#at some point you'd think she'd earn a break

[tuiyla]

that infamous ryan murphy quote about how quinn was supposed to be this unsympathetic mean girl character to me and dianna “ruined” that is crazy to me because the poor girl finds out that she’s pregnant as early as season 1 episode 4 😭 and proceeds to get knocked down by life nearly every single episode after for the remainder of the first season. dianna did play a large part in making quinn so likable and sympathetic (in the following seasons especially but even just in season 1 also) but even just her character on paper kind of makes your heart ache for her. she’s only 15/16 years old, gets pregnant under some dubious circumstances, loses so much in the process, is kicked out of her own home and disowned by her father, bounces from place to place to live until actual angel mercedes steps in, struggles with the hardships of teen pregnancy and the decision of what she wants to do while literally being 15/16 years old. and of course she makes her fair share of mistakes along the way, she’s by no means perfect. she’s a bully when we first meet her and she lies to finn about him being the father. but my god i don’t know how you couldn’t not feel bad for this child, dianna and her wonderful ability of making quinn likable to watch onscreen aside.

We're doing it we're answering asks, let's goooo

That said an ask about the infamous Ryan Murphy quote has been sitting in my inbox for about 4 months at this point oops haha, but we'll answer one at a time

Cause girl! That's what I've been saying! Like, regardless of what RM actually meant when he backhand complimented Dianna I truly believe that this bitch didn't consider how sympathetic Quinn was bound to be and he's so wrong for that. There's no way you can have a character go through as much as Quinn did, on a show like Glee that ostensibly champions the downtrodden and not have her be sympathetic. I truly believe that three male writers didn't think people would feel for Quinn as much as they did in that situation. Which is bonkers because was she cruel towards Finn? Sure, but even Beth's conception itself is so dubious like we've covered before. But even IF Quinn was just some cold-hearted calculating whore who wanted to hurt Puck and Finn and everyone around her, she's still a 16-year-old pregnant girl who gets disowned. Come on! How the fuck am I supposed to feel more for Finchel's "tragic" inter-social (i.e. high school) class relationship in the face of that. Fuck relationship drama, this girl is h o m e l e s s and pregnant.

I really feel like the message of Glee throughout Quinn's pregnancy storyline up until the point Quinncedes happens is that Quinn... had all the hardships coming. That she deserved to be knocked down a peg. Only it happened through her getting knocked up and it's super messed up that the show pretends she's anything but a victim. Who the hell cares that she's bitchy. Who the hell cares that popularity is important to her. Newsflash assholes, it's just as important to out supposed heroes. Lmao I get so mad about Quinn's treatment. And this is why I can't in good conscience get behind people who say s1 is Quinn's best and that the pregnancy storyline was done well. No it wasn't. It decentred her whenever possible and wasn't in the least bit sympathetic if not for like, a single scene in Ballad and from Home on. And, of course, if not for Dianna. RM should be grateful Dianna did her thing with Quinn cause framing your arguably most tragic character as if she had it coming just because she's a bully at 15 is not a good look. But that's a recurring thing for Glee, ain't it. The more I think about it the more I believe Quinn and Santana's treatment re: pregnancy and outing are similar.

Quinn is a walking talking, but mostly crying tragedy. It's frankly disturbing that for some time they cling to this idea of her being irredeemable when she's just a mean kid playing into the same system everyone else does, too. But she happens to be on top and schadenfreude is real, I guess. Except it really wasn't for me there was no part of me that felt any justice in what Quinn went through. And guess what? Neither did Rachel. And I don't think Rachel is meant to represent the audience's perspective when she shows Quinn kindness in season 1 but alas, she does. I don't trust no bitches who don't feel the same.

[kittievampire]

Kin of the Demon Prince (pt. 2)

Warnings : Cursing, Childhood Trauma, Mention of drugs, Mention of alcohol, Mention of violence, Mention of getting jumped, Angst, Thoughts of Abortion (IT DOESN'T HAPPEN THO), MC is a fuckin unit, Female MC, Pregnant MC, Single Mom MC, MC x Diavolo

Link to part 1

Link to part 3

Link to part 4

Link to part 5

Link to part 6

Link to part 7

Link to part 8

Link to part 9

Enjoy.

You felt like you could hear your heartbreak. Like a glass window slowly beginning to crack, little pieces falling out and hitting the floor with tiny clanks. Diavolo, your beloved King, he didn't want you anymore?

"W... What?" You asked softly as tears welled up in your eyes.

Solomon furrowed his brows and rubbed the back of his neck. "I... I told him... About the baby and he said that he didn't want a child with you... He said that the future king of the Devildom couldn't have some half-breed child," He said softly, not meeting your eyes. "He asked that you keep this a secret and never try to contact him again."

Your heart shattered as tears streamed down your face uncontrollably. You were frozen in your spot, to the point where you didn't even sob or cry loudly. No, there were just tears. An endless stream of them pouring from your eyes.

Solomon sat down beside you and placed his hand on your shoulder, biting his lip as he thought of what he would say next. "If... You want... I could place a cloaking spell on you and your child..." He offered quietly.

You looked over at him. "Why... Would we need that? I-If he wants n-nothing to do with me... Why would he come looking for us?" You asked, your hand being placed on your hand on your stomach, almost as if defending your baby from someone who wasn't even here.

Solomon placed his hands on his lap. "Security purposes. Now that you're someone who has... Something that could ruin his reputation—" He shifted in his seat- "He may send people to get rid of you. Of course, I may just be overthinking. I could also cast a spell that lets you know if his people are nearby. I just don't want you to get hurt again."

Your bottom lip quivered as you looked down at your stomach. You didn't want to put the baby in danger. After all, you were planning on keeping it. Hesitantly, you nodded your head.

After Solomon cast the spells and left your home, you finally buried your head in your hands and wept.

Your body racked with sobs, letting out the occasional scream as a result of the anger and sadness you felt. You ended up gripping your hair at the base and pulling at it, almost as if trying to rip your locks from your scalp as you tried to think of what you'd possibly done wrong.

Were you wrong in thinking he wanted a child?

Were the two of you supposed to break up once you left?

Were you only temporary?

"Diavolo!" You screamed, earning the sound of silence in response. Your sobbing calmed and you went silent. Sinking into the couch, you looked down at your stomach as your mind wandered.

What was the point of it then?

If your child looked like him, wouldn't that only bring you pain?

Why, then, should you be forced to live with that kind of suffering? You couldn't give up a demon child for adoption, but you could abort it.

Then, you thought about yourself when you were younger. Your living situation. That time your mother almost killed you by smashing a glass bottle over your head. How she'd abandoned you as soon as you were born, instead devoting her time and life to drugs and alcohol.

No.

You wrapped your arms around your stomach.

You can't give up your baby so easily.

You're better than that bitch who gave birth to you. You wouldn't abandon your child as she did hers. Even if Diavolo didn't want it, he didn't have a say anymore. Now, it was only you.

"Baby..." You whimpered out. "I'm so sorry," You apologized, a soft smile forming on your face. "Mama's going to do everything she can to make sure you have the best life, okay?" Your trembling hand caressed your stomach. Leaning your head back, you let out a sigh. "Even if Papa won't be a part of it."

