#and he places his hand over his own heart and everything‚ smiling like the implication is just touching

[hadesknockedupintheunderworld]

Movie!Tails 🤝 Nine

Getting all 😳😊 when Sonic says that he considers them a friend

[mysticalmallard]

Good weird

Description: Ghost girlfriend comes over to stay the night for the first time

Wordcount: 705

Warnings: none I think

CoD Masterlist 💀 Main Masterlist

Ghost's normally dark and sparsely decorated apartment looked decidedly more lived-in that night as he waited for his girlfriend to arrive. He'd tidied up the place, made the bed, and even bought a vase of fresh flowers for the coffee table.

As the doorbell rang, he took a deep breath, feeling uncharacteristically nervous.

Opening the door, he saw his girlfriend standing there, a mixture of excitement and nerves on her face, with her bag on her shoulder. It was the first time she was spending the night at his place, and they both knew it was a significant step in their relationship.

Ghost stepped aside, allowing her to enter. The two of them stood awkwardly for a moment, both unsure how to break the silence.

His girlfriend smiled at him, her eyes taking in the small but clean apartment."I like your place," she said, her fingers tracing the edge of a chair. "It's very... you."

Ghost chuckled, a rare sound coming from him. "I try to keep things simple," he replied. "Less chance of making a mess."

She walked over to the vase of flowers on the coffee table, admiring them. "These are beautiful," she said, her fingers grazing the soft petals.

Ghost watched her, feeling a warmth bloom in his chest as he saw her enjoying his space.

"I wanted everything to be perfect," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "It's the first time you're spending the night here, I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable."

She turned to look at him, a soft smile on her face. "You don't need to try so hard, you know," she said, her voice full of affection. "I'm comfortable as long as I'm with you."

Ghost felt the weight of her words, the honesty and vulnerability in them soothing his nerves. He stepped closer to her, close enough that he could smell the sweetness of her shampoo.

"I'm not used to this," he said quietly, his hand coming up to brush a strand of hair from her face. "Having someone else in my space... It makes me feel...weird."

She placed her hand on his chest, her touch sending a jolt of electricity through him. "Good weird or bad weird?" she asked, her eyes searching his face.

He took a breath, the feel of her hand on his chest anchoring him. "Good weird," he replied, his voice low. He brought his hand up, covering hers with his own. "Just... uncharted territory for me."

They stood there for a moment, the silence between them now comfortable rather than awkward. Then, a flicker of mischief flashed in his girlfriend's eyes.

"You know, now that I'm here..." she drawled, stepping even closer to him, "there are some things we could... explore."

The implication hung in the air like a promise, and Ghost felt his heart rate pick up.

"Is that so?" he said, his voice going lower, huskier. He leaned in, his lips almost touching hers.

"Very much so," she replied, her breath ghosting over his skin. His hand came up to cup her cheek, his thumb tracing softly over her bottom lip.

She smiled against his touch, then spoke, her voice laced with mischief. "Hey, you know what we should do?"

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Enlighten me."

Her eyes lit up, an idea forming. She placed her hands on his waist, looking up at him with a cheeky grin.

"How about this," she suggested, "we have ourselves a little pampering day. I'll give you a massage, and we can watch some trashy TV. How does that sound?"

His eyes widened in surprise, not anticipating such a suggestion. But the idea of having her hands on him, taking care of him, was definitely appealing.

"A massage, huh?" he said, feigning nonchalance. "And what's in it for you?"

She moved even closer, her hands slipping under his shirt and trailing lightly across his bare skin. "Oh, I get the pleasure of seeing you all relaxed and blissed out. Trust me, it's a win-win."

Ghost fought to keep his cool, the shivers her touch was sending down his spine betraying his nonchalance. "You're lucky you're cute," he said, his hands snaking around her waist to pull her closer.

[h0neylevi]

Levi Month - Day 21 (Post-War: Children)

cw: canonverse/post-war, written with fem!reader in mind, suggestive sexual content, established relationship, mostly domestic fluff

word count: 857

“I found condoms in Falco’s room today.”

You peek over the top of your book to find Levi frowning in the bathroom doorway.

He had quietly retreated into the room several minutes ago for his usual nighttime routine, leaving you with the job of locking up and shutting off the lights. If relinquishing that task hadn’t been enough to clue you in that something was wrong, the familiar little scrunch of concern that is now etched between his eyebrows says everything. He’s worried.

Despite his obvious displeasure, the revelation still makes you smile. It isn’t the news necessarily–that isn’t as shocking to you as it apparently is to Levi. You’ve witnessed enough by accident of Gabi and Falco hurriedly pulling away from one another in the empty kitchen to know that something was going on.

But the second bedroom–first door on the left down the hall–is actually a guest bedroom. In the years since you and Levi have relocated and the restoration project began, a number of people have used it–Connie, Jean, Onyankopon, even you–but it seems that Levi has subconsciously deemed it Falco’s. It’s so like him to reveal his feelings in such an unintentional way. It’s cute.

You decide to tuck away that knowledge instead of antagonizing him for once and shrug.

“At least they’re being responsible,” you reply and return to your book.

Quietly, Levi crosses the room, a look of dissatisfaction still polluting his expression as he sinks onto his side of the bed.

“You’re not worried about it?” he asks.

You turn, meeting his concerned gaze with a sardonic tilt of your head. “Tell me you weren’t thinking about sex at his age.”

His lips purse slightly, and you know you’ve made your point when the tips of his ears begin to turn a faint shade of pink. “I wasn’t acting on it,” he says as if that makes any real difference.

You laugh. “Well, I think that was more because of your circumstances than anything else.”

He doesn’t say anything to refute what you say. Instead, Levi settles into his side of the bed, propped upright on the pillows next to you. With a slow sigh, his hand finds your thigh much like it does almost every night. It’s an idle touch, one that you’re not even sure he realizes he does anymore, but it still causes you to scoot closer, seeking out his warmth.

“That doesn’t mean they should be having sex. They’re kids,” he continues, seemingly still preoccupied with the topic. “Maybe we should talk to them.”

“Gabi and Falco are almost eighteen, Levi,” you point out, not looking up from your page. “I’m sure their parents have already had that kind of talk with them. Pretty soon they’ll have little ones of their own running around. And that’s what we fought for anyway, right? For people to live and fall in love. Have families, grow old.”

He doesn’t reply.

For a few minutes, you sit like this, absorbed in your book. Coaxed into comfort by the slow caress of Levi’s thumb on your skin. Some nights, Levi will read over your shoulder, and you think that’s what he’s doing again tonight, until–

“Have you ever thought about it?”

You don’t look up when you ask, “About what?”

“Having kids.”

Your eyes stutter on the page before freezing entirely. Any attempt to recall anything you just read is impossible, so you carefully bookmark your place at the end of the chapter and set the book aside.

Levi is already watching you when you turn, the expression in his one good eye now open and passive.

“I have,” you tell him slowly. “But never seriously. Never thought I’d get the chance to.”

He nods to assert he knows what you mean. It’s difficult to dream for a future when each day feels like it may be your last. It’s a feeling you’re both well accustomed to.

He keeps his gaze fixed and even in a way that makes your heart flutter. “And now?” he asks.

You swallow.

An implication sits in the air that you’re sure is intentional. You’ve been by Levi’s side as a comrade for almost a decade but as his partner for only a fraction of that time, only revealing your feelings a few months after the battle at Fort Salta. Thankfully, he had reciprocated.

And now, he’s asking if you want children with him.

Scenarios immediately flash through your mind. Ones of Levi holding a little boy with his eyes and your nose. Others of a little girl with both of her parents wrapped around her finger.

It conjures an indescribable feeling, but if you had to choose, you think joy might be the closest thing to it.

“I’d like that,” you finally say, eyes focusing on him once more. “But we’re not exactly young anymore. We’d have to start trying soon.”

There’s a small twitch of his mouth upwards–the tiniest of movements that you’ve come to recognize as the precursor to mischief. So when he reaches to pull you in for a kiss, you’re not surprised when he says, “We can start trying right now.”

[de4dlyniightshade]

꩜ QUEEN OF HEARTS

꩜ PAIRING: spencer reid x afab!reader

꩜ RATING: +18, mdni

꩜ WORD COUNT: 3.8k

꩜ WARNINGS/CONTAINS!: smut, public sex, sub!virgin!spencer, cumming in pants, thigh riding(ish), fingering, praise, a little exhibitionism, getting caught(kinda).

꩜ PROMPT: sneaky fooling around with sub spence on the job

© to de4dlyniightshade. no translations/reposts.

[WARNING!] - explicit sexual content! mdni!

A/N: i have mixed feelings about this but i'm posting it anyway bcs i feel like it. also this is proofread but i'm a moron and blind so don't get your hopes up:3

Spencer was, gently put, dumb. Now, obviously, he was intelligent, very, very intelligent, but you can be both in rare instances, and Spencer was a rare instance.

He was completely unaware and blind to his looks, which was obviously due to his childhood of being relentlessly bullied and tormented, causing him to overlook his appearance and how truly attractive he was, no matter how many people told him, flirted with him, or hit on him. I mean his nickname was literally "pretty boy" for a reason, but he just thought it was a sarcastic joke.

"All alone, handsome?" You smiled, noticing Spencer tucked away in a conference room all on his own, surrounded by files, your voice making him look up from the one he was reading.

"Oh uhm, yeah, it just got a little loud out there; I work better in a quiet place," he explained, a tight-lipped smile on his face before he looked back down at the file, furrowing his brows as he scanned it.

"Everything okay?" You asked at his expression, worried that he was struggling and needed a break, which he was terrible at, always overworking himself for the sake of the case, even though he could barely think straight after working himself to the bone for days.

"Yeah, I just- I can't find any connection." He sighed, dropping the file on the table before leaning back in his chair and rubbing his hands over his face and through his hair.

"Need some fresh eyes?" you offered, closing the door behind you to help drown out the loud chattering in the police station you were working in, slowly making your way over to him and hoisting yourself onto the desk beside him, not missing the way he swallowed, his eyes flicking down to your thighs before looking away again.

"Y-Yeah, sure," he murmured, sliding the file over to you before dropping his hands to his lap to fidget with his fingers, picking at the sides of his nails nervously.

"Spence, stop," you warned, looking at him with knowing eyes. It was a bad habit you'd noticed he had, sometimes picking his skin so much that it was red and raw and sometimes bleeding. You'd told him many times to stop before he hurt himself, but it never really worked.

"Sorry…" he mumbled, flattening his hands on his thighs before looking away from you again, scanning the room to distract himself. Your eyes landed on his hands, noticing a familiar red substance at the side of his nail, making you let out a sigh.

"Spencer, you're bleeding; gimme your hand," you sighed, placing the file down beside you and holding your hand out to him, watching his eyes flick between your face and your hand a few times.

"The amount of pathogens passed through holding hands is staggering; it's actually safer to kiss." He stated, it was completely innocent, but the way your stomach churned wasn't. You'd had a thing for Spencer for a long time, but he was just so naive that he couldn't see it; today he'd see it.

"Is that an offer?" You teased, quirking your brow at him as his eyes widened, realising what he had said and who he said it to—a very attractive woman who was sitting right in front of him in a small, hidden room with the door closed and the blinds drawn, his cheeks flushing at the implication.

"N-No, I was just- I- " He stuttered, averting your gaze and swallowing thickly as you smiled at his flustered state, watching as he lifted his hand, placing it in yours in an attempt to make the whole conversation stop.

"Oh Spencer, does that not hurt?" You tutted, furrowing your brows at him at the raw, bleeding skin on his finger, your thumb stroking the back of his hand, absentmindedly.

"A little..." he spoke softly, lowering his head slightly as you sighed.

"Hold on, just a second," you said as you got up from the table, making your way to the door where you'd left your bag, unzipping it and digging through it for a moment, perhaps bending over to show a little bit of your butt from under your skirt on purpose before you finally pulled a bandaid from one of the pockets and made your way back to him.

"Good thing I'm prepared, huh?" You smiled, sitting back on the desk, but closer this time, with Spencer immediately holding his hand out to you for you to take gently, opening the bandaid and carefully wrapping it around his finger, forcing yourself to hold back a smile as you raised his hand to your face, placing a gentle kiss on top of the bandaid, leaving a faint lipstick stain on the tan material.

"Better?" you asked sweetly, holding back a smirk at his pink cheeks, the blush spreading to the tips of his ears, and you just couldn't help yourself. "Oh Spencer, are you feeling okay? Your cheeks are really red," you feigned concern as you reached out to press the back of your hand to his cheek, feeling the heat radiating from his face.

"Y-Yeah, fine," he said, his voice cracking as he tried to sound sure of himself and failing as his cheeks became redder at your touch.

"Are you sure, honey?" You asked sweetly, slipping in the petname just to see him gulp and avoid your eyes, wetting his lips nervously as he shifted in his seat.

Spencer couldn't even answer you, completely avoiding looking even close to you as you shifted closer to him, your eyes boring into him as you saw a very faint sheen of sweat lining his temple.

"Am I making you nervous?" You asked in a low tone, quirking your brow at him as you saw his eyes widen a little at your question, his lips parting as he let out a shaky breath, gulping down his nerves as he looked up at you shyly.

"M-Maybe a little," he admitted bashfully, looking away from you again, staring down at his shoes as you felt lust stirring in your stomach at the sight of him so nervous, admitting that you had an effect on him.

"Y'know, when I tell you that you're pretty, I mean it, don't you?" You asked him, looking at him with doe eyes as he looked back at you with a similar expression.

"Y-You do?" He sounded genuinely surprised, as if he didn't believe you.

"Of course I do. I mean not to sound like I'm in love with you or anything, but you're beautiful, Spencer, and I mean that." You spoke softly, standing up to shift closer to him, standing between his legs and leaning on the desk in front of him, forcing him to look up at you as you towered over him.

"T-Thank you," he breathed shyly, moving his hands to rest between his thighs and covering his crotch with his forearms as he looked anywhere but your face.

"Move your hands," you ordered suddenly, Spencer finally looking at you, brows pulled together slightly at your sudden change in behaviour.

"W-What?" He stuttered, gulping as he shifted in his seat, his hands still planted between his parted thighs, licking his lips as you heard the faint sound of his breathing picking up.

"I said, move your hands," you repeated, this time more sternly, pulling your lip between your teeth as you watched his hands twitch, taking a shaky breath before he hesitantly moved his hands to rest on his thighs, dropping his head in slight humiliation that he'd been caught.

"Oh my, I make you more than nervous," you stated in a sultry tone, Spencer letting out a breathy whine just loud enough for you to hear. The sound was all you needed to have you standing up abruptly, moving to place your knee between his thighs, your hands lifting to rest on either side of his neck.

"Can I kiss you, pretty boy?" You asked breathily, your thumb stroking over his pulse, feeling his breath hitch in his throat at your question before he gulped, nodding quickly.

"Use your words," you teased, watching as his tongue darted out to wet his lips, visibly nervous under your gaze.

"P-Please," he spoke under his breath, looking up at you with wide doe eyes as you smiled down at him, wordlessly leaning towards him, stopping just shy of his lips for a moment just to feel him lean towards you slightly to chase your lips before you finally closed the gap, feeling a whine vibrate against your lips.

Spencer's kissing was slightly clumsy and clearly inexperienced, desperately trying to keep up with you as you kissed him with fervour, letting your teeth graze his bottom lip, your hands trailing up from his neck into his hair at the nape of his neck, your fingertips massaging his scalp as he keened into you, his hips rolling upward, the motion piquing your curiosity, shifting your knee forward to press to his crotch, a moan slipping into your mouth as he bucked his hips again.

"That feel good, handsome?" You pulled away just enough to ask him, your lips brushing his and his hot breath fanning your lips as he panted, his eyes still closed.

"Y-Yeah," he breathed, making you smirk as you pressed your knee harder into his clothed cock, a whimper falling from his swollen lips as he rutted his cock into you, moving his hands to hold your thigh, squeezing your flesh in an attempt to compose himself, pushing himself down to the chair to still his movements.

"Keep going," you husked as you moved to press your lips to his neck, leaving open-mouthed kisses over his pulse, the feeling making him moan as he couldn't help but rut against you, his cheeks flushed at what he was doing.

"W-what if someone-" he stuttered, cutting himself off with a whine as you grazed your teeth on his skin, licking over smooth skin.

"What if?" you said teasingly, your voice low and sultry as you lowered one hand to hold his that was still on your thigh, slowly moving it up and under your skirt. "Touch me," you breathed into his ear, a moan falling from his lips before he gulped, inching his hand higher and higher until he could cup your clothed core, gasping at the heat that radiated from you.

"W-What do I do?" He asked meekly, embarrassed that he didn't know how to touch you properly and that his inexperience only made you want him more.

"Well, first, my underwear need to be out of the picture." You laughed breathily, Spencer blushing and letting out a shaky breath as he used his fingers to move your damp underwear to the side, the fact that he didn't even remove them making you clench around nothing.

