Lucy, not sure I ever gave you my name."

"What? Oh . . . oh yeah I remember. I'm Matt." He said, shifting his eyes around.

"Matt, is everything okay?" Elena asked.

Matt sighed, "Yeah it's just my mom. She's back."

"What?" Elena exclaimed and looked back and forth between Matt and Caroline, who nodded.

"She said she hasn't heard from Vicki either, so who knows where she is." Matt said.

"Matt I'm so sorry." Elena said.

Caroline reached out to put a hand on Matt's shoulder, "You know my mom is doing everything she can to find her."

"It's whatever. I'll talk to you guys later. Nice to meet you." Matt nudged my shoulder before walking away, putting a smile on my face. I watched him as he walked down the hallway, wondering what the deal was with his family.

"Don't. Even. Think. About it." Caroline's voice interrupted my thoughts.

I looked at her to find her eyes narrowed at me, "Huh?"

"Matt. Don't even think about it." Caroline said, and I realized that she must have a crush on Matt, or maybe they were even dating.

"Caroline be nice." Elena sighed, and Stefan grimaced.

"Oh no I wasn't thinking about . . . I was just wondering . . ." I stammered.

"I know what you were thinking about." Caroline crossed her arms, "It's okay, you can make it up to me by having a killer back handspring."

I laughed, "A what?"

"Back handspring." Caroline said, "I'm head of the cheerleading squad, and we're down a member because our friend Bonnie's grams died, so she decided to skip down."

"Caroline." Elena warned, "A little sensitivity."

"No it's like, totally sad." Caroline said, "But that doesn't change the fact that we need another member. What do you say?"

"I'm not sure I'd really be the best person for the squad." I said, "I'm not exactly graceful and I've definitely never cheered before."

Caroline sighed, "Fine, we can put you in the back. At least you'll look cute in the uniform. Practice starts at 4 p.m. sharp on the fields. Don't be late."

Caroline walked off without giving me any chance to protest. I looked at Stefan and Elena, who both looked like they were trying not to laugh.

"Well she sure seems . . ." I tried to find the words to describe the blonde tornado I had just interacted with.

Stefan chuckled, "Yeah."

"No comment." Elena said, "Listen, don't feel pressured to join the squad. But it might be fun for you to get to hang out with some of the girls, since you are new here."

"You're right it can't hurt." I said, "I'll try it out, she'll probably end up kicking me off anyways once she sees how much I really suck."

Elena laughed, "See you after school?"

"Yeah, see you then." I said.

When I make it, I'll be on time yeah Well you might say I'm crazy, but oh I'm out of my mind Well excuse me black hearts, will you tell me who is up and who is down? Are you waiting for me to fall down?

Your hearts on fire, so come on, burn brighter Your hearts on fire, so come on, burn brighter

Your hearts on fire, but your cold to the touch I know you want it but you love yourself too much Your hearts on fire but your head is a rut You best believe it, I ain't ever giving up So come on, come on, come on, hey yeah!

Your hearts on fire, but your cold to the touch I know you want it but you love yourself too much Your hearts on fire but your head is a rut You best believe it, I ain't ever give'n' up Hey hey hey

I wiped the sweat from my forehead as I guzzled at least half of the contents of my water bottle. It was no surprise to me the Caroline's cheer practice was intense. My short interaction with her in the hallway was enough to solidify that she would not be going easy on me. I forced a smile at Elena as she ran up to me, her hair in a perfectly straight ponytail.

"How you holding up?" She asked.

"Boot camp would be like going back to preschool after one of Caroline's practices." I forced out between breaths.

Elena laughed, "Yeah, she's a little intense. But I promise you she has a good heart, she's just intimidated by you."

"By me?" I asked.

"Yeah I mean she kind of secured the role of most popular girl in our class, and then all the sudden you roll up in your sports car and all the boys are drooling all over you." Elena said, "But don't worry, she'll get over it."

"Please, I'm just the shiny new toy." I said, "I take it not a lot happens in this town if everyone's that amused by the new girl."

Elena sighed, "Honestly, a lot more happens here than you would think. But hopefully you won't ever have to deal with any of that. What do you think, are you gonna stick around on the squad?"

I nodded, "I think I can take it. Besides, my parents will be happy that I'm actually participating in extra curricular activities."

"Awesome." Elena smiled, "So there's a game on Friday and I doubt that your uniform will be in by then. Do you want to come over and borrow one of mine? We look about the same size."

"Yeah sure." I nodded.

Elena was surprisingly right. We stood about the same height, which was a pleasant change from me being one of the tallest girls in my class at my old school. She put her address in my phone, and I sent my parents a text to let them know where I'd be.

Elena's house was on a quiet suburban street. It was a nice sized house with a gorgeous wrap around porch. I was surprised to see a relatively young woman with strawberry blonde hair in the kitchen when we arrived.

"Hey Elena, new friend?" The woman asked.

"Yeah, this is Lucy, she and her parents just moved here." Elena said.

"Nice to meet you." The woman smiled, "I'm Elena's Aunt Jenna."

"Is Jeremy home?" Elena asked.

Jenna frowned, "No, he texted and told me not to wait up for him for dinner."

Elena sighed, "Well we'll be upstairs, lemme know if you need help with anything, okay?"

Jenna nodded, "Let me know when you two are done, I did some more research today."

"On . . . Isobel?" Elena asked. Jenna nodded again, "Got it. We can talk later."

Elena led me upstairs to her room. It was so beautiful and cozy. I smiled when I saw that she had a window seat, I had always wanted one of those.

"Who's Isobel?" I asked.

"Oh it's nothing, just someone I'm researching for a school project." Elena said. I could tell she didn't want to talk about it.

"Got it." I said, "So, you're close with your Aunt, I take it?"

"She's actually me and Jeremy's legal guardian." Elena said, "My parents died last spring."

"Oh my god I'm so sorry." I kicked myself for prying such personal information out of her.

Elena shifted, clearly wanting to talk about anything else, "Let's just get you a uniform, okay?"

Elena dug through her dresser and tossed me a somewhat wrinkled maroon cheer uniform. I tried not to cringe at how short the skirt was. The thought of wearing that in front of so many people made my stomach do backflips.

"Here, try it on, make sure it fits." Elena said.

