#Lexis Fade

[annwrites]

exactly what he needs, pt. 3 ♡ ⋆｡˚ | pt1 | pt 2 | pt 4

— pairing: nate jacobs x fem!reader

— type: ficlet (multi-chapter)

— summary: nate takes you shopping at the mall, to dinner, then bowling, before dropping you off at home.

— tags: having a great day with nate, even if he has ulterior motives

— tw: dollification, objectification, sexualization, emotional manipulation, pushing boundaries, guilt-tripping, drinking, eating

— word count: approx. 6.4k

— a/n: i have never been inside a nordstrom in my life, so i have 0 idea what their changing rooms actually look like. | baby-doll dresses | tennis skirt | blush | necklace

GIF by msgorillagripcoochie

Once you and Nate are on the road, he decides to offer you full access to his car's stereo once again—he has an aux cord stored away in the center console, which he'll only offer if you can't figure out how to pair your phone through bluetooth.

There's just something about the idea of his truck being saved in your phone that appeals to him. Hell, maybe he'll get lucky and you'll fuck up, letting it read your calls and texts, too. He wouldn't mind finding out who all you're talking to.

If he's lucky, it'll be people he knows. People he can spin stories to you about to get you to cut them out of your life.

He'd made the mistake with Maddy in letting her have friends. Like Cassie—he didn't need to list the problems she'd caused. Then there was Kat, always her enabling little sidekick. Even Lexi to an extent, who he knows you're also friends with. He supposes as far as female friends to have goes, Lexi is the better one to keep company with, but she's still Cassie's sister.

He knows he'll, in time, need to figure out a way to get rid of her. But that's a problem for future him.

"Would you like to play some music?"

You smooth out the skirt of your dress. "Sure. Do you have a uh-"

"It has bluetooth."

"Oh."

Great, you think, I get to spend the next fifteen minutes looking like an idiot as I fight to get the thing to pair with my cell.

Surprisingly, however, you get it to sync up rather quickly. You scan through your music, now sweating, wondering what song to choose. What if he thinks your taste in music is stupid? Then, you mentally shrug. He can take over at that point if he thinks so.

Eventually, a soft melody begins to drift through the cabin, low enough that it serves simply as pleasant background noise, until Nate reaches over, turning the volume up, making you shrink back in your seat.

You turn the room a shade heaven, and learn my name.

You flush. You shouldn't have chosen a stupid romantic song. You should've chosen anything else.

You look out the window, refusing to sing along like you normally would as the chorus starts.

No one ever will love me better than your everlasting love. I found only one way in and no way out...

You fold your hands in your lap, waiting for the damn song to eventually end.

Finally, once the tempo has faded, Nate turns the radio down.

"Is that one of your favorite songs?"

You glance at him, nodding.

He can tell you're embarrassed, but can't understand why. He thinks it sweet: one of your favorite songs being one about love.

He then wonders if you sing. Perhaps, if so, you'll do so once you're more comfortable being around him like this.

"I liked it."

"Oh, good," you say, still flushed.

He likes how easily he has that effect on you.

"So, where are you wanting to head to?"

You shrug, fumbling with your phone and turning some lofi music on instead now. Nothing with lyrics.

"Wherever you want to go is fine with me."

He likes that: you letting him choose for you. Letting him make a decision for the both of you.

He enjoys how easily agreeable you are today.

He hopes it's due to you feeling comfortable enough with him that you trust him to do so.

"Do you want to eat first, or would you like to go to the mall for a bit?"

You glance at the clock and see that it's only a few minutes past four. "I can wait a couple more hours to eat."

He nods, heading in the direction of the East Highland mall.

Once Nate has parked, he comes around to your side and you nearly slip on the running board, falling against his chest.

He catches you, helping you down.

You look up at him, your face a shade of red. "Sorry. Thanks."

Stupid klutz—should've worn boots, you think.

He shuts the door behind you, quickly locking the vehicle before placing his hand against the small of your back. "No problem."

As you enter the mall, a pair of men leave, glancing at you. Admiring you, from Nate's perspective.

His grip tightens imperceptibly, pulling you the least bit closer to him as he gives the men a nasty look.

Meanwhile, you're oblivious, instead overwhelmed by the sights and sounds and smells, the awful florescent lighting overhead. God, you hate crowds.

You look up to him, just wanting him to pick a store to get you out of the way of everyone milling about. Coming here on a Friday afternoon was a bad idea.

He looks down at you. "Where to first?"

He can see that you're nervous. His brows furrow. "Do crowds make you uneasy?"

You nod, your eyes staring into his, practically screaming for him to get you out of here.

He lets his hand drop to his side, then speaks again. "Do you want to hold my hand?"

You blanch.

Having something—someone—to ground you and lead you through the throngs of people surrounding you sounds nice enough, but what if someone from school is here and sees you? And won't it seem a bit childish? That you're that easily overstimulated that you have to hold another grown-person's hand in a shopping mall?

Just as you're about to tell him no—that you're ok—someone bumps into you, shoving you into his side.

Your hand quickly latches onto his.

Nate twines his fingers between yours.

You don't see the smirk on his face.

Nate leads you into Nordstrom, a store you've never been in before because you know it's far, far out of your price-range, but you don't object as you step inside, the crowds behind you fading away as quiet pop music plays overhead, only a handful of people browsing the racks of clothing.

You look up to him, suddenly unsure of yourself.

"You can look around, if you want."

You release his hand and he already hates the feeling of his palm being empty.

You step over to a rack of midi dresses and your eyes widen when you see a price tag for $120.

Nate keeps close to your side. "Do you like that one?"

He knows he doesn't—hates midi and maxi dresses—but he wants to buy you something today. Anything. He just wants to give you your first real present from him.

He doesn't count him bringing you breakfast everyday for the last week—despite your objections, even if you did always finish it with a grateful 'thank you'—as as much.

You place the dress back where it was hanging, shaking your head. You look up to him. "That dress it over one-hundred dollars. Nate, I can't afford to shop here."

Not unless they have a clearance section, you think. But even then...

Nate steps away from you for a moment, his attention now stolen away by a white babydoll dress with puffy sleeves. Fucking perfect, he thinks.

He grabs it off the high hook which it hangs from—something you'd never be able to reach—and goes to hand it to you.

"Try this on."

You hesitantly take it from him, a confused expression on your face. "Why?"

He shrugs. "I just think it'd look nice on you."

You hold it up to yourself, not liking that it comes up well-above your knees.

"I don't thi-"

"The changing rooms are this way," he says, nodding his head in the direction of the back of the store. He doesn't care to hear you argue. You're trying the dress on. He needs to see it on you.

He'd been picturing you wearing—essentially—that exact dress for over a week now.

He places his palm against your back, leading you to the desired destination.

Once you've reached the back of the store, Nate opens a wooden door to one of the changing areas and just stares at you, waiting for you to enter.

Finally, you sigh, stepping in.

"I'll be waiting right out here," he says before closing the door behind you.

You stare at yourself in the mirror for a moment, realizing just how different—how little—you look like yourself right now. But you consider it, perhaps, a good thing: forcing yourself out of your comfort zone, even just a little.

You'd been considering finally wearing the sundress that Nate had picked out for you for a few weeks now. It was nice of him to compliment it—you. You aren't entirely sure how you feel about your hair being down, however.

Finally, you hang the dress up that he'd handed you, deciding to get undressed. The sooner you've tried it on, the sooner you can be out of this over-priced boutique.

Nate sits in a chair directly outside of your changing room, watching your legs shift from one foot to the other, until, finally, your sundress pools at your feet.

His cock hardens, knowing just a few feet away is your half-naked body. He leans back, waiting a minute, then two, then he stands.

He gently knocks on the door and you jolt in surprise.

"Y-yes?"

"Do you have it on?"

"Yes..."

"May I come in? I'd like to see."

You balk. He wants to come into the changing room with you? Is that even allowed?

"Isn't that against some sort of policy?"

He likes how much of a good girl you are—no, fuck it, loves it—but in this moment his patience is wearing real fucking thin. "No one else is out here," he replies as gently as he can.

A beat of silence, and then the lock on the door handle clicks.

He quickly enters the changing room, promptly taking in every inch of you.

You look just how he had imagined you would.

You don't meet his eyes. "I look so stu-"

"Perfect," he interrupts.

You look up to him. "What? Really?"

He studies you for a moment, your wide innocent eyes staring up at him, waiting for him to answer.

He runs his fingers through the hair draped over your shoulder. He then runs his hand along that same shoulder down your upper arm, where it comes to rest. "Yes. I just wish you could see what I do."

You blink up at him, then sniffle.

"Are you crying?" He nearly cringes. That question had come out a bit more harsh than he'd meant for it to. He'd wanted you emotionally vulnerable numerous times for the last week so he could finally find a way in, and now here it is. He prays he didn't just fuck it up.

You nod. "I'm sorry. I'm just...no one has ever been this nice to me."

He almost breathes a sigh of relief. He hadn't hurt your feelings.

So that's all it's going to take with you: a few kind gestures, some nice words, a few soft touches, and you'd be like putty in his hands. His to mold as he pleases.

This was what being alone for so long had done to you: made you desperate for affection—of any kind.

You step a bit closer to him, unsure of yourself, unsure what you're doing or even why.

When he doesn't move, you press yourself against his broad chest, taking him completely by surprise.

Fine with being alone his ass. That entire statement had been utter bullshit. Not even you understand just how lonely you are.

Finally, he wraps one arm around you, holding you close, his other hand slipping into your hair, massaging your scalp.

You remain quiet, just focusing on his breathing, the beat of his heart, his warmth. When was the last time someone had held you like this? Hugged you? Shown you any form of affection or attention?

You'd truly thought you were fine without it.

Meanwhile, Nate's head is racing. God, you'd shown him just in this action alone just how easy it was going to be to manipulate you. A couple of compliments had nearly brought you to tears? Just wait until the two of you are in a relationship. No, starting tonight he'll begin pouring it on heavier.

But once you two are together? He'll fucking suffocate you with gifts and attention and love. And above all: sex. That will be his weapon. You're inexperienced. Know nothing about it. A few orgasm denials and Lexi will be long-gone from your life.

Then he'll no longer have to worry about the risk of her relaying stories of he and Cassie, or he and Maddy to you. Won't have to worry about his occasional shitty behavior toward them coming to light, driving—no, taking—you away from him.

If you ever find out about the choking incident...it'll be over before it ever begins.

He feels you snuggle the least bit closer to him and he briefly glances to the mirror to the side of both of you. He sees that your eyes are closed and your cheeks are flushed.

Finally, he pulls away and you look up at him, shame filling your features. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I-"

He gently grips your chin. "I didn't mind."

"Oh." It's the only reply you have. It feels inappropriate—being here with him like this. You're in a changing room together, for God's sake. You'd tutored numerous people before and never had you ever spent any amount of time with any of them outside of school.

But Nate is different. You tutor him in private, whereas all the rest had been at school or in public. There'd never been a chance at friendship with any of them. You'd convinced yourself that it was something you didn't need in the first place anyway. Told yourself you were better off alone.

High school is temporary, along with the friends that come with it. No point in getting attached to someone who won't be sticking around.

You know all too well about abandonment.

Nate will probably be just like all the rest.

You take a step back. "I should probably change."

"I never got to see the whole dress. Can you turn for me?"

You pause. "Like... Twirl?"

He crosses his arms, just staring at you.

Finally, you begin to slowly turn until you're facing him once again. "Ta-da,"you say nervously.

He turns toward the door, placing his hand over the handle. "It looks really cute on you, just so you know."

While you're busy changing, Nate quickly returns to the rack from earlier, grabbing the same dress you were currently taking off, along with another one, but in light blue. He then spots a pink tennis skirt and grabs it as well, with a matching flowy top. He takes all the items up front, to a register.

When you exit the changing room, you see Nate straight ahead, standing just outside the store.

You come up to him, glancing down to the shopping bag in his hand, then up to him with a concerned expression. Surely he didn't...

He shrugs. "Just something for my mom."

You smile, feeling relieved. "That's very sweet of you, to get something for her."

He just offers you his hand again, which you take after a moment.

As the two of you wander around, mostly window-shopping, you try to ignore just how nice it feels to be holding someone else's hand. To be touched at all. You briefly wonder if he thinks you pathetic now, after what happened in the changing room.

You glance up to him. "Nate?"

"Hm?"

"You're sure it didn't bother you?"

He doesn't need you to elaborate to know what you're referring to. He likes that you're insecure and emotionally fragile. Broken pieces in the palms of his hands.

That had been another issue with Maddy—she'd been too independent, too confident, too secure and comfortable with herself. Whereas Cassie had known what he wanted and had tried to mold herself into it, all in some attempt to keep him interested.

But you? You're clueless to the ways of men. You're just...you. Intelligent, but only in a book-smart sort of way. Sweet—so fucking sweet it makes his teeth ache. Quiet, and reserved—prim and proper and meek.

And he'd thought it before and would again—so. fucking. innocent. You have no idea the power you already have over him. And he wants it to stay that way. Wants to be the one in complete control this time around, without being given permission to be, like Cassie had given him.

She'd told him what she had wanted: him to choose her clothes, what she eats, to decide who she could talk to—the list went on and on. Because she had clocked him from day one—the type of guy he was—that he was desperate for control.

With you, it will be gradual, insidious manipulation until he's all you have left in your life to turn to. Until, one day, you look up, and everything is different and you have no goddamn idea how you've gotten to where you are.

He stops walking, still keeping your hand firmly in his, incase you decide to wander. "Not at all."

"I don't..." you shift nervously. "I don't know what happened. I'm not usually like that. I don't get emotional in front of other people, like, ever."

He gives you a kind smile. "It's ok, really. I just don't think you're used to it."

"What?"

"Kindness. Someone wanting to give you their attention and time. You don't have to worry, I still like hanging out with you."

You look down and he gives your hand a gentle squeeze.

"Good," you reply.

The two of you stop in at Sephora, and while you browse their lipglosses, Nate steps away, looking through their selection of blushes, until he finds a soft pink shade that he likes and he takes it up, quickly paying for it, and placing the small bag within the larger Nordstrom one. One more gift for you.

