#Like I don't even have the appeal of 'hang out with friends and laugh about how bad it is' OR '

[magentagalaxies]

went to toronto again for new years weekend and spent pretty much the entire time hanging out with paul bellini which included us rewatching a bunch of episodes from kith s4 during dinner on new years eve. and y'know the second best thing about watching kids in the hall with paul bellini is getting to hear a bunch of behind-the-scenes backstory about the inspiration for sketches, previous versions that never saw the light of day, , etc. but the actual best thing about watching kids in the hall with paul bellini is when an entire sketch will play without comment and at the very end he goes "the fuck was that?"

[aw-bean-s]

.

[roosterforme]

Sneak Peek | Hangman x Reader

Summary: You spent so much time around the boys, they counted you as one of them. You were firmly stuck in the friend zone with Jake, so it was time to move on with a guy who could see past your flight suits. It's not immediately obvious to either of you that cranky Jake is actually jealous Jake.

Warnings: Fluff, language, mentioned smut, 18+

Length: 6000 words

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Female Reader

Happy birthday @beyondthesefourwalls!

Seriously, who let Jake on my masterlist!? Banner by @mak-32

"It's my turn to buy a round," you said, standing up from the table and grabbing the empty beer bottles before turning toward Jimmy and Penny at the bar.

"Thanks, Rodeo," Jake murmured, and you turned back briefly and smiled softly at him. His gaze slid down your body the same way it would with any other woman, the only difference was that he had started to notice just how many other guys were regularly checking you out, too. And he wasn't sure how he felt about that fact.

When you squeezed yourself between two stools at the bar to order four more beers, Bradley asked, "Who are you staring at, Hangman? Rodeo?"

Mickey laughed as Jake quickly shook his head and turned his attention back to his friends. "I just wanted to make sure she can manage carrying everything."

"I'm sure she's fine," Bradley replied with a laugh of his own. "I got a little nervous for a second there."

"Why?" Jake asked, his eyes slowly drifting back to you, watching as you slipped your credit card into the back pocket of your jeans. 

"Because first of all," Bradley said as he smashed open a peanut on the table, "Rodeo is practically one of the guys. And second," he added, popping the peanut into his mouth and chewing, "it would be weird if you start looking at her like you do all the other random pieces of ass you take home with you. Even though she is cute."

"She's cute, for sure," Mickey piped in. "But once you've seen a girl throw up in the parking lot after a drunken karaoke night, the appeal kind of wears off."

Jake smiled as you headed back toward the table, because the drunken karaoke night was when he got to drive you home and carry you to your bed while you repeatedly tried to tell him you could walk by yourself. 

"Oh, you know who else is cute?" Bradley asked just as you set four new beers on the table. "That redhead with the huge tits at the dartboard."

"Damn," Mickey groaned, and now you were looking in that direction, too. But Jake kept his eyes on you. 

"Do we have to talk about this in front of Rodeo?" he asked, sipping his fresh beer and starting to wish Bradley and Mickey would wander off. "In front of a lady?"

Bradley snorted so hard, Jake was surprised his beer didn't shoot out of his nose. "A lady?" he asked as he looked at you and cuffed you on the arm. "Nice try, Hangman, but Rodeo doesn't count."

"Well, you don't count either," you told him, and Bradley tapped the neck of his bottle to yours. "And neither do the two of you." Your gaze met Mickey's before settling on Jake. "You know I don't mind when you guys talk about girls. I get it. You're all hot."

But your knee was rubbing against Jake's thigh at the tiny table, and for a brief flash, he thought maybe he wanted to count in your mind as a guy you could be into.

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

It was a strange dynamic, working with mostly a bunch of men all the time. They saw you in a flight suit once, and they never looked at you like you were a female ever again. And that was fine. It made your job easier in a lot of ways. There were fewer distractions, and you knew for a fact that they liked you for your personality. They wouldn't invite you to hang out all the time if they didn't.

But on nights like this, it did sting a little bit to watch the three of them tripping over themselves to go talk to the redhead who was clearly eating up the attention. You were essentially wearing the same outfit she was: jeans and a black shirt. And you thought you looked cute. And what exactly was wrong with your boobs? You looked down at your body and kind of shrugged. You didn't get it. 

Natasha handed you a pool cue, and you sank a shot. You made up the excuse that you wanted to play so the guys wouldn't feel bad about abandoning you to go talk to girls, but Jake had been hesitant at first, so you shoved him along. That was a mistake, because you were reminded of how solid and muscular he was under his soft shirt. 

The first few times you glanced his way, he was already looking back at you. If he were any other guy, you would have just asked him out by now, but you were so firmly in the friend zone with all of them that it was embarrassing. The rejection would be laughable. 

So you put your head down and focused on the game and the chit chat around you. But after a while you got curious, and when you looked up again, Bradley and Mickey were walking back toward the table where your empty beer bottle sat. Jake had won. The redhead was running her fingernails through his hair. It was all over for the night. 

You weren't jealous. You weren't. You just didn't understand why it couldn't be you. As you sank the eight ball, you said, "I'm beat. I'm going to head home."

"Me too. Want a lift?" Mickey asked, and you nodded, not sparing a single glance back at Jake. 

Maybe you were the problem. Maybe you weren't sexy. You spent most of Sunday scrutinizing yourself in your bedroom mirror and going through all of your clothing. There really wasn't much of it since your closet was lined with uniforms and flight suits. And when you looked in the mirror, it wasn't like you could even tell what the problem was. You were just you, but it was starting to feel like you'd been playing around in this male-dominated world for so long, you were just blending in there. 

"Fuck it," you muttered reaching for your phone. There was a text from Bradley detailing the pricing for tickets to a Padres game, which you desperately wanted to go to. It sounded fun. Then you realized the beer drinking and peanut eating would simply be moved to a different venue in which the guys would be looking at all the other women around you. Suddenly it didn't sound so fun.

There were also a handful of texts from Jake. He must have kicked his guest out early if he was asking how you were doing this morning. You sent back a short message before finding the app on your screen that had been dormant since you got stationed in San Diego last summer. Tinder. It was right there. 

Nervously, you entered your login information, terrified that you'd just end up with a bunch of guys you saw on base as your best options. They would undoubtedly take one look at you and have the same reaction your male friends did. But you spent the rest of the day thinking about it. You looked, but you didn't sample. You found some guys who were surprisingly not in the Navy, but you didn't swipe. And maybe part of the reason you didn't was because Jake kept texting you all day long.

Monday was your tipping point. You were all ready to fly in your boots and flight suit when you ended up surrounded by the guys in the hangar. "We getting Padres tickets, Rodeo?" Bradley asked. "Day drinking at Petco Park?"

You nodded at him. "Sounds fun."

Then Mickey cut in as Jake walked over. "Hey, Hangman. How was our little redheaded friend?" he asked with a smirk, but Jake's expression stayed the same as his eyes met yours. 

"Wouldn't know."

"Oof," Bradley said with a goading laugh. "What, you kicked her out without even talking to her afterwards?"

You swallowed and looked down at your boots as you thought about the guys on the dating app. Maybe a little change of scenery wouldn't hurt anything after all.

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

"Can you just knock it the fuck off?" Jake snapped. "I didn't even spend the night with her." He watched you put your helmet on as you walked toward your jet. "And I don't like talking about this shit around Rodeo anymore."

"Alright," Bradley replied with a tiny smirk. "No need to get mad about it."

When Jake took to the air, you were all business, as usual. You and he flew well together, like you always did. But back on the ground at lunchtime, you barely spared a glance in his direction in the cafeteria. Instead, you were completely absorbed in something on your phone as you picked at your food.

"What's wrong?" he eventually asked, and you looked up at him like you were surprised he was still there. 

"Nothing," you murmured, taking a drink before returning your attention to your phone. "Just working on something."

"On what?" he asked, voice almost as snippy as it had been earlier. He found he didn't like it when your attention wasn't focused on him, which was absolutely infuriating, because it's not like the two of you were anything. 

"My Tinder profile," you replied smoothly as you licked your lips, and Jake thought he must have misheard. Since when were you looking for a guy?

"Tinder?"

"Mmhmm," you hummed. "I'm just trying to sort out which photo to use, because I like this one where I'm in my flight suit, but guys don't really tend to go for that sort of thing."

You turned your phone to show him, and Jake swallowed hard. It was a photo he had taken a few months ago. He remembered that day. Your sunglasses were hooked on the top of your suit, and your helmet was tucked under your arm, and your smile was infectious. 

"I like that one," he told you softly. 

But you just rolled your eyes and groaned. "But you don't count, now do you?"

Jake shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Why are you on Tinder anyway?"

Now you laughed as you set your phone down. "Why do you think?"

He didn't want to think about it, even though he knew why. You were looking to hookup with someone. Or maybe it was even worse. Maybe you were looking for an actual boyfriend. Someone to spend all your time with. You'd be at the Hard Deck after work less frequently. You'd be going to the Padres game with some faceless idiot, and he'd be the one carrying you home after you overdid it at karaoke night. Worse yet, you could have your pick of any guy on that app who caught your eye, but Jake knew for a fact none of them were good enough for you. 

"Rodeo," he grunted, unsure how to voice his concerns. You just tapped your screen a few times and then smiled at him as his heart clenched a little bit.

"I went with the photo from Reuben's wedding instead."

Jake ran his fingers through his hair. He didn't even have to ask. He also knew that photo well too. His voice was soft as he said, "Blue dress. Holding a martini. Hand on your hip." He didn't like the idea of a bunch of guys he didn't even know looking at you wearing something so pretty.

"That's the one! And now my bio is live on the app," you said as you tapped your screen one last time. "Wish me luck."

You stood with your tray and Jake told himself he would do no such thing.

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

"That photo must have done the trick," you mumbled the following day in the rec room on base as Natasha helped you sort through your matches.

"I'm sure it did," she replied in awe. "You look hot in it."

You wanted to believe her, but it didn't even matter right now, because the two of you were staring at a photo of a hot guy who had sent you a message. You gasped. "Is this for real?"

"Looks like it," she replied. "If you don't fuck him, I will. Happily."

"What are the two of you over here whispering about?" You looked up into Jake's smiling eyes and gave him a grin of your own.

"Rodeo is getting all the Tinder hotties," Natasha replied, and suddenly Jake's smile vanished. "Let me know if he sends you a dick pic."

"He better fucking not!" Jake growled as he tried to reach for your phone. "Show me what this asshole looks like so I know who to pound to dust if he sends you one." You rolled your eyes and held up your phone so he could see. "His name is Tony? And he's a dentist?"

"What's wrong with that?" you asked quickly.

Jake crossed his arms over his chest. "If you have to ask, then you don't want to know."

You scoffed and opened your messages. "You're being dramatic. And I don't get on you about who you decide to hook up with."

"So you're just trying to hook up with this asshole?" he asked, his lips curling in disgust.

Honestly, you weren't really sure. But he sounded nice in the messages he sent. "Would it really be so bad if I was?"

Jake scrutinized your face like he was in pain, and you had the craziest thought flash through your mind that perhaps he was jealous. But then the pinched lines on his forehead vanished, and his voice was completely calm as he said, "You do what you want, Rodeo. But don't come crying to me about it later."

"Fine," you told him as he walked away. And that's what spurred you to reply to Tony's message with a more flirtatious one of your own. You were allowed to hook up with him. You were allowed to go out on a date. Maybe you'd even eventually request a dick pic. Jake wasn't in charge of your Tinder profile or dating agenda.

A few short exchanges back and forth was all it took, and suddenly you had plans for Saturday night that didn't involve hanging with the guys at the Hard Deck for once. Tony was going to take you out to dinner, and you were already excited.

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

"Where the hell is Rodeo?" Bradley asked as he returned to the table with three bottles of beer instead of four. "She's usually here by seven."

Jake rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hand. "She's not coming. She's on a date with some smug looking asshole named Tony."

"Good for her," Mickey piped up, earning a glare from Jake. "I hope she gets laid. You wanna grab Javy and play pool?"

With a groan, Jake dragged himself out of his seat and forced his body through the motions. He hit the cue ball with perfect precision, but meanwhile, all he could think about was some other guy's hands all over your body while he shoved his tongue down your throat. "Fuck," he growled, trying to fight the urge to text you. If you wanted him, you knew how to reach him. 

Between shots, he glanced around the bar at all the other women, but he couldn't find a single one as pretty as you. He spent the rest of his night barely conversing with his friends while he hoped that your date was a complete flop. And when he left to head home alone, he caved and texted you to make sure you got back to your place safely. 

That was over twelve hours ago. Jake still hadn't heard back from you. It was damn near noon on Sunday, and he was left assuming that you spent the night with Tinder Tony. When you finally texted him back, the response made him toss his phone aside. 

Sorry, just seeing this now. Yes, I made it home safely. See you tomorrow.

Monday was worse. You were glued to your phone at every opportunity you got, and Jake could tell by the little smile on your face that you must be talking to that asshole. 

"Rodeo, how was your hot date?" Bradley asked, bumping your helmet with his while he winked at Jake. 

"Pretty good," you replied with a little laugh. 

"You get laid?" Mickey asked obnoxiously, and you rolled your eyes before glancing at Jake. He was dying to know the answer to the question, but also terrified to hear it. 

"Wouldn't you like to know," you replied, returning your attention to your phone. "Put it this way... I'm going out with him again for dinner on Wednesday."

"Who goes to dinner on a Wednesday?" Jake scoffed. "That's when we usually go to the bar! And what did you and Tinder Tommy even talk about the whole time? Dentures? Teeth?"

"No," you snapped at him. "He told me how pretty he thinks I am, and that he was nervous to meet me in person. And his name is Tony, not Tommy. So don't be rude when we stop by the bar after dinner on Wednesday."

"Can't wait to meet him," Jake grumbled, highly disappointed that your date had been even somewhat successful. And he still wasn't sure if you'd gone home with Tony. Or worse... if he'd gone home with you. 

Jake had crashed in your bed with you once a few months ago when you hosted game night. Mickey, Nat and Bradley all passed out in your living room, so you'd taken him by the hand to your bed. Every time he thought about it, he could practically feel the warmth of your body next to his and your foot hooked over his ankle. The idea of someone else there engaging in pillowtalk or fucking you just right was way too much for him to handle, because he was starting to feel like he wanted to be that person.

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

Okay, so Tony was a little boring. A lot boring, actually. And on Wednesday night at dinner, he actually did mention dentures, and you could practically hear Jake scoffing from the Hard Deck. But Tony was hot and nice and he paid for dinner. Could you really hope for more than that?

"So, you mentioned stopping at a Navy bar?" he asked as you walked back to his car. "I keep forgetting you're even in the Navy. It just doesn't seem like you."

Maybe you should have used the other photo for your dating profile since you'd had to remind him twice already that there were a lot of women in the military now. "Yeah. It's called the Hard Deck. I usually hang out there on Wednesdays, and I thought maybe my friends could meet you?"

"Sure," he replied, and he even played boring music on the way there. But when he walked you inside, he kissed your cheek, and that felt kind of nice until Jake was looking. You felt embarrassed and a little guilty when he scowled at you from the pool table, so you eased yourself away from Tony and took him by the hand instead. 

"Hey, guys," you said cautiously as you approached the pool table. "This is Tony." 

Jake's jaw was clenched tight as he reached out to shake hands with your date in a death grip, and you cringed as he said, "Nice to meet you, Tommy." 

And it all went downhill from there. You had to correct him three times, even though you were sure he knew Tony's name. And even the other guys didn't really seem to mesh well with Tony. Bradley looked scandalized when he told them he didn't like beer or playing pool, and Mickey tried to make a dentist joke that just didn't land. 

You wanted to crawl into your bed and not come back out for a week. You also kind of wanted to ask Jake what his problem was. Tony was a nice guy. His hand on your back felt nice, and his goodnight kiss at your front door was nice. There was even some tongue, and you didn't stop his roaming fingers. Maybe another date or two and you'd ask him to come in.

"Would you like to get dinner on Saturday night?" he asked as his lips grazed your neck. "At the Boathouse?"

You closed your eyes and leaned back, and the image of Jake took over. His lips were on your earlobe, and he was whispering your name as you led him to your room. His hands were settling on your hips and squeezing gently as you melted into his touch.

"What do you think?" Tony asked, and you were jarred back to reality by his voice.

You swallowed hard and nodded as you opened your door. "Saturday night sounds good," you said as you ducked inside. "See you then."

You couldn't have Jake. You just needed to get it through your head that he didn't want you like that.

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

Jake knew he was behaving poorly even as he was doing it. Tony looked annoyed by him, and you looked embarrassed, but he just kept calling him the wrong name and standing off to the side like a dick. He was actually the asshole. Not Tony. And he needed to apologize to you at work the next day. 

He found you in the hangar, pacing back and forth as you played with the strap on your helmet. When you turned, he started to say, "Hey, Rodeo, I'm really-"

"I need your help," you blurted out when you saw him heading your way. "I need you to come shopping with me tomorrow after work, because I wore my only two dresses already, and everything else in my closet is ridiculous. And Tony is taking me to the Boathouse on Saturday, so I can't just throw something together and call it a day."

Jake ground his back teeth together. The Boathouse was nice. As in, he could think of at least three people he knew who got engaged there. How much money did dentists make anyway? He was full blown jealous now. He knew that. But you'd asked him for help, so of course he was going to do whatever you wanted. Your eager eyes were enough to make him agree on the spot.

"Where are we going shopping?" he asked softly. 

You looked so relieved as you said, "The mall. I don't think it will take too long, and I can treat you to dinner as a thank you."

"No," he replied. "You don't owe me anything, Rodeo."

"Thanks, Jake," you whispered as you threw one arm around his neck and pulled him in for a hug. "I know I can trust you to tell me what looks good. Because you're a guy, and you know what guys like. I've been in such a rut, and I don't even know what looks nice on me anymore. But I trust your opinion."

He wrapped his arm around your waist and held you a little closer. If you trusted him, he wouldn't let you down. He never wanted to let you down. He would take you to the mall and tell you which outfits looked nice on you, even though he knew it would be all of them, and he would be cool about you dating Tony. "Sure, Rodeo. Anything you want."

When the time came, he was miserable. You seemed excited, bouncing on your feet in your jeans and sneakers as you collected dresses and cute little outfits to try on, but he knew none of this was really for him. You'd just be giving him a little sneak peak of what Tony would have his hands all over. 

"How about this one?" you asked, holding up a red mini dress that made Jake's mouth dry up. Then you moved it in front of your body and looked down. "It's probably too much for me."

He wanted to tell you that you couldn't pull it off, but he knew the fucking thing was made for you. "Try it on and see," he said softly, so you added it to your pile. Then he followed you like a puppy dog to the fitting room, holding half of the dresses for you to try on. When you passed the lingerie section, Jake had to watch you grab a few lacy items. "Have you slept with Tinder Tommy yet?" he snapped when you picked up a black bra and added it to your arms. 

You looked up at him with a soft pout. "Well, no. That's why I'm trying to buy some sexy stuff, you know? Just in case I want to take it there."

