#and yet it's 6am and I can't stop reading through the tags and seeing the takes I missed

[razzek]

One thing that's starting to really get to me with the James Somerton stuff is a real strong undercurrent of disdain toward his fans. And yeah, I was one of them. A good scam artist isn't as easy to spot as y'all seem to think. You forget that you have all the information right now. Two days ago most of you had never heard of him and it would have kept going. Anyone can fall for a scam, nobody is immune. I would love to have had whatever resources you guys think we all should magically know about so I could have kept my sad $5 a month I really needed but thought was going to something worthwhile. Some of us can only devote so much energy into things and when you have no idea whatsoever that something is amiss of course you're not going to go digging for sources, why would you when everything is fine as far as you know? I really wish I could have seen the dissenting opinions on him but for many, many reasons that aren't just that the dissenting voices weren't widely circulating at the time all I had was the thought every now and again that "huh that doesn't seem right" and then go on with my day. And I think that happened to a lot of us. So yeah. Say what you gotta say about Somerton, he has more than earned it with the damage he's caused, but maybe don't shit so hard on his former fans because that is going to be you someday with something, it happens to everyone sooner or later.

[dre6ming]

Living for the hope of it all

“I stayed there” series ~ part VIII

𓆩Masterlist𓆪

𓆩part VII𓆪

𓆩Part IX 𓆪

To be added to the tag list click here

Pairing: Austin Butler x fem reader

Warnings: smut 18+ <minors dni>, oral ( f receiving), fingering, cursing, strong language, body insecurities, alcohol, anxiety, angst, fluff…. Hope I got it all

Plot: how can you handle the paparazzi when you are just a regular girl? How can you let Austin fully in, when you think you aren’t worthy of him?

Word count: ~6500

Disclaimer: the article at the beginning is made up by me and I don’t believe any of what I said it there, but you get it, fiction . Also this is not proof read so please ignore any mistakes, I’m too tired to check for them now.

Is he still playing Elvis?

"The ‘Elvis’ actor , Austin Butler, is quick to jump from one girl to the next, similar to the king of rock and roll, the 30 year old actor seems to go through lovers so fast that the lines between each relationship blend.

Just the other day, Butler, was photographed in L.A. sharing steamy kisses with a mysterious girl. The two of them had a brief make out session in the stars car and then drove away together. These pictures come out at a time when the actor is still believed to be in a relationship with 20 years old, model Kaia Gerber.

Could Austin have gone too far in his role as Elvis? As we know Presley was a womanizer back in the day and was accused of many infidelities.

No official response has yet to come from Austin or Kaia and the mystery girl remains unidentified, but with how crazy the fans are over the whole ordeal we are sure that won't stay like this for long"

I feel the phone slipping from my hand, but the intercom in the airport announcing the flights, wakes me up and I clench my fingers around the device. This can't me real, but it sure as fuck is. Pictures of me and Austin kissing in his car, right before we drove out. My face is pretty much covered by my hair and Austin's hands, but as the article said, fans usually figure these things out, quite fast. My heart feels like it weights about 300 pounds in my chest. If my mom sees this, I'm done for. If they find out who I am, I'll have this all over me, paparazzi, crazy fans upset I took their chance. My whole career could be ruined. And what if the article speaks the truth, what if he lied? About him and Kaia? Oh god I'm so stupid. Fuck me!

I want to smash the phone on the pavement, jump on it and light it on fire. This article just destroyed everything and it reminded me I'm not enough. If I were a celebrity like him, this would've been water under the bridge, but I'm a commoner, I'm a nobody. I have to keep calm for today, this is Emma's and Betty's day, I have to be ok for them. I can fall apart after they leave for their trip to Bahli, tomorrow. I close the article and wonder if he's seen. Probably not yet, since it's 6am and he's probably sleeping.

Putting my phone on 'do not disturb' I put it at the bottom of my bag and scan the airport for Emma's black hair. Sure enough she's found me before I did her. Walking towards me with a huge smile, I try to fake my bast one for her, ignoring the sting in my eyes. "Emma, it's so good to see you!" I say hugging her tight. "I missed you to flower" as we pull apart and help her with the bags, I laugh at the nickname she gave me years ago. "So when is it going to happen, I can't wait" she squeals, clapping her hands. I stop in my tracks, face shocked. "What- what do you mean?" I ask.

Emma giggles shaking her head. "Come on, flower, you know Betty, she can't keep a secret if her life depended on it. She texted me a picture of the ring a moth ago, she thinks she grabbed my phone and deleted it before I saw, but the message popped up on my computer as well." Letting out a shaky laugh, putting a hand over my heart, I keep on walking towards the car. "I should have known" we laugh as we load her bags in my car. "Yeah, she tried really hard, so don't tell her I know" Emma begs, buckling herself in the passenger seat. "I won't" and as realization hits me, I look at her smiling. "Does this mean, you'll say yes?" Tears of joy gather in my eyes as she nods her head, whipping away some tears as well. We hug tightly and cry together. At some point I don't know it I'm crying happy tears for them or bitter tears for me, but when we bring ourselves back together, I feel so much lighter.

Turning on the car and backing out of the parking lot, I turn the radio on. "So we kinda have to stay away from Betty and the apartment for the whole day" my fingers drum against the steering wheel with the beat of the music. "And our first thing in the list is breakfast." Emma giggles in her seat. "Can I pick where we eat?" She asks and I nod approvingly. "Anywhere that has mimosas, I was told to bring you in slightly buzzed." Throwing her head back laughing, she puts the directions in my gps.

The place she chose is sweet and small, it has those L.A. vibes of nature, fairytale cafe. We order and enjoy a good breakfast, over some juicy gossip about some of her colleagues as well as some of mine. She tells me about the job at the D.A.'s office, Emma is excited to finally score a secure job since finishing law school over a year ago. I tell her about my new cat and she begs me to take her over to the apartment real quick so she can meet the fur ball. I of course decline and tell her she and Betty will have the place all to themselves tonight and she can enjoy meeting Boots later.

After breakfast we drive to the mall, she insists on buying new outfits for the both of us. "We need to look fabulous in my engagement photos, no way are we going to wear something old." Her wish is my command today, so I bite my tongue accepting my fate. If you know Emma, you know, fashion is her favorite thing in the world, so it takes us no less then 4 hours to find something to wear. A blush pink short dress for me, with a decent amount of cleavage showing, but still modest and a champagne gold sequence strappy dress for her. Both are beautiful and suit us perfectly, they are elegant, yet not to over the top, but still not sure if they worth 4 hours of dressing and undressing.

For lunch we decide to eat at the mall and share a pizza. "So what about you, do you have a thing?" Emma asks and I lift a single brow at her. "I don't" as soon as the words leave my mouth, they stab me in the gut. Just a few hours ago me and Austin advanced to the status of boyfriend and girlfriend, but now that I wonder if I'm just a side kick, a curiosity, I can't think of us like that. "Why does it sound like there's more to that?" I try to hide my discomfort with a giggle, drinking some water. "Because you're a lawyer and you are used to reading into everything?" I try to reason with her, but I know she said that, because I'm an open book when it comes to feelings. "Plus today is about you!" I say hoping that she would drop it. Closing her eyes and putting her arms up in defense she gives up on the topic.

We decide best way to kill some more hours is to just go and watch a movie. I have to clench my fists and bite back my fight as she suggests that we go watch Elvis, since the movie is still in cinema and she hasn't seen it. Emma doesn't know about Austin, I mean she knows about Austin my ex, that broke my heart, but she doesn't know it's the same Austin, that's stareing me down form the Elvis movie poster. He's barely recognizable, jet black hair and sideburns, chin up, looking confidently at the camera. Sometimes I really wish that I could hate him, Ive tried but that's just something I couldn't do, my heart knows what the truth is.

Shaking my head I look away from the poster as Emma comes up with the tickets in hand, giggling like a little kid. "Ok child, let's go, I'll buy you a lollipop" I say patting her back. After the lollipop is bought, we walk inside the cinema and take our spots. Anxiety I bubbling in the pit of my stomach, as the intro starts, knowing I'll be watching two and a half hours of Austin dressed as Elvis.

When the movie ends I find myself once again crying, because I know that the Austin who made this masterpiece is not the fit for me, he needs more, he always needed more. It hurts that I let him back in my life, it hurts that I wanted him back and I can't have him. I try to collect myself and walk out of the cinema, listening to Emma babbling about the movie and how much she loved it. I'm walking and I'm talking, but it feels like I'm not there. I've only felt like this once in my life, after...well by now we all know, after what.

Me and Emma quickly change outfits in the mall's bathroom and she does a little makeup number on both of us. She takes a couple of mirror selfies and we are on our way. The drive to the dinner where the engagement will take place, is filled with laughter and singing. When we get there we are both in hysterics, laughing so hard you can probably hear us for miles away. "Come on lets turn you into a mrs" I say and grab Emma by the hand, walking her in.

