#THE DEVIL IS A HANDSOME LIAR INDEED

[narkinafive]

he's too pretty to be anything But vader

[homomenhommes]

THIS DAY IN GAY HISTORY

based on: The White Crane Institute's 'Gay Wisdom', Gay Birthdays, Gay For Today, Famous GLBT, glbt-Gay Encylopedia, Today in Gay History, Wikipedia, and more … April 15

2019; the historic Notre-Dame de Paris caught fire during a restoration campaign, and the blaze destroyed most of the cathedral's roof, the 19th-century spire, and some of the rib vaulting.

1452 – Leonardo da Vinci, the Italian Renaissance polymath, was born on this date (d.1519); How much of what is known about the sexuality of this greatest of history's geniuses is fact and how much is speculation?

In 1476, just as Leonardo was becoming a master in his own right, probably functioning as a partner to Verrocchio, he was suddenly plagued by scandal. Along with three other young men, he was anonymously accused of sodomy, which in Florence was a criminal offense, even though in most cases the authorities looked the other way and the general culture attached little social stigma to homosexuality.

Leonardo was 24 years old at the time. The accusation specifically charged him with a homosexual interaction with one Jacopo Saltarelli, 17 years old, "a boy of ill-repute" . The charges were brought in April, and for a time Leonardo and the other defendants were under the watchful eye of Florence's "Officers of the Night"—a kind of renaissance vice squad.

However, the charges were dismissed in June, due to a lack of witnesses and evidence. It is probable that the Medici family brought had something to do with this outcome, as another of the defendants was Lionardo de Tornabuoni, and Lorenzo de Medici's mother had been a Tornabuoni.

The second major implication of the sodomy case is, of course, the question of Leonardo's sexuality. Homosexuality was common in quatrocento Florence, and several things indicate that Leonardo was probably gay. He never married or showed any (recorded) interest in women; indeed, he wrote in his notebooks that male-female intercourse disgusted him. His anatomical drawings naturally include the sexual organs of both genders, but those of the male exhibit much more extensive attention. Finally, Leonardo surrounded himself with beautiful young male assistants, such as Salai and Melzi.

"Salai" as John the Baptist

He complained in his notebooks of his attachment to his student Andrea Salaino, whom he nicknamed "Salai" "("little devil"). Calling Salai a liar and a thief, he was nonetheless obsessed with the handsome young man to have left him a good portion of his estate. He also painted him in a gorgeous portrait as "John the Baptist" seen above.Francesco Melzi, Salai's replacement as Leonardo's 'assistant,' was left the larger part of the master's estate.

These are the known facts. That Leonardo chose his students for their looks is contemporary gossip. That all his female subjects were painted from young male models, including the Mona Lisa, is speculation.

1843 – Henry James, (d.1916) was an American-born writer, regarded as one of the key figures of 19th-century literary realism. He was the son of Henry James, Sr., a clergyman, and the brother of philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James. He is best-known for The Turn of the Screw, Daisy Miller, and The Ambassadors.

In a brilliant series of articles, endorsed by James's biographer Leon Edel, Richard Hall has shown that James was actually in love with his brother, the Harvard philosopher William James. This finally puts to rest the speculations that have ranged (Honest to God!) from a severe, lifelong case of constipation to his having been hit in the nuts with a pump handle to explain why the famous writer seems to never have had a sex life.

Henry and William James

James had, in fact, proclaimed himself "a bachelor." But as the diaries of contemporaries and hundreds of affectionate and sometimes erotic letters written by James to younger men have come to light, the picture of neurotic celibacy have given way to a portrait of a closeted homosexual, although as author Terry Eagleton has stated, "... gay critics debate exactly how repressed his (probable) homosexuality was ..."

From the late 1890s until the end of his life in 1916, Henry James, by then a permanent expatriate resident in Lamb House, Rye, Sussex, England, kept up a faithful correspondence with four considerably younger men: sculptor Hendrix Andersen, British writer Hugh Walpole, fellow expatriate Howard Sturgis, and Jocelyn Persse.

James's letters to expatriate American sculptor Hendrik Christian Andersen have attracted particular attention. James met the 27-year-old Andersen in Rome in 1899, when James was 56, and wrote letters to Andersen that are intensely emotional: "I hold you, dearest boy, in my innermost love, & count on your feeling me—in every throb of your soul". In a letter of 6 May 1904, to his brother William, James referred to himself as "always your hopelessly celibate even though sexagenarian Henry". How accurate that description might have been is the subject of contention among James's biographers, but the letters to Andersen were occasionally quasi-erotic: "I put, my dear boy, my arm around you, & feel the pulsation, thereby, as it were, of our excellent future & your admirable endowment." To his homosexual friend Howard Sturgis, James could write: "I repeat, almost to indiscretion, that I could live with you. Meanwhile I can only try to live without you."

His many letters to the young gay men who made up a large fraction of his close male friends are more forthcoming. In a another letter to Howard Sturgis, following a long visit, James refers jocularly to their "happy little congress of two" and in letters to Hugh Walpole he pursues convoluted jokes and puns about their relationship, referring to himself as an elephant who "paws you oh so benevolently" and winds about Walpole his "well meaning old trunk". His letters to Walter Berry printed by the Black Sun Press have long been celebrated for their lightly veiled eroticism.

The letters point to a complicated intimacy that James, nearing 60, fostered with these youthful admirers, friends and house guests during his years of declining health and increasing emotional frailty. James seems to have played shifting roles within each relationship: mentor, father, brother, erotic companion, confidant.

James is paternal with Hendrik Andersen, for example, but he also writes of a wish to "put my hands on you (oh, how lovingly I should lay them!)" He is nurturing to Dudley Jocelyn Persse, but also refers to their "promiscuous social exercise." His letters are replete with dazzling melodrama: to Hugh Walpole he writes, "I too, even poor ponderous & superannuated I, am leading the Life for a little, in my clumsy way & with a vocation & a genius so inferior to yours."

The outbreak of World War I was a shock for James, and on 26 July 1915, he became a British citizen as a declaration of loyalty to his adopted country and in protest against America's refusal to enter the war. James suffered a stroke on 2 December 1915, and it soon became apparent that his prognosis was not good. The novelist, now seriously ill, was awarded the Order of Merit, bestowed on 1 January 1916. His health continued to decline and he died in London on 28 February 1916. He was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium and his ashes are interred at Cambridge, Massachusetts.

1907 – The American fashion and commercial photographer George Platt Lynes was born on this date (d.1955). He spent his childhood in New Jersey but attended the Berkshire School in Massachusetts. He was sent to Paris in 1925 with the idea of better preparing him for college. His life was forever changed by the circle of friends that he would meet there. Gertrude Stein, Glenway Wescott and Monroe Wheeler—a twosome with whom he became number three in a ménage à trois — and those that he met through them opened an entirely new world to the young artist.

He returned to the United States with the idea of a literary career and he even opened a bookstore in Englewood, New Jersey in 1927. He first became interested in photography not with the idea of a career, but to take photographs of his friends and display them in his bookstore. Returning to France the next year in the company of Wescott and Wheeler, he traveled around Europe for the next several years, always with his camera at hand. He developed close friendships within a larger circle of artists including Jean Cocteau and Julien Levy, the art dealer and critic. Levy would exhibit his photographs in his gallery in New York City in 1932 and Lynes would open his studio there that same year.

He was soon receiving commissions from Harper's Bazaar, Town & Country and Vogue including a cover with perhaps the first supermodel, Lisa Fonssagrives. In 1935 he was asked to document the principal dancers and productions of Lincoln Kirstein's and George Balanchine's newly founded American Ballet company (now the New York City Ballet). While he continued to shoot fashion photographs, getting accounts with such major clients as Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue during the 1930s and 1940s he was losing interest and had started a series of photographs which interpreted characters and stories from Greek mythology.

Minotaur

By the mid-1940s he grew disillusioned with New York and left for Hollywood in 1946 where he took the post of Chief Photographer for the Vogue studios. He photographed Katharine Hepburn, Rosalind Russell, Gloria Swanson and Orson Welles, from the film industry as well as others in the arts among them Aldous Huxley, Igor Stravinsky and Thomas Mann. While a success artistically it was a financial failure.

His friends helped him to move back to New York City in 1948. Other photographers, such as Richard Avedon, Edgar de Evia and Irving Penn, had taken his place in the fashion world. This combined with his disinterest in commercial work, meant he was never able to regain the successes he once had.

Focus on homoerotic imagery started to take over his photographic life. He had begun in the 1930s taking nudes of his circle of friends and performers, including a young Yul Brynner, but these had been known only to intimates for years. He began working with Alfred Kinsey and his Institute in Bloomington, Indiana. The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, as it is known today holds the largest collection of his male nudes.

By May 1955 he had been diagnosed terminally ill with lung cancer. He closed his studio. He destroyed much of his print and negative archives particularly his male nudes. After a final trip to Europe, Lynes returned to New York City where he died.

1912 – Died: Major Archibald Willingham Butt (born.1865) was an influential military aide to U.S. presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. Before becoming an aide to Roosevelt, Butt had pursued a career in journalism and served in the Spanish-American War. He died in the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

On January 2, 1900, Butt received a commission as a Captain of United States Volunteers in the United States Army.He served in the Philippines from 1900 to 1904. In 1904, he was made Depot Quartermaster of Washington, D.C., where he met President Theodore Roosevelt. In 1906, he was sent to Cuba to as part of a pacification force. In 1908, now a captain, Butt was recalled to Washington to serve as chief military aide to President Roosevelt. When William Howard Taft became President the following year, Butt stayed on in the same capacity. In 1911, Butt was promoted to the rank of major.

Butt lived with his longtime domestic partner, the American painter Francis Davis Millet, in an old-fashioned district of Washington, D.C.. "Millet, my artist friend who lives with me" was Butt's designation for his companion. In D.C. they were known for throwing large parties that were attended by members of congress, justices of the Supreme Court and President Taft, himself. As a result of a society not wanting to pry into their lives, insiders in Washington tried not to focus too closely on the men's relationship, but they recognized their mutual affection.

By 1912, Taft's first term was coming to an end and Roosevelt, who had fallen out with Taft, was known to be considering a run against him. Very close to both men and fiercely loyal, Butt was caught in the middle. As his health was deteriorating during this period, his friend Millet asked Taft to give him a leave of absence to recuperate before the presidential primaries began. Taft agreed and ordered Butt to go on vacation.

Butt left on a six-week vacation to Europe. He was accompanied for part of his vacation by Millet, his longtime domestic partner. Butt booked passage on the RMS Titanic for his return to the U.S. He boarded the Titanic at Southampton, UK on April 10, 1912; his partner Millet boarded the ship at Cherbourg, France later that same day. Butt was playing cards on the night of April 14 in the first-class smoking room when the Titanic struck an iceberg. The ship was completely submerged by 2:20 AM the next morning, and plunged to the ocean floor.

Major Butt's actions on board the ship while it was sinking are largely unverified, but conflicting accounts were published by newspapers after the disaster. According to some accounts, Titanic captain Edward J. Smith informed Butt that the "ship was doomed" and that "lifeboats were being readied." Butt immediately began acting as another officer of the ship, herding women and children into the lifeboats. However, one account tells of Butt preventing desperate steerage passengers trying to escape. Walter Lord's book A Night to Remember disagrees with claims that Butt acted like an officer, claiming he was more likely quietly observing the ship's evacuation.

Butt was last seen in the smoking room, making no attempt to save himself. He went down with the Titanic; his remains were not found; however Millet's body was found later floating on the sea and was returned to the U.S. for burial. The memorial fountain erected in the Ellipse area of the President's Park in Washington is called the Butt-Millet Fountain.

Lem Billings and JFK 1935

1916 – (Kirk LeMoyne) Lem Billings (d.1981) was a close friend of President John F. Kennedy and the Kennedy family. Billings was a prep school roommate of Kennedy, an usher at his wedding, and a campaigner for his successful 1960 presidential bid. Joseph Kennedy, Sr. called him "my second son," and he sometimes acted as escort to several of the Kennedy women. Billings served with Sargent Shriver as a trustee for the Kennedy family trusts.

The book 'Jack and Lem: The Untold Story of an Extraordinary Friendship' by David Pitts, deals with the late President’s lifelong friendship with Lem Billings, after the pair first met at school. The book, first issued in 2007, claims President John F Kennedy had a special room in the White House reserved just for his gay best friend. The pair were so close that they wrote lengthy letters to each other whenever they were apart.

In a subsequent book "RFK Jr. and the Dark Side of the Dream" Jerry Oppenheimer claimed the pair had "a friendship that included oral sex, with Jack always on the receiving end".

Billings, a 16-year-old third-year student, and Kennedy, a 15-year-old second-year student, met at Choate, an elite preparatory school, in the fall of 1933. Billings as a teenager was 6' 2", weighed 175 pounds, and was the strongest member of the Choate crew. They became fast friends, drawn to each other by their mutual distaste for their strict school.

From Billings's first visit with the Kennedy family for Christmas in Palm Beach in 1933, he joined them for holidays, participated in family events, and was treated like a member of the family.

Lem Billings was at Choate on scholarship. Billings repeated his senior year so that he and Kennedy could graduate from Choate together in 1935. They spent a semester together at Princeton University until Kennedy withdrew for medical reasons. While attending college, they frequently spent weekends together in New York City.

Some historians believe that Billings expressed his sexual interest in Kennedy in writing in 1934 and that Kennedy rebuffed his advances. Kennedy knew Billings had rightly been accused of homosexual behavior by a fellow Choate student during their years there.

Billings and Kennedy took a summer trip through Europe in the summer of 1937.

In 1941, Billings failed medical tests required by the military. In 1942, supported by a recommendation from Joseph Kennedy, Sr., he won admission to the American Ambulance Field Service, where his poor eyesight was not a disqualification. He saw action in North Africa in 1942–43. In 1944 he received a commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve and served in the South Pacific until being discharged in 1946.

After working on Kennedy's successful campaign for Congress in 1946, Billings toured seven Latin American countries with Kennedy.

Friends from the 1970s confirmed that Billings was homosexual, but not open to discussing it. In 2006, looking back to the Kennedy Administration, Ben Bradlee said: "I suppose it's known that Lem was gay....It impressed me that Jack had gay friends." At the same time, he admitted that no one ever expressed the idea aloud during Kennedy's White House years.

Red Fay, a friend of the President from his World War II service, said of Billings: "I didn't see anything overtly gay about him; I think he was neutral."

Though newspapers often mentioned Billings' attendance at major social events, they identified him either as the escort of a member of the Kennedy family or included him in a list of Kennedy friends. Otherwise he attended without a female partner.

One historian wrote that after the 1963 assassination Billings was: "Probably the saddest of the Kennedy 'widows'."

Charles L. Bartlett, a journalist who introduced Kennedy to Jacqueline Bouvier and friend of both Billings and Kennedy, described their relationship: "Lem was a stable presence for Jack. Lem's raison d'être was Jack Kennedy. I don't think it's true that he did not have views of his own, as some have said. He had a very independent mind. He had interests of his own that Jack didn't necessarily share. He certainly didn't have the same interest in politics and women that Jack had."

Though Gore Vidal thought Billings was "absolutely nobody," he also believed "it was a good idea that Jack had somebody he could trust like that around him." He believed Billings loved Kennedy.

"Jack made a big difference in my life," Billings said. "Because of him, I was never lonely. He may have been the reason I never got married."

After the assassination of Robert Kennedy in 1968, Billings became depressed and started to drink in excess, an addiction that plagued him for the majority of his life. He maintained close ties to the Kennedys and their children for the rest of his life, frequently socializing with Bobby Kennedy, Jr., to whom he became almost a surrogate father, and Christopher Lawford.

On May 28, 1981, Billings died in his sleep in his Manhattan apartment following a heart attack. His dying wish was for the young Kennedy men to carry his casket to its final resting place. When they arrived at the cemetery, it was already in place to be lowered. The young Kennedys took the casket and carried it around the grave site before returning it to the burial plot.

1950 – Lasse Nielsen, born in Copenhagen, is a Danish director and screenwriter. He is representative of Danish film of the 1970s. His coming-of-age films revolve around the topics of first love and awakening desire in adolescence as well as homosexuality.

Lasse Nielsen and his twin brother Carsten Nielsen were born in Copenhagen, Denmark. His cinematic work began after the founding of the Danish Film Institute in 1972, which sponsored many of his early projects.

Together with his brother, Nielsen wrote the scripts for the two feature films Let's Make (1975) and Could We Maybe (1976). From his third feature film You Are Not Alone (1978) up to and including the short film The Game ( post-production in 2017 ), Nielsen has worked with screenwriter Bent Petersen. He also did the directing work in collaboration with Ernst Johansen 1975 and 1978 and with Morten Arnfred 1976.Nielsen also maintains a long-term partnership for film music. The singer, guitarist and composer Knud Torben Christensen, also knwn as Sebastian, wrote the music for Could We Maybe as early as 1976 . 40 years later, his song Når lyset bryder Fremd provides the soundtrack for the 14-minute short film The Kite.

In his feature film The Story of Net, released on video in 2010, Lasse Nielsen can be seen in a supporting role as Mr. Kim.

In 2018, six male and sixteen female former child actors accused the two directors of sexual abuse during the production of You Are Not Alone and other films.

1952 – Glenn Shadix (d.2010) was an actor best known for his role as "Otho" in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice and for his southern baritone voice.

Shadix became fascinated with the power of film and television from childhood when the family would gather rapt for nightly television programs. He gravitated to theater and appeared in every production of his High School's drama club while he was a student.

Shadix informed his parents that he was homosexual in 1969, and, under the threat of being exiled from his immediate family, enrolled in an experimental "aversion therapy" program administered by a Dr Hainey at the UAB Medical Center. To "cure" him of his homosexual desires, painful electroshocks were delivered to Shadix while he viewed male pornography.

During the same summer, he worked re-capping tires at his step-fathers shop and went on a series of unpromising dates with women. The combined ordeal led him to attempt suicide by an overdose of Elavil, after which he was confined to the hospital's psychiatric ward for three weeks.

He made his professional acting debut alongside noted actress Peggy Cass in a summer production of "Goodbye, My Fancy" at Florence State in 1972.

Shadix lived in New York City prior to moving to Hollywood in the late 1970s. While there he befriended playwright Tennessee Williams while working as a production assistant for Vieux Carré at the St James Theater. Once in Los Angeles, he joined The Groundlings, an improv troupe.

Shadix's film debut was a bit part in the 1981 remake of The Postman Always Rings Twice. His success with the Ensemble Studio Theater brought him to the attention of director Tim Burton, who cast him in the major role of Otho. After that, he and Burton became good friends and Shadix was frequently cast in Burton's projects. He was offered his role in The Nightmare Before Christmas while swimming in Burton's backyard pool. He found steady work as a voice artist for various animated series and continued to work as a character actor in smaller films. His first starring role was as "Peter" in 2002's Shut Yer Dirty Little Mouth, an independent film version of the play "Shut Up, Little Man!", which was inspired by audio-verite recordings made of arguments between San Francisco roommates Peter Haskett and Raymond Huffman in the late 1980s.

Shadix underwent gastric bypass surgery in April 2000 and lost more than 100 pounds. In the mid-2000s he retired from acting and moved to the G. H. Stevenson residence in Bessemer to be closer to family. While in the area he participated in local theater programs and was active with Birmingham AIDS Outreach. In September 2010 he fell in the kitchen of his condo and suffered a fatal head injury.

1970 – Drake Jensen is a Canadian country music artist. Jensen was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, on Cape Breton Island.

Drake Jensen gave cowboys something to sing about when he pushed down his closet door in February, 2012. They were forced to hold their horses, though, because Jensen also revealed he has a husband, who appeared in the music video for Jensen's single "On My Way to Finding You," a video dedicated to Jamie Hubley, an Ottawa gay teen who committed suicide after being bullied.

Jensen and his partner, Sean Michael Morin, who is also his personal manager, were married in 2008.

When Jensen publicly announced that he is gay, he told his story of severe childhood abuse and bullying.

"As a child I always knew there was something different about me above and beyond the gay thing. Even during the worst of the bullying I always felt I would make it through. have been so lucky to be given so much, I have no choice but to give back. I give back through my music and through my story. I'm a homosexual musician telling my story through songs and spreading the message of love. In a perfect world, what could be wrong with that?"

1972 – In Ottawa a visible gay contingent joins Viet Nam Mobilization Committee demonstration protesting the visit of US president Richard Nixon to Canada.

1977 – Born: Eddie Stone, whose real name is Patrick Marano, a Canadian gay pornographic actor (porn star) from Montreal, Quebec. He was a champion swimmer at school. Stone was discovered while go-go dancing in a nightclub in Los Angeles, California. He was previously the midday host on the world's first gay and lesbian commercial radio station, 103.9 Proud FM in Toronto, Ontario. He is in a relationship with journalist Shaun Proulx.

In 2003, after appearing on Chi Chi LaRue's internet sex site Live And Raw, Eddie signed an exclusive contract with her studio, Rascal Video. He starred in fourteen movies for Rascal from 2003-2005, most notably When in Rome, Stone Fox, Eddie Stone's Private Screening, Set in Stone, Master of the House, and Little Big League 2: Second Inning, which he also wrote. A screenwriter, Stone also penned Sharp & Unknown: Ghost of a Chance for Rascal Video.

During his time with Rascal, he appeared on the cover of several gay porn magazines: XXXShowcase, the limited edition Rascal magazine, and Unzipped. He also appeared in the erotic coffeetable book Warning!

In 2004, he embarked on a European tour to promote the Live And Raw book, visiting eight cities, including Berlin, Paris, Vienna, and Zurich. He has traveled coast to coast doing live appearances and has been interviewed in magazines, on Jason Sechrest's "The Young & the Curious" radio show, and on QTV. Eddie Stone's porn fame and good looks have led to mainstream modeling jobs for magazines such as GQ.

A sensfirm dildo has been cast from Stone's penis. No longer with Rascal, but with no plans of retiring, Eddie Stone was, and still is, one of Chi Chi LaRue's most popular exclusive performers.

Luke Evans as Zeus in "Immortals"

1979 – Luke Evans is a Welsh theatre and film actor. He is known to theatregoers for his stage roles in Rent, Miss Saigon, Small Change and Piaf, and to filmgoers for his roles in Immortals, The Three Musketeers, Clash of the Titans, and Tamara Drewe.

Evans got his first film audition aged thirty. In 2009, he landed his first film, playing the Greek god Apollo in the 2010 remake Clash of the Titans. Also in 2010, he appeared as Clive in the film Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, and as the Sheriff of Nottingham's thug in Robin Hood, alongside Matthew Macfadyen. Evans played the Musketeer Aramis in Paul W. S. Anderson's version of The Three Musketeers (filmed in 2010 and released in 2011). He was cast in a lead role in Tarsem Singh's Greek epic, Immortals (2011), in which he played the King of the Gods, Zeus.

During his early career, Evans openly identified as gay. In a 2002 interview, he said "[E]verybody knew me as a gay man, and in my life in London I never tried to hide it" and that by being open he would not have "that skeleton in the closet they can rattle out". In 2004, he said that his acting career had not suffered by being out.

And in 2004, Evans told gaydarnation.com about his stockpile of gay porn: "I bought my first film when I was 15, and now I have a good collection and I add to it regularly. I research it almost every night." His pornstar preference? "An enormous big fat cock."

1979 – The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is founded in San Francisco by Ken Bunch (Sister Vicious PHB), Fred Brungard (Sister Missionary Position), and Baruch Golden. Their mission is "to promulgate universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt."

1987 – on this night the AIDS activist group ACT UP held their an protest action at the New York City General Post Office, to a captive audience of people filing last minute tax returns. This event also marked the beginning of the ACT UP Silence = Death Project, which created the famous poster consisting of a right side up pink triangle (an upside-down pink triangle was used to mark Gays in Nazi concentration camps) on a black background with the text "SILENCE = DEATH."

The author Douglas Crimp speaks of the "media savvy" of ACT UP at this demonstration on this date, because of the television media "routinely do stories about down-to- the-wire tax return filers." As such, ACT UP was virtually guaranteed media coverage to draw attention to the government silence around the spreading pandemic of AIDS.

[midnightscxre]

@tangleweave​

Sharp features softened, neutralizing the mischievous expression, became unreadable, while the man gave himself away after the first remark. Scrubbing the ‘ laundry ‘ of guilt and trying to wash away the bloodstain of  culpability   almost as if he was comforting himself, sending subliminal messages to his own mind that he had not committed a crime, just returned the scattered puzzles of random unfortunate events to their original place. However, creating the final picture was indeed, his crime and his crime alone. Cotton candy clouds of her lips twitched, corners finally curling and exposing a playful, slightly mocking grin.“  Does it work ?  “ melodic voice teasingly questioned. “  The act of innocence, using the sapphire blues on the handsome face to convince the feeble minds to hang on your every word? I fear my way makes more and more sense if it is so. Puppeteers such as yourself are far more dangerous than me. . . believing in their own fabricated stories. A true journalist. “

 Sharpened nails lovingly grazed over the worn covers of Dante’s inferno, before the delicate fingers pulled the masterpiece, a prophecy, closer. Jade irises never leaving the sea-blue ones, as the pages starter to turn. Like a blindman spotlessly touch-reading  Braille, fingertips knew the pages as if it was a part of their own skin. Palm landing on the blindly selected page, turning the content towards Eddie.“ Ufff. . . 8th circle. “ Ruby haired woman snorted. “  No wonder you are just a few steps away from the devils. “ Eighth circle of Inferno,  'Malebolge', place reserved for liars. . . last circle before the one where beast of all beasts resides. His almost exasperated justification of the personal alien's diet Clare read between the lines. She assumed that Eddie was denying the creature what was necessary, forcing it to obey his moral convictions.  

It’s enervated. . .  decrepit by the prohibitions from this human.

 Rancor’s own observation echoed in the privacy of Clare’s mind. One would think the information would be something to bask in, celebrated since it promised easy victory. . . but it was far from the truth. Agitated by the obvious, angered by the fact a divine creature must subdue its will to this ‘ clown of morality ‘, Clare was more determined to ‘ free ‘ the creature from this human’s prison. “ Of course he is not. Yet. . . from what I hear, you treat him like one. Let me guess, poultry and livestock to quench the thirst ? “  Eyes once again traveled down the road of the broad neck to the brawny chest. “  Why do you allow that?  “ Knowing no hearable answer will come, she questioned Him again. It was not the reply she was after, but to plant seeds of questioning, rebelliousness, awareness of one's options into the symbiote lurking beneath Eddie’s skin. It was not like he was sentenced to one host only, as Rancor was. This creature had options. “  Do you have a name, beautiful?  “ Definitely a question not meant for the man, no matter that the tempting appearance was worthy of such description, and not even a provocation towards the other but an honest thought. Those beasts, truly magnificent in every aspect. 

Enough. 

A sudden, unexpected reaction from her own monster thunderously broke through her insides. Pearly whites abused the plump lower lip to prevent a smile. Scarlet haired woman knew very well this was not something as simple as jealousy, some primitive emotion emerging, no -- it was territorial. It was the sickening concern of her other that he, unlike her, can be replaced. The fact Clare would never do so was buried six feet deep in the ground of her guarded secrets.

What is it, Rancor? I thought you were unhappy with your. . . residence. 

Silence yourself human. This show of yours is pitiful.

Exactly my point, maybe it’s time we end it, huh? Go out separate ways. I am sure if his other is fed like you are, and still obedient went he isn’t, could achieve greatness.

I WILL SWALLOW THEM BOTH,SCREAMING, BEGGING, ROLLING IN THEIR OWN WEAKNESS. 

Bingo. Flames of His rage dancing through her veins, giving a rush unknown to man, something no drug could deliver to its user. Slight joy sparked inside the woman on the creature’s reaction.

You can’t be replaced. 

Simple, short -- meaningful. The tentacles of his contempt and the razor sharp teeth of aggression gave way, calmed down, reduced to a low vibrating hum, like a guard dog being stroked on the head by its owner. In that moment of silence laced with tension, two cups of double espresso were placed on the glass table -- by a new pair of hands. Dark, long eyelashes batted toward the younger, blond waitress. Melodic chuckle escaped the throat as the redhead looked over her shoulder, enjoying the sight of humbled, previously egoistic waitress now pale as river’s pearls, her lips softly and hastily uttering words that she decided were prayers, considering the hands hidden under the apron that were rubbing the beads of the rosary. Basic hypocrisy, sinners pushing their misdeeds and behavior until they hit a steel wall of resistance -- and when it's time for punishment, they sing prayrs in terror, shaking, thinking that all will be forgiven if they say a couple of Hail Marys. And those kinds of people, this man decided to protect just because they are born as humans. Sickening.

