#and yes. I’ll gladly do that. Will I have time? the effort? that’s a long trip

[pumpk1n-writes]

Jealousy, Jealousy Is The Venom In My Veins

➥ in which Billy Loomis sees Stu flirting with you and decides to show everyone that you belong to him {ft. AFAB reader, jealousy, smut, marking, praise, bottom!reader, reader being a little shit, stu also being a little shit, stu being a wingman, not an established relationship}

Requested ~ yes / no | Word Count ~ 1.2k

The media you consume is your own responsibility and I will not be held accountable for your choices. I’m not going to block minors from this account, but proceed with caution anyway.

Taglist ~ @wasawattpadkid

Cold air lifted your hair off your shoulders, sending a shiver down your back. You’d never been more glad to see Stu’s excited smile as he opened the door, gladly stepping into his house and out of the biting November wind.

“Hey hey, pretty girl! You brought the beers, yeah?”

You nodded, smiling at him when he swung an arm over your shoulders and hanging off of you like a big, friendly coat. You both entered the living room, and you noticed Billy’s seething gaze drop to Stu’s arm. Feeling a tiny bit uncomfortable with how sharply he was scrutinizing you, you slunk out of the embrace and plopped down on the couch — opposite Billy.

You still felt Billy’s burning eyes on you as you downed half your beer, but soon your discomfort was drowned underneath the fuzzy warmth of alcohol. You could see the telltale signs of Stu’s own buzz as the night wore on, his actions becoming even more animated than usual and his words getting louder.

The other way you could tell he was getting drunk was the way his eyes and hands would linger on you for a second longer than necessary, and his usually dirty jokes turned to thinly veiled flirtatious remarks.

Billy stood abruptly, setting down the beer bottle he’d been cradling all night none too carefully. You gave him a questioning look, Stu still talking animatedly from your lap, and he returned a half-hearted smile.

When Billy didn’t return after five minutes, you pushed Stu off of your lap and stood to follow him. He gave you a knowing look and a cocky smirk, and you only entertained the question of why for a few seconds before walking into the kitchen.

You were met with the unexpected sight of Billy repeatedly running his hand through already disheveled hair, muttering the same thing over and over and pacing back and forth. After a few seconds he still hasn’t noticed you so you softly said his name and laid your hand on his arm.

He jerked away like he’d been burned, eyes flitting around the room, looking anywhere but yours.

“Billy. . .” With a tremendous amount of effort, he tore his gaze away from the suddenly very interesting countertops and focused on you. He was suddenly hyper aware of the beautiful way your face was twisted in concern. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just—“ and suddenly you were kissing him. It sent electricity down to the tips of his toes and zipping back up his spine. Slowly, too slowly, you reached your hands up to his neck and he gripped your wrists, kissing you back with just as much passion.

Never in a million years did he believe he would have you like you are right now, hands tangled in his hair and your lips on his.

All too soon you stepped back, burning red tainting your cheeks. “I- I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me, I’m sorry, I’ll just—“

But then you noticed the dopey grin on Billy’s face, a real one this time, and you blush even harder than before, if that was even possible. “What?”

“I’ve been waiting months for you to do that.”

This time it was him who was kissing you, so much more sure of himself then you were, so much more confident. His hands found your waist and his tongue explored your mouth.

After that it wasn’t long for you both to find an excuse to head back to Billy’s house — some bullshit about you feeling a little too tipsy and Billy needing to drive you home. Stu just gave you that same knowing look and made some vulgar comment that you don’t remember. You flipped him off, stumbling a bit for dramatic effect.

The drive was quicker than you expected, your leg shaking with either anxiety or anticipation the whole time. Somehow you made it up to his room in between stolen kisses, your clothes discarded along the way.

Under any other circumstances, Billy would take his time with you, worshipping every inch of your body, but right now he just wanted to watch you come undone, wanted to make sure you’d never let Stu touch you again. His breath was hot against your neck, his hands manhandling you onto your back on his bed.

“You look so good under me,” he breathed the words right next to your ear. You shivered, squeezing your thighs together and chasing any sort of friction. “Shhh, darling, your praise kink is showing.”

You glared up at him. “I don’t have a—“

The words were blocked in your throat when he slipping two fingers inside of you, thumb grinding against your clit. “Mhm. Good girl.” He smirked against your neck when he felt you clench around him at his words.

“Oh.”

He slipped another finger in and you whimpered into his hair, nails finding purchase against the muscles of his back. He curls his fingers and you feel the knot inside of you already coming undone, and apparently he does too because he pulls out, licking his fingers clean before placing them around your neck. “Now be good for me and take my cock the same way you take my fingers.”

You nod, whimpering again when he pushes in. He allows you a moment to catch your breath and adjust to the stretch, his gaze never leaving your heavy lidded eyes. “You okay?”

“Yes,” your throat is dry, your words mumbled, but he still begins slowly thrusting in and out, in and out.

You whine, clutching the sheets under you as a way to ground yourself, eyes screwed shut against the wall of overbearing pleasure.

He bit you neck sharply, sucking on the mark. He did it over and over and over, relishing in your moans and whimpers every time. He was going to fucking make sure everyone knew who you belonged to.

The whole time his brown eyes are focused on your face, on the slight dusting of pink, on the way your nose crinkles when he kisses it, on the way your mouth falls open on a particularly deep thrust.

“That’s it, darling, you’re doing so well,” he punctuates each of his words with a kiss, determined to show you just how much he appreciates you. “God, you’re so fucking perfect, can’t believe I have you all to myself now. You’re never gonna let Stu touch you again, huh?”

You nod, not trusting yourself to speak. You open your eyes only to be met with his piercing gaze.

“Use your words, pretty girl.”

“Yes!” You yelped. “Yes, God, yes. Stu will never - shit - he’ll never touch me again!”

Billy’s hand snaked between your intertwined bodies, pressing down slightly on your abdomen to see your eyes glaze over. He smirked down at your writhing form, your hips grinding into his in a desperate chase for release.

“How do you feel?”

You smiled up at him, capturing his lips in a kiss. “So, so good.”

The only thing ringing in his ears were your beautiful moans and the reassurance that no one will ever touch you again as long as he was around. And he was going to be around for a long, long time.

[another-lost-mc]

LEVIATHAN x gn!Reader 0.6k Words | NSFW | Silly Fluff & Kissing -> Prompt: Kissing in the Rain [ obey me! masterlist ]

There’s a lot of things you would gladly do for Levi if he asked you to. You know him well enough by now that you try to anticipate what he wants so he doesn’t have to ask for things—being forward is still something he struggles with.

That’s why when he tugs your hand after class and leads you to a random tree in the pouring rain, you find it difficult to refuse, no matter how odd it seems. Your RAD uniforms are soaked, but he doesn't seem to care in the slightest. He tosses his bag against the tree trunk before he starts climbing up to one of the higher branches.

“Levi?” you called to him, and you sounded as nervous as you felt. “What’s going on?” There's no way you're climbing up the tree too, if that's what he's thinking.

Other than a brief glance in your direction, he doesn't answer because he's too focused on finding his footing. He steps gingerly onto one of the branches and sits down. He shifts into his true form and curls his tail around the tree branch to steady himself. He looks excited before he suddenly swings upside down, and his knees and tail keep him anchored so he doesn't slip. He waves you over until you're standing in front of him, almost face-to-face.

He stares at you expectantly, and something clicks into place when you try to remember why this seems so familiar.

Three weeks ago…

“That can’t be comfortable. Wouldn’t the water go up his nose?”

“Yes, but real life physics aside, this was an iconic movie moment when I was growing up! I thought it was really romantic the first time I saw it.”

“Pfft, humans are weird, you know that?”

“I’ll show you weird!”

“Hey, that tickles! Okay, okay, fine, I give up—!”

“Wait, are you doing this because of the movie?” you ask him incredulously.

He blinks at you like the answer is obvious, because it is obvious; he’s the only person you know that would even think of trying to recreate an awkward kiss from a superhero movie for you.

“You said it was romantic,” he says simply, gesturing to the tree. “And I was curious about the mechanics of it,” then he adds softly, “and how it would feel.”

(He doesn’t admit how long it took to find a tree with branches at the correct height to do this. Even after he found the right tree, he still didn’t have the nerve to ask you to come here on either of the days it rained, prior to today.)

“Alright, one kiss, and then you’re climbing down,” you insist. You cupped his chilly, rain-soaked cheeks in your hands; his cheeks dimple when he smiles and nods.

(Later when you're both rightside-up and in a warm bath, you'll tell him how much you appreciate him doing these sweet, silly things for you.).

You’ve shared many kisses with Levi, but none have felt like this. The kiss feels awkward at first, and you wonder why you ever thought that silly Hollywood kiss could work in real life. Your mouths don’t slot together perfectly and you bump his nose with your chin.

You try to pull back and apologize, but one of his hands curls around the back of your head and keeps you in place. He hums into the kiss, and he surprises you again when he’s the one moving his lips against you with a bit more urgency, and he flicks his tongue at the seam of your mouth. The kiss still isn’t perfect, but the new sensations feel pleasant in their own way.

When he lets his hand slip away from the back of your neck, the kiss ends abruptly. There’s heat churning inside your belly now, and the cool rain soaking your clothes offers no relief.

Levi seems to sense the love and lust radiating from you, and he’s so proud that he made you feel that way that it makes the effort more than worthwhile. Within an instant, he pulls himself into a sitting position on the branch so he can hop down from the tree safely.

He picks up his bag quickly and holds out his hand to you. There's a fiery gleam in his eyes that promises a continuation of what he started in the warm, dry privacy of his bedroom.

[claudemblems]

Operation "Kiss the Girl" | Chapter 3: The Final Date

Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

Summary: It's the last day you have to win the heart of Azul Ashengrotto and get him to kiss you, otherwise you will be fated to remain a mermaid forever. Will he return your feelings and save you with the power of true love's kiss? You will only know once you can gather the courage to confess your love to him...

Genre: Fem!Reader. Lots of pining. Fluff.

Notes: This is a long one at 4,500+ words! I wanted it to be a satisfying ending, and I truly hope it fulfills your expectations 💜 I hope you enjoy it. Thank you so much for reading this little project of mine.

Today would be the day where your life would change, for the worse or for the better.

This would be the day where you would confess your feelings to Azul, and if all went well, he would return them and gladly break your curse of mermaidism with a kiss. But nothing is ever as easy as it seems, and, though you had begun to believe that maybe he felt the same way about you, you couldn’t shake off the doubts that clung to the back of your mind. 

What if I’m imagining things? What if this is just wishful thinking? What if all my efforts to win his heart have been for nothing…?

You shook your head, dispelling the negative thoughts. No. I didn’t come all this way to give up now. Whatever happened, you would accept his answer with grace. Azul didn’t owe you anything. He didn’t owe you a “yes” or a cure for your predicament that he wasn’t responsible for causing. In fact, after all he’d done for you, you were the one that owed him. After the day’s end, you decided, you would start planning out a way to show him just how much you truly appreciated him.

A buzz in your pocket pulled you out of your wandering thoughts, and you pulled out your phone to find a text from Azul.

“I’ll be there in two minutes. I got a little lost along the way.”

You couldn’t stifle the small laugh that escaped you. Azul had never been good with directions, at least on land. Really, he was more of a fish out of water than you were.

After the events of yesterday, Azul had called later that evening to check if you were feeling better. He didn’t trust Ace and Deuce to take care of you, especially when he believed they’d actually ditched you while they went to class. I’m going to have to tell him the truth about that, for those two dummies’ sakes, at least. But once you’d assured him that you were feeling much better, he’d offered you a proposition.

“If you’re feeling up to it, would you like to accompany me to a local festival tomorrow? It might help get your mind off of things…but please, don’t feel obligated to accept my invitation! I know you’ve been dealing with a lot lately, so I don’t want to add more onto your plate. I just—” “It’s okay, Azul,” you laughed, smiling to yourself. Azul couldn’t help his rambling when he got nervous, but you found it to be a cute habit of his. “I’d love to go…is it just going to be the two of us?” “Yes…is that okay?” “Of course. I need a break from these two over here anyways.” “I don’t blame you.”

And so Azul had unknowingly scheduled your last “date” for you. When you’d told Ace and Deuce the news, they’d made Jade and Floyd aware of the new plans, and they reached a consensus that they would “observe” your date to make sure everything went smoothly. 

Ah yes, totally not spying.

And, of course, Rook had just “happened to be on a stroll nearby” when he overheard the conversation and insisted on helping you as well.

This was how he and Vil had ended up doing your makeup for the first date. He’d just conveniently walked by at a good time. His whereabouts totally weren’t related to him researching people, especially the octo trio, every chance he got.

Either way, you were thankful for the help, and so you took him up on his offer.

That morning, Vil, Rook, and Epel did your makeup and hair and picked out a cute yet stylish flowy dress for you to be comfortable in. And to tie the look together, Vil had gifted you a pair of heels that he’d been given from one of his many brand partnerships. They happened to fit you just perfectly, and once the three were satisfied with your look, they sent you off on your way, telling you to come back home before midnight. You’d rolled your eyes at their antics, but you were glad to have their support. 

“[Name], I’m here!”

“Oh!” You snapped out of your thoughts as Azul came running into view wearing a sheepish smile. “Sorry I’m a little late. I got the directions mixed up, and Jade and Floyd were talking to me nonstop. I don’t even know what about, but they seemed really excited for some reason.”

I can guess why…

“It’s okay! I wasn’t doing anything anyways.”

“Well, that’s good to hear then.” Azul extended his arm for you to take, ever the gentleman as always. “Shall we go look around the festival?”

You nodded as you slipped your arm around his, your heart fluttering in your chest at the brush of his skin against yours.

“What would you like to do first? Shopping?” he asked with a knowing smile. 

“Hmm…what gave it away that I like shopping?”

“Maybe the assortment of plushies scattered around your dorm.”

“I…Those are Grim’s!”

“Ah, of course they are. My apologies.”

“That smirk on your face says that you’re not sorry at all, Ashengrotto.”

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As if things couldn’t possibly get more ironic, the festival that Azul had invited you to was ocean-themed, particularly focused around mermaids. The glittering shells and bubbles that lined the streets and stalls made it obvious for anyone who might have been unsure. 

“It’s quite a nice theme for a festival, don’t you think?” Azul asked, an unmistakable sparkle in his eyes. Oh, right. He’s a merperson. He must be happy to see all these references to his home.

“Speaking of oceans…” you began, “what do you think of mermaids?”

“Mermaids?” Azul considered your question as you two aimlessly wandered along the carpeted streets made to look like the deep seafloor. “They’re crafty creatures, that’s for sure, but they’re nowhere near as dangerous as sirens.”

“Yeah, that’s true.” Wait, how did Professor Crewel manage to get sirens’ songs to power your necklace? …Maybe you didn’t want to know.

“But, if I’m being honest…” A smile played at the edges of Azul’s lips, but if he was brimming with excitement, he didn’t show it. It seemed that even out in public, he still tried to maintain his cool and collected businessman persona. “They’re fascinating. I may be used to seeing them all the time, but there’s a mysterious allure to them. It’s like I can’t learn enough about them to satiate my curiosity. Perhaps one of these days I’ll have the opportunity to do business with one.”

He likes mermaids? Well, if your confession didn’t go well, at least you had that going for you.

“I quite like them, too,” you answered before your eyes landed on something shiny in the distance. Without warning, you picked up your pace, nearly running to the booth that displayed the eye-catching object. 

“Wow,” you breathed, eyes growing wide. On the table was a pair of pearl earrings, diamonds attached to the ends of the chains. “These are gorgeous.”

“Aren’t they?” the vendor added, flashing you what had to be a well-rehearsed smile. There was no doubt they’d managed to secure several successful sales with it. 

“Oh, these are rather pretty,” Azul said once he’d caught up with you. He gently took them in his hands (much to the obvious annoyance of the vendor), inspecting the jewels. “These are 100% authentic diamonds and pearls. What a surprise. You’d think the first pieces of jewelry you’d find at a festival would be overpriced knockoffs not worth half the price they’d be going for.”

“I can assure you, sir,” the vendor replied, “that my jewelry is completely genuine and worth the cost. But if you’re still not persuaded to buy them, I could find it in my heart to offer you a small discount.”

“A discount? Whatever for?”

“For your girlfriend, of course,” the vendor answered, nodding their head towards you. “She can’t take her eyes off of them.”

WHAT???!!!

Heat rushed to your cheeks as you tried to stutter out a reply. “We—he’s—well—”

“That would be great. How much of a discount could you give us? Would you throw in a freebie as well?”

“I’ll tell you what. If you buy one of these little rings, I’ll give you a free hair accessory of your choosing.”

“It’s a deal, then.”

WHAT????????!!!!!!!!!!!

“Um, A-Azul, are you sure about this—”

“Shh,” he replied, pressing a finger to his lips and sending you a wink. “They don’t need to know.”

I think he needs to know he’s making my heart race right now!

Before you could muster up the courage to speak, Azul had already picked out a beautiful ring and hair accessory that perfectly matched the pearl earrings. When the vendor had boxed up the items for him, Azul took out a stack of madol and handed it to them without even so much as considering the expense.

Azul…was buying you things…without even despairing over the cost of it all.

Yeah, you had to be going insane.

“Thank you so much for your generosity! I’m sure my darling [Name] will wear these pieces for a long time.”

Darling.

You felt as though you might just faint.

“[Name], are you all right? You look a little pale. Shall we find somewhere to sit down for a while? I can get you something to eat, too, if necessary.”

“I’m fine, Azul,” you reassured, gently patting his arm. But my heart is not. “Don’t worry about me.”

“Actually,” the jewelry vendor cut in, “there’s a karaoke lounge a little ways down the street. It’s also part of the festival, so everything inside coincides with the ocean theme, including the songs, of course.”

Was the world of Twisted Wonderland just laughing in your face at your predicament now? 

“That sounds like a good idea. Come on, let’s go rest up for a little bit. I’ll lead the way.”

“Aren’t you bad with directions, though?” you asked, flashing Azul a cheeky smile. 

“Well, you certainly don’t feel bad enough to stop teasing me, so I think we can take our time getting there.”

Despite the pout on his lips, you could see how he visibly began to relax, any stress he felt cascading off of him.

He was worried, more so than he let on. Worried about you. 

It was a nice feeling having his full attention. You could get used to it.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

“Come on, Azul! You didn’t bring me to a karaoke place just so you could sit there and not sing something yourself, did you?”

“I brought you here so you could get some rest! I wasn’t planning on having a concert!”

You laughed at the sight of Azul’s cheeks flushing red. How cute. 

“Sing one song with me, please~?”

“Trust me, you do not want to hear me sing.”

“But didn’t you perform with Malleus at that masquerade thing? You sounded really good!”

“Oh, I’d forgotten I did that,” Azul mumbled, tapping a finger on his chin in contemplation. “I only did it because he insisted—hey, don’t try to change the subject!” He crossed his arms over his chest and huffed. “You’d have to pay me a hefty sum to sing karaoke of all things.”

“Well, what if I made a deal with you?”

Azul raised a brow. “A deal?”

You took a seat next to him in the private room you’d reserved, leaving almost no space between your bodies. Azul took a nervous gulp, but didn’t dare make his nerves any more noticeable than they needed to be.

“How about this: if you sing a duet with me, I’ll perform a show at Mostro Lounge. The students will definitely want to stop by if they hear a girl is going to be singing, right?”

“W-Well…” Azul adjusted his glasses. “You do have a point, but…”

“But…?”

A few moments of silence followed.

Oh no, did you manage to upset him?

But before you had a chance to apologize, Azul spoke again.