After a beautiful speech and some more crying, everyone is enjoying some champagne, before the cake. Betty approaches me, her smile is huge and contagious. "So I don't want to rain on your parade, but as I was getting the apartment ready for my night with Emma, thanks by the way for letting us use it." I wave her off. "Just wash the sheets after" she laughs blushing, getting a bit lost in thought, probably about their unholy activities that are to come. "Sure, sure, but as I was saying, I was busy getting the apartment ready, when a certain blonde dude knocked on the door. He looked like he had been crying and to be honest I think he was still in his pajamas. Anyway he asked for you, said you aren't answering any of his texts or calls." My hand start to sweat and I have to grab the champagne glass a little harder for it not to slip out of my grasp. "Ok, and what did you say?" I ask clearing my throat, hoping to rid of the lump there, but it doesn't work. "I told him, you were out busy the whole day. He then asked when he could come back to talk to you and I said you're spending the night over at your parents. He didn't say anything more and than left thanking me." I nod, brushing some hair behind my ear. "Ok" Betty looks concerned at me. "What happened? I was asleep last night when you came back, but you seemed happy this morning." I shake my head, tonight , is her night, not mine, we can drop me for now. She gets that without having me say it and drops the subject for now.

Hugging her and Emma I say my congratulations and walk out to my car. I'm tired as it is and I have a two hour drive ahead of me, from the dinner to my parents house. I try not to think about anything else other than driving safe. When I get home, using my spare key I get in. All the lights are out, which means that my parents are sleeping, so as quietly as I can, I make my way to my bedroom. Taking a quick shower kinda helps me, but still there's a undeniable ache in me. Coming back to my room dressed in a towel I open the balcony door to let some fresh air in and then quickly changing into my pajamas.

Slipping into bed and turning off the bedside lamp, I try to sleep, but I can't. As preoccupied as I am with my own thoughts, the sound of footsteps outside my window, makes the hairs stand up on my arms. Leaving o the ground floor it's easy to climb in and out of my bedroom, over the balcony. Grabbing whatever I find on my nightstand to use as a weapon, I make my way out in the balcony. I almost let out a scream, before the figure climbing the balcony, lunched forward and covers my mouth with their hand. I try to hit the person with what I took from my nightstand, but they are faster and catch my arm, before I can even touch them. A chuckle escapes the person and I recognize it immediately, but my body is still on alert mode. "Oh fuck, no, (y/n), it's me, it's Austin, don't cry! I'm sorry."

Slowly the hand holding my arm, from hitting him, comes down to my waist and the hand covering my mouth, cups my cheek. I let out a shaky breath and try to relax a bit in his arms. "Shh, all this time and you still haven't gotten any better at self defense, baby!" He chuckles and I look at my hand to see that I'm holding a hairbrush, not a very effective weapon. I get out of his arms, suddenly annoyed at his presence. Walking back in my room I sit on the bed and put the hairbrush down. "Can we talk?" He asks whispering. "You need to go, if my mom-"

"No, we need to talk, you've been dodging my calls and text, I know you must of read that piece of shit" he says brushing his hands through his hair. "Was it?" I ask and he looks confused. "Was it what?" Austin asks, I like that he's keeping the distance between us, it's easier to think if I don't have his arms around me. "A piece of shit? Because I don't know-"

"Know what?" He interrupts me, his voice raising a bit. "Keep your voice down!" I scold him. "I can't have that Austin, I'm a regular person, I will work a regular job, where I'll have to help people. I can't have paparazzi chasing me and fans trying to tag me down." I say and I can see that every word hurts him, but I don't know if it's because he knows I'm right or because he disagrees. "I know, I should've been more careful, I'm sorry." He tries to come closer but I don't let him, putting a hand up to stop him. He falls to his knees a few steps in front of me. "It's not your fault, I'm just not what you need. Maybe you can fix this, you know, call the model back, try and make it work with her, she'd be-" he grabs my small hands in his, clutching them to his chest, blue eyes pleading with me in the dark. "No, don't, please, she's not you. I beg you (y/n), don't do this to me, not over a gossip page headline." I close my eyes. I can't look at him like this, it hurts too much.

"You were right to break up with me, I would've only hold you back-" my voice breaks as a sob makes it's way through my mouth. "Not true, if you were there, I wouldn't have spend the past 7 months since I've been done with the movie, in therapy, constantly trying to reach back to who I was. When I'm with you I'm the best version of myself." I try to take my hands out of his, but he's so much stronger and he pulls me off the bed onto his lap. Wiggling around to get away from him, I give up when his strength overwhelms me. "Austin I can't love you again, I'm afraid I'm not enough!" I say trying to keep quiet. My mom walking in on this is the last thing I need right now. "You are so much more than enough, it's my fault for not making it clear enough, but I don't want a girl who knows how to deal with the media, I want my girl, my girl who always makes me laugh. My girl who always teaches me new things. My girl who can't cook to save her life, but is the biggest culinary critic I've ever met. My girl who can talk you into loving the same things as her, because she has such a way of making everything sound 10 times better than it is. My girl who can recite the whole Taylor Swift discography in one breath. My girl who's touch I crave all the time, who's lips taste like oranges and who's hair smells like propolis and burnt pear. All I've ever wanted is my girl and that girl is you!"

I look into his eyes, his face is tilted up and tears are slowly rolling down each side. My mouth opens and closes, I can't speak, I think I've lost that ability. No one's ever spoken like that about my. I bring my head down and kiss his tears away, taking care of each cheek, making sure they're equally loved. Then I make my way to his lips. I hover there a moment, keeping our lips close, but not close enough to touch. Austin is frozen in place, his hands holding mine close to his chest, eyes closed and lips slightly open. I touch my lips to his, both of us sighing into the kiss. Neither of us moves and we just stay like that, lips touching moving over one another. It's slow, full of emotions, my heart is pounding in my ears, my stomach hurts and all of my muscles feel petrified. But then his hands let go of mine and hug my back, bringing my chest flush with his. I tangle my fingers in the soft locks of hair on his head. The kiss becomes fluid, hands are everywhere, touching everything, pulling at clothes and giving goosebumps everywhere they touch skin.

I put my arms around his neck and hug him tightly, hiding my face in his neck. Austin's breath is coming in short gasps as he holds onto me. "I want you!" I say breathless. I wait for him to respond, but he doesn't. Struggling, I concentrate on his still shallow breath to keep me sane. "Are you sure?" Austin speaks so low I have to make an effort to hear. "Yes!" I'm sure, I need him. I want him. I'm done of holding back, I'm done questioning everything. "I believe you Austin and as much as I try to fight it, I know that I can't ever leave you." His lips crash against mine, kissing me hungrily and there was raw emotion in the way his fingers curled around my waist, pulling me closer if that was possible. Heat rose up to my chest and all my senses unfurled as the taste of him nearly silenced all my thoughts. Nearly, because the sudden thought that we're still in my childhood bedroom with my mom sleeping down the hall, washes over me like cold water.

"Wait!" I push against his chest and he looks at me panting, pupils blown with lust and lisp red from all the kissing. "What's wrong?!" Austin is panicked, scared of what made me stop. I smile viciously and I see him relaxing a bit. "My mom is sleeping down the hall, we can't, not here at least" there's a glimmer in his eyes as the last few words leave my lips. He chuckles and pushes some of his hair back. "Wanna run away?" I laugh and cover my mouth to make sure I keep quiet. But as I look at him I see that his serious, not an ounce of joke on his features. "You're serious?" I ask and the breath gets caught in my chest when he grinds me over his hips. "Serious as I'll ever be. If this is what you want?" One of his hands stroked my hair as he starts to kiss my skin, leaving a warm feeling everywhere his lips touched. I tremor at his actions and I move my hips against his, moaning before I can stop myself. "Yes, please!" I say out of breath, like I just ran a marathon. I feel him smile against my skin and when he giggles his hot breath fans over my exposed skin. "Ok, come one!"

Austin gets up and pulls me with him. He starts walking to the balcony and I follow him, but then I remember I need my things. "Wait, I need my things." I say as I move frantically around the room, trying to rid it of any evidence that I was here. With my arms full, I drop half of what I'm carrying in his arms. "Ok, you ready?" He asks smirking at me. Nodding, I wait for him to jump over and then he helps me do the same. As stealthy as possible we sneak to his car, but before I get in, I remembered my own car. "I need to drive my own car, they can't know I was here!" I whispered. His brows draw together in confusion. "Didn't they see you when you came?" I shake my head. "They were asleep, I only got here like an hour ago." I explain and he just nods. "Ok, just drive close behind me, all right?" I nod and go to my car, getting in with shaky limbs. I take a minute to breathe and then I hear Austin's car start, so I do the same with mine to make sure I can keep up, even though I know where he lives, right now I need to be as close to him as possible. I can't believe this is really happening, but there's no one else I could've seen myself doing this with.