_

Time had passed by so quickly. You didn't even realize when you were in your third trimester. Carrying the child of the Demon Prince was definitely no easy feat. You sometimes craved those weird foods that could only be found in the Devildom, like Super Spicy Newt Chips or Barbatos' tea. And, for whatever reason, you always gagged at the sight or smell of pickles. Your energy depleted twice as fast as the average pregnant woman. While Solomon was there to help every now and then, you accepted that this was the pain you had to go through for your baby's sake.

The day of her arrival, though, was probably the most pain you've ever felt in your entire life.

Solomon had managed to somehow get doctors to your house to help with the delivery of your daughter. He used magic to ease the pain a little, but this was the offspring of a powerful demonic bloodline you were pushing out of you! Screams filled the room as you pushed, the sides of her horns scraping your insides slightly. You thanked the heavens that her horns were curved inward, or else you'd practically bleed to death then and there. Your wails of pain were silenced as you heard the cries of your child. With blurry vision, you looked at one of the doctors who was holding your baby. They cleaned her up, tucked in her wings comfortably, swaddled her up in a red blanket, and handed her over to you.

They said something to you that you couldn't be bothered to make out. You were too busy staring in awe at your baby.

She was beautiful.

Black and gold horns with a red shading sprouted out of either side of her head, curving inward a little, a few tiny sprouts of red hair were present on the top of her head, and her golden eyes stared into yours.

Gently, you leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, cradling her as gently as humanly possible in your arms. "My baby... My sweet child..."

_

You and Diavolo had discussed the topic of baby names before. This was a pre-relationship question that came up during a game of Twenty Questions. Of course, you had to explain the game to him, as it was a human game.

Which was funny, because he had heard of the game, pitched the idea, and had no clue how to play.

So, you looked up some questions on your D.D.D., hoping to find some funny questions to ask while also being respectful to the future king of the Devildom.

"Let's see... What would the perfect day look like to you?" You ask, causing him to look up for a moment, pursing his lips as he pondered for a moment.

"Perhaps a calm and quiet day. Barbatos would make tea, there wouldn't be too many documents for myself and Lucifer to fill out, and perhaps a long bath." He looked down at you and smiled warmly. "Of course, it would be better if you were there to spend the day with me," He said, hand reaching over and gently grasping yours. "If you would allow it, a day of privacy with you would be perfect."

Your face flushed a bright shade of pink and you swallowed the lump in your throat. "Yeah... Maybe... U-Uh, anyways, it's your turn." You quickly move your hand away from his and place it on your cheek to feel just how hot they'd gotten.

Diavolo chuckled softly. "Hm—" He thought for a moment— "What makes you feel the most loved, MC?"

You blinked, cursing under your breath. Of course, he'd ask something like that. Honestly, you didn't quite know what you expected from him.

You took a moment to think carefully about your answer.

"Probably just being there," You answered quietly, making his ears perk up a bit.

"Oh? How so?"

Your teeth bit down on your bottom lip as your body tried to stop itself from answering. Thanks to the life you'd lived, you had grown quite accustomed to hiding things from people. Specifically, personal details about your feelings and your past. However, when you looked into Diavolo's eyes, you saw that you could tell him anything. He wouldn't judge you, mock you, or claim that you're overreacting. He would be there for you. That was part of what drew you closer to him.

"My family practically abandoned me when I was born. Since I had no one else to rely on, I started relying so much on myself that I just kind of... closed myself off from everyone else. I had friends, but they were never there for me when I needed them to be. One time, I got jumped just outside of school when a few friends and I were headed to the arcade. Instead of helping me, they ran. When I got home, my mother berated me for being so weak and 'putting myself in the position to be jumped.' The next day, when I confronted my friends about it, they just shrugged off my feelings and continued about their day—" You started rubbing your shoulder in an effort to comfort yourself while you remembered that day— "No one was ever there for me when I was alone... So, if someone would just be there for me, in any way, shape, or form, I would probably appreciate that more than anything."

The silence that fell upon the two of you was blatantly awkward, mainly to you. You didn't want to look up at him, worrying about his reaction.

"MC..." You heard him say softly. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that... It's infuriating to hear, I wish I could be more helpful to you."

You shook your head. "The past is the past, it won't change. Besides, I don't think I would want it to. Everything I've been through made me who I am today. That's the only thing I'm thankful for," You said, looking up at him to see a sweet smile form on his face.

"I agree wholeheartedly. Had you been a different person, I may not have fallen so hard for you, MC," He said, smiling growing only slightly wider, causing you to blush. Fumbling, you quickly grab a hold of your D.D.D. and scrolled through the questions on the screen, picking a random one in your desperation to change the topic.

"What is your favorite baby name?" You asked him, placing your D.D.D. down on the table in front of you. Immediately, you ask yourself why the fuck you would choose a question like that. Damn these awkward and slightly intimate 20-question pages. Diavolo leaned back, looking up at the ceiling while crossing his arms.

"My favorite baby name..." He repeated with a small sigh. "Well, for a boy, it'd have to either be Andras or Damien. For a girl... Hmm, that's a tough one... I do love the name, Selene." You smiled at him as you leaned forward against the table. "Any special reason?"

Diavolo laughed a little at your response. "Not really, no, I just like the names. Especially Selene."

Tag list; @lavynne , @jessiegerl , @romaissa , @krispsprite , @unlikelysublimekryptonite

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[acourtofthought]

I know there’s been hints that SJM is most likely gonna be telling Az/Gwen’s story next. But is it weird that I hope she does Elain first. Lol you know tell all the sisters stories first. But it’s also because I don’t think I handle another book of Elucien being awkward around each other 😭

I think it would make sense for her to close out the Archeron sister's "saga" before moving on to other side characters but....I realize Sarah will write where the wind takes her.

I will just never understand the argument that Elain hasn't been set up enough to have her own book. Sarah is on record years ago as saying she's always wanted to write a book for the sisters followed by confirmation that back in 2015 / 2016 she knew early on where she wanted Elain's story to go which allowed her to plant crumbs for her story as far back as ACOMAF. She then said she KNEW who the first two spin-offs were about but was leaving the third open and considering something set in the past. In the Live Talks LA with Eva Chen in 2021 she spoke about the crumbs that were also in SF for Elain's journey. Just because she then began talking about the crumbs she laid for Az in the bonus chapter and how she wanted to further explore his character it doesn't erase that Elain's crumbs were already in the series well before that, it didn't suddenly mean that it was an absolute certainty that she decided to put aside Elain's story for Az's especially not when she said her initial plans for the spin-offs didn't change, the world just expanded.

Az is connected to the Illyrians and time travel (though we don't have a solid plot for that just yet since there was nothing left to resolve in terms of time travel by the end of HOFAS) but Elain, back in ACOWAR was connected to Koschei and Vassa (problems that have been waiting for a resolution for books now, things we were reminded of in the novella). Then in SF she was connected to the Spring Court which has been a problem for the IC because of Tamlin and it's weakened state. Feyre said "let's help one sister before helping the other", Elain began standing up for herself saying that nobody can tell her what she can and can't do and declared she'd do whatever was needed for Rhys and Feyre. She's connected to Lucien who is connected to Beron, Tamlin, the humans, all things that have plots directly connected to them. I'm not sure how Elain could be set up anymore honestly and I'm not sure why you'd want her to be further set up in a Gwynriel book. It's also not just Elain's book, it's Lucien's and the two of them combined are the most setup pairing of the entire series, even more than Nessian was.