"Now touch me." You breathed, biting down on your bottom lip, watching as he gulped before ever so gently pressing his fingertips to your cunt, his middle finger slipping between your folds, resting at your slick entrance, his eyes widening at the feeling, his mouth dropping open slightly.

"Y-You're so...wet," he practically whimpered, not even realising how attractive what he said was, his words making you moan quietly, "inside baby," you breathed, taking his wrist into your hand to guide him, holding his hand where he needed to be before he slowly pushed his middle finger upward, his fingertip slipping into you and making his jaw fall slack as your walls surround his finger.

"God, you've got the perfect fingers for this, baby," you practically moaned, letting your head tip back as you still held his wrist.

"I do?" he asked, his voice slightly whiny as he gazed up at you.

"Mhm, fit so nicely inside me," you murmured absentmindedly, completely forgetting that this wasn't some raunchy dream you were having, your words making him moan low in his throat.

"Curl your finger towards you for me, love," you instructed softly. Spencer immediately followed your exact instructions, curling his middle finger gradually until you let out a quiet gasp, stopping his movements completely.

"D-Did I hurt you?" He asked worriedly, his behaviour and concern making your heart swell.

"N-No baby, no, felt good, k-keep going," you breathed, stroking your thumb over his wrist as you moved the other to rest on his shoulder, balancing yourself so you could move your leg to the outer side of his thigh, spreading your legs for him so he had more access.

"You can add another, baby," you encouraged softly, knowing that he wouldn't do it on his own out of fear of hurting you in any way.

"O-Okay," he breathed, swallowing nervously as he pulled his finger out almost fully, leaving just his fingertip in before he pressed his index finger in beside it, slowly pushing them both in at once, watching your face intently as your jaw fell slack, eyes closed as a breathy moan slipped past your parted lips.

"F-fuck, baby," you mewled as Spencer curled his slender fingers into you on his own accord, his hips rolling into your thigh at the sound of your voice and the feeling of you clenching around his fingers.

"G-Gimme your hand," you asked, holding yours out to him as he placed his free hand in yours with a slightly confused expression that quickly became a completely infatuated, lust-filled expression as you let go of his wrist to hike your skirt up around your waist, exposing the sight of his fingers buried in your cunt.

"O-oh my-" Spencer tried to speak, his words turning into a whimper as you bucked your hips slightly, his fingers pushing in deeper, the sight of them disappearing into you making his cock throb against your leg, hips stuttering against his will.

"J-Just stay right there and make this motion," you explained breathlessly, placing Spencer's thumb on your neglected clit and motioning circles with yours to show him what to do, watching him nod shakily before he made one tentative circle, watching how you reacted, the gasp you let out showing him that it was good, so he repeated the motion again and again until he had a pace going.

"Oh, Spence, g-good baby, so good, c-curl your fingers at the same time for me," you breathed, Spencer immediately doing as you asked, curling both his fingers into you until they were pressed to that soft spot inside you. The way you moaned when he reached it made him realise that spot was what made you react, so he experimented a little, uncurling his fingers before repeating the motion, a louder but still hushed sound falling from your lips as he did.

"Such a quick learner," you mewled as he continued his steady motions, his thumb circling your clit in time with his fingers. Your praise made him blush and rut into your thigh harder than he had before, and your curiosity piqued.

"You like when I praise you? tell you how good you are?" you asked, the way Spencer whimpered and fucked into your thigh again giving you your answer, a smirk tugging at your lips.

"Be a good boy and go faster for me," you instructed, your words of praise making him completely pliant, instantly picking up his pace and making you almost double over as the pleasure shot through you, the motion making your leg slot right between his thighs, leaving no distance between your thigh as his painfully hard length straining against his pants, a pathetic whimper ripped from his throat as his hips bucked desperately into you, this time at a constant pace, Spencer unable to hold back from chasing any kind of friction.

"So pretty fucking my thigh, baby, you like humping my leg like a good boy?" You cooed, bringing your hand to his jaw and letting your thumb stroke over his plush bottom lip, watching as he let his mouth open, as if inviting you in, and you just couldn't deny, letting your thumb slip past his lips and into his warm mouth, clenching around his fingers as he wrapped his beautiful lips around it.

"Oh my, such a good boy," you praised, your voice breathy and low as you felt your orgasm creeping up on you, the way Spencer's fingers consistently curled into you, his thumb never faltering on your clitoral area, his pace matching that of his hips constantly fucking your thigh, his brain going into autopilot as he sucked on your thumb.

"I-I feel- weird," Spencer whimpered around your thumb, just barely audible, but you heard him, his words making you want to coo at him, knowing exactly what the feeling was.

"You're gonna cum, baby boy; it's okay; gonna feel good; just let it happen." You spoke soothingly, pulling your thumb from his mouth and watching as he opened his eyes to look up at you with a doe-like expression, his lips parted and wet as he let out a constant stream of whimpers and moans, his hips stuttering as he desperately fucked your thigh, chasing his orgasm as he brought you to yours.

"F-fuck baby, you're gonna make me cum; keep going; just a little more for mommy." The word slipped out without a thought. You were so caught up in the moment that you didn't even think about it until Spencer let out a choked moan, delivering a particularly hard thrust onto your thigh, your jaw falling slack at what slipped past his lips.

"M-mommy, 'm gonna c-cum," he choked out, letting out little gasps and whimpers as tears spilled from his eyes. He looked utterly gorgeous, completely fucked out, and cumdrunk, so much so that he was calling you mommy and humping your thigh, the whole thing pushing you so close to the edge.

"Oh, baby, so fucking pretty. Gonna cum, you want that? You want mommy to cum on your pretty fingers?" You husked, watching as Spencer nodded mindlessly, clearly not even knowing what he was agreeing to.

"Oh, o-oh, m-mommy! mommy, I can't, I'm-" Spencer stammered, cutting himself off with a choked sob as his hips stilled, cum spurting into his underwear as his whole body tensed, including his hands, his fingers curling into you as far as they'd go, harshly pressing to your sweet spot as his thumb pressed into your clit, the sudden pressure sending you over the edge with a muffled moan, gushing around his fingers as your walls spasmed and thighs trembled.

Spencer continued to shallowly fuck your thigh through his orgasm, little whimpers and whines falling from his lips as he completely soiled his pants, cum seeping through to your thigh and the warm, sticky liquid smearing on your skin.

"Oh, baby, you made such a mess of yourself," you cooed, pouting down at him as you cupped his cheeks, his eyes looking up at you completely dazed as he whimpered.

"You did so well for mommy," you said softly, stroking his soft skin with your thumbs as he pouted, completely fucked out and submissive.

"Okay, baby, slow for me; you can take your fingers out now and we'll get you cleaned up, okay?" You encouraged him sweetly, Spencer nodding as he slowly, like you'd instructed, pulled his fingers out of you, the feeling of his skin dragging against your sensitive walls making you wince slightly.

Once Spencer slipped his fingers fully out of you, he couldn't help but fixate on the slick, shiny liquid that coated them, watching as it created strings between them when he spread them apart, and he just couldn't resist. Your jaw dropped as you watched him bring his soaked fingers to his lips, burying them in his mouth and moaning around them as he tasted you.

"You like how mommy tastes, baby?" You asked, smiling to yourself as you watched him clean every last drop, nodding with his fingers still in his mouth.

"Sticky," he whined once he pulled his fingers from his mouth, shifting in his seat awkwardly. "...and cold," he whined harder, looking up at you with big eyes as if begging you to do something.

"Okay, baby, let's clean you up," you smiled, fixing your soiled underwear and shimmying your skirt back down before planting your foot back on the ground and scanning the room.

"There's no tissues in here," you sighed, furrowing your brows as Spencer whined harder, pressing his thighs together desperately.

"D-Don't like it, mommy," he sniffled, making you turn quickly to see him with teary eyes and pouty lips. He was completely submissive, which was a problem you'd deal with later; right now he needed you.

"It's okay, baby, it's okay; don't cry," you soothed as you cupped his cheeks, watching as his bottom lip quivered slightly. "Mommy's going to think of something," you reassured him, taking another look around the room. An idea springs to mind, and he's not going to like it.

"Okay, you're not going to like it, but it's the only way, okay?" You told him, making sure to talk softly to him so as not to make him think you were being mean. Spencer was sensitive as is, but in this state? He needed the most care.

"O-Okay," he replied hesitantly, curious about what he wouldn't like but also slightly worried.

You let go of his face to turn around and reach over the desk, picking up Spencer's, now stone cold, coffee cup and turning back to him, seeing the dots connect in his mind at what you were planning, the whole idea making him whine but nodding nonetheless, knowing it was the only cover-up that wasn't going to be too suspicious.

"I'm going to spill this on you, and then we're going to go out there; I'll tell them I knocked it over and I feel terrible, and then we're going to go back to the hotel and get you changed, okay?" You explained your plan fully, making sure he was comfortable with the whole thing.

"Okay…" he mumbled, knowing that this was about to be unpleasant and impossibly stickier, but on the upside, the hotel wasn't far, and he got to spend some time alone with you away from work, so it was worth it in the end.

"Sorry, sweetie," you winced as you poured the liquid over his lap, watching as he jumped at the cold feeling seeping into his clothes, feeling terrible about making him uncomfortable.

"Alright, let's go. I don't want you sitting in wet clothes for too long," you said as you quickly placed the cup back on the desk, taking a Spencer hand in yours to help him to his feet and leading him to the door where your bag was, hoisting it onto your shoulder and swinging the door open. Your eyes immediately meeting hotch looking at you from a desk not far from you.

"I spilled Spencer's coffee on him; thank God it was cold, but I feel terrible. I'm gonna give him a ride to the hotel to change; we won't be long," you explained quickly, all but dragging Spencer through the station to the exit, not giving the team time to tease or make jokes.

"How dumb do they think we are?" Derek snorted to the team once you were out of earshot, the others shaking their head and agreeing with him as they continued their work.

@cancersunthatsit @mindfullycriminal @reidsdaisies @iluvreid @teachugger69 @queermaxwooo @olives-and-sunshine @ac0511 @unimportantweirdo @criminalmindswife @deluluforu @busybeingstrange

(if you wanna be tagged when i post fics just lmk!)

[heartsforvin]

hi bae! I was wondering if you could write a fic about the reader having like heart problems and vinnie is always looking out for the reader if that makes any sense<3

TAKING CARE OF YOU

i loveee this because i actually have heart problems (more of a condition) and i think ab this a lot🥲 i hope you like this, thank you for the request !! also i hope you don’t mind i added a tinge of angst, just a lil small argument, but overall it’s fluffy !

+ i hope you don’t mind me implicating my own heart problems into this, it’s really the only cardiovascular thing i know most about 🥲

pairing: vinnie hacker x fem!reader

warnings: cussing?? , small argument, use of pet names, use of medication, vinnie just being the best bf , fluff

summary: after knowing about your heart problems, vinnie is by your side night and day to make sure you’re okay

you and vinnie had been together about a month when you finally told him the news about your heart. once you did, he asked you why you didn’t say anything sooner, why you didn’t tell him when you first met, but you told him you just needed time.

he understood, after the two of you had a tiny argument, it was mainly vinnie asking you over and over why you didn’t say anything sooner.

it was really no big deal, and you told that to vinnie, but he seemed to think it was. you loved that side of him of course, because it honestly was serious, but it didn’t effect your everyday life like other things.

you mentioned to him that you couldn’t do certain things like riding on the big roller coaster rides, skydive, or anything that could put your heart at risk really.

he didn’t mind that you had to sit out on some things, that just meant you two had to find something else to do if you wanted to go to an amusement park.

today, you and vinnie had one of your yearly cardiologist appointments. when you were younger it was more than once a year, but over time your heart got better and the doctors only needed to see you yearly.

“you got everything, baby?” vinnie asks as you grab your purse.

you nod as he grabs your hand in his and the two of you walk out of the apartment and to the elevator.

on your way to the doctors, vinnie’s hand finds its home on your thigh as you place your hand on his with a smile.

“think we’ll get good news today?” he asks, glancing at you for a minute before putting his eyes back on the road.

you look at him with a smile. “that’s all it has been for awhile, no signs of anything major yet,” you breathe out. “i think it’ll be good.”

vinnie returns your smile and takes your hand to squeeze it reassuringly, letting you know no matter what, everything will be okay.

⋆.ೃ࿔*

after your appointment vinnie had decided to treat you to ice cream, which you of course said yes to. once you two got your ice cream you decided to sit outside on a picnic table since the weather was nice.

“i think that went well.” vinnie said after a moment of silence.

you nodded as you put a spoonful of ice cream in your mouth. “besides the fact that they gave me medication to take.” you tell him.

the doctor had prescribed some sort of medication to help your heart, you didn’t think it was very necessary since your heart is already in almost perfect condition.

vinnie sighed, he had a feeling you’d bring this up when the two of you were alone. “you know it’s just helping you.” he reassures.

you glare at him, not muttering a word as you finish your ice cream. you knew he was right, but you felt like it wasn’t necessary at all. 

finishing up your ice cream, the two sat in silence there and on the ride back to the apartment. you were grateful for vinnie looking out for you and helping you out, but sometimes you wish he’d back off a bit.

once back at the apartment, you drop your things on the counter and take your shoes off before going to the couch to cuddle with hera.

on your way home the two of you had stopped at the pharmacy to get your medication.

once vinnie had put his things down he opened up the bag your medicine was in and read off the label.

“baby it says you have to take it once daily after breakfast.” vinnie informed, walking over to you and sitting on the couch.

you looked at him and nodded as you continued to cuddle hera. “i’ll start it tomorrow.” you told him.

.ೃ࿔*

tomorrow came and here you were arguing with vinnie about some silly medicine.

you didn’t think you’d be arguing with him about this fire thing in the morning, but here you were.

“sweetheart just take it, it’s one pill and once a day, no big deal.” vinnie said, trying to get you to take your medicine.

he stood over you as you laid on your side of the bed, still trying to get up for the day. vinnie had made you breakfast and put out a glass of orange juice and your medicine.

“i told you i don’t need it, it’s stupid.” you argued back.

vinnie rolled his eyes. he wasn’t going to force you to do anything, so he just left you how you were and waited.

hours passed and you did eventually take your medicine. you sat on the couch with vinnie as hera came up to sit on your lap.

“feelin’ okay?” vinnie asks as he runs his fingers through your hair.

you nod. “yeah, i’m sorry for yelling at you this morning.” you apologize.

vinnie kisses the side of your head and gives you a smile. “it’s okay. i’m just trying to help you out, i hope you know that.”

vinnie’s words almost make you tear up. he’s been helping you and taking care of you ever since you told him, and you can’t thank him enough.

“i know,” you sigh. “i just..i took these years ago and they made no difference, so i don’t know why i’m on them again.” you explain.

vinnie hums as he continues to run his fingers through your hair. “i couldn’t give you an answer for that, baby,” he tells you. “take them for a bit and update the doctor how you’re doing and then they’ll tell us if you still need them or not, okay?”

you nod with a smile as you lean in to hug him. vinnie hugs you tight, kissing your head as you stay like that for a minute.

“are you feelin’ okay though, like really? no chest pain or anything? ‘cause i know you do get those little pains here and there.” he asks as he pulls away from you.

laughing slightly you nod. “i’m fine vin, swear. i’d tell you if i’m not feeling good or in pain, you know that.”

he holds you in his arms and kisses your head. “i know, i know. you know i just like taking care of you, that’s what i’m here for.”

you hug him and kiss his head like he did to you moments ago. “i know baby, and thank you for taking care of me. i love you.”

cupping your face, you both smile at each other before vinnie leans in to softly kiss you.

“of course sweetheart,” he breathes, out. “it’s what i’m here for, i’ll always be here for you no matter what. i love you.”

the two stay like that for awhile — in each others arms with hera right beside you. you’re glad you have vinnie here with you, to love you and take care of you so you’re not doing any of this alone.

you couldn’t ask for anyone else, all you wanted was him. your boy.

heyyy 😜😜 i hope you all liked this and thank you again for the request !!!

taglist: @cosmicanakin , @anqeliclust , @42angelgirl , @bernelflo , @0strawberrysorbet0 , @sturnioloshacker , @slvthrs , @visualbutterflysworld , @khackerr , @leqonsluv3r , @khxna , @supabhad , @kriissy4gov , @kayleighh , @laylasbunbunny , @defnotayonna , @violet0182 , @hallecarey1 , @thesebitcheslovesosadotcom , @eddieslut69 , @miilzzy , @skye-44 , @jpg3

[misshoneyimhome]

500 FOLLOWERS FESTIVAL

“No one gets to treat you like that, you hear me? no one.” I Joseph Woll

Summary; You and Joseph Woll share a wonderful bond - a bond that might just be so strong that none of you dare to risk ruining it. However, one evening, Joe just can't hold it in any longer.

Tropes & warnings; best friend!Joe; friends to lovers - no warnings; (idk, maybe language?)