“I’d…rather you just sing for me, and nobody else…”

Your eyes grew wide, your breath catching in your throat. Your pulse thrummed with hope and a growing anticipation. Was this bold admission a glimpse into Azul’s deeper feelings, ones that he’d kept in total secrecy? This had to be a sign, a nudge telling you to keep trying to win his heart. Something in the air was shifting between you two, you could feel it.

But what exactly was it?

You smiled at him. “Well, then, how should I repay you for singing with me?”

Suddenly, you became aware of your close proximity to him. Your skin grew hot, heartbeat becoming erratic, but you couldn’t find it in yourself to pull away. If anything, you were leaning in closer…

And you were certain Azul was, too.

But the dreamlike trance you two had fallen into was shattered as Azul came to his senses. 

“You don’t have to repay me,” he answered, redirecting his gaze from you to the glass of juice sitting on the table. “...I’ll sing with you.”

Were you just imagining the tension in the atmosphere earlier? Had you read it all wrong?

Either way, you weren’t going to pass up an opportunity to sing with your crush.

“Okay. How does ‘Part of Your World’ sound?”

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

You both had decided that just singing ‘Part of Your World’ just wasn’t enough, and so you two continued on performing more songs from the same soundtrack, including ‘Under the Sea,’ ‘Fathoms Below,’ and ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls.’” Thankfully, it seemed that Azul was enjoying himself, sending you smiles and even meeting you eye-to-eye as he sang some of the lines. You were just glad to see that he wasn’t angry with you with what happened earlier. As long as he was having a good time, you couldn’t ask for anything else.

But he’d sung enough for one day, he’d decided, and so you chose one more song to sing on your own before you two left to explore more of the festival.

The song you chose to end the karaoke session on was ‘Part of Your World (Reprise)’.

“What would I give to live where you are?” you sang, turning yourself away from the screen to meet Azul’s eyes, wishing that the lyrics would resonate in his heart like a love letter written just for him. 

“What would I pay to stay here beside you?”

Azul’s cheeks flushed, and you had to keep yourself from grinning even wider.

“What would I do to see you smiling at me?

Where would we walk, where would we run

If we could stay all day in the sun?

Just you and me, and I could be

Part of your world…”

After the last note fell off your lips, Azul responded with applause. Despite the obvious flustered state you’d rendered him into, he was gazing at you with such a soft and happy expression. It seemed that your words might have just reached him after all.

“That was beautiful,” he replied. “Your voice is beautiful. You should sing more often.”

“I could,” you answered, “but it would only be for you.”

“Oh. Oh.”

You giggled, throwing him a wink before gathering your drinks. “We should take these back to the front and let the staff know we’re done in here, right?” Before Azul could answer your question, you were already out of the door, your quick footsteps matching the quick rhythm of your heart.

You’d never flirted with him so blatantly before. It was terrifying, but it was also a feeling that left you light-headed, one that added a little spring into your step.

You’d like to try it again if you ever got the chance.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

After a few more hours spent partaking in the festivities, the day was finally drawing to a close. You and Azul had retreated to a nearby beach, strolling along the sandy shores in a peaceful silence. The sky had slowly begun to turn from a bright blue into a rosy pink, signaling the beginning of the sunset.

This was it. This was the moment you’d been building up to these past three days, a fairytale ending that would break your curse, and Azul was your prince that would save you from your terrible fate.

At least, you hoped so. If all this amounted to nothing, you would end up a mermaid destined to spend the rest of her life in an unfamiliar sea, never to return home.

Despite your desire to become a human once more, this wasn’t all some elaborate plan to trick Azul into helping you. You realized after all this time together that you truly loved him. You adored every part of him, and even if he turned you down, you would forever be grateful that you had the chance to meet him. 

Well, here goes nothing…

“Azul, thank you for taking me to the festival today. I had a lot of fun.”

“I’m glad,” he answered, turning to smile at you. “That’s all I could have asked for.”

And yet here I am, asking for more.

“But…I have something I have to tell you.”

Azul stopped in his tracks, attention fully on you. His brows were furrowed, giving his worry away. “Of course. Is something wrong?”

“Well, yes and no, to be honest,” you laughed, but Azul’s eyes were filled with a growing concern. “”I just…I…I don’t know how to say it…” You breathed out a shaky sigh as you covered your face with your hands. “No. No, I can’t get cold feet now!”

“Hey,” Azul soothed, placing his hands gently on your shoulders. “It’s all right. You have nothing to be afraid of. I’m here to listen to you. You’re safe with me.”

Though the anxiety in the pit of your stomach seemed to keep growing, his calm voice at least pulled you out of your shell. You removed your hands that shielded your red cheeks and lifted your eyes to his, desperate to find the courage to speak your feelings out into the world.

If you couldn’t do it like the way you practiced—romantic and perfect in every way—it didn’t matter. He just needed to know. 

“Azul, I’m in love with you, and I need you to know before I find myself doomed to never have an opportunity to say it again.”

Azul’s eyes shot open, mouth agape in shock. His pale complexion had taken on a brilliant shade of red as his mouth tried to form the right words to respond, but he couldn't manage to speak.

“I got into an accident in alchemy class in which Ace and Deuce accidentally gave me a curse of mermaidism. I only have three days to get my true love to kiss me, otherwise I’ll stay a mermaid forever. Professor Crewel gave me this magical necklace which allows me to stay a human for a short period of time, but it won’t last forever. By the time today’s sunset appears over the horizon, I will turn into a mermaid forever. I will have to leave everything behind to live in the sea, never to be a human again.”

The words seemed to spill from your tongue, and though this was quite a clumsy way of confessing everything, you were overcome with nervousness, and your time was running out. You just hoped his quick-witted mind would pick up on every detail, and that his heart would be inclined to help you, even if he didn’t even love you back.

“That’s why I had dinner with you in the Mostro Lounge, and why I pretended to be sick, and why I joined you at this festival, now deciding to divulge my feelings to you. But despite all of that, my feelings for you were never a lie or some sort of trick. I truly love you, so so much. And I’m so thankful for you. Thank you for being there for me, for being by my side, and for taking care of me. Even if you don’t love me back, Azul…thank you for everything.”

The sun had just started to peek over the sea, and taking Azul’s silence as rejection, you readied yourself for the new and uncertain future ahead of you.

That’s what you were preparing yourself for until a sniffle reached your eyes.

You raised your head to meet Azul’s gaze, and for a moment, time stopped.

Tears brimmed at the edges of his eyes as he gave you the most beautiful smile you’d ever seen him wear. The sight alone made your heart swell, and you swore you never felt so loved in your entire life. Without a word even being spoken, his expression alone had conveyed all that and more to you.

“You’re so silly,” was Azul’s first response, his hands brushing away the stray strands of hair that had fallen in front of your face. 

Silly…is that a good thing?

Azul laughed, no doubt catching the confusion on your face. “You should have told me earlier. I would have kissed you a long time ago.”

“W-What?” you breathed, your heart beat picking up its pace.

“Have you not realized?” Azul blushed, voice growing softer. “I’ve loved you for a long time now.”

Oh. Oh. 

“Really?” Your voice was barely more than a whisper, tentative yet hopeful.

“Yes,” Azul replied. “Although, if you’d asked me then, I probably would have turned into a stuttering mess before I could finally manage to squeak out a ‘yes’.”

A light laugh managed to escape you at the thought. “That would have been cute, though.”

“You’re making me embarrassed just thinking about it.”

Still, Azul’s smile never faltered. If anything, it only grew as he pulled you into him, wrapping his arms securely around you. “Thank you for returning my feelings, [Name]. It is the greatest honor that could ever be bestowed upon me.”

“You don’t have to be so formal,” you laughed, closing your eyes and hugging him tighter. “But the honor is all mine…”

He hummed, his fingers dancing along your back, leaving goosebumps along your skin.

“So…” you began, “is that a ‘yes’ to accepting my feelings?”

Azul pulled back slightly to playfully tap your forehead. “I think so, considering I just bared my whole heart to you.”

“Just checking.”

Azul playfully rolled his eyes at your teasing as you breathed out a long sigh of relief, your body finally relaxing after a long day of mulling over how this moment would play out. It turns out you had nothing to be concerned about, after all. In fact, your confession went much better than you ever expected.

“I was really worried how I was going to win over your heart,” you admitted. “I thought I had to pull out all the stops to make you fall for me.”

Azul shook his head at your words. “You already had my heart. There was no need to win it over.”

Your cheeks burned once more, but this time you chose not to hide your face from view. Instead, you looked directly into Azul’s bright eyes glistening with something that could only be described as pure euphoria.

I can’t remember a time where I’ve ever felt so happy.

And it seems the same can be said for him, too.

“Wait, you said you had until sunset, right?” Azul asked, suddenly remembering your words from earlier.

“Oh…yes, that’s right.” You had gotten so caught up in your excitement that you’d nearly forgotten the urgency of your current situation. 

And as if on cue, the mermaid scales had begun to reappear on your skin. Azul’s eyes followed yours down to your arms, and he extended his hand, asking for permission to touch you. You nodded in approval, and lifting your arm, he took in the sight of the brilliant shades of teal covering your skin.

“You know, if you ever did decide to become a mermaid, you’d make quite the beautiful one.”

“...You’re no fair, Azul” you sighed, this time unable to keep yourself from hiding your blushing face from view. You heard Azul chuckle quietly to himself, but you decided to let him off the hook for trying to get you all flustered…for now.

“Well, shall I, as your true love, set you free from this dreadful curse?”

You giggled at his theatrics, deciding to join in on the fun. “Please, my darling prince, rescue me with true love’s kiss.”

And before you knew it, his hand was on your cheek and his face was inches from yours, giving you an opportunity to change your mind or object. But when you smiled back at him, he returned the gesture, and slowly, painstakingly so, he leaned in until his lips finally descended upon yours in a moment of pure bliss.

As soon as his lips touched yours, you felt the scales disappear into your skin like ripples along the water’s surface, gone as if they’d never been there in the first place.

His mouth moved carefully against yours like gentle ocean waves, pulling you in deeper and deeper before pushing you back out to shore. But you dove in again and again, wanting to get lost in the tide, as long as it meant you could remain with him. Indeed, you’d let yourself get pulled into the depths of the sea just so you would never have to part from him again. That was why you needed to bask in his touch until the very last moment, to keep this memory etched in your mind forever.

When the need for a breath finally arose, Azul’s lips left yours, slightly swollen and faintly pink from the stains of your lipstick.

“Wow,” were the first words to fall from his mouth after your kiss, and it was such a sincere and sweet reaction that it made you burst into giggles.

He just gets cuter and cuter as the days go by.

“Even though I would have never wanted you to find yourself in this predicament in the first place,” Azul began, taking one of your hands in his, “I’m glad it brought us together in the end. If you left Twisted Wonderland before I found the courage to confess, I would have spent the rest of my life regretting it.”

“Well then…maybe we should thank Ace and Deuce later?”

“No, those two are idiots. I’m just glad they didn’t accidentally turn you into a frog.”

Your laughter echoed with the sounds of the ocean waves, creating a happy and serene atmosphere that left you feeling more at peace than you’d been in a long time. And now with your curse cured, you could look forward to all the memories you could continue to make on land, but this time, with Azul by your side.

Wordlessly, you entwined your hands with his, and the two of you turned to stare out at the sea, hearts full of new and beautiful feelings.

Three days had passed, and now a lifetime of them spent loving Azul remained.

[wxnheart]

Sanguinius x reader Part 6 of 7 - thank you again for indulging me on this. Part 7 will be tomorrow – New Fic Writer Anon.

__

The next night, you couldn’t help yourself. After tossing and turning for an hour or two, you went for a short walk again.

You were surprised that no one stopped you, although you were not naïve enough to think no one was watching. You did not pause in front of the door this time, reaching your hand to the scanner and walking in when the display turned green.

You walked in, dim lighting greeted you. And there was Sanguinius, sitting with a book open in his lap, wearing a simple red robe. “Oh… um… sorry my Lord, sorry to interrupt, I’ll just..”

“Wait – wait.” And then, softer, “you don’t need to go.”

“I – um – “ you were suddenly conscious of the fact that you were wearing your night-robe. What had you been thinking? You know damn well what you were thinking. You tried to shake that thought off before he saw you blush.

Too late.

“Come here, please.” A request, but not one you ever could have refused. Even if you’d wanted to. He placed the book on the table next to him.

You walked closer, until you stood beside the Angel. You tried not to stare, tried not to feel the heat radiating from him – no wonder these rooms are so cold.  

He asked, with sincere curiosity, “why do you run?”

You mumbled something about “inappropriate.” He raised an eyebrow. “If it were inappropriate for you to be here, I would not have let you in.”

Of course. You felt silly. Why had you worried about being caught? The damn door had been coded to let you in, and there was only one person who could have authorized that. “What I’m afraid of,” you confessed, “is looking like a complete idiot in front of you, my Lord. Which I think I am right now.”

 Sanguinius graced you with a warm smile, and a look of kindness and understanding. He shook his head. “No, not at all.  You look like someone who has seen things that have no right to exist. And you survived, and you are whole. But you are easily startled now, and that is natural. It is nothing to be ashamed of.”

You relaxed, feeling more at ease. He was right, of course.

“I need to know something,” his eyes were still kind, but more intense. “Do you fear me?”

“No – no, of course not, my Lord,” you said. “You are our Primarch. Our Great Angel. You saved us all from - Why would I fear you?”

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath. He opened them, and left the chair. Wings rustling, the Angel went to his knees in front of you. He reached out and took your hands in his. Oh. So warm, strong, he held your hands as though they were a fragile treasure.  

“Because,” he said simply, “that is how I was made. My Father made me, along with my brothers, to strike fear into the hearts of our enemies.” He sighed, “and of course that means that we also leave our allies so bloody terrified that they can do nothing but obey us without question.”

He began gently stroking your hands. You wanted to hang on his every word, but it took effort to tear your focus from his touch.

“I am seen more as a symbol than a person. That is my role, and I gladly serve. I am more than human, but I am still human. The Imperium loves me from a distance,” he said almost wistfully, “but the moment I am close enough to a human to look them in the eye, I can sense their fear of me.”

“But not you. Somehow, not you.”

He lifted a hand to stroke the side of your face. And then – that look you had seen, in the eyes of your comrades, before they paired off and disappeared. The look of longing, the need to be held, and touched, and –

You saw that in the Angel’s eyes now, as he looked at you. Oh. Oh by all the stars yes.  And you knew he saw the same need in yours.

And you also realized, in that moment, how neatly you’d been caught. You’d been taken out of your barracks, far from your comrades, and placed in a gilded cage. And although the door was open, in truth you were only free to fly to him. The apex predator, who now held his prize in his hands.

It was good, then, that you couldn’t remember ever having wanted anything more.

The Angel caressed your cheek, then touched your lips, tracing them with his forefinger. Your heart hammered in your chest, and you nearly forgot to breathe. He leaned closer, until his lips were an inch from yours.

“May I kiss you?” he asked, and you found that you couldn’t form words. You nodded. Taking your inability to speak for hesitation, he asked again, “are you sure?” You still couldn’t speak, and you couldn’t wait. You reached up, slid your hands behind his neck, tangling in his soft, golden hair, and kissed him.

He started, surprised for a moment, and then kissed you back, hard and deep. Your knees went weak and it took effort to hold yourself up.

He broke the kiss, pressed his forehead to yours, breathing hard.  “I did not – expect that—”

“Too bold?” you asked, concerned.

“No – no, not at all. I mean that – when I am close to someone, in a duel, battle or – or like this,” he said, stroking the side of your face, “I usually see flashes, images, of what will happen next. Usually. But I see nothing of what you will do.”

Your mind spun. You tried to comprehend what it would be like to know, at the start of an intimate encounter, how it would end. You supposed you could avoid a lot of disappointment. But then, you would also lose the thrill of anticipation. It hardly seemed fair. He was quite possibly the most beautiful being in the whole galaxy, and –

And now, here you were, with him. A grin spread across your face that you hoped wasn’t too wicked.

His forefinger was on your lips again. You put it in your mouth.

He inhaled sharply, closing his eyes. When he opened them, he gave you a searing look that set every nerve in your body on fire.

“I think we should go to bed, yes?” he whispered.

You found your voice. “Yes.”

[darkeraurora]

Admissions - Chapter 1

Trigger warning for implied SA. No details, just mentions.

Part of a much larger story I'm working on. It starts in sort of the middle of that story, so it might not make sense at first but stick with it and it will. Also it's a slow burn, but stay with it and it gets spicy.

Minors DNI with any of my work please.

Another barrage of bare-knuckle punches. Sweat poured down his face under the balaclava, his shirt completely drenched. Bruised knuckles screamed for him to stop, or at least give it a rest for a few minutes, but Simon ignored the pain and kept punching. The smothering feeling pervading his mind and crushing his chest wouldn’t allow him any reprieve.

He felt disgusting.

Every time – every fucking time – he was near her the pressure in his chest increased and the most indecent thoughts flooded his mind. The things he wanted to do, that he longed for – fuck, even things he’d never even thought of in his entire miserable existence, especially not since...

Now Ghost abhorred even the notion of another person's touch. The thought alone made his stomach roil and bile rise into his throat as memories came to the surface. The thought of her touching him was both intoxicating and terrifying. But god how he wanted it. Would welcome it gladly even. A part of him honestly felt that he could die a happy man if he could feel her soft skin just once. 

Just to touch her once…

Yet he couldn’t.

So gorgeous, so perfect, so… so everything he was not. She didn’t deserve the likes of him. Someone so broken, damaged, scarred. Weak. Tainted.

… Used.

What happened... what had been done to him... A single tear escaped and rolled down his cheek to disappear into the fabric of his mask.

He was undeserving of her.

Ghost inhaled sharply at the painful thought and the ferocity of his strikes intensified. That was how Price found him an hour later.

“Ghost,” he called gently. The lieutenant was too far gone to hear. Price carefully approached the raging man from the flank, “Ghost!” his authoritative voice bellowed.

Simon finally slowed his punches long enough to turn toward the voice. Price clenched his jaw at the pain visible in those eyes. “That’s enough for one night son,” his deep voice soothed. “Come on now, give the bag a bloody rest, eh?”

Ghost’s legs wobbled slightly with the effort of walking toward the nearest bench. He sat, panting hard with exertion, angry eyes firmly locked on the floor in front of him.

“What’s eating at you Simon, hm? Did the bag do something?”

Silence.

“Or would this perhaps be related to a certain young lady?”

Ghost shifted uncomfortably at the question, thus giving Price his answer. “You’ve been a mess for weeks now Ghost. So come on now, out with what’s troubling you. Tell ole' Captain Price all about it.”

“N-negative sir,” the skull replied almost automatically, still winded from his workout.

“Ohhh now Simon… that wasn’t a request.”

“Sir…,” Ghost started to argue, only to pause when Price held up his hand signaling him to stop.

“Lieutenant, you’ve been running on fumes since you got here. Ya' aren’t sleeping, you’re not eating, instead you work yourself half to death at all hours of the day and punish innocent punching bags until your hands barely work anymore. Now I know you have your reasons, but this time keeping us out isn’t a choice. You’re destroying yourself. That’s no good for a mission. No good for you either. So I’ll say it again: tell me what has you so upset Lieutenant, that’s an order.”

Ghost took a deep breath and shut his eyes tight. “I… I can’t,” he ground out in a low voice. He wanted to answer his captain. He honestly did, but he just couldn’t get the words out.

“Try,” the captain encouraged. A long pause stretched between them before Price decided to help his poor lieutenant out a bit. “It is her, innit?”

“… yes sir,” Ghost whispered in a defeated tone.

“You’re in love with her, are you not Simon Riley?”

Clarity flooded his tormented mind in an explosion that would have brought him to his knees if he hadn’t already been sitting down. Warmth rapidly spread through his entire aching body as he finally had a name for what he was feeling. The way Price said it made it sound like the most obvious thing in the world. Undeniable.