But I agree, there's nowhere for the Elain / Lucien bond to go but resolution at this point. We're not going to see Elain break her silence towards Lucien until we have her POV so another book where we have everyone commenting "there's Elain ignoring Lucien again" would feel ridiculous. I also think it's important for Elain's arc and her HEA with Lucien for her to not default to him simply because he's the last man standing in her vicinity. The plot surrounding her has been her struggle with fate versus choice and to have her end up with Lucien because the rest of the IC got paired off seems a strange direction for her story to take. I also don't think it feels right (I know it's silly to base your theory on a gut feeling but there it is) to have Az throw a tantrum about not having a bond in SF, act like a tool towards Lucien and then end up happily mated in the next book. I think his romance arc could use a bit of cooking time to make it feel a bit more well earned whereas Lucien's character has suffered and suffered and suffered. At some point, it's really too much to put one character through what she has Lucien without him getting his HEA.

[thenightdayblogger]

7 and 10 for Esmé (and the guy she’s Weird about) and 13 and 19 for Marius and Cordelia for the couples questions? Sidebar, I keep almost calling Cordelia Cordy for some reason. Is that allowed or is she a Full Name Only type o gal

Couple ask game here (x)

7. Do they (or would they) pursue the other character’s affection, and if so, how? Do they tell the other character how they feel? Try to earn their admiration? Woo them with romantic gestures? Flirt with them, skillfully or otherwise?

oh boy GLKSDK. my fun esmé fact of the day is that esme originally started flirting with ortega to one-up him. like oh you think you're funny and charming? well i'm going to flirt better then you just to prove a point. then she caught feelings and now it's awkward smh

anyway to answer your question, she'd do anything for him but never stop mocking him for being self-centered if he said so. not quite pursuing, because it's not in expectation of romantic reciprocation, but more that, as you say, she's Weird about him and thats just how she acts with people she cares about GLKDSK. no explicitly romantic gestures, flirting only if its a bit (its not a bit). she'll say "well at least you're pretty" in a very condescending tone whenever he talks but she will shut down anything more meaningful then that so i dont blame ortega for mixed messages here.

10. What scares them about entering a relationship?

(esme voice nothing scares me im like a god). well! besides the "different sides and bankrolled by an institution im dedicating my life to toppling" i think she is really, really concerned that if this happens, she'll die for real this time and it will break his heart. opposite is not something she's scared of because she wont let him die so 👍

Cordelia is not nicknamed but is perfectly amenable to Cordy in friendly contexts. just for you bookish <3

13. What is their go-to for making a partner feel loved?

Alchemy, for both of them. It was the first thing they really bonded over, and continues to be a point of connection for them. They can go whole days just discussing some random esoteric principle and it is their primary mode of flirting.

Otherwise, independently; Marius hears about a minor inconvenience from Cordelia and comes back a day later with something he made to fix it or very thorough plans for doing so. Cordelia is very deliberate about grounding him with touch—a hand on his shoulder, or taking his arm to lead him away from the laboratory he had been standing at for the past six hours.

19. Are they okay with public displays of affection? Do they like them?

Cordelia's dislike of it stems from the whole "image" problem i talked about earlier—with that particular barrier removed, she's got no problem with it. Nothing particularly excessive, but a kiss on the cheek, or holding hands she is more then comfortable with.

Marius is more excited about the affection part then the public part. to be fair the man just hates public. he tends to defer to cordelia, but he will never say no to holding hands.

also. frankly their alchemical discussions are probably more obscene then any other way they could flirt. they are done in a perfectly acceptable manner. there is nothing that could actually be construed as flirting, only very intense dialogue about alchemy. if you wrote it down and read it you'd be like "oh what an intellectual discussion between equals", if you're there you're like "oh my god can they get a room."

Thank you for the ask bookish!

[red-eft]

HELLO bound, hunt, mistake, and pain for! Bug and Skaldi (as many as you'd want to do for either of them!)

alright !! here we go

bound: has your oc ever been imprisoned or captured? what happened? how did they get out? were they left with any scars?

bug has been thrown in jail for petty crimes like stealing and trespassing a few times, but she's always snuck right back out without any issues. it's never left her with any scars- if anything, she thinks it's funny that people keep trying to imprison her and she just keeps escaping. she's careful not to return to the places where she was put in jail, though, since she wants to avoid being recognized/re-captured.

skaldi is less fortunate. he's only been imprisoned once in his life. he managed to break out by heating the bars with his fire breath and then forcing them apart wide enough to slip through :o

he burnt his hands badly on the metal, though, since his scales aren't fire/burn-resistant. he then had to fight his way out and got other scars from the guards that tried to stop him.

hunt: who or what is your oc hunted by? a person/feeling/past mistake? are they able to let their guard down, or are they constantly alert?

bug isn't hunted by anything other than loneliness. she tries to escape the feeling but it's a core part of what she is, so.. not easy to get rid of LOL. she can let her guard down when around others, though, which gives her some peace.

skaldi had been hunted by his old bounty hunter organization after he left in disgrace.. becoming a bounty hunter had been his only goal for the longest time, so the feeling of failure chased him for a while, too. he has trouble letting his guard down thanks to years of training/conditioning to always be alert.

mistake: what's the worst mistake your oc ever made? what led to them making it? have they been able to fix it? how have they moved on?

i'm not sure for bug. i really don't have a narrative for her yet.. right now i'm gonna say her worst mistake was probably deciding to never settle in one spot? i feel like if she'd chosen one place to put down roots she'd have been a lot happier earlier on.

skaldi's worst mistake was probably becoming a bounty hunter (though he doesn't think it's his worst mistake. he thinks his worst mistake was not trusting ruarc to the point where she had to do something really drastic to earn his trust).

pain: what's the worst pain your oc has ever felt? do they have a high pain tolerance?

the worst pain bug has ever felt........ hm. probably when she got the that diamond-shaped scar on her forehead. not sure how it happened in the first place but it definitely hurt

answered this for skaldi in the other ask ^^

[ontowanderlust]

Of Part time Jobs and Hidden Feelings

SYPNOSIS. You'd think that with all those part time jobs, she'd be used to making her feelings be part time too. Alternatively, she who jumps from one part time job onto another, she should include hiding her feelings into that roster as well.

PROMPT. Can feelings be part time too?

TROPES. S2F2L. “She fell first, he fell harder”

WC. 3k words. (Super haba kasi if isahang post so hehe)

WARNINGS. Use of profanities. Lots of them. Sorry guys. Masyado pong pasmado ang bibig ko kaya nadala sa fanfics.

TAGS. Part-timers; Alternating point of views;

NOTES. I’ve always always wanted to write this prompt kasi matagal na siyang stuck sa utak ko. Like siguro months din ang duration ng stay nito sa utak ko omg. This was supposed to be a spin off story from my commissioned piece kaya lang I thought na it’s best to leave it be and just branch this out as something else. Hence, being a svt fanfic.

MORE NOTES. This is a mixture of smau and written fic pero mas prominent yung written. And since this is a mix of different perspectives, point oh's are Jeon's point of view. And originally, I planned on posting this as one shot kaya lang super haba na niya and I fear that sa sobrang haba, pati kayo mawalan ng gana in the middle of it so chop natin into parts. Wag na rin kayong umasa na tapos na siya kasi to be honest, ang tagal na nito sa drafts ko and ngayon ko lang naisipang i-drop dito. Don't worry naman, tinutuloy ko siya... kapag may time and energy ako. Kaya lang super tagal na kahit ako, di alam kung kailan ko matatapos. lmao.