Other notes; I do apologise if I've written anything close to this before, however, I do just really love this sort of trope - and hopefully, it's still enjoyable 🙏🏼 So much love for our sweet goalie 🤗🌺

Word count; 2.9K

Taglist; @couldawouldashoulda50 @findapenny@justwanderingbutneverlost @cixrosie

➼｡ﾟ

Joseph Woll was undeniably your closest friend. In your eyes, he was the epitome of kindness, and you couldn't help but adore and stand by him through every game, sharing in every triumph as well as every setback. You simply cherished the bond you shared, relishing the relationship and closeness, even though it never strayed beyond the boundaries of friendship. 

_

You had known Joseph ever since his early days with the Maple Leafs, where you had been introduced through a mutual friend. Initially, he was just another aspiring hockey player striving to carve out his place, and you were simply thrilled to get to know him, even if only briefly. However, it didn't take long for you to see the kind heart beneath his competitive exterior, and as time passed, your bond only deepened, evolving into a connection that felt as natural as breathing.

Your relationship was swiftly built on late-night chats, shared jokes, and unwavering support. So, when Joseph returned to the Leafs, you were already there, right at the front, cheering louder than anyone in the crowd. And whether celebrating triumphs or enduring defeats, you remained his constant, the person he could always rely on.

You attended nearly every game you could – especially if you knew he’d play first goalie – often wearing a Leafs jersey with "Woll" proudly displayed on the back. And while others started to notice your constant presence, many assuming you were a couple, you both knew the truth – you were just friends, albeit very close ones.

Spending time together outside the rink was one of the highlights of your friendship. Whether it was a quiet movie night at your place or a lazy Sunday afternoon baking at his, the comfort and ease between you were undeniable. Yet, amidst these moments there were subtle gestures – the brush of his hand against yours when passing the popcorn, the way he’d tuck a stray strand of hair behind your ear, or the lingering hugs that lasted just a second longer than necessary. These moments were filled with a tension that neither of you acknowledged but both felt.

Yet despite the constant whispers and assumptions from others, Joseph always made it clear how much he valued your friendship. “I couldn’t imagine my life without you,” he’d express, genuine fondness colouring his words. “You’re my rock.”

And each time, you’d smile, brushing off any deeper implications. “That’s what friends are for, right?” you’d reply with a soft smile, though quietly longing for something more.

Believing that Joseph viewed you solely as a friend was simpler, as he frequently emphasised the significance of your friendship and how much he treasured it. Thus, you opted to keep your feelings to yourself, satisfied with the deep connection you both cherished, even if it meant hiding the occasional longing that haunted your sleepless nights. 

_

What you didn’t realise, though, was that Joseph was grappling with his own struggles and had developed a significant crush on you over the years. However, to avoid jeopardising the cherished friendship between you two, he was attempting to create some distance, even though whenever he spent time with you, everything seemed perfect, and he found himself falling even more deeply.

You meant so much more to him than you realised. And it pained him especially to witness you getting hurt, as you had a bad habit of attracting the wrong kind of partners – men who simply failed to recognise your incredible qualities. They would charm you with sweet words and false promises, only to exploit your kindness and leave you feeling used and abandoned. And Joseph was always there to console you and provide a shoulder to cry on, yet each instance tore him apart inside.

He wanted to protect you, to shield you from pain, and show you what genuine love truly entailed. However, fear held him back – the fear that confessing his feelings would change everything, and he couldn’t bear the thought of losing you.

Yet, he frequently found himself gazing at you when you weren’t looking, his heart swelling with unspoken sentiments. The sparkle in your eyes when discussing something you were passionate about, the warmth that radiated from your laughter, and the gentle kindness you extended to those around you – all captivated him. Each time he witnessed your smile, his heart skipped a beat, and every tear you shed felt like his world crumbling. You were his everything, even if you weren’t aware of it, and he would go to great lengths to keep you in his life, even if it meant concealing his true feelings indefinitely.

He just treasured your friendship too much to risk it, and therefor he concealed his feelings. At times, he even withdrew slightly, attempting to manage the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him, and despite your notices and inquiries about his well-being, he maintained his casual and composed facade, offering a reassuring smile while his heart suffered in silence.

However, as the burden of his secret weighed heavily upon him, Joseph gradually recognised that he could reach a breaking point at any moment. And then, one night, he found himself unable to contain it any longer.

_

The atmosphere in the arena was thick with disappointment as the Leafs suffered a 3-1 defeat against the Bruins in the fourth game of the playoffs' first round. Samsonov had started as goalie, but only shortly into the third period, Joseph was called onto the ice, and despite his efforts, the outcome remained unchanged. And now, with the Bruins leading the series 3-1, the Leafs faced a battle for survival in the upcoming playoff game.

The only silver lining for Joseph that night was your unwavering support. However, this time, you weren't alone. You had brought along a date—a guy you'd recently met, chatted with for a few weeks, had some casual coffee dates with, and now wanted to introduce to your everyday life, including Joseph.

And initially, the idea seemed promising, and you were genuinely pleased when he agreed to accompany you to the game. Even as the match unfolded, your date appeared to be enjoying himself.

But when the final buzzer signalled the Leafs' loss, the weight of disappointment hung heavily in the arena, and as you made your way down to meet Joseph, you sensed that perhaps this wasn't the ideal moment for introductions. But there was no turning back now. So, when you saw Josephs’ crestfallen expression, you did your best to offer a gentle smile as you approached him and embraced him tightly.

"I'm so sorry, Joe..." you spoke softly, giving him a light squeeze before pulling back and meeting his gaze with empathy. “You did so amazingly!” You knew your words couldn't fully heal his wounds, but as always you wanted to express your unwavering support and lighten the mood, even if only slightly.

And in response, Joseph managed a faint smile. "We gave it our all, right?" he sighed deeply, to which you nodded.

"Look on the bright side, there's still a chance for redemption. It'll be a tough fight, but there's hope.” You flashed him a soft smile. “And knowing the Leafs well enough, I’m sure there's a good chance you'll make a comeback."

With those words, it felt as though you had magically lifted the weight from the room just a little. Even other players managed soft smiles as they shared moments with their partners and families, and sensing that the tension had eased, you took the opportunity to introduce your date to your best friend.

At first, things seemed to be going smoothly. They exchanged handshakes, greeting each other with content smiles as they acknowledged the roles, they both played in your life. Yet, you couldn't shake the feeling that there was something tense about the situation. And unable to pinpoint exactly what it was, you felt a pang when your date suddenly attempted to inject humour by making a snide comment about your relationship with the team. Fortunately, you managed to brush it off, though his words stung. Yet, it was when you felt an urgent need to visit the ladies' room that the atmosphere of the evening took a sudden turn.

"So, you and y/n... you're just friends?" your date asked Joseph as the two of them were left alone, the hallway slowly emptying out.

"Yeah... why do you ask?" Joseph inquired, curious about his intentions.

"Oh, nothing... you just seem... you know, really into her," your date remarked with an overly confident smirk, as if trying to assert dominance in a game with your best friend.

However, Joseph wasn't in the mood for games anymore. He was tired and disappointed by the loss, so he simply shrugged. "Sure, I mean, she's an amazing person, so... yeah, I guess I like her."

"Well, why don't you just make a move on her then?"

Joseph's eyes narrowed at the smart remark from the stranger.

"What do you mean? We're friends, and you're the one dating her..." he felt a little puzzled.

"Oh, come on, man," the guy chuckled darkly. "She's great and all... but to be honest, she's just a good fuck."

Joseph was utterly taken aback by his words. How could he say something so disrespectful straight to his face? You were his best friend, and this guy was talking about you as if you were some casual acquaintances he was merely hooking up with, completely disregarding your feelings. Did he not realise you were dating?

"What are you talking about?" was all Joseph managed to ask, feeling the anger boiling within him, fuelled by the disappointment of the loss.

"What I said... she's nice, but I'm just looking for a good fuck, that's all," your date grinned again, his smirk growing even wider and more arrogant by the second. "Actually, I was hoping to score with some other girls here... like that one over there," he pointed to a tall brunette chatting with Auston. "She's more my type... y/n, she's just... I don't know, like girlfriend material or something—and that's not what I'm after."

Joseph couldn't believe what he was hearing. His heart raced in his chest, his fists clenched at his sides as he took a step closer to your date, his voice low and menacing. "Are you fucking serious right now?" he practically growled. "She's not someone you can just toy with and treat like shit. She's an incredible person, and she deserves far better than someone like you."

Your date looked slightly surprised, muttering something under his breath, as he hadn't anticipated Joseph responding with such force.

Nor had anyone else. Those still lingering in the hallway turned their heads towards him, their eyes widening as they heard the typically sweet and composed goaltender suddenly raise his voice, brimming with intensity.

"Well, if you care about her so much, then be a man and actually do something instead of pretending like you're not in love with her," your date shot back.

You hadn't caught a word of their exchange, but as you returned to the two men, you immediately sensed the tension that had developed between them.

"What's happening?" you asked, curious about the atmosphere.

But the two men just simply continued to lock eyes, before Joseph, being the good guy yet again, decided to diffuse the situation.

"Nothing," he replied, but you didn't buy it for a second.

"Is that so?" You turned to your date, raising a brow as you noticed his overly confident smirk, a sign that he realised Joseph wouldn't stoop to his level.

"Of course," he chuckled lightly. "Joe and I here are just having a man-to-man chat..."

An awkward silence hung in the air, and you weren't sure how to break free from it. But then, your date attempted humour again, and once more, it fell flat. He even followed it up with another arrogant remark, causing the heat to boil over. 

"Just needed to check if there were any other players that were in love with you – or maybe you’re just sleeping with the rest of them."

But that was the final straw for Joseph. And as if acting on instinct, like another person was I control of his actions, he swung his arm, landing a clenched fist right on the guy’s nose, causing your date to stumble back with force, clutching his nose, while a shocked gasp escaped your lips. The sudden violence caught you off guard, leaving you frozen in place, unsure of what to do next, as you had never experienced Joseph act like that. 

And quickly, you stepped forward, placing a hand on Joseph's chest in an attempt to calm him down. "Oh my god, Joe," you gasped, your voice laced with concern. “Are you okay?” 

He merely just stood there, chest heaving with anger though also feeling a sense of satisfaction, as he had finally released the pent-up frustration that had been simmering since your date's first disrespectful comments about you.

Meanwhile, the corridor erupted into light chaos as nearby onlookers gasped and murmured, some about to intervene while others watched wide-eyed, unsure of how to react. But there was no need for panic. Despite no one ever expecting for Joe to act that way, the situation seemed to be swiftly calming. 

And to no one’s surprise, there was a palpable awkwardness in the air as your date looked shocked by Joseph's actions. However, upon realising that you had defended your friend rather than him, he simply huffed. "Guess I see where your loyalty lies..."

But you couldn't help but shoot him a glare, placing the blame squarely on his shoulders for the situation with his disrespectful comments.

"Always," you simply retorted.

And with that, your date straightened his coat and quickly made his exit. 

Then turning your attention to your best friend, who had just behaved in a way you'd never witnessed before, your eyes reflected concern.

"Hey... are you okay?" you repeated softly. 

But Joseph just took a deep breath, his gaze dark as he met yours. "He was out of line, and he needed to be called out on it..."

You were left speechless, unable to fully grasp the gravity of what had happened. Joseph had never displayed such anger, particularly not on your behalf. And his tone with you was something entirely new.

"Joe..." you started, but he cut you off, his frustration still evident, not allowing for you to come up with any more excuses or defences for the jerks you chose to date.

“No one gets to treat you like that, you hear me? no one.” Joseph's voice was unwavering, stern as he locked eyes with you.

Filled with emotions as he swallowed, suppressing the lingering tension, you kept your hand on his chest, while the two of you gradually calmed from the intensity of the situation, and the crowd around you slowly dispersing.

"Why..." you breathed out, your voice barely audibles above a whisper.

"What do you mean, why?" Joseph frowned his brows, his voice still firm. 

"Why did you stand up for me like that?"

"Because I fucking love you! Alright?"

Joseph's confession crashed over you like a wave, leaving you stunned and rooted in place. You gazed at him, trying to comprehend the weight of his words, as the intensity in his eyes was unlike anything you'd seen before, a raw and honest declaration that shattered every barrier you'd erected between friendship and something more.

And for a moment, the world around you faded into insignificance, leaving only the two of you in the dim corridor. The sounds of the murmurs of bystanders became distant echoes as you focused entirely on Joseph.

"Joe," you whispered again, your voice filled with emotion, "I... I don’t know what to say..."

And slowly, Joseph's expression softened, his gaze searching yours for any hint of understanding. "You don't need to say anything, y/n. I just couldn't hold it in any longer. Seeing him disrespect you like that... it just broke me. I love you – I always have - and I can't bear the thought of anyone treating you with anything less than the respect you deserve."

Tears were starting to brim in your eyes as the truth of his words settled over you. All those shared moments, the laughter, the late-night talks, the unspoken support – they all took on new significance, as you realised that the feelings, you'd buried deep inside were mirrored in Joseph's heart.

And this time, it was you acting on pure instinct, almost leaping to reach Joseph, who towered over you, as you wrapped your arms around his neck, closing the distance between you and almost clashed your lips to meet in a heartfelt kiss.

It was a moment you both had yearned for, and now it was finally happening. Joy surged through your body as you let your lips linger on his, moving softly and gently as he too wrapped his arms around you and held you close. And upon pulling apart to catch your breath, both of you couldn't help but smile widely.

"I've loved you too, Joe... for so long,” you breathed softly, your eyes locking with his once more. “I just never really believed you'd feel the same way about me," you confessed.

Relief and joy washed over Joseph's face as he pulled you into a tight embrace. "Of course, I do... y/n, you mean more to me than anyone... and I've always wanted to tell you, but I was too afraid of losing you," he murmured.

And as you held each other closely, the tension of the evening melted away, replaced by a newfound clarity and purpose. Then pulling back slightly, looking up into his eyes, you couldn’t suppress a light chuckle. 

"Why did we wait so long to do this?" you asked, a small smile playing on your lips.

"Because we're idiots," Joseph simply chuckled, before pulling you in for another kiss.

[billys-pretty-babe]

Needed To Tell You

Pairing : Billy Hargrove x Fem!Reader

Summary : Billy loves you more than he can ever express, and every single night in the middle of the night when everything is quiet, he wakes you up just to tell you.

⚠️ not my gif, creds go to @bonniebird ⚠️

Warnings : Swearing, smut implications

Word count : 349

A/N : just something short and sweet because i need billy content

Billy looked down at you, the moon's light putting a soft dim white light into the room. His hand moved over your hair as he placed a gentle kiss to the crown of your head. You were fast asleep, have been for hours ever since the sex stopped, but his mind was running.

Not with anything bad, but with how much he loved you. He couldn't shut the thoughts off if he wanted to. You were everything to Billy, if he could, he would put you in his denim jacket pocket and carry you with him everywhere, but unfortunately, you had your own priorities.

He gently woke you up, rubbing your back and speaking to you. You hummed, eyes fluttering open. He felt bad when he saw how heavy your eyes were. "I love you," he said softly. You smiled, snuggling up closer to him, practically laying on top of him. "I love you too. Is everything okay?" He nodded, "Everything's perfect, pretty girl." He placed a kiss to the middle of your brow, making you smile and hum, your eyes shutting once more. "Goodnight baby, see you in the morning," he quietly said, rubbing your back again.

He loved you so much his heart would burst, he never and would never feel like this for anyone else. You had helped him through so many dark things, you helped him get away from his dad. The two of you began dating in junior year before breaking up in June 1985, before the two of you got back together in September 1985.

Now, it's been a year since the breakup and the two of were thriving. Neil wasn't tormenting Billy about his relationship with you, you didn't have to worry about Billy's random outbursts. It was just the two of you, with blue waves and salty air, living the best life the two of you could have ever dreamed of.

Billy continued rubbing your back as he put his chin on your head, humming your favorite song as he listened to the waves crash, the sound lulling him to sleep.

[xoxoamyas]

it started with a kiss

rating : mentions of alcohol, obsessive / stalkerish implications / references, slight suggestive comments [ 2 ]

simpbur x gn!reader

☆ you attend another party like you would any other, you didn't expect to meet him. <3

note : new years special !! i'm so sorry this was posted so late. it was meant to be out the first or second, but stuff happened :( i hope you enjoy it at least a bit <3

masterlist [ ☆ ]

⋆˙⟡

You were usually one to be out and about, never truly home for longer than a good night's rest or an off chance of rare downtime. Always the one work friend to get invited out by friends for social gatherings or even a party.

Currently, you were at one of your best friends' New Years party. Something that you had been invited to weeks ago and had contemplated showing face at because you knew there would be drunk lunatics out and about that didn’t care for others safety, let alone their own.

You had expected to see and meet people you didn’t know. It just hadn’t been counted for that you’d meet someone who seemed to take genuine interest in you.