 Soft muscle grazed the upper lip before gifting the male with a smile on his words, hand bringing the first cup of black coffee to the lips. Draining it as if it was a shot of tequila, Clare hummed in satisfaction on the bitter taste, before discreetly scanning the environment. The tables around them were empty, the camera in the corner was not working, and the people behind them were absorbed in their work. 

“ Help yourself. “ whisper fell between her and the man, but it addressed someone that stood in the shadows until the present moment. The movement was sudden, fast as the speed of light and nearly inconspicuous to the human eye -- but she knew Eddie saw it and knew exactly who it was. Black tentacle with crimson ‘ veins ‘ on its surface, appeared out of nowhere, consuming the black liquid in a blink of the eye, disappearing as fast as it appeared. Growl -- no, purr of pleasure escaped the monster within, hearable only to its owner. Shameless they were, one would say careless, but in fact -- fearless. No human could do nothing about it.

“ Podcast huh? “ Hand mindlessly traveled along the table, before it found its place under her chin. Leaning on the glass surface, Clare gave him her fake interest. “ What are you talking about? Wet t-shirt contest? Preach about the way people should live their lives, forget and forgive? Vegetarian diets? “ Intentionally brining up the last two, hardened woman flexed her slender shoulders. “  Uh yes, big fan. Keeping your posters along my room, saving every article. “ Sarcasm dripping from every word. “  Guess basic things like ‘ keep your friends close but enemies closer ‘ are not part of your daily radio lectures. Quite important one, don’t you think? At least, today should be a wake up call. “ Leaning dangerously close, devouring the distance between them as her symbiote does to the human flesh, pine-green eyes flashed under the intense light of the ornate cafe chandelier. “  Do you think you can handle this trouble, Eddie? “ Seductive, challenging, almost sexual melody leaving the full lips. “  This is far from a few whips and handcuffs you probably considered the highlight of your evening. “  Not refraining from a little fun in her provocation, Clare’s snow-white fangs exposed in a wide smile when things finally clicked for him, mentioning Nevada and falling in a state of. . . shock? Fear? Denial? Hope she will not attack in the broad daylight? 

“ Not one to experiment? Having it out in public, you certainly do seem like the type. “  Still riding the horse of amusement, Clare laughed before the shadows of something unholy appeared on the beautiful face. “  The way you fear being exposed is truly sad. The only reason C&C are where they are is because one like them weakened them enough. You. And the one you possess. What would a mere human do against the ones like us? Huh? “  Lips inches from his, sensing the warm breath on the ivory cheeks. “ I am not a crazy person, I am a vengeful one. “ quoting the man she believed in, just like the Clare exposed the whole plan in one simple sentence. “  Why do you blindly protect humanity Eddie? Let’s start there. “ Pressing the back back on the velvety seat, creating some distance by doing so, she stared the man down. “  Who are you to pass the judgment on what is right and wrong? Why do you protect people that deliberately torture the weak ones, defenseless ones? In law we trust? This world was worse hell before us. Before the day this creatures came. Now, the ones that were oppressed can return the blow, can taste justice. And you? You are trying to prevent that, letting go the real scum on this planet, and for what, because they have a human cocoon? So does your alien, you are his suit. And yet, you know what he really is. A predator that wants to devour, that will devour eventually no matter what you do. “ Anger, resentment and pain evident on her face, in the tensed chains of muscle. “ You are the worst of them all, and you know why? Because you got this gift, this. . . power, to make things right, to clear this pool of sickness from that bacteria that are infecting the innocent with its evil. Being human is not an excuse, it is not something that should be the reason to spare them. Killers, abusers, criminals... what do you do? Play Halloween dress up with that monster of yours, scare the shit out of them, thinking it will straighten them up? You must be an ignorant idiot if that is true. “ 

Let me devour them.

Ignoring the request of her symbiote that fed on her hatred, she continued. 

“ Dante’s inferno was not fiction, not a silly story, it was the vision of the future, something inevitable. And me? What I am after? I am going to make it happen. Place every piece of shit in their circle, . . and don’t forget. . . I already told you in which one you belong. “

[girl-of-many-fandoms]

Forbidden 5

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Stark!Reader

Summary: You're Tony's sister and you just so happen to be very attracted to the one man that gets on your brother's nerves, Steve Rogers. Unknowingly to you, the older man also has his eyes on you despite your circumstances

Warnings: none

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

MASTERLIST

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“Y/N”

“Tony”

The man whom you shared your DNA with plopped down in the seat next to you at the kitchen island. The past couple days you’ve been keeping to yourself now more than ever and Tony was determined to find out what’s wrong with you

“You’ve been MIA for a while now, what’s going on?”

“Nothing”

Liar, you knew exactly why you haven’t been your usually sarcastic, annoying self and it all had to do with what almost happened with Steve. You couldn’t tell your brother that the man he has a love/hate relationship with is the reason that you haven’t been yourself lately

“Good morning”

Speak of the devil and he shall appear

Steve strode into the kitchen looking handsome as ever with Sam and Bucky following closely behind, he quickly glanced at you both as he maneuvered his way around the kitchen making his breakfast. Bucky patted you on the back, pulling out the chair on the other side of you

“I should get going, Thor’s waiting for me in the gym” sliding out of your seat you took your phone and water bottle up off the counter quickly removing yourself from the crowded room

Why are you like this Y/N?

You can’t keep avoiding him all the days of your life

Groaning you leaned against the wall of the elevator as you recalled the memories from that night. The way that his scent evaded your senses, the feeling of your smaller hands in his larger ones, the feeling of his stubble brushing against your fingertips, the way his hot breath fanned against your lips as you both leaned into each other’s touch

Closing your eyes, you envisioned being back in that same position with Steve

Ding

The doors slid open and you stepped into the hallway that led to the gym. Thor’s grunts could be heard as well as the punches he’s dishing out on the punching bag. Pushing the door open you were pleasantly surprised to see Thor’s sweaty, shirtless torso. His back was positioned to you so every flex of his back muscle was visible to you and it was indeed a magnificent sight to witness

“Thor it’s way too early for you to be looking this good”

Upon hearing your voice Thor paused his workout to smile over at you, his chest rising and falling as he regained his breath

“I could say the same about you”

Placing your things down on the nearest bench you made your way over to the treadmill to start your warm up. He resumed abusing the poor punching bag as you picked up the pace a bit. Steve hadn’t only benched you from going out on missions but he also banned you from over exerting yourself when it came to training. Usually, you would be sparring with Nat or doing hand to hand combat with Bucky or Steve but seeing as you were recovering you were now stuck with the treadmill

Increasing the speed, you began jogging. The AC/DC blasting through the gym speakers gave you the push you needed to change your pace. You despised cardio with a passion, one time you chose to go running with Steve, Sam and Bucky, that was the stupidest decision you have ever made in your entire life as you gave up after hitting mile two. Bucky slowed his pace so that you could keep up, at one point he slung you over his shoulder as he caught up to the others, in times like that, being manhandled by a super soldier isn’t as bad as it sounds

Sweat coated every inch of your body as you pushed yourself, droplets landed on the machine every stride you took. You weren’t keeping track of how long you’d been on the treadmill but you knew that it had to be a good while because Thor now stood in front of you with an annoyed look on his face

“I’m bored, let’s get to the fun stuff”

Thor reached over and hit the off button and you quickly came to a stop, confused you tilted your head to the side waiting for him to elaborate more on ‘the fun stuff’. His bright smile only made you more skeptical as you worked on regulating your breathing

“Let’s do some sparring” helping you off the machine he led you over to the mat where you all used for combat training

“Thor I can’t remember?” bending down you reached for one of the clean towels on the rack when suddenly you were flipped onto your back, Thor stood over you with a shit eating grin on his face

“You can’t or won’t?” he knew that you hated when he taunted you especially when it came to training, you knew what he was trying to do and you knew that you were not about to back down from a challenge

“Game on then”

Smirking you hooked you kneed him in the back of his thighs and quickly swiped his feet from under him. You both began throwing punches at one another, you knew that he was mainly doing this for your benefit because he knew just how much you missed the action. Thor got a hold of your hand and pinned you down on the mat beneath him, his long blonde hair fell from the pony he had it in, framing his face

“Yield you puny human”

“Not today” hooking your leg around his waist you used your strength to flip you both over so now you were the one on top. Rolling his eyes, he couldn’t help but smile up at you proud to see that you’re still capable of holding your own

Still straddling Thor’s abdomen, you both caught up on a few things that’s happened. He told you about his nonexistent relationship with Jane and you told him about the almost kiss you had with Steve. You both had been so caught up in the middle of your conversation you both hadn’t noticed Steve’s presence

His heart dropped seeing the position that you and Thor were in, he hadn’t bothered to work out anymore instead he turned on his heels and headed up to his room

-------

Guys should I do a Steve POV next chapter? Let me know!

Tag list:

@madisondelstan @thenumber1simp @mac99martin @n3ssm0nique @sltwins @artisancowbells @denisemarieangelina

[samuclit]

Love Foolish

miya atsumu x reader

tags: angst, hurt/comfort, established relationship, mature, a little smut (define little on your own), 7.8K words

Summary: Miya Atsumu didn't realise that he was actually counting the days he spent with you while being your boyfriend. The step-process to how your relationship with him rekindles every time a new day begins was not as apparent as it seems to be, but he sure knew that the dreaded day when it comes to an end will never come.

This is an old piece that I worked on last year...I am terribly sorry for the way I post this fic I am not good with tumblr yall this is harder than my degree 

........................

Day 153

Atsumu was exhausted. He just got back from training with the college team for a few weeks already. He needs to catch up with the college team even though the time he spent away was used for his training with the MSBY Black Jackals team. He was advised by his family members, team coach and his friends that he should not miss out on any practice without a valid reason and should diligently claim his spot on both teams with the most outstanding effort and attitude so he followed, believed that this is for the best in order to build his volleyball career he was always so passionate about since he was in middle school. If only Osamu joins him, he thinks it won’t be as draining as it is right now.

Everyone in college knows Miya Atsumu, he is too perfect. The handsome look, tall and built figure, his diligence in both studies and shaping his career, to top it all off he is charming and is a ladies’ man. He could make every girl fall for him the instant he flashes his smirk that has been scientifically proven to be a bait for everyone in this universe. One small talk he could get girls on his bed, spending the whole night snogging off each other and leaving them whenever he got annoyed with the sudden disturbance. You happen to be one of the girls who got in his bed, goes on several dates with him, but this time you were one of the people who last longer than a week, and then a month and few more months after that. He assumes and waits for you to be the one ending the relationship but it won’t even come, and he is already tired of waiting.

So, he makes you tired. He doesn't want anything to be on his way at all, and you in the equation is making him disturbed at some times. During the first few weeks of dating, you often invite him for a date at the coffee shop which he obliges only for the reason to not break your feelings even though he has some tasks which are more important at hand. You are nice, but he isn’t. He told Suna that you deserve better. 

It has also been roughly two weeks since he last talked to you, and deep in his heart he kind of wants your nagging presence around him, just to distract him from the truckload of stress he’s carrying on his shoulders. So he texted you.

You: [Name], are ya coming or not. Been thinking of binging that Netflix series you’ve been babbling about.

[Name]: Ah sorry, it’s girls’ night with Midori and her gf. 

You: I see. Have fun. 

Seen.

That’s weird. You said it yourself that you wanted to binge on the weekends with him, after he finished with this practice for the week, and also he thinks that’s just you trying to make up with him after your first argument with him. It is...nobody’s fault, he thinks. He doesn’t want to blame himself and you, partially because you were really upset that day that you raised your voice and he didn’t chase you after you ran out of the apartment. It is just a silly argument. He doesn't want to think about it that much. 

As he took a shower and dressed himself in a fresh new pair of t-shirt and black sweatpants, he plopped himself on the sofa and went through Netflix to find something worth watching. He saw the show you wanted to watch ; Pretty Little Liars. Ah it’s not even a Netflix series, it’s just a series which is available on Netflix. Seems like he wasn’t even attentive to what you said. 

Before he falls asleep, he walks down the memory lane, to remember how exactly you and Atsumu could last this long in a relationship.

Day 0

The party seems to be a hit! His seniors on the volleyball team joined hands with the football team to conduct a party to celebrate post-sports festival of Tokyo U that happened for a week long and the party is held at the dorms outside of the campus so the board of education won’t meddle, with the promise that there aren’t drugs involved. Which is okay, the athletes are supposed to stay away from drugs and they’re disciplined enough to consider their life decisions. 

He was simply just hanging around in the living room of the dorm, which is a terrace house in a neighbourhood a few kilometres away, talking to his friends, Suna and Komori, who are his teammates in the college team. Komori used to go to the same Youth Camp with Atsumu so they knew each other since then. “Huh, sick party. I didn’t think there would be too many people here.” Komori said as he chugs down his cold beer, swaying a little after he finishes with a slightly long chug. “Senpai said just the athletes of the college are invited, but it seems like the whole campus crashed together. Lunatics.” Atsumu said as he plopped down on the bean bag and leaned his head back. Suna calls out.

“Oi, Midori is here. I invited her.” Atsumu is familiar with Midori, he has never been close with her but he knows of her since they went to the same high school together. The three pairs of eyes went towards the door together to greet Midori, with you tailing behind her. “Hey, glad ya made it!” Suna lunges forward and grabs Midori in a hug. “Yeah, cool place, I’m sorry I don’t have a plus one to bring with so I just drag my friend along. Hey, this is [Name]. Go say hi and be friends!” Midori pushed the other girl, which he heard to be [Name], also a familiar name. “Oh wait...you guys must have not have known about her...we went to the same school man...” Midori pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. It is sad that not many people know about small girls like [Name] that much. 

Indeed, you went to the same school and you’re in a completely different league than Atsumu, he was and still is the famous athlete that has the entire girls’ population wrapped around his fingers. You’re around the circle of...top scorers who are active in volunteers and some other stuff Atsumu was not into. “Oh, is she another one of your hockey teammates?” you continue hiding behind Midori’s taller frame. Midori pulled you away and hugged your waist, giving support. “Come on now, babe say hi, they’re our friends” you glared at her with a smug look. “Hye, it’s [Name]. I’m not an athlete, I’m a political science major, pleasure to meet ya” your eyes tried to glance from Suna to Komori and to Atsumu but you averted your eyes away from him as soon as it landed on him. You look cute in just a rock concert t-shirt with black jeans shorts and plain converse. Classic party look, but you are not the type to go to parties because...assignments and stress are getting through you  which explains why you’re all fidgety. Midori knows there’s more to that, cause you’re a very wild extrovert at some time.

“Hey, enjoy the party, drinks and snacks are down there, the toilet is on another end, help yerself.” Atsumu pats on your shoulder and moves past you to greet his other friends who crashed the party. You’re petrified, to say the least and moved quick on your heels to head to the bathroom for some reality check. The environment is overwhelming. 

Atsumu gets tired easily even after downing a can of beer but he isn’t exactly drunk. He is just tired with the lots of conversations and the girls from other courses trying to talk to him, wanting the conversation in a bedroom which he said no to, he is a responsible man. He is not going to do it with them when in their drunken stupor. However, his endless denials are stopped with a sudden disturbance right in front of him.

Midori is on a couch, with a girl and was playing with her hair and occasionally rubbing her thigh and before they closed in someone threw a beer cup at Midori. “What the hell? Leave me alone!” Midori turned his body to see a bulked up guy whose name Atsumu doesn’t remember behind the couch, looming over the two figures sitting on the couch. It’s going to get ugly. 

“What the fuck, you leave us alone! Why the hell are homos here. Get out!”  Midori and the poor girl trembles in fear and Atsumu wants to blow a kick so bad but he can’t move because of the girls that are around him. Before he tried to push the girls away, he saw you moving towards him, taking away the beer can he has in his hands. “I’m sorry I’m taking this!” Your eyes had a small fire ignited in it and he can’t help but gave away his beer can, and then he saw you walking up on the couch and on to the head rest, spit into the beer and pours the beer all over the homophobic guy who slandered your friend. The guy was drenched and screamed because the beer was icy cold and it came to contact with his skin that got heated from way too much alcohol consumed. 

“Oh, I am very sorry, I was convinced that this big hunk of muscle is a trash can!” you screamed with an evil laughter and the whole party laughed and cackled at the sight of the giant asshole from Engineering talking shit about the woman adored by the majority of campus. Midori is your best friend, a very kind, beautiful  and valid lesbian friend of yours. You would do anything to protect her from the touch of homophobic devils that would insult her every now and then. It has been happening more recently after she got out of the closet, even when she was inside all this time, you have always given her tons of support and protection because it’s just something about you. Midori was already smiling and got herself up away from the sofa with the girl she was with, hands holding hers tightly. 

“You punk! Are ya crazy? Do ya want me to kill ya like I kill your friend here?” your figure who had one leg propped on the head rest while the other on the couch went tense and is about to fall and the nasty asshole grabbed you by the neck, having you lifted in the air and no one helped to stand against him except Midori who was pulling your body before the guy fully grasped your entire neck in his hands. Before he even pressed harder on your throat, Atsumu landed a punch on his face, making himself knocked down on the floor. You already fell flat on the couch, trying to regain your breath. He warns the guy off and he immediately leaves after. 

“Shit shit, are you okay?” Atsumu kneels on the floor to check up on you, who were lying on the couch, still coughing out and trying to calm down. Midori ran to get some water for you. “I’m fine, fine, where's Midori? Is she okay?” Midori hit you in the arm. “Idiot. I am fine but look at you, I told you I’m alright, if you give them attention and piss them off they will harm you, look what happened.” Midori cries and hugs you. Atsumu checked up on your face, saw tiny drops on the edge of your eye which got wiped away the instant Midori wrapped her arms around you. “I told you  I will always protect you okay, I promised you that” Midori looked at your face again and was still sobbing. She turns towards Atsumu who stood by them. Suna and Komori arrived in the space after making sure the guys had run off. The party went back to normal and it’s chaos again. 

“Thank you, Atsumu, if it weren’t for you, I don’t know what would happen to the both of us.” The girl from before is rubbing her hands on Midori’s back trying to calm her down. “No, [Name] did the most fight, I only come in when it gets physical. I let ya know when I see that guy again I am going to beat the living shit out of him. Nasty jackass.” Atsumu’s rage calms down when he sees you and Midori laugh, finally he makes a safe space for you and her. After some minutes of calming down and talking and giggling Midori takes the cue to leave. “I think I need to go now, need to take some air, you should, too, babe. Love you” Midori hugged and left with the girl she was with the entire time during the party.

Atsumu has long left you and Midori alone when you were busy talking to her, so he goes away somewhere to talk with some of the boys from the football club. They heard something about how that guy is a maniac and has been expressing his hate crimes for several years now, basically a loser and Atsumu thinks his sucker punch is something he could take pride in. After he saw Midori take off with the girl he saw you heading towards the door that linked to the backyard. More people were there, some were laying on the ground doing some unnecessarily lewd stuff that Atsumu does not want to remember.

He saw you taking a seat on one of the stools that was set up for guests to sit. He brought a can of beer, intended to give you. As he approaches you were rubbing around the area on your throat which the bully from before had pressed on. You were still in pain. “Hey, needa drink?” Atsumu hands over the beer while he sits down on the stool next to you. “Ah, I’m sorry I don’t...drink around guys. Trust issues.” Atsumu furrowed his eyebrows and he finally got what you were trying to say. “Oh, I totally get it, I’m sorry.” You were a flustered mess. You didn’t intend to actually...reject a kind offer from him but it’s a strange new place and strange new environment, though you knew Atsumu from high school to be quite a decent person that you– “[Name]? Are ya okay? Ya were about to say something earlier?” “Oh, yeah. You don’t have to apologise, we can just go for drinks some other times'' you let out a small laugh and he smiles. Awkward.

“Ya don’t have to worry about that guy, I heard someone is going to report him to the dean. He’ll be out in no time” you smirked. “Good! Midori must be happy”. The both of you laughed and the  conversation continued randomly, topics about his volleyball activities and you popping in some random thoughts about life to him, it makes him feel weird at first but he picks up after quite some time.

And the night goes with you spending your night with him on his small bed in the apartment he shared with his other friends. Kisses are littered all over your body and Atsumu leads you through your first intimate session with so much ease and gentleness. He left an especially passionate kiss on the neck that tells the stories of your fight and trauma, hoping that he could kiss it away and replace it with the memories of your first. “Are ya really sure about this?” Atsumu asked at one point when you were making out with him on his lap just right after he got you in his room. “Please, do what you want” and Atsumu continues to ravish you and pulls on every article that trapped your beautiful untouched body. 

The morning he woke up, you were sleeping soundly, despite the uncovered chest you had on display cause you fell asleep after the second round of fucking you had no chance to clean up or put on a shirt. The messy hair and arousing look you had on aside, you look too peaceful to be on someone’s bed, someone who you have known for a long time but have only gotten close from an impromptu encounter so Atsumu threw the plans of getting out of bed aside and continues watching the small details on your face. He would pick up the falling strands of your hair and tucks it behind your ear, trailing his fingers on the swollen lips you had after making out with him the entire night. He enjoys your presence. He likes it, being with you, so this is all worth it. 

As your eyes fluttered open, squinting because of the bright sun, which was now covered by Atsumu’s hands to help you get back to sleep without the disturbance. You woke up anyway. “Atsumu, what are ya doing?” you asked, trying to pull the blanket that barely covers your naked front. “Just letting a princess continue her peaceful sleep” you were blushing, it feels like a dream to wake up with Atsumu next to you, so you lean into him more and he tackles you under the sheets. As Atsumu closes in again, about to kiss you like he did the previous night before, your eyes widened and you pushed him away, rolling out of bed naked. You pulled the blanket to cover yourself and scrammed to find your underwear and outfit from last night. “Fuck, fuck I’m late shit I gotta go” you were clasping your bra and putting on your underwear as you continue with your series of cuss words picked up at random. “What’s going on are you okay? Was it–“ you put on your jean shorts and looked at him. “No-no I’m late to a group discussion and I am going to die I think.” You already had your phone in hand with your bag in hand running to the door. Atsumu put on his sweatshirt and training shorts in a haste, offering to give you a ride. 

“Hey, I can help ya get to yer spot with my car. Don’t have ta rush'' you gaped and mumbles thousands of gratefulness and lunges forward to hug but stopped yourself. In the car you were on a phone call with one of the people in your group and you immediately spilled the idea you had in mind in a heartbeat. Atsumu has been driving nowhere so he stops and parked his car at the parking space of the nearby McDonald’s. After several arguments and reasons to have your opinion accepted you finally heaved a relief and ended the call with another apology. 

“Yer quite a persistent one aren’tcha?” you looked at him, face messy, unclean and tired. The post-sex glow seems to not work with everyone. “Yeah, there’s an event and I’m in charge. I was so caught-off guard. Pretty sure they will kick me out if they don’t accept my idea but guess not!” you laughed and smiled gleefully. Pure satisfaction whenever people acknowledge us. Atsumu understood that much. “So...since you don’t have to go...breakfast?” Atsumu points his thumb to the back of the car, which was the entrance to the McDonald’s. “No...I stink so much...but I am hungry so....drive-thru?” Atsumu smiles and puts down the handbrake. “Sure thing, princess”.

After you both got your respective breakfast meal set, Atsumu takes off to the lake and brought you together with him to eat on the benches. Atsumu enjoys the company as much as you did. What starts off with a random conversation of how the duck is limping, to talking about the fluffiness of the poodle someone took for a walk turns into a conversation about each others’ personal lives.

“If anything, virginity is a social construct to put down women, so if you think last night is fun just because of that, I am going to berate your entire existence” you warn him, mouth full with the breakfast muffin. “Sure, what’s fun about last night is that you’re hot and I like you.” Atsumu closes in, trying to make you feel more flustered. “You...like me?” you were blushing and he guessed that his classic method works. “Can say that, I don’t usually have breakfast with people I sleep with, so I think that’s how I know.” You scoffed as his smug smile grew wider. “Oh you’re quite a cheesy one. So, this isn’t just a one time thing?” you looked over to him. He said no and continued kissing you like he meant it. 

Days after that, the dates are frequent, spending the night in his apartment is a routine, watching movies is a norm and the intimate sessions get more interesting for the past few months, he thinks he needs to tell you all about his fantasy and you told him yours and both wishes are fulfilled.

Day 150

Atsumu woke up from the nap, the movie was already finished by then. He reached for his phone which was ringing non-stop. He's going to puke his brains out. Midori was the one calling him. There are around 7 missed calls coming from Midori.

“Oi pisshead, your girlfriend’s drunk. Come and pick her up.” Atsumu looks at the time

10.50

“Didn’t last that long?” Atsumu giggles. Midori snapped. 

“I’m being serious. She gets crazier now you need to pack her up. I can’t because my girlfriend is as shit-faced drunk right now.” Midori starts to call out your name to get off the table. Whatever that happened it must have been really shitty what’s going on down there at the bar.

“Okay, just text me the address I’m on my way” Atsumu took his wallet and car keys with him, all fresh to fetch your drunk ass home. 

As soon as he arrived he stormed to the booth which you and Midori sat at. You were already lying down on the couch, fast asleep and giggling as you sleep. “Okay you’re here. I’m going home with my girlfriend so you take care of her properly.” Midori sat herself at the couch you were sleeping on. “[Name].....I’m going now so take care okay! Love you goodnight!” you were whining so loudly at her. “Nooooo....Midoriiiii-chan I am going to miss you don’t leave me” you were pouting and whining and hug Midori to prevent her from going. Atsumu stood at the side watching the mess unfold. “Your boyfriend is here to pick you up! Goodbye!” Midori dragged her girlfriend away and got out of the bar.

“Midori’s good at lying. There’s no way my boyfriend cares ‘bout me” Atsumu covers his face in shame because the other customers at the bar are looking at you. “Who are ya...are you a stranger? Can I call you Mr Stranger? You look handsome.” You giggled and Atsumu laughed at your cuteness. This is certainly a new side to you, he has never seen you turn into a giant ball of fluff before. “Okay now cmon Miss [Name] let’s get ya home.” Atsumu swooped your legs in his right hand while the other supported the small back of your body. Your eyes are still squinting which must be the reason why you can’t recognise Atsumu yet. 

“I miss my boyfriend Mr Stranger. I want to see him...please take me to see him pleassseeeee.” You buried your face in his chest and held on to the cotton string of his hoodie. “Oh yeah? Is he really that handsome?” he puts you in the passenger seat and buckles your seatbelt. “He is! His hair colour is a bit funny, Midori said it makes it look like he bathed in piss” Atsumu got that too many times already. “But in my very personal point of view, it is kind of biased, he rocks that look. He looks hot!” Atsumu blushed and proceeded to head to the driver’s seat. It’s you and your habit of expressing too many opinions again. He liked this one. He also misses your constants chit chat after a whole month of not talking to each other because of a petty argument. He admits that he misses you so much, but a jerk like him won’t admit it. He’s going to break up with you anyway.

As he continues driving he would listen to what you said about ‘your boyfriend’ and he would sometimes smirks and whispers an ‘I know’ and sometimes it is too loud you caught him in the act. The night drive seems fun with you, and he figures you are still too drunk and even with too much talking your body stays the same. You fell asleep at some point, when he is close to the apartment you resided in. He found out after quite some time that Midori moved into her girlfriend’s apartment so now you live alone. 

Even after he arrives at the apartment complex he lets you take some time to sleep, and as time passes by and it’s getting later into the night, he shakes your shoulder to wake you up. 

“Hey, [Name], we’re here.” Atsumu smiles as you yawn and stretches your limbs.

“Mr Stranger? I have a secret. Can I tell you...I’m afraid to tell anyone.” You said after some time. Atsumu had no idea what to do. So he just played along. “Yeah, I promise I will keep it.” Atsumu laughs and looks at you. 

“I think my boyfriend doesn’t love me. I kind of got the gist of it for a long time...but...now I am convinced. I think...the next time I see him, will be the last time I see him. And I–I don’t wanna” you cried immediately, you were sobbing too hard and you covered your face with the both of your palms. Atsumu is shattered especially, what you said was true. He might break it off when time comes, but seeing your heart broken and giving up the usual happy and chaotic smile and laughter you had because of the thought of breaking up with him, he felt like his heart was going to jump out of his chest. So he asked further. He needs to know more, he needs to know why. Why do you catch up to what he was thinking so fast? 

“W-why is it?” Atsumu choked on his breath. His heart was thumping so loudly, and it was beating off the charts. “He seems to not want me around...I tried my best to give him space, time for himself  but....he never wants a time wimme....and then...I-he-he don’t want to see me even when he is free”. You continue crying in the silent car, Atsumu wanted to reach your hands but he knew that would be such an asshole thing to do since he is the one causing this mess. Atsumu got out of the car and opened the door from your seat. “Hey hey let’s get you to your apartment okay?” Atsumu unbuckled the seat belt and you kept on crying, you pulled on his sweater and gripped it so tightly and wailed like a baby into his chest. He sighed and embraced you in a tight hug, calmly rubbing the small of your back trying to calm you down. 