I nodded, and turned around to change into the uniform. I checked myself out in the mirror. It was a little tight on me, but the top hugged my chest in a way that I knew would ultimately get me attention from boys.

"Ta-da." I said, turning back around, "What do you think?"

"Woah, your necklace." Elena said, noting the piece of silver that I normally kept tucked under my shirt, "I have one really similar to it."

I sat down next to Elena as she pulled her necklace out from under her shirt. The necklaces did have a similar round shape, and appeared to be the same antique silver. Elena's necklace had an unfamiliar etching on it, with either a ruby or a garnet at the top. Mine was etched with flowers, with an emerald in the center of the main flower. I instinctively closed my hand around mine.

"Weird." I said, "My grandma gave this to me in May. She raised my mom here, so I guess she got it somewhere in town."

Elena nodded, "Stefan actually gave this to me, so I have no clue where he got it. I always assumed it was a family heirloom. It's beautiful though."

"You guys must be pretty serious then, how long have you been together?" I asked.

"Actually not that long," Elena said, "We only met this school year. But what I have with him it's so . . . so real."

I smiled, "That's so incredible, you two make a beautiful couple.

"Thank you." Elena said, "What about you, any boys back home?"

I shook my head, "Nah. I dated here and there but it was never anything serious."

Elena nodded, "Well you're going to attract a lot of attention once the boys see you in the cheerleading uniform Friday night. You look hot. Here try the scrunchie with it too."

Elena handed me a hair tie that matched the outfit, and I turned to the mirror and attempted to mimic her ponytail. I sighed as I looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was like a prettier version of me. Our hair and eyes were the same color, but everything about her just seemed more perfect.

"I wish I had your hair." I said, "Yours is just perfectly straight it must be so easy to get ready in the mornings."

"Are you kidding me? I can't ever get my hair to hold a curl. You're so lucky to have this perfect wave at all times." Elena said, running her hand over my ponytail.

I shrugged, "Grass is always greener I guess."

Elena shoved me with her pillow, "I'll trade you."

"Yeah, let me just shave my head and make my hair into a wig real quick." I laughed.

We turned our heads after hearing a cough to see Aunt Jenna standing in the doorway.

"Dinner's almost ready Elena," Jenna said, "Will you be joining us Lucy?"

"Oh I should really be getting back home, I didn't realize it was getting so late." I stood up, "But thank you for the offer."

"Anytime." Jenna smiled.

"And thank you so much for the uniform Elena," I said, "You're a lifesaver."

Elena smiled, "I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"See you tomorrow." I said.

I bounded down the stairs and sent my parents a message to let them know I would be home shortly. My heart felt an excitement that it hadn't in a while. My first day at Mystic Falls High and I had already been welcomed with open arms by the generous and beautiful Elena Gilbert. I was thrilled to have made a friend, and could only hope that this was just the beginning of a great last two years of high school.

[joohoneyhoe]

The Cat.

info: min yoongi x oc genre: fluff, cheesy movie references, humor, smut, unprotected sex, oral, fingering, anal play, anal word count: 5.2k a/n: this fic was inspired by my cat, not gonna lie.

“Goddammit, Dexter! Why, why do you do this every morning? You know you can’t go outside!” 

My head shot up to see my new neighbor darting out of his condo door. A gray, long haired tabby cat with pale green eyes ran in my direction, making me quickly set my box down I had been carrying to help catch his defiant pet. His eyes caught mine and he began shaking his head as I reached out to grab his runaway cat. I cocked mine in confusion as I crouched down, eyes shifting between him and the cat called Dexter.

“No, no, no!” he exclaimed, waving his arms wildly. 

I ignored his protest, knowing that just past me was the stairs leading down to the open world. I swooped up the cat with ease, swiftly holding it in a comfortable position and scratching behind it’s ears. I felt the feline stop struggling and begin to purr loudly, pressing into my caress. 

I looked up to find the mint colored haired man before me, his eyebrows raised in what appeared to be surprise. His pouty lips were parted slightly, just glancing between me and his pet cat. I gave him a smile, closing the gap between us and handing his companion back to him.

“I hope I didn’t freak you out by grabbing your cat, I just was afraid it would make it down the stairs and run off.” I explained as he took his cat back, who looked entirely bored with the situation at hand.

“No, um, that’s not it. It’s just--Dexter doesn’t like anyone but me. Normally she would have bitten you or scratched the shit out of you for picking her up. But, she’s still purring. I’m just a little speechless is all.” he confessed, walking backwards to his door, opening it slightly and placing his cat back inside before returning.

“I’m Aloy, by the way. I just started moving in today, obviously.” I held my hand out to him in greeting, still having yet to see any form of smile on the handsome man’s face. He took my greeting, his handshake firm, but gentle all at once.

“I’m Yoongi. I should warn you now, I’m a pianist and I tend to do most of my work late at night. So, if I ever wake you up at all, just come knock and let me know and I can move to my keyboard and put headphones in or something. No one has lived next door in the three years I’ve been here, so I’ve never had to worry about it until now.” 

Yoongi shoved his hands into the pockets of his tight ripped black jeans, pushing his bangs aside with a jerk of his head. I took the opportunity to take in all of him, his thin tall frame, that brightly colored hair and those piercing dark brown eyes. He was a beautiful man, it was hard not to stare at him. I think I would very much enjoy living next to him, especially considering we were surrounded by uppity old people and I wasn’t exactly planning on making friends with them.

“Well, I’m a bit of a night owl myself. If anything, it’ll help me sleep and I can always appreciate that.” I reassured him, and for the first time, he gave me a smile. It was gummy and beautiful. 

“Good to know. Well, I have to go now. I stupidly promised some friends I would meet them for breakfast. I’ll see you around, Aloy.” I picked my box back up, giving him one last smile before I watched him walk past me. I went back to my task, pushing the door open further with my foot, struggling a little.

“Wait, wait. Let me help you.” Yoongi’s voice reverberated behind me, his footsteps quickly approaching. He carefully took the large box from my grasp, giving me another smile, essentially making my insides melt.

“You don’t have to do that. Plus, your friends are expecting you.” I reasoned, offering to take it back, but he stubbornly shook his head no.

“My friends can wait.”

“Good morning, Dexter my dear.” 