L-love..? I’m-I’m in… love? Thoughts in his mind began swirling. His shoulders tensed and his throat locked up.

But no. Impossible. Impossible, unthinkable, ludicrous and any other number of adjectives. Not for someone like him.

“Mhm," the older man hummed as he nodded wistfully. "You, Simon Riley, are in love. Quite understandable, I think. She is indeed a beauty. More than that – she’s smart, dedicated, compassionate. A woman of great integrity. Really, what’s not to love?” Price smirked slightly, “Love is an amazing thing, so why do you look so miserable son?”

“Sir, I-I can’t…” his lieutenant repeated, all but pleading as he turned his eyes away from Price with a shake of his head. “I'm not-” he hissed through gritted teeth, shaking away memories of his father's taunts and slanders that were loud enough in his head to make his ears ring.

“How long now?” Price pushed carefully. Getting his lieutenant to finally open up was a rare thing and Price didn’t want him to shut down and fly off into another rage.

Ghost waited for several breaths, still refusing to look at Price. Propping his elbows on his knees, Ghost rested his masked head in his hands, “First day.”

“You’ve been in love with Sereza since the day we got here. I thought as much. Does Sereza not return your feelings?”

“No sir, she… doesn’t know.”

“You’ve never told her,” Price clarified. 

“…No sir.”

“Simon,” the captain got down to one knee, sinking to Ghost’s eye level, and rested a hand on his shoulder, “Being in love and having the chance to earn a woman’s love in return is a wonderful thing. There is no greater treasure in the world for a man.”

“I’m… not enough,” Ghost ground out lowly.

“No man is enough of anything to truly deserve a woman’s heart, Simon. They are enchanting, if perplexing, creatures. We can never be equal to them or worthy enough of them but the feeling of holding the woman you love in your arms… there is nothing in the world like it, son. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

If only. God if only. He barely dared to imagine the feeling of holding Sereza against his chest. There were no words to describe how badly he wished for that. But the Brit knew it was something he could never have and the vision only hurt him more. Ghost could only nod at his captain in response.

“I hate to think of you denying yourself that happiness when it’s right here in front of you.” Price squeezed Ghost’s shoulder encouragingly, “Despite what you think, you deserve a chance at happiness Simon. More than any other man I know.”

Simon squeezed his eyes tight and grit his teeth at the emotions Price’s words stirred in him. “Negative sir.”

Price stayed quiet. A calculation to keep the younger man talking.

“I don't want to love her.” He let out a deep breath, “She deserves better. Not this kind of life… Not a soldier who might never come home one day. Leave her all alone. Not someone who is so… so fucked up, but…,” he trailed off before releasing a shaky breath as he dropped his head further into his bruised hands, “I can’t get her out of my head.”

Price let the quiet admission hang in the air a few moments.

“She… she’s always there,” Ghost’s fingers scraped over his masked hair, digging into it. “But she is not mine to have…She will never be.” His voice broke the tiniest bit at the pain that fact brought to him.

“Nonsense Simon. Now I can't say what Sereza’s feelings are – she can be every bit as stubborn and difficult to read as you are – but I’ve seen the way she looks at you.” Price smiled a bit wider when Ghost finally lifted his head, giving his captain a skeptical look. It didn’t surprise him at all that Ghost hadn’t noticed. “She does. Always watching for you and drifts closer to you every time you’re around. She wants to be nearer to you Simon. I know you don’t think you’re worthy of the lady, but to be honest son – that’s for her to decide. And I’m fairly certain she has feelings for you as well.”

A shudder ran through him. Price felt it, he was sure. The thought alone that Sereza felt something for him other than the revulsion he felt for himself – anything at all – was causing his heart to race in his chest. 

He would… actually, he had no idea what he’d do. This was all a brand-new experience for him, and he truthfully had no clue what people who were involved this – in this ..... relationship… stuff....  did during the whole thing. Besides bedroom activities, obviously. And a discussion about THAT with his captain would be a whole other level of hell. Plus the only experience he had with relationships was watching his parents and there was no way he was going to copy that model. But he did know he would… somehow… do everything in his power to make Sereza happy because her happiness was the only thing in his dark world that mattered.

“The only way to pull yourself out of this hole you’ve found yourself in Simon is to tell her.”

Well now Simon’s heart was racing for an entirely different reason.

“I know that can be as scary as any fucking battlefield there ever was, but that’s the truth of it son. The only way forward is through.”

Simon visibly swallowed hard. “N-negative sir, I… I need some time first.” He really hoped Price would understand without him having to explain further. This was embarrassing enough as it was. But Ghost needed time to think first. To process his emotions about the whole thing. To adjust to… being in love.

The captain could understand that request. For someone like Simon, this was a jarring realization to come to. “Alright Simon. Take a little time. But don’t wait too long son. Love waits for no man.” Price clapped him on the shoulder once more before standing back up and heading out of the gym. “And get your arse to bed soon, for fuck’s sake.”

That was a little more like it. Price routinely told his lieutenant to go to bed almost every chance he got if he saw Simon out of his quarters late at night. Ghost appreciated that small shred of normalcy. He released another rush of breath and rested his head back in his sore hands.

Love. I’m… I’m in love. He thought to himself. I’m in love… with Sereza. He only wished the internal confession caused fewer conflicting feelings within him. With a weary groan, the exhausted lieutenant stood and made his own way out of the gym to go shower.

X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X

Weeks passed. Some slowly, others in a blur where Ghost couldn’t be completely sure he remembered everything that had happened. With no missions or intel to keep him distracted he'd spent the entire time processing his not-so-little epiphany.

No there was nothing little about it at all. For him it was fucking life-altering and nothing short of terrifying.

Love. He repeated for the ten millionth time in his head. I’m in love with her. The thought brought back the now familiar warm feeling in his veins. A feeling he now recognized to be love. He was getting much better at admitting it – in his head.

Out loud was a whole other thing entirely. Sure he could now more or less admit to himself freely that he was in love with Sereza, but that was pretty much where his progress came to a halt. God his mind was ridiculous.

“Fucking hell,” he breathed out to himself.

And apparently his luck was also ridiculous today because Price decided to pick now – Ghost’s little moment of solitude on the roof – to have another chat.

“Lieutenant,” his cheerful voice boomed.

“John,” Simon greeted simply with a nod of his head before returning to looking out over the base below.

“I can't help but notice Ghost that you’ve been doing a lot of thinking the past few weeks,” Price stated matter-of-factly, rocking back on his heels a bit. Ghost didn’t understand why the man seemed so proud of himself for that. “Since it’s been a bit I thought I’d check in with you, see where your head’s at now.”

“I have, yes sir.” Ghost took a deep breath as he tried to keep himself calm. Why was this stuff so bloody difficult to talk about anyway? “I’ve thought about it a lot and… I understand it now. I can accept it.”

“You admit that you love Sereza?”

“…Affirmative sir,” Ghost answered after a beat.

“Very good. Now did you admit it to her yet?”

Simon inwardly groaned. “Negative.”

Price wanted to facepalm himself. Or whack Ghost in the back of his head. Either one. “I see. Why not lad?”

“It’s not that easy.” Ghost’s irritation was beginning to bubble up. He hung his head as he searched for the right words. “And it’s… difficult… to talk about.”

“What is it the Americans say? 'Embrace the suck' or something like that? Bloody Yanks,” Price chuckled, “True Simon, new things are hard at first. But they get better with time,” Price leaned on the railing next to his stubborn lieutenant, “And they get easier a lot faster by talking about it, bloody hell.”

“Yes sir, sorry sir.” Ghost knew it drove people crazy sometimes trying to have a conversation with him. He felt bad for it and he was trying, but it was so fucking difficult. Particularly when it involved feelings, and emotions, and that… L-word. Why was everything in his life so damn hard all of the damn time?!

The Brit could feel Price’s eyes glued to him. “How about we start small, hm? You said you can understand it and accept it?”

“Affirmative,” Ghost replied, only a slight hesitation this time.

“Great! Let's hear it then.”

The skull’s eyes went wide. So much for only a slight hesitation. “Sir?”

“Let’s hear you say it. Say that you love her.” Price was enjoying this too much, if his grin was any indication.

Deep breath, you can do this. It’s just a few fucking words. Simon’s hands began to tremble. What the hell are you thinking? No you can’t. He clenched his fists around the railing. “I…” Another deep breath. How the bloody hell was this starting small? “I-I… I’m…”

He couldn’t do it. "FUCK!!" he snarled loudly in frustration, slamming his hand on the railing and turning his back on his captain.

“You said yourself you can admit it,” the older man started.

“I can!!” Simon roared as he paced back and forth in his agitation.

“So go on then,” Price countered.

“I meant in my fucking head!”

“Simon, look at me.” Price waited as Ghost settled down and faced him. He knew this was hard and he could be patient when he needed to be. “You love Sereza. Yes or no?”

Simon sighed, “…yes.”

“You make it sound like a bleeding punishment. Just say ‘I love her.’ Easy-peasy lad.”

For fuck’s sake. Well, if it will make Price get off his back – even a little - “...I love her.”

Price wiped a fake tear away. “They grow up so fast,” he fake-cried. Ghost wanted to punch him. Might have actually done so if he wasn’t the captain. “Maybe slightly more happy, hm? A bit less like you’re being sent to your doom?”

“I… love her.”

“Better, better. Much less doom that time. Again?”

“Price…” Simon was not in the mood for this. What he wouldn’t give for the man to just sod off.

“Again.”

Fucking fine, Simon yelled in his head. “I love her.”

“Much better lad! You could try using her name though. She does have one.”

Yes I’m fucking well aware, you todger, Ghost thought to himself. Bloody hell this was embarrassing. “I... love Sereza.”

“Why do you pause like you’re being forced on pain of death to say it?”

So help me, I’m gonna punch him, Ghost groaned in his head. “Not a natural sir,” he deadpanned.

“That’s for bloody sure. Quite shit at it really, Christ,” Price concurred. Simon wasn’t so sure that merited such a quick agreement. “Keep trying son, it’ll get easier.” He gestured for the lieutenant to continue.

Why did this man enjoy taking the piss so much? Ghost was honestly curious.

Finally, after an unnecessarily long time and a lot of teasing comments, Simon could say it with only a little difficulty. “I love Sereza.” It came out fluidly, a hint of confidence even.

“There you go son!” Price laughed and patted Simon hard on the shoulder. “Now then, what exactly do you love about her? Hm? Is it the usual dazzling eyes and smile?” The skull almost rolled his eyes when his captain made a sickeningly sweet face and blinked rapidly at him from under his eyelashes. “Or is there a little more to it?”

“More.”

There was so, so much more.

His mind flooded with all the things he loved about Sereza.

Simon let his eyes wander to the horizon. “I, I love… the sound of her voice. I love the feeling I get when I see her walk into the room. Her smile and the way her eyes shine and her scent. I love the dumb jokes we tell each other and making her laugh with the really stupid ones. But I also love just sitting in silence next to her whether it’s reading or just watching her return emails. It can be any mundane little thing and I’ll love every second of watching her do it. I love the strands of loose hair that fall against her neck. I love the shape of her ears and the expressions she makes when she’s annoyed. I love how much she hates when her wet hair makes her back cold and her bad mood when someone wakes her up early. I love watching her hair blow in the wind when she’s sitting outside. I love the way she drags a finger across her lip when she’s deep in thought. And I love …” Ghost’s voice trailed off as he paused for a bit. “I love how she makes me feel at peace by just being near her. I love her not just for what she made of herself, but for who I am when I’m with her.”

Price was in awe. “Simon… you’re smiling under there.”

Ghost felt his face flush deeply. He so appreciated his balaclava at the moment. But Price was right, damn it all; he was smiling. And it felt good.

...He felt good.

“That was beautiful son,” the captain sincerely complimented, “Absolutely beautiful.” Price decided there couldn’t possibly be a better ending for their discussion than that, and he definitely wanted these chats with Simon to end on a positive note. After an affectionate squeeze on the shoulder, Price left the lieutenant to be alone with his thoughts.

Moments later, "Hey Ghost,"

The teeth behind the mask clenched together tightly as the sweet sound of her voice washed over him.

Fuuuuucking hell...

---------

Intro. Hi everyone.

I'm new to this - so please be a bit patient with me. Been writing for over a decade but I've never let anyone see any of my stuff. Not even family. I decided to post it here though, to get a bit of public opinion I guess. Constructive criticism is appreciated but please be kind. And if you can't be kind then scroll on.

I love Ghost x Soap as much as the next person. I think they're perfect for each other and so adorable, however this time I decided to try Ghost with my female character from a different story. However feel free to replace her with Soap if that butters your biscuit. Go for it.

This is just a small section from the middle of a story I have in my head currently. If it does well then I'll actually write the whole thing and post it. Also I didn't proofread very much so please excuse mistakes.

Last thing to mention is this story is a massive one and a slow burn but it gets very spicy.

[citrinebunny]

If you don’t mind me asking, how tall are you, sweetheart? I’m not that tall myself, about 5’7”-ish, so I wonder if I would have to look up at you or not. I don’t have much of a size preference for anyone either way, but I’m curious! I do feel pretty confident that I would be looking down at you regardless, but I don’t think that means much at all, given how many times I’ve written about having you on your knees or under me. (;

Now, if you’ll let me break the ✨mean mysterious anonymous domme✨ persona for a moment (which I say like I haven’t been throwing out winky faces left and right or calling you cute little pet names, but let’s just pretend I still have a little mystique, sweetheart :p), I wanted to check in and make sure you’re having a good time. I’m well aware that I’ve been blowing up your asks for, like, two weeks now and far from the only one flirting in your asks, so please free to let me know if you ever want me to ease off, okay? I’ve had a lot of free time on my hands (and will for a while!), but this is fun for me only so long as it’s fun for you. If you’re fine with it, though, I’ll gladly keep at it and promise to write you as many dirty essays as you’d like. Maybe one day I’ll even feel bold enough to put one in your DMs, sweetheart. (;

- 💕

i’m 5’3! so yes you would definitely be looking down at me <3 i’ve read all of your asks, and loved them! i just haven’t had time to write full responses for them, and i feel bad posting them with only a one or two sentence response since you put such effort and detail into your asks!!

i’m a full time student so i’ve been slowly getting more and more busy 😵‍💫 but i love receiving them, reading what you have to say is so much fun ;) i’ve just been struggling to respond! so no worries, and thank you for always being so sweet to me <3

[nightravens-therapycircle]

Paint the Roses: Chapter 6 Preview

Explanations and Possible Solutions

It took not even a day or so after the unbirthday party for things at Heartslabyul to get worse than they already were. Much, much worse. Trey stood by Cater, watching as Riddle collared yet another student with his magic in the lounge. He had lost count of how many this made so far this year, and it was barely a week into the new semester.

“The Queen of Hearts’ Rule #249: ‘Flamingo caretakers are to don pink attire’,” Riddle recited for the latest member of Heartslabyul to slip up and make a mistake. “It was supposed to be your turn to feed the flamingos today. Why aren’t you wearing pink?”

“I’m sorry, Housewarden. My pink clothes were in the laundry…” said the student, already down on hands and knees. “Please… Please don’t take my head off!”

“This is your second rule violation. I cannot forgive a repeated offense. OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!” Trey fought back a flinch at the loud clang of the collar snapping around the student’s neck. “Write a 5,000 word apology and weed the garden for a week. I’ll gladly remove it then.”

The student choked on a sob. “That’s…”

“Do you think I enjoy having to do this?!” The student didn’t speak, though he did flinch at Riddle’s loud tone. “You’re the one who broke the rules! As much as I would like to, I cannot ignore these infractions. It’s for your own sake, understand?” Once again, the student said not a word. Riddle sighed, rubbing at his temple with his free hand. “Trey? Cater? Take him outside.”

“...yes, Housewarden,” said both of Riddle’s loyal companions with a deep bow each. When Trey looked up, he saw more ink dripping from Riddle’s fingers and splattering on the floor as he walked away. It wasn’t just droplets now. There were thick globs of it. And seeing that…

Trey couldn’t spend another moment in the dorm. He headed to the library instead in an effort to try and clear his head. He thought that if he wasn’t in the dorm, then he wouldn’t have to think about it. He wouldn’t have to think about what Riddle was doing, what he had seen… Out of sight, and out of mind.

Of course, Trey was clearly wrong. As he stewed in his guilt, glaring at the floor as he slid the book back on the shelf since the librarian was nowhere to be seen, he failed to hear footsteps approaching him from behind.

“Clover.” Trey looked up. Deuce, Ace, and Emery were walking towards him with Grim held in Emery’s arms.

“Oh, it’s you four,” Trey sighed. How did he not hear them sneak up on him like that…? He shook his head. “What are you doing here?”

“We figured that if we waited here long enough, you’d come by to return the cookbook that we used to use to make the mont blanc,” Emery explained as if it were simple math, “so we asked the librarian to let us hide out here until you did.” Trey hummed. Pretty clever for a couple of kids who couldn’t seem to stay out of trouble…

“We still got a problem with the way Riddle is running things,” said Ace.

Trey bit back another sigh. “Yeah, I bet.” To be frank, they weren’t the only ones. They were the only ones who actually said it. Trey tried to turn to leave, but the freshmen were blocking his path. He wasn’t getting away any time soon.

“Come clean about this. What do you really think about Riddle? Is it true that you’ve been his lap dog since you were kids?” Since they were…?

“Who told you that?”

“We ran into someone as we were leaving Heartslabyul yesterday,” Emery explained. “He said his name was Chenya.”

“Chenya…” Trey sighed. “That explains it.” The nosy cat. What was he even doing in Heartslabyul anyway? And why did he feel the need to wedge himself into an issue that he wasn’t involved in at all?

“Aren’t you older than Riddle?” Grim asked. Not by much; what was he trying to get at? “Why haven’t you told him off already? What’s wrong with getting angry at him?”

“I do it when I absolutely have to.” There were moments early in Riddle’s term as housewarden where he had to correct him on some things, but… “I just… I don't think the situation calls for it.”

“Is that the truth,” Emery asked, her arms crossed, “or can you just not bring yourself to do it?” It was an honest question, and one that she had no idea how much it implied. Trey exhaled through his nose, not sure about the answer.

The full chapter will be up on Ao3 on October 16th!