Jake had seen you in your bathing suit many, many times. You didn't need to be wearing anything made out of lace and silk to look sexy, but the sight of you in half of this shit would probably give Tony a damn heart attack. Then he realized as you led him along that he himself might not make it out of the fitting room alive.

"Just stand out here, okay?" you said softly, guiding him against the wall. He grunted in response and watched you line up everything you wanted to try on inside the fitting room before closing yourself inside. You kicked your shoes off, and then he watched you push your jeans down to your feet through the gap between the bottom of the door and the floor. You stepped out of them, and his imagination started to supply the rest. 

You were completely naked now, he was sure of that fact, and you were only a few feet away from him, separated by a flimsy door. His head tipped back against the wall as his breathing grew a little deeper. Your toenails were painted bright green, and you were talking quietly to yourself as you stepped into a black dress and started to guide it up your legs. 

"This isn't too bad," you muttered, and a few seconds later you were unlatching the door and pulling it open with an apprehensive look on your face. Jake's jaw dropped open as you stepped right up to him and asked, "What do you think?"

"Rodeo," he grunted, fisting his hands at his sides to keep them from touching you as you spun slowly in front of him. "Looks good."

You frowned a little more. "I was hoping for better than good," you replied, twirling away from him and back into the fitting room.

Jake's body was thrumming with desire as he watched that black fabric pool at your feet under the door. "It was better than good, Rodeo," he said, nearly choking on the words as you stepped to the side and bent to pick it up. 

"I'll try the red one," you informed him, and he had to press his lips together, knowing what was coming next. This time it took you a little longer, and he watched your feet under the door as you turned in front of the mirror. "It's really short," you finally said as you opened the door again. 

"Jesus Christ," Jake moaned softly. The thing fit you like a damn glove. Every curve and soft dip of your body was right there, begging to be touched. His palms were sweaty as he wiped them on his jeans, and then you spun, ending up just inches away from him again. 

He couldn't speak, and maybe you took that as a bad sign. "It's too much," you said with a little laugh. "I know it's too much, but it was fun to try it on anyway. It made me feel sexy," you said with a little shrug, barely able to meet his eyes. "I think the black one might be better for dinner at the Boathouse? Or do you think this one?"

Jake snapped out of his daze and remembered why he was here, suddenly pissed that this little fashion show wasn't just for his own benefit. "Come on, Rodeo. Tinder Tommy? Really? You think he deserves this?" When you just kind of shrugged at him, he said, "Get the red one if you're just looking to get laid."

"Okay," you replied, your little pout back on your pretty lips. 

He pushed away from the wall until he was nearly touching you. Practically snarling, he said, "Are you just looking to get laid?"

"Maybe," you said softly, looking at his neck. "He's actually into me, so maybe. I don't know, Jake. It's been a long time since a guy chose me, you know?" He opened his mouth to tell you that any guy in the world would choose you when you said, "I have one more dress."

Then he had to stand there and watch the red fabric hit your feet before you guided the tiniest little green dress up your calves. He was jealous. He was so jealous. And the fact that he'd had a whole fucking year to ask you out instead of fucking wasting his time was crashing down on him right now. You were going to wear one of these dresses to the Boathouse tomorrow, and Tony was going to take it off you. He was going to fuck you, and then someday you'd probably get married. Jake would be at your wedding sitting between Mickey and Bradley and making himself sick over this whole thing. 

The door opened. You were stunning. You didn't even leave the fitting room doorway this time in that green dress that was hugging your tits and your waist and showing off so much leg that Jake thought he was going to black out. "I can tell by your face that it's not good," you said with a wince. "It's a little too low cut, so I couldn't imagine wearing it in front of Tony."

His voice came out low and rough as he said, "You're wearing it in front of me just fine."

"But I don't count, remember?" You closed and locked the door, and Jake was immediately leaning against it. Literally each dress was hotter than the one before it, and Jake didn't know how to articulate what he was feeling right now. How on earth did he end up so far in the friend zone that he couldn't claw his way out if he tried? What the fuck made Tinder Tony so special? Why were you looking around on the app anyway? He couldn't even pinpoint when it had happened, but you were never going to take him seriously, even if he knew he could be what you wanted.

The rustling of fabric and the sound of the zipper had him resting his forehead on the door. "Rodeo, Baby, you can't...buy one of these dresses. Not for Tony. Okay? Come on. He's not good enough for you."

"Oh." That was all you said. You just replied with one word, and Jake's blood was boiling. He wanted to dismantle the entire fitting room and take you back home and tell you that you could do a hell of a lot better than some lame ass dentist who didn't like beer or playing pool. But you'd just muttered one word, and he was dying to know if he could ever stand a chance at making you happy. 

"Rodeo?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. You unlocked the door and he stepped back a few inches so you could open it, expecting to see you in your jeans once again with the dress of your choosing in your hands. "Oh, fuck," he groaned, his heart hammering in his chest. "Absolutely not!"

Jake pushed you back further into the fitting room and managed to wrench his broad shoulders through the doorway before kicking the door closed. You were biting your lip, your eyes wide as his hands came to rest on your lace covered hips. 

"Jake," you whispered as he shook his head at the sight of you in a lacy black bra and tiny underwear. 

"What the hell are you thinking?" he groaned, fingers digging gently into your warm body as he listened to the little sound you made. "You're killing me here." Your hands came up to his wrists before you slid them up along his arms, and Jake took a step closer until his jeans were brushing against your bare belly. He would need to be removed from the mall in a body bag at this rate. 

Then you whispered, "I like you. And maybe there's a chance that you like me, too? And maybe that's part of the reason I asked you to come here with me."

Jake swallowed hard as he leaned in, dizzy from the way you smelled so sweet and felt so perfect in his hands. "Dump him. Dump Tony." You whimpered at his words as he slid one hand down further, teasing the lace covering your ass at the same time his other hand went up to tug at the side of the bra. "Because this? This should be for me."

"Jake." Your voice was a needy whine as you scraped your fingernails along his shoulders and chest, trying to pull him closer. But he shook his head as he pushed you back harder against the wall, lips hovering over yours as you whispered his name.

He knew what he wanted. He'd known for a while, really, but now he was ready to take it. "I want to kiss you. But if I do, I'm not going to be able to go back, okay?" he asked, his voice a deep rumble as you wrapped your arms around his neck. "I won't go back to being Rodeo and Hangman, just friends. I will not do that. Not with you. Not when you count more than anyone else."

Your lips crashed against his, and Jake sighed in relief as he held you in his arms the way he'd been dying to for so long. The lingerie and all the little dresses were only for him. Your kisses and your smile and your fingers in his hair were for him, not Tony. He ran his hands down to your ass as you giggled and nipped at his lips. 

"Pick a dress, Baby," he muttered between kisses. "And we'll get the lingerie, too."

"Okay," you replied with a smile before you took his bottom lip between yours, making him moan. 

"Tomorrow night, I will take you out, and you can show me this little getup again if you want to."

You looked up at him with the prettiest smile he'd ever seen. "I want to."

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

You nudged Bradley with your elbow. "Hey, she's cute," you said, nodding toward the brunette across the aisle. "You guys should go talk to her." He and Mickey both leaned forward to look without any subtlety whatsoever, and you laughed. 

"Maybe at the end of the inning," Bradley replied, manspreading so much in his seat at the Padres game that he kept bumping your leg and nudging your shoulder. But he was grinning, and you could already tell that he and Mickey were about to turn it into a competition to see who could get her phone number first. 

But there was one key player missing from their game now, and you smiled as you saw Jake apologetically climbing over everyone else in your row before plopping down into the seat next to you and kissing your cheek with a smile. "The line was long as hell for your favorite beer," he said as he handed it to you. "Did I miss anything?"

You shook your head as Bradley said, "You're just in time to watch the real show, Hangman. Rodeo, I want you to time how long it takes before I get her number." 

But you weren't really listening as Bradley and Mickey started to argue, and neither was Jake as he kissed your cheek again. You didn't feel like you were simply blending in, and you didn't feel like you were just one of the guys anymore. You were grinning and sipping your beer as Jake's lips met your ear and he asked, "Are you wearing that black set right now?"

"I'll let you find out later.

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

Happy birthday, Alli! I hope you enjoyed the blonde one! Big thanks to @mak-32 @thedroneranger and @sylviebell for all your help!

@blahehblah

@sotalife

@desert-fern

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@rosiahills22

@daggerspare-standingby

@je-suis-prest-rachel

@callsign-joyride

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@bringnattolife

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@djs8891

@hufflepufftruffle

@cottagecori

[jobean12-blog]

Aftermath

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x female reader (Mob!Bucky AU)

Word Count: 2,318

Summary: Bucky has kept you safe for as long as he's had you but the first time you don't follow his orders is definitey going to be the last.

Author's Note: These new pics are giving lots of mob/mafia vibes and I love it! Thank you all so much for reading! Much love always! ❤️❤️❤️Divider by the lovely @firefly-graphics thank you Daisy! 🥰

Warnings: some angst in the beginning and illusions to violence, mentions of a gun, Bucky is soft and there are lots of fluffy moments but he's pissed you didn't listen and he needs you.

You pinch the bridge of your nose, sighing heavily when Nat doesn’t pick up the phone. She only called you two minutes ago. Right after she sent you a text telling you she needed to talk. Under any other circumstances you would never leave your perch at the bar. Never leave the safety of Bucky’s club and go against his orders.

However, your best friend needs you. She just had a bad break up and things are still rocky so any time she calls you were sure to be there for her. So here you are, standing on the sidewalk outside Bucky’s nightclub, phone pressed to your ear and your foot tapping rapidly against the concrete.

Bucky told you about the heavy tension building between him and a rival boss trying to impede on his territory. He told you that your safety was his first priority. That’s why you were with him at his club right now. He didn’t want you out of his sight.

But you were only just right outside the door…

You’ll try Nat one more time then go back inside and wait for Bucky like he asked.

The phone starts ringing and you hold your breath, hoping she’ll answer. Just as you hear her voice on the other end a car pulls up at the curb and with one glance the occupants have you swiftly turning on your heel and heading back toward the doors of the club.

“Nat,” you say quietly. “Are you ok?”

“I’m having a rough night,” she sighs. “I need your opinion on something.”

“Of course.”

You’re walking at a brisk clip, realizing that during your musings you had wandered farther from the door than you intended to.

Nat is still talking but the sound of your blood rushing through your ears starts to drown out any other sounds.

Four men get out of the car, none of which you recognize. You need to get inside quickly. One of them, carrying a baseball bat, twirls it lazily in his hand as he saunters closer, looking you over appreciatively.

Apprehension shoots up your spine, intuition guaranteeing that they’re here to start trouble.

“Nat I have to go. Call Bucky.”

She starts to reply but you hang up before she can, hoping she heard the trepidation in your voice and does as you asked.

Before you can reach the entrance, two of them lunge in front of you and block your progress.

“Where are you goin’ so fast beautiful?” One of the men asks.

“Excuse me,” you say.

A third man circles up behind you.

“Let me by,” you tell them.

The man holding the baseball bat ignores you.

“You belong to Barnes don’t you?”

Your suspicions are right. These are bad men and they are definitely looking to cause some trouble for your husband. And you.

You shrink back on purpose, appealing to their inflated arrogance and hoping they will underestimate you.

“Please. Just let me go.”

The man with the bat laughs as he runs the coarse wood along your bare calf.

“Think your man will miss you?”

Before the bat reaches your thigh you smack it away. Even though the attempt is most likely useless you’re hoping to pass more time. One of the men behind you snakes a hand around your elbow and yanks you toward him.

“Get in the fucking car baby,” he sneers. “It’s for your own good.”

The fourth man, still in the car, pushes open the back door and lets out a whistle.

“Come on gorgeous. I’ll keep you warm for Barnes.”

You take a deep breath as they propel you toward the car and only put up a small amount of resistance. As soon as you sense they are under the false impression that you’re coming willingly, the hand on your elbow weakens and you act.

With sharp and quick movements you reach for the baseball bat now dangling loosely from the leader’s hands and grab it, swinging it in a large arc to buy yourself some room.

Two of the men jump back, having been caught off guard, but it connects with the leader’s rib cage and he let’s out a vile curse, falling to his knees.

You back up as the other two men approach. Unfortunately, it’s in the direction away from the doors.

“He should have locked this one up,” the man closest to you laughs. “She’s full of fire.”

“And I’m going to enjoy that,” he leader says as he stands, still holding his ribs.

You bring the bat down hard as he lunges for you, but he dodges the weapon and barrels himself closer until he can wrap a strong arm around your waist.

The bat is ripped from your hands and your back is plastered against the man’s chest, his hand creeping up between your breasts to wrap around your throat.

He squeezes hard, tight enough to cut of your air and reflectively your fingers claw and try to pry his hand away.

You try to focus, getting ready to go limp and convince him you’re out cold, so you can somehow disable him.

Just as you’re about to put your plan into action the front door of the club flies open, hitting the side of the brick building with enough force to crack the metal.

Through your dimming eyesight, you can make out several men, including Bucky, before his ferocious growl of denial echoes through the air around you.

It startles the man choking you enough that he eases up on the pressure, allowing you to suck in precious oxygen.

Guns are drawn just before your knees hit the concrete and your stomach twists with renewed fear.

“Bucky,” you whisper, getting to your feet and stepping closer to him.

His haunted gaze makes you swallow hard and you can see the emotional battle written all over his handsome features. With his long finger poised on the trigger, he clearly wants to end the man who had his hands on you.

Without a word he tears his attention away from you, indicting your captor with a nod of his head.

“Steve.”

Steve, his own gun held in a tight grasp, moves in front of Bucky and toward the other man.

“He doesn’t go anywhere,” Bucky seethes.

The other two men from the rival group, still outside of the car, lower their weapons, watching with no emotion as Steve wrestles their leader to the ground with the gun to his head.

Finally, they let out a string of curses and hop back into the car, leaving their ‘friend’ behind as they peel away from the curb.

Bucky motions to Clint and Sam. “Follow them. This ends tonight.”

As Clint and Sam rush off to follow Bucky’s order he slowly saunters forward, the open collar of his shirt blowing wider in the light breeze.

He picks up the bat with a nonchalance that contradicts the tightness of his body and swings it deftly in his metal hand. When his fingers close around the handle you hear the wood crack under the pressure.

Bucky comes to a stop directly over the left-behind leader, and his gaze meets yours for a brief, heavy second, before he raises the bat high and brings it down with enough force to make you gasp.

Your heart races out of control, breathing shallow in your ears. The bat connects with the sidewalk next to the man’s head, sending shards of wood in every direction.

Your relief is short lived.

Bucky crouches down and looks the cowering man straight in his eyes.

“You. Are a dead man.”

Slowly and purposefully he rises to his feet and holds his hand out for you. You swallow the hard lump in your throat and place your fingers in his. In a split second you’re swept into his arms and tugged against his hard chest.

He drags you toward his car and tucks you into the passenger seat, buckling your belt and then slamming the door shut.

Through the closed window you can still hear him shout to Steve. “You know where to take him. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

The silence stretches long and thin through the car and you can almost feel Bucky’s rage. You open your mouth to speak but promptly shut it when you hear his huff of warning.

He hates the feeling of fear so instead he welcomes the anger, focusing on it, wishing it’s enough to block out the image of you being choked, your feet scraping at the ground and hands clawing at your neck.

If he dwells on it too long his whole word will collapse and he has to get you home. To safety.

At the reminder of what he saw as he walked out of the club, his grip tightens on the leather steering wheel, almost making the car swerve.

When he pulls up in front of your house he checks his surroundings before driving in through the gated driveway. He looks to you, a silent demand to wait, before he gets out of the car and does another sweep of the area.

Once he deems it safe he opens your door and helps you out of the car.

When you’re safely inside the house he leaves you standing just inside the door, inside the large and opulent foyer, as he flies around the nearby rooms and checks every window and lock.

Your gaze follows him the entire time, trying desperately to draw him in and away from the rage. He staunchly defies it and after he feels satisfied the house is safe he takes you by the arm and leads you toward your shared master bedroom.

He walks to the nightstand and opens the drawer, reaching deep into the back to retrieve a gun.

“Bucky, please. Will you just talk to me?”

He can feel you standing close.

“You will stay in this room, with the door locked, until I come back. Anyone tries to get in that isn’t me, you shoot them. Understand?”

When your silence becomes too much he turns to you, keeping his eyes steady as he pleads.

“Tell me you’ll listen. That you understand.”

You take a deep inhale but still don’t speak.

“I’m waiting for my answer doll.”

You move closer and everything inside him tenses up.

“Don’t,” you whisper.

You lay a hand on his chest, immediately making him tremble from head to toe. His eyes close defensively as your hand moves higher and sneaks under the open buttons of his shirt then to his neck and finally into his hair.

Your lips press to his neck.

“Please Bucky. Don’t leave me. Stay.”

He shakes his head, unable to speak and it only makes you drag your lips higher, along his jaw until they hover just above his mouth.

A groan leaves his parted lips before he can stop it.

“I’m scared. I need you.”

Your lips brush over his, once, twice. The hand in his hair runs smoothly along the back of his neck and then coasts over his broad shoulder and down his chest.

“I have to go doll.”

His words are gritted and tortured before his name leaves your lips in a soft whisper.

“Where are you going?” you ask.

“You know where I’m goin.’ Don’t make me say it.”

When he notices the glossiness of your eyes it strips him bare and he falls back a step, ready to fall to his knees for you.

“Do you have any idea what could have happened to you?”

He’s shouting now.

“If I hadn’t gotten to you in time? One minute later, baby. One fucking minute!”

Your fingers tremble as you reach for him.

“I know, I…”

“You would have been gone. How can you expect me to survive that.”

He breaks off, not able to put the horrifying thought into more words.

“Fuck. I’m so mad at you doll. So mad. But all I can think about is how I need to be inside you. Need to feel you wrapped around me. Feel you everywhere.”

You tightly grasp the lapel of his jacket and drag him closer. He comes easily. Willingly.

“Bucky,” you whisper. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I just thought I’d be outside for a second. Nat needed me…I never thought…”

Every word you speak continues to topple the reinforced barrier of anger he’s built. The only thing keeping it standing is that there’s still some physical space between you both.

But then you take a step closer and curl your fingers in the hem of your dress to draw it up over your head, the whole time letting your knuckles and hands brush along his heaving chest and every ounce of his self-control vanishes.

His heated gaze rakes over you and his hands fist at his sides.

You press yourself against him and deliberately untuck his shirt, slipping your hands underneath the lush fabric and running your fingernails up his rigid stomach. His muscles contract beneath your fingers.

“I need you baby doll. So badly.”

You unhook your bra and drop it to the floor, tingles racing over your skin as his jaw grinds with his devouring stare. You lower your hand to palm and squeeze his straining arousal.

“You can have me now Bucky. Now and always.”

His expression softens long enough for you to catch the brightness in his eyes and then his mouth is on yours, his hands frenzied as they grasp and smooth over every inch of your bare skin. He never breaks the kiss as he walks you backward toward the bed, letting you gently fall to the soft mattress before he settles himself between your spread legs.