I greeted the gray feline as she trotted over to me. I crouched down, holding my palm face up with a treat ready for her. Ever since I moved in a few months back, Dexter escaped every morning and Yoongi chased after her. So, I proactively bought a bag of cat treats and when I would hear Yoongi's doorknob turn, I would go out and head off his cat. Now, after weeks of this, he lets her just waltz out of his condo and come get her treat and pets from me before I take her back to him.

It was a nice little routine for all three of us and it gave me an excuse to see him every day.

I picked her up, holding her against my chest as I pet her languidly. Yoongi gave me a wide smile as he came up to me, his large hand reaching out to pet the cat as well. I took in his appearance, still in a pair of joggers, a white shirt and no shoes or socks. He had nowhere to be, so why was he out here?

“Where are you going to so casually dressed, Min Yoongi?” I teased him with a chuckle. His cheeks dusted a light shade of pink, eyes focused on his cat, seemingly avoiding my gaze.

“Um, actually, I wanted to ask if you wanted to come hang out tonight. Maybe get a pizza, eat too much and watch documentaries or some shit.” he asked lowly as he brought his chocolate eyes up to mine.

“Really?”

“I mean, you don’t have to, I just thought maybe it would be fun and neither of us ever seem to have plans on weekends. But, like I said, you don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Yoongi pointed out, sticking his hands in his pockets, something I had noticed he did anytime he was even the slightest bit uncomfortable.

“I’d really like that actually, Yoongi. It would be fun to not watch documentaries by myself for once.” I admitted as I handed Dexter over to him. “Okay, well, I can order pizza for us around six, after I’ve finished my piece. You can come over anytime after that.” I smiled, drawing one out of him in he process. 

“You’ve got yourself a deal, Min Yoongi.”

Yoongi and I had spent until two in the morning watching documentaries and vegging out on his couch, eating far too much pizza. Conversation came easy and silence was comfortable with him, something I rarely experienced and I assumed it was the same with him. He wasn’t exactly the most social individual.

Now I found myself laying in my bed, thinking about all of our encounters over the last few months. I could hear the sound of him plucking away on his piano, it soothing to my ears. I had never had an issue falling asleep when he was composing, in fact, it was quite the opposite. It helped me fall into a deep slumber easily.

But, not tonight.

My mind kept wandering back to his lips and the way they always looked pouted, even when he was speaking. I thought about the way his nose would scrunch up when he was explaining a story or discussing a documentary. I also thought about the deepness of his voice, the way it would send a chill up my spine when it would dip below it’s usual tone.

Everything about Min Yoongi was driving me crazy and tonight only seemed to spur it on further. I wanted to know what it would feel like to be held by him. To feel his long fingers against my body, dancing along my skin like they did on the keys of his piano. I wanted to hear his deep voice, whispering to me with those pouted lips brushing against my ear. 

All of those thoughts caused a heat in my lower belly, making me rub my thighs together trying to soothe the ache I was feeling between my legs now. I quickly tried to push all of those things out of my head, concentrating on the music coming from the other side of the wall.

I continued to listen to him play, trying my hardest to fall asleep, only to find I could not. He wouldn’t leave my thoughts, his face appearing every time I closed my eyes or his voice sounding in my ear. It was driving me mad.

Could he not sleep because he may have been feeling the same, or was it just simply his creativity keeping him up. It was nearly four in the morning now, much later than I had ever heard him stay up. Maybe he was trying to distract himself, like I was. Though I was not succeeding nearly as well as he was at it.

I suppose there was only one way to find out.

I threw the covers back from my bare legs, quickly throwing on the oversized hoodie Yoongi had let me borrow tonight and heading towards my front door. It nearly covered my shorts entirely, making it appear as if I wasn’t wearing any, but it really didn’t matter at this point to me. I didn’t even bother to slip on my sandals, I was trying not to think about what I was about to do. I quickly shut the door behind me, heading down he breezeway to his door. 

Once I was in front of it, I just stood there, unsure of myself. 

What if I'm completely wrong and he was just a lonely guy looking for a friend? What if I’m reading too much into it? What if I make everything awkward between us after this?

I shook those thoughts away and just knocked on his door without thinking about it further. I heard the piano stop, my heartbeat speeding up as I heard his footsteps approaching his door. I put my hands into the pockets of the sweatshirt, trying to become as small as I could. The door flew open, Dexter shooting out, realizing it was me and winding herself around my legs, her fur tickling my skin.

“Aloy, am I keeping you up? I can stop. I was just having trouble sleeping.” he apologized, his face showing his sincerity. 

“No, you aren’t keeping me up, Yoongi. I just--I couldn’t sleep either. I kept thinking about tonight, actually. As strange as that sounds.” I replied bluntly, feeling my cheeks flush intensely. His eyes suddenly dropped to his cat, watching as she moved in and out of my legs.

“It’s not strange. I’ve been thinking about it too.” his response surprised me, my head tilting slightly. “Really?” he finally looked up, giving me a small smile. 

“Yes. All I keep thinking about is how many times I had the opportunity to kiss you and I didn’t take it. I wanted to so many times and I had a really hard time not doing it. A really hard time. I didn’t though, because I obviously didn’t know if you would be okay with it and I was too big of a pussy to actually ask you if I could.” he revealed, pushing his door open a little wider. 

“I would have said yes.” I informed him, giving him smile. I watched him pull his bottom lip between his teeth, eyes downward as it looked as if he was deep in thought. They finally came back up to meet mine, releasing his lip with a pop as he did.

“Do you wanna come back inside?” he questioned, his eyes looking as if they were growing darker. “Yes. I do.” he snapped his fingers at his feline, signally her to go back inside. “Dexy, in.” she listened, lazily walking past him, myself behind her. Yoongi shut and locked the door, then turned around to face me. 

He didn’t look the least bit uncomfortable anymore.

My eyes were locked to his as he approached me, stopping just inches away. I could feel his warm breath on my face, making me briefly bite my bottom lip. He leaned in closer and closer, his mouth hovering above mine, my chest rising at a more rapid pace.

“Can I?” he asked, his deep voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes.” 