🏷️: @moonwonuu

One.

“Talagang ginawa mo, oh my god,” she could hear the awe behind Seokmin’s voice as he stared at her as if she’s some sort of mirage, absentmindedly placing the cups of ramyeon on top of the counter to which she began to scan through the machine.

“You know very well that I don’t say things without the intent of pushing through, Min-ah,” she grunted, giving him a pointed look as he continued to stare at her before snapping out of his trance as he took out his phone- no doubt to tell everyone in their group about his latest discovery, earning an eye roll from her.

True to her guess, her phone pinged with notifications followed by another consecutive pings- much to her exasperation. Di ba uso ang tulog sa tropa niya? (Spoiler alert: hindi.)

“Onga,” Seokmin agreed, nodding his head as he locked his phone, flashing her a sheepish smile. “Pero kasi naman, Riri, why would you apply for a job when you have no need for it?” He asked just as her co-worker made his way out of the break room, pausing in his tracks when he saw her with a customer. She watched him made eye contact with her before making his way towards the furthest aisle from where she were. Wow.

“Okay, I’ll ask this with much love and sincerity- nabubuang ka na ba?” Seokmin’s voice brought her attention back to him. “Maiintindihan ko pa kung gipit tayo sa cash at mahigit ang pangangailangan natin sa buhay kasi kailangan mong bumuhay ng tatlong anak pero di ba ikaw yung palamunin nina kuya Cheol?”

‘We don’t hit customers,’ she chanted in her head as she flashed him her award wining customer service smile, ignoring the small cough that came from the aisle where her co-worker had disappeared to. Ah, really. Of all times her friend managed to discover where she worked, it was the time where her co-worker had just clocked in. ‘We don’t hit customers no matter how hittable their faces are.’

“Kuya ko ba yun?” she deadpanned, crossing her arms as he shrugged, leaning against the counter.

“Hindi,” his cheshire grin makes her want to really deck him this time. “Kaso di ba palamunin na nun si kuya Han? So like, by extension, it applies na rin sayo? So ano to, nagbabagong buhay ka na ba at gusto mo nang bayaran si kuya sa lahat ng ginastos nya sainyong magkapatid?”

“Gusto mo pa bang makalabas dito nang buhay, Lee Seokmin?” She asked, hoping for her smile to be as menacing as her brother’s, feeling a small satisfaction when her friend let out a squeak before nodding his head furiously, fingers miming a zipper motion on his mouth. “Si kuya Han lang yung palamunin nun, huy. Tsaka didn't we talk about this? Learning experience ‘to for me para ma-hone pa yung mga skills ko.”

He raised an eyebrow, looking at her suspiciously. “What skills?”

“Social skills, what else?” She shrugged as she watched Seokmin gave her an incredulous look before turning around to peek at the aisle where her co-worker had disappeared to before turning back to her.

‘You call that socializing?’ the disbelief in his face looked palpable and if she didn't know any better, he would've scoffed out loud if it weren't for her looming threat. Takot lang ni Seokmin sa kanya, eh.

Pushing the plastic bag filled with his items, she nodded sagely, flashing him her best customer smile before jerking her head to signal that she's forcing him to leave. ‘Yes. Now get lost, dummy.’

Her friend's eyes narrowed at her while she glared back, daring him to continue. A minute passed before her friend backed down, shaking his head, reaching down to pay for his items.

Once he had collected his change, he raised the hand holding the plastic bag as he turned to leave the premises. “Eto na, sabi ko nga aalis na po ako, mahal na reyna,” he bid her as she scrunched her nose at how loud his voice being at what, two in the morning? “Matulog ka after ng shift mo, ah?”

When she’s sure he had left, she took out her phone, curiously checking for what he had sent in their group chat. Shaking her head, she narrowed her eyes as she typed in her reply, wondering how on earth did Seokmin took the picture without her knowing.

Fighting the urge to huff, she pocketed her phone as her face began to scrunch. Really, what’s so surprising in her taking up a part time job anyway?

Marami namang students ang gumagawa nito so bakit siya hindi pwede, di ba? And hindi naman siya ganun ka-entitled, right? Or siguro kasi not many would get a job just because they have trouble sleeping during the night? Or siguro… not many would get a part time job on a whim.

Ah well. Not many would want the graveyard shift anyway. In fact, when she had applied for this job, the manager looked like he would fall over in relief when she said she’s okay with taking the graveyard shift.

And so, for the first few days of working, she found herself finally enjoying the solitude of the night as she’s being productive instead of wallowing in her own thoughts.

That is, until her manager introduced her new co-worker, Jeon Wonwoo.

Subconsciously, her eyes wandered towards the aisle where he had hid himself only for her eyes to dart back to the monitor screen she was staring earlier when she saw him finally emerge from the said aisle before going towards the next aisle which happened to be where the beverages are.

‘Ang awkward,’ fighting the urge to groan out loud, her fingers kept on tapping on the counter as her eyes kept on darting from the monitor screen to her co-worker’s back who had busied himself by restocking the same items she had “stocked” hours prior. ‘Luh, gaya gaya?’ She bit the urge to voice out.

While she was grateful for the company he provided, (he doesn’t really have a choice in that matter anyway) it felt as if the guy didn’t like her- not even for a tiny bit. (Why else would he ignore and avoid her?) She watched him as he moved from the beverages towards the canned goods aisle with curiosity lingering in her eyes.

It’s not like her to take offense- hell, she doesn’t really care if people liked her or not. But for someone who doesn’t know her, it made her curious as to what she did for him to immediately dislike her upon first meeting especially since she had always been enamored of him the first time she saw him and that was what? Freshman week?

Bitterly smiling to herself, she shook her head as she threw him one last glance, tilting her head when she saw him turn his head slightly. The action had been minuscule but when your older brother goes by the name Yoon Jeonghan, one couldn’t help but become vigilant especially with subtle gestures.

Deciding it was nothing, she turned her attention back to the counter to see if it needed cleaning- for the nth time that night- early morning? ‘Lord, baka naman.’ She let out a small sigh. ‘Wala bang pa-divine intervention diyan? Mukhang mapu-pudpod na rin yung kamay niya kakapunas nung de-lata oh.’

“Uhm,” her reverie broke when she heard someone clearing their throat followed by a smooth baritone voice. If she didn’t have any self control, she would’ve shivered right there and then. “Gusto mo ba ako naman dyan sa cashier?”

Turning to look at him, she could feel her eyebrows furrowing. Has there been an instance where he was the first to approach her? “Kung gusto mo lang naman,” he was quick to add, no doubt noticing the look on her face. “Cause kanina ka pa rin naman nakatayo diyan.”

“Yeah, no, sure,” she blurted out, shaking her head as her eyes widened- was that a flash of amusement in his eyes? And was that an upturn of his mouth? The change in him was quick before she could even dwell on it. It’s as if… it never happened at all.

“Was that a yes or a no?”

‘Uhm, Lord? Ito na ba ang divine intervention mo?’ Wordlessly, she stepped out of the counter to make way for him, silently berating herself as she made her way towards the beverage area yet again, not noticing the way his gaze followed her for a moment before settling behind the counter.