“I can’t touch all of you at once and it drives me crazy,” he whispers against your lips as his hand slides down between your legs. “I need everything, always.”

@hiddles-rose @blackwidownat2814 @buckysdollforlife @lizette50 @randomfandompenguin @goldylions @kmc1989

[aalyssah]

Makeover

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Fluff!

Word Count: 1,363

Summary: You see Bucky with another women and sadness fills your body, so you get a makeover to impress him.

A/N: I have a love hate with this one. Hope You Enjoy!

You don't know if you're jealous because Bucky is talking with another female, or because you're not that girl.

Bucky has been hanging out with some blondie named Brittany, or something like that recently and to say that you aren't jealous would be a huge lie. Ever since Bucky introduced you to Brittany, it's like she took over his mind and made it all about her.

You were Bucky's best friend, you were the one that should be at his side, laughing, but you weren't. You were sitting at the bar from a far, watching the two. You always had a crush on Bucky, so when seeing this broke you, but you weren't about to say anything.

You were too busy watching them, you didn't realize the two redheads coming from behind you. "Hey, pretty lady." You jumped back, putting a hand over your chest. "Jeez guys, you scared me." Wanda laughed and noticed how sad you looked. "What are you looking at?"

Nat knew exactly what you were looking at, but she wanted to see if you would admit it. "Oh nothing, just thinking about hitting the dance floor." You lie, messing with the like in your drink. Nat and Wanda shared a look. "Y/n, you know you can tell us anything. Right?" Wanda's soft voice made you look at her.

You nodded your head. "Of course I can." You looked back at the duo seeing Brittany whispering something in Bucky's ear. "It's Bucky and that girl isn't it?" You looked at them, eyes wide. "N-no, it has n-nothing to do about Bucky!" The quickness and stuttering in your answer wasn't so believable. "Y/n."

Wanda's voice was known as her warning voice and you knew if you don't tell the truth, she likes to read your mind. "Okay! It's about Bucky." Nat chuckled, shaking her head. "Why won't you just tell him?"

You looked at Nat like she was crazy. "Your kidding, right? You want me to look like a fool? God, I can't even talk to him without stuttering like a schoolgirl." You sighed, putting your head on the table.

Wanda and Nat saw how upset you looked. "Besides, it seems he's really interested in Brittany." They knew you were referring to Brittany and to be honest, they didn't like her either. "Nat leaned closer, so the 3 of you were in a circle. "If you want, I can take care of her. Nobody will know."

Wanda gasped, slapping her shoulder. "Nat, no! Y/n, just needs a little makeover." You looked at them, 'offended' putting a hand over your chest. "Are you saying I'm ugly?” Wanda’s eyes grew big as she shook her head fast. "No, no, you're beautiful! It's just maybe you need to freshen up. Y'know?"

You looked down at your clothing choices. A hoodie and sweatpants, your nail polish coming off, hair in a messy bun, you weren't the most appealing, especially for someone like Bucky. "Ooo, I know exactly where to go. Let's start tomorrow!" You guys made plans for having you get a makeover.

The makeover should be done by the time Tony hosts his new year party.

~

The next day, you were woken up earlier in the morning by a smiling Nat and Wanda. "Wakey, wakey! Time to go get my nails done!" You groaned, turning over and pulling the blanket up. "5 more minutes." Wanda frowned, before making red circles around the room.

You shot up fast, standing up. "I'm up, I'm up!" Wanda smiled and walked out. You got ready before going in the car.

That day, Wanda and Nat took you to get your nails and feet done, and also your hair. You were loving it right now and you were already surprised by the change. The next day followed the same, except, you went to go pick out a dress.

You saw a black and white striped dress that you loved dearly. Everything about it was stunning and you couldn't resist getting it. Pretty much, everything was done with you. You got your nails and feet done, hair done, picked out a dress, got waxed, you did everything you wouldn't never have thought you would.

You never thought of yourself as beautiful or pretty, but now that you try to look good, you see the difference and you love it. So much confidence was in yourself when you looked in the mirror, knowing that you were still the same girl as before. Before you knew it, it was time for the New Year's party.

You haven't heard from Nat or Wanda since yesterday and it made you nervous. You needed your hype girls with you, especially on a night like this, but they were nowhere to be seen. You checked the time to see it being 10:37. It was getting close to the time.

You put your dress on, and doing your makeup you got a text from the girls, telling you to come down. You were nervous as you kept looking at yourself in the mirror. You felt as if something was wrong with your hair, or your dress didn't look right. Sucking it up, you walked down the steps slowly.

It was like time slowed as your clicking in the heels were heard. You appeared at the body, brushing my off your dress after seeing some lint in it, not noticing the way everyone looked at you. Nat and Wanda looked like a proud mother as you walked to them.

"Everyone's looking at me. It's weird." You whispered, taking a sip of Wanda's drink. "Yeah, someone special is looking at you and I think he's coming over here right now." Your breath stopped as you turned around and saw Bucky coming over. He was wearing a similar suit to you, making you look at Wanda and Nat.

They gave you a thumbs up, walking away and leaving you alone. You took a deep breath, saying the first word. "Hey, Buck." Bucky wanted to say something, but nothing came out of his mouth. All he could do was stare. "Buck, you okay?" Buck snapped out of whatever trance he was in.

"Y-yeah, sorry it's just, you look so beautiful." You blushed at his compliment, waving him off. "Nah, it's all you." Bucky looked at you up and down and then at him, noticing you were matching. "You're wearing my suit. Well, your dress." You two shared a laugh shaking your head.

"Can we go outside and talk?" You agreed, looking back at Wand and Nat, seeing them waving bye. You rolled your eyes and followed Bucky. You both looked up at the stars, in silence. "Natasha and Wanda told me about how you felt."

You felt your heart jump out your chest. "T-they did?" Bucky shook his head, while looking at you. "Yeah, they told me about your opinion on Brittany." Sweat clinging to your forehead as you try to think of an excuse. "W-well whatever they said wasn't true.

They were just j-joking because y'know-" Bucky cut you off.

"Oh no, I totally agree with you." You looked at him shocked, mouth agape. "O-oh." Bucky laughed hearing you were so shocked. "She is so annoying! Constantly touching me, whispering in my ear, I could do nothing, but fake laugh." You smiled hearing him sound happy.

"I didn't want her by my side. I wanted someone else." The real smile dropped from your face, replaced by a fake one after hearing him say he wants someone else. It couldn't be you, right? "I wanted you. I wanted you to be with me, but for some reason, you didn't want to come." Oh, how you were wrong.

You couldn't tell if he was joking or not. "Really?" You sounded shocked which made him confused. "Of course. I love you." Your heart melted at those words.

You wanted nothing more than to jump on him and smother him with kisses. “I-I love you too.” His hand slowly inched towards yours, until making contact and holding yours.

“Just so you know, Y/n. You don’t need a makeover to impress me.”

[thepaperpanda]

A rekindled jealousy || Neteyam & Ao’nung & Tuk x fem!Omaticaya reader

Summary: When you leave the Omaticaya clan behind, your entire life changes. You may have a hard time adjusting to Metkayina's ways, but you use the opportunity to wake some jealousy in Neteyam

Warnings: fluff & a little bit of angst  ( ✓ Tuk being a little naughty, inquisitive shit  ✓ Ao'nung being visibly into the reader  ✓ jealous Neteyam) ♥

Word count: 3490

Authors: Cass & Fenrir

A/N: Divider by wonderful firefly-graphics

We will adapt, his father said. Adaptation is inevitable, it's not like we have a choice. Adaptation had multiple meanings, and the Sully siblings defined it in their own way. For Kiri, adaptation required finding an inner peace that would make day-to-day tasks much easier. As for Tuk, it meant leaving everything she used to know behind and learning anew how to function among the other clan. In Lo'ak's case, the process was about discovering his inner self - knowing your fears was the path to becoming one with the water. Accordingly, for Neteyam adaptation meant being obedient and following his parents' orders. As the oldest, he knew that getting into trouble was the last thing they needed right now; he would again be punished by his father and grounded, for life this time, there was no doubt.

Despite not being a part of Neytiri's family, you became close to her as her friends' daughter, and Neyam was delighted that his parents had taken you along with them - after your parents died in yet another battle against RDA, Jake Sully's wife decided to care for their daughter. You became his best friend after many years spent together, and the fact that you were female didn't change anything - the eldest son of Jake and Neytiri was treating you like the best buddy, hanging out with you as much as possible. Despite moving to a brand-new location because of Quaritch and his buddies, Neteyam still preferred to spend time with you, diligently learning new things from Metkayina.

As you sat on a large rock, frowning, you tried your finest to weave nets. As you tapped your tail angrily against the hard surface, your fingers continued to work on your latest yet unsuccessful attempt; at least this was slightly better than the previous one. As each second passed, you grew more and more annoyed.

Little did you know that Ao'nung and his friends were observing you from a distance. Following a brief exchange of glances with his friends, he approached you. Even though he wasn't a big fan of the Sully family, you seemed so different from them, which made you more appealing. In addition, you had four fingers, so you weren't as strange as those Sullys' demon kids. "Y/N, right? I see you're struggling with weaving," he smiled at you and offered, "Why don't you join my friends and me in the water instead?"

You looked at your messed up work and then at him; maybe continuing wasn't necessary at the moment - your fingers hurt and you were getting frustrated, so you decided a small break was needed. Also, that could be very interesting. You smiled back and nodded, "I'd love to." Rotxo nodded his head in agreement as Ao'nung looked at him. "Let's go, it would be a shame to waste such a beautiful day weaving," Ao'nung encouraged you to leave your work behind.

Tuk, the youngest Sully, saw the entire situation and then decided to inform her older brother about what she had seen.

One last look at your nets convinced you that there was no point in trying. Your curiosity led you to follow Ao'nung after leaving your work behind.

"So, how do you like it here?" Ao'nung asked, glancing at you with a certain amount of curiosity. 

"It's completely different," you replied, your tail flicking from side to side. "There's a lot of water. It's a little unusual for me."

Rotxo laughed a bit at your words. "You tree people can only cling to your lianas, right?" 

Ao'nung glanced coldly at Rotxo, conveying his anger towards him. Tonowari's son told you, "Forgive my friend, he's a little crude. Have you already interacted with ilu?" He asked, trying to change the topic.

Your arms crossed over your chest as you hissed offendedly, "Well, he isn't really funny. Well, we can do a lot more than that. And about your question, I'm sorry but I'm not even sure what ilu is," you admitted a bit embarrassed.

Another Ao'nung's friend commented, "She doesn't even know what ilu is, that's ridiculous," but was instantly hit in the back of the head by Tonowari's son.

"An ilu is intelligent, sociable, and easily domesticated animal serves the reef clans, including our clan, as direhorses serve the Na'vi clans of the forests and jungles," Ao'nung explained softly, looking at you. "Do you feel afraid?"

Your interest was piqued by the description of the animal. With your tail moving equally eagerly, you enthusiastically shook your head. "Me? Afraid? No! That sounds fascinating! I'd love to see it." Ao'nung slowly stepped into the water until it reached his muscular calves, then he turned his head to see if you were following. As soon as he was sure you were right behind him, he offered you his hand.

Smiling softly, you took his hand and followed him into the water. Compared to what you were doing moments ago, this was much better, you thought to yourself. The two of you were watched from a distance by Ao'nung's friends, who stayed on the shore. They had no idea that they weren't the only ones watching...

The sound Ao'nung made was like whistling after he clicked his tongue several times. A loud chirping ilu emerged from the water shortly afterward.

"It's loud!" you giggled, feeling even more captivated by the creature. "Are you sure I or you won't be eaten by it?"

"Ilu? Don't worry, they won't bite if they're not bothered. Come, pet it slowly," he advised. 

As you nodded slowly, you drew a little closer and gently petted the animal.

Ilu turned his head to you and chirped loudly in anticipation, blinking both pairs of its eyes. A gentle, inviting touch was evidently enjoyed by the animal, whose skin was soft to the touch.

In response to your very first interaction with the ilu, Ao'nung smiled. "You see? No biting."

A giggle escaped your lips, and you nodded in agreement. "I really like how soft and cute it is, and there is no biting at all. I didn’t know they’re so friendly!”

After seeing a small wave coming, he took a step closer to you and put his hand on your waist, supporting you from falling to your back due to the strong drift. "I told you it was worth trying." 

"It would be appreciated if the waves were not so strong," you joked and politely thanked him for the support he provided. "In fact, it was well worth trying. This creature is so sweet and soft. If I weren't scared, I'd cuddle it."

"There's nothing stopping you from doing so," he said as his hand stayed on your waist. "First, I would suggest creating a bond, it's safer that way."

Meanwhile, Neteyam joined Ao'nung's friends on the shore. Watching you cooperate with the ilu while sitting under the warm sun was a cute way to spend his spare time. Everything would have been perfect if Ao'nung hadn't been doing everything he could to get closer to you. In the end, Neteyam let out a deep sigh - it seemed you were more interested in Metkayina lately, and he was helpless about it; his only concern was your widely understood happiness.

Your eyes widened when you noticed Neteyam with the corner of your eye. You hummed, pretending to think about Ao'nung's offer. This could make things even more interesting. Immediately, you became more flirtatious with Ao'nung. "Are you really bringing me here just to show me the ilu?"

A cheerful smile was given to you by Tonowari's son, who also petted ilu's head. "Why are you asking, Y/N? I was simply trying to relieve you of the unneeded job you were assigned."

With a soft smile, you teased, "Oh, I'm sorry. I was hoping for more from you, but apparently I was mistaken..."

With a bold move, he touched your shoulder with his palm as he asked, "More like? You know how much I value your friendship more than Sullys', so I'm willing to lend a helping hand whenever I can."

"Friendship may always evolve into something more," you shrugged, still petting the ilu's head.

While chirping loudly, ilu poked you in the side with its velvety muzzle. "We could always give it a chance, Y/N. What do you think?" Ao'nung asked as his hand climbed up your shoulder and landed in your crook of the neck.

"Maybe?" You purred as if you were considering it. Of course, you didn't care about any of this, all you cared about was Neteyam's reaction. Although you felt disappointed with the lack of response so far, you decided to keep trying and maybe coax it out of him.

You were so skilled at pretending that Ao'nung leaned forward, closed his eyes, and attempted to kiss you.

It was enough for Neteyam. When he got up to his feet, he got as close to the water as possible without getting in. Neteyam shouted, "What the hell are you doing, Ao'nung?"

Gasping, you took two small steps away from Ao'nung before looking at Neteyam. Oh, he was angry! "Neteyam, what's wrong?" You asked innocently, tilting your head to the side.

The grunt grew louder as Ao'nung opened his eyes and stared at Neteyam as well. "What's your problem, bro?"

"You're acting a bit too brazen, bro, and that's my problem. Leave Y/N alone," Neteyam said after issuing a warning; his eyes were then fixed on you. "Come on, Y/N, I think you still need to finish some things."

Your lips were softly curled into a smile as you whispered, "Yes, I believe I do."

Ao'nung was the first to exit the water, leaving ilu behind. "Well, well, well, look at that, Sully's into our sweet, little Y/N," he mocked, rolling his eyes.

Once you had given the ilu one last pet, you followed Ao'nung towards the shore, thinking how the situation would unfold.

Once Ao'nung got onto the shore, he pushed Neteyam's shoulder strongly with wry words followed by a snort, "Shall I remind you about your position here, Sully? You better be on your best behaviour, as your father suggested."

A frown could be seen on Neteyam's face, but he tried hard to maintain his composure. "Y/N, let's go."

"What's your problem, Net? We didn't do anything wrong, he was just showing me what ilu is." 

Tuk, who was partially hidden behind Neteyam's legs, peered out and frowned at you. "We've been here for a while, and you still don't know anything about ilu? Eywa, please hold me tight, I can't deal with Y/N."

Neteyam ruffled his sister's hair and stared at you before saying, "I heard Ronal asked you to help with nets, and you heard what my parents said about us being guests here? We need to adapt and do whatever it takes to avoid being considered useless."

Putting yourself behind Ao'nung, you frowned. "I try to be useful, but making nets is boring and not meant for me? This just seems more fun."

Tuk stuck her tongue out at you, her glance full of concern. "Mom won't be happy."

"Hush," Neteyam whispered to Tuktirey while looking at Ao'nung. "As the chief's son, you should be more reasonable and help Y/N with the tasks she's assigned to."

Your head rested on Ao'nung's shoulder as you gazed at Neteyam. You teased, "Is it your only concern? Or are you simply jealous?"

Neteyam had already had enough of your behaviour - he thought he had shown you many times that you were more valuable to him, yet you seemed more interested in that thick piece of a man, called Ao'nung. "Maybe."

Ao'nung smiled even wider as you patted his shoulder before walking up to Neteyam to take his hand. "Maybe? Just maybe?"

From nowhere, the argument grew into a tornado. The intensity of Neteyam's rage blinded him to your heart and soul. His hand snatched back from your grasp as he snapped at you, "Don't. It seems that Ao'nung has nothing but hots for you, and since you seem to be more than interested, we won't bother you anymore in spending your time with our host. Tuk, come."

The little girl followed her brother enthusiastically, but of course she couldn't help but glance back at you, laying her ears and hissing, showing her perfect, sharp fangs.

It didn't work out as you thought it would; you laid your ears down and hissed back at her, crossing your arms over your chest. A deep sigh was heard from you as you excused yourselves and followed them quickly.

The fact that you followed Sullys was mocked by Ao'nung. "Come on, Y/N! We still might have some fun!”

"Apparently Y/N is more into the eldest of the Sully brothers," Rotxo replied to his friend, and Tonowari's son punched him hard in the side, giving him the coldest look he has ever given to anyone as a warning.

"Neteyam! Tuk! Wait for me!” You shouted after them, attempting to line up with the siblings.

Meanwhile, Neteyam sat on the rock where you had left your unfinished nets.

Since she was angry that you were playing with her beloved brother in such a cruel way, Tuk ignored you perfectly.

After softly sighing, you decided to sit right next to him. "Neteyam... Talk to me. I am sorry for angering you so much."

He answered, "I'm not furious," and continued to work on the weave with his long fingers.

While playing with the sand, Tuk giggled, "He's not angry, he's mad."

"Could you play somewhere else? I want to talk to him alone," you hissed at her.

Tuk stood up and placed her hands on her hips. "Don't order me, you're not my mother."

With a sigh, Neteyam told his younger sister to return to their hut and assist Kiri and mother with whatever they were doing.

The young girl complied with her brother's instructions while grunting loudly in annoyance.

You looked at him and sighed, "At least she listens to you. So, will you talk to me?”

"About?"

Then you moved closer to help him weave the net and whispered quietly, "About what happened. I didn't mean to anger you. I'm sorry for leaving my job. It just seemed like a nice offer and I was super flustered."

Without even glancing at you, he asked bitterly, "The offer or Ao'nung?"