He leaned in slowly, his lips finally meeting mine, the kiss cautious, careful. Once he pulled back, his eyes roamed my face, analyzing my response to his actions. I brought my hands up to his waist, placing them there gently as I met his stare. He licked his lips, eyes flicking down to mine and back up again as if asking me silently if he could do it again. I nodded yes, getting a smirk from him in response.

He dove back in, this time his kiss was confident and aggressive. I let him push me towards the nearest wall, pressing me against it as his body pinned me there for good. I kept my arms locked around his waist as his hands landed on both sides of my head against the wall. His tongue ran along the seam of my lips, asking for entrance and I instantly opened up to him. 

Yoongi then moved his body flush against my own, his tongue dominating mine as one of his hands came over to cup my neck and tilt my head slightly. I could feel his length hardening against my thigh, making me groan into his mouth in which he responded by reaching down and cupping my throbbing pussy. I let out a gasp at his action, pulling my lips away.

He gave me a mischievous smirk, keeping his hand on my heat as he eyed me hungrily. I let my fingers travel down to the hem of his black long sleeved shirt, dipping under it to touch the soft skin of his stomach. I let the pads of my fingers skim across his navel, feeling goosebumps raise along his torso as I did. I moved lower, my index and middle finger running along the inside of the band of his underwear that was peeking out over top of his basketball shorts. He growled at me, grabbing my wrist and yanking them away.

“Come with me, I have something I want to show you.” 

He gripped my wrist and pulled me down the hall to a door at the end of it. I realized this was the room closest to my own based on the layout. He pushed the door open, bringing me in behind him before shutting it. In the very middle of the room was a large black grand piano and the floor around it littered with papers. I noticed his bed was on the same wall as mine at the other end of the room, nearly in the exact same spot, headboard to headboard. 

He dragged me over to his most prized possession, slamming the piano cover closed and then the fallboard to cover the keys. One of his arms wound around my my waist and the other under my legs, successfully picking me up bridal style and setting me on top of the large instrument. His hands parted my legs so he could step between them, his fingers gripping the tops of my thighs as he gazed up at me.

“Are you really going to Pretty Woman me right now?” I questioned him, taking my hand through that mint green hair carefully. His head tilted, eyebrow quirked like he didn’t know what I was referencing.

“I’ve never actually seen that movie. So what, he eats her out on top of a piano like I’m going to do to you?” my cheeks immediately flushed at his unbridled statement, making him lick his lips and smirk.

“Yes. That’s exactly what happens.” I responded, taking my hand through my own hair nervously.

“Well then, I’ll have to do it better than the movie I suppose.” 

He hooked his thumbs into the band of my shorts, pulling them off in one swift motion, leaving me naked from the waist down. I wanted to shut my legs, but he was between them, palms on my knees keeping them wide open so I could not. He pressed himself against the piano fully, reaching up to grab onto the bottom of his sweatshirt I had on.

“I like this on you. Seeing you in it for the first time was another one of those moments I really wanted to kiss you.” he confessed as he carefully removed the sweatshirt from my torso, leaving me in only a oversized white shirt.

“Oh, was it?” laying his hands flat on the surface next to my thighs, he tilted his chin and connected our lips, making me sigh in response. 

“Yes. Now, hush and take that shit off.” he demanded, fingers moving back to massage the tops of my thighs as I yanked the shirt off. I was now entirely bare before his dark eyes, my face flushing a little in embarrassment.

“You’re cute when you blush.” he commented, his soft hands running from my legs all the way to my hips, up my waist and then winding around until he reached the middle of my back. He then tugged me all the way to the edge of the piano. 

I took both hands through his hair, giving it a light tug as he began to kiss along my neck and shoulders. He gripped my waist again, his lips moving lower and lower until he reached the valley of my breast. As he continued gracing my skin with the petals of his soft lips, he took my hands and removed them from his locks, placing them at my sides.

Yoongi let out a heavy breath before taking off his shirt and tossing it behind him carelessly. He then brought both hands up to my breast, immediately making a whimper fall from my lips. Kneading them gently he began kissing them again, worshiping them with his mouth in a sense.

“You have the rosiest nipples I have ever seen. They’re beautiful.” he remarked before taking one between his lips, making my stomach erupt in butterflies. 

He pressed my breast together, running his mouth from bud to bud, sucking each into his mouth for a moment before moving back to the other. My back arched towards him, enjoying the feeling of his slow ministrations along my chest. It had been a long time since someone had paid my breast this much attention and I was loving every bit of it.

“Yoongi-” I whined at him as he swirled his tongue around one of the stiff peaks, his thumb rubbing back and forth along the other. 

He finally pulled away, taking the back of my neck and bringing my lips down to his. The kiss was brief and before I knew it, he was placing his hand on my chest and pressing me to lay back against the top of the piano. He pried my legs open further, bringing his mouth down to kiss along my navel and hips, those eyes looking up at me hungrily.

“How are you this wet already?” he inquired as he ran a finger through my folds, making my back arch once again. “I’ve been wet since I left you the first time.” I admitted to him, covering my face with my forearm. He chuckled, lips traveling down to the top of my mound.

“Hm. Well then, I guess I had better take care of that then.”

He slowly ran his tongue up my slit, collecting all of my wetness and humming in satisfaction. One of his hands moved to the back of my thigh, pushing it towards my chest, placing my foot flat on the surface of the piano and giving him better access to my heat.

His fingers parted my folds further, mouth coming back in to lave his tongue along my clit in a back and forth motion. I began to wriggle beneath him, finding it hard to stay still as he continued to lap at me in what felt like slow motion. I placed my other foot up on the piano, encouraging him to delve in further. He reached up and smacked my inner thigh harshly, making me yelp.

“Impatient girl, calm yourself. I won’t leave you hanging.” he reassured me, knocking the foot I had propped out from under me, making me squeak in surprise.

He moved back to my pussy, returning to his relaxed pace, but pulling my clit between his lips and sucking slowly. I let out another whine as his hand reached up to play with one of my nipples, feeling him grin into my core. He sped up slightly, the tip of his tongue circling my bud.

I took one of my hands into his hair, scratching my nails along his scalp gently. I continued doing so as he continued to speed up ever so slightly every few minutes. I involuntarily yanked on his hair when he teeth nipped at my clit, making him growl, the vibration rolling through me nicely.

