#again not excusing ashton

[angelsndragons]

sooo let’s talk about ashton, since all the cool kids are doing it. warning: long post word vomit.

i’m seeing some pretty hot takes about their character and about the way they talked to laudna but a lot of these takes are missing one key point of ashton’s character: ashton suffers from a traumatic brain injury. it’s not just chronic pain on their side, their brain literally does not work “correctly” anymore.

in no particular order, tbi have been linked to the following:

Speech difficulties (both in word usage/recall and in actual pronunciation)

Memory issues (recalling older information, retaining new information, chronology and cause and effect)

Sensory disturbances

Difficulty with numbers, often exhibited as issues with money

Inability to recognize objects/people (not necessarily sight oriented, can be any of the senses)

Issues with emotional regulation

we’ve seen evidence of all these issues across the campaign. ashton fumbles for his words constantly (even more so than taliesin himself), they have had problems with bright lights and once punched himself after the deep brain dive to reorient/ground himself, we had the whole lens incident (memory and impulse control issues), and so on.

i’m not excusing ashton’s words because lord howdy were they a dick to laudna. but ashton is a member of the hells and that means their control issues -in ashton’s case their fucked up brain- cut and slam against other party members’- in this case, laudna reestablishing control over her life-, often without malice or intent. it’s a pattern that’s followed the hells from their inception. just this episode we also had imogen’s desire to be free of her power, to let go, to be normal cut deeply into orym’s pain and grief. fcg’s quest to absolve themself of responsibility and to grapple with what sentience fundamentally is keeps stepping all over fearne and imogen’s control issues; it’s not for nothing that fcg’s holy symbol is the very coin that decided between orym and laudna. whether fearne lied about the coin flip or not is irrelevant, that coin is now inextricably linked to the party’s greatest trauma and fcg keeps waving it (and what it represents) in their faces.

ashton is usually very good at keeping their bullshit from messing with someone else’s bullshit. but drink and jealousy and the end of the world make it harder to do. and ashton is fucking tired.

milo was not a member of the nobodies. never has been. they hired the nobodies for several small jobs and went on the hexum break-in but they are not one of the nobodies. milo saved ashton. the nobodies are the orphans from bassuras who said ‘fuck that shit’ and went to make something of themselves. together. the nobodies left ashton for dead. their friends, kids they grew up with, the closest things they have to a past, left them. and ashton’s starting to realize that maybe they didn’t have to. that yeah, sure, it might have been the smart move but that doesn’t make it the right move. that, combined with their jealousy and certainty that something is Up with their past, seems to be driving ashton to dredge up long buried anger and frustrations. i don’t think they’re coming apart like fcg but cracks are definitely forming in our punk rock.

the thing that fascinates me about ashton’s perspective, past, and memory is that all three are notoriously unreliable. and there’s something going on there. because the narrative’s not quite right. it’s not any one thing, really. it’s the discrepancy between milo’s “it was just a smash and grab, just ransacking someone’s house,” the “shipments are scheduled and coming regularly, it’ll be there” planning session, sally’s insistent “did you find it, did you find it,” and ashton’s inability to recall what precisely they were there for. it’s milo’s “everything’s kind of fuzzy about that night,” ashton drawn to the vials without knowing why, holding onto one through a split skull and near death experience, and the slightly different loops of events matt’s treated us to. it’s ashton’s initial ‘hexum is harmless, she’s upfront and has her moods, we work well together’ gradual shift to ‘she is the worst person i know and i don’t want to indenture myself to her again but i will if i have to.’ it’s the fact that hexum only brings up the “closure” of ashton’s debt after she hears he has a new crew and that ashton pretty strongly thinks she fucked with their brain (for the record, it’s my theory that ashton paid off the “debt” a long time ago but their tbi prevented them from keeping close enough track of the money to realize this and hexum kept using it until such a time that he had other people he was earning money with again). it’s all the possible permutations of ashton, it’s the way that the hishari and his parents vanished from their memory long before the campaign started. it’s the growth and regression (this is not who i thought i’d be versus i thought if i indebted everyone enough and i love you all versus i hate you all a little). it’s the gaps and cracks and puzzle pieces that don’t quite fit together.

taliesin has a knack for exploring characters in the negative spaces, in the holes, in the things left unsaid. molly’s multiple choice past and flippant disregard for someone he wasn’t, kingsley’s ‘i’m trying to make new mistakes,’ and caduceus’ quiet trauma and recovery. i honestly can’t wait to see what comes next for ashton, it’s going to be exciting.

[kindahoping4forever]

AshtonIrwin: It’s always been you against the world 🌎 🪽💪

[astralleywright]

No literally, the gods discussion thing is so funny to me bc, and I hate to be mean but, the c3 setup seems like such a clearcut example of a "characters will likely experience moral dilemmas due to the villain having some points" situation. I mean, clearly the intention with this story was to pose these questions and make the audience wonder & discuss who's right and wrong and that whole deal. And yet. 90% of people took one look at it and went "yeah everything a villain says is wrong and evil forever and ever amen 😇" like skdjsksk

YEAH WXACTLY DHDGGSGS.... i especially felt this way during Hearthdell which rlly was like. Baby's First Colonialism Storyline. (complimentary, I think it was a great introduction to what Matt was clearly intending to be a recurring theme) like. the players were literally talking out of game abt how much the Dawnfather's soldiers clearly sucked during that first episode. But Matt making the (brilliant) choice to have Abbadina be inspired by Ludinus' speech and to dislike the gods made people lose their minds so thoroughly that they were inventing colonialist propoganda on Vasselheim's behalf

[souperbloom]

in through the out door. [A.I.]

title snatched from the led zeppelin album of the same name

🪴roommate!Ash x reader

cancelled plans and a Saturday night in with your roommate, Ashton, brings you to make some rash decisions. ones that you don’t necessarily regret.

a/n: i’ve been obsessed with the roommate trope since this has been sitting in my drafts. i’ve been working on this one for so long im absolutely in love with roomie ash he is my golden boy

heavy inspo from @badomensbaby (i’m obsessed with you)

the gif i put is exactly the ash i pictured for this but feel free to picture whatever era you’d like :3 cocktail chats!ash is vERY GORGEOUS TO ME!

this is a long one, brace yourself. thinking abt making roomie ash into a series— let me know!

CONTENT WARNINGS: fluff n’ smut!, brief mention of smoking, playful banter/pet names, oral (f/m!receiving), size kink (kinda), pnv/riding, praise kink.

WORDCOUNT: ~10.3k

⋆⭒˚｡⋆

Stars glistened in the velvety pitch black sky while the pale moonlight trickled down to illuminate your apartment balcony. A perfect summer night, somewhat dictated by cancelled clubbing plans, had now left you stranded.

Okay, stranded may be a bit harsh. You suppose ‘unsatisfied’ was a slightly more fitting word to describe the scenario you had been left in.

The cancelled plans in question prompted a late night hang out and smoke session with your long time friend and roommate, Ashton. Also known as, the biggest pain in your fucking ass.

"Heads or tails?"

Ashton was a homebody. Occasionally stepping out of his comfort zone in order to entertain the people he loved, Ashton was no stranger to making quick celebrity appearances at social gatherings. But he was also no stranger to dodging plans and making excuses to stay home and rot.

So when your old friend Luke had texted the two of you in a group-chat saying that plans had gone awry, Ashton had no complaints.

"Why are you asking me that?" you chuckle towards your slightly dazed roommate, sitting crisscross in your wicker patio chair.

"Don’t ask. Just pick. Heads, or tails?"

You gnaw on the inside of your cheek for a moment, watching as Ashton tosses a quarter mindlessly in and out of his palm.

Watching the coin occasionally catch the lighting of your balcony made you wish it was some sort of disco ball or strobe light. But then again, there was no possibility of you changing the events that unfolded well over two hours ago, so it was in your best interest to just forget about it.

"Hm. Heads."

"Heads?" Ashton echoes, sitting up slightly in his chair to take a hit of the joint you were splitting.

"Yeah, heads. Don’t know why but— I just feel it."

With an eyebrow raised, he shrugs, before tossing the coin up into the air and catching it with his other hand. He slaps the quarter onto the inside of his wrist; but the up side remains covered by his palm.

"Heads, right?"

"Yeah. Heads. That's what I just said, dumbass."

His side glance to you indicated that your blunt insult had rolled right off of his shoulders. He took in an exaggerated deep breath before removing his palm from the coin.

"Tails."

"No shit. You’re lying. Show me."

Ashton chuckles and picks up the coin, showing you the tails side of the quarter; the side it had landed on.

"You had a 50/50 shot and you blew it. What are the fucking odds of that?"

Slightly annoyed by this stupid game of chance, you scoff. "Did you really just make a big show of that to make me feel stupid?"

"I wasn’t trying to make you feel stupid. Then again, it’s not my fault that you are—"

You cut him off by shooting him an icy glare. A watch your mouth kind of glare.

"—Sometimes. Not all the time."

"That’s what I thought… Now, pass it. You’re hoggin’ the shit."

Begrudgingly, Ashton does what you had asked of him. He ashes the joint into the ashtray before extending his arm across to you. You pluck the stick from between his fingers with a satisfied smile, before taking a pull yourself.

Ashton’s mannerisms, although mildly annoying, had become somewhat of a comforting thing to you. You appreciated the way he always did the things you asked him to; despite occasionally putting up a fight about them. He was also very kind when need be— a shoulder to cry on, an open ear to listen. You lucked out in the friend department, and you couldn’t have been any happier with the outcome of the game of chance you played when you asked him to be your roommate.

The second bedroom of that two bedroom apartment could’ve gone to anyone. But Ashton jumped at the chance.

Now that you thought about it; it was kind of like a coin flip. 50/50 odds of success.

"The sky is so fuckin’ clear tonight. I feel like I’m tripping or something."

You shake your head, briefly knocking you out of your Ash-induced space out, "Nah, I see it too. It’s like, so clear, that it feels like it shouldn’t be— y’know?"

Ashton turns to face you, biting back a teasing smile. You return the glance as well. "What? Why're you making that face?"

"Be honest with me. Do you think about the end of your sentences before you say them?"

"You’re such a dick!" You chuckle, knowing full and well that whatever you had just said indeed made zero sense, "I thought you were too blitzed to notice."

"I’ve got the tolerance of a 100 year old tortoise. Nothin’ gets me that blitzed anymore."

"That’s a you problem then. Personally, I could take one wrong hit and be knocked out for the rest of the night. Depends on the day, really."

These kinds of meaningless conversations were, sometimes, the best part of your day. With yours and Ashton’s lives being so seperate, despite living under the same roof, it was nice to have someone to talk about nothing with.

He was like a palette cleanse. The calm amidst the chaos.

Although, to describe Ashton Irwin as calm was quite a generous compliment.

"How ya' feeling right now? Since it depends on the day, according to you."

Taking his question with careful consideration, you stretch out your legs and arms, before rising to your feet. A blissful sigh falls past your lips while your limbs fall limp, the joint still dangling between your fingertips.

You glance over at him to catch his attention, but he had already been watching.

"I feel fucking fantastic."

"Good to hear," Ashton agrees, "Me too."

"Oh yeah?" you challenge, walking over to the balcony and leaning your elbows onto it to look off and speak into the distant sky, "What’s got you feeling so good?"

There’s a brief silence that falls over the balcony. One that’s unbroken; eerily quiet, with nothing else but the rhythmic summer sounds of crickets and cicadas.

Your brows furrow at this deafening pause, bringing you to look over your shoulder back at him.

He was still just staring at you.

With hooded eyelids and a passive smile, Ashton’s eyes traipse down your body, a glimmer within them that made a pit form in your stomach. A glimmer that you hadn’t really noticed until right now.

Maybe it was the lighting from the patio, or the mix of moonlight and a foggy head; but he looked— different.

The way his button-down hung loosely off of his shoulders, displaying his sharp collarbones and assortment of stacked necklaces. The way his arms tensed each time he reached up to fiddle with the necklaces in question. It was all putting you into a— compromising headspace.

His posture was relaxed, yet you sensed a bit of urgency in his eyes. You weren’t quite sure where to place it.

The reaction you were having to these small details of his demeanor were making you sick to your stomach; it felt right to break the silence.

"You gonna answer my question? Or are you just gonna stare at me?"

Ashton shakes his head and reverts himself back to eye contact. He blinks a few times, rolling his lips inward as he continues to tamper with his jewelry.

"What? What did you ask me? M’sorry— Maybe I am a bit higher than I thought."