Chuckling, you gently pinched his finger and continued to work. "The offer, as I mentioned earlier."

"Yeah. I bet."

"Neteyam," you said, taking his hand in your palm, "Why did you get so angry about me hanging out with him?"

"Hanging out with him, that's the clue," he said angrily, pulling his hand out of your grasp, weaving angry until his fingertips began to hurt - only then Neteyam threw the net away and after letting out a deep sigh, he massaged his temples. "Is he that interesting? Apparently, you were the one who said reef people were strange and unappealing."

"It wasn't because of him, but because I wanted to see an ilu," you explained, rolling your eyes. "There was a chance it would eat him rather than me in the event of an accident."

Neteyam was trying so hard to keep a straight face, but your comment made him giggle. "If only ilus could be as vicious as akulas, Ao'nung's issue might have been resolved long ago."

A smile spread across your face as you raised an eyebrow at him and asked, "You'd like that, huh?"

Prior to replying, Neteyam improved his necklace and waved his tail. "Maybe."

Your tail wiggled happily as you placed your chin on his shoulder with a mischievous smile. "I'm sure you would love that, hm? You wouldn't have to worry about someone stealing me from you."

"It's not like that, Y/N. We're just friends, you and I."

"Well..." you sighed deeply, "I'm disappointed to hear that, because I really wanted something more."

You were given a serious look as he asked, "Just like with Ao'nung, huh?"

As you gasped, you smacked his back with your tail. "I tried to get your attention by making you jealous. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

He grinned widely as he asked, "So you tried to make me jealous? Well, it appears you are interested in me, and I am flattered by that."

You whined, "Yes! I'm interested in you, but you're only paying attention to me in a friendly manner."

"And how do you know that, smartass?"

Blinking, you shrugged lightly. "That's how I felt."

"Then you must be blind."

You turned away and crossed your arms over your chest, pretending to be offended. "I'm not, it's just that your signs weren't clear enough." 

In this case, Neteyam rested his chin against the crook of your neck, looking at you from your profile. "How many times did I accidentally catch your hand? How many times did I say there was no one but you? How many times did I skip my duties just to spend time by your side?"

You leaned against him, "I just thought it was because I was an orphan who your mother had taken care of and you took care of me because this was what your parents expected you to do."

With you by his side, Neteyam was able to relax his nerves as he closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth of the sun kissing his skin. "How wrong you were, Y/N."

"Now I know. What should we do about it?"

"Have you thought of anything in particular?"

Shrugging, you replied, "No. How about you?"

"My guess is that it's the part when you kiss her, Neteyam," tiny tone suggested. Nobody else but Tuk observed the entire situation while hiding among nearby bushes.

While eldest Sully facepalmed for not expecting his little sister to spy on him, he knew deep down she was right. In barely a second, he placed a hand on your cheek and rubbed you there with his thumb, before leaning forward to rub his nose against yours and briefly kiss your lips.

Wrapping your arms around his neck, you giggled quietly and kissed him back. The happiness made your tail move like crazy.

A small Omaticaya girl shook her head and kept quiet during the scene.

As your taste spilled over Neteyam's tongue, he murmured in pleasure.

With a mischievous smile, you pulled away and rubbed your noses together. "It was worth it to piss you off."

"Prove it."

"I love you, not Ao'nung," you rolled your eyes and kissed him once more.

Tuk's tone was filled with happiness as she chanted, "I feel love in the air! Y/N and Neteyam, Neteyam and Y/N! Nanana! Love is oh so in the air!"

When Neteyam returned the kiss, he felt all his angst and anger disappear quickly, having been eased by your words and feeling that they came from the depths of your heart.

After letting him kiss you for a moment, you pulled away when you needed to breathe deeply. "Is this proof enough for you, my love?"

"Yes."

"What did our little spy think of what she saw?" You asked Tuk loudly.

With a stick she found in the bushes, Tuk emerged from her hiding spot and approached the two of you. "It was pretty cute, but still eww, just like mom kissing dad. Just remember I will keep a close eye on you, Y/N, and I won't hesitate to inform Neteyam if I see you hanging out with those beefy, turquoise fellas again," she warned, getting on her brother's lap. "And now tell me: will you two eventually tie the knot?"

You rolled your eyes and ruffled her hair. "One day, maybe, when we decide we want to be together forever."

"Tuk, please," Neteyam poked Tuktirey's shoulder. "Little one, that is none of your business."

"What? I have to be ready," Tuk looked at you while shrugging her shoulders. "I believe you'd make a stunning bride! I could look after your future kids! I would play with them!"

"TUK!" Neteyam paled a little, pulling on his sister's braid. "That’s enough."

A smug smile appeared on your face. "I would like to have kids, so long as they aren't like their future aunt."

Neteyam laughed, shoving Tuk off his lap and returning to weaving. "Please, don't encourage her, Y/N."

Tuk initially nodded joyfully in response to your comments, but when she realised what you were saying, she crossed her arms over her chest, which, unfortunately, was the same moment she slipped from Neteyam's lap. She snarled at you while sitting on her butt in the sand. "I'll keep it in mind, Y/N, and I'll tell mom!"

Laughing, you took Neteyam's hand. "I guess we'll see about that. Right?"

As he stroked your palm, he smiled at you brightly. "Yes. The feelings I have for you are something I am looking forward to discovering and exploring."

[ashwhowrites]

So good by Halsey

This fic is inspired by this song, but you don't have to listen to it to understand the plot. Summary of the song ( and fic ) is - two people that would have been amazing for each other but never got the chance

Angst ahead~~~ pretty long, so buckle up <3

I really love the idea of this and I hope you guys enjoy it as well :)

Never proofread - it glitched and moved some paragraphs around - I think I fixed it?

~~~

Y/N and Eddie have been best friends since middle school. Side by side through everything. She was there when his dad hit him. She kept her window unlocked for him to sneak in. She'd hold him as he slept and clean his cuts in the morning. She was the only person he allowed himself to be vulnerable with.

She held him when his dad got sent to jail and his mom left. They cried when he moved in with his uncle. But she refused to walk out on him. She biked to Wayne's the second her house phone rang, and his sad voice cut through the silence.

Once they made it to high school, she realized she had fallen in love with him. She realized his smile made her stomach flip. His laugh made butterflies fly all around her heart. That she never felt happier than when she was tucked in his arms. His smell warmed her all over, and she felt like his hands were crafted just to hold hers.

Freshmen year and sophomore year passed, and she never got the courage. Falling helplessly for her best friend every day. Nancy always encouraged her to say something. Promising her that Eddie felt the same way. But Y/N was scared he'd reject her, and she'd lose him forever. She promised to never walk out on him that night his mom left, and she needed to stay true to that.

She knew Eddie didn't handle his emotions well, and she didn't want to scare him away. If she said that she loved him more than a friend and wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. That he'd run away in seconds and never be the same with her.

Eddie never showed interest in anyone and that made it easier for her. She could hide behind the fantasy that he was waiting for her to make the move. Their friends always talked about how cute they would be, but she could never read Eddie's expression. She couldn't tell if he agreed or was disgusted with the idea.

But it was senior year, this was her last chance to get the boy of her dreams before she ran off to college. She spent all fall preparing to ask him out, Nancy was growing impatient when the ground went cold and the snow started to fall. But Y/N didn't see the rush, she had the rest of the year to do it.

"I think it would be best to do it the last day I'm in town! If he says no and breaks my heart, I'm leaving the state anyway!"

"That's a horrible idea. You can't run from Eddie. You promised him." Nancy would always remind her, causing Y/N to roll her eyes and accept defeat.

But she and Eddie had a lot in common, and running away from issues was a big one. But Nancy was right, even if Eddie didn't feel the same they'd vowed to be there for each other.

January was close to the end and the winter dance was right around the corner. The school voted to have girls ask the guys.....kill her now. She could take this chance to ask Eddie or make a joke that dances are lame and ask to hang out at his place. The second option felt more appealing because there was less of a chance he'd laugh in her face.

Nancy thought it was the best news in the world. Jumping as she cheered that this was the exact push Y/N needed.

And it did push her, just in the opposite direction.

~~~

She caved and listened to Nancy, swallowing her anxiety with a shot of courage, and planned to ask Eddie.

She didn't want to do a sign, she wanted something that Eddie would like.

So she bought a guitar pick, something that showed she knew who Eddie was. Something she knew no other girl would ever think of.

Nancy beamed happily as she looked at the pick.

"This is amazing!"

Y/N felt proud of her idea. So proud that it almost made her feel confident to ask him.

~~~

It was the Monday before the dance, and Eddie hasn't said a word about it. Which meant, no one asked him.

She gave herself a pep talk all morning in the mirror, today was the day she'd ask him to the snow dance. He'd say yes, and she'd slowly work on telling him her feelings, and it'll all come together.

She waited outside the school that afternoon, chickening out to do it in the morning. She didn't want to spend the rest of the day hiding from him.

After school just made more sense. She waited for him to finish a deal, sitting in his van as she listened to his tapes.

She held the pick in her hand, crushing it in her grip as she nervously scanned the parking lot. She sat up straighter when she saw Eddie walking out with Chrissy.

The deal was with Chrissy?.....he didn't mention that.

She watched as they hugged and he walked to the van. Her stomach turned at the smile on his face.

She held her breath when he got in. The music was blaring but all she could hear was her racing heart.

"What was that about? Chrissy does drugs now or something?" Y/N tried to joke. Desperately needing answers but was too scared to seem like she cared enough.

"Oh no! She...um...she asked me to the dance." Eddie said, scratching his head as he shyly looked over at her.

Y/N felt like she could burst into tears. The exact day she finally got the nerve, a fucking cheerleader beat her to it.

She put on her best fake smile, slipping the pick into her jacket pocket near the door.

"That's so great!" She said, hating the way he got more excited from her reaction.

"I know! I mean I've never thought about Chrissy liking me in that kind of way. But she's cute and nice. I think it could go somewhere fun." He shrugged.

"Oh! So you are thinking it'll be more than just the dance?" Y/N choked out. She could handle losing him for a night. But multiple nights? He's going to start liking her. He's going to fall in love with her. And she'll fall too. Oh my god, they were going to be together. Eddie would have a girlfriend and it wouldn't be her. Eddie would be dating a cheerleader.

"....you there?" Eddie asked, waving his hand in front of Y/N's face.

She snapped out of her thoughts, quickly throwing herself back in the conversation. Realizing she distracted herself from hearing his answer.

"Yeah! Yeah, I just forgot I need to get home. Can we leave now?" She asked, buckling her seat belt.

Did she lose her chance completely?

~~~

It was the night of the dance and Y/N did her best to stay collected around Eddie. Not that he would notice, suddenly all his time was spent with Chrissy.

Nancy and Steve refused to let Y/N be sad and alone all night, so they planned a sleepover. Nancy hosted as she got Mike dressed up for the dance as well. El asked him and he was more than happy to be her date.

Y/N watched how adorable the young couple was. Steve offered to give them a ride when Mike said that Eddie was picking them up.

Hearing the name, Nancy and Steve snapped toward Y/N. Nancy had an apologetic look on her face, she had no idea.

Y/N waved it off. She was fine and she didn't want to make anything uncomfortable with the group. She hid herself away on the couch, staring out the window to prepare herself to see Eddie again.

Once he pulled up she wanted to cry all over again. He was dressed up in black pants and a white button-up, he looked beautiful. She wanted to imagine he was there to pick her up, take her to the dance, and have their happy ending.

But Chrissy sat in the front seat, looking gorgeous as ever. Y/N felt her heart pounding as he walked closer to the front door. She hid herself from the view of the front door, staying out of his eyesight.

Once Mike and El left with Eddie, she broke down in tears. He was going to a dance with Chrissy and she sat alone crying about it on the couch.

~~~

Just like she feared, Eddie and Chrissy made it official after the dance. Everywhere Y/N turned, there they were. She hated how happy they looked. She questioned if she ever made Eddie smile that wide or made him laugh just as hard. Did she make him happy like Chrissy did? Did he like Chrissy for a long time but never said anything?

~~~

They were reaching the end of senior year, and Eddie and Y/N were still best friends but his heart was still captured by Chrissy. Y/N spent all winter long forcing herself to get over Eddie. Vowed to have her feelings melt away like the December snow. But now the snow is gone, and her feelings remain the same. She feared she might always love him and that he'll always be her biggest what-if.

It pained her every day to watch them fall in love, but as Eddie's best friend she dealt with it.

She bit her tongue and helped him ask Chrissy to prom. Another special event of her senior year that she spent sobbing alone. She was selfish, and she hated that Eddie ruined these special moments for her. But she couldn't find it in her heart to go with anyone else.

She felt betrayed that he never seemed to care. He used to notice one change in her eyes and make her talk it out with him. Now he doesn't even notice she's falling apart at the seams. He doesn't even care that she isn't at her senior prom. He didn't question if anyone asked her, didn't ask her what she planned to wear or anything of the sort. He simply didn't care.

Graduation came before she knew it. And her fresh start was on the horizon. She'd leave the town behind and start somewhere new. Somewhere that didn't remind her of Eddie everywhere she turned.

She would spend this last summer with him, cherishing every moment she got with him, and move on.

But she barely saw him that summer. The only person that saw him was Chrissy. At the end of graduation, he moved into a new apartment. Y/N was his best friend and she's never been to the apartment. She still checks in with Wayne Eddie stopped visiting him as well.

Wayne and Y/N enjoyed each other's company. She told him all about moving to New York and the amazing opportunity she has there. She told Eddie at the start of the school year but it didn't seem he cared to remember. She was supposed to leave in September but plans changed and now she's leaving in a week- August.

He didn't bother to see her all of June and July, so she figured he wouldn't make time for her during August so she accepted arriving in New York early. Wayne offered to drive her to the airport and she couldn't have been more thankful for him. She lost Eddie, but she never lost Wayne.

~~~

Eddie was planning to sell his old van. He's been fixing it all summer long to raise the value. He needed the extra cash to help him pay rent. Part of him wished Chrissy offered to help pay the rent since she practically lived with him, but he wouldn't ask that.

She was inside preparing dinner as he worked on cleaning the inside of his van. He worked on all the important things first. Now he had to take out all the small things that made the van his.

He started with the back seats, making sure nothing was underneath. He smiled when he saw an old bracelet, snapped with beads everywhere. Y/N made him in middle school, and Eddie wore it every day until it wouldn't fit. He remembered the day it gave out, and the beads exploded in the van when Wayne drove her home. She gasped next to him in the backseat, tears in her eyes as she realized it was broken. Eddie felt himself laughing at the memory. He scooped up all the small beads and put them in his pocket. His stomach turned when he realized he hadn't seen her in so long. He knew he was to blame for that. He let Chrissy take up every hour of his life.

He moved on from that memory, taking out the trash and old receipts. He saw a receipt with a number written on it. He looked at it confused until he remembered where it was from.

"Hey, are you dating the girl you were eating with?" Eddie looked at the waiter confused. Y/N ran off to the bathroom as Eddie paid for their meal.

"I'm not, why?"

The waiter smiled and quickly placed down the receipt. Eddie hated the smirk on the guy's face.

"Could you make sure she gets my number?"

Eddie saw that the receipt had the boy's name and number written on it.

Eddie felt a tad guilty he never gave her that receipt. But he was boiling over with jealousy at the thought of her calling him. Eddie didn't like to admit it to himself very much, but he always had a crush on her. But that was something he planned to take to his grave.

He crumpled up the paper and threw it in the small trashcan he brought out with him. He cleared the back and moved to the front.

Taking down the sun visor, he watched all the polaroids dump in his lap. He barely used the visor since it snapped off the second he touched it. He took his time looking through the photos he forgot all about.

Smiling at all the ones Y/N was in. The summer before freshman year Wayne got him a camera and Y/N used it like it was hers. Snapping pictures of Eddie, Eddie, and Wayne, and some of all three of them together. Eddie remembered when that was the only family he had. He felt his eyes watering as he watched himself and her grow up through the pictures she took. Twisting in his gut when he realized the last date was Junior year. They didn't have a picture at prom or even graduation. The two big events she swore they'd take the most pictures at. Neither of them had any. Eddie quickly put the pictures in his pocket, the guilt feeling worse knowing he stood in the way of those pictures happening. He felt his blood burn when he opened his glove department. Pictures of Chrissy scattered all around. All are dated from senior year to now. The pictures didn't make him smile like the way Y/N did. The pictures didn't take him back to the moment when the camera flashed like Y/N's did.

He missed her.

He smacked out the old tape that got stuck in his radio. Groaning when it fell to the side of the passenger side door. He quickly got out of the van and opened the passenger door. The tape fell on his feet, he bent down to pick it up. But his eyes caught something small and silver under the seat. He threw the tape in the trash and then moved the seat. He scrunched his eyebrows as he grabbed the small item.

He realized it was a guitar pick, but he knew he never had a silver one. He flipped it over, even more, confused as he saw writing engraved on it.

"Pick me for the senior snow dance"

Eddie was even more confused. He's never seen the pick in his life, he put it in his pocket. And closed the van. Heading up to his apartment.

He walked in as Chrissy finished plating the food.

"Hey, baby?" Eddie asked

She looked up as she sat down at the plates.

"Yeah?" She asked, her blue eyes questioning his confused state.

"Did you make this when you asked me to the dance?" He asked, handing her the pick.

She looked at it just as confused as he did.

"Um no." Chrissy shrugged, handing the pick back to him as she sat down to eat.

He sat down to eat, listening to Chrissy talk but not paying attention. His mind reeled about where the pick came from. If it wasn't her, who else would have asked him? He doesn't think it was planted for him to find, almost like it was dropped.

"Are you listening?" Chrissy asked, her voice snapping Eddie out of his thoughts.

"I'm sorry, honey. I just don't know where it came from." Eddie groaned

Chrissy looked at the pick again, a sick feeling in her stomach.

"Could it be from her?" Chrissy asked Eddie was confused by who she was talking about and why her eyes seemed sad.

"Who?"

"Y/N, Eddie. Do you think she would have tried to ask you to the dance? The pick is a very clever idea and I think she would be the only one to think of something like that." Chrissy explained. She hated that she knew she was right. Even if Eddie didn't think she was. Y/N was always Chrissy's competition, but Eddie didn't see that. He didn't see the way he talked about her or how he smiled at pictures of her.

She wanted Eddie's heart, but his heart was already Y/N's.

Eddie froze and his heart started to pound. The possibility of Y/N trying to ask him to the dance made him sweat. Was she asking as a friend? Or did she want something more?

"Um, I don't know," Eddie said honestly.

~~~

The dinner was silent after that. Both their minds were thinking about what would have happened if Y/N got to ask.

Chrissy knew Y/N would be in her spot right now in the bed.

Eddie wondered if Y/N would be laying in Chrissy's spot in his bed.

Eddie watched as Chrissy slept and the time clicked close to midnight. He couldn't sleep, he needed to know.