“Do you make a habit of growling into people’s pussies when you eat them out?” I asked, tugging on his hair playfully. 

“Only when they taste as good as you do.” the back of his hand smacked my inner thigh once again, making me jump and let out a laugh.

I wasn’t laughing for long though, because his skilled tongue went back to work almost immediately. He grabbed the leg that was hanging off the edge of the piano and moved it to join the other that was propped up, giving him all the access he could possibly want. I felt his finger began wiggling at my entrance, slowly making it’s way inward, stretching my walls. A second followed after the first withdrew, and he began making a almost twisting like motion.

“Oh, God!” I called out, bringing my arms up behind my head as I arched forward.

“You can just call me Yoongi.” he joked, those piercing eyes gazing up at me with a devilish grin as I looked down at him with a scowl. His eyebrows raised at me, then suddenly, he curled his fingers and hit my sweet spot.

I instantly let out a cry of pleasure, fingers moving to grip the edge of the piano to try and ground myself. He repeated the motion, but returned his tongue to the mix, making my entire lower half feel as if it was on fire. I knew it would only take a few more curls of his long nimble fingers and I’d be done for. I felt both of his digits beginning to move separately, like he was dancing them like he would on the keys of his piano. 

That did it, I constricted around him, my body tensing up entirely as I screamed out his name on top of his grand piano. He stopped the tap dancing movements and just pumped in and out of me as I rode out my intense climax. Once it had finished hitting me like a ton of bricks, I let out a deep breath I hadn’t realized I had been holding in. 

I felt Yoongi’s lips kissing along my inner thighs as he withdrew his fingers at an agonizingly slow pace. But, once they were out, he took hold of my wrist and quickly yanked me off the top of the piano and connected our lips. The kiss was fierce, his hands groping my ass as I raked my nails down his back, surely leaving a red trail in their wake.

He pulled away suddenly, snarling at me before spinning me around and shoving me against the piano again with my ass facing him. I heard him rip down his shorts and kick them away before he stepped up behind me, his hard length pressing against me. His large hand landed against my ass, stinging and making me let out a hiss as the sound rang out in the wildly acoustic room.

“Now tell me, is anal involved in that notorious piano scene? Because if it isn’t, that’s a damn shame.” he commented into my ear, an involuntary moan passing through my parted lips. He laughed lowly at my reaction to his sinful words, obviously pleased by it.

“I take it as you’re into that then? Because I would most certainly be happy to indulge you.” he whispered as he kissed along the back of my neck, his fingers moving inwards towards my rim.

“Please do.” I consented, leaning on my elbows as I glanced over my shoulder at him.

“Well, I hit the fucking jackpot with you, didn’t I?” he remarked, leaving me momentarily to grab something from his bedside drawer. When he returned, I heard the click of a cap and the sound of something being squirted onto his fingers.

He pressed half of his body against mine, finger immediately finding my rim and circling it. I let out a gasp at the contact. It had been a long time since anyone had been back there, but that didn’t make me any less excited about it. One of his fingers slid in, a whimper leaving my lips as my head dropped, my hair splaying out all over the top of the black piano.

“Relax, I know what I’m doing.” Yoongi reassured me, kissing my temple tenderly as he added another finger to the party. This time I let out a loud moan, head flinging back as he began to wiggle them back and forth slightly. 

“Man, finding a girl whose into anything anal related is a pain in the dick. Who would have guessed the beautiful, funny and smart girl next door would be so damn naughty?” he commented before biting down on my shoulder roughly as his fingers continued their work.

“Fuck!” 

My voice cracked as my body still shook from my earlier release, my arousal dripping down my thighs as Yoongi kept going. It had been years since I had been with a man anything like Yoongi, and that man had been completely incompetent when it came to anything anal. But this, I could get used to this level of precision and enthusiasm. 

“I think that’s good enough.” he declared, removing his digits, a whine of protest coming from me in return. He positioned himself behind me, kissing my neck softly as his hands held my hips.

“Hush, I didn’t say I was done.” the bottle top clicked again and I heard him squeeze out a healthy amount. A almost slick sound could be heard as he spread it along his cock, something I had yet to even see. I moved to turn and look, but he slammed me back against the piano, pressing my chest down against the cold surface.

“No peeking, baby. Just take what you’re given.” 

“Yes, sir.” I said in compliance, my cheek pressed flat against the piano now as I waited for him to continue. 

He seemed satisfied with that reply and then slowly started inserting the tip of his cock into my tight hole. That was always the worst part. As he pushed in, it began to sting slightly, making me squeeze my eyes shut in response. He was huge, no wonder he kept me from turning around. His hand smoothed up my spine soothingly and then back down again, repeating this action a few times until my body untensed and began to relax.

“I told you I knew what I was doing.” he reminded me with confidence as the rest of his length now slid in with ease. I let out a deep sigh as he filled me, the pain now subsiding as he stayed still for a few moments longer, hand still running up and down my back.

“You can move now.” I informed him, hand reaching behind me rest on his hip, wanting to feel him under my fingers since I couldn’t see him. 

His hands moved back to my hips, holding me firmly as he withdrew slowly and then pushed back in. He did that a few more times before his pace began to increase, fingernails beginning to leave marks in my skin as he tried to control his urges.

“Harder.” I ordered, making him stop in surprise, tilting his head to look down at me as I smirked and side eyed him. He gave me that gummy smile, clearly excited by my demand.

“Oh, baby, I fucking like you.”

He barreled into me, a cry leaving both of us as he did. He wrapped one arm around my waist, the other moving down to my clit and beginning to rub it. His hips snapped into me, the sound of flesh hitting fleshing echoing throughout the room. I could feel the burning in my abdomen again as he pounded into me, my orgasm coming on fast and hard once more.

He sped up his movements on my clit, no doubt getting close himself. I moved my arm behind me, reaching back to tangle my fingers into those soft mint locks as he was fully pressed against my back. He went even harder, low grunts and growls rumbling in his chest as I whined underneath him.

“Fuck!” I literally screamed, my pussy clenching around nothing as I was hit by a second hard climax. My body trembled, legs shaking and knees wanting to give out as it pummeled through me like hurricane. 