You turn around completely so that your back is pressed against the railing of the balcony, giving him your full attention. "I asked what’s got you feeling so good… Guess I just answered my own question."

"Oh," Ashton mumbles, sinking deeper into the cushion he was resting on, "Yeah."

You quietly clear your throat at the awkwardness, due to how evident and absolutely mortifying it felt. Ashton’s gaze had long left yours and was now staring out into the sky, following the stars while he drummed his fingers mindlessly against the wicker.

Something inside of you was doing summersaults and whatever it was felt oddly new. It was awfully strange how you couldn’t seem to pull your eyes away from him, not even for a second.

You didn’t even want to attempt asking yourself why suddenly, out of the blue, your roommate and closest friend of 5 years was now looking like a meal ready to be devoured.

It’d be too complicated.

"What the hell are you looking at?"

Ashton interrupts your slight mental turmoil, his voice low and authoritative.

"Uh—"

"You were looking at me. Don't do that."

"Oh, so you can look at me, but I can't look at you?"

Your brow furrows, crossing your arms over your chest as you glance down the light hitting the pendant of his necklace.

"It's impolite to stare," Ashton taunts, "And now you're looking at my boobs. How dare you."

"Shut the fuck up! I was not 'looking at your boobs.' I was looking at your fuckin' necklace. God you're such a jackass."

"I hate to break this to you, but someone who wasn't staring at my tits wouldn't get so defensive about it... I don't mind, y'know. With a rack like this, it's hard not to stare."

Ashton pokes his tongue out through his teeth, cupping his pecs with his hands as if he was trying to show off his 'boobs'. You try your hardest not to laugh, suppressing it by chewing on your bottom lip and shaking your head.

"If it makes you feel better," Ashton starts again, sitting up and resting his elbows on his knees, "I stare at your ass all the time."

"You—" your breath catches in your throat, taken aback by his admission, "You what?"

"Okay, shit, don't look at me like that... Now I feel judged."

"I'm not judging you," you chuckle, "I just— didn't think my ass was worth staring at. Plus, I always thought you were more of a boobs kinda' guy."

The tension between you was heating up now, boiling and bubbling over like water on a stovetop.

"Oh, I am. Trust me. 'Stare at those too."

"Ashton!" you squeak, hiding your face in your hands as your cheeks warm pink.

"What?! We've lived together for how many years now? Can't fuckin’ blame me."

The game of ping-pong happening in your head was getting harder to ignore. It could've been the very small amount of weed you'd smoked, or the fact that you've been bored out of your mind since your plans had gotten cancelled, but Ashton was starting to look different.

Very different.

You weren't sure where to step with your next choice of words, but at this point, you really had nothing to lose.

"Is this you finally admitting that you're attracted to me?"

"Hm. Maybe," Ashton replies casually, a bit more casually than you'd anticipated.

"Maybe? Explain."

"Well, you are beautiful. I believe I've told you that before."

Your eyes widen at his compliment, feeling like you were shrinking by the second. "I thought you just said that to shut me up that one time..."

"I may have said it to shut you up but, I did mean it. I'm an honest boy... Notice how you remembered? That's gotta be good for something."

A chill runs down your spine, followed by a genuine, tried-and-true smile. You and Ashton had gone through so, so much together. Breakups, fights between friends, natural disasters; it was easy to let the little things slip past your mind.

But you'd never forget the time he called you beautiful.

"You know Ash, I've never noticed how attractive you are when you're not being a pain in my ass."

Ashton's lip twitches up into a smirk, as if his head had just travelled to where yours has been this entire time.

"I'm flattered. Being a pain in the ass is one of my major selling points."

"Consider me sold," you tease, rubbing your arm as the warm summer breeze flows through the balcony. You watch Ashton's eyes narrow, as he studies your body language with intent. There's a brief pause in time; and Ash seemingly shakes himself out of it with a puff of his chest.

"Ugh, I'm fucking bored," he grumbles, tossing himself back onto the throw pillows.

You nod in agreement, biting your tongue. The next thought to cross your mind was in territory you had vowed to never explore. But it was late, you were pining for something else to do other than stare at him while the tension only continued to grow thicker.

As you said, you had nothing left to lose.

"Me too... wanna fuck?"

Ashton's eyes widen as the world around you just— stops.

"What?"

Oh, shit.

"I— We don't... We don't have to. It— was just a suggestion."

Ashton licks his lips, his face morphing as if attempting to process the words that had just left your mouth. You could already feel the sweat rolling down your temples, beginning to regret having asked him at all.

"You’re fucking with me, aren’t you? Yeah, you’re fucking with me…"

You shake your head, having already dug yourself this deep… Why not go deeper?

"Mmmh, no. I’ve actually thought about it a few times. Honest."

"Oh my god," Ashton chuckles, momentarily ceasing your rapidly beating heart with its playful air, "you’re such a loser."

"Calling me a loser after I’d just asked if you wanted to have sex with me… Real’ charming."

Your cheeks were hot and your lip was now twitching with anticipation. In an attempt to ease your mind and regain some of your composure, you put the joint out in the ashtray.

It may or may not have also been an attempt to step closer to him.

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” he scrambles for recovery, “I didn’t mean it like that, I just— If you’ve thought about it before, why haven’t you said anything?"

"Oh god, can we talk about that another time? If I told you every instance in which I’d thought about having sex with you, we’d be out here all night."

You were feeling slightly more at ease now after reverting back to your playful energy, although the subject matter was still making you sweat.

Ashton’s eyes were wide and somewhat bloodshot, akin to how late it was, and now due to the information bomb that you had just dropped onto him. You felt bad for hitting him with it all at once but, if you’d kept it in any longer, you might’ve exploded.

"Would now be a good time to admit that I’ve thought about it too?"

You trill your fingers against your thigh, now with a pit in your stomach, "Yeah, probably. I guess it’s honesty hour."

"Awesome, awesome," Ashton hums, taking in a deep, shaky breath.

"…Well?" You couldn’t bear to leave the question hanging in the air for any longer.

"Well what?"

"Do you wanna fuck me or not? The offer might expire if you take any longer to answer."

In a hurry, Ashton stands up, wiping his palms on his jeans and adjusting his belt. He looks at you, frantically.

"I mean, shit— yeah… Yeah, I’m down. Fuck it. Why not?"

A small smile spreads across your cheeks as he steps closer to you, "Good, good… Now, don’t make me fuckin’ regret this.”

Without giving you any time to process what exactly had just happened, Ashton is barreling towards your legs. He wraps his biceps around your thighs before tossing you over his shoulder, leaving you to dangle with your face and arms hanging above the ground.

"Ash, what the fuck!" you squeal, whacking his back with your hands as he makes it a point to tear open the screen door and start running you through the apartment.

"You told me not to make you regret this!" he giggles, nearing towards, from what you could tell by looking at the floor, his bedroom.

"That didn’t mean to fuckin— oh whatever!" You huff, slightly out of breath, as Ashton fumbles with the doorknob. He kicks the door open, and you laugh at his eagerness.

"How’s that for a grand entrance?" says Ashton, as he lifts you again to lower you down sideways onto his bed.

"You scared the shit out of me!" you chuckle, regaining your vision as you had become somewhat dizzy.

"My bad. ‘Thought that move would boost my sex appeal."

The two of you laugh for a moment as Ashton gets situated on his bed. He sits with his back nestled against the headboard and you watch sitting at the foot of it, unsure of where to go next.

Once he’s all settled into place, he looks at you with a warm smile before patting the top of his thigh. "Have a seat."

"Don’t mind if I do."

With that same smile still plastered onto your face, you crawl over, and straddle yourself onto his lap. His hands remain stagnant at his sides, as do yours. There was an odd feeling swirling in your chest that came along with the closeness, but you couldn’t describe it.

"This is weird. I don’t think I’ve ever been this close to your face before," Ashton comments, his eyes wavering as they scan the features of your face.

"Yeah… To think that we’ve been roommates for 5 years and haven’t even kissed. Our self control is truly remarkable."

"Well, if it’s still honesty hour, I’d like to add that I’ve thought about that too."

Ashton swallows. You could feel his hand jittering around down by your calves as he moves the other up to cup your waist.

"Thought about what? Kissing me?"

"Mhm… It was that Fourth of July party with Luke and them down at the beach— a few years ago. I was drunk out of my fuckin’ mind… May or may not have rambled to Luke and Cal about how badly I wanted to kiss you on the pier."

"Drunk words are sober thoughts," you grin, feeling more comfortable with his weathered palms grazing your skin. "But that’s kinda’ sweet. I didn’t think you had it in you to be that sweet."

"I feel like if I did it with no buildup it would’ve been awkward as shit. But, I appreciate the compliment."

You scoff, finally feeling enough confidence built up within you to rest your hand on his neck. "Ash, after all the shit we’ve been through, I don’t think anything can be awkward between us."

"Well, I guess this can be added to the list of ‘shit we’ve been through’, yeah?"

The frantic, nervous energy around you had begun to settle, pooling onto Ashton’s plus grey comforter. You gaze around the room, taking in all of the details you would’ve never noticed if it weren’t for a moment like this.

"Nice place you’ve got here," you comment, your eyes darting around at the various band posters and random findings scattered around Ashton’s off white walls. Stolen street signs, pushpins serving as necklace holders, birthday cards from yourself and whoever else celebrates with him. It was all so unapologetically him, and it was making you feel a bit sick.

Ashton chuckles at your apprehension, beginning a slow rhythm of drumming his fingers against your hip. "Why’re you acting like you’ve never been in here before? Is someone nervous?"

"Nervous? Me? No, never. I’m as cool as a cucumber," your lip twitches, your hand traveling from his neck down to rest onto his bare chest. "Although I must say, your chest is fucking hairy."

"You sure you’re not nervous?"

"What makes you think I’m nervous?" You cannot seem to pull your eyes away from the necklace pendant sitting between his pecs.

"You like to say random shit when you’re nervous. I know you a lot better than you think, bubs."

You freeze at the nickname, the one Ashton had lovingly coined you with a few years back; it seemed different coming out of his mouth now, speaking on the fact that you were inches away from his face and straddling his lap.

A lot of things felt different now.

"You’re right, shit. I’m sorry… I swear I’m not usually like this I— I’m normally a lot sexier—"

"Is it different ‘cause it’s with me? Because we don’t have to do this if—"

"No—" you cut him off abruptly, shaking your head with a reassuring smile, "I want to. I wanna’ do this. With you. It— it was my idea after all. No backing out now."

The rhythmic tapping of his fingers on your hipbone had turned into a gentle, soothing rub. It was oddly relaxing, the way his fingertips felt brushing against you.

It had even distracted you enough not to notice how his resting hand had traveled up to your waist to match the other.

"So… do we just— go for it?" Your voice comes out a bit shakier than you’d planned.

Ashton’s lips weave into a straight line, a sardonic look in his eye, masked with obvious amusement. It was clear he was entranced by your awkward charm.

"I dunno’. I didn’t really think this far ahead."

That comment earns a smile out of you, you whack his chest gently which is proceeded by a soft ‘oww’ from Ashton.

"We should stop talking. Maybe that’ll help," you suggest.

Ashton nods, his eyes fixed on your lips as he pulls his own to the side, "I like that idea… Any idea to get you to stop talking is a great idea to me."

"Fuckin’ dick," you tut, watching that smile of his turn into something a bit more wicked, "Maybe if you stopped being an asshole, I would’ve kissed you by now."

"What’s with all the ‘maybe’s? Maybe this, maybe that… You’re all bark and no bite. That’s what it sounds like."

"Or…" You trail a seductive finger down to the first fastened button of his shirt, "…Maybe you’re nervous too, and you’re stalling."

Ashton shifts beneath you, adjusting his hips to meet yours and suddenly the feeling of his body is threatening to pull a soft whimper from your throat. He notices the subtle notch in your brow, and the way his touch affects you.

Oh, who are you kidding. Nothing about you goes unnoticed around him.

"Not stalling, no. Just wanna make sure your head doesn’t pop off your shoulders from how fuckin’ nervous you are."

You don’t respond to his comment. Instead, you just fiddle with his shirt collar, your mind already racing at the thought of the events threatening to unfold. Despite your timid manner, Ashton speaks again.

"Bubs, if you wanted me to take the lead, you should’ve just said so."

There was something swirling in the pit of your stomach now, that tension from before reclaiming its rightful place above your heads. You tilt your head to the side and admire his plump, rosy lips; the shades of fern and honey spilling into his irises and making them shimmer.

This newfound infatuation was becoming an issue.