Thankfully he doesn't live too far away from my parents house and it's just a 15 minute drive. I can't park my car faster and I almost scream at my stupid seatbelt, for not unbuckling fast enough. I get out of the car at the same time as him and I walk up to him, making an effort to stop myself from running to him. Austin's hands catch my face and I hug his waist. It's a mess of lips meeting teeth and tongue. My knees go weak and my skin feels like it's on fire, despite the chilly air outside. His hands travel down my body and reach the back of my thighs. "Jump!" He takes his lips away from mine for long enough to say that and then his back, calming my mouth again hungry and intense. I do as told and jump up , wrapping my leg around his waist. I'm so caught up in the feeling of his arms wrapped around my frame, that I don't feel is move until my back meets a wall and the cold seeps through my thin tank top making me shiver. "Fuck, I have to unlock the door" I laugh at how angry it makes him, that he as to stop what we're doing to do something as simple as unlocking the door.

I start to get off of him, but his hands hold my legs in place and he shakes his head. "Stay!" He says. I feel one of his hands move to the front of his pants. Austin grunts in frustration when the key doesn't seem to want to fit in the hole. "Fucking shit!" He curses under his breath and I giggle at him. Putting my hand over his shaking one, I help him put the key in the hole and in a second the door is unlocked and slammed open. "What would I do without you?" He asks smiling up at me. "Fuck on the front porch?" I say shrugging my shoulders. "Someday, sure, you just wait!" I'd laugh if he didn't look so serious right about now. I feel his chest shake with laughter as he wraps his arms around my waist to hold me close as he walks inside, closing the door behind him. "I wouldn't laugh if I were you Butler, I might take you out on that" I whispered in his ear and his whole body gets tense. "Such a tease, who would've thought." He says clicking his tongue. I giggle pressing my lips to the shell of his ear.

When we get to his bedroom he slowly crawls on the bed, with me tightly wrapped around him. Then my back hits the fluffy bed and it all feels so real. He must of felt that I was worrying, because he turns my face to look at him. "We go as far as you want, ok? You have the lead here, baby. I'm all yours!" He says kissing the top of my nose, making my heart skip a beat. I nod and bring him in for a kiss, his body resting over mine, bringing in a new kind of warmth. I feel safe and hungry, but not hungry for food, hungry for his touch, for him to melt into me. Before I become aware of my fingers, they had already slipped under his shirt, feeling his skin, soft and radiating heat.

I gasp at the feeling of his hips slowing moving against mine. "Ah, Austin, please!" I say moving his shirt up so I can finally bare his chest. His lips trail kisses from the corner of my mouth, over my jaw, down my neck, stopping there a little longer to suck and lick, making me move under him, trying to get my hips to meet his. I can feel him through his sweatpants and when his crotch grinds over mine, is hypnotic, the feeling building in my lower belly. When his calloused hands move under my top, raising it up, my breath picks up, his mouth is busy leaving open-mouthed, soft-lipped kisses over the tender flesh of my shoulder. Before the material goes up, over my breasts his stops. "Can I?" He ask and I somehow manage to moan a breathy 'yes'.

When Austin throws the garment somewhere in the room and I'm bare in front of him, I try to cover myself, but he stops me. "You are you beautiful, please never hide from me, (y/n)." He goes back to planting wet kisses all over my shoulder and then he slowly moves down. My hands fly up to his hair, as he sucks one of my nipples in his mouth. It's feels so good, I throw my head back and moan, pulling on his hair. He growls against me and I feel the vibrations rummage in my chest. One of his hands is holding my hips in place, while the other massages the breast that's not in his mouth, twisting the nipple in between the rough pads of his fingers. "Austin, baby, feels so good!" I hum, drunk on the pleasure. His mouth switches places with his hand, showing both of my breasts the same kind of love. "You make such pretty noises." He moans against my nipple and I fight his grip, to grind my hips up into him. "Please!" I'm begging for his to do more, to touch me more. I can feel him smile and I tug his hair.

Austin leaves open-mouthed kisses all over my stomach and when he reaches my shorts, hooking two fingers in the waist band, he looks up at me. His eyes are so full of lust, there's barely any blue left. "I'm going to take these off, can I?" I nod frantically, brushing the hair out of my face. "Yes, please!" I pant. He takes them off slowly, along with my panties. Getting off of the bed, he takes off my shoes, which I still had on and then starts to undress himself. I look away, feeling my cheeks burn. "Don't look away, look at me." I look at him, but I keep my eyes fixed on his. That is of course until he moves down to take his own shoes off and discard the pants and boxers, that pooled at his feet. Wow, he's beautiful, all of him. Sure I've seen men naked before, I'm going to be a doctor, so anatomically the human body is no mystery. But I've never felt like this like I want to touch and memorize every inch of him, like I want to know the way every patch of skin feels under my lips.

He climbs on top of me, hands holding my waist, and lips hungrily engulfing mine. I can feel him hard against my belly and I move under him, causing my skin to touch his penis. He moans into the kiss. "I want to kiss you here." He says, one of his big hands cupping my pussy. I shudder at the new sensation, bucking against his hand. "Yes, please, Austin" licking his lips he moves down my body, hooking my legs over his shoulders, grabbing my thighs to keep them open. The position suddenly makes me feel nervous and shy, so I try to close my legs but he won't allow it. Feeling me move his eyes snap up at me. "You ok? Do you want me to stop?" I shake my head, trying to find the right words to say. "No, just, I'm not pretty Austin, it's just, you looking at me like this, what if, I mean, I'm not-" I can't make sense of what I'm saying but he understands. "You are the most beautiful girl, (y/n), I love every bit of you. I love you belly" he goes over to kiss my belly, grazing the skin with his teeth and making me giggle at the ticklish feeling. "I love you thighs" he says and moves to kissing over my hip all the way to my inner thighs. Making me squirm underneath his touch. Austin is kissing, biting and licking everywhere, everywhere, but where he promised. "Austin please!" I whine, buckling my hips up.

First I feel his hot breath and then I feel his soft, warm lips, kissing and sucking. Then his hot tongue licks at me. I whimper, pulling at his hair with one hand, the other one, grabbing the sheets. "So sweet, keep making those pretty noises baby, you sound heavenly." He praises me, going back to continue his ministrations on me. His tongue flicks and twirls around my clit, driving me crazy, turning me into a moaning mess. I feel one of his sleek fingers play at my hole and then he pushes it slowly. I move against him, trying to feel more. Austin catches onto my frustration and easing a second finger in, he gives me a moment to adjust to the stretch. "So tight and sweet, such a lovely pussy, all mine." I grunt as he curls his fingers up, moving them in and out of me, sucking and licking at my clit. It's all too much, it's so good and intoxicating. My hips buckle to meet his moves. The knot forming in my lower belly, feels like it's closer to snapping, I get tense, this is all new for me. "Relax baby, you're going to cum, come on, don't hold back" Austin says as the hand that was preoccupied with holding my hips in place, moves up to my boobs, pinching my nipples. That's when I feel it, the knot snapping and everything around me going blurry. I bite the back of my hand to stop myself from screaming. As I pull in his hair he moans against me as he's still playing with my clit, slowly moving his fingers to help me ride my high.

Pulling his fingers out of me, the empty feeling makes me whine, as I clench around nothing. Austin licks his fingers clean as he moves over to the nightstand to get a condom out of the drawer. Coming back over me, he sits on his knees in between my legs. "Want to help me?" He ask, and I snap my eyes, that were previously looked on his hard cock, up at his face. He's smiling at me and that somehow eases my nerves. I nod and he takes my hand by the wrist, guiding it to his length. "Just, wrap your hand around it" I do as he says and look at the muscles in his abdomen move. Guiding my hand up and down, he moans, throwing his head back and cursing. My heart flutters knowing I can make him feel like this. His hand leaves mine and I move on my own as he opens the condom. Putting the condom on his tip he speaks. "Pinch the tip of the condom and roll it down slowly, it's ok if you get it wrong, I have more." He laughs as he finishes the sentence. With all the concentration I can muster I do as he says. "Perfect!" His hand grabs my chin and tilts it up so I look at him.