[the-travelling-witch]

how adorable of you, being worried about my blood-shedding self~ it almost makes me blush, but alas, with a beatless heart it ain't possible. and yes, it does seem like your summoning had been successful; no side effects i can remember of, and even if, this immortal body of mine would have surely withstood it without fail or fatigue.

as for your summons, i do not think you need to go to such lengths: the whisper of my beloved's name in any manner will surely take me back here, but it ain't a guarantee for an intervention of mine, unless you specify so~

his beauty... you certainly did bring aether's otherworldly handsomeness justice in your writing, but it ain't news to you, is it? after all, everyone here is always chanting praises for your prose, you should know it well enough as of now. (as for my heart, i was jesting, my dear witch. sometimes i do crave it could beat, when my lovely blond hero lays his head on my chest, but we can't have everything we wish for, can we?)

hah, such love! i do understand perfectly how you feel, as aether has the same exact effect on me. as for his missed encounter with your newest lover, well, you know my offer to help seek immortality for one of them shall fate decide to act out of way is always up, even if i know you have your own means. but friends help each other, don't they?

midnight vampire

ps: could you possibly make me a batch of any potion of yours? something that either helps regenerating blood faster, producing it or that helps in feeling satiated with less sustenance. as summer approaches my energy and needs have to be met more often, and you know how jealous my lover gets if my teeth sink anywhere else beside his flesh, but i certainly can't risk to have him fall sick or worse. in the meanwhile i did convince him animals will take his place, but i'm afraid this won't last long.

ah well, side effects for magic are varied and numerous in their appearance, so even the more resilient species can be troubled by the at times and we wouldn’t want that would we?

you certainly aren’t required to stop by for a chat if the mood does not strike you, but just know that any word from a well-known customer is music to my ears ^^

you say it cannot be news to me but let me tell you, it might as well be; in the sea of doubts that is life, even the steady rocks of validation we cling to can be swept under the waves and they only resurface under great efforts. therefore i will gladly take any form of praise my dear patrons are willing to bestow upon me ^^

i know continued refusal borders on rudeness but i don’t think either of them would want me to take you up on that offer either; making them immortal would take all the thrill out of their lives, i’m afraid. besides, as a last resort, i am here to intervene as well, so despite their numerous encounters, we’ve not had any fatal injuries to report yet

and yes, surely, i’ll get to work on that right away, it should be no trouble at all. just swoop by whenever is convenient for you to check in on the progress :]

[opalesense]

Dick headcanons for Kaeya, Diluc, Childe, and Zhongli? 👀

dick headcanons

kaeya, diluc, childe, zhongli & gn!reader (NSFW)

1.1k words • ~9 min. read

warnings: cockwarming, blood mention, size difference, liyue arc spoilers

notes: SUPER delayed response (i’m so sorry) because i genuinely took a couple days to think about some fictional characters’ dicks??? i think it’s time to touch some grass?? ANYWAY i hope i did this request justice, i’ve never thought about this stuff in detail before :0

kaeya

i’ve always imagined that kaeya really has some LENGTH. he’s slightly above average so it’s not monstrously large, but he can definitely hit your sweet spots with ease or no effort at all.

it’s to the point where he can easily make bulges in your throat or your stomach. he absolutely loves watching his entire length disappear inside you and will either tease you about how he fits inside so well or how he’s so big that he can’t fit in you. just depends, of course.

cockwarming!!!! especially if you take his entire length in so well, expect him to ask if he can bury himself in you when the opportunity presents itself.

not super related to the topic but he’s the type to “fake bang” you if you’re bent over just to tease you. also the type to discretely grind his bulge against you when he’s in the mood, whether you’re hugging, cooking a meal, or even in the middle of a conversation with someone. he will not hesitate to let you know he wants you by letting you feel how hard you make him.

i don’t think many people talk about this but i imagine he’s uncircumcised... it’s going to sound so stupid but the “always hiding something” characterization... i’ll stop talking, you probably get it now HAHA

very well groomed down there! he truly does care about appearances and cleanliness after all. you never have to worry about poor hygiene with him in general. even though he loves doing dirty things with you there’s no doubt that he will always keep his dick as clean as possible. (shouldn’t everyone, though?)

he loves feeling tightness around his cock. whether it’s your hand pumping him or his form fitting pants restricting his bulge, firm pressure against that area can make his heart race. sometimes he can just be so needy for his cock to get attention.

diluc

despite being around average size he really has some girth on him! his cock is deliciously thick, that’s for sure.

twitchy! you can learn what he loves by the way his cock or his hips will twitch in excitement, almost as if it has a mind of its own. sometimes he can get so lost in the feeling and become speechless that those twitches would be your only indicator to keep doing what you’re doing.

his tip is so sensitive... if you lick that specific spot underneath his head or use your fingers to squeeze his tip, he will absolutely lose his mind. he also likes to shallow fuck you sometimes, loving the feeling of penetrating you over and over again.

that being said, expect him to usually take things slow and steady at first. he loves seeing the way his cock stretches you out, and especially loves seeing your hole gaping open to match his thickness. the feeling of pushing your walls apart because of how thick he is is always enough to make him weak at the knees.

he loves when you inflate his ego a little by using two hands to jerk him off rather than one. he especially loves when you use one hand to massage his balls, another sensitive spot of his. seeing you so eager and dedicated to please him will always send his heart pounding.

i like to imagine he has big, thick loads too to match his fat cock... he would definitely love dumping his cum inside you then letting it spill out so he can fuck it back inside again, penetrating you until your entrance is sore and covered in his load.

childe

this man is packing. he’s huge. nothing anyone can say will change my mind. out of this entire boy band group, this man packs the most. even his in game model has been proven to have such a fat cock that his bulge can literally be seen from behind???

it can tear you apart! hell, maybe it could make you bleed if he’s a touch too rough with you. but we all know that’s secretly what he would love to see... his bloodthirst might extend to intercourse too.

despite this, of course he would make sure your comfortable with his size first and would adjust accordingly in normal circumstances. he’s aware of how big he is and doesn’t want to make you feel genuine pain. maybe in other circumstances where he needs to take out his frustrations, he might not be so considerate...

if you gently touch or lick the veins that travel on the underside of his cock he goes a little feral! his veins are his weakness, just imagine the shaky moans he lets out as you tease him by tracing your finger along those veins... god help me

i believe in size kink foul legacy childe supremacy... his cock is already above average in size when he’s his normal self, but when he transforms you often tremble in borderline fear wondering how he could fit inside you. it’s mind boggling how the size difference is humanly possible.

(un?)fortunately, he can’t keep this form up for very long but rest assured he loves seeing the look on your face when he fucks you silly on such a fat cock, even if it’s just for mere moments.

that being said, expect childe to be super cocky about his size. his ego swells whenever you swoon over how big he is and he’s definitely the type of person to use this to his advantage by teasing and pushing your buttons.

zhongli

several sources have stated that rex lapis was able to change and alter his form freely... surely if zhongli could still do this even with his gnosis taken away, he would change his size to your preference if needed.

if you wanted his cock to rip you open, just say the word and he will do so accordingly. but if you’re feeling a little more mellow and wanted things to be gentle, he would gladly alter himself to be average size, or even smaller if you wanted.

but when i say he can alter his form, you best be sure that he can make it so he has two cocks at once. yes i believe in double cock zhongli supremacy... do with that information what you will.

since zhongli isn’t exactly human, his cock doesn’t exactly match that of a human’s either. in his most natural form without any changes being made, his cock is tougher and firmer than a normal human’s muscle. it doesn’t squish easy to the touch, but it’s not completely rock solid as you’d expect, which is quite ironic coming from a geo god.

you notice his veins on his cock, just like the rest of his body, are golden. they only actually show up when he’s reaching his climax where they’ll glow brighter if he’s getting closer to his orgasm. finally, with each pump of cum he lets out, these veins start pulsing with light until they eventually dim when he’s calming down from his high.

weird, huh?

[halaboyz]

pairing: royalty, bff! haechan x royalty, gn! reader (implied dressing of female, though it has they/them pronouns) genre: light angst, 19th-century setting wc: 3k warnings: profanities, self-indulgent. tell me if i missed anything! HAPPY BIRTHDAY FULLSUN ! n/a: i literally talk to u everyday i don't have anything to say i appreciate u tho

THE HEARTBREAK COLLECTION. req. by mika.

It was when you were ten years old. When you first met such an oddball, hiding outside the big windows of your room, peeking as you practiced your posture with a book in your head and a terror teacher inside the room with you.

You didn't understand why, for whatever reason, he was bothering you. You didn’t even know the boy, you even thought he was just a lost boy from outside the big walls of your castle. So when you furrow your eyebrows while the teacher paid attention to another student, he takes advantage of it and makes a weird face.

You were just on the brink of tears and you can’t be happier that someone made an effort to put a smile on your face. So when you stifle a laugh while he continues to be the oddball that he is, the book wobbles at the top of your head, he runs away when he sees the teacher head to you with a stern look.

You surely had remembered his face that day. For the reasons: one, he made you smile. And two, he was the reason for a tighter lecture.

“Lee Haechan if you don’t want your ass whipped, I gladly suggest you leave,” You exaggeratedly mouthed to the man outside the windows, all grown up but still having the mindset of a child.

It was still like you were ten years old.

Yes, exactly like ten years old when he childishly mocks your face back.

“Hey, I am going to need you to focus!” Hitting the table in front of you with her long, thin stick, you flinch in surprise as the book wobbles on the top of your head, wriggling in an effort to find the center of gravity and balance the book. “Lee Haechan, that kid…” Your teacher shakes her head and glares at you, and after she walks away only do you stifle a snort because damn, you weren’t the only one who’s going to suffer now.

“Right, I’ve been thinking about it a lot. Corsets should definitely be optional, not mandatory.” Giggling as you stride through the big hallways, you and Eunyi stop at the sudden, stern voice echoing throughout the mansion.

“You’re such a troublemaker, Lee Hae— have it held high!” And that familiar, thin stick that you’ll hear every where. 

“Lee Haechan just never rests, doesn’t he?” Eunyi clicks her tongue, already squinting her eyes to see far enough Haechan kneeling outside a room, the teacher in front of him. His arms were holding five thick books, probably history books, high up in the skies as he muttered continuous apologies to satisfy the woman in front of him.

You hide a smirk as you walk past through eyes already holding a teasing glint.

It was the first time he looked at you like that. Or maybe it was only because he was looking up at you— you don’t know. But it felt different. The way his eyes looked up at you in such awe and… amazement. Like how it feels when you see your first love— your only love, for the first time. And it was as if time slowed down for the both of you, and that was the second you knew you fell for him.

Hard.

“Hey, are you good?” Eunyi shakes your arm and you away from your fantasy, already walked a distance from Haechan as you inhaled sharply.

“I’ll be damned.” 

“y/n!” It was that same, harmonious voice that called for you, ringing in your ears ever so softly as the heels of your shoes stopped with a click on the marble floor, turning around to be tackled inelegantly, Haechan’s arms circling your neck to put you on chokehold. “Where are you going?” 

As you try to choke out a word, Haechan only realizes he still has you on hold and lets go of you, giggling as he looks at you coughing harshly.

“I could’ve died,” 

“You didn’t.” Haechan’s honey voice cooed as this time, his arms looped around yours. “Where were you going?” 

“None of your business,” You raise your fist to threaten punching him, only for him to avoid it a foot away in a second. “Are you following me?”

“Me?” Haechan snorts loudly, “Following you? For what? To see you go into some boring posture class and completely fail it because your corset is too itchy?” 

You glare at him as he spurts out every fact that you have been muttering whenever you find yourself beside him after posture class, stretching your back as he ices the back of your palm before it bruises, cause of the continuous hits of your instructor’s thin, long stick. 

“Just skip that class! You’re going to have your pretty hands fractured one day there,” He then takes your hand to examine it, a pout forming in his lips when he sees spots of bruises forming faintly. “Who even hits their students? More importantly, you’re royalty!” 

Taking your hands back with a sharp inhale, you swallow the lump on your throat first before tucking your hands behind you. 

“I know. Even my mom knows about it, but nothing really changed so I can’t do anything about it.” You sigh out, unconsciously caressing your hand that Haechan just held while you hold back a smile.

“Oh, you can do something about it.” He stops on his tracks and faces you with a sly smile, as if he had just thought of the best plan anyone could think of. “My royalty, would you be able to take my lovely offer and trust me?” He mocks to bow down and offers his hand, waiting for you to take it.

“No way, Haechan. I can never trust you with these things,” 

His offered hand comes in contact with his chest, as if an arrow had struck him as he acts hurt, as you stare at him embarrassingly. 

“God, stop. You’re so dramatic,” Pushing his face away, you were about to walk when you hear Haechan chuckle, then tugging your wrist to drag you from the way of your destination. 

“The castle’s big. There is no way they’ll search a big place like this for one student,” Haechan says between breaths, glancing at you from time to time to see you, the most uncoordinated person he knows, not tripping over their own foot. 

“Can we— stop, damn it,” You try catching your breath but Haechan wastes no second to tighten his hold on your wrist that you were desperately escaping from. “Where the hell…”

“We’re here!” Haechan finally stops with a big sigh, head turning everywhere slowly as he takes in the beauty of the large, closed garden. Birds were flying around with sweet melodies of its sounds as it roamed the fresh trees, wind only minimal from the smallest open windows from the glass roof. 

More than breathless now— quite literally and not because of the amazing view you have failed to have known about your whole life, Haechan’s hands unconsciously slide down to intertwine with yours from your wrist, a proud smile growing on his face when he sees you in awe.

“Actually, not just yet.” Haechan tugs on your hand once again and before he even starts dragging you, your heels dig to the ground.

“Haechan, I swear to the heavens, if we run again, I’m losing a heartbeat.” With Haechan’s loud laugh, when he tightens his hold on yours only do you realize that you were now intertwining hands, making you blush harder, given that you were already red from all the running.

“We don’t need to run. I just have a special place in here that anyone doesn’t really know about,” He finally starts walking, leadin you to a bunch of tall bushes by the corner— or so you thought. Haechan pushes the bushes aside carefully and it makes your mouth agape.

“How did you even know about this?” You suppose Haechan put that blanket in the middle of the what was supposed to be small field in the corner of the garden. There were already remnants of plastics of candies and wares of— well, probably cookies from the kitchen, and another unopened ware of food you can’t fathom what.

“Well, these bushes really, really grow fast.” Haechan explains, urging you to sit on the blanket as he cleans his mess. “When it grew out as tall as me, it connected with each other and I guess they just forgot this space existed— or they just didn’t bother cutting these bushes again,”  

“Yeah, I asked how you found this.” Though what he just said was something new for you, you sarcastically retorted at Haechan which earns you both a chuckle. 

“Okay. To be honest, I was roleplaying a scene in here alone, then i tripped over some stupid rock that was there at a wrong time and when I try holding on to the bushes for support, I kinda just slid through,” 

It was late. You were already laughing your ass off at his embarrassing story, right when “roleplaying” even left his lips. 

“Roleplay?!” You point at him, your other hand opening the ware full of mallows and stuffing your mouth with it as you laughed and teased the growing red Haechan. 

“Stop, I knew you were going to tease me,” Haechan whines, plopping beside you and snatching the mallows.

“Come on, it’s rare that it’s finally me teasing you, not the other way around. Give me some slack,” You turned to face him as he deadpanned at you, and you almost burst the mallows all over his face if only you didn’t stop your mouth with your hand. 

“So cute!” Haechan randomly squeals and pinches both of your cheeks, while you struggle to chew the mallows and swallow it before it spills out because of all the pinching.

“Stop, good heavens,” Haechan finally lets your cheeks free and leans back with his hands for support, looking particularly nowhere and just enjoying the sight, the peace, and your presence. “What were you really roleplaying for?” 

It was just a genuine and light question, so the both of you don’t laugh. You knew Haechan didn’t really care about things— how he’s a royal, how he should be particularly sure about his future and wants, how everybody is already literally begging for Haechan to think about what he wanted to be if he doesn’t want to be crowned king.

Just a little side note though. If Haechan wants to act and has passion in it, you would definitely support it all the way. So roleplaying might be just one of his trials.

“Isn’t this place perfect?” Haechan starts, sighing of something of content. He watches you lay down on the blanket and hears you hum. Before he continues, he pulls your arm to stretch, setting his head on it as it served as his pillow. He keeps his hold in your hand, afraid that you’ll pull it out out of annoyance. But you don’t. You’re too fallen in love to be even faking annoyance. The way he’s just beside you, you wanted to answer ‘Yes, Haechan. If it’s just us, in here, like this. More than perfect.’ but your lips were sealed tight, your eyes stayed at him who wasn’t even looking at you. “A perfect place for a confession.” 

“What?” It was the only word that left your lips, jerking a little as you tried meeting his eyes, but he only waves you off. Mixed feelings. It was what you felt. For whom? You didn’t even know. 

But what you knew is that Haechan only knows a handful of people here inside the castle, given that his family doesn’t want people knowing his kind-of-rebellious behavior. 

And maybe, just maybe— Haechan fancies you. It makes you smile a little, and maybe a tad bit of anticipation toward the man.

“I was thinking of Royal Ball. I’ll call them right here. I might even set a little dance floor here. Just… us.” And Haechan looks at you. 

Who wouldn’t fall for his eyes? For his smile? For his genuineness? 

Because you? 

You had fallen way deeper than you know. Way deeper. 

“Royal Ball, huh.” You kept your smile to yourself, acting nonchalant as you nod, heaving a small sigh as you let your eyes rest, reminiscing the feeling of him beside you. “Since when did you like someone?”

“I don’t know.” Haechan doesn’t even hesitate a second, as he’s a person who doesn’t hold back in telling how he felt, and feels. “I think it was something the like of love at first sight. I’ve always seen them around, but then when I was getting punished by a teacher in a hallway— Heavens, the sun lit through the walls of the castles and landed on their face… they are godly.” 

Your mind runs back to the time you and Eunyi walked past him when he was kneeling and asked to hold five thick books outside in the hallways, and it made your heart beat faster.

Anticipation goes over your doubtfulness, and you think maybe, just maybe, it is you. You hope it is you. 

Royal Ball wasn’t the ball you imagined it to be. You thought it’d just be some small gathering of royalties and their families, but it actually was something bigger. So you had to exert more effort in hiding your sneakers under your dress, avoiding anyone who took notice of your overly confident strides.

Your eyes only keeps finding one particular head once you step foot on the big room, your lips still fighting a smile as you tried calming yourself down.

“y/n, can you please get in here?” Your mom’s voice booms on your ear as you shake your head to reality, smiling at them as you approach your mom and dad with two familiar people.

“Mom, Dad.” You smile, getting into your mom’s embrace as you bow at the guests, “Queen and King Lee,” They return the greeting with a small bow and a smile.

“Princess y/n.” They chimed, looking proudly at you. “I can tell you’ve put extra effort into your look today,” Oh heavens, was it that obvious? Haechan’s mother squints her eyes at you teasingly, exactly like the eyes of your beloved.

“Yeah, actually, I am anticipating something by the end of tonight,” You truthfully answer, earning you small oh’s and hmm’s from your parents and Haechan’s parents.

“Well then, we wouldn’t want to be the barrier to this something tonight, would we?” Haechan’s mother pats her husband’s arm, giggling. “You should go and enjoy tonight.” 

“Then I’ll get going. I hope you enjoy tonight too,” You smile, but right before you turn to walk away, they stop you.

“Right, lovely, just one more thing. Have you seen my boy?” Your eyebrows perk at the mention, shaking your head.

“Didn’t he come with you?” 

“He came way earlier than us, said something about preparing priorly about some—- oh,” Haechan’s father stops mid-sentence, and only do you realize what he realized a moment later.

“Oh please, no,” You chuckle, lightly waving your hands in front of your face. You had to reject every advances their statements had to bring regarding their son until they had finally let you go after a few minutes, Haechan’s mother winking at you.

“Damn, when is he going to ask me?” You mutter, eyes still looking around as you dragged your gown around for someone. “Oh, Eunyi!” Rather than who you were looking for the very first second, your bestfriend catches your eye and you run to her, preparing to bombard her with questions because for all you know, she didn’t want to come to the ball. “I though—-”

“y/n, I’m really sorry. I have somewhere to go, I’ll find you later!” After giving you a hug, she comes running out of the ballroom to who knows where, leaving you the most confused as you found a seat, giving up on finding Haechan. 

When you’ve had your third glass of juice for the day, you finally feel your bladder slowly getting full, disappointedly walking out of the ballroom to the bathroom nearby. After doing your business do you see yourself pouting in the mirror.

“God, what was supposed to be the happiest night, turned out to be tiring.” You hiss, “If you don’t find me Haechan, fine. I’ll go there myself.” You jump at your idea, carrying the useless gown as you sprinted in front of the garden. “Finally.” 

It was just like last time, the time when you went here with Haechan. 

Peaceful. And it was more peaceful at night. 

The moon shined brightly against the window roof, and even served as the light more than the lampposts inside the garden. You slowly made your way to the bushes, careful not to make a noise to be able to surprise him. But as you step closer to the bushes… there was music playing. Steps filling the music. 

You knew.

Step. Slide. Step. Slide. Step. Slide. Step. Slide— Waltz. 

Hildegard Knef’s Fur Mich, Soll’s Rote Rosen Regnen.