Without another word, and no sense of anything else to do, you lean in slowly. You could feel as Ashton holds his breath the moment you start to tilt your head forward. But rather than closing the space between your lips and his, you place a quick kiss on his cheek.

You pull away. Ashton chuckles.

"That was cute."

"Shut up," you mutter, heat instantly rushing to the apples of your cheeks.

Ashton then leans in as well, that same, agonizingly slow speed in which you did, and pushes a gentle kiss onto your cheek.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"How would this be making fun of you? I’m just reciprocating what you’re comfortable with."

At this point you can’t seem to control the way your words are just falling from your mouth, "Well, I know I’ve kissed your cheek before, I think— it was probably a really long time ago. I thought it would be easier than to just go for it all at once. Because then if I did, I’d—"

Just as you’re rambling on and on about everything and nothing at the same time, Ashton places his index finger onto your lips, smushing them together and instantly shutting you up.

"Y/N. Please. Stop talking."

You pout, feeling him switch that index finger to a thumb, and use the rest to cup your chin. He drags that same thumb down your bottom lip, slightly parting your mouth and drawing a very, very quiet whimper out of you.

"Let me take the lead, alright? You trust me?" he asks, eyes earnest and longing.

"Mhm," you reply, melting like ice cream on a hot summer day.

"Good," he hums, satisfied, still holding your chin loosely, "Now c’mere."

It felt as though there was an entire galaxy of stars and planets behind your eyes and you pinch them shut, leaning in to finally bridge the gap between your lips and his. The first touch felt like a flame igniting in your chest— the taste of him a lot sweeter than you’d imagined.

And you’d imagined this a lot more than you’d ever admit.

He hums into you, that hand once stagnant on your hips now wandering up and down your sides. The kiss itself was slow, yet the fervor behind your wordless exchange was picking up pace. And fast.

You couldn’t even process how quickly the kiss began to deepen, his tongue now exploring and tangling with yours.

There was something deeply satisfying about kissing Ashton; like an itch you were just dying to scratch. You felt so comfortable in this satisfaction, enough to lace your hands around his neck and up into his cleanly cut curls.

Your hips were working on their own time, subtly grinding down into his crotch and creating friction that just felt like heaven. It was an indescribable feeling.

Ashton pulls away suddenly, leaving you to stammer slightly and a small sigh to slip past your throat.

"I’ve gotta get this off of you," he comments, tugging at the hem of your tee.

"Ditto," you smile, wordlessly beginning to undo each button of his shirt, as far as you could reach.

It was now a frenzy of undressing one another; soft giggles and glimmering smiles with each article of clothing removed until it was down to his boxers and the underwear you had blindly picked out of your drawer this morning. But despite the unfortunate pair of briefs, Ashton’s fond gaze remained.

"If I knew this was happening, I would’ve put more effort into picking out my shit this morning," you say, reclaiming your place on his lap.

"It doesn’t matter to me, bubs," he quips, taking his broad palms and cupping your ass above your underwear, "They won’t be on for much longer."

"You’ve got quite the mouth on you Fletch," you giggle, taking in how obscenely he was biting down on his bottom lip, "Might have to put it to good use tonight."

Before you could blink or even think of another word to say, Ashton is cracking down his palm onto your asscheek, echoing a loud, playful smack.

"Way ahead of you, smartass."

The kiss from before picks back up in a frenzy, like it was some competition of who could bite the shit out of each other’s lip faster. You loved the energy that he was exuding; his demeanor and playfulness still remaining the same while driving you absolutely up the walls in arousal all at once.

"My God, you kiss like an angel—"

The words tumble past Ashton’s lips and knock into yours, the compliment instantly reddening your cheeks.

"You’re just saying stuff. Stop being stupid," you whine, feeling your decorum slipping through your fingertips as they traced circles up and down his jaw.

"I’m not saying this all to humor you, you know. As I’ve said a million times, I’m an honest man."

"You’re really beating the shit out of that dead horse, Ash. How many times in a night are you gonna call yourself honest?" You can’t help but giggle, overwhelmed by the feeling of his skin.

"If you’re gonna call my bluff, then I’m gonna’ keep reinstating the fact that I’m honest. Humble brag."

You puff your lips, swatting him on the chest and letting his silver chain catch onto your finger, "Whatever."

Ashton pauses all movements for a moment, examining your face. You could see his pupils and how they doubled in size the moment they reached your collarbone.

"Wanna start pickin’ up the pace here. I’m getting quite frustrated."

"Sexually? Or are you frustrated with the fact that your roommate is super fucking hot?"

He scrunches his nose, a dimple poking out at the bridge of it, "You say I’ve got a mouth on me but— it seems like you learned from the best.

"The walls in this apartment are pretty thin," you admit sheepishly, half embarrassed, half aroused, "I hear everything."

"Is that right?" he quizzes, his hands slowly traveling down your waist to the tops of your thighs.

"Yup. I hear it all."

Although you had never pictured yourself and Ashton to be presented with a situation similar to the one you were in now, a flutter taps through your chest as you recall the many nights you’d spend with your head buried in your pillows. Attempting, and failing, to drown out the sounds of Ashton’s late-night callers.

"And how does that make you feel? Does it— bother you?"

As his question trails off, you feel his hands creeping closer to the inside of your thigh. The sensitive skin that hadn’t been paid any attention since the last time you’d landed yourself a hook-up, a few months ago.

"N-no. Doesn’t bother me. Not that much, at least."

"Well if the sound of my headboard smacking against the wall doesn’t bother you, it’s gotta make you feel something, no?"

You didn’t want to lay out all of your cards, or give him the opportunity to use this shared experience against you in a moment of weakness. If you were more honest with both Ashton and yourself, you’d tell him that the feeling you get when you hear those animalistic noises could only be described as curiosity. Fascination.

And a dash of jealousy.

"I’m indifferent," you shrug, ignoring that wandering hand of his, "I turn my music up louder when I know you have someone over."

"Ah, but you see. That’s not what I hear. You’re as quiet as a mouse when I’ve got company around. Seems to me like maybe you’re interested in what you’re hearing. Or maybe— you’re listening."

Your jaw falls agape at his brusqueness, "Am not! I would never that’s— that’s fucking weird!"

He seemed to be growing fond of how uncomfortable he was making you, but that feeling faded away when his face melted into a smile.

"I’m just messing with you. I couldn’t give a shit if you were listening. Although, the thought of it is creating commotion in my lower half— the more I think about it."

"You’re such a loser," you chuckle, "Put that lip you’re giving me to good use and just kiss me instead."

With no complaints or comebacks, Ashton obliged. You hated how redundant it felt to keep leaning back in for that same kiss over and over— but a part of you couldn’t help it. After thinking about what it would be like to kiss your best friend, and now getting to actually experience it:

You’ll never look back again.

In a daze, you dismantle Ashton’s lap. You aren’t sure what brings you to do this but it’s explained by how quickly he was able to aid you in slipping out of your underwear. The two of you giggle, you smile into the kiss, all of the endearing little things that made kissing him so worth it. You even managed to fully switch places without letting your lips disconnect.

Not even for a second.

"I really like kissing you." Ashton reads your thoughts, as he does quite frequently.

"Me too," you breathe, staring into those glittery sage eyes as they bore into you from above.

“We should just kiss for forever, maybe.”

“Oh my God,” a giggle slips past your lips, “I’ve bewitched you.”

The warmth of Ashton’s body on top of yours was compensating for all of the corny, seemingly lovesick nonsense the two of you were spewing. His laughter alone made tiny little goosebumps surface across your arms as you hooked them around his neck and let your fingers get lost in his curls.

“Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered,” Ashton begins to hum a familiar tune, his voice rich like dark chocolate and flying in through one ear and right out of the other. You can’t help but laugh, overcome with emotions that you haven’t felt in quite a long time.

“You know, I always forget that you can sing.”

He ends his brief song by burying his face into the crook of your neck, starting an eager trail of open mouth kisses down to the base of your throat. His body moves sultrily in tandem with the rhythm of his kisses, his head nearing towards the valley of your breasts.

“Can I kiss you here?”

His eyes perk up to meet yours, momentarily drawing you out of blissful sighs. He uses his index finger to point at your chest, awaiting your permission.

“Mhm. You can kiss me theeere….”

He follows orders. You decide to play along.

“And you can kiss me heeeere….” You move his index finger towards the top of your left breast, pointing at your nipple.

Ashton’s gaze flickers with a pinch of excitement, lips hovering over towards where you had directed him. Without breaking eye contact, he lowers his parted lips to engulf your nipple, and begins to suck on it gently.

That first wave of euphoria rips through your body as he works away at you, his tongue swirling around the bud with purpose. You knew he was a boobs guy but shit, you didn’t know the extent of it. His other hand finds the breast that he had left unattended, massaging it delicately as he teased you with his tongue.

"Jesus Christ, Ash—" your sentence is broken off by your breath getting caught in your throat as he grazes your nipple with his teeth.

A satisfied hum leaves his chest, and he briefly pulls away.

“Can I leave marks on you? Please, God that is so fuckin’ sexy.”

“Mhmm. Sure, do whatever you want, just—"

The moment your permission hits his ears, he’s biting down on the top of your breast and drawing harsh breath from your throat. Surely he’d leave a hickey or two in his trail.

Ashton continues his path of love bites, all of them turning a deep mauve the moment his lips leave the surface of your skin. You thrum in amusement, happy with the pretty douses of color and silently pleading for more of them.

“Fuck,” he mutters, taking a moment to admire his handiwork and trailing his thumb across a particular hickey left on your chest, “I did quite a number on you, didn’t I?”

“Everyone’s gonna make fun of me, I hope you know.”

“If they have anything to say about my artwork, they can take their questions up with the artist, m’kay?”

Ashton’s body was nearing dangerously close to where you were pulsing for him the most. You toss your head back into the pillows when Ashton leaves a few more kisses beside your navel, he was moving awfully meticulously and a part of you was growing impatient.

“Ashton—” you croak out, watching his lips meander down to the top of your thigh as he slots himself between your legs.

“I know, bubs. I know. Getting a bit needy now, aren’t we?”

“Oh Christ, Ash, don’t say it like that,” you attempt to hide your flushed cheeks behind your hands, “I’m not that selfish.”

Ashton doesn’t allow your expression to be hidden, so he takes it upon himself to reach up and pry your fingers away from it.

“Mmmm, greedy. Is that a better word?”

You scoff, “God no, that’s even worse.”

“Desperate?”

“Fuck no.”

“How about you give me an, ‘Ashton, I need you’?”

He smiles the moment his hands come in contact with the soft skin of your inner thigh. Maybe he thought distracting you with jokes and mockery would help put your mind at ease.

“Your impression of me is shitty.”

“I disagree— I think it’s spot on,” he defends, settling into his stomach, “Unless, you wanna prove me wrong.”

“And how would I do that?”

“Well, you’ve gotta say it. Duh.”

You roll your eyes, fighting the urge to grab ahold his taunting face as he hooks his arms around the backs of your thighs. He’s now face to face with your core and quite honestly, you don’t think you’d ever been this wet before. Not for anyone.

Hm.

Your thoughts are interrupted by a low groan, “—Excuse me for being vulgar but fuck, you’ve got such a pretty pussy.”

His words make you bite down on your lip, and your tongue; the chokehold he had on you in this given moment was beyond doubt. You couldn’t find any semblance of a thought to give him, so you just moaned in delight.

“Can I taste you? Please? I’ll make you feel so good— God, you’re just dripping for me, aren’t you?”

“Ashton—” you warn, not entirely sure if you were warning him, or yourself.

“Are you gonna say it?”

“For fuck’s sake,” you roll your eyes, sick of the pestering and condescending questions, “say what?!”

“I’ve been between your legs for less than a minute and you’ve already forgotten what I’d asked you to say! You are unbelievable.”

You could feel the warmth of his words with each breath he took radiating onto your skin, and the thought of him refusing to just indulge you was making you want to bitch and moan.

“God you are so annoying,” you whine, “can’t you just—”

“Just what? Eat you out ‘til you’re begging me for mercy? Is that what you want?”

“I’d prefer that instead of sitting here with your head between my thighs while you argue with me, yeah! This is kind of unfair!”

Ashton tuts softly at your whining, clicking his tongue with a shake of his head. His cheeks lift into a sinister smile as he drags his fingers along the tops of your thighs.

“Well, I hate to be the one to tell you this but, life isn’t fair. Not everybody gets what they want, y’know?…”

Ashton’s new game of hard to get, easy to slap was making you seethe. You didn’t think he’d take your typical, platonic bickering into the bedroom. Especially in such a high stakes situation.