He had walked up to you some odd minutes after your friend left to go use the bathroom. Introduced himself as Wilbur, shaking your hand in the process.

The man hadn’t seemed interesting at first, just someone you thought would be casual conversation. The thing that had piqued your attention most was when he mentioned that he was practising to become a musician.

Conversation took off from there, and it seemed like he knew every point to keep you into talking with him. He wasn’t charming by any means. He seemed off in a way that made your stomach nearly start churning. You’d put the feeling off for the time being since you didn’t think you would talk with him ever again.

What you didn’t know was just how excited Wilbur had been to finally talk with you. On one hand, he wanted to pat himself on the back because you hadn’t recognized him. On the other hand, he wanted to break something over you not knowing who he was.

Wilbur had been watching you for some time, having first spotted you at another party much like the one you were both currently at. A lot of alcohol, people who couldn’t shut their mouths, loud music. He knew the date down to a capital T.

He had taken a particular eye to you after some guy had spilt his drink on you, having gone as far as to follow you to the bathroom. At the time, Wilbur had fully intended to ask if you were okay, but seeing you in a vulnerable position made his heart nearly palpitate, something that hadn’t happened to him in a long time.

It was at that moment he knew what you were. You were his. His unknowing angel and saviour.

He started taking time out of his day to learn about you after that, thinking he just wanted to get to know you at first. Now, he knows everything about you. He knows your favourite colour, snack, and comfort foods. He knows your parents' and grandparents' names as well as their places of residence. He knows that you organize your books on your favoured bookshelf in your living room by author and series. Wilbur is also fully aware of what’s kept in your bedside dressers.

In other words, he knows you intimately. Even if you didn't know it.

Wilbur smiles a bit, looking at you in awestruck as he managed to get you to laugh at a joke he had made. You were hardly tipsy, so he wanted to think you found something genuine.

“Would you like to dance with me? I think the countdown is about to start.” He asks you, having leaned a fraction closer so you could hear him over the music. The look you give him makes his heart flutter in his chest, but he manages to force down every surfacing urge he had in the moment.

“I don't see why not! Do you have a partner?” You're so shameless when you ask, not a lick of hesitance or embarrassment. A thing he loved so dearly about you. He shakes his head no in response, though, having thought long ahead to not have a partner to begin with.

“No, I don't. I was just going to share a glass of wine with my friend.” He smiles sheepishly, and you're none the wiser. You strongly believed no one should be alone on New Years, and sure, Wilbur says he has someone to share a glass with, but that was it?

“Let’s go and dance, then! What are we waiting for!” Your words are rhetorical as you move, taking the solo cup Wilbur had from his hand and finding the nearest spot to set down both of your drinks.

You were quick to find both your hands in both of his own, pulling Wilbur out to the dance space everybody was in. It was crowded, but it wasn't bad.

Time is lost in the moment. Nobody keeps up with it until the music suddenly cuts. There's some cheering before the countdown starts.

You lean against Wilbur without hesitation, your shoulder pressing against his arm as you count down. Wilbur couldn't be bothered to pay mind to anything or anyone other than you. Sparing him a glance when you feel his hand move to your lower back when you nearly fell backwards.

When one is reached, everybody cheers. Some people instantly go in for their partners.

Wilbur hesitates, really wanting you to like- to want him the way he wants you. He gives in to the major urge on top, leaning in and kissing your cheek. The action makes you turn to him in near surprise before it melts.

“If you're gonna take a New Years kiss, take it right.” He could barely hear your words over the loud sounds. Wilburs eyes widen a fraction when your hands find his face and pull him in for a full kiss, your soft lips pressed against his chapped ones.

He feels light, like he's soaring through the clouds. One of his hands moving to the nape of your neck to keep the kiss just a bit longer, having been waiting for this moment for so long.

It feels too soon when the kiss is broken, and he instantly craves more. Wilbur knew better than anyone, though, that you never brought anybody from a party home with you.

That didn't mean he'd break his habit of following you after the party ends regardless.

“You're not too bad of a kisser.” You indirectly compliment with a smile that sends blood rushing, his face tinting a slight red from becoming flustered.

Suddenly, all he wants to do is hide you away from the world and claim you as his, even if he already had.

“You're not too bad yourself,” He comments with faux confidence. “Hope you don't mind if I ask you for your number?” He asks, that nervous tone slipping in. Wilbur doesn't miss the small and brief frown before the oh-so-soft smile.

“I don't see why not.”

You had no idea what you've just gotten yourself into.

[edutainer2022]

@janetm74, I did a little thing for this prompt:

"I'll come quietly. Just don't hurt them."

***

Scott didn't know about coding and cybersecurity nowhere nearly as much as John or Brains did (or Alan, for that matter), but he knew enough to understand John didn't know about these files. The folder miraculously slipped past Eos, John approved and Kayo vetted firewalls, and materialized on the desktop in his private study. He used it far less frequently than Dad's desk or even Dad's old office, but sometimes insomnia struck when his batteries were running low and going down to get some work done was too much effort.

That meant he couldn't really know how long the folder had been there, which made his insides run cold. What made his hands numb, to boot, were the latest photos in the unnamed folder - pictures of his brothers on the latest rescue. Up close and from a distance. The pictures were not scrambled by their tech. Another batch were from Alan’s recent school trip to Melbourne. From Virgil and Gordon's night on the town. Maybe most unnerving of all - from INSIDE Five and a training hangar on Gran Roca. 

Scott swallowed hard, though his throat went instantly dry, and clicked on the last file - a candid photo of himself in the Tracy Tower penthouse, tying a tie, smiling at a hologram off screen, likely talking to a brother before a day of meetings. The file was uncharacteristically heavy so, just as he suspected, there was a hidden attachment, riding on it. Several more files popped up. Realistically, he should have gotten Kayo and John on the case by then, middle of the night or not, but Scott was frozen in place by the sheer magnitude of morbid implications.

One of the files featured four DNA sequences, neatly labeled Virgil through Allie. Nothing more, nothing less. Scott's vision swam. The threat was as conspicuous as it was cruel - spanning anything from customized targeted neurotoxins or viruses, nanobots masked in a bloodstream, carrying explosives to heart or brain, to a smart bullet, programmed to follow the target DNA like a bloodhound.

Their family had access to almost unlimited research resources and brainpower to counter even something that sophisticated, but Scott wouldn't ever take a chance the assault on his brothers wouldn't have an instant lethal effect. Since his own DNA was not on the list of targets, Scott had a pretty good idea what could be in the next file. It wasn't a sum - of course it wouldn't be that easy. When was it ever! It wasn't even a list of Tracy Industries or IR tech they wanted specs for. It was an instruction he needed to follow on his way. The destination he'd receive upon confirmation of being... cooperative. Whoever they were - wanted him to show up in person.

The next file was a cloaked, heavily encrypted chatbot where Scott typed in his response. Kayo would have his head for going through with it, heavily backed up by John and Penelope, but he couldn't risk his... everything. The only life he would willingly ever give up was his own. He typed in a quick message.

The response, likely pregenerated and tracable, biped almost immediately. No sarcastic niceties or eery foreboding of the consequences of Scott sharing any details of this arrangement with anyone, least of all his family or the GDF. Just a geotag. Scott had to catch himself from slumping sideways on the edge of the desk, as his vision went black for a moment.

The next thing he did after getting his breathing under control and passably certain not to keel over in the middle of his bedroom, was a beeline to his walk-in closet, the palm print activated safe in the far nook of it. His fingers hovered briefly over the cold shape of the gun he kept there, but moved on. Weapons, comms and trackers would be the first things stripped off of him, before he'd be moved to a different location, no doubt. He reached for a secure, strictly offline tablet, stashed in the safe. It held his will - updated frequently to include the ever expanding assets and charities he personally oversaw, in his line of work and lifestyle he left little to chance. He wouldn't have his family go through the same legal hoops Dad's unforeseen demise put himself through. Joint guardianship documents for Alan and Gordon. Gordie was turning 20 in several months, but Allie was still firmly a minor in any jurisdiction, and Grandma wasn't getting any younger since they had to do it the first time around. The consensus, Scott knew nobody wanted to think about ever since the first draft of his will after IR went operational again, was to name Virgil as Alan’s next-in-line guardian. Virgil, his trusted SIC and deputy biggest brother  - Allie would be taken care of. They all would. Scott could see deep brown eyes darken with pain and betrayal in the shadows of the closet - Scott trusted Virgil with his life and with absolutely everything important in his life, but not with THIS. He couldn't.

The tablet also hosted security codes and off the books protocols for IR operations and the island. That was for John. Some of them Casey, Lord Hugh and Kyrano read him into, no other family members present, after the search for Dad had been called off. Some were on an encrypted thumb drive kept in an indefinitely rented deposit box in the bowels of a Swiss bank, with instructions from Dad to transfer to him exclusively or to destroy. The instructions were clearly devised to be put in action decades later than they were and it hurt like hell to touch that thought. Some of the directives not even John knew about by now. That was about to change, soon. If Scott knew his ginger brother, he could be sure at least Virgil or the Tinies would never know.

His whole being ached to make one last round of the villa and check up on his loved ones - he harbored no illusions of ever seeing them again. But he couldn't risk missing the window of John's sleep cycle and not slipping out at least somewhat undetected. Eos and Kayo's sensors would flag him leaving the island in a private jet, not One, but he knew enough to not raise alarm and cover his tracks with a bogus errand in Warsaw at one of TI recent acquisitions. That was as far as he could take the traceable jet. But with Brains' reinforced engines, hopefully, he'd touch down and be on his way, before his absence would be noticed around Gordon's morning swim. As late as breakfast on the island, if he were lucky and they thought he were working some issues out on a long run.

***

A ring of lights changed from default white to orange - something John had come to recognize as a perplexed frown. A hurricane he had been keeping tabs on shifted from yellow to red and the alert woke him up earlier than he estimated. But the hurricane wasn't the source of confusion for his protégé.

"What is it, Eos?"

"I'm detecting a discrepancy in Scott Tracy's schedule and itinerary. He hadn't been due at any of the Tracy Industries subsidiaries this week or the next."

It was John's turn to frown. Scott business meetings and engagements schedule was guarded with what John was sure his PA's life and strictly need to know with any on site security teams. Unbeknownst to Scott himself, since his recent loosing round with exhaustion, hypoglycemia and dehydration, about two thirds of the "matters that urgently required Mr. Tracy's attention", be it Tracy Industries or GDF, hell or high water, were rerouted through Five and screened first by John himself, then Virgil, Grandma or Kayo, depending on the occasion. An ad hoc meeting at a new, fairly minor, Eastern European subsidiary would certainly NEVER slip past the carefully erected firewall around their favorite overworked idiot. Yet the lit up line on the holomap clearly outlined the flight path of Tracy S - Scott's personal jet, almost as fast as Shadow, but rarely taken out for a spin these past years.

John moved to enhance the map and shuddered. He'd probably faint if he were not in zero G already - the destination dot flashed over an abandoned airfield in Poland, in the grey zone now, 5 miles of a forest track shy of the Bereznik border.

A red alert clackson blared over the still sleepy island...

TBC?

[elixirfromthestars]

Staring Right Through Me

Pairing: Matt Murdock x Nurse!Reader

Summary: After getting caught in the crossfires of the dangers in Hell's Kitchen, Matt decided to teach you how to defend yourself.

Word Count: 1.8k

Warning(s): mentions of past injuries / fighting techniques / fluff / slightly suggestive tones

requested by anonymous

a/n: this is request #1 of my birthday bingo celebration!! ❤️❤️❤️ The original post of the birthday bingo card can be found here. Likes, comments, and reblogs are much appreciated!! 💗💕

birthday bingo masterlist 🩵 // main masterlist 🤍

“Matt? Are you in here?” Your voice echoed across the seemingly empty boxing gym. You closed the door behind you hesitantly, unsure if you were even allowed to be here during such late hours. Matt made it clear it was perfectly fine, and since all your shifts at the hospital ran into the night, this was the most convenient time for Matt to teach you some basics in self-defense. 

You knew of the dangers plaguing Hell’s Kitchen, and working in the emergency room at Metro-General Hospital you saw the consequences of those dangers every day. It wasn’t until last week that you yourself were caught in the crossfires of such dangers. You shuddered at the memory, knowing that if it weren’t for Matt or rather Daredevil, you might not be standing here right now. 

“Matt?” You called out again, your voice a little louder this time. You heard a shuffling sound in return, “Y/n, over here. I’m just getting this bag set up.” Matt’s voice perked up from behind the boxing ring. You followed the sound and found Matt setting up a separate punching bag from one that was already hanging from the ceiling. 

“We’ll start you off with this one, it's made for beginners so it's lighter than that one,” Matt explained as you placed your tote bag on the ground by the boxing ring. You tried getting a good look at him, but the lights in the gym were so spotty it was hard to make out any details from where you both stood.

 “ Got it. So, what are you teaching me today, Mr.Murdock?” You asked, saying his last name in a playful manner. This brought a smile to his face, “ We’ll start with the basics today by teaching you how to throw a proper punch.” You mocked offense at the implication of his words, stepping closer to him, “ Hey, I’ll remind you I knocked out a guy with a punch last week.” You pointed out. Matt stepped closer to you too, coming into the light, giving you a better look at him. 

He was shirtless, his upper body glistening with sweat. A pair of sweatpants was the only piece of clothing on his body. He wasn’t wearing his glasses, so it was obvious he had gotten in a workout prior to your arrival. You had seen Matt shirtless countless times before, as you frequently treated his vigilante wounds, however, this time in the solitude of the dim gym, something felt different. 

You felt different. 

“ You did, but you also injured yourself in the process,” he reminded you, taking your right hand into his. He gently ran his thumb over your knuckles which still had a purplish hue to them. You stared at the gesture, a warm feeling settling in your heart. 

“ I’m okay, though. I promise. I had it x-rayed and everything. No broken bones, just a few bruises,” you flipped his hand over and placed your own above his and gave it a few squeezes so he could feel how perfectly fine your hand was. His worried features softened.

“ I want you to know that even though I’m teaching you how to defend yourself, I’m still keeping my promise,” he stated, his tone determined. 

The promise to keep you safe. One he made many months ago when you first started patching up his injuries. The catalyst to establishing a beautiful friendship. 

You smiled fondly at the memory,” I know you will.” 

You hoped Matt wasn’t using his heightened senses right now. If he was then he would be able to hear how fast your heart was beating and sense how jittery you were at the proximity of your bodies. Even so, you didn’t need any sort of superhuman abilities to sense the intensity of the tension in the room. 

Your eyes darted around for a fan, suddenly feeling a little faint. 

You cleared your throat to compose yourself, “So. . .to throw a proper punch. What do I need to do?” You moved the direction of the conversation back to the purpose of tonight’s rendezvous. If Matt could sense your nervousness, he didn’t say anything and instead followed your lead. 

“ First, you need to start with a proper fist,” he instructed, using both of his hands to fix your fingers into a fist. “ I could tell you knew how to position your thumb and pinky, but you need to work on the tightness of your fist and making sure you lock it in with your wrist.” He showed you by making a fist of his own. 

He continued on, giving you pointers until he was sure your fist was in proper form. He did this by continuously having you punch the palm of his hands to feel the progression of your punches. 

From there he moved on to posture. He showed you his own stances, and using the heavier punching bag he threw a few to show you what the entire body was supposed to look like. Once it was your turn, you tried your best with the lighter punching bag, but you could tell something was off about your stance.

“ Your fists are too low. You want to keep them level with your cheeks to make sure your face is protected,” he came over to you and moved your arms a little higher. “ Make sure your elbows stay slightly bent too,” he touched both of your elbows and moved them into a slightly angled position,” There. Now try again and take a deep breath. You’re going to cut off the circulation in your fingers if you’re too tense,” he advised. 

You stood there frozen for a second. The entire time he had helped you with your stance you were holding your breath. You were suddenly aware of just how much Matt could actually see. You knew his heightened senses had to be extraordinary to be able to fight like he did, but right now being the sole object of those senses made you feel almost naked in front of him. There were things Matt could sense and figure out that no one else could. You felt like he was staring right through you into your soul where all your secrets lay hidden. 

Like the one where you absolutely and irrevocably had feelings for him.

You did as he said and took in a deep breath trying your best to relax your shoulders and relieve some of the tension your body was holding onto. You didn’t need any of your secrets revealed tonight. 

You continued to assault the punching bag, adjusting anything Matt told you to. Unfortunately for you, the more he helped you, the more focus you lost. All of his touches on your body were lingering and leaving the desire for more. Your heart had skipped a beat way too many times you were almost convinced it would stop eventually. 

It didn’t help when he would demonstrate proper form over and over and all you could stare at is the way his muscles would flex with every hit. There was so much power and confidence in the way he went about it that made him a hundred times more attractive in your eyes.  You weren’t sure how many sessions of self-defense Matt had planned to give you, but you knew you wouldn’t be able to keep your feelings hidden for long when he was so close.