Exactly what you had the song in mind when you want someone to slow dance you under the moonlight.

Now you’re watching the love of your life create your wishes with somebody else.

What had gone wrong? Wasn’t it you? When did Haechan and Eunyi even meet? When did they even fall? 

And it hits you.

Ah, it was always there. It has always been there. 

You were just too busy feeding into your own fantasy what your brain and heart wants. It had never been you and Haechan. It has always been him and Eunyi, and then there’s just you.

The moment Haechan felt, it was just between him and Eunyi, and then in the sidelines was you.

As you watch them through the small gap between the bushes, you could only suffer in the void as you swallowed all the whining and the sobs of the pain your heart felt. 

And for the last time, you mutter the words you have always prayed for to whoever was in the heavens.

“Please don’t be in love with someone else…” As you cried in pain, muffling your hopeless sobs with your hand. “Please don’t have somebody waiting on you…” Like a chant spilling out of your lips, you hoped some magic will do its work. 

But nothing beats the enchantment both Haechan and Eunyi was feeling right now, foreheads together as they swayed through the smooth melody the song gave, eyes closed as they feel each other’s warmth and presence under the moon. 

And again, it hits you. These words you have always prayed to the above have backfired at you—- somebody else? There was no you in the first place. 

There was no you in his love story. Haechan was never in love with you. 

And so, he indeed didn’t fall for someone else— you.

if someone asked to be tagged i'm so sorry (its probably down my notifs) >< nct dream is a misc group in my works but if ever i can still add them to my permanent taglist! if you want to be tagged to the future nct dream fics, drop them in my inbox <3

[aemonds-sapphire]

Take a Seat — Hawks x Reader

You tell Hawks you can’t stand him; he tells you to take a seat.

Warnings: NSFW. Face riding. Oral sex. Feather play. Masturbation. Exhibitionism.

Word count: 1.7k

“Hawks!”

Your screech reverberated through the walls of his bedroom.

The pro hero reckoned it wouldn’t take much longer before your angry voice was heard yet again.

“KEIGO!”

There it was.

A wave of satisfaction ran along his entire body and all the way through to his wings, ruffling the feathers in the process.

“I am going to kill you!” you bellowed in frustration from inside the bathroom. “I am going to be late!”

Hawks dreaded having to part ways with you on his day off. He rarely managed to get enough free time as it was, and now he’d have to watch you go to work, postponing his need to shower you with attention and love.

But Hawks’ playful antics always found a way to surface whenever the occasion called for it.

So he decided to steal your clothes and bath towel while you were taking a hurried shower.

It proved to be enough to kindle your anger and frustration, which would only work in his favor in the end.

As soon as your burst into the bedroom, dripping wet and ready to pounce him, Hawks felt a rush of blood flooding downwards with a subtle tingling sensation.

“What did you do with my clothes?” you growled, taking large steps in his direction. “I’m gonna be late for work!”

Hawks shrugged, thankful that his every growing erection was neatly hidden away from you under the bed cover.

He watched in sheer delight as you grabbed one pillow and tossed it at him, which he promptly deflected with one of his feathers.

“You are so annoying!” you sighed in exasperation.

A teasing smile curled his lips. Getting under your skin was one of his favorite pastimes. It got you all riled up with this pent-up tension that he’d so gladly fuck out of you.

But then something else crossed his mind.

Oh… you were going to flip at this.

But he was feeling particularly daring and willing to push you a little more than usual.

“I’m feeling feverish….” he started, making use of his top-level actor skills to twist his features into a pout. “And there’s this pain….”

And just like clockwork, the visible traces of anger on your face faded into a worried look.

You sat naked on his edge of the bed, placing the back of your hand on his forehead to check his temperature.

“Where does it hurt?”

Hawks lifted the comforter, revealing his hard cock to you. “Here.”

Just as he had anticipated, you immediately scowled at how shameless he was.

“I was seriously worried! You damn bird!”

And just as you stood up and were about to smack him, he took the opportunity to grab both your wrists and had you swing on top of him at lightning speed until you were sitting on his bare torso.

You tried to jerk free from his grasp. “Hawks! I’m gonna be late!”

He honestly couldn’t care less. Having you fully naked and on top of him only fueled his desire for you.

“I’ll fly you there,” he said with a devious smile as he ruffled his wings along the mattress like a haughty peacock. “C’mon…”

Once again, you yanked both arms in an attempt to break free, but all in vain. He was far too strong, and he justwasn’t going to let go of you just yet.

“Ugh! I can’t stand you!” you huffed in annoyance.

What a blatant lie.

All that forced outrage had his cock twitch in anticipation. How he adored fucking you into submission, peeling off all those layers that you so vehemently insisted on keeping on just to give him a hard time.

He loved your brattiness.

“Sit on my face.”

Your eyes widened in surprise. “What?”

Hawks wanted to let go of his hold on you have his hands cup your breasts, but he remained still just in case.

“Let me eat you out,” he insisted, rubbing his thumbs along the pulse points in your wrists.

You faltered briefly when you clenched your thighs around him.

“You’re so…”

“Charming.”

You shook your head. “No.”

Hawks let go of you, knowing fully well he had you trapped.

“Handsome?”

“Annoying!”

He flashed his trademark grin. “Annoyingly handsome? I know!”

With one hand, he smacked your ass lightly, but you didn’t budge.

“I just took a shower… and I don’t want to be late for work…”

Hawks was a patient man, but not this patient. “Then stop wasting time and ride my face.”

You hesitated at first, but caved in eventually. He slid down his pillow so that he could be the perfect seat for your pussy. Carefully, you lifted yourself from him before finally settling directly above his face.

He nodded eagerly, nearly letting out a groan at the mouthwatering sight of your pussy in close proximity with his hungry mouth.

A sigh if relieved rumbled across his chest the moment you were fully sitting on him, and he instinctively brought both hands to grip your thighs. The delicious moan that escaped your lips was incentive enough for him, and without much effort he parted his lips and delved his tongue deep inside your warm pussy.

“Oh…”

You were so fucking adorable. Still surprised that he could deliver all that pleasure with just a few stroked of his skillful muscle? After all this time of having you all to himself?

Your folds encased the corners of his mouth, as if trying to make sure he wasn’t going anywhere.

And he didn’t plan to.

In fact, he planned on spicing things up.

He knew far too well that this, however, would prove to be not only insanely pleasurable for you but also for him.

A single crimson feather went up in the air and settled right between your legs.

An intense shiver ran down his spine as he was able to capture the pulse from your throbbing clit.

See, Hawks’ feathers came in extremely handy in these situations, because it granted him the ability to sense vibrations around them. So, your puffy clit’s thudding was immediately felt along his entire body. All the way to his cock, causing his hips to shoot up reflexively.

“K-Keigo! Not… not the—“

Your words faded and morphed into a pleasurable moan as soon as the tiny feather began drawing small circles along your clit.

Hawks was still able to watch you gripping the headboard for support, before shutting his eyes as overwhelming bliss filled him. His cock throbbed with each heartbeart, the skin at the base pulling as he hardened even more.

He kept tongue-fucking you, drinking in your juices and your moans. Your wetness was now spreading across his chin, and he brought one of his hands to free his cock from the heavy fabric of the comforter, allowing it to spring free. The dire need to fuck you was ever-growing, but he wanted you to cum on his face this time.

His feather was kept tightly pressed against you, and such stimulation caused your hips to buck and jerk, forcing his other hand to increase his grip on you to keep you in place.

“Oh… oh… fuck—fuck—fuck!”

Hawks had had years to perfect his quirk and he was fully able to bend his feathers to his will using nothing but his mind to control them.

You were done for.

And so was he.

He wrapped his fingers around his leaking cock, yearning for nothing more than relief. It was becoming unbearable to feel your heartbeat invade his mind and travel down his body in rhythmic waves of pleasure.

A high-pitched moan fell from your lips. “Keigo! Please… it’s… it’s…” too much. Yes, it was.

The obscene slurping sounds coming from him were enough to have his hips jerk once again as he fucked his hand desperately.

He was too damn close.

He was fully aware that using one of his feathers drastically hindered his endurance. There was only so much he could withstand while having a hot girl riding his face.

Soon enough, he felt your thighs begin to quiver and he had the feather lap at your clit more avidly while keeping his tongue sliding in and out of your soaked pussy.

With a few more jerks from your hips, you were catapulted into your orgasm, spasming violently into his face while raking your fingers through his hair before gripping a few strands forcefully.

“Good… good boy!” you groaned in ecstasy as a gush of your wetness flooded his tongue.

Not long after, he felt your legs spasm uncontrollably. And he didn’t just feel this because they were tightening around his head; he felt your every contraction and twitch thanks to his feather still lodged between your swollen folds.

And that was what immediately pushed him over the edge. The overwhelming pleasure took over him completely, and he reached the point of no return. Hot spurts of cum shot from his tip with each spasm of his own body; the muscles in his thighs and lower abdomen tightened along with his balls. His wings stretched on either side of him and he felt a stack of feathers shoot out in both directions and carving themselves into the furniture and walls.

A few strands of hot liquid coat his fingers, but he didn’t care. His own heartbeat pounded insanely loud inside his ears and he stopped breathing for a moment as a gutural growl ripped through his throat.

You slid off to the side, allowing his animalistic groans to echo around the both of you.

Hawks took pride in having enviable stamina, but a powerful orgasm was still enough to have him panting and feeling lightheaded. Your juices were spread across his chin and lips and jaw as a few drops ran down his neck.

“I still hate you…” you struggled to say in between pants.

He licked the excess liquid from his lips, locking eyes with your hazy ones. “Want me to give you another orgasm?”

“I’m gonna be late!” you protested, sliding out of bed and nearly tripping as your legs wobbled from having your leg muscles strained.

Hawks couldn’t help but to laugh as your struggled to keep your balance.

“C’mon. I’ll fly you there. I doubt you’ll be able to walk, anyways.”

He was thankful to his fast reflexes as a feather prevented yet another pillow from reaching his face.

-

Masterlist

-

@dabiboy (since you wanted to be tagged 🥺)

[aquamarinescarlet]

The Psychology of Us

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Word count: ~3.5k

Warnings: mentions of smut (nothing explicit)

Summary: It seems like you’ll never get the answers you want, but little did you know…

Author’s note: This is probably my favorite story yet. It got a little steamier than I originally planned, but I think it turned out okay. I hope the explanation makes sense, it’s something I do use in real life so I thought it’d be fun to write about. Anyhow, thank you for everyone who read, and have fun with the last part :D

Taglist: @helloalycia @gingerbreadcookieforlife @xastrydx @trikruismybitch @b0mbdotc0m @ima-gi--na-tion @cristin-rjd @arealearp @1-800-maximoff @zarriaza329

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

“I know, I know, I’ll be at your place at seven.” You said to Angie as soon as she reached you.

The hallway was packed, yet you were still able to notice her presence.

“About that,” she sounded unsure, “I came to tell you about this small gathering Pietro is doing at his place tonight, and I was wondering if you’d come with me?”

“So I can be a third wheel? No thank you.”

“He will have other friends over too, don’t worry.”

“Then why can’t you go by yourself?”

“Because I don’t know any of them and I don’t want to be there all by myself.” She reasoned.

“Just stick by Pietro and you’ll be fine.”

“Please!” She pleaded, giving you her best puppy eyes.

You weren’t opposed to the idea of going to Pietro’s house, a small gathering would be a nice change of pace from your usual Friday night parties. But your mind was in a different place right now and a party wasn’t exactly on your plans. You couldn’t say no to her though, maybe you could sneak out early, who knows.

“Fine, I’ll go.” You gave in.

She cheered, hugging you eagerly, and walked away before you could change your mind.

It was Friday again and you were still stuck on the girl and her puzzle. You’d seen her seven more times in the past two weeks. Now you had compulsively read eight books in the span of one month. Eight books all due to her, it was more than Diego reads in the same time.

Even your family was starting to question this sudden new hobby. Aalways keeping yourself locked in your room or with your nose deep down into a different book wasn’t normal.

Despite that, you were no closer to solving the mystery that was the girl from the library. She refused to give you her name when you asked her for it. She refused to explain the logic behind her recommendations. She just had fun watching you drown in frustration.

You were close to giving up, to start avoiding her until you forgot completely about the whole situation. But you enjoyed these moments. You were excited at the prospect of seeing her, not that you’d ever admit it out loud.

Of course, all this excitment died down the moment she started to mock you for nothing, with that annoying smirk painting those perfect stupid lips of hers, growing your desire to wipe it off of her.

There was something, though, that caught your attention, something about the books she recommended. You enjoyed them, you savoured every story, every plot, every character. Diego always tried to get you to read some of his favourite books and you gave up after a few pages. But not these ones, you liked them, and you had to figure out what kind of spell she used to make you like them so much.

“I think I’m going insane.” You muttered while staring at the ‘map’ you had created on your bedroom wall.

It contained post-its, notes, the title of all eight books and the answers that earned you each recommendation. A pathetic attempt to find a connection between this whole thing.

“You are getting too worked up on this, I mean, look at your wall,” Diego, who had been hanging out with you this afternoon, gestured towards it, “it looks like something right out of a detective movie.”

“It’s not that bad,” you said exasperatedly, “I just need to figure this out.”

“Okay, two things,” he put up both his index and middle finger, “first: it is that bad, it’s just a bunch of books; and second: why are you so desperate to figure this out?”

“I’m not desperate,” you argued.

“Yes, you are.” You heard him mumble.

“And aren’t you even a little bit curious?”

“Not that curious.”

“I just want to prove her wrong,” you explained.

“Because you care about what she thinks?” He seemed genuinely confused.

“No, I-”

“Look,” he interrupted, “I know you. I’ve known you for a long time. You have never been one to care about what other people think of you. So why her?”

“I-,” you were at a loss for words.

Why did you care? It bothered when she insulted you, even though you knew it wasn’t true, and you’ve never been bothered by such things before. It bothered that she knew nothing about you and still had the nerve to deem herself better than you, even though this was all the more reason to not care about her opinion at all.

Was it really a bother though? Or was that just an excuse? And if it is an excuse, then what were you excusing? Why were you still doing this? You’ve been dragging this out for a month. Why were you so keen on proving her wrong after all this time?

You don’t need to prove to her that you’re smart: you get good grades, you’re the captain of the football team, you even have a scholarship in one of the best colleges in the area. Of course she doesn’t know any of this, but that’s not enough motivation for you to spend a month trying to prove her she’s wrong about you.

For all you know that crazy scheme of hers to recommend books could be fake. She could just recommend books she likes and hide the reasons behind those questions. But then why did you enjoy those stories? And why would she put up a whole facade to recommend some books to a random stranger she met in a library?

“Do you like her?” Diego’s voice brought you out of your own thoughts.

The look you gave him was one of disbelief. You almost wanted to laugh at his words.

“Like her? How can I like someone who pisses me off so much?”

“Then why do you keep going back?”

“Why I- because- I- I’m curious.” You didn’t sound as confident as you wished. It wasn’t a lie. You were curious. But curiosity was not the only reason you kept going back, although you couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was.

“I don’t believe you.”

You didn’t answer. You didn’t know how to answer. Thankfully you didn’t have to when, with a quick glance at the clock, you were able to change the subject.

“We���re late.” You simply stated.

“For what?”

“I told Angie I was going to meet her at her place at seven,” you gestured towards the time, “it’s seven thirty.”

“I didn’t agree to this.”

“C’mon, please,” you pleaded, “it’s going to be a small, like, get together or something, and I know Angie will leave me alone at some point to makeout with her boyfriend.”

“Okay fine,” he gave in and you made a little celebratory dance, dragging him out of the house.

Since this was supposed to be casual and between friends, you didn’t waste any time at Angie’s, where you’d usually spend hours getting dressed and ready.

Pietro’s place wasn’t far, which you were slightly thankful for since Angie wouldn’t stop talking about him the whole ride. He’s such a good kisser. He’s so cute. Did you know he plays soccer? He looks so hot in his uniform… You love your friend, but that’s just too much.

As always you weren’t the first one’s, and by the amount of people it was far from a “small gathering between friends”. The apartment wasn’t small, but sure felt like it with the almost fifty people crammed in there.

You were greeted by Pietro himself, who offered you each a beer before pulling Angie in for a kiss, causing you and Diego to roll your eyes. You gladly took the beer, if you had to endure this, might as well have some alcohol to help.

Two beers later and your mind was no longer fixating on the girl-from-the-library problem. Instead you were having a friendly debate with some of Pietro’s friends about which college was the best, the typical rivalry. Having only Angie to back you up was making the whole thing harder.

“Hey Piet,” a tall blonde boy called out, interrupting the conversation, “is Wanda going to join us?”

“Doubtful, you know how she is…”

“Who’s Wanda?” Angie’s voice was laced with jealousy causing the boy to laugh dramatically, which only seemed to make her madder.

“She’s my sister, don’t worry,” he reassured her. It made sense, he had mentioned he lived with his twin sister.

You watched as he pulled Angie away from the group, probably to makeout, as you had predicted, and you looked at Diego, to stop him from commenting anything, only to find his place empty.

You left the group as well to search for him, and was surprised to find him shoving his tongue down some girl’s throat. You could’ve left them alone? Yes, you could. But did you? Of course not.

“Y’know,” you tapped on his shoulder, earning his attention, “when I bring you to a party so I can have someone when Angie left me, I expect you not to leave me as well.” You teased.

“Shut up.” He tried to sound serious, but the smirk gave it away.

“You owe me one.”

Feeling a sudden need to go to the bathroom, you let them be and went in search of one. You opened a door you thought led to a bathroom, but found yourself in a corridor which had other four doors that probably led to bedrooms, at least one must lead to a bathroom.

“Pietro, I already told you, keep that door closed!” You heard someone scream from one of them.

It wasn’t just anyone though. That was a voice that had been haunting you for a whole month now. Okay, haunting was an exaggeration, but still. You quickly closed the door, muffling the music and chatter.

As you rested your back against the wall, a surge of power took over you. The new information taking over all your thoughts. You had the upper hand now on this little game of hers. It was your turn to play.

Her door was easy to identify, being the only one with light seeping through the cracks, and you made no effort to be quiet or discreet when opening it.

She was sitting in her bed, long red hair loose over her shoulders, a book in hands. Her expression was soft despite the interruption, she hadn’t looked up, so she had no idea it was you who was standing there.

“What do you want Piet?” A mischievous smirk grew on your face.

“Wanda,” you uttered as if trying it on your tongue for the first time, earning the girl’s attention.

The shock that took over her features did wonders to your confidence.

“A beautiful name,” you continued, daring to take a few steps inside her room, “I see you favourite color is red,” you referred to the endless amount of details on her walls, shelves, bedsheets, all a different shade of red.

You walked further into the room, exploring everything in sight. She followed your every move with her eyes, too stunned to say anything. Were you crossing a line? Probably. Should you be invading her personal space like that, without a warning? Probably not. But she has been invading your personal space for weeks, so you couldn’t care less.

“Ah, you play the guitar,” you grazed your fingers over the instrument sitting on the corner of the room, “I didn’t think you had any talents other than insulting me for no reason.”

You were enjoying this too much. Your eyes landed on some pictures and notes clinging to a wall.

“Sokovia,” you said after reading one of the notes, “so you are Sokovian, that’s interesting.” Your gaze fell to her desk, a pile of textbooks stacked there. “Psychology,” you laughed, not because it was funny, but because it was going to piss her off even further, “you are more likely to drive your patients crazy than to actually help them.”

“How…,” you turned towards her, “did you…,”

“Get in here? Learn your name?” You offered some suggestions since she didn’t seem capable of finishing that sentence herself. “Pietro.” You simply stated and watched as her face went from stunned to mad.

“How do you know my brother?”

Was that jealousy you were sensing? Or was she just upset that he had told you stuff about her? You decided to play with it a little bit.