But you figured out this mental game he was pulling fairly quickly, when he gazed sharply into your eyes and muttered these words:

“…And if you want it, you’ve gotta fuckin’ beg for it.”

His eyes flickered with challenge while yours continued to flutter at him with hopelessness. Desperation, at best. You never thought you’d be begging Ashton for anything more than something as mundane as washing the dishes—

But hey, life is strange.

“Ashton, please—” his words are getting to your head the more you think about what his felt like between your thighs, “I need you.”

“Say it like you meeeeaannn iiiit.”

His mocking, singsongy tone could’ve earned him a crack to the jaw on any normal day. But now, he was slowly creeping his hands towards the most sensitive portion of your inner thigh. Enough gentle touching from him could’ve sent you into orbit right then and there.

“Ashton, I want you. I— I need you.”

He cracks another menacing smile, fingertips digging into your flesh and leaving etchings in their place. That face of his was a tell all: this was the end of the beginning.

“Atta’ fuckin’ girl.”

Immediately, Ashton’s head tips down, his tongue dragging slowly across your folds in a motion that sends electricity bolting through your veins. You pant slightly, the sounds you were sure he was listening for trapped somewhere in your larynx.

He repeats this taunting act, eyes closed in bliss. So you take it upon yourself to bury your hands into his curls and pull a moan from his chest.

His skilled tongue was unrelenting, showing absolutely no mercy as he moved it around your clit. You became more confident in the sounds you were making, letting whimpers fly past your lips as you tugged at his curls

“Mmmhhh, fuck,” you groan, hoping your words would pull some sort of reaction out of him. On cue, Ashton’s head pops up slightly, and he makes it a point to replace that nimble tongue with his fingers.

“You like that, don’t you?”

“Yes,” you reply breathlessly, twirling one of those curls around your finger as his makes circles around your clit.

“Mmm, yeah you fuckin’ do… Mind if I get a little rough with you, bubs?”

You blink slowly, watching him stare you down through hooded eyes that were complimented by sun kissed cheeks and freckles. There was no way you could say no to that face, especially since he’d asked so politely.

“O—okay, yeah. That— that’s fine.”

“You sure? Don’t want you to be uncomfortable. Jus’ say the word and I’ll slow down—”

“No— God, no. Please, don’t slow down.”

The words came out of your mouth faster than you could process them, sweat instantly beading across your forehead as Ashton’s face lifted into a smile. Something sinister was behind that damned smile and always had been.

You’d just never really picked up on it ‘till now.

That smile of his faded away between your thighs and the sounds of your heartbeat were quickly drowned out by moans and cries. Ashton dove back in to indulge in you, locking his biceps around your legs and pulling you tight.

“Holy shit Ashton— You— Fuck!”

Ashton does nothing but hum in delight. If only you could see his smug expression beneath the valley of your breasts, but you were glad his mouth was occupied by something other than being a sarcastic piece of shit.

You were thoroughly enjoying how knowledgeable he was of you already; he picked up on all of your signs right away. Obviously, he knew you like the reflection in the mirror and he knew just how much you enjoyed the gentle suckling at your clit and occasional nips on the insides of your thighs.

“Ash,” you pant out, weakened by his tongue, “I’m really fuckin’ close—”

“Hm? What?”

As your stomach bubbled over and made it feel like your insides were coming to a boil, he just fucking stops.

“Why’d you stop?!” your voice was rather whiny, “What the fuck?!”

“Oh my God,” Ashton chuckles at your desperate verbiage, watching your pussy twitch inches away from his face, “You are such a brat. I stopped for like, two seconds.”

“You fucker! I was so cl—”

Before you could even finish your thought, Ashton is dipping back into you roughly. He swiftly unhooks one of his arms from your shaky thigh and slips a finger inside of you, working it in tandem with his tongue to cross you over the finish line.

You yelp, his actions catching you by surprise. As punishment for letting you think he’d edged you, you reach down and dig your nails into his shoulders. Faint red lines start to appear across his tanned skin and his body tenses up, back muscles flaring angrily.

A smile spreads across your face while your eyes roll back into your head, Ashton working circles around your clit with his tongue while fucking into you with not one, but two fingers. He was determined to make you cum, even if your sharp, baby blue nails were leaving cat scratches across his shoulder blades.

“—Ashton, fuck!”

One last shout of his name for good measure had you hurling over the edge. Right as your orgasm is in full throttle, those dreamy jade eyes pop up to meet yours. You make it a point to stare back into them, giving him a show with your pouty, swollen lips and flushed cheeks.

“Oh my god, holy shit— what the fuck,” you sigh. Both Ashton’s fingers and tongue had come to a slowdown, riding you through your high like he was on your back with a saddle. You giggle at the blissful feeling, letting it be known that you were grateful for the attention he had paid to you with a pat to his now sweaty forehead.

“Where the hell did you learn how to do all of that?”

Ashton finally lifts his head up with a smile, still gently caressing your thigh with that calloused hand of his as his face drips with your arousal.

“A magazine.”

“I think that was the best orgasm I’ve ever had in my fucking life.”

As shameful as it was to admit such a thing, Ashton didn’t seem to mind the compliment. You watched in real time as his cheeks turned rosy, not long before he shook his head to brush you off.

“That means whoever you’re sleeping with must really fuckin’ suck,” he comments, shrugging as if it were nothing.

“Hey,” you defend, “it’s not my fault they suck.”

Although this conversation was bringing you back down to earth in some aspects, every other piece of it felt so damn domestic. Romantic. Comfortable. You were able to run your fingers through his hair and push the rogue curls out of his eyes without fear of judgment.

“It kind of is, bubs,” Ashton was now making his way out from between your legs to join you back at the top of the mattress, “You’ve picked some real winners.”

His tone oozes sarcasm but that post-orgasm headspace made anything that left his mouth attractive to you. You giggle softly, dismissing him with your hand as you watch him get comfortable and prop his head up on his arm.

“Oh my God, remember that one guy with the fucking digeredoo? I’m sure he was just— phenomenal in bed.”

“Okay well, playing an instrument takes a lot of skill. Plus, he was hot and bought me a milkshake after the bar. How could I say no?”

You and Ashton were now side by side once again, his eyes raking across your body and sneaking glances down at your wet lips as you spoke. “If that’s all it takes to win you over, maybe instead of laying here next to you I should be out waiting in line for a milkshake.”

“Fuck a milkshake,” you scoff, turning yourself to face him and mirroring his position, “I could lay here all night.”

“Really?” Ashton’s eyes light up. You didn’t think you’d find that endearing but then again, here you are, lying next to him after he’d just whipped you through space and time.

“Yeah. I mean, what else is there to do?”

“I could think of a few things,” he trails off, glancing you up and down, “Round one barely even started. Just sayin’.”

You bite your lip while gazing at him through hooded bedroom eyes. He now seemed to be mesmerized by the small bit of mascara that had begun running down the side of your cheek, stuck on the little black streaks before he took his thumb, licked it, and tried to wipe them off.

“Ash, ew,” you pull away, “Why’d you do that?”

“Oh please grow up, my head was just between your fuckin’ legs.”

“Fair point,” you puff, face still scrunched at him before you flop onto your back with a sigh.

There’s a brief pause between the two of you as you stare up at Ashton’s ceiling fan. He stayed still by your side, taking his index finger and tracing small shapes on your shoulder.

“Damn, was it really that good? Like, ‘stare at my ceiling fan and ponder your life’ good?”

You glance over at his big, needy eyes. His face still flushed with sweat but his gaze telling you more than he ever could. “What’s wrong with pondering life? You wanna go again?” you ask, knowing the answer already.

“Well, yeah. That sure as hell beats staring at the ceiling. But only if you’re up for it. ‘Wouldn’t wanna kick you while you’re already down, y’know?”

“Why are you treating us hooking up like a sporting event?” you chuckle, capturing his hand in yours and rubbing circles across his knuckles.

“It kind of is one except we’re like— playing on the same team… and we both win every game.”

He glances down at your hand with a smile and all you could do was laugh at him through your nose, “You’re fucking stupid.”

“Mmmm, I know.”

In no time, your lips are back on his and he’s pulling you into his chest. The cool metal of his necklace pendant brushes between your breasts and reminds you of what started this whole endeavor. His hands roam your body, every single dip and curve until the only thing he could reach for was something he was already familiar with. You smiled into his mouth, simply because you could.

“Your lips are like sugar,” Ashton grumbles, his words knocking into your teeth as he brushes a lock of your hair out of your face.

“Thanks. Cherry chapstick.”

Ashton’s lips are eager, the kiss is red hot; you’re so ready to experience him fully and that excitement is proven by the quickness of you knocking him onto his back and sliding over to mount his lap.

“I think I like you better from this angle,” Ashton coos, running his hands down the tops of your thighs while you’re straddling his hips.

“What, like I don’t look good from every angle?” you tease back, feeling more confident in your prowess and sexual nature.

“Something about you on top of me— holy shit. If I could take a picture of you right now all fucked out n’ messy…. I’d get it framed and hang it right above the fuckin’ mantle.”

“You’re not too bad yourself, Fletch,” you run your finger down his chest and make the conscious effort to grind your hips down into his groin, “Sex looks amazing on you.”

“You’re such a little minx,” he grumbles, rolling his eyes, “it’s almost painful to look at you right now.”

“Should I take that as a compliment?”

You couldn’t pull your eyes away from Ashton’s plump lips. God they were just so— inviting. If it were socially acceptable to skip the whole sex part and stare at him all night until the sun came up, you absolutely would.

Not that there were any methods to Ashton’s madness, but after hearing him speak so highly about how he performs in bed, you kind of wanted to find out more for yourself.

“Sure, why not. Y/N, you make my dick hurt. Take that how you will.”

“I’m honored, actually. Thank you Ashton.”

Your voice is sultry, pulling your words like soft taffy and making sure they sounded just as sweet. You wanted him to get a taste of this more demure side of you, and also make sure that he never forgets it.

Not many more words are exchanged before you’re dipping down to kiss the center of his chest. Right next to the necklaces that had you tongue tied out on the balcony. He groaned at the action, hands traversing up your thighs and towards your ass to give it a tight, reassuring squeeze.

A few more kisses down the line lead you to the top of his naval. You planted another feathery kiss right above it, for good luck, and shivered as his hands moved with you down his body.

“Oh, I know exactly where you’re headed, bubs. You think you’re slick,” Ashton tries to hide the pillowy shades of pink that fell against his cheeks when your teeth grazed the band of his boxers. But all you could do at that moment was smile.

“M’ not doing anything wrong, am I?” you ask, eyes wide and doe-like as you slip a finger beneath the fabric to tease at his happy trail.

“No no, nothing wrong…” His words trail off, getting lost somewhere in the room. He tosses his head back and you watch those caramel curls just flop against the pillow.

Truth be told, you were intimidated by Ashton. But only in the moment where he’d taken off his jeans and was left in his underwear. You stared down at the sizable bulge, eyes still wide, wondering what was hidden beneath that red and black checked plaid.

You take a moment to let him adjust to your new position, and run a gentle hand across where the fabric hilled. He was hard, really fucking hard. Almost twitching out of the slit in his boxers.

“Ahh, shit—” Ashton hisses at the contact.

“Sensitive?”

“You could say that, yeah.”

When you take his length out fully, you stare at it for a moment. Gazing down at its size and realizing now that all the sounds you’ve heard through the drywall of your neighboring rooms may not have been an exaggeration.

“Holy shit—” you catch your tongue, biting back a smile as you take him in a fistful.

“What?”

“You’re really fucking big.”

The corners of Ashton’s mouth tug up into a catty smile, his tongue jutting out to wet his bottom lip before letting out a satisfied sigh.

“Say that again for me, please—?”

“Don’t test your luck, Fletch.”

After taking a moment to find your confidence back, you slowly ease his leaky tip into your mouth. Ashton hums on contact, body tensing and muscles contorting beneath you as you start a slow rhythm of bobbing your head up and down.

“Fuck,” he whines, brushing the hair that had fallen rogue out of your face, “Look at me. Please— fuckin’ look at me.”

Your attention snaps to his desperate plea and you find his face through your messy hair. His lips were parted, forming a perfect, angelic expression that looked like he was floating on a cloud. When the eye contact meets, those O shaped lips melt into a smile.

“Yeah, just like that,” he praises, watching you take his cock fully down your throat and bat your eyelashes as if it were no big deal, “Keep goin’, keep goin’— God you are just perfect, aren’t you?”

Something about Ashton’s merciful compliments made your core throb even more so than when his head was nestled between your thighs. You loved the way those pretty praises sounded rolling off his tongue, and were now just as eager to hear what else he wanted to say.