“ You almost got it. Your defensive position needs to complement your stance. Your legs should be an inch farther apart and your hips should be more like this,” his hands landed lightly on both sides of your hips causing a tiny gasp to escape your lips. There was no way he didn’t hear that. 

“ Everything okay?” He asked concerned, his face mere inches from your own. 

“Sorry, I can’t focus when you look at me like that,” you confessed, tired of fighting your own emotions. The attention he was giving you had become too much to handle. 

He frowned, confusion etching his features, ” Like what?” 

“ Like that—” you stepped away from his touch,” like with all your heightened senses. It’s like you can tell, like you know—” 

“ Like I know what?” His tone indicated he was catching on to what you meant.

Silence followed his question. 

“ Like I know what?” He repeated himself, enunciating every word while closing the gap between you once more.

“ The effect you have on me,” your voice was reduced to a whisper, but you knew he could hear you. 

It was his turn to freeze in his spot, the dots connecting in his head. 

“ I understand. You’ve had that same effect on me since the moment I met you.” It was his turn to confess. You looked at him surprised, his words giving your emotions permission to run wild once more. 

He grabbed your hand and placed it on top of his chest, right where his heart was. You felt how fast it was racing beneath your fingertips. You weren’t sure whose heart was more uncontrollable—yours or his. 

“Matt. . .” your voice trailed off not knowing what to say. What was the right thing to say in a moment like this?

Apparently, nothing said could come close to explaining the emotions that were lying within your hearts. However, actions tend to speak louder than words, so all Matt could think to do was kiss you. 

It seemed you had the same idea, as you both leaned in for a kiss at the same time. You were unprepared for how quickly the intensity of the kiss grew. Soon you were plopped up on the base of the boxing ring, Matt standing in between your legs as one kiss grew into dozens. You were both insatiable for each other, with each kiss causing the yearning for one another to become uncontainable. 

“ I think that’s a wrap for today’s lesson,” Matt suggested, pulling away to catch his breath, his hands resting on your hips. You untangled your hands from his hair and rested them on his shoulders instead, “Yeah, that’s a good idea.” A shaky laugh escaped you, as you caught your breath as well. 

He rested his forehead against yours,“ I know we should go, but I really don't want to.” You placed a quick peck on his sappy smile,“ I don’t want to either, but you have a case to continue tomorrow and I have a shift to attend.” You reminded him even though you were extremely tempted to call off work in the morning.

“ Just one more kiss then?” He requested with the sweetest look on his face. 

There was no way you could say no,“ Just one more.”

With that said, you went back to kiss him one more time confirming what you had thought previously. There was no way you could’ve hidden your feelings from Matt for long. 

You were genuinely happy you couldn’t.

[judasgot-it]

Ello again o/. So I eventually experience this… may i req Dazai has feelings for the reader but no intention to confess to her instead teasing/and helping Kunikida having feelings for the reader which ended up with Kunikida actually confessing. What would Dazai react tho–

AAAAAAAAAA this is horrible, caim I'm so sorry if you were put into that position cause that sounds like purgatory.

I'm gonna write from Dazai's POV cause he's a lil stalker who would watch as his heart gets broken and shattered into pieces because of this (I don't hate Dazai IDK why I treat him like this lol?)

Scenario: Dazai teases Kunikida about his feelings, without ever confessing his own before it's too late

(Side note, you used she in your request so I'm using that throughout this, I hope you don't mind !!)

"C'mon Kunikida, you keep saying you have your 'ideal wife' and 'ideal life' all planned out - but you like her, don't you?"

Dazai was smirking, folding one of his documents into a butterfly. His folding was rather sloppy, but it got the shape just right anyway - better than reading the drawl that was written throughout the document. He could just do it later anyway - there was always tomorrow in his mind.

Kunikida took it from his hands, carefully unfolding it. He used his pen and flat desk to carefully take out the creases, line by line.

"Don't put off your work. This needs to be done sooner, rather than later."

"Like how you won't tell Y/n that you like her?"

Kunikida looked up at him from underneath his bangs, glaring at him as hard as could. If looks could kill, Kunikida would have murdered Dazai one thousand times over.

Dazai returned it with a smile, placing his chin over his folding hands. Kunikida looked down, staring intensly at his work. His hands worked as if they were writing the Bible itself, clutching the pen and going over each now non-existent line.

"You like her so much it makes me wanna cry Kuni, it's like watching a little puppy follow its master around."

"Please refrain from referring to me as a dog. Also, she's not my master."

"Oh. I bet you're a bottom. No way you actually would do missionary, trust me I know you're a virgin but take it from an expert-"

Dazai felt the desk shake as Kunikida slammed his hands down on it.

"I do not need your advice! We shouldn't be talking about my crush, we should be doing our jobs."

There was a short pause as Dazai placed his hands over his mouth.

"So you admit you have a crush on her?"

"Dazai-"

"Kunikida."

Dazai was grinning, watching Kunikida's face turn red at his implications. He loved how the blonde couldn't hide his thoughts, especially not from him. It entertained him.

The argument was cut short by a voice.

"Dazai, do you have the paperwork from that last case? The coroner's office wants us to drop it off by today since the case is sensitive."

The two looked up to see you, walking into the office. Your hair was a mess from the humidity of the port, your face flushed from walking up the stairs. Kunikida tried not to stare, since he knew Dazai would make a comment.

"Sorry my sweet Y/n, it seems to have passed my mind. Kunikida did it for me though, maybe you guys can take a walk together and drop it off, hm?"

Kunikida did everything in his power to not tear Dazai limb from limb. Dazai couldn't keep the grin off of his face, watching as Kunikida tried to stay calm fruitlessly.

"That won't be necessary. I don't want to bother her while she's doing her work."

"What? Today is kind of slow. You can take a break, and we can go and drop this off and get a coffee. You need to relax more Kuni, you deserve it."

He blushed as you boldly took his shoulders in your hands, not letting him escape. You were looking down at him, your eyes watching his golden ones with an intensity that made him want to look away and hide.

Dazai found this rather delightful, although a part of it disgusted him. He enjoyed watching Kunikida curl up inside, but he saw the way your fingers curled up underneath his jacket lapels, fingering around the edges.

Your hands should have been on him.

"Yea Kuni, why don't you take one? You barely had a lunch."

"You know my name Dazai."

"But Kuni suits you! I think it's cute."

"See! Y/n agrees with me."

Kunikida held his head in resignation. You smiled, like a cat that caught the canary. Your hands were still on his coat, trying to keep the man close to you.

Dazai smiled back, a rather false grin. He won but he wasn't sure what it really was.

"Let's go. They want it as soon as possible, right?"

Kunikida was quick to pack his things, carefully placing the paperwork together in a folder, all bounded with a large paperclip. You wouldn't even be able to tell that it was once origami due to his careful and dedicated work.

You were quick to follow, waving goodbye to Dazai with a smile splitting your face a part cheek to cheek. There was a feeling that crept into his body as he watched the two of you leave - amusement, fondness, and a little bit of disgust.

Although he found that last bit of emotion, that disgust, was more towards himself than anyone else.

-

"Here Y/n."

"Aren't you supposed to be doing these?"

In Dazai's hand, was a small origami crane. It was near perfect, except for the fact that you can see the creases from the amount of times the paper was crumbled into a ball and folded over.

"Are you really going to reject it? I made it just for you."

"When I'm in the middle of work? Yes Dazai, I will. I don't wanna force poor Atsuhi or Kyouka to pick up our slack."

You went down back to your laptop, your fingertips tapping away at the keys softly. Dazai leaned into your space, his nose breathing in your shampoo.

"Really? It's not too bad, you can handle to slack off a bit Y/n. Cmon, have some fun with me for a bit."

"I'd rather not. I have to finish this anyway, since I dont wanna be late for my date tonight."

Dazai backed away a bit, giving you room to breathe. He blinked, a little in shock.

"You have a date tonight?"

"I said that. Yes."

The brunette shook his head, his fluffy hair shaking around his face. It wasn't real.

"With Kunikida? Seriously?"

"Um...is it that obvious?"

You turned your body to face Dazai, looking dead straight at him. The man was near completely frozen in shock. He didn't want to believe that this happened.

He knew Kunikida liked you, but enough to break his 10 year plan? To break his ideals of a perfect-life and perfect-wife? Would he even sleep with you before marriage?

Was this somehow his fault?

"Don't look so disappointed about it."

You were still staring at Dazai, now with a questioning gaze. He had to keep his face neutral to hide what was brewing underneath, a strange sort of sickness that was crawling underneath his skin.

"No. I'm happy for you two. I hope it works out."

He felt nothing but resentment brewing underneath his skin, especially as he saw you smile at his words. He tried his best to swallow that feeling down.

He liked Kunikida. He liked you.

But right now that disgust was crawling, making him want to vomit out nothing but anger.

HAAAAAAA this is super short and idk I keep writing a very angst and mean dazai, I don't mean too ?????

[hymnserendipity]

Yamaguchi shiver from the kisses

Smut, Age up, no gender mentioned

Afternoons with Yamaguchi, when he doesn't have to work double shifts at work, usually take place at his house. His shy and awkward being is very endearing, and you spend the afternoons chatting and watching movies, sometimes you play video games or take a nap hugging each other but you never go any further. Sure, sometimes you kiss passionately, but nothing more. Even though you are more experienced, sex is not important, you use some toys when you are alone in your apartment, but you would like to make Yamaguchi understand that he shouldn't rush alone, because the important thing is not sex but being happy together , and you love the quiet moments with him, it feels like breathing a sigh of relief from work. One day, you were watching "Shape fo the water" when you pause the movie.

"Tadashi, i want to talk to you about something, baby." Yamaguchi eyebrows furrowed, assuming the worst. 'why'd she want to talk-?' he mentally asked himself. "Yeah? What is it?" He asked, slightly nervous.

"I know it's early, we have been a couple for six months, but i wanted to tell you .. that when you feel ready we can be intimate, no rush!" His eyes widen and a small embarrassed blush rose to his cheeks. He was really not expecting you to bring that up and it took him by surprise. He was a very nervous person, and the thought of being vulnerable like that made his stomach churn. He wanted to say something, but his mind was running rampant and his throat felt dry. He swallowed as he looked at you with shy eyes.

"Its okay baby, everything Is fine." You whisper , brushing his hair. "I just wanted to tell you that when you feel ready i'm here, no rush" Yamaguchi took in a shaky uneven breath as he leaned slightly into your touch. The words didn't do much to calm his nervous thoughts but the touch of your hand helped.

"I-I know...I-" he cut himself off, taking a few moments to collect his thoughts. "I-I want to I just...don't know if I'm ready..."

"It's okay, take your time. We can wait months, even years. It's perfectly fine" he didn't know how to feel, he knew you were being incredibly understanding yet he felt like he was holding you back because of his own insecurities. He lowered his head, biting his lip for a moment before he spoke up.

"Y-You...wouldn't be mad if we...waited a long time?"

"Of course i would not be mad" you kiss his nose. " Maybe we will start to be a bit more intimate next year, and maybe have sex in three or four years. It's okay, take your time" he smiled and gave a quiet laugh as his embarrassment faded a bit. '3 or 4 years, huh?' He thought to himself. His stomach was still twisting from being overwhelmed with all the emotions, but he found comfort in the idea that you would wait until he was ready.

Yamaguchi reached out and gently caressed your arm, a mix of relief and affection in his expression.

"I...really don't deserve you..."

"I'm here tadashi, when you will feel ready, just say it to me" you say while kissing his cheeks. He nodded as a small and nervous smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Your words made his heart beat a little faster and made him feel a little less anxious. He found himself getting a bit distracted as he looked up at you, taking in your soft features, his mind going a mile a minute with the implications. He reached up and gently grabbed a strand of your hair, playing with it as he spoke.

"I-I promise I'll tell you..."

And for the rest of the afternoon you continue to watch the movie togheter.

He tried to focus on the TV but he found himself getting a bit distracted. His mind and heart were in turmoil over their earlier conversation. He found his heart racing, not just with anxiety but also anticipation. He tried to get his thoughts under control to no avail. Yamaguchi discreetly scooted a bit closer to you and rested his head on your shoulder as he continued to fidget with the strand of hair in his hand. His heart thumped louder in his chest as he watched the tv, a nervous and slightly excited feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. He was both nervous and excited about the possibility of what the future held. Feeling the touch and presence of you against him was only making it worse, the butterflies swarming around in his stomach. He looked up at your from where he rested on your shoulder, hoping you would not notice his flustered state when you stato to brush his hair again. Yamaguchi had to bite his tongue to stop himself from making any noise as his face and ears went bright red from the simple gesture. He continued to look up at you, struggling to focus on the tv. He leaned a little further into your touch, closing his eyes for a few moments as your fingers combed through his hair.

Over the next two weeks he had thought more and more about what you had said to him, his mind wandering at random times of the day. He had finally started to become a little more comfortable with the idea of being intimate, and he knew he wanted to go a little further than you had before.

He had been thinking about a way to broach the subject with you, and after the movie they had been watching ended, he finally decided to bring it up.

"So...there is...hm... Something i was w-wondering." You look at him with a curious gaze, suggesting to go on.

Yamaguchi took a deep breath, his nerves starting to get the better of him again. He swallowed before speaking, his heart drumming rapidly in his chest.

"I-I've been thinking...a-about what you said a couple weeks ago..."

"Hm." You nod. His stomach tied itself into a knot as he continued, his face and ears starting to burn.

"A-and I was wondering...if..." he swallowed, his voice almost a whisper. "could I try something?"

You blink, starting to feel a certain heat. "Sure baby." Yamaguchi let out a shaky breath and looked away for a brief moment. 'this is what you want, just do it.' his thoughts raced as he struggled to push the anxieties to the back of his mind. He turned back to you and leaned closer, closing the gap between the two of you. His heart was beating so fast he was sure you could hear it.

"Can I...kiss your neck?"

You smile, finally... You were craving a bit of his touch for so long...

"Sure" He moved even closer until his face was only inches away from your skin. He slowly leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss on the skin of your neck as he linger for a moment, feeling your warmth against his mouth. his hand reached up, gently cupping your chin as his lips moved along your neck, leaving light kisses. His heart was racing and his mind was a whirlwind of emotions and sensations. His lips were wet, a hot you couldnt help but let a small moan escape from you. That sound sent a shiver down his spine and he felt a heat wash over him. Yamaguchi mind was spinning as he continued to kiss your neck, his confidence growing as he slowly began to press firmer kisses to your skin. His hand on your chin slid down to lightly caress the side of your neck. He wanted more but was holding himself back, not wanting to go too far. He slowly began to plant soft kisses on your collarbone as his heart thumped rapidly in his chest when he start to use his tongue too. Every sound you made sent a wave of electricity through his body, making his head light and his thoughts race. He continued to kiss your skin, his lips exploring every inch that he could reach, his tongue tasting everything. He let out a shaky breath, fighting to keep himself under control. "more," he thought to himself as he gently bit you collarbone, letting you gasl from the surprise, but enjoy it. The sound of your moan only fueled the growing desire he felt. He felt like he was losing control and he didn't know how much longer he could hold back. He moved his lips back up to your neck, leaving kisses and light bites on the sensitive skin. Yamaguchi felt your hand gently grab his shoulder and his heart hammered in his chest as he continued his trail along your skin. He then leaned back, looking at you with a burning intensity in his eyes. His breath was shaky and his heart was beating frantically in his chest, the sound drumming loudly in his ears. He knew he was a blushing mess, his cheeks burning with heat. He didn't dare move, his body frozen in place. he just stared at you with a mix of desire and uncertainty.

"Can i do the same?" You finally ask, red on the face. His heart skipped a beat when you asked and a fresh wave of embarrassment washed over him. He was taken off guard by the unexpected request, his mind spinning as he tried to process the question.

"Y-yeah..."

He finally responded, his voice barely louder than a whisper. His stomach twisted in knots as he nervously waited for you to do that. So you start with your tongue, tracing his skin, savoring it, then start to give him sloppy kisses all over the neck and collarbone. You grip gently his chin to get a better angle, and you can feel his thumbs curling under your legs.

He gasped at the first touch of your lips, a shudder running through his body. His mind went hazy as you began to lick and kiss his neck and collarbone and he let out a low moan, fighting to keep his composure. His breathing quickened and he found himself leaning into her slightly, caught up in the flood of emotions and sensations. He felt your hand guide his chin to the other side of his neck and he obeyed, leaning his head to the side. He had lost most of his composure by now, his head spinning and his heart racing. Yamaguchi let out a soft moan as your lips continued their assault on his neck. He reached out and placed his hand on your hip, gently gripping the fabric of your top as he tried to keep himself grounded.

"So pretty when you moan" you whisper in his ear. His breath hitched as he felt your warm breath and your words made the blush on his cheeks darken. He buried his face in your shoulder, the embarrassment and pleasure overwhelming him. His hand gripping your hip held tighter as another quiet moan escaped his lips.