Should she say something to keep the conversation going? But the time for her to reply had passed so should she create another opening for him to talk? Staring at the grapefruit flavored yogurt in front of her, she had came into conclusion, ‘Mukhang nabubuang na nga ako,’

Right? Who in their right mind would overthink as simple as starting the conversation? One with their co-worker as well? It’s like a simple decision, you want to talk or you don’t. There’s no in between- and oh god, is she channeling her inner Woozi?

Just before her thoughts could even spiral further, her train of thoughts- for the nth time that night- had been broken by the sounds of desperate running, making her and her companion turn their heads towards the door only to see masked men making their way into their convenience store.

‘Lord, alam ko humihingi ako ng divine intervention pero mukhang napasobra naman po ata?’ She could feel a headache incoming as she turned to look at her companion who had already had his arms raised. ‘Hala siya. Pinalaki ka bang duwag ng mga magulang mo, Jeon?’

Before she could even comprehend it, she could feel her hand reaching behind her as she grasped on what felt like a cup of yogurt- perhaps the same one she had been glaring at earlier, throwing it as hard as she can towards one of the robbers, hitting him squarely on the head, much to Jeon- and the two masked men's shock.

Did she just-

Earning their attention, she didn’t think twice before throwing whatever she could reach behind her as the robbers advanced towards her, making her spring into action- throwing herself at one of the men, hitting him with the can of soda her hand last took from the fridge.

“Yoon Rianne-”

“Get help!” She gave her a pointed look as she tightened her hold on the masked man while she swung her can over the other man. “Tawagan mo pulis or kung sino man, I don't care just- get. fucking. help!” she grunted as she threw all her weight, shaking the can on her hand as she quickly opened it, spraying liquid onto the other man she had been fending off her.

From her periphery, she could see the hesitation running behind his eyes before reaching for his phone while she gave her all to distract the two guys. She could almost feel the gears on his head turning as he watched her worriedly, already knowing what goes on with his mind- number one being, what the actual fuck?

Honestly? Di rin niya alam bakit niya yun ginawa. Was it because of reflexes? Years of being the subject of her kuya’s pranks when they were kids? A product of her hyperfixation of learning eskrima? Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. And since nangyari naman na, might as well go hard right? After all, di siya pinalaking duwag ng kuya niya.

She didn’t know how long she had been holding on to the guy but when she felt the weight from the other man becoming lighter, she sharply turned her head only to see Jeon beginning to follow her actions but before he could even do something, she watched in horror as he slipped on the liquid that had spilled from the soda she had been brandishing earlier.

Lurching forward, she reached for his outstretched hand, trying to catch him. She would’ve successfully saved him from falling if it weren’t for the fact that she was still on the masked man’s back as she attempted to help her co-worker and in doing so, her balance shifted that the sudden force had brought the man down with her, crashing into a pile of entangled limbs- her face jerking backwards as one fist came contact with her eye while she might have kicked someone- judging from the pained groan- to somewhere the sun doesn’t shine.

She would’ve done more- if it weren’t for the sound of keys dropping on the floor followed by a shriek from none other than their store manager. “What the fuck?”

Swallowing a groan as she threw her head back in exasperation, she couldn’t help but bitterly think, ‘Jeon, ang sabi ko tawagan yung pulis. Hindi yung manager.’

“You do realize that I’m letting you both off easily right?” Their manager looked at them with a mixture of pity, annoyance, and amusement as she looked up from her phone, struggling to lock it with one hand as the other was busy with placing an ice pack over her now bruised eye. “What, with the damage done to my store rather than yung perang dapat nanakawin sana ng mga yun?”

She blinked, looking at their manager blankly for a bit before turning to her co-worker who’s now rocking that yellow pikachu band aid on the bridge of his nose then staring back at their manager, wincing when she removed the ice pack from her eye. “Ah but Jeon didn’t really-”

“-realize na yung drinks na tinapon namin were expensive,” he spoke up making her turn to him, raising an eyebrow while he ignored her stare and simply looked back at their manager who looked just as surprised as her.

Huh.

She knew for a fact that the manager had reviewed the CCTV footage of the encounter earlier and while Jeon had been hurt during the fight where he was just pulling the other man off of her, he had not taken part of the said fight. So why on earth was he being let off?

And more importantly, why is he not saying anything about it?

The manager's exasperated sigh had her attention being brought back to the situation.

Seeing the manager shake his head, her heart dropped. "As compensation for protecting my store, l'll give you guys a severance pay and sasagutin ko na rin yung gastos niyo dito," he told them, sympathy evident behind his eyes. "However, since may damage yung store, I'm afraid your severance pay will have to cover the dues."

Letting out a small resigned sigh, they both nodded as their faces fell, the manager giving them gentle pats on their shoulder before leaving them as silence befell them.

Hyperaware of the coldness of the ice pack, she placed it on her lap as she closed and opened her fist to shake off the cold sensation before reaching for her phone.

“You shouldn’t stop applying cold pack on your bruise,” her companion cleared his throat giving her the excuse to study him intently the first time that night. “It will get worse and painful if you stopped.” He explained as she mutely nodded, placing the ice pack back on her eyes, jumping slightly at the combined cold and painful sensation.

Silence engulfed them once more, making her fidget on her seat. “Sorry I got you fired,” she mumbled, closely monitoring his reaction, tilting her head as she heard him hum in acknowledgment. “I don’t know why you did that but I could still run after him-”

“Sorry I couldn’t help you earlier,” he cut her off, offering his own apology, hands fidgeting on a small object she couldn't recognize. “It’s not an excuse but when I saw those men, I just…froze.”

“Understandable,” she shrugged, silently accepting his apology. “Mabilis lang reaction time ko kasi si kuya.” She didn’t know why she’s explaining but she felt like she had to or else she might be known in Jeon Wonwoo’s memory as that crazy beverage throwing girl from the convenience store.

Blinking, she may had forgotten that this was the first time they had interacted so she didn't know if he knew who her brother was. Back pedaling, she cleared her throat. “Uh I mean si kuya Jeonghan yung-”

“I know,” the small reassuring smile on him had her pausing for a moment before snapping herself out of her stupor. “Next time I’ll do better. I won't let you handle them alone.”

“Ah. So gusto mo uli manakawan?” she raised an eyebrow at him, wincing when she realized that she moved her bruised eye, earning a look of concern from him to which she waved dismissably at.

“No,” he shook his head when he's sure that she's alright. “I mean I’ll train my reaction time. Next time mas mabilis na ako magreact kesa sayo. Para di na ikaw yung manunugod bigla bigla.”

Trying to fight the smile threatening to come out. Is he really this… endearing? “Geh, sabi mo eh.”

It looked like he wanted to say more if it weren’t for the familiar sound of Seokmin’s voice from a distance. Inwardly cringing, she couldn't help but think if it's really a good idea to ask for her friends to pick her up rather than her brother.

“Ay talaga naman, Seokmin,” she wanted to facepalm earning a fond shake of Jeon’s head.

Deciding that was his cue, he stood up, pausing for a moment as if he was contemplating on something before nodding his head as he took her hand, placing the object he was playing with earlier on top of her phone.

“Wag ka muna manunugod ah? Get well soon,” he mumbled her name as he walked off while she was left to stare at his retreating back.

Looking down, she let out a small fond scoff as she inspected the grapefruit flavored yogurt cup. Did he really think…? Cute.