“He is a sweet boy isn’t he? So hot and so nice,” you teased and she advanced towards you, making you a little frightened, but not enough to back down, “it’s hard to believe you two share the same genes.”

Your face was mere inches from hers and you suddenly felt like the air was growing thick, making it hard to breathe. A feeling of warmth taking over your chest and stomach. In spite of all the discomfort, you managed to keep your composure.

“I so want to wipe that pretentious smirk off of your face right now,” she growled. Oh, how the tables have turned.

“Why don’t you?” You challenged.

Football had given you fast reflexes (except for that particular event a few weeks ago), you were ready to catch her hand if she tried anything. Instead of her fist or her palm, you were met with her lips attacking yours furiously.

The kiss was needy, hungry, desperate even. Your hands made their way to her waist, pulling her impossibly closer. It was a battle, a fight neither of you were willing to lose. Tongues fighting for dominance, teeth biting lips, jaw, neck, hands pulling on skin in such a way it would definitely leave marks.

Clothes fell to the floor as you backed her to her bed, pushing her onto the mattress, this feeling, a necessity for her, on the pit of your stomach growing ever more.

Safe to say your plans of leaving early were postponed. At some point during the night you had managed to find Diego and let him know you wouldn’t be needing a ride back home. Your disheveled state and red marks, which were already showing up on your neck, didn’t go unnoticed by him, but he didn’t have time to comment on it. You mentally dreaded the moment he would start with the questioning.

Some shifting on the bed caught your attention. Slowly opening your eyes, you were able to catch Wanda staring at you with a soft smile. Your back was facing her, so she didn’t know you were awake, but you could see her clearly from her bedroom mirror.

And what a sight it was.

“You’re staring.” You called out, and watched her face turn three shades redder out of embarrassment from being caught.

You turned around so you’re now facing her, although she wouldn’t meet your gaze.

“What’s on your mind?” She kept quiet. “Okay, wanna know what’s on my mind?” She nodded lightly. “Well, I’m thinking that I would have never, not in a million years, pegged you as being shy.” She tried to stifle a laugh while bringing her hand up to playfully hit you on the arm. “That’s more like it,” you teased.

“I’m not shy,” she defended.

“Then why won’t you look at me?”

“Because… “ she lost it mid sentence.

“... you’re shy and sweet, just like your brother said,” you recalled from the day you spent together in the arcade.

She hit you, yet again, on the arm, slightly harder this time, but not enough to hurt.

“Tell me this then,” you finally reached the topic that has been bugging you for weeks, “what was all this for? The mystery, the games?”

She fell silent, seemingly in deep thought and you got scared you had killed the moment.

“Okay, so maybe I’m a little shy,” she admitted and you celebrated internally while your face remained unfazed, “and that makes me scared of…”

“Talking to people?” You helped out, but she covered her face with her hands in embarrassment.

“Please, don’t laugh at me, I know it’s stupid-”

“It’s not,” you interrupted, uncovering her face, “go on.”

She took a deep breath before continuing.

“I’m scared of talking to people… especially people that I like.” Although it sounded like a confession, you weren’t exactly sure what it was about.

“So you liked me?” You asked in disbelief. “From the beginning?”

Her already red face was growing darker by the second.

“I had seen you before, with Diego, in the library, always complaining, always stating how boring it was,” she shook her hands in the air for the purpose of drama, “and it was annoying, but it was also cute and- and I always wanted to talk to you, but I never found courage to do it.”

To say you were shocked at the new information was an understatement. She liked you all this time? And you just thought she hated your guts for no reason? Wow, that’s precious.

“Okay, so…” you tried to say in the stunned state you found yourself, “how- why- the- why did you do all that then?”

“Because I had like, this sudden flow of confidence, and since you had this cocky personality I thought you would like someone who was the same, so I said what I said, and I did what I did and-”

“I started to hate you.” The way you acted when you first met must’ve hurt her.

“Exactly, and I thought I had screwed up completely, until you showed up again, and my stupid brain associated that to the idea that the way I had acted worked. So I kept it up. A persona, in a sense.”

“What were you planning to do then? Keep that act up forever?” The question made her slightly frustrated.

“I don’t know, I didn’t think that far, I just enjoyed your presence, even though you still seemed to hate my guts.” You laughed and moved closer to her, wrapping your arms around her waist.

“I did,” you whispered close to her ear, “I hated your guts, but I also enjoyed it, the games, the mystery, that’s why I kept coming back.”

“So it worked,” she said excitedly.

“It sort of did.” You stared into her green eyes, for a few seconds. “There’s something else in my mind too that I’ve been meaning to ask.”

“Ask away.”

“So… about the recommendations-”

“Oh my god,” she didn’t let you finish, “you haven’t figured that out yet?!” She exclaimed in disbelief, when she opened her mouth again you knew what was coming.

“Don’t say it.” You warned.

“You really are slow.” She said it anyways, a mischievous grin painting her lips.

“Damn, I hate you,” you said jokingly, unwrapping yourself from her and making a move to leave the bed.

She stopped you short, wrapping her arms around your shoulders and pulling you back, causing you to fall on the bed laughing hysterically.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry, I won’t say it anymore.”

She let you go and sat up and across from you.

“Good, so are you going to explain it to me or not?” You questioned and she rolled her eyes playfully. “And don’t you dare tell me there is no logic behind it, there has to be one.”

“Yes, there is a logic,” she mocked, “it’s quite simple actually, the ‘color’ is what sets the mood for the book.”

“How so?”

“Uhm, like, we associate colors with stuff, like black is associated with death and evil and white is associated with peace and purity,” you nodded, “it also works for feelings, associating those with colors, so when a person says a color I can pick a book that has elements that are associated with that color, or that causes a feeling that we associate with that color.” She explained.

“That explains the psychology major thing.” She seemed happy you remembered, even though it was mere hours ago.

“Basically,” she agreed, “so, ‘person’ is what defines the relationships that surround the main character, so either romances, friendships, families, strangers, y’know?”

“Yeah okay,” you tried to follow along.

“And ‘place’ is to decide how far from reality the story should be, if the person says a place that’s close to their home, they tend to prefer stuff closer to their comfort zone, so no fantasy or sci-fi, and vice-versa.”

“That’s it?”

“Yep,” she beamed a smile, “simple isn’t it?”

“Does it always work?”

“No, it’s a really subjective thing, the more I know the person the better, but sometimes it just doesn’t work.” She admitted. “It worked on you like a charm though,” she teased.

“That it did,” you couldn't deny. “Okay, so if I got it right, color sets the mood, right?”

“Right.”

“Then what is red associated with?” You looked around her room, filled with several details in red.

“Anger, love, passion-,” she stopped talking when she met your eyes, a mischievous smirk on your lips.

You slowly rose from your position and crawled forward, never losing her gaze. You quirked an eyebrow suggestively as you got closer. You sat on her lap, faces inches from another.

“Well, I can show you some passion.”

[pitubea1910]

Ready

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Featuring: Avengers

Word count: 5k

Warning: some swearing, alcohol, mention of sex, a bit of teasing.

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Masterlist

A few months ago, you and nine other recruits received a phone call saying to be at the training facilities first time in the morning. Once you got there, you were told that you would be receiving extra training, long hours and double effort. Whenever you asked why, they just said it was classified.

After two months of training ten hours per day, seven days a week, being put through several trials and tests, you were called to the office of Maria Hill –the head of all the recruitment process-. To your surprise, she wasn’t alone when you got there: Nick Fury was there.

You had never met him in person, although you had heard many stories about him. And his presence was as intimidating as you imagined. Or even more. He had a deep voice that shook to your core, a way of talking that let you know he was someone not to mess with, he owned S.H.I.E.L.D and he knew it.

“Agent (Y/L/N)”, Hill started as soon as you took a seat after recovering from the surprise of finding Nick Fury in the room. “Let me introduce you to Nicholas Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

“Yeah, I know who… he is”, you said with a small smile. There was no one around the facility who didn’t know who this man was. Maria Hill smiled too.

“Nice to meet you, Agent (Y/L/N)”, Fury said. “I have been following your training for the last two months quite closely.”

Your felt your mouth go dry. He had been following your training?

“And I have to say it is quite impressive”, he added. He took a tablet from Hill’s desk and swiped the screen a couple of times. “When it comes to strategy there’s no one who can beat you, you’re strong, fast, your combat skills could be a match for Black Widow’s… definitely impressive.”

“Thank you, sir”, was all you could say. You knew you were good, but you never thought you would be good enough to hear it from Nick Fury himself. He was a legend.

“As you know, these last two months we have been testing you on a daily basis”, Hill said and you nodded. Of course you knew. You could feel it in every bone and muscle in your body. “What you don’t know is why.”

“And I guess you’re going to tell me?” You asked, looking at the two of them.

Fury put the tablet back on the desk without taking his eye off you. You would be lying if you said he didn’t make you nervous, but you had the feeling that looking away wouldn’t help you there, so you were determined to hold his eye. After a few minutes, you thought you could see a hint of smile on Fury’s lips, but you probably just imagined it.

“The Avengers have requested a new member for their team”, he simply said.

If you had been drinking something, you would have choked on it or spitted out for sure. Out of all the things you thought this meeting was about, the last thing you expected was something like this.

“The Avengers?” You asked. “As in… Captain America, Black Widow and Iron Man?”

“Are there any other Avengers that we don’t know of?” Fury asked with a teasing tone.

“Fair enough”, you mumbled.

“We chose 10 candidates and we have been putting you through tests and trials without telling you why”, Hill said now taking the tablet and showing you some graphics. “All of you started off with enthusiasm, showing the best results you had got since you got recruited. However, as the weeks passed, most of your colleagues’ performance started to deteriorate.”

“We had meetings with them”, Fury said. “We asked if there was something wrong, why this change when they had proven to be among the best of their class. They said that they were tired. That they didn’t know what was going on, what was the point of all this suffering.”

“I never got any meeting”, you said.

“Because your performance only got better”, Hill said, showing you a graphic with your name on it. “You have been the only one who, despite not having a purpose, a goal, not knowing what was going on, kept on working as hard as you did on the first day.”

“And that, Agent (Y/L/N)”, Fury said, “is exactly what we need. Someone who won’t fail, who won’t slow down, who will be there every day no matter what, with the same spirit as the first day. However, as much as we thought you are the perfect candidate, we are not the ones who have the final say.”

“Then?” You asked confused.

“We sent all of your files to The Avengers, with all the progress of the last two months. And they have made a decision. They want you, Agent (Y/L/N).”

A week later you packed all of your belongings in a suitcase and left the S.H.I.E.L.D HQ in a black SUV to move into The Avengers Headquarters in Upstate New York. Their welcome had been incredible. Since the very first moment you walked in the residential quarters of the huge compound, you were warmly welcomed by the team.

It took you a time to get used to your new life. You still had to train every day and soon you found out that it was a harder training than the one you did as a simple recruit. Obviously, they didn’t hold their punches. At first, you ended up at the infirmary most of the days, but eventually you started getting stronger and getting used to this new way of fighting. There was less theory and more instinct. And, soon enough, you started going on missions.

At first, they would be recon missions, nothing major. However, in a few months you proved yourself to be able to do more. You would never forget your first mission with Steve, Tony, Bucky and Natasha. It was the most exciting, exhausting and hard day of your life and, despite coming back injured, everyone kept on telling you how amazed they were by you, your work and your skills.

They took care of you, visited you every day until you got better, helped with your recovery and to get back on your feet in no time. You had found a family in them and it looked like they saw you as one of them now.

“You know what day is it tomorrow?” You asked when you walked into the kitchen.

You had just finished your training and had walked into the kitchen to have a smoothie. As usual, since you had the same training hours scheduled, Bucky was there as well.

Since the beginning, you had started training with Bucky as your mentor. You didn’t really fight against him, since he could knock you out without even trying, but he was there to observe and correct, give you advice, put more weight on your weights and push your limits.

When you first started training with him, he wouldn’t talk much. But, eventually, he started opening up and you gladly discovered that underneath all that sulking attitude was a really funny, easy going, teasing and loving kind of guy.

You spent so much time together that soon you found yourself looking around for him every time you walked into a room, sitting in front of him in every meal, next to him every time you would watch a movie, spending hours in his room just talking or playing videogames. You just couldn’t picture your life without him in it anymore.

“Saturday?” He said, throwing a bottle of water at you, which you caught without problem.

“Something else?” You asked, unscrewing the cap. Bucky thought for a moment and shook his head. “Really? I should be offended. A year ago, your life changed.”

“Did it?” He asked, a smirk forming on his lips. You narrowed your eyes and threw the cap of the bottle at him. He laughed and dodged it. “I know, I know. It will be a year since the most annoying person in the world walked through those doors with that lost puppy look on her face.”

“I wasn’t lost!” You exclaimed.

“So you’re annoying?” He teased.

“Not as much as you are”, you said and stuck your tongue out. “Maybe we should celebrate.”

“Why?”

“When was the last time someone put up with you for so long?” This time, he was the one narrowing his eyes at you, which made you laugh. “But seriously, it doesn’t have to be a party. But we could have a drink all together or something.”

“Ask Tony”, Bucky said. “He will organise anything in the next 45 minutes.”

“Good point”, you said nodding your head. “I’ll talk to him.”

You were about to walk out of the kitchen, fully intending to talk to Tony as soon as possible, when Bucky called your name. You turned around to find him walking over you.

“Yes?” You asked.

Once he was standing in front of you, he sighed and moved some hair that had flown out of your ponytail and put it behind your ear. He caressed your cheek and looked into your eyes, making your heart beat louder and faster. You took a deep breath, trying not to look down at his lips.

“A year ago, I met the most important person in my life”, he said. “She’s strong, funny, annoying as hell and incredibly oblivious. But I wouldn’t change her for anything.”

He leaned in and kissed your cheek softly before winking an eye at you and walking out of the kitchen, leaving you flustered, confused and on the edge of fainting.

***

Just like Bucky had said, as soon as you said to Tony that you would like to have a little celebration, he took out his phone and started organising a little party. You made it clear that you didn’t want or need anything big, but once Tony started organising a party there was no way of knowing the size of it until you were in it.

“I thought you didn’t want anything big”, Bucky said when you stepped into the main living room of the residential quarters the following evening.

Looking around, you barely knew anyone. You had no idea how Tony had managed to pull this out in such short notice. There was people everywhere, food, alcohol music and banners everywhere saying ‘Happy Avengesary (Y/N)’. It was incredible.

“This is what happens when you leave Tony in charge”, Steve, who walked in after you two, said.

“I’m not complaining”, Natasha said with a huge smile as she looked around. “See you later guys.”

“Where is she going?” You asked, looking at her as she got lost in the crowd.

“She has seen that IT guy she likes”, Steve said with a chuckle.

“I say we make the best out of this and get a drink”, Sam said.

“And that’s the most intelligent idea I have heard so far”, you said and took Sam’s hand to follow him through the crowd.

The bartenders that Tony had hired knew exactly who you were and the reason you were having this celebration. So the moment they saw you, they made sure you had a drink in your hand without even asking for it. It looked like Tony had told them what you liked.

The next couple of hours went by in a blur. Despite not knowing most of the people in the party, it was obvious that they knew who you were and many kept on stopping you to congratulate you on the work you had been doing the past year or just to take a photo with you. Definitely, that was something you would never get used to: being a public figure.

When you finally managed to sit down on the couch, next to Bucky, you didn’t even know how many hands you had shaken, how many photos you had taken and how many hugs you had given. But your mind was buzzing.

“How you doing, superstar?” Bucky smiled when you let yourself fall on the couch.

“Exhausted”, you admitted.

“It will wear off, don’t worry”, Sam said, patting your shoulder. “Once they get used to you, they won’t pay much attention.”

“Unless you’re Captain America or Thor, of course”, Clint winked.

“Shut up”, Steve rolled his eyes.

“It took us an hour to get some milk from the grocery store”, Clint said. “An hour because people kept on asking Steve for photos and autographs.”

“One would think that after a century, no one would be impressed by Captain America right?” Sam laughed.

“It’s not Captain America”, you said. “It’s… you.”

“What?” Steve asked confused, which made you laugh.

“Are you really that oblivious?” Wanda laughed as well.

“You’re a specimen, man”, Sam winked playfully, making you all laugh.

“Oh, c’mon, it’s not that”, Steve said as you could all see him blushing.

“Oh, trust me. It is”, you said. “Everyone has a crush on Captain America”, you added.

“Do you?” Bucky asked, his arm casually over the back of the couch and your shoulders.

“Don’t you?” You asked back with a laugh.

“I saw him putting newspaper in his shoes to look taller”, Bucky shrugged. “It’s kind of a turn off.”

“So that means that there is a turn on?” Clint asked wiggling his eyebrows.

“There’s always at least one turn on”, you smirked.

“Oh really?” Bucky smirked. “What turns you on, (Y/L/N)?”

“Right back at you, Barnes”, you said, looking at him with a playful smile.

“Okay, this just gave me an idea!” Sam said.

You forced yourself to look away from Bucky, whose eyes were burning through yours. You had felt that electricity running between you two many times before, but you had never felt the heat you felt at the moment. So you needed to focus on something else beside the warmth of his body next to yours.

“Please, enlighten us”, Natasha said.

“What about an old good game of Truth or Dare?” He suggested. You laughed out loud, just like Wanda and Natasha.

“Are we 16 now?” Steve said, although he didn’t look like he rejected the idea completely.

“Afraid of airing your dirty laundry, Rogers?” Clint asked.

“I have no dirty laundry to air”, the alluded said with an innocent smile.

“Yeah right”, Natasha laughed. “Okay, let’s do this”, she said.

“Seriously?” You asked.

“Why not?” Natasha shrugged. “It’s always fun to get to know each other in different ways”, she winked.

You sighed and shrugged. It looked like you didn’t have a choice. As soon as you all agreed, Sam asked a waiter to bring a couple of bottles of tequila, shot glasses for everyone and an empty bottle. In addition, Bucky he asked for a bottle of the Asgardian liquor Steve and Bucky used to drink in these situations.

“It’s no fun if two of us can’t get drunk”, he explained once they brought the small bottle and everything was settled.

“Fair enough”, you laughed. “Okay, who goes first?” You asked.

“You’re the honouree, so…” Sam said.

“Okay”, you laughed and spun the bottle that stopped pointing at Sam, who smiled widely at you. “Truth or dare?”

“Let’s start with a truth”, Sam said.

“Have you ever practised kissing in a mirror?” You smiled.

“First, that’s a lame question. Second… yes”, he admitted, making you all laugh. “I was 10, okay? And I was nervous about a potential first kiss”, he shrugged.

“That’s cute”, you admitted still laughing.

“Okay, here we go”, Sam spun the bottle and this time it landed on Bucky.

“Truth”, Bucky quickly said.

“Mmm…” Sam smirked after looking at you for a brief second. “Would you make out with someone in this group?”

Bucky looked at Sam like he wanted to kill him and you felt him tense up beside you. You looked up to him although his eyes were fixed on Sam, whose smiled only grew bigger.

“You can always drink. Although that will give us half an answer”, Sam shrugged.

“I would”, Bucky finally said. You raised both eyebrows and looked up again, surprised.

“With who?” You asked.

“That’s not part of the question, doll”, Bucky winked before spinning the bottle, which landed on Natasha. Yet, you didn’t stop thinking about it.

“Dare, of course”, she shrugged.

“I dare you to go to that IT guy and ask him out”, Bucky smiled.

“You know I don’t ask out”, Natasha said.

“Is Black Widow backing off a dare?” Clint smiled.

Natasha narrowed her eyes, her pride obviously taken the best of her. Immediately, she got up and you all looked at her while she walked up to the IT guy. It was a quick conversation and, by the end of it, the guy looked like was about to marry her while she came back with her face as red as her hair.