"D-don't say that..." he mumbled, his voice muffled by your shirt.

You stip the kisses and hug him, when you thought he had enough. Yamaguchi wrapped his arms around you, burying his face further into your shoulder. He was thankful for the break, his mind was a complete mess and he needed a moment to catch his breath. He held onto her tightly, feeling a mixture of embarrassment, love, and a hint of disappointment that it had stopped, though he would never admit that out loud. He lifted his head slightly to look at you, his flushed cheeks still hot to the touch.

"I'm sorry... Did i take it too far?" You ask. He shook his head, still trying to slow his breathing.

"N-No, no, it's okay..."

He looked away shyly, avoiding eye contact.

"I-I just... I'm not used to this..." he murmured quietly, his embarrassment evident on his face. He felt a small smile pull at the corner of his mouth and his heart fluttered again. Your words made him feel a rush of affection and he tightened his arms around you, holding you close to him. Yamaguchi buried his head in your shoulder again, inhaling your scent and letting your presence comfort him like before. He could feel his body slowly relaxing and his mind became less clouded with anxious thoughts as her words sunk into his mind.

"Thank you."

he murmured into your skin, his voice heavy with emotion.

[tech-sapphy]

hi dndads fans

…okay y’all here’s how oakworthy can still win-

---

Normal was sobbing. 

His son was sobbing over the body of this other kid, holding tightly onto him. A kid who Sparrow had only ever heard about in passing.

Sparrow wasn’t stupid, he knew his son… and he knew that look. It's not just grief.

Plus, it doesn’t take a genius to piece it all together after hearing that kid’s parting words.

Seeing a kid who was his son’s age lying on the ground, cold, pale, and unmoving… for a split second he almost pictured Normal in his place. It hit him, now, just how wrong it was to ever let his kids get dragged into this mess he created. He couldn’t undo all the trauma that was done to them. Their kids were too deeply implicated now. He knew that he and the guys wouldn’t be able to fix all of this on their own.

… But Sparrow could still fix something.

And when he saw his son put his head to this kid’s chest, clearly trying to hear a heartbeat, something, anything? And saw the way that Normal only cried more as the seconds passed?

It was a nearly instantaneous decision on Sparrow’s part. Thank everything he still had a couple spell slots left.

He didn't notice normal glare at him, nor did he notice the way it shifted into shock when Sparrow put a hand on Hermie’s shoulder and cast revivify.

——

He was breathing. 

Hermie was breathing and the color was returning to his face.

Sighs and looks of relief from Scary, Linc, and Taylor were loud and evident, and Normal felt his dad putting a hand on his shoulder and felt a little better. But all of it was an afterthought. Nothing else mattered as he now had the energy to pull Hermie into a hug. A gentle one, considering how weak he was, but a hug nonetheless. One where he could feel and hear Hermie breathing.

It’d be too awkward to put his head on his chest again now that he was conscious, as tempting as it was, so Normal settled for putting his head in the crook of his shoulder, feeling his pulse and listening to the sound of his breathing.

He had one spell slot left, and his dad’s healing is what gave him the dredges of strength he needed to cast cure wounds on hermie. Normal felt him start to breathe a little more steadily. He felt Hermie's head moving around slightly, probably trying to figure out what was going on. Maybe it was selfish for him to still be holding onto him, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care. He was alive. 

Would it be nice to know if he actually meant what he said? If they could kiss and have this trauma all go away? Yeah. But after seeing Hermie lying cold and dead in his arms, Normal would take whatever he could get, as long as he was okay. 

So he started to move away from the hug and gently set Hermie down.

But then he caught a glance of a smirk-adjacent smile on Hermie’s face, right before Normal felt Hermie's arms wrap around him and pull him back in.

He felt a hand on the back of his head, and then heard a whisper; meant only for the two of them to hear.

"We have seriously gotta stop meeting like this."

Normal broke out into laughter, crinkling his eyes shut. Of course he’d bring this back.

When he opened his eyes again, his heart started racing even more. They’re so close together. It’d be so easy to put a hand on his cheek, and just lean in a little more.

He doesn’t want to hesitate anymore.

It looks like Hermie doesn’t either.

It only takes a slight move forward for them to finally meet in a kiss. Just like a musical reprise. They had gone through literal hell and back and finally found a way back to each other.

It was messy, they were covered in blood and surrounded by hellfire for a little while back there… 

But at this point, that mess was starting to feel like home. 

Maybe Hermie would, too.

——

That night, Normal was tossing and turning.

Finally back in San Dimas, he was in his own bed. But he couldn’t sleep.

He knew Hermie was alive and fine, staying over with Taylor for now, but… all he could see and think about was his slumped over, cold body. 

Yeah, he wasn’t sleeping tonight. Unless-

He plucked his phone from his nightstand. No notifications, but for once, he didn’t care that there wasn’t anyone reaching out to him. Because he was going to do it himself.

hermie 🎭💕

hermie!! are you awake?

He stared, waiting for a response. 

…

Maybe he shouldn’t have reached out at all. of course Hermie was sleeping, or maybe he wasn’t, after everything, and yeah, they kissed, but maybe he wanted to be alone after everything, oh god he was being clingy again, why couldn’t he just-

Of course

Oh. okay. So he probably wasn’t angry at him, even if he did wake him up. That's good. 

Now he just has to figure out how to ask him if he can come over without it sounding weird. Maybe when he has reassurance that he really is still alive, normal will finally be able to rest a little. 

can’t sleep :(

After all of -that-, who possibly could?

can i come over?

darn it, he couldn't help it, he just had to ask. quickly, he sent a clarifying text.

if you're okay with it!!! i just wanna see you and make sure you’re okay!! 

Well, I'm texting you, so clearly I'm okay.

But maybe I want to see you too

That was all the affirmative Normal needed. He grabbed his jacket which had his house keys already in the pocket, glad Taylor’s house was within walking distance.

be there in five!!

Door will be unlocked. I’ll be there.

Or maybe I won’t. You’ll have to come here to see.

—

Normal rushed over, antsy and anxious, only to pause at the front door.

He hadn’t thought this far ahead- what was he supposed to do?

Definitely not ring the doorbell. Knock? No, Taylor's a light sleeper. 

Uhh…. 

He would go throw rocks at Hermie's window, if only he knew which window was his.

He was starting to write out a text to Hermie letting him know he was there, but the door opened while he was writing it.

Hermie, looking bedraggled and tired, was smiling. it wasn’t a grin or a smirk. A smile. A small one, but it looked genuine, and he held the door open to invite him in. 

Hermie's smile was infectious, and he grabbed Normal’s hand, leading him to sit down on the couch.

Normal resisted every urge to just hug him right then and there, instead holding out his arms as a gesture.

Hermie must’ve been exhausted, because he fell into Normal’s arms immediately. 

As they cuddled up together, Normal leaning back on the arm of the couch so Hermie had more room to comfortably lay down, he finally gathered his nerves. Hermie wanted him there, after all, so… he liked him. it was mutual.

“Can I listen to your heartbeat?”

Silence. Normal’s nerves twisted back together.

‘Oh no, that’s stupid, That must be weird, you can say no if you want, I’m sorry Hermie, I know you’re having a hard time, I don’t want you to feel like-‘

Hermie just looked up at him and pointed upstairs.

“Shush, you’re getting loud. They’re still asleep.”

Normal’s heart dropped a little. 

“Right, sorry-”

“And stop apologizing.” Hermie said as he scooted back up, holding out his arms to Normal. An invitation of his own.

It would’ve been embarrassing how quickly Normal hugged him, if not for the pure relief he felt hearing the steady rhythm of his heartbeat again. He was alive, and here, and alright.

That's what gave him the strength to lean back into the arm of the couch and pull Hermie back into a position where he was laying down in Normal’s arms. As a reassurance.

“I’m sorry-”

“I told you to stop apologiziiiing.” Hermie sang in his little sing-song cadence. Normal let him, but continued with his apology regardless.

“I’m sorry for letting that happen to you, Hermie. I promise, I'll notice you next time. And I won't let that happen again.”

Silence, again. 

…Hermie hugged him tighter. 

“Well, well, well. A true knight, you are.”

Normal caught a little waver in his voice when he said that. He smiled, happy that Hermie liked him back and that he was helping Hermie by being there. In a surge of affection, he kissed him on the forehead.

“For you? Always.”

—

And if Cassandra found them asleep on the couch in the morning, cuddled close together?

Well, considering everything Taylor had told her about what went down yesterday… that was no one else’s business. She just put a blanket over them before leaving.

[aquidragon]

new family [Leon Kennedy x Reader]

hello, take a quick attempt to write Papa!Leon! I don’t want kids myself but it was nice to indulge. Enjoy! If you want to read more Papa!Leon content, I’d suggest looking into @cilantro24 ‘s work!  Rating: T (16+) Content Warning(s): brief implication of sex/nudity (not directly stated though), mentions of pregnancy and childbirth Word Count: 933 ---

Leon never planned on having kids, well, maybe he did once as a bright-eyed young man before Raccoon City. Perhaps with his ex-girlfriend, whom broke up with him the day before that fateful night; when his life changed forever. In fact, he never considered starting a family after that night. However, it seemed that fate, his enemy, had other plans for him. 

He never intended to get married, the thought of placing the burden of his trauma on someone else had always bothered him. There were women in his life that he was interested in, perhaps even loved, but his fear of commitment kept him away. Leon had always kept things at an arm’s length, away from his heart, in a desperate attempt to protect himself.

That all changed when he met you. A beautiful, perfect woman, with eyes that caught him in his tracks. Never did he believe in love at first sight, as a jaded man, but something about you transformed his horrific life into a fairytale. Carnage had turned into bouquets of flowers, and late-night dates. 

Finally, for the first time in over half a decade, he had let someone in. You were his rock, and he was yours. A balance that Leon couldn’t even have dreamed about, frankly, something that he would’ve never fathomed. 

Then there was you, dressed in angelic white, down the aisle. Your glossy lips were wide on her face, as he took your hands in his own. Your vows were short and sweet, Leon admitted he wasn’t a man of many words, but he meant everything as soon as he slid the golden band on your finger. 

Your honeymoon was beyond splendid, in a secluded cabin in the mountains, far away from any possible zombies or government orders. Skinny dipping in a hot tub, sharing a bottle of expensive whiskey, after opening all of your wedding gifts. The agent’s mouth was hot on your neck, as he groaned your new name into your skin, “Mrs. Kennedy.” 

It was agony to part with you for work, as soon as you two returned to DC, as official newlyweds. The weeks were terribly long as Leon spent hours upon hours away from his wife, although he had been yours for over two years. His lips pressed against your forehead as he departed for the White House, which led him off to another mission, away from home. 

He dropped his duffel bags as he stepped through the front door, his dirty blonde hair was almost brown with all the grease and dirt that had accumulated. Exhausted blue eyes scanned the dim living room, trying to spot your figure, as he called out your name. 

Silence. 

Leon furrowed his eyebrows, looking down at his watch, it was barely past nine; you shouldn’t be asleep yet. Cautiously, he walked down the hallway, and turned the corner into the master bedroom. You were kneeling on the queen-sized mattress, holding an odd object in one hand, as the other one was scrunched up in your hair. 

“Sweetheart, what are you doing in the dark?” He asked, clicking on the lights, brightening the room. 

You jumped, and spun around to look at your husband. “You’re home.” The statement sounded more like a question as you threw your hands around your back. “Why didn’t you text me?” 

Leon smiled, uneasily. “I did.”

Your mouth fell agape slightly as you reached for your cellphone, flipping it open, and looking at the message. Your expression fell as you realized that he did, indeed, texted you. Roughly thirty minutes ago, as soon as he landed back in the states. 

“Oh,” you sounded embarrassed, “I was busy.” 

Your husband chuckled as he sat on the bed beside you, the box springs squeaking in protest at the sudden weight. “What are you hiding?” He asked, pressing a chaste peck to your cheek. 

You bit your lip, and looked away. “It’s, something.” 

Leon’s dark eyebrows quirked upward, noticing your anxious fidgeting. “Oh? What is it?” He questioned gently. 

You exhaled deeply, shoulders visibly lowering before you took another inhale. After gathering your senses, you looked at your lover, looking into his bold cobalt blue eyes. You swallowed, squeezing your eyes shut as you shoved the pink object into his hands. “I’m pregnant.” 

---

Nine months flew by before Leon had known it, a tiny, bundle of human cooed in his arms. He smiled at his newborn, who looked up at him with curious, sapphire eyes. “Look at you, so small.” The blonde used one of his fingers to tickle the infant’s nose, who squealed with laughter. “Take after your daddy, don’t you?” 

“He certainly does,” you responded, tiredly from the hospital bed. “He is a spitting image of you.” 

Leon looked at you with glee, genuine joy lighting across his face. “He has your hair and lips!” Your husband pointed out, lowering your son so you could see. 

This made you laugh, shaking your head. “I know what our son looks like Leon, I gave birth to him five hours ago.” 

The agent brought the baby back closer to his chest, and let out a deep hum. “You did amazing, I would’ve never seen myself here if it wasn’t for you.” He leaned over and pressed his lips to your temple. “You’ve made me into a husband and a father.” 

You snorted, leaning back onto your mountain of pillows. “You played at least fifty percent into that.” 

Leon smirked, bouncing the infant in his arms, starting to rock him to sleep. “I don’t regret it.” You smiled back at him, giggling softly. “Neither do I.” 

[north-blue-hearts]

Heart of Gold

CisFem Reader x Trafalgar Law

CW: ptsd, trauma, depictions/implications of suicide and suicidal ideation, language, violence, blood, canonical character death, mature themes and events 18+

@mfreedomstuff

Chapter 19: Figuring it Out

The experiments had been a success.

You’d stepped onto the sandy beach ahead of Law, watching anxiously as he made his way down to the gangplank and then to the island. He was good at hiding his emotions, maybe not as practiced as you, but close enough. You were worried for a moment that he wasn’t faring well, but with continued reassurances and time spent on the island you were less worried.

Over the course of several weeks the two of you had traded more parts than just your hearts.

It had been a little macabre, but deeply intimate. Law’s devil fruit made it possible. You held his lungs in your hands, watching them fill and empty with air. Despite the differences between the two of you, the size of the organs themselves weren’t too different. When Law removed your lungs you couldn’t help but gasp.

It felt like it should be impossible to breathe with your lungs in your hands. Outside the confines of the Ope-ope no mi, it would have been, but you set his in your chest, as he set yours in his.

Still the island accepted you.

Liver.

Stomach.

Still the island accepted you both.

You’d even returned all organs back to the other, trying to disembark onto the island, but it was the same as before. You couldn’t make it halfway to land before the panic was settling in your bones and making everything difficult.

What you knew for certain was simple enough. So long as one of your organs wasn’t in your body, you could step on dry land. If someone was in possession of your organ they could also step on dry land. You could even carry your heart in your hand and step off the ship without any ill effects.

While the parameters were clear, the reasons made no logical sense to either one of you. Law’s theory about your body being a set, and that set being the “issue” made sense enough. It seemed to be the case, but it still didn’t explain why.

Four months into it all, and the results had repeated themselves on half a dozen islands. No exceptions. The only scraps of land you could set foot on with your own heart in your chest were sand bars or a place like Sabaody. A false island, or one without a magnetic field.

It seemed that maybe that magnetism was the key.

“The good news, I know someone who can help.” Law explains, letting the book just rest on his face as he leaned back in the chair. You’d been tearing through a library in the northern seas for the last two weeks when you’d mentioned magnetism as a possible key.

“Someone you do not like,” you say pointedly, and Law just sighs.

He sets the book aside and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I have to deal with him, I don’t have to like it.”

“Is this,” you pause running through the list of names in Law’s alliance. “Hmm… it can’t be Luffy, you explained his devil fruit in detail. I still haven’t heard of a rubber-man fruit,” you mumble. “It must be Eustass Kid then? The captain of the other crew.”

“Yes.”

“You must respect him.”

Law gives you an incredulous look, but you don’t do more than smile. “When you really don’t like someone, you have much to say on the matter. But your begrudging respect is often punctuated with a laconic nature.”

“I talk about Luffy.” He points out and you nod.

You grin. “Are you saying, Captain, by your own admission, that you like Luffy?”

Law starts and then stops, growling in frustration for a second before narrowing his eyes. “It’s… difficult to dislike him.”

You smile, setting the book down you were reading and lean closer to Law. “He reminds me of a story.”

“Another ancient tale?”

You nod. “I’ve told you about the ones surrounding my situation. Some tales saw it as a gift, others a curse.” Law nods, and you continue. “Do you remember the one where it was a gift from a god?”

Law tilts his head. “I think so. Something about the god seeing that jewels and other things delighted the people so they bestowed a gift on their mortal friend. According to the story the first person who was gifted with the ability could almost manifest things on demand.”

“And so the god bestowed upon their friend all the signs of their friendship. Gold that sparkled like the sun itself, and diamonds that glittered in the warm light.” You repeat the words of the story. “There’s something in there about how soft these things were, more taffy than stone, but that might just be some sort of idiom lost to time.”