Despite her hesitation, she removed the lid and scooped a mouthful before grimacing- a sight that greeted her friends as they came to collect her.

She doesn't like grapefruits and yet, this yogurt may be her favorite out of all.

[thatoneguy031]

Ok, so Rotomblr ask game:

What's your team look like as a gym leader?

Ooh, that's an interesting one. Admittedly, I haven't put in too much thought into this yet... But let me cook, I'll come up with something.

...Oh, I know!

First, let me set the scene.

You're a fairly competent Trainer, at least you think you are. You've been going through the Gym Challenge fairly easily, and you're on your way to earn your fifth badge.

You enter the Gym, and you're greeted by a dim room, with just enough enough light for you to see comfortably. It looked as though you walked into an arcade mixed with an aquarium.

You're able to make out a few things, including some objects that you've seen from various forms of entertainment: Stages for performing, complete with a dress-up box, a section made for board games(Things like Twister and Uno), and a wall dedicated for multiplayer video games of many kinds.

At each section, there's one, two, or even three trainers that are ready to challenge you to each of those games. If you lose at those games, you'll have to battle them. If you win, you can move onto the next section. Once you finish all three sections, a final curtain would be lifted up, way back in the gym. And, as you await a powerful gym leader to arise, you see...

A lone Samurott. But... Something's different. He's wearing a red cape that went past his hind legs, dragging across the floor.

"Hello," he says, as though he's been expecting you to arrive. "...Welcome to my gym, and congratulations for defeating my trainers. I hope that this challenge serves as a break during your adventure. A place to relax and have fun. With that being said, I won't be going easy on you. Now..."

The Samurott stands, giving you a very dramatic pose as he releases his first Pokemon, much to your confusion.

"...May we have fun together, and let the best battler win!"

First, I would have a Carrocosta. Those big guys look like they know how to have a good time while being no-nonsense about their skills. This one in particular would be more of a board game specialist, in games like Scrabble.

Second? Flygon, easily. No Dig+Levitate shenanigans, but expect this lady to pull out some tricks outta her sleeve. Oh, and she'd be shiny, too. She'd be a live onstage performer, doing plays about once a month.

My third Pokemon would be Azumarill. She's also really good at performing, doing so since she first evolved into an Azumarill. You may know her for having starring roles in a few movies.

Next would be a Gastordon, specifically the East Sea variant. My hard counter for electric types, and he'd have the ability Storm Drain. He'd he specialize in sleight of hand(Or lack there of) tricks by using moves like Mirror Coat.

Number five would be a Sliggoo. She's still a bit of a beginner to the entertainer thing, but she shows potential despite her blindness, basically being a prodigy.

And for number six...

There are two routes that I can take here. The one that more fits the question would be Kingdra. Since my gym would be for the water and dragon types, and this is the only one I could find that had both types that wasn't a legendary. He's a master at underwater shows, and would be the main point of focus of the gym if he's not battling.

But, for the days that he's busy doing a show... You'll get quite the surprise.

You watch as the Samurott looks at his fainted Pokemon, then back at you, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Well, I'll be darned," he says, a tinge of excitement in his voice. "You actually managed to take down my partners! But, don't think you'll have the badge that easily! You've been staring at the final challenge this whole time!"

The Samurott takes off the cape, standing on his hind legs as he assumes a battle stance. "Now, come at me with all you've got! ...Or don't."

Of course, since I'm the last Pokemon in this gym battle, you can't really knock me out. I mean, you could, but you'd have to wait an extra few hours for your badge if you don't have a Revive on deck.

After enough damage, I'd get down on one knee, like a knight being appointed by a king. "...I concede. You, marvelous trainer, managed to have more fun than even I. I feel like you've earned the Recreation Badge.

...May that battle teach you that it's okay to take a break every now and then."

[scarletooyoroi]

"You have to turn your head sideways, but that one there is the head of the Iniquitous Baptist." Dehya points up at the sky from where she and Thoma lie on a blanket atop one of the man cresting hilltops that dot Inazuma's skyline. Their campfire burns nearby, keeping them warm as the temperature dips and Dehya tugs her thick new cloak over herself as a makeshift blanket. She likes stargazing, and she likes finding the shapes that are so familiar to her, but in a different part of the sky. She likes it here.

She likes her company, too.

"Took me ages to remember that it's 'baptist' and not 'bastard'." She laughs, remembering her father's surprised face when she, much too young to be using such language, had repeated the wrong title aloud. She'd heard it outside a bar one evening when her father had gone inside for a drink and left her out front, bored, unable to go inside with him. A group stumbled past her talking about taking on some bastard or other, not even the Baptist, and the association clicked in her mind.

She lets out a soft breath and turns her head to the side to look at Thoma. "He's tough, but I bet we could take him. Maybe someday, if I drag your ass to the desert. Lots of neat ruins there to explore. I bet you'd love it."

What they had planned was spontaneous in nature. Times, restrictions, all of that freely cast to the wayside as they saddled up the appropriate gear for a time all of their own. Thoma's own contributions being the freshly finished picnic meal tucked within. Why not when a slew of daily commissions made it hard to even catch dinner? Even then, with as much energy as they hold, the indoors simply weren't cutting it.

Not when Dehya's particular hobby had them comfortably huddled together. Aside from the barrier of cloak between them, they were virtually hip to hip, gazes brightened with resolution and curiosity focused on the heavens above.

"No kidding... Before I hadn't even considered you could catch the view of them above, the stars sure aren't picky." He mentions with a modest chuckle. Taking her advice had led his perception to be mildly altered, switched up just enough to let him foresee the odd blight that managed to be angled within the skies. That taunting visage of one of the stronger vanguard's of the Abyssal forces being distinctly reflected. It nearly made his heart jump from his chest!

"Well I'll be, Dehya, I think I'm actually seeing it concretely." The way the stars made their sharp imaginary arcs from each other, as if appraising their craft with mute beams of light.

"Wha--? Pft!" Just after he finally seized the view! Within moments that abrupt ~bastardization~ of the name caught him with a haymaker of humor. His laughter bouncing free as he almost knocked that head of his to her shoulder. Finding a way to make those demonic apparitions seem a little less frightful was a power he can appreciate. As a martial artist, he's learned just how valuable it is to also balance fear and belief, to keep all reason sound for when one's life was on the line.

Doubly so for the sort like Thoma, who had a heart too kind to ever leave the bitter route of innocent fates.

Amidst the mirth that brings a golden form of sanctity to his heart, that subtle mention hadn't escaped his attention, leading to those eyes briefly going wide for a fleeting second. Propping his head up onto an arm, he'd situate onto his side, all so a particularly curious look could focus on the Flame Mane.

"Telling me that's been an idea rolling in your mind? Having the two of us bump against Teyvat at large?" The fact she ever considered it leads to a joyful feeling increasing in vibrancy. By now the curve of his lips fixed into a smile that she often earned, this one considerably more sensible as playfulness and honesty alike felt fitting. Now what exactly should he be going with?

"I've been considering it myself. Not just a break of time from Inazuma, but seeing what's out there. The thought of having our kinda spirits and steady arms breaking new ground? I can't help that feeling of getting a little excited."

A sensible stir of energy settles in the air between them, and as it stands, it's wholeheartily welcomed. The opportunity to watch as the grace of the moonlight and the flickering stars adding that holy sort of glow to her figure--

Thoma knows he can certainly get lost in that.

