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kakejiszka · 3 years

Text

Studio Fun

This is my first Jake smut, hope you enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: contains lots of smut, you have been warned.

After changing at least six times, you still hadn't chosen among the three set of clothes that were lying on your bed, surrounded by several other pieces of clothing that together created a mess in your entire room, that smelled like citrus, makeup and despair.

You couldn't help but tremble with anxiety at the sight of yourself in your lingerie in the mirror, after all, the occasion you were dressing for was unprecedented. Should you wear a fancy dress? A slutty short skirt? A rocker leather jacket?

You had hit the jackpot: after a few weeks going out with Jake, he had finally invited you to meet the studio where he and his band rehearsed every week. And furthermore, you would meet his brother Josh and Sam and their friend Danny for the first time. You were nervous, as shit was starting to get serious.

Jake was living rent free in your head. Since the first time you saw him, your standards for men had never been the same, after all, no one could surpass his beauty, talent and charisma. To top it all, he was so romantic: on the three times you went out together, he managed to surprise you even with the simplest things. On your first date, you had coffee together, but he gifted you white roses. On the second date, you two took a walk around the town and he held your hand the entire time. On the third date, where it's socially acceptable to have sex, he took you to a super fancy restaurant with wonderful food. You even wore a beatiful black dress and made sure to wear your best lingerie. But, despite taking you home and kissing you by the door (for the first time), that was it. Maybe he was shy, maybe he wasn't ready, but you couldn't help but feeling a bit disappointed for not spending the night with him.

You chose the skirt. If there was even the smallest chance of you seducing him that day, you were willing to try. You finished the look with a black tank top, which was so tight you didn't feel the need to wear a bra, an oversized jeans jacket and black boots. You applied some eyeliner and mascara.

You called an Uber to the address Jake had texted you and quickly you arrived. Your phone vibrated in your jacket's pocket. "Be there in 15" his text said. You felt your legs tremble during the whole time you spent waiting for him, which seemed like an eternity. Despite all his qualities, it wasn't new to you that Jake Kizka's worst flaw was that he was always late.

You noticed the studio: it was very big and it seemed like a place full of quality equipment. The street where it was located was full of different records and musical instruments stores, what made you realize you were in a part in town where you could find everything that was music-related. As you waited for him, all the thoughts in the world were crossing your mind: what if he's not so into me? What if his brothers don't like me? What am I doing here? What kind of idea was this? Do I still have time to go back home?

"Hey!" you were surprised by a familiar voice behind you.

"Jake!" you said, nervousness resonating in your voice.

"Did I scare you?" he asked, giggling.

"No, I'm okay, it's just that..." you didn't even have to finish what you were saying so that he could understarnd the situation.

"There's nothing to be nervous about, they will love to meet you."

Jake gave you his hand and you held it, now feeling much safer and calmer than before.

You two entered the studio and followed through a long dark hallway. The walls were painted black and were full of band posters and stickers. There were other rooms there and you could hear other bands rehearsing inside them. Jake guided you to the end of the hallway where a small set of stairs took you to the second floor.

For your surprise, there weren't other rooms on the second floor like there were on the first floor. It was a single room entirely, where you could find everything: a big couch, a frigo, technical equipment for recording, vending machines, snooker table, a mini bar, all sorts of things...

A section of the room was isolated by a thick glass wall. Inside it, the walls were covered in acoustic panels and the room was filled with many amplifiers, pedals, instruments and a bunch of other things you didn't know what were called were there.

Lying on the couch were Danny, Sam and Josh, waiting for Jake.

"Goddamnit, finally!" Josh shouted "we waited for like an hour!"

"I was getting ready for her" Jake answered, smirking and pulling you close to him by your waist. You couldn't hide the embarassment on your face.

"What a fancy studio!" you said, trying to change the subject "I didn't know you rehearsed in such a cool place."

"It wasn't always like this, ya know" Josh said while standing up and putting his hands in his pockets "we started playing at our house, but it was starting to get too noisy for miss Karen" he laughed.

"It's true, we had to look for cheap studios, but it was hard to find anything in a small town like Frankenmuth" Sam said.

You all talked a bit and, fortunately, the boys were all very nice. You felt very welcomed by Josh's sense of humor, Sam's big smile and Danny's kindness.

After you got to know them, they entered the acoustic room and started rehearsing. You sat on the couch to watch them and, although you were scared to feel bored, you had a lot of fun with the private show they were performing for you.

You couldn't take your eyes off Jake. What he did to the guitar was phenomenal, sexy and even pornographic. The way he slowly slid his hand over the guitar's neck while sweat drops fell on his forehead were making you cross your legs a bit too hard over the couch.

He noticed you were staring at him and smiled at you through the glass, making you cover your face with your hands out of embarassment. You must have been making a funny face, because he giggled at the sight of you.

After two or three hours of rehearsal, they were done. Although the air-conditioning was making you shiver, they left the room all sweaty. Josh, Sam and Danny went to the frigo to get some beer. Jake went there as well, but he made sure to get one for you too.

"Did you like to watch the rehearsal?" Jake asked, offering you an already open Corona bottle.

"I loved it!" you said, getting the bottle from his hand and taking a sip.

"I was scared you would get bored" he said while he sat by your side on the couch and opened his bottle.

"How could I? I felt very special for watching such an exclusive show!" you said, making him laugh.

For the first time, you noticed what he was wearing: a dark purple silk shirt with the buttons opened showing his chest, as he always wore them. He had tight black cuffed pants and brown boots. On his neck, some long necklaces that reached the middle of his bare chest, and on his wrists a few bracelets. His style was casual and attractive, but goddamn, he looked so fucking hot.

The rest of the day was very fun. You two drank together and talked a lot, what got you even closer to each other. Josh, Sam and Danny played snooker and drank a lot, until they decided to leave.

There were only you and Jake, that were now a bit tipsy and still had a lot to talk about. You noticed that, although you two had already went out before, this was the first time you talked this much. When you realized, you were physically very close: your legs were resting over Jake's left leg and his hand was caressing the back of your head. Your index finger was circling around Jake's bare chest. He looked so great in that shirt.

"Do you wanna see something?" he excitedly asked. You, curious as you were, immediately answered:

"Sure."

Jake stood up and walked towards the platform where there was a panel with a billion different buttons you had no idea were for. After pressing and regulating some of them, he made a sign with his fingers invinting you to join him.

"What does that thing do?" you asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Everything" he playfully answered.

"Everything what?" you asked again, laughing impatiently.

"This is the sound mixer, where we can control everything inside the acoustic room. Bass, treble, autotune, tuning, echo, volume... and so on" while he patiently explained to you, you admired him. He would get so excited when talking about music.

"Wow" you responded, without taking your eyes off his.

"Wanna try it out?" he asked.

"What? Are you serious?" you almost spit the liquid of the forth or fifth beer bottle you were having that day.

"Very serious" he said, looking deep in your eyes.

"Okay then..."

"Put this on" he said, grabbing the two headphones thar were lying on the table over the mixer and handing one over to you.

You did as he said and Jake left you responsible for the sound mixer and ran inside the acoustic room, almost tripping due to his light state of inebriation.

"What is he doing?" you quietly asked yourself.

He shut the door of the acoustic room and got one of the 6 or 7 guitars that were inside. After that, he put on the headphones that he brought with him to the room, turned on the microphone that was resting over a tripod and said:

"Can you hear me?"

The sound came out so loud in your headphones that you got scared and jumped, almost turning deaf. After that, you laughed a lot and so did he.

"How do I turn this thing down?" you asked him, screaming so he could hear you through the glass wall.

"Slide the red button down, on your right. Oh, and you don't have to scream, on your left there's a microphone that's meant for you to talk to me while I'm inside, just hold its button down."

You did as he told you to and laughed at yourself, feeling silly for not knowing how to use those things.

"There. Can I do what I want here?"

"Yeah!" he answered.

Jake started playing a random melody and you played with the sounds, having fun like a child. Distorting, increasing and decreasing the echoes, you two laughing like fools.

When you had enough fun, Jake spoke on the microphone again.

"Did you know this room has an almost perfect acoustic insulation?"

"Almost perfect? Like, no one can hear from the outside?" you said while pressing the mic's button and arching a brow, without believing him.

"Exactly" he said, putting his guitar away "I can scream as loud as I want here, no one will listen. Wanna try it?"

"How do I do that?" you asked, searching for the function among the million buttons on the sound mixer panel.

"Just turn the volume down, all of it."

And so you did. As you turned the volume down, it was getting harder and harder to hear what he said, until you couldn't hear a word. He only realized you couldn't hear him when he saw the surprise on your face, caused by the magic of the acoustic room. You could tell by his facial expression that he was laughing, and you laughed as well.

He made a gesture with his hand, like he asked you if you could hear him. You answered through the mic:

"I can't hear anything! This is amazing!"

He smiled and made another gesture, as if he was inviting you to the acoustic room. You quickly removed your earphones and walked to the door, thinking it would be your turn to stay there as he played with the sound.

When you opened the door, Jake immediately pulled you inside and shut the door with both of you inside. Then, he pressed you against the wall, pinning both of your wrists against it over your head.

You couldn't help but feeling surprised, after all, Jake had never acted like this before. He had always been romantic and careful, so you were pretty curious about his sudden dominating attitude.

He approached his face to yours, whispering close to your ear:

"Wanna test the acoustic of the room's acoustics?"

His tone was everything but innocent. You finally understood where he was getting to, so you decided to play his game.

"How can we test it?" you answered, faking innocence, and he smiled at your acting. So he put his leg in the middle of yours, gently rubbing his thigh against your groin and pressing you even harder agains the foamy wall.

"We can try it the best way possible."

After he said it, he kissed you deeply. His hands let go of your wrists and slowly slid down your arms, all the way to your neck. One of his hands held the back of your head and the other choked you slightly, but strong enough to make breathing a little harder. Your arms, now free of his grip, curled arould his shoulders, pulling him closer to you.

The kiss was getting hotter. You felt the hand that held your neck go down to your waist, and the hand on the back of your head gently pull your hair, bringing your head back and making you moan softly. Jake stopped kissing you and smirked, watching your pleasure face.

"They might see us through the glass!" you said, but he didn't pay much attention as he immediately returned to kiss your lips.

"I don't care" he answered, and although it was a bit scary, the fear of getting caught was also thrilling and exciting.

Your neck was completely exposed now, inviting Jake's silky lips which left soft kisses on your skin, making their way to your ear lobes where he gently nibbled. It sent shivers down your spine and goosebumps on your skin, something Jake noticed and made sure to show he enjoyed.

"You like this, huh?" he whispered in your ear. You nodded with a small moan, still a little overwhelmed by the situation, but certainly enjoying it.

Jake went back to kissing your neck, now a little faster. The tiny threads of growing beard on his jaw scratched your face, the sensation was even more arousing. You were so focused on that that only later you realized that his hand wasn't on your waist anymore, but was grabbing your ass.

Your body was warm, but you had chills. The mix of sensations Jake was causing on you gave you so much pleasure, but at the same time it was torturous. It wasn't enough, you wanted more and he knew that, but he wanted to keep you waiting.

Jake put both on his hands on your ass, squeezing it hard and making you moan softly. But after a short period, you felt his hands leave the place, which surprised you. Only then you realized he was taking off your jeans jacket and tossing in on the floor. The black tank top you were wearing left your collarbone and your shoulders exposed, which was exactly what Jake's lips were looking for. But before he went back to what he was doing, he took a good look at your newly exposed body part. His eyes traveled from your face to your breasts and there they stood, what got you a little embarassed.

"You're so hot, did you know that?" he whispered, staring even harder at your cleavage and then at your eyes. You smiled and blushed. The way he said those things made you feel a way no other man had ever managed to do to you. "You don't have to feel ashamed..." he said, smirking at your reaction.

His lips met yours again, but only for a short period of time. They quickly moved to your collarbone. His hands were now were wandering around your whole body, moving from your neck to your shoulders, back, waist and ass, as if he was desperate to feel you. Which was amazing, because you were eager to feel his hands all over you.

You also wanted to feel him, so you did as he did: you took one of your hands to the back of his hand and slightly pulled back some of his long brown hair, what made him moan and smile in response. Your other hand traveled through his chest, gently dragging your nails around the small part of exposed skin. My god, he looked so hot in that purple jacket. The only way he could look hotter than that would be without it.

You started to slowly unbutton the shirt, which made him stop kissing you and look at you with a naughty smirk.

"So much hurry!" he giggled.

"You take mine off, I take yours, that's how it works" you answered, winking at him.

He helped you take off his shirt and toss it on the floor, next to your jacket. You enjoyed the view of his shirtless body, staring at it just like he did to you before, sliding your nails and digging them on his torso. He held your hand over his chest, looking deep into your eyes. you were expecting him to say something nasty, but instead he just went back to kissing you, now even more intensely.

He embraced your waist and pulled you closer to him, as if it were possible. Then, his hands slowly moved upwards, passing through your waist and reaching your breasts. He squeezed them softly, making you moan. Your skin, that was already shivered, got even more chills under his touch. You weren't wearing a bra, which made your nipples appear through your shirt. Jake noticed and liked it, since he touched and tweaked them over the thin cloth. At this moment, you were already wet and impacient, but you were only getting a small portion of Jake's sexual expertise.

"Jake..." you moaned in agony between his kisses, suffering with his touches over your clothes. Although it was very hot, the throbbing sensation in your groin was starting to feel unbearable and painful.

"I know, babe" he answered, resting his forehead on yours, without ceasing to fondle your breasts "you're eager, but I'm only getting started."

Hearing that made the situation of your arousal even worse, to the point where if he decided to just lift your skirt and fuck you at that moment you wouldn't even feel pain, so horny and ready you were. He went back to kissing you, never letting your breasts go. But suddenly, you felt him pull your shirt up and reveal your stomach.

He kept on pulling it, enough that your breasts dropped down from your top, due to how tight it was. He watched that pornographic scene without blinking, dazzled. Rapidly he went back to fondling your breasts, only now he took his lips to one of your nipples.

He sucked it gently, making you let go a pleasurable moan. Glad with your reaction, he kept on sucking it, sometimes licking, nibbling and kissing. He moved to the right breast, but without stopping to give attention to the left one, playing with the nipple with his thumb. The saliva he left on the thin skin of your nipple in contact with the air made you feel a little bit cold, but it gave you pleasure.

Jake took his time there, enjoying the sensation he was causing you. You, on the other hand, dig your nails a bit deeper all over his back, feeling his skin also get goosebumps.

Jake finishing sucking your nipples and went back to kissing your lips. He took off your top with a bit of hurry, tossing it on the floor and then pulling you closer to him by your waist. His hands were now back on your ass, but now he started to lift your skirt.

"This short skirt of yours... I spent the whole day thinking about lifting it and fucking you" he said, holding the cloth with the tip of his fingers and raising it slowly. The fingers that lifted the fabric softly scratched your thighs and your hip, making you shiver.

Jake saying those things made your legs tremble with pleasure. You didn't know how good it felt to hear that dirty-talk until it was Jake whispering it to you.

"I wore it thinking about it" you answered, what made him smile in a sexy and predatory way at the same time.

When he lifted your skirt high enough, he slid his right hand over your thigh. He gently slid back and forth towards your groin, torturing you with the desire of his touch. He looked you deep in the eyes with a serious expression, like he was in control of the situation. When you couldn't stand the teasing anymore, he caressed your pussy over your panties.

"Wow, you're soaking wet... I didn't know it was that easy to make you horny, baby."

You looked at him, almost not believing what you had just heard. After half an hour of teasing, he thought it was easy?

"Jake, please..." you moaned in desperation as he now rubbed your clit over the thin lacy fabric.

"I know, love, I'll give you what you want."

Jake pulled your panties down and slid his index finger between your fold, reaching your clit. You were so wet it was slippery inside you, making his job even easier. He then started to rub your clit in slow and circle motions.

You let go a fairly loud moan and, out of embarassment, you covered your mouth with your hand. He took your hand out of your mouth and pinned it against the wall behind you.

"Moan all you want, no one's gonna hear us. Moan loud for me."

And so you did. The harder he rub your clit, the more pleasure you felt and the more you moaned in his ear. He, who was also feeling pleasure, had his lips parted, watching you squirm against the wall.

Jake increased the speed with which he masturbated you, driving you insane. But you also wanted to torture him. Therefore, catching him by surprise, you took your hand to the huge bulge in his pants. He wasn't expecting that, but he enjoyed it.

You stroked his cock, that was very enhanced outside his pants. You were surprised with its lenght.

"You did this to me" he said, grabbing your hand and rubbing it harder against his dick.

But you didn't last for too long, since Jake's expertise in masturbating you was making your legs shake so you couldn't concentrate in anything but your own pleasure. You kept on moaning ach time louder until your orgasm finally hit. The pulsation made you almost scream.

You couldn't help but feel a little embarassed, but the look on his face comforted you and made you realize there was nothing to be ashamed of, since the man was clearly enjoying it.

He removed his fingers from your pussy and licked them. what made you feel another throb of pleasure. Next, he deeply kissed you.

"Fuck, your moans are so hot" he whispered in your ear. You couldn't answer him, since you were still recovering your breath.

Although you didn't say a word, you went back to stroking his erection. Gladly, he let you masturbate him over his clothes, torturing him as he had done to you.

"It's your turn to suffer" you said, and he smirked in response.

"This is nothing, I've been suffering since I first saw you in those tight clothes, your tits almost bursting out of that small top of yours. It was hard to hide how hard I was" he answered, gently pulling your hair behind your back so he could delight himself again with the sight of your naked breasts.

You rolled your eyes, giggling. He always had an answer on the tip of his tongue. But the fact that he said he got an erection only by looking at your cleavage made you feel powerful and sexy.

You kept masturbating him over the thick fabric of his pants, watching him twitch out of pleasure. After a few minutes, you removed his leather belt, tossing it on the floor together with the rest of your clothes. Next, he unzipped his pants himselft and lowered it a little, just enough so that you could see the bulge on his boxers. You could see the tip of his cock, since it had scaped the prison of its tight black fabric, which was already wet with his precum.

You licked your lips at the sight of his rigid cock. You wanted to suck it, but you would make him wait, just like he did to you. You stroked it over his underwear, which was way thinner and allowed you to move up and down much more easily. Jake was panting, anticipation taking over both of your bodies.

When he couldn't stand it anymore, he grabbed your hand and put it inside his underwear, surprising you.

"Couldn't handle it?" you laughed.

"I need to feel you" he murmured, almost out of breath.

So you masturbated him, now inside his underwear. You started off slowly, gently touching the tip of his cock with your thumb. It was wet with eagerness. You then started to move more quickly, but the fabric of his underwear was making the job a little difficult, so you impaciently pulled it down, completely revealing his penis. Now that you could see it completely, you masturbated him even faster.

You looked at his face saw the expression of pure pleasure, small groans escaping from his mouth. You smirked and he smirked back, pleased with how much fun you were having while touching him so intimately. You then looked back at his cock and realized you couldn't take it any longer: you had to suck him off.

When he noticed you were getting down on your knees, his eyes widened up in anticipation. Knowing what was about to happen, he helped you take off his pants and underwear and took off his shoes, tossing it all on the floor. Then, he grabbed all of your hair and held it tightly in the back of your head, not letting any strand of it get in the way of you doing your job, but at the same time being able to mildly control your movements.

You slowly licked his entire shaft from the base to the tip, making him shiver and moan. Next, you placed your lips around its head, gently sliding his whole cock inside your mouth. When it reached your throat you gagged, but you kept going. Starting off with slow movements and then increasing the speed, sometimes licking, sometimes kissing, sometimes harder, sometimes easier, sometimes just masturbating it while you gathered some air. With one hand you stimulated it, with the other you grabbed his butt. You looked him in the eyes, knowing he was enjoying it. His pleasure facial expression was incredible, only making you want to suck him even more.

You kept going, so eagerly you reached a very high speed, but it didn't last long. He gently pushed your head away from his cock and pulled you up, asking you to stand up.

"If you keep going like that, I won't stand for long, babygirl..." he murmured, catching some air.

"Sorry, I guess I got carried away..." you said while wiping your lips with your hand, making him giggle.

"Don't ever apologize for giving me the best head I've ever got."

Jake gave you a deep and sloppy kiss. Next, he is the one who went on his knees.

Jake laid kisses on your chin, neck, the middle of your breasts, your tummy and, after taking off your skirt and your boots and throwing them on the floor, he kissed your groin. Your body shivered in anticipation, nervous with what was about to happen.

Jake lifted one of your legs up and laid it over his shoulder, in a way he could be face-to-face to your entrance.

Before he got started, he looked up deep into your eyes, grinned and held your hip firmly with one of his hands, while the other squeezed the thigh that laid on his shoulder so tightly you had marks of it the day after.

Jake touched his tongue gently on your entrance, spreading your lips allowing his to explore your pussy. His hot and wet tongue in contact with your soaking folds sent shivers through your whole body, and several others followed it when he started to lick your clit.

The sensation was even better than the one he caused you with his fingers. Which was surprising, since he was a guitar player, you always thought he would be better with his hands. Turns out Jake Kiszka was god with incredible with string instruments and even more skilled in pleasing a lady.

He kept licking your clit, now harder. You, who were already having trouble standing on one leg while getting your pussy eaten like that, reached a tripod that stood nearby, dropping the microphone from it. Your other hand grabbed his light brown hair tightly between your fingers, trying to hold up to something and not lose grip from reality. You two were making a mess in the studio but you didn't mind, for he continued to go down on you and you kept moaning as loud as you could.

But it didn't stop there.

Jake slowly inserted his index finger inside you. You felt your walls clench around his finger as he moved it up and down, hitting your g-spot so easily you regretted not doing this earlier. The mix of sensations his tongue on your clit and his finger inside you were causing on you combined drove you insane. At this point, you were moaning so loudly you completely forgot where you two were. Your eyes were closed and all you could say was Jake's name between groans and breaths.

Jake inserted another finger and started to estimulate you really rapidly, as fast as he was sucking on your clit. Your pleasure had become unbearable and your second orgasm hit like a tsunami, wetting even more your folds and Jake's tongue. Although you had shown him he could stop so you two could move on, he didn't want to. He didn't stop, never allowing your orgasm to reach its end and making your legs shake uncontrollably.

When he thought he had enough he started to slow his movements down, for your relief. When he finally stopped, he laid a soft kiss on your wet entrance as a demonstration of affection and stood up, immediately kissing your lips making you taste your own bitter juices.

"You taste so delicious" he whispered between your lips "I can't get enough of it."

You two kissed once more, now more romanticaly and tenderly. When you two finally caught some breath, you looked at each other and smiled, excited with what was about to happen next.

He then grabbed your hair very firmly, bringing goosebumps to your skin. Next, he whispered in your ear:

"Are you sure you want it?" he asked, you thought it was sweet of him to ask for verbal consent.

"Yeah" you answered, embarassingly anxious.

"Then ask for it."

As he said it, he turned you over, making you face and lean against the wall, your back completely exposed to him. He still had his hand holding your hair very tightly. You moan at his dominance.

He bent you over in a way your ass was tilted up for him. He enjoyed the sight of it, caressing and squeezing it really hard. Next, he rubbed his hard cock over your entrance. You arched your back even more, feeling exposed like that felt hot and thrilling. The sensation of his entire lenght rubbing against your wet folds was torturous.

"Ask for it" he repeated impaciently.

"F-fuck me" you stuttered, nervously enjoying him telling you what to do.

"I can't hear you" he rubbed his cock against you even harder.

"Fuck me, goddamnit!" you shouted, feeling obligated to put all shame aside to please that wonderful bossy man.

"Good" he said in a husky voice, seeming pleased.

Jake finally put the tip of his cock inside you, slowly so your walls could adjust to his size. It wasn't necessary to wait for too long, since you were so horny and ready that he slipped right in. When his entire lenght slid inside you, you felt chills run from your neck to your back. Finally feeling Jake inside you was incredible.

Jake started to fuck you, increasing the speed bit by bit. You impaciently start to move your hips in his direction, showing him he could go faster.

"Oh, you want more, you slut?" he asked, squeezing and then slapping your ass, what would leave a red mark on the next day.

"Yeah..." you moan.

Jake then did as you asked, increasing the speed. You were now fucking really hard, his cock moving in and out of you at a rapid pace. The pressure of his shaft hitting deep into you gave you so much pleasure your eyes were rolling to the back of your head, and your moans had become screams.

Jake slapped your ass again. The pain was intense but extremely hot. He, looking for more pleasure, pulled your hair back even more while his other hand reached one of your breasts, which shook due to the harsh movements you were making. Jake's groans were low, but vibrant and rough. He moaned your name while gasping for air.

"Your pussy feels so tight, so good."

Then, for your surprise, he got out of you. You turned over to him to see what was going on, but he pulled you to the floor before you could say anything. He lied on the floor and placed you on top of him, then putting his arms under his head and laying down, enjoying the view of your completely naked body on top of his.

"Ride me" he commanded, and you obeyed without question.

You began to ride him, getting used to the position before doing it faster. As soon as you managed to find balance, you started to ride him really quickly. That position hit different a different spot inside you, and you could see by Jake's expression that it hit different for him too.

You were fucking him so hard Jake was cursing between his breaths. He put one of his hands on your butt to guide the movements as he wanted to and the other hand on your right breast, holding it and squeezing it. You two kept that position for a while, looking deep in each other's eyes, chills running through your spines.

Jake wanted to change positions again, laying you under him. For the first time you could feel how harsh the carpet felt under your soft skin, only then remembering the place the two of you were. But that didn't matter. Jake leaned on his knees and pulled one of your legs, placing it over his shoulder and going back to fuck you again.

That position was taking you to heaven, what seemed impossible. To make it even better, Jake began to estimulate your clit with his thumb while he slid his cock in and out of you. At that moment, any drop of sanity that you still had disappeared.

"Yes!" you moaned, biting your lower lip.

"Fuck!" he hissed, sweat running down his beautiful face.

He kept fucking you in that position, which didn't take long to make you come for the third time in a row. Your orgasm made you scream and moan his name for the millionth time that afternoon, and that was driving him insane.

"I'm gonna cum" he said, increasing the speed with which he fucked you, not allowing your orgasm to end. The noise your hips crashing against each other was so loud it filled the room.

Jake reached his limit, letting his fluids fill you up inside. You, still experiencing your multiple orgasms, enjoyed the sensation the hot liquid mixed with the bliss caused you. The two of you began to slow the pace, until you fully stopped. Jake laid over you, without pulling out. You two were dripping in sweat, his hair all messy and glued to his forehead.

The both of you stood there for a while, catching your breath. He caressed your hair and you stroked his back. When you could finally breathe again, Jake looked you in the eye and you both giggled in complicity.

Jake pulled out and lied next to you on the carpet while holding your hand.

"This was..." he said.

"Wow..." you said.

You two laughed for having spoken at the same time. You two stood there for a long time, staring each other in the eyes. His dark brown eyes sparkled with joy and both of you were enjoying the serotonin the intimate moment you two had just shared produced, cuddling.