“I’ll get back at you, Barnes”, she said, spinning the bottle.

There were all kind of dares and questions. The more you drank, the juicier they got without even realising it. At some point, Steve was playing without his shirt –to the delight of many of the guests-, Clint was speaking only with the vowel E, Wanda was wearing Natasha’s clothes and viceversa and you were on your pyjamas.

“Okay, let’s go”, Natasha said when it was her turn to spin the bottle after reading out loud the last text she had sent –Rated X-. “Finally!” She said when it landed on Bucky. “Barnes?”

All along, every time it was Bucky’s turn, there had been numerous hints of him liking someone, someone he would sleep with, his crush, but no name had come out of his mouth. You didn’t even know Bucky liked someone, which was strange since you spent so much time together, and to say you were curious was a misunderstanding.

“Truth”, he said.

“Playing it safe, huh?” Natasha smiled.

“You’re a dangerous woman, Romanoff”, Bucky said, his fingers brushing your shoulder absently.

“Fine. Have it your way”, she said. “Is (Y/N) the one you’ve been talking about all along? The one you would make out with, sleep with, have a crush on?”

Bucky’s whole body tensed up, just like yours, with that question. It was obvious she had been saving it for quite a long time and it looked like everyone was waiting for someone to drop the bomb. They all looked at Bucky smiling a little, as if they knew something you ignored, waiting.

“Damn you, Natasha”, Bucky finally chuckled.

“Would you prefer a dare?” She smiled widely.

“I don’t trust your dares”, Bucky said.

“Then… answer or drink. Although… drinking would be an answer itself”, she innocently shrugged and winked an eye at him.

You saw Bucky biting his lower lip without looking at you, his eyes fixed on Nat, as he was deliberately trying not to look at you. Your heart was pounding in your ears and you swore you would explode if he didn’t say something soon.

“Yes”, he finally said, taking your breath away. “She is”

And he spun the bottle.

***

The game was finished in no time after that moment. Although you didn’t pay any attention to it anymore. All you could do was look at Bucky, waiting for him to look at you and explain what he had just said. However, all he did was smirking whenever he felt his eyes on you.

“Okay, come here”, he said once everyone had scattered around.

He took your hand and took you through the crowd. You didn’t know where he would take you until he scanned his finger print on the door that lead to Tony’s office. He let you walked in first and looked around to make sure no one was looking before closing the door.

“What was that?” You finally asked after a few moments.

“Do I really need to explain?” He smiled, getting closer to you which only made you nervous.

“I think? Why didn’t you say anything sooner?” You asked.

“When would I say anything? When I was kicking your ass during training?” He asked.

“You don’t kick my ass”, you said. “We never even fight against each other because you’re too afraid of me kicking your ass”, you added, crossing your arms.

“You’re so damn blind”, he laughed shaking his head. “I don’t fight you because I would never forgive myself if I ever hurt you. Even if it happened during training.”

You blinked a few times and looked away, trying so hard not to blush and failing completely. He was now so close that you could even feel his breath on you. It wasn’t the first time he was this close, but it was the first time it made you so nervous.

“That’s just another way of saying it”, you mumbled.

Bucky placed his index finger on your chin to make you look up at him and to his eyes before rubbing your cheek softly. His eyes moved down to your lips, just like yours to his, just in time to see him biting his bottom lip. Your breath got caught in your throat and an urgent need to kiss him overcame you.

“You drive me insane in every possible way, (Y/L/N)”, he said leaning in. You closed your eyes instinctively but his kiss never came. “But you’re not ready for it yet.”

You opened your eyes to see him slowly walking backwards, with a smirk on his face.

“What…? What are you doing?” You asked breathless.

“I could kiss you right now and make you realise that you feel the same way about me”, he said, a hand on the doorknob. “But I have decided that, if I have waited a year, I can wait a few more days and make you want it, drive you crazy just like you do with me.”

“Don’t walk away, James. Don’t you dare”, you said.

“See you later, doll”, he said.

Before you could even take a step forward, he opened the door and walked out the office, leaving you with your mouth open and your brain completely melted.

What the hell had just happened?

You had to take some time before you went back out to the party. Your heart had never beat like this. It felt like it would jump out of your chest at any given time and getting it back to ‘normal’ wasn’t easy.

When you finally made your way back out, you spotted Bucky at the bar, talking to Steve. When he saw you, his eyes were on you for a moment, while his lips formed a smug smirk, and then looked back at his friend to continue the conversation. All you wanted to do was go and punch him in that perfect face to kiss him afterwards. Or maybe kiss him first and punch later. You were confused.

The rest of the night you were completely unfocused. It felt like you couldn’t hold a single conversation, like you were zooming in and out all the time, looking around for Bucky and imagining his lips, hands, body on yours. In the end, you decided to leave the party earlier than expected. It wasn’t like anyone would notice, since most of the guests were too drunk to pay any more attention to you.

Once in your room and in your pyjamas –an oversize t-shirt and your underwear-, you laid on your bed and looked at the ceiling, thinking about what the hell had happened and trying to process how you felt about it.

It would be a huge lie to say that you didn’t have feelings for Bucky. You knew they had always been there, but you had always considered them platonic. He was one of the most attractive men you ever met and he was also kind, funny, witty, smart and incredibly thoughtful. You would have never thought he felt the same way about you. You thought all those times he flirted with you, it was just a game to him. Maybe you had been wrong.

You didn’t even know when you had fallen asleep, but when you opened your eyes, you heard the rain against the huge window of your room. You sighed and rubbed your eyes, your mind immediately racing as memories from last night flooded your head. Damn James Buchanan Barnes.

When you heard the buzzing of your phone, you sighed and picked it up from the bedside table to find a text message from the man himself.

“Training in 10 minutes”, the text said. He had to be kidding you. It was Sunday.

And did he really think he could just act like nothing?

“Sorry. As someone said to me last night: I’m not ready yet”, you texted back.

He read the text immediately, but it took him a little while to reply.

“If you’re not in the training room in 10 minutes, I’ll drag you there myself”, you shivered, knowing he fully intended to act on his threat. But you weren’t going to just do as he told you.

“Didn’t you say I drive you insane? Then good luck, babe”, you texted, smirking to yourself as you pictured the look on his face.

You knew what was going to happen. Maybe you were pushing him a bit, but you weren’t going to let him dictate what to do or when to get up. Especially after how flustered and frustrated he had left you the previous night.

Yes, you were dying to kiss him. That was all you could think about since last night. But, unless you were mistaken, he wanted that kiss as much as you did and you were going to get it, even if you had to drive him insane.

At first, you thought he would go to your room immediately, but it looked like he really waited those 10 minutes in case you showed up. Or maybe he was just waiting outside of your room, because exactly 11 minutes later, there was a knock on your room. You smiled to yourself and stretched out still in bed, but didn’t move.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y, can you please tell him that I am not training today?” You said to the A.I.

“You know I can hear you, right?” You heard Bucky’s voice on the other side of the room.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y, can you please ask Tony to make the rooms soundproof? That would be extremely useful for certain people”, you said.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y, open (Y/N)’s door, please”, Bucky said.

“I’m sorry. I can’t. Each room has its own personal protocols and can only be lifted with the permission of said owner”, the A.I said, which made you smile.

“Too bad, soldier”, you said.

“You know I can just kick him in, right?”

You narrowed your eyes, looking at the ceiling. You knew he could, but did you want to push him until that point? It could be fun, but you didn’t want to deal with Tony afterwards. You knew how much he hated when doors got kicked in –something that happened surprisingly often in the compound-.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y, unlock the door, please”, you finally said.

The A.I. obeyed and unlocked the door. In a second, Bucky walked in and closed behind him. You looked at him from the bed, still not moving, and smiled. He was wearing his usual training gear –black sweatpants and a black t-shirt- and was looking at you with an eyebrow raised, waiting.

“Do you need anything?” You asked.

“You were supposed to be in the gym 5 minutes ago”, he said with his arms crossed.

“Yeah, well…” you stretched out again, making sure your t-shirt went up a few inches, enough to let him see your underwear and belly. “I’m kind of having a lazy day”, you said with a smile as you saw his eyes on your exposed skin.

“I know what you’re doing”, he said. You raised both eyebrows.

“And what is it?” You asked innocently.

“Pushing me”, he said.

“Don’t be so egocentric, Barnes”, you said. “Not everything is around you.”

“Oh really?” He said.

Slowly, he walked around the bed, taking a seat just next to you. You got nervous when he leaned in, placing one hand around you to support himself as he got closer. You looked at his lips and then his eyes, which hide the smile he forced himself not to show.

“Tell me you haven’t been thinking about kissing me since last night”, he said in a low voice.

“I…” you mumbled, your eyes moving down to his lips, which finally curved up into a small smile. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Are you going to tell me that if I kissed you right now…” he said, almost brushing your lips with his, “you wouldn’t melt against me?”

You took a deep breath through your nose, trying to control your heart rate, which felt close to impossible. All about him was overwhelming and you had no idea how to manage his closeness. You just wanted to grab him by the neck and kiss him. However, it looked as if he was reading your mind. Just when you were about to move your hands, he moved his and pinned your wrists against the bed.

“Gym. 5 minutes”, he whispered so close that you thought you would die if he didn’t kiss you.

Then, he just let go, got up and walked to the door. You couldn’t believe this was the second time in less than twelve hours that he was going to leave you like this. You looked at the door to see him smirking before walking out of the room, closing the door behind him.

“Fuck!” You exclaimed, punching the mattress.

Five minutes later, you walked through the doors of the gym, still sulking and flustered. You had been quickly to put some leggings and a training top. If Bucky wasn’t going to give in or let you kiss him, you needed some other way to let your frustration out. Fighting.

“Maybe today we can try something different”, you said to Bucky, acting as if nothing had happened, as if your mind wasn’t full of imaged of him kissing your whole body.

“Oh yeah? What is it?” Bucky asked while he adjusted the punching bag.

“Why don’t we fight?” You asked. Bucky laughed quietly and shook his head. “What?”

“Have you warmed up?” He asked.

“I’m warm enough, thank you” you said making him smile. Anyway, you started stretching since you didn’t want to pull any muscle or cause any injury. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“You know I’m not going to fight you, doll”, he said, taking the bandages from the floor. “I could hurt you.”

Your eyes went to his hand as he started wrapping the bandages around it, wrapping it tightly. You had always loved watching that routine. There was something about the way he moved his hands, how he wrapped the bandages around them that was hypnotizing.

“You won’t”, you said, coming out of your little trance.

“How do you know it?” He asked.

“Because I trust you”, you shrugged. He looked at you for a moment and smiled.

“You just want an excuse to hit me because you’re frustrated”, he said.

“That’s just a bonus”, you shrugged and took the other pair of bandages from the floor when you finished stretching. “I really think it would be helpful to fight against an actual person and not just a bag.”

“You have fought against Natasha, Wanda, Peter, Scott and Clint many times”, he said.

You sighed while you wrapped the bandage around your left hand. You knew him well enough to know he wasn’t going to change his mind. It wasn’t the first time you had this conversation and you understood his fear of hurting you, but you really wanted to punch him. Maybe if you caught him by surprise?

When you finished wrapping your hands, you looked at him. He was checking his own bandages and looked kind of focused on it. Without even taking a minute to consider your next move, you quickly took a step forward and threw your leg up to his stomach. To your surprise, your kick caught him completely off guard. Unfortunately, you weren’t strong enough to make him fall, but he took a few steps back with a hand against his stomach.

“What was that?” He asked with an amused smile.

“If you don’t want to fight me, okay”, you shrugged. “I’ll fight you.”

“Stop before you get hurt”, he said.

“Stop patronising me”, you said through gritted teeth.

Quickly, you launched against him, but he just took your arm before it came in contact with him and pushed you aside as if you were a mundane annoying fly. You groaned to yourself and turned to look at him. He looked at you smiling, which only infuriated you even more.

“It’s just facts, doll”, he shrugged.

You narrowed your eyes but decided to launch again. This time, you went for his face, but he grabbed your arm and twisted so your back was against his chest. You took a deep breath at the contact when his lips were on your cheek.

“Stop”, he whispered and nibbled your neck.

With a grunt, you stomped your heel against his feet. He hissed, which was enough for you to drive your elbow against his ribs and your fist against his nose when he leaned down breathless. You hooked your arms around his neck and used your weight to bring him down, straddling his waist and pinning his arms to the ground.

You knew how easily he could just turn the situation around, but maybe he didn’t expect to find himself like this so easily and all he did was looking at you with a smile playing on his lips.

“What are you going to do now, (Y/L/N)?” He asked.

If you were honest to yourself, you just wanted to tease him like he had teased you. But you also knew you weren’t strong enough, not after last night and that morning. You bite your lip and leaned down, wondering if this time he would finally give in. He didn’t move, but his eyes turned a bit darker as his eyes moved down to your lips.

“I should just leave you wanting it”, you whispered against his lips. He chuckled a little.

“You wouldn’t make it to the door”, he warned you. You knew it was true.

You let go of one of his hands, which quickly moved to your hair, moving it out of the way. You took a deep breath, enjoying the moment, before finally closing the distance between your lips.

The moment your lips touched, you let go of his other hand. Immediately, Bucky flipped you around to have you pinned under him and kiss you deeply. You wrapped your legs around his waist in an attempt to bring him impossibly close to you. A moan escaped his throat, making you smirk against his lips while your hands sneaked under his t-shirt and brushed his warm skin.

You wanted him. Badly. But, of course, he wasn’t going to give you everything in just a moment, let alone on the gym floor. Instead, he pulled away after a few minutes and looked at you.

“You always get your way, huh?” He whispered, gently brushing your nose with his, a gesture you never saw coming from the big and fiery Winter Soldier.

“I have my skills”, you smiled.

With a smile, Bucky got up and helped you up as well, although he didn’t move away from you. He caressed your cheek and kissed your forehead.

“What now?” You asked a bit nervous.

“Maybe we should start with breakfast?” He suggested.

You laughed nervously and nodded, letting him take your hand and lead you out of the gym while all you could think about was kissing him all over again. Maybe over breakfast.

[parkers-gal]

through the tears T.H.

warnings : child birth, cursing

summary : reader goes into labor, and the grandparents meet the baby !! (requested)

word count : 1800

i wrote this like months ago lmao but enjoy

Any day now, you had told yourself. Any day. Of course, you were nervous, and quite frankly kind of terrified of the baby Holland coming. Weeks into your third trimester, you and Tom couldn't be anymore prepared, and the preparation of the baby coming made you forget that she was actually coming.

You were watering the plants on the shelf in the living room. You were due any day now, and you were as ready as you could be. Maneuvering around some leaves, you started to pull the pot a little closer for easier access, but then you felt something leaking down your leg. Looking down you realized your water had broken.

Oh shit, here we go.

And then, Tom came in, a phone in one hand and a notepad in the other.

"Hey, love. Do you think we should go with the first model or th-"

But when he glanced up to look at you, you were slowly turning around, eyes wide and jaw slack.

"Love? Are you alri-"

"My water just broke."

You were making your way to the car now. Tom was grabbing the emergency bags, for you and the baby, making sure his wallet and phone were with him before he started the engine.

"Try to stay calm. Remember the breathing exercises we learned? In and out, in and-"

You had groaned in pain at the first, very minor, contraction. Though it was one of the less painful ones, it was still an unfamiliar feeling, and you weren't used to it.

"Almost to the hospital, love."

"Thomas slow down! We might get pulled over or something!" You said, a small smile on your face, grinning through the pain.

When you arrived at the hospital, Tom jogged in to let them know of your situation, and two nurses came out, one with a wheel chair and the other with a clipboard. They were wheeling you in and keeping you updated, asking you very few questions before letting you know that your doctor was preparing for your labor.

"You're the husband?" She turned to Tom.

"That would be me," he said.

"The cervix is still opening at the moment, but once it's wide enough we can start the process. We won't know for certain how long this could take, but at this rate it'll probably start within the hour," she informed him.

Tom was wide eyed at the mention of the cervix opening, but he nodded nonetheless. Then, he was back by your right side. You were laying in the bed, legs spread as the hospital gown was covering most of you. You were sweating, panting, and reaching for Tom.

"I'm right here, love. How're you feeling? You're gonna do great, angel."

"I'm-" you took a breath. "I'm alright. Hurts like a bitch though."

He laughed at you before kissing your hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. He leaned down to your ear to whisper a few words. "I'm gonna make a few calls. I'll be right back, angel." And then he kissed your shoulder and speed-walked out into the hallway.

He was ringing the landline to his parents, in hopes that word would spread and he would only have to make one call.

"Hey," Tom spoke first, testing the waters for who picked up.

"Hey, Tom? It's Harry. What's up?"

"Uhm, Y/N's water broke and we're at the hospital right now."

"Holy shit! What?" Harry screamed, excitement and nervousness evident in his tone. "Are yo-"

"Harry, you're gonna make me more nervous. Please, just tell mum & dad so they can get here. I need to go."

"Right yeah, of course."

"Thanks, bro."

"Anytime."

Tom sighed in relief, and he was about to hang up before Harry spoke up again.

"And, Tom?"

"Yeah?"

"Congrats, man."

Tom was starting to tear up. It wasn't everyday that him and his brothers had a heart-to-heart moment, and the realization of becoming a dad made it all the more emotional.

"Thanks, Harry. I'll see you soon, alright?"

"Yeah, man. We wouldn't miss it."

***

"Mum? Dad?" Harry called out, grabbing his phone and his wallet before heading in what he hoped was their direction.

"Yes?" Nikki answered, drinking tea from her mug as Dominic sat across from her.

"Y/N's going into labor. We need to go now."

The mug made a clattering noise from the small drop onto the table. It didn't break, but it sure did surprise both boys. And then, she was calling the rest of the Hollands and loading them into the car.

*** Harrison had arrived first, finding Tom's duffel bag on the floor in the hallway outside your room.

"Hey, Tom!" he said, walking in.

"Oh man -- hey, Haz."

They did a quick 'bear-hug' before making eye contact.

"You're about to be a dad."

"I know," Tom said, his voice more nervous than Harrison had ever heard.

"And you're gonna be great."

Once again, tears were welling up in Tom's eyes. But before he could continue the conversation any further, a nurse was coming up to Tom, almost disregarding Harrison's presence.

"Mr. Holland?" she asked.

"Yes?"

"Your wife is ready to go into labor, now."

The boys made brief eye contact, Harrison understanding, and he left the room to wait in the waiting-room chairs.

"Hey, love," Tom said, reaching for one of your hands, which you gladly gripped and squeezed.

"Thomas where the fuck have you been?" You whined, sweat coming out profusely and covering the entirety of your neck and face.

"I'm right here, darling. I'm not leaving, okay?"

"Get ready to push, Y/N," your doctor said from between your legs, interrupting your brief conversation with Tom.

Your husband had kissed your forehead, whispering encouraging words as you squeezed his hand for push number one.

"You're doing great love," Tom said, looking to the nurses for confirmation, to which one of them gave him a thumbs up. "I love you so much, Y/N. You're doing amazing. You're gonna push again, okay?"

You let out a loud groan, more like a cry and scream of pain and effort.

The doctor had felt your stomach over the hospital gown, mumbling something to the nurse beside her, before speaking up. "Last push, Y/N."

You groaned, attempting at one but failing.

"Just one more, love. Can you give me one more?" Tom said gently.

"I can't. I can't!" You cried, falling back onto the pillows.

"Just one more, baby. You're so close, and you've been doing great. Last one, darling. Okay? One more for me."

You nodded, hair sticking to the back of your neck as you squeezed his hand harder then ever. With a loud grunt, it was over, the baby successfully out as a nurse cut the umbilical cord. You fell back into the cushions as Tom went to look at his babygirl for the first time ever.