Austin kisses me slowly, pushing me against the bed, caging me. One of his hands is holding him up so that he's not crushing me under his weight and the other moves between us to bring himself up to my entrance. I can fell the tip resting there and he puts his hand on my hip to stop me from thrusting into him. "Are you sure you want this? We can stop, if-" I kiss him to stop the unnecessary babbling. "I love you, I'm sure." He tenses up and brings his face up to look at me. "You what?" He ask unsure that what he heard was real. I stroke his face gently. "I love you! I don't think I've ever stopped" he blinks quickly and even I the dark I can see the tears welling up in his eyes, but then I feel the hot liquid touch my face and roll off of my skin. His lips ghost over mine, I can taste the salt in his tears and the sweetness of him. He pulls away quickly, too quick. "Say it again." He demands and I smile. "I love you" he kisses me shortly and starts pushing in. "Again” he grunts. I moan feeling him slowly stretch me, it's definitely a lot more than his fingers and it stings a lot, but somehow there's pleasure in the pain. "I love you" kiss "I love you!" Kiss.

We go like this until his all the way in and his pelvis hits mine. It's hurts a lot and I try to breathe through it. Austin kisses my face, my lips, my eyes, my nose, everything. "I love you too, you're doing so good for me, baby" I squeeze him and his hips flutter against mine. Feeling him move  brings a new kind of good to the mixture. "Move please." He pulls back slowly and then pushes back in, I feel so full and my walls hug him in. "God, so warm and perfect, made for me (y/n)" he huffs as he starts a steady pace. We move in sink, hips meeting halfway way and hands grabbing all that they can. "I love you, fuck this is so good!" I moan kissing him, walking my tongue over his lips. He gasps into my mouth and our tongues start to dance, battling for dominance. The knot from earlier comes back and I feel like I need more. "Aus, I'm close, more, please, shit!" He starts to move faster, covering my mouth with his, to swallow all my cries. Austin brings one hand between us and draws circles over my clit. "Cum for me, (y/n), come on baby!" He whispers in my ear and biting down on his shoulder, my orgasm wishes over me harder then before. His hips start to lose rhythm and his moves get sloppier, as he soon stills. Austin grunts and kisses over my shoulder as I feel him twitch inside me, while my walls still flutter around him, squeezing him, from my previous orgasm.

I feel so good, so warm and tired and when he moves over, to go into the bathroom, I shiver at the absence of his body on mine. He comes back with a towel in hand and he wipes it over my thighs, making me tremble, since I'm still sensitive there. When he’s done, Austin throws the towel somewhere in the room and moving me up on the bed he brings the coves over me. He joins me under the warm duvet and I hug his side. The feeling of his skin on mine must be the best thing I've ever experienced. "I love you!" I say sleepy as he strokes my hair with one hand, his other one moving up and down my upper arm. "I love you too!" He kisses the top of my head. "So does this mean I can still take you out tomorrow?" He mumbles against my hair.

I shake my head and as serious as I can I say "No, I just wanted you for the sex." His chest moves with laughter and the sound fills me up with joy. "Flattered to be at your service, ma'm!" Austin says making me giggle and bury my face in his shoulder. "Ok I may allow, one date, if you make me your famous breakfast tomorrow" his hands move me to lay on top of him, with my legs straddling his waist. I sit my head in the palms of my hands on top of his chest and look at him smiling. "Just one date?" Austin asks coming in for a kiss, but I pull my head back so he can't reach my lips. "Maybe, if the breakfast is extremely good, there will be more, than one!" One of his hands goes to the back of my head and as we both laugh we meet halfway in a quick kiss.

I remain like this on top of him, as his hands rest on my back. I play with his hair and rest my head on his chest, over his heart, listening to the beautiful sounds it makes. Our breaths calm down and soon sleep catches both of us. And we fall asleep like this, skin on skin, my ear over his heart, my hands his hair and his lips kissing my head. It's perfect, it's how it should've always been, just us.

Tags: @kittenlittle24 @amorx @cryingabtab @lexicox044 @lrissa @feral4austinbutler @sageskywalker @jesssssicaa @rainydayz101 @flwersgarden @bobthefishiesworld @captured-memory @homebodybirkin2003 @galaxygirl453 @butlerslut @chrisevansgirl34 @myradiaz @pennyroyalcreep @macey234 @im-lame-irl @lordandmistress @the-girl-wh0-cries-w0lf @poppet05 @gabbywontlose @4shbug @0-thegoodwitch-0 @hauntedarchivesx @chewiethecatus @sunnyx07 @francesbloomer @jessaroni19 @finelineskies

[thera-daydreams]

PLUS ONE

》 A TRESE TWOSHOT 《

[Maliksi x Reader]

📝 Summary: In which your beloved best friend snatches you from your apartment at dawn asking you to be his plus one for his cousin's wedding. Unbeknownst to the clueless you, everything is just going according to Maliksi's ultimate masterplan. With the help of friends and family, the Prince of the Tikbalang finally gets the girl he's been longing for. And oh, Señor Armanaz gets his dream daughter-in-law and the promise of grandchildren within the year.

📌 Warning: May contain some slight NSFW for spicy suggestiveness and cussing. No smut or anything super SPG—this girl can't write that for her life—but just be prepared. It's Maliksi we're talking about. We've got friends-to-lovers, obliviousness, pining, fluff, and a tikbalang simp. Figure it out. 😃

(word count: 7,454) ♥︎ Part Two: ?

》 AUTHOR'S NOTE 《

Not an Inday spinoff, but a lengthy oneshot in celebration of this blog getting 90 followers. Just ten more to 100, yay! Thank you so much for the love and support, everyone. I also promised that I'll be making this brainrot that @binibiningbabaylan and I have fangirled over a few days ago (find the original post here) when I finished the latest chapter of Inday. Here it is! 🥰

Before I forget, I was also inspired by the cute fic made by @crispybasil titled "Sunshowers" and the "Trese Boys As Things My Guy Friends Do" made by the amazing @smolla-than-a-bug (I bow down to your wonderful works in the Trese fandom). I definitely see Maliksi to be the type to go on spontaneous roadtrips and be the boyfriend to drive you around eveeeerywhere (while also driving you crazy). 🚘

There are also some songs mentioned throughout this work. You should probably listen to them while reading for the full experience. Ending was somewhat rushed but eh, I'm too exhausted and I've rewritten it too many times. Also, if someone makes some actual tikbalang smut, tag me please. Anyways, enjoy! 💕

The way it all started was hilarious. Absolutely fucking hilarious. It happened like a blur. Literally. One second, you were snoozing in your bed. The next? You had a seatbelt on in the shotgun seat of a sophisticated-looking car. Your brain didn't even get to process it yet.

"... So let me get this straight," you grumbled, still half-asleep from your sleep marathon. You just finished a hugely successful project at work yesterday, got promoted, and wanted to make up for the restless nights you spent overtime in the office. Of course you were irritated from being disturbed. You were on vacation leave for two entire weeks, originally planning to go into temporary isolation by deactivating your social media accounts and reserving a beach cabana for yourself in Batangas.

Well, turns out, you weren't going to Batangas anytime soon. All because your unreasonably spontaneous bestfriend of ten hectic years stole you from your apartment at 2AM. Was this considered kidnapping? Was this him just being more in touch with his tikbalang side, taking unsuspecting women in their sleep and leading them to their inevitable death? (He was going over the speed limit, so it was a valid thought.) Will wearing your shirt inside-out save you today? Lord, masyado ka pang pagod para mag-isip ngayon.

"Go on."

"You abducted picked me up in the middle of the night because you want me to be your plus one at your cousin's wedding in Tagaytay?"

"Yup. And technically, the venue is right on the outskirts of Cavite going to Tagaytay," he corrected you as a matter-of-factly.

"Same thing, whatever," you huffed tiredly. "Your cousin's wedding is at 6AM today. In a few hours. In four hours."

"Uh-huh."

You groaned exasperatedly, "Mal naman, eh! You didn't even let me bring anything. Could've at least given me a heads-up a few hours ago. I'm practically emptyhanded right now save for my phone! Sinungaling ka, you said this was just a normal midnight drive—not a freaking wedding!"

The Prinsipe ng Mga Tikbalang, son of the Great Stallion, heir to the Armanaz herd, and the Top Drag Racer of C-5 Expressway—if that was even one of his Game of Thrones-like titles—grinned as he continued driving beside you. He let you continue ranting in the passenger seat while he mulled over his ultimate masterplan that would change his entire life later on. He was a spur-of-the-moment kind of guy, so all this wasn't his thing. But for you? He'll make plans, alright.

"Wala man lang akong dinalang masusuot o kahit konting makeup para maging presentable sa harapan ng buong pamilya mo," you exclaimed, in absolute despair. "Do you know how out of my league you are? Your rich-ass family might judge me—hell, your dad might see me as a hampaslupa if I show up there in my pambahay and tsinelas!"

"Psh, I'm not out of your league," Maliksi waved it off, smoothly turning a corner. "And calm down. We've known each other for a decade! My dad practically loves you as his own daughter. Heck, the entire family knows you and keeps telling me they want you adopted in already. Lolo Andres and Lola Perlita said they'd have the paperwork settled. You just need to sign them."