“Can y’ take it all?” He asks, knowing damn well you were too occupied to reply.

The only sound you could muster was a weak ‘mmmhf’, before you’re ducking your head down completely to the point where the tip of his cock was knocking into the back of your throat. He moans, you moan; it’s a cadence of obscenities. “Oh my God, Y/N. Hooooly shit—”

You keep your head down for as long as you could take it, swirling your tongue around his length and drawing yourself back up to his tip.

“Ahhh, shit— I can’t— No. Come up here. Come up here right fuckin’ now.”

Ashton grabs your head, gently yet effectively pulling your mouth off of his cock. A trail of saliva follows your lips, your face now burning up as you wince at the lack of him filling your throat.

“I need to fuck you,” Ashton continues, his mind working faster than his body at pulling you up to be level with his face again and getting you straddled onto his waist.

“God, please do— I don’t think I could’ve waited much longer.” You admit, with not a single lick of shame, knocking your sweaty foreheads together as he blindly reaches over at his side into his nightstand.

“You like that, huh? You like it fast n’ rough? I knew it, I knew you did—”

“We’re a lot more alike than you think, Ash,” you breathe out, interrupting your own thought to press a rushed kiss onto his cheek, “You just gotta start paying more attention.”

Eventually, Ashton finds a condom in his drawer and slams it shut with his elbow. He holds the packet between your hurried faces, taking the corner of it to his teeth and ripping it open in one motion.

“I didn’t even have to ask,” you bellow, giggling softly as he hands the condom to you to do the honors, “What a gentleman.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever,” he rolls his eyes and watches you move down to place the condom where it needed to be, “I’m a gentleman regardless of circumstance.”

After successfully getting the condom onto him, Ashton was back on cloud nine. His face came to a pinch when you lent him a few warm up strokes and shifted back to line him up with your entrance.

“You are so goddamn sexy, Y/N,” he mumbles, gazing at you with hungry eyes.

“Really? Tell me again.”

As he opens his mouth to follow your instruction, you sink down onto his cock without warning. A gasp chokes at your larynx as the feeling of him filling you up fogs your senses.

“Ohhh, oh my—”

You’re grasping at straws to say something, slowly swiveling your hips and feeling his length twitch inside of you like the missing piece of a puzzle. Ashton’s hands fly to your hips and stay there, squeezing you tightly enough to leave bruises in the place of his fingertips.

Your motions start off slow, the two of you in momentary shock at the overwhelming sensation; but Ashton doesn’t stay still for very long. He wants to know what you look like when you ride him, how those tits he’s always catching himself staring at bounce as you sway to the rhythm that he claims.

He snaps his hips up into you for the first time, which makes you cry out, a bit louder than anticipated. On instinct, you cover your mouth with your hand to muffle the noise. But Ashton wasn’t having that either.

“Scream for me, baby. I know you want to,” he muses, through bated breaths as his snapping hips become relentless, “Scream my fucking name.”

Although Ashton referring to you as ‘baby’ caught you a little off guard, you could do nothing else but oblige to his request. You whine, you grunt, you moan, calling out and watching it echo and bounce across Ashton’s off white walls until the only sound left in the room was his name.

“Atta’ girl, yeah. You fuckin’ like that? Yeah you do. Look at’ ya’.”

“Ashton, oh my God. Fuck me— harder.”

Your command makes his grip on your hips tighten, “Harder?”

“For the love of God, yes. Fuck me harder!”

The sounds of slapping skin and Ashton’s shaky old headboard banging against the walls seemed to drown out any more of those obscene noises; but your senses were heightened enough to the point where you could hear them all loud and clear. You toss your head back, hair wild and unkempt as the two of you find the perfectly rough rhythm of your hips.

“Ashton, holy shit—”

“Yeah baby, yeah, that’s it— cum for me again. Fuckin’, shit—”

Ashton’s greedy hands fly right up to your chest. He takes your breasts in a handful as you ride him, allowing you to ride yourself all the way through your second and final orgasm of the evening.

An exasperated sigh leaves your lips as you watch his release, in almost perfect unison with yours. His cock twitches inside of you once more and leaves you feeling sensitive, a bit worn out. But you didn’t care about the fact that you’d felt like you’d just run a marathon.

All that mattered was that you felt closer to Ashton than ever.

“Jesus Christ, Ash,” you moan out, dropping your hands to his chest as you lift yourself off of his cock.

“Mmmf—” he winces at the loss of your pussy clenched around him, his next words a bit strained, “it’s a good thing we don’t have any more roommates. You’re like a fuckin’ tornado siren.”

And there was the Ashton you knew and loved; back with a witty comment to top off the evening of multiple orgasms and your new discovery of a praise kink.

“Charming, Ash. Real’ fuckin’ charming.”

Giggles and more banter filled the space around you as Ashton offered to get you cleaned up. He ran through the apartment, naked, collecting up the necessary ingredients for the perfect aftercare session and making sure you had everything you needed to feel comfortable in the aftermath.

“Think you’ll be able to walk right tomorrow?” Ashton chuckles, his knee dipping down into the mattress as he hands you a glass of water.

“I could ask you the same question.”

“Well, to answer that question, I’ll be fine. Someone’s gotta carry you around if your legs don’t work, right?”

You laugh at him, swatting his bare shoulder and taking a sip of that ice cold water.

The rest of the hour was pure, unadulterated bliss. You hadn’t even bothered to check the clock whilst Ashton cleaned you up with a warm washcloth and basically dressed you in your sleep shirt and pajama shorts. You were just happy to know that he was willing to take care of you, whether it be as a friend, or a hookup for the night.

The two of you laid side by side in bed, talking about life, in a philosophical and stupid sense; basically anything and everything before his head plopped down onto the pillows like it were made of bricks.

“Ugh, now I’m bored,” he whines, fighting a smile as he gazes into your wide eyes. Ashton was always one for a callback, but this one seemed oddly intentional.

You look back at him with challenge, running your fingers through his loose curls and dragging your index finger across his sharp cheekbone “You know what you should do?”

“What?”

“You should go get me that milkshake.”

⊹ ₊ ⟡ ⋆

[isagrimorie]

I honestly love how angry Laudna was in the first half of the show, out the gate. The moment Orym called attention to FCG's new clothes, Laudna's face was this:

But even through that Laudna can't help but comment and compliment Imogen on her new look:

Imogen smiles at Laudna: "I love the new look."

She just lit up at Laudna's compliment.

And then Sam just goes straight into it, probably sensing the Drama potential and immediately Laudna's mood shifts from sad-soft to sharp.

Also, of course, Imogen's face when Ashton said: "You were the last person to have a complete breakdown."

Fearne also looked concerned.

And then Imogen's face when Laudna pointed to her and said: "You have a new best friend, apparently."

Completely bewildered by this classification of her friendship with FRIDA. I also love Travis's husband reaction of: 'Uh-oh.'

Imogen is completely startled because out of everyone on Team Wildemount she was the one who didn't want to rest and just want to be on task.

I live for Imogen's 'Excuse me?'

It's so funny because apparently, Laudna didn't get any of Imogen's messages that she WASN'T having any fun sexual or otherwise last episode. Like, Imogen really did need to spell it out for her, and another reason why Imogen decided to just make her feelings plain.

Imogen tries to explain and Fearne is also quick to buck up and defend Imogen. Meanwhile, Chetney offers his sexual healing services.

Laudna looked like whatever Chetney's saying isn't computing with her and later looks like she was half a second away from getting angry at him.

And then much later Ashton and Orym are gently trying to convince Laudna to try and unwind, feel what it's like to be Human again. Taking care of Laudna the way they failed to do, bringing her back from the brink of the abyss.

Imogen doesn't even know yet that Ashton and Orym just let her fall.

Orym and Ashton coaxing her back from the edge, directing her back to life, to Imogen.

And it starts to work especially when Imogen brings up visiting Zhuduanna and their old home in Jrsusar. Signs of the old Laudna seem to be softening her edges and her stare isn't as blank or blankly furious anymore.

But it's true they all need to unwind from the harrowing trip they've all been through.

Still, I feel there's hell to pay if or when Imogen ever found out that Orym and Ashton just let Laudna fall down the abyss and possibly let Delilah back into Laudna.

Fearne is just trying to navigate this seachange of emotions too, she was also deeply affected by the split of the team but she's just much better at hiding it.

(Also, Marisha Ray deserves all the accolades because she's so good!)

[song-of-baldy-ron]

I'm honestly not Anti-Prime Deities but I do get frustrated when I see how hard Matt and the Players try to present this new perspective in C3- that of people who've lived their lives mostly ignored by the gods- only to have their backstories get brushed aside by a lot of the fandom with excuses of "well you didn't try/pray hard enough to get an answer!" Because no matter how much of a good force they've been on Exandria, there are absolutely some things they need to answer for.

Before the Predathos threat was even at large, why didn't any of the gods reach out to Ruidusborn to try and explain what they were? Why is Imogen only hearing from the Stormlord now that he needs her help? Why was Laudna being chased out of towns by clerics for most of her life post-Sun Tree? Why hasn't Ashton received even a hint of the gods listening to their prayers? Maybe all three of them rolled super low on religion/perception checks their entire lives but at some point you'd think one of the gods would answer for one of them.

There isn't a black and white answer to this question but that doesn't mean the question isn't a valid one to ask.

It gets even worse when viewers don't even want to engage with the various perspectives Exandrians have with the Primes, and how they can't all be positive or Ludinus wouldn't have anyone to manipulate/bring to his side. Cults rely on charismatic/convincing leaders but they also need to tap into societal tensions that those leaders can twist in their favor.

This doesn't even touch on the Colonialism of it all (as sympathetically presented as it's been) of the Gods just rocking up on Exandria and changing things to their liking (as ignorant to the consequences as I assume they were).

I get that C1 and to some extent C2 presented very different views on the gods than what C3 is telling us, but it really feels like people are writing off the C3 characters' views on divinity and their relationships with the gods as "Matt retconning the lore he established"/ setting up for some nebulous post-WOTC world where none of the gods exist even though literally no one has mentioned that would be the next step.

Again- I would be upset if Exandria got rid of their gods because I love how complicated they can be especially given what we know now.

But please be willing to engage with the narratives that C3 is bringing to life without relying on what was established in C1 or C2 (when the gods' existence wasn't directly being threatened) as the "true lore" of Critical Role.

[valentiyne]

𝗂𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗌𝗉𝗈𝗍 𝗍𝖺𝗄𝖾𝗇? ꕥ 𝖺𝗌𝗁𝗍𝗈𝗇 𝗂𝗋𝗐𝗂𝗇

Ashton Irwin x Fem!Reader Summary: Getting randomly selected as a seat filler for an award show can't be as boring as it seems. Warnings: None Word Count: 1.3k Copyright © 2023 Valentiyne. All rights reserved. This original work is not allowed to be reposted on any platform in any format.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·..·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·..·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·..·:*¨༺ ༻

Confirmation Code #AI0771994

Hello Y/n!

We received your request form for the annual MTV VMA's seat filler position. Your ticket was randomly selected and we are sending this email as a confirmation of your acceptance.

We hope to see you there!

The MTV Video Music Awards is an award show to honor the best in the music video medium. Of course, I had stumbled upon the application as an ad while scrolling through Instagram- thinking nothing of it when I filled it out months ago.

When I woke up to the confirmation email this morning, I flew out of bed and began picking out an outfit- regardless if I was five hours early. I spent most of the afternoon practicing my best smiles and poses, making sure I wasn't caught on live TV with an embarrassing face.

I stumbled down the steps, constantly checking the time over and over again. It was enough to send chills down my spine- wondering who I would get the honor to sit next to. Justin Bieber? Or even Taylor Swift? A girl can only dream it's someone she adores.

"Ticket please", The man at the front asked in a husk voice, holding up his scanner toward my phone as I showed him the confirmation email instead. His eyes scan it, using his pinky finger to scroll across the email.

"Seat filler..", He scratches his chin for a moment before turning around to speak into his earpiece, leaving me to anxiously bounce between my feet. He snaps back around, pointing behind him before leaning in,

"You're going to go straight down the hall, into the auditorium and find the next open seat. Do not scream or squeal if you're placed by a huge celebrity- it's against your policy and you will be thrown out", He hands me a wristband and I slap it around my wrist, giving him a quick 'thanks' before darting down the hall.

The auditorium was filled to the brim, the loud bickering of voices filled my ears as I tried to focus my eyes at the empty seats. There were limited seats that weren't preoccupied so I found myself circling the same corner until I spotted one in the back. I scooted through peoples legs before plopping down in a vacant seat- or so I thought.