The nurse who was holding her smiled at Tom before letting him know they were going to wash up your baby.

Tom had taken a cold, damp towel and wiped your face. He got a new one to completely dry it off, before kissing your forehead and your hand. "Did so well, love. I love you so much."

"I love you, Tommy," You had managed to get out.

Less than ten minutes later, she was in your arms for the first time. Your gown was pretty low on your breasts, so the skin-to-skin was breathtaking. Tom was crying now, looking at his two girls and thanking whichever gods gave him you.

And then you were handing the baby over to Tom. Tom held her gently, like she was the most fragile being in the world.

He gasped through his tears. "Just like her mum."

"She's got your eyes, Tommy."

"Nonsense, darling."

You had breathed out a laugh, looking at Tom and your baby before letting one last tear fall.

"God I love you so much," you said.

"I love you. Both of you, so much," Tom had replied.

His phone had chimed in his pocket, and he was handing the baby back to you.

"What... what're we going to name her?" Tom asked timidly.

"Scarlet?" You said.

"After.. my grandmother?" Tom said, more tears forming.

"Yeah," You smiled softly.

"I like that," Tom said. "I like it a lot," he laughed through his tears. "Scarlet Leslie Holland?"

"Leslie," you repeated in a whisper. "Leslie," you whispered again. "Scarlet Leslie Holland."

"Yeah," Tom whispered back.

"I love it a lot."

Tom had kissed your forehead again before making his way into the hallway, where both sets of parents and siblings were waiting.

"Well?" Nikki said first, standing up as everyone else stood behind her.

"Do you want to meet her?"

*** The room was large, enough to fit everyone, thankfully. Upon entering, Nikki was first to catch a glance at you and her granddaughter, and the sight made her gasp, a hand to her mouth as tears formed quickly, falling just as fast.

"Oh, Tom. She's beautiful."

"They are, aren't they?" Tom said, standing on the other side of your bed as he watched his family's reaction.

"Do you want to hold her?" you asked, sitting up.

Nikki nodded, coming over and carefully taking the baby from you. She was in awe, cooing at the youngling while you whispered something to Tom about where your parents were.

"They said they'd give my family some time alone, first.. you know how your mum is: always the polite one," Tom whispered back.

You laughed before nodding. You turned back towards Nikki and the baby, silently watching them, as was Tom.

"Oh, Y/N," Nikki said. "She has your eyes."

"You see, love?" Tom said, smiling.

"She's so beautiful," Dominic confessed. "You two really... you two did really good."

"Thanks, dad," Tom said, a blush spreading on his cheeks.

"What's her name?" Paddy asked.

You glanced at Tom, smiling bashfully before replying. "Scarlet. Scarlet Leslie Holland."

"Scarlet," Nikki whispered, just as you had with Leslie.

While Nikki and Dominic were preoccupied with the baby, Harrison had made his way over to the two of you.

"Tom," Harrison said.

"Haz."

"You're a dad now," He said, his green orbs watering.

"Yeah," Tom said, laughing while stray tears fell.

"I'm so proud of you, man."

"Thank you, H."

"You know, Harrison," you cut in. "You're gonna be a pretty awesome godfather, don't you think?"

Tom looked down at you and smiled. He had let you choose who the godparents would be, and it warmed his heart to know you had chosen Harrison.

"Wait-" Harrison said. "You're serious?"

"Yeah," you said, laughing.

And then, the two boys were hugging and crying.

When they broke apart, Harrison spoke again. "I feel so lucky to have you three."

Each of Tom's brothers had a chance to hold the newborn, each one crying tears of joy and feeling immense pride in being apart of yours & Tom's journey.  

And then, Scarlet was back in your arms. You cradled her close to your chest, cherishing the feeling of her fresh skin against yours, the sweet smell of her new life starting, and you smiled through the tears.

[nightwishesworld]

Food Poisoning

What’s that? I should be working on the 12+ asks in my inbox instead of doing my own stuff??? Whoopsie

In all fairness I’m not super proud of this anyway, so I guess it balances itself out

“It must have been quite the night for Daniela to be sleeping in this late,” you say over your morning coffee.

“Was it?” Cassandra, ever the lady, asked while a mouthful of breakfast. “I didn’t realize she went out to hunt.”

Bela nodded as she sipped her tea. “She looked a little worse for wear after dinner, don’t you think, Mother?”

“I noticed that as well, yes. I hope she’s not falling ill.”

“Wait, can vampires even get sick?”

“Not if they’re careful enough. But in short, yes, my dear, it is very possible. If our food is less than healthy when ingested we will get sick. Nothing major, rather similar to food poisoning in fact.”

“Ok, well should we go check your stocks? Maybe she ate something rancid.”

Alcina shook her head. “I’m sure she’s fine, y/n. It’s probably just one of those days for her. Besides, if she were ill that means all of us would be as well, and I don’t know about you girls, but I feel perfectly fine this morning.”

Both Cassandra and Bela nodded along.

“Unless she ate that weird guy she abducted from the bar. Maybe he wasn’t just drunk? He could have been sick. Also, I hate how blasé I’ve become to you guys eating people. You’ve officially numbed me.”

Alcina rolled her eyes at your dramatics while the girls giggled. “What are the odds of that, though? Consuming the only subject in the entire basement that hasn’t been thoroughly tested.”

You share a look with Bela and Cassandra. “You remember who we’re talking about, right Alcina?”

She exhales slowly, blowing tiny ripples on the surface of her wine. “Goddammit, I suppose I should go check on her.”

You already stood from your seat. “No, no you just sat down; I’ll go. What are the odds, anyway? Daniela is smarter than that.”

It was a short walk to Daniela’s chambers once you made it upstairs. You know you’re going to find her ill in bed, you just know it. The thrill of the kill makes her reckless even in the best of times. You know for a fact she devoured that weird old man the very night she dragged him home. Now your only hope is she’s not cursed with anything more than a stomach ache.

The putrid smell of stomach acid reeked even outside Daniela’s closed door. On instinct you wanted to rush in there and help her, but who’s to say she isn’t asleep? The smell could have been from last night and she was just too exhausted to clean it up before passing out. Not that that made you feel any better. Poor Daniela sicker than a dog all by herself with no one to hold her hair up or rub her back.

You steadied yourself enough to knock a couple of times before opening the door a crack. Just enough to be able to peek through.

“Daniela?” No answer.

It doesn’t look like she’s in bed either. Then you heard the retching. You wasted no time rushing in to find her hunched over a wastebasket on the floor. You gathered her hair away from her face, kneeled down next to her, and tried desperately to ignore the smell. The last thing needed is both of you throwing up.

“Are you alright, darling?”

It was a stupid question, but the words left your mouth before you could censor yourself. That didn’t stop the redhead from glaring up at you. Her eyes were glossy and red, probably from lack of sleep.

You waited a few minutes while her breathing steadied before letting go of her. “Will you be ok while I go get your mother?”

She gave a single nod.

You rush out of the room and head for the stairs. You consider rushing down and risk tripping over yourself but ultimately decide to tell for her.

“ALCINA!”

She was heading up the stairs almost immediately after you called like she was waiting for you to do so. “She’s retching on the floor.” Alcina sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I was really hoping you were wrong.” “Me too. What should we do?” Alcina opened the door to her daughter’s bedroom and immediately rushed to her side. “My poor darling, what happened?” All Daniela could bring herself to do was shake her head. Alcina kissed her temple. “I think that old drunk expired and no one told him.” That got a smile on Daniela’s lips. Alcina proceeded to wipe the dribbles of bile off her daughter’s lips with her dress. You entered the room but kept your distance from the pair. Both because you wanted to give them space and because the smell was making you nauseous. If it's making you feel sick then you can't imagine how crummy Daniela is feeling. "Why don't you bring her to our room and I'll clean this mess up."

"Don't worry about that, y/n. I'll deal with it later. Right now I need you to go tell Bela and Cassandra to ready themselves for a trip down to the village. I need the old witch to brew a few tonics for Daniela." You nodded quickly and start hurrying out of the room. "Make sure Bela brings her glass vials!"

The girls departed for the village with haste. They said it's been decades since any of them fell ill and any herbs or tonics they had laying around the castle would have lost their effect years ago. You panicked a bit when Cassandra asked what she should be asking the witch for cause you had absolutely no idea. Before you gave yourself a panic attack trig to figure it out, Bela reassured you she knew what to do. Some items could only be obtained from the witch's hut, which is where Cassandra was being sent, while others could be purchased in the village shops.

As soon as you saw them off you busied yourself with cleaning Daniela's room. It took a while, way longer than it should have, but it got done and that's all that matters. The smell was putrid enough standing in the doorway so being right in the middle of it made you really nauseous. Scrubbing the smell out of the wooden floorboards took up most of your morning, but making Daniela happy and comfortable was well worth the effort.

You rewarded yourself with a hot shower for your valiancy though. After you freshened up you found everyone curled up together in the library. Daniela was laying on her back, with her head resting on her mother's lap as she read a book. Bela was curled up in a ball next to Alcina while Cassandra laid stretched out on the floor with her chin resting on Alcina's knee. It was probably the cutest thing you've ever seen. Not wanting to ruin such a wholesome family interaction you quietly exited the library before any of them noticed you were there.

The next few days passed like this. Alcina was driving herself to exhaustion making sure Daniela was as comfortable as possible and you did the same to her in turn. The easiest way to get the matriarch to relax was by giving her a back massage. You straddled her bare back and slowly kneaded away at her aching muscles. Her occasional sounds of pleasure encourage your ministrations.

"How can one woman have so many knots?"

"I don't know; stress, work, lack of sleep, posture?"

You laugh. "Wasn't actually looking for an answer, Al. And don't try to tell me you haven't been sleeping. I haven't been sleeping because your snoring keeps waking me up."

Alcina turned to give you a look of disgust. "I do not snore."

"You do when you're stressed. Weirdest thing, by the way."

She opened her mouth to respond but only let out a pained hiss as you moved down to her shoulder blades.

"Too much?"

"No, just sore. You can keep going."

"Yeah, I can see that. I'm just trying to get your muscles to relax, nothing crazy."

Alcina sighs and relaxes back into the pillows.

"I'm gonna start going a little harder, ok? It's getting better, but try to not hold your breath if you can help it."

Alcina lets out a long exhale in submission. She hadn't even realized she was holding it in. The way you were moving your hands down her body made her cry out in a mixture of pain and pleasure.

"Sorry, Love."

"Don't worry about it, just keep going."

A comfortable silence passes between the two of you. Your mind wanders back to Daniela. It was surreal to see her moping around the castle.

"Do you think Daniela would like a backrub? I heard her say her body aches earlier."

"That's sweet though, my love, but let's just leave her be for now. I think she finally succumbed to the tonics."

"Ah, I understand. Is she feeling any better?"

Alcina shakes her head into the pillow. "Not yet, but the tonics are helping keep her stomach calm."

You feel the weight of an anvil release from your chest. "Thank the gods, I really don't want to clean up any more sick."

"No one told you to in the first place."

"I know. I just thought she would want to be comfy in her own room."

"I appreciate everything you're doing for her, y/n. Daniela does too, she's just not great at vocalizing it."

"She doesn't have to. I'll gladly take care of my family."

One night you come home from the village really late at night and come home to find Daniela snuggling with Alcina in bed. It’s the sweetest sight.

Alcina’s got an arm wrapped around Daniela’s middle, holding her close but not suffocatingly so. Daniela’s head is tucked under her mother’s chin, face buried in her neck.

You take in the sight before moving to give Alcina a kiss on the cheek (you would Daniela too but don’t want to wake her. She needs all the sleep she can get.) and move to leave for a guest bedroom just down the hall.

Alcina stirs and you apologize for waking her.

“I was only dozing,” she whispers.

“I’m sorry I’m so late. Mihaela was accepting drinks left and right, I had to make sure she got home safe.”

“How noble of you.” Alcina lets out a lion’s yawn.

“Go back to bed, Love. I’ll check on you both in the morning.”

“Daniela was waiting for you to come back, but fell asleep.” Alcina turned her attention back to her youngest daughter and kissed her sweaty temple.

“She feeling any better?”

“Her fever did go down a bit, so we’re on the road to recovery. A slow and winding road, but going in the right direction nonetheless.”

You sigh in relief. “Thank god. She was starting to really scare me. Do you think we should call that old bat up here to take a look at her? What if she doesn’t get better soon, then what?”

“But she is, darling. I just told you her fever is down. She still has a little bit of a fever, but progress is progress. In a few day's time, she will be much better.”

“You’re probably right,” you lean over Alcina and brush loose strands of hair out of Daniela’s face. “I just wish I could do more. I’d rather it be me instead of poor Daniela.”

“I’d rather it be neither of you,” Alcina mumbled.

“It’s just so scary to see her like this; so vulnerable and weak...”

“I’m not weak.” A groggy mumbling came from Alcina’s chest.

“Hey, Daniela, how are you feeling? Any better?”

The redhead nodded into her mother’s neck. “A little.”

“Good,” you smile. “You go back to sleep now, ok? I’ll come to check on you in the morning.”

“Wher’re you goin?”

“I’m gonna go sleep in a guest room so you can be with your mother.”

The hand wrapped around Alcina’s waist comes to grab your wrist. She said something but you couldn’t make it out. All you heard was muffled groaning.

“Don’t worry, Dani. This way you can have the whole side of the bed to yourself. I’ll come to check on you in the morning.”

She didn’t let go.

“Don’t you wanna be alone with your mother? I really don’t mind, Daniela, honestly.”

Daniela buried herself deeper under the covers. “You don’t understand. I-I want...both.”

“Both what?”

Daniela didn’t say anything. She only cuddled into Alcina’s chest.

Oh....OH!

You clamped a hand down on Alcina’s arm, unknowingly digging your nails into her skin.

“Are...are you sure, Dani?”

The redhead nodded into her mother, who then answered for her.

Your stomach fluttered with the wings of a thousand butterflies. Daniela never referred to you as a parental figure before, let alone call you her mother. “Alright then. If you’re sure that’s what you want.” You move to your side of the bed and crawled in, careful not to press against her too much.

Daniela lets put an irritated groan and reaches behind her to grab your arm and wrap it around herself. Yanking you against her along the way. She must be really sick. Since when did Daniela Dimitrescu demand cuddles? Especially from you. The only thing she ever demanded of you was to help her sharpen weapons or make up with Alcina after an argument.

She wriggled away from Alcina just enough to feel you behind her. She was still sandwiched pretty tight between the two of you, but if this is what she wants you aren’t complaining. She brought your hand up towards her chest so as to keep it away from her cramping stomach.

Her head was tucked in under your chin because you didn't want to breathe all over the back of her neck. Daniela was beyond glad you were still holding onto her, even though she would never say it out loud.

You made sure to tell her you would let go of her if cuddling got too hot, or cold, or stifling for her. The redhead groaned a response and nodded into Alcina’s chest.

Rather than having your arms wrapped around her, (that implied a certain amount of pressure) your arm was laying over her side and bent to her form without any sort of pressure so Daniela wouldn't feel trapped or constricted. Really more draped over her than wrapped around her.

But she was holding onto your forearm tight to keep you there even if she shifted somewhat frequently because she wanted you to stay.

“I’m sorry you have to feel like this, Daniela. I hope you start to feel better.” You threw caution to the wind and kissed the top of her head. To your surprise, Daniela cuddled further into you. It absolutely melted you.

You pepper her head with kisses. “My poor darling. I wish I could make it all go away.”

Alcina smiles warmly at the display as she repositions herself comfortably against the pillows. She leans forward to kiss the top of Daniela's head. "Promise me you'll wake us if you need anything?"

Daniela nods into her chest.

"Or if you can't fall asleep," you add.

Alcina leaned forward to kiss you goodnight, accidentally smothering her daughter in her chest. "Goodnight, my loves. Sleep well."

[triptuckers]

Stressed out - Kaz Brekker

Request: yes “Hi hun I just took a horrible test and I am very stressed I wanted to know if you could do something where maybe the reader had a terrible day and Kaz comforts her maybe even hug her.It’s ok if u can’t do it I understand 🥰🥰” Pairing:  Kaz Brekker x reader Summary:  On some days, every little thing can go wrong, but luckily people like Kaz exist Warnings: none! Word count:  700 A/N: so sorry to hear you’re stressed, it sucks! thanks for requesting this, I hope you like it! I changed it a little, cause I think Kaz wouldn’t hug. enjoy reading!

You feel like you’ve been running around Ketterdam all day, doing little tasks and then receiving more requests and tasks. You’re tired, stressed, and all you want to do is go to your room and lock the door until the day is over.

But you can’t. You’re a trusted member of the Dregs, which means you’re one of the first choices when it comes to delicate and important tasks. Every time you sit down and think you can take a break, someone approaches you with a message from Kaz.

And so you push yourself up from your chair and do whatever they require of you.

You’re currently walking back to the Slat, taking as long as you possibly could. You know Kaz is counting on you, and you have important information for him, but your legs are burning. 

Somewhere during the day, your stressed out state had caused a wave of headaches. You’re rubbing your head as you’re walking, muttering a string of curses. You just wanted to lay in bed and wait for night to come.

You walk around the corner and see the familiar crooked building in the distance. You sigh softly and make your way toward it. 

As you push the door open, you’re greeted by the familiar buzzing vibe of the Slat. Normally, you’d gladly join Jesper for a game of cards, but today you shake your head at him and head up the stairs instead.

Your feet feel heavier than usual as you walk all the way to Kaz’ floor. You take a deep breath when you arrive at his door, closing your eyes and allowing yourself to take a moment for yourself. Your head is still painfully throbbing because of the stress when you knock on the door. 

‘Come in.’ says Kaz’ voice, and you open the door and enter his office.

‘Hello Y/N.’ he says without looking up from the papers on his desk.

‘They’re moving it on Wednesday night.’ you say, referring to an expensive necklace that belongs to a merchant’s wife. ‘Just before midnight, but they’re talking about feeding us the wrong information. Should’ve checked for eavesdroppers when they discussed that.’

‘Excellent.’ he mumbles, still not looking up. ‘Can you get this note to Wylan on the way out?’

He holds out a piece of paper, but you don’t take it. Instead, you look at him. He hadn’t even thanked you for getting him said information. All he did was give you yet another task. 

You feel tears burning behind your eyes and your headache somehow feels worse.

‘Well, of course I can do that!’ you say sarcastically, finally making him look up and raise an eyebrow at you. ‘Do you need me to do anything else? How about I just rob three banks and four merchants in an hour? I can hit the Dime Lions as well, if you’d like that. Anything else?’

Kaz silently looks at you as tears fall from your eyes. You shake your head and look at the floor.

‘I’m sorry.’ you say. ‘That wasn’t fair. I’m just stressed and tired, my headache is killing me and I just want to go to bed.’ 

You want to take the note for Wylan from Kaz, but when you look up he’s standing in front of you.

‘Next time, just tell me when it’s too much, Y/N. I’m not asking you to run the Dregs, that’s my job. I’ll get someone else to do it. Go and get some rest.’ says Kaz. 

You look up and see his eyebrows are slightly furrowed in worry. He’s silent as he looks at you. He then slowly raises his gloved hand and you see his jaw clench as he hesitates.

‘Kaz.’ you say softly. You shake your head to tell him he doesn’t have to do anything to comfort you.

He doesn’t say anything as he slowly moves to wipe a tear off your cheek, causing you so smile weakly. 

‘Go and get some rest, Y/N.’ he says softly. ‘I’ll get the note to Wylan myself.’ ‘Thank you.’ you say. You smile one last time before leaving his office and making your way to your room.

A/N: If you want to request something, make sure to read my house rules Here’s the list of characters I write for. Everything that I have written can be found on my masterlist. Please don’t repost my work, as I spend much time and effort on it!! Thank you for reading! Much love, Marit