"I think I'm falling for you" Jake said, breaking the silence.

You couldn't hide your surprise in hearing that declaration, but you gave him a big smile in response.

"Me too" you said, unable to contain the huge smile on your face.

"Phew!" he said, laughing "This means we will be able to do this more often."

"Obviously. But can we do it in a more comfortable place next time? This carpet is so rough!"

"You didn't like the studio? But we can make as much noise as we want in here!" he said, comically offended by your preference of having sex somewhere else.

"It has its advantages, yes, but I bet it can't be better than Egyptian silk sheets on a king-sized bed" you said, convinced you knew better than him.

"Okay, you've got a point. But I can't promise I'll be able to provide the Egyptian silk sheets and a king-sized bed by tonight."

You hit his arm and laughed, glad for having found such an amazing partner.

#jake kiszka #josh kiszka #sam kiszka #danny wagner #greta van fleet #gvf #gvf imagine #jake gvf #jake imagines #smut #one shot

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artificialqueens · 2 years

Text

Afterthought (Adorney) - Grinder

AN: Hi, so, first off; a disclaimer! This fic is heavily inspired by an episode of Inside No 9 (never heard of it? No one has lol). I just thought it fit right with the vibe I'm trying to create within these songfics. So this is the 3rd entry into my Joji inspired songfic collection. It's short this time, not like Gimme Love.

I recommend reading this, then when you get to the end, go back and read it again. You might notice you missed some things *wink*

Major Trigger warnings: mental health, depression, death mentions, dementia

I never actually wanted to go to the New Years party. It was fancy dress - a concept I had never thought was possible for a New Years event.

And the only reason I was there in the first place was the record deal.

"Rodney Sin is gonna be there. We can play some of the older stuff from high school; Princess Cut, Whole 9 Yards, Adam's Apple, you know? I mean, how is he gonna know it's like 5 years old?" Malcolm had paced back and forth, speaking more to himself before addressing me. "Anyway, it's a costume party… Don't sulk at me like that. I need you to doll yourself up. Make him think you'll suck his dick for this deal…Girl, you're not actually going to suck his dick. Don't worry."

He wasn't wrong. I wasn't sucking anyone's dick no matter how much I wanted this to work.

My idea of 'dolled up' was to dress as a zombie. Not a sexy zombie (although I liked to think of myself as naturally sexy), but just…a zombie.

"You're not gonna show off a little skin?" Malcolm sized me up before we left for the van.

I pointed out the small amount of exposed midriff, my ankles (semi-exposed with the fishnet), and my long arms. "It's about the music, Mal'."

He nodded. "You win."

We thought the party would be in a bar…or an expensive house…

It was in an apartment.

"Think we need a new manager," Spicy whispered in my ear before going to tune her guitar.

We did need a new manager. But Malcolm was my best friend. How the fuck was I supposed to fire him?

Everyone tried to tell me that professional and personal relationships didn't mesh well. I always nodded my head and said, "Yeah, I agree." Then I'd instantly realise I was lying.

And now, as much as I loved that bitch, I kind of regretted not taking anyone seriously.

But back to this party. It was claustrophobic in that place, the air was hot and damp, and the smell of stale beer turned my stomach. But despite all that, we played a damn good set.

Before the band started playing, Malcolm pointed out Rodney Sin, and I kept my eye on him all night. He was easy to pick out from the crowd, dressed up as Bob Ross. Who didn't want Bob fucking Ross at their party?

Rodney Sin, despite the choice of dressing up as the most wholesome being this world was ever blessed with, was so unlike Bob Ross. Bob Ross was the most heartwarming fucking person on this Earth, but I knew he'd take one look at Rodney Sin and say, "Now that is one sleazy son of a bitch. Let's beat the devil out of him."

He was on the couch almost the whole night, just watching, smoking blunts, drinking his beers, combing all the girls' hair who took turns sitting in his lap.

And even though I hated singing in the middle of this cramped ass apartment, giving him 'fuck me' eyes all night, the show was actually fucking cool.

And I really thought we had it in the bag.

And I thought we'd leave the party with a contract.

I left with a nurse instead.

Well…she was dressed as a nurse.

We didn't stop kissing until we were back in my own apartment. I struggled to open the door while my mouth was still on hers, but I got it unlocked eventually.

I pulled away from her for two seconds and almost fell into the place. I had too much to drink; I thought my cheap ass Christmas tree was an intruder.

Nurse girl laughed really hard at that. Usually, I would have blushed hard and told her to fuck off if she was going to laugh at me. But the alcohol made my insecurity disappear. When I say that, that's not me condoning the use of alcohol for confidence issues. Drink responsibly, please.

God, I'm so patronising sometimes…

The Nurse pulled me towards the couch, "Wow! I love this place," she said, taking in my apartment shrouded in darkness.

"Eh… you'll hate it when I turn the lights on," I glanced around at it myself. I liked the apartment. It was great by my standards. Mom always looked afraid to touch anything when she came around. Malcolm would complain there were no plants and that the "feng shui" was off.

"Let's just keep them off for now," Nurse said in her soft Australian accent. She lay down on the couch, her voice enough to make me melt.

I lay down with her, connecting our lips again. There was a chill in the air, but her body under mine was warming. She moaned into my mouth, wrapping her legs around my waist. And she giggled.

I pulled out of the kiss, joining in with her laughs, even if I didn't know what was funny.

"A zombie and a sexy doctor. The most bizarre pairing." Her thumb stroked that spot where my shoulder met my neck. It was nice.

"I thought you were a nurse," I didn't know why I felt the need to say that.

"Bit sexist," she continued stroking my skin.

I played it cool. "I bet there's zombie meets sexy doctor porn out there," I said.

"Should we contribute?"

I giggled. "Unfortunately, I'm about to bag a record deal. Gotta behave," I kissed her cheek, unaware of the phone call the next day, Malcolm telling me there would be no deal.

Nurse -actually, no, Doctor- adjusted on the couch. "What do you have to drink?"

I instantly got off her, feeling quite parched myself. "I got beer. Is that OK?"

"Perfect!" She sat up on the couch as I trudged my way to the fridge. The light inside blinded me, fucking up my already drunken vision.

"So, do you live alone then?" She asked.

"Yeah," I grabbed the first can. It was already open, so I put it back and grabbed another. It was untouched. Nice. "Just me, myself and I," I took another and closed the fridge door with my hip.

"I liked the music, by the way. I don't know if I said that already, but it was great," Doctor took the can from me as I sat next to her. We cracked them open simultaneously, foam spilling down the side of mine.

"You did say that," my green eyes flickered to hers, and then I took the first sip.

"Oh! Well, at least you know I'm telling the truth. I mean, I'm not usually a fan of that type of music. But I really liked it," She took a sip of her own.

I giggled as beer trickled down the corner of my mouth. I dabbed at it with my middle finger, "You said that too."

The darkness hid her blush. She looked down at the can in her hand. "Sorry, I didn't realise how drunk I am."

"Babe, it's New Years. Who isn't drunk?" I lifted the beer can again, taking a longer drink. None dribbled down my face this time. Swallowing, I spoke again, "Not gonna lie, I thought you were gonna go home with that John Lennon guy."

"He wasn't John Lennon. He was Harry Potter." The Doctor put her can on the coffee table.

"Round glasses. Same thing," I smirked, swirling my own can in hand.

"True," she shuffled closer to me, crossing her legs. "But nah, I wouldn't have gone home with him. He asked me if I wanted to see his wand." She buried the upper half of her face in her hand.

"And what did you say? You'd rather be eaten out by a zombie?" I couldn't resist it.

The Doctor threw herself at me, "You disgusting, cheesy, nasty…." I wasn't sure what she was trying to do; slap me? Cover my mouth? All I knew was her hands were getting grabby.

"Sorry, I had to," I struggled to get away from her hands, even though I didn't want to resist.

She stopped getting handsy, and I stopped struggling. My body was warmed by hers again, our faces inches apart. She closed the distance, pressing her lips to mine, and we kissed for another moment.

I expected to taste beer, but her lips were as sweet as the colour of lip gloss she wore.

Was I mad that we weren't immediately handed the contract? Fuck yes.

Was I made to feel better because I had this cute girl in my home? Fuck yes.

I pulled my lips away from hers, letting our foreheads remain connected. "My…" I started breathlessly, "My name's Adore, by the way."

The Doctor laughed, reaching over for her can.

"You know…uhhhh, if you're interested," I watched her take another drink, "You know…maybe in case…."

She put the can back on the table, turning a smirk to me. "I'm Cherish."

"Oh, for real?" I blinked, unsure of how to process a name like that. Then again, my name wasn't exactly normal.

She giggled again. "Nah, just making a stupid joke. It wasn't funny, I know. I'm just my own comedian."

Yeah, it wasn't that funny. But the fact that she was proud of herself made me laugh.

"I'm Courtney," she held her hand out. "Happy New Year."

I looked at her hand; the pastel pink nails were decorated with little syringe stickers. Even before I took it in mine, I knew she was a good hand shaker. That sounds ridiculous, right? We've all experienced awkward handshakes, and we've experienced great ones.

"Happy New Year, Courtney." I shook her hand.

"I hate to ruin the moment, but where's your bathroom?"

"Just down there at the end," I nodded to the left side of the room, where the small corridor led to the bathroom and two bedrooms.

"Right," she stood, "I'll be back. Don't worry. I'm not gonna try and sneak out the window or anything."

"You only climb out the window if you got a death wish," I added. Not sure why I even needed to say that. Maybe she wasn't a dark humour type of gal.

"BRB," she left me in the room alone. I watched to make sure she found the right door. The thought of her stumbling into my bedroom, seeing the absolute state it was in, was humiliating enough.

The couch would be fine for tonight. The bedroom another night…

That was assuming she'd want to see me again.

Before my mind could linger on the thought, the phone started ringing. I took the last gulp from my can, standing up and making my way toward my bookshelf, where the device pestered me with its shrilling sound.

As soon as I picked it up from the receiver, the screeching stopped, and I lifted it to my ear.

-_-_-_-

"Hello?" I put on my sweetest voice as I spoke into the receiver.

"Ugh, just the sound of your voice…makes me melty," Courtney spoke into the receiver, her voice huskier than usual.

"You like to repeat yourself a lot," I pointed out.

"I do, don't I? I sent you a Valentine's card. Did you get it?"

"The mail hasn't been delivered yet. Did you get mine?" I bit the top of my thumb, trying to contain my excitement.

"Probably. I've just got a whole pile of others to get through first," she teased.

"I'm so glad your comedy has improved," I stood by the window overlooking the street outside, fingers playing with the curtains. "So, what's the plan, fam'?"

"Well, I thought we could meet up sometime around 7. Romantic stroll, food, and then back to yours for sex. But it's up to you. Which do you want first?" The humour in her voice had me twirling my hair. Fuck, I literally turned into a teenage girl when I spoke to her.

"I'm not too fussed on the other options, but the last one…." I was back to biting my thumb.

Courtney was silent, "Is she going to be there?"

At the very mention, I looked into the kitchen where Joslyn sat at the breakfast bar, her back turned to me.

"I actually have no idea. I guess I could find out and get back to you," I lowered my tone, turning my back on my roommate.

"Oh, is she there right now?"

"Yep."

"OK, call me later."

"I will."

"Mwah."

"Bye."

I was the one to hang up, something Courtney commended me many a time for. 'Cause wasn't that the same for everyone? When no one could decide who should be the first to end the call, the awkward moments?

She always called me "a rare one". No one had ever referred to me as rare. I've gotten all of the following; dirty, scary, angry, not feminine enough, intimidating, a sket (I had to look that one up, it's British, apparently). There were a lot more.

Putting the phone back on the receiver, I made my way into the kitchen, "morning, Jossey," I sat on the other side of the island. She glanced away from her book, eyes glaring. She hated my nickname for her. Hated me even, which was a shame; I enjoyed having her around.

"Morning," she murmured, flicking her gaze back down to her book, letting me know she wasn't interested.

Don't get me wrong, Joslyn liked me at one stage. She only moved in the year before, and, in the beginning, it was fucking great. We used to go out every weekend and party hard. After too many shots, we'd hold each other's hair as we threw up; I'd big talk her to whichever boy she was making eyes at, and she'd tell everyone about my music.

Joslyn and I were pretty tight.

Then one day, after telling everyone we were "going away" for a whole day, we may have taken more than one tab of LSD each, and right after my peak…I don't know; I just kind of lashed out.

"The only reason you're living with me is 'cause I can't afford the rent 'cause Rodney fucking Sin is a cunt. You understand? You hold no real value to me other than that. So go fuck yourself!" Yeah, I really said that. Rodney didn't think we were good enough, and that really stung. She was the only one I felt like taking my anger out on.

Of course, I was just running my mouth, tripping fucking balls, but Joslyn never let it go. The partying stopped, which was probably a good thing 'cause she was a college student with aspirations higher than mine.

"So, any plans? Any dates tonight?" I leaned my elbows on the breakfast bar.

"For me, no," She flipped the page in her textbook, keeping her head down like she was trying to tell me to go away. "Just got back from a seminar an hour ago and - -"

"Ooh! The one with that girl…." I clicked my fingers, trying to remember for the life of me what the bitch was called. Joslyn used to rant to me so much about how this one girl in her class thought she was the shit.

"She wants to find a gateway to a parallel universe," Joslyn had told me one night. We lay under a dark blanket of stars in the soft grass of the park, sharing two joints. "She watches too much Doctor Who."

"A parallel universe?" I had giggled. "Like, did people laugh when she said it?"

"No. She's…pretty. Like big blonde hair pretty. Everyone was so encouraging to her." Joslyn had scoffed.

"OK…And what's her being pretty got to do with it?"

"Adore…being hot is a benefit. No one likes to admit it, but it's true. If I had said that, people would have laughed."

"But, you are hot, Jossey."

"Yeah, but she's blonde hot."

Of course, the stories of the girl stopped coming after I had my bad trip. But little moments like this, in which I struggled to remember her friggin' name, gave me some hope that she'd see how much I wanted her friendship back if I did remember.

"Brianna…" Joslyn answered for me.

"Yes, her!" I widened my eyes. "Hey, at least I remembered her. How is Miss Doctor Who bitch anyway?"

"She's fine." Joslyn pursed her lips. "She's really nice, to be honest."

Welp…there goes any more stories of hot blonde Doctor Who lady.

"I have another seminar later. So no Valentine's plans for me."

"Math?" I wasn't pretending to be interested. I genuinely gave a shit about her education. Another thing I liked about Joslyn was how ditsy she seemed and how it would show when we were in public. But her academic knowledge could blow your mind.

She nodded her head. "We've been doing continuous quantity."

"Uh-huh?" I nodded, unsure of what that actually was. Before I could ask her to elaborate, the mail was shoved through the letterbox. "Sounds super cool," I said, already forgetting what she said. I stood and went to grab the pile of letters that lay sprawled out on the floor. "And...complicated…"

"I mean…not really," Joslyn started as I rifled through the 5 letters, "I guess it depends on your approach to measurable magnitudes."

"Oh, party," I swear, I swear I did give a shit.

Joslyn must not have been convinced because she continued, "OK, so…like, you and Courtney have been dating for 13 months, right?"

"Uh, huh," I smiled when the red envelope was at the front of the pile.

"Which is one year and one month, OK?" Joslyn continued her rambling.

I opened the envelope, already excited for whatever message she put inside. Asides from handshakes, Courtney was also great at writing cards. She'd fill the whole thing with random thoughts, sweet words and cute drawings.

The front suggested it was handmade, which gave her more brownie points. It was simple; the background was white with a giant red heart in the middle and pink writing at the top. 'To my one and only….' Red stained my cheeks as I opened it.

"OK, so that is what's known as a portable vector…."

"The fuck?" I cut Joslyn off, my eyes taking in the message inside the card. I reread it. And then once more.

"What? I'm sorry, am I boring you with my number theory talk?"

"No, it's…." I closed the card, inspecting the front again. The hairs on my arms were beginning to rise. "I've… I've been sent a Valentine's Day card…." I turned and faced Joslyn as if she'd explain it to me.

She looked back at me as if I was on crack.

"I've been sent a Valentine's Day card from my ex-boyfriend." I glanced down at the card as I made my way back to the seat.

"Awww," Joslyn faked her smile, "I guess he still likes you."

"Yeah, but…" I put the card down on the island between us, "I haven't seen him since we were 12. Like…I don't even remember that much about him…."

Joslyn picked the card up, a sigh disguising a scoff as I further interrupted her studying. "Roses are red…Never have I ever…loved someone this much…be mine forever…." Her eyes met mine again, unsure of what to make of it.

"Yeah," I rubbed my goosebump covered arms, "He rhymed ever with ever…." I tried laughing.

"This is giving me Netflix You vibes." Joslyn put the card down, glancing at the door.

"How did he get my address?" I was speaking quieter.

"On that note," Joslyn closed her book shut and stood up from her chair. "I got that seminar."

Hell no. She was not leaving me alone here. "But…you said it was later."

"By later, I meant now," she packed her book into her bag and hurried to the door.

"B-But…" I tried.

She hesitated at the door before swinging it open quickly.

I flinched, waiting for the creepy card sender to pounce on her.

But that didn't happen. The coast was clear. Thank fuck.

She scoffed, putting a hand on the door frame. "I won't be back until 9 tonight. So you and Courtney have plenty of time to fuck." She said with a scoff.

"Oh, I…" I blushed, unsure of what to do with my emotions now. Joslyn left, pulling the door closed behind her.

Now that I was alone, it didn't exactly feel like that. The goosebumps on my arms were still standing stiff. I picked up the Valentine's Day card again; it felt gross just holding it.

And I grabbed the top, tearing the thing in half.

-_-_-_-

Courtney made her way through the small pile of photographs, giggling and cooing at whatever was printed. I prepared the tea tray in the kitchen, the room completely spotless. The whole apartment was spotless, which...I know; I should've been ashamed for not taking better care of it.

"Oh, Adore! Do you remember you used to always beg me to tie your hair up with those green ribbons?" Mom called out to me, sitting on the couch next to Courtney.

It was normal to feel embarrassed by your Mother exposing all your younger pictures to your significant other. Still, I wanted to crawl under a rock and for someone to stamp on it repeatedly.

I didn't answer, only did my best to laugh.

"Oh, wow, Adore!" Courtney gawped with amusement. My stomach was already twisting.

"Adore hates that one. But her little bottom was so cute!" Mom bubbled.

Fuck. The cursed bath picture from when I was a year old. I never thought this day would come, her showing it off to my significant other. I carried the tray into the main room like my life depended on it.

Courtney nodded in agreement, her smile wide as she moved her gaze to me. She turned the picture to me as if I hadn't seen it 100 times already. "You little cutie."

I took the picture from her hand and sat next to her. "You're both so embarrassing. I'm hiding this forever."

"You can't," Courtney whined. "It's adorable."

"It's my picture. I won't let you hide it on me, Adore." Mom scolded me. "Anyway, would I even be your Mom if I didn't embarrass you a little?"

She was right. I smirked. "Happy Mother's Day, Mom." She returned the smile, reaching over and squeezing my knee.

Courtney made another exciting noise at the following picture in the pile. "Oh, who's this handsome devil?"

I avoided looking at it, afraid of what it was.

Mom still smiled as Courtney showed the picture to her. But it curved almost, the corners wanting to drop down. Her eyes moved to her lap, closing her mouth and clearing her throat. "Uh, that…that was Adore's first boyfriend."

I played with the mug of tea in my hands and glanced at the picture with a wariness. I couldn't even remember what the kid looked like, but I also didn't really want to look. Speaking of which, why did Mom even have a picture of him anyway?

My eyes narrowed for only a moment as I sipped my tea.

"Poor guy, he…um…." Mom's eyes were still lowered for a moment when she lifted her green eyes to meet Courtney's blue ones, "he died when he was just 16."

My face shot up to look at my Mom again. My brows struggled not to furrow as I tried to maintain my neutral reaction.

But Courtney blinked. Then she looked at me with confusion. I could read her mind. Why hadn't I told her about that?

"He did?" I finally asked, taking the picture from Mom.

"Yes!" Mom answered as if it should have been a given, "He had…you know…" she then mouthed, "cancer." She nodded her head as if willing me to remember.

But I didn't remember. Like I told Joslyn so long ago, I barely remembered anything about the guy.

Was he even really dead? He did send me that Valentine's Day card. And surely Mom wouldn't have ever let me forget something like that.

I was scratching the back of my neck, feeling more like a dick for appearing so forgetful.

"God, Adore, you've got the memory of a goldfish," Mom sipped her tea, her smile returning, "but ever since she met you, Courtney, she's been doing a lot better for herself. Not focusing on the music as much. I mean, I'll be honest. When she told me she was seeing a woman, I was sort of shocked. She never liked girls as far as I knew anyway. But I'm so glad I'm finally meeting you. You seem like such a lovely young lady."

Courtney was the one blushing now, and I loved every second of it, seeing how bashful she could get.

"You're not like those unfriendly lesbians I see outside those bars…."

My eyes widened. "Mom!" She meant well, I swear to God. She was just…a little old fashioned.

Courtney didn't seem to mind, knowing Mom was stuck in what she knew, and the fact she even accepted that I was with another girl was enough.

"Are you planning to marry?" Mom asked a bit quieter, even though I was right there.

"Ummm…" Courtney looked at me and rubbed the back of her neck.

I felt just as under pressure.

"2 years is a long time to be dating." Mom continued. "I was married and pregnant by then." She was really pushing this.

"Mom?" I stopped her. "Times have changed since you were our age," I tried my best not to sound patronising, "We wanna live a little first. And I got my career to focus on." I sipped my tea.

"Career? Honey, you sing at a bar one night a week and work in that…rock and roll shop that smells funky," Mom said disappointedly.

"Thanks, Mom." I refused to look her in the eye.

"Look. Last year, your Daddy told me he'd love to walk you down the aisle. Don't you want to give him that opportunity? Before it's too late?" She looked away, a sad look in her eye.

She wasn't expecting me to answer. And I wasn't going to.

I just sipped the tea more, avoiding her eyes.

And Courtney and Mom sipped at their own drinks - sipping sounds were the only thing filling the silence.

"Gosh, I'd love some Oreos. Anyone else want some Oreos?" Courtney asked.

"Yes, please." Mom said graciously.

"I'm good," I answered.

And Courtney stood and hurried into the kitchen. When she rounded the corner, disappearing from view, my jaw clenched.

"Mom, can you fucking stop whatever you're doing?" I whispered and growled at the same time. I kept glancing at the kitchen, fearing Courtney would walk in on this.

"Look, honey. All I'm saying is there's nothing wrong with getting married!" She whisper-growled back.

"Mom, for fuck sake - -"

"All you young people look at us like we're too old school. Marriage is a beautiful thing. It's a commitment."

"Mom, she doesn't even live here. How is that a commitment??"

"Well, marriage would help start all that up!"

I couldn't believe her logic. I know I said she was just stuck in her ways, but this was too much. "Mom, just stop, please. We're never getting married…." I touched the back of my neck again, eyes trailing away from Mom, "And…I don't even know if she - -"

"Adore?"

Both our eyes shot to the kitchen.

-_-_-_-

Courtney came out of the kitchen, carrying a somewhat lighter cardboard box. "Where will I put my books?" She asked groggily. Her whole demeanour had changed since the day began. Carrying the first few boxes up, she giggled with excitement. Then as time went on, the smile only started to disappear.

Understandable. I was exhausted, and so was she. What we thought would take an hour actually took 4.

I didn't have an answer to her question. What was there to even say? The rest of the boxes were scattered everywhere, a lot of them stacked on top of each other.

"Ummm, just here," I turned, pointing to one pile in particular by the window.

Courtney didn't complain, only rushed to where I pointed and sat the box down carefully.

I glanced around the living room; nowhere to even sit with all of the boxes. "There's so many…." I said aloud, crossing my arms.

Turning away from the chaotic sight, I only noticed Courtney's face. There was that look in her eye like she was trying to appear normal, but inside she was panicking. "You're not…regretting this, are you?"

"What? No." I smiled. Of course, I wasn't having second thoughts, no matter how much room her stuff was taking up.

"You're not lying?"

"Well… Joslyn's gone. Someone has to help with the rent," I quipped, putting my hands on her dainty shoulders.

"Oh, that's how it is?" Courtney's eyes widened, yet all the worry from before disappeared.

I kissed her, my mouth smiling against hers. Knowing that this was going to be our lives now, it was just…it was just…fucking everything.

Courtney stopped kissing me, "Not gonna lie, I couldn't be arsed to unpack anything for the rest of the day."

I raised a brow. "Got something in mind?"

"I'm gonna stop you right there, so you can get your mind out of the gutter," She pointed, "I wanna chill out."

"We can chill out." I nodded. "Well, you can. I was actually gonna play some music. Nothing too loud." I glanced over her shoulder at my guitar, the thing collecting dust in the corner of the room. Surrounded by the cardboard boxes, it almost looked intimidated, backed up against the wall. I needed to save the fucker.

"You know what I want?" Courtney started. "Toast shoulders."

Those two words practically gave me goosebumps, "Fuck, it's been too long."

"Should I make some?"

"Yes!"

"OK. I'll make us toast soldiers. But only me. Remember last time?"

I sighed comically. "Listen, Malcolm told me you boiled the egg for 4 minutes. Blame him for it being undercooked."

Courtney giggled again. And I wanted to kiss her again. "Do you have eggs?"

Fuck. "No."

Courtney moved away from me, heading straight for the door. "I'll go grab some."

"Are you sure? I could go if you're tired."

"It's fine. The store's only across the street. I won't be long," Courtney slipped on her baby blue cardigan, blew a kiss to me and left the apartment.

How the fuck did I end up with a girl like her?

Before I even met Courtney, I thought I'd die alone. Or maybe I'd be with someone who seemed to fit perfectly next to me - a man just as sleazy as Rodney Sin, some 50-year-old pimp who wouldn't love me but only sought companionship.

This girl was something else, this bright ethereal ball of energy. And even though it had been years since we started this relationship, it still only felt like yesterday that I ran into her at that party. It's true when they say time flies when you're having fun.

I snapped out of a trance, realising I had just been staring at the closed door, smiling like an idiot. I glanced around the room, suddenly aware of how many boxes there were. Maybe it was just my mind playing tricks on me, but they seemed to bring darkness to the place.

I rubbed the back of my elbows, deciding to be a bit productive. I felt bad going through Courtney's shit, but the box of CDs caught my interest. Rifling through it, I found I didn't recognise most of these artists - whether that was because I had my own taste or she was a fan of more unheard of artists.

In particular, there was Nectar; the cover was a bit darker for someone like Courtney. It contrasted with the other CDs in the box, their colourful cover art. This one, however, was darker; The profile of a man staring right at me. Half his face was highlighted by red light, and the rest in shadow. I guessed he was the artist. There was no name, just the album title.

Checking the back of the case, I scoped out the song list. Still, nothing seemed to ring a bell. But curiosity still got the better of me.

I popped the disc into the CD player, skipping right to track 13. Every other CD I owned growing up, track 13 was always the best.