After quite some time only the sniffles could be heard. You start talking again. “You know...I’d rather see him happy even if it means I need to break up with him. Ah I’m so dramatic for no reason. Can you help...carry me to my apartment, Mr Stranger?” you pulled away from his hug, makeup ruined and eyes red. Atsumu smiled and nodded at you. “Of course, I’ll carry you.” He carried you in a manner when he hugs your tiny body to carry you to the bed during one of those nights he needed a release. This closeness to your warm body, and the earlier event that happened of you confessing to a complete stranger about him, he is regretting it. 

Day 125

Atsumu just got home from South Korea. He was there for a training camp with the home team there because one of his coach from the MSBY Black Jackals used his connections with an old friend to conduct a camp for them to further polish the players’ skill in the said sport. It would be a great chance for him to bloom more than how he is after his successful debut as a Div. 1 League player. 

He was simply relaxing around after two days and Osamu was cooking plenty of food for the gang. Osamu invited some friends of his, and Suna brought his girlfriend with him. Komori was there too, with his cousin. When Osamu asked if he was going to invite you, Atsumu shrugged and said no, he wants to relax without you around. Even if you are around you would never go that far to make him uncomfortable. He still hasn’t called you yet even when he landed in Tokyo two days before. 

“Atsumu, didn’t ya miss yer girlfriend? Just tell her to come over.” Osamu said from the kitchen, bringing a pot of stew he made for the gang and putting it on the table. “Nah, she didn’t even know I’m in Tokyo.” Everyone in the living room looks at him. “Miya you’re kinda an asshole for that” Komori said as he passed a bowl to Suna and his girlfriend. “Cmon now don’t look at me like I’m a criminal or sumn...I just want to relax I’ll tell her later.” Atsumu scoffed and leaned his back to the sofa as he was sitting on the carpet.

“Are you...joking. She came by practice the other day, said she can’t reach you.” Sakusa said as he put down his mask aside and dug in. Atsumu knew that. He purposely ignored your text and calls and only left a message when you’re offline or when he knows you were sleeping. He doesn't want distractions. “Yer a prick, [Name]’s really nice and ya can’t see that. If ya got issues just break up already.” Suna speaks and his girlfriend agrees. “Yeah for real, if Rintarou had issues I know he is going to leave my ass in the streets. But I’m glad he has no problems. As a woman I will honestly kick you in the ass, ya know, that woman with woman solidarity.” Suna kissed his girlfriend on the cheek and Atsumu scoffed. “I know, I just don’t know the right time yet.” Komori already mumbles a series of cuss words,  Osamu and Suna sigh and Suna pulls his girlfriend back from kicking Atsumu in the face. Sakusa heard a doorbell and reached for the door now to open.

“[Name]?” Sakusa screams in shock. Speaking of the witch. Well, you’re not a witch, you’re the sweetest person ever that happens to be Atsumu’s unlucky girlfriend. “Hey Sakusa-san! Nice to see you! I brought something!” you waltzed in the door and headed to the kitchen you’re already familiar with. Atsumu felt his guilt eating his insides. Who the fuck called you here? 

Komori puts his phone up so Atsumu can see. Komori smirks at him and Atsumu flashes out the middle finger to him. Sakusa mumbles and points at Atsumu, he said somewhere along the lines of you solve this on your own, Miya! 

Osamu headed to greet you first. “Hey Osamu, I brought some home made dorayaki for you and Atsumu. You guys love it right?” Osamu smiles and thanked you endlessly. You smiled but as you looked at the awkward little Atsumu behind Osamu you stopped smiling. He headed towards you and Osamu knows it’s his cue to leave the both of you in the kitchen.

“Hey, how’s South Korea?” Atsumu sat on the chair of the kitchen island. “Twas good. The food there, they’re amazing.” You hummed. “Glad you enjoyed it. Maybe I would know more if you actually answer my calls and texts about how busy you are and tell me when you arrived. But it seems like you don’t miss me that much.” You sighed. 

“[Name], I’m just...I’m sorry I need time for myself I’m so tired.” You looked at him, sad and gloom covering your whole body like the dark blue cardigan you had around you. “Tired of me or of practice?” you asked and reached for the tips of his fingers. “That’s–that’s not it, okay. Please give me some time.” Atsumu pleaded, you flinched when he suddenly glared at you. 

After some time, you released a deep breath and headed to the door. “Enjoy the dorayaki guys, I hope I don’t interrupt you guys. I’m sorry and please take care of Atsumu for me.” You opened the door and headed out. Atsumu is still in his seat. When the door was slammed he got up and sat himself back on the carpet around his friends. He picks up his chopsticks and pulls the omelette Osamu made. Everyone was staring at him.

“Eat your food and stop staring at me.” Atsumu rolled his eyes and ate more food on the table. “Ya don’t even want to chase her?” Osamu asked from beside him. “Nope.” Komori scoffed. 

“Just want you to know she got here by bus alone. I don’t know if it helped change your mind.” Komori said and drank his cold lemon tea he poured for himself. Atsumu stopped chewing and clenched his jaw, looking at Komori.

“The one who ruined lunch is you, Atsumu.” Suna’s girlfriend said and Suna agreed. So does everyone else. 

You don’t leave a text to Atsumu to the day he picked you up from the bar. He only texted you because he wants to end the relationship.

Day 153

Atsumu still has you in his arms. You’re already asleep, face still drenched with tears. He struggled with the pin to your apartment but picks up after a while of thinking. It is his birthday. 

Atsumu realised he is a bigger asshole than how he was minutes ago in the car as he remembered that he had never come to your apartment. Months of relationship it was always his place as you always preferred his place over yours and he thinks that maybe if he was the one giving in more effort to be the one going all the way to your apartment to spend time with you, he would have felt  better about himself. Normal dates outside are very rare aside from lunch or a quick grab of coffee before classes because he was too busy with his practices and you with your duties as a political science student.

He carried you to what he assumed to be your bedroom, carefully putting your body on the bed, taking off the leather jacket you had with you, slowly dragging the thick comforter to cover your shivering body. After shuffling in the kitchen, looking to find some aspirin and a glass of water for you to gargle right after you woke up he put it on the desk at your bedside. 

He saw a picture of you and Midori on the table, during graduation day. Midori carried you on her back while you threw a peace sign with tongue out and Midori making a disgusted face. He laughs at it, putting it back to where it belongs, carefully. 

You had a lot of other pictures pasted on the wall, the one that faces you when you sit on your study table. The notes and thick books are messily arranged on the shelf, a succulent that says ‘Good Job!’ on the table standing cutely, possibly the one that kept you up during the late night study sessions. He never really checked up on you and your studies, how did you manage to be so strong on your own without a supportive boyfriend, he doesn't know. 

And then he saw the pictures you hung neatly. He took the pictures one by one and saw some notes you scribbled on the back of the photograph. 

First, a picture with your parents. You talked about them at some time because you’re their only daughter and you missed them as much as they missed you. One time when you were making out with Atsumu your parents called and you pushed him away to answer the phone call. So funny how you got so innocent and angel-like just right after doing some lewd stuff with Atsumu just with the voice of your parents on the phone. At the back of the picture, it wrote.

Secured the top-scorer title with a scholarship! Mommy and Daddy are proud of me and I will never stop!

The second picture is of you and Midori at a pride parade. This time you wore a white t-shirt with blue jeans and sneakers and you looked absolutely mesmerizing. 

Pride with Midori. I am so happy for her!!

Some other pictures of you at an animal shelter, old folks home, in the streets, caring for homeless people, women’s march and marathon for cancer awareness. You were basically everywhere and it is what makes him regret not finding out about this side of you. All he does is talk about his talent in volleyball and you always make him feel the best that he never gave a chance for you to talk about yourself. 

Atsumu can’t stop the stretch of his smile and it is making his jaw sore. He is so whipped for you. You have always been such a caring person to him, doing your best to take care of him when game losses make his sour mood make a nasty comeback. 

He would cry in a phone call because he messed up his set and you arrived in his room, dropping your bag to hug him and lull him back to sleep. He cries so hard and you would never make him cry worse than he did, you were always comforting but his pride and selfishness would forget that in a day because he thinks the relationship you had with him is a waste. 

Atsumu is a fool. He didn’t realise how much his confusion hurts you more than it hurts himself. He is such a fool for not being there to protect you. The thought of you crying minutes earlier makes him scream in his heart, he doesn't ever want to see it again. If he made that happen again he will never forgive himself and if he has to build a shrine and be a monk to make sure his sins are forgiven he would do it. He would do anything for you. 

The last picture hid him the hardest.

It was him, and you, during his debut game as MSBY Black Jackals setter. 

You had your body leaned into his arm, smiling wide with a bouquet of flowers for him in your hand. He was staring at the camera with a lazy smirk, hands encircling your waist. It was sweet, and you look very cute standing next to him, in his embrace like that. A sight so beautiful. It is a shame when he remembers what exactly happened that night.

It was a very joyful day for Atsumu and for you but Atsumu didn’t even tell you about the match, you were only informed of the game because of Komori so the ticket you got is because Osamu gave up his ticket for you. He is tired of seeing Atsumu play volleyball and he can see it on his phone if he wants so he just gave it to you, saying you deserve it better. Even when you’re not informed about the game, you still showed up in the cutest little dress with the cutest little smell and the cutest bouquet of baby breath flowers for him. 

Atsumu is not fond of flowers. He is not fond of surprises either. When you showed up on the court, congratulating him, he was shocked. He was busy talking to fangirls and kids who love volleyball until you call out his name with so much pride. 

“Atsumu aaaa I am so proud of you! You worked so hard for this and I am sorry I don’t know of this sooner.” You hugged him and pat his back when you hugged him. Eyes glistening as you pulled away. Said the cries are happy tears. You told one of the passers-by to take a picture of you and Atsumu, resulting in the small piece of photography in his hand.

Later that night he went with his team and celebrated the debut together with them while you took off to your apartment, barely making it to the last bus of the night to get there safely, wishing you were with Atsumu in his car instead.

He turned the picture over. There is a long note there.

Might be the first ever picture with Atsumu, like ever. Nonetheless I am so happy and so proud of him it made my jaw hurt so much as I write this. I can’t stop smiling!!! I hope I can attend more of his games, more to his success, more time with him. I feel like I am the happiest person alive! I feel like one of the fantasy film protagonists where the person they have loved for a long time is within their arms, finally! I am so happy to have known Atsumu since the beginning days of school, how his charming and cunning personality, inspiring and charismatic figure would walk down the hallways of Inarizaki, I will always fall for him over and over again. I love him so much, and even if it takes a thousand years to wait for him I will always wait. Praying that this essay reaches the Gods because I love him too much, I don’t even want to let him go. I love Miya Atsumu, and I hope he feels the same thing too.

Atsumu pasted the picture back on the wall, turning off the study lamp and closing the door as he walked out. He sat on the couch in the living room, only having the kitchen light to illuminate the entire apartment. As he sat there, tears rolled off his eyes and loud sobs spilled out of his mouth. 

He realised he is such a foolish man, living in a complete lie with an angel from heaven taking care of him despite getting paid dust in return. He cried so hard he took the pillow next to him and cried himself to sleep. 

Day 154

If it is not for the bubbling and disturbing feeling in your stomach, you wouldn’t have gotten up and run to the bathroom to puke your guts out, but here you are. Smelling so stinky you just take a shower along the way. Fresh out of the shower in clean new clothes you saw a tall glass of water with your birth control pills right beside it. After downing the glass of water you headed to the kitchen to grab an aspirin to calm down the throbbing pain of your chest.

What you found instead is the sight of Atsumu, wearing an apron on top of his white t-shirt. It has been way too long since you have last seen him, and you didn’t expect to encounter him in your apartment, let alone him in the kitchen, preparing a breakfast for two. “Atsumu! What are you doing here!” you screamed audibly to him and got to the table to see a tray of rice and a bowl of soup on the table. 

“Ah, ya woke up earlier than I thought ya would, was intending to make breakfast on bed like in that one cheesy film you love so much.” You blushed. You headed to the cupboard and popped the aspirin into your mouth with the assistance of the barley tea Atsumu prepared for you. 

As you sat down awkwardly, he pulled out the rice bowl and put the tray in the sink and scooped another bowl of rice and soup for himself. He prepared a hearty meal for two, a miso soup to help you sober down and ease the gut after rounds of alcohol shots dumped in your body. 

Right, you were drunk last night. “So why are you here?” you asked after spooning out the final drop of the miso soup. “You remember nothing at all?” Atsumu asked. “Wait...so...Midori didn’t lie?” you asked again. Just realising that Midori already told you that your boyfriend was there. 

“Oh my god...how much did I say?” you pressed your palms on your face and dropped them to your lap. Atsumu smiles. 

“You said a lot! You said too much that it made me learn a lot.” Atsumu reaches your hands the moment it gets on to the table. He clasped it with care and so much gentleness even when his hand is calloused and rough from the intense training for so many days in a week. 

Atsumu sighs and hangs his head low. “I just realised that all this time, our relationship is one-sided” you gasped and the grip on his hands gets tighter. “I...took you for granted. I never gave you a comfort space to live in, a shoulder to cry on, and I have never...expressed my feelings for you.” You were trembling and Atsumu fully connected your fingers with his, interlacing it together hoping that neither of you will let it go.

“All this time you were always there for me, no matter what I was struggling with, no matter the time and place you would rush and hug me and tell me that it will be okay but I let you cry on your own whenever you deal with the same problem. I made a big mistake, and I swear to my life that I will make it up to you.” You got up from your seat and went to the sink along with your empty bowls. Atsumu got there too, hugging you from behind. 

“I am so sorry for being late, I love you. I love you so much that it hurts when I see you get hurt because of me.” Atsumu hugged you like he would make you dissolve in his body, it was so tight and warm and comforting it felt like home.

Miya Atsumu is your home. You are his home. And so he kisses your hair, your neck, your shoulders to make sure you won’t disappear before him, to tell you that what he said is true. 

You turned around. Holding his head in your hands.

“Atsumu, I love you too, and I missed you so much.” You smiled as the tears dropped, and Atsumu thinks this sight of yours hurts him as much as it makes his heart feel warm. It was a mixed feeling, but he knows that the perfect moment is right there, he holds your waist and your neck and kisses you on the lips with so much need and passion, to tell you that he loves you.

Your hands went to wrap itself on his neck, occasionally stopping by to run your hair through the blonde locks you love so much. He kisses in deeper and languid motion; it makes your head drowsy, worse than what the alcohol did to you but the sensation is nice. The alcohol was bitter and you hated it, this kiss tastes sweet and flavourful and you love it.

Atsumu continues while he carries you towards the bedroom he left you in alone last night, slowly putting your body on the messy bed who still has the scent of you from last night. It is supposed to gross you out but Atsumu is making it harder for you to breathe so nothing really matters, and Atsumu loves the scent as much as you love his oozing warmth that makes your eyes roll to the back of your head.

He continues peppering kisses along your entire body, just like the night when you first spent together. Shirts off, pants off, underwear off. There’s nothing in the way of the both of you in the intense love-making session. Atsumu loves the way his name rolls on your tongue as he nibbles addictively on your neck, your chest and your tummy that is filled with the food he made for you, the love he had in store from his heart is delivered into you with so much ease. He plans to deliver some more as his kisses turn more passionate as the clock ticks, tongue intermingles and liquid drooling out of each other’s hot mouth.

Atsumu is already so eager to get inside you but he always has to prioritise you before him so he asked you. “Can I-can I get on with it now?” he asked, trying to recollect his breath at the same time while he looks for a particular wrapper in the drawer of your bedside table. “It’s fine, Atsumu, I’m on birth control.” You smiled at him and he smiled back, caressing your cheeks, touching your lips and tucking your hair behind your cute ears he loved to kiss so much. “You know, you mistook the birth control pills for aspirin that’s why I rummaged through the whole cupboard to look for one.” You gave him a glare so cute he continues kissing you. “My bad, baby. Can I get in now?” He asked with a teasing little smirk displayed on his stupidly handsome face.

“Yes, you can Atsumu.” You kissed him on the cheeks and hugged his neck as he entered. Inches by inches you sucked him in and he would kiss your temple to make you feel better after the stretch. The time away clearly made a lot of changes between the two of you, and it all makes this event more admirable than the ones before, because of the heartfelt confession you shared with him in the morning. All he wants to do is kiss your body like it is the only thing in this world worth worshipping. You are the most beautiful thing that ever happened in his life anyway, and he would never regret anything in his life anymore.

After the both of you peaked, he released into you, stayed there for a few minutes and took it out after he finally made your deep furrowed eyebrows disappear. You finally relax after the soothing time with your dearest one and he plopped himself next to you. 

Atsumu opened his arms and you found him inside it, getting smooches here and there as he hugged you. He would play with your hair, draw stars on the naked back of yours, and you would draw circles on his chest as you listen to the small heart beat in him. 

His heart was beating because of you.

“Hey, that noise in there is because of ya.” Atsumu kissed you on the forehead. 

“Oh really, yer not special, Miya, listen to mine!” you said with a glare after hitting him playfully on his chest.

“Uhuh...can I kiss it? Like this?” Atsumu continues his attack on your chest and you laughed loudly as he starts skimming his fingers on your waist and your tummy. He was smiling and laughing into the attack. 

Atsumu thinks that even if it is true that he is a fool, at least he is a fool that is so foolishly in love with you. 

[limitlessgojo]

Blood Bound: Blackened Bond (Ch 14)

Warnings: Action, Coarse Language, Fighting, Descriptions of Blood

Previous SFW Chapter: Home Sweet Home

Previous Chapter NSFW!: The More You Know

Next Chapter: Shadows Fall

Tags: Soulmates AU, Angst, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Fem!Reader

Taglist: @lessie-oxj @rizzo-nero @whoreuc @fkngkumiko @isl3t @gojoussunglasses @onepotatostand-blog @s-t-f-u-b-i-t-c-h @sunaswife @lordguameow @track5enthusiast

Notes: If you want to be tagged for every update, and specify if you're okay with NSFW posts or not, please mention it in the comments below ty ❤

Extra Notes: This is my favorite chapter by far in this book, I've been wanting to drop this for weeks! I hope you enjoy reading. Part 2 of the story starts from here on until the end. Feel free to scream in the comments as usual XD

Chapter 14: Big White Lies

As the days passed by, the seasons changed. You started class in Spring. Summer has long passed and it is now the beginning of Winter. Noritoshi, as usual, was really busy so you didn’t see him as often. But you let it go.

You wanted to do something nice for him, so you had the idea to surprise Noritoshi. Having some cupcakes in a small bag and a fresh cup of coffee in your other hand, you were outside his door, hiding your presence and cursed energy to mask your identity.

As you raised your hand to knock on his door, you heard a second male voice.

"I'm glad to hear that you've been getting along with your soulmate son." His father's voice was heard over a speaker. Oh he was on call with his dad!

Yikes, not the best time to interrupt. It is impolite to listen into the conversation, but you were too excited to surprise him that you decided to wait for the call to end.

"Is Y/N really deeply in love with you? Make sure to not let her go. That will surely help our clan's reputation rise above with her skills being integrated into ours. She can definitely bear strong heirs for our clan. For centuries it was the Zenins that harnessed various types of jujutsu shi with strong techniques. It's time we continuously expanded ours as well. Starting with her." The Kamo clan head sternly ordered his son.

'Huh?'

"Yes of course father. Don't worry. She has already confessed her love to me so there's nothing to worry about. I'll do my best to make this clan proud and powerful. I definitely won’t let you down." Noritoshi replied.

The smile on your face slowly faded as your face turned to stone. Ah. Was that it?

Is that what you amounted to only? A tool for their use. A stepping stone for the Kamo clan to get stronger. You started to feel nauseous. Is this the so-called secret he didn’t want to tell you about…

You stood quietly as you continued eavesdropping.

"Excellent. Heh, looks like you can actually be a womaniser if you wanted to. Women are way too easy. As I told you before, give her sweet touches, use pet names, give her lots of encouragement and make promises here and there and they'll be by your side before you know it." His father snorted.

"Yes, I've taken your advice into consideration and did as you said." Noritoshi spoke firmly. Your heart was breaking with every word spoken.

"If you don't like her or how she looks, you can have several concubines and wives anyways. Have your pick. Remember Homura chan? Now she's a stunner. Didn’t you also say you found her cute?"

‘What on earth is this? Who is Homura? Why?’ Your hands start shaking badly, pulse thundering in your ears.

You felt light headed from the brutish words the Kamo clan head was saying, and silently retreated, not wanting to hear Noritoshi's response to his father. Keeping your presence and cursed energy hidden and as minuscule as possible while you walked back to your dorm room.

Because you had left you didn't hear the remainder of the conversation.

"Father, I respect that the older clan heads had several wives and concubines. And I’ve told you time and time again that I’m not interested in Homura san. But I've decided to be loyal to my one true soulmate. I think I am falling in love with her as well, and can't bear to see her hurt. I won't be taking in any concubines." Noritoshi politely replied.

It was the first time he had spoken about his true feelings out loud and he felt vulnerable. He braced himself for any harsh words from his father but none came.

His father only raised an eyebrow. "Suit yourself. The fact is, even if she doesn't give birth to an heir with the inherited Blood Manipulation, she is more than enough of an additional asset to our clan. And it ties us together with the Abe/Tsuchimikado clan as you know."

Clan politics. Noritoshi is getting more and more sick of it every day, but he just silently nodded. As long as he has you and his mother by his side, nothing else matters. "Yes I understand father."

Noritoshi hated talking about his family with you, because of this exact reason. He didn’t want you to be disgusted by this side of their family and get pulled into their family problems. The worst thing would be for you to have a terrible first impression of the Kamo clan.

He understood that you already had a lot on your plate as your missions grew harder and harder. You were often assigned to grade 1 missions alone already. The worst case was for you to get roped into doing messy tasks to please the clan elders.

◇◇◇

You paced around your room, staring at the cupcakes and coffee on your desk. They were getting cold.

Cold. That's how you felt inside and out. You had to confront him. Or else your relationship will just drag you down. You definitely didn't want him to have any concubines. Didn’t want to have a partner who didn’t love you after all.

You were so lost in your emotions that you didn’t realize you were jumping to several conclusions on your own without considering Noritoshi's feelings for you properly.

'But it was starting to make sense' Your mind was screaming at yourself. 'He never explicitly confessed his feelings. He does indeed give me mixed signals from time to time. He shuts me out of private matters to him. He could be using me.’

The one question that was breaking you apart now is: "Was everything a lie? How much of his actions were sincere? He could lie about anything. To get power, that's something the big 3 clans are capable of doing. Satoru told me of some of the horrors already…"

The doubt and feelings of betrayal piled up, until you came to one conclusion: You’ve had enough.

◇◇◇

The next day, you suppressed all your emotions and distracted yourself. You tried your best to act normal around Noritoshi, smiling brightly at him.

It wasn't too effective. Everytime he called you his angel, instead of the delight you usually feel, you felt hurt thinking he was forcing himself to do this.

This can't go on forever. And eventually Noritoshi could start to feel the pain in your heart on his end as well. He hurried to you one afternoon after class, dragging you out to the plum tree away from the buildings.

You looked up at Noritoshi. As handsome as ever. Gentle and concerned (lies), with a strong hand reaching to cup your face (lies lies), speaking so carefully, "My angel, how are you? Why are you troubled? Have I done something to offend you?" (Lies, it was all lies).

He must be lying. Must have been since day 1. The way your brain just jumped to the most terrible scenarios in which he never liked you. There's no other reason. Your breathing quickened.

Both of you were still in the first stage of the soulmate bonding; therefore, you couldn’t share all emotions yet. Just urgent and strong random flashes of it, especially negative emotions. This is why both of you weren’t able to feel the love the other has through the bond yet.

You stopped smiling.

"I overheard your conversation with your father. I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but I had a present for you that I wanted to give you yesterday, so I waited outside your room. But that doesn't really matter anymore." You said, cooly shrugging off the hand on your face.

He stiffened, whole body tensing. 'No it was going so well with you, this can't be happening.' He thought to himself.

"Y/n I can explain-"

"Did you even feel anything for me? Besides our red string of Fate appearing?"

The marks on your wrists flowed in warning, searing hot pain flashed across both of you. But you ignored it. The devil on your shoulder pushing you to break things with him.

"Tell me the words you and your father spoke about yesterday were a lie." You begged him.

He couldn't say it was, because the conversation yesterday was only filled with truths. He was so confused, so he stayed silent.

You laughed at him without any real meaning or humor. The light had gone out of your eyes. Noritoshi felt himself shiver at the sound of it.

"So it was all true. Did you like me for me? Or because I'm your so-called soulmate whom you forced yourself to “love”- pshhh not even love, probably to tolerate, for the sake of power?"

Noritoshi’s head felt unfocused and his palms were sweating.

“I’m just a fucking game to you huh Kamo?!” You were freely crying now. He winced at the use of his family name.

Noritoshi found that he couldn’t breathe properly, much less reply to you. He had never seen you like this. What’s worse is your intense fear, sorrow, and disgust towards him was radiating so strongly through your bond.

“No you’re not.” He could hardly get the words out with how hard he’s breathing. It actually felt like the red strings were tying themselves around his neck. You scoffed at him unbelievingly.

He trembled as he lifted both hands to cup your face, but you stepped out of his reach. His hands dropped.

"You liar. I don't want this. If you just want to use me for my body, and to use me for your gain and for your family's benefit only to toss me aside for other women, then I don't want it." You spoke hoarsely. Your entire body was stiff, hands cold and voice quivering.

Your bond was hanging by a thread. The emotions of pain and betrayal bleeding over and muddling the delicate bond.

"I'm out. Go find some other bitch to breed for your sake of your precious heirs. I don't care if we are a fated pair. If you don't wanna put even an ounce of trust and honesty into our relationship then just fuck off." You turned around and walked away.

"Wait, no I-" Noritoshi gasped out as he snapped out of his shock, but you didn't turn back. You walked faster trying to ignore the voice you loved hearing so much.

Even if it hurts to break apart from him now, it is better than to have your heart broken again and again by staying with him.

"Y/n I do care about you. I do think of you everyday. You’re not a game to me. Didn't you hear what I said yesterday?" He called out desperately, stepping forward.

You ignored him, digging your nails into the palms of your hands at the pain from your soulbond falling apart. 'I won't be fooled any longer'.

Your bond was screaming at you to turn around and believe him. To believe that everything you've felt with him these past few weeks were real. That he truly loved you.

"Listen to me!" Noritoshi cried out.

You halted in your tracks. "I'm nothing to you. If you want to have other women as your concubines, go ahead. I know you can pick up as many women as you want with your standing. You clearly don’t need me. So I don't need you." Your last 4 words are a harsh slap to his face.

Snap. And your bond was left barely hanging with the smallest red thread that stubbornly refused to let go. But the damage was done. He couldn't feel your emotions anymore as his head filled with white noise.

Panic overcame Noritoshi like never before. This wasn’t like his normal self. He didn’t let himself think about anything else, but to run and pull you back in his arms.

Until he was physically stopped by an invisible barrier. Your solid air barrier that blocks all sound and forms of matter on the other side, keeping him away from you.

“No, no, no, no. Y/n Come back! I’m sorry! Speak to me!” He cried, furiously pounding at the invisible wall between the both of you. But you couldn’t hear him, much less know how he is feeling. After all, you’ve ended it with him already.

After you left, he remained rooted to his spot. His forehead leaning against the barrier, tears streaming down his face, as he stared at the place where he saw your figure disappear. It wasn't long ago that he had just fallen in love with you.

Your warmth, your laughter, the touches you give to him. Now everything felt so cold. "But I need you." He whispered out, sounding so broken.

The last few wilted leaves of the plum tree fell, leaving it bare to the cold winter. He remembered the words in the soulmate records of the Gojo Clan. “A soulbond can be rejected.”

Maybe he should have told you everything from the beginning and not hold back any secrets. He was terrified that your opinion of him would change, if you found out about his background and his mother. So he wanted to slowly ease you into the Kamo clan.

This was the worst.

As the sky grew dark, he went back into his room and for the first time, didn't bother studying. Just went straight to sleep.

What he wouldn't give to feel anything from your end. Even if it was anger or hatred, it would be better than this empty feeling.