It would be even better (and easier) if you married into the family. To him, specifically (as if he'd let anyone else have you). God, he was already being so obvious in his advances, but you were just so damn oblivious whenever it came to romance. None of this needed to happen if you just got it through your thick skull that he was madly in love with you.

"That's not the point, idiot!" you slumped back into your seat, hopeless. "Do you think the bride and the groom will get offended? Shit, baka masumpaan ako kung magagalit sila, Mal. Mukha akong patay galing sa South Cemetery."

The long-haired tikbalang rolled his eyes, "Huwag kang mag-alala. Nothing's going to go wrong. Chill ka lang diyan. I've got everything under control, babe."

Babe. Yes, he even called you babe but you thought it was him being a himbo and a massive flirt. Now, it was his common term of endearment for you, but you still assumed it was him just being irksome to you and that you couldn't stop the man from saying it anymore. Thus, you let it be (the most obvious hint of his attraction to you, bestie).

"... Ugh, why didn't you ask Hannah or Amie to go with you?"

He just smiled knowingly, shrugging and making up an excuse, "Nagmamadali ako, eh. Hannah and Amie are also coming, but they already have the other tikbalang as dates."

"'Luh, ako pala ang backup choice mo?"

"Heh. Whatever you want to think."

Little did you know that you were always his first choice. Always. Even when he pursued Alexandra Trese many years ago, trying to convince himself you were just his best friend, it was always you. How did he come to that realization? Well, an international band he was a fan of released a song a couple years ago and he heard it being played in a club in BGC. The song title?

It Was Always You by Maroon 5.

Needless to say, after hearing the song and being unable to get it—get you—out of his mind at night, he stopped courting Alexandra. Unfortunately for him, that time, you'd started dating other men. Therefore, he was left on the sidelines... until your latest and most painful breakup, at least. That was five years ago. You still hadn't dated anyone since then, kind of traumatized from getting into another failed relationship like that.

In the present day, as if the fates were playing on you two, one of your favorite artists played on the radio. A very ironic song given the situation you two were in.

Best Friend by Rex Orange County.

Maliksi knew it was a favorite of yours. He knew it by the way your eyes lit up like a star brightening the twinkling night sky. Like the sun first rising in the morning at Apolaki's command. Like the moon extending its gentle rays from the magic of Mayari herself. If there was anything he wanted to ask of the old gods, it was you—everything else be damned.

"I wanna be the one that makes your day, the one you think about as you lie awake," you half-sang and half-screamed happily, somewhat out-of-tune. "I can't wait to be your number oooooone! I'll be your biggest fan and you'll be mine—"

Maliksi glanced at you, not minding that his eardrums were probably getting microscopic ruptures from your aggressive singing. As much as he wanted to stare at you all day, he had to keep his eyes on the road. But the lyrics you were singing were wrong; the Prince of the Tikbalang was already yours from day one.

"Babe, McDo drive-through tayo for breakfast. Let me make it up to you. Gusto mo ng caramel sundae for your promotion gift? Sige. Ako bahala. Chicken nuggets din? Mabubusog ka ba niyan? I don't think they serve those this early..."

》》》

"Sandali lang!" you shouted out from inside an empty room. You'd just arrived at the venue—the Alta Veranda de Tibig in Silang, Cavite (practically the gateway to Tagaytay)—an hour or so ago. The hired makeup artist just left so that you could privately change into the outfit that had been bought specifically for you. Curse Mal and his ability to buy anything (perhaps anyone) he wanted. "Bwiset, Mal, you didn't tell me we'd be part of the damn entourage. We have to be walking the aisle in thirty minutes, simbako! You just love rushing me, don't you!?"

If only you were the one walking down the aisle today towards him.

When you exited the room, Maliksi couldn't help but let his jaw drop as he skimmed your figure, clad in the luxurious, silky satin blush midi dress he bought in one of those fancy stores in Makati yesterday. He imagined that it would look great on you, but now, seeing it on you in person... you looked divine (and frankly, he wanted to see it off your body to see what was underneath—but don't get too ahead of yourself, Mal). It was a whole 'nother level from his imagination. The deep cowl neckline and thin spaghetti straps showed your lovely collarbones... as well as a peek of your cleavage. His favorite and the best part of it all? It was backless, allowing him to gaze at the tempting curve of your spine.

He hadn't realized he had grown silent until you smiled and closed his mouth, tapping his chin.

"Lalangawin ang bibig mo, Mal," you laughed softly. Never had you seen him so speechless. You then flicked your hair back, ridiculously posing for him like you were on the cover of Vogue magazine (haba ng hair mo, gurl!). "Do I look that good? Char lang."

"... You look absolutely ravishing—I mean, uh, stunning. Hot. Yeah." That was all he could say. He mentally punched himself for not showering you with more suave compliments.

Still, your face brightened up, not knowing that the man in front of you just fell for you a thousand times harder, "Wow! Really? Damn. Ang galing talaga ng MUA na kinuha mo, ginawa akong artista. Give me their contact number later! May work event pa naman ako in two months. I'm shocked, it's like they made me rise from the dead! Even my eyebags are gone, Mal! How'd they do that?" Heck yeah, your confidence was boosted. He offered his arm to you like a gentleman, making you half-heartedly roll your eyes (you took it anyway). From holding it alone, you could tell that your best friend was a sinewy man (well, you knew that already after seeing his tikbalang form before—the little shit didn't even wear a loincloth like all his clanmates; your poor eyes were eternally scarred).

You looked him up and down. You wouldn't lie—Maliksi is and always has been an attractive man. Now? With his hair in a ponytail (pun not intended), definitely one of the hunkiest men you've ever known. "You're not looking too bad yourself, horsey."

"Ako pa!" He puffed his chest out in pride. You chuckled at his reaction.

"By the way, how do you even know my dress size and my shoe size?"

"Babe, I've known you too long. You know almost everything about me, I know everything about you."

You snorted at his confident tone, "'Di nga? You don't know every single thing about me, Mal. Assuming ka masyado."

"Alam ko nga anong cup size mo. Wala lang 'yang shoe and dress size."

You slapped his shoulder, cheeks quickly flushing red, "Huy, umayos ka! Walang hiyang tikbalang na 'to." With this guy as your best friend? You heard dirty jokes at least once a day. "Don't be inappropriate here!"

"What? It's only fair I know!" He looked down on you suggestively, wiggling his eyebrows. "You already know I always go commando, so of course I know that your bra is a size—"

"Shhh! Baka marinig ka, 'nyeta."

"So? Let them hear. My best friend has a nice set of melons!" he shouted. You were grateful there was no one around. Hopefully.

"Oh my God..."

Your best friend chortled at how flustered you'd become. He led you to where some of his family was waiting, with a couple of his relatives already greeting you. You instantly and quite easily mingled with them, your worries of them not accepting you far from even true (they all knew how much their prince loved the innocent you).

"Kayo na talaga, pare?" one of his older tikbalang clanmates asked while you went away to be fawned over by his aunts.

Maliksi chuckled, crossing his arms as he watched you from afar, "Heh. Hindi pa."

Another one of his clanmates—a younger one—laughed, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, "Talaga? That's cap, bro. You two are like a married couple already and you guys still aren't a thing?"

"Ilang taon na ba kayong magkakaibigan?" the older one asked him.

"Almost ten years," Maliksi responded, a smile unconsciously pulling his lips up as he remembered your moments together. He watched you converse with his female relatives (who adored you the moment Maliksi brought you to a family event many moons ago).

The two tikbalang snickered as they saw the look on the Great Stallion's heir.

"You're down bad," the younger one said, snapping a photo of his lovestruck kuya. "You've got it so bad for her, dudeparechong!"

"Balak mong ligawan anytime soon?" the older tikbalang inquired.

"Heh. Balak ko na ngang pakasalan. Kung pwede, ngayon."

They looked at Maliksi as if he was crazy. He was very much serious, though, even if there was a huge, lopsided smile on his face. The Prince of the Tikbalang raised a brow at them.

"What? Don't give me that look. Our ten years of being best friends is practically the courting and the dating stage already."

"Eh... you're right. Don't waste anymore time. Go and marry her today, dude. Suporta kami sa'yo, basta groomsmen kami sa kasal niyo, ha!"

"Ge. Without question."

Meanwhile, on your end with the ladies of the family, they started pestering you on your love life (like all typical Filipino aunties). Chismis everywhere.

"O, iha, single ka pa ba?"

"Kailan ka magpapakasal? Malapit ka nang pumasok sa thirties mo."

"Do you want kids? How many?"

"Are you and Maliksi a couple? You look good together! Kayo na, 'di ba?"