When you leave the cosmetic store, you excuse yourself to the restroom, and he goes into the Tiffany store next door, browsing their necklace collection, until he spots one that he deems perfect for you: silver, with a small diamond pendant hanging from it. He doesn't even bother looking at the price tag when he asks an employee to retrieve the item from a glass case and box it up for him.

He's waiting for you when you exit the restroom.

He takes your hand in his, not bothering to let you make the gesture this time.

"Hungry?"

You nod.

Nate, though he doesn't want to, bothers with asking where you'd like to go to eat as he watches you buckle yourself in—wishing you'd let him do that himself, but knows him taking such an extreme measure for your safety this early will do nothing more than freak you out.

You shrug. "I don't go out much, so I'm not sure what all is around here. You can choose, if you'd like?"

He smiles, unsure the last time he felt so happy and in-control as he shuts your door.

Nate takes you to a rather expensive bistro, perhaps twenty minutes away from the mall, his right hand itching to wedge itself between your bare thighs as he drives, but he doesn't dare touch you. Not yet. The only thing he has to keep himself in-check right now is the surety that, soon enough, you'll be all his to do with as he pleases.

Every inch of you.

When Nate comes around to your side of the truck, after he's opened your door, he takes things a step further this time, gripping both of your hips, helping you down. As he sets you on your feet again, before you can say a word, he speaks. "Didn't want to risk you tripping again."

He adjusts your dress and your hair, then takes your hand firmly in his as he leads the two of you inside.

You immediately feel regret in him bringing you here. You should've told him literally anywhere else, so long as it was cheaper.

The rustic décor alone screams pretentious. And you know the menu will be even worse.

But just as you think to tug on his arm and ask him to take you elsewhere, a hostess greets the two of you, leading you to a table in a corner near a window.

Nate pulls out your seat for you, scooting you in, then seating himself.

You both pick up menus, and you're thankful your face is hidden by yours when you see the outrageous pricing.

You can barely afford a small salad here.

"Have you been here before?" You ask, still hidden by your menu.

"Mhm, their food is pretty good. I thought you might like it."

Unless it's dipped in gold, it can't be worth what they're charging is what you want to say. Instead, you remain silent.

Finally, your server arrives. An older woman, with red curly hair, freckles, and a curvaceous figure greets the two of you with a smile. "Do you two know what you'd like to drink?"

Nate looks at you.

"Water, thank you."

She nods.

"It'll be one check, and a diet coke."

She nods again, leaving the two of you to each other.

You look at him, now panicking...just a bit. "You don't have to pay for me. It's fine, really, I-"

He lifts his menu, glad that it apparently works in getting you to be quiet about his spending money on you. Again.

You'd already freaked out enough over him bringing you breakfast for three days in a row, until the fourth when you finally ate in silence.

"I told you I was taking you to dinner. It was my idea to bring you here, so it's only fair that I pay."

You cross your legs at the ankle, unsure how to feel about that.

You simply lift your menu again, now even more unsure of what to get.

He sets his menu down, seeing that you're now hidden behind your own once again. "I know their choices can seem a bit overwhelming the first time you come here. Would you like me to order for you?"

You lower your menu. "You're sure?"

He gives a slight nod of confirmation.

It's then that your waitress returns with your drinks and you stay silent, sipping on ice water as Nate orders dinner for both of you.

As you wait for your penne alla vodka—all you know is that it's some sort of pasta—Nate stretches out his long legs under the table on either side of your chair.

"I've had a really nice time with you today," he says, a soft look in his eyes.

You wrap your sweaty hands around your cold glass. You smile. "Me too."

He crooks his head slightly to the side. "Would you like to go bowling after this?"

Your brows raise. "You want to?"

He nods. "I do if you do."

You glance out the window for a moment. "I'm not sure the last time I went bowling. I think when I was really little."

He leans forward, foot brushing against one of yours completely on purpose, so as to pull your attention back to him. "So is that a yes?"

You blush. "I guess so."

Nate glances up to you every few moments from his steak and rice, watching as you take small bites of your pasta.

"Do you like it?"

You quickly grab your napkin, wiping your lips. You nod, swallowing. "It's really good. You chose well for me. Thank you."

He smiles, his foot "accidentally" brushing against your leg again. "You're welcome, sweetheart."

You grow quiet again at the pet name, taking another bite of your meal.

Once the two of you have finished your dinner, Nate pays the check from his phone before standing, throwing two twenty-dollar bills on the table—you're impressed that he tips so generously—then pulling your chair out for you.

He twines his fingers between yours before leading you back out to the truck.

Once Nate has paid for a game of bowling for the two of you, you both go to your designated spot. You sit to put on the pair of hideous bowling shoes you've been given, until Nate sits on the small table in front of you, grabbing your foot and resting it atop his knee as he slips the shoe on your foot, tying the laces.

You laugh nervously. "I can do that."

He merely glances up to you, before doing the same with your other foot.

Once you feel well and truly like you have on a pair of clown shoes, you go first...and miss every single pin.

Nate stands behind you laughing. "It was a good try."

He'd not actually bothered watching you play, he'd instead watched as you'd bended over slightly, getting a brief flash of your pink panties before you released the heavy bowling ball.

You go to sit down. "Shut up," you say, clearly embarrassed.

Nate goes next...and of course gets a strike on the first try.

You tell yourself not to pout; that you're not a competitive person by nature.

"I'm just rusty is all."

"Mhm," he replies with a knowing smirk before leaning down, hands planted on either side of you. "I'm going to get a drink. Want anything?"

You glance behind you at the concessions, looking over their menu. Meanwhile, Nate looks you over. Your neck, which he wants to lick and kiss and leave hickies all over to mark you as his. Then down your dress at the swell of your breasts...which he wants to do the same to. Then your thighs that he wants to shove his face between.

When you finally look back at him, you jump, seeing that he's still looking right at you. "Oh, uh, maybe just a water?"

He reaches up, brushing some hair out of your face. "Not hungry?"

You shake your head. "I'm still full from dinner."

Right. Dinner.

"I thought at least some cotton candy," he replies, before walking away.

You're left sitting there, wondering what that was supposed to have meant.

When Nate returns, it's with two Budweisers and a bottle of water, which he hands to you.

You stare at the extra bottle he sets on the table as he twists the top off of the other one, taking a swig of it.

"Is that smart?"

He looks at you with a raised brow. "Hm?"

"Drinking...since you're driving?"

He smirks. "It takes a lot more than two beers to get me drunk, Y/N. But if it makes you that uncomfortable, you can always drive us back."

He's not sure how he feels about letting you drive his truck, in truth. He'd never let Maddy, and sure as hell not Cassie behind the wheel. He was more-so offering to see if you'd let on whether you know how to drive or not.

And he gets his answer, just like he was wanting.

"I...I don't know how."

He sits on the same table from earlier, your legs between both of his knees.

"Not at all?"

You shake your head, feeling a bit ashamed of the admittance. "No one has ever exactly been around to teach me."

You're no longer looking at him now, so you don't see the frown on his lips.

"I could teach you."

Your head jerks up. "That's probably not a good idea."

He takes another sip of his beer. "Why not?"

"What if...what if I hit something with your truck, or damage it?"

"I have insurance."

You nearly roll your eyes. "Ok, what if I hit a person?"

He notices your lip twitch, trying to fight a smile.

He grins. "It has a big bed."

You laugh and so does he. God, being with you is so easy.

He holds out the bottle to you. "Do you want a drink?"

You consider it for a moment, then of course shake your head. "No, thank you."

"Have you ever even drank before?"

You don't want to give him the answer to that either. "No."

"Really?" He asks, a bit of surprise to his tone—even if he isn't actually surprised at all. If it's 'bad' for you, he's sure you've never done it before.

You nod, feeling like a total fucking square. "How did they even give it to you in the first place?"

He stands, briefly removing his wallet from his back pocket and he hands you his fake ID.

"Oh."

"I can get you one made, if you want?"

You shake your head, handing it back to him. "I'm ok."

He likes you innocent and unknowing, but he isn't used to someone being so...within the lines. He can't tell whether he wants to corrupt you or not. Perhaps he'll just start with doing so in bed and go from there when the time comes.

Once he has you daydreaming about his cock, he'll move onto bigger targets.

He puts his wallet back away, then jerks his head back toward the bowling alley. "Your turn, sweetheart."

Halfway through the game, you get your first strike and you squeal in delight, causing a smile to breakout across Nate's face.

You jump up and down, then run toward him and he catches you in his arms just in time as you wrap your legs around his waist, only spilling a little of his beer. "I did it!"

He laughs, loving seeing you so fucking happy for just one moment.

"I see that, baby."

You're so pleased with yourself that you barely even catch the new term-of-endearment he's given you.

You look down at him, your hair falling over his face as he looks up at you. "Sorry, that was exciting," you say with a laugh.

One arm firmly holds you up, under you bottom, while the other comes up to cup your cheek. "I like seeing you happy like this. You don't smile nearly enough."

He should really make more of an effort to get you drunk before the two of you leave. He has a feeling you're a happy one, and if he's extra lucky—all the alcohol will go straight between your legs.

You beam at him again, trying to prove him wrong, and all he wants is to kiss you until you can't breathe.

Finally, he lowers you back to your feet and you sit, now excited, as he takes his turn again.

You skip through the parking lot, your hand in his, completely elated at having won.

And to your knowledge, it was fair and square.

Even if Nate knows otherwise.

He'd offered to buy another game, but you'd told him you were starting to get tired, so he'd agreed to take you home, even if he wanted to stay out with you all night. Preferably in the back seat of his truck with your clothes off and lying underneath him as he explores your soft, sensitive body.

Instead, you sit in the passenger seat, all smiles and giggles as he drives you back home.

He's in enough of a good mood himself that he turns up the radio, some song with thumping bass coming through the speakers, as he rolls the windows down, the warm summer night air blowing your hair.

Nate, now actually nervous—afraid he's about to ruin everything—reaches over, resting his palm over your bare knee.

You don't push it away. Instead, you simply glance at it for a moment, feeling something...something you're not sure how to describe at the sight of him touching you like that, and then lean back, content to leave his hand right where it is.

And so he does. The entire drive back to your place.

It doesn't matter how desperately he wants to, he doesn't move it any higher.

Once he's pulled into your driveway, he removes his hand, your leg now feeling cold, and kills the engine. You unbuckle yourself and turn toward him. "I know we said it earlier, but I had a really nice time tonight. Thank you, for dinner and bowling and just...today."

He reaches up, running his fingers through your now-tangled hair. "It was my pleasure. Maybe we can do it again sometime?"

You nod, smiling. "I'd like that."

He wants to lean across the console and kiss you, but once again tells himself no. Something he's quickly tiring of having to do.

He glances out the windshield. "I'll walk you to the door."

He retrieves the Nordstrom bag from the backseat before coming around to your side, holding it behind his back as he offers you his hand to help you down.

Nate walks you to your door, watching as you unlock it. He wishes you'd just come back to his house instead, but doesn't dare suggest as much. He'd rather you sleep in his bed with him than stay in this empty house where you're not safe on your own.

Even if he'd made sure you were a couple night this last week when he parked across the street, a couple houses down, pistol in his glovebox. Just incase.

You look up to him with a shy smile. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," he replies, handing you the shopping bag.

Your brows furrow. "I thought this was for your mom?"

He shrugs. "I lied. I wanted to buy you something all day, but knew if I asked, you'd tell me no. This way was easier."

You're not sure how to feel about the fact he'd lied to you so easily. Had made—most likely, if the brand-name on the bag is any indication—a rather expensive purchase for you. You're just not sure why.

Before you can bother asking, he plants a quick kiss to the top of your head. "Hope you like it," he says before heading back to his truck.

Once you're inside and in your room, you immediately start pulling out the contents from the bag and setting them on your bed. Your heartrate only rises with each item. A small bag from Sephora, another one from Tiffany, and four clothing items from Nordstrom—one being the dress he'd asked you to try on.

You feel lightheaded at the price tags on the clothing. But when you look in the Tiffany bag—pull out the jewelry box and open it, you sit down on the edge of your bed.

A diamond necklace.

"Nate..." you whisper to yourself in a panicked voice, wondering what had gotten into him to think that this is ok.

Surely...surely this item is meant for his mom. He'd just accidently thrown it in with everything else.

You pick up your phone with shaking hands, drop it, then pick it back up once again and call him.

"Hey, everything okay? I'm not too far away. I can turn back arou-"

You shake your head, despite the fact he can't see it. "The...the necklace for your mom, you accidentally put it in with-"

"I didn't get it for my mom. Everything there was purchased for you."

You go quiet suddenly, forcing Nate to check that you're even still on the line. He waits for you to respond.

"Nate, I don't know that I feel comfortable with this."

He slams on the brakes, pulling off to the side of the road, throwing the truck in park. "With what?"

"It...it'd be one thing if you'd bought me some cheap keychain or t-shirt or something. But all of this...do I even want to know how much this necklace costs?"

"Probably not," he replies, nonchalantly. Even if he wants to tell you that it was over a grand.

You hang your head, pinching the bridge of your nose. "You don't need to buy me stuff to try and repay me for tutoring you. I do it for free because I like helping people."

"I didn't do it for that."

"Then why?"

How to say, without alarming you: it makes my dick hard spoiling and spending obscene amounts of money on you?

"I just wanted to give you a few nice things. That's all."

"Nate, I don't-"

"Listen, do you want to repay me?"

You go quiet again. Meanwhile, he wants to say, if you say yes: then do it in sexual favors, starting with letting me wrap you hair around my fist as I face-fuck you.

"How?"

"Enjoy it. Wear the white dress and necklace to school on Monday." He wants to throw in the blush, but doesn't, hoping you'll decide to use that all on your own.

You lay back on your bed. "It's all very nice and pretty, and I appreciate it immensely. But-"

"Do you want me to turn around and come get it?" His tone is now the slightest bit annoyed. "If you don't like it, you can tell me. You're not going to hurt my feelings. I'm sorry, I guess I fucked up."

You feel guilty now somehow. Like you're being ungrateful. Even if you hadn't asked for any of it. Maybe...maybe this is what Nate thinks you have to do to make friends: buy their affection?

When you grow up wealthy like he has, you reason, it makes sense.

"No, I'm sorry." Your voice is soft and gentle and feminine now, and he relaxes, his grip on his phone loosening.