He got out of bed, threw on sweats and a sweatshirt. He looked at Chrissy's sleeping body before he left.

~~~

Eddie arrived at her doorstep, questioning how terrible of an idea it was. He stared at the door, remembering the countless times he raced through it. He remembered the night he almost kissed her. Eighth grade after the winter dance. She stood there in a blue sparkly dress, hair curled with sparkly blue eyeshadow. To this day Y/N regretted nothing more than doing her makeup for that night. But Eddie thought she looked beautiful. He remembered being so shy, leaning in but her mom yanked open the door. Eddie awkwardly walked back to Wayne's car, upset that he never got to kiss her. Once her parents moved, she kept the house for herself.

Eddie was so lost in his head he barely noticed when the door opened.

"Planning to knock or what?" Y/N's voice cut through his thoughts. He hated that he hadn't heard her voice in months.

She stood there with her arms crossed, an extremely annoyed look on her face.

"Hello to you too," Eddie said sarcastically.

"Why are you here?" She asked. Of course, Eddie would show up on her doorstep the night before she leaves. He was always a minute too late with everything, ever since he missed their kiss in eighth grade.

"I needed to ask you something." He breathed, digging in his pocket to pull out the small guitar pick. He watched as her eyes widened. A nasty feeling in his gut all over again.

"Did you?....were you?....is this yours?" He asked, his brain went blank trying to ask. He was scared of everything he could have had if she said yes.

She opened the door wider, inviting him to walk in. He turned to her once the door closed, impatiently waiting for her to answer.

"Yes, it's mine." She sighed, cursing herself for not checking her jacket pocket that day.

"You wanted to ask me to the dance?" He watched as she scratched at her arms. Rocking on her feet, he could taste the anxiety coming off of her skin.

"Yes! I mean why else would I make the damn thing." She snapped. She was irritated. He had the nerve to come to ask her about something that he knew was from months ago, why bring it up now?

"Why are you so mad to see me?" He snapped back. She's been growling at him since she opened the door.

"Because! I haven't seen you since graduation and now you show up at my house at midnight, like four fucking months later to ask me about a stupid pick. I mean what? Why are you asking me? Why the fuck do you need to know?" Eddie hated how angry she sounded but he knew he hurt her. He ignored their friendship for months and only showed up when he needed something from her.

"I need to know if you were going to ask me as a friend or something more. And the real intention behind it, before Chrissy happened." He admitted. He knew she'd lie to make it easier for the both of them, but he needed the truth.

"Eddie, seriously. This isn't fucking important." She tried to ignore the question again. She didn't want to open up the can of worms right when she was getting ready to leave him behind. She worked so hard to be okay with leaving him, and now he brought up all the reasons she wanted to stay.

"It is important. I need to know. So tell me." He demanded. He was growing irritated by her attitude and that pissed her off more.

"Fuck, fine. Yes, Eddie. I wanted to ask you about the stupid dance and I wanted it to be more than friends. But once I went to ask, you came in telling me that Chrissy asked you. So I didn't say anything because who am I compared to her? Nothing fucking special, which you easily have proved the second you weren't forced to have classes with me."

"That's not what happened at all," Eddie tried to defend," you had every chance to ask before she did. And don't put words in my mouth and cruel intentions behind my actions. Because none of that was because I thought she was more special."

"You don't think I know that? You don't think I sat in my room every night since she asked, just beating myself up for not doing it earlier? I screamed at myself every morning for being too late. Knowing if I asked just even a minute earlier, I could be where she is now. And don't act like I'm making this up. We graduated, you got an apartment and I never saw you again. You got absorbed into a bubble of Chrissy and Chrissy only. You ignore me, and you even ignore Wayne. I'm not putting words in your mouth. I'm calling you out on the bullshit behavior you've been pulling." She said, her words were sharp and cut him down to the bone. Throwing Wayne in his face made him angry, but he hated knowing he deserved it.

"Do you still wish to be where she is now?" He practically whispered, punching himself for asking that above everything. Kicking himself for ripping her apart just so he could have the answers he's been needing all his life since he met her.

"You don't get to ask me that, fuck you." She laughed, he was unbelievable. All he cared about was if she was jealous of his girlfriend. Not even taking a second to apologize for all the ways he treated her like crap.

"Answer the question, Y/N. Are you in love with me?" The question lingered in the air. Eddie watched as she slipped into a shell of herself.

"I never said anything because I was scared of losing you. Then Chrissy came along the second I was ready. I wasn't going to ruin that, and I'm not going to ruin that." She said.

"She knows it was you, and the second I found this pick, it was ruined. SO JUST FUCKING TELL ME." Eddie screamed, trying his best not to slam his hands against the wall to relieve the anger in his bloodstream.

"WHAT DID YOU WANT EDDIE? TO COME HERE AND ASK IF I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU? THEN WHAT? WHAT WAS YOUR PLAN WHEN I SAID YES!" She screamed back. Her confession filled the silence, along with their heavy breathing.

Eddie felt like the air was knocked out of his lungs. The answer was now in his face and he wished he never asked. It made things so much more complicated.

She felt uncomfortable with the silence, opening the door, "Please go."

She watched as he walked towards the door, she closed her eyes as he walked past her. She didn't want to have to see him leave. But she felt his body stop, standing right next to her.

She opened her eyes to see what he was doing. Before she knew it his lips crashed on hers, her back against the door and slamming it closed.

It was stupid, kissing her was stupid and it was stupid she kissed him back.

She was so caught up in his lips, lost in the ways his hands touched her skin as he removed her clothes. That she didn't notice he never said he loved her too.

Gasping as he slipped inside of her, rolling her eyes as he attacked her neck with his teeth. All the things she thought about on her loneliest nights. He filled her up perfectly like their bodies were made to connect in this way.

~~~

The clock was inching closer to three am, and Eddie knew he needed to go back home. Y/N was passed out in his arms, her head on his bare chest as he rubbed her naked back. His mind was spinning even worse. He just cheated on his girlfriend with his best friend. A best friend he knew he had a crush on for years, but did he love her? Did he even love Chrissy?

Eddie knew he needed to go back to Chrissy. He needed to fix the mess he was making. He pecked Y/N's forehead as he untangled himself from her.

He gave her one last look before he walked out.

~~~

He tried to quietly open the door to his apartment door, moving slowly to close it behind him.

He sighed in relief when he didn't hear any movement from the bedroom. He slowly walked to the room but froze when he saw Chrissy sitting up.

"Three hours? I wonder where the fuck you went for three hours!" She snapped immediately, standing up as she got in his face.

Eddie knew he was guilty and it was easy to tell on his face.

"I'm so sorry." He immediately apologized, trying to reach for her face when she smacked him away.

"For what? What did you do?" She crossed her arms to stop herself from falling into his touch.

"I went to see her," Eddie said quietly.

"You fucked her, didn't you?" Chrissy growled. Eddie has never once seen the angry side of Chrissy. She was fuming, her eyes were dark and her tone was slicing through him.

"Yes," Eddie admitted

"Do you love her?" Chrissy asked, this time her words sliced through her. She had a feeling deep down he'd always love Y/N and she was dumb to think she could stand in the way.

"I'm not sure."

"Do you love me?" She threw out another question

"I don't know " he sighed

"That's all I need to know." She smiled at him sadly as she grabbed the suitcase she packed while he was gone.

"WAIT! You're leaving?" He panicked

"Eddie, we've been together for months and you've never looked at me the way you look at her. You don't love me and I'm accepting that. But Eds, you love her and I think you always have. I got in the way and blinded you from her. I was just a distraction." Chrissy admitted. She began to walk towards the front door, Eddie hot on her heels.

"What the fuck do I do?" Eddie asked. His girlfriend - ex-girlfriend knew he had feelings for Y/N before he even did.

"Pick her."

~~~

Y/N woke up to her alarm blaring, squinting her eyes as she turned it off. The time read at four am, which meant Wayne was on his way. She realized the side of her bed was empty. She got out of bed as fast as she could, racing to her front door. She yanked it open and saw his car was gone, he was gone.

She felt her eyes water when she realized he went back home to her. She felt like laughing at herself for being so stupid, but she didn't.

She collected all her boxes and got dressed. She said goodbye to him and that's all she wanted before she left.

He didn't want her, he didn't pick her. Otherwise, he would have said he loved her back. She didn't leave him, he left her.

"Ready, kid?" Wayne asked. Standing in the doorway as he held her key.

"Yes."

~~~

Eddie paced around his apartment for what felt like hours. He saw that it was six am.

All he could think about was Y/N. How she tasted, how she felt, how she smelled, and the way she sounded. He thought about how his body reacted to her in ways he never felt with anyone.

He just needed to pick her.

He raced back out to his car, driving down the familiar roads to get to her. He raced to her door, pounding on it.

Picturing her sleepy eyes as she opened it. Realizing it was him and that he left. Smacking his chest as she vented out. But then he'd wrap his arms around her and say he wanted her. Chrissy was gone and left. They could be happy and be in love the way they were supposed to be.

But she never opened the door.

~~~

A couple years passed and Y/N was alright. She saw Eddie everywhere she went. A boy sipping coffee with his haircut. A guy playing guitar in the park. His familiar cologne surrounded her. She felt like he was haunting her. His face showed up in every stranger she walked past.

He was miles away, and she still felt him. She hated that she'll never forget him.

Eddie never believed in ghosts or spirits. But he felt like she was watching his every move. He swore he could feel her sometimes. He'd see her face in everyone. He felt like if he sat in a quiet room, he could hear her voice again. His shirt from that night used to smell like her, and he hated that her scent was a sniff away from being gone forever. He hated that she left, and he hated that she didn't tell him that night. He hated that he left. He hated that he didn't have the answers she needed at the moment. He was always a fucking minute too late.

~~~

~~~

Nancy and Steve were getting married, and Y/N would never miss this. Nancy sent her an invitation and called her on the phone, the second she said his name, Y/N felt like a teenager all over again.

"Steve invited him, and he accepted. Will you be okay to see him again?" Nancy wanted nothing more than to keep Eddie away from her wedding, but he was a friend of Steve's.

"Yeah. I'll be okay."

That was a huge lie. She felt sick to her stomach at the thought of seeing his face again. And knowing this time it was actually him. She felt sick to think if he and Chrissy were still together. If they'd show up together.

But she was going to be there for Nancy and Steve.

As she watched her two best friends get married, she never felt so alone. She hasn't met anyone since Eddie. She was so convinced they'd make it work and be the end for each other. She never spotted Eddie throughout the ceremony, but as each hour passed the more anxious she got.

She was waiting for him to walk through the door and flip her world upside down all over again.

Luckily for her, she had an escape plan. Her flight was right away in the morning and Nancy knew she'd have to leave before the wedding was over.

Three hours passed and he still wasn't there and she felt relieved. She said goodbye to Nancy and Steve, congratulating them on their big day.