The music filled the place, and it wasn't what I was expecting. A sort of slow R&B track, the artist's voice melancholy. The way he drawled his words, I almost couldn't make them out. Despite this, however, I liked it. It was catchy, pretty even.

This was a thing. Something I was going to always associate with Courtney.

I absentmindedly started dancing, just a simple sway in the beginning. Then moving more freely around the room, like a ghost exploring this new world that was to be me and hers.

The singer's vocals continued to be mournful, mumbling like he was at his lowest, and not even the person he was singing to could get him out of it.

"Damn, Court', I never knew you had a thing for 'sad boys'," I said aloud, picking up the CD case again, looking at the book inside. The pages included the lyrics, helping a lot in deciphering what he was even singing. On track 13's page, it said 'For Blair', followed by the lyrics and nothing else.

Not that it needed it, I wanted to play along. I knew the guitar wouldn't suit a song like this, but hey, a little fun never hurt nobody.

I looked at where my guitar was, but it was gone, no longer backed into the corner by all of Courtney's boxes. It was there, right? Strange.

I glanced around the room, the front door to the couch, the bookshelf to the window. It was nowhere.

I left, swiftly making my way to the bedroom; if it wasn't in the main room, it would definitely be there.

I entered the chilly room, glancing around quickly. Nothing.

I made for the closet, pulling the doors open. Again, nothing.

SPLAT!

I flinched away from the closet, my eyes chasing the source of the sound. On the wall by my head was the shell of a cracked egg glued by the dripping insides.

Laughing nervously, I closed the closet and looked out into the hall, "fuck, Courtney. My heart's in my throat," I continued to laugh, my breath shaking.

I expected to see her standing at the top of the now dimmed hall, egg carton in hand, a mischievous grin on her face.

But the hall was empty. My smile dropped immediately.

SPLAT!

I jumped as another egg smashed in the hall, thrown from one of the other bedrooms.

"Courtney!" My tone sounded more agitated. "Courtney, what are you doing?"

I wanted to remain put, but my feet told me to move. And I was in the hall, hand right by the second splattered egg.

"This isn't funny, Courtney," I kept my eyes on the smashed egg.

Another splattering sound came from the room across the way, past the main room, in the now darkened kitchen. I flinched again, not as hard. Yet my feet continued to move me towards the source.

I didn't even think to look in the living room as I passed. As soon as I had one foot in the kitchen, my hand reached for the light.

It wasn't any use; the lights only blinked on and off. My hands trembled now.

The smell of eggs hit my nostrils, my brain telling me to look down.

"What the fuck?" I whispered, taking one step more into the kitchen. The floor was littered with smashed eggs, the yolk causing shiny streaks on the linoleum.

And a rattling tore my attention away from the wasted food. I saw it just in time, the pantry doors closing shut.

Get out. Just turn around and run. Go find Courtney and call the fucking police.

Yet I still found myself in front of the pantry, my shaking hands on the doorknobs. The light still blinked, the air was so cold, and I couldn't even hear myself breathe. I didn't want to do this, but something told me I needed to.

I pulled the doors open quickly.

All that was in the small space was the food we had stored away.

"Fuck," I sighed with a shaking breath. Everything was fine. There was no one in the pantry, no one in the apartment. I was going to turn around; the apartment would be warm and homely looking, the lights would be working fine, and the eggs would be gone, never there in the first place.

Before I could even fool myself into believing that, there was one more sound behind me. Nylon rubbing against more nylon.

Paler than I was before, I dared myself to turn around. The lights continued blinking. The air was still devastatingly cold.

There he was, the one throwing the eggs, standing right across from me in a soaked raincoat.

I gasped. Then I cried. And I stepped back.

"I'm sorry." The man whispered.

And he hurried forward, arms reaching out to me, his heels crunching on the eggs.

-_-_-_-

I shot up in bed, gasping sharply.

“Adore, what’s wrong??” Courtney was wide awake instantly.

I was catching my breath when her voice reminded me of where I was. Everything was fine. The apartment was glowing from the morning sun; it was nice and warm. It was just a nightmare.

Courtney’s arm met my shoulder.

I shook my head. “I just...had a messed up dream.”

“Oh,” Courtney was relieved.

The alarm started to chime, causing me to flinch slightly. Courtney groaned. “Turn it off, please.”

I turned it off. “Come on. You got work.” I did my best to turn and face her. She was rubbing her weary blue eyes.

“It’s a bank holiday.”

Fuck me and my goldfish memory. “Oh yeah,” I rubbed my own eyes.

“Could you make some coffee now that you’re awake?” Courtney stretched her limbs out. Her stretching soon turned her into a pretzel, appearing almost possessed. We joked about it often, how when she stretched, she always formed her body into the most bizarre positions.

“Of course, I will,” I turned around while she snuggled against her pillows again.

I threw the covers off me, exposing the watermelon that was my belly. I rubbed a hand over it lovingly, hoping the life inside would also wake up. I would need the company now that Courtney was bound to take another half hour in bed.

5 years ago, if you had asked me where I saw myself in the future, I would have said on a stage, spitting beer at a crowd of screaming fans who’d see me as their idol. I’d be unable to go out into the public, what with people constantly grabbing for a moment with me. Then the paparazzi doing all they could to get a story on my latest shenanigans. I know that sounds cocky, but we’ve all had at least one moment in which we fantasise about being famous.

I would have never guessed this is where I’d be - married and heavily pregnant.

I was waiting for the kettle to boil when the baby kicked. I winced, the pain-causing me to shudder as a shockwave coursed through me, goosebumps appearing on my skin as it travelled. It was bizarre to think inside me there was a tiny human, terrifying actually. At least once a day, I would lose myself in a trancelike state, just thinking too much about it.

“Maybe IVF was a mistake. We could have adopted,” Courtney said the week prior, catching me in one of my trances.

“What? No, the birth process isn’t scary to me.” I was sort of peeved by her statement. I knew she was only looking out for me, but I was afraid the baby could somehow hear her words behind all my skin. “It’s just…there’s a living thing inside me…and sometimes I just….”

I never finished that statement. I didn’t even know how to finish it. Sometimes I wished Courtney was the one who agreed to carry the baby just so she could understand. And even if that were the case, I’d like to imagine I’d understand her even though it wasn’t me going through it.

I didn’t hate being pregnant, but I didn’t love it either. I underestimated how much it fucked with emotions. It was a rollercoaster.

“It says ‘insert groove dowel pins into B1 and B2.” I felt useless, sitting on the couch and reading the instructions.

The TV was on in the background. Months back, we’d play music channels just for some background sound. And now our choice of white noise was the news. Was this what being an adult was supposed to be? Was I doing this right?

Courtney was on the ground before me, where the coffee table once was. She was surrounded by the cot, a work in progress. She looked at me cluelessly. “OK, what are dowel pins again?”

“The thingies…they look like maggots,” I turned the page to her, pointing at the image, for the 20th time now.

“Oh, OK.” Courtney searched the dowel pins on the ground.

I continued to stare at the page, waiting for her to finish the step. The baby kicked again; I squeezed my eyes shut which went unnoticed.

“...young female scientist Brianna Caldwell, leading the operation into discovering a pathway into a parallel universe. Some are calling the project outrageous; others are supportive of Ms Caldwell….”

1. Wow, did you have to point out that she was a female, Mr Probably Misogynistic News anchor.

2. Wasn’t that the same Brianna from Joslyn’s class?

3. Was it even possible? Other universes?

4. If yes, then what would my life look like? Would I be that multi-award-winning artist travelling the world?

“OK, then what?” Courtney asked, still working with the long plank of white wood.

“Ummm…” I almost forgot what step we were at, too engaged with my own thinking. “‘Align sliding panel AB…” why was my voice cracking? “...alongside bar EF.’”

“We did that already,” Courtney said a little too quickly, hinting annoyance in her tone.

“OK,” my hands started to shake, “‘Insert rod into top pole until base connects.’”

Courtney dropped whatever she was messing with; I was too busy focusing on the page in my hands. “This sounds more like a step by step guide on how to conceive. ‘Dash your hopes and dreams: for dummies.’”

She smirked, thinking she was funny. But I wasn’t laughing. My chin trembled, eyes watered. And I made a half-assed attempt at covering my face with my free hand.

Courtney stood up, manoeuvring around the WIP cot, when the first sob escaped my mouth. “Adore, no…I was just joking. Please don’t cry.”

A bit late now, Court.

“What’s the matter?” Courtney sat next to me, leaning close.

“I…just…I don’t know….” I sobbed harder.

“Adore, I’m really sorry. I was kidding. This is what I want.” She rubbed my shoulder, her voice soothing.

I couldn’t believe the words I said next, not until they were actually out there. “I just don’t want the baby to spoil everything.” Oh God, was I already failing as a Mother for saying it?

Courtney’s hand took mine. “That’s not going to happen,” she squeezed it reassuringly. “How is that going to happen?”

-_-_-_-

We stared at the ceiling as Lo’s wails filled our room, screeching from the monitor as he wept in protest. He didn’t want to sleep. And he didn’t want us sleeping either.

I clasped my hands over my chest, waiting patiently for something to happen. Maybe he’d realise Mama and Mommy needed their rest, and he was asking too much of them.

Or maybe Courtney would move.

I didn’t look at her, but I could see that she swept a hand through her messy blonde locks out of the corner of my eye.

“OK, nope.” She kicked the covers back, and I finally looked at her.

Internally I was thanking the heavens that she got the hint. But I couldn’t let her know that. As she clambered out of bed, I went to reach for her, but I didn’t even grab hold. “Court’, I - -” I had done most of the baby stuff. I needed a break. My sentence went unfinished.

When she left the room, I smiled with relief. I knew it would only last an hour before Lo started back with his protests. So I was relishing in it.

And now that she was gone, I had the chance to finally do the one thing I hadn’t checked off my to-do list. Courtney was home all day, insisting she’d take care of Lo while I focused on my music.

For the first time in a while, things were looking up. From uploading all but two songs to Soundcloud, Malcolm got me some traction. And -OK, this made me feel older than I was- having no idea how Spotify actually worked, I was even more shocked to find out he could put my music there too.

The many people who had listened already was just…something I thought I’d never see.

Malcolm said it wasn’t a big number at all. But hey, 1000 listens to each song on Spotify, that blew my mind. And now, I was on the path to making a real artist of myself.

It felt sort of like a betrayal to do it without the band. I had reached out to Spicey, but she had moved on, explaining she was married with kids of her own, and said, “OK, leave me alone now.”

But back to the present, relying on the past never did me good.

I quickly leaned over to the bedside table, opened the drawer and pulled the card out.

Courtney’s sweet voice sounded on the baby monitor. “Hello, my little angel. Why are you crying?” Lo’s wails were already dying as Courtney shushed him gently. “Why’s the baby crying…?” She continued to coo.

I turned back over in the bed, opening the bright pink card that said, “Best Mom Ever” in big capitals on the front. While Courtney began to sing the lyrics to her favourite song, Afterthought, I wrote the message quickly, a giddy smile on my face.

To Mommy,

I’m sorry I keep you awake at night. I just think you’re a cool person to be around. Mama says it all the time.

Happy Mothers Day,

Lo.

I slipped the card under her pillow, excited for the following day. I didn’t even care about the lack of sleep anymore. Courtney’s singing on the monitor was relaxing, the voice of an angel.

“Come on, little man….”

My eyes shot to the baby monitor. Because that wasn’t Courtney.

“Let’s get you out of there.”

My flight or fight instincts kicked in. I kicked back the covers, whimpering out Lo’s name as I rushed to his room. My blood was cold, even the air. It was all so cold. All of the panic, the fear of who was in our son’s room with him, it was all crushing my lungs.

I turned the corner in the hall, swinging into Lo’s room, my eyes instantly landing on the empty cot.

“Courtney!” I rushed to the cot as if this was just a trick of the eye. Maybe he had shrunk, or he was under the covers hiding. But none of it was true. My hands clenched around the bars. “Courtney!!” I screamed louder, unable to move away from my baby’s bed. “He’s gone! Someone took him!”

I choked out a sob, wishing this was all one big nightmare.

“Adore…what’s going on?” Courtney’s confused voice sounded from behind me.

When I whirled around, I almost passed out from all the relief when I saw Lo in her arms. He was wrapped up in a dinosaur blanket, looking around aimlessly, clueless to the distress I was in.

I should have been relieved. I should have taken him from her and held him close. But I glanced back at the cot, then back at Courtney, the confusion stronger now.

“I-I heard someone on the fucking monitor.” I glanced cautiously around the room, but we were truly alone.

“Yeah, it was me,” Courtney’s confusion disappeared instantly.

“No, but - -”

“I was just trying to nurse him back to sleep.”

“It wasn’t you, Court’.” My voice cracked. “I…It…” My hand clenched on the bars again.

“OK, calm down. He might get upset again.” Courtney stepped closer into the room.

I reached out and stroked the back of Lo’s head gently. I wonder if he really knew that I was distressed, the way my hand shook. I wonder if he would have been upset, too, knowing how terrified I was.

Courtney put Lo back in his cot. “There we go, baby…” she whispered.

Even though I knew it was just the three of us, I still felt like I was being watched. I had heard the voice, right? It was masculine, nothing like Courtney’s. Completely unrecognisable.

But why would anyone want to take my son?

I glanced around, realising that maybe no one wanted him specifically, but there were a lot of sick fuckers out there. And that thought made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I rubbed the area of skin, glancing out into the hall.

“You just need some sleep.” Courtney finished tucking Lo in. She went to leave the room, kissing me on the cheek before doing so. “Come on, you’re exhausted.”

But Lo was already starting to whimper. I didn’t want to leave him.

But Courtney was right. My whole body felt like lead, like moving was an exercise on its own.

And maybe she was right about the voice. Maybe I had dreamt it. Maybe I had managed to fall asleep for a few minutes while she worked at calming Lo down.

I backed away towards the door, still conflicted. My eyes remained on my baby as his cries already started to become more desperate.

My eyes remained on him as my hand found the light switch.

My eyes remained on him as it flicked it off, shrouding the room in darkness.

-_-_-_-

"Open up!"

I blinked a few times when I opened my eyes. They had only been closed for about a minute, so why did I feel disoriented?

Maybe the anxiety was slowly becoming worse. Every time I closed my eyes, I was reminded of that night. The fear of looking away from him for all but a second, and he'd be gone.

But this was supposed to be a happy day. So when my vision cleared, seeing all the faces in front of me, I put on my brightest smile.

I kinda knew they would throw me a surprise party. Well, party was a word for it. There were balloons, banners, all the usual decorations. But only 6 people. Mom, Dad, Malcolm, and 3 others who I think were just Mom's work friends.

"Suprise!" They shouted out, Malcolm displaying the cake in his hands. My eyes instantly went to the two candles. One being a '3' and the other a '0'. I was suddenly aware of the All Time Low t-shirt covering my body. Still wearing it after all these years.

I still felt…strangely disorientated. No one else seemed to notice. Malcolm was in front of me now. "Blow out your candles, baby."

"Oh," I needlessly sighed before blowing them out.

The attendees were awe-ing, and oo-ing as smoke trailed from the distinguished wicks.

"Happy Birthday," Malcolm hugged from the side, balancing the cake carefully in one hand.

"Thank you," I sighed once again. But the smile remained on my face.

He set the cake aside, and my eyes scanned the room. "Wow, this is…" my smile faltered, noting Courtney was absent.

Mom beckoned me over. I had seen her two days before. But Dad, I hadn't seen him in what felt like months. It probably was that long, to be honest.

"Hi, Dad!" I exclaimed, keeping my volume at a level that wouldn't freak him out. I wasn't a Daddy's girl growing up, but in the later years, we grew close. He liked my music a lot. And we'd watch old reruns of American Idol. He'd always say I had more talent in my pinky finger than they had in their whole being.

I'd accompany him to his game night at the pub, when he'd gather around with his friends, drinking and playing chess. He was always too enthusiastic about showing me off, telling his friends about my music. I'd tell them all about how I'd broken his heart in my teen years, constantly rebelling and breaking the rules. Of course, they'd laugh, slapping him on the arm. He'd say, "Well, look at you now."

I was over the moon to see him here in my home. Just standing there, facing the wall, looking at nothing, holding a red balloon in his hand.

"He's been so excited for this all week. Haven't you, Miguel?" Mom looked at him with a bright smile.

I was hugging him from the side, still gentle in my actions. He didn't reply. He didn't look around to kiss me on the head. He was still fixated on the wall.

Mom's smile was gone. She said in a hushed voice. "He did know he was coming. I just think…."

"It's gone again," I answered, saving her the trouble.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have brought him," she lowered her tone again.

I wondered if she realised that he could still hear us. Sometimes it felt like she didn't like he was an inanimate object she spoke about and did not speak to.

"No, I'm glad he's here." I kissed Dad on the cheek. There wasn't a hint of acknowledgement, but I knew he felt it.

"He wouldn't want you to remember him this way."

I held back from saying any more. If words were to come out of my mouth, they would be pointed. And one of the biggest rules of your birthday was you couldn't show anger, sadness or negative feelings. Don't want to look ungrateful.

Before I got too lost in my thoughts, Malcolm commanded my attention.

"Happy Birthday, baby bitch." He held up what was obviously a gift. And by how poorly wrapped it was, it was pretty obvious what it was. My eyes were already wide. "I'm sorry. I really tried."

I took the guitar by its neck. "What the fuck, Malcolm? This must have cost so much." I knew it did. I'd been eyeing the thing up for months. But when money was tight, it was out of the question. And when there was money, I felt like I didn't deserve it. Not like the music thing was going good anymore anyway. Turns out 2000 streams on a song isn't that big of a deal.

"What if I told you I got it with a five-finger discount?" Malcolm said a bit too loud.

My face darkened. "That's a joke, right?"

He laughed. "Bitch, of course, it is. Don't worry about how much it was. I had some change to spare."

My green eyes were shifting from Malcolm, then to the guitar, then back to my friend. "You didn't have to do this." But I couldn't contain my excitement, a squeal of excitement escaping my mouth as I brought him into a hug. "Thank you so much."

Pulling away, Malcolm's smile was as bright as mine. He glanced around the room, hands on his hips. "Where's Courtney?"

"I…" I shrugged, "I don't know. Mom, where's Courtney?" I felt bad for asking. I was the one who was supposed to know where she was. And I don't mean that in a controlling relationship type way. I just… couldn't…pinpoint when I last saw her.

"Oh," Mom looked around too as if she hadn't even realised, "She said she'd be here."

Just as the smile was disappearing from my face, the front door opened. I expected it to be Courtney, walking in looking stunning as always.

She'd apologise for being late, she was just picking up my present, which was probably something stupid like a carton of eggs. She'd hug me tight, kiss my cheek, wish me the happiest birthday, and promise toast soldiers later.

The truth is it was Courtney. And Trinity K Bonet, her work partner.

"Hi, darling." Courtney panted like she had run up the stairs. She hugged me gently and kissed my cheek.

She was smiling. Not as bright as I expected. Maybe that was asking too much. Maybe it wasn't.

"Hi, Trinity." I made sure that smile didn't move an inch. I was doing a good job, but the greeting could have been more enthusiastic.

"Adore!" She exclaimed as if she hadn't already seen me, as if Courtney hadn't told her it was my birthday. "How are you? You look…" her eyes looked me up and down, "great! You look great!"

Say thank you and be done with it. Just say thank you. "Um…I don't look great but thank you." Fuck.

"Nuh-uh. I think you've lost some weight. Turn around, lemme see."

Fuck my life. This is why you just say thank you and be done with it. I blinked, only now noticing that everyone's eyes were on me. I couldn't believe I was about to do a slow spin just so Trinity could probably pass judgement while she stood there, lean and tall in her gorgeous red suit dress, her hair styled perfectly.

I slowly turned, glancing at Malcolm. His gaze was on Trinity, lips pursed and brows raised. At least I wasn't the only one. He winked at me reassuringly.

"Yeah, you…you really have," Trinity said, quieter.

I couldn't bear it anymore. I finished the rest of the spin. She smiled like she was about to grab me by the shoulders and tell me she was sorry for my loss. Courtney was smiling and staring at me. Some part of me was pissed she didn't stop her friend from making me spin like that.

Mom was rubbing the back of her neck. Dad was still staring at the wall.

"Oh, it's just baby fat." Mom wasn't holding back. Her voice was full of frustration as she stared daggers at Trinity. "It'll go away, honey," she smiled at me.

"Isn't he 2 years old?" Trinity just couldn't help but add.

Again, Courtney pretended she didn't hear a thing. "Where is Lo?"

"Having a nap." I averted my eyes, pulling my t-shirt down as if it wasn't already hiding enough skin.

"She was showing everyone pictures at the work do!" Trinity beamed.

Ah, that's where she was. How could I have forgotten? Not like I was sort of pissed about it days before.

"Oh, yeah. How was it?"

"Oh, well, it was OK, I guess." Courtney looked at Trinity for clarification, "We only really stayed for a little while. Kind of boring, wasn't it?"

"So boring," Trinity groaned.

"We just…showed our faces to the higher-ups, you know. Kinda schmooze them up." Courtney laughed. And her gaze moved behind me. "Hi, Malcolm," she said quickly.

"Hi, Courtney," Malcolm returned the greeting with the same energy. "And this is…."

I just shifted uncomfortably, knowing how awkward this really was.

"Oh, this is Trinity," Courtney wrapped her arm around and put a hand on Trinity's lower back. "She just started under me."

"Hm," Malcolm smiled, eyes glaring down at Trinity, "has she?"

Courtney slid out of this awkward bubble that had been created as Malcolm exchanged air kisses with Trinity. She quickly moved to the snack table, and I followed. She poured herself a drink while I worked at this sudden uneasiness that fell over me.

"Courtney," I said quietly, rubbing my hands along the sides of my skinny jeans. "My Dad's here."

In all the years we'd been together, Courtney never had the chance to meet my Dad. Not her fault. He was just…in and out of the hospital. It was unpredictable when his health was going to decline again. And what with Courtney working more often, it was impossible to find a suitable date to have a get-together.

Courtney smiled before taking a quick sip of her drink. Her eyes then sought out the wide variety of finger food spread out on the table.

"You wanna say hi?" I asked quietly. I don't know why I made it sound like I was asking for a donation to charity. I hated it.

"No problem, I'm just gonna grab more drinks from the kitchen. I'd love a cheeky gin."

And she left me standing there, staring at all the food. The smile was becoming harder to maintain, almost making my face ache.

"OK, Adore! It's that time again!" Mom's said behind me, and I instantly knew what was happening.

I turned to see her already skipping towards me, blindfold in hand. The smile dropped. "Mom. No. Please."

"It's a tradition, honey. We have to!" She beamed. And she turned to address the party guests.

"Mom, please - -"

"Every birthday since she was six, we've always played blind man's buff!" Mom exclaimed like she was announcing that she had just won the lottery and a day on the beach with Michael Bublé.

"Not every birthday," I directed my gaze to Trinity, who seemed to be loving this already.

"Yeah, we have, Adore," Mom said, quieter and more stern. "Although, last year was the best. It's a lot more fun after a bottle of wine."

"I got pictures," Malcolm teased.

"I know it doesn't seem like her, but Adore's always been a sucker for party games. Right, honey?" Mom's honey-sweet voice was starting to take a toll on me.

Not that I was paying much attention anymore anyway.

Malcolm, Dad and the people I didn't know stood to one side of the room. And Courtney and Trinity remained on the opposite. My partner said something quietly to her. Trinity's eyes widened with enthusiasm. Her perfect lips turned up into a coy smile.

And Courtney put her hand on her back again and led her away to the hall.

I watched, trying to get a sense of where they were going. But as soon as they had started moving, my world was shrouded in darkness.

"...first person you grab will give you your main gift!" Mom secured the blindfold.

"OK…this is actually happening," I murmured.

"Malcolm, my darling, come and spin her!" Mom's voice said from behind me.

"Don't mind if I do," came Malcolm's flirty tone.

I was spun around 3 times, my friend counting up each time before announcing the game had begun.

I was left with a limited amount of my senses. Not that you need a tutorial on how to play blind man's buff, you've probably played it at a grandparent's birthday party. But holding your arms out is a lifesaver. You won't find anyone, of course, but you'll feel any obstacle in your way and save a broken vase. Your hands are your eyes when you're world is just dark.

I held my hands out and moved forward. My knee hit something, maybe the armchair. Hey, I didn't say you definitely wouldn't hit something.

Knowing where the chair was, I got a sense of what direction I was to head in. I bravely took a few more steps, thankfully avoiding more objects.

Just as I was beginning to question why I was still doing things like this at the age of 30, my right hand brushed something. Fabric. It couldn't have been curtains. I grabbed the person. "Got you!"

A frightened sound escaped the person's mouth, and I knew instantly it was Dad, still standing in the same place since the party had begun.

I apologised profusely, feeling him freaking out. "Sorry - sorry - sorry!" I couldn't stop. "It's me, Adore! You're safe!"

Thankfully, he calmed down instantly as I felt how he stood still again.

Back to the game.

I wandered around, hoping Dad wouldn't be frightened again and that I'd come across just someone. I giggled, picturing how this looked from the party attendees' eyes.

But it didn't last.

A sound brought me to a grinding halt.

It was almost like…scratching.

Curiously I followed in the direction of the sound, having no indicator of where I was headed.

As my hands connected with a wall to my left, I used it to help guide me along the way. Pretty sure I had just heard someone tiptoe behind me. I knew the sound of those shoes. Malcolm. He adored this particular pair of shoes because of how they sounded.

I could have turned and threw myself at him and ended the game right then and there.

But my curiosity had me following the scratching sound.

The wall kept going. I was in the hall. And the rooms around me were the bathroom and bedrooms. A sinking feeling crushed my stomach in a tight grasp. That wasn't scratching I was hearing. It was squeaking…rhythmic squeaking…growing louder the closer I got.

My hands landed at the door that I knew too well; our bedroom.

I moved my face closer, trying to make sense of the sound behind the wood. But how could I make any more sense of it? I knew what was going on.

I had enough. I pulled the blindfold off, hearing grunting from behind the wood.

I grabbed the handle and flung the door open.

-_-_-_-

The suitcase was on the bed, and Courtney was on top of the suitcase. She bounced up and down, making the bed creak as she tried to zip it shut. 5 years ago, I would have laughed, would have filmed her even. And we'd both giggle 'til our sides hurt.

Not now, though.

She looked at me, panting as she struggled. "It won't close. I think you're gonna have to take something out."

I rubbed my hands off the side of my leggings. "You always pack the cases." I wasn't trying to sound like a dick; I smirked a little, hoping she'd smile back

But she opened the case, bombarded by Lo's stuffed animals. She dug through the contents, pulling a pair of knee-high boots and displaying them for me to see. "You gonna need these? I don't think they need to go."

"Mom got me those last year." I practically whined. "Of course, they need to go. I've barely had a chance to wear them."

Courtney stuffed them back in, "Well…" her tone raised before she rubbed her face in frustration. "There's no need for all these toys." She took out the biggest one, the stuffed elephant, and threw it down onto the bed.