"I'd like to see your home with you."

@svnsworn

[usagiclimbs]

Relax. Something Usagi always thought was earned after hard work. At the mercy of the elements, you could relax when you finally set up your campsite and caught your meal. But there was something about the way Arisu suggested it, and he'd always had a way of making it seem rewarding even without all the work. Usagi would dare call Arisu lazy if they were closer. Maybe one day down the road.

One day?

It surprised Usagi to think it was something she was considering... or it'd already been considered at some point of their relationship already. Arisu's reaction too showed just how surprised he was to hear her agree, and it brought a sort of satisfaction to the smirk she wore that she was still unreadable. She wasn't an open book, that was the intention. It kept others at bay and kept her protected from them. But with Arisu she could tell already how easily her strong resolve threatened to crumble. He wore her down with his radiant optimism, encouraging smile— much like the lopsided one he wore now— and kindness she hadn't encountered in a long, long time with such warmth it rivaled the sun. That light within him made Usagi want to fight too, and it inspired so much intensity she felt she could also shine brightly. Selfishly, she craved it again after he'd lost Karube and Chota... not because she wanted to bask, but because she hoped Arisu wouldn't lose that part of himself to the overwhelming pit of despair that came with losing someone you loved.

She wouldn't admit it, simply because there wasn't a reason to admit it, but Usagi enjoyed that side of him, dorky as it was in the most endearing way. The Beach didn't deserve someone like Arisu. "I think it's enjoyed in different ways by different people. There are those that need companionship or those that need to lose themselves because they're lost already... but it's a beacon for people that need hope. Or, that's the way it should be... instead we're all stuck here with no way out. It's like a delusion from reality." Usagi said in response to his question if she thought people actually enjoyed this place. Thinking back to the club, she recalled the sea of bodies swaying to the music yearning and so desperate for touch as a means of escape and distraction. Like human nature come to life, it was a display Usagi would show an alien if demanded to explain humanity without words. But Arisu, most of the people seemed nice enough, and that's where they differed. It didn't matter to Usagi if people were nice, in the end once you got attached it became harder to survive.

Even now... Usagi knew there was a risk getting involved with Arisu, and that sticking together meant eventually she'd be forced to kill him to survive. She knew that... and yet... here she was, by his side as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Breaking her own rules.

It was difficult not to when Arisu had such a way of completely distracting her from the reality they currently faced. "I can swim." She confirmed, unable to help herself from imagining a panicked Arisu trying to save her from drowning, and it brought yet another genuine smile to her lips. Usagi, however, was beginning to think otherwise about him. "You're stronger than you think you are, Arisu. Knowing you, you'd unlock your full potential of being a strong swimmer because you'd have to become one in order to save me." The way she offered the words weren't necessarily meant to be a compliment or a reassurance, but a fact based purely on her own observations. Despite being strangers still, Usagi was confident about that fact after knowing Arisu in the short span of time she did. She was well aware Arisu wouldn't save her out of a romantic notion— they weren't like that or so she had to tell herself— no, he would do everything in his power to save another human life and would never abandon another.

Not like her who knew people could die at any moment.

"But I can also see you panicking in the shallow end because you think it's deeper than it is." She couldn't help but tease and followed the hallway to the Exit by the pool, stepping past the heavy door and took in the area once they were both outside. The coast was clear, not a soul in sight, though the pool was still lit. Eerily quiet in contrast to when they'd first arrived at The Beach and the pool had been packed full of people screaming, laughing, loud music and splashing. Usagi felt herself relax where others might've found it unsettling, having a preference for safety in numbers. Arisu, however, made her feel plenty safe.

"Alright... time to hang out. Or relax, as you said." Stretching her arms as though she were getting ready to relax, just for show and her rare playful side, Usagi took a seat on one of the lounge chairs by the water, and patted the one directly beside her for Arisu to sit. She was also wracking her brain for a topic that wasn't about The Beach, or survival, or answers, or Borderland because she was trying to re-learn how to open herself up again just a bit for Arisu's sake. But what she chose might've brought up sad memories without meaning to. "I wonder what Karube and Chota would've thought about this place. If it weren't for us all being hostages and we were all just playing to survive and get home..." She said softly, imagining how loud the boys would be against the quiet of the pool, if their campfires and spending time together (mostly with her observing) were anything to go by. "I'm glad I met them." Something Usagi hadn't yet told Arisu, but she hoped at least it'd get him to open up in return.

@arisugamez

‘I’m surprised it’s quiet now.. I prefer it.’ Right.

Usagi preferred the quiet whereas he preferred mindless chatter to still his nerves.. something else Arisu had noted in their short period of time spent together. Yet another difference between the two.

Why? Had she always been so private and closed off or had her past shaped her to be that way? Not that he knew anything about her past— Usagi hadn’t given much away about it. Just like everything else about her, it remained a mystery to be discovered. A closed book while his was wide open. Maybe a little too wide open, but Arisu couldn’t help it. It was important to build alliances and help each other if they were ever going to get home, and the first step to doing so was to be open and honest about one’s self. Friendship meant everything to him. The last thing he wanted was to die alone in this hellish place. Life was way too short to be shutting people out and not taking a chance because unlike many other players in Borderland.. he still had faith in others and felt it necessary to work as a unit. Surely not everybody here was so selfishly cruel, right? Little did he know. Maybe he really was too trusting of the people around him, but only time would tell if that was correct.

“Not.. hang out. I was just thinking we could relax. Together. By the pool. It’s been a rough couple of days and I think we could— wait, what?” It was really that easy? Somehow hearing Usagi willingly accept his invitation to hang out by the pool was surprising. Perhaps it was due to his low self esteem when it came to talking to women in general— Arisu was by no means great in that department, evident in his lack of romantic relationships— but this was a step in the right direction, right? Staring at her in bewilderment, Arisu watched as her smaller frame shifted to move by him into the hallway, unable to fend off the giddy and lopsided smile that tugged at the corner of his lips. He only hoped that she hadn’t noticed him smiling like a complete dork over something so trivial. Usagi seemed to have that effect on him even when he was feeling down.. as closed off as she was, she had something about her that he couldn’t quite define..

Jumpstarting back into action after catching himself staring for a little longer than he should have, Arisu immediately followed her out into the long hallway and made sure to lock the door behind him— while he did most of the Beach residents they’d met already, the last thing they needed was someone to go snooping through their room for information.

Taking her side like he always did, Arisu began to make his way toward the stairwell, careful not to stray too far from her. Always close enough for their arms to almost be brushing with each swing of them, it was like an unspoken agreement to keep that sort of closeness in case they ran into trouble. “You think some people actually enjoy this place?” Surprised by her assumption of certain people needing a place like this in their lives, Arisu couldn’t help but to shudder at the thought. What sort of person would want to stay there willingly? He certainly didn’t. Not after facing one too many horrors already. “I’ll admit though, most of the people here seem nice enough. Makes me think this place has been here for a while given how comfortable they all are.” A theory to her earlier question. The Beach certainly gave the illusion of freedom and paradise. Still.. Arisu missed home. Missed was an understatement.