You don't even realize it, but his sudden shift in mood had been so imperceptible that it had scared you.

All you do know is that you somehow feel wrong, but you're not sure how, exactly. So, you just brush it off and blame it on being tired. Blame it on anything but him.

"I'm just...I'm not used to people buying me gifts. It's very sweet of you. Thank you," you say as you lightly run your fingers over the soft material of the white dress he wants you to wear in a couple of days.

"You're welcome, sweetheart."

You're not sure how to feel about the pet names, either, but don't want to hurt his feelings again, so you ignore your discomfort.

"I'm going to go take a shower and throw my new clothes in the washer. Be safe driving home. Goodnight...again," you say it with a small laugh.

"Goodnight, Y/N."

[starlightsalvatore]

ripper / damon salvatore x reader

this was inspired by this blog post !!! idk if this is really what you wanted but this is where the spirit moved me lol - I hope everyone enjoys! as always lmk what you think!

ripper / damon salvatore x reader

summary: Stefan flipped his switch and you and Damon have been trying your hardest to bring him home... but Stefan has other ideas.

word count: 1.9k

warnings: typical tvdu stuff (blood, fear, pain, etc)

“Goodnight, Linda! I’ll see you next week,” you called out as you pushed the door to the boutique open, letting it shut behind you as you crossed the street to find your car. Your mind was swimming with unanswered questions, things in Mystic Falls had been topsy-turvy since Stefan flipped his switch and skipped town with Klaus. You and Damon had been hunting down every lead while keeping it from Elena, encouraging her to move on while the two of you ignored your own hypocrisy as you refused to do the same. On top of every dead end or trip down south to cover up the carnage Stefan left in his wake there was something brewing just beneath the surface with Damon the two of you were refusing to acknowledge. It wasn’t the time, there was too much on your plates but it didn’t stop the tension that seeped into every late night you spent with him poring over files Sheriff Forbes had given you.

You unlocked your car as it came into view, listening to the chirps echo down the empty street but stopped in your tracks when a figure appeared before you, “Stefan?” you asked, hope filling your voice but it faded just as soon as it had appeared when you looked into his eyes… so cold and dark, unlike the ones you’d come to know. “Where have you been? We’ve been looking for you.”

“I know,” he answered, “I’m here to tell you to stop.”

“Come on, Stefan… let us help you, I can help you,” you pleaded and he just chuckled darkly. He was someone you used to trust implicitly, he’d saved you from sudden death time and time again, taken you in and given you a home when Klaus had killed your parents to prove a point but this was not the Stefan you knew. 

“You can help me, sweetheart,” he said, fingers trailing along your collarbone and you felt sick to your stomach at his touch. “God, have I been dying to know what you taste like,” he muttered mostly to himself. You thought about running, but it was pointless… you thought about screaming for help, but he’d just kill whoever showed up… Damon. Damon was at the grill, just a handful of yards away. “So many nights hearing that heartbeat just down the hallway, like a siren call. How stupid was I to resist?” he asked rhetorically and while his attention was focused on the pulsing of your neck you slowly pulled your phone from your back pocket, dialing Damon’s number and praying to whatever god was listening that you didn’t hit the wrong buttons.

“So, what’s the plan, Stefan? Just going to kill me right here in front of the grill?” you asked, voice wavering as you tried to stall him. “Who are you trying to send a message to? Damon? Elena?” He growled in response.

“Maybe the message is for you,” he said, hand closing around your throat. “Did you think I wouldn’t know you’ve been helping him? That it wasn’t you who’s been covering my tracks?” he asked but you couldn’t answer. His hand disappeared and you sucked in a breath only to let out a cry of pain as he gripped your wrist, pulling your phone into view before he pried it out and you felt your bones crack under the pressure as he tossed it aside. “Stupid girl, are you trying to make this easier on me?”

“So this is hard for you?” you asked, clinging onto that as you took a step back and tried to ignore the pain in your wrist. “Good, lean into it. You don’t want to kill me, even with your humanity off you can’t tell me you don’t miss the fun we used to have together… dancing with Lexi to Bon Jovi, crushing Elena and Jeremy at pool…” you trailed off, trying to spark something in him. “Just, come home, Stefan. Let me help you, everything can go back to how it was.”

“Yes, I really do, because the real fun is what I’ve been denying myself all this time.” he sneered and you felt a gush of wind behind you.

“Whoa brother, just take it easy,” you heard Damon say and suddenly you were flipped around with your back pressed against Stefan, his arm a vice grip around your waist as his other hand held onto your throat. 

“You really should have stopped looking for me,” Stefan growled as you squirmed in his grasp, pain radiating through your arm as you struggled for air. “I don’t want to be found.”

“Yet you came all this way to Mystic Falls, to the middle of the town square. That doesn’t scream don’t find me,” Damon pointed out, taking a step closer but he stopped in his tracks when you let out a cry as the grip around you tightened. Damon could hear your heart thudding against your ribcage, quick and uneven as your eyes pleaded with him to do something. 

“Had to deliver a message,” Stefan responded. “But now that I’m here, she is a lot of fun, isn’t she, brother? Always was so brave, even in the face of death,” he chuckled as he brushed your hair from your neck. “You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it,” he taunted. 

“Just let her go, we can talk this out… come to an understanding,” Damon said, slowly taking another step. He’d never felt so helpless, like control was slipping through his fingers like sand.

“Oh, I’m not in the mood for talking,” he replied and you felt his lips kiss along your carotid artery and you stiffened in his grasp before thrashing against him. “So responsive,” he chuckled and anger flared in Damon’s chest at the sight. “Come on, Damon… all this time you’ve been pushing me to have more fun, now you want to stop me?”

“You want real fun? You’re not going to find it here in Mystic Falls,” he said, gesturing to the empty town around him. “Let’s go on a good old fashioned brotherly road trip, find some girls that actually enjoy being fed on,” he said, and you didn’t miss the desperation in his voice as you tried to calm your breathing and focus on anything other than the ache throbbing in your wrist. Stefan wasn’t swayed and you let out a pained cry as his fangs sunk into your neck, opening you up as he drank you in and you struggled in his arms.

“Stefan- don’t,” you choked out, fighting against him. Your words came out strained as blood poured from your neck and you felt tears slipping down your cheeks. “Elena will… she’ll never forgive you.”

“She’s right, brother. Just let her go, we can make this all go away,” Damon pleaded and he knew you didn’t have much time before he ripped your head off. You were already starting to go limp in his arms and Damon’s eyes were apologetic as he looked at you but you didn’t have enough time to process what it meant before you were flying through the air and hitting the ground with a thud that winded you. You groaned as you lifted your arms to press against the wound in your neck, each nerve ending protesting with a fiery jolt of pain as you tried to control the bleeding.

You couldn’t see anything, couldn’t move… all you could hear was a crack in the distance as your eyes fluttered closed before you felt your body being tugged upright. “Come on, drink…” Damon said, shaking you softly and when you didn’t respond he shook you harder. “You don’t get to do this, damn it! Drink,” he said again and your eyes opened as you wrapped your lips around his wrist, letting the sickly sweet liquid slide down your throat. You were alone again, vaguely making out Damon on the phone with somebody before you lost consciousness. 

“Hey, hey, easy, you’re safe now,” you heard as you sat up in bed, startled as your eyes darted around and you saw you were back in your room at the boarding house. Damon was looking down at you intensely as tried to ease you into laying back down but you just shook your head.

“Where is he?” you asked frantically, “please tell me we didn’t lose him.”

“He’s in the cellar,” he answered. You let yourself relax a little at this, knowing the hope you’d been clinging to all summer seemed a little more realistic now. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered and your face twisted in confusion. “This is all my fault.”

“What? Damon, this isn’t your fault,” you tried but he just shook his head.

“He knew the way to get to me was through you, I shouldn’t… he didn’t want to be found, I shouldn’t have pushed,” he said and your eyes softened as you took him in. He looked exhausted and the faint light peeking around your curtains let you know he must have been waiting a while for you to wake up. 

“He knew I was helping you, this was as much a message for you as it was for me,” you replied. “I’ll be okay.”

“But you’re not right now,” he said and you smiled sadly.

“But I will be,” you reassured, “nobody said bringing a ripper back from the depths of inhumanity would be easy.” 

“I’m so sorry,” he repeated and you just wrapped your arms around him, letting yourself move to straddle his hips to pull him closer into you. “You don’t deserve this, I… I should have protected you better. I can’t lose you,” he muttered into your chest as his arms snaked around your waist and held you tight.

“I’m not going anywhere,” you said and he pulled back to look up at you, eyes swimming with emotion. 

“You… you mean too much to me,” he said, fingers brushing your hair behind your ear before cupping your jaw. “I can’t lose you,” he repeated.

“And you won’t,” you promised, eyes sad as you knew this wasn’t really a promise you could keep, but you would try… for him. You let your fingers thread through his hair as you held him close, needing the comfort right now as much as he did. Putting on a brave face was what you were good at, you seemed to face a new evil every week in this town but this was different… This was Stefan, one of your closest friends who used you to prove a point, who made it look so easy to bring you within an inch of your life. You needed Damon as much as he needed you and with someone downstairs locked in a cell who was so important to the both of you, you didn’t have any fight left in you to pretend you didn’t need him.

“I love you,” he muttered against your skin and your heart skipped a beat, wondering if you’d heard him correctly. “I won’t let him hurt you ever again, I’m so sorry.” You shifted, leaning back to look down at him and those intense blue eyes held so much emotion you felt your heart crack wide open.

“Damon-” you started but he cut you off by cupping your face and pulling you down to meet his lips. You responded immediately, letting your lips move in tandem with his before pulling back breathless.

“I love you,” he repeated as you rested your forehead against his. 

“I love you too,” you responded, letting yourself smile genuinely for the first time all summer. “We’re going to get your brother back, okay? We’ll get him back and everything will be okay.”

taglist: @caseysalvatore @minalblood @styxfly (if you’re name is struck through it means I couldn’t tag you - sorry!)

tagging you because you inspired this one! @tmhxll​ 

[hd-junglebook]

Falling For It

Part 5

Hey...I am alive. This part is kind of mid buttttt at least it is finished, more jack content coming since I'm finishing up with school in two weeks.

Previous ... Next

Y/N sat with her friends at their favorite coffee spot, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of her stomach. Lexi's incessant complaints about Quinn were starting to grate on her nerves, but she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as she listened to her friend's woes.

"It's like he doesn't even care anymore," Lexi sighed, swirling her straw around in her drink with a frustrated look on her face. "I don't know what I did wrong."

Y/N exchanged a glance with Angie and Heather, who both rolled their eyes in unison. It wasn't the first time they'd heard Lexi lamenting about her relationship troubles, and they were starting to grow tired of the constant drama.

But before Y/N could interject, Lexi turned her attention to her, her eyes narrowing inquisitively. "So, what about you, Y/N? How's things going with Jack?"

Y/N felt her heart skip a beat at the mention of Jack's name, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a suitable response. She couldn't deny that things had been going well between them, but there was a nagging voice in the back of her mind telling her that it was too good to be true.

"Oh, you know, same old, same old," she replied casually with a shrug, hoping to deflect any further questions. "We're just taking things one step at a time."

Lexi wasn't so easily deterred, her probing questions becoming more persistent with each passing moment. And as Y/N felt the eyes of her friends boring into her, she couldn't help but wonder if there was more truth to Lexi's words than she cared to admit.

Lexi leaned in closer, her voice dripping with faux sincerity. "You know, Y/N, you're so lucky to have found someone like Jack. He's such a catch."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, a flicker of suspicion crossing her features as she studied Lexi's expression. There was something in her tone that set her on edge, a subtle hint of insincerity that sent alarm bells ringing in her mind.

"Oh, really?" Y/N replied, forcing a tight smile. "And what makes you say that?"

Lexi shrugged nonchalantly, but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes that Y/N couldn't ignore. "Oh, you know, just his charm, his good looks, his... appeal," she added with a sly grin. "I wouldn't be surprised if some other girl tried to snatch him away from you."

Y/N felt a surge of anger bubbling up inside her, but she forced herself to keep her composure. She knew that Lexi's words were meant to unsettle her, to plant seeds of doubt in her mind. But she refused to let her friend's petty jealousy ruin what she had with Jack.

With a steely resolve, Y/N plastered on a fake smile and brushed off Lexi's comments with a casual wave of her hand. But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that trouble was brewing on the horizon. “If that’s what he wants to do but I don’t think that will happen anytime soon.”

…

Later that night y/n sat with Hugo on the couch, his purring lulling her into a state of comfort as they both watched ‘How to get away with murder.’ The noise from the TV faded into the background as her thoughts drifted back to Jack, his charming smile and magnetic personality.

He had been taking her out every week up until now and she couldn’t help the giddiness that spread into her body as she replayed their last encounter. Despite Lexi's snarky comments earlier in the day, she refused to let anything dampen her spirits.

A buzz near her leg caught her attention momentarily, y/n sprung up and snatched her phone unlocking it to see Jacks name on her phone. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she read his message, the warmth of his words sending a flutter through her chest.

"Come out to the bar with us tonight," the text read, simple yet inviting.

She twiddled her fingers as she thought of a text to send back. Before she could even type out a reply, another message from Jack appeared on the screen.

Another buzz vibrated her hands as he sent another one. "I'll give you a big hug," he added, a playful tease laced in his words.

With a satisfied grin, she hit send on her message and tossed her phone aside, the thought of seeing him again tonight filled her with a warm anticipation, and she couldn't help but feel a rush of gratitude for the unexpected invitation.

…

Y/N stepped into the bustling bar, the cacophony of voices and clinking glasses washed over her, mingling with the pulsating beat of the music. She navigated through the sea of people, her eyes scanning the crowded room in search of familiar faces just like last time.

The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat, punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter and chatter. Neon lights flickered overhead, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the dimly lit space as she made her way through the throng.

Her gaze landed on a familiar figure tucked away in the corner of the room. Her heart skipped a beat as she spotted Lexi and Jack engrossed in conversation, their heads bent close together in hushed conversation.

Every step brought her closer to him, her heart pounding in her chest as she drew nearer to the corner where they sat. Lexi's laughter rang out through the crowded bar, her voice carrying a hint of flirtatiousness that set Y/N's teeth on edge.