Author's Notes: This chapter was the first chapter I've written before all others and is how Blood Bound came to be. You could say this is the core of the story, since it's the origin. Just had an angsty afternoon one day and chose violence🥰🤧

Blood Bound: Table of Contents

[summoner-chan]

✨⭐[幸せな4周年!/Happy 4th Anniversary!]⭐✨

4⭐ Ose came home today with the FIRST ticket and I've never been so happy!! I've been wanting his 4⭐ for so long now and now that I've gotten it, I started writing a self indulgent fic of Summoner-chan using up the Platinum Lil Salomon card just for Ose! Hope everyone enjoy reading it!

Hurried footsteps echoed lightly through the halls, almost resembling like an excited child awaiting their gift under the tree when it was Christmas morning. The brunette couldn't help but giggle and grin with joy, gripping the single card in between her fingers. The thought of surprising her favourite familiar made her heart blossom with flowers, butterfies swooning in her stomach. The short female hastened her steps more, eager of seeing the therian clad in a white suit

The leopard was idling by the garden, the various plants and flowers from otherworldly realms made him felt that he had visited the realm just by looking at them. Truly, it gave him a sense of serenity and tranquility. Being a triple agent was certainly thrilling but exceptionally exhausting to say the least, though, he didn't expect to have become one of the familiars of the very infamous guild master and her guild, Hanasaki Abuto of The Summoners

And he certainly and absolutely didn't expect to be tackled from behind as a loud cry of his name soared into his ears, their arms wrapped around his midsection and as the grip tightened at every second. His suave smile grew even wider as he very well knew who it was before looking over his shoulder only to be greeted with brown orbs glittering in the sunlight, a toothy grin that was accompanied by the giggles slipping through her lips

The fem eased her grip as she let the therian turns his body to face her, diving her face into his broad chest and having to earn a light chuckle out of him. Large diamond spotted hands caressed the cheek of his beloved summoner, his heart swelling with adoration as she leaned more into his touch before placing her small gentle hands on his own, her dazzling smile seemed to pull him more into the dangerous game called love. He had his fair share of affections but not as strongly as he felt towards the young lady

"My, my, boss. You seemed to be such in a good mood while being even more cuter today. Has a miracle happened while you dear handsome familiar was away?" The leopard therian cooed, a surge of pride coursed through his veins when his green eyes caught up to the reddening hues of her features. Now that he had taken a great look of her face, he noticed that the usual full lips was glossed and it was slightly tinted, marvelously enhancing the natural colour and it went gorgeously well with her sun kissed skin.

Oh how ironic it was that he was granted with such a heavenly view despite being a creature from the depths of Gehenna. He wholly welcomed the gift that whatever ethereal beings had given to him, whether it be the Gods of the Heavens or the Devils of the Hells or maybe it was mix of the two but either way, he's not complaining of it. The sight of a card adorned with the lines of gold covered his field of vision before having it lowered, the young lady peaking through as if to see his reaction

It seemed to be that his summoner had recently got a handful of Platinum Lil Salomon tickets as she calls it, from what she had enthusiastically explained to him before, it had the ability to summon a familiar of their own choice, even summoning to an even powerful and stronger variant of the familiar. The male didn't considered himself special or eye catching compared to the other familiars she had on her team like for example, the butler from the Ikebukuro Berserkers and the prosecutor from the Rule Makers as both had evolved into their highest form unlike him, who has still yet to be given the opportunity of having the privilege of such

A feeling had wormed through its way into his heart, a feeling that he tried to extinguish but the leopard had underestimated its untamed fire, rivaling to even the fire that spawned in the lowest pit of Gehenna. The notorious feeling that could sever, crush and erase bonds like no other was jealousy. The man would rather lop his head off than let his charming, collected and flirtatious image to be stained with jealousy, no, he wasn't going to submit and surrender to it so easily without battling the wretched emotion with all his might

The therian closed his eyes and hummed as if in thought as he had guessed that she was going to use it to summon more variants or get the same kind to increase the strength for the other two companions but went along using a trick up his sleeve. "Looks like your devilish familiar is a bit clueless today, boss. Mind enlightening me who's the lucky man who's going to be summoned?" said the spy. The brunette's smile was replaced with a pout, her brows furrowed as she let out a huff and her hand was quick to playfully smack the therian's chest before the male breath out a small 'ouch' from the attack

"You're really going to make a girl say it first?..." Oh? Well that's new. Make a girl say it first? What in the world did his summoner was going to say? The fem felt like she was shrinking under the gaze of her familia who turned quiet and merely was waiting for her answer by the looks of it. Oh how she wanted the ground to swallow her up whole, sadly, miracles don't happen that often so she's left with to deal with her own embarrasment. Her gaze was anywhere else than gazing into those hypnotizing green eyes, resembling to a precious mineral stone that she adored, emerald

Clearing her throat, the fem raised the fancy card up, using it as a shield to block her blushing face and to avoid looking at her own familiar to save herself from the embarrassment. The card slowly started to glow, the colours shifting from red to green to grey before settling down with purple. As the card glowed, the image of the goat transient that was on it, too, changed as well, morphing entirely into another transient. The image swirled vigorously and the glow grew brighter and brighter, the therian having to squint his eyes from the light. With a loud shing, the purple mysterious glow faded and turned into mist, covering the pair as the wind picked up and blew it all away gently

The choice of the summoning has been done, now all the summoner of the card have to do is to cast the card, just like summoning familiars from the App (Gacha). The fem was shaking with anticipation and nervousness, the silence of her familiar was eating her away, was he not happy that he was chosen? "Boss" The sudden call made the therian's summoner jumped at the sound of her addressment, pulling the card closer to her face as she let out a shaky hum as an answer of his call. "Don't be like that... Won't you see your darling familiar's face, boss..?" The brunette bites down her lip when the side of her face was fanned with hot, long, breaths of air. Large calloused hands were placed on her waist, sliding down agonizingly slow before resting themselves on the hips, thumbs drawing circles on the clothed area

A gasp had slipped through, the fem's voice quivering when the therian placed his lips on the unprotected skin of her neck, easing his way up while leaving soft kisses on the flushed flesh, soft pants were also induced from the mere action. "Still not budging, I see? How admirable of you to stand your ground after that stunt I pulled, boss. Though...I doubt that you'll last after this one" With a lick of his lips, his resting hands started to move down further, inching closer and closer to his beloved summoner's backside. Just as he was about to reach, the young lady let out a squeal of surrender, her hand tapping on his white clad shoulder as the other still held on to the card

"I'll look at you! I'll look at you! Just- You're going to make me overheat from all of that..!" Chuckling, the male swiped the card away from her fingers, the young lady letting out a strangled 'hey!' before quickly shutting up when the leopard placed a firm hold of her waist, their faces undeniably close. "Not so hard isn't it, boss? You could have listened to me sooner but, ah, alas you caused your own downfall, didn't you?" The leopard donned in the suit said teasingly, sending out a wink into the fem's direction

"Now there's must be a reason of why you chose me, say boss?" His only response was silence, his summoner batting her eyelashes at him, putting on the 'I don't know what you're talking about' look. Most of her friends and familiar were all too knowing of this look, the girl being a terrible liar while being blatantly obvious that she was hiding something. With the rule that the therian had, he had already seen through her, completely capable of seeing the answer that he looked for but the leopard wanted to hear it from her own very lips instead, it's more fun teasing and irking out the answer rather than by using that Rule of his.

"I w-wanted to summon that Red Oni!"

"Didn't you already have him, boss?"

"I-uh! w-wanted you to be stronger!"

"How nice of you to think of me boss but that's not entirely it isn't it?"

"You said that you wanted evolve right!! Then I took the chance and used the card for you!!"

"Indeed I do but there's no reason for you to willingly do so when you have other tons of familiar befitting of the card. Unless you have something important to tell me..?"

"Urk!.."

The brunette whined, all of her lies were cut down by the statements and questiones that her familiar dropped down on her. There's no more room to run to anymore, she's cornered and the truth is begging to be told, her heart leaping out from her chest from the frenzied situation. The summoner's lips moved but the sound of the words were extremely dimmed and it came out as a muttering to herself, fingers fiddling with the hem of her school jacket. The reaction from her is truly priceless! The male's sensitive ears took note of the words she just said but there's no way he's going to miss the opportunity to tease her more, filling up the desire to take her right then and there from the cute reactions she's giving

The leopard placed his hand behind his ear and leaned down, his signatures smirk on display for the world to see "Hmm? I couldn't hear what you said, boss. Mind repeating that for me?" The young lady started to stutter and trip on her words, all of this amused the therian that embraced her. Her hands reaching up to her face before cupping them, eyes shut and brows furrowed, the blush on her face was apparent "Because I love you, alright!" Yes, the answer that he was finally waiting for, the confession of her love to him. Before all of this event happened, the leopard therian had gotten his answer just by glancing to the cheery summoner of his when they hugged him. Their confession of love was written all over them

Ose figured his summoner had enough of his teasings, gently pulling her hands that cupped her face, his expression softened when the girl looked up to him with the same brown orbs that he stared into when he was summoned. The therian came nearer to his summoner, the space between them no more as two figures melded into one, lips pressed with one another, the summoner's eyes widen in shock before fluttering them close before kissing him back with the same fervor he's giving to her

The therian pulled away reluctantly, his sense of thought chipped when a soft moan of his name reached his ears, quickly regaining back his thoughts as he pressed another kiss on her temple. For now, the silence between them was all he needed. The love that was kept away in his heart blossomed, dancing with joy and happiness as the sun shone on to the waves and bid the flowers goodbye before another beacon of light replaced it, which was the Moon. The spy planned on returning the feelings that his summoner had for him in another different way but this was sufficient for him too, he guessed

Hoho! Quite lengthy than I expected to be honest but still happy with it!! I hope that everyone is having fun with the Anniversary!! Summoner-chan, signing off!⭐

✨⭐[幸せな4周年!/Happy 4th Anniversary!]⭐✨

[constantconfusion111]

Etched into your skin - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 below, thanks everyone for your likes/RT, you’re the best :) Link to AO3

Ch1 ; Ch2 ; Ch3 ; Ch4

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“Aahh, the handsome young man is back. What a lucky girl I am.”

Type smiled kindly at Jeed. One week had gone by and he was indeed back in her bar. Mostly to relax and enjoy the end of a long week of Uni. Maybe a little bit because he wanted to hear Lhong’s band again.

“Hello P’Jeed, you look great tonight.”

“Handsome and charming, what a great mix. Where are your little friends?”

“At home, they’re finishing some assignments.”

Techno and Champ had slacked off on their anatomy’s paper all week, preferring lounging around and playing games with the other guys to the point of forgetting entirely about the paper. The only thing that saved them was when they actually saw Type submit his own assignment in. Anatomy and sports injury was a bitch of a subject, Type didn’t know why these two morons thought they could just wing it 10 minutes before the deadline. The result was them sacrificing their first night of freedom of the weekend to graphs and thick textbooks, whining and pouting all along. Well, Techno whined and pouted, Champ pretty much just grumbled and started to work right away.

In a burst of generosity, Type had thrown his notes on the table for them, reminding them kindly they would now be in his debt and they better remember it when he’ll need to collect it.

“Damn Type, signing a pact with the devil sounds less scary than this!”

Techno had still snatched the papers from the table and started to scan through them.

So here Type was, alone, in Jeed’s bar, ready to… relax. He ordered his usual drink, asked for some snacks and went to a small table in a corner, further away from the female consumers that were once again near the stage.

Just as he was looking around wondering where the band was, Type saw Lhong coming out of the bathroom. He raised his glass to catch the man’s attention, successfully making him stop by his corner.

“Hey dude, good to see you, where are the other guys?”

“Trying not to fail a paper.”

The singer snickered and grabbed some of the still untouched snacks.

“Glad at least one of you managed to come. Stay here and we’ll join you at the end of our set.”

Lhong jumped on stage, soon joined by the guitarist and bassist. But no trace of the drummer. Type glanced left and right, trying to catch sight of the man, unsuccessfully. The band didn’t seem to be waiting for him either and started to play at once.

Type eyebrows were furrowed during the whole set as he knocked down a first drink, soon followed by a second.

Why the fuck did that guy tell him to come back today if he wasn’t going to be here? Who does that? He could have just said ‘thank you’ and move on? If Type had come only for that guy, he’d be quite pissed right about now. But all is fine, he was here to enjoy the alcohol and atmosphere first, the band was just a part of the atmosphere. And the band sounded just a little bit less good without the drummer, just a little bit more boring. Whatever, he just needed more alcohol.

As soon as the band was finished and the clapping subdued, the three musicians joined his little table, pushing another one closer to bring more drinks for everyone, graciously bought by their fans of the evening.

“Did you enjoy it?” asked Song with a bright smile, the youngest and definitely most cheerful of their group.

“Mh, you guys are talented. Is the other guy not here tonight?”

“The other guy?” said Song, tilting his head at the question.

“You know, the drummer.”

“Aah! Phi was quite busy, he stayed at home.”

“Why?” came Lhong’s question, his eyes focusing razor sharp on him. “Interested?”

Type sneered and pushed one of the fuller glasses in the man’s face.

“Just drink, it’ll keep you from talking shit.”

It’s like he couldn’t be curious anymore.

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

What a week, and it was only Tuesday.

Classes had really picked up the pace and everyone was starting to slowly drown under the amount of work that, as if enchanted, kept piling up without ever disappearing.

Tharn needed all the boba Thailand had to offer. He knew his study group was already waiting for him at the library, but he needed something to wake up. He’d been sleeping poorly for weeks now and he was starting to feel the effect of it.

Saying he had made peace with the idea of Type not wanting to have anything to do with him would be an overstatement. Numb would probably be closer to the truth.

Even if he did manage to track him down, what would he say? Something like-

“Hey! Here you are, you quitter!”

Tharn almost choked on his sip in surprise. He turned around, uncertain if the voice was really calling out to him.

A man was walking toward him in swift strides, expression set in the most offended look Tharn had ever seen on another person. Tharn placed him easily enough as the man he’d briefly met at Jeed’s bar some 2 weeks ago. The guy was too pretty to be easily forgotten, he had had the fluffiest hair and the most expressive eyes.

He remembers how the man had watched him the whole time the band had been on stage, how intense his scrutiny had been.

Tharn had been just as surprised he’d taken notice. Usually, when he plays, he gets lost in his own world where everything feels better, a little less heavy. But he couldn’t have shaken the weight of that stare off his shoulder even if he’d wanted to.

Frankly, if circumstances had been different, if he wasn’t still trying to come to term with his soulmate situation, he would have definitely picked him up. Tharn was quite sure he would have been successful as well.

He was definitely too pretty for someone that scowled that hard.

However, at this specific moment, Tharn really wasn’t sure of what was going on.

“Pardon?”

The man was as attractive as he’d been at the bar, but had swapped his casual slacks for a blue football shirt and shorts exposing wide patches of tanned skin.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. You told me to come back last Saturday to hear you play and then you didn’t even show up.”

Tharn had to search back to try and remember what he could have possibly said to deserve such anger. He’d said the guy should come back for their next performance.

“Mmh… the band did perform Saturday.”

“I know! But you wouldn’t, you weren’t there!”

Tharn raised both eyebrows, understanding slowly settling in. He would have definitely managed to pick the guy up.

“Was Nong sad because he missed me?”

Tharn would wish for a long time he’d filmed the footballer’s reaction. The next moments were full of sputtering and indignant looks, cheeks reddening and scowls deepening.

“Shut up! Who are you calling ‘Nong’, we’re the same age! And who missed you?!”

Tharn smiled around his straw.

“You look very angry for someone who didn’t miss me.”

“I’m not angry,” he hissed between his teeth. “I’m annoyed because you’re talking nonsense! And you didn’t respect your engagement the other night!”

That guy was a terrible liar. Tharn wondered if he at least believed in what he was saying or even he knew it was in vain. In any case, his reaction only made Tharn want to push his buttons some more.

“If I had known you were waiting for me, you could be sure I would have come.”

“Who said anything about waiting for you! If you give your word you should follow through, that’s all!”

Tharn hummed, sipping some more of his drink, staring at the man who was in turn looking down at his mouth at the mouvement. Pushing it, he liked his lips for good mesure, grinning as the other only seemed to frown harder.

“Well… You should come next time again. I promise I’ll be there.”

The man scoffed, crossing his arms on his chest. He had an air of someone that wasn’t really used to being pushed around. Which Tharn could imagine without too much problems. He was very good looking, that was a fact, but he was also tall and clearly in very good shape. There was an edge of aggression in his posture, daring anyone to just try and come after him to see what would happen.

“Ah! Fat chance! I’m not going to waste my time for you.”

“But how will you know if I keep my word this time around.”

“Why do I care?”

Tharn raised a single eyebrow, tilting his head slightly.

“Because… you just shouted at me for it right now.”

“... Whatever,” was the only answer he received, the man turning around swiftly to leave.

Tharn laughed, calling after him.

“See you soon! I’ll be waiting for you at P’Jeed’s!”

Tharn hurried back to the library, laughing to himself as he replayed the conversation in his head. He apologised to the other members of his group as soon as he arrived at their table and sat down on his seat next to Lhong.

“What took you so long, I started to worry.”

Tharn hummed while taking his laptop out of his bag.

“Nothing bad, just saw a guy on the way over here and stopped to talk for a minute.”

“A guy? Do I know him?” wondered the other man.

“Yeah, the hot one, he’s friends with Techno.”

Lhong seemed to think about it, looking at the ceiling until understanding dawned on him.

“Ah! You mean Type?”

And in an instant, Tharn’s whole world tilted from its axe.

[yourdreamscenarios]

When you meet again after breaking up

∙ Request ♡ ∙ Word count: 3,2K

“Could we just go home, please?” You almost begged, hoping that for once she would listen to you and that she would give into your pleads. You should have known that when your friend asked you to join you on a night out, she’d planned to go hard. She wasn’t one to go out for a drink in a cosy cafe near the neighborhood and call it a night.  Instead you found yourself in a club, with strangers curling in impossible directions all around you. Beer stuck on the fabric of your clothes and smoke inside of your lungs. You hadn’t actually been in the mood to get outdoors at all. And so it had been a mistake not to stick to your comfy couch and watch the movie you had intended to, just to fall asleep before it had finished. But she had pleaded you to come and how could you not say yes to a friend? You’d turned her offer down so many times before, you felt as if you hadn’t had another choice but to accept. If only just to prove that you weren’t the party pooper she thought you were, even though you secretly knew you were. 

Though if you had known it had been her plan to get drunk and ditch you for a guy she met on the dance floor halfway through the night, you wouldn’t have cared about what she thought about you. So for the fifth time you tried to get her attention and asked her to take you home, even though you were the one who was driving. The friend inside of your told you that you couldn’t simply leave without you, even though you knew she wouldn’t mind. She’d probably go home with the man she was clinging onto, have a crazy night with him before waking up in the morning, pulling her clothes back on and forget this ever happened. She told you all about her one night stands in the past, you knew she was used to these kinds of things. But you couldn’t help but feel responsible, and you knew that a good friend wouldn’t just leave her hear without at least trying to convince her to use some common sense and go home with you. Yet, she simply waved you off, just like she had done last time and told you to have some fun. But you were done having fun, by yourself, surrounded by drunk people. 

For the first two hours you’d been sitting by the bar, trying to convince yourself you didn’t look as pathetic as you felt. But you were sitting on a bar seat by yourself, holding a diet coke and trying to listen into the conversation the ladies beside you were having about ones ex husband. So if anything, it was one of the most pathetic things of all. And as you had finished your drink, and checked your watch, you’d told yourself you had waited long enough. Though there was no way you were going back to that spot. Letting your gaze run past the bar your eyes lingered on the door and you decided that some fresh air may be exactly what you needed. It was terrible hot in here, and the loud music and voices were messing with your mind. Perhaps some time in the fresh air would calm you before you’d go back to your friend and as her to go home one final time before you’d actually ditch her. Squirming your body past others, trying to rub against them as less as possible, you managed to make your way towards the exit. The bouncer you passed was a large guy, one you couldn’t remember moving past when you’d gotten in. 

He stared down on you when you crept past him and tried to smile politely at him. Yet, he rewarded you with a grumpy look, probably annoyed because you were holding up the people who wanted to move inside. You couldn’t understand there were people still arriving, it was one a’clock and the middle of the night. Getting out of the way you spotted a free bench a bit further down the road. The drunks stayed close to the building, puffing on their cigarettes and telling terrible jokes in horribly loud voices. You ignored them and were grateful as they returned the favor while you walked over towards the bench. You groaned softly as you settled down, feeling your feet pounding inside of your shoes. If your friend had warned in you time about where you were going you definitely would’ve chosen a different style of outfit. While rubbing your temples with your index fingers you reminded yourself that next time she would ask you to go with him because she didn’t have anyone who wanted to be her wing woman, you would think twice about your answer. You should have known there would be a good reason she didn’t have anyone to accompany her. And the small devil on top of your shoulder told you that you should have known better. She had given up asked you to wild parties months ago, if only she weren’t depending on your company. 

The sound of voices managed to temporarily distract you from your moment of self pity. Looking up you spotted a group of guys crossing the street. Studying them closely you realized that the group seemed divided. Three of them were holding on the plastic bottles, with clear liquid inside of it which they thought could pass as water. Yet, these days everyone had figured that trick out and you were sure it wasn’t allowed to take your own alcohol into the club. Then there were two of them who were standing a bit more secure on their feet, their hands stuffed inside of their pockets. You barely scanned their faces and tried to pay them no attention as they walked past you, hoping you weren’t as visible here in the dark as you felt. But soon enough, one of the guys with the bottles spotted you, his gaze slipping up and down your form before his lips tugged upward into what he thought to be a tempting smile. Yet, with his hooded eyes and his wobbly appearance, he might as well have scowled at you and he might have seemed more attractive than he did now. You weren’t sure if he tried winking next or if a bug had flown into his eye, but his left eye blinked awkwardly and you crossed your arms in front of your chest as to say you weren’t impressed. 

Not seeming to take no for an answer he separated himself from his group of friends and started making his way back to you, casually holding on to the back of the bench to steady himself. You had no idea what it was about drunk people trying to look as if they were sober, but someone had to tell them it didn’t work. The harder they seemed to try, the worse it looked. Your eyes wandered back towards the entrance of the club, surely not sure if it hadn’t been a better idea to stick to the bar after all. One desperate part inside of you willed your friend to walk out of that door right now, reminded of her friend and getting the insanely wise idea that perhaps she should check up on her. But she never appeared, and you were left to solve this mess by yourself. Grabbing your bag you rummaged in it until your found your phone, holding onto it like a lifesaver. Perhaps if you ignored him and made him feel you weren’t interested he would get the hint and he would get lost. Yet you didn’t know in what kind of fantasy you seemed to be living, because soon he decided to speak up. 

“Hello gorgeous.” You could hear the smile in his voice, and the salvia which escaped him as he lisped himself through these words. Jesus, this guy was much more drunk than you’d thought him to be at first. Looking at him out of the corner of your eye you could see his legs shaking as he tried to keep himself up. Realizing his opening sentence hadn’t quite gotten your attention he flopped himself down on the bench beside you, way too close to your liking. “Why are you here…By yourselfff.” He dragged the last word, and his head lulled slightly towards the side before he got a grip over himself again and he flashed you that crazy grin once more. You pulled a face, feeling disgusted as the stank of alcohol came from his breath. You honestly couldn’t believe you were missing your movie over this. Leaning slightly away from him you wondered what you should do about this situation you seemingly had gotten stuck in. “I’m waiting for my boyfriend.” You stuttered, making up the only excuse you could think of which could slightly help you. Yet, you were a terribly liar, had been since you were a little girl. Your mother always teased you about it, telling you that you were to become the most honest person to ever exist, since everyone could see right through you. 

And even this guy, who seemed to far from this world to understand anything that was happening around him, seemed to realize that. “Nah, he’d never leave you here like this.” He said, and you had to say you were surprised he still had a brain cell which wasn’t intoxicated badly enough to think of such a thing. Well, you did indeed hope that when someday you did have a boyfriend, he would never drag you up to a scene like this. Suppressing an annoyed sigh you finally turned your head to look at the guy beside you. He was handsome, you had to give him that. You were sure that if he hadn’t been this drunk and he had run into a different girl, he would have been able to convince her. He had shiny and with teeth, standing straight next to each other in a row. His dark blond hair was pushed back from his face, revealing his freckles. His cheeks were flushed, surely from the booze, yet his skin looked slightly tanned as if he’d just returned home from a holiday. Under different circumstances you would have called him cute, but not today. “You caught me. You’re right, I don’t have a boyfriend. But I was just about to leave.” You said, grabbing your bag and throwing it over your shoulder as a statement. 

“Ohh, come on. Come inside, I’m sure we’ll have fun!” He said, and you felt a small smile tugging at the corners of your lips as he looked at you with a pair of big puppy eyes. He was cute indeed, but too far gone for your taste. Opening your mouth to tell him you’d accompany him next time, a time that was never to come, you got interrupted by a hand which landed on his shoulder. The stranger beside you turned his head towards stranger number two and it wasn’t until the new arrival spoke up that every muscle inside of your body seemed to freeze. “There you are, we’ve been looking all over for you.” The deep words rattled something inside of you and you looked up at the guy who was scolding his friend, though he also seemed relieved that he’d found him at last. He was one of the guys who hadn’t looked as if he’d had too much to drink before entering the club. And even now he looked as if he hadn’t touched a single drink yet. “I was talking to this beautiful lady over here. She seemed so lonely…” The cute guy slurred, and finally his friend guided his gaze towards you. As his eyes connected to yours, you could feel a little spark travel through your body, as if it was awake again after an eternity of sleep. 

He still looked as handsome as the time you’d last seen him if not more. His hair was darker, and curled across his forehead. His face was slightly more thin than it used to be, but he looked well fed and healthy. He was wearing his favorite red jacket, the one which made his eyes pop inside of his face. And just beneath the collar of his shirt you could see his collarbones peeping out for the world to see. Your heart fluttered at the sight of him, even though you told yourself it couldn’t. “It’s not safe for a girl to sit her all by herself.” The guy continued, and you forced yourself out of your trance as you looked back at the way he was explaining all this to Taehyung. You couldn’t remember them being friends before, so you guessed this was a new thing. You were just about to correct him and tell him you were a woman and you were totally capable of taking care of yourself when Taehyung patted his friend on the shoulder. “You’re right man, you did the right thing. Why don’t you go to the others and I’ll make sure she’s safe.” With that the cutie pursed his lips, wondering if he were indeed to leave you. But it was almost as if he himself realized he was in no state to protect you from any evil as he got up from the couch and stood on his wobbly feet. 

“It was a pleasure to meet you.” He said, holding out his hand for you to shake it. You almost snorted right in his face but held yourself back as you laid a few of your fingers against his, hoping to avoid his sticky skin. “Have a good night.” You offered in return and watched him walk off towards his other sober friend who was waiting back at the entrance of the club. He shot Taehyung a questioning stare and got woven off with a movement of Tae’s hand. His gaze returned towards yours, hesitant at first before he composed himself and took in the spot where his friend had been sitting before him, yet a bit further away, leaving some healthy space between the two of you. One part of you was glad he did, because you were sure that if he’d decided to move any closer he would have been able to hear your heart beat inside of your chest. Taehyung and you had been in a relationship for a year and a half before you decided to call things about a year back. College had seemed to taken over both of your lives and you hadn’t had as much time for each other as you had wanted to. Eventually it seemed as if they two of you had simply grown apart and had started living separate lives even though you were still a couple. 

It had pained you to say goodbye to him, because you were sure you would always love this man. But back then it had been the right thing to do. You didn’t want him to be stuck with someone during college and figure out he wanted someone else while you weren’t there. You wanted him to be free to do as he pleased, and so you had taken your space and he had too. You’d told each other to remain friends and at first it had been fine. You’d exchanged texts and had tried to meet up every once in a while, but eventually even that contact had faltered and you had gone back to being friends on Facebooks and followers on Instagram. He liked your pics and you liked his, but you never dropped a comment. Even after you’d both graduated a few months back, you hadn’t gotten back in touch, even though he worked close by. It had just seemed like the best thing to do, like the safest thing to do. “What are you doing here? This isn’t your scene.” Taehyung said, resting his elbows on his knees as he turned his head to look at you. You tried not to blush by the smile that tugged on his lips and the mischievous twinkle that still shone in his eyes. It seemed like he hadn’t changed much over the year. 

You scoffed, throwing your hair back over your shoulder as you shot him a challenging look. “Who told you partying isn’t my scene?” You dared, but as he pulled up his eyebrows as you and shot you the look which told you he knew exactly how badly you were bluffing you waved him off. One didn’t have to know you to tell you weren’t comfortable here. Yet it was fun, feeling like you could talk to him like old times, even though you hadn’t seen him in ages. A silence fell down on the two of you, only the sound of the music coming from the club filling the air between you. Somehow though, you didn’t feel uncomfortable, sitting here beside him and having nothing to say. After a while he said, “It’s been a while.” While staring at the road ahead of him. More groups were making their way towards the club, each of them brining a different vibe with them. Some were singing songs loudly and off key, others were messing with each other or arguing about silly things. You nodded, suddenly feeling sad. 