"But Lo can't sleep without them." I rushed to grab the elephant.

"Look, can't you just make him choose one? You're too soft, Adore." Courtney continued to dig around in the suitcase.

"Courtney, it's his holiday too." I retorted, slamming the elephant back into the case. And I regretted my choice of words. I knew that face, I knew what she was going to say, and I knew what was to follow.

Please don't say it, Court'. Please, don't.

"It wasn't meant to be." She turned her gaze from me, working on the suitcase again.

"Not again." I shook my head.

She closed it, leaning all of her weight using her knees. But she looked at me again, brows joined together. "It was supposed to be just us two. Just a chance to get away from the miserable flat for a little while. That was all."

I pursed my lips, nodding my head. This argument...the one we had already had. I was exhausted. "Yeah, well, sorry that my dad died, Courtney. I'm so sorry that ruined things. I'm sorry my Mom can't take of Lo so that it was such an inconvenience to your little escape."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm not saying that."

"Well, that's how it sounds!"

She paused again, a challenging look in her eye. "The last time you said that was when you thought I was cheating on you. You can't keep coming to your own conclusions because of how something sounds to you."

I looked away, holding back every urge to shout. "You didn't need to bring that up again. It has nothing to do with this."

"OK." She sighed. "Look, I just wanted it to be fun…." Courtney was pleading with me to understand, but how could I? "Like how it used to be."

My eyes were glassy. But I wouldn't let myself cry. Not again. "That's just life, Courtney." There was a crack in my voice. "This is what normal people do. They go away on holiday as a family."

She could hear the pain in my voice...See the tears in my eyes...I was on the verge of breaking. But she rejected it.

"Well, I can't fucking wait." She finally got the suitcase closed. She climbed off the bed and brushed past me in a flurry. "Get the passports."

I wasted no time sitting around crying. Not like it would do anything to take back what just happened.

My chin trembled as I opened the dresser's top drawer, but I fought the urge to open the flood gates.

I opened each book one by one, taking in the ugly pictures. Save for Lo's. He was an angel, staring curiously into the camera lens, blissfully unaware that Courtney and I had fought that day as well.

My fingertip ran over his little face. I stared at his picture; I knew he wouldn't always be this little.

-_-_-_-

"What day is it today, Logan?" My eyes were stuck on the small frame containing his face. I tried to hold my hands steady with the camera.

"Monday." He said miserably.

"Come on," I laughed. "You know what I mean. What's happening today?"

His little face lowered for a moment before lifting it again. His bottom lip was sticking out as he said, "I got school."

"Yeah, you do!" I exclaimed, looking away from the camera screen to the actual image of my Son.

Mom stepped into the frame, and I stopped recording. "Come on, buddy. I'm gonna walk you over there."

Lo was staring at me, the fear in his eyes evident. "I want you to walk me, Mommy."

My heart broke for him; what kind of mother couldn't take their Son to school on the first day? "I'm sorry, honey. Mommy's got work. But I promise I'll be there to pick you up. I swear." I stood up, setting the camera aside and moving to him. "You are going to have so much fun. Trust me."

I knelt down to his level, and I couldn't stop the crack in my voice. "I am so fucking proud of you." I took his head in my hands and kissed his hair.

I missed the disapproving glare Mom cast at me. But Lo was used to my potty mouth, and thankfully he never dared repeat the words.

I pulled away, quickly glancing around the room as if searching for something. Mom got the hint and messed with Lo's coat. "OK, let's go. We wouldn't wanna be late, little guy."

My eyes were wet with tears that I wouldn't allow him to see. I loved Lo, and I spent almost every waking moment with him, yet he never saw me cry. I didn't want him to know this misery. I didn't want him to share in it.

I glanced over my shoulder; he was toddling along to the front door. Mom smiled sympathetically, leaning in to kiss my cheek. "I'll text you when we get there."

I nodded, hoping my face wasn't turning red.

"OK, Logan. You can show me how we get there." She led him out the front door. "And please trick me into taking you to the ice cream parlour."

"I'm not that clever," Lo mumbled.

Mom winked before the door was shut.

And just like a hammer thrown against a pane of glass, the barrier was shattered. All of my emotions began to crawl their way out of my stomach, up through my neck and out through my breath.

My eyes were even wetter now. But, still, I tried so hard to ignore all these thoughts. I cleared my throat and made my way towards the couch, where several cardboard boxes sat on the ground.

I knelt down in front of the nearest one and picked up that CD, Courtney's 'sad boy' music that I had teased her so much for liking. We had played it one night, after a night out in which we weren't quite sure how we were even standing anymore, and we danced in this small space. Holding each other, swaying side to side, and kissing like we would never get another chance.

That was so long ago. Now here we were.

My face scrunched up as I couldn't handle it anymore. Sobs escaped my throat, tears poured down my tired skin.

This wasn't how I imagined my life. This wasn't what I wanted. Of all the times I thought of how I wanted to be a rock star, no. I take it all back.

All I wanted was for Court' and me to be how we used to be.

I put the CD back, still crying, knowing there were still a few more things of hers to be packed away.

"Come on, Adore. Don't upset yourself…."

How could I not feel like this?

"I just didn't…I didn't think this is how my story would go…." I wiped my nose on the back of my sleeve. I felt the warmth on my shoulder, my Dad's hand, reassuring me.

"Well, if you think about it, kid, I never thought I'd end up walking into a grocery store naked, asking what the soup of the day was. But…there you go."

It's awful to think now how that once made me laugh. There was nothing funny about it. "You were sick, Dad. It wasn't your fault."

"And this isn't yours, Adore."

I wanted to believe it so bad. But would this even be happening if it wasn't my fault? "Courtney's left me, Dad. Now Lo's left me."

"Only until the afternoon."

"I know, but…." I shook my head, sniffling, "I'm 32, in the middle of a divorce, and working at a pop-up coffee shop with my best friend. Not exactly the fairytale I hoped for."

"Enough of this. It's Logan's first day at school. This is supposed to be a happy memory."

I squeezed my eyes shut, more tears escaping my eyes. I shook my head. "Sorry, Dad. But it doesn't feel like that."

The doorbell rang abruptly.

I looked over my shoulder, a sudden fear for whoever was on the other side.

-_-_-_-

The shrilling sound of the doorbell was making my head pound, doing nothing for the stress.

“Malcolm, would you get that, please??” I called out to him from the kitchen. My gloved hand fidgeted, opening the fridge door and finding the closest alcoholic beverage. The light drew attention to my Halloween costume - just your average witch attire. I missed the good old days when I could have been a bit more revealing, maybe with a bloodied pentagram on my chest and smouldering black eyeliner.

“Girl, I can’t. I’m putting in these contacts!” Malcolm called.

I scoffed as the bell rang again. I set the drink aside and rushed to the door. I pressed the button on the intercom, “Hello?”

I expected to hear children on the other end shouting, “Trick or Treat”, but then again, no kids ever went trick or treating in this apartment block.

“Hey, can you buzz me in?”

I rolled my eyes as Courtney tried to sound as innocent as possible.

“Yeah. You’re late, by the way.”

“Thanks.”

I pressed the button allowing her access and unlocked the front door.

“So the bitch has finally arrived!” Malcolm called from the bathroom.

I pointed a finger as I entered the room, “Don’t call my kids other Mother that,” and turned to look down the hall. “Lo! Your mom’s here!”

Malcolm turned from the mirror, displaying his sexy vampire outfit. Oh, to be just like him, to not give a fuck about what others thought of him. “Opinions?”

“OK, don’t call me a Karen ‘cause I think you look great. But please don’t let Lo see you.”

“I hate it. Fuck it, I’m gonna be a werewolf,” Malcolm turned back to the mirror and grabbed his eyeliner pencil. “I’m sure you got fake teeth laying around here somewhere.”

“Fuck you. You’re the older one.” I lightly kicked him.

“Shut up, bitch. Now tell me,” Malcolm already got to work on his cheeks, “Your new girl. Is she going to be there tonight?”

“She’s not my new girl, shut up,” I glanced over my shoulder in the sad case Lo stumbled upon the conversation.

“Do you want her to be?” Malcolm smirked.

“Bitch, I’ve only seen her Tinder profile.”

“Girl, it’s Halloween. How are you even going to know who she is?”

“She’s…” I couldn’t believe I even knew this information, but “she’s gonna be the boyfriend from Midsommar. When he’s wearing the bear thing….”

“Ooh, she’s different.”

“Yep.”

“And let me guess. You told her you were going as yourself,” Malcolm was on a roll tonight.

“Hilarious,” I nodded just as the front door opened. I almost looked. But what with Courtney picking and choosing when she came to see Lo, I didn’t even bother. “Lo’s in his bedroom.”

She reciprocated this energy, rushing past me towards Lo’s room.

“You’ve got some explaining to do,” I called as the door closed. To be honest, no, I didn’t need her excuse. I never did because it was always just the same thing.

“Alright?” Malcolm stepped back from the mirror, displaying the same outfit but with added whiskers and a black nose.

“You kinda look like…those emo kids back in the day.”

“Fuck!”

“OK, language,” I moved towards him, taking the pencil, “Oh, God. I sound like Mom.”

“What are you doing?”

“Turning those shit ass whiskers into cobwebs. You’re gonna be a black widow.” I started the process.

“Bitch, is that a microaggression?” Malcolm teased.

“For fuck sake, why are you like this?” I connected the lines. “Oh, shit. Do you remember when I first moved here 10 years ago?”

“Yep.”

“And I was living with that girl. Fuck, what was her name?” I paused.

“Joslyn.”

“Yes! Joslyn.”

“Is that who you’re turning me into? A venomous bitch?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. I never thought about that girl so harshly. But who was it hurting? It had been years since I last saw her. She was probably living her life in a huge mansion that she rightfully earned from all the money she made.

We enjoyed this moment, feeling like we were young again and enjoying life. “Shit, remember we said that if in 10 years we were still single, we would just marry each other?”

“What? Feeling desperate now?”

I put my hands on Malcolm’s shoulders. “No, I was just…thinking…you know, it’s just funny how things turn out.”

Malcolm rubbed my arm. Fuck. Fuck me for making this moment sad. Fuck me for reminding everyone once again that life fucking sucked.

There was a knock at the front door. A sort of excitement bubbled within us. “Ooh, trick or treaters?”

“Yeah, let’s go scare the shit out of them!” Malcolm buzzed.

“Not you looking like that.” I made my way out of the bathroom and to the front door, taking the candy bowl with me.

I opened the door. And there was Courtney, dressed as a greek goddess, both her hands pressed either side of the frame, panting.

“You could have told me about the elevator being broken.” She bent over, catching her breath.

I turned away, skin pale as I stared down the hall. “Lo?”

Goosebumps rose when he didn’t answer.

I was running now. “Logan!”

I clasped my hand on the doorknob, flinging it open.

There he was, scooped up in the arms of a man in a soaked raincoat.

“I’ve got him, I’ve got him.”

-_-_-_-

"I've got him, I've got him…." I hurried through the front door, holding Lo in one arm and my phone pressed to my ear in the other, "No, please just get back here asap, OK?" Kicking the door shut, I tried but failed to contain the panic in my voice. Too many thoughts were running wild in my head - what had just happened? How badly had Lo hurt his hand? If I had kept an eye on him, would he have still been hurt? "OK, thank you!" I rushed to the bathroom, Lo still in my arms. With Mom on the way, I hung up, lowering Lo from my arms.

The cold water was on instantly, and I took his hand, holding it under the stream. "I know it stings, but it'll help," my voice still shaky. Lo pulled his hand away as the burn turned redder under the cold pressure. "Keep it under there," I moved it back, "You hear me? You gotta keep it under the cold water. I'm just gonna call your Mom."

I was almost afraid to leave him alone, unable to trust that he'd do as I said.

Courtney answered immediately. "Hello?"

"Lo's been hurt." My attempt at sounding calm and collected was failing.

"What?!"

"I mean…" I slapped my forehead, pacing back and forth in the living room. Fireworks outside the window reflected off my skin, causing me to flinch slightly. "He's still alive. He's not unconscious or anything. He just burnt his fucking hand on a sparkler."

"Right. OK - OK…Uh…Should I come - -"

"Yes, Courtney. Please come over!" My hands shook the more I paced, my feet knocked against the miniature toy cars on the carpet, causing a fatal accident for Lo's imaginary characters. Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice. So far, he had suppressed any tears, biting his lip through the pain.

"OK. Sit tight. I'm coming."

I glanced into the bathroom; Lo did as he was told, still holding the red burn under the cold water. Was this just a huge overreaction? Was I that Mother?

I pinched my eyes with my fingers. "Thank you. He's…he seems fine anyway. I'm just…you know…Maybe it's all those PSA's on TV, I don't know…."

The front door opened, and in came Mom, right on time.

"Where is he?" Mom whispered.

"Bathroom," I mouthed before resuming my pacing. "My Mom just got here…I - -"

"I'll be there in 5."

Not that Courtney even needed to be here anymore; this felt…relieving. "Thanks, Courtney. See you soon."

"Wait."

I stopped pacing as my eyes travelled into the bathroom, watching as Mom inspected Lo's hand.

"I love you."

And all of a sudden, my attention was stolen away.

It had been so long since Courtney had uttered those words to me. And yet…it felt…natural…Like nothing had ever changed…

I blinked, unable to think of a response. I wanted to say those words back. As an act of hope or desperation?

The crack of a firework tore my attention away. And when I was brought back to my reality - divorced, single Mother, injured child - I hung up.

"Mom," I shook my coat off. "Is he OK?"

"Yes!" Mom was holding Lo by the shoulders, leading him towards me. "He's fine!"

My arms were already outstretched. I took his hands in mine and examined the wound.

Only…

"There's nothing wrong with him, honey."

True. Lo's hands were fine. No trace of a scar to be seen.

"But…he screamed," I twisted his little hands around in mine, checking the backs and sides. I couldn't have imagined this.

"Maybe you scared him?" Mom shrugged. "Logan, look out the window! The fireworks!"

Lo followed to where she pointed, pressing his small face against the cold glass, staring in awe at the bright colours exploding in the sky.

"Mom. I watched him pick up the sparkler. He burnt his hand," my hands were on my hips. "I know what I saw."

"Adore, honey, there's nothing wrong with him. He's fine," she took off her own coat and hat. Then she was still, "You did that though …when you were his age," she looked at me now, like this memory was only surfacing now, "I remember it burnt right through your orange glove."

But I…I couldn't remember a thing.

I wasn't even meeting her gaze any more.

I silently made my way to the couch.

How could I ever forget something like that? Something that would surely scar me for life. Oddly enough, as soon as I saw Lo pick up the sparkler, I felt the pain in my own hand. But still, I couldn't see it through my own eyes, grabbing the scorching hot thing in an orange glove. Nothing was surfacing.

"You know, maybe that's why you freaked out on him. You were probably thinking of that," Mom continued. "Hang on. I'm gonna make us all some hot chocolate. Not that awful instant stuff. The type your Dad used to make."

My eyes were staring down at my gloved hand now. I hesitated as I grabbed the bottom and slowly pulled upwards.

Something was definitely wrong. Because there it was - a red burn that had scarred over years and years of healing.

"Mom?" My voice cracked. "What's wrong with me?" I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to look at the scar any longer. "Everything's just… I'm getting everything mixed up."

Behind closed eyes, I pictured my hand, scar free, hoping that it would truly be gone when I looked again.

Yet so many images came to mind - Lo grabbing the sparkler, Lo wearing orange gloves, Mom's voice. "It will sting, but it'll make you feel better, baby."

And as I longed for these images to be gone, I felt the inability to breathe. No matter how hard I inhaled, the oxygen wasn't getting to my brain.

"Well, aren't you going to put your hat on?"

"What?" I opened my eyes. My scarred hand was still held up in front of my face.

Mom placed a red paper crown on my head beside me, one found in a Christmas cracker.

Christmas was over…how did this make sense? The table was covered with plates of Christmas dinner, the tree was up and decorated, standing proudly at the back of the room. 4 people sat around the table. How did any of this make sense??

"OK, here's one. It's stupid, but I kinda love it," Malcolm chuckled at the small slip of paper in his hand, the Christmas jokes he always loved collecting from crackers, "What does Santa suffer from if he gets stuck in the chimney?"

Mom sat down next to him, awaiting the answer. As did the two sitting opposite him, Joslyn. And Dad.

"Clause-trophobia." Malcolm goggled his eyes.

"That was awful." Dad laughed anyway.

"And, what? You have a great sense of humour, honey?" Mom giggled.

My gaze shifted from each person, unable to understand if this was all wrong or if it was perfectly fine.

But how could it not be wrong? This particular group of people rarely mingled. Fuck, I would have never imagined Joslyn and I became so close she'd spend Christmas at mine.

"I married you, darling. I'd say that was hilarious." Dad clutched his wine glass, holding it out for Malcolm to fill.

Everyone was laughing.

Everyone except me.

"Dad…Are you alright?" I said too quietly.

"Yes, I'm fantastic," he took a sip of wine. "I had to be here for this, didn't I? I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Everyone had their eyes on me now.

And someone moved behind me.

Hands grabbed my shoulders, and I slowly turned as they rubbed my skin up and down.

"You alright, baby?" Courtney leaned down, looking into my eyes so lovingly. "Well done on this. It's gorgeous." She looked hungrily at the food.

My eyes followed hers. The food did look gorgeous.

But there was a stirring in my stomach. Like I could throw up at any given moment.

"Just like you," Courtney looked back at me and left a warm kiss on my cheek.

My lips parted, stunned by that feeling, the affection I hadn't felt in so long. The love I longed for, mourned over.

Courtney moved away, taking her place at the opposite end of the table. Still, she looked at me, a proud smile on her face.

I was warm inside…and my stomach only stirred more.

"I did the roasted vegetables, actually," Mom added with a cheeky smile.

"Oh, I wondered why they were all black on one side," Malcolm dared himself to say.

No offence was taken; everyone whooped, enjoying every moment of this…this…what seemed to be ordinary moment.

"Where… Where's Lo?" I piped up.

"Oh, he's just getting on his Nativity costume," Courtney glanced toward the hall, awaiting her son's appearance.

Our sons.

I squinted my eyes. "Court'...are we…are we back together?"

"Yeah," Courtney giggled, glancing at the others like it should have been a given, "Of course we are. Remember New Years last year?"

Why was she even telling me this? If she expected me to remember, surely she wouldn't have felt the need to tell me. Surely she must have thought I was joking, even though I really wasn't.

Everyone was smiling, a bit too wide. Goosebumps were rising on my skin.

"I think it's time for the present," Joslyn winked.

"Yes." Courtney beamed with excitement. "Now's the time."

"No," I shook my head, "I don't want a present." My hand was clenched around my fork.

"Oh, come on, Adore!" Malcolm joined in on the excitement.

I refused to look any of them in the eye. This was fucked up. Everything was so fucked up, and I was the only one who could fucking see that.

I pulled the paper crown from my head, trying to relax my panicked chest. Courtney rushed to the tree, picking up a small box-like item wrapped in red wrapping paper.

"This is from all of us," Dad leaned towards me. "We all added to it."

The red box was in front of me now, Courtney holding it out to me.

I breathed heavily as I stared. One half of my brain told me to ignore it, tell them all I'd open it later. While the other half told me that it was just a present, no big deal.

With a puff of breath out of my mouth, I took the damn thing. I untied the gold ribbons and pulled the red paper off.

Courtney made her way back to her seat as everyone's full attention was on me and the now unpackaged item.

It was a large emerald-green book with gold trimming on the spine. Nothing scary so far.

When I opened it up, on the first page were two pictures - on the left, me as a freshly born baby. On the right; my latest birthday picture.

A label underneath read 'Adore Delano: A life in Pictures.'

This…This was nothing to worry about. I was overreacting again. Everything was fine.

I allowed a warm smile to appear on my face. "Oh God, look at me." I giggled.

"You were so tiny!" Mom beamed.

I turned the page to find more pictures. The first two were from when I was a little girl, dark hair in pigtails and flipping off the camera. It made me laugh how rude I was back then.

The other two were still me, only the teenage version of myself. One was a class photo, the other from my first house party.

"Oh my God," I chuckled, "that party. You guys were so mad at me."

"Little did we know it was the first of many to come," Dad commented.

I turned the page. The adult era - trying to get the record deal, Joslyn's first day living here.

On the opposite page; two pictures of Courtney with Lo sitting on her knee.

"Oh my God, that crib!" I pointed to the damned object lurking in the corner of the photo. "Do you remember that?" I lifted my excited smile to Courtney. "We struggled to put it up!"

"Yeah, like, how does it take 3 days to build a crib?" Courtney bemusedly questioned.

I turned another page. There was me and Malcolm, the Halloween when I was a witch and he was…a sexy vampire but then a werewolf but then a black widow. "Ah, there we are! The real stars."

"You sure that wasn't a microaggression, though?" Malcolm pointed, following it with a chuckle.

I turned page after page, even going back to look at the previous. "Oh God, this is so so cool. You guys got everything." I stifled, my emotions getting the better of me. I giggled, turning some more pages, "This is…" then some more, "...this is like my…" the tears were surfacing, "...my whole life is…flashing…."

I sniffed once again, slowly turning fewer and fewer pages.

Until I couldn't turn anymore.

I stared down at the book, my heart sinking.

I lifted my head. "Oh…"

They all looked at me, their smiles falling.

"I think I know what's going on now."

The sound of tires screeching...metal crashing against metal...My eyes squeezed my eyes shut.

-_-_-_-

I opened my eyes. Not that I could see anything. It was all blurry. And my hearing, that was fuzzy too.

All I could make out through the foggy sound were sirens.

That song was playing on the radio. Courtney's song. Our song.

My vision was clearing. There was the steering wheel which my head was pressed against, splatters of broken eggs on the window screen, red and blue flashing lights.

I wanted to move my head. The pain prevented me from doing so.

All I wanted was to go to the store and get some groceries. All we wanted to do was make toast soldiers like we did in the good old days.

A new sound screeched in my ears. A saw, I guessed. Not that I could look to see or react as the racket tormented my ears.

The only thing I could do was move my eyes and inspect the situation.

The window was cracked, ready to shatter into a million little pieces. And through a hole in the glass, there he was.

The man in the soaked rain coat, peering in from a few feet away, fear and concern all over his face.

Sparks flashed in front of the glass. So it was a saw...A saw that they used to remove the car door.

As soon as it was gone, the man had vanished, just like a ghost.

A fireman knelt down, looking right at me. "Can you hear me?"

I couldn't answer.

He moved closer, but he only became muffled.

For a moment, I blacked out, for the next thing I remembered was being carried from the car, my body in agony. The side of my head was hot and wet, something pouring down my cheek.

Mom? What's wrong with me? Everything's just… I'm getting everything mixed up.

Next thing I was on a stretcher, an oxygen mask covering the lower half of my face.

Adore, you've got the memory of a goldfish…

He wouldn't want you to remember him this way.

That's just life, Courtney.

The last thing I could recall was bright lights passing by, a ceiling so bright it was hard to look at. But there was Courtney, rushing by my side, dressed in her work uniform, scrubs and all, a tag saying 'Dr. C. Act, MD, PhD'

"Please, let me handle this. She's my wife!" She was crying. "I need to be with her, please!"

Then she was gone, the sounds of her anguished screams growing fainter and fainter.

This is supposed to be a happy memory.

I blinked through the bright white lights, hearing all those things in my head. I wanted to sob; I wanted to just scream. This wasn't fair. I hadn't the chance to live the life I wanted to.

And suddenly, the pain was gone again. I was back at the table; the Christmas dinner lay before me, the red and blue lights from the tree reflecting off us.

I looked at them all, unsure how I was breathing.

"Lo!" Courtney called.

In he came, dressed like a Christmas angel, the tinsel-made halo and all.

"Mommy's going now."

I tried to hold it in, the tears, the sobs, the anguish as Lo walked towards me. His face was like stone. Still, he would not cry through the pain. His little arms wrapped around my shoulders, and tears fell from my eyes.

"I don't want to," I cried, holding his arm. "I don't want to go."

Lo was stood there watching them carry me away on the stretcher, the same stone-cold expression on his face as a police officer wrapped him up in a blanket.

The man in the raincoat was there again, speaking to the police officer. "It was my fault. I just…I wasn't looking. I just stepped out into the road…."

I watched him from the stretcher as he turned to point at Lo. "I managed to get the boy out of the car. But…I couldn't save her." His voice was cracking. "I'm sorry."

I pitied the man.

He did more for me than I ever could have asked.

Lo had another chance at life because of him.

Sitting there at that table, surrounded by my loved ones, I held Lo's arm tighter. I was going to be OK. He was going to be OK.

"Come on, Lo," Courtney smiled sadly.

Still, I kept my hand on his arm, just a moment longer, savouring the moment.

But he was obedient, just how we raised him. And he went to Courtney.

My gaze shifted between them all, taking in each of their faces, how they didn't seem to express grief. But…sympathy.

"It's time, Adore," Mom whispered.

I blinked the last of my tears away, holding her gaze for just a moment. Never would I see this woman again, the woman who fussed over my 'etiquette' choices, who still gave a shit when my life was going nowhere, who'd kiss me on the head and tell me how proud she was.

Then my Dad, the man I hadn't seen in so long. In a way, it felt cruel that these were the circumstances in which we've met again. Did this happen to him? Was he really sick, or was he just taking in everything around him, watching it all collide with far off memories, constantly unable to understand what was real and what was not?

On the other hand, it felt right. This moment in which he got to share my pain, knowing exactly how it felt. It was sort of comforting, his smile. This is supposed to be a happy memory.

I flashed Joslyn a quick apologetic smile, regretful for the words I spat that destroyed any possibility of a real friendship. She smiled back, forgiving. This wasn't just about me. It was her moment as well - the chance to let go of our bad blood.

Malcolm's smile was the widest, of course. So many times, he smirked at me and said, "I'm the star, baby. I own this show." Even now, he couldn't help but compete for the limelight. Without this man, I wouldn't have had experiences. Experiences not many people had the chance to involve themselves in. I had gigs, hearings, and a small fanbase for a short time. It wasn't what I saw for my music career. But it was more than most people got.

Even though he was the main character of his life, he made sure I felt like a star on my own.

My gaze shifted away, looking to the top of the table. Courtney with Lo sitting in her lap.

I thought I'd spend my whole life with this girl, the cute Doctor I met at that one New Years' party. I dreamt I'd be a rock star, and she'd be my blonde bombshell of a partner, touring the world, making millions, idolised by so many other queer people.

Of course, that wasn't life.

I couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was that went wrong. At first, it felt like it was Lo, like we had thrown ourselves into the deep end, thinking it would be absolutely incredible. But Courtney and I loved Lo, even to the point we fought over who was seeing him the most.

Maybe it was everything about our relationship. The fantasy of being an attractive young couple with so much potential for happiness. "Ugh, I just want a big white wedding!" "Ew, no. My wedding dress is gonna be black, bitch." "Oh! That's a great idea! It'll be like…a ying and yang type thing." "Ughh! Yes, girl. And what would be even more punk rock is if we had a child and, like, gave them one of those out-there names. Like Ziggy or Blondie!”