"Will you be getting married next? Are you engaged? When's the wedding? Invite niyo kami!"

Before you could get overwhelmed by their questions, Maliksi swept you off your feet to lead you to the entourage that was lining up outside the chapel area. Again, it happened like a blur. He laughed at the partially nauseated look on your face.

"You okay there?" he asked, grinning.

"Your family thinks we're together," you muttered quietly, not meeting his eyes. You weren't sure why you felt... tingly about their statements.

He tilted his head at you curiously, gently setting you down on your feet and helping you stand.

"Do you hate the idea?" It hurt him to ask you the question, but he wanted your thoughts on it. Perhaps doing this was a bad idea. Maliksi was competitive in many things, including wanting you to be his, but if you were so opposed to it, he would never force you into something you didn't want. He let go of your hand; you didn't even notice he'd been holding it until he let go. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

Your wide-eyed gaze snapped back to look up at him, "No! No, it's not that! And... it's not bad." Your hand felt strangely empty now that his was gone. Biting your lip, you disclosed, "You're not making me uncomfortable, Mal. Don't ever think that."

With that, you shyly interlocked your arm with his, tearing your eyes from his to mask the growing warmth you felt spreading in your veins. You two didn't say anything else when the ushers let you walk down the beautiful, petal-covered aisle together.

The man beside you was starstruck. Hopeful. Maybe both of you did have a chance. Maybe somewhere in the depths of your soul, his feelings for you were being reciprocated. For the rest of the sacred ceremony in the gorgeous main pavilion, both of you relished in short, comfortable, and low conversations. He even cracked jokes every once in a while—really funny ones that made it challenging for you to you stifle your laughter.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride."

Maliksi fervently prayed to Bathala that he'd experience the same opportunity he was seeing with you someday. One day.

Even while the sun was brightly out, the sky began showering down light rain onto the land. You were in awe as you looked out the window.

"Hala, totoo nga pala! Tignan mo!" you laughed, tugging Maliksi's suit sleeve, pointing at the window.

"Na ano?" he curiously inquired, not understanding what you were referring to.

"Na kapag may tikbalang na kinakasal, umuulan habang may araw pa," you replied, eyes filled with childlike mirth and wonder. A rainbow had even begun to form by the clouds. "Look, it's magical! Ang ganda pala ng view dito kasama ang old Spanish architecture. Timeless na timeless. It's so pretty, 'no? Picture tayo 'maya, Mal."

Unlike you, it wasn't the sky outside that the prince was looking at. Amidst the loud cheers for the newlywed couple and the bubbles the guests were blowing, his vision could only focus on how magnificent you looked while being amazed. You were his best view. (Ed from 90-Day Fiancé, kabahan ka na, may katapat ka sa pickup line mo.)

》》》

"Smile for the picture!"

You giggled as Maliksi was dragged into a photo-op with the bridesmaids and the important older wedding sponsors a few feet away (funnily, he looked a little constipated around them). All of a sudden, when he was heading back to your direction, you were roughly pushed into the said man's arms. When you turned around, there was nothing (except maybe a gust of wind that came out of nowhere).

"Ooh, gotcha. Careful," the tikbalang steadied you, strong hands holding your biceps. "Natapilok ka?"

"... Huh, hindi naman," you wondered suspiciously, looking around. "I think someone pushed me? Parang tinulak ako... but wala namang tao."

"Weird. Maybe it was just the wind."

It actually was. Really. Maliksi knew for a fact that it was those two taong hangin who were spying on you from the corner, trying to pair you up. He gave them a thumbs-up while your back was turned in the opposite direction. Hannah and Amie returned the thumbs-up before vanishing. Suddenly, the two wedding photographers had moved on from the bridesmaids and were right beside you.

"What a lovely couple you two are!" she praised. Before you could correct her, she held up the black contraption she held towards you two. "Pose for the camera, lovelies!"

And so you did, the photographer guiding you two on what to do. Maliksi wrapped his arm around your waist and you leaned on his side, looking sidewards to the camera with one leg cocked in front of the other. Her assistant, who was holding a polaroid camera, printed out two photos for you.

"Thank you," you told him, taking the photos from his hands then flicking them rapidly to make the images develop. You and Mal were about to walk to the reception area when the photographer stopped you, handing the male beside you a business card.

"If you two need a photographer or a videographer for your wedding, call me," she signaled to both of you before running to another guest, bringing her assistant with her.

You gawked, "Mal, did you just hear what she said?"

"Loud and clear." A grin was on his face. He seemed very pleased at what he heard.

"... How can she even tell if someone is married or not?"

Maliksi's free hand took your left hand, tapping the ring finger, "Nothing here."

"Ooooooh. I get it now." Your brows creased. "Huh. This is like the fifth time today the people here have mistaken us for a couple."

Maliksi shrugged, teasing you, "Who knows? Baka may potential tayo, babe."

Before you could ask him what he meant, he was hurriedly towing you to the reception venue. While he was doing that, you stared at the now-developed polaroid photos you were holding. Huh. Maybe you two did look like a couple.

"Come on, they're serving some snacks at the welcome reception area. Peach pie and mango float-flavored. Paborito mo, babe."

》》》

The rest of the night went by without a hitch. You were actually enjoying the event—the host was great, the food was great, the music was great. Everything was great... that was, until the games.

"Alright! Now that the bride's garter has been removed, let's have the bouquet and garter toss... starting with the females!" the host announced. "Dear bride, please stay here in front. And all single ladies—and by single I mean ready to mingle and are not married—please rise and stand here on the dance floor. Let's play matchmaker tonight, everyone!"

"Uy, single ladies daw," Maliksi nudged your side. "Sign mo na 'yan." You snorted like a pig.

"Nope, ayokong madamay sa bouquet toss," you whisper-yelled at your best friend. "Do you know how embarrassing that is?! Besides, they won't notice if I don't join! Special tactic ko 'yan sa weddings: pretending I'm not single. Katabi naman kita."

More women came to the front, making you feel assured that you didn't need to participate. The host was about to say something, when the bride interrupted to whisper something into his ear.

"Hala, halaaa! Sabi ko all single ladies, pero may isang single lady na nagtatago pa!" he announced, making you freeze. Please don't let it be you. "What's her name, beloved bride?"

"Y/N L/N." You nearly spat out your champagne. You? Did they just call out your name? How did they know?

"Oh fuck," you cursed quietly.

"'Di ka makakatakas dito, babe," Maliksi jabbed, making you stand up. "Tinatawag ka na."

"Baka may ibang Y/N L/N dito," you resisted, attempting to sit back down. "I can't do this, Mal."

"'Sus, ikaw pa. And it's just a symbolic ceremony!" he encouraged, as if he didn't have any underlying intentions. "I doubt the bouquet will go to you anyway."

Sheesh, what a big fat liar you are, tikbalang prince.

You expressed your dissatisfaction with the situation, "Bwiset, fine. I'll just... dodge it. Or evade it. God, I swear..." You calmed down, confident. "I'm not going to worry. I've never caught the bouquet at my own friends' weddings anyway."

When you were at the dance floor, Maliksi snickered, seeing the bride—his cousin—wink at him. After all, he had thoroughly bribed her earlier.

《《《

"It's about time you settled down with someone, Mal," the bride commented while he slipped her the newest Hermés designer bag filled with a bunch of jewelry (plus some bills) two hours ago, right before the reception began and while you were in the restroom freshening up. "Hehehe, this is why you're my favorite cousin."

"Do we have a deal?"

"Of course. I'll make sure she participates. I'll also try to throw it in her direction."

"Good. Thanks."

"You better invite me to your beach wedding. I can tell how much you love her."

"Not a problem. I'll even make you a sponsor."

The bride stared at her bouquet, already practicing how she was going to throw it, "Tito's going to thank me so much for ensuring that he's going to get grandkids soon, hihi."

》》》

Back to the present, on the other end of the room, Maliksi saw a familiar duo give him a sign that they were ready. Bingo. Time to execute the most important part of his plan.

《《《

"I don't care how you do it," he told the two wind elementals after he bribed the bride. "I've already instructed the bride on what she should do, pero siguraduhin niyo lang talagang lumipad sa kanya ang bouquet."

"Mmhmm," Amie flipped her hair, a hand on her cocked hip. "And what do we get in return, oh great Señorito Armanaz?"

"Sagot ko bar-hopping niyo for one month."

The two girls pretended to think about it, making Maliksi roll his eyes. He had to pull out the big guns, huh?

"Fine. Magbibigay ako ng cash deposit plus pwede niyong gamitin ang black card ko for a one-week shopping spree in Ortigas." There. Bullseye. That's what they liked.

"Deal!" they exclaimed excitedly.

Hannah let a cool gust of wind enter one of the nearby windows, testing out how they're going to do this. "Ano pa bang pinaplano mo for Y/N mamaya?"