You had loved Taehyung once, had adored his silly jokes and his smart comments when no one expected them. You’d loved how caring he was and how carefree he’d made you feel. “Yeah, it has.” You muttered, suddenly feeling disappointed, that you’d never commented on his post or dm’ed him to ask him how he’s doing. You were sad because you’d never asked him to meet up again sometime, even if it were just to know he was happy. It was glum, how a person who had once been the center of your world could become someone you no longer knew a thing about. He took a deep breath and his movements seemed a bit awkward as he linked his hands together on top of his lap. “So, you still work for that travel agency?” You asked suddenly, hoping you remembered this right. He smiled, and nodded his head as he leaned against the back of the bench, his muscles relaxing. You remembered how he had always loved traveling and how he said he wanted to inspire people to do the same thing. It was the perfect job for him. 

“You mind if I come by, you know, to ask for some traveling advice?” You mumbled, turning your head to look at him, surprised when you found him giving you that sly smile of his. You weren’t really one to travel by yourself, and he knew that. But perhaps it was something you should try, to explore your boundaries and see what they could become. Scratching the back o this neck he shrugged. “Sure, but you know, if you want to…I could tell you my advice over a drink, or two. If you’re up for it.” A warmth spread itself inside of your chest as you let his offer sink in. Another group of people walked past you, but you ignored them as you got up from your spot the bench, telling yourself it was time to go now. “Sounds like a plan. You have my number.” You reminded him before turned around and walking towards your car, all of a sudden happy that you’d come after all. 

∙ BTS Masterlist ♡ ∙ Masterlist ♡

[windowseatthoughts]

Interview || Cody Christian x Reader

Summary: You are a host in a noon time show and your guests are the cast of Pretty Little Liars and there are endless teasing about your relationship with Cody.

A/N: This is my first ever Cody Christian Imagine, I hope you guys like it! I’m sorry in advance if there are any grammar and spelling errors. Also, the picture is not mine, credits to the owner

Note: (Y/T/S/N) - Your television show’s name; (Y/S/N) - Your ship name.

Word count: 4,931

“Babe, can you please help me with this?” You heard Cody, your 15 months boyfriend say as you were looking at yourself in the mirror. Your cute boyfriend enters the room with a sigh of defeat, pouting at you. Looking at him, you spot the tie you picked out for him in a tangled mess. You chuckled as you made your way towards him which made him pout harder. Untangling the tie, you pecked his lips. “Stop pouting you big baby.” You smiled fondly at him. “I’m your big baby though.” He beamed at you. “Indeed you are.” You replied, smiling at him which made him smile back at you.

After fixing his tie you tapped his tie and kissed his cheek, “All done.”

“Thank you, princess.” He said in a low tone, snaking his arms on your lower back, pulling you close to him. Smiling at him, you placed both your hands on his toned chest. “You’re always welcome baby.” You said, placing a peck on his lips. Taking a step back, Cody tightened his hold on you and pulled you even closer to him. He leaned in and kissed you passionately. Closing your eyes, you kissed him back as you wrapped your arms around his neck, playing with the hair at the back of his head.

You can’t help but smile on his lips before breaking the kiss. You leaned back a bit without moving your feet as his hands were firmly placed at the small of your back. You buried your fingers in his soft locks, “I seemed to have ruined your hair.” You chuckled. “You better fix it then.” He smiled at you, pecking your lips again. You stared at him, smiling. “What?” He asked, kissing you again. “You just look so handsome and I still can’t believe I have you to myself.” You told him, truthfully. “You better start believing it then, princess.” He said, smiling at you. “Besides, I’m the lucky one to have you to myself.” He said kissing you again. “I mean you’re beautiful,” he said placing a soft kiss on your lips. “You have amazing humor.” He said kissing you again. ���Your smile, oh God, don’t even get me started on your smile. It’s just so addicting, I can’t explain it. No matter how much of a bad day I am having, being able to see you smile makes me feel better instantly.” This caused you to smile. Cody is going to be the death of you, honestly. “You always take care of me.” He smiled before placing a kiss on your nose. “You keep me grounded.” He said placing a kiss on your left cheek. “You make me happy.” He said placing a kiss on your right cheek. “You’re very understanding.” He said kissing your neck which made you tilt your head to give him more access. When you met his eyes again he had that ever famous smirk plastered on his face. You smiled fondly at him in return.

“I love you, princess.” He said kissing you again. You hummed contentedly on his lips. “I love you too, you know that right?” You said looking at him straight in the eyes. “I do.” He replied smiling at you.

Suddenly, you heard his phone go off just as he was about to kiss you. He sighed as he rested his head on your shoulder. You chuckled removing your hand from his hair and placing the right one on his back while the other fetches his phone in his back pocket. You read the contact, it was Lisa, his manager. “It’s Lisa.” You told him. He groaned and buried his face in your neck. You chuckled as you swiped the screen to answer the phone for him. “Lisa?” You said, smiling.

“Please tell me Cody is ready for his interview with you.” You chuckled. “Yeah he is don’t worry. He’s just being a big baby right now.”

“Well then please tell him to stop being a big baby and get going now or else he’ll be late, and you should get going as well.” Upon hearing this, Cody groaned again placing a kiss on your neck. “I think he heard you just fine Lisa.” You said, chuckling. “I’m gonna hang up now but please make sure he leaves right away.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he gets there on time.” You replied, ending the call. “Babe, we should get going now, you still have a shoot to go to before going to our show.” You cupped both sides of Cody’s face. “The shoot was moved to tomorrow.” He answered you, pouting. You pecked his lips. “Why are you being such a big baby, hmm?” He shrugged, hugging you. “I still have to put on some lipstick babe.” You told him, chuckling. He let go of you and moved behind you, hugging you again, burying his face in your neck again. You shook your head at your insanely cute boyfriend, smiling fondly as you glanced at him in the mirror.

After putting on your lipstick, you intertwined your hands with Cody’s which was on your waist. “C’mon babe, we have to go.” He stood up properly, standing beside you, holding your hand. Walking out of the house you and Cody shared, Alfred, his driver greeted you. “To the studio please Alfred.” You said to the guy, smiling. Cody opened the door for you, smiling. “Princess.”

“Thank you, baby.” You smiled, pecking his cheek.

He went in right after you and you were both on your way with Alfred pulling out of your driveway. The whole car ride to the studio consisted with with Cody placing you on his lap, him hugging you from behind while he nuzzles his face in your neck. You were playing with his fingers, muttering ‘clingy baby’ whenever he tightens his hold on you.

You made small talk, mostly about the fact that you’re really nervous to interview his co-workers. “You seem pretty happy babe.” He said, intertwining your fingers. “Don’t let it fool you, I’m nervous as hell.” You chuckled. “You’ll do great, princess.” He said, kissing your cheek. “You know they already love you.” He continued, placing his chin on your shoulder. “I mean, I shouldn’t be this nervous right since I already know them and I have interacted with them?”

“Exactly.” He chuckled. “But this is different, babe. I actually get to interview them, I mean you know how addicted I am to your show and this is like a dream come true for me.”

“You’re cute.” He kissed your cheek. “Don’t worry though, I know you’ll do great. You got the job for a reason after all.” He said, tightening his hold on your waist a bit, trying to reassure you. “Thank you baby. I am excited though, like really excited. I’m happy that I get to have this chance.” You smiled to yourself. “Excited is good.” He kissed your cheek.

The car was then filled with comfortable silence with you leaning back on him, trying to get comfortable. You love how you can both just fall into complete silence without it being awkward. Just having him there is enough to make you happy, safe, and contented. You love these little moments with him, being able to just be there and appreciate each others presence. This is one of the reasons why you love your relationship.

After a while, Alfred stopped the car when you got to the studio. Looking back at the both of you, “We’re here.” He smiled at you. Tugging Cody’s hand you whispered, “Let’s go babe.”

You got out of the car first, Cody following right after. Before leaving, you leaned at the driver’s side. “I’m sorry if we made the car ride awkward Alfred.”

“It’s not something you should worry about, (Y/N).”

“Thank you. Cody is just being extra clingy today.” You chuckled. “Shut up, you like it.” Your boyfriend spoke behind you. “I do baby, don’t worry.” You smiled, placing a kiss on his cheek. “Let’s go.” You said, pulling him inside.

Once inside, you were greeted with staff and of course, Lisa. “Thank you for getting him here on time.”

“Hey, I’m not always late.” You chuckled as Cody grunted. “Sure, babe.”

“You should head to make up.” Lisa said to Cody. He turned to look at you, “You can go boo, I still have to talk to the directors and co-host. Have fun in make up.” You said, smiling at him. “Okay, have fun as well, princess.” He said, pecking your lips with his hand on your lower back before leaving. You smiled to yourself watching his retreating back.

Being a host has its perks and that includes being able to meet famous people and interview idols. The cast of Pretty Little Liars are people you really wanted to interview since you got the job. You’ve been addicted to their series ever since it started back in 2010 and recently, their final episode has aired and your production manager made it possible for you to interview them.

“The interview will start in 10 minutes.” The stage manager’s voice reverberated throughout the whole studio. Walking on stage, you saw your co-workers already there and talking amongst each other. Walking up to them, Hailey was the first one to notice you. “Speaking of the devil.”

“You were talking about me?” You asked. “I was just telling them how happy you probably are to finally get to interview the cast of Pretty Little Liars.”

“Oh yeah, I am. That’s basically my dream. I’ve been such a big fan of their show since the start.” You said, arms flailing in the air justifying how glad you are with this opportunity. “I guess we have something to tease you about then?” Anne winked at you. “Shut up, I’m just really happy.” You said hugging both Hailey and Anne. “Last two minutes, places everyone.” You all took that as your cue to sit down on your places. The make up artists came rushing to the stage trying to touch up.

“In three, two...” The director called out. The theme song to your show stared playing and everyone started singing. “Welcome to...” The three of you enthusiastically said as the song ended. “(Y/T/S/N/)!” Everyone in the studio exclaimed with you. “Yes! Welcome to your favorite noontime show everyone! I love the energy everyone is just displaying here.” You said. “Definitely. Everyone is just so happy and energetic.” Hailey said. “As it should be.”

“Oh yes.” Both you and Hailey answered. “Let us not prolong this anymore, today, our guests are people who has intensified my love for mystery, crime, and teen drama. Let us welcome the cast of Pretty Little Liars.”

The cast started going in one by one approaching the three of you, hugging you before sitting on the chairs in front of the ones intended for you. When Cody got to you, he pulled you by the hip and pecked your lips, smirking as he heard the audience member roar with excitement from his little stunt. This made you blush hard, an opportunity that Hailey and Anne couldn’t let go to waste. “Let us please keep it rated PG.” Anne started. “Let us please remember that this is a family friendly show.” Hailey commented right after. Looking away from them and towards the audience members which was still chanting ‘(Y/S/N)’ repeatedly.

“We can only blame Cody for that.” You chuckled. Cody raised both his hands up, “Guilty.” he smirked, winking at you. You shook your head, “Before anything else, let us show some love to the cast of Pretty Little Liars, Lucy Hale, Shasha Pieterse, Shay Mitchell, Ashley Benson, Troian Bellisario, Ian Harding, Keegan Allen, Janel Parrish, Tyler Blackburn, and Cody Christian.” The studio was then filled with applause and roars of excitement and support. “So first of all, thank you for accepting our invitation to be on the show.”

“Oh no, thank you for having us.” Lucy spoke. “Yeah, totally! I love your show.” Ashley exclaimed which was followed by a chorus of ‘yeah’s and sounds of agreement. “That makes us even then.” You chuckled. “(Y/N) is fangirling again, I mean everyone who has watched our show at least twice knows how obsessed she is with your show.” Hailey said playfully rolling her eyes. “Yeah, you should have seen her the first time Cody brought her to the set, she was literally and I’m not even joking, literally shaking with nerves.” Shay shared which made everyone laugh. “Hey play nice.” Cody pipped up. “Yeah okay, she tried to contain how excited she was but it was kind of obvious.” Janel said. “Okay!” You intercepted, “I think we’re all here to talk about them and not me.” This made everyone chuckle. “So the series has really ended. How does that feel?” Anne started off. “Weird. Definitely weird.”  Shay answered. “Yeah, we’ll definitely miss this, right guys?” Troian said looking at the rest of her co-workers. A chorus of ‘yeah’s and ‘definitely’s were heard.

“Oh yeah, for sure.” Tyler spoke up. “Sometimes I still have dreams about the series.” Ian chuckled. “Me too!” Keegan exclaimed. “I dreamt once that A was me and my alter ego.” Janel chuckled. “But you are A! I mean you were at some point.” Shasha laughed. “Oh, right.” Janel laughed. “But yeah, it would definitely feel weird not seeing each other often.” Cody spoke up.

“Are there a lot of memorable backstage moments?” You asked. “Oh yeah!” Troian spoke up. “Okay, I can’t believe that I’m going to say this but I think I will miss all of Ashley’s pranks.” Lucy said. “Oh yeah, a lot of good memories there.” Ashley chuckled. “Off screen moments are the best.” Janel stressed. “So, speaking of backstage and off cam moments...” Anne started. “Our team captured a very cute moment.” she continued. “What is this about?” You asked Hailey. “Oh, just wait.” She winked at you. “Can you tell us what happened here?” Hailey asked your guests. Suddenly, a picture of Cody was plastered on the wall behind you. He was pouting and his arms were crossed.

“Oh! That was earlier!” Ian exclaimed. “That was a funny moment.” Tyler said. Curious, you glanced at Cody who was already looking at you. “So what happened there boys?” Anne asked. “Okay so,” Keegan said, sitting properly. “No, don’t tell them.” Cody whined. “No, please do tell us Keegan.” You said, leaning towards them, interested in what Keegan has to say. “So Cody got there last, right? And he was very smiley when he went inside but when the stylist saw him she was like, ‘You need to change your clothes Cody’ and Cody looked at her.” He laughed. “He just looked at her questionably.”

“That was a hilarious sight.” Ian commented. “I think in his head he was like, ‘What?’ It was so funny.” Tyler added. “So the stylist walked up to him and said, ‘It’s almost time for the interview, you have to change now because you still have make up and everything.’ And again, he looked at her for like a full minute. The stylist was puzzled so she turned to us and asked, ‘Is he okay?’ And of course we didn’t know what to tell her because we just saw him so she said, ‘At least lose the tie.’ It was then that Cody spoke up and said, ‘No, (Y/N) picked this tie for me.’” You blushed at that. “So he and the stylist had an argument about how he looked more loose and laid back without a tie and with buttons open while all he could tell her was ‘(Y/N) picked this for me and I want to wear it. I trust her judgement.’ So the stylist goes, ‘But she’s not a stylist so do as I say and put on this shirt.’ This made Cody’s eyes widen even more so they had another argument.” Keegan laughed. “Yeah and suddenly Lisa came in and she forced Cody to take off the tie and then he goes, ‘I am not taking this top off as well and he sits there pouting like a kid who just got told off by his mother.” Ian added who also couldn’t help but laugh. “You should have been there (Y/N), it was so funny.” Tyler added which made Cody groan and sink into his seat further than he already has.

You smiled and thought to yourself, ‘He is so cute, I love him so much.’ Suddenly, the studio was filled with shrieks by fans that were suddenly going crazy for some unknown reason. You looked at Cody questioningly, wondering if he did something again. He shook his head, smiling at you. “Oh, you said that out loud, princess.” Cody said to the microphone, winking at you. This made the fans go even more crazy while you tried to hide your face which was heating up real fast with your hands. “Oh you just gotta love them and their cuteness.” Ashley spoke, looking at you fondly. “So I take it, you guys support their relationship?” Hailey asked. “Oh yeah, definitely, they’re like the babies on set and they’re really cute when the scene doesn’t include Cody, they would just sit on a couch or something and would get really comfortable. It’s so cute.” Troian said. “Yeah they would look really comfortable, it’d be cute and sickening at the same time because then you would wish you have what they have.” Shasha added.

A chorus of ‘aww’s could be heard from the audience so you looked back and you saw pictures of you and cuddling on set while he’s on break.

(A/N: This is how I imagined it would look like. I do not own any of the pictures, credits to the owner.)

“Oh my gosh, those pictures are so cute.” Anne gushed. “Yeah they sleep all the time, they’re that type of couple.” Lucy spoke. “It’s probably very relieving for (Y/N) to know that you support them, especially when she’s such a big fan of your show.” Hailey said. “Oh it is. It very much is.” You said which made everyone chuckle. “Oh have you seen that one Instagram story by Cody, I almost had a heart attack with that one, I really thought they were getting married.” Ashley exclaimed. “Oh yes, that!” Shay groaned.

(A/N: I do not own the picture, credits to the owner. I’m the one who edited it though.)

“Oh yeah! That one! The ring really got me.” Lucy said. “I thought they were for real gonna get married.” Ashley added. “Yeah because I remember that the first one he posted was just that single picture of her.” Keegan spoke. “Yeah and then you told me about it and when I tried to look at it, it was the edited one.” Troian agreed with Keegan. “He got hounded that day by the way.” Tyler chuckled. “Yeah the girls were all over him asking how he asked (Y/N) and everything.” Ian added. You heard Cody chuckle before speaking, “Actually, she asked me to take that down after a few hours.”

“Why?” Lucy asked. “Yeah, why?” Troian added. “Well she didn’t want to be under the scrutiny of the public eye which is why no matter how much I like showing her and us off, I tend to hold back because we all know how fans can be sometimes.” Cody answered. “Oh no, honey, go for it.” Janel piped up. “You don’t have to worry about whatever they want to say because if they are real fans, they will love and support Cody no matter what and I’m sure they will warm up to the idea of you and him, eventually. Especially when they can see how happy you make him.”

“Yeah and you can’t please everybody so I think you should just do what makes you happy because no matter how much you try to make everyone happy, there will always be someone who has something bad to say about you.” Ian added. “Exactly! So you should just be happy with Cody, you know? You don’t have to read all the comments.” Shasha spoke. “Or you do until eventually, it won’t matter to you anymore. One day, you will get immune to all the hateful things everyone says about you because you know that Cody will love you no matter what.” Shay contributed. “Then you will realize that as long as Cody loves you, it doesn’t really matter what other people think.” Troian finished it off. “Plus, I think everyone needs to see how cute you guys are once in a while. I think you sort of owe that to the world.” You chuckled at Tyler’s comment. “Thank you for that, guys.” Cody finally spoke up.

Your relationship with Cody is not in any way hidden, you’re just not the highkey couple. No matter how much you know Cody likes showing you off, you always try to avoid being under the scrutiny of the public eye. You don’t mind showing each other off ever so often though. It’s just that no matter how much you try to deny it, the opinions and negative comments of the fans still get to you. You try to not show Cody that it affects you because you don’t want him to worry about you but it’s no use, he knows you well enough when something bothers you.

Suddenly, you saw Cody standing up from his seat and walking towards you. Once in front of you, he took both of your hands. “(Y/N) (Y/L/N), I love you. No matter what.” He said, looking intently into your eyes. The studio was filled with loud chatter and giggles and expressions of happiness for both you and Cody but none of that seemed to matter. What mattered to you is the guy standing right in front of you, telling the entire world that he loves you no matter what.

Yes, the comments did bother you but after everything that your friends said and after everything that happened, those silly things doesn't seem to amount to a lot anymore. You were happy with Cody and that’s all that matters.

Standing up, you smiled at him. “I love you too, baby, very much.” You hugged him tightly, both arms wrapped around his neck while he wrapped his arms around your waist. “Thank you for being patient with me.” You whispered to him. “Anything for my princess.” He whispered back. Pulling away, the cheers of the audience members finally caught your attention, this made you chuckle. “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” You heard Ashley chant which made everyone else in the room chant. You looked at Cody shyly. “Wait are they allowed to do that?” You caught a glimpse of Ashley behind Cody looking around. “The directors said yes!” She exclaimed gleefully. Turning your attention back on Cody, you noticed that he was already staring at you. This caused you to blush. “Keep it PG still though, guys.” You heard Anne remind.

Losing yourself in Cody’s eyes, you noticed that him starting to lean in with that breathtaking smile of his. You closed your eyes and as cliché as it sounds, you felt fireworks erupting the moment your lips touched his. It’s just a single kiss but it felt like time froze and all that mattered was Cody, the love of your life, the man who isn’t ashamed to show you off, the man you were lucky enough to have. Pulling back, he leaned his forehead against yours. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you but I thank God every single day that I’m lucky enough to have you. I love you so much Cody Allen Christian.” You said, pecking his lips once more. The studio was filled with claps and cheers once more.

Cody returned to his seat and you sat back down with a smile on your face, one that you can’t seem to lose. “So, any off screen romances or crushes?” You chuckled, trying to put the interview back on track. “Well I had a crush on someone on set for a while.” Lucy chuckled. “That would be me.” Ian playfully boasted. “Shut up, give me a break, I was 20.” This made the audience chuckle. “Oh, me and Shay had this crush on Nolan North, ‘cause why not?” Ashley spoke. “Yeah, because why not?” Shay chuckled. “Oh yeah, they were obsessed with my dad.” Troian playfully rolled her eyes. “Well nothing could have happened with me and my on screen partner for a while seeing as how Cody is so in love with (Y/N).” Janel commented which made everyone laugh and in that moment all you saw was a happy Cody.

The rest of the interview went by in a blur. You thanked God for such an amazing day. You got to interview the stars of your favorite television series and you finally got to be fully happy with Cody without letting anyone else’s opinion bother you. God, you are so lucky to have all these wonderful people around you but most of all, you feel incredibly lucky to be blessed enough to have Cody in your life.

“I love you, princess” Cody snapped you out of your reverie. “I love you too, babe.” You smiled at him before leaning in to kiss him. Once again, fireworks began to erupt and it’s perfect. 

A/N: Thank you for reading, everyone! I hope you liked it. Please like, reblog, and comment if you liked it and you know, following me, won’t be bad as well *wink* I love you!

P.S. Feel free to message me if you have any requests.

[unofferable-fic]

Do You Fear the Devil? (Loki x Reader): 6 - Elizabeth Stride

Summary: You are one of the many working women roaming the streets of Whitechapel when a madman begins to murder your comrades one by one. The attacks are so gruesome, that the detectives can only describe his work as that of “a devil than of a man”. Loki Laufeyson is a Metropolitan police detective and surgeon who is assisting on the case. As more bodies pile up and you and your friends fear for your lives, the police remain well and truly stumped. When Detective Laufeyson turns to you for help to find the murderer, you must face your fears to save yourself… But who can you really trust when you are the prey being stalked at night by someone who calls himself Jack the Ripper?

Gif originally posted by maryxglz

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Victorian London AU

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Warnings: Descriptions of injuries/violence, gore, language, angst, a bit of sexual tension.

Word Count: 5,954

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Playlist: “Snuff” — Slipknot, “Raised by Wolves” — U2, “Not in Blood, But in Bond” — Hans Zimmer, “Lead Me Home” — Jamie N Commons

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A/N: Also available on AO3. My apologies for the delay. I have been swamped with projects lately, and I genuinely appreciate those who still anticipate updates. You guys are, as always, a delight. I have brought in some sexual tension between Reader and Loki that will hopefully make up for the delay! Feedback and any thoughts at all are always welcome. Hope y’all enjoy!

30th September 1888, 12.00 am.

It was late on Saturday night when Sgt Rogers showed up at the brothel asking for your help yet again. You thought he seemed more urgent than usual and, upon asking for an explanation, he explained that Tony was beginning to get a little desperate for leads. Apparently, Strange was getting impatient too. You were no fool to this matter either, and completely aware of the current public displeasure being spread throughout the press.

So, when Steve came asking for your help, you, Natasha, and Wanda were more than happy to assist.

It was near enough to midnight when you wandered into the Princess Alice Pub on Commercial Street with your friends. You recognised some of the patrons who would have been considered regulars in the pub. While you and Wanda grabbed a table near the window, Natasha ordered a round of gatters for the group. You went about your usual business, drinking and chatting with the patrons. You turned down any advances, calmly explaining that you were actually waiting to meet someone. Your excuse was never questioned, as most men were reserved when they asked for your services in the first place. Though you were keeping an eye on your surroundings, no one sketchy really stood out — nothing bar the usual ones drinking that bit too much.

When the second round of beers arrived, you offered to go and order them, leaving Wanda and Natasha together at your table. You weren’t standing at the bar long before you grabbed the barman’s attention and asked for the same drinks again.

As you handed him payment, you were surprised to hear a familiar voice address you. “I say, we must stop meeting like this, my dear.”

You turned to see a grinning Loki standing behind you. You couldn’t stop your own smile forming on your lips. “Loki!”

He’s here? Did he just arrive, or have I failed to notice his presence until now?

“That is my name, yes.”

Your retort was swift. “If I didn’t know better, I would say that you were stalking me, Doctor.”

“Funny, I was about to say the same thing about you.” He took a seat on the stool beside you as your beers were placed on the counter. “Are you here with your friends?”

“Indeed I am. They’re over there.”

You pointed to your companions, who waved at Loki when he saw them. The smirks they wore said a lot and you felt like rolling your eyes at their teasing. Natasha turned to Wanda, saying something in her ear before she got up and all but ran to the bar.

“Excuse me, you two,” she said and took two of the gatters. “I will just take my drinks and go back to my table. Don’t let me interrupt.”

You grew wide eyed. “Nat—”

“Bye, Y/N! We shall be over there working if you need us.”

For the love of… I am going to give her a smack for that later.

You knew that her intentions wouldn’t go over Loki’s head, and the slightly raised brow he wore was merely confirmation of this fact. He met your gaze. “Working?”

“Eh, we are out on detective duty tonight,” you elaborated, hesitating to take a seat. “Stark’s orders. And you?”

“Out gallivanting as always. I have been out most of the evening as my private appointments finished early. Please,” he said, gesturing to the stool. “Join me for a drink.”

“I do not wish to interrupt your night.”

“Though I came here with the intention of drinking alone, your company is welcome.”

You hesitated again but, after giving him a once over, finally relented and sat down. He seemed pleased with your decision and ordered himself a gin. When the glass was placed in front of him, he turned his attention back to you. “So, Stark has you lot out working this evening?”

You nodded. “Steve came by earlier to ask. He said they are getting desperate for leads.”

“Quite,” Loki agreed, eyes drifting down to his drink. “There has been little progress on the case and I think Stark is beginning to feel the heat. The press are quite… demanding.”

“Rightly so. Though I like Tony, they really need to pick up a lead soon, or else more women will be killed. It is a matter of life or death, after all.”

“And I am sure you do not take that lightly, given your current employment and its ties to the victims.”

You chuckled dryly. “Yes, it’s not exactly comforting knowing that there’s a mad man out there murdering women like me. It’s not even necessarily about that either — not all of them are regular prostitutes. He seems to be just killing vulnerable women for the sake it.”

He tilted his head slightly at that. “I would imagine so. How is Wanda faring?”

“A lot better now, thank you.” You threw a cautionary glance her way and happened to catch her laughing happily at something Natasha had said. “I heard from Tony that the post-mortem showed that Annie was already quite sick. I know it was likely that she would die soon regardless, but it doesn’t really make it any easier.”

“I did not expect it to,” he said before pausing to sip on his drink. “It made my job no less harrowing as well.”

“The papers said it was awful. Apparently you lot think he may be a doctor now?”

He nodded. “A doctor or someone with basic anatomical knowledge, yes.”

“Jesus, this really is dire.”

“You aren’t wrong, I shall give you that… Perhaps we should converse with regards a lighter subject? This is hardly something to discuss over a drink.”

“Well,” you drawled, resting your chin in the palm of your hand. “What do you usually talk to street walkers about?”

It was a bold and risky statement, but you thought it was worth it to see his reaction. He hummed at that, seemingly amused by the comment, and you briefly thought about how you quite liked that sound of his voice. It held a delicious tone to it — deep and low. There was something so elegant and otherworldly about this man, and it intrigued you to no end.

“I do not usually spend time in the company of such women,” he admitted, green eyes portraying nothing but honesty. “So I cannot really answer that question.”

“Really?” You couldn’t hide the surprise, but perhaps Dr Laufeyson was married? It was entirely possible, though he had admitted to having no family to you already. That being said, he was certainly handsome and charming, so him having a wife would not have surprised you. “Are you wed?”

The question seemed to entertain him. Either that or he was trying to hide any discomfort with such a thought. “No, no. As I told you, I do not have any family to speak of. I have had women, yes, but no, I am not married. And I leave all the consorting with street walkers to Dr Banner.”

“You know he’s one of Natasha’s regulars?”