It was all a childish game, just a bunch of make-believe.

And when we got what we wanted, it only caused a rift.

It was never meant to be. And no matter how much I tried to hold on to it, to make things seem fine, it had to stop.

And even when we picked it back up…well…here we are.

For all the good times, though, it was worth it. Courtney taught me so much in our good years, always hyped me up when it came to my music, and always appreciated when I was honest with her.

And best of all, she was an amazing Mother. Sometimes it felt like Lo preferred her over me. I never knew why; the thought of asking him scared me. But now, knowing I'd be gone, it's a comfort.

A sigh escaped my nose.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

The tears were long gone.

My whole body relaxed as I breathed out long and hard. I could already feel it. How everything was lighter now.

I whispered, "Goodbye, everyone."

And as the darkness came over me, I could hear it. Courtney and I'd song.

#rpdr fanfiction #s6 #adore delano #courtney act #adorney #trinity k bonet #joslyn fox #angst #hurt/comfort #lesbian au #afterthought #grinder #tw mental health #tw dementia #tw death mentions #tw depression

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slashssunglasses · 4 years

Text

“Its My Turn Now” ~ Slash

SLASH X FEM~READER

KW: daddy kink, bondage, roughness

Slash- Velvet Revolver Era Slash

——— UNEDITED —— —

it was yet another Velvet Revolver tour and this one was very exciting for slash since he could finally take you with him. Oh your days were full of laughter, adventure and pure raw animal sex. he couldn't get enough of you, all this time he'd had to go on the road without you, no physical contact for months at a time… it made this tour one to remember.

it was the night of the show and you stood in the front row of the rowdy crowd watching slash run around and holler into the microphone. Even though he was lost in the music he still made sure to watch you from the stage, making sure you were ok. Slash always insisted that you stand backstage watching the show from your safe little area but you did like it. You enjoyed being in the crowd jumping and raging along to the music while you watched him sweat and just completely lose himself in his music,

This time though, there had been a guy who was rubbing up on you all night. At first it looked like it was just due to the overcrowding of people in the pit, but once he started trying to talk to you and flirt you knew those horny rubs were nothing but accidental.

“Dude I'm not interested” you pushed away from him, “c’mon sweetheart, you cant come around here dressed like that and not expect to get my attention” he'd less over trying to get closer to your neck.

“Hey back off!” you squealed, soon your attention was taken away from your fiancé’s performance and redirected to keeping this guy off of you. he continued his lewd comments before reaching his hand up and groping your chest.

you pushed him hard and just then the guitar stopped and the music got all fucked up.

“Hey! Hey! what the fuck?!” you heard Slash yell into the microphone before throwing himself into the crowd on top of the guy. security was quick to grab him and push him back on stage as the fans started to riot and try and grab at him. “Hey get him the fuck out of here!” he yelled into the microphone once he got back on stage, “hes making on my girl! fucking pig! im gonna get your fucking ass get the fuck out of my show!” he yelled angrily as security grabbed the guy hauling him out.

“you okay baby?” he asked in the microphone before kneeling down and grabbing your arm helping you up onto the stage and walking you off.

“you okay?” he nervously grabbed your face scanning your expression. “yes yes im fine” you sighed giggling quietly, “I'm gonna kick his ass” he angrily chewed his lip, “baby just relax” you sighed grabbing his face. you could hear the crowd getting impatient and rowdy, “Slash you gotta get back out there” you smiled looking out onto the stage.

“i promise you i’ll make it up to you” he smirked, “make it up to me? you didn’t do anything” you giggled, “just be quiet and let me show you how much i love you tonight” he rolled his eyes, “mm fine fine, i also have a surprise for you but only if you get out there” you giggled popping a kiss on his lips, “mm more” he whined pulling you back in

“slash! C’mon man let’s go!” Duff yelled at him as slash pulled you deeper into his lips. He groaned, kissing your lips one more time before walking back on stage. The crowd roared in cheers as the show started up again. “Sorry guys lets fucking tear it up!” he chuckled into the mic earning cheers and hollers from the crowd. “Hang on hang on! Let me say something really quick before we start up again..” Slash said into the mic, fixing the height so it fit him better, “if you see that fucker that was on my girl..save him for me, okay?”

you shook your head smiling from offstage. he kept looking over with a little smirk as he watched you sway around to the music. his eyes dancing across your body as you did little sensual things you knew would only catch his eye. you blew him little kisses and he had a cocky smirk while he riled up the crowd even more. once the show was over you knew you were in for a fun and romantically rough night. you wanted to take control tonight but you didn’t know how long it’s last. you had the outfit, the toys, and the restraints but slash had a reputation for ripping through the flimsy cheap sex store ties and cuffs but you were still gonna have your fun.

you smirked to yourself as he ran off stage adrenaline still pumping as his sweaty body engulfed you tightly “ew ew ew” you giggled against his wet body. “mmm i want to get you back to the room bunny” hed giggle biting your ear, “mmmm no no no, you’re gonna shower while i get ready for you...” you giggled swaying back and forth with him,

“mm you won’t join me?” he pouted, “no no no, i have very fun and special things planned for us tonight...daddy” you whispered, he tensed up under you, “you have to be patient and calm though...or you get nothing and i mean it” you added kissing his sweaty jaw, you knew it was killing him the whole ride home. little did he know you had binds, toys, lingerie waiting for you guys back in the room to play with.

Once back at the hotel, you had to pry slash from your body and into the bathroom, threatening him if he doesn't get into the shower.

After some heated kisses and playful shoves, he finally got into the bathroom and started his shower. With him distracted with getting clean, you set your plan into motion. You quickly pulled off your clothes, throwing the now dirty clothes in a hamper at the door.

You examined your body in the mirror, hands running over each inch of skin as you wondered what he would think, but right now you were under a time crunch. You quickly got out the toys and binds, laying them out neatly on the bed as you listened to him move around the bathroom. He shouldn't be long now. You scrambled around the room, lighting candles for some nice finishing touches, and laid on the bed in a sexy pose. Steam rolled out in clouds as the bathroom door swung open. Light poured over your body as slashs silhouette came into view. “Mmm~ what's all this bunny?”

"its fun for us" you smirked turning to get on your knees and crawl towards him. his hands traced every different shaped and colored vibrator on laid out on the bed, cock ring, handcuffs, and a few other fun toys.

"you see tonights gonna be a little different" you began in a sultry voice, "I know Its always you in charge but…tonight I want some fun" you smiled sitting up and rubbing your hands all over his bare chest, "so take these off" you pulled on the waistband of his sweatpants, "and let me come play with you daddy"

Slash bit his lip, smirking down at you as you played with the hem of his pants. “Oh~ so bunny wants to be in charge tonight hm? Well..we’ll see about that..” You pouted, glaring up at him as he pulled you onto his chest, “hey! No! No touching!” You grabbed his wrists,

his hands quickly grabbing handfuls of your ass before you yanked them away. You shoved him toward the bed, tying his wrists together as you sat on his chest. “Look so sexy like this bunny..thinking you can dominate daddy..” He purred, his eyes flaming with lust as you glared at him. “I'm not the one with their wrists tied..” Slash only darkly chuckled at your jab, “ohh~ I won't be for long bunny..just you wait and see..”

"Daddy" you whined smacking his chest, "ive been such a good girl…let me have this treat?" you crossed your arms, "oh bunny" he pouted bucking his hips up to push your pussy farther up his chest, "fine" he rolled his eyes, your eyes lit up as you jumped off of him going towards the toys you wanted to use.

"decisions decisions" you giggled, he looked at you with a proud and cocky smirk. "I know" you smiled and crawled back onto the bed. you rubbed your hands over top his sweatpants traveling up his legs, you saw the bus;ge growing and gently grazed it. you lowered your head and licked a hot stripe up his clothed bulge. he grunted harshly pulling on the restraints, you made sure to layer them so it'd be harder for him to break through.

you grabbed the vibrator and switched it on sliding it over his bulge and then around your nipples pulling the bra down flashing your tits. he was drooling and you decided it was time to give him a little snack, you giggled scooting up to his lips, "you want some?" you purred pulling your panties to the side, "you want to taste my cunt daddy? ohh~ its so wet" you moaned lowering yourself over his nose, his mouth opened welcoming you but you didn't sit just yet, "come taste what that other guy couldn't have" you smirked lowering yourself completely onto his lips watching his eyes roll back as your slick hit his tongue

He leaned his head up, tongue slipping in between your lips like a hungry dog. You melted into him, slow relaxing down onto his mouth, hips lightly swiveling to match his lips. You groped your tits, moaning at the pleasure sparking in your brain. Slash grumbled and groaned, the sounds vibrating against your clit deliciously.

“Oh!- oh daddy~” You purred, back arching and head tipping back. Slash pulled at the restraints, skin peeling around the ties as he ached to feel your skin under his palms. You ground down against his mouth, tongue filling your hole as you whined. “Ah ah ah! Daddy!” His hips bucked up at the sound of your pleads, frustration filling his system as he pulled at the restraints. “Daddy's going to eat you dry bunny..be a good girl and let him out of these ties..” He glared up at you, tongue licking at his lips, “come on bunny...don't you want to make daddy proud?”

"mm, not yet" you panted scooting down back onto his chest, you leaned down kissing your slick off his lips, "you'll get your turn" you smiled kicking your feet up and sliding the thing off your body flashing him your bare pussy as you layed back on his torso. "mm such a yummy cock" you moaned rubbing his hard through his pants, "your evil" he growled and you rolled your eyes leaning over for the vibrator, you switched it on setting it down on his abs,

"fuck" you grunted as you set your clit down onto of the vibrator. your lips began rubbing against his torso as you began humping. "oh daddy! ah! oh yes daddy you feel so good on my weeping cunt" you moaned maintaining eye contact with him, "oh I cant wait to see that cock ring on this big daddy cock, I want you to use everything on me daddy" you whined picking up the pace, "oh daddy im gonna cum! im gonna cum!!" you yelled gripping you

You squealed, head falling back as your orgasm washed over you. You shooke and arched, wet buzzing filling both of your and slash ears. His hips bucked up, harsh growls leaving his lips, “bunny..let daddy out..now. I'm not fucking kidding..” You lazily smiled, squinting at him as you got down on your stomach, face to face with his abs, “i don't know what you mean daddy..” You’d whimper, smiling up at him as you licked up your cum off his abs. “Ohh bunny you’re in deep fucking shit.” You cheek rested against his hip bone, “am I?” You’d tease, kissing his skin as your hand palmed his bulge.

"oh my… its so big" you gasped kissing his hard bulge through his pants. "mm I told you ti take these off daddy" you purred biting his bulging v-line, veins protruding down the toned muscle almost guiding you to his cock.

you leaned over grabbing the cock ring and holding git in your mouth. pulling down the pants you gasped excitedly giggling at his swollen hard cock, "mmm" you licked your lips drooling over his cock. you let drool drip and leak down his cock slipping down with precum

you moaned, pumping his cock lewdly as he sighed.

He stared down at you with hooded eyes, “bunny..” You grinned at him, taking his cock in you mouth, the cock ring slipping down his shaft as you did so. “Oh!- fuck-!” He pulled at the ties, teeth grit and bared as he choked. “Bunny-“ Once the ring was in place, you sucked his cock lewdly, the tip popping out of your mouth as you let go. You pumped him, licking your lips as you stared at him, “there you go daddy...a pretty ring on your cock..” His head rocked back, face turning red out of frustration as the need to cum filled him, but he knew, that he wasn’t allowed to.

“Okay bunny...you’ve had your fun..now take the fucking ring off me right now..before I get mean.” You bit your lip, humming to yourself, “mm..I don’t know..I think it’s a nice touch daddy..”

you licked a long stripe up his swollen red cock. “you’re such a good daddy, behaving for me and holding back all that thick juicy cum mmm” you moaned rubbing your clit while you gently stroked his cock. “bunny-ah fuck” he choked throwing his head back, “yes daddy?” you cooed squeezing his balls, “fuck!” he growled pulling in the restraints harder, “oh these are good ones, you haven’t broken them yet” you giggled leaning over and grabbing another vibrator.

you vibed along his shaft and circled his tip licking your lips as he tried to choke back his moans. “moan for me daddy, oh when you moan it’s so sexy” you whined sucking on one of his balls, “b-bun-oh fuck! oh my god bunny fuck right there!” he moaned loudly as you slowly slipped him inside your pussy. “ohhh!!” you whined, “oh fuck daddy! oh my gosh break free baby come fill me with your cum make me your pretty mommy” you whined loudly as you rode his cock, lewd and throaty moans escaping his lips as he tried to watch you move sensually on his cock but fuck it was too good he couldn’t hold it back anymore he was crazy, screaming practically at your dirty words

You lost yourself on his cock, little hands gripping his chest as you bounced yourself.

“Daddy..daddy more please..” You whined, needing more of him by the minute. “More huh? You want more?” he growled, foaming at the mouth as you nodded. “Please daddy..” His choked gasps slowly died down, a dark smile curving on his face as he glared at you.

“Please? Please? Oh, my bunny is begging now huh? I thought you were the one in charge bunny?” He mocked, head tilting slightly as he questioned you. You stumbled and stammered, “i know but-” “but what bunny? You need your big daddy to take care of you?” You trembled, tears welling up in your eyes as you grew tired of bouncing on him, “yes..i need you daddy..” His eyes darkened completely, “good girl.” He laughed, easily snapping out of the restraints and flipped you over.

you gasped as he hooked your legs around his hips. “you were staying tied for me?” you have him puppy eyes, “anything for you bunny” he smiled softening his piercing gaze slightly, “you did so good bun, so sexy” he growled against your lips while he teased his ringed cock around your hole, “hehe, thank you daddy” you giggled stretching underneath him, rubbing his bicep gently scratching down the divots in his biceps,“now show me who i belong to daddy” you pouted puckering your lips for him, “make me a pretty mommy” you batted your lashes after he placed a rough kiss on you. “you’re gonna squirt on this cock bunny, you’re gonna make a mess for me”

He gripped your hips tight, cock pounding into your g spot as you screamed, “daddy! Oh-oh!” You grabbed at him, pulling at his skin as he grinned at you, “is it too much bunny? This is what you wanted..” He teased, loving the way you looked all sweaty and used. “No more excuses bunny..no more holding back..daddy’s going to take hi sweet bunny until she passes out.”

you screamed losing your voice midway, exhaustion hitting you from how badly you wanted him deeper you couldn’t even fathom it. he held a vibrator against your clit as he yelled profanities from you tightening around his cock. “who’s daddy’s cum dump hm?” he groaned trying to keep himself at a steady pace in you, “m-me -ahhhh!! fuck me!!! i’m you l-little cum dump? in your cockslut daddy use me!!” you arched screaming as your eyes rolled back drool falling down your lips, “s-so good” you whimpered holding his face begging for some mercy

“use you, hm? That's what you want? You want daddy to take it all out on you, bunny?” You nodded franticly, words barely even forming in your brain at this point. “Mmm~ okay bunny.. let's see how long you last..” His thrusts stopped suddenly, light whines leaving you at the loss. “Shhh..don't worry... Daddy is far from done with you..” He snickered, his grip on your hips tightening. Suddenly, he slammed into you hard, tip hitting your g spot head-on.

You screamed bloody murder, clawing at his back. “Oh, that's the spot huh?” He growled, making sure each and every thrust it that special spit inside you.

“oh! oh! da-da-daddy!! AHHHH!!!” you screamed bloody murder, “i can’t take it! i cant take it!” you sobbed ultimate euphoria over taking you. his hand flew to your mouth shutting you up while he drilled into you. tears pooled around his hand as you sobbed and screamed into his hand. “bunny they’re gonna think i’m-fuck! they’re-ohh~~ they’re gonna think i’m hurting you!” his thrusts became sloppy as the cock ring felt tighter around his base

“daddy- daddy! Ohh-! Daddy!!” You squealed, licking his hand as he held it over your mouth. “Bunny-! Fucking god!-“ His cock swelled around the ring, his head filling with pleasure as he felt himself slowly lose it. “Fuck fuck fuck fuck- Fuck!- FUCK!-“ He growled, panting as the ring gave and cum spilled inside you, triggering your orgasm. You squealed and screamed, thrashing around as pleasure filled your head. You cried and screamed against his hand, grabbing at him as you came down.

you were hyperventilating and sobbing against his hand as his head dipped down into your neck. his chest rising and falling rapidly as he kissed your damp skin. you couldn’t help the wave of emotions your several intense orgasms brought you, you broke down in a fit of sobs still not being able to breathe, after shocks from your orgasms shot through you as you looked down at all the squirt that coated the bed and both your bodies. your body still twitching as he stayed plugged in you, he let out soft moans trying to catch his breath. this time was insane, you guys had good sex before no doubt it was never bad, always mind blowing but this time there was so much more emotion on both ends you both needed to recover.

You sobbed, so sore and worn out that it was all you could really do. Slashs face came into few as he lightly picked you up.

He held you against his chest, rocking you back and forth as you slowly came down, “shhh shhh bunny...deep breaths..” You followed his lead in breathing, your mind becoming more clear. Well, as clear as it could be in that moment since you were still very exhausted. “Come on..let’s go get cleaned up..” He kissed your forehead sweetly, smiling against your skin as he carried you to the bathroom. You clung your him, not wanting to be set down or moved anymore than you already have.

Your muscles were sore and your overall being was worn out. As he lowered you both in the bath, he started to hum a soft tune. You didn’t recognize it, must have been something new he had been working on. He ran his hands threw your hair, the other leaning over and grabbing a washcloth. He soaked it in water, bring it to your face as he continued to hum softly. That’s when the hums started to turn into words. He sand softly in your ears as he washed all the sweat and tears from your face. Slash was never one to sing in the first place, but him singing to you never failed to make you smile. “There’s that pretty smile..”

“i-i-i love you slashy” you hummed gripping his chest giving him weak kisses. “i love you bunny” he bummed rubbing your back, “thank you for letting me have you fun” you giggled looking up at him, “you deserved it baby, you were so sexy” he chuckled lowly, “mm thank you” you leaned up kissing him deeply enjoying the feeling of his body against yours with the warm water surrounding you two.

CO-WRITTEN WITH @s-lasxh

#slash x reader #slash fic #slash gnr #slash hudson #Saul Hudson #gunsnroses #slash imagine #velvet revolver #smut #slash smut

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wordynerdygurl · 4 years

Text

Seven Minutes in Heaven

Author’s Note: Well hello my friends! Since hitting 1000 Followers in July (WHAT?! STILL UNBELIEVABLE!!!) I’ve been working on the requests sent in by my amazing troop of readers! This is another one of those stories which I’m pleased to share. As always, help my unending need for validation but re-blogging or liking the story! Also, you can send asks, make your own request, follow me, or be added to my tag-list! Last, @sammy-jo1977 is my beta... and my ride or die home girl! Thanks lady! Pairing: Loki x Female Reader, appearances from most of the Avengers

Summary/ Request: @queenofmischief asked for a story where “Loki and you guys are friends growing up and you realize you like him and try to hide it but somehow at a party or something or another, maybe Seven Minutes in Heaven is involved, it comes out and really hot smut ensues?”

I used some of the ideas you gave me, dear reader, but made it a little more mature, so I sincerely hope you enjoy!

Warnings: Lots of 80′s references... music, movies, clothes, etc. References of smut, heavy petting and kissing

ENJOY!

"But, like, I really don't want to go." Your cellphone, pinned between your ear and shoulder, pushed your earring into the tender flesh behind your lobe. It probably didn't help that the jewelry in question was a pair of huge hoops, fluorescent in color and hard plastic.

You heard Wanda sigh, "Yea… I know. It's just, we all are… and you know it'll be worse if you don't show up."

"I really hate it." Using a sing-song voice didn't change the feelings behind your words. Going up to the main floor of The Avengers Tower for a theme party was not a thrilling idea.

"I know you do-", pulling open the door between your room and hers, you palmed your phone, frowning at your friend, "-But you look great!"

"Radical… or wicked… or tubular would be more 80's appropriate." Still, her compliment made you smile. It really was a great outfit, totally encapsulating the MTV generation's vibe, complete with hot lime colored leg warmers.

Your cropped REO Speedwagon t-shirt was cut off at the neck, dripping low enough to expose one whole shoulder, and a wide stripe of the magenta colored tank top underneath. Having tucked the camisole into your acid washed denim micro miniskirt, you finished the ensemble with a pair of black pumps, and the obligatory scrunchie of cheap yellow satin. It pulled your hair into a low, side ponytail.

For makeup you'd painted your eye-shadow on, bright turquoise with pink under your brows. Lipstick in a shimmery rosy hue brought extra attention to your lips. And you stored your cell phone, lip gloss and keys in your iridescent fanny pack.

Wanda couldn't help giggling at the sight of you and your collection of clashing colors. For her look tonight she'd dawned a pair of skin tight leggings, an over-sized button down shirt with a stretchy black belt that was about four inches wide. Ballet flats, teased out hair and stark makeup had Wanda looking like a video vixen. It was impressive.

"See, you went sexy… and I went silly." Pouting now, you flopped onto your bed, "Can I just not?"

Sitting down next to you, patting your knee, "You don’t look silly, but you do look like you could be a hair band groupie! That’s sexy!” Shrugging your shoulders, unconvinced, Wanda added, “Besides, tonight… It may be fun. And, worse case? You get blitzed like a teenager on prom night."

"No… that's not the worst case. Worst case? He's there."

Sighing, Wanda shook her head, "He does still rub you the wrong way, huh? And, yes, he may be there… but-" standing, taking you with her, "-it would be a shame to waste all your wicked cool work!"

Hearing her use the dated vernacular made you grin. She was right. Tonight could be a blast, if you were able to get out of your head. Jumping off the bed, unsettling one of those fashionable leg warmers, you hugged your friend tightly. You could do this. You wouldn't be alone. And if Loki was there, he'd just have to get over it. You weren't going to pay him any attention.

---

"Mr. Loki… can we please go? We're already stupid late."

Bending to straighten his red suspenders, Loki smirked at himself, "Greed is good."

Sighing, exasperated and edging into anger, Peter pulled open the front door, "I don't know what that means, but you look… greasy."

"Like I could steal your company in a corporate take over? Maybe steal your woman too", Loki questioned, excited at the idea.

Crossing his arms over the red puffy vest he had bought specifically for tonight, Peter grunted, "Uh… I… I guess. I meant more like one of the assholes in Wolf of Wall Street."

God, you had better be there tonight. Loki was putting a lot of hope on Stark’s little shindig and he wanted to make sure that all of the little details were absolutely perfect, giving him every advantage. Standing now, slicking back his long dark hair, "That, my young spider friend, is exactly what I am going for… Evil 80′s CEO."

"Great."

Loki heard the frustration in the young man’s voice. Someday he would understand, Loki thought, turning to the youthful Avenger beside him, "You certainly make a dashing Marty McFly, Peter. Truly."

"Aw! Really, Mr. Loki? Ya mean it?" That made the Spider Boy preen, popping his collar, and standing a little straighter.

"I do! Now-" flashing a rakish smile to his reflection as he passed, "-let's get upstairs and see how everyone else is doing!"

---

Everyone else was ready to party. The last mission, a particularly difficult one, involved Hydra agents banging it out against our heroes along the rough terrain of the polar ice cap. Draining the physical and emotional resources of everyone, including you and Loki, Tony had planned a little party to kick off a period of rest and relaxation.

As soon as the elevator opened you knew it was going to be an insane night. Everything was brightly lit. Paper streamers were strung up haphazardly along the walls and ceiling. Big plastic buckets of chips and cheese curls were put out on the counter along with a huge punch bowl that reeked of rum and sugary fruit juice. On the floor in the kitchenette was a garbage can, freezing, full of ice, only the keg tap visible. A stack of red plastic cups was at the ready.

Someone had ordered pizza. Well, dozens of pizzas. The boxes were piled along the table already crammed with pretzel bags and Doritos.

Steve was being instructed on the basics of Beer Pong and, you decided, definitely being hustled by Sam. Bucky looked on with curiosity, quietly sneaking closer to the chips and dip, hoping no one would notice. Rhodey was watching them both through the reflective lenses of his aviator shades, doing a great job of looking like a Top Gun cadet, including the tight jeans and broken-in bomber jacket. Grinning as he drank down a bottle of beer, Rhodes shouted, "Hey Stank! Is all of this really necessary?"

"Don't come for me Rhodey!" Wearing a pair of neon leopard spotted knit pants, a green polo shirt and white sneakers, Tony was clutching a glass bowl filled with little slips of paper to his chest. No one had managed to figure out what they were or why he held them. Drinking two beers from his plastic, can holding helmet, Tony would answer only with a slightly slurred, "It's my trashy 80′s party and I do what I want!"

And Tony had thought of everything. Sounding like a mixed tape pulled from the radio, the tunes didn't let up! Ratt, Foreigner, Cindi Lauper, Madonna and Tom Petty all took turns blasting through the room. So many hits from the past pumped through the sound system, getting people on their feet and keeping them there. You were swinging and swaying along, having a blast, but when Bon Jovi hit the group of Intergalactic Warriors went wild.

Clint, rocking a mullet wig and a vest with no shirt, jumped onto a table making the motions of an air guitar champion. Singing into a beer bottle like it was his microphone, "Whoooooaaaa we're halfway there…"

Guffawing, you hid behind your Bud Light filled cup, already red cheeked from the non-stop laughing and alcohol in your system. At some point you had given up Wanda to Vision in a varsity jacket, doing his best jerk-off jock impression, and not quite pulling it off. It wasn't his fault that he was too polite to put people down in the way of Eighties movie bad guys. Alone, feeling flushed, but happy, you needed a break and some quiet. Flinging yourself onto the soft sofa, watching the frat house style antics unfold all around, you couldn’t help laughing. Tony always found a way to knock the group out of their post mission funk. Sometimes that meant week long Caribbean vacations and sometimes that meant dressing up in retro attire and scream singing with a cold beer in your hands. Either way, it seemed to bring everyone closer together, and the pictures were certainly worth framing. The couch dipped as someone joined you. Swiveling, not quite drunk but not quite sober, you couldn’t help the groan that left you. “Oh. It’s you.”

Not exactly the response Loki wanted, he was just grateful that you spoke to him at all. Lately you seemed to flee any room he entered, a hurt and heavy sigh escaping you before you'd make your exit, never looking back. Loki couldn't understand why.

After all, it had been two months since that night. The one where he'd stumbled on you, glowing blue in the light of the television set, alone and in the darkness. You asked him to join you, he had accepted.

The movie was called "Say Anything" and Loki had to admit, as far as romance on film went, this story was very moving. But that was an unexpected bonus to being so near to you. Before the credits rolled, you had burrowed against him, snuggled under his arm with your head on his chest.

Stroking your hair, Loki pressed a kiss to your forehead, thoughtlessly, naturally. Pushing away, looking up at him through hooded lashes, "You… you kissed me?"