Maliksi hummed, "Basta."

》》》

You tried your best to hide within the densest part of the group of women. The bride seemed to have her eyes on you, weirdly enough, and she looked almost feral wanting to throw her flowers into someone's face.

That someone being you. Most likely.

"Target locked on," you saw her mouth move. She positioned herself like she was about to throw a football at someone (ahem, you). Holy shit, was she talking to you? Miss ma'am, it was a bouquet toss not a bouquet throw. The bride seemed to notice this, and once more regained her elegant composure.

"3, 2, 1," the host counted down. "Go!"

Surprisingly, the bouquet flew very high into the air (it was a wonder it didn't get tangled in the ceiling decor), but quite a distance away from you. You grinned, knowing it was too far to even touch you. Squeezing through the crowd of women eagerly awaiting the bouquet, you went to return to your assigned table.

Ah, what a wonderful evening.

Sike!

Something painfully landed right into your face, leaves and flowers getting into your hair and mouth.

... Wait, leaves and flowers?

Before you could comprehend it, the bouquet dropped right into your arms. What kind of ungodly, inhuman force allowed this to even happen?

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have our lucky girl for the night!" Everyone clapped, with some—those guests you knew—even cheering your name unbelievably loud. The host approached you, a glint in his eye which you couldn't understand. "Miss Y/N, kindly sit here while we await the lucky guy who catches the garter from the groom."

What just happened?

"All single gentlemen, please proceed to the dance floor. Remember, the man who gets the garter gets to slip it onto the lucky lady's leg later!"

Oh, God. You pinched the bridge of your nose. What you'd give to be back at home or to be in that resort in Batangas you'd planned on going to for a solo vacation.

"To make this even more exciting," the host stated, handing you a black blindfold. "Our lucky lady has to keep her eyes closed until her lucky man for the night captures the bride's garter! When the music plays, only then can she uncover her eyes."

See? Humiliating, just as you expected. Still, you wrapped the blindfold around your head (albeit hesitantly). You attempted to guess who it might be, thinking of all the tikbalang friends Maliksi had introduced to you back then whenever he invited you to his clan reunions.

"Groom, are you ready?" the host asked, microphone loud and clear.

"Ready na ready!"

"Single gentlemen, are you ready?!"

"Ready na ready! Awoo, awoo!" they loudly chorused, exactly mimicking Spartans about to engage in battle. You sweatdropped in the seat you were in. This was actually kind of scary. Maybe you felt a bit objectified.

"3, 2, 1, go!"

There was a brief moment of silence, which made you concerned. Ba't ang tahimik? Then, everyone erupted into roars and bravoes much louder than when you caught the bouquet—perhaps even louder by tenfold. What the heck was happening?!

The music played. Very raunchy, spicy, babymaking music. You expected it to be the typical Careless Whisper by George Michael or Pony by Ginuwine (corny songs which you could probably laugh at, at least), but no. Nuh-uh, this was probably worse. The DJ must be pretty young, the song of their choosing being a slowed, bass-boosted, sexier remix of Earned It by the Weeknd.

Ano 'to, bold? Fifty Shades of Grey? The hell was this?

Alright. This was embarrassing. Thank the heavens there were no children at this party. From the music alone and its implications, this was strictly for adults.

You removed your blindfold (that was okay now, right?) as the guests whistled playfully. You peeked one eye open reluctantly, then inwardly groaned. Oh, no. You should've expected it to be him of all people from how loud the reactions were. And all those yells from the crowd were from his family.

Son of a—

"Well, this has proven to be a very interesting arrangement!" the host proclaimed. "Our lucky man for tonight is none other than our great clan leader's heir, Maliksi Armanaz! Congratulations, sir! You get to slip the lacey little garter on Miss Y/N!"

The said very smug tikbalang stood a few feet away from the chair you were sitting on, smirking at you. His hair was no longer in that mesmerizing ponytail—instead, he'd tied it into a more sinfully attractive man-bun, loose strands framing his face and accentuating that sharp, angled jaw of his (say yes and thank you to Manny Jacinto's jawline, besties).

"Let's cheer him on in his new mission, everybody!" the host pushed. Was this that glint in his eye earlier? And was that a one thousand peso bill sticking out of his pocket?

The groomsmen, Mal's cousins and uncles whom you've met before, hollered words of encouragement to the tall man (who was, oddly enough, not one bit fazed). In fact, Maliksi seemed like he was famished as he stared you down.

You swallowed, feeling like you were going to get eaten (heh, say that again). Maliksi had shrugged off his dark suit blazer to the beat of the song (holy fuck, he also unclasped the suspenders attached to his pants right before your eyes—asdfghjkl). Were you prepared for this? No. Will you ever be prepared? No!

"Mr. Armanaz, before you begin," the host interrupted. "We have an additional challenge for you in this mission. Kaya mo ba? It was a request of the newlywed couple."

"What is it?"

"Use your teeth!" the bride and the groom cheerfully shouted, clapping with the other guests. Whatdidtheysaaaaay???

The cocky bastard didn't even hesitate, his smirk at you growing wider; those pearly whites of his on full display. Was it just you or were his canines a little sharper than usual?

"Anything for the newlyweds. Challenge accepted," he dashingly replied, winking at you. You sputtered indignantly. Pisteng yawa. Putangina. Putek. Pakshet. You swore you thought of every swear word in the book at that moment. What did that YouTube parody song about Filipino mythological creatures say again? About the tikbalang? Ah, yes. Half-macho dancer and half-stallion. Maybe the joke was true, especially when you saw what Maliksi did next.

He bit the shred of lace, loosening his necktie (bestie, you good there?), unbuttoning some top buttons, and rolling up the sleeves of his collared white undershirt up to his elbows (consequently showing off his toned, veiny forearms—those lucky bridesmaids behind him nearly fainted). Honestly, you felt like you were about to lose your mind from embarrassment. With how tantalizing your guy best friend was being? Let our response be: San Pedro, kunin mo na ako. Was he doing all this to tease you? To rile you up?

Because damn it all, it was working. In your ten years of knowing Maliksi Armanaz, withstanding all his daily dirty jokes and flirtatious attempts, never had you seen him like this. So... wolfish. Ravenous. Like he was a man that hadn't been fed in years.

He stalked closer towards you, falling to his knees in front of your legs. Your gown had a long slit that extended up to an inch or two below where your left leg began—your best friend was eyeing his target already, knowing where to place the garter. Normally, you would never even wear something as revealing as this gown. It just wasn't your type, but Maliksi was the one who bought this for you for this specific occasion, so you had no choice. It was this or your pantulog he stole you in just hours ago. At first, you were confident in the gown. Now? You felt too... naked.

Somehow, in the heat of it all, you'd muted out the noise of the venue. Maliksi teasingly lifted your foot up, fingertips slyly grazing the thin shoe straps around your left foot—his calculated touch leaving fire in its trail. Once the garter had been successfuly inserted past your high-heeled stilettos, the man kneeling in front of you kept his hands to himself. Despite the fact that now there was absolutely zero skin-to-skin contact between you and this man, your body felt hotter than it ever was before as he expertly slid the lacy bit of cloth up your ankle at an agonizingly slow pace.

Maliksi's warm eyes had turned dark, his pupils blown, a tinge of red in them—of his true beast—while he maintained striking eye contact with you, pulling the garter up your calf with his teeth. Smoothly tugging... tugging... tugging. Tangina, it was like he was undressing you with his eyes alone; like he was telepathically telling you to keep your eyes open.

To keep your eyes on him, where he was knelt inbetween your legs, his hands intentionally locked on his back. Did you ever imagine this? Him between your legs? Maybe. Once or twice. But you never thought about it seriously; Maliksi dated girls left and right in the past.

His lips... his lips were so close... so close to your leg that you could feel the heat of his breath along with the lace. Were you about to die? Perhaps you already did. Maybe you were in heaven. Up... up... up... snap!

Suddenly, he stopped, grinning up at you mischievously and letting the elastic bounce back to the skin of your left knee.

"I'm not going any further, don't worry, babe," he whispered, noting that your eyes had become misty and glazed over. Internally, he grew worried. "That's enough." Did he think it was from discomfort? From you being uncomfortable? Bitch, no. It was the exact opposite. You had never been this turned on in your entire life.

You felt like your soul had left your body at that moment. Did you just have a heart attack? Was your blood pressure okay? Before you or Maliksi could stand, however, someone bellowed from the wedding sponsor tables.

"Higher! That's an order!"

Fucking hell, it was Maliksi's father who shouted. He wasn't in the huge tikbalang form you'd normally meet him in, but he was still very intimidating in his humanoid form, commanding attention and subservience wherever he went. You could tell where Maliksi got it from.