He nodded. “He is a bad liar.”

“He is certainly a soft sort,” you agreed. “But that is not exactly a bad thing. He has been nothing but kind to her for years. If I’m honest with you, I think he is quite taken with her.”

“Possibly. Although I suppose you see them together far more than I ever would.”

“Definitely, but it’s not like it could ever work between them.”

As you paused to take a swig of your beer, Loki considered your words. “Yes, although many men in various social circles rely on prostitution.”

“I meant if he wished to make it something more. Their backgrounds are just too different. Many prostitutes are married yes, but Dr Banner could never do that. He works for the police, for God sake.”

There was a brief silence, in which Loki’s gaze drifted to focus on his glass. “Though I know that Dr Banner would be foolish enough to try, I think you may be right about that, Y/N.”

“I’ve worked long enough to know that it would not. Perhaps someday we will marry if we wish, but I doubt it would work for them in particular.”

It wasn’t a nice thought — realising that a couple could never be was harsh business — but you needed to be honest with yourself and your friends. Living in blissful ignorance would do you about as much good as living in self-pity. They were fierce beasts, and honesty and acceptance was what kept you alive and protected so far in life. And yet, despite your knowledge that succumbing to such notions would do you in, the thought that you would probably never marry a man in Loki’s profession was somewhat sad. No, you certainly weren’t desperate for a husband or children, but the option would have been nice. You certainly would have liked to in the future, but no, perhaps it wasn’t to be for you. At least not with someone like him. And yet, Loki had already told you that he was quite content in his own company, so maybe his desires were quite different to yours. You weren’t exactly sure why you were spending so much energy contemplating being with someone like him. Bar your childhood sweetheart, you had no experience with relationships, so what was the point?

Boredom, loneliness, curiosity… Take your pick.

“Are you speaking from experience?” he asked, gauging your reaction with an analytic expression.

“It is very rude for a gentleman to ask after a lady’s status,” you joked playfully. “Very rude indeed.”

“I am no gentleman.”

“You certainly look like a gentleman to me.”

His thin lips stretched into a smirk. “Looks can be deceiving.”

“So you’re telling me that I have been socialising with a scoundrel this whole time?”

“I prefer the term trickster. I think it is a more accurate description of my character.”

“Ah…” You drawled, letting your eyes wander up and down his defined torso. “I think I know men of your character quite well.”

He flashed you a smile, one that had your heart fluttering. “There are no men like me.”

Why is it that the more he spoke, the more you wanted to hear him continue? His voice was a weapon — one from which honeyed words flowed like an unstoppable torrent. The tone alone did things to you that were unfamiliar and oddly pleasing. You couldn’t help it — his mysteriousness, proud personality, and gorgeous appearance had you hooked. Whether he had intended to or not, Loki had ensnared you in his sinfully elegant hands.

Yes, you thought. I think I might push my luck with this fellow.

“No men like you?” you teased, looking sceptical. “That’s a bold statement to make.”

“Bold, but true, darling. Of that I can assure you.”

“Perhaps you can enlighten me then?”

For the briefest of moments, you saw the slight twitch in his eye and upturned corner of his mouth. You didn’t know Loki well enough to know whether this was positive or negative, but you knew the brazenness of your query had caught him off guard. “Oh?”

“And I can teach you how to speak with… women of my sort.”

You weren’t exactly sure why you suddenly felt so daring. Perhaps you were just going with the flow of the conversation, or perhaps your curiosity of Dr Laufeyson had gotten the better of you. You knew you weren’t throwing yourself at him, but rather tentatively dipping your toe in the pond. It was harmless flirting really; harmless flirting with a man you couldn’t help but be in intrigued by.

It’s no big deal, you thought, trying not to get distracted as he loosened his neckerchief. I’m not getting myself into a situation like Nat and Dr Banner. This is just friendly banter!

“Teach me?” he repeated lowly. You distinctly caught how he leaned a little closer to you, his head tilted at an angle. You liked this — perhaps his mischievousness accounted for a flirtatious attitude as well?

Your smile widened, confidence and amusement growing with each positive response. “Yes. Consider it an education, from which we can both benefit.”

“I think you are playing with fire, my dear.”

After taking another slug from your beer, you set it back down and rested your hand in the counter. “Perhaps I like playing with fire. Had you considered that, Doctor?”

His green eyes were piercing — incredibly so — and you couldn’t have looked away from them even if you tried. You couldn’t help but fuel that part of you that craved adventure. It was one of the reasons why you had taken on assisting Inspector Stark and his men. Despite knowing little of Loki, you couldn’t stop that part of you that kept tugging your form closer to his, eager to find out more. With the usual arrogance and mischievous attitude you had come to recognise, Loki mirrored your actions — he drank from his glass and then set it down on the countertop. When he let his arm rest beside it, it was also left dangerously close to yours. For a beat he remained silent, the time in which your mind raced with whether he had intentionally put himself in close quarters with you.

He cleared his throat then, and began to delicately run his fingers up and down the bare skin of our arm. His touch was feather-light but calculating, and sent goosebumps through your body. Whatever uncertainty that possessed you with regards his intentions was well and truly dashed.

“I suppose I should have,” he murmured, looking between you and the gentle movements of his hand. “And if you are so eager to play with it, then it is only fair that I provide.”

With the smashing of glass, the spell was broken. Loki discreetly removed his fingers from your arm, and lowered his gaze to his drink. A group from which the noise had come began to cheer, teasing their drunken friend who had dropped his early empty pint on the floor. You swallowed, brought out of the inappropriate daydream of this doctor that your mind had concocted.

He cleared his throat and finished the end of his gin. “I mustn’t take up all of your time this evening — especially if you are supposed to be working.”

“It is alright,” you began, probably embarrassingly quick as he got to his feet. “I promise you’re not bothering me—”

Despite your words, he hastily pulled on his coat. “That is reassuring, but I also think I have had quite enough to drink tonight.” He paused, grabbing his hat with unsteady fingers. His green eyes met yours and, although you presumed your expression to be hopeful and pleading, he pursed his lips and nodded. “Goodnight, Y/N. Thank you for the pleasure of your company.”

You barely had any time to register what had just occurred before the man’s lithe form had all but raced out of the pub. Equally disgruntled and confused with what went down, you turned to see Natasha and Wanda looking back at you. Once they had beckoned you over, you returned to their table.

“What the hell happened there?” Wanda asked, her face the epitome of bewilderment.

“I’m not sure,” you replied. “The conversation was going fine beforehand. I think he might have even been flirting with me a little bit.”

Natasha rolled her eyes. “Yes, we could see that from over here. He may like to come across as very aloof, but it’s obvious to me that he fancies you.”

“I’m not trying to be a smart arse, but people look at us like that all the time. It somewhat comes with the profession.”

“Yes, but there’s not harm in having a little fun with him,” Wanda shrugged. “Especially if he wants to as well.”

“Running out of here with his tail between his legs hardly conveys that, now does it?”

“Perhaps he, you know, prefers men?”

You shrugged. “That is a valid excuse, but I doubt it very much.”

“The good ones are always a challenge, Y/N,” Natasha explained. “But they’re certainly worth it for the fun.”

Wanda laughed slightly. “And then you can join Nat’s club of shagging a doctor.”

Before Natasha could even retaliate, the Sokovian had dashed over to the bar for another round. You couldn’t help but smile at seeing her happy after all she had been through, but soon your own thoughts clouded your mind yet again.

“Don’t worry about it,” the red-head reassured you with genuine concern. “Men are unusual sometimes, but you will navigate this situation just fine.”

“I don’t really know what I want out of it,” you admitted sheepishly. “Yes, Loki is a good looking bloke, and yes I wouldn’t necessarily mind temporarily joining your club, but beyond that…”

With a wave of her hand, she hushed you. “You are getting way ahead of yourself. Stop overthinking and play this by ear, alright?”

“Alright. I shall try to relax a bit more.”

“Good, because I am always right. Not to mention, we are on the job tonight and we have a murderer to catch. This is no time to be worrying about boys.”

Leave it to your friends to ease your mind. They never failed to stop your overactive imagination from creating never-ending loops of anxiety. You soon managed to (mostly) banish any thoughts related to Dr Laufeyson, and instead focused your energy on helping to prevent more women being killed. It was near enough to 1.00 am when the three of you left the pub. The outside streets were still relatively busy despite the hour. You suggested that it might be a good idea to do a few laps of the surrounding area before you met PC Barnes later to regroup.

You and your friends were chatting idly as you veered off the mainstream and down another one of the many laneways scattered throughout London. In the midst of making notes of some of the shadier characters that Wanda had noticed in the pub, the distant noise of police whistles cut threw the windy night air.

“Did you hear that?” you asked, standing dead still where you stood.

Natasha looked from you and then quickly turned to the other end of the lane, from which another whistle blew. “That cannot be good.”

“It might just be a fight,” Wanda suggested with a slight quiver in her voice. “A brawl, or a robbery.”

The temporary hope that maybe nothing serious had occurred was quickly dashed when cries of “Murder!” came swiftly from both civilians and policemen sprinting down the street.

“Come on!” one shouted to another. “There has been another murder.”

“Shit,” you muttered under your breath. “What do we do?”

Natasha’s reply came without a hint of hesitation. “Follow the crowd.”

You nodded, knowing she was right. You turned to gauge Wanda’s reaction, and she too agreed. “We came out here to do a job.”

“That we did.” You took a deep breath, and looked back at the street ahead, the cries for police still rising on the howling wind. She was right. “So let us go help whoever we can.”

Despite your thumping heart or you shaking hands, despite the nervous twisting in your gut that only rose with each passing second and each planted step, you forced yourself to move. Inspector Stark took you on to help other women who roamed these streets, and you weren’t about to turn your back on them. Not even with the terrifying thought of whatever horrors or beasts may await you in the darkness.

You ran as quick as you could, being sure to keep Wanda and Natasha close. It was easy to know where to go once you had locked on to a policeman and followed him as he sprinted towards the action. Gasping for breath and trying to ignore how the cool night air burned your lungs as they fought to work hard, you veered back on to Commercial Street.

Rounding the corner, you weren’t prepared to hit a solid body at high speed. A pair of strong arms wrapped around you tight, preventing your body from slamming backwards into the pavement. You were about to fight off whoever had their hands on your body until you heard Natasha announce behind you.

“Dr Laufeyson!”

Your breath caught in your throat. With the adrenalin running high, you forced yourself out of his arms and, sure enough, was met with the wide green eyes you had been staring into not long ago.

“You’re alright!” Loki declared, ignoring all forms of pleasantries. He seemed relieved as he spoke, despite being obviously dishevelled and out of breath. “It is good to see you ladies.”

“I thought you went home?” you nearly barked, far more accusatory than you had intended. “What are you doing out here?”

“I…” He paused and quickly tried to gather himself as he pushed some hair out of his eyes. “I was nearly home when I heard there had been another murder in the area. I was worried about you three out working and… I wanted to make sure you were alright.” He blinked, then frowned. “Why are you lot still out here? Did you not hear that a woman was killed?”

“It is kind of hard to miss it,” Wanda replied impatiently, gesturing around them. “What with all the policemen running around screaming about it!”

“We have a job to do, Doctor,” Natasha added. “And we shan’t run away when there are women in danger. It could have been any of us.”

In the heat of the moment, you had little time to register that Loki had sprinting across Whitechapel to make sure that you were alright. Had you been more relaxed, you might have even blushed like a school girl, but you could barely think straight. Instead, you looked at him curiously. “Should you not be on the scene?”

“Dearest Bruce was sent for,” he answered. “He is tending to matters there, and I am sure that Natasha will be happy to see him.”

Natasha rolled her eyes before restlessly ordering you and the others onwards. “Sod off. I do not have time to argue with you when there is a murder scene to find. Priorities, Doctor!”

Sensing the urgency, he eagerly agreed. “Come then. She was found on Berner Street.”

Now with another member of the group, you set off running once more. The streets came to life with panic, and people either headed towards the commotion or away from it. It was shortly after 1.00 am when you arrived on the street, and Loki quickly led you and your friends into Dutfield's Yard, a narrow yard situated between No. 40, also known as the International Working Men’s Educational Club, and No. 42. The crowd of onlookers had already grown to around twenty to thirty people, and police were desperately trying to control the rabble. Amongst the throng you spotted PC Wilson and Sgt Rogers.

When they noticed your arrival, the latter was quick to approach, despite the chaos. “Ladies, I was not expecting you. And Loki, you know that we have Dr Banner here working now.”

Loki nodded. “I know, Sergeant, but they wished to come and help if they could.”

Though Steve looked a little skeptical, he seemed willing to oblige. “Very well. We have alerted Inspector Stark by telegram, but perhaps you could identify her while we wait for his arrival?”

“Maybe,” you offered. “Where is she?”

Steve lead you away from the crowd to where the victim lay. Around the body stood a number of police constables, overseeing Dr Banner as he stooped over her and studied her injuries. Your eyes immediately veered to the ugly deep gash in her throat, partially hidden beneath a torn checked silk scarf. A pool of blood lay beneath her, and it was tough for you to focus solely on her face when such a sight lay before you.

Get it together, Y/N, you thought to yourself. You are here to help. It does not look good for her, but you can still help somehow.

Though her still face was turned into the wall, you did your best to take in her features. She had a pale complexion, light gray unmoving eyes, and curly dark brown hair atop her head. She was dressed in all black, topped with a long black cloth jacket, fur trimmed around the bottom with a red rose and white maiden hair fern pinned to its breast. You studied her for what felt like a long time, feeling the eyes of Sgt Rogers boring into the back of your head. And yet, you were disappointed to admit that you didn’t recognise this poor women.

“I do not know her,” you said, unable to hide the disappointment in your tone. “I’m sorry.”

“I might,” Natasha offered and, upon speaking, caused Dr Banner to nearly jump out of his own skin. Apparently so transfix with his work, he only noticed your arrival when hearing her voice.

“At ease, Bruce,” Loki said, hushing him as his colleague steadied his eye glasses. He squatted down to help exam her cut throat. “Our friends are here to help.”

“O-of course,” Dr Banner replied, blushing deeply and avoiding eye contact with the red head.

“You know her, Nat?” Wanda asked curiously.

“I do not know her personally, but I know her to see. I think I have heard people calling her Long Liz.”

“Long Liz?” Steve repeated before quickly jotting it down into his notepad. “Good, that will hopefully help to identify her.”

“I am sorry I can’t offer you much else, handsome, but that is all I have. Ask around and I am sure you will find someone who knows the poor woman.”

“It is more than enough,” he replied with a slight cough. “As always, you ladies have my thanks, and that of the Metropolitan Police.”

“She is most definitely dead,” Dr Banner announced, checking her pulse as Loki studied the wound in her neck. “But she is still slightly warm. She cannot have been killed more than twenty or thirty minutes ago.”

“I agree,” Loki offered, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. “And that means he cannot have gone far.”

“Who cannot have gone far?” announced a voice from behind them, and you turned to see Inspector Stark shimmying his way through the crowd with PC Barnes in tow. He seemed slightly frazzled, even when he gave you all a pleasant greeting despite the circumstances. “Please tell me there is some good news. Strange is going to have my arse if he wakes up tomorrow morning to another murder and no leads.”

“The killer might still be in the area,” Steve offered, before gesturing to you, Natasha, and Wanda. “And we have a small lead, in the form of a nickname for the victim. Thanks to these ladies.”

Stark turned to you, and placed his hand softly on your shoulder. All sarcasm had left his body, but you supposed it was an inappropriate time. There was action, which meant that the leader had arrived to help. “As always, you three are much appreciated. But unfortunately we also have another dead woman on our hands, so a nickname is being quite overshadowed at the moment.”

Wanda shook her head. “Trust us, we agree. We would much rather this had not happened, as do the angry crowd it would seem.”

“Ah, yes, that.” He threw a dissatisfied glance at the crowd. “They are the least of my worries right now. This lady and her killer come first. Report, Dr Banner?”

“Her throat has been cut, but other than a small abrasion under her right arm, there has been none of the usual goings on. No disembowelment, no removal or organs…”

“Is this still the work of our apparent Ripper?”

You were confused by the nickname while Bruce continued. “Well, she was discovered at 1.00 am, and going off my time of death judgement which is between twenty and thirty minutes ago, it is quite possible that he was walked up on and interrupted. The throat seems hastily cut.”

“Who found her?”

“A man called Louis Diemschutz,” Sgt Rogers explained and pointed to a nearby figure who was being questioned by police. “The Steward of the International Workingmen's Educational Club. He had spent the day hawking cheap jewellery at Westow Hill Market in Sydenham Hill before returning here. He was turning his pony and cart into the yard  when the pony noticed the woman on the ground and refused to go any further. He said that when looking into the yard, he saw a dark form lying on the ground close to the wall of the club, and proceeded to poke it with his whip, and then tried to lift it. After being unsuccessful, he jumped down to investigate and struck a match to get a better view, though the wind extinguished it rather quickly. He did manage to see that it was a woman lying on the ground. Apparently, he assumed it to be his wife, who was attending the club tonight, so he ventured inside and, upon finding his wife alive and well, gathered some more club member to discern if the woman in the yard was dead or drunk. Now with a candle in hand, he noticed blood by her body, and her slashed throat.”

“Be sure to double check that his alibi is a valid one, just to be safe.”

“Of course, Inspector. He also said that he thought the killer may have still been in the yard when he arrived, given his pony’s unusual behaviour.”

“Dr Laufeyson, you said this lunatic may be nearby?”

“Quite. Given Dr Banner’s conclusion with regards her time or death, he cannot have gone too far.”

“Blast it… Then here is what we shall do. Sergeant, I want policemen on as many streets as we can manage, searching for this sick bastard before he gets his hands on someone else. You shall remain here and get the names and addresses of every single onlooker in that crowd. Dr Banner and Dr Laufeyson, continue your examination for as long as you like, and gather all you can from the scene.”

“I would very much like to accompany the men on patrol, if that is alright,” Loki requested as he got to his feet. “Bruce well and truly has this covered, and I know you could use an extra man.”

Though Tony appeared momentarily perturbed, he agreed, allowing Loki to join the other constables in their search.

“Do you want us to search too?” you asked, eager to get out and lend another hand.

“With all due respect, ladies, I would much rather if you three were off the streets for the rest of the night. I will have PC Barnes accompany you back to Commercial Street Station.”

You argued with his decision — of course you did — but you knew it was foolish. This man was an Inspector, and his word was final. Nor did Steve or even Loki vouch for you. They all wanted you hidden away for your own safety and, despite the burning urge you had to incite revenge on the monster that did this, you couldn’t win. All of them agreed that you had to go. The only one who seemed a bit torn with the whole affair was Loki, who watched you intently as Bucky lead you back to the station.

The place was practically deserted when you arrived, with only Happy there to welcome you inside. Bucky had been charged with keeping you in the station until Inspector Stark returned and, with no idea how long they would be, immediately offered to make you tea and sandwiches. Needing something to distract yourself, you accepted the food. You spent two hours there snacking on sandwiches and drinking your weight in tea. Bucky didn’t seem eager about discussing the case, and chose to talk to you aimlessly about your work and life in general. It was only when you questioned him about Stark’s new nickname for the killer did he allow himself to talk about it.

He looked at you and asked with a mouthful of bread and ham. “What do you mean?”

“When we were at the scene, Tony called him Ripper — has he even gifted the murder his own nickname?”

“Oh,” he mumbled and swallowed his food. “It’s uh, it’s not a nickname that Stark gave him. I suppose I can tell you ladies about it because you are part of the investigation.”

You and your friends couldn’t help but look at him in an accusatory manner. You set your tea down with a sigh. “So, you are hiding information from us now?”

“No! Course not. We had not yet released the information the public. Look, yesterday, Inspector Stark was passed on a letter for the Central News Agency. They claimed to have received it themselves a few days before, and it was apparently signed by the killer. He bragged about the killings and laughed about our struggles to find him. Even wrote the bloody thing in red ink like a nutter… But he called himself Jack the Ripper.”

“How theatrical,” you said evenly. “And uncurbed.”

“He sounds like a right piece of work,” Wanda added.

The constable agreed. “Right you are. But don’t speak a word of this to anyone, alright? We do not know when we shall make it public knowledge—”

“Barnes!”

Whatever further explanation Bucky was ready to divulge was cut short. Chief Inspector Strange burst through the entrance to the station, rather unceremoniously and visibly enraged.

Despite the intrusion, the constable remained in his seat beside you, and drank a sup of his tea. “Mornin’, Chief Inspector.”

“Morning?” Strange spluttered. “Morning, Constable? That is all you have to say?”

“Uh, tea?”

“Oh, for God’s sake… I was woken from my sleep to hear that another woman was killed! Did I not order you all to find new leads?”

“You did, and we were all out in the field tonight trying to find them.”

Strange ran his eyes over you, appearing both exhausted and frustrated in every sense of the word. It was the first time you had seen him legitimately frazzled, and you wisely kept your mouth shut. Even Natasha seemed unwilling to tease him.

“This is to be the last one,” the chief inspector remarked. “When this hits the papers tomorrow, the public is sure to go mad. No more bodies, I shan’t have it. This is the final one, yes?”

You had not expected another interruption so soon after the first, but it seemed that the night was about to get much worse.

In the door came a burly-looking man, decked out in a police uniform somewhat similar to that of PC Barnes. Slightly out of breath, he removed his helmet and greeted Strange with a nod. “Chief Inspector? I am PC Grillo of the City Police. I was told to come find an Inspector at this station as quickly as I could.”

Strange’s face hardened almost immediately. “What is it?”

PC Grillo reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a torn piece of apron, stained deep red with spilled blood. “There has been another murder, Chief Inspector, on our territory this time.”

“Another one?” you exclaimed before you could hold yourself back. Your hands shook as you clasped them together. “In the same night?”

PC Grillo nodded, his lips pulled into a tight line. “You best follow me as quickly as you can. You need to see this.”

Taglist: @heysliver @lisalisa007 @ava-royal @eloisemacguffin @tvdplusriverdale @trickster-grrrl @mellow-mischief @arttasticgreatnessoftheawesome77

[elliemarchetti]

Couper les Ponts (Dimanche, 2.01 p.m.)

For too long now I had promised myself to settle the Charles/Manon situation (re)opened in season four. Here's my fix-fic, obviously anti-Charles, or maybe I should say anti Marles, so if you’re a fan, this isn’t for you.

Words: 1446

In the small overcrowded room the noise was very similar to crackling fire, a constant and intimate buzz that grew louder as you approached. In the five years she spent serving snobbish and impatient customers at Jean and Marie Martin's cafe, sometimes she felt like burning everything, but the pleasant feeling of freedom she felt knowing that she had indeed burnt something, although they were the bridges with her past, was priceless and worth to bear the confusion of lunch time and the infernal heat emanating from the kitchen that sometimes radiated even behind the counter.

“Merde!” exclaimed Jean, trying not to let the sweat drip in a customer's soup. Manon quickly threw him a clean dishcloth, with which the fat cook wiped his pepper-red forehead.

When she loaded the tray it felt heavy, but not as it had been. Anyway, she leaned forward to counterbalance it, in such situations one was never too careful, and winked at Emma as she passed by the counter. She took Michel’s, her first regular customer, order and he thanked her, nervously adjusting his glasses and taking off his floppy hat, which was his trademark. He was always dressed with worn-out clothes, and Manon was convinced he was part of a religious cult, but not those with troubling rituals, only those full of somewhat eccentric people who believe in the dictatorships of some holy man, but she had never entered into detail since the only thing he liked to talk about was his wife. From the melancholy in his voice, she must have left him, or, according to Emma's theory, she was dead, but even in this case, Manon had asked no questions, knowing she was incapable of bearing the tale of another love that had ended badly. So, as she always did, she walked away quickly, going to help Emma, who was cleaning a table near the window.

"Bienvenue au café de Jean et Marie!" she exclaimed, with a broad smile, when the bell placed above the door rang, a sign that new customers had just arrived. “Do you want to have lunch?"

When Manon finally turned, with the bowl of dirty dishes resting on her side, she realized that those who had entered were not the usual latecomers in suits who worked in the nearby offices and had been held up by superiors or various inconvenients, of which they would have complained all the time, but four boys little older than them, three of which dirty and sweaty and soiled with soot.

The time to deliver the dishes to Pierre, and Manon returned to her room manager's tasks, asking the new arrivals, who had been seated by Emma, what they wanted to order, starting from the drinks.

"For me only water," said the only one clean, immediately imitated by one of his companions.

"Do you have any kind of tea?" the one with the brown hair and hazel eyes that stood out like headlights in the night on his dirty face asked.

"Lemon or peach flavor.”

“Lemon, please.” he replied, before addressing the boy in front of him, who was still studying the menu with a puzzled expression.

“What do you drink Phil?”

"They don't have Cherry Coke." the other said, looking at her sideways. It was certainly not her fault that Marie, who took care of the bar part, preferred to prepare it herself, with her organic cherry syrup. She explained it to Phil, who didn’t seem convinced at all, and in turn opted for water. How rude.

"And what do you want to eat? The kitchen is about to close."

"Four spicy chicken sandwiches." the iced tea boy answered, though Phil let out a grimace.

"Is it okay for everyone?" asked Manon, doubtful, but with her eyes fixed on that boy who seemed incapable of not doing a whimper for everything.

"Of course, don't bother." the other answered again. "Anyway, it’s probable that we get a call so the sooner we finish the better.”

So Manon left in a hurry, handed the order to Marie, and chatted with Emma about the four handsome firemen to whom she would bring the order within minutes.

"They’re so sexy ..." the redhead commented, leaning her elbows on the counter to watch them over the glass dispenser for the croissants.

“And also boring. There is one that makes tantrums worse than a child.”

The bar’s bell rang, a very different sound from the bell placed at the entrance, and Manon started to retrieve the tray, carefully filled by Marie, and deliver it to table 13.

When Michel finished the soup he ordered a cheesecake and from that moment on neither Manon nor Emma had a second of truce: a group of tourists had entered the cafe and very few spoke French, so they had no time to check how much the boys had left in the jar of tips, a tin container that Marie had turned into a kind of piggy bank specially for them, until closing time.

"Someone left one cent? But what do they think these are, the offers for the church?" Emma asked indignantly. For Manon it was clear who was the author of the joke but she said nothing, heading towards the glass door to turn the hanging sign so that the word fermé was facing outwards, just to see the face, finally clean, of one of those  guys.

"I felt like crap, so I came back to leave you a decent tip.” he explained, probably catching the perplexity on Manon's face. “I know that the waiters live on tips, or at least it’s how it works in England, so please, open the door so I can fix my conscience and you can go out to drink something with your ginger friend without touching your salary.”

For a brief, fleeting moment, Manon was tempted to do so, to open the door and accept his money, so much had he hit the mark with his speech, but she knew that both Jean and Marie were watching, and such a gesture would be an insult to the exaggerated pay that they already gave to both her and Emma.

"Sorry, we're closed." she replied with one of her fake waitress-smiles. She had honed them over the years, and at the time she could say she was satisfied with her ability to simulate the mixture of kindness, sympathy and joie de vivre that that the profession required, according to the client.

"And if I come back tomorrow to give you a double tip?" he asked.

"There would be no problem, as long as you take your nice friend with you." Emma broke in, leaning her forearms against Manon's right shoulder. She looked like a tempting devil, which she had tried to be, failing, for the whole duration of the lycée, but if at the time she had had a counterpart, an angel on her left shoulder that showed her the right way to follow, now her shoulder was cold and even just the memory of whom she had long seen as the wisest of her friends made her mouth bitter.

"Alain?" asked the young men outside, ripping her from her dark thoughts about the past.

Emma shook her head. "No, the other one."

"You didn’t find the whiner cute, right?" asked Manon, looking for her friend's gaze, who replied scornfully, as if she had never tried to go out with boys who were embarrassing to say the least.

“And so be it, tomorrow I will come for breakfast with Andre and you will earn double tips.”

"Andre! Right! Yes, good, bring him and if the tips are really double, maybe you will also earn Manon's number." said Emma, before turning around and going back to general pre-closure cleaning, leaving her friend speechless. How could she believe that she would give her number to a stranger, one who showed up at the café’s closing time with the excuse of wanting to leave a tip, moreover.

“Well, then, see you tomorrow.” the boy said, scratching embarrassed his head before turning and walking back on his way.

"Before you can say anything," Emma began, without giving her time to elaborate a sentence that adequately contained the dismay towards her proposal "I said maybe. And that perhaps determines that you probably won't do it and I'll be forced to do so in your place.”

"So it was just a way to hang out with this idiot's friend and not the umpteenth attempt to organize an unwanted date for me?" asked Manon, inquisitive.

“Exact.” the other answered, without even looking up from the bucket where she was dipping the mop.

"You're a very bad liar."