As she approached, she caught snippets of their conversation, the sound of their laughter mingling with the pulsating beat of the music. Y/N's eyes flickered to Jack's back, his broad shoulders blocking her view of his face. Lexi's voice floated over to her, laced with a playful charm that made Y/N's skin crawl.

"Jack, you're such a riot," Lexi laughed, her hand resting casually on his arm as she leaned in closer. "I could listen to your stories all night."

Y/N's jaw tightened at the sight, her stomach churning with a mixture of frustration and jealousy. She forced a tight smile, her fingers curling into fists at her sides as she struggled to keep her composure.

 Jack's eyes lit up as he spotted her, a warm smile spreading across his face as he rose to greet her. "Sorry I'm late," Y/N interjected, her voice tinged with forced cheerfulness as she forced herself to meet Lexi's gaze. "Traffic was a nightmare."

Lexi's smile widened at her arrival, a glint of mischief dancing in her eyes as she turned her attention back to Jack. "Oh, don't worry about it," she replied, her tone dripping with honeyed sweetness. "We were just getting acquainted, weren't we, Jack?"

Y/N's heart sank at the implication, a surge of frustration bubbling up inside her. She clenched her jaw, her nails digging into the palms of her hands as she fought to keep her emotions in check. With a forced smile, she turned her attention to Jack, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for his response.

Jack noticed Lexi lingering, her eyes fixed on him with a hint of desperation. Ignoring her completely, he turned back to Y/N with a charming smile. "Hey, would you like to dance?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine interest as he extended his hand to her.

"I'd love to,” she answered.

His hands, warm and comforting, found their way to her shoulders, his fingers working their magic as he massaged away the knots of stress that had been building up all evening.

She couldn't help but sigh in relief, the weight of the world lifting off her shoulders as she leaned into his touch. His closeness, the warmth of his body pressed against hers, sent shivers of anticipation coursing through her veins.

"Better?" Jack murmured, his voice low and husky as he leaned in closer, his breath tickling her ear.

Y/N let out a soft chuckle, the tension that had been coiled tight within her chest slowly unraveling in his presence. "Much better," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she turned to face him, their eyes locking in a heated gaze.

With a sly grin, Jack took her hand in his, his touch sending electric currents dancing across her skin. "Good," he murmured, his voice filled with a hint of mischief as he pulled her closer, their bodies swaying in time with the music.

Their banter was playful, filled with teasing jabs and flirtatious remarks that left them both breathless with laughter. "You're quite the dancer, Y/N," Jack remarked, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he spun her around, their movements fluid and effortless.

Y/N grinned up at him, her heart pounding in her chest as she twirled under his guidance. "And you're not too bad yourself, Jack," she teased, Y/n leaned in closer, their faces inches apart.

As they lost themselves in the rhythm of the music, Y/N couldn't help but feel a sense of liberation wash over her. In Jack's arms, she felt free, unburdened by the weight of the world as they moved together in perfect harmony.

They were joined by the rest of the group, swirling around them in a whirlwind of laughter and joy. Lexi, in her eagerness to join the fun, accidentally bumped into Y/N, causing her to stumble and spill her drink all over Y/N's dress.

Y/N froze, her eyes widening in disbelief as the cold liquid seeped through the fabric, soaking her to the skin. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Lexi exclaimed, her voice tinged with feigned panic as she reached out to dab at the stain with a napkin.

But Y/N didn't hear her apologies, her mind consumed with frustration and anger as she turned on her heel and stormed off towards the bathroom, desperate to escape the eyes of onlookers and regain her composure.

The dimly lit hallway provided a welcome respite from the noise and chaos of the bar, the cool tiles beneath her feet a stark contrast to the heat of the crowded dance floor. Y/N took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart as she stared at her reflection in the mirror, her dress clinging to her skin in damp patches.

She reached for a handful of paper towels, dabbing at the stain with shaky hands as she tried to salvage what was left of her ruined dress. But no amount of wiping could erase the humiliation and frustration that gnawed at her insides, her mind replaying the events of the evening over and over again in an endless loop.

Taking a moment to collect herself, Y/N straightened her shoulders and squared her jaw, determined not to let Lexi's carelessness ruin her night. With a deep breath, she pushed open the door and stepped back into the dimly lit hallway, ready to face whatever the night had in store for her.

She approached the booth where they were sat, she could hear the murmur of their voices, punctuated by bursts of laughter and animated gestures. Taking her place by Jack's side, Y/N couldn't help but feel a surge of pride as she settled into her seat, her fingers instinctively intertwining with his.

The group seemed to be deep in conversation, their voices rising and falling in a steady rhythm as they discussed their plans for the rest of the evening.

Quinn and Nico were engaged in a spirited debate, their voices growing increasingly heated as they argued back and forth. But Jack's touch was a soothing balm, his grip firm and reassuring as he squeezed her hand gently, his eyes meeting hers with a silent understanding.

Quinn leaned back in his chair, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he addressed the group. "Alright, so here's the plan," he began, "We can just go to our lake house. For some ya know late night fun"

Nico raised an eyebrow, a skeptical expression crossing his face. "And what exactly does 'late-night fun' entail?" he asked, his tone laced with amusement.

Quinn grinned, shooting Nico a playful wink. "Oh, you know, the usual—bonfires, music, maybe a little bit of skinny-dipping if we're feeling adventurous," he replied, his words met with a chorus of laughter from the group.

Lexi nudged Y/N, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Sounds like it's going to be quite the party," she remarked, her tone teasing as she glanced over at Jack.

Y/N rolled her eyes, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Oh, I'm sure it will be," she quipped, shooting Jack a knowing look.

The conversation continued around them, Jack leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, "Let's go." His words sent a shiver down her spine, a thrill of anticipation coursing through her veins as she nodded in agreement.

With a quick glance at her friends, Jack's hand firmly in hers as they made their way towards the exit.

…

The lake house stood nestled among towering trees, its wooden facade blending seamlessly with the surrounding nature. She marveled at the tranquility of the setting, the gentle breeze carrying the scent of pine and the distant sound of birdsong adding to the serene atmosphere. She took a moment to soak it all in before Jack's footsteps approached from behind.

"Hey," Jack greeted, a warm smile gracing his features as he joined her by the edge of the lake.

"Hey," Y/N replied, returning his smile, feeling a flutter of excitement in her chest. Together, they wandered towards the lake house, their footsteps crunching softly on the gravel path. Y/N's cheeks flushed in embarrassment as Jack's hand found the small of her back, guiding her closer to him.

The wooden structure loomed before them, its windows reflecting the shimmering surface of the lake. Jack led Y/N inside, and she found herself in awe of the rustic charm of the interior.

Their tour culminated in Jack's room on the second floor, a cozy retreat with a panoramic view of the lake. Y/N's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight, the tranquil waters stretching out before her in a mesmerizing tableau.

"This is amazing," she breathed, turning to Jack with a smile.

"I'm glad you like it," Jack replied, his voice was soft, filled with warmth. His eyes sparkling as he led her to the window. Together, they stood in silence, gazing out at the serene landscape, the soft lapping of waves against the shore providing a soothing backdrop.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still, and Y/N found herself lost in the depth of Jack's gaze, a warmth spreading through her veins.

“I really like you y/n.” He said softly, his lips softly trailing down to the side of her neck before whispering. Y/N felt her heart swell with affection for this person who had captured her attention and her heart.

“Tell me to stop.” His grip tightened on her hips as she continued to stare outside the window. His kisses became more eager, becoming more passionate as he pulled y/n closer to his body.

A gasp escaped her lips causing jack to smirk, his hands creeping up to her back. Y/n looked up to meet his eyes not caring about her doubts anymore. “Kiss me,” she whispered. Jack’s lips met hers in a rush, y/n could no longer breathe due to the intensity.

Her breath was caught in her throat as jack wrapped his hands around her thighs and lifted her, slowly carrying her to the bed facing the window.

He dropped her down on the plump mattress before shrugging off his jacket. Y/n watched from her position, hungrily eyeing his figure hidden by the white shirt he was wearing.

He crawled back between her legs, her heart pounded at the sight of him so close in the intimate position. “Tell me to stop.” He begged practically, Y/n shook her head no, placing her hands in his hair while he gazed at her.

She trailed her nails down his torso, eyeing his body in the dim light of the room. His hands slide down to her hips and squeeze once more before moving a little lower to her thighs. “Why are u acting so scared Jack” y/n questioned teasingly.

"Scared?" He laughed at the comment as he caressed the smooth skin of her thighs a bit harder. "You think I'm scared of you?"

“I think you’re scared of what I can show you. How good I can be,” she tilted her head, meeting his gaze with a soft smile.

"Is that right?" He chuckled, the sound low and intimate.

Abruptly, Ang and Jesper walk in, interrupting the moment. “Oh jack, you guys should uhm come out and see everyone downstairs. They’re all waiting for you” she says with a smirk to jack. They both giggle as they close the door and leave the room in a rush.

Jacks smile quickly turns to a scowl. He leans back over y/n and whispers, “I’m not finished with you.” His hand runs down her face and caresses her cheek before he walks out of the room, leaving y/n to sit there shocked and speechless. She ran her fingers over her bruised lips, letting a small giggle out.

[skaikruswan]

Hi! I found pouty Morpheus super cute! Could you please write a Morpheus x goddess!reader who always shows affection for Morpheus. But one day she accidentally ignores him because she has too much work. Eventually our emo boy gets upset about it. Thanks❤️❤️❤️

Divine intervention

WC: 1,4 k Ao3

Relationship: Morpheus x f!reader

Notes: fluff, first meeting, missed date, pouty Morpheus

Dear anon, thanks for the prompt! I am sorry it took a while. I hope you enjoy!

If you liked this story, i have written others.

You know a secret, an important one, one that saved you from the oblivion that has claimed so many deities. Humans hold power over gods. So many gods and goddesses believe, no, consider themselves to be worthy of their dedication and worship, without even caring enough about humanity. It’s selfish and arrogant, and sooner or later, this attitude will be their doom. 

You have had many names over the ages and various aspects in several cultures. In the end, it didn’t particularly matter to you what humanity called you, as long as they called you at all. 

You walk among humans, listening to their struggles and pleas, offering a kind word or a much-needed pat on the back, helping them in any way you can. You give them hope and sympathy, the light at the end of a tunnel, the warm blanket in a cold night. Some people notice that you’re not human: you see it in their widened eyes, their reverent gaze, or their sharp inhale. But most of them are simply glad that you’re here. 

You don’t need temples or sacrifices; all you need is the warm feeling in your chest as you see them get better, to know that you helped them. 

Each time a person you helped has dreams about you, you feel equally content and queasy. You feel honored and glad that you made such an impact on them, but you worry as you just entered the realm of a being much more powerful than you are. But all your worries were simply worries. Morpheus, Dream of the Endless and ruler of the Dreaming, doesn’t consider you a threat. You still remember your first meeting.

Lexie, a lovely young woman just survived a dangerous operation and got a new pair of lungs, after endless weeks of hoping and praying. In her dream, she was standing on top of a mountain, screaming from the top of her healthy, functioning lungs, and how could you not smile, when her joy was this wonderful and infectious? 

“You are the reason she has such a positive dream,” an unknown, deep voice declared, you turned around to see Morpheus. Dressed in black, his dark hair a mess, his blue eternal eyes peering at you, you felt the endless power radiating from him. 

“I am sorry sir, I shall leave your realm at once,” you apologized, every atom in your immortal body vibrating as you inclined your head in a respectful manner. 

“You are helping the dreamers. I sense no evil intentions. You can stay.” 

             __________________________

One shared dream has become several, and over time you stopped walking on eggshells around him. To be honest, it is really nice to have someone to talk to. Immortality gets rather lonely and despite the comforting presence of humans, you still don’t have anyone to really connect with. Your last friend, a minor deity of peace, did not make it through the 20th century. Watching them wither and fade in front of your eyes forever tore a piece of your heart from you. 

Morpheus shares your vision on humans, that immortals serve them instead of the opposite. He has told you that he had only recently realized this. It had been in a dream, the lake over which they were rowing reflecting the dark, starless sky, when Morpheus had confessed the atrocity he had suffered through during the last century. 

You impulsively had reached out to hold his hand, your thumb stroking over the back of his hand. Your mind had called you a fool while your heart was soaring, and for a moment, you had held your breath.  

“Thank you for your time, and for listening to me.” He had smiled at you for the first time, and you felt your heart skip for a beat. His other hand had covered yours and you hoped that the darkness hid your big blush. 

“I’m glad I’m here.” 

                ___________________________

You almost saunter as you walk through a crowd, smiling at a heartbroken teenager, dropping some change into the cup of a homeless, and stopping an elderly man from walking in front of a car. Morpheus and you will have a date tonight, and the prospect makes butterflies swarm your stomach. You wish you could say that you have experience, but when it comes to matters of the heart, immortals are just as lost and confused as mortals. 

You had been cautious and gentle at the beginning of your relationship. In the privacy of a dream, you had held his hand, brushed your fingers through the silky strands of his hair, or pressed a featherlight kiss on his cheek. But you didn’t want to showcase your relationship, fearful that the residents of the Dreaming would gossip. 

“My love, you have nothing to hide or fear. Let everyone in this realm know that I enjoy your presence and affection,” he had declared, softly pressing his lips against yours, and you had felt sunlight light up inside your veins. From this day on, you hadn’t held back, showering him with affection, showing the world how much he means to you. 

Matthew once called lovey-dovey, his caw sounding like laughter as he soared over you, interrupting your picnic date in Fiddler’s Green. Merv told you in secret that there were nightmares and dreams betting on how often you would make the boss smile during one day. Lucienne kept giving you an almost amused look every time you waltzed into the library, knowing that she would have to answer a question about Morpheus, so you could surprise him better. 

__________________________

You’re glad that tragedies still affect you, that you still feel the pain and sorrow that seems to sniff out any positive emotion as a storm would sniff out a candle; it means that your heart hasn’t turned to stone. You’ve seen deities grow cold and unbothered. You’ve sworn that it would never happen to you. 

You feel their need for you, you hear their despairing thoughts and broken-hearted prayers, and steel yourself for a long day.