Instantly, the other guests—already half-drunk and wanting the spirit of partying to continue on—joined in.

"Higher! Higher!"

The host cheered, "You heard Señor Armanaz! Higher!"

Maliksi gave you a questioning look. Even if it was his father who spoke up, he still wouldn't do anything you didn't want. Well, you two made it this far; there was no point in getting embarrassed now. You bit the inside of your cheek, nodding. You probably couldn't erase the redness on your skin with how much you'd blushed from this night. It was as if the heat was tattooed onto your skin.

"Go on, Mal," you whispered to him, bending your torso down closer to his face, eyes half-lidded from want. "Finish what you started, babe."

With those sultry bedroom eyes he'd never once seen you show him before—plus you turning the tables with that familiar term of endearment, how could he refuse? Like a switch had been flipped inside him, he immediately complied, taking the frilly scrap of stretchy lace between his teeth once more, moving it further up to your thighs until where your high slit ended—centimeters below the warming juncture between your legs.

Your legs felt wobbly... boneless, as you stood up from the chair, the fabric of your gown cascading over where the lace sat securely on your upper left thigh. The party was still going strong even after you two finished the garter wearing tradition.

"'Atta boy! That's my son!" Señor Armanaz blazoned, standing up and raising his glass for a toast. "Cheers to the newlywed couple! May they last forever!"

You guys weren't the newlyweds, but it did sure feel like it. If the clan leader was hyped up, everyone was hyped up. Heck, the groom and the bride didn't mind one bit what had just transpired on their dance floor. In all the chaos, Maliksi took you out of the reception area and somewhere quieter. More private.

You would need to have a serious, urgent talk with your boy best friend.

》》》

You two silently sat on a stone bench in a gazebo somewhere in the reserved venue for the wedding, trying to cool down and get yourselves back together (at this point, you needed ice from that steamy, half-scandalous event you just went through). Here, there was no one else except for the chirping of crickets, the lush trees surrounding the area, and the golden fairy lights strewn all over the roof. Awkwardness was something you'd expected after what just happened, but somehow, you still felt comfort in this man's presence. For the past thirty minutes, both of you just stayed still, lost in your thoughts and reflecting.

"Mal?" you finally spoke up.

"... Hmm?"

"Ano tayo?"

"Whatever you want us to be."

Your fingers instinctively reached out for his, just like they always did when you were anxious. Sensing this, he grasped your hand and squeezed it reassuringly. Soothingly. He massaged the skin of your fingers, distracting you from your nervousness. It seemed like both nothing and everything changed between both of you. The gesture was the same, but so different at the same time.

"Mahal mo ako." It was not a question. It was a statement. A truth—one that you'd been too blind to see before. One that you only discovered while you stared into each other's eyes in that party not as best friends. You realized with a jolt in your heart what he really felt for you, and now, what you really felt for him. In those thirty minutes of silence, you knew. You just knew.

"Yes. I do."

"... Just as a best friend?" you probed.

"..."

Finally, you gazed into his eyes, previously so dark and full of hunger. Now? Just reluctant. Vulnerable. Open. Unsure of what to do next.

Seems like you had to be the one to take initiative tonight. Taking out your phone, you opened your music app and pressed play on a certain song. Ikaw at Ako by Johnoy Danao. You removed your heels (which were starting to blister your ankles and toes), then pulled him up to stand.

"Dance with me," you murmured, grabbing his arms to wrap them around your waist. He was stiff. Tense. What was he to do when the woman he's been pining after for so long let him hold her? All his gallantry and ability to romance disappeared out the window the moment you let him touch you so intimately.

You two weren't even waltzing. Just swaying. Slowly, you leaned your head on his broad chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart.

"... I love you," Maliksi admitted in the middle of it all, feeling like he was dreaming. Your head on his chest kept him grounded to reality, however. "More than anything in the universe. I fell for you ever since you patched me up when you were nineteen and I was a reckless drag racer who didn't have a purpose in life. 'Nung dinala mo ako pabalik sa Armanaz Tower on the verge of death. Simula noon, ikaw lang."

"I realized that," you smiled, reminiscing the old memory. You were just a broke college student that time, coming back to your dorm from making your group thesis at a classmate's house. Imagine your panic when you found a half-man, half-horse bleeding out by some bushes on the way home at night. Despite your fear and your little money (only enough to feed you for the week), you went out of your way to buy a first-aid kit at the nearest 7/11. It was scary, but you managed to mend the creature's wounds by the side of the road. When he was finally able to speak, turning fully human (which you admit, freaked you out initially), you arduously carried him back to his address—to his father and his clan, even if you had classes the very next morning. Because of your heroic deed of saving their precious heir, the tikbalang clan had become indebted to you: a teenage girl on the verge of a mental academic breakdown, just making her way through the cruel adult world. How old of a memory that was, you thought, yet you still recalled it in perfect detail. "Just a while ago."

"Ah." He swayed you gently.

"Lahat ng ito, plano mo?"

"... Yes," Maliksi fessed up. "Except for this part where we're here dancing in this belvedere. Wala sa plano ko. Gusto ko sanang magconfess doon sa may fountain para sweet, pero..."

You lifted your head off his chest, smiling at him with one brow raised, "You know, between both of us, you're supposed to be the spontaneous one. Planning isn't usually your thing."

"I know. It's a failure, huh?" Maliksi sighed.

"Nah." You shook your head, then suddenly locked lips with him. It was so fast and surprising he didn't even get the chance to return your first kiss. For once, you caught him off guard. You pecked him on the lips again. "It's not a failure."

"Wha—"

"I'm sorry for making you wait, Maliksi. Ten years. We're twenty-nine now, and only tonight do I realize how blind I've been. We've been going around in circles, wasting so much time. Ayoko nang mag-aksaya ng oras," you whispered guiltily against his lips. How could you have been so blind? Andaming nasayang na taon. Making up your mind, you told him, "Yes. Sige, I accept. I'll be your plus one."

The tikbalang was flustered and baffled from the kiss, as well as your revelation, "... But, you already are?"

"No, silly. I meant that I'll be your plus one for life. For as long as you'll have me," you laughed, now processing that you were currently dancing barefoot with your boy best friend and had just kissed him in a wedding you didn't even plan on going to. The universe had a mysterious way of doing things. "Guess I'm the spontaneous one now, huh?"

Maliksi was tongue-tied. "Seryoso ka ba? Is... Is this a marriage proposal?"

"Whatever you want it to be," you echoed his words back to him. "Best friend, plus one, girlfriend, wife—mmpf!"

He kissed you so hard your lips bruised. After an impromptu makeout session which was definitely more in character for Maliksi, you both pulled away, panting heavily in search for air, still desperate for passion. He cupped your cheeks, giving you a sweet, featherlight Eskimo kiss.

"You're missing one more title."

"Hm? What do you mean, Mal?"

"Love of my life." He kissed you again, this time lifting you off your feet and spinning you around (his sneaky right hand was resting on your bum, too, giving it a tight squeeze). You know in the Princess Diaries where the main character's foot just... pops whenever the prince charming kissed her? Yeah, that happened to you on that humid summer night. This was right. You two were meant to be together. Everything was falling into place.

The bungalow you reserved for your Batangas vacation leave ended up being the site of your very eventful honeymoon with the Prince of the Tikbalang (with his libido, it wasn't that difficult to continue where you'd left off in the garter toss; that scrap of lace came off your leg the same way it went on). Actually, nauna pa ang honeymoon sa actual wedding (it was definitely spontaneous). Right after your confession in that alcove, you two went to Maliksi's father to ask for his blessing (which he gladly gave, cackling and saying that it took you long enough) before you guys went driving off to Batangas that night. You and Mal indeed had lots and lots of fun in that resort (I'll let you imagine the rest). More beautiful memories were made from that point on—this time, not just as best friends.

All that and your small, intimate wedding occurred in early April. Just when you thought that it'd be impossible to fulfill Maliksi's life goal of having a baby within the year (nine months of pregnancy meant that the earliest you'd give birth would be January next year), the impossible happened.

Exactly thirty-two weeks later, on New Year's Eve, the Armanaz herd welcomed one prince and two new princesses into the world. Triplets who were instantly adored by everyone in the clan.

Señor Armanaz had never been happier, and so were you and your husband. Your best friend. The love of your life. Your forever plus one.

Maybe being spontaneous wasn't so bad after all.

Taglist: @belladaises @binibiningbabaylan @4kodzuk3n @sparklingmallow @severuslovebot @holyshxtangel @marinac15 @space-flamingo @pippethealien @kashasenpai @disappointmentpastry @hornehlittleweeblet2 @seijohoe @monimiin @ibelievein2dmensupremacy @tinybonksharkcop @methehipster @banisuoh @genshin-idiot @lemonnie-kimmie