“And you’re bringing it all up now, because?”

You shrug. “When you talk about Luffy, it makes me think about that story.”

“He’s not a god.”

“You’ve said yourself he seems to work miracles.”

“He’s - it’s a kind of insanity.” Law insists and you laugh. “What?”

“Just something I remember from my youth. I can’t remember who said it, but the words are still with me.” You purse your lips a bit and compose yourself before grinning. “How insane the logic of gods must be, to mere mortals.”

“Ugh. It sounds like something he’d say.” He groans.

“I’ll… meet him someday, won’t I?”

Law quirks an eyebrow at you. “Luffy?”

You shake your head. “The other. You said your alliance was going to deal with him, among other things.”

“Ah. Yeah. You don’t have to.” He assures you. “Even with the alliance, I won’t force anyone on my crew to face him. There’s… a longer history in there for some of them. Penguin almost lost an arm because of him.”

“I… I think I want to.” You assert after a moment. “Morbid curiosity, perhaps.”

“You saw the old wanted poster.”

“Mm, yeah, I meant… if his voice is the same.” The soft huff of air and the slight pull of your lips gave away how silly the idea seemed to you, but you shared it all the same. “People being born with uncannily similar features is expected. Life is diverse and variable, but not infinitely so, at least not in the ways that humans can perceive. So someone looking similar, even several someone’s, especially with centuries between, isn’t all that much of a stretch.”

You rub your arms, suddenly chilled at the memory of a voice you hadn’t heard in a very long time. “But to hear that voice again.” You look at Law with an apologetic expression on your face. “It’s scary in its own way, but I don’t feel like I could rest easily until I knew.”

“It’ll be okay.” Law says reassuringly. “I wouldn’t have formed this alliance if I thought otherwise.”

“A doctor, a miracle worker, and a mechanical engineer enter into an alliance,” you say, with a smile. “Oh, I suppose it was suppose to be walked into a bar.”

Law nearly snorts a laugh. “No, it was fine the way you said it the first time. You’ve been on the crew for long enough to pick up on their bad sense of humor.”

“So it seems.”

“Have you thought more on the other thing?”

“Your offer?” You question and he nods.

“I don’t want you to feel pressured. It’s okay if you decide not to.” Golden eyes regard you carefully.

A month ago Law had suggested you move into his room. Your belongings were few, and there was room in his quarters for you both. You’d been practically living in there as it was anyway, hours and hours of research. You’d certainly become close, but aside from a kiss here and there, you hadn’t done much since the fireworks.

There’d been too much to do, and all the researching and experiment had held both of your focuses.

Things were settling down, and you’d asked Law for time to consider his offer. In truth you just wanted to have your own space until you’d managed to sort out at least the parameters of what was going on, if not the key to solving it all.

Solving the mystery of your body’s reaction to islands, and beyond that how to reverse your own immortality, was going to take years. With all that you’d sorted out to this point that much was clear.

It made practical sense.

It made emotional sense too. The feelings themselves were there, they hadn’t diminished. If anything you felt yourself longing in a painful way at times. You’d even confided in Ikkaku, and your concern had been such she hadn’t even teased you - at least not while she was helping you talk through it. As she had said, you were sunk, there was no going back now.

“I accept.” You say after a moment, watching relief wash over Law. “It’s objectively the wisest move, and, well, honestly…” You can feel your face heating up as he comes over to your chair. In lieu of looking up at him you hold out your hand, shivering a little at the tender touch of his fingers curling against your palm.

The sweet shiver slips down your arm and you can’t stop the huff of a contented sigh escaping from you. You can feel the smile on Law’s lips as he presses a warm kiss against the top of your hand. He leans over the chair and you can feel your body warming up just from the proximity.

“Honestly?” He prompts, and you internally chide yourself for being so easily flustered. It’s become harder and harder to maintain your composure around him. There was no release of tension in that first sweet kiss, things only got worse.

Or better, honestly. But worse in the sense that you couldn’t just stuff down the feeling and the strange need. The desire to be near him, the way your gaze lingered on his lips, the warmth in your skin as your body demanded more.

“Honestly it seems… I am greedy.” You say the words clearly, even if your eyes refuse to turn toward him.

He doesn’t tease you too terribly, the warmth of his lips against your skin as he kisses the crown of your head. “Greedy for me?” He prompts, finger under your chin, turning you easily toward him. You’re facing him, eyes shifted down, well aware of the hooded gaze waiting for you to look up.

“I’m…  being teased.” You pout as he urges your chin up, bringing your gaze up to his, one way or another.

“A little.” He admits and your eyes shift up at the words. His gaze sinks into your first, but you can see the light coloring of blush dusting against his skin. It’s subtle, but reassuring in its own way. “But I am greedy for you.”

He leans down, your gaze shifting from his eyes to his lips, watching them form the shape of sweet words that slipped so softly between them. “So be as greedy for me as you want.”

[biggerbetterbat]

THE SECOND SON | one.

Ubbe Ragnarsson x oc!Valdis

Summary: Valdis travels to Kattegat to finally meet her husband. During the journey she reflects on the past and struggles with doubts. Ubbe struggles with his own worries.

Words: 5,916

A/N: Hello :) I came back with the very first chapter and I have everything figured out. I changed the oc name as there is another Astrid in the show…Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

The memory was all she had. She was clenching it in her hands as if her life depended on it. Every day she was trying to recall the tone of his voice, the intensity of his stare, and the melody of his laugh. Her biggest fear was forgetting it, forgetting him.

Valdis stood on the deck of the longship, her gaze fixed on the horizon as the salty breeze tousled her hair. In her heart, a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty churned like the restless sea beneath her. As the rhythmic sound of oars slicing through the water echoed around her, Valdis's thoughts drifted to the life that awaited her in Kattegat. Leaving behind her homeland, she embarked on a journey, where her fate awaited her in the form of an arranged marriage to Ubbe, son of Ragnar Lothbrok.

She recalled the relief she had felt when news of Ragnar's disappearance had reached her ears, a flicker of hope igniting within her that perhaps her arranged marriage would be called off. She couldn't deny the sense of liberation that had washed over her when he vanished without a trace. In the absence of Ragnar's influence, Valdis dared to dream of a different future, one where she was free to carve out her own path, unbound by the constraints of duty and obligation. Despite the hope for freedom that Ragnar's disappearance had kindled within her, she couldn't shake the profound sorrow that washed over her at the thought that she would never see him again.

However, he came back.

One of their sailors brought the news, and before she could fully process the implications of Ragnar's return, her brother had made a swift and decisive decision – they would set sail for Kattegat without delay, ensuring that Valdis fulfilled her obligations to her betrothed. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was leaving behind more than just her homeland – it was as if a part of her soul was being torn away with each passing wave. For a moment, she allowed herself to entertain the notion that this voyage was not merely a transition, but the closing of a chapter in her life, or maybe even the end of her life.

With a heavy heart, Valdis turned her gaze once more to the horizon, steeling herself for the inevitable confrontation that awaited her in Kattegat.

"Forgive my intrusion, my lady," she murmured softly, her voice a gentle caress against the backdrop of Valdis's melancholy. "But I could not bear to see you suffer in silence."

Vadis's gaze lifted, meeting her servant's with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. "You need not concern yourself with my troubles," she replied, her voice tinged with resignation. "They are burdens I must bear alone."

The servant's voice rang with conviction, each word infused with the unwavering loyalty that bound her to Valdis's side. "You would never be alone, my lady," she declared, her tone resolute as she met the young woman's gaze with determination. "For as long as I draw breath, I shall stand by your side, a steadfast companion through every trial and tribulation."

Valdis's heart swelled with gratitude at her servant's unwavering pledge, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. But she just placed her gentle hand on the servant's arm. "Thank you."

Sensing the heaviness in the air, the servant sought to shift the focus of their conversation, offering a glimmer of levity amidst the weight of her Lady's  burdens. With a gentle smile, she ventured forth, "My lady, forgive my curiosity, but I cannot help but wonder...what do you imagine Ubbe to be like? What image fills your mind when you think of him?"

As Valdis's gaze drifted once more toward the endless expanse of the ocean, her voice carried a hint of melancholy, mingling with the distant cries of seabirds and the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. "I stopped imagining him long ago," she confessed softly, her words a whisper carried away by the breeze.

"In my mind's eye, Ubbe is a man of striking stature," she began, her words painting a vivid portrait of the man they both longed to know. "His eyes are like the sea on a stormy day, yet filled with softness. And his voice... it carries the weight of authority, yet holds a warmth that draws others to him like moths to a flame."

Valdis listened with rapt attention, her imagination ignited by the servant's vivid descriptions. "And his presence?" she pressed, eager to delve deeper into the realm of possibility.

The servant's smile widened as she continued, her words infused with a sense of wonder and awe. "His presence is like that of a warrior king, commanding respect without the need for words," she replied, her voice tinged with admiration.

"Hmm."

"Who knows what wonders fate may yet unfold? Perhaps in Ubbe, you will find not just duty, but unexpected blessings beyond imagining, my lady."

"What is the meaning of this? Have you no respect for the gravity of our situation?" said low and dangerous voice. The man's tone tinged with anger. The servant's heart quickened with fear, her earlier resolve crumbling beneath the weight of his wrath. She cast a fleeting glance at Valdis, her eyes pleading for understanding before retreating with haste, her steps echoing softly against the floorboards as she made her exit."This is not a matter of personal desires or preferences. It's a deal, a pact forged for the betterment of our family and our people."

"I know what my responsibilities are," she answered.

"Do you?" he demanded, his voice laced with accusation. "Or have you blinded yourself to the truth, consumed by the illusion of duty?"

Valdis met his gaze with a mixture of defiance and sorrow, her eyes betraying the inner turmoil she sought to conceal. "I am not blind, Olaf," she retorted, her words tinged with a hint of defiance. "But sometimes duty demands sacrifices that weigh heavy on the soul."

"I don't think you fully grasp the gravity of the situation, sister," he retorted sharply, his tone tinged with frustration. "This is not just about your responsibilities; it's about our family's reputation, our standing in the community. Your actions have consequences that extend far beyond your own desires."

As Valdis found herself alone once more, the echoes of her brother's words lingering in the air like a haunting melody, she turned her attention to the scene unfolding in front of her. With each passing moment, the distant figures aboard the vessels grew clearer, their silhouettes etched against the backdrop of the horizon like darkened specters emerging from the mists of time.

As the boat was slowly approaching Kattegat, Ubbe and Hvitserk stood on the shore, watching the it with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, Ubbe couldn't shake the feeling of resentment that simmered beneath the surface of his thoughts.

"This unknown bride and forced marriage," Ubbe muttered bitterly, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "It's all Ragnar's doing. Chaos."

Hvitserk's voice cut through the air, his tone laced with skepticism as he addressed his brother. "Is it really that bad, Ubbe?" he queried, his brow furrowing with uncertainty. "Mother will be happy that her oldest son will finally have a wife and children. Plus the bride... maybe she's not that bad."

Ubbe paused, considering his brother's words carefully before responding. "Perhaps," he conceded, his thoughts still swirling with doubts and uncertainties. "He had no right to choose my future for me."

"He needed an army."

"He always needed something," Ubbe clenched his teeth. "Tell her my greetings," he instructed, his voice tinged with resignation.

Hvitserk watched his brother's retreating figure with concern, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Where are you going?" he called out, his voice echoing against the shore.

Ubbe paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "To be alone for the last time," he replied quietly, his words heavy with the weight of impending change.

Hvitserk's eyes widened in realization, a pang of sadness gripping his heart at the thought of his brother facing his fate alone. "And what am I supposed to tell them?!" he demanded, his voice tinged with frustration.

Ubbe shrugged, a sense of resignation settling over him. With a final nod to his brother, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the forest with purposeful strides.

As the boat docked, Valdis stepped onto the wooden planks, her hands trembling with nerves. She straightened her shoulders, steeling herself for the encounter that awaited her—a meeting with the Queen of Kattegat and her sons. At the far end of wooden planks, stood the Queen of Kattegat, a regal figure dressed in richly embroidered robes. Beside her stood her sons—Hvitserk, Sigurd, and Ivar.

"Welcome to Kattegat," the Queen said, her voice firm but welcoming. "I am Aslaug, Queen of the North."

Valdis bowed her head respectfully.

As she looked up, she found herself meeting the eyes of Ivar the Boneless. There was something about him—something that sent a shiver down her spine. But beneath the intensity of his gaze, she saw something else—a glimmer of curiosity, perhaps, or even a hint of admiration.

Olaf, Valdis's brother, stood beside her, his expression a mixture of pride and protectiveness. As the Queen of Kattegat greeted them, his gaze narrowed slightly, assessing their hosts with a keen eye.

"We are honored to be welcomed into your kingdom," Olaf replied, his voice strong and unwavering. "I can't see your husband, or Ubbe. Are they coming? Or perhaps Bjorn?" he inquired, his tone tinged with curiosity.

Aslaug's expression softened slightly, a shadow passing over her features as she considered her reply. "Bjorn will come in a moment," she assured him, her voice carrying a note of certainty. "As for my husband, I cannot say. And as for Ubbe..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Hvitserk interjected with a wry smile. "Ubbe is haunting," he remarked cryptically, his eyes dancing with mischief.

Olaf's confusion deepened at the enigmatic statement, his brow furrowing in bewilderment. "Haunting?" he echoed, his voice tinged with skepticism.

Valdis couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment that Ubbe hadn't even wanted to see her upon her arrival. After all, they were to be married, and she had expected at least a greeting from her future husband.

As her gaze met Hvitserk's, she couldn't help but notice the warmth that radiated from his smile. It was a silent reassurance that she was not alone in this unfamiliar place. His smile was a beacon of light in the midst of uncertainty, a reminder that she had allies in this new and unfamiliar land. Valdis returned the smile. "Maybe...for the time being, I can show you around?"

"Thank you," she replied, her voice soft with appreciation. "But I would like to rest after the journey. Perhaps another time."

Hvitserk nodded understandingly, a warm smile gracing his features. "Of course," he said. "You'll have plenty of time to explore Kattegat."

"I believe, my sister's husband should take care of her," Olaf interrupted.

"Oh, he will," Aslaug answered with a tone, matching the man's tone.

Valdis's room was modest yet comfortable. A simple wooden bed stood against another wall, draped with furs and blankets to ward off the chill of the night air. Beside it, a small bedside table held a flickering oil lamp, casting a warm, golden glow that illuminated the room with a sense of coziness. Opposite the bed, a stone fireplace crackled merrily, its dancing flames casting shadows across the room.

As Valdis settled into her new accommodations, her servant, a kind woman named Astrid, helped her unpack and get settled. "Have you seen Ubbe yet?" Ingrid asked, her tone gentle with concern.

Valdis shook her head, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "No, not yet. But Hvitserk has been very kind to me," she replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Hvitserk seems to have taken quite a liking to you," Ingrid teased, a playful twinkle in her eye.

Valdis felt a blush creep into her cheeks at the remark. "Oh, stop it," she replied, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

But Ingrid merely chuckled, unfazed by Valdis's protests. "I'm just saying," she continued with a mischievous grin. Ingrid's teasing took on a more speculative tone as she continued, "A shame he's the younger brother, I suppose?"

Valdis shrugged, her expression thoughtful. "How would I know?" she replied with a hint of uncertainty. "I haven't met Ubbe. I still know nothing about him."

The mention of Ubbe brought a twinge of curiosity. Despite being betrothed to him, Valdis hadn't yet had the chance to form an opinion about her future husband. The uncertainty of their arranged marriage lingered in the back of her mind, overshadowed by the unexpected kindness she had received from Hvitserk. Ingrid nodded understandingly, sensing Valdis's hesitation. "Well, perhaps you'll meet him soon enough," she remarked optimistically. "And until then, you have Hvitserk to keep you company."

Valdis gave her a smile.

"Rest my lady," Ingrid bid her farewell and left the room, Valdis felt a sense of restlessness stir within her. Despite her weariness from the journey, her mind buzzed with thoughts of the mysterious "haunting" and Ubbe's absence. Unable to shake the feeling of unease, she knew she couldn't simply rest.

She undressed from her dress and put on the one that belonged to Ingrid. Her servants didn't know that she stole it from her to regularly sneak out of her room. When she was once again dressed, she draped a cape on her shoulders and with determination, Valdis rose from her bed, careful not to make a sound that would alert anyone to her departure. She moved swiftly and silently, slipping out of the room like a shadow.

As Ubbe strode through the dense woods, his footsteps echoing amidst the towering trees, he found solace in the quiet solitude of the forest. Though he had long accepted the inevitability of his arranged marriage, the reality of the situation weighed heavily upon him, casting a shadow of discontent over his thoughts. His future wife was here...somewhere, but here. She wasn't just a story or a thought. The woman was here and his marriage was getting real. With each step, Ubbe's frustration grew, his brow furrowed in consternation as he grappled with the uncertainty of his arranged marriage.