A minute turns into an hour, an hour turns into several. You can’t deny them in their hour of need, so you offer everything you can. 

While you’re immortal, you still experience exhaustion, and you drag yourself to your home, immediately falling into a deep, dreamless sleep. 

       _______________________________

Morpheus has shown you how to enter the Dreaming, and you find yourself right where you want to be: the palace. It is surprisingly empty, except for a group of naiads who disappear into some people’s dreams in a burst of spring water. The throne is empty, so Morpheus must be somewhere else. Council seems to be finished. 

You wander into the library, expecting Morpheus to maybe discuss something with Lucienne. The librarian is seemingly looking for something, pulling out books and tomes with a small frown on her face. You announce yourself by clearing your throat and wait until Lucienne has finished her task. 

“It’s good to see you, my lady. Do you have any more questions?” she asks as she adjusts her glasses. 

“Just one actually: where’s Morpheus?”

“I don’t know, I’m afraid. After the council was finished, he left.” Lucienne glances around before leaning forward. “He seemed a little displeased.” Regret and embarrassment twist knots into your stomach as you realize why that might be the case. You missed the date! 

“I’ll look for him, thanks Lucienne.” 

       __________________________________

You find him in Fiddler’s Green, at the exact spot you’ve had you picnic date. It’s dark, so he perfectly blends in with the shadows. With his back turned towards you, he can’t see the way you bite your lip, but he can hear your hesitant steps. Nobody likes being stood up. 

“I am sorry for missing our date.” You don’t regret helping those in need, but you regret that Morpheus waited here for you, and you didn’t show. You feel a stone drop inside your stomach. While you were never into gossip, even you have picked up that Morpheus doesn’t take rejection kindly. 

“I waited.” Morpheus turns around and you bite the inside of your jaw to freeze your facial expressions. Dream of the Endless is pouting, and you will remember this image forever. Lucienne was right. 

“I will make this worth your wait,” you promise, giving him a coy smile as you slowly approach him, fluttering your eyelashes for good measure. 

“Surprise me, goddess,” he challenges, giving you a small smirk, one you wipe off his face as you crush your lips against his, burying your hands into his hands and angling his head as you put all your love into this kiss. 

[tragedyface]

Lexi has imaginary conversations with Fezco when he...goes away

Fezco: Sup Lexi?

Lexi: Nothing new

Fezco: Nah don't be lyin' shorty. I'm in yo' head, remember? I know somethin' up

Lexi: Damn, I don't even get privacy in my own imagination

Fezco: Sure you do. You just don't be imaginin' a situation you be keepin' from me

Lexi: ...I miss you so much

Fezco: Wha' choo talkin' about? I'm right here. I'll be here forever. All you gotta do is remember me

Lexi: What about as time goes on? What if the memory fades?

Fezco: You a writer Lex. Write it all down. Everythin' we ever said to eachother, every thought you ever had 'bout me. And talk 'bout me. Talk to Rue. Tell her 'bout us. She'll have thoughts. And they'll give you things to think 'bout. Talk to Faye. She'll tell you stuff, stuff you needed to know

[bumblesimagines]

“ why do you hate me? ”  

Cassie

“ why do you hate me? ”  

Turning the page, you began copying the words down, the music playing through your headphones fading into the background.

The school library had proven to be the perfect place to copy the notes Lexi had so graciously given you. It was quiet, almost empty, and the people you knew hadn't even seen the inside of the library, let alone know where it was located.

Or so you thought...

Skimming the page one last time, you barely noticed the movement across the table until a pair of delicate looking hands reached across the table, fingers pinning down the page before you could flip it. If the baby blue nails didn't give you a hint, the silver butterfly bracelet wrapped around her wrist did. A gift for her 13th birthday.

"I'm busy." You sighed, sliding the headphones off.

"I know." Her shiny pink lips formed a frown and she retracted her hands, toying with the sleeves of her top. "I just haven't seen you in forever."

"And who's fault is that?" She visibly flinched at your words, eyes lowering onto the table.

"Why do you hate me?" She questioned softly. "I mean, you're not even friends with Maddy and yet you avoid me."

You slumped back in the wooden chair and set the pencil down, releasing another sigh. "Because I got tired, Cass. Year after year, you got into the same boy drama despite all my warnings and advice. You don't learn from your mistakes and it's exhausting having to be the shoulder you cry on each time."

"But that's what friends do!"

"Yeah, what friends don't do is sleep with their best friends on and off boyfriend. That's just asking for drama and heartbreak. Being your friend sucks, Cass. When's the last time we've even spoken about something other than your boyfriends? When's the last time you've done anything for me?" You frowned, picking up your pencil and notebook. You slid them into your backpack as the blondes eyes shimmered with fresh tears but her guilt was the least of your worries.

"Give this to Lexi, will you?" You pushed the notebook toward her and slung the backpack over your shoulder.

"I don't hate you, Cassie. I pity you."

[hearts4maddison]

You read? Part 2

- Mason mount x reader

summary: You and your girls decided to have a clubbing day out. Funny enough you bump into a familiar face you’ve see before.

Warnings: Swearing,drinking and fluff.

paring: single dad-mason “Mason mount” x female!Reader

You woke up feeling good knowing tonight you would get to go out with your friends ever since holiday and ever since your interaction with mason. All the dates you had been on didn’t go so well and all your friend’s new that. That’s also the whole reason you ended up going clubbing in the first place.

Once again, you were sat there figuring out a perfect dress. You had finally made up your mind on dress and it was final. You couldn’t waste anymore time all your friends were waiting on you already.

once you met up with all of your friend’s you headed inside the club. The same old music blasting, having to walk through a crowd of dancing people just to reach the bar.

Most of your friends were already on their fourth or Fifth drink already. You had said to your self you’d take it easy didn’t want to wake up with the worst hang over of your entire life but you knew one way or another you’d end up having one drink and end up having many more.

____________

The clock had now read 7:30 Most of your friends were already wasted.you were now on your Fifth drink by now probably had more than five.One of your friends Ashley wasnt as drunk was the rest which was good.

Most of your freinds were dancing. You decided to go and freshen up in the bathroom.

You decided to tell Ashley in case she wondered where you had went “hey im going to the bathroom really quick.“ you said with a slight smile

“want me to go with you?“ She smiled back “nah you go and enjoy I'll be back in like a minute or so.“ you responded with a smile and walked to the bathroom.

____________

when you entered the bathroom the music faded. You fixed up your hair and were ready to head back out. You told yourself you'd have one more drink and then ask Ashley to drive you back home with the other girls.

As you walked back your full attention on your phone your phone you accidentally nudged someone knocking whoever's phone out of their hand.

“oh shit! I'm so sorry I wasn't looking!“ you said a lace of worried in your tone. “it's okay you didn't break my phone at least“ whoever responded had a voice you has definitely heard before.

_________

Looking up at whoever you bumped into gave you a shock “Mason!?’’ you said with a surprised tone as you got up and handed his phone back.

“Lexie? Well this took a turn“ he said scratching the back of his head you hadn't talked to mason ever since at the airport and when he spoiled that good book it still struck you that he read?.

“I didn't expect seeing you here...how are you?’’ you said trying to make some kind of small talk to ease up this awkward cconversation“oh yeah i’ve been good how are you?“ he said a small smile on his face.

“I'm good..How's Maisey?“ you said with a smile on your lips “oh she's good! did you come here alone?“ he said sounding a bit curious “oh no came here with some friends what about you didn't take you for a clubbing type“ you said with a smile on your face.

“I could say the same thing pretty lady and again I'm sorry for spoiling that book when we were at the airport“ he said with a slight chuckle “Dont worry apology accepted I guess“ you said with a smile.

“good...Anyways u know you made the best impression on masiey cuz she keeps wondering where the pretty lady from the airport went” he said with a chuckle.

“guess i just make a good impression on everyone!” You say with a laugh causing mason to let out a laugh as-well.

_________

throughout,most of the night you and mason had talked at the bar which then you guys talked and talked and talked until it was time to go home you could see Ashley gesturing to get up and go home now.

“hey it was nice bumping into you mason! but i should get going now.” You said with a smile planted on your face “nice bumping into you too i’ll definitely be telling masiey i bumped into the pretty lady again” He said with a slight laugh causing you to smile.

“Good and don’t you dare spoil another book for ever again!” you said with a fake angry tone causing mason to put his hands up in defeat and laugh “don’t worry they end up together” he said with that same cheeky smile.

“…Are you serious!! How dare you spoil it for me!” you said angry but also trying to bite the smile back “I’m sorry it funny seeing you all mad and that pout you make”he said laughing.

“I’m leaving now! Thanks alot mount!”you said fake angry at him mason just waved and headed back to his group of friends.

________

you got back in your friend Ashley car your other friend’s passed out sleeping in the back “girl what took you so long?” she said sounding curious “nothing i just bumped into someone i knew” you said resting your head on the car window.

“Omg! that cute guy who you were talking to he looked interested in you!” she said with a squeal “Oh shut it! you said with a smile “okay okay just saying” she said with a cheesy smile on her face.

your phone buzzed and as you looked at it was mason number the text message reading.

“Come to masiey birthday party? and i’ll make up for spoiling the book pretty lady.’’

__________________________________________

Ooo…A Invite wonder what’s gonna happen next…

sorry this took like months to get out i was so busy and couldn’t be asked but i’m back now! just a disclaimer this has not been proof read.

hope you enjoyed it.

@am0urjjkx

@judesluv

@almondsblog

[ponyosturniolo]

Don’t Know What You Got, Until it’s Gone.

Matt Sturniolo x Fem!Reader

(blurb/sample?)

Author’s Note: Hi! This is my first little Matt blurb. First time ever writing a fic or trying to. I guess I’m just experimenting but idk if I should elaborate more on this story or try out some different story ideas. PLEASE! Let me know!

Warnings: Angst?

Lexi's heart felt pounded and she felt the condensation building up on her palms as she scrolled through the latest on her social media feeds, her trembling fingers tracing the familiar face of her long-time friend turned internet celebrity, Matt Sturniolo. The boy she once rode bikes with down their quiet wooded cul-de-sac, now a distant figure cloaked in the glitz of Los Angeles.

College had pulled them apart, but it was his rise to fame that tore at the seams of their once unbreakable bond. Lexi moved away from Boston to attend college at The University of Miami in Florida. The late-night calls turned scarce, replaced by littered paparazzi shots with starlets whose names she couldn't even pronounce.

Whispers of infidelity danced in the shadows of her mind, haunting her like a ghost she couldn't shake. Each time she tried to confront him, his voice, once a lifeline, now felt like a distant echo. He wasn’t hers, but everyone knew about the connection the two held. Two halves of a whole. Lexi knew that she loved him, in fact she’s known for years. That didn’t take away the fear surrounding the idea of telling him and being friend zoned, so she kept quiet.

As the months passed, Lexi found herself drowning in a sea of despair , surrounded by the four walls of her new apartment bedroom as she reminisced about what once was. Her heart ached for the simplicity of their childhood, where their dreams intertwined like ivy on a summer day.

One fateful night, she mustered the courage to confront him, her voice shaking with the weight of unspoken fears. At this point, Matt had still kept in touch but only through scattered snapchats or the occasional swipe up on a story. Lexi dialed the number she had memorized when she was 13 and got her first phone.

"Matt, we need to talk," Lexi's voice quivered.

Matt's voice, usually warm and welcoming, now held a guarded tone as he spoke. "What's going on, Lexi?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to find the words. "I... I feel like we're drifting apart. You're always so busy, and I don't even know who you are anymore." She choked out. “You don’t even know who I am anymore, Matt.”

She could her Matt take a sharp inhale to be released moments later. "Lexi, you know how crazy things have been with my career taking off. It's not easy, but you're still my best friend."

Best friend.

The once endearing term only felt like a knife to the heart considering how much room this boy was taking up in her heart and head. “What about those other girls with you in pictures from all of those influencer parties? How come you have time to take them back to your place, but you can’t type up a mere ‘how are you?’ and send it to me?”

Matt's silence spoke volumes, the unspoken truth hanging heavy in the air.

In that moment, she realized that sometimes, even the brightest stars fade, leaving behind a darkness that no amount of stardust could ever heal. And as she walked away from the boy who was once her everything, Lexi knew that some dreams were meant to shatter, leaving behind fragments of what could have been.

[infernalodie]

𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐄 || 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐳

“𝘖𝘩, 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦“

Inspo: Ruel - END SCENE

Pairing: Maddy Perez x Perez!Male!reader x Cassie Howard

Summary: The two of you watched it fall apart, yet one of you couldn’t stay for long...

Warnings: Angst and character death

Words: 1836

DNI IF YOU’RE YOUNGER THAN 18!

From the day you were born, you and Maddy were joined at the hip. There wasn’t a day that went by that neither of you was separated from one other. So many experiences the two of you shared had made the inseparability strong. The two of you saw destruction with your friends take place and you were there through the traumatizing experience Maddy experienced with Nate. Promising her that if things were going downhill from there, the two of you would be by one another's side. The two of you would just watch the world fall apart around you and enjoy every second of it until your guys’ last breaths.

And you? What was your traumatizing experience? Well, you had your heart shattered when finding out your girlfriend was hooking up with Nate behind your back. Not even sparing you by ending things before doing so. You didn’t know if it was the fear of what might happen. But you did know that her doing so made your mind fracture. Morals you held high now seemed to dim with you trying to understand how things turned out the way they did.

Why did she cheat? Was it you? Did you not give enough?

All these questions with not so little as an answer for any of them.

But maybe you should’ve understood and expected the worse when things first started. Because they were great for a time, but McKay did warn you of the troubles. Of the possibility of things turning out different from what you may have expected. But being lovestruck, you dismissed them.

And it ended up with you drinking a fifth bottle of Rum. Hoping that the recent events that had transcribed with you and your ex may be forgotten. Maybe you could be happy. Maybe you could just lose your mind a little and be plunged into the warmth of darkness.

It didn’t seem fair in the grander scheme of things. You had to stand there, watching the foundation the two of you built come crumbling to the ground. Levels of the structure being core memories you had of the blonde that had solidified your love for her. And now, it was rubble surrounding your fractured existence in a world that didn’t seem real to you at this point.