She drove to her hotel, never once running into the man that occupied her mind.

~~~

Eddie was swearing at every car that he was stuck behind. He was running three hours late for the wedding, and he tried everything he could to get there to see her. He knew she'd be there, Steve and Nancy were her two best friends other than him.

But traffic and construction had other plans. He finally arrived and raced to search through the crowd. He couldn't spot her anywhere.

"She already left." Steve said, holding Eddie's shoulder as he delivered the news.

Eddie felt everything in him fall apart. He spent the past few years trying to find her everywhere but no one said a word. He hit every dead end and this was his only chance.

But he was just another minute too late.

Tags!

@bmunson86 @mxcheese @ladymunson @michaelfuckinglangdon @z0mbie-blah @biittersweet @mirrorsstuff @somethingvicked @micheledawn1975 @ago-godance @magnificantmermaid @tlclick73 @hargrovesswifee @cityofidek @manyfandomsfanvergent @silky-luxe @lokiofasgard616 @loving-and-dreaming @eddiemunsonsbitch69 @thegemaqua @ashlynnkennedy @strangerthingsstories5255 @harringt8ns @pleasinghellfire @whoscamila @stusdollface93

[hyuuukais]

✧˖°ʚ🍓ɞ♡ SUNSHINE AND STRAWBERRIES

pairing ☆ lee felix x fem reader

synopsis ☆ Y/N is a new streamer. after months of planning, and her best friend & now fellow streamer han jisung convincing her, she makes a twitch and youtube account. thanks to jisung giving her a shoutout to his own huge following, she gains some unexpected overnight fame. but what was more unexpected was waking up to see her long-time favourite comfort streamer _sunshine.bbokari_ following her.

warnings ☆ swearing, descriptions of slight panicking

[TAGLIST -> CLOSED]

MASTERLIST | PREVIOUS | NEXT

☆ partially written chapter, 8 screenshots ☆

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN ☆ STICKY SITUATION

"You've got this."

Your reflection stares at you unconvinced. How in the world were you supposed to turn Jake down without ruining years of friendship? Sure he was funny, sweet, loving, everything you'd want in a boyfriend, but for you?

The feelings weren't there.

Now, you could send him a text from the bathroom saying you didn't feel well and hope he didn't see you before, or you could face him. The former seemed the more appealing option, if you were honest. However, it was probably best not to prolong this.

Stepping out of the bathroom with a deep breath, you see him. He's in a small booth in the corner, texting someone.

Your phone buzzes.

Hey, how far are you?

Jake looked up at the buzz, locking eyes with you. You give him a small wave, approaching the table and sitting down hesitantly. Sweat ran down your back, and you could feel your chest getting tight. Not now, dammit!

"Hey," Jake avoided your eyes, instead looking down at his hands, fingers fiddling with his rings.

"Jake I-"

"Y/N-"

Finally you look each other in the eye again. The two of you can't help but break into giggles, tension releasing just the slightest.

"I need to say this first before anything else," Jake says more seriously, a turn from the brief laughter. "I don't expect you to like me back like that. Hell, I don't know why I even said that to you!" He groans and uses one hand to cover his face, the other still playing with a ring. "Ugh, I'm such an idiot. Can we pretend it just never happened?"

For a moment you consider it. You could move on, ignoring his declaration of feelings, or you could put him out of his misery. The choices were both unappealing.

"No, actually." It was your turn to look at your hands. "I'm sorry Jake. I don't like you like that, you're right. I love you, as a friend, but-"

The tightness in your chest was back, overwhelming you. You felt guilty, even though you knew you shouldn't. No one can help who they fall for or don't. The stress was becoming too much.

"I-I have a boyfriend!" You blurt, hand immediately slapping your mouth.

Jake's face pales, mouth hanging open.

"What?" He looks almost hurt.

"I-" Think if something, Y/N! "-we haven't been dating long, but I really like him. He wanted to wait to tell people since it's still fresh."

Internally you cringe at yourself and curse your brain for the panic response. A boyfriend? Really? What if he asks who?

"Oh," Jake nods, leaning back. "Look, I'm really sorry, I had no idea. I definitely never would have said anything if I knew. I kind of wish you told me though," He laughs lightly. "What's he like?"

You look at him confused.

"Hey, I'm still one of your best friends!" He puts his hands up. "I need to know if I need to start visiting the gym again. You know, in case he breaks your heart."

Now you laugh, "Don't worry about that, I think Chaeryeong and Ryujin would get to him first. Um, actually I said I'd hang out with them today, so I should probably head out..."

"Oh, okay." Jake stands. "I'm glad we could talk this out."

"Me too."

After leaving, you allow yourself to let out all the anxious energy, furiously whispering to yourself and pulling out your phone.

notes ☆ Y/NNNNNNNN 😀😀😀😀 WHY WOULD U SAY THAT OUT OF ALL THINGS !!! (for the plot of course) also someone teach me self control !!!! everytime i finish a chapter i'm like i COULD wait to post this..... or i could just post it now, which always seems more appealing ☝ anyway, back to the fic- count this week of fake dating possibly... lead to something more? stay tuuuuuuuneeeeeddd

taglist ☆ @marcillfll @toplinelix @neri-ner @tfshouldidohere @imasimplol @samvagejkflxhrt @yennifersgeralt @aestheticsluut @cherryuqii @tenebrisirae @roseidol @veryjeongintxtkid @amara-mars @nobuttpics @bmnyy @sheeshhhhfelixsworld @ellelabelle @gini143 @mrsseals16 @veedoesntknaur @channiesstars @daydreamer5006 @luvvvash @amesification @skzswife @blamemef0rit @soulphoenix1618 @lovingmny @stvrfir3 @boo-ven9eance @adestayskz @rag-iii @enchantedgrunge @mytherapisttoldmenotto @strawberry-dreamland @oh-my-fancan @lucktales @cookielino @fantasyaddict123 @sleeplessmin

pink means it won't let me tag u

[ccbunnv]

A valentines day with Tokio Hotel? (Not hcs) like the reader (f) is crying over the fact that she doesnt have a valentine, that nobody gave her a love note at school and she's never going to find love etc. Maybe they are like comforting her or something? You can think of the rest how you want to! Thank you if you do it!

(Btw if you decide that someone confesses from the guys, I'd like it to be Bill🙏🏻)

i got this when valentine's was over in my country i freaked over it so bad

˖°🦇ִ ࣪𖤐 tokio hotel x fem! reader fluff,, bill x fem! reader fluff

the school bus felt so suffocating, hearing those kids coo at their lovers for being 'cute', or whatever. your heart sinks, and you felt so mad. your hands play with the strings of your hoodie jacket, wondering what you had done wrong.

was it because of the way you looked?

the bus comes to a stop in front of your house and you get off, trudging over to the front door where you simply swung it open. you enter the house, noticing that your mom and dad were on the couch, watching some sort of romcom from their time.

"oh hello, honey! how was school?" your mom asks.

"any love letters, sweets?" your dad adds in with a laugh.

you break into tears, running upstairs. events from today flash in your mind, from the minute you stepped into school to the last hour of class. you remember how everything was normal, and although couples were getting together beside you, you were all alone.

you didn't receive any chocolates, no love notes, no confessions. your friends didn't even give you any sweets. you remembered the day as boring and long, filled with students coddling their partners and kissing in every hallway.

you hated this holiday so much.

you shut the door and locked it, throwing your bag onto the ground and jumping into your bed. you bury your face into your plush pillow, as you try to think of any reasons you weren't given anything for this valentine's.

was it because you were too ugly? was it because you had no sex appeal to any hormonal teen boys in your school? was it because of the way you dressed? should you have showed off a little today?

questions buzz through your head like a cloud of annoying mosquitoes. you swallow the lump in your throat as you try to hold back the tears, but in the heat of the moment, your heart allows it.

tears wet your soft, white pillow, and you cry about the fact that a girl like you will never find any sort of love. that you're practically unloveable, and you won't ever meet your special someone.

𓆩♱𓆪

Tom, Bill, Georg and Gustav decide to drop by a few minutes after your return to hang around, since there was nothing to do. you've known the four since you were all in primary school, and they see you as a close friend.

your parents greet them as they tread into your house, and they return the greeting.

"good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. l/n!" Bill says, smiling widely as Tom walks over to raid your fridge, "is y/n home yet?"

"yeah," your dad says, "Tom, do you mind handing me the beer?"

Tom shrugs and stands, walking back to your dad and handing him the ice cold alcohol. your dad graciously accepts it and opens it while Tom's snacking on a strawberry shortcake that your mom bought.

"is she in her room?" Bill asks again.

"yeah, but..." your mom trails off, before mouthing to Bill, "no love letters."

Bill grimaces, and turns to face the three of them. Tom swallows the cake in his mouth and asks softly, "what the hell do we do?"

"I don't know." Georg responds, "do we like...write cards for her or something?"

"yeah, we can do that," Gustav says, "I think the chocolate's also 20% off today."

"alright then," Bill breathes in and out, "for her."

"I don't see the point in thi--"

"because girls flock to you, Tom, this is your friend we're talking about. put that cake down and let's go."

"fine."

𓆩♱𓆪

you fell asleep after your little breakdown, and you find that the sun had already set halfway. you yawn, rolling out of bed and walking over to your bathroom to take a much needed shower.

maybe you'd throw in a bath as well, just for good measure. but you felt too lethargic for that, so you didn't.

once you finished showering, you felt so much better. your hands skim through your drawers full of clothes, and you fish out a pair of pyjamas for tonight.

you brushed and dried your hair, and did your skin care. but then, you hear two knocks on your door. then, four valentine's day cards slip under into your room from the bottom seam of the door.

first one was a cute carebear one, and when you opened it, it smelled sweet and fruity. it read, 'happy valentine's! you're appreciated and i'm bear-y glad to be your friend :D.'

only Gustav would make such a pun. you laugh a little at it.

then, you pick up the next card. it had pink borders and hearts around its side, and upon opening it, it didn't smell like anything but the words that accompanied it was, 'happy valentine's. you mean the world to me!'

it took you a while, but it was probably Georg.

then, the next one was covered in red with a little snoopy in the middle, holding a red heart. you open it up and notice Tom's handwriting immediately. 'happy valentine's! you rock my world! and my bed, soon. ;)'

you laugh a little at his very typical sex joke.

then, the last one was black with red borders and hearts, accompanied with skulls. you open it, and there's a paragraph that's written only for you, in Bill's handwriting.

'you don't have to cry about a bunch of kids not giving you any chocolates or cards for this valentine's, you're worth more than that. you're kind, funny, and pretty, too, and i want nothing more than to see you happy. happy valentine's, y/n. xoxo'

you heart throbs as you read it again and again. you store all their cards carefully, before a knock on your door alerts you. you open it up, and you see Bill, standing there awkwardly, with a heart-shaped box of chocolates.

"hi, y/n." he greets.

you smile, "hi, Bill."

"so, I was just thinking, um..." he stammers, "er, see, I rented this cool new horror CD, and I was thinking and all...if you wanted to, um..."

"if you wanted to, um, er, um! be a man, Bill!" Tom scolds from the side, which makes you giggle.

"halt den mund, Tom!" Bill snaps at his older brother, who laughs with Georg and Gustav.

"so...?" you ask softly, smiling at him.

"I was thinking if you wanted to watch it with me...?" he finishes his sentence, smiling a little.

you giggle and nod, taking his hand and pulling him into your bedroom.

maybe valentine's day isn't so bad.

[starlightsearches]

I have a request for Eddie x Reader where the reader is his best friend. They’ve been best friends for years, and are extremely close, sharing everything with each other. While hanging out and teasing one another the reader admits to Eddie that she’s worried she’s not good at giving head, (maybe an ex made a comment or something.) Eddie laughs at first, thinking she’s joking, but when he realizes she’s seriously upset about it he tries to comfort her. She ends up asking him if she can blow him to see if she’s bad at it and he’s reluctant, because he’s secretly been in love with her for a while, but eventually let’s her. She’s in love with him too, which is partially why she’s wanting to blow him. After or during the blow job she finally admits to him she’s loved him for a while. (Bonus points for praise kink/princess or good girl used)

Feel free to change anything to make it work for you! Thanks in advance.

What Are Friends For?

This was such a fun idea, bestie! I'm sorry it took me so fucking long!

Eddie Munson x F! Reader / 4.4k words

18+ only, best friends to lovers, pornos, oral (m recieving), fingering (f receiving) praise, nicknames for reader (princess, sweetheart, babe), language.

When Eddie asked you to run some errands with him, this wasn't what you had in mind.

You'd never been in the back room of Family Video—the bold, red 18+ only sign had kept you far away even after the warning stopped applying to you. But Eddie breezed past the curtain like he fucking lived there, so of course you had to follow. 

It's really not that exciting. Just a bunch of shelves—the same ones they have in the rest of the store—and if you don't look anywhere for too long, it's like you're watching him browse for a regular movie. 

Kind of.

"Hey, look at this," Eddie laughs, flashing one of the covers in front of you. It's a picture of a girl—half-naked but wearing a wide-eyed expression—a cheap replica of the Freddy Krueger glove reaching towards her tits, covered demurely with the palms of her hands.

"Ew, Eddie! Tell me you're not actually watching shit like . . . Wet Dream on Elm Street?"

You'd only been back in Hawkins a day or two—finally home from your first semester of college—but you're glad to see that things with Eddie are the same as always. After the shit storm the last few weeks had been, you needed this to be normal . . . or at least, as normal as it can be when you're shopping for porn together.

Eddie scoffs, but he places the tape back in the same empty space on the shelves. "Jesus, when did you turn into such a prude, princess? I thought going to college was supposed to fix that."

Ouch. Eddie may know you better than anyone, but that doesn't make him a mind reader. You shrug the comment off, despite the sting. "Guess it didn't work on me."

Leaving Eddie where he is, you sneak off to a new aisle, one where you can feel a little more comfortable letting your eyes brush over the lewd pictures to satisfy your curiosity, if nothing else. It's actually kind of . . . fun, in a weird way—comparing the sex appeal of all the bare-chested men stretched out on silk sheets, laughing at the cheesy titles. 

Until you catch Brian's eyes staring back at you from the front of one of the video tapes. 

Then there's his shining, wet smile, the feeling of his hands slipping against your skin in the darkness of somebody else's bedroom, heavy breaths and muffled music and is this okay?

"Blowjobs, huh?"

You flinch, heart stuttering when you turn towards the voice, feeling stupid for getting so worked up. It's just Eddie.

"What?"

He points to the same video that shoved you into the spiral. On second glance, the man doesn't really look like Brian—older, for sure, with a little less boyish charm . . . and a much bigger dick bulging against his underwear.

There's a girl on her knees in front of him, dainty hands planted on his thighs, and you wonder if you'd looked like that when it happened—all coquettish and doe-eyed, pink tongue hanging out of your wide-open mouth. 

Maybe then he would have called you back. 

"Oh, no, I was just—" you swallow hard, skin itching where it grows warm across your chest. You don’t get the chance to think through what you say next. "What does it feel like?"

There's a little crease between Eddie's knitted brows.  "What does what feel like?"

"Um, getting your dick sucked?" You're all hot with shame, but Eddie's hardly phased. 

"It feels awesome. Why?"

You could brush it off. He'd take your words at face value if you hit him with a just curious, but you're tired carrying this secret, and the longer it sits inside of you the more it feels like you're lying.

"You remember that guy I told you about, right?" 

Eddie frowns. "What guy?"

"You know . . . Brian. The one from my Creative Writing class?"

"You never said anything about a guy," he says, and the tone of his voice is hard as he doubles down. 

Damn him. Eddie had been paying more attention than you'd given him credit for in those weekly phone calls. You had to keep most of the conversation PG anyways—since there was always somebody waiting for their chance to snatch up the hall phone the second you'd set it back on the receiver—but you could have told Eddie about the whole thing without mentioning any of the nitty gritty. 

If you had wanted to. 

"Maybe I forgot." You shrug, pretending to browse, like Eddie wouldn't see through that act in half a minute. "Anyways, we went out a couple of times right before finals, and kind of . . . hooked up at a party and I went down on him. I dunno, I thought he might've liked me, but he stopped calling me back."

Eddie lets out a sharp sigh. "Christ. What an asshole." 

"You don't know that," you snap, feeling oddly defensive, "maybe it was bad." Maybe I was bad, you think. 

But that just makes him laugh in his distinctly Eddie way. "Unlikely, babe."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Uh, it means that getting your dick sucked is pretty much always great," —he shrugs one shoulder, eyes tracing along the shelves again without seeing anything— “besides, you’re good at everything.”

You've developed a sudden, irresistible interest in ceiling tiles. "Whatever."

The silence between you is uncomfortable, and loaded like a gun, neither able to look at each other but both too flustered to look anywhere else.

"Well," Eddie cuts the tension in a voice that rides the line between serious and ironic, "there is one way to improve your technique."

He's got the not-Brian video again, waggling it in front of your face. 

Your first instinct is to slap it out of his hand, but you manage to keep your arms down, turning away from him instead. 

"Gross, Eds," you mumble, but just thinking about it still makes you warm between your thighs.

The more Eddie waits, though, the more he's convincing himself of it. He leans up against the shelf with his idea face on. The one that always comes before trouble.

"You wanna learn, right? Then you gotta learn from the best."

He holds the video out to you, but this time you can tell he's serious.

"I can't, I- my parents would see."

"Okay. I'll check it out for you." He adds it to his stack with the other video he’s grabbed before tucking it under his arm. You lunge for the tape, eyes wide, boxing him out with your shoulder when he reaches for it. Eddie doesn’t hold back, leaning all his weight against you until you’re pushed against the shelves, the hard slats digging into your chest and thighs.

You’re a little too old for play-fighting, but that’s not what’s got you all embarrassed. Eddie’s body smothers yours, warm and soft and so much fucking better than you’d imagined it, and he’s making these little grunting noises in your ear, trying to get a hold of the tape.

Oh fuck. 

You let him take it. Not the best option, but it’s more mature than throwing the fucking thing across the room, and that’s not a conversation you’re willing to have with the guy at the front desk. Eddie’s distracted enough by his success that you can finally slip past him, into the open air. He adds the tape triumphantly back under his arm, wearing a cheeky grin. 

The victory’s gone to his head, clearly. “Should we go, or do you want to find another one while we’re here?”

"I don’t have anywhere to watch it, Eds." You’re still breathing hard, and the heat in your cheeks won’t dissipate. 

“Watch it at the trailer, dummy."

"Okay,” you laugh, “what are you gonna do while I'm watching porn?"

He shrugs, looking down at his hands, picking some dirt out from under a nail. "We needed something for movie night, anyways.”

Jesus. That stuns the laughter right out of you. "This is different, Eddie."

He’s got this smile on when he gets in your face, your favorite little cheeky, shit-eating grin that makes your heart flop around in your chest. 

"Why? You worried you're gonna go all crazy with lust, baby? You afraid you're gonna fall in love with me?" He bats his big eyes at you, just joking again. 

Like you needed a reminder of what got you in this mess in the first place. Fuck somebody else to get over Eddie Munson sounded like a way easier thing in your head.

Still, it's not the worst idea ever. You mull it over, chewing on the thought like a tough piece of meat. Watching a porno with your best friend would be all kinds of awkward, but it also might be the least embarrassing way to get the answers you need.

Which says a lot about how dire your situation is. 

Eddie misreads your silence, slipping the tape back from underneath his arm, holding it out to you, a peace offering. “Listen—we don’t have to, if you don’t want to.”

You keep your hands at your sides, eyes flashing between Eddie’s soft brown ones and not-Brian’s on the box. 

"Do you think- do you think it would actually help?"

Eddie makes a sound like I don't know, shrugging his shoulders. "There's one way to find out." 

He’s right about that. You dig your nails into your palms and let out a heavy breath.

"Okay . . . but let's find a different video." 

The couch cushions are squishy beneath your palms, and you rock back and forth, eyes anywhere but the TV or Eddie. He’s on one knee in front of the wobbly little stand, bent in half and fiddling with the controls, pretty cavalier about the whole thing as he tosses the case on the floor. He flops down beside you once he reaches the couch, grabbing a pillow off the floor and tossing it in his lap.

"Comfortable?" 

Eddie leans over, sticking his fingers in your side until you squirm and let out a few little high-pitched giggles that sound nothing like your usual laugh. 

"I'm good, Eds."

He hums a sound, making it clear he doesn’t believe you. You hope the whirr of the tape will cover how heavy you're breathing. 

It doesn’t start out so bad. The screen lights up with the little blonde girl from the cover lying spread out on the red sheets. She shifts around for a few seconds, posing seductively while the guy—who looks nothing like Brian, this time—kisses at her pink lips, big and barrel chested, swallowing her body under his as he crawls on the bed. Just kissing and moaning, with loud wet mouths. 

You know, like any other movie. 

Eddie shifts beside you, just settling into the couch cushions, and you try to stay relaxed, gripping at your knees tight enough to feel the bones moving underneath. 

The man pets a big hand down over the woman’s hip as he adjusts for the camera, slipping it between her thighs and pressing tight against the lace of her underwear while she moans, writhing against the sheets.  

It’s getting harder to breathe. Brian hadn’t really touched you the night it happened—just second base—cupping your tits over your clothes while he kissed you all sloppy and wet. You’ve thought about hands under your skirt before, late at night in your dorm—imagining thick, long fingers and heavy rings.

But that part doesn’t last long enough for you to dwell on it. She’s getting on her knees.

The air in the room grows tighter, like saran wrap across your face, and you think Eddie is watching you, the burn of his eyes warm against your cheek. Maybe he is, but you don’t dare check, glued to the screen while the girl slips the man’s cock from under the band of his boxers. 

Jesus. It’s not like you’ve seen that many dicks—just the one—but there’s got to be something wrong with this guy. They’re definitely not supposed to be that big. It looks like a monster from a sci-fi movie, like the chest-burster from Alien, red and throbbing.  The girl can barely wrap her hands around him, trying to unhinge her jaw just to get his cock part way in her mouth.

“You okay, sailor?”