Yoongi kept going, pushing off of me to move back to holding onto my hips. His pace was brutal and rough, something I had not expected out of someone so frail looking. But, Min Yoongi was anything but frail. I heard a deep moan leave his chest and next thing I knew, he was releasing inside of me, hips sputtering and pace decreasing as he did so.

He finally stopped his movements, slowly and carefully pulling himself out of me. I just continued to lay against the top of the piano, two intense orgasms having wiped me out completely. I felt Yoongi take my upper arm, bringing me away from it before scooping me back up bridal style, carrying me to his bed and laying me down with the utmost care.

I instantly grabbed the fluffy black comforter and pulled it up over my shoulders, laying on my side and getting comfortable. He gave me a sweet smile as he crawled over and gave me a gentle kiss before getting back up. I watched him walk towards the door, confused as to where he was going without his clothes. But all he did was crack the door a little, letting Dexter shoot past him and run to the bed.

She jumped up, doing circles at the end of the bed while Yoongi sat at the edge, opening his laptop and fiddling with it for a few minutes as I lay back down and waited. Dexter finally got comfortable and laid down just as Yoongi was finishing whatever he was doing on his computer. He held it in his hand as he got under the covers beside me, stretching his arm out for me to curl up next to him. He set the laptop down on his hips turning it slightly so I could see, then pressed play.

“Are you serious right now?” I proclaimed with a laugh as the opening credits to Pretty Woman started up. Another gummy smile appeared on his lips, his eyes glued to the screen.

“I figured after that whole piano thing, I should see how I did in comparison.” he replied, his tone slightly arrogant and rightfully so.

“Oh, believe me, there’s no comparison needed, Min Yoongi.”

[angstymarshmallow]

Kiss Me After Midnight (Jax x MC)

[A little note: I want to write more Jax fics since I’m in a jax x mc mood right now. I’m working on other stuff...but this was a nice break from the things I know I should be finishing...Hope you enjoy it!]

Tagging: @flynnomalleys :’)

[Word Count: 3680]

It was nearly midnight when Harlow heard her phone, blaring from beside her. She paused her show on Netflix long enough to lean forward and caught the sight of a familiar number flashing on her screen.

She smiled.

Just the sight of his number could do that to her. It could make her smile, make her giddy as a strange flutter resonated somewhere deep inside her chest. She couldn’t explain exactly what he did to her, she only knew she couldn’t stop herself from reaching for it and pressing the phone eagerly to her ear. And she really should have stopped herself – making it this easy for Jax would give him the impression that she was wrapped around his little finger.

“Harlow,” he greeted warmly from the other line. “I’m glad I caught you.”

“Hey,” she stretched, “another late night at the office. Adrian had me compiling lists for him – it felt pretty endless. Even now I swear I can still see numbers floating around in my head.”

He lightly chuckled.

“I’ve only been home for the past hour,” she squinted at the time. “And I think I’m still too keyed up to go to bed.” She twirled a lock of her dark hair. “How’s Shadow Den?”

“Same old, same old.” His voice was surprisingly brusque when she asked him. As though catching it himself, he sighed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to brush off your question like that.”

“I know,” she said quietly. “You’re just very protective of your people.”

“But they’ve got nothing to fear from you.” He muttered. “I’m just…used to keeping so much of it a secret from pretty much everyone –” he sighed ruefully a second time. “But it’s good to know I can share it with you, in fact they keep asking me when’s the next time I’m going to bring you around.” He scoffed, “they think I’ve been surly lately because I haven’t seen you.”

She laughed. “That definitely sounds like you, always worrying about other people instead of yourself.” Although he couldn’t see her, she shook her head.

“I don’t remember you complaining the last time I rescued you.”

“Hey!” She exclaimed indignantly, “walking me home after someone tried mugging me does not count. I had it covered.” She waited a beat, “but I was pretty grateful you were around the corner to get my purse back for me.”

“You know I’m always here when you need me.”

And he had proven that to be true, at least a dozen times over since they met. 

Her fingers clenched around her phone at the thought. 

Every night she spent with Jax was another night she thought it would be easy to fall for him. Easy for her to lose herself in his smile and his intimate embrace without even trying. And she was fighting a losing battle convincing herself that she was only in it for the thrill. With Jax, she found herself wanting more.

“So, why did you call?” She switched the subject, “It must be something good for interrupting my Netflix session. You know it’s Game of Thrones night, right?”

“How many times have you marathoned that show, Harlow?” He hummed.

“That’s – that’s –” she frowned at his teasing, “that’s besides the point. This show deserves more than one go around and I don’t remember you complaining the last time you were here with me.”

“We might be remembering the same night differently,” his voice dropped an octave, “because I distinctly remember you pouncing on me the moment we settled in to watch it.”

“It’s not my fault!” She objected without thinking, “you’re just so irresistible!” Oh. The moment she uttered those words, she regretted them. Instead of the pause she feared, much to her surprise he chuckled good-naturedly on the other line.

“If I’m so irresistible then you wouldn’t mind going out with me tonight.”

“Gee, I don’t know.” She pretended to think about, but already her stomach quivered in anticipation at the prospect of seeing him. He was just so damned smooth. Was there anything he wasn’t good at?

Harlow was already off the couch, digging into her slippers before she ventured towards her bedroom as soon as she spoke. “I did have a serious date with eyeballing Jon Snow for at least another two episodes.”

Jax laughed.

“But I think he’ll manage without me tonight.” She added brightly.

“I’ll let him know you’re in good hands tonight.”

Placing her phone in-between her shoulders, she started fishing through her walk-in closest. “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.” He replied, without missing a beat.

She rolled her eyes, almost freezing as she passed a pair of dark jeans. “You know I’m not a big fan of surprises.” Her last surprise had nearly driven her off the wagon. Crazy hadn’t been enough to define what she had recently gone through – finding out your new boss was a vampire was no easy feat for anyone in their right mind. Good thing she always had trouble with that.

“A good kind,” Jax paused, interrupting her thoughts. “I promise.”

“You’ve always been good at keeping your promises,” she mused, spying a little black dress. “So I guess I can let you off the hook this time.”

She could almost see his grin in her mind – and his canines poking out as clear as day. “Good, pack light. Dress light. I’ll be down by your place in ten.”