Maddy had to stand on the outside and watch what was left of her brother, you, slowly crack and fade. The closure you maybe expected in return for Cassie’s harsh breakup was dismissed with weed and alcohol. She watched you run. Try and escape the pain that reality had placed in your path. And it scared the shit out of her seeing you so broken. So incomplete without Cassie.

But she thought bringing you to this party might allow you to reconnect with people. Hoping that an attempt to heal might be made. She was sadly mistaken. She should’ve known that when she remembered that most parties involved the addition of alcohol. Leaving her to submit to her mistake and try and take care of your drunken state that could barely stand up on its own.

She was scared. Fearful of how long you were going to put yourself through this.

You had managed to get away from your sister. Sitting on the edge of the couch and smoking some dude’s joint that he offered. But your gaze and mind were set on Cassie, who coincidentally was standing in the kitchen with Lexi. And you should’ve stayed sat down. Kept your mouth shut and enjoy this feeling of freedom for a little longer. But the growing knowledge of the fact that she was here built until you couldn’t handle it. Standing on your two untrustworthy legs and stumbling toward the kitchen.

And when you entered, even with the pounding music, it seemed everyone around you quietened down. Not out of some romanticizing way that all these kids try to describe. But like a bad joke in a bar. An awkwardness that was physically painful to be succumbed to. That’s what you got when you entered the kitchen to grab a drink. Feeling the gaze from the sister’s eyes as you poured the Rum into a red solo cup.

Things weren’t supposed to be like this.

Glancing over your shoulder, you found that Lexi had slipped away. Cassie is left to stare down at her feet and sip from her cup. Not daring to make eye contact with you for whatever she may be feeling. Either out of respect or fear of what you might do or say if she says anything or looks at you.

“Night been good?” Your question shook her from her forced gaze. Lifting it for a moment to find you facing her now, a tired look on your face. Circles under your eyes with a casual and slow flow to what you did. If it was blinking, licking your lips, or taking a sip of your drink.

Cassie exhaled heavily. “As much as I like parties, this one is not my taste,” she said, flashing a tiny smile. One that you missed. “Hard to feel welcomed or relaxed when almost everyone hates me.”

You sighed, shrugging as you glanced around. “Yea’, that’s part of it. But half of these people aren’t even going to remember you or me when we all go on with our lives.” You hiccuped, running a hand through your hair. “We will all just be ghosts that won't be thought upon in ten years.”

Something about that made Cassie purse her lips. Tilting her head slightly to stare at you softly with a concerned look taking its place on her face.

No matter the time that may pass, you knew you belonged to her. To the time she made for you. To the way she saw you. Or to how she saw the world. Maybe it was still the pain that made you think this. But you knew that when you tried to place a different girl in her place, you could only see her in their place. Leaving you to pick apart the imperfections of the girl compared to Cassie. And it always left you in a shittier situation.

“Please, Cassie,” you drunkenly pleaded. It was a weak murmur. A pitiful one. Maybe it was the fear that you had for anyone to see you like this. But this was the girl of your dreams you were thinking about- Who was standing in front of you! You couldn’t act like none of this didn’t hurt you. “I need you. We can forget what happened. You are the only thing that makes me care about this life.”

Cassie, being sober and clearly worried about your state, sadly shook her head. “Y/n, we can’t. I’m with Nate now,” she told you. “And I can’t act like I didn’t hurt you. I’m saving you from getting together with me.”

You shook your head, hands grasping hers desperately. “I can’t do this without you-”

“Get your hands off her, Y/n!” Nate appeared, shoving you back, making you stumble back. “Get the fuck out of here before I kick your head in.”

“Fuck off, Nate,” you spat, wiping your eyes. “You being here ruined my relationship. I deserve to talk to her if you decided to take everything away from me.”

“You clearly weren’t giving enough to her, Y/n,” he said. “So, grow the fuck up and move on.”

His words were harsh and a painful reality check. Even through the drunken, wobbling haze resting over your senses, you understood and agreed to a certain extent. But it didn’t alleviate the pain in your chest, unable to restrain the shaky weep that sounded from your trembling lips.

And in an extension of that, you couldn’t stop yourself from shoving Nate back. Having enough strength that moved him back a few steps. “You are a fucking joke, Nate!” You spat. “You put a gun to my sister’s head! You blackmail people to get what you want-”

“Y/n, I suggest shutting up-”

But you interjected the warning. “Or what? Hmm? You gonna beat the shit out of me, Nate?” You barked. “I bet your father would be really proud of you-”

And no one was able to react in time when Nate punched you across the face. The pure strength knocked you on your ass, bashing your head off something in the process.

“What the fuck, Nate?” Maddy exclaimed, running to your aid. Kneeling down and holding your face that twisted and turned in agony. Looking up at her ex and yelling, “You are a real fucking piece of shit Nate, you know that? He’s too fucking drunk to even defend himself!”

“I told him to stop, Maddy. He’s too drunk to even fuckin’ listen!” The boy defended. “Keep your brother in check or I’ll fully beat his ass- What the fuck?”

Maddy frowned upon seeing Nate’s eyes flicker to you. But when she looked down, she saw you start to seize. Body shaking violently, eyes rolled to the back of your head. A pool of blood begins to build around the back of your head making everyone start to freak out.

“No. No, no, no. Y/n? Hey, Y/n! Wake up- Wake up, Y/n!” Maddy’s trembling body managed to pull yours onto her lap. Whimpers that had fallen from her lips were now evolving to uncontrolled sobs as foam pooled from the corners of your mouth. “Hey, hey, hey! You’re alright! You’re gonna be fine!” She wiped desperately, hoping you might come back to reality.

“Maddy, is there anything-” Cassie, who was just as worried as Maddy, tried to speak up. But when she looked down at you, she found you still. Far too still. At that point people

But her words were halted when she received a glare that sent a chill down her spine. The complete hatred and wrath that sat in front of her eyes scared her. “Yeah.” Maddy pulled your lifeless figure into her chest, inhaling your scent. “Save everyone the trouble and go fucking kill yourself, Cass.”

Cassie stared at her friend, unable to hide the tears and hurt that she felt. She should allow to hold you just like Maddy was. She should be allowed to mourn you. But from the way Maddy held you so protectively, so desperately, she wasn’t given the privilege.

As everyone filtered out of the house, Maddy still stayed sat on that dirty kitchen floor. Legs feeling the warm touch of your blood with her thumbs stroking over your cheeks. Her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she stared softly down at your lifeless features. The hollowness in your eyes. She used to wonder what rested beyond them.

She guessed she would have to continue to speculate…

Her hand softly held your face, smiling brokenly down at you. A harsh stutter of a inhale racked her chest. Her warm breath fanning your cold features. “We were supposed to lose our minds together.”

[muserepeats]

29 or 36 for fexi? Maybe the first time they call each other baby or another pet name???

Or 36 would kill me

Your writing is so incredible. And you write them so in love with each other, I am melting and get all emotional 😩🥹. and also hot and bothered because the smut is top tier too! We are blessed 💖

Thank you for the kind words! It really means a lot to read them. (And again, apologies for not responding sooner. Soft prompt post here in case anyone is curious.) Here is #29, from a new crossover fic (promised long ago) that I've started and hope to share next year. 🏈 😉✨

Lexi hears the buzz of her cell phone on the bedside table. It’s not a surprise to be interrupted by a phone call at this hour, but the excitement never fades. She knows as soon as she drops her book, reaches for the device beside her, and turns the screen towards her, Lexi will see his name. Every night it’s the same.

The flutter in her chest was unfamiliar that first time he called her, after the New Year’s Eve party and her brave trip to the convenience store and a few days of texting. Now, nearly 8 months later, the feeling is reliable, his calls are expected, but her heart races just the same. It’s enough to make her pause before answering, to remind herself that this is the feeling she’s been dreaming of her entire life. 

“Hey, Fezco,” she says through a blush and an uncontrollable smile. 

“Hey, Lex. How you doin?” His familiar drawl in her ear is a balm for every bad memory, every moment of self doubt. Finally, she has someone to count on.

“I’m good, even better now.” Lexi steals a glance over at her sister, who responds with an annoyed glare.  The sight of Cassie pushing herself off the bed with a huff is something she enjoys a little more than she should. Lexi tries to ignore the distraction and focus on the voice on the other end of the line.

These days, Cass has mastered the mix of a disgusted scowl and frustrated sigh, complemented by an almost imperceptible eye roll. Just a year ago, the tables were completely turned. It was Lexi sitting across the room, trying to concentrate on her Algebra 2 problem set as her sister cooed some saccharine nonsense into the phone. 

"How was your day?" she continues with a grin. Cassie stalks over to the door, her feet landed loudly the carpet in a dramatic display of revulsion.

"Alright," he says through a sigh. "Like you said, s'even better now. Kinda spent most of it missin' you, baby."

The door snaps shut and, despite her sister’s obvious jealousy over someone, anyone, making Lexi the center of their world, there’s only one thought rushing through her mind. He called me baby.

Her teeth gnawing at the center of her cheek are just one challenge to finding a response. There's also the rush of adrenaline in her belly, and the flush of heat on her cheeks, and an undeniable tingling sensation between her legs. She has to remember to breath.

“Sorry, ion’ mean to be derogatory,” Fez blurts, a quicker cadence than his typical slow pace. “I guess we talked about a lotta things, but we ain’t talk about me callin’ you that…”

He was right — they had talked about a lot of things, especially since school started and he had fully settled into life at the Taylor’s house. They talked about what happened that night, right before the play. They talked about the feelings that Lexi felt, ad nauseum, through each act of said play as that saved seat meant for him sat empty. They talked about Ash, and they talked about the hospital. They talked, more frequently, about what happened at school or practice or rehearsal that day. And, just last weekend, they talked about their relationship status. A relationship status that definitely made it appropriate for him to call her baby.

“It’s okay,” she mumbles softly, responding just as he trails off. “I like it. You can say it again.” 

The soft grumble of his voice continues, "Baby, baby, baby." There's a hint of teasing in the word, but she knows he savors speaking it as much as she loves hearing it. Lexi chuckles and flops herself onto her back and stares up at the glow-in-the-dark stickers on her ceiling. "Like that?" he goads, his voice turning more suggestive.

"Yeah, like that," she says, her cheeks pained from a wide smile. There's a very good chance that his expression matches hers on the other side of town. She thinks to return the gesture, call him baby, too. But it doesn't feel quite right. Maybe they don't need pet names, but she's waited long enough for this relationship to blossom into something real, something more tactile than the bounds of her imagination. Lexi wants all the silly little clichés of a high school romance, and she wants Fez to have them too.

He clears his throat to break the long beat of silence, and a rush of bravery allows Lexi to ask the question on her mind. "And what should I call you?"

[honeyjars-sims]

1.49 The Sweetest Thing

Solomon: Welcome! Everyone make yourselves at home. Cece: Hey, this is still our home even if we don’t live here anymore! Chantal: Pops is just trying to be a good host. We have a guest, you know.

David: Lexie, it’s wonderful to see you again, especially under the circumstances! I have to say, Solomon and I were really happy to hear that you and Johnny started dating. You’ve always been so lovely when we’ve come to visit Cece. Lexie: Thank you, Mr. Owens-Haim! You’ve raised some really great kids. I’m pretty fond of this one in particular! Johnny: Oh, stop! You know how I hate being fawned over.

Solomon: I see you’re starting with the jokes already! David: Alright, I’m going to go ahead and get the first movie started. Feel free to change into your pajamas if you want to be more comfortable. We have popcorn and other snacks, and Pops is going to make his famous hot chocolate in a little bit.

Johnny: He makes the best hot chocolate you’ll ever taste. Lexie: Mmm, I can’t wait!

Everyone settles in and begins their movie night. The sun starts to set as everyone fills up on savory snacks and good conversation.

Sisters reminisce about holidays past and share their hopes (and fears) for the coming year.

Longtime lovers find solace in each others' arms as they always have, even when an uncertain future looms around the corner.

Apprehension fades away as a new relationship blossoms into something more substantial.

The lonely feeling dwelling within Lexie over the past couple of weeks begins to subside. It’s comforting being surrounded by a warm and loving family, even if it’s not her own.

In the morning, the family exchanges gifts and then gathers for a holiday breakfast before they start heading their separate ways.

Lexie: I really want to thank you all for letting me intrude on your family tradition. I’ve had a really great time. Solomon: It’s no intrusion at all! We’re glad we’ve been able to get to know you better. David: You’re all welcome to stay a little longer if you’d like. We don’t mind the company.

Cece: I think Dad is trying to tell us that he’s not ready for us to leave yet. Chantal: I can stick around for a while. I don’t have anything else planned for today.

Johnny: Lexie and I would like to stay, but we have a few things to do. We still need to exchange our gifts with each other.

Solomon: Well, don’t let us stop you from having some alone time. David: You’re both welcome to stop by any time. Lexie: Thanks again for such a warm welcome!

Later, Johnny and Lexie arrive back at Johnny’s apartment and begin exchanging gifts.

Johnny: Thanks, I love the hoodie! It’s super soft. I’m sure I’ll get a lot of use out of it. Lexie: You’re welcome! I’m glad you like it. I wasn’t sure what to get you, but I figured I couldn’t go wrong with a hoodie. Johnny: You know me well! Thanks, baby. Now it’s your turn.

Lexie: I’m excited to see what you got me. I have no idea what it could be. Johnny: I’d be surprised if you guessed. It was hard to track down. Lexie: My curiosity is piqued…

[Lexie opens the box and peers inside. As she pulls the gift out, she can’t quite believe what she’s seeing.]

Lexie: What? Is this…? It's Snowflake! H--how did you even find this?

Johnny: Like I said, it was hard to track down. The company hasn’t been producing them for over a decade, so I went searching on some auction sites. I lost out on a couple until I finally outbid someone on this one at the last minute. It’s not exactly brand new, but it’s in pretty good condition all things considered.

Lexie: [eyes filling with tears] Johnny! This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. And all I got you was a hoodie! I don’t know what I did to deserve something like this. Someone like you.

Johnny: Hey, you’re worth it. You make me happy, so I want to make you happy. And I love my gift. It's special because it came from you. 

Lexie: Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.

Johnny: You have no idea how much you mean to me.