Words failed the silver tongued devil, something he still pondered all these weeks later, so a nod was all you got for a response. Kneeling, your sleep shirt riding over your thighs, Loki watched your small hand rising to cup his cheek. Feeling your lips against his own was the beginning of the best night of his life.

And then, nothing. It was like a switch had been thrown and no matter how many ways he tried to reach out for you, Loki wasn't able to connect. Not like that night.

So, he was going against his nature tonight. Joining the group, drinking a bit of his brother's mead, wearing a dated but pristine business suit. All done in the vain hope that something would shift in his favor.

He had already lost too many nights to memories of you. Soft, full skin under his broad palms. The tiny moan you exhaled when Loki’s tongue met your own. How your wet, willing body accepted him, without question or stipulation. And in the afterglow, when your head rested in the crook of his neck and your cherry cola scented breath circled him, you let Loki hold you close.

But he buried it all. Tonight he was the embodiment of all things slick. Nothing could stick to him; not when he had a goal in mind and this much gel in his hair. Loki Odinson would be taking you home tonight, come hell or high water. Wolfish, Loki’s grin was wicked, “Yes. Your dream has come true.” Sitting back, he crossed his designer suit covered knee at the ankle, exposing socks with little golfers on them. He let his right arm rest along the back of the sofa, not around you… not yet, but inching closer. “What is that cologne you’re wearing?” “Don’t you like it? I’m told Drakkar Noir was quite the scent of the 80′s. I did my research.” Twisting, you looked him over, impressed despite yourself. The suit was totally of its time. Black, pinstriped and you were sure the jacket that came with it was draped somewhere safe. His shirt was shiny but soft and bright, blinding white. Suspenders of red matched the tie that draped down the center of his chest. With his hair combed straight back and held in place with some kind of product, Loki looked like he was capable of eating a six course lunch at Sardi’s, complete with dirty martinis, then jetting back to the office in time to defraud a corporate spending account. The kind of executive that blackmails a co-worker with pictures of a mistress. The kind of douche bag that tries to take over a rec center to build a mall. In short, an avarice little asshole. So, why was it so hot? “It’s… overpowering.”, boy, was that an understatement. Loki’s whole aesthetic was overpowering right now. And, was he moving closer? His bent knee brushed against your own as he leaned near enough to be heard at a whisper, “You look adorable, you know that?” Scrunching into the corner of the couch, eyeing him suspiciously, “Oh? Really?” “Really.”, his hand brushed over your exposed shoulder, making you jump at his touch.

Uh uh. No way. You would not be so easy to seduce this time around. Even if those wide hands sent goosebumps growing all over your body, Loki would not charm his way into your panties again. Not like last time.

It had been spontaneous. Genuine, at least for you. And in the moment, it felt like Loki had given you a little piece of himself, a tenderness that no one else ever saw in the far flung Frost Giant.

Maybe that's why Clint's words hurt so much. He had told you so casually, holding up a spoonful of Cheerios, "Loki said his last girl was a drag. Basic bitch? Is that what the kids say?"

Thinking about it now made your heart hurt. You had given yourself to someone who thought you were beneath him. Loki couldn't want you. You would never be good enough.

But that night haunted you. His soulful kisses that stole your breath. The drag of Loki’s hands over the swell of your bottom as you straddled his hips. His solid chest under your own hands, dark head curved against the couch cushion, but those burning eyes never leaving your face. “I thought you said I was plain. Simple. Boring.”

Leveling his own words back at him made Loki straighten in his seat. How could you think that? Unbalanced, stammering, “Uh… I… I’d never…” “Never expected me to find out? I believe that. And, let me tell you this-” Pushing yourself up with the help of the couch’s arm, you rose on unsteady legs, “-I’m not nearly drunk enough to fall into your arms again.” Spinning away, you made a dash towards the people in the kitchen, without looking back. Watching you go, Loki could do nothing but stare after your retreating form, flummoxed.

“That was… painful.”

He knew that voice well enough, frustrated, confused and unfit for company, “Go away, Tony.”

“I don’t think I will. In fact-” sitting down in your empty spot, patting Loki’s knee, “-I’m going to make myself comfortable. Now, tell Uncle Tony all about it.”

Rolling his eyes, unable to find you in the crowd, Loki risked a sideways glance at his replacement companion. Was he really going to indulge in this? Tell his almost friend about you… about your one night together? Loki raked his hands through the pomade in his hair, growling low, “If you breathe a word of it Tony, I’ll-” Lowering his wrap around sunglasses, peering at Loki, Tony smiled, “Your secret is safe with me.” ---

Thinking less and less about Loki as the night went on should have been a relief but it seemed like the scent of him followed you everywhere. Unable to get free of him, you busied yourself with drinks, dancing, and munching like you were a kid again. Anything to keep your mind from wandering.

It's not like the party was boring. Not at all! There was plenty to distract you and you let it. Natasha made you her partner for beer pong and somehow you successfully won against Rhodey and Sam.

Next, Wanda needed you, which is how you wound up sitting on the bathroom sink listening to her go on about Vision in that wistful, loving way that made your own heart ache. Being a little drunk, you had to fight the urge to cry because you were lonely and hurting. “I saw you talking to Loki… what was that about?” She was reapplying ruby red lipstick, studying herself in the mirror, not looking directly at you.

Wanda's voice cut through your self doubt spiral though, something you were thankful for, and with a casual tone you countered, “He was trying to get something started, I think.” Eyebrows lifting, Wanda’s interested piqued, “Really? Loki was hitting on you?” “Yea… I mean, I think so. Was coming on awfully strong too. But… he’s been a jerk, right?”

Wanda cleaned up her eye make-up taking a minute, after washing her hands she looked at you, “I mean, he is here.” “So?” “So, you know he’s not really a joiner. More of a lone wolf. In fact, I think this may be the first of these little parties he’s come to. Maybe he’s changed… grown a bit? And, honestly, you never asked him about-”

Hopping off the counter, cutting her off, more than a little huffy at her good sense, “No, I didn’t and I don’t plan to. Loki thinks I’m a bore? Too basic for him? Fine. I have better things to do with my time.” Laying her hand on your shoulder, Wanda stopped you, eyeing you in the mirror once more, “I know his words hurt… but you’re going to have to clear the air eventually. Especially if we’re all going to work together.”

Shrugging, you offered your friend a small smile. There was truth in her sentiment, even if your slightly drunken brain rebelled against hearing it, “Yea, you're right… plus-” looking around the small washroom, just to make sure no one could hear the pair of you, “- he looks really hot tonight!”

Giggling, Wanda hugged you close, “I didn’t want to say anything, but… yea he does!” The pair of you were still laughing together, standing at the back of the crowd as Tony turned down the music, announcing, “Gather round children, Uncle Tony needs your attention!” There were a few groans, mostly from the beer pong table, as apparently Bucky was unhappy about forfeiting his winning match. Everyone else, in all their high haired glory, were congregating near their host, curious and more than a little drunk.

“Tony, what the hell, man? You killed the tunes!”, Clint shouted, spilling Bud Light foam as he joined the tightening circle. “Patience, my drunk friend. You all remember this?” From the table nearby, Tony picked up his glass bowl, triumphant, “Our Destiny!”

Pepper, sighing with a smile, “So dramatic!” Shaking the bowl in her direction Tony smirked, “Ok smarty, then you pick first. Go on… Pick!” There were oohs and ahhs from the assembled Avengers. Rolling her eyes, Pepper reached in, grabbing the first slip her fingers found. Pulling it free, she grinned, eyeing Tony, “It says ‘Loki’...” Hearing his name, Loki snapped his head up, surprise registering on his face, “Excuse me?” Holding it up for his examination, Pepper waved the slip under the regal nose of the junior Odinson, “See… your name.” “Yes, but why?”

Butting in, Tony snatched the scrap from the hand of his lovely fiance, practically dancing with glee. Turning to Loki, “Now you, Gordon Gecko, pull a slip.” Aware of all eyes locked on him, Loki reached into the jar, digging around a little more than necessary. Finally satisfied, the thin paper pinched between his fingers, Loki opened the folded note. When his fierce gaze met yours, you knew without a doubt. It was your name he had grabbed. Throwing a thick arm across Loki’s broad shoulders, Tony hugged him close, “Well? What’s it say?” It all made sense in that moment. The tacky costumes, flat beer and endless music. A drunken moment of clarity had descended. Tony, waving his arms, eating up the crowd’s reactions, heads turning to gauge your response. Swallowing hard, your hearing failing you, you just faked a smile. You and Loki were going into the closet for Seven Minutes in Heaven. Only there was no way you were going to do that. Not after what he’d said. Not after your one night together, right? But you felt a gentle hand pushing your forward, into the center of your circle of friends and for some reason, your feet followed.

Refusing didn't enter your mind. With everyone ogling you and Loki, making a scene would only cause more speculation, something you weren't keen to do. Instead, you stepped next to Tony, outwardly eager to play along.

You just shouldn't have dared to look at your proposed make out partner. Laser focused, Loki’s lusty look hadn’t wavered. No, the light in those thundering blue eyes was carnal, darker than you had ever seen, matching your own. Against your better judgement, you wanted Loki, too.

Whatever Tony was saying was a blur, merely sounds, because you were utterly stunned by the nearness of Loki. The roaring laughs of the rest of the group were drowned out by your pounding heart. A door opened to a dim room, the pantry maybe? You didn’t know and in that moment you didn’t really care.

With a small smile, Loki ducked into the cupboard, lacing his fingers with yours, offering a bit of his strength. Dragging you inside, your body pinned between a shelf of snacks and the hard body of your frenemy, a whimper of want passed your lips. Loki still smelled so good and now he was so close. “Have fun you two!”, Tony’s words were accompanied by the door shutting you and Loki inside, in the dark. Surrounded by silence, Loki’s sharp pants were the only sound louder than your racing pulse, which was saying something. Afraid to move, afraid of spooking you, Loki struggled to search your stare in the low light. He had already experienced your angry dismissal of his attention tonight. It wasn't something he wanted to relive, not when you were so close with sweet and speedy breath, your chest brushing against his own at each exhale.

Lifting a hand, grazing over your uncovered shoulder, Loki's touch was electric. You moved towards it, towards him, needing more of his energy. Craving it.

Bold in the dark, you grabbed at Loki’s suspenders, tugging him closer. Rising on your toes, covering some of the distance between your mouth and his, you pressed a hot kiss to those soft, pink lips. Under your fluttering fingers Loki shivered, "Darling-"

"Shut up. I… I don't care."

"But I never…"

"I told you. I don't care. Now kiss me like you mean it, because we only have about six more minutes!"

Not needing any more encouragement, Loki found the flare of your hips in the shadows, molding your curves to the rigid planes of his body. Desperate, needy, you felt his tongue move against your own. Want, plain and simple, led your own fingers to the collar of Loki’s starched shirt and the tangle of his raven hair. Fisting it, tugging against those luscious locks, you couldn’t seem to get close enough to the tall God sharing your cupboard. Whining, his name on your lips, you drew Loki tight enough that the press of your breasts was edging towards pain. Demanding, true to your word, with every pass of Loki’s magical mouth over your own the last few weeks were forgotten. Hungry for more, Loki roughly squeezed the flesh of your ass, grinding you against his wool blend covered crotch. Stuttering, his arousal was so stiff, for a minute Loki worried about making a mess. But that feeling was replaced with unbridled ecstasy when your lips found the tender skin below his ear.

A nip, enough to make Loki hiss, was soon soothed by your sucking on the same spot. Resting your butt on the nearest shelf, you didn’t have to stand on tip-toe to reach the soft, sweet sections of Loki where you longed to lavish attention. He took advantage of your new position by sliding a free hand along the swell of your separated thighs. “I just need to feel you, dove. I need to know that you want me as much as I want you.” It was a husky whisper, directly into your ear, and it sent an arc of icy fire to your core. When his long fingers skimmed over the silky slick of your panties you moaned in unison, bucking into Loki’s touch, lost in the moment. Stepping between your legs, Loki took one of your hands into each of his own, pinning you wide open against the boxes of cereal and granola bars that lined the pantry walls. Devouring you slowly, Loki kissed along the column of muscles at your throat, across the exposed line of your clavicle. You could do little more than take his delicious torment as more and more of your sweat dappled skin was serviced by his silver tongue. “Yes… Loki…”, tumbling out of you, just like the night when you first came together, you crooned his name in delight. Breathless, boneless and broken with need. CLICK! The sound made you both freeze. Snapping swiftly, Loki’s head swung towards the door where the bright light and noisy crowd of the party was intruding into your private pantry. “WHOA, WHOA, WHOA! What do we have here?” Swinging into the tight space, Tony’s shrewd look took in the scene in seconds, “What were you two doing in here? It was a very quiet seven minutes!” Straightening to standing, Loki stood, blocking you from sight as you readjusted your clothes. Smoothing down his tangled strands, sarcasm dripping, “Talking. Very quietly.” When he was sure you were decent, Loki offered you his hand, and blinking you stepped back into the wild and raucous party still in full swing. Tony, flashing a knowing grin your way, nodded, “I hope you didn’t smush the chips! We still need those!” Giggling, you locked onto Loki’s arm, letting him lead you towards the keg and away from the shouted questions of your friends. You knew there was no mystery about what happened in those seven minutes. Hair mused, makeup smudged, lips swollen and shirts twisted, the pair of you were walking neon signs for getting to third base.

Silently Loki poured you a beer, taking a small glass of Asgardian mead for himself, before raising his glass your way. Returning his gesture, you downed the frothy ale fast, feeling a little parched after your spit swapping time in the hall closet. Boring into you, his eyes followed each of your movements, searching for a sign of your feelings. Dropping your empty cup on the counter, you turned and jumped onto the marble ledge, feet dangling. “Loki?” Placing his own glass down gently, Loki took his position between your bent knees, looking down at your darling face, “Yes?” “Did you say those things? That I was… boring? Basic?” Shaking his dark waves no, Loki bit into his bottom lip, “Never. What I said was, my last girl, ages ago, was those things… but my new lady-” tracing along your jaw, tipping your chin his way, “-she is everything I could ever want.”

“Am I… am I your new lady, then?” With a fierce flicker of fire in his eyes, Loki nodded yes this time, “Absolutely.” Leaning into him, arms around his neck, you tugged him down to meet your waiting lips. “Good. Good to know. Because I think I’m going to watch a movie tonight.” “Really? I recall really enjoying the last one.” “Hmm… me too.” Sliding off the counter, ducking under Loki’s long arms, you turned back to face him, “My room… say, an hour?”

Snapping his suspenders, smirking, “I’ll be there.” Watching you skip away made Loki’s pulse pound in anticipation. Pouring himself another glass of clear liquor, he chuckled, amazed at the change seven minutes had created.

“You’re welcome.” “Ah! Yes, many thanks Tony.”

Leaning against the counter, Tony knocked into Loki’s shoulder, “You’re cute together, Rock of Ages, but don’t make me regret helping you tonight! Treat her right.”

“Of course. I... truly, thank you.”, sincerity seeped from Loki at the favor from Tony. “No worries! No worries!” Waving away any additional gratitude, Tony looked over the group of half cocked, and totally cocked heroes before him, “Of course the real bitch was getting Pepper to pull your name from the bowl…”

My Marvelous Minxes tag-list: @queenofmischief @vodka-and-some-sass @just-random-obsessions @brokenthelovely @lots-of-loki @thefallenbibliophilequote @iamverity @iluvsumbucky @unadulteratedwizardlove @wolfsmom1 @procrastinatinglikeabitch @mizfit2 @shxdowofdarkness @nonsensicalobsessions @ahintofkiwistrawberry @jessiejunebug @rorybutnotgilmore @crystalizedcaramel @lokislittlecorner @scrumptious-finicky-illusion @capcapcapsicle @jamielea81 @caffiend-queen @thenatalie @sammy-jo1977 @otakumultimuse-hiddlewhore @is-it-madness @jenjen8675309 @alexakeyloveloki @poetic-fiasco

#loki x reader #loki x you #hot loki #loki smut #loki love #1000followers #mcu smut #mcu fanfiction #loki fanfiction #loki fanfic #80's #80's loki #80's mcu

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cumbercookiebatchs · 4 years

Text

Guitarist Grantaire

Just because I love him and I’m trashing on Les mis, Grantaire and Enjoltaire.

- Can play lots and lots of instruments, (piano, sax, violin and drums) but he’s awesome with a guitar;

- He’s really good at singing, too;

- He’s in a band with two other guys. Les amis don’t know (yet) about this, except Ponine. It’s not a secret, it just never came out;

- The band’s name is “Minority” cause they all love “Green Day”;

- They play in a suburbian bar;

- The bar’s name is “Blue” and is rather big for a bar;

- The bar’s costumers love them;

- On Thursdays and Saturdays they have a lineup, on Tuesdays they go with audience’s requests;

- Grantaire is always joking on stage, singing even when he doesen’t know the lyrics, while the drummer and the bassist always manage to play everything;

- Once, someone asked for “Here I am,” and Grantaire only knew half of it, speaking on the guitar solo:

“ I’m sorry, I hope you don’t mind me acting like this up there. My mates are so professional and then there’s me, and I hope you’re not disappointed because”

– the lyrics starts again –

“ Here I am, this is me, there’s nowhere else on earth I’d rather be”

and everyone goes wild.

- He’s an ass about love songs:

“You know, I’ve had a special request tonight” and he’d be walking on the stage, hands moving all around, “this boy comes to me, asking a song for his girlfriend because today’s their anniversary. Ten minutes later his girlfriend shows up and asks for the same thing” he stops walking “Thing is, that song is horrible, but I’m a good guy so I’m gonna play it nonetheless because love is awesome and I love love”

And then

“We need to do this the right way. Both of you, I want you in the middle of the dance floor. Make some space you people, let them dance together while we drown in our despair”

And then

“Susan, Susan can you hear me?” (the light technician)

“Susan, I want a blue light on them. Can you see them? Yeah, there, a little on the left…no, my left Susan, not your left.

“Yeah, there. Good? Let’s do this”

-“Ariana Grande? Who asked me to perform Ariana Grande? You know how high her voice is? Do you want me to choke on my vocal chords? Are you trying to kill me?!”

One of those nights, Les Amis find themselves there, thanks to Courfeyrac :

“Guys , we have to go to this bar, my friend told me the alcohol’s cheap and the singer is hot. Please please please let’s go.”

- Enjolras didn’t want to go but they bribed him because “we voted Enjolras, shut the fuck up and come with us” “uhg”

Whoops

-“ Grantaire’s the sexy singer?!” – Joly“

What the fuck” – Courfeyrac“

No way”- Bousset

“ That asshole never said a fucking thing. I’m gonna smash his head” – Jean

“Calm down, Jean”- Bahorel

“He’s really good. We could ask him to perform. We could draw in more people”- Combeferre

“Uh”- Enjolras

“That asshole”- Jean

“Jean, stop.”- Bahorel

“You really didn’t know?!”- Ponine

“You did?!”

- After the performance, they all move toward R who’s drinking at the counter with the rest of the band

- Jean is the first to arrive, hitting him on the back of his head.

Grantaire whips around

“what are you doing here?”-R

“you’ve been holding out on us! Liar!”- Jean

“What do you mean Liar?! I didn’t lie about anything!”-R

“Shut up, asshole”- Jean

“Jean, please calm down”- Bahorel

-You never said anything, why?”- Enj

“I didn’t mean for it to be a secret. We just never talked about it”

“You’re really good”

-They love you”- Courf

“Naah, they just like the music”

“Yeah, no. They love you. I love you too, now. Also, I’m attracted to you, now. That’s so strange”

“That’s disturbing. Courfeyrac, stay away from me”

“Meanie”

- Tuesdays nights at the bar become a common thing. Les amis like messing with Grantaire asking the most absurd songs.

- One night Enjolras asks for “La Marsaillase” and Grantaire laughs so hard he falls down.

- Grantaire subtly flirts with Enjolras while on stage. Enjolras can tell he’s flirting, but can’t tell with who, so he gets jealous and grumpy. Meanwhile Grantaire thinks he’s offended or something.

- Courfeyrac wants to smash their heads on the bar counter.

-In the end, Grantaire sings “Last night on earth” and then says: “Enjolras, that was for you, you obvious man”. Enjolras blushes. Courfeyrac screams.

#grantaire #enjoltaire #enjolras #guitarist grantaire #les mis #les miserables #les amis de l'abc #les amis #les mis headcanons #courfeyrac #combeferre #bahorel #jean prouvaire #eponine #les mis fandom #Riri's writing

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clumsyclifford · 3 years

Note

just finished writing this and realized how long it got oh jeez i am so sorry. i promise it is just me rambling about nothing and does not require a lot of thought.

i made a playlist of r5's entire discography and am listening to it (in order) because there is something wrong with me. if only it had their very first ever ep on it (ready set rock ep you may have been slight garbage but i don't love you any less for it). oh god i realized i fucked up and didn't add the songs by "ross lynch and r5" from the austin & ally soundtrack. i'm already three songs into louder and they would have been between louder and say you'll stay. what do i have to do is actually one of r5's best songs and i'm pretty sure i remember ross calling it one of his favs fairly recently?? which was so valid of him. anyways. this is now an r5 song ranking. i'm bored and avoiding doing assignments. i'm going to name my top 10 r5 songs off the top of my head. source: me trying to remember every song they've ever released.

no. 1: easy love. nothing comes close. my fav song they ever made. they haven't made anything that even compares since (this is /hj. tde has some valid songs).

no. 2: wishing i was 23. what do you mean i only love this song because of my nostalgia bias no i don't.

no. 3: what do i have to do? i will not elaborate i do not know why i adore this song as much as i do it's just a cute song.

no. 4: repeating days. THE END. THE FUCKING END AFTER THE SONG ENDS THE "all i've got is cheap wine" PART ross sounds so vulnerable and him with just the guitar makes me so :(((((( it's so gorgeous that part makes the whole song and that makes it top 3 for me.

no. 5: i want u bad. THAT SONG FUCKS LIVE. I DO NOT WANT TO THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT I WILL PROBABLY NEVER SEE IT LIVE AGAIN. (speaking of concerts i can't believe you bought concert tix and fucking forgot??? that is actually so fucking funny bella it made me laugh i will not lie)

no. 6: dark side. so so valid of them. it just fucks. it's so good. it makes u want to dance. u named a fic after a lyric from it which was so valid.

no. 7: did you have your fun? i love this song. no i will not elaborate. it is a sexy song. what's that one lyric from it that's hot. "love me, leave me, left me numb" some lyrics you love for no particular reason and for me that's one of those lyrics.

no. 8: f.e.e.l.g.o.o.d. this has alwayysss been one of my favs by them. since it dropped. some lore about it: the like crowd yelling that's in it they recorded live at a festival they played and i remember there being hype about this being an unreleased song when they had the crowd chanting "f-e-e-l-g-o-o-d" with no explanation. also another fun fact is that the final version of this is just a demo?? source: my slightly faulty memory remembering ross saying something about some demos being so good that you keep them as they are and it later being revealed this was the song he was talking about.

no. 9: i know you got away. sexy song. they released a vocals only version of it (that has apparently since been deleted?? i went to look for it on youtube and couldn't find it?? wtf r5) that has stuck with me ever since.

no. 10: loud. but more specifically the acoustic or live version. this was their encore song that they played to end every show. i MISS IT. it holds a special place in my heart.

honorable mentions: hurts good (a good song and THEIR LAST THEY EVER RELEASED VV SAD), wild hearts (fun fact almost picked a lyric from this song as my senior quote till i found out they didn't write this song), fallin' for you (YOU LIKE MISMATCHED SOCKS WITH POLKA DOTS YOU LIKE YOUR PIZZA COLD I THINK THATS HOT i never saw this song live and i'm still fucking pissed about it ok), do it again (it's such a sweet song :(((( "listen to the airplanes as we count the stars" gives me the same vibes as six feet under the stars), things are looking up (generally just a cute song!! this whole ep is just very good and very cute!! when i saw it live one time during the bridge ross was like "everyone shut up this is my favorite part >:(" and that was so valid of him) i can't say i'm in love (it's just a fun song!! it was a bonus track on sln from another country), trading time (this is the only song from the new addictions ep that i listed and u know what i'm Not sorry)

ok. i will spare you and stop rambling. other honorable mentions: if you have never listened to cool girl (feat. the driver era) by new beat fund i highly recommend. it's an okay song but it was one of the first songs released after they rebranded as tde and includes ross saying motherfucker with his whole chest. i will never again feel what i felt the first time i heard that song having listened exclusively to them as r5 whose songs they couldn't curse in because they were on a disney label.

in conclusion. i miss r5. ross saying fuck is kinda hot. i listened to the entirety of louder while writing this. i am sorry to dump this in your askbox. i still have multiple assignments to do and should probably go to sleep at a decent time. it feels fitting to finally stop writing while easy love is on. when i was 12 and this ep came out i thought "dirtbags" was a curse word and was scared to sing it. they changed it to "douchebags" live.

that's all. goodbye. have a lovely night. listen to r5's discography for clear skin thriving crops etc etc. sorry to lovepost about them in your askbox i only have (1) former r5 mutual that i still talk to (a very interesting but long story. she's the gemini bestie) and she will only lovepost about r5 once in a while. feel free to ignore my ask calling cody bellinger hot i was a different person when i wrote it i am now a changed woman. LOVE YOU MWAH - bella but she misses r5

hi hi im going to answer this with minimal thought because im tired but i dont wanna leave this sitting in my inbox forever but for the record all your r5 opinions are valid. ok lets go

1. easy love slaps ive heard it a couple times over the last few days (it played in the car today while i was driving sam n meghna to the airport) and it does fuck i can see why it's your fave

2. i do not know this song

3. A BOP A WHOLE FUCKIN BOP

4. oh i do love repeating days great choice i would have to hear it a few more times to get it in my head but i remember really liking it when i listened to the album it's on

5. also a banger and i'm glad my concert tickets situation made you laugh it made me laugh too imagine being this useless gldskfjgs

6. DARK SIDE FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS GIVE IN TO YOUR DARK SIDE YOUR DARK SIDE IIIIIIIII SEE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT MEEEEE

7. ANOTHER FUCKING BANGER this one is probably among my favorite r5 songs maybe top 5 LOVE ME LEAVE ME LEFT ME NUMB (guitar moment) DID YOU HAVE YOUR FUUUuuuuUUUUUNNNNN i feel the same way about this lyric as you

8. oh shit thats pretty cool i dont know this song tbh i cant remember how it goes i know ive heard it once or twice but. id have to listen to it again so i will keep you posted on that

9. i do not know this one either

10. interesting choice for top ten but i support you, this song fucks and ever since you mentioned it it's been in my subconscious and randomly getting stuck in my head i think i need to listen to it to get it out. it does hit ur right

11. i don't know hurts good or wild hearts or things are looking up or i can't say i'm in love or trading time well enough to say anything about them. but i really like fallin for you it's one of those cheap fun songs but emphasis on fun, and also really like do it again one day ill write a fic based on that song

i have not listened to cool girl i put it on my to listen playlist so hopefully i remember to listen to it soon ill be honest though i dont think im prepared for ross lynch saying motherfucker w his whole chest like i think itll take me out. so. anyway. i hope you got your assignments done. thank you for the r5 lovedump feel free to drop in anytime with more

#this is a love-positive zone #we love love #here on clumsyclifford we support insane obsessions because we also have insane obsessions #ask #cubs anon #anonymous #lol i was telling my dad that i talked to rian and zack but said the most generic things ever #and i was like. i mean there were things that i would have wanted to ask but if i had then they would have known that--#-- im like super obsessed with them in a kind of creepy way. like i wanted to ask rian what time alex was born #...so we can figure out his rising sign so we can make his star chart #and my dad was like . why would you need that #and i said. you know for funsies #he was like do you think he would even know that #and i said well in our collective opinions we think alex wouldnt know what time he was born but rian and/or jack probably would #and my dad was like its a good thing you didnt ask him that. it would have been creepy.#and i was like I KNOW THATS WHY I DIDNT ASK BECAUSE I KNEW IT WOULD HAVE BEEN CREEPY BRO #so anyway #i dont remember why i started telling this story #its 1am im so tired ive had the longest two days ever #i need sleep im going to die #i cant believe classes in two days #end me

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flowerfan2 · 4 years

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Private Time

I’ve been reading and writing (and living with) so much angst lately, I decided to indulge in some silly, sexy funtimes with a fandom I haven’t visited in a while. Enjoy.