Pack light? Dress light? She thought with a frown. What exactly could he have meant. “Where are we -” before she could ask him what he meant he hung up. Shaking her head, she placed her hands on her hips and eyed her wardrobe. Just what exactly did Jax Matsuo have in mind?

-

Jax was as Harlow expected on time. He was never one to be late when it came to their impromptu meetings. He never left home without his sword and it was still strapped against his back, as if he thought at any time something could go wrong. But knowing him and her trademark for finding herself in trouble – he was probably right to.

He looked as handsome as the last time she saw him. And not a day too soon, as she drank in the sight of familiar leather. She nearly shivered in delight.

His dark eyes were gleaming at her with a mixture of happiness and something else. Something she could only describe as desire under its growing intensity. She greeted him with a quick kiss that he quickly tried to pull her back to.

His lips were thorough in their inspection, kissing her as though he was trying to commit the softness of her lips to memory and incited a small moan from her, when he finally tore himself away. “Hey,”

“Hi,” she breathlessly said back. She gave him a smile as he reached for her hand. She could still feel the warmth from his lips lingering as they slipped into an easy walking pace across the sidewalk. “No ride today?” She kept hoping she’d have a chance to see his motorbike in action but was sorely disappointed when he shook his head.

“Not today, I figured we could enjoy a walk.” He jerked his chin at the path in front of them; a long winding road that Harlow had covered jogging last week. “The moon is out, and the sky looks beautiful tonight.”

“Feeling sentimental, aren’t we?” Even as the words left her throat, she couldn’t help but agree. There was something special about seeing the moon out; shining brightly down at them as they gazed at it.

“Am I?” He laughed, “I can’t help it. The moon is the closest I’ll ever to be the sun.” He mused darkly.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s the only thing that lights the dark,” Jax continued quietly, tightening his grip around her wrist. “The only thing that keeps it from completely taking over.” He looked down at her then, his eyes suddenly solemn. “I guess in a way, it reminds me of what I can’t have.”

Harlow swallowed, finding it suddenly difficult to breathe. She couldn’t understand the sudden faraway look in his eyes and yet she was under the impression that they were no longer talking about the same thing. She squeezes his hand, drawing the light back into his eyes. “Hey, you said you had something to show me?” She prompted, hoping to distract him. She didn’t know what demons lurked underneath where he wouldn’t share with her; but she knew she had to always try to bring him back.

“Oh,” Jax blinked at her for a moment. “Oh, yes.” A sly smile erased the trepidation she had felt building between them. “Follow me.” He said eagerly, gripping her hand tighter.

“Ow!” She winced a little and automatically he loosened his hold fraction. “Wait! Slow down.”

-

Jax was infinitely faster than her and it took a lot of patience for him to slow his pacing. He wasn’t used to holding onto someone that could have difficulty catching up, but he wanted to share something with her – a piece of himself that no one else knew.

Not even his second in command at Shadow Den.

He ignored the sudden anxiety he felt in his stomach. He wouldn’t fill his head with second thoughts – he had known Harlow long enough to trust her and his instincts. And his instincts were telling him she was special – important. She was unlike anyone else her had ever met.

His hand entwinned with hers flexed as they flitted through a crowd. He kept a good watch on her from the corner of her eyes, because despite her protests about being independent – Harlow’s luck had often made her a damsel in unfortunate circumstances.

When he found the building he was looking for, he pulled her into the alleyway and only stopped to gaze worriedly back at her. She was still there, hugging her shoulders in her dark and clad leather jacket.

One singular eyebrow was raised as she pulled back her bangs from her face. Her lips formed a faint frown. “Jax,” she begun.

“Hmm?” His lips were itching to smile at her apparent confusion.

“Public sex isn’t really my thing,” she skimmed the overgrown trashcans and wrinkled her nose and the dingy graffiti covering the sight of the building. “Like at all.”

He laughed. “That isn’t why I brought you here, although we should definitely re-visit this conversation later.”

She narrowed her eyes and flipped her hair over her shoulder. “No, I think that’s always going to be a hard pass for me.”

“Hmmm,” he pulled her to him, cutting off the rest of her retort. He couldn’t stop himself from tilting her chin up to kiss her.

She returned it just as quickly, looping her arms around his neck; pressing herself possessively into him.

She could make him forget the rest of the world around them if he wasn’t careful. And Jax had always taught himself to be careful. Cupping her cheeks, he deepened the kiss before pulling back enough to stare into her eyes. His dark crimsons reflected back at him.

“Do you trust me, Harlow?”

-

Jax’s voice was remarkably soft when he spoke. It was always soft whenever they spoke of serious things, and their feelings that had never been fleeting – but his question had taken her off guard. She admitted to herself that it quelled the little weeds of self-doubt that had been rearing its ugly head, but she was still surprised at the intensity of his eyes boring into hers. Staring up at him, all Harlow could think was of an answer that should have scared her. But it didn’t.  “Yes, I think I do.”

“With your life?” He pressed with a sudden urgency entering his voice. He stroked her cheek.

And Harlow relished his touch. Despite the flush that crept upon her neck, she loved the feeling of his cool fingers until they tucked underneath her chin.

Jax angled her forward, still waiting for her answer.

Slowly, she nodded.

She didn’t think it would have been possible – but then again, a couple months ago, she hadn’t thought vampires were possible either. There was no denying she trusted him, and even more surprising was how much she entrusted her life into his hands.  She wasn’t a person that trusted easily,  it was never something she gave to others no a whim – not even with Adrian who had been there for her too. He had never been this level of clarity.

And a thousand different reasons why she shouldn’t trust him flooded her thoughts. But the most important reason why she kept those thoughts back. Yet, no matter how different their circumstances and responsibilities were, no matter how much their lives were beginning to yank them in separate directions – she trusted him. She trusted him, because she was falling for him – falling harder than she had ever thought possible. “I do Jax.” She uttered so low that she thought she thought he hadn’t heard it until she saw his smile. “I trust you.”

“Good,” his shoulders went a little slack. “Now, relax.”

“Wait what –” Before she could finish her sentence, Harlow was suddenly swept into Jax’s arms. Her eyes widened in bewilderment, before she felt the ground beneath them fall away.

Jax propelled himself with the weight of his feet, springing forward. The jump wasn’t something difficult to make by any means – he had done it countless of times over the past decades, and yet he could feel how different it was this time. This time he wasn’t going up there alone.