"Excuse me ma'am? You're in my seat", I snap my eyes up and give a faint smile before clutching my purse and brushing past the lady that stood before me. I looked around once more before finding another seat a few rows up.

"Excuse me, Is this seat taken?", I leaned down to ask the man who was busy talking to the brown-haired boy on his right. He averts his gaze over to me before shaking his head and grabbing his water bottle from the seat,

"No not at all, help yourself."

I give him a thankful smile before plopping down beside him, my elbow brushing his as I propped it up on the armrest.

I started at the people seated in front of me, taking numerous selfies of themselves so I awkwardly looked to the right only to be met with hazel eyes staring back at me. He was dressed in almost casual clothes, with the exception of a leather jacket and freshly polished dress shoes. His cologne smelled like it cost more than my apartment's rent and I took note of the fact he may be a celebrity I didn't know.

"Are you a seat filler?", His voice chirps up after a few moments of awkward silence of the self-challenged staring contest. His eyes glance between my eyes and my tight black dress,

"Yeah, are you?", I shift now, turning ever so slightly to the right to fully face him with my purse on my lap.

He gives me a warm smile, flashing his dimples for a mere second before nodding. The announcer, some celebrity who's name I couldn't pronounce, introduces themselves before notifying us that the show was starting. I switch my phone on silent and slide it into my dress' pocket, taking note of the hazel eyed man next to me copying my actions.

A few big named artists preform on the stage in front of me, confetti falling occasionally. I couldn't help but glance over to the boy next to me hunched over to his right with his back towards me. I blow air into my cheeks and begin bouncing my leg nervously. A tap on my arm snapped me from my train of thought and I immediate look down to see a piece of paper at the edge of my elbow.

"This is lame"

I stifle a laugh and look up at him, reaching across to snag the pen from his hand.

"You chose to be here silly"

He leans in closer to read my tiny handwriting before gently taking the pen back,

"Something like that"

He gives a crooked smile and I roll my eyes at him causing him to pass the pen back to me,

"I'm Y/n"

"Ashton"

I whisper his name in my head, trying to put his face to a name before smiling up at him.

"We should do something after this?"

Oh he's bold.

"We could ditch now" I look up hopefully, only to find him shaking his head with a frown.

"Cant" Is all he writes before stuffing the pen back into his blazer and facing his attention to the stage.

I turn my gaze back to the front, subconsciously looking at Ashton through my peripheral vision. He doesn't move an inch nor advert his eyes in my direction for a whole hour.

The announcer walks back on stage, adjusting their hair before speaking.

"As we all know, Song of the Summer is one of the biggest awards to be given out tonight-" They start, toying with the envelope in their hand. "It is voted by fans across the globe and tonight, I'm here to announce who gets the honor to take home this award"

The audience goes silent, my eyes averting back to Ashton whose jaw was now clenched and I could've sworn I saw his eyes watering.

"And the winner for Song of the Summer goes to", the announcer unfolds the tiny envelope in front of them and smiles into the crowd. It was the last award to be given out tonight, and I could see Ashton rubbing his knees with both hands.

"5 seconds of summer!"

Ashton and the men seated next to him shoot up, hands in the air as they start shouting and jumping. The bright spotlight hits my face and I cover my eyes before a rough tug on my arm sends me up from my seat. I'm pulled into a tight embrace, large arms covering my figure as I adjust my head to look up. Ashton was hugging me, jumping up in down with me in his arms.

A song begins playing over the loud speakers and he lets go of me, patting my head before handing me the slip of paper from before.

"See you soon", he shoots me a toothy grin and follows after his friends up towards the stage. I was in disbelief, one second someone is telling you their a seat filler and the next they are a rockstar in sheep's clothing. I turn my gaze to see four pieces of paper taped to the seats that were once occupied by them,

Reserved for: Michael, Luke, Calum and Ashton

I blink a few times before sitting down to read the note that Ashton had handed me.

Hi, sorry for lying. here's my number incase you still wanted to grab a bite to eat?

###-###-####

-Ash Xx

[nephriteknight]

There are pieces of Ashton in Orym's pocket.

He isn't really sure why he picked them up in the first place; he remembers the half-formed thought to clean up, to do damage control, to not leave this important place a mess, and he remembers wondering if Laudna might want them when she came back, for some kind of horrifying art project, maybe. Laudna had run off without a word, and that was another thing to worry about. Ashton was still lying on the ground, and Fearne had stalked off and Orym should really have gone after her, but he hadn't been able to move, to shake his mind from familiar tracks, to do anything but watch his family fall apart. So he fell back on instinct, out of politeness or fear or just needing something to do with hands.

They were almost hot enough to burn when he picked them, and they felt solid in Orym's hands—just a little bit too pliable to pass for normal rock. He'd become familiar with the feel of Ashton's body lately. It had been jarring to feel it so warm; it's worse now that they're deathly cold. Something charred and flaky had coated Orym's fingers as he picked up the pieces, and he didn't realize until later that it was blood.

There are still pieces of Ashton in Orym's pocket as they prepare to leave Ligament Manor and head to the fucking moon. His moon, Orym can't help but think. The little one. And every time Orym puts his hands in his pockets he feels them, and he sees it all over again, and he has to turn to look at Ashton just to prove reality to himself. Once or twice he makes some excuse to walk by them, patting his arm as he goes. Warm, not cold, not burning. Ashton is alive. For now. Orym holds onto the pieces, just in case.

[numba1hateer]

Ranting:UgiGiugi "Fanfic" Moments that truly disgust me. PT 1

⚠️Trigger Warning⚠️

I decided to redo my shitty ranting because the ones I did, if I'm honest, felt very rushed.

Don't mind my shitty ranting.

Julia, though , is 25-29, and yes, Julia should be 29 and Guilia if I remember correctly. Julia is to be born on June 30 and Giulia on June 30 by the information on her fanfics. Yes, being at this grown age surprisingly, the headmaster allows Julia to get "basic household necessities" excuse, but when does that cheapskate of an ancient crow willing to do that?? And ugigiugi confuses me with her school uniform. She says everyone thinks she's a boy yet wears a skirt in some of her pathetic excuse of tracing since she's so fucking lazy is some of them she wears pants or a cardigan?? Huh? I haven't ever seen her wear that other stuff ever again because that's how lazy she is. And also why is she even wearing a school uniform even though she already went to college?? The headmaster would kick her out like he did to Yuu at first, but since Julia is an old fart I believe he would've never let her near the boys or school or even teach there because based on the information she posted in her fanfics she worked at a nursery which is why she proudly calls herself an educator yet having 0 qualities of one typical egostical maniac.

I don't understand what's with ugigiugi making Julia 25-29 kiss everyone?? It's gross and SA like she made the leech twin do to her old ass. Or those Diasomia shit she did hugging or making sebek give her a kiss on the cheek or the damn forehead I don't remember but like what's up with her pedo ass being affection with Malleus ,Lilia,Silver,Sebek practically everyone?? Azul, the leech twins? Or when she made Ace and Deuce kiss her. Or also being affection with Idia and Ortho and Leona,Jack or making Rollo "Fall in love with her" bruh Rollo don't deserve none of this he's a traumatized dude actually the majority of the boys are none of them deserve this she ooc the shit out of them to fit her disgusting "world" as ugigiugi calls it. She also kisses them and hugs them respectfully, I can see them dying of cringe and file a restraining order against her.

Now I do believe Sam, Divus,Trein, and Ashton would not want Julia on school grounds at all because of her old ass she older than Sam too.

If you don't get this bullshit out, my face, Guilia.🤢

Sorry, but back in reality, Julia. Lilia wouldn't want you near Malleus or Silver, even Sebek. Leona is far too young her for you Julia 🤢 and no Malleus wouldn't hurt Leona just for your ass nor would Leona hurt him just for your egostical maniac self. Respectfully, if you lay your hands on Leona, he would laugh and in your face Julia and get ur ass arrested for hella shit.

This feishizer, I swear. 🤢 this shit is mad disrespectful.

Bro went from that spider dude to Seth, Horus?? to jack to Leona to Malleus and Lilia to the Azul, the leech twins and Idia and Vil and Rook to Kalim, and then Rollo and the others shit I can't at this point bruh.

If you don't get this bullshit out my face.

Nepo baby type shit. That's makes me wonder how does Julia feed grim? Does he have canned tuna every day? Does he go to the cafeteria every day? And what's funny, she has kids with Malleus and Leona and Lilia. How tf does she feed them?? Or do the servants and nannies have to do it, or does Lilia do all of it?? Mf what?? But what I can tell is that "Julian and Aurora," especially "Aurora," seem to have inherent her egostical maniac from shitty tracing. And that's mad disrespectful to have a kid with Leona and name him Seth. 🤮 and then Fauna and Flora, bruh, I can't 🤮

This is funny because the traced art of her Egyptian fanart of the corn stand. And how tf does she survive in the twisted wonderland cafeteria?? How will she survive the food anywhere or from the events or from the cultures of Sunset Savanah or Briar Valley?? Ain't no way she gonna make them cook pizza for her every day because that's her favorite food?? And then saying she got an eating disorder . Why is she glorifying this shit I can't no wonder her traced ass looks sicks asf and her "kids" look sick asf too

Ight that's all for today, folks

[lovebombs4life]

honey whiskey - l.r.h.

requested: nope. i actually cleared my requests bc it was overwhelming and ive already got a big wip going on

a/n: im insane. okay bye

cw: SMUT!!!! friends to loves, unprotected PinV, they bang in calum’s spare bedroom at a party oops

wc: 1,496

———

luke has once again dragged me to another party with the band. i wasn’t going to complain, i loved going out, but i knew i’d end up drinking too much, and i’d let out things i didn’t want to.

the last time i was drunk, i kissed luke on the cheek, and he sort of freaked out. i did too, after realizing what i did. sure it wasn’t a kiss on the lips, but either way it was a kiss, and it was on my best friends cheek.

i was kind of shocked when luke asked me to go to another party. i had thought he was mad at me for kissing him, but he must’ve forgotten about it.

as we walked through calum’s house, the scent of weed, sweat, and fruity alcohol filled my nose. i winced slightly, the smell not being totally pleasant.

“let’s get a few drinks, yeah?” luke asked. i nodded, following him to the kitchen. the music wasn’t as loud in there, and fewer people stood in the room. people filtered in and out grabbing drinks.

luke stood at the counter, looking over the drinks. he grabbed a bottle of honey colored liquid. he opened the cap, smelling it. he poured a little into his cup, taking a swig. he grinned, pouring out more before handing me the small cup.

“it’s honey whiskey. possibly best thing i’ve ever had.” he chuckled. i grabbed the cup from him, downing the alcohol. it wasn’t bitter, and it didn’t burn my throat as most alcohol does. it was sweet, and flowed down my throat.

he grabbed another cup, pouring out more of the whiskey. quickly, i felt the effects of the alcohol kicking in. i wasn’t surprised, as whiskey usually hit me hard, and especially this stuff since it was so good.

luke finally gave up with the drinks, feeling the buzz as well. i knew he could handle his alcohol better than i could. he pulled me back to the crowded room, finding calum and michael sitting on the couch with ashton.

“c-cal, where’d you get that honey whiskey?” luke asked, sitting on the chair close by. he grabbed my hand, pulling me into his lap, holding onto me. my face felt like it was on fire. my stomach swirled around with butterflies. i couldn’t tell if it was the alcohol, or because i was sitting on luke.

i decided it was the alcohol. i couldn’t be feeling all fuzzy because of luke, he was my best friend.

“not sure, some bar in town, i think?” he said, sipping from his cup. luke nodded, resting his hands on my thighs.

my eyes widened, and michael took notice. he started laughing at how visibly flustered i was. i gave him a look, and he stopped laughing, looking down and biting the inside of his cheek.

i shifted on luke’s lap, making him tense up. he gripped my waist, pushing me down against his hips. i nearly choked at his firm grip as it is, but i swear i could’ve had a heart attack after realizing he had become hard against my ass. i stood up quickly, excusing myself to get another drink.

as i made my way through the crowd of people, a hand stopped me, pulling me back. i snapped my head back, seeing it was luke. he pulled me to his chest, gripping my hips tightly.