Lexie: You know, I can think of one way we can show each other how we feel. That is, if you’re ready.

Johnny: I definitely am.

[Lexie and Johnny head to Johnny’s bedroom. I’m sure you can figure out what happens next…spicy PG-13 pics below]

Previous | Beginning of story | Beginning of chapter | Next

See you in Chapter 2!

[startwelve]

Feeling love's strange

Hellooooo Well I love the band Black Sabbath, rockers and Goddess Maddy... so I wrote this shit Hope you like!!!

Maddy Perez was accustomed to the fast-paced and party-filled life in California. But everything changed when a new boy moved to town. He was different from the others: he had a rough appearance, listened to heavy rock, and most notably, he had a motorcycle that accompanied him everywhere.

From the moment she saw him, Maddy felt a strange attraction to him. Although his defiant image contrasted with her lifestyle, she couldn't help but feel intrigued. She wanted to know him beyond appearances and discover what lay behind that facade.

At one of the famous weekend parties, Maddy attended with Cassie, Lexi, Rue, and Jules. For most of the party, Maddy danced, drank, and avoided eye contact with her ex-boyfriend Nate. At one point, a jerk on the dance floor grabbed her face and kissed her. Maddy pushed him away, slapped him, and left the crowd to go to the bathroom to fix her ruined makeup.

Maddy was looking at herself in the mirror when someone entered the bathroom. It was him. She couldn't help but glance at him, intrigued by his appearance and mysterious aura.

"¿Hello, do you mind if I join you here? This place is a bit crowded," he said, smiling slightly.

Maddy looks at him and smiles.

"Sure, go ahead. No problem." She bites her lower lip. "By the way, I've never seen you at these parties before. Are you new in town?"

"That's right. My name is Roger," he introduced himself.

"I'm Maddy."

"Lovely name, Maddy," Roger said subtly, savoring the girl's name. "I moved here recently. Came in search of a fresh start, I suppose," Roger said and shrugged.

"A fresh start, huh? Sounds interesting," Maddy said curiously as she crossed her arms. "And what specifically brought you to California?"

Roger leaned on the sink and took a cigarette from the pocket of his jeans, lit it, and took a drag, under Maddy's watchful eye.

"Freedom, I guess. I wanted to escape my old life and experience something different. Also, I like the weather here and the vibe of the city," he chuckled softly. "And, of course, the music."

"Music? What kind of music do you like?" Maddy asked interested.

"Heavy rock. It's my passion. Music has a unique way of expressing what I feel, and heavy rock makes my heart beat faster," he said with a spark of excitement in his eyes.

"I understand what you mean. Music is my escape too, but I tend to lean more towards a different style, something softer and melodic."

"So, I guess we're like polar opposites in that sense. But maybe that's what makes it interesting," Roger said with a grin.

Maddy laughed. "Yes, I suppose so." She moved a little closer to him. "But sometimes they say that opposites attract."

"That's true. And I think I might be feeling that attraction right now."

Maddy blushed slightly and nervously played with a strand of her hair.

"Oh, really? Well, I guess it could be mutual."

Roger leaned in a bit closer to her, crouching a bit to reach her height, and looked into her eyes, whispering, "Why don't we find out?"

Maddy took a deep breath and felt drawn to him.

"Maybe we should."

She leaned in, and their lips met in a passionate kiss, tasting the alcohol and tobacco on each other's lips.

The background music and noise from the party faded away as Maddy and the motorcycle boy immersed themselves in their own world, exploring the connection they had just discovered in the middle of the party.

The unexpected encounter only fueled Maddy's desire to get to know the motorcycle boy better. They started to meet casually, sharing laughs and conversations about music, life, and dreams. Although their worlds seemed opposite, they found a deep connection between them.

With time, Maddy discovered that behind his rough appearance, the boy was someone sensitive, passionate about music, and had a heart full of dreams. And he, in turn, admired Maddy's courage and authenticity, how she was different from the other girls he had met.

The End

[hd-junglebook]

Bodies

Prologue

Prev - Next

AN : I feel like this is a little out of range for most, I haven't stumbled upon a Jack Hughes apocalypse fic, so I made one. This is just some character buildup, so you understand Part 1 when it comes out.

Masterlist

You finished writing the end of the sentence on the board, the space filled with the assignments for your class. The students chatted behind you, discussing the book while you continued highlighting its key parts.

You love these moments, where literature transcends the pages of a book and becomes a living, breathing entity in the minds of your students.

The shrill sound of the bell cuts through the air, interrupting your thoughts. Glancing at your watch, confusion struck; the bell rang ten minutes early, catching you off guard as the school board hadn't informed you about the half-day.

"Okay guys, make sure you finish up your worksheets," you say, trying to mask your confusion with a reassuring smile. “I need all your papers done by Monday! Enjoy the rest of your weekend,” you announced.

You watch as the students quickly gather their belongings and rush out of the classroom, their chatter fading into the hallway. The unexpected early dismissal leaves you feeling slightly disoriented, but you try to shake it off.

As you straighten the stacks of papers on your desk, you can't help but feel a twinge of disappointment that the engaging class discussion was cut short.

You make a mental note to follow up on the unfinished discussion next week, perhaps dedicating some extra time to really dive into the nuances of the text.

In the meantime, you decide to take advantage of the unexpected free time to get ahead on your lesson planning and grading.

Your phone buzzed, pulling you away from your task. Hurriedly picking it up, you saw your best friend Lexi’s name flashing urgently on the screen.

With trembling fingers, you answer the call, dread pooling in the depths of your being as her panicked voice fills your ear, “Y/n, I need—” She choked out, “There was an accident at work, this man attacked me, he bit me, Y/n.”

The urgency in her voice sends a shiver down your spine as she recounted the details, the wail of the alarms around her blared through the phone’s speakers. “Where are they taking you Lex?”

“RWJ Hospital, please come, I need you.”

You hung up the phone in despair, struggling to comprehend what was happening. Quickly grabbing your bag, you headed into the hallway, ignoring the worried glances from other teachers as you pushed open the double set of doors leading to the parking lot. Children boarded their buses as the sky began to darken.

“Shit!” You cursed, fumbling with your car keys, hands shaking as you finally managed to unlock the door and slide into the driver's seat.

The engine roars to life as you pull out of the school parking lot, your tires screeching against the asphalt with little regard for the parents in the pickup line.

You try to focus on the road ahead, but your thoughts keep drifting back to Lexi's words: "he bit me."

The strange phrasing sends a chill through your body, and you can't shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong.

The streets were crowded with cars, turning what should have been a simple five-minute drive home into a 15-minute ordeal of waiting at traffic lights.

You think ahead and cut across the grass that leads onto the backroads, switching on the radio, hoping to distract yourself from the gnawing anxiety. However, instead of the usual upbeat pop songs, you're greeted by an urgent news bulletin:

"Breaking news: Reports of violent attacks are coming in from across Jersey. Eyewitnesses describe individuals exhibiting aggressive behavior and attacking others without provocation. Authorities are advising all residents to stay indoors and avoid public areas until further notice..."

Your heart pounds in your chest as you slam the mute button, could Lexi's attack be related to these other incidents?

The thought makes your stomach churn, and you press down on the accelerator, desperate to reach your house.

…

A helicopter flew overhead towards the city, its loud rotors adding to the worry already in your stomach.

The sight of your neighbors frantically packing their belongings and fleeing the area only serves to heighten your anxiety. You can't help but wonder what they know that you don't.

You wiped your hands across your face before pushing the door open, a sigh of relief leaving you as you noticed your roommates’ cars in the driveway.

You hurry towards your front door, fumbling with your keys as you try to unlock it. Your hands are shaking, making the simple task feel like an impossible challenge. Finally, you manage to turn the key and push the door open, stepping into the familiar comfort of your home.

“Jesus fuck.” You utter, looking around the messy living room for any sign of life. “Guys, are you here?”

there's no response.

Inside, the usual warm and inviting atmosphere is replaced by an eerie stillness. The only sound is the ticking of the clock on the wall, echoing through the empty rooms. A sinking feeling settles in the pit of your stomach as you realize that they might have already left without you.

As you're about to leave, you hear a loud banging on your front door. Your heart leaps into your throat, and you freeze in place. The banging continues, growing more insistent with each passing second. You slowly approach the door, your hand hovering over the handle.

You peek through the peephole, your heart pounding in your chest, only to be greeted by a familiar mop of blonde hair. Relief washes over you as you realize it's your roommate, Viper. You swing the door open, a smile breaking out on your face.

"Viper, thank God it's you! I thought-"

Before you can finish your sentence, Viper rushes past you, nearly knocking you off balance. "Move, move, move!" she shouts, her voice laced with urgency.

You stumble back, confused by the abrupt entrance. As you regain your footing, you notice Dest, your other roommate, standing in the doorway, an exasperated look on her face.

"Seriously, Viper?" Dest sighs, shaking her head. "You nearly slammed the door on my face!" Viper, already halfway across the living room, turns back with a shrug.

You look between your two roommates, trying to make sense of their sudden appearance. "Where were you guys? Have you seen the news?"

“We were in the city when all hell broke loose.” Viper commented, she began rummaging through the kitchen cabinets, her slender fingers deftly sorting through the cans and packages.

She huffs out a breath, blowing her golden locks away from her face as she reaches for a can on the top shelf. "I've seen enough horror flicks to know how this plays out," she retorts, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

She holds up a can of beans triumphantly, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "And I, for one, am not going to be the first to die because I was too busy being a snack for the undead."

Viper tosses the can into her backpack, along with a few other non-perishable items. She zips up the bag with a flourish, the sound echoing through the kitchen.

Slinging the backpack over her shoulder, she turns to face you, her lips curled into a smirk. "I'm ready to kick some zombie ass. Or run away screaming. Whichever comes first."

Dest rushes back into the living room, her arms laden with supplies.

As she dumps the contents of the bag onto the coffee table, revealing a collection of batteries, flashlights, pads, and a well-stocked first-aid kit, her fiery red locks cascade around her face like a protective curtain.

With a quick, practiced motion, she arranges the items with efficiency, her pale blue eyes searching your own.

"We should get out of here while we still can," she states nonchalantly.

You grab your own backpack, the fabric feeling oddly heavy in your trembling hands as you hastily stuff in the items Dest hands you. You take a deep breath, trying to calm your nerves.

"Yeah…Yeah, we should go," you say, your voice wavering slightly in the stillness of the room.

…

The three of you headed outside seeing smoke billow into the clouds. You unlocked the car door, still seeing the neighbors rushing to pack their cars to the brim. "Y/n, dear, wait!" Your neighbor calls, hobbling towards you with surprising speed. "Have you heard the news?”

Mrs. Beverly takes a moment to compose herself before speaking. "There's been reports on the news about some sort of virus spreading," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "They're saying it turns people into... into monsters. It's spreading fast, y/n."

You pause, turning to face her, a knot of dread forming in the pit of your stomach. "I've heard bits and pieces," you reply, your voice tight with apprehension. "But we need to get to the hospital. You should really get out of here Mrs. Beverly. "

Her eyes widened in alarm, her gnarled hands clutching at the hem of her sweater. "I’m old y/n, there’s nothing out there for me." she murmurs, her voice trembling with sympathy. "But you need to be careful out there.”

You nod, gratitude swelling within you for her concern. "Thank you, Mrs. Beverly," you say, forcing a reassuring smile. "I'll be careful, I promise. But right now, I need to go."

With a quick goodbye, you three continue on your way, the weight of Mrs. Beverly’s words hanging heavy in the air.

…

The traffic on the highway worsened by the minute, minutes turning into hours as you waited behind dozens of cars leading out of the city.

Frustration fills you but the traffic remains at a standstill, a seemingly insurmountable barrier between you and safety. “God, can we just walk at this point. I feel like I’m gonna melt if I stay in here,” Viper bellowed from the back of the car.

Clenching your hands against the wheel, you finally make the decision to abandon your car and join the throngs of people on foot. Viper and Dest followed suit grabbing their bags and slamming the doors shut.

The air is thick with the acrid smell of exhaust fumes and the distant wail of sirens. You weave through the maze of cars on the highway, feeling a light breeze gently pushing your jacket off your shoulders.

Walking through the maze of cars, each one filled with an antsy family trying to leave the city, you were so close to where you needed to be. Your eyes focused on the buildings just out of reach when you bumped into a lady standing outside her car.

Stumbling back in shock, you looked up to a grey-haired lady, immediately apologizing. "I’m so sorry; I wasn’t looking where I was going," you stated as you helped her regain her balance.

The lady steadied herself, placing a wrinkled hand on your arm. She looked up at you with kind, understanding eyes.

"No need to apologize, dear. It's quite alright," she said, her voice soft and reassuring. You nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over you.

"Edith," the lady supplied, extending her hand to Viper and Dest. "Pleasure to meet you all, despite the circumstances." Just then, a man exited the car, pushing his way to you both with a nasty scowl on his face.

"What's the holdup? Can't you watch where you're going?" he barked at his wife, blaming her for being in the way.

As you tried to diffuse the tension, the man's anger only seemed to escalate. His words were like daggers, cutting through the already thick atmosphere of frustration and impatience. "Hey, she said she was sorry," you interjected, your voice tinged with irritation. "There's no need to be so hostile."

The man's scowl deepened, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage. "Mind your own business, kid. This is between me and my wife."

You could feel your temper rising, fueled by the stress of the situation and the man's unwarranted aggression. "She's right. The traffic is bad enough without you making it worse," you shot back, your words laced with defiance.

The man took a step closer, his imposing figure casting a shadow over you. "You don't know the first thing about what's going on here. Just stay out of it."

Viper and Dest caught up to you then, their faces etched with concern. "Everything okay, Y/N?" Viper asked, eyeing the man cautiously. Relief washed over you at the interruption, grateful for the chance to break away from the confrontation.

“Yeah, I was just leaving. It was nice to meet you, Edith.”

The sound of helicopters overhead drew your attention. You glanced up to see a fleet of choppers zooming through the sky towards the city, their presence ominous against the backdrop of the skyline.

The roar of the helicopters grew louder, drowning out all other sounds. The steady thump-thump-thump of their rotor blades echoed through the air, sending vibrations rippling through the ground beneath your feet.