The air around them whizzed by as he launched himself and he grinned at the sound of Harlow’s cry of surprise and outrage until his feet landed them safely on-top of the roof.

“Oh my god, are you insane?!” Harlow nearly yelled as she slid down from him. She could barely hear his laugh over the sound of her heartbeat. She slapped his shoulder. “You could have killed us!”

He quirked an eyebrow.

“I mean you could have killed me.”

“You’re fine, aren’t you?” His eyes gave a swift once over just to be sure. “All in one piece. Weren’t you the one that said you trusted me with your life?”

“I’m beginning to reconsider that.” She grumbled.

Jax smiled so endearingly back at her that Harlow was having trouble staying upset with him. Her lips twitched to return his smile. “I wouldn’t have let anything happen to you.”

She looked away, cheeks burning even as she ignored his confident smirk. If he kept saying things like that….

She didn’t finish the thought, instead she turned her sights to glance meekly around them, to get a better idea of their surroundings. “This is…rather high.” She slid a little closer towards railing of the building. From here, it overlooked half the city.

She could see thousands of lights engulfing down below her. She couldn’t hear the traffic from up so high but she saw the telltale sign of moving lights from vehicles, and the bright lights that were blurring together from where she stood. She thought if anyone had ever done this, had ever taken the time to admire how everything down below shimmered. Then as her eyes traveled back up to watch the stars, she knew she never had before today.

She had seen stars before on the balcony of her own apartment, and yet staring up at them as Jax sidled beside her, she couldn’t help but think the stars above were brighter than anything she had ever seen.  They were alive – living and breathing pieces that belonged to the universe.

“It’s beautiful out here.” She murmured. She was so used to putting her head down that seeing how much the city came alive made her realize she had been missing something. She wandered dimly, how people were down there – and how many of them would kill for a view like this.

Jax watched her from the corner of her eyes and thought differently. Seeing her hugging her shoulders, tucking her long dark hair behind her ear and watching the excitement flash inside her eyes made him think she was the most beautiful thing out here. Tearing his gaze away, he stared up at the sky with her and her fingers found his in the dark.

“I used to come up here a lot,” Jax muttered, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them. “Back when my grandparents were still around and this place wasn’t so developed. This used to be one of the highest places you could go to see the city.” He smiled fondly at the memory. “They took me here as a reward for doing good in school.”

“Couldn’t they get you candy like anyone else?” Harlow muttered.

He laughed.

“Though I suppose, I can understand why.” She sighed wistfully, “I can only imagine the view it had back then, what it looked like.”

“I wish I could show you.” He agreed, turning to her. “But the reason why I brought you up here was because it’s still a good place to see how pretty this city is – even with the darkness lingering and festering its center.”

“Jax.” Harlow saw the conflict in his eyes; the way they seemed to be holding something back. “I know you’re not used to sharing pieces of yourself with other people – I know you’ve been alone for a long time.” She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself despite how fast her heart was racing. “But you don’t have to do that with me. I love the pieces of your world that you show me,” she returned her gaze to the midnight sky, still glinting down at them with its stars. “Even the parts that should terrify me.”

“And why don’t they terrify you?” Jax hadn’t meant to sound so snappy but he had been introduced to this world without a choice. He had been turned without a choice and being Clanless – there was a part of him that would always envy her. She was introduced to their world with open arms and had stayed despite it. “Why do you accept everything so…so…rationally? Like everything’s still okay, still normal?” His jaw clenched. “Like this is all going to end well?” With a fight brewing, he knew better than to delude in such things. He had to keep his people safe. He had to make sure they were always ready. But her…Harlow never seemed worried about the impending doom she was now caught in the middle of.

Harlow kept quiet for a moment, mulling over his words. “All my life I’ve felt like something was missing.” She rolled her eyes, “I know how cliché that sounds but I’ve never really felt…normal.” She didn’t want to go into further details than that, knowing she had her own demons to fight outside of the ones this new world showed her. “But here, despite all the danger – despite the risks it puts me in, I’ve never felt more alive. More normal.” She turned back to him; her eyes meeting his, the same moment he moved closer. “And with you, I feel like I’m just another girl.” Her voice shook a little as spoke, but she compelled herself to fight the urge to look away. “Falling a little more each day in front of a guy – hoping he feels the same.”

His eyes widened a little in shock. He remained motionless, freezing in a way that made Harlow think he would run. He wouldn’t – she knew he wouldn’t, Jax simply wasn’t the type to run.

But this wasn’t about danger lurking in the corner for them. Suddenly, she was the danger. A danger to his heart and Jax couldn’t think of anything to say. He could only stand and stare at her in complete shock from her confession. He had never thought, he had never presumed to know how she felt about him.

Harlow gnawed at her bottom and slowly, so that he could stop her if she was wrong about his feelings for her - she took both his hands and noted that they were both shaking as hard as her voice. “Your world doesn’t scare me as long as you’re always in it.”

He kissed her then, cutting off the rest of what she was going to say. Not that it mattered. Nothing else matter when he kissed her like this, like she was suddenly the only thing that mattered to him. He kissed her with a fierceness that made her knees grow weak, made it hard for her to stand. He kissed her with a passion that swarmed her and her pulse jumped as his tongue coaxed her mouth open. He kissed her roughly and made it hard for her to stand.

All she could do was cling to him and kiss him back with every ounce of desire and want, and need she had for him. While her knees threatened to buckle, she showed him how much he meant to her.

His fingers dragged themselves through her hair, before sliding to her cheeks and then to her chin. He tilted her face forward to kiss her - over and over again. And as he tasted her, he found waiting back for him the kind of acceptance he had never known. Not in a long time.

There was so much she didn’t know, so much he wanted her to know and a lot he was afraid to tell her. Harlow wasn’t someone that should be here, and yet he had never known anyone any braver. Anyone that possessed the same strength she did to dive head-first into danger.

For so long, Jax was accustomed to not relying on anyone and he didn’t know where to begin - where to let her in, knowing she was falling as deeply as he fell for her. He could only hope the rest of the world wouldn’t destroy what they had.

When they pulled away from each other, they were grinning like two people entranced in their own little world and for now, Jax thought this could be enough.

-