“dance with me.” he spoke, moving my hips to the music. he spun me around, pulling my waist against his. i gasped as he pressed his back against mine, his hands staying on my hips.

his movements were intoxicating, and took over my mind. i started swinging my hips against his, my ass brushing his hardened member. he groaned slightly, kissing at my neck.

the air was stolen from my lungs as he sucked at my skin softly. he pulled away, turning me to face him. “we better stop before i try something i might regret.” he groaned, kissing my forehead.

i grabbed his hands as he pulled them away, leading him away from the crowd, and into the hallway. i pushed open a door, leading to once of calum’s spare rooms.

“don’t stop, don’t regret it.” i breathed out, grabbing his neck and pulling him down to my face. his lips danced against mine, groaning against my mouth. i trailed my fingers into his hair, carding them through his blonde curls. he bit at my bottom lip, pulling at it as i tugged softly.

“you sure you want this? want me?” he asked as he pulled away, hands sliding under my shirt. i nodded viciously.

“i’d do this even sober, the honey whiskey just pushed me to actually do something.” i spoke, pulling my shirt off. he pushed me backwards towards the bed. i laid back as i got to the bed, grabbing for his hips. he unbuttoned his shirt, letting it fall from his shoulders. i bit my lip as i observed the small tattoos on his body.

i went to unbutton my jeans, being stopped by his hands. “let me, wanna touch you, y/n.” he panted, pulling down the zipper of my pants. he tugged the material off my legs, letting the cool air around us nip at my legs.

i grabbed at his belt, sliding it out of the loops, pulling his jeans down. he groaned as the constraint of his jeans against him went away, being freed from the tight clothing.

i palmed him through his boxers, making him thrust his hips forward. “wanna feel you, lu, please.” i groaned as he unclasped my bra, throwing it across the room. his lips kissed against my hot skin, sucking against my chest. i shivered as he did so, my head tossed back against the bed.

his fingers hooked into the sides of my panties, pulling them down my thighs. he groaned as i parted my legs, wanting more of him. “please, just fuck me already.” i whined. he chuckled, pulling his boxers down.

he grabbed his cock, stroking himself before lining up to my entrance. his tip teased my slit before pushing in, making me cry out with pleasure. i clenched around his length, feeling his pulsing cock inside me. he started a steady pace, kissing the crook of my neck, sucking bites onto my skin.

“you feel so good, y/n, been wanting this for longer than you can imagine.” he spoke into my ear, making me shiver.

“i’ve, i’ve thought of you so many times, lu, never thought i’d finally have you.” i panted, my nails digging into his back. he thrusted into me, holding my hips steady.

i wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him closer to me. he squeezed his eyes shut, his head hanging down as he watched our bodies meet. his heavy breathing and occasional moans sounded like absolute heaven.

luke absolutely ruined any other man i’d ever been with. not only that, he was ruining me.

i grabbed at the pillows on the bed, covering my face with one, moaning into it.

luke quickly took the pillow from my face, putting it back to where it was. “don’t cover up those pretty moans darling, sounds so angelic.” he praised, running a hand through my hair.

my eyes fluttered shut, rolling back as my toes curled.

“gonna make me cum, lu, need to cum.” i cried, my breathing becoming rugged. he grunted as he pushed further, making me cry out.

“i know baby, almost there.” he ran his hand against my thigh, squeezing my leg. i clenched around him as my body lurched forward, my orgasm rushing through my body.

luke moaned out loudly, burying his face in my neck, pulling out as his orgasm hit him too. the room was filled with our heavy breathing and the hot smell of sex. luke collapsed next to me, holding my hand.

“think that’s the best sex i’ve ever had.” he breathed out, looking over at me. i smirked at him.

“you regret this?” i teasingly asked. he shook his head instantly.

“never. i’m quite glad.” he smiled softly, kissing me. i sighed into the kiss, moving my body closer to his.

“you think cal will be mad that we screwed in the spare room?” luke asked, breaking the silence. i giggled softly. “maybe a little.”

“luke?” i looked up into his eyes. he glanced down at me, his eyebrows raised. “you wanna be my boyfriend?”

his smile grew wide as it spread across his face. he pulled me closer to him, kissing the top of my head.

“it wasn’t obvious i already wanted to be?” he chuckled. i blushed as i hid my face in his chest. “of course i do, y/n. never thought it’d happen until now.”

i gave him a soft kiss on his cheek, sitting up. i stretched out, looking back down at luke once i was done.

“so.. round two?”

[bentannin]

I will say the one thing I did not expect when the vod released on Monday was for the Ashton takes to swing in the OPPOSITE direction.

And while I definitely agree that some of the initial reactions after ep 77 & 78 ranged from concerning to just plain bad (harsh but some of them were genuinely bonkers; sending hate to Tal, painting characters as straight up abusive and manipulative, referencing one of the player’s irl trauma), the new wave of “Ashton did nothing wrong” isn’t exactly much better.

By their own admission, they fucked up. BIG TIME. They disregarded all the warnings and made a big decision without the rest of the group’s knowledge. And not only that, but he actively hides it from them. They have every right to be upset. And when you’ve just experienced a minute of watching helplessly as your friend rapidly loses and regains consciousness, has his arm fall off, and literally bursts into a million pieces right in front of you, it makes sense that you’d react pretty negatively. And while many of the things the Hells told Ashton were harsh, they weren’t completely unfounded.

Has Ashton shown to care about FCG and their well-being multiple times over the course of the campaign? Yes, absolutely. So when you look at their conversation from Ashton’s perspective, of course FCG accusing him of caring about no one would hurt. Of course, because, when asked to name at least one person, there was no hesitation when he said “you [FCG]”.

But when you look at it from FCG’s perspective, it’s a different story:

He was there when they were all given the warnings about the shard. He was there when, over and over and over again, they were told putting two shards within the same body, especially Ashton’s body which already holds two beings (the empress and the half-beacon), would sunder that body. And he was also there when it was decided the shard would go to Fearne, not Ashton.

So, with only that information and having no way of knowing any conversations between Fearne and Ashton (where she says she doesn’t want it, where Ashton says he does, and they decide Ashton will receive it instead), when they walk up the steps of the ziggurat and see Ashton, their friend, glowing and falling apart in immense agony, of course the only things they would feel in the moment are horror and confusion.

And after a minute of desperately trying to keep them alive, of burning his hands on their sweltering skin just to pump in enough health points to keep them standing, because, if he doesn’t, if he fails, Ashton will die with no way of bringing them back, of course FCG would feel hurt.

And not just hurt, but betrayed, because who does that?!

Who puts everyone who cares about them through that? Who looks at every warning and completely disregards them, and then LAUGHS after they’ve just forced their friends to watch as they nearly killed themselves?

The answer, at least to FCG, is no one; no one who cares about their friends would do that to them, so the only conclusion he can come to in a moment wrought with such intense emotion and turmoil is that Ashton clearly doesn’t care.

-

Basically what I’m trying to say is, the Hells are allowed to be upset. They are allowed to express that they are upset. And Ashton, for as much as I love his character and understand the events that led to this major fuck up moment, is just gonna have to take it.

They shouldn’t be punished by any means because they are still a deeply hurt and sad person, but they shouldn’t be completely excused either. What they did was extremely stupid, and the ONLY thing that kept them alive and kept the Hells from losing him, was the love from their friends and probably the luckiest ring trade ever made (long live Aabria).

And yes, the Hells are being hypocrites, they’re all either on similar paths of self-destruction or enabling them, but almost losing Ashton has clearly started to open their eyes. Hopefully the retreat allows them all to process and decompress in order to address that hypocrisy with clearer heads! But for now, it’s just gonna be the initial anger.

[kindahoping4forever]

He...

[ughkat]

caught | l.r.h

requested

part two

part one here

luke x fem!reader

your brother ashton discovers you've been secretly seeing his friend and band mate luke behind his back

swearing, protective brother, angst, brother!ash, luke x reader

not proofread

part 3 coming soon

-

"We need to talk."

Ashton's stern tone made my body tense, I frantically searched my brain for any reasonable excuse for Luke's presence in my home. He looked at me briefly before making his way ti my couch, sitting down heavily.

I followed close behind, taking a seat beside him.

"What was he doing here...?" Ashton spoke rhetorically, his eyes glued to the coffee table in front of him. His jaw clenched tightly, as did his hands which were clasped together as he rested his elbows on his knees. I bounced my leg anxiously watching his cold expression.

"Ash, I-" I stuttered before he cut me off.

"The truth, Y/n." He interrupted, turning his head slightly in my direction. I let out a shaky sigh.

"We we're just... Hanging out... and stuff." I trailed off, looking down at my hands. My mouth was unable to get the words out to my brother. Ashton tossed his head back with frustration, not buying any of my excuses.

"Stop bullshitting me." He snapped, turning his head to look at me. I looked at him hesitantly, his anger was intimidating. "You think I can't tell what's going on?" He tilted his head, his face was plaster with a fed up look. I bit my cheek trying to find my words. I didn't know how to casually admit to my brother that I was fucking his friend.

"I'm sorry, Ash." I spoke softly, my voice trembling. Ashton shook his head in disbelief, running a hand through his hair.

"He's not to come back here without me, got it?" He growled. I wanted to argue back at my brother's protective attitude, however I knew I was in no position to do so. I glanced to Ashton briefly, meeting his angry eyes and furrowed brow, sighing heavily before giving him a gentle nod.

"Fine." I spoke just above a whisper, clenching my jaw slightly at the growing frustration inside of me. I knew I wasn't going to stop seeing Luke, however with Ashton's discoveries, our rendezvous' may be a little harder to come by. A brief moment of silence passed us before Ashton spoke up again.

"How long?" He muttered, staring at the coffee table in front of him. I stuttered in confusion at the context of his question.

"What?".

"How long, Y/n. How fucking long has he been seeing you." He snapped, raising his voice. I picked at my fingers in my lap anxiously, knowing any answers I give Ashton, true or not, will fuel his flame.

"Um... a couple months, I guess." I mumbled, choosing to tell the truth. I avoided Ashton's eyes as I felt his energy beside me become more and more furious by the minute. I slowly began to become fearful for his and Luke's friendship, as this was going as bad as I imagined it would.

"I need to go." Ashton spoke abruptly, standing from his seat with a heavy sigh. I looked up frantically, searching for any words to calm him down.

"Wait, Ash. You don't want to stay?" I stuttered softly, standing up after him.

"I'm going to talk to Luke. I'll see you later." He muttered deeply, his tone telling me everything I need to know. My heart began to race at the endless ideas of what Ashton would do to Luke. As he made his way to the entrance, me frantically following behind him, a few soft knock fell upon the front door. Ashton halted in his tracks, me right behind him. "Please don't be Luke, Please don't be Luke." I pleaded to myself.

Ashton looked at me briefly before turning the knob to open the door, revealing the exact guest I was hoping it wasn't. My eyes widened slightly as Ashton and Luke came face to face, Ashton's fist balled to his side.

"Uh. I left my phone..." Luke spoke slowly as he stuttered, glancing from me to Ashton back and forth cautiously.

"I'll go get it." I spoke quickly, wasting no time and trying not to add to the awkward encounter. As I was looking for Luke's phone in my room, Ashton chose to speak his mind.

"You're such an idiot, you know that?" He spoke mockingly, tilting his head slightly. Luke swallowed a lump in his throat, glancing away and then back at Ashton quickly.

"We were just hanging out, man. I don't-"

"Just stop." Ashton cut him off, raising a hand slightly. "I'm not stupid. Very obvious what's going on."

Luke looked away quickly, his fingers fidgeting in his pocket. Ashton moved in closer to Luke, inches from his face.

"If you lay another finger on my sister," He began, looking Luke sternly in the eyes, "You're dead." He continued. Luke's breath hitched in his throat as Ashton made his threats. His intimidating tone made Luke feel small.

"Stay the fuck away from her, understand?" Ashton spat. Luke nodded, glancing away from Ashton's burning gaze.

I returned to the front of the house with Luke's phone at almost perfect timing, I immediately noticed the extra drop in energy upon my arrival. Luke's bold posture had softened, his shoulder's slouched slightly. Ashton's eyes burned into Luke. I slowly handed Luke his phone as I examined the two's expressions.

"Thanks." He muttered, glancing to Ashton briefly before back to me.

"Go." Ashton ordered, ushering Luke out of my apartment. I shared a quick gaze with Luke before he turned to exit my apartment, closing the door softly behind him.

"I could kill him." Ashton huffed, fists still balled at his sides.

"Ash, it's fine." I muttered, as frustrated as I was I still wanted my brother to be okay. He shook his head quickly.

"If he comes back here, tell me as soon as fucking possible, okay?" He growled. I nodded hesitantly. He looked at me softly for a moment, noting my anxious expression before bringing me in for a generous hug.