[oh-beyond]

Saviour AU - Part 24 (M)

He wasn’t rich like the others, he didn’t really fit, but he was part of the group, the rich boys that had investments in one of the biggest companies in the country, they were powerful and handsome and they could get anything the wanted, money had corrupted their every day actions, money that Byun Baekhyun didn’t have, to what extent was he like them?

You were lucky enough to be delivering the coffee every morning, you just wanted to see him, and to see him meant seeing the others too… You had faith that he was different… just don’t trust him too much he might surprise you, and not in a good way.

Business AU/Angst/Smut

Baekhyun x Reader ft. Chanyeol, Chen, Kai & Lay (Mentions of EXO OT12) This part is ft. Taehyung (BTS)

Masterlist

Saviour Masterpost

< Part 23 - Part 25 >

“Let me, let me please.”

“Baekhyun no, leave.”

“Please~~~” He insisted whispering in your ear as the shower waterfall hit both your backs.

He was at your back holding you tight burying his head on the crock your neck, his hands meeting at your belly, just wanting to prolong this improvised meeting in the middle of the night. He wanted to stay with you in the shower for as long as he could, for as long as you’d let him. He just wanted to feel your skin on his with no other motives other than enjoying your company, the feeling of being close to the woman he adored, the owner of his soul.

“NO!” You exclaimed punching him on his abdomen.

“Cupcake!” He coughed, he wasn't getting used to this behaviour that really, at this point was no longer justified.

“Yeah go die outside the shower, I am not buying it.” You roared.

He straightened himself and hugged you from the back again. “It’s alright, I’ll take it, anything from my cupcake is sweet, even this.”

“OK Baekhyun, look, I am sorry, maybe I wasn’t giving you the message properly.”

“No you have, I know it will take time. And this... well this,” he kissed you on your neck again, “thanks for this, I would be lying if I didn’t admit that is more than what I expected you would give me.”

“Baekhyun.” You sighed. “I have a date.” You sighed.

He froze for a minute before laughing, disguising his real feeling of wanting to die right there and then.

“A... a date? A date? What date? What kind of date? The girls? Saehyo and Eunbyeol? Sure I will take care of Chanhyun, I could drive you anywhere.” He replied stuttering, ignoring that he understood well what you meant by ‘date.’

“Drive me?” You scoffed. “You would have time to drive me for a date? Didn’t you sign a slave contract with the devil himself? Can you even socialise? I think you should ask permission to your new owners Junmyeon and Yifan.” You turned around opening the shower door pulling a towel to cover yourself.

You could see Baekhyun leaning on the the shower wall looking down. You’ve gone too far this time... You were making fun of how he’d agreed to be indeed a slave, but it was for Chanhyun, why were you hitting him under the belt non stop like that for?

Baekhyun ran his hands over his face turning the water off, his upset face changing to a beautiful smile again, when you saw that he was immune to your attack you tried leaving the bathroom but he stopped you caging you between the door and his arms.

“Baekhyun.” You called not looking at him.

“Yes cupcake, I will have time for my family, because they need me and I love them and nothing is more important than you and Chanhyun.”

“I just said I have a date, and no it’s not the girls, it’s with a guy. I am going on a date with a guy, and this... it won’t be necessary anymore. I hope it works out between us.” 

Baekhyun’s lips stiffened, his whole body clenched, you saw his neck veins forming. He had nothing to say other than his whole world collapsing before him.

You pushed him aside and opened the door, you gathered your lingerie and put your robe back on, never looking back at Baekhyun who watched you in silence.

“Does he know you have a baby?” He asked with the lowest of voices.

“Yes he does.” You replied simply.

“Why ___?” His voice broke when he lifted his gaze to you.

“Why what?” You stopped walking turning around.

“Why this? Why? Why making me think I had a chance, why doing this?” His questions making sense. Nothing justified what you were doing to him.

“I told you this is just benefits, I am lonely and we could benefit each other. I didn’t see you saying no exactly.” 

You continued walking flipping your hair but as you opened the door to leave he slammed it back closed cornering you.

“You can’t date anyone else, you love me.” He smirked after that proud statement.

You scoffed looking away shaking your head. “Do I?”

“Yes you do, you wouldn’t give me yourself if you didn’t love me, you aren’t a person like that.”

“I am now. Besides, I just told you this hopefully won’t be required anymore.”

“You just want to hurt me, but you will never date anyone else, because I insist you love me.” Baekhyun’s confidence growing.

“Why would I love you Baekhyun?” You asked knitting your eyebrows looking at him. “Tell me one good reason why. Do you think you are a lovable person? After all these years, what have you done for me to love you?”

“Nothing, I haven’t done anything and yet, you still chose to love me, it’s the most genuine form of love. Loving me for no reason or anything in exchange.”

“Move away asshole.” This time you pushed him. Harshly. Surprising even yourself, but it was too late to do anything about it because this time he didn’t stop you.

*****

“A date? A date with who?” Asked Saehyo almost chocking on her drink.

“I don’t know, I just said that to stop the unnecessary meetings we were having.” You replied while putting on Chanhyun’s socks on.

“Liar unni! First of all I don’t believe you don’t want ‘those meetings’ and second of all... that is not the way? You can just stop sleeping with him, why bring up another guy into the matter? Are you trying to make him jealous?”

“Pffff, me? I don’t know what you talking about Saehyo. Now let’s get going, I am sick of being home, I can’t wait to go out.”

“Of course you can’t wait... to see Baekhyun oppa everyday.” Teased Saehyo back.

“Saehyo-yah!”

“Anyways, you tell me how you going to meet a guy and make him ask you out.”

“I don’t need to, I can just say I went out and that’s it.” 

“It will look very bad, your reputation. I say we look for a man and make him ask you out.” Saehyo got excited like a little girl with all this drama. She was young.

“Let’s go Saehyo, you sound like a 12 year old sometimes.”

“Unni! It wasn’t me who invented an invisible man to make the love of my life jealous.”

You ignored her placing Chanhyun on the pushchair and your bag over your shoulder.

*****

“What? How? She lives with me, I never seen her text or call anyone, it’s a lie Baekhyun, she’s playing with you man.” Assured Chanyeol patting on his best friend’s back. “As if she would, after you two banging each other any time you had a chance. Are you delusional not to see she is just messing?”

Baekhyun bit on his nails, his knee bouncing up and down nervously trying to think positive about all this, could it be? 

He sat adjacent from Chanyeol waiting for Suho at his office, focusing on anything that it wasn’t Chanyeol’s pity gaze, his eyes landing on that familiar suitcase... Where has he seen that suitcase before? Why was he thinking about a suitcase when he was thinking about this mysterious man you brought up?

He was a mess.

“Good morning gentlemen!” Greeted Suho in his usual cheerful way, Baekhyun waking up from all the million thoughts running through his mind at once.

“Good morning hyung.”

“How are you guys? How is your family doing Baekhyun.”

“We are all good thanks hyung.”

“Alright so, we are here because we need your signature to start making interviews for the prospectus nursery teachers. Check the salary to be able to list the vacancy on our website as soon as possible.” Explained Chanyeol to Suho showing him the documents.

“Absolutely!” Exclaimed Suho. “I love how enthusiastic you are with this new project, I just hope it doesn’t take you from our business.” He continued eyeing the documents. “As a matter of fact a BTS representative is coming today, we don’t want these guys as enemies and EXO is trying a new approach so they stop stealing our tenders.” Concluded Suho looking at Baekhyun.

“Who from BTS?” Asked Chanyeol.

“Kim Taehyung, you’ve dealt with him haven’t you Baekhyun?”

“Ah yeah I know the guy, even from outside business, I’ve tutored him in college and we text each other from time to time, but I didn’t know he’s grown in BTS that much to be a representative to meet you.”

“That’s the thing, I heard from him that he knows you and he insisted on how good friends you are. That would help a lot Baekhyun, it’s your time to shine.” said Suho winking at him.

“What do you want me to seduce him?” Baekhyun’s question coming out in the most monotonous of voices.

Chanyeol and Suho laughed out loud.

“I love your sarcasm Baek, I’ve missed you here.” Replied Suho. “But no I wouldn’t ask you to do something like that unless you really want to, however I know Chanyeol here would hate me forever.”

Baekhyun had to laugh then shooting a shy smile to Chanyeol.

“I want you to see what BTS are up to apart from the business we will execute for them in China, I want to know if this is a clever move to know how EXO moves in China so that they open market in there in the future without our help. We do not want BTS in China unless is with our consent and blessing, you know Baek, I trust you, you know what to do.”

*****

“I don’t know why are you dragging me to the company.” You huffed.

“I didn’t drag you, you didn’t know how your eyes sparkled when I told you I missed my Minnie and I want to go kiss him.” Joked Saehyo.

“What is that supposed to mean? Besides this was supposed to be a girl’s day out. You can’t live without your dose of you man. Why you ruin it when you just left him in the morning?”

“You want to see Baekhyun oppa too ___ unni.” Teased Saehyo before the elevator indicated that you had arrived.

You followed in silence when you noticed some workers painting the empty glass walled office pastel colours.

“Saehyo? Is that...”

“Yeah it is, they started working 2 days ago, it’s going to be called ‘Cupcake’s Land’ a bit cheesy if you asked me but Baekhyun oppa chose the name of the nursery.”

You couldn’t believe it, you noticed some cupcakes stencils when you squinted your eyes, your stomach flipping in excitement.

“Do you want to have a look while I give my baby a visit?” Asked Saehyo.

“Yeah you go do that, at least it’ll be better than me waiting and for sure running into Baekhyun, I am in no mood to see him.” You lied.

Saehyo waved at you running towards Xiumin’s office.

You walked towards the future nursery where you will be sending Chanhyun soon. You would lying if you didn’t admit that you were happy about this project. Chanhyun would be the safest in here. Next to his father and his loving uncles.

You stopped in front of the glass wall watching the painters and the cupcake stencils decorating the whole wall. You smiled loving the place. You unbuckled Chanhyun from his pushchair and held him showing him the place.

“You like it baby? Appa made this for you, Appa and uncle Chanyeol. Isn’t it beautiful? You will be close to them everyday till you are ready to go to school.”

“It is very nice indeed.” Voiced a male next to you.

He was looking straight inside the nursery to-be, his hands behind his back. His hair colour same as Baekhyun when you met him. Dark caramel. His jaw and his nose, very similar. He was taller than Baekhyun though, and by now you were questioning why were you comparing him to Baekhyun.

“Yeah.” You simply whispered.

He then turned to see Chanhyun, he’s gotten curious when he heard his babbling.

“He’s so cute, reminds me of someone I am to meet in a few minutes.” The man chided smiling.

When you turned to see him you actually gasped because he did look like Baekhyun a lot. “You remind me of someone too.” You said doubling your eyes in size.

“Kim Taehyung.” He offered his hand for a handshake.

You got intimidated for a second looking at his extended hand.

“I am sorry, I got carried away. I think I remind you of Byun Baekhyun? And if I am not wrong this handsome little boy should be no other than his son. Am I right?”

“You know Baekhyun?” You asked intrigued.

“I certainly do, I went to college with him and it was funny how everyone thought we were siblings. I tried convincing him one time to do my exam for me.” He confessed. “But I wasn’t good enough convincing, instead he helped me get through that subject.”

“A troublemaker.”

He smiled again making funny faces to Chanhyun. “And this cute little boy could pass perfectly as my nephew.”

Your clenched muscles relaxed and finally offered your hand for a handshake. “I am sorry, I am ___, and yes Baekhyun is Chanhyun’s father.”

“Well of course he is.” Taehyung caressed his cheek after shaking hands with you. “He has absolutely nothing from you. He’s a 100% his father. It’s not a bad thing though we are very handsome.”

“We?” You asked after snorting.

“Yeah Baekhyun hyung and I, and this champion here too, right Chanhyun-ah?”

He was nice, this total stranger had physical similarities to Baekhyun was nice. Maybe he reminded you of a younger version of an innocent and genuine Baekhyun. A version you never really met but imagined it in your dreams.

“So are you visiting your appa?” He addressed Chanhyun.

“No we were just looking at the nursery. We... Baekhyun and I are not...”

“Oh... oh I am sorry.”

“No it’s alright.” You waved. “And you? Why are you here looking at a nursery?”

“I like this idea, I might steal it to do our own nursery at our company.”

“You have children?”

“Ah no no. I am single and mingle, but my sister has 2 little boys and I would love to have them near as I work. Like actually get on my knees and play with the kids in my lunch breaks. That would be awesome. I bet you Baekhyun hyung would love doing that too.”

You smiled and imagined that and it did actually feel nice. “Yeah, he is a good father, he would love doing that.”

“Here look, these are my nephews” Taehyung took out his phone showing you pictures of his beloved nephews. “This is Jaeho, he is 3, and this little one here is Jaehwa, he is maybe a little bit older than Chanhyun.”

You looked at his phone happily, they were very cute indeed, and so was Taehyung. He was so open and felt nice to chat to...

“We should meet up someday, my sister would love to meet Chanhyun.”

You looked at Chanhyun and then back at Taehyung and suddenly you got this idea...

“I would love that.”

“Ah it’s a deal then.” He agreed happily.

“I mean... I would love to have a cup of coffee sometime, maybe next week?”

“Oh... you and I ___-ssi?”

“You can call me noona. And yeah, you said you were single right?”

“Oh wow, but wouldn’t Baekhyun hyung get upset?”

“As I said we are not together anymore. In fact we never were, he had a fortunate encounter and he gave me Chanhyun, however it looks like you aren’t interested, I am sorry if that came in too blunt and straightforward.”

“Oh no! Not at all! I would love to, here is my phone if you can type in your number I will ring you.”

You took his phone and he extended his hands to reach for Chanhyun, but Chanhyun refused and buried his face on the crock of your neck.

“He is a bit shy, you know babies.”  You explained typing your phone number.

He rang you straight away playing with Chanhyun’s hand. 

“Alright Kim Taehyung.”

“Alright ___ noona, so I will call you tonight after my meeting with the bosses here and maybe set up a date- day- day date- I mean...”

“Sure Taehyung, I will wait for your call.” You laughed waving at him goodbye taking Chanhyun’s hand to wave at him too.

*****

“But ___ why are you moving out? Have I done anything that bothered you?”

“No Chanyeol, you haven’t, in the contrary thanks so much for everything, I still think it wasn't fair on you and I have taken advantage of your hospitality.” You vouched as you folded Chanhyun’s clothes.

“I can’t live away from Chanhyun, why you taking him away from me?”

“Oh come on Chanyeol hyung, you will see him everyday at work.” Exclaimed Kai helping you pack.

“Exactly, and to be more precise... well I have a date and I don’t want my date to know I live with a guy just because. I want to go back to my apartment that I am still paying rent for and redo my life. Am I not entitled to do so?” You asked looking at them.

Both men stood petrified, Kai’s hold on Chanhyun’s toys loosened almost dropping them to the floor.

“Noona... are you really...?”

“Yes my dear Jongin, I have a date.”

“But ___... what about Baekhyun-ah?”

“Chanhyun’s father, what about him?” You replied with another question that they didn’t have an answer to.

“Who are you going on a date with?” Insisted Chanyeol.

“If I tell you his name you will know him?”

“Try.” Spat Chanyeol.

“Chanyeol hyung leave noona alone.” Interjected Kai. “Are you ready noona? Shall we go?”

Chanyeol picked up Chanhyun hugging him tightly running his big hand over his back as he kissed the crown of his head. “I’ll miss you buddy, next week you will be at the office with appa and I.”

He broke your heart, maybe you were acting a little bit too selfishly? But anyhow this day had to come sooner rather than later, living with Chanyeol just because wasn’t justified.

As soon as you left Chanyeol’s apartment he went to Baekhyun’s.

“She is leaving with Kai now, he is taking her home.” Exclaimed Chanyeol almost jumping up and down wanting his friend to do something.

Baekhyun took his phone and called Kai.

“Don’t say my name.” Whispered Baekhyun through the phone. “Is ___ next to you?”

“Well yes.”

“Alright, so act like your car broke down, and suggest her I take her home. ”

“Ah that is nice, sure I can do that.” Said Kai sounding too obvious. “Bye for now.”

“You look too happy, any good news?” You asked almost certain it was Baekhyun who called him.

He shook his head buckling his seatbelt turning his car on without pressing the clutch, acting as if the car had broke down.

“What is it Jongin?”

“The car! I guess I left the headlights on and the battery has died.”

“Alright call Chanyeol, he can drive me.”

“Ah well no he can’t!”

“Why not?” You exhaled.

“He... he said he would take a shower.”

“Oh my god Jongin, alright, I will go get his car keys, stay with Chanhyun.”

Before Kai could argue you were out of the car heading back to the building.

Kai panicked and called Baekhyun.

“She- noona is going back to Chanyeol hyung’s apartment to get his car keys, I told her he’d be showing and that is why he can’t take her, make sure he is in the bathroom when she opens the door, and try hiding his car keys, and also maybe try... I don’t know hyung.”

“Alright alright Kai, let me see what I can do. Thanks.”

Baekhyun rushed Chanyeol to his apartment advising him to turn on the shower and lock himself there. He then took Chanyeol’s car keys and hid them in his pocket. Taking a magazine sitting down as if nothing waiting for you to come.

You knocked the door before entering the passcode to Chanyeol’s apartment letting yourself in.

“Baekhyun?”

“___?”

“Is Chanyeol here?”

“He is showering. Do you need anything?”

“I need his car keys. Jongin’s car is dead.”

“Sure.” Baekhyun stood up going to Chanyeol’s room faking looking for the keys. 

After 2 minutes he came out. “I can’t find them.”

You huffed crossing your arms over your chest. “Alright, can we have your car keys?”

“My car is manual and Kai really only knows how to drive automatic cars.”

“Alright Baekhyun, are you doing all this to take me home?”

“Yes?”

“I’ll take a taxi, you are so childish.” You turned to leave.

“No please let me drive you home, I will miss Chanhyun, I’d love taking you guys home... please?”

You held onto your temples closing your eyes for a moment before looking back at him. “Alright Baekhyun, you win, you and Kai and Chanyeol that most probably isn’t taking a shower win. Take us home.”

After giving the nastiest look to Kai and him placing a kiss on your cheek winking at you, you got in the car watching Baekhyun securing Chanhyun in his carseat, Chanhyun didn’t waste the time and pulled on his father’s fringe.

“Ouch! Hyun-ah!” Giggled Baekhyun trying to get ahold of his hair from his baby’s little hands.

“Well deserved, I’d do that to you too.” You voiced under your breath.

Baekhyun finally freed himself kissing Chanhyun siting on the driver’s seat grinning as he fastened his seatbelt looking at you. “I heard that, and I’d love you to pull my hair cupcake.”

You rolled your eyes crossing your arms over your chest looking at your window.

“So... you will have to tell me when are we going to change Chanhyun’s surname, also I’d like to open a bank account in his name, and I’d like to go shopping with you and pay for his things, I want to do all the things I didn’t do.”

“OK Baekhyun.” You simple breathed.

“Cupcake! Please?”

“I said OK!” You growled looking at him, and that was a mistake because he was so extremely cute pouting while driving and... Byun Baekhyun was your weak spot because your heart pounded as you felt how you hurt him.

He swallowed and closed his mouth, instead he fixed the rear-view mirror to focus on Chanhyun. And like that, the ride to your apartment was quiet, him trying to ignore how you were treating him and instead filling his eyes with his beautiful boy.

When you arrived you held Chanhyun and Baekhyun took your suitcases, you got into the elevator still in silence never making eye contact, watching Baekhyun getting close to you and lowering his head to kiss Chanhyun’s neck making him giggle his life away. You tried suppressing your smile that threatened to appear in your face but it was very difficult. Baekhyun’s goofy ways had made Chanhyun fall in love with his dad very fast. At least you knew your baby had a good loving father.

You arrived at your door and entered the passcode, when Baekhyun wanted to get in you stopped him. “Thanks, I can take it from here.”

“At least let me get the suitcases inside.” He whined.

You let him in following him.

“Cupcake... it’s... very dusty, and cold... and it really needs to be cleaned.”

“Don’t worry Baekhyun I will get cleaning all evening.”

“But I mean... I don’t think it’s good for Chanhyun-ah, what if he develops allergies or his chest gets harmed?”

“Baekhyun? Really? For some simple dust? I will put the heaters on and ventilate and start cleaning right away.”

Then Chanhyun sneezed, once, twice, three times.

“Ah no no no!” He exclaimed taking him off your hands. “See? He can’t handle it.”

“And you idea is what? Go back to your apartment and move in there permanently, share bed and ignore that I have a date with another man next week?”

“Alright you know what? You don’t need to be that nasty all the time. This sin’t about you now. And as much as I’d love that to happen, no that wasn’t what I was going to propose, yes I want you but I also want what’s best for my boy.”

“OK so what do you have in mind?”

Baekhyun took his phone out of his pocket and dialled a number.

“Hi yes. This is Byun Baekhyun, I’d like you to gather some of the cleaning staff and come to this address to clean.”

“Yes, now. The address is _____.”

“So everything, it’s a closed apartment for some months, so heavy cleaning, also wash the curtains and and heavy dusting.”

“No the kitchen is spotless it just needs ventilation and dusting and all that.”

“Perfect, in half an hour? Alright so the passcode is 0000.”

“Good so we will be back like in 3 hours? Would that suffice?”

“Great, thanks. Yes I will let Kim Junmyeon know, don’t worry about that.”

“Wow, did you just use the company’s cleaners?” You asked shellshocked.

“Did you not hear that I will let Junmyeon hyung know?”

“I admire your confidence, as if it were your company.” You snorted moving to get to your room but he stopped you grabbing your wrist. “What?”

“Don’t look down at me, if you haven’t noticed EXO is nothing without Byun Baekhyun.”

You didn’t add anything to that and freed yourself going to your room. “You can leave.”

“I am not going to.” He said following you.

“You are forcing yourself on me and I told you I don’t want you.”

Baekhyun exhaled. “Cool, yeah, I understand, so... I guess I can take Chanhyun out for these 3 hours, and come back when the cleaners are done. Meanwhile enjoy the cleaning.” Chanhyun sneezed again. “I’ll take his bag so. Bye eomma.”

“No wait! Where are you taking him? I don’t think he is ready to go with you alone yet.”

“Alright, then come with us.” He smiled with hope.

“Where?”

Baekhyun walked outside your room and the apartment as Chanhyun kept sneezing. “I was planning to take him to a playground.”

You thought about it, you didn’t have any other choice, you knew Baekhyun wouldn’t be able to handle Chanhyun alone. “OK.”

“OK! So I guess this is a date too.” He sang smiling as you closed the door to your apartment behind you.

“Yeah a date with your son.” You retorted.

“And his beautiful eomma.” He added.

“Whatever.”

*****

The dramatic way Baekhyun fell backwards in the plastic ocean balls every time Chanhyun took a ball and threw it not even in Baekhyun’s direction made you smile to yourself as you sat outside watching them. Chanhyun was just learning how to sit, and the way Baekhyun held him so caring and loving melted your heart. You loved that he really was out there loving his son that much. Pity he never was like this with you and considering it now was not good enough. 

You wanted it all, the dating the being late making your prince impatient, the playing hard to get, the being spoiled... selfish? Maybe, but you knew you wanted all that and Baekhyun was never going to give it to you because he simply just wanted to settle with the mother of his son, and that didn’t make you feel unique. He would of never ever came back for you if it wasn’t for Chanhyun’s kidnap. Sad story but true.

“Hi ___? Hi!” Greeted a male voice behind you poking your shoulder.

“Oh! Taehyung? What are you doing here?” You asked perplexed.

“I was here with my sister and nephews, she forgot one of the baby bags and I was coming to ask the staff if they held it somewhere and luckily they did.” He replied showing you the bright red bag.

“That’s really good, trust me if I lost Chanhyun’s bag I’d go crazy because he got used to his dummy and his- but enough of this why would you care?” You waved your words.

“Ah no it’s very interesting, I just adore babies. But where is your champion?”

Baekhyun had noticed you were speaking with a guy, and that hair and them hands that moved excitingly as he spoke... Baekhyun knew the guy looked familiar. He didn’t give it too much thought but when he noticed how the man was constantly touching your forearms and the way you laughed.

“You seem hungry right Chanhyun?” He lifted Chanhyun up walking outside the ball’s ocean. “Yeah you are, aren’t you?” He convinced himself when Chanhyun didn’t really argue his decision to get out of the plastic ocean.

“Hi.” Greeted Baekhyun simply making Taehyung turn around.

“BAEKHYUN HYUNG!” Exclaimed Taehyung hugging Baekhyun and Chanhyun in one big embrace. “Damn he looks so much like you.”

“V? What- You know ___?”

“Ah yeah I met her at the company the other day. Congratulations for having this amazing boy!”

“Thanks V, what brings you here?”

“My sister forgot this.” He pointed at the red bag. “Anyways guys it’s nice to have seen you, I’ll better bring this to my noona because apparently this is a matter of life of death.”

“It is for sure Taehyung, say hi to her and the little boys.”

“Will do ___ noona, I’ll call you.” He concluded motioning with his hand. “Bye Baekhyun hyung, bye Chanhyun-ah!”

Baekhyun scrunched his eyebrows.

“Is Chanhyun hungry?” You asked taking him from Baekhyun hands.

“I’ll call you? Noona?” Asked Baekhyun.

“What?” You asked.

“Taehyung just said ‘I’ll call you, noona,’ why would Taehyung call you? And why is he addressing you as noona?”

“Why do you care?” You replied with another question giving Chanhyun his bottle.

“Because I know Taehyung? Because I care for you? And maybe because it sounded weird? How close are you to him? He said you met only the other day.”

“Well he is my date. I am going out with Taehyung. That is to cut it short.”

“WHAT?”

“Lower your voice! Where do you think you are?”

“Taehyung? Kim Taehyung? BTS employee?”

“Yes the same Taehyung who said poems about how nice you are and how much you helped him in college.”

“And that is how he repays me? Taking my girl on a date? No you can’t date Taehyung.”

“Your girl? Yeah whatever... but enlighten me. Why can't I date Taehyung, daddy?”

“Daddy? Are you mocking me? Or do you want me to really show you who your daddy is?”

“Baekhyun please... here in a place surrounded by children, control yourself.” You spat disgustingly. “You are acting like a little boy.”

“Am I? So if I just went out with one of your friends without telling you, you’d be fine with that?”

“Oh you actually on a date? With someone?” You asked sarcastically. “Well just make sure Chanyeol doesn’t have an eye for her or it would be really hard to date her.” You chanted with venom in your voice.

Baekhyun ran his fingers through his hair nervously, he was very uncomfortable and he saw it in your eyes. The satisfaction of working him up this much. In some strange way he kind of liked it because in his twisted mind he interpreted it as caring. You cared to bother him meant that you wanted to hurt him meant that you loved him somehow.

The apartment was spotless, not only that, the fridge was full of fresh vegetables and meat and all sorts of dairy products. Your room had scented candles lit, and new sheets were decorating your bed and Chanhyun’s cot. There was even a plushy.

“Really Baekhyun? When did you have time to prepare all this?”

“Don’t bother with that now. Let me put Chanhyun in his cot.” 

“I need to change him.”

“He’s asleep now, when he wakes up.” Baekhyun took Chanhyun from your arms and carefully placed him on his cot next to the cupcake plushy.

“Thanks Baekhyun. I think Chanhyun had a lot of fun, and thanks for all this, I can barely recognise my own place.”

“Everything for my cupcake.” He smiled. “Which reminds me that I have one of these at home, but it’s pink.”

You covered your mouth and looked away “why?”

“Because when I miss my cupcake I can cuddle with it.” He replied coming closer taking your hands.

“But then I guess I need one... a puppy maybe?”

“A Puppy? Like me?” He asked all excited, his eyes opening widely.

“I don’t know? Maybe?” 

That was enough to encourage him bringing you close to him by your waist, slowly, never breaking eye contact. He thought of also doing that thing he did with his fringe, moving it aside, slowly, not too much, show his eyebrows and forehead a little bit, that little bit that would have you look from his eyes to his hand following his actions. And there it was, you took the bait, he was amazed of how easy but complex it was to make you follow his lead. After that he let his hair fall back the way it was, bringing both his hands at the small of your back, going for round 2 of hypnosis. He opened his mouth moving his jaw from side to side.

As if showing you that he himself was conflicted of what to do next, even though he knew very well. When your eyes traveled to his moth he straight away licked his lips, noticing that you took your breath holding it inside, almost glad that you weren't taking part in attacking him with your charms that would have him at your mercy. He loved that you let him, he felt your hands on his pockets, as if needing support because you couldn’t handle anymore. After licking his lips he immediately pulled a smile sideways, emphasising the little mole he had on the corner of his lip, and again he brought his beautiful hand to his lips to wipe some of the excess moist around there.