"What's going on?" you asked, a sense of unease settling in the pit of your stomach. You watched in awe as they flew in formation, their sleek silhouettes slicing through the air with precision.

Dest followed your gaze, his expression grim. "Looks like they're bombing the city," she said quietly. The city was under fire, and there was nothing you could do but watch from the sidelines.

In an instant, the air was filled with a deafening cacophony of noise as the choppers unleashed their payload as the orange hue of the flames spread across your face. The ground trembled beneath you as the bombs were dropped, sending shockwaves rippling through the earth.

A collective gasp rose from the crowd as the first explosion rocked the city skyline. A plume of smoke billowed into the air, dark and foreboding against the backdrop of the orange-hued sky.

As you, Viper, and Dest stand on the side of the highway, watching the helicopters in the distance, another one suddenly comes closer, its ominous silhouette looming overhead.

You look up just in time to see a bomb drop, landing mere yards away from where you stand. The world seems to slow as adrenaline courses through your veins, your heart pounding in your ears.

Viper's instinctive reaction kicks in as she grabs your arm, pulling you back from the danger with a forceful urgency.

“Come on. Now!”  she shouts pulling you away from the road and to the tree line. Dest is right behind you both when another bomb drops, and she falls to the ground.

You yank on Viper's arm, your voice piercing through the chaos as you shout, "Wait!" Both of you scan the highway frantically, searching for Dest's frail form.

Just as panic threatens to consume you, you catch sight of her, staggering dangerously close to the edge of the road.

You and Viper rush to her side, throwing an arm over each of her shoulders for support. The screams around you blend with the deafening explosions, creating a cacophony of fear and desperation that threatens to overwhelm your senses. With Dest between you, you hobble away from the highway.

“We have to keep going.”

...

[ladylooch]

remember how lio ignored his daddy after he broke his arm? does that ever happen to nico with one of the girlies?

Ope… wanna hurt? Okay let’s go.

Lucie Hischier stands in the middle of an applauding room at the first recital of her short ballerina career. Her brown eyes squint against the bright stage lights, trying to look through the beams and sea of people for her daddy. He said he would be here. 

But when the lights fade and Lucie finally finds her family, she doesn’t see her daddy standing next to her mama. Lucie frowns even as her mom waves excitedly back to her with Sophie in her arms. Lucie’s eyes continue to scan. She sees her Auntie Em, but no Uncle T. She frowns harder. Her dad is out of town. He said he wouldn’t be. Lucie’s eyes move back to her mom and her little face scrunches up into a scowl. Then, she stomps her pink slippers off to the side stage where her teacher is holding up her hand to give her a high-five.

“Lucie, your solo was wonderful! All your handwork paid off!”

No it didn’t. Daddy wasn’t here.

When Lucie gets to her family afterwards, she is sullen as she accepts flowers from Lio. They share a loose hug.

“Luc! Great job today!” Auntie Em says, giving her back a rub as they embrace.

“Thanks.” Lucie mumbles.

“You worked so hard on your solo, baby. It showed today. I’m so proud of you.” Lexi murmurs as she kneels down to give her daughter a hug. Mack is holding flowers for her older sister and excitedly thrusts them at Lucie. 

“Thanks.” Lucie says glumly. Lexi purses her lips.

“Hey, daddy is going to FaceTime us when we get home from dinner.” Lucie scrunches her face then shakes her head no.

“He didn’t come.”

“Yeah, baby he is on the road.”

“He told me he would be here.”

Emma and Lexi share a concerned look. The Devils originally were supposed to leave tomorrow, but a winter storm created travel concerns and they decided on leaving a day earlier. Lexi bites her lip. Nico must not have had the conversation she recommended he have at bedtime last night. Lexi had found him asleep in Mack’s bed. She assumed he had made it to Lucie before falling asleep. Clearly not. 

“Daddy’s schedule changed last minute. I know that is disappointing. He wanted to be here though.” Lexi tries to soothe as much as she can. 

“Did you video it for him?”

“Yes, me and auntie Em.” 

“Okay.” Lucie sighs. Lexi helps Lucie put her winter coat and boots on, then with the whole family, they head to a diner for burgers, malts, and fries to celebrate.

Lucie is in bed after her bath that night when Lexi comes in with her phone. She sees it in Lucie’s lap, then leaves the room, down the hall to one of her sisters who is crying.

“Hi sweets.” Lucie looks down, seeing her dad on the screen. “I am so sorry I missed your recital today.” He says. “I know I told you I would be there. That was the plan. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way.” Lucie nods. Silence fills the room as Nico waits for her to say something. She refuses. “I know you’re hurt, sweets. But when I get home, can we watch the video together?” Tears form in Lucie’s eyes. She nods as they track down her cheeks.

1,000 miles away, Nico's heart breaks into that many pieces.

[tragedyface]

Lexi: I need your help

Fezco: Sure, yeah, whatever you need

Lexi: Can you run lines with me?

Fezco: Of course

*some time later*

Fezco: Then move not, while my prayer’s effect I take. They Kiss

Lexi: That the stage direction, you don't need to read that

Fezco: So they kiss?

Lexi: Yeah

Fezco: ...should we?

Lexi: ...I mean I probably need the practice

*Some Time Later*

Lexi: And then it fades to black, then the lights come on like it's the morning after

Fezco: So they have sex?

Lexi: Yep

Fezco: ...I feel like you should just go real method with this, y'know, for the sake of the show..."

Lexi: It'd give me context for the next scene. Like she'd be thinking about what happened between them in the next scene. It'd be good if I had something to draw on...."

[ealvara7]

I Saw Beetlejuice the Musical on Tour!!! 🪲 ✨️

Ever since I got more into musicals, I told myself that I wanted to go back into a theatre at some point as an adult. I only ever recalled going when I was in elementary school... which had sadly faded in my memory.

Lo and behold, I learn that the Beetlejuice Tour was coming to the James M. Nederlander Theatre! I figured now was the perfect time to go see it!

When I initially got into Beetlejuice the Musical, I didn't think that I was going to like the Tour cast as much as Broadway's, but over time, I grew an appreciation for them, and it got me excited to see the cast in person.

I do not regret this decision one single bit.

For this post, I'm going to mainly focus on my personal experiences at the theatre, both in and out of the show. If you'd like to hear my thoughts on the main story and set changes in the Tour, please check out this post! This is still gonna be quite lengthy, so I will be leaving this under a "read-more".

Thank you for reading! ✨

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I got tickets to go see the musical on the night of the 22nd. My plan was to go check out the merch stand before I sat down to watch the show, because I did not want to get up during intermission. I was able to do that with half an hour to spare! I felt so relieved because I honestly thought that my mom and I were running late-

Unfortunately... Jackera Davis did leave the Tour after performing in Kentucky... so I did not get a chance to see her. I did, however, get the chance to see the new actor for Skye - Madison Mosely, and she is lovely!

I did get to see Justin as Beetlejuice and Isabella as Lydia! It was genuinely so surreal to me that for both Prologue: Invisible, and The Whole "Being Dead" Thing, I just... froze up? It was like... reverse stage-fright, like the realization just hit me that these actors could quite possibly see me, because I was sitting up front by the left orchestra-

Aside from Justin as Beetlejuice, Isabella as Lydia, and Madison as Skye, I also recognized the following:

Will Burton as Adam

Jesse Sharp as Charles

Sarah Litzsinger as Delia

Abe Goldfarb as Otho

Brian Vaughn as Maxie Dean

It was difficult for me to tell who Juno/Maxine Dean was because of the makeup, but looking back at the cast on the official site, I'm pretty confident at this point that it was Kris Roberts. I had a similar confusion with Miss Argentina, but I did get to meet Hillary Porter at the stage door, so it was easier for me to deduce that it was her-

I noticed right away that the actor playing Barbara wasn't Megan McGinnis, so I decided to look back at the cast list after the show. With it and some extra help from Instagram, I was able to find out that it was Lexie Dorsett Sharp! I honestly loved her performance as Barbara! She's not afraid to be silly, and I also felt that she played off of Will and Justin's performances very well!

Something that I really enjoyed about being in the left orchestra section was that I was not only able to see a couple of technical moments happening offstage (such as an individual holding up the long arm that gives Beetlejuice a microphone), but there where moments where I can hear the actors saying certain things that weren't picked up on their microphones. One example of this was during That Beautiful Sound. Lee N Price, who played the pizzaman, was being puppeteered by Beetlejuice, and I swear, at one point I heard him go, "Oh my god!" Even though no one else in the back could hear it, our section most certainly did, and we got a kick out of that reaction-

The show went on pretty much as I expected up until Adam and Barbara wake up from their electric shock... I had been focusing on Barbara up to this point because I wanted to see how they set up the fire trick on her hand and... it never happened? Instead, right after Adam asks, "Why... can't I feel my pulse?" Barbara tries to feel her own and begins to panic, continuing the rest of the scene as it usually is.

I also noticed that Beetlejuice pockets Lydia's note, rather than burning it. It made me realize that the team were most likely not allowed by the theatre to use pyrotechnics in the show. Considering where the James M. Nederlander Theatre is located, it begins to make a lot of sense...

During the scene after Fright of our Lives, Justin (as Beetlejuice) just goes off on the line, "I know that, Barbara!" It goes quiet for a bit, then he pretends to sob for the line, "No one's like me... that's the problem." It all culminates to Will (as Adam) slowly walking up to him, with Justin quietly and emotionally saying:

"Get the fuck away from me!"

The audience, myself included, completely lost it. I originally thought that this might've been a mistake, but according to one of my Discord friends, this bit has been going on for a couple of shows now. It's completely new to me, so it caught me off guard the when I saw it. It's the little things that always fascinate me when watching different performances of the same musical, boots or not-

The rest of Act One was pretty much the same! Something I did find interesting, however, was that near the end, rather than people cheering after Beetlejuice says the line, "It's showtime!" It was when he says, "Can everybody see me?!" that people really started roaring. It was a nice change of pace, and added to the impact of his line right after. The audience in that show was surprisingly very nice! I heard a lot of cheering from fans, especially during the scene where Adam kisses Beetlejuice.

Now, let's talk about Isabella Esler! My Discord friends have said some nice things about her, but I wasn't so sure what to expect coming into this show. The more it kept going... the more it became clear to me what they were talking about.

Isabella puts a lot of emotion into playing Lydia. She genuinely gives me the impression that the death of her character's mother put a lot of weight on her, and yet... that doesn't entirely stop her from being a spunky, rebellious teenager. For me, the peak of her performance is when she sings Home. I don't think I've ever really seen an actor that has perfectly nailed that weakness and despair that Lydia would be feeling in this scene...

Except for Isabella.

Her performance genuinely gave me chills, and as someone who is also Latin American, I couldn't help but feel proud... I can now say with great confidence that Isabella Esler is my favorite Lydia, with Jackera Davis being my very close second! 💖

Act Two was pretty much the same as I remembered it, however I'd like to give my attention to one of Justin's now famous lines in the show:

“Look, I only joke because I see myself in you… later tonight.”

According to one of my Discord friends, while there are moments where Justin is able to keep his composure after saying that line, there are other where he... just loses it and starts giggling.

I was extremely fortunate to see the latter.

I believe what happened was that the audience reaction to the joke was so big, that it began a bit of a circle effect - with Justin losing his composure, and the audience just having a ton of fun and clapping, then it repeats. It went on for quite sometime, but finally Justin was able to focus and continue going-

After curtain call, I remembered that the show shoots out streamers, so I grabbed a green and black one! I now have two big streamers to pair with my Broadway one!

(Update: I found a silver one after watching the show on the 26th! I now have a complete set!)

After I left the theatre, I went around the back. There was one thing left I wanted to see before we went home...

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The Stage Door! ✨️

As mentioned prior, I did get to meet some of the actors at the stage door! I didn't say much beyond a, "Hello!" and, "Thank you!" to each of them, not only because it was really dark and I wanted to meet back up with my mom as soon as possible, but because I didn't want to take up too much of the actors' time. The only actor that I was able to make some small talk to was actually Isabella, who complimented me on my outfit!

At first, I thought that stage dooring just wasn't going to happen because there was not a lot of people here... but eventually, a line of people began to form, and a few of the actors were starting to come outside! It honestly wasn't as crowded or intimidating as I expected it to be, and I was very relieved about that!

I knew right away after getting tickets that I wanted to get my Playbill signed by as many people in the Tour cast as I can meet during stage door! This was the only opportunity I was going to get to have the Tour cast sign this specific Playbill, and to actually be there adds a huge layer of sentimentality that I honestly wish I had for my Broadway cast Playbills.

I was in awe by how quickly many of them came out! I made sure to bring my own silver markers, just in case! Which ended up coming in super handy because the majority of the actors who were signing things at stage door didn't seem to have one...

One thing that I was super excited about when I got my Playbill signed was because I was actually there, I could confirm which signature belongs to which actor!

Admittedly, it took me some time to mark down each signature because I was not 100% familiar with the actors, but thanks to the cast list on the official website (as well as in the Playbill itself), I was able to match up the faces to who I specifically remember signing my Playbill!

I almost lost the identification of some of these signatures, but I was actually able to remember them based on some conversations I heard going on behind me! For example, Abe reenacted one of his scenes as Otho with another fan (the one where he greets Delia, to be more specific) and Janisse had mentioned to another fan that this was his last week with the Beetlejuice team, something I distinctly remember from one of the Instagram stories the day before I saw the show! Will's was super easy because he was the only one that signed my Playbill in gold (he actually offered to sign it with my silver marker, but I told him gold was ok)!

One last thing I would like to share is two of the pages I scanned containing all of the cast members in my Playbill! It was one of the things I was curious to look at when I opened it, and it was very interesting to compare with the formatting of my other Playbills!

That's pretty much it for my time at the show! ✨

It honestly went by so fast... it made me wish that I had more time to take it all in because I genuinely enjoyed being there that night! Luckily, I did end up getting another ticket for the 26th, but after that... who knows when I'll go back to a theatre?

I'm so glad that I decided to go, because Beetlejuice the Musical has become my all time favorite musical, and I don't think it would've been the same if my first musical to go see as an adult wasn't my all time favorite.

It is a memory that I will cherish forever and is quite possibly one of the greatest flexes I will ever have as a fan.