"I'm sorry, Y/n." He softened his tone, hugging me tightly as he comforted me from his harsh manor, "I just know Luke differently than you do. You don't want a guy like him." He explained, pulling away from our embrace. I listened to his words, though selfishly not taking any of it in. The relationship Luke and I had, while parts of it were romantic, it was mostly sex driven. I didn't care if he was a good partner.

"I know, I understand." I spoke, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you." I muttered. He placed a hand on my head, shaking it ever so slightly and messing up my hair.

"Don't worry about it. It's fine." He half smiled, "Luke, however, is not off the hook so easy." He sighed, shaking his head. "Don't know what I'm gonna do with him."

I bit my cheek anxiously, knowing that by tomorrow I'd probably have Luke in my bed just how I had him today, completely ignoring my brothers words.

"I think you scared him off pretty good." I forced a giggle. Ashton chuckled through his nose.

"I'm gonna head out for real this time. You okay?" He spoke softly, giving my shoulder a light tap. I nodded with a smile.

"I'll see you." He departed with a single nod, heading out the door swiftly, leaving me to myself.

I let out a deep sigh, closing my eyes briefly as I calmed my nerves. The first thing on my mind was the blond who had just been attacked by my brother. I headed to my bedroom to my phone, immediately opening my texts with Luke.

"Are you okay?" I sent quickly, bouncing my leg nervously.

"I think Ashton wants me dead."

I sighed deeply at his words, wondering if Ashton's behavior turned Luke off from continuing seeing me.

"Do you want to stop?"

I texted vaguely. Luke took a moment to respond as I watched the three dots dance on the screen.

"Do you?"

I bit my lip, thinking carefully about his question. I was so scared of Ashton's reaction but didn't care in the moment.

"No."

"Me either."

I couldn't help but let a small smile escape my lips at our mutual agreement, the secrecy only making it more exciting.

"What now?"

I typed hesitantly.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

[twstinginthewind]

All right kids, let's find that pumpkin king quickly, so I can get back to my reading...

Sage Island's favorite used book store owner Zayn Weatherwax has been recruited to Team Werewolf, helping the NRC staff out for @cheerleaderman's Find the Pumpkin King event! He might be a bit of a reluctant chaperone, but he'll do what he can to make the night a success.

Any excuse to put a guy into a silly, low-effort Halloween costume. 🎃🎃🎃 Lines below the cut!

When Summoned: Hello, I got a call from Asht— ah. Coach Vargas to come chaperone tonight?

Summon line: All right kids, let's find that pumpkin king quickly, so I can get back to my reading...

Groovy: [locked]

Set home: A cute dog can be a werewolf, too. Shoosh.

Home idle 1: This reminds me a lot of a book I enjoyed as a kid!

Home idle 2: It's chilly out here. I'm glad I wore fleece jammies. I mean, a warm costume!

Home idle 3: "Come help out," he said. "It'll be a fun little night out," he said. And then, he ditched me to run laps. Again.

Home login: I really ought to stop answering my phone when Ashton calls.

Home idle groovy: [locked]

Home tap 1: I heard there was going to be hot cider later? I hope there is.

Home tap 2: The students here all look so young now! We didn't look so young while I was attending here... did we?

Home tap 3: I think I'm going to take a break over in Sam's shop, see how he's doing.

Home tap 4: I really am way too soft with people. But it's hard to be tough when you're dressed as a cartoon puppy.

Home tap 5: Divus just walked past me and shook his head tsking. I am aware this isn't high fashion, sir.

Home tap groovy: [locked]

[utilitycaster]

I know there have been many Takes about Laudna and Orym after latest episode. Yours saying that this is not a bad development for Orym is interesting to me because my knee-jerk reaction while watching was being horrified he went so cold about Bor’Dor’s death. But after some time, I guess him finally choosing to be pragmatic after days torn by his own idealism would be a much healthier route for him in the long run.

I want to know what you think about Ashton, though. Some people are saying, they “let” Laudna kill Bor’Dor because they thought it’s what she needed. That sits wrong with me because Laudna made that decision and she’s not a child, but Ashton is my favorite character and I can’t help think I am biased lol.

Please excuse my badly structured sentences, I’m not native speaker.

Hi anon! Your English is great!

I think this is a revealing question in that, in fandom, I think a lot of people lead with "well, obviously, my favorite character is clearly morally in the right, or, failing that, the character I don't like is morally in the wrong" rather than considering the situation, the context, the genre norms, what makes for the most interesting story, etc. So recognizing that Ashton's your favorite and that might be coloring your opinion puts you ahead of a lot of people.

Anyway: I think it can be true both that Laudna made her own decision and that Ashton could, had they wanted, chosen to make an effort to stop her and they didn't. I don't think that means Ashton is responsible for what Laudna did per se, but I also don't personally think he had a moral imperative to save Bor'Dor. I think someone who thinks he did have that moral imperative might disagree, but they should also be blaming Laudna just as much in that case.

Someone else remarked to me that based on the discourse you'd think Orym - the only person who did not attack or restrain Bor'Dor - executed him in cold blood. Just to recap the fight: we only really had one round during which Orym gave Prism a potion to heal her up and did bait and switch to protect her; Ashton hit, with non-lethal intent; Deni$e restrained Bor'Dor; Laudna cast Hunger of the Shadow, knocking Bor'Dor unconscious; and Prism punched him. The following round was technically not run as combat in initiative order, and had it been, Bor'Dor could theoretically have died of a failed death save before Laudna's turn, but Orym and Deni$e made no attacks and Ashton chose to lead away Prism. Probably any of the three martial class characters could, had they wanted to, stopped Laudna. None of them did.

Which I think goes back to the second paragraph: In the end? I think most people are making their judgments of whether or not they think Bor'Dor should die, and even further back to whether or not the Ruby Vanguard is a cultish, terrorist organization, deciding on whether his death was justified or not, and then, if they think it was not, pinning blame on the character they like least. You can argue for any, though frankly, I think Orym is the weakest argument: Laudna is the one who literally killed him, both knocking him unconscious and taking the final death save. Prism took the most death saves with her punch. Ashton dealt a significant amount of damage and did not intervene when Laudna had an unconscious Bor'Dor at her mercy. Deni$e is the one who initially brought up her suspicions, forcing Bor'Dor's hand, and similarly made no physical effort to stop anyone. Orym indicated his approval to Laudna and did not try to stop her.

I think that had Bor'Dor not attacked the party, and had instead simply run away, tracking him down and killing him would have been excessive, but on the other hand, he had a lot of information that could have been extremely dangerous to Bells Hells, so at the very least I think they needed to take him prisoner; but he's not wanted by any specific legal system, so I think he'd just be their hostage, dragged along, indefinitely, as they attacked his friends over and over again. There isn't a nice, neat solution where everyone is happy. Deradicalization is an admirable goal, but it requires a massive amount of effort and resources that I don't think Bells Hells have, and no one should be expected to deradicalize someone who is actively committing violence against them. Once Bor'Dor attacked, to me, this became self-defense and an admission that he was lost: that he'd spent several days with them during which they were kind to him, but because of their ideologies, he attempted to kill them anyway. At that point, I don't fault any of the characters present for killing him/letting him be killed in response.

I guess the last point I'll make is that while, in terms of empathy, there is obviously a huge difference between killing someone regretfully, and killing someone and relishing it, they are, in the end, dead either way. I don't interpret Orym's behavior as cold, but rather merely calm acceptance that he can no longer avoid the inevitable war - and I do think that acting as though Orym's subjectivity in this situation is problematic while ignoring that Prism and Laudna were in no way objective either is an incredibly poorly considered argument, and deeply unfair- but in the end, whether Orym is stoic or whether he breaks down crying, Bor'Dor is still dead. I am not going to fault a character for having an outward emotional reaction that doesn't match what I think it should be when I think their motivations were reasonable.

[return-to-twisted-wonderland]

🔆anon

Crowley didn’t know why he had been so blind. Canis had mentioned a bird that did magical things many times, changing colors and teleporting him through time. There was only one bird Crowley knew of that was magical, his own bird. He should have put it together earlier, and yet there he was, scanning through every tree and roof to see if he could find a shiny bird that he should have known about earlier.

Stupid bird. The thing already costed so much magic to even create and now it was running around when he hadn’t even sent it out and messing with things it had no business to mess with. Where was it?

It took hours more of searching, but he found it at the tail end of the evening. It was standing on a branch, overseeing everything.

Crowley looked around to make sure no one was watching before he called it down. “Come here, you stupid bird.” It did as commanded without hesitation, landing on an outstretched arm. The obedience plus the magic of the bird matching his. It was definitely his bird. He put his free hand over the bird’s head and let his magic flow through the bird as he began to know everything, even the things he probably shouldn’t.

He knew how the Crowley who made this bird had his Grim overblot after eating seven black stones. How that Grim’s overblot was disastrous, destroying everything in sight while severely wounding many, if not worse. How the crow was sent back as a last ditch effort to prevent it from happening again. How it chose a young Canis as a way to prevent it after being sent too far back. How the crow continued to warn and watch over everything. Crowley knew all that happened.

He simply dispelled the bird and walked to his office.

—

Crowley had been dodging everyone with even the closest connection to what happened, but especially Canis, Ashton, and Grim. Grimstone? Stone? Whatever that cat’s name was at this point. What was he supposed to do? He can’t easily explain everything, and even if he tried, they might just think he was crazy. So Crowley simply dodged people. While it was working, but people were definitely noticing.

Well, that might need a correction. I was working until Crowley’s staff had corned him to ask what was happening.

To be fair, he couldn’t blame them. He was aware he had a… flighty… personality when something happened. If he was acting dodgy and hard to find, it wasn’t a big leap to assume something was up. He just hated they had to be right in this specific scenario. He hated even more that Ashton Vargas was one of the ones who confronted him.

Divus was the first to speak up, keeping his no-nonsense demeanor. “We are not letting you leave until you tell us what’s happening. If you don’t tell us only for us to end up with the responsibilities, you won’t like our reaction.” Crowley opened his mouth to form some excuse, but one look from Divus shot him down.

“It’s… uh… a bit much to explain.”

Mozus spoke up only to bounce the conversation back to Crowley. “We’re all ears.”

“Well I might know exactlywhyCaniswentmising…”

Everyone was silent except for Ashton who asked one question. “What was that, bird?” He certainly wasn’t asking because he didn’t hear. His eyes looked dead. His stance changed as if he was ready to fight. If Crowley made a single mistake in explaining everything, he would get punched to the ground at least.

“You see, I happen to have a unique magic that lets me control a crow as well as gather and store knowledge in it. It turns out that there was a crow made by, what I assume is a different timeline, after an overbloting Grim went out of control. He sent the bird back in time to stop everything, but he sent it years to far and the bird teleported Canis into the future to change the outco-!”

Before Crowley understood what had happened, he was raised up with his collar by an extremely angry Ashton. “SO MY SON WAS MISSING BECAUSE OF YOU?!”

“It wasn’t exactly me-“

“WHAT?! YOU THINK I’M GOING TO BELIEVE IT WAS SOME ALTERNATE TIMELINE OR SOMETHING?! THAT WAS MY SON WHO WAS MISSING FOR THIRTEEN YEARS AND IS NOW DUMPED INTO THE FUTURE WITH NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED! DON’T USE DUMB EXCUSES TO PLAY WITH ME!”

Luckily Divus and Sam came up and to tear Ashton off him as he tried to explain his innocence, letting him fall to the ground. If they waited any longer, Ashton definitely would have gotten in a powerful swing.

Sam was the first who tried to talk down Ashton, to a small amount of success. “He genuinely doesn’t sound like he’s lying. We need to calm down and gather all the facts first.”

Ashton continue to shout how his son was torn away for thirteen years and how now everyone has to catch up for all the missing time. Does Crowley know about all the struggles they went through as a family while he was missing and even after they got him back? Does Crowley know what Canis must be feeling being thrown years forward without knowing why? Does Crowley know anything of what they went through?

Crowley could only try and collect himself as adrenaline still coursed through his body. He better needs to be prepared to fully explain everything.

(So people learned what happened and no one is happy. Also Vargas was loud enough for students to overhear and they are definitely starting rumors. I do feel bad for 2!Crowley who had no knowledge of this before hand though, while 1!Crowley was trying to help, 2!Crowley is getting all the blame for what happened as collateral damage.)

(On a lighter note, Younger Canis and Older Canis’s nicknames are related, like Grimstone to Stone and Heartstopper to Heart.)

2!Crowley: Thank you other timeline me!

1!Crowley: You're welcome!