As he was walking deep in his thoughts, he didn't notice a person materializing in front of him. The sudden appearance of the unknown woman sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through his veins, his senses sharpening with the primal instinct of survival. With a swift motion, he raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, his gaze fixed upon the gleaming blade pointed in his direction.

"Stop!" called a woman.

As Ubbe observed the mysterious woman before him, his eyes were drawn to the gentle rise and fall of her chest, her breaths coming in soft, rhythmic waves. Her white hair cascaded in loose waves around her shoulders, catching the dappled sunlight, framing her delicate features like a halo of golden light. Her features were finely sculpted, her skin kissed by the sun and the wind, imbued with a natural glow that spoke of a life. He felt a sense of awe wash over him, a reverence for the woman who stood before him.

As Valdis stood before the stranger in the woods, her hand trembling slightly as she pointed her blade at him, she couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that gnawed at her insides. Despite her initial alarm, Valdis found herself captivated by the sight of the man who stood before her.

"I mean you no harm," he assured her, his words carrying the weight of honesty and respect. "I understand your caution, but know that I am not your enemy."

Valdis's shoulders relaxed slightly at Ubbe's reassurance, a flicker of relief dancing in her emerald-green eyes. "What are you doing here?" she repeated, her voice firm yet tinged with uncertainty. "The whole city is greeting newcomers...soon to be wife of Prince Ubbe."

Ubbe met Valdis's gaze with unwavering resolve, his expression earnest as he sought to ease her apprehension. "I needed some time alone," he explained, his tone gentle yet firm. "The prospect of my future weighs heavily upon me, and I sought solace amidst the quiet of the forest."

Under his calm voice, the tension started to drain from her muscles as she released the blade to the forest floor with a soft thud. With a weary sigh, she sank down. "Tell me about it," she mumbled under her nose.

Ubbe watched in silence as the woman settled onto the ground, her posture one of weariness and vulnerability. With a gentle expression, he joined her, lowering himself to the grass beside her - but in a safe distance, with his hands still up. He observed her eyes change from determined to filled with sadness. He eased himself down onto the grass beside her, his movements fluid and unhurried. Valdis mirrored his movements, easing herself down beside him until they lay side by side, their bodies parallel in the embrace of the forest floor.

Valdis closed her eyes, allowing the warmth of the sun to wash over her, she felt a sense of calm settle over her being. With each breath, she felt herself sinking deeper into a state of relaxation, the tension melting away from her muscles.

Beside her, Ubbe's gaze lingered on stranger's profile, his eyes tracing the delicate curve of her jawline and the graceful arc of her neck. In the dappled light of the forest, she appeared ethereal. As he watched her, Ubbe felt a stirring within his heart—a sense of wonder and admiration for the woman who lay beside him. With each passing moment, Ubbe found himself drawn further into Valdis's orbit, captivated by the quiet grace and inner strength that radiated from her like a beacon in the night.

"Are you a slave?"

"Aren't we all slaves of something?"

Ubbe felt a corner of his lips going up.

"Are you from around here?" he asked. "I have never seen you before."

"No," she answered. "I came here because I heard about Ragnar Lothbroke's come back."

Ubbe grimaced. "And why would you want to see him?"

"He's a legend."

"He's nothing," Ubbe scoffed. "The sooner you'll understand it the better for you."

"Why?"

"His actions brought pain and suffering to those closest to him, tearing apart his family with each selfish decision he made."

"He may have made mistakes, but his travels opened our eyes to worlds beyond our own, expanding our understanding of the world and its people."

"Have you ever dreamed of traveling to distant lands, beyond the horizon?" he asked suddenly.

"I desire this more than anything," she said. "There's a whole world out there waiting to be discovered, and I long to explore every corner of it."

Ubbe smiled, captivated by her fervor. "What draws you to it?"

Valdis's eyes danced with enthusiasm as she spoke. "It's all of those things," she answered. "I want to see whatever lays beyond the horizon. Every night I dream of setting sail on a longship, feeling the wind in my hair and the salty spray on my face. I yearn to explore the unknown."

"What's stopping you?"

"Responsibilities to my family."

"I understand more than you may realize."

"Is that so?" she asked, not looking at him. "Who are you then?"

"My name is Ubbe."

For a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still, the world around her fading into a blur as the weight of those words settled upon her like a heavy cloak. In the hushed stillness of the forest, Valdis's mind raced, her thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. As her heart raced with the realization of who lay beside her.

With a hesitant movement, she turned her head slightly, her eyes searching his features in the soft light of the forest. Finding that his eyes were already on her. As Valdis's gaze lingered on Ubbe's face, a sense of familiarity washed over her. Ubbe bore a striking resemblance to his father, Ragnar Lothbrok, the legendary Viking warrior she had met so many years ago. The same piercing gaze, the same rugged features, the same air of quiet strength that had captivated her from the moment they had first crossed paths.

"The Prince?" she asked before she bit her tongue.

"Have you seen my future wife?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the sky.

Valdis, her heart heavy with the weight of hidden truths, met his gaze with a mixture of sadness and resolve. "Yes, I have," she replied softly, her words laden with meaning that remained veiled to Ubbe's perception.

His brow furrowed in confusion, Ubbe pressed on, oblivious to the revelation that lay just beyond his grasp. "And?"

"And?" she met his eyes.

Curiosity burning within him, Ubbe turned back to Valdis, his eyes alight with inquiry. "Is my future wife... pretty?" he ventured, his voice hesitant yet tinged with a hint of anticipation.

Valdis, her gaze steady and her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken truths, met his question with a measured silence, her mind racing with the words left unspoken. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," she finally replied, her words carefully chosen to obscure the truth that lay just beyond his grasp.

Undeterred, Ubbe pressed on, his curiosity unyielding. "Can you describe her to me? What does she look like?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of apprehension and intrigue.

Valdis hesitated, her thoughts swirling like leaves caught in a gust of wind. "She... possesses a certain grace," she offered cryptically, her words veiling the truth that hovered just beneath the surface.

Ubbe couldn't help but snort at Valdis's cryptic description. "Grace?" he repeated incredulously, his skepticism evident in his tone. "What does that even mean?"

Valdis, caught off guard by his reaction, struggled to maintain her composure, her mind racing for a suitable response. "It means... she carries herself with elegance," she replied hesitantly, her words chosen carefully to mask the truth lurking beneath the surface.

"Why would that information even be important?" he queried, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration.

Her heart racing with the weight of hidden truths, struggled to find the right words to appease his curiosity without revealing her true identity. "It's... important to know what to expect," she replied evasively, her words carefully chosen to obscure the truth that lay just beyond his grasp.

Unsatisfied with her response, Ubbe pressed on, his desire for clarity outweighing any sense of decorum. "But what does it matter how she looks or carries herself?" he persisted, his skepticism unyielding.

"It matters because... appearances can be deceiving," she offered cryptically.

"Tell me more." As Ubbe's persistence grew, he turned back to Valdis, his gaze intense with curiosity. "Tell me more. What have you seen?" he pressed, his voice firm and unwavering.

"This is all I saw," she replied softly, her words a careful blend of truth and evasion.

Unsatisfied with her response, Ubbe's determination only intensified. "Tell me," he insisted, his tone imploring.

"Why haven't you welcomed her? You would know," Valdis countered, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation as she sought to deflect his inquiries.

Ubbe's brow furrowed in confusion, his mind grappling with the implications of her words. "Welcome her?" he repeated, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

But before he could press further, Valdis, sensing the precariousness of their situation, chose her next words with care. She shook her head and turned her head away. I must go now," she murmured softly.

As Valdis prepared to leave, Ubbe, unaware of her identity as his future wife, couldn't help but feel a pang of reluctance at the thought of their impending parting. With a sense of longing in his heart, he turned to her, his gaze searching hers for reassurance.

"Will I see you again?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

Valdis paused, her heart skipping a beat at the earnestness in his question. Stopping a wistful smile, she turned to face him one last time. "Sooner than you may think."

As night descended like a heavy cloak upon Kattegat, casting shadows that danced ominously in the flickering torchlight, the great hall buzzed with the murmurs of its inhabitants. The air was thick with the scent of mead, laughter echoing off the wooden rafters as the sound of music and dancing filled the air. The hall pulsed with life, each heartbeat of the drum resonating deep within the hearts of those gathered.

Ubbe made his entrance into the bustling hall, his eyes adjusting to the flickering torchlight, he was met by the familiar figure of Hvitserk weaving his way through the crowd. With a grin, Hvitserk approached, though there was a hint of something else in his expression—jealousy.

"Ubbe," Hvitserk greeted, clapping him on the shoulder. "I must admit, I'm feeling jealousy knowing you'll soon be wed to this woman."

Ubbe, taken aback by his brother's candid admission, arched an eyebrow in surprise. "Jealous, Hvitserk?" he questioned, a mixture of amusement and confusion coloring his tone.

Hvitserk chuckled, though there was a touch of bitterness in his laughter. "Aye, jealous indeed," he confessed. Hvitserk's words hung heavy in the air, his tone filled with disbelief and a hint of resignation. "She's nothing like we supposed to. I expected some fat and horrible woman," he confessed, his voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and disappointment. "I must admit, I'm feeling a pang of jealousy knowing you'll soon be wed to a woman like her."

Ubbe's curiosity piqued by Hvitserk's unexpected admission, he furrowed his brow inquisitively. "Why would my future wife make you jealous?" he queried, his tone laced with genuine curiosity.

Hvitserk's response came with a mixture of admiration and envy. "She's so pretty, Ubbe," he confessed, his words tinged with longing. "And her body... it's like something out of a skald's tale."

Ubbe, caught off guard by his brother's candid admission, felt a surge of curiosity course through him. "And yet, she's so amazing?" he questioned, his voice filled with incredulity.

Hvitserk nodded emphatically, his eyes alight with a newfound sense of wonder. "Go and see for yourself!" he urged, a hint of excitement creeping into his voice. "She's with Mother."

With a sense of anticipation building within him, Ubbe wasted no time in making his way through the bustling hall, his heart racing with the prospect of finally meeting the woman who would shape his destiny.

As Valdis found herself seated near Aslaug, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled like a heavy cloak upon her shoulders. The atmosphere around them crackled with tension, and despite her best efforts to remain composed, she could feel Aslaug's hostile gaze lingering upon her like a shadow. For a fleeting moment, Valdis dared to steal a glance in his direction, her heart quickening at the sight of him. But as their eyes met, she found herself caught in the intensity of his gaze, a silent understanding passing between them amidst the chaos of the crowded hall.

Ubbe's brow furrowed in confusion as he caught sight of Valdis seated beside his mother, clad in an elegant dress that seemed out of place amidst the rustic surroundings of the great hall. The contrast between her current attire and the simple garb she had worn in the forest only added to his bewilderment, stirring a sense of curiosity within him.

"Why are you here? And why are you dressed like this?" he queried, his tone tinged with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty.

"You already know each other?" Aslaug slurred.

"What do you mean?"

"Ubbe, I..." she began, her voice trailing off as she searched for the right words to explain.

But before she could speak further, Ivar, ever perceptive despite the revelry around them, interjected with a smirk playing on his lips. "It's your future wife, brother!" he declared, his words cutting through the haze of confusion that clouded Ubbe's mind.

The realization struck Ubbe like a bolt of lightning. Valdis, the woman he had encountered in the forest, was to be his bride by the will of their clans.

Anger surged through him like wildfire. He felt like a fool, letting some woman play with him. How could he have been so blind, so naive, to have shared secrets with a stranger. But amidst the storm of anger and confusion, there was a flicker of something else, something unexpected yet undeniable. Back in the woods and now in the Great Hall, Ubbe found himself drawn to Valdis in a way he had never anticipated. He was inexplicably drawn to her, his heart torn between conflicting loyalties and desires.

Ubbe felt too much at once, he needed a distraction. His eyes met Margarethe's.

As Valdis walked away from the bustling hall, her footsteps echoing softly against the damp earth. The moon cast its shimmering light upon the surface, lending an ethereal quality to the scene before her. As she neared the shoreline, her gaze fell upon a solitary figure seated upon a massive rock. A sense of curiosity stirred within her, compelling her to draw closer, her footsteps cautious against the uneven terrain. As she approached, the figure turned towards her.

Her heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat as recognition dawned upon her. It was him, the man who had occupied her thoughts since their first fateful meeting—the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok.

Her prayers were being heard.

With a mixture of awe and reverence, Valdis climbed onto the smooth surface of the rock, her heart pounding in her chest with the intensity of her emotions. As Ragnar glanced over at Valdis, he noticed her, but said nothing to welcome her. Or maybe he didn't recognize her. He said nothing, choosing instead to turn his attention back to the vast expanse of the sea before them.

Feeling the chill of the night air seep into her bones, Valdis instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, seeking warmth in the absence of the fading sunlight. Sensing her discomfort, Ragnar's gaze softened, and with a scoff, he reached for the heavy cloak draped across his shoulders. Without a word, he gently draped the cloak around Valdis's shoulders, the fabric enveloping her in a cocoon of warmth and comfort. "Not enjoying my wife's company?"

"She's rather..." Valdis answered, but tried to find a word that wouldn't insult the Queen, or Ragnar. "Aloof?" she finally replied, choosing her words carefully to convey her meaning without outright insult.

Ragnar chuckled softly, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Aloof, you say?" he echoed, his tone tinged with amusement. "That's one way to put it."

As Valdis looked at Ragnar, a sense of amazement and affection washed over her, mirroring the awe and admiration she had felt as a child of seven summers, captivated by the larger-than-life figure before her. There was something about the way he carried himself, a quiet strength tempered by a gentle kindness, that drew her to him.

"You were but a child when I last saw you, and now... you've become a woman."

"You recognize me?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Ragnar met her gaze with a knowing smile, his eyes twinkling with a warmth that seemed to pierce through the darkness of the night. "Of course," he replied, his voice a soft murmur that carried on the breeze. "I've been thinking about you, little one."

Silence fell between them for a moment.

"You can finally marry my son, is he handsome enough? Like me?" he quipped, his tone laced with a hint of mischief.

Valdis couldn't help but smile at the jest, a warm glow spreading through her chest as she remembered the innocent words she had spoken to Ragnar so many years ago. "Handsome enough, I suppose," she replied playfully, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "But not like you."

"If I were younger, I would marry you instead," he quipped, his tone filled with mock regret.

Valdis laughed softly, her amusement mirrored in the warmth of her gaze. "Not that your age could stop you," she retorted, her voice tinged with playful defiance. "Queen Aslaug is the real reason."

Ragnar's laughter mingled with hers, the sound carrying on the night breeze like the echo of distant thunder. "She would end us," he agreed, his tone light despite the underlying truth of his words. "Best not to risk it."

And so, they shared in the playful banter, their laughter mingling with the gentle rhythm of the waves as they sat together beneath the starlit sky.

"Where is your father?" Ragnar asked, and watched as the smile disappeared from her pretty face. "How did he died?"

"He was ill," she answered. "At the end...He wasn't himself anymore."

"Was it a quick death?"

"I suppose," Valdis nodded. "He died in the sea he loved so much."

Ragnar felt a pang of sorrow grip his heart, a deep ache that seemed to echo in the depths of his soul. Her words brought back memories of his own dear friend, a comrade-in-arms whose presence he had sorely missed since his passing. A solemn silence fell between them as Ragnar absorbed the weight of her grief, his thoughts turning inward to the memories of battles fought and victories won alongside his fallen friend. "Seems like I missed a lot."

"Things change."she replied softly, her words carrying the weight of unspoken truths.

In that moment, Ragnar realized that Valdis was no longer the wide-eyed girl he had once known, filled with dreams of marrying a prince and living happily ever after. She had grown, matured, and faced hardships that had shaped her into the woman she had become.

"You don't want to be here."

"So do you."

Ragnar couldn't help but chuckle at Valdis's sudden and witty retort, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes as he regarded her with a newfound sense of admiration. In that moment, he saw glimpses of the spirited young girl he had first met years before—a girl filled with fire and determination, unafraid to speak her mind even in the face of uncertainty. Ragnar felt a surge of affection for her, a fondness born from the memories they had shared and the bond that had formed between them over the years.

With a playful smile, Ragnar reached out to ruffle Valdis's hair, a gesture of affection that spoke volumes more than words ever could. "Some things never change," he remarked, his voice filled with warmth and fondness. As Ragnar rose from the rock, a sense of purpose guiding his movements, he began to walk away, his steps steady and sure. But as he reached the edge of the shore, he paused, turning back to look at Valdis with a meaningful gaze.

"Come," he called out to her, his voice carrying on the wind. "There is much we have yet to see."

As Valdis rushed towards Ragnar without hesitation, her determination evident in every step, Ragnar couldn't help but laugh, the sound echoing through the night like the call of a wild animal. Her eagerness was infectious, and he found himself caught up in the moment.