Eddie’s nudging you with his foot, graying sock planted against your clenched thigh. You let your eyes fall closed, counting back from ten. 

“I’m fine,” you tell him, but your voice is tight.

It feels like you’re gonna crack a tooth the way you can’t get your jaw to release, watching on the TV as the big man takes that poor girl’s head in his hands, shoving her down farther and farther over his angry, red, monster dick until she’s gagging, shining tears in her eyes. The retching sounds pour out of the tinny speakers, rattling your whole brain.

“Okay,”—you’re off the couch before you can really think about where you’re headed, fumbling for the power button on the front of the TV, pressing a bunch of others in your haste, stopping when you hear the heavy click. The screen buzzes out with a hum, and you fall on your ass to the carpet. 

You can see Eddie on the couch in the screen’s distorted gray reflection, eyes so big they’re taking up half his face.

“You okay?” he asks, quiet.

It’s hard to know for sure. Your body buzzes with the static of conflicting feelings, like you’re only half-way here.

“Uh, yeah. I’m fine. That was just, you know . . . a lot.” 

Eddie clears his throat, and maybe you should turn around and face him, but you’re not sure what he’d see when he looked at you—if all your emotions are just sitting there on the surface of your skin, waiting for him to pick them apart.

 “Yeah,” Eddie hums, “they’re not all that intense, though. We could always go find another one.”

“I think the one was enough.” 

You try to laugh, to show him that it wasn’t his fault you couldn’t handle it. Maybe that’s why Brian had left you in the dust. He was probably looking for a girl to give him something like that. Maybe all guys were. And that’s got you feeling really small. 

Eddie crawls from the couch, moving to sit beside you, one hand still bunched in the pillow to keep it tight against his lap. 

“It’s no big deal, sweetheart. We could always—”

Whatever he’s about to say next though, you’re not even thinking about it—too busy putting the pieces together for an entirely different puzzle.  

“Are you hard?” you blurt the question out.

Jesus fucking Christ. 

Eddie flushes, and that’s answer enough.

Your mouth floods wet and hot, and you curl your fingers into the carpet, trying to swallow it all back down. Now is not the time to think about Eddie’s cock in your mouth. There is no good time to think about your best friend’s cock in your mouth. Thinking about his rings catching in your hair, the way his head would fall back as you tasted him, his deep voice full of whimpered moans and praise while you sucked the soul out of him. 

“I mean— we were just watching porn, so it would be normal, you know, if you were.”

“I, uh, yeah. I can’t help it.”

He laughs, maybe to make you feel more comfortable, but it’s got you wishing the floor would raise up and swallow you. You should have kept your fucking mouth shut. 

“Oh.”

A few beats of silence pass, and you wonder if you’re ever gonna be able to come back from this, or if you’re gonna spend the rest of your life wishing you could drive into oncoming traffic. 

“Why’d you wanna know?” He nudges you on the shoulder, and your hands find their way to your cheeks, pressing in until it hurts, trying to hide from him and to stop the sting of tears at the back of your throat.

“It’s stupid,” you whisper.

Eddie takes both your wrists in his gentle, calloused hands, tugging until he can look you in the eyes.

“Now you gotta tell me, princess.”

His thumb traces little shapes on the inside of your wrist, and there has to be some kind of magic he’s hiding from you, because you’re actually thinking about telling him the truth.

“It’s really dumb, okay? I just thought . . . if I’m gonna learn . . .”

What you don’t say is that he’s the only person you trust enough for something like this. You don’t tell him that it feels like your only hope. You don’t tell Eddie how badly you want it to be him. 

His thumb stops right against your thrumming pulse.

“Oh.”

“Sorry, sorry, it was fucking stupid and I should just go—” You’re almost to your feet when he grabs at you again, pulling you to a stop. 

“It’s not stupid.” 

Eddie lets the pillow drop from his lap, and your eyes trace over him—down the Metallica logo on his shirt and his belt buckle and the bulge in his jeans.

The weight of the moment slows your movements, has you straining to meet his eyes before you ask, “are you sure, Eds?”

“Yeah, of course I’m sure,”—he swallows— “if it’ll help you out, yeah.” 

You didn’t expect that. Didn’t think he’d give you a yes, and now you’ve got to ask yourself if it would be better to see Eddie Munson fall apart for you just once in your life, or never at all.

“Should we just-” you gesture back to the couch, and Eddie takes a couple steps in that direction until his knees buckle against the cushions. You slip to the ground with a little help, steadying yourself on the arm rest.

It’s fucking weird, finding your balance with your hands at his thighs, feeling the denim beneath your palms and the soft give of his skin beneath that. Eddie’s taking heavy breaths through his parted lips when you look at him, looking almost as scared as you feel.

“You’re still gonna be friends with me, right? Even if this sucks?”

That makes him laugh, and he nods. One of your hands snakes towards his belt.

“Wait,”—Eddie catches your fingers between his, tugging a little— “do you think we should kiss first?”

“What?”

“I mean,” his cheeks go pink, and he won’t look you in the eye, staring at the hand that’s caught yours while he fiddles with one of his rings, “you’re about to have my dick in your mouth. I just thought, maybe that would be weird, so . . .”

“You think kissing first would make this less weird?”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Eddie says, but the dejected look on his face talks louder, “I’m just being stupid—”

You catch his jaw in your hand, pressing your lips to his before you can talk yourself out of it.

Eddie’s kiss is warm and soft after he gets over the shock of it, relaxing into you with a gentle sigh that sends a jolt through you, whole body electrified. Something about him tastes familiar—like he’s been stealing all your chapstick from your bag again—but there’s nothing greasy left on your skin when he shifts, catching your bottom lip between his own. He just tastes like Eddie. 

And you can’t get enough of it. Even when you know that you should pull away—when you recognize that this is more than a friendly pre-blowjob peck—you don’t want to. You press forward instead, just letting your tongue brush the seam of his lips. Eddie smiles against you.

Then he jumps back with a little huh, almost like a moan. You’re surprised to see that your hand had slipped from his belt buckle, tracing the shape of his cock through his jeans.

“Oh,” your cheeks go flush, and you pull your hand back just a little, “sorry.”

“No, don’t be,” Eddie tells you, “did you wanna . . .?”

He glances back down at his bulge. 

“Oh, yeah. Right.”

You slip the strap of his belt through the loops before fiddling around with the buckle. The metal clinks when you push it to the side, jingling a little as Eddie shifts. There’s the soft pop of the button, and the metallic rumble of his zipper, uncovering more and more of Eddie’s blue boxers, and it’s all got you on pins and needles, shaking with anticipation. You keep your eyes on his when you reach inside the fabric, finding him by touch instead of sight.

Oh. Eddie’s cock is warm in your palm as you slip it from the gap in his boxers. He’s a little bigger than Brian was, but not enough to scare you, deep blue veins tracing paths from the patch of dark hair at the base up to the pink flushed head. 

This one only brings the total number of dicks you’ve seen up to three, but Eddie’s is definitely the prettiest.

His thighs are tense under your arms as you explore him with your fist, bouncing your hand just slightly, your thumb tracing one of his veins. Eddie’s trying to keep it together for you—lips pressed tight so you won’t hear the little sounds he’s making, or the pink flush climbing up his neck, but you know, and you see it, and you want more. 

 You lean in just close enough for your lips to hover over the tip, stopping before your lips brush against him. 

“Let me know what feels good?” you ask.

Eddie nods, voice tight. “Just . . . start slow.”

Easy enough. You let some spit collect at the front of your mouth, coat the tip of your tongue with it before parting your lips against his burning skin, just wide enough that you can take the head inside, sealing your lips under the seam. 

“Yeah, shit, just- just like that.” 

You’ve hardly done anything—just circled your tongue around him, pressing at the slit a little, but Eddie’s acting like you’ve fucking put a man on the moon, curling one hand in your hair, the other in a white-knuckle grip against the couch cushions. You take a little more of him, and the stretch isn’t so bad when you glance up through your lashes. 

Eddie’s got his head thrown back, jaw taut and chest heaving, and it’s got you wondering if he was right earlier. 

Maybe you are good at everything. 

The praise goes straight to your head, of course, confidence doubled knowing that Eddie likes the way your mouth feels around him, and wasn’t that what all of this was for? 

“Fuck, princess, that’s so fucking good. Fucking perfect.” 

The hand in your hair guides you, but gently, as you bounce up and down on his cock, tugging a little at your roots until you whine. There’s a swell of pleasure in your belly, one that travels straight to your cunt when he groans, and you know you’ll be thinking about this moment for a long time, every night you’re alone. 

You’re getting far enough down that you can feel the head of his dick nudging at your soft palate, eliciting a soft gag each time your head dips to kiss the edge of your fingers. Some spit leaks down from the seal of your lips, and you spread it with your palm, coating all the spaces you’re not going to be able to reach.

And Eddie’s so fucking loud—just the way you want him—whining and babbling as his hips shift and his dick twitches and you’re sure you’re gonna make him cum some place besides your dreams.

“Jesus, princess,” Eddie pants, and he can’t get a whole word out between his heavy breaths, “knew you’d be good at this. Never could stop thinking about you on your knees for me.”

What?

Maybe he forgot you were here. Maybe he’s thinking about somebody else to get through this, imagining their lips and their hands, but you don’t think so, even if it’s always seemed impossible. With the way he’s cupping the back of your head so gently, how you can feel his muscles shift under the palm of your hand, you know Eddie’s too far gone to lie to you. 

And maybe that makes you a little crazy, doubling your efforts as you hollow your cheeks around him, letting your tongue lave over his sticky tip, tracing the shape of him until he can’t help himself.

“Jesus, fuck, baby—” he’s trying to pull you off him, maybe embarrassed about how easy it was for you to get him so close, maybe worried that you don’t want a mouthful of his cum. 

But that’s exactly what you want. You hear his deep groan, feel it shaking in your chest as it drips down your throat, and you swallow every drop of it.

“Jesus H. Christ.”

That’s all Eddie has for you when you finally pull off him, eyes blown wide and expression slack. For the first time, you let yourself think about how pretty he is without the accompanying guilt. 

When he gets a hold of himself, he can’t meet your eyes, too busy tucking his spit-coated dick back into his pants to look at you.

You crawl up on the couch beside him, just watching, smiling too wide. It makes your jaw ache, but you can’t help it. Eddie’s all embarrassed when he finally meets your eyes. 

“What?”

“Nothing,” you tell him, scooting a little closer, pressing chest to chest. It’s your turn now to be a tease, after all the shit he’s given you. “I’m just wondering how long you’ve had your little crush on me.”

“Okay,” Eddie blanches, looking for some kind of escape route, but you’re not giving him an inch, “it’s not that big of a deal . . .”

“Yes it is, Eddie. Because, if we’re being honest with each other now, I want you, too.” 

Eddie’s hand shakes when you take it in your own, trembling against your thighs when you press it up your skirt, holding against the soaked fabric between your thighs. He lets out a little surprised breath, eyes searching. He looks scared to death of you. 

“Oh, fuck. Really?”

You hum, pressing his fingers tighter against your core until one slips between your lips, right up against your dripping hole. 

“Since I made one of your fantasies come true, why don’t you return the favor?”

“Yeah,” Eddie nods, like he still can’t believe his luck, “okay.”

[harunayuuka2060]

MC: I used to be bored to death whenever I had nothing to do. Now, your frequent, unexpected visits irritate the hell out of me.

Lilia: Yes. You've never been satisfied with anything since. I recall you attempting to obliterate me from existence.

MC: I have a feeling we weren't as acquainted as you claimed.

Lilia: *chuckles* Oh, no. Trust me when I say we were. In fact, I'd been your wingman every time you tried to woo a lady.

MC: "Woo a lady"?

Lilia: My dear friend, yes. You were irresistibly appealing to both men and women.

MC: That is something I believe to be true.

Ace: Wow... Madame, you should teach me your ways.

Deuce: O-Oi...

MC: You're far too young for it.

Ace: Wha— I'm sixteen!

MC: If you were a plant, you'd be a seed that hasn't yet sprouted.

Ace: *pouts*

Lilia: *chuckles* It's strange to see you act like a parent. I'm curious if you'd be like this to Malleus as well.

MC: Now that you mention it, you informed me that he was my grandson. Is it because I know someone in his family?

Lilia: You had a close relationship with Her Majesty, The Queen. Despite the fact that you were eternal enemies.

Deuce: Pardon me, but I'm curious. If you and Ma— I mean Madame, were friends before. How old should she be now?

Ace: Hey, Deuce. It's quite rude to ask about a woman's age.

Deuce: Ah! I-I'm sorry! Forget I asked!

MC: Don't be. I was never bothered by my age to begin with.

Lilia: If you're truly curious, Deuce Spade, your Madame would be more than two thousand years old now.

Ace: *coughs* T-TWO THOUSAND?!!

Deuce: H-How many civilizations have been created during those times?!

Ace: Geez, Madame. You're old-old. You should be a fossil by now.

MC: ...

MC: *both whacks them by the head*

Ace and Deuce: Ow!

MC: I did say I was unconcerned about my age. But to openly insult me? Hm. What happened to your manners?

Ace and Deuce: S-Sorry...

Lilia: *laughs* Anyway, before I forget, what grade level would you be instructing?

MC: Sophomores and freshmen.

Lilia: Come on now, Ooky. Why would you pick them? Malleus is a third-year student. How will you socialize with him while teaching younger levels?

MC: You appear to be unaware. But Malleus and I have been talking since the ball ended.

Lilia: Oh?

Deuce: That's true. He often drops by here for a cup of coffee.

Ace: He even has a room here in Ramshackle.

MC: Though I'm a little bit concerned. He's quite a shy kid.

Lilia: Haha, yes. But he can confident sometimes. He just needs to get used to his environment.

MC: Hm.

Sebek: MADAME! PLEASE ALLOW US TO RENT A ROOM IN RAMSHACKLE DORM!

MC: No. I have a stable income now, so I wouldn't need anyone paying a rent.

Sebek: BUT WAKA-SAMA IS STAYING IN YOUR DORM! AND IT IS OUR DUTY TO ENSURE HIS SAFETY!

Silver: Sebek, could you please lower your voice while talking to Madame?

MC: Huh. It's no surprise that child appears lonely. You're overprotective of someone who doesn't require it.

Sebek and Silver: ...

Silver: Please do understand, Madame. Malleus is a prince—

MC: Ha... This conversation isn't going anywhere.

Sebek: But Madame!

MC: I must attend to other matters. And as for Malleus, I'm confident I'll be able to protect him in the event of a crisis.

Sebek and Silver: ...

MC: Keep your tickets with you at all times. You don't want to be without them. *has gone to a theme park and bought Malleus tickets for different kinds of rides*

Malleus: Madame, you've never struck me as someone who enjoys theme parks.

MC: I'm not. But, after you said you couldn't remember the last time you went to one, of course, I'd feel obligated in some way.

Malleus: Is it because I'm technically a grandson to you?

MC: Maybe.

Malleus: Should I start calling you "Grandma"?

MC: ...

MC: Do you see that ferris wheel over there?

Malleus: Yes. Why?

MC: I will hang you up there if you try to do so.

Malleus: ...

Malleus: Yes... Nonna.

MC: ...

MC: That's much better. Let's go.

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.89 Lose control

During our conversation about pre-wedding activities, Sophia and I found the idea of having a party appealing, but we had reservations about the traditional bachelor and bachelorette party. I'd never been to one, but I'd heard stories about them. Getting wasted and dancing with other women didn't appeal to me at all. My party didn't have to follow that formula; we could spend the night however I wanted. But the real reason we were anxious was because we both we both had a small circle of friends. We loved kicking it with our respective squads, but a party with just one or two sims wouldn't be lit.

"What if we did a joint co-ed party?" she offered.

That was the most brilliant idea, and it relieved us both. I mean, the whole point of a bachelor/bachelorette party was just to hang out with friends and have a good time, right? Who's to say we couldn't do that together? Our friends and their plus ones were enough sims for a fun, intimate party.

We tried to take Mama's advice and not show up early this time and walked in with the first wave. Heh, if Sophia had agreed to my offer earlier, we could have been super late, but let's not dwell on that. While getting a drink, I saw Alessia. I was low-key pissed, to be honest. Not enough to make a scene or even snub her all night, but we were definitely not okay.

Dub snuck up on me, and I almost dropped my drink.

"This is a nice place," he said. "The food selection is...interesting."

"Yeah. I guess I should have been more specific when I requested light refreshments."

"It's all good. Nothing like a little natural sugar to get you pumped up!"

"That's right. I expect to see everyone dancing, Dubstep."

"Dubstep??"

"Yeah! I think it's about time I gave you a nickname."

"But Dubstep though? I can't stand that music! It's everywhere at home!"

"Sorry, dude. I'm not often this clever. It's sticking!"

"Ugh! You better be glad your name can only be shortened, or I'd come up with something annoying for you too!"

"HA! Thank you, granddad I never met, for a boring name."

"Oh, hi Dub," Sophia said. "Thanks for coming!"

"Of course I'd come. I gotta make sure my boy Luc stays out of trouble!"

Sophia laughed.

"That's kind of you, but totally unnecessary."

I loved she said that. We had several conversations about my female friends, and she always expressed her acceptance of them. I believed her, but part of me wondered if she was actually cool with it or just trying to avoid conflict. Those conversations triggered her sometimes, and I knew she was still dealing with scars her ex-trash man inflicted. I never gave her a reason to doubt me, and I intended to keep it that way. Even so, her display of trust touched me deeply.

Less and Justin were chilling in the corner, probably relieved that I was busy. Did they keep in touch? Probably not. Regardless, I was happy they maintained a small connection, even though I still believed he was much too old for her. Once Rashidah and her husband showed up, Sophia hit the dance floor and got the party going. I sat down and watched her, mesmerized by the thought that tomorrow she would be my wife.

Chi Chi latched onto Maia as soon as she arrived and did not let her go. When Dub noticed, he not-so-casually got closer and watched their every move. I don't know why I thought it was funny, but I laughed anyway. Seeing him transition through this relationship, going from uncertainty about pursuing it to worrying about someone encroaching on them, was fun to watch. I knew Chi Chi was harmless, but he didn't, so I didn't laugh too hard. Still, what was Maia thinking? She was so gracious to endure all that talking for two nights straight. I knew all too well how draining it could be, trying to keep up with all the words that flew out of her mouth.

I eventually finished my drink and got out there to shake it with everyone. Poor Dub didn't even take one step and spent the whole night watching Maia and Chi Chi. I made a mental note to talk to him about it before we left, so it didn't become a big deal later on.

The fruity drinks were lame, so I invited everyone to the bar downstairs and bought us a round. The thumping bass from the DJ downstairs reverberated through the walls, injecting a surge of energy into our group. Moving the party downstairs was a genius move. The room was buzzing with excitement. Lively conversations and laughter filled the air. In the midst of all the excitement, I spotted Less trying to slip away, but I quickly caught her eye and called her out.

"Where were you last night?"

"What?"

"The engagement dinner? You didn't show."

She shrugged.

"I didn't want to go."

I needed a moment before replying, because her response struck a nerve. Her indifference was no stranger to me; I'd been dealing with it my whole life. It annoyed me then, and triple annoyed me now. I usually coped with it by ignoring her, but this was something I could not shrug off.

"You couldn't at least call and tell me you weren't coming?"

"I guess. Why are you so upset? You had the dinner and now this party. They're pretty much the same thing, so why do I have to come to both?"

I was teetering on the edge of losing my cool, and it caught me off guard. Despite all the challenges I faced in my life, I could never truly feel angry. I could've been mad at Dad taking us away from Mama, but I was just a little kid and more scared than anything. I couldn't bring myself to be angry with Mama for breaking up our family because my love for her was too strong. Less always got on my nerves, and I could've been mad at her countless times, but I felt pressured to always be in control as the oldest, especially since she always copied me. I just wanted to experience losing control for once, but was that the moment to waste my chance? In the grand scheme of things, it wasn't that serious. Less was just being Less, and as much as it pained me to overlook it again, I just took a few deep breaths and re-centered myself before responding.

"You're my sim of honor, Less. Does that even mean anything to you? We were doing toasts, and you weren't there. Dub did a toast for me, and we just met. Maybe I should have asked him or Maira to be my sim of honor."

"I'm sorry, Luca! I thought it was just a casual dinner or something. I didn't think you'd be mad."

I sighed and shook my head at her.

"You never do, Less."

Speaking of Dub, I saw him stewing on the sidelines, so I let Less go and went to de-escalate him.

"Am I crazy?" he asked as I sat down. "Is she really that bold that she would try to take my girl in front of my face?"

I was glad to have something comical to take my mind off my annoying sister.

"She's harmless, man. A bit of a flirt, yes, and she talks a lot, but she would never do that to you. She's sweet."

"Brooo! The talking! I thought maybe she liked me too because she had me hemmed up all night last night. I barely escaped in time to make a toast!"

I laughed.

"Believe me...I am aware. I feel like she has a word quota she has to reach every day or she'll explode or something."

"Yeah, and she's spending it all on us!"

"Seriously... But for real...I really appreciate you doing that last night. My sister should have been the one making that toast, but she wasn't there, and that really hurt my feelings."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I got you, bro. Whatever you need."

"I appreciate that, Dubstep."

"HEY!"

Dub and Maia by @mysimsloveaffair

[avisisisis]

Honestly the “JLU Wally is YJ Wally” HC/AU has so much wasted potential. Not only angst but also. Imagine how fucking funny the whole situation could be. Imagine

Wally, against his wishes, goes to an undercover mission with the League. When something inevitably blows up, he gets (reasonably) angry and starts muttering about how “It's a curse, I swear. I am not feeling the aster right now. So not whelmed, man”. Shayera looks at him confused, because what the fuck does aster mean?

He gets banned from going to undercover/recon/non-fighting missions

When he figures something that he feels should have been obvious up he says “Hello, Megan!” and facepalms. He does it a lot, and refuses to explain when someone asks him why or what it means

He's the youngest in the team but he's also one of the most experienced