“What are you doing Baekhyun?”

“Me?” He asked innocently “nothing, I am just drooling over you so I need to wipe my lips.” He replied not trying to sound sexy, but in the contrary praising you, showing you that you did this to him doing nothing really, he was just dying to have you.

“Drooling over me?”

“Because you are close to me, and I want you, constantly, every damn minute of every damn day.” He brought you closer now your chests touching.

When you didn’t complain and instead you looked like you wanted to hear more he walked forward caressing your face making you walk backwards. “Baekhyun don’t do anything stupid.” Yous aid when you fell on the mattress.

“Stupid?” Baekhyun asked swooping down and pressing his lips against yours in a kiss that you couldn’t stop.

You pushed him away with a squeal and Baekhyun complied, only leaning back for another one.

“Baek!”

“You liked it. And it wasn't in a sexual way, you want me close to you just as much as I want you close to me.” He whispered against your lips before kissing you again, more passionately this time, making you shiver as he hoovered over you. And you pulled him in closer.

Baekhyun smiled against your lips, you wanted to smack him because you imagined the proud grin he’d be wearing, but all you did was sigh into the kiss and close your eyes growing into the pleasure.

Baekhyun’s chest vibrated with excitement, he felt this time was different, it felt loving, it felt like his cupcake from before, the one that would forgive anything because you love him. 

He sank down against you, his arms planting firmly on each side of your head his kisses soft, his lips drifting over the corner of your mouth, your chin, your neck as he kept babbling how much he loved you, how much life didn’t mean anything without his cupcake close to him.

His phone rang and as much as he wanted to ignore it he didn’t want Chanhyun to wake up and ruin this moment. He pulled away taking it out of his pocket cancelling the unknown number calling him. Looking back at you in the bed, your lips swollen from his kisses. He placed the phone on the nightstand and went back to kiss you but the phone rang again.

“Just answer.” You suggested pissed.

“I don’t want to now.” He silenced it and kissed you again.

But again it rang.

“Baekhyun just answer the phone, we have all night.” You stated making him the happiest he’d ever been the whole day.

“Byun Baekhyun.”

“Hi, Baekhyun-ssi.” 

“Yes? Who is this?”

“That is not important right now, I have some information about the kidnap of your son.”

“Iseul? Is that you?” Baekhyun asked standing up leaving you in bed confused.

“Yes Baekhyun-ssi. It is me. Now I would appreciate if you met me somewhere quiet, not publicly.”

“I can meet you at my apartment in half an hour, I’ll text you the address.” 

“Perfect, now I would also appreciate if you didn’t tell anyone about this meeting, especially Junmyeon-ssi.”

“Of course, don’t worry. I’m on my way.”

“Who is Iseul? I heard that name before, is she someone working in the company?”

“Not now ___. I need to go.”

“You are meeting this Iseul at your apartment and leaving here your work half done.”

“My work half done? Is that what I am to you?” Inquired Baekhyun not liking your tone.

“You are going to get upset? I am not the one leaving you horny in bed to meet another guy in my apartment, but as you are doing exactly that I guess I can call Taehyung to spend the evening with me.”

Baekhyun shook his head fixing his hair before kissing Chanhyun’s forehead.

“Baekhyun if you go I will call him.” You threatened.

“I cannot cancel this, it’s very important.”He shot you one last gaze before disappearing out of your bedroom, you followed him and pulled at his arm.

“You are meeting a girl? Just like that? You leave me for another girl? You are fucking worst than I thought you were, asshole. What? Is she better at sex than I am? Does she suck you well and good without asking for anything in return? Is she all sub for you Baekhyun?”

He didn’t reply and just opened the door of your apartment leaving you with a million questions.

But one thing was for sure. Byun Baekhyun wasn’t worth getting worked up for anytime soon.

You hated him.

But you just realised how much you loved him.

_________________________

A/N: Well here comes the drama again, now this will get really interesting. 

Do you think Iseul will throw Suho under the bus?

Thanks for reading, feedback always welcomed ^_^

[officialleehadan]

Christmas Cookies

“I love you from the bottom of my heart, but I don’t trust your cooking. Stay out of my kitchen.”

For @justsomewritingprompts Winter Challenge! Thanks for tagging me. This was fun!

My three categories were:

Holiday Decorating/baking

“If I eat another cookie, it will be too soon”

Necklaces

+++

“I’m pretty sure this is MY kitchen,” Aiden said mournfully, but stayed on the other side of the marble-topped island. “I can cook.”

“Okay,” Sara agreed with her best you’re-full-of-shit smile even as she dropped softened butter and sugar into his never-used mixer. “What do you like to cook?”

“...pasta mostly,” Aiden said when her smile didn’t waver. “And sauce from a can. I didn’t say I was a GOOD cook!”

Big bad super villain indeed. She had to make a store run just for basic ingredients. How he lived like this, she had no idea.

Of course, the only reason Sara was in his kitchen at all was because a rival villain had tried to kidnap her out of her own coffee shop. A modern woman, she didn’t like the idea of hiding behind her Big Male Protector.

She also didn’t like the thought of going back to her definitely-underprotected apartment by herself. It was one thing to see the super villain battles on TV- including Aiden’s- and quite another to have a blood-covered monster threatening her life.

In all honesty, she was glad to have taken Aiden up on his offer of his guest room. Just for a day or two while he upped the security in her apartment. The sprawling penthouse was surprisingly welcoming.

“What are you making, anyway?” He asked as Sara cracked an egg into the the mixer and turned it up. “We already ordered dinner.”

“Christmas is in twenty days,” Sara said wistfully and measured out vanilla. “And I love Christmas cookies. I make a bunch for the cafe, but it’s different making them at home.”

Even if it wasn’t HER home. This was more festive than she usually got, anyway. Usually she was busy turning out huge orders for Christmas parties.

“I never seem to celebrate,” Aiden admitted, and went for her half-full shopping bag when she pointed. “What do you need?”

“Nutmeg,” Sara said, and tapped a careful teaspoon into the mix before slowing the mixer. “Just a little spice for Christmas. Normally I use lemon. I thought you always have parties? Doctor Rimehart invites me to his, by the way. I have no idea what to say.”

“Say yes, if you want to go,” Aiden retreated away when Sara folded in the flour with a white puff. “I’m going, If that’s any reassurance.”

“It is, honestly,” Sara admitted, and eyed the cookie dough. It was ready, and she scattered flour across the counter before rolling it out.

He didn’t have a rolling pin. She had stolen a bottle of wine for the job. Hopefully it wasn’t shockingly expensive, because now it was covered in butter and flour. An upturned glass served as a cookie cutter.

“Would you like me to be your escort?” Aiden offered quietly as Sara slid a pan of cookies into the oven. “I know it’s your first Villain party.”

Something in the way he said it made Sara focus on him. He was fiddling with his wine glass. She had come to recognize the habit. He only ever fidgeted when he was having Emotions and didn’t quite know what to do about them.

“Like a date?” she asked carefully and hoped she wasn’t reading him wrong. “Or just friends?”

“Like a date,” he confirmed, and stole a bit of cookie dough unrepentantly. “If you want. If not, forget I said anything.”

“No, no,” Sara hurried to reassure him and smiled brightly. She had been nursing a crush on the handsome villain for a while and thought he was just being a flirt. “I would love to go to the party with you. I hope you know I can’t dance at all.”

“I’ll teach you,” He grinned, and leaned back when Sara started to measure icing sugar into small bowls. “Rimehart always books the Central Park Ritz-Carlton.”

“I hear their ballroom is beautiful,” Sara murmured, inwardly calculating how much she could afford to spend on a new dress for the occasion. Her Super clientele tended to tip handsomely, and the number turned out to be higher than she expected. “It’s not too far to drive, either.”

Aiden gave her an odd look. “You aren’t planning to stay at the hotel?”

“I can’t really afford it,” Sara shrugged. He sometimes forgot that she was just a barista. Sure, she owned her cafe, but it seemed silly to drop that kind of money when home was close enough to drive. “I’ll take a cab after.”

“No-“ Aiden seemed to realize the problem. “That’s Not What I meant. When I said that Rimehart rents out the Ritz, I meant he rents out the WHOLE THING. Room and transportation are included in the invitation.”

Sara dropped her spoon into the half-finished blue icing.

“You’re joking,” she said flatly. The sheer thought of that much money made her head spin. “For a party?”

“He doesn’t really do half-measures.”

“I see that!”

“Actually, on the note of half-measures,” Aiden sat up and gave her a sidelong glance. “Would it be strange of me to give you your Christmas present now? I know it’s too early, but I’m not good at waiting.”

“If you want,” Sara blinked at him. “I was going to ask what you wanted, but I haven’t hade time to shop...”

“You don’t have to get me anything,” he called back as he went for his office. “But you could make me a cheesecake. I would fight the whole Hero Consortium for one of your cheesecakes.”

“It’s not nice to beat up the heroes!” She hollered after him and heard him laugh. “What flavor do you want?”

“Chocolate!” He yelled back, still laughing. Sara pulled the cookies out of the oven and set them aside to cook even as she put another batch in. “With the Oreo crust.”

Aiden reappeared with a small velvet box in hand. Sara felt a flash of worry, but the box wasn’t small enough to be a ring-box.

“I’m terrible at wrapping presents,” he told her cheerfully, and waited for her to wash her hands before offering it. “I didn’t figure you would mind.”

“I don’t,” Sara said dumbly, mind whirling at what he possible could have gotten for her. When she opened the box, she discovered a necklace with an oddly fractal pendant. The junctions glittered with different gems. “Oh, Aiden...”

“I saw it and thought of you,” he said with a smug smile. “It’s a caffeine molecule.”

That cut through Sara’s shock, and she started to laugh. “Really?”

“Absolutely,” he confirmed, and lifted it out of the box. She turned and lifted her hair so he could fasten it. “Only the best for my coffee goddess.”

“It’s beautiful,” she told him, and ran a finger over the metal. She carefully DIDN’T ask if it was real. Not that she needed to. Aiden had more money than sense and tended to be extravagant. “Thank you. And I’ll make you cheesecake whenever you want it.”

“Dangerous offer,” he grinned, and reclaimed his seat. “And you’re welcome. What are you doing to the cookies, anyway?”

Cookies. Right. She was making cookies. With practiced hands, she began tracing designs in brightly colored sugar.

“Christmas ornaments,” she explained, and handed him the first one. He grinned when he discovered his Villain Signature in sparkly purple glitter. “I would do trees, but I need a cookie cutter for that.”

“I have eaten so many cookies,” he said, and ate the one in his hand with enthusiasm. “If I eat another cookie it will be too soon.”

He made a liar of himself by stealing two more and winked when she laughed at him.

Her new necklace warmed against her skin, and Sara felt peace creeping in around the edges of the kitchen.

Maybe it wasn’t too early for Christmas after all.

+++

Doctor Rimeheart (Supervillain Coffee Shop)

Handicapped

Power Rests in the Eye

Nuclear Option

Incidental Villain

First Summon

Even Supervillains run from Fangirls

The Blackest Coffee

Deal with the Devil

Fear and Coffeegrounds

Personal Space

Broken Countertops

Christmas Cookies

Revealed

Wannabe Wannabes

Home Life

Shadows Unleashed

+++

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[abovethesmokestacks]

Goodbye

Title: Goodbye Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader Word count: 1.9k Spoilers: None Warnings: angst, lots of it

I blame this entirely on Katy Perry, because “The One That Got Away” played last night and refused to leave me, so surprise children, it’s feels murder time.

This fic can also be found on AO3. It is not to be reposted anywhere else without my express permission.

Tags at the end.

One year. As the words trip across his plush lips, that’s all you can think about. One year. One year of dance hall dates, of being the girl on Bucky Barnes’s arm, of sweet kisses and a warm hand holding your own. There’s a small part inside of you that refuses to listen to what he’s saying, refuses to acknowledge the bravery of his decision, that screams loud and desperate because he will leave you. He’s ripping himself away from this life, throwing himself into a dangerous game few seem to be surviving.

“Sweetheart? Sweetheart, please, say somethin’.”

Bucky’s cap is tipped just so, jaunty and paints such a handsome picture along with his pressed uniform, but god, his eyes betray him. How many times have the pressing silences between you erupted into arguments just because he couldn’t keep the annoyance out of them? You’d like to think you are an open book, but Bucky Barnes tries so hard to keep part of himself locked away, only to be betrayed by the keyhole into the very room he’s hiding in. You can’t even fault him, you wish you could do the same sometimes.

“W-when?” you finally stutter, unable to face his worry right now, too afraid that the pacing monster inside you will break free if you do.

You know it won’t be good by the slightly pause before he speaks again. It never is, and you steel yourself for the deadly blow.

“I… I leave for England tomorrow.”

One year, and it’ll all be gone tomorrow. You are an open book, and he reads you with a pained expression on his face.

“I didn’t- I got my orders today. Please, doll, it’s not that bad. I won’t- They’re not sendin’ us into battle straight away. You gotta understand, I don’t have a choice.”

“You don’t?” It comes out sharper than you intend, slipping out before you can lock yourself down again. He’s leaving tomorrow, and you won’t allow your parting to be tainted by anger.

“I got drafted,” he confesses, jaw clenching before cupping your cheeks and bringing you in close. “Please, don’t tell Stevie. I told him I volunteered, it’s… I thought it would be easier.”

“Nothing about this is easy, Bucky.” You look over your shoulders, spotting the mop of blond hair a little ways away, where Steve is buying snacks from a vendor. “You should tell him.”

Bucky shakes his head, “I can’t. He’s… Well, you know how he is. Please, darlin’, I just want my last night to be somethin’ I can remember when I’m fighting.”

It is soft and pleading, the request matching the sadness in his eyes. It appeases the mounting hurricane inside, dissipates the raging emotions somewhat, calms the howling into a starved whine that longs to take and give in equal measures. Pressing a kiss to his cheek, you let yourself melt into him. His warmth will soon be gone, and he will need yours where he is going.

Minutes and hours mercilessly tick by, caring none for the desperation you show in giving and taking until your breaths turn ragged and you think a part of you has been burned into Bucky’s heart forever. The silence of the cramped apartment he shares with Steve has saved every litany of praise, every prayer for more, every vow of safe return and every dream of the future. 

“I’ll come home, sweetheart. I’ll come home, and I’ll put the prettiest ring on your finger, and I’ll never leave you again. No, baby, don’t- I swear, God himself can’t make me break this promise. It’ll be us against the world.”

You wake up alone, Bucky’s sheets cold, and you allow yourself to break. His scent still lingers in the pillow case, his touch a ghost trailing over your skin. The room feels too empty, desolate without him in it. His things are still there, but now they seem to belong to someone else, a stranger that never held your heart. Outside, the subdued clattering of dishes signals that Steve has found his way home too, and if it wasn’t for the monster moaning its swan song, you’d feel a little ashamed, because how could Steve not figure out why you’d be in Bucky’s room. He knocks five minutes later and offers breakfast, and you stay quiet until you hear him shuffling away, not leaving until much later when Steve has already left.

For a while it hurts, your friends fawning over you and trying to paint you as the devoted girlfriend who waits while her best guy is somewhere across the ocean fighting for freedom. There is nothing glorious about it. Bile rises in your throat when you go to a movie and it’s prefaced by a short snippet about the war effort, the brave Captain America smiling for the camera. There is nothing glorious about waiting for a sign of life, or a proof of death.

There are signs of life. Bucky sends letters, his hurried scrawl making your heart leap, every declaration of life and love signed with “Us against the world”. There are signs of life, and you cling to them, repeating promises made and vows uttered until you think you can see them on the horizon.

And then the next letter.

“I regret to report that Sergeant James B Barnes of the 107th Infantry Regiment went missing behind enemy lines…”

Something rips from you, the festering worry finally rupturing and you finally allow the scream that has been bottled up for nearly a year to claw its way out of your chest. There is nothing glorious about it, nothing like the starlets of the silver screen would have you believe. It is ugly and visceral and it hurts when you shatter, when every hope and dream of seeing Bucky again is torn from you. 

I swear, God himself can’t make me break this promise.

God, you decide, cares nothing for war. He reaps no profit, doesn’t grant mercy. God, you realize, did not make Bucky break his promise. The devil takes his due.

“A symbol to the nation, a hero to the world…”

You clutch your cane harder, drawing in a shallow breath before stepping onto the escalators. Up until recently, it’s been years, maybe even decades since you let yourself think about him, about them. Everywhere, Steve’s face looks down at you, stoic with his mouth set in a determined line. It’s not him you’re here for, not really.

History has been kind to him, and by association, to Bucky. They found each other in the chaos, fought together and died within a year of each other. Bucky has his place in the exhibit, as he should. You don’t know how they found you, but a year before, a representative from the Smithsonian reached out, saying they had found out you had been Barnes’s girlfriend before the war, and were you perhaps willing to contribute to the part of the exhibition dedicated to Sergeant Barnes?

Time has made you a liar.

It was easy to give a small laugh, to confirm that yes, indeed, you were Sergeant Barnes’s gal before the war, but it was only a year. You barely heard from him after he shipped out. So much time has gone by, you doubt you’d have anything to contribute, whether physical mementos or exciting stories. It was only a year after all, you understand, don’t you.

Your heart clenches when you make your way to the front of the group of people admiring the uniforms. You never got photos of him like this, as a member of the Howling Commandos. His army uniform had been handsome as any, but god, you would have given anything to see him in this, the blue playing off his eyes and the soft brown of his hair. 

“Barnes is the only Howling Commando to give his life in service of his country…”

You can’t help the tear that trails down your cheek, the flickering newsreel of Bucky and Steve smiling together too much for you. You shouldn’t have come. You’re almost 90, this is no place for you. Maybe you should have just told them the truth when they called: that every letter Bucky ever sent rests in a box at the back of a closet, that they have been in that box since 1944, that you’ve carefully packed it up and ignored the sting in your heart with every move.

Sniffling, you turn to leave, walking past the glass wall dedicated to Bucky when something pulls your gaze up. Later you will say it was all your imagination, the result of confronting the memories you’ve tried to keep hidden all these decades. But right now, there’s a set of footsteps that calls to something in you, that makes the hairs on your neck stand on end and your heart trill in anticipation. You find a pair of eyes in the crowd, dark under the black peak of a baseball cap, but you know that should he remove it and step into the light, they would be as blue as you remember them. For a second there seems to be a flash of recognition in them, lips parting as if to speak your name.

And then the man passes, and you feel like your breath has been knocked out of you. The air seems stuffier than before, and you hurry to get outside, sitting down on a bench to draw in deep breaths. It’s all a trick, a combination of wishful thinking, low light and seventy years of heartbreak taking you by surprise.

He’s not actually there.

Heavy footsteps search the rows, a bundle of flowers gripped tightly in one hand. Part of him knows what he will find, another one fearful of what he’ll feel. He wanted to find you as soon as he remembered, as soon as he made sense of why his heart sped up at the memory of an older lady locking eyes with him at the museum, but time and haunting ghosts kept him from you.

Finally finding what he’s looking for, he swallows thickly, kneeling on the dewy grass, letting one gloved hand run over the smooth marble.

“Hello, sweetheart. I promised I’d be back, didn’t I?” His voice cracks, eyes blurring as he takes in the condensed story of your life, imagining everything that must fit into the dash between the two dates. “I’m sorry I took so long, that I couldn’t come back sooner. I made you a promise, darlin’, and now I’m too late. I just want you to know I saw you. I saw you and you looked just as pretty as the morning I left. God, I wish I could have come back, that we could have had that life I talked about.”

He clears away the leaves that have fallen, gingerly placing the flowers, rearranging them to his liking. “I kissed you goodbye that morning. Had to tear myself away, but I couldn’t leave without a final kiss. And I don’t know if you remember it, but you kissed me back. It was all I could think about on the way over, the one thing that kept me sane in the trenches, the thought that even in your sleep, you could recognize me, and how I wanted every morning to be like that.”

Wetting his lips, he leans in, pressing a soft kiss to the cold marble, eyes squeezed shut and remembering a tender moment that not even the most brutal torture could pry from him.

“Goodbye, sweetheart.”

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[n-o-m-a-d-i-c]

Part II: Journey to McKinney

So, after we officially met, we talked for about six months while I was still overseas because I had no clue God was positioning and preparing me to return back home. I felt impressed by the Holy Spirit to put in my letter of intent for the following year that stated I would not be returning to Taiwan. This happened a month after I met him. He was ecstatic! I was apprehensive because I did not know what God was doing and neither did I know what my immediate future held but I had faith and trusted GOD although I couldn’t trace his direction at the time. So, throughout the course of the six months I wanted to know that this man was truly from GOD, so I watched his every move, proved his character and opposed him in every way. But what stood out the most was his patience with me. He never once showed his displeasure although he had every reason to. I constantly used every excuse to not move forward with him because of the pain from other men that I had experienced in the path. He knew a month after we met that he wanted to be with me PERIOD. I was not yet convinced. I was apprehensive and faithless. You see when you have been hurt for years by men who did not live up to your expectation or the standard as a man of GOD you become cautious. And as women we constantly build up walls that the RIGHT man of GOD has to tear down because of the pain you endured prior to his encounter with you. BUT the RIGHT man will be willing to take down the wall brick by brick to get what GOD has for the both of you! PRAISE HIM!!!!! I can honestly say I was a MESS, but GOD turned my MESS into HIS MESSAGE! I had no clue how much work GOD was about to do in me through him! And vice versa! You see the road to marriage brings you to HOLINESS! It strengthens your prayer life, makes you selfless, gives you true understanding of the word sacrifice and teaches you much forgiveness and unconditional love. If you are not willing to experience these things, then getting married may not be for you! I say this because what I have learned is becoming one begins way before you say, “I DO”! As both of you chooses GOD each day, he shows you, your reflection in the other person and you are literally looking at an outward appearance of the inward struggles that you may have been dealing with your entire life. I always say to my fiancé we are so much alike but yet we are so different. Also, I’ve learned that there is so much that “they don’t tell you”. “They” are society and what it means to truly be in a GOD-FEARING RELATIONSHIP. There are so many nuances built within the relationship that you begin to discover them in an experiential way that matures you and prepares you for the road ahead. Ok, now that you have that insight let me get back to the story.

So, we talked for six months on and off, over the phone because I was not yet sure I wanted to commit to anyone while I was overseas not knowing where my next destination would be. But, unbeknownst to me he felt that the holy spirit was leading me back to Atlanta within a short amount of time. He did not think God would let him meet me and have this extended relationship be abroad the entire time. So, as I was closing out one chapter of my life, another one was just beginning and I left Taiwan only to have several opportunities waiting for me to accept in Atlanta, a JOB, A PLACE, and A MAN! God is a PROVIDER!!!! What He has for you will ALWAYS BE FOR YOU!!!! Yet, I was still nervous about ONE of those things and that was my man. You see I realized that what made me nervous was the fact that I really was not trusting GOD like I thought I was. I could pick up and move in a heartbeat to go overseas and trust that He would provide everything I needed. But what I had not learned was FAITH to believe that HE could give me the long-awaited desires of my heart that I had hoped for! What stands out to me the most is that we pray, we Pray, and we PRAY for blessings from GOD and yet we don’t really believe that what we PRAYED for will actually happen! And I can attest that I had seen GOD do it for so many of my friends and perfect strangers and although I desired these things, I had lost faith that HE WOULD DO IT FOR ME! Why?! Well, I am glad you asked! I had been so disappointed from the past relationships that did not come to fruition that I doubted GOD’S ability to do it for me at this point in my life! But GOD in HIS INFINITE MERCY and GRACE did exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ask or think according to the power that works in us! Ok, so this is the good part! After about NINE months of pursuing me! He was finally at his wits end! We said our goodbyes, yes goodbyes and I was moving on with my life, so I thought! But I was restless because when GOD wants you to do something, HE is relentless especially when HE knows it’s HIS PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE! I was restless and I called him to meet up with me. He obliged and came that day to meet me. I had asked GOD if I was really hearing him right then let him be willing to meet me that day in just a few hours on this short notice. I prayed this prayer then reached out to him and he immediately responded and said YES! Just after we had already parted ways and said our goodbyes, a few days before! So, we met and I poured out my heart to him saying how sorry I was for opposing him and that I was ready to commit to him and how GOD was showing me that I did not trust HIM and I was not exercising FAITH because I allowed the pain of my past to blur my vision of the future ahead! He listened intently to me and politely declined my offer! Yesssssss, ladies he was done with me! I mean I was looking like a WHOLE SNACK and he STILL declined! The DEVIL is a LIAR! LOL! But, he was tired of the back and forth and indecisiveness that I exuded because I just couldn’t believe that this was the answered prayer that I had hoped for, for many YEARS not because I did not want to believe but because I could not believe past the pain, the hurt I had experienced outweighed the joy that was awaiting me! I mean, could I blame him? He was patient and diligent for NINE months and still nothing and now I am ready to move forward. But, you see GOD was teaching both of us a lesson that would last a lifetime in his timing, in exercising faith and in submitting and surrendering to His will even when it doesn’t make sense at the time. So, I respected his answer and we said our official goodbyes. And before we parted ways, I hugged him so tight as if I would never encounter him again. And with that hug from both sides came an influx of emotions that immediately brought on a wellspring of tears that were uncontrollable. I had never confessed or opened up to a guy like I did that night and became so vulnerable just to be rejected and sent out empty. But I was at peace because I had been obedient to what GOD was telling me and had been telling me for such a long time and in that moment, I trusted him although at this point nothing was making sense. So, a little over a month went by and I was supposed to meet my friend out of town. We had scheduled and planned this trip, but I was not really impressed to go! So the day before, I cancelled the trip which eventually worked out because she texted me later that day and said her daughter had a terrible fever that night and we would not have been able to meet up even if we tried. That day was the Sabbath and I asked GOD where he wanted me to attend church? This is my custom as I want to hear the message, He has for specifically for me. And lo and behold He sends me to my fiancé’s church! I was a bit apprehensive, but I was obedient and went. Side note, I looked extra cute that day! LOL! And before I went in I said GOD if you do not want me to see him then let me slip in unnoticed. If you do want me to see him then let our paths cross organically. And lo and behold I walk in and he is one of the FIRST faces I see! He immediately called me over and I signaled to him that I needed to run to the lady’s room and when I came back he greeted me. Well, you see unbeknownst to me he was not scheduled to be there that day as well. He was not planning to go to his church, he was planning to go somewhere else. But GOD!!!!! He had his Aunt ask him to come and help her and his uncle serve for Senior Day. So, he was at a designated table helping the seniors and my heart just melted. You see I am a MISSIONARY at heart and his desire to serve was what I needed to see to reassure me that he was the one for me! So, he introduced me to his Aunt and Uncle! I immediately fell in love with them and he stated how beautiful I looked, and I said how handsome he looked, and I walked away quickly because I felt tears streaming. The entire service I cried, wondering why GOD had brought me there to see him when clearly, he was no longer interested. But, little did I know that GOD was working on his heart and mine to bring us back together. That entire week he was restless until he called me at the end of the week! I was out of town at an attorney’s retreat. I had missed his called so he was on the other end thinking I was dismissing him and wondering if he should’ve reached out and would I call him back, all of these emotions because he knew as well as I did that we were destined to be! So, when I did see his missed call, I sent him a slew of pics from my beautiful destination and I called him on video and his face immediately lit up! We both smiled talked and he asked me out because for my birthday, which was the following week! And unbeknownst to him I had scheduled a private birthday dinner with a personal chef to come and cater to my friends and I. But, I asked GOD again what I should do for my birthday? The reason I asked is because we have our little menial plans but GOD has the MASTER PLAN and He has the BEST SURPRISES so I wanted to make sure this birthday would be MEMORABLE so I asked HIM and indeed it was! Side Note: Start TRUSTING GOD with ALL OF YOUR PLANS and watch HIM blow your mind! Ok, back to the story! Then the chef ended up canceling the gig and I cancelled the party and was feeling quite sad. So, I said to GOD the only other thing I would want to happen is for my fiancé to ask me out for my birthday since now I officially had no plans anymore, this was the secret prayer I prayed a week before he reached out to me. So, that’s why he was restless all week until he obeyed GOD’s voice to answer my SPECIAL prayer! Then a week later we spent the day together and he was so into me and so happy and so ready to be all mine! LOL! And because I noticed a change in his behavior then later that night, I asked him what did he want from me? And he asked me to be his girlfriend! It was FINALLY happening!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAY! And of course before he could finish I said YESSSSSSSSSSSS! It had been such a long road but quite a real experience! This ROAD TO GIRLFRIEND was a MILESTONE but the JOURNEY TO MCKINNEY has been REVOLUTIONARY so part III YESSSSSSSS part III is COMING SOON because there are LEVELS to this!!!!!