Klaine, 2k, A03.

Summary: Living with his grad student roommates in quarantine, private time is hard to come by...

Blaine is generally very happy living in the somewhat rickety four-bedroom house he shares with three other grad students. It’s not too far from school, it’s got a workable washer and dryer in the basement, and the kitchen was renovated sometime in the past twenty years so it’s perfectly adequate for making whatever quick meals he manages to scrounge together after class.

But boy, are the walls thin.

This hasn’t been a problem until recently, when COVID-19 struck. School has gone online, but unlike the undergrads, Blaine and his roommates have a lease and all of them decided to endure the quarantine here in Somerville, Massachusetts rather than go home. According to Kurt, Somerville may not be where he wants to end up, but it’s far better than the Midwest town he grew up in and he has no desire to weather the quarantine back in Lima.

Thanks to the quarantine, Blaine has learned this and many more facts about his flatmates – and yes, they have all taken to calling it a flat, after an evening which started out with teasing Sam about how he likes to talk with a fake British accent turned into one of the most carefree nights Blaine has had in a long time. Apparently all it took was a few bottles of cheap wine and a defrosted cheesecake from Star Market to loosen them all up.

“We’re proper mates, now,” Sam had announced, waving his arms and nearly knocking over a lamp in the process. By the time they had all wandered off to bed, Blaine had learned that Kurt’s favorite singer was Lady Gaga, that Rachel had taken a year off from school to film a television pilot, and that Sam played the guitar rather well, as long as it was country music.

Blaine has liked Sam since they met playing intramural soccer in the fall. So when Sam mentioned last month that they had a spare bedroom, Blaine quickly took him up on the offer. Blaine’s previous apartment was lonely and smelled like something had died in the ceiling, so it was really a no brainer.

What had caught Blaine by wonderful, wonderful surprise, however, was that Kurt Hummel was one of Sam’s roommates. Blaine had seen Kurt perform in a production of Macbeth back in October, and had been mesmerized by the man’s performance. It hadn’t even occurred to him that Kurt was a regular grad student just like he was, not until Sam gave him the tour of the house and Kurt waved to him from the kitchen where he was gossiping with Rachel over skinny margaritas.

With just a smile and a nod and an agreement to take his turn putting out the trash, Blaine gained three roommates, including the guy he had been crushing on for months. Not bad for a Wednesday.

Much to Blaine’s dismay, simply moving into the house didn’t result in any quality time with Kurt. Between school and performances Kurt was hardly ever home, and Blaine’s schedule studying history and music theory was hardly better. Since the stay at home order was put in place, however, it’s a whole new world. Now the four of them can hardly get away from each other.

For the first two weeks of their enforced togetherness, everyone was on their best behavior, and the drama of it all gave them a shared sense of adventure. Kurt sewed them all homemade masks, Blaine carefully organized grocery trips to minimize time in the stores, Sam tried to get them to adopt home fitness routines, and Rachel kept them apprised of the most interesting celebrity bits to watch on You Tube.

But they are entering into week three of the quarantine, and the novelty is wearing off. For one thing, Rachel has been getting more and more demanding about household details (she is constantly editing the chore wheel and claiming someone else did it), and while Kurt generally has acted as peacemaker when confronted with Rachel’s whims, even he seems to be getting tired of it. Sam hasn’t done his laundry at all since they got locked in, and Blaine is running out of hair gel. Kurt has taken to cleaning the fridge so often that Rachel accused him of stealing cleaning supplies and rubber gloves from health care workers.

They are all becoming short-tempered and irritable. Blaine even catches himself snapping at Kurt, which is the last thing he wants to do. He’s worried that by the time the quarantine lifts, Kurt will never want to speak to him again, let alone date him.

Blaine has a few tried and true strategies for when he gets like this, but none of them are working. Sam insists on running with him every time he goes out, and his well intentioned chatter prevents Blaine from finding any escape. He can’t let off steam by boxing, because his gym is closed. And as for the things he really knows would do the trick, especially after an afternoon of watching Kurt do ballet stretches in yoga pants, well… the walls of their apartment are very, very thin.

Blaine knows this because Sam apparently feels no shame in indulging in his own solo activities. It’s easy to hear him, even from across the hall. Given that Blaine’s bedroom shares a wall with Kurt’s, there’s no way Blaine’s going to risk Kurt hearing anything of the sort from Blaine’s room.

Towards the end of the third week, Rachel calls a roommate meeting. Blaine has just finished an endless zoom call with his research supervisor, and he feels like his eyes are going to pop out of his head if he doesn’t get his contacts out soon. But Rachel insists, so they all gather in the sitting room, Sam and Blaine on the lumpy brown couch, and Kurt sitting on the edge of an armchair, looking to Blaine like he could be posing in a fashion magazine.

“Thank you for coming,” Rachel begins, as if they had any real choice in the matter. She launches into an overview of their past few roommate meetings, and brings up an excel spreadsheet on her computer, on which she has apparently made further edits to the chore wheel.

Blaine tries not to be distracted by the way the asymmetrical neckline of Kurt’s cashmere sweater drapes over his collarbone when he leans forward to look at Rachel’s chart.

“So I decided on Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays,” Rachel says, looking around the room for approval. Blaine realizes he has lost the plot completely, but luckily he’s not the only one.

“Wait, what?” Sam asks. Kurt has found a nail file somewhere and isn’t paying much attention either, but his mouth quirks up at little at Sam’s question, so he’s probably glad Sam is taking the blame for this one too.

Rachel lets out a long suffering sigh, and places an Amazon box on the table. “As I said, I haven’t been able to use the practice rooms for weeks now, and my vocal production is suffering. I need to be able to focus properly on allowing my voice to soar over my accompaniment at its expected volume, without having to censor myself.”

Sam still looks confused, and Rachel glares at him. “I need to listen to loud music, and sing loudly, ok? So I got these for all of us.”

Sam frowns. “I don’t mind if you sing, Rach.”

Rachel’s hands clench at her sides. “It’s not about you, it’s about me.” Kurt coughs not indiscreetly into his hand, but Blaine doesn’t quite catch what he says. “I need you all to wear these, for an hour, three times a week. I’ve clearly marked this as private time on our schedule, from 11 to midnight, Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.”

“But what if-“

“Sam, let it go,” Kurt says. “We’re all missing <I>private time</I> these days.” Kurt stands up and smooths his hands down his skin tight jeans. “It’s fine with me, Rachel.”

Blaine stands up too, and peers into the box, then takes out a set of headphones. They are high end noise-cancelling models, clearly expensive, and probably quite effective. “These are great, Rachel. Thanks. But you didn’t have to do this. I’m sure we could have worked something out so you could practice.”

Rachel glares at him now too, and tosses her hair over her shoulder. “I <i>have</i> worked it out.

Private time commences at eleven o’clock on each designated night. I expect you all to go to your rooms, and wear the headsets. It’s the least we can do to help preserve our collective mental health during this trying time. Do I have your agreement?”

They all agree, and Rachel smirks, satisfied. Blaine chalks it up to roommate harmony and sets about seeing what he can make for dinner out of tortillas, one cucumber, and three apples (answer: nothing, they eat frozen pizza).

Later that evening, he and Sam are on the couch trying to find something to watch on Netflix. Suddenly Sam leans over and slaps Blaine on the shoulder.

“Ow, Sam, what was that for?”

“I know why Rachel got the headphones for us,” Sam announces, grinning crazily, “It’s so she can have a wank!”

Blaine attributes Sam’s ongoing affinity for British slang to the amount of Sherlock fanfic he’s been reading lately, but now really isn’t the time to get into it.

He reflexively starts to deny it, but then he realizes with a flush of embarrassment that Sam is probably right. Sam watches his face and his grin gets even bigger.

“She’s kind of a genius, isn’t she?” Sam grabs a set of headphones and bounds away up the stairs.

“Sam,” Blaine calls out, wanting to remind him that it’s Monday, and therefore no private time is scheduled. Not that it’s stopped Sam before.

The next night Rachel reminds them all after dinner that private time will begin precisely at eleven o’clock. After a group viewing of the first episode of Deadwater Fell (during which Blaine divided his attention between watching David Tennant, watching Kurt, and watching Kurt watch David Tennant), Rachel checks the time on her phone and orders them all upstairs. ��At five minutes to eleven, she screams “put your headphones on,” and slams the door to her bedroom.

Blaine thinks this is all fairly ridiculous, but he puts on the headphones anyway, and settles on his bed with his laptop. He surfs around for a while, finding clips of some noteworthy Shakespeare productions (okay, fine, it’s Benedict Cumberbatch playing Hamlet), but then his mind starts to wander. Being cooped up with his roommates has been… constraining… for him too, and maybe he should go ahead and take advantage of the private time Rachel has arranged for them.

Blaine makes himself more comfortable and slides a hand down his body, wondering if his roommates are doing the same. Wondering, especially, if Kurt is doing the same. He unzips his fly and takes himself in hand, letting out a long sigh at the sensation – and then freezing when he hears himself. Blaine quickly realizes that as he got comfortable on the bed, the headphones had slipped off his ears.

And if he can hear himself, what if Kurt can hear him too?

Any interest in solo activities leaves him in a flash, and Blaine quickly zips himself up and plants his feet on the floor. He makes sure the headphones are properly situated on his ears, and spends the remaining twenty minutes of private time organizing his sock drawer.

The next morning his roommates seem downright cheery, and Blaine starts to regret his nerves. It would have been nice to get a little relief from the stress of quarantine, even at the risk of potential embarrassment. Maybe he just needs to be quieter, next time.

Thursday night Blaine fluffs his pillows and arranges himself on the bed face down, so that any noise he makes will be muffled. This turns out to be a brilliant idea, and he has quite a good time imagining that Kurt is underneath him, writhing and squirming and rutting against him, all long lines and warm skin. It’s not a pillow stifling his cries, it’s Kurt’s wet mouth…

When Blaine finally comes to, he feels a little guilty, but he’s more relaxed than he’s been in weeks. Maybe he’ll get through this quarantine after all.

#klaine #klaine fic #blaine anderson #kurt hummel #glee #quarantine fic

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assembledherethevolunteers · 4 years

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Right Where I Need To Be

A/N: Hello again! I’m sorry this took so long, I had 2 Secret Santa stories to write and then went out. But! This is the next songfic. This time it’s ‘Right Where I Need to Be’ by Gary Allen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_78F4MvVZT4) with John! This is based on the song and one of my favorite Queen stories, so I hope you guys enjoy.

Pairing: John Deacon x Reader

Summary: You and John are stressed out and need a break.

Warnings: Smoking, fluff, cursing, implied sexy times (super subtle, but it’s there)

Taglist: @queenlover05 @seven-seas-of-ham-on-rhye @madamsledge

John rested his forehead on the table for what felt like the umpteenth time that day.

“…and then there’d be the guitar solo, obviously,” Brian finished matter-of-factly.

“There. Is. No. Guitar. Solo.” John told him through gritted teeth, his head still down on the table.

“Why no through? You still haven’t given me a good reason.”

John lifted his head, glaring at the guitarist. “Because it’s my bloody song and I don’t want one! I don’t insert bass solos in the shit you write, so why do you INSIST on putting guitar solos in every song we do?”

Brian, and the other two members of the band for that matter, stared at John.

“He’s just…” Freddie tried to begin.

“He’s just trying to throw ANOTHER guitar solo in a song that doesn’t need one.”

“Deaky,” Roger said gently.

John stood up abruptly, not listening as Roger continued. “I’m going out for a smoke,” he announced, sweeping out of the room.

“We should probably take a break.” John heard Freddie say to the remaining members of the group as he dug his cigarettes out of his jacket pocket. He got outside and realized that he’d left his lighter inside. He didn’t want to go back inside. He leaned against the wall of the studio, his unlit cigarette hanging from his lips, and closed his eyes.

“Mind if I join you?”

John opened one eye at the voice to see Roger. John just shrugged.

“Need a light?” Roger offered his lighter.

John took the lighter and lit his cigarette, inhaling deeply. Usually that helped a little bit with his agitation, but not today.

“Rog, let me ask you something,” John said as he handed the lighter back to Roger.

“Alright,” Roger replied, lighting his own cigarette.

“Do you ever get…tired of this?”

Roger squinted at John, clearly confused.

“The arguing? The whole,” John gestured vaguely with his cigarette hand. “Thing. We just argue, throw out an album, argue, tour, argue ON tour, don’t speak for a few weeks and then we’re right back at it.”

Roger was quiet for a few moments, puffing on his smoke. “Honestly? No, I’m not. I think that keeps us…I don’t know, current? We each have our own views and are willing to fight for them. What’s so wrong with that?”

“You just saw what’s wrong with that!” John sighed deeply. “I don’t know, maybe I just need a break from all this.”

“What do you mean ‘all this’? You don’t mean…?”

“Not forever,” John clarified. “Just…a little bit of time.”

Roger watched John, not saying anything.

“Stop looking at me like that.”

“Look, mate, just…try to get through this recording, yeah? Maybe we can talk about taking a bit of a longer break.”

John finished his cigarette and flicked it away. “Yeah, maybe,” he sighed and then looked at the studio doors. “Let’s just through this day.”

Meanwhile, you were at your desk, rifling through paperwork.

“Y/N,” your boss’ voice came through the intercom.

You had to hold back your eyeroll as you hit the button to respond. “Yes?”

“Could you come in here?”

You took a deep breath to calm yourself and then walked into his office. “What can I help you with?”

“Do you have those contracts yet?”

“No, like I told you earlier, they won’t be here until tomorrow.”

“Well that is entirely inconvenient. You should have thought of that before you sent them to that slow solicitor friend of yours.”

“You actually chose the solicitor this time, sir,” you gave him a tight smile.

“Don’t act smart,” he snapped at you. “Just call them and get it taken care of.”

You nodded and walked out of the office. You wanted to cry. You hated your job and wanted nothing more than to quit. But you couldn’t. You were making good money for a secretary and living in London wasn’t cheap.

At the end of the day, after getting yelled at three more times for things that were outside your control, you stopped by the store and got some wine for yourself. You had earned it, damn it.

You walked up the stairs to your flat, hoping that none of your neighbors came out because you were not in the mood for any discussion. You walked in and started to prepare dinner when you heard your phone ring.

“Y/N Y/L/N’s residence,” you sighed.

“Sounds like you had about a good of a day as I had.”

“John,” you breathed out. You didn’t even try to fight the smile that was coming onto your face.

“Hello, love,” John smiled into the phone too.

“How’s Munich?”

“The city is fantastic. It’s beautiful and rich in culture and the people are lovely.”

“That’s so good to hear. And how’s the recording going?”

John hesitated. He didn’t want to burden you with his problems. Especially since you’d heard him make these complaints before.

“Oh fine. Getting some things done.”

“Like arguing?” You knew that John was probably not telling you everything. He tried to hide how frustrated he often was with the recording process, but you could usually tell when things were getting difficult for him.

“Sometimes. Nothing too terrible. How was work for you?”

You tried to hold it together, you truly did, but hearing the voice of somebody that you loved asking you that made you break. The tears came to your eyes before you could fathom that they were there.

“Difficult. He’s such a bastard. I do everything he asks of and I do it properly and he still isn’t happy! I don’t know how to make it better!” You heard your voice getting higher as the tears started to fall.

“Oh, darling, sh sh,” John’s voice came through the phone, trying to soothe you. It broke his heart that you were hurting and he was so far away from you. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“No! It’s not your fault! I just…” you tried to slow your breathing. “I just want to quit so badly. I don’t want to work for him anymore but from what I’ve heard others aren’t much better and the pay is much worse, so what can I do?”

“You could move in with me and let me support you,” John offered quietly.

You closed your eyes. John had been suggesting that seemingly since the two of you started dating. The longer you had this job, the better it sounded. However, you couldn’t do that. The two of you had only been dating for a year and a half. You weren’t even living together yet. The two of you had talked about it, but nothing had actually come of it between your schedules. What would happen if he was paying for you and then the two of you broke up? What then? You didn’t want that kind of uncertainty.

“John, you know I can’t let you do that.”

“But you could.”

“Can we talk about something else?” You knew that if he kept asking you, you would eventually break down.

“What would you like to talk about?”

The two of you stayed on the phone while you made dinner. John told you more about Munich, the places he’d gone, the people he’d met. Listening to John made you feel better. It always did.

You laid down on the couch, the phone wedged between the arm and your ear, listening to John talk. It was comforting. You could listen to him speak for days on end.

“Are you still awake?” John whispered. He could tell that you were drifting in and out of the conversation.

“Barely,” you muttered back. Your eyes were closed and you’d caught yourself nodding off more than once.

“You should get some sleep, my love,” John kept his voice low so that it didn’t wake you up.

“Nooo,” you whined, half asleep. “I want to keep talking to you.”

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I’ll call you around the same time.”

You whimpered, letting him know you heard him, but you didn’t want him to go.

“I love you, Y/N.”

“I love you,” you responded before you gave in and let sleep take you for the night.

John listened to your breathing even out after about a minute. He put the phone back on the cradle and stared at it, almost hoping that you would call him back. He knew you wouldn’t. He knew that you were asleep, but he missed you. He hadn’t seen you in close to four months. He missed hearing your voice in person. He missed being able to hold you and kiss you and sleep next to you. He wanted to be with you. He wanted to get away from the nonsense of recording.

Maybe he could find a way to do both.

You heard a knock on your door. You weren’t sure what time it was. You weren’t sure if you were late for work or not. You sat up and blinked. You noticed that it was still dark outside, so you weren’t late for anything. You glanced at the clock on your wall. It was just past three AM.

A sense of terror gripped you.

Who on Earth would that be at three AM? Most of your friends would have just called. Your parents didn’t live close enough to stop by like that.

You looked through the peephole and gasped. You threw the door open and saw John standing there, with a small bouquet of your favorite flowers. You watched the smile on John’s face grow as he took you in.

“Hello, lovely,” John offered you the flowers. You took them from him and once you did, he put his hands on either side of your face and pulled you into a kiss.

You kissed him back and pulled him into your flat. Not a lot of talking happened after that.

“We should go somewhere,” John whispered in your ear hours later. You had your back pressed against his chest and he had his arms wrapped around you. He kissed behind your ear and then underneath it.

The sun was starting to rise and you could see the sky had a pinkish glow to it now.

“And just where do you suggest we go?”

“Some place warm, where we can just wear nothing all day, maybe some place near the ocean,” John had pressed a kiss to you after each description of where he wanted to go.

“Hm…sounds like you have a place in mind.”

“Well, we’ve always talked about Bali.”

“What about the band and your album?”

“It can wait. I need to be with you.”

The next day, you called in for vacation (which sent your boss into a tirade) and then you and John were on a plane to Bali. Once you arrived, the two of you made your way to a villa that was right on the beach.

“John,” you gasped at the view from the bedroom. “You didn’t have to do this for us.”

John walked up behind you and snaked one arm around your shoulders and one around your waist, pulling him towards you. John never felt better than when he was holding you.

“Yes, I did. We both needed this.”

The next week, you and John spent on the beach. You fell asleep in each other’s arms and woke up even closer. You talked under the stars in the sand. It made you wish that the two of you could just stay there forever.

One of the last nights that you were there, you and John went for a walk along the beach.

“Y/N, thank you for coming with me,” John brought your intertwined hands to his lips.

You giggled, tipsy on the wine you’d drunk at dinner. “Thank you for inviting me. You could’ve just come here by yourself.”

“I could have, but I wouldn’t have enjoyed myself nearly as much. I needed you here with me. I…I need you with me all the time, if I’m being honest,” John’s voice had started to trail off. He cleared his throat to cover up the nerves that had started. He pulled you both to a stop.

You looked at John and raised an eyebrow. “Are you alright?”

“Well, I…I hope I will be.”

You turned to completely face him and you noticed how nervous he looked. His face was red, and you’d thought that it was because of the heat but now you were thinking it was anxiety.

“John, what are you…?”

John grabbed your other hand so that he was holding both of your hands and he kept his eyes on them.

“I…Y/N, I think…I’ve been thinking about this…well, since the day we met if I’m being honest,” John chuckled slightly and then looked up at you. “And we’ve only gotten better since then.”

You beamed at him. “I think so, too.”

“And I think we’ll continue to get better, don’t you?”

You nodded and felt tears because you were pretty sure that you knew what was happening.

“And I…if you’d let me…I would love to be a part of your life for the rest of it,” John cringed. He knew what he’d meant, but it hadn’t come out right. “That sounded much better in my head.”

You slid your hands up to John’s cheeks and gently pulled him closer so you could give him a chaste kiss.

John smiled into it. Happy that you, once again, understood him better than anybody. He rested his forehead to yours, his smile growing. “So? Is that a ‘yes’?”

“You technically haven’t asked me a question. Sometimes I just like kissing you,” you teased him.

John pulled back a bit so that he could drop to one knee in the sand. He pulled out a small box from one of the pockets of his shorts and opened it, presenting you with the ring. It was gorgeous and simple. Exactly what you wanted for your ring.

The tears had started to fall for both of you.

“Y/N, I’ve never been as happy as I am with you. You make me forget everything bad happening, no matter what’s going on and I…” John struggled to find the words that he wanted to say. He wanted to tell you how much he loved you and how much he wanted to spend the rest of his life with you. Spend the rest of his life making you happy. Everything that came to mind just didn’t seem to do it justice.

“John,” you told him gently. “Just ask me.”

John cleared his throat and smiled up at you. “Y/N, will you marry me?”

You nodded enthusiastically. “Of course!”

John slid the ring on your finger and jumped to his feet, pulling you close to him, and pressing his lips to yours. Everything fell into place at that point. The fighting with the band, the fighting with your boss, the stress of everything that had been going on, none of it mattered. John had you in his arms and your entire lives for you to be there.

#John Deacon #john deacon x reader #john deacon x you #john deacon imagine #john deacon fanfic #john deacon fluff #queen #queen fanfiction #joe mazzello #joe mazzello!john deacon #bohemian rhapsody #bo rhap #krissys writings

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live-laugh-larceny · 4 years

Text

So I listened to all of the Side tracks and I thought I’d make a quick summary of each for those who are debating checking them out.

people who say “but these playlists have been out forever” you’re right but I’m fashionably late

They’re listed in order of my personal preference (sorry Virge)

Virgil’s Playlist:

the second-longest at 1h 13 min

pretty much exactly what you’d expect in terms of music- predominantly emo/rock songs

most of the songs seem to be about his past with the Dark Sides and his journey over the course of the series

in my opinion, Virgil’s offers the least new information about his character, as the songs don’t give us much we didn’t already know/wasn’t already implied

my personal favorite songs were Be Calm, Sally’s Song, and Ignorance

my least favorite was Sunrise, Sunset

Even if it was my least-favorite playlist overall, it’s still pretty fun to listen to bc it lowkey slaps

Patton’s Playlist:

the shortest at 1hr 4min

passes the vibe check with acoustic guitar, nostalgia, soft/soothing songs- aura of calm

gives perspective on Patton’s character and outlook on life; there were songs about his tendency to assume the best in people, the love/concern he has for the other Sides, the battles he’s currently fighting with himself/how he’s processing POF, and how he feels about his past mistakes

Like Virgil, there’s not a ton of new information, but Patton’s playlist definitely deepened my understanding and appreciation of him

my favorite song by far was Sad (not really because it was about Virgil- I just really liked the song)

I didn’t have a least-favorite song :D

but if you’re someone who likes stimulating/high-energy music, this is not the playlist for you

Remus’s Playlist

the second-shortest at 1h 5min (you thought the colors would correspond to the Side in question, but they’re actually according to length sorry)

as you would expect, this playlist is... odd. It doesn’t stick as tightly to one genre as V and Pat did. I’m atrociously bad at identifying genres but uhh it has alt pop, rock, and lots of synth/electro-pop stuff idk I’m bad at this

Remus’s playlist basically boils down to the recognition that he’s the only Side who’s truly free, and he revels in it. Also he and Roman definitely have some stuff to work out jeez

It’s also really, really funny. I laughed a lot and I was super entertained listening to it because it’s so bizarre and not-PG and Remus

My favorite songs were In The Room Where You Sleep, Ben Bernanke, Tranz, and Don’t Stop Me Now

my least favorite was probably Queef (I can’t believe I just typed out the word queef jesus christ)

If you’re willing to hear some explicit lyrics, Remus’s playlist is a vibe, if a really weird one

I can’t stop listening to Tranz seriously help me

(I loved Roman, Janus, and Logan’s playlists so much that I can’t choose between them lmao. at this point the ranking becomes arbitrary)

Logan’s Playlist

the third-shortest at 1h 6min

Logan’s playlist has pop, rap, and a surprising number of songs from soundtracks and comedians

Logan’s playlist has a clearly defined arc(!!) It tells a story that will likely be mirrored in the series proper- Logan’s feelings of being ignored come to a tipping point and he lashes out big-time before he finally begins to accept who he is and stop forcing himself to fit the narrow role of “Logic”

I understand Logan’s thought process more now, I think. What really got me, though, was how much vulnerability his song choices seemed to show, especially in the last few songs or so (I’m rhyming :D)

My favorite songs were Algorhythm, The Watchtower, Streaks, One More Time With Feeling, and Time Adventure

my least favorites were Fitter Happier and Human (the latter mostly bc it’s really, reallllly long)

If you’re a Logan stan (or someone who likes him a normal amount), I cannot recommend his playlist enough

Janus’s Playlist

the third-longest at 1hr 12min

the memes are correct. This bitch is jazzy and it’s absolutely fantastic. There’s also a fair number of songs from musicals (Chicago, Hadestown, Cabaret(?), The Jungle Book(?), uh maybe more but I’m not actually much of a theater kid 😳)

come get y’alls Sympathetic Deceit content or whatever the damn tag is called. There’s a lot of good insight into Janus’s motivations and feelings about Virgil (surprise: he misses him), and a few songs about how fun and sexy it is to be evil >:D

like Logan, there’s some hidden vulnerability that comes to the surface and it’s so wonderful. Janus has always seen himself as the protector at odds with the “Light Sides”, and now that he’s been accepted he doesn’t really know how to deal with the change

favorite songs were Black Hole Sun, When The Chips Are Down, As Far As I Can See, and Come Little Children

those songs are all fine and good, but You’re A Cad is fucking amazing I-

no clear least-favorite

Janus wins Most Committed To A Very Specific Vibe. It’s an immaculate vibe, so good for him

Roman’s Playlist

the longest at 1hr 20min (damn Roman ok)

SO! MANY! BOPS! Unsurprisingly, lots of musicals, Disney, and pop

Roman’s playlist gave me so many feelings- he was my “least-favorite” Side but not anymore

yes the playlist is that good (at least to me)

The songs convey how Roman is hopeful, dreamy, excitable, optimistic, and so, so fragile. There are some allusions to Remus that i can’t wait for the series to explore...