People usually think that the reason why he tends to not tell the league about what his next move is going to be in battle or why he's so uncoordinated when working in a team is because he's arrogant and refuses to listen. It's actually because he's so used to having the mind link to communicate that now he finds it hard to talk out loud with his teammates sometimes. He's working on it

He'll ask someone something and then get frustrated when they don't answer him, only to remember that he never actually said anything out loud

Not having people in his mind all the time feels kind of lonely. Maybe that's why he was so much happier than usual when J'onn was forced to make a temporary mind link for a mission

He gets frustrated because he wants to watch a show he likes but then remembers that the show doesn't exist because it was created in like 2008. It's a pain

He talks to Shayera about his other red-headed sister, ‘Megan’, and gets uncharacteristically sad and quiet when she asks if she could meet her someday

The original JL members started to pick up on some of the stuff he says, so the phrases “Hello, Megan!”, “Get whelmed” or even the word ‘crash’ are commonly heard in the Watchtower

His relationship with Superman is complicated because he's used to holding some resentment for not being patient with Conner when he first met him so sometimes he's too salty with him, but then he remembers that that was another Superman and it gets awkward pretty quickly

If his relationship with Superman is complicated, then imagine how it is with Batman and Zatanna. One is his best friend's dad from another universe and the other is his friend he's known since he was 14 from another universe who is now older than him

And imagine how it'd be with Red Tornado. He's so used to having the guy as some kind of mentor that being his superior feels off. He tried to connect with him but it was just too awkward for him to handle

He. Misses. Barry. And. Iris.

He finds out that the Jason of this universe came back to life and wonders if his Jason came back too. Too bad he's never going to find out

Let him break down a little. Let him live with the knowledge that he's all alone now (pre-JL). Let him be depressed over the fact that his aunt doesn't even know him because both him and Barry are dead in this universe

He thinks about how he was going to propose to Artemis and doesn't show up to league meetings and missions for three weeks

“Why weren't you here?” “I had some stuff to do haha sorry” (he was laying in bed crying)

Certain things, like eating ice cream or going out to see movies, just aren't as appealing as they used to be. Everytime he sees teenagers hanging out, laughing with each other, he can't help but think about how that could (should) be him

He had to quit the team (more like was forced to quit) because his powers were killing him. Now he's back on the field and isn't dying anymore, but he can't help but think that maybe if he was then he wouldn't have cared much

Wally meets the Nightwing of this universe and immediately starts crying

Think about this: Dick doesn't know him, who know what's up with Roy, Artemis is a criminal, Kaldur probably doesn't even exist, Conner also doesn't exist (yet), Zatanna's way older than him and M'gann is dead. Just. Take a moment to think about it

He has to live with the knowledge that he's probably never going to see his friends, his family again. He has to live with the knowledge that he has no one to go to when he has speedster problems. He has to live with the knowledge that he'll never go home

Clark brings his Ma's pie to the Watchtower once and Wally gets so emotional because it smells sm like the pies he used to (try to) make with Iris and Barry (it was apple pie. They always failed so they bought one from a bakery, and Ma's smells sm like those he can't help but remember the good old days lmao. He cries)

I said this once and I'll say it again: he was going to propose to Artemis

He died knowing that he would never be able to make amends with his soulmate best friend

He has to go on a mission where he sees this universe's Artemis (a criminal) and no matter how much he tries to help her and turn her into at least a civilian, he still wasn't able to make her be even close to his Artemis

He has one of those scenes where the hero (Wally ofc) says “You could come with me. I'd help you. You could get away from the people that hurt you and, if you want to, I'd live you alone once you're safe. I can promise that”, and the villain (Arty) is like “Omg really...??” and acts all hopeful and shit but ends up being “Sike no, I'm never going with u wtf”

He finds out Hal exists in this universe too but is in another planet and looses his shit lmaoo

But like srs. The potential this shit has is amazing and ppl should acknowledge it more

[possibilistfanfiction]

Oh my gosh! How have I just found this amazing tumblr? Please can I ask for any prompt from the AU in which they’re surgeons? Maybe domestic with their child or building to the ‘I love you?’ and maybe anything extra from 🐸?

[lil smth w their kiddo from surgeons au]

//

'hello, little dr. choi-silva.'

you roll your eyes with a laugh. 'hey, aunt cam.'

sometimes, when your moms are on overlapping shifts, you'll come to the hospital from school when you don't have violin or judo or tennis or something planned with your friends; you're old enough now to take the train, and they always let you hang out in the attendings lounge while you do your homework or watch something on your phone.

your aunt camila — a very fancy researcher, as you've come to understand as you got older, mostly because you've known her as your funny, kind, cool aunt since you were little — sits down next to you at the table.

'oh cool, trig. my favorite part of ninth grade.'

'ew.'

'hey, you can't drag math that much. i do all kinds of cool things with it, and your mom and i —'

'yeah, yeah, stem cells and rebuilding severed spinal cords. blah blah.'

'you were way nicer when you were four.'

'do you want to do my homework for me?'

your aunt camila laughs. 'i'm happy to do it with you, if you want.'

you, like, really don't want to do your math homework, but nora had wanted to come hang out at your house tomorrow and she makes you so nervous it's hard to focus. 'i want to get it done fast, so that would be sweet.' you scoot your chromebook and graph paper closer to your aunt. 'thank you.'

'does this speeding through math have anything to do with —' she looks around to make sure no one is listening, even though you're the only ones in the lounge — 'your girlfriend?'

horrifically you feel yourself blush. 'nora isn't — she's — ugh.'

'have you told your moms yet?'

'suddenly, trig seems so appealing.'

your aunt laughs but grants you a little grace, thank fucking god. you work for a while and, with your aunt explaining things patiently and clearly, you're just about to finish when both of your moms, a little surprisingly, come into the lounge.

'hey, tai,' your mama says, kissing you on the top of the head softly.

'what's up, kid?' your mom grins and squeezes your shoulder. you don't remember being adopted — you were just a baby anyway — but every time your mom smiles at you like that, or your mama gently corrects your form when you're sparring, or they both listen to you clumsily practice a new piece on the violin, before your fingers have gotten the hang of the notes you don't know yet — you think you're the luckiest person in the world.

your mom glances over your shoulder as your mama goes to, presumably, gather their things. 'one, my surgery got canceled — my patient had a fever, so you're stuck with both of us tonight.'

'however will i survive.'

your mom rolls his eyes. 'you're lucky you're cute.'

you know he knows you're kidding, but you still nudge his hip anyway and he ruffles your hair. 'two, did you finish your math?'

'i have, like, two more? but aunt cam helped a lot.'

'you knew your stuff all on your own,' she says, which is relatively generous but makes you feel better about your test in two weeks.

your mama comes over with her neat overnight duffel and your mom's messy cotton tote. 'does this efficiency with math have anything to do with your girlfriend coming over tomorrow?'

your aunt cam laughs — total traitor — and your mom grins, tapping. your chair with her cane when you groan and hide your face in your hands. 'i was gonna tell you guys, i swear.'

your mom rubs your back gently. 'you are your mother's daughter.'

'i'm adopted,' you whine.

your mama laughs. 'nurture is so strong, my love.'

she starts gathering your things too, straightening your backpack, and normally you would scoff and ask her to stop, because you're fourteen and way too old for that. but you love them both, a lot, and, like. your folders were out of the order you like — your class schedule, which your mama has memorized too — so you don't say anything.

'tai, since we're both off now, want to go get some pizza at roberta's?' she asks you, slipping into a fleece that's definitely your mom's — department of neurosurgery embroidered on it, but whatever. it's an enticing offer; your favorite.

'what's the catch.'

'we gotta put olives on half,' your mom says, handing you your coat as you stand.

'deal.'

'and you have to tell us about how you got together with nora.'

'i'm gonna run away. i swear.'

your moms and your aunt laugh — you love them so much you don't want to go to college out of the city; they're your favorite people in the whole entire world — but you pout for posterity. you grumble as you go to the car, and then while you're waiting in a booth for your order.

'out with it.' your mom grins.

your mama pats your hand and amends, 'if you're ready.'

you take a deep breath, but then you smile. 'okay, i've been dying to tell you guys.'

your moms grin.

[sage-knight]

I want to do some kind of year in review. 1) I am far too chaotic for any sort of organized template. These are some of my favorite screenshots I've taken this year. I know I'll never get a ton of notes on what I post, but they've brought me joy. (On the subject of notes, the two most popular posts I've made since I joined tumblr are the most low effort trash and they don't bring me joy, but that ironically does make me laugh.)

Beginning of the year I made an unofficial decision (compulsion?) to focus on my fav OC, my sith inquisitor from swtor. It's become kind of a project seeing where I can stick her. She inspired me to write more, first with swtor then cyberpunk, which is partially why I became so attached. That and I put a lot of myself in her. I will say I have uhhh a weird relationship with my asian heritage? I ended up deleting Ixaphia 1.0 at some point because she reminded me too much of my mom (it was the hair, that hair had to go!) Not to get too real on main, but I think she might have helped me unpack some stuff I didn't even realize were a thing.

For 2024 I'd like to overcome the feeling that I'm wasting my time here posting my little pictures like a sad racoon who is too lazy to make gifs. It's a weird struggle of wanting to share and talk to people but also not wanting to put even the most vague personal details out there. See me, but do not perceive me. It's going great!

As for writing this year, I write sporadically, usually when blorbo thoughts threaten to start leaking out of my ears if I don't get it out. It's not something I share but @meonlyred has been subjected to the p o rn, bc what are friends for. I'm sorry and/or you're welcome. Not ready to put that into the void, but I will throw up the first few paragraphs I ever wrote for my Viktor Vektor fic in hopes that 2024 I actually finish the thing.

Jackie walked over to the punching bag Vik had hanging in the corner of his basement clinic and bounced back and forth giving it a few casual jabs. The man was a hulking fridge of perpetual energy. He sauntered over to some knick-knacks on a shelf and began rearranging them.

“I'm telling you Vik, she won't admit it, but V is sweet on you. I can tell.”

Viktor didn't look up from the equipment he was cleaning. The basic tools of every NC ripperdoc, plus a few he had custom modified for himself. Half the appeal of working back-alley was doing the job better than the corpo wage slaves tied down by miles of red tape. Besides the tiny tremor in his hand, a little souvenir from his boxing days had washed him out of the possibility of trauma team--even if it could be mitigated.

“Nonsense, Viky. You'd be good together! Me and Misty and you two, think of the double dates. Basically what we do already, just make it official-like.”

This time Viktor did stop what he was doing and looked up at his friend over the glasses half-slid down his nose. He took them off and rubbed his temple.

“Jackie--”

He was mercifully interrupted by the metallic clank of the door, before he found himself having to explain yet again why him and V were a bad idea.

“Sorry, Jack. Got an appointment. Still on for tonight? Malone v Hernandez. Fridge is stocked.”

“V will be there too, yeah?”

At the look Viktor shot his way he held his hands up in concession. “Okay, okay. I'll see you tonight. But think about what I said!”

[readercognito]

Where in the World is the Real Professor Avalon?

Palladium x Reader

I had been keeping an eye on Avalon ever since he came to the school, especially due to his entrance. I mean really he could have just talked with Faragonda, or at least cleared the methods with her! While this had made Faragonda and the other professors wary in the beginning they had all warmed up to him rather quickly. Almost too quickly... 

But no matter how much I talked to him there was always something… off about him. Something I couldn’t quite place, and I didn’t like how close Bloom was getting to him. I understand why she wanted to talk to him, she was desperate to understand herself and her powers. Something Avalon had promised to provide answers too. I would be the same in her place, but that didn’t give me any comfort when Bloom would spend time alone with him. So I had been spying on them, I know it wasn’t really the most appealing method. But after Bloom was spelled the first time (recently coming out of Avalons office I might add) I had to make sure that wouldn’t happen again. So I had been keeping an eye on her using an enchantment all of my own creation. Any dark magic that made itself known around bloom would make my ring buzz. Naturally her tight knit group of friends have done their best to keep her safe. But that isn’t enough, plus they’re teenagers. Easily trusting, and easily distractible...

Then a gentle voice pulled me from my musings.

“What are you still doing here?” Asked Athos, leaning against my desk.

The last class had just let out, but I hadn’t gotten around to leaving my classroom just yet. At least I thought the last period had let out, until I glanced at the clock. Just how long had I been sitting here lost in thought?

“Sorry Athos, I guess I just lost track of time...” I said, looking into the amber eyes of Professor Palladium.

We had known each other since I started work here a year or two after my graduation from Alfea. He ran into me during one of the faculty gatherings, spilled tea all over my skirt. But I couldn't hold a grudge, or even be angry really. Especially since he had bought me a replacement only the day after. We became fast friends after that. He asked me out my second year at the school, (after his confidence boosting change in appearance) and we had been happily dating since. Which only Stella and Flora had figured out, Flora because she often stays back to talk with Athos about nature related topics. Stella found out because she is a drama and relationship bloodhound. Thankfully Faragonda (L/n)sn't seem to know of (or mind really) our relationship.

Athos smiled knowingly, "don't worry too much about it. Let's just head out, I want to show you something in the glade." 

That brought a grin to my face, the glade. Correction, our glade. Something Athos and I had found while looking for a plant for one of his classes. It's a beautiful place, a ring of ancient willows surrounding a sparkling blue lake. The grass is covered with clovers and bushy wild flowers. I still keep the four leaf clover he found for me when we found the glade. I spelled into a tiny glass pendant with a gold chain to hang around my neck.

"This isn't another 'surprise' is it?" I asked playfully.

Palladium flushed, "it was one time! I knew I shouldn't have asked that blasted pixie for help." He grumbled.

I let out a laugh, not able to witness Athos' face soften and a gentle blush return to his cheeks.

We are walking through the woods outside the school, nearly to the glade when Athos goes behind me and covers my eyes. Carefully guiding me into the glade.

"Oh, so it is a surprise~" I chortled.

"Oh hush," he said, with a chuckle.

Then with a flourish of his strong yet delicate hand, he revealed the most magical thing I had seen.

Little glowing orbs were dancing around the trees and above the flowers, clearly enchanted to glow and swaying softly to the tune being played by an unmanned harp at the waters' glittering edge. In the middle of it all was a picnic set up on a beautifully embroidered quilt. A dainty tea set with intricate china plates lay on a short wooden tray of sorts.

The gasp of awe was involuntary, Athos grabbed my hand and gently led my frozen feet to the blanket, then swiftly pulled me into him. I was ripped out of my stupor and fell with a shout.

After regaining my senses, looking a flushed Palladium in the eye. He was so adorably red, I couldn't help but laugh. He seemed as shocked by my fall as I did! Athos joined me with a chuckle of his own, then stilled.

Athos fixed me with those amber eyes, brimming with a yet unknown emotion. Those deep, warm, gentle, eyes. Just as I was about to lean in, my ring buzzed.

"Bloom!" I stood with a shout.

"What? What are you talking about?" Athos asked, confused, moving to stand.

"There's no time! Bloom's in danger!" I shouted before quickly teleporting to her location.

I looked around the room I had popped into, seeing Bloom in a yellow bubble. Avalon standing menacingly behind her, face and body glowing with red marks.

"Bloom look out!" I shouted and quickly shot a spell at Avalon. 

But it bounced off the bubble they were in, Avalon letting out a wicked bark of  laughter. Throwing a dark orb of magic at me and everything went black.

•

•

•

•

Palladium was frantic, what did you sense? How were you able to teleport so quickly to Bloom? How did you know that she was even in danger? These questions and many like it flooded his thoughts as he ran back to Alfea as fast his long legs could carry him.

Athos Palladium returned to an all too silent campus… What horrible thing had (Y/n) been trying to prevent? Was Bloom alright? He only just registered his surroundings before storming into Faragonda, so consumed by his own spiraling thoughts.

"You're looking for (Y/n) aren't you?" She said solemn but matter of fact.

How had she known? But before he could say anything Faragonda beckoned him to her office. Closing the door behind her and walking gracefully to her desk.

"I know about you and (Y/n)." Faragonda started.

Athos' eyes widened with shock, but he remained silent awaiting what Faragonda was going to say next.

"But I believe Professor (L/n) has been kidnapped along with Bloom. That both of them have been taken to Shadow Haunt, I'm not sure what Lord Darkar wants with (Y/n), but I am certain he has every intention to use Bloom's dragonfire to get to the Realix realm."

That answers some of Palladiums questions, replacing his mild panic with a deep sense of dread.

"What do we do now?" Athos' mind was too bogged down with worry to think.

"There isn't much we can do I'm afraid, but the Winx Club is putting together a rescue party with some of the red fountain boys. The same ones that helped when Stella and Bloom went to save the pixies." Said Faragonda almost conspiratorially.

“What? You’re letting them storm Shadow Haunt all by themselves!?” Athos said incredulous, he knew the girls were capable but facing Darkar all by themselves? 

“They certainly won’t be, the red fountain boys will be helping them. Apparently one of them has a connection with the underworlders there… But we are ready to step in if anything were to happen that our girls cannot handle.”

So that’s what they did, Palladium bid the students adieu. Then went to watch them on a scrying spell in Faragonda’s office, with the other headmasters on standby. Which honestly Athos was a little surprised at, he didn’t know that Faragonda had such a long history with them. They were talking with a familiarity only very old friends would have. 

The Winx Club was doing surprisingly well against the Shadow Haunt monsters, the girls even undoing the gloomix enchantment on them. But things got serious when a particularly large monster cornered Stella and Aisha (Layla). That’s when things really got into motion.

•

•

•

•

With the headmasters distracting Darkars lackey, Athos escorts the girls with the pixie elders. They gather the shards required to create a secondary portal to the Realix realm, but before the girls are able to make their way through, another fairy comes through the portal. A very familiar fairy.

It was (Y/n), but there was something off about her, there was a darkness in her aura. Even her clothes and hair seemed darker, and more jagged than her usual appearance. Then with a growl, she launched a plasma sphere at Aisha, who was only just able to dodge it.

“Professor (L/n)?! What happened to you?” Stella exclaimed in shock. Dodging yet another bolt of magic from the corrupted fairy.

“She must have been affected by Darkar’s magic! He most likely used a similar enchantment on bloom! Hurry girls, through the portal! I’ll hold her off…” Palladium shouted, his hands sparking to life with magic, throwing a sphere at (Y/n). Which she deflected, but the attack served its purpose, the girls were able to sneak through the portal and with (Y/n) preoccupied by Athos she didn’t even notice the portal closing. That was until it was too late…

“YOU SIMPLETON! You think those prissy fairies will be able to stop Lord Darkar and Bloom!? They’ll be destroyed!” (Y/n) screeched, then let out a wicked cackle.

Then Athos and (Y/n) went hand to hand for what felt like ages. Each landing a hit and then returning the favor, it got to the point where both of them were panting, and disheveled. Athos took a good long look at (Y/n). Her (h/c) hair was messy and almost entirely pulled from it’s usual style, giving her a deranged edge to her already twisted appearance. Her skin had a sheen of sweat, and there were several burn marks in her clothes, he was sure his appearance matched. But behind those glaring (e/c) eyes, a familiar spark was seen, one he missed so dearly in the moment. And before he could stop himself he said,

“What did Darkar do to the woman I love?” 

“What?” Said (Y/n) the venom only just receding from her voice. Which didn’t go unnoticed by Athos.

Ignoring (Y/n)’s question Athos asked another question with thinly veiled hope.

“Do you love me?”

“Do I what?!” She nearly shouted, the wickedness in her voice starting to fade.

He could do nothing but smile softly, seeing that familiar spark start to grow.

“Do you love me?” He asked again, a glint of knowing twinkling in his eye.

“You’re a fool!” (Y/n) seethed, but once again the anger seemed more fabricated than the last.

Athos let out a tired laugh, “I know, but do you love me?” Then he continued, “Because, though I haven’t said it before. I’m sure of it now, however strange that may seem. That without a doubt I love you. I love your kindness, and patience. I love just how confident you are, you get along with the students so well! But they all respect you, I can see it. They admire you, and how capable you are. I love you, all of you. Do. you. love. me?”

At those words (Y/n) was bathed in a bright light, making Athos close his eyes due to its intensity. Then as quickly as it came, the light faded and before he could even blink the black spots out of his eyes he felt a soft and warm body envelop him in a hug. Feeling warm and wet tears fall on his exposed shoulder,

“I’m so sorry,” (Y/n) sobbed into his shoulder “I saw- I felt what I was doing, but-but I couldn’t stop! I’m so, so sorry Athos…”

Athos returned the embrace full force, rubbing calming circles in (Y/n)’s back, “Don’t worry about that, I knew it wasn’t really you. I’m just glad I’ve got you back now.” He said soothingly.

“Did you mean what you said?” (Y/n) asked hesitantly.

Athos paused for a moment, a blush rushing to his pale face. He just now realizes that was the first time either of them had said those life changing three words. Just then his blasted nerves decided to get the best of him, his carefully cultivated confidence flying right out the window.

“E-eh, We-well of c-cor-course I did-d” He said, face getting even redder and cursing his blasted nerves.

Not that (Y/n) seemed to mind, letting out a cute chortle and kissing him on the cheek.

“You are wonderful Athos, I love you too.” She said.