I am more attached to my favorites from Roman’s because they SLAP

imo the most rocking songs were Broadway, Here I Come!, Hallelujah, Holding Out for A Hero, Flamboyant, Primadonna, and Cheap Queen (edit: I FORGOT JUMPSTARTED HOW??)

cmon Roman stans ik most of you have listened to this playlist but those who haven’t ITS GOES SO HARD and then gets really quiet and soft at the end 🥺

yeah I think Roman’s is my favorite playlist

That about sums things up! Happy listening! I read through this again before posting it and I just get more and more deranged nice

(Me later today when the team releases Thomas’s or Orange’s playlist: 🤡🤡🤡)

#sanders sides #i fail to shut my ever flapping gobtalker #roman sanders #remus sanders #logan sanders #virgil sanders #patton sanders #janus sanders #side tracks #roman is so extra #his is so long lmao #i love the side tracks sm #it was a really good idea #cw cursing

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sleekervae · 4 years

Text

Young God [0.3]

Despite the obvious connection she felt with Andy, the way they clicked, Taylor had told herself not to get attached to him, that they were strangers passing and that this week was probably the only time they would ever meet. But when she watched him on stage, when she observed him in his element, she forgot about all of that.

Even in his lanky nature, Andy was an explosion on stage, like a paint bomb going off in a white room. There was something about the way he hyped the crowd all the way through the set, his smile when he heard them singing back to him loud enough so that he didn't have to, the infectious joy she felt watching the band play -- according to their setlist -- Fallen Angels.

There was so much to explore in the spunk, the charisma, the effortlessness of his performance that accentuated his raw talent, his long hair in his face and eyes, his nose resting on the microphone as he sang into it, the way he leaned well over the stage, how he bent down in a passion-fueled growl, how he seemed to get lost in the moment and it was hard to believe she'd only known him a couple of hours because she felt so intrigued and interested by him, his mind, drawn to his presence.

When Black Veil Brides' show had come to an end, Taylor was jolted forward when Danny suddenly slapped her on the back. He held a grin like a proud parent watching his kids perform on stage, beaming with the energy that had just been expelled from the last forty-five minutes.

"Oi! What were that for?" Taylor scolded him, rubbing at her sore shoulder blade.

"Well, what'd ya' think?" he asked, completely ignoring her irritation at his actions.

Taylor grinned then as she stole another glance at the sweaty boys coming off their stage, "... Very loud," she chuckled, "Very impressive, though,"

Later on in the day Taylor found herself sitting under a white pop-up tent, guitar sat in her lap as young kids, probably ranging between the ages of 12 to 19 came funnelling in. They sat either on the grass or in folding chairs. Taylor's rhythm guitarist and best friend, Maxeen, was sat next to her. Her own nervous tension bounced off of Taylor's and reverberated around the small square space.

The heat radiating off the sun certainly was no comfort to them.

A close but discreet enough distance away were Danny and Ben, promptly joined by Andy and Ashley who they invited to come and watch Taylor's set. With a fresh cigarette in his fingers Andy watched with intrigue as Taylor balanced her scratched and sticker-covered acoustic guitar in her lap, strumming it a few times to tune it just to her liking. She inhaled deeply a few times as she watched the crowd grow to the size of the average school classroom. Her blue hair fell over her face just to be quickly tucked behind her ears. He could tell she was terrified.

Their mediator came to address the crowd, a taller, scruffier man with sleeve tattoos and a Hawaiian shirt. Taylor took another deep breath.

"Thanks so much guys for coming out to Warped Tour this year!" he announced, earning a few faded claps and whoops, "We brought out a very special guest for you all today. She's the newest budding rock act in England right now, and she was gracious enough to find time in her schedule to come and hang out with us this week!"

He then turned to Taylor and winked. She smiled politely.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm Warped welcome -- trying saying that ten times fast -- to Taylor Wray!" the mediator stepped away to another round of echoing applause.

Taylor took another deep breath as the clapping died down, "Yeh're all doin' alreyht, yeah?" she spoke softly, "Please forgive the accent," the unique zang of her Geordie accent brought a merry giggle to the audience. That was a small comfort at least. She looked to Maxeen, who nodded encouragingly and Taylor counted them in.

"Okay, one, two, three, four..."

The soft, haunting twang of her guitar floated through the airs, wafted pleasantly through Andy's ears as she started to sing. From the moment she opened her mouth her voice was golden, flowing like rich velvet with a raspiness that he found incredibly sexy. Her fingers plucked delicately at the string, and her brown eyes were focused on the worn out wood so as not to face the reality that she was really performing here. He noted how Taylor's knee trembled as she tried not to bounce from the nervous energy, or how she was glancing at her partner now and then for reassurance. She had to clear her throat once or twice before the next verse, but regardless she was unlike any specimen Andy had ever laid eyes on.

Yet as she sang, there was an underlying darkness to her. Perhaps it was the solemn emotion, or how her heartbroken poetry struck a chord within him. She had key phrases in her songs that had chills running down his spine. The crowd seemed just as taken with her as he was, sitting quietly yet their attention appeared undividing from Taylor's music.

"She's pretty good," Ashley mused, "Is she doing any stage shows?" he asked Ben.

"No," he huffed, "But you guys gotta' see her on the electric guitar. She goes insane!"

"Yeah!" Danny piped in, "She's even better then Ben!"

Andy snickered as the taller boy glared at his bandmate, but he shrugged nonetheless, "I'm not even gonna' argue with that one, actually. You're right," he chuckled.

Andy took another drag of his cigarette, "So how long is she here for?" he asked them.

"Rest of the week," Danny replied.

He and Ashley was surprised at that, "That's it? She's not doing the circuit?"

"We was lucky enough to get her out for a week," Ben said, "If we can get her signed to a label here, she could stay for longer next time,"

"So, where does she go to get signed?" Andy asked.

"Whoever wants her," Danny said, "Unfortunately, we haven't met a lot of labels who're interested in taking on a rocker bird like her. We just managed to talk our boss into signing her,"

"Fuck. They're loss, dude," Ashley scoffed bitterly.

From just behind the clouds the sun was able to come through, spotlighting a glow just behind the Englishwoman's head. The light made her hair appear platinum, shifting from dark and light wash blues with every little move that she made. When her song came to an end she finally opened her eyes, and her gaze fell on Andy himself. Near immediately her knee stopped trembling, and instead a soft smile wormed its way to her face.

Andy took another quick drag.

A sum of hours had passed. The night was beginning to christen the sky with hues of vibrant oranges that would soon fade out into encompassing purples and indigos. The last of the acts were going on stage and soon the festival would be cleaned up and packed off for the next destination.

In that time frame -- that of which Taylor hadn't kept track of -- she was sitting in the middle of Danny's flat and was refolding and packing her clothes for the venture tomorrow. Beside her was an ashtray with a sizzling joint. She felt calmer now then she had earlier, her first performance in America now checked off her list. Well, perhaps maybe half a check mark would've sufficed? An acoustic only show was blatantly boring to Taylor.

The front door suddenly swung open and Danny came jogging in, being the sole epitome of giddiness and stimulus. He was a little less put together from when she'd last seen him -- with greasy, messy hair and sweat-filmed skin; not to mention the brash odour of overworked body that followed him through the door.

"I've walked this road for hours

To the white hills, and the oceans I search for solace in this toxic land of sin Just let me in! Just let me in!"

Taylor smirked at his off-key, top-of-lungs singing, "I take it you had a good time," she said.

"It was great," he huffed, "We missed you afterwards,"

"Well, they didn't need me anymore," Taylor shrugged back, "Thought I'd come back and catch a few winks. Maxeen and Robin went out shopping,"

Danny ran a hand through his soggy hair and flopped down on the couch, "Well, you could've slept on the bus," he said.

Taylor scrunched her nose at the notion, "No offence, Dan, but I ain't putting me head on any of them surfaces in that bus of yours. I don't know what's touched the cushions,"

Danny started to laugh, "Tay, what do you think we do? Have a good wank before the show?"

"There have been stranger pre-show rituals," Taylor replied, "You gonna' shower? You smell like sweaty-dude-in-a-cheap-gym,"

"Yeah, I'm gonna' shower," Danny said, "What're you doing with your clothes?"

"Packing," she shrugged, "Where are we going tomorrow?"

"Ventura," he huffed, "Maybe see some talking animals? Perhaps we'll run into a particualr skillful animal detective?" he wiggled his eyebrows at her. Taylor shook her head with a chuckle.

"I've heard funnier, Danny," she said.

He gave a small hmph before snatching the joint out of the ashtray and taking his own drag, "Very well. You up for a night out?" he asked her then.

Taylor couldn't help but groan, her head was pounding at the thought, "Again, eh? Last night weren't enough for you?" she replied, hoping that he was just joking.

"Come on, we won't go crazy tonight. We're going to just drink beer and bullshit on the bus," he said, "If you want, you don't even have to do anything rough,"

Taylor stopped and stared up at him. Danny stared back too, right until they caught onto the same page and chuckled merrily, "That's what she said," they said in unison.

With that, Taylor stood up from the floor and did a quick stretch, throwing her hands over her head to pull out the knick that that formed in her lower back. Fuck, when did the floor get so hard?

"The guys from Black Veil are coming," Danny suddenly piped in.

With that mention, Taylor started to smile. Her exhaustion then was repleted with a small burst of energy, "Oh, yeah?"

Danny nodded happily, "Yeah! They liked your set. I mean -- Andy and Ashley did, anyway. I don't know where the other three were,"

"I didn't meet Ashley," she said.

"Well, now you can," Danny put the joint back down and went for his bedroom to freshen up, "What did you think of their show, love?" he called.

"You already asked me that!" Taylor replied.

"Yeah, but you weren't smiling the way you are now, you cheeky shit," she could just imagine the shit-eating smirk on Danny's face now.

"Oh, fuck off, Danny," she scolded back.

"I'm only teasing ya', Tay," Danny suddenly popped back out of his room, only donned in a pair of track pants, "I told him if he dares lay a hand on ya', I'll kill him,"

Taylor scoffed back, gawking at him up and down, "Danny, you're about as threatening as a beach ball," she told him.

"I have muscles though!" he replied, "Biersack's a twig,"

"What's your point?" she asked.

"You can fuck a beach ball," he replied, "A twig I reckon is unsavory,"

Taylor stared at him in near disbelief at his words, then she started to laugh, "Mate, what the fuck?" she exclaimed, "Tell me you haven't actually... like you didn't... like... wait, Danny," she stopped laughing then when she wondered if he was being dead serious in his analogy.

"I haven't, if that's what you're wondering," he said, "I wouldn't put it past Cam though. He might be small enough to fit it in the air hole,"

With teasing disappointment, Taylor grabbed one of her shirts and threw it at him. It missed him by a few inches, "You're sick!"

"I love you!"

Andy glanced through the top of his beer bottle, peering at what was left before he quickly down the rest and set the glassware aside with a few of the other empty bottles. Not solely all of his, to be clear. He was only half listening to Ben's drunken story which involved James, alcohol, nudity and a very pretty fan from one of their European shows. His fingers drummed on the armrest of the couch, glancing out the window now and again to see if he could spot Danny and Taylor somewhere in the night.

There was a new and unfamiliar excitement that coursed through him with every thought of Taylor. Never before had he been so taken by a woman like her; somebody who at first glance appeared so shy and quiet like a little church mouse, yet within her held a great and unequivocal power that hypnotized those who paid close enough attention to her.

He took another beer from the six pack and started to listen in.

"... and then I just look at this sad sack o' shit and go 'mate, I was just going to ask if you wanted to eat'," Ben's story had the other boys in stitches, apart from James who scowled and blushed profusely as that particular disdainful memory.

"I didn't think it was funny," he grumbled.

"You're just upset 'cause she didn't call you back the next day," Sam awed at him.

Cameron just shrugged nonchalantly with a swig of his own beer, "I didn't think she were that pretty. She were like one of 'em trashy Essex girls," he said.

"Well mate," Ben leaned over and patted James' shoulder reassuringly," when you've had as much to drink as James did that night, anybody's beautiful," The bus cracked up in drunken laughter again, the only being that seemed lit and raucous on a rather quiet night in the bus parking lot.

Meanwhile, Taylor squeaked and scampered off to the side to narrowly avoid being hit by Danny's mud splash, "Fuck off, Danny!" she cried, quickly checking to see if he'd stained her outfit. Not that she put much effort into it; only a pair of ripped skinny jeans and a white t-shirt with a pair of tits drawn on the front.

"Oi, simmer down, Tay. I'm only teasing with ya'," Danny wrapped his larger arm around her and proceeded to ruffle her teal blue hair, much to Taylor's chagrin.

"Yeah, you're just teasing with me," she wriggled out of his grasp, "Wanker,"

"My deepest apologies,"

They trudged through the field, reaching a park lot that was crammed to the brim with vehicles. Tour buses, equipment vans, jeeps and SUVs. They passed a larger bus decked out in black, with tinted window and a bright red stripe on its side. It loomed over and cast an imposing shadow over the three musicians, swallowing the gravel and grass beneath them in a pool of black. The ultra bright stadium lights set up around the park were the only stark contrast to the shadows, guiding them to their destination.

They finally approached the desired bus, jet black and donning the band's logo on the side in crisp Times New Roman. Danny knocked while Taylor waited anxiously behind. They waited only for a mere matter of seconds before a subtle click echoed through the air and the door swung open. Taylor was taken aback to see an older man standing before them, donning longer hair and an open denim vest. His arms were near-full sleeve tattoos, and he had a face that held this brooding, yet cute quality to it -- kind of like a grizzly bear.

"Ashley, mate!" Danny raised his hand and full-on bro-hugged the older lad, "Handsome at ever, man,"

"Back at you, dude," Ashley replied, his eyes then landed on Taylor and his smile grew.

"And it's nice to finally meet you, Taylor," he said, "I'm Ashley,"

Taylor smiled shyly and shook his hand, "Pleasure," she said, "Areyainthebandthen?"

Ashley's smile then faltered. He bent his head down as though he couldn't hear her, but in actuality he didn't think it was humanly possible for people to speak so fast and still hear them.

"Come again?" he said.

"She asked if it's your band," Danny said, "Tay's a Geordie, they have their own funny accent,"

"It ain't funny!" Taylor cried, "It's jus' unique,"

Ashely then nodded, "Okay... well, do you drink back in Geordie? Or whatever part of England you're from?" he then chuckled.

"Sure," Taylor replied, "In fact, I can drink Danny here under the table still do a perfect cartwheel,"

"Bullshit you could," Danny scoffed.

"We'll put it to the test inside," With that, Ashley stood back again, "Welcome to Warped Tour, Taylor,"

Taylor followed Danny inside with Ashley taking up the rear. The first thing that hit Taylor was the distinct smell of charred nicotine and hops. The next was department store aftershave, the good shit though; not the cheap bottles her dad used to buy. Coming into the atmosphere of an actual tour bus felt somewhat claustrophobic and confining to Taylor, yet at the same time, she felt quite safe inside. Glancing out the tinted windshield she could see the world, yet they had no inkling of whether she was inside or not.

Aimless chatter and laughter struck her ears, some men and women. Taylor nervously pushed some of her hair behind her ear, forcing herself to put on a smile to engage new strangers. The bus was clean enough, just some pillows were awry on the couch and the countertop was littered with cans, bottles, and red cups. The Asking boys were sat around in company with a few other strangers she had yet to meet.

"Fellas!" Ben suddenly called when he spotted his friends, "The party has now begun!" he raised his arms to the side as though he were giving a church sermon. The three young strangers stood and greeted Danny, whilst Taylor hung back, looking aimlessly at her sneakers as the old friends got reacquainted. She then noted the rips in her jeans, showing off the several week-old bruises that freckled her knees. That was an occupational hazard, she always tried to look badass and slammed down on her knees during her guitar solos, effectively yet unintentionally harming herself. The crowd however seemed to love it.

"I'd like you guys to meet somebody," Danny interjected then, stepping back to let Taylor have the hot seat, "Meet the hottest new act in Britain,"

"Danny!" she scolded, abashed as red tinted her olive cheeks.

"What?" he shrugged, "Was I wrong?"

"He most certainly is not!" a lankier young man approached, with a long face and smudged makeup beneath his eyes that just seemed to burst with enthusiasm, "I'm CC,"

"Nice to meet ya'," she shook his head.

CC then turned to his friends, "And over here we got Jake and Jinxx," he pointed to two young men, dressed similarly to himself with floppy hair and old makeup stains, but they were brawnier, "And this bean dick on the couch is Andy,"

"Take a look in the mirror, dude," Andy scolded.

Taylor bit the inside of her lip when she saw him again, and she averted her eyes back to CC to avoid her cheeks growing any redder, "We've actually already met," she said.

"In that case," he then turned to the Asking boys, "Over here, we got Sam, Cameron and James --"

"Oh, shut up and have another drink, CC!" James exclaimed.

Taylor snickered quietly, "I think he's had plenty already," she said, noting the way this boy wavered slightly on his feet.

A few hours had passed into the night, mostly filled with alcohol-fuelled interactions and wild stories from early band days. Once having a few beers, Taylor found herself beginning to settle down around this metal band. They weren't as scary and wicked as her first impressions had told her, if anything they were complete nutters. It helped having Danny and Ben around, just so Taylor didn't feel so lost and out of place amongst them.

Taylor found herself snuggled between Danny and Ben, just listening as oppose to partaking in conversation. She was still so tired beyond anything she'd ever felt, and Taylor quickly regretted coming out tonight. She wondered what Maxeen was up to back in the motel room she'd rented, probably conked out to be well rested for the trip tomorrow.

From across the couch where she sat, Andy was perched on a beanbag, only semi-paying attention to Ben's story about a recent scuffle he had back in York as his eyes kept panning back to Taylor. There was an air of fatigue that floated over her head, her deep brown eyes slipping shut before popping open again at the slightest raise in volume. If she had just come from across the Pond, Andy didn't blame her for being so sleepy. Her teal-blue hair fell delicately around her shoulders, raising gently with every shallow breath she took. His eyes averted then to the holes in her jeans where her bruises were just peaking out. Subconsciously, he pressed down on the rib brace underneath his shirt.

Her glance suddenly shifted and her eyes locked with his, and she blushed when she noticed Andy watching her. She wiggled her eyebrows a few times and suppressed a giggle, a warmth flooded through her when he smiled back. His lips turned into a cocky smirk. Taylor was utterly perplexed by Andy; the cockiness he exuded was undeniable, but she couldn't help but think he was contrastingly soft at the same time, each consuming feature of him seemingly met with a delicate counterpart.

"Tay, you're falling asleep on me," Danny's voice suddenly wafted through her ears and she sat up at the sudden mention of her name. She blushed profusely when the others giggled at her shock.

"Sorry, babe," she mumbled, yawning into her fist. Andy raised his eyebrows and suppressed the snigger that was fighting to make its way out at the way she drawled her words, her accent unlike anything he had heard before.

"That's some accent you got there," Ashley said, near-reading Andy's mind.

"Got it from me ma, dear," Taylor drawled back.

CC then started to laugh to himself, clearly at a well-off point of intoxication, "Deea," he slurred, trying to mock Taylor's accent, "I like the way she says words," he said.

Taylor glanced at him with uncertainty, but she shook her head as she sat up and did al little stretch, "I assume that's a compliment," she said.

"It is," Jake confirmed with an apologetic nod, "So, where are you from in England, Taylor?"

"A little coastal town called Newcastle," she then averted her eyes to the sozzled CC, "We all speak funny there," she grinned.

"But she lives in London with me" Danny said.

"For now," Taylor pointed out, "Until I can afford to get my own flat,"

Cameron snickered, "It's gotta' be fucking awkward when his bird's over," he said, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Taylor looked over at Danny, "Well, it would be nice if the walls were sound proof," she then looked to Ben, "Though it's nothing compared to when Ben comes over,"

"Aye, poor kid," Ben looped an arm around her, "She has to sleep with earbuds in the entire night," he smirked.

"We appreciate your support though, Tay," Danny smirked back.

Taylor refrained from rolling her eyes at their bromance, instead decided to fish her lighter from her pocket and stood up, "I'm gonna' nip out for a cig,"

Andy's mouth moved faster than his brain did, "Care for some company, darlin'?" he asked. Taylor raised an eyebrow at him. She suddenly realized that all of the boys were staring at her expectantly, and felt herself go flush again.

"Why not," she replied. Andy took that as an invitation and hopped to his feet, wavering a little as he struggled to find his balance. From there he grabbed a packet of cigarettes off the countertop and followed her to the bus door. Danny suddenly shouted after them.

"Have her back in ten minutes, Biersack!" he called in a threatening manner.

"Yeah!" Ben piped in, "Or we'll come find ya!"

Andy smirked at them, "I'm quaking," he mocked. Taylor rolled her eyes as they stepped outside. Much to her relief, the night air was warmer than what she'd come prepared for. She regretted wearing her thicker denim jacket. Andy blew strands of hair out of his face and shook his head, acclimatizing himself to the warmer air. The two of them sat on the grass, leaning against the side-trunk of the bus. Andy produced the cigarettes and Taylor pulled out the lighter.

"So," Andy exhaled, handing Taylor a cigarette, "Taylor Wray,"

Taylor grinned, "Andy... w-what's your last name again?" she asked as she placed the bud between her lips.

"Biersack," he replied.

"Oh," Taylor clicked the flame and lit the end of her cig, then handed the lighter to the long-haired rocker, "Is that European?"

"German," he replied, "Where does 'Wray' come from?"

"Scotland,"

"... But you're from England,"

Taylor gave him a wayside glance, "Their two parts of a whole, babe," she held up two fingers just to make her point.

Andy smiled sheepishly and took another drag, "... I knew that," he said.

Taylor giggled to herself. Her captivating smile and the tiny creases around her eyes as she laughed drew Andy in instantly. He wasn't sure if she was laughing from his meek comeback or it was just the alcohol doing it for her. But by God, the noise bubbling from between her lips was melodic and addictive from the first note.

"Have you ever been to England, Andy?" she asked.

"I was there about a month ago for the Download Fest," he replied.

"You went to Leicestershire?"

Again, Andy paused, grinning like a fool at her accent as he puffed away on his cigarette, "Yeah, we went to Leisheshire,"

"Leicestershire," Taylor corrected, "Le-shy-steh-shire,"

"Leshestasirw," Andy drawled, "Leshesham. Lesbian. Who gives a fuck?"

"People from Leicestershire, I'd imagine," to both Andy and Taylor's surprise, she started laughing again. She didn't know what had gotten into her suddenly, but she couldn't seem to help herself. Why was she so fucking giggly all of the sudden? It may have been the way Andy was looking at her; transfixed by his crystalline eyes that seemed to bore a hole right into her soul. Despite the hair covering his face, those eyes of his were so crisp and clear.

"Are you already plastered?" Andy asked, reigning his own grin of amusement.

"No!" she exclaimed just a tad too quickly for her own liking, "Look, I -- right. I have been drinking. That being said, I am also so fucking exhausted from this jet lag. So, please forgive me if I act like a fucking nutter,"

"A fookin' nuttah?" Andy mocked back, making Taylor giggle some more, "You're pretty cute, Taylor,"

"Well, you're not so bad, neither," she admitted shyly, "It's nice to see what that face looks like without the makeup,"

Andy took a drag and exhaled slowly. He held this electric charisma about him, seemingly so that it wouldn't matter how many times he'd verbally tear himself down, he was a cocky, confident young man.

"Did I freak you out today?" he asked.

"Hardly," she replied, her gaze dropping to the ink on his arms, "You have a lot of tattoos, eh?"

"Why, yes I do," he replied.

"You got a favourite one?"

He didn't reply. Instead, Andy raised his right arm, proudly showing off the Batman tattoo on his forearm, "Is now a good time to mention I'm a huge Batman nerd?"

"You could've fooled me," Taylor replied, shedding her jacket to reveal her bare arms, "I'm more of a Poison Ivy fan myself," she held her forearm out to proudly show off the dark green inking of an ivy vine, the inside filled with a dulled red.

"It's cute," he brushed his fingers over the delicate lines, only noting then how Taylor suddenly winced when he touched her. He pulled back, "Are you okay?"

"Your hands are freezing, mate," she chuckled.

Andy relaxed again, "I just naturally have cold hands, can't explain it," he grinned sheepishly.

Taylor brought her own cigarette to her lips, and out came three rings of silky grey smoke; an old trick she had picked up back home. Andy just watched, his own breath nearly getting caught in his throat when her lily perfume intermingled with the smell of charred nicotine.

"You showing off now?" he asked.

"Maybe," she shrugged back, leaning in closer so her nose just barely touched his. She was unsure just what had made her so brazen suddenly; perhaps the deadly combination of alcohol and fatigue had something to do with it. Whatever it was, Taylor found it undeniably exciting, "You got any secret talents of your own, Andy?"

Andy swallowed back whatever qualms he was holding on to, slowly memorizing every delicate detail of Taylor's face as though he was afraid to loose one mere second of her. However, before he could reply, they heard a shout come from above.

"Oi! You two!" they both looked up, and lo and behold, Danny and Ben had stuck their heads out of the bus window, "Get your arses back in here!" Danny exclaimed.

"You said we had ten minutes!" Andy replied, "Besides, you're no one's parent!"

"Yeah!" Taylor cried defiantly.

Ben tutted at them, "But we're morally responsible for Taylor. Ain't that right, honey?" he smirked.

"Oh, suck my dick, Ben!" Taylor replied, loud enough so that the others would hear her. With that, Andy burst into a fit of laughter, and more could be heard from inside the bus.

Danny shook his head, "How unbecoming of a lovely lady," he mocked.

Taylor looked to Andy, who was caught in the throes of hysterical amusement. She chuckled herself and took another quick drag before crushing the end into the grass, trying not to stare at him as he calmed down. But fuck, from the way he threw his head back to the curl of his lips when he smiled, Taylor felt herself falling into a rabbit hole she feared she wasn't going to crawl out from any time soon.

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