But he wasn’t about to let it get him down right now. At least he had something to look forward to.. a giddy reminder as he glanced over at Usagi and eyed her from the side with that same goofy grin he’d been wearing before. “..You’ve really never been swimming in an actual pool before?” Asked with a tilt of his head once they reached the stairwell and began to descend the steps to the ground floor which fortunately for Usagi and her introverted nature, was empty. “You can swim, right? Because I’m not too sure how great I’d be acting as a lifeguard. I’d probably panic and drown while trying to save you from drowning.” Said jokingly, but it was the truth. Arisu wasn’t the best under pressure— well, he didn’t do too badly during games— But that was a different sort of pressure. Fuck, he overthinking everything.. something he often did whenever Usagi was around him. She clouded his mind like a constant fog that refused to clear. And yet, Arisu didn’t mind at all. In fact, it was the complete opposite of minding.

@usagiclimbs

[wildestdreamsblog]

A dwindling, mercurial high

Pairing: Andy Barber  x Reader

Warnings: Soft!Dark Andy, Swearing, Alcohol consumption, Sexual themes, mention of cheating, drama. If you’re not 18+ please, PLEASE, do not interact. Be mindful of the warnings. Let me know if I miss anything.

A/N: HIIIIII. My first Andy Barber fic! I hope you enjoy! Also can you believe it’s been a month since I started my tumblr?  Crazyyyyyy! Happy one month to me! Thank you for the support, likes, reblogs, replies, for following my account! I hope your days are always as beautiful as Helen of Troy!

You were my Helen, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, End

"You know," you started saying at the tall and muscular man walking beside you, "I'm starting to think you have too much time. Don't you have your business to go back to in Boston? Hey-"

You couldn't stopped him as he dipped his spoon in your gelato. You gave him your death glare before slapping his wandering hand away from your dessert. "Andy, are you sure you're rich? Why are you always taking my food away from me, hmm? You most certainly earn more than I do."

Andy laughed wholeheartedly. You stared at him, at his face, at his relaxed stance- and you couldn't stopped looking at him. His face was being illuminated by the afternoon sunlight. He was an art you think you were starting to like, an art you were starting to want to understand. What did the strokes mean? What did the colors indicate?

Who are you, Andy Barber?

"Well, Helen, you have yet to answer me-"

"Stop calling me Helen."

"Do you think Delilah ever loved Samson?"

Andy was.....different. He never ran out of topic to argue you with, never ran out of opinions, and you meant strong opinions. Each time he found you, he'd be tagging along uninvited, eating your food, asking you things about yourself, arguing with you, and you thought the most thing that unnerved you was the way he kept looking at you like that- like you were a breath of fresh air, like you were something he was unknowingly looking for his whole life.

You didn't know it now, but this man would change your life. You didn't know it now, but this man would love you fiercely. You didn't know it now, but he would also break your heart, and you'd break his.

"Do you think she was a victor, villain, or a victim?" He asked again before licking his spoonful of sweet dessert.

Your eyes trailed to his tongue before lifting your eyes to the darkened eyes of Andy. "A villain."

Andy hummed thoughtfully, turning to you. He cocked his head to the side, "I think she's a victim."

"Victim how?"

He looked intently at you, as if you were the answer to all of his questions. His lips turned into an empty smile, before looking away. "She didn't expect to fall in love with the great Samson. She couldn't break her loyalty to her people. She was stuck, a victim of her own choice. A choice she made not knowing she'd later on meet the love of her life." He chuckled humorlessly before returning his eyes to you.

You frowned as he looked at you, his eyes was jsut so...torn. And to what you didn't have an answer. "You don't hurt the people you love. You couldn't. You couldn't physically do anything to hurt them." you answered, before smiling at him and continued walking, enjoying the view. Your polaroid camera hang on your shoulder, taking pictures of the blue water, of the nature, of something that would commemorate your rare break from work. You could hear Andy's step as he caught up to you. He was silent. Well that was a first.

"I think Delilah truly loved him. In some stories, she stayed beside Samson. She knew the risk of perishing if she stayed, but she stayed."

"Andy, she betrayed him."

Andy shrugged, "We're only humans. We can't always make the right decisions."

You stopped walking and nodded your head because yes, he had a point. You were not petty to deny that. "Despite you stealing my food, I enjoy these talks of ours. I think I'm gonna miss these talks of ours once you return to Boston."

"I'll always make time for you." Andy declared, as if he was really sure, absolutely sure that you were more important now that anything he ever held dear. Andy was enamored by you, by your quick wit, by your strong personality, by your independence, by your beautiful smile- by you. He was feeling something he had never felt before, and even then, he was feeling a tinge of regret.

"What is it that you do again?"

"I'm a writer. I interview people who have stories to tell. What about you, Attorney Barber?" you asked him cheekily. As open as he was about his theories, he was not one to share about his personal life.

He proceeded on telling you about what he does, what his business was about- but never mentioning the name of his business. "A man has got to keep some secrets, don't you think?" he joked as you took picture of the lake. He looked at you before calling the attention of a passerby.

"Excuse me, will you be so kind to take a picture of us?"

"Sure!"

Andy gently snatched your camera away from you before passing it to the kind teenager. He maneuvered your body in front of the camera, the view of the water behind you before standing so near you. He placed his hand on your shoulder possessively.

Later on, you looked down at the polaroid he had written on.

Yours, A.B.

After that day, you had not seen Andy around for a week. It was like he just vanished. You couldn't help but think of him, if he was hungry because he looked like he always was considering he was stealing food from your plate. You couldn't help thinking about him. He was..something. And the radio silence from him was making you think that he was really a busy person, that he really just had fun talking to you and it meant nothing. You shouldn't give meaning to that. You were still assisting Jayson to the best of your ability with his wedding preparation. It was days from now and everything was already set.

But like in movies, he appeared just when you thought of him.

You were busy going over the documents sent to you by your boss. He knew you were on leave, yet he was taking time off your precious day to help him. You couldn't say no because the man was like a father to you, a generous senior who took you under his wing when you were just a young and naïve aspirant.

"I need to buy new pens," you mumbled to yourself as you go over the papers.

"Busy bee." A deep voice whispered near you ear, making you jump up from your seat, almost spilling over the coffee you ordered in your favorite coffee shop where you were currently doing your job.

You glared at him as he sat down in front of you uninvited. You noticed his deep eyes, his eyebags- a clear sign he didn't sleep well. He looked tired.

"Oh look who it is- Attorney Barber. I don't have time to bicker with you today."

"Thought you were on leave?"

"I also need to not piss my boss off." You grabbed your phone and showed him the online app you were using for shopping, "Also, I have so many beautiful things I want to buy."

He laughed as he took a sip of your coffee.

"Hey that's mine! Order yours!" you crinkled your nose at him.

"Well, Helen, what's mine is yours, and all that vice versa thing." he mumbled as he wiped his lip with a napkin. The barista came over to personally deliver his order, two iced coffee and two pastries. "Andy, that's for married people only."

"Here, as my apology to you." he placed the coffee in front of you, replacing the empty cup he just took from you.

You nodded your thanks before proceeding on your work. "Well if what's yours is mine, I'm just gonna check out the things I have on my cart and have you pay for them," you mumbled, distracted by the errors you saw on the document.

"Go ahead."

You looked at him, unbelieving he was real. "Are you planning on being my sugar daddy?"

He flashed you an amused smile. "This is exactly the rest I needed," he stated seriously. He looked worn out despite his appearance.

"When did you last sleep?"

He scoffed, looking down at his phone before answering. "I only sleep a few minutes last night before going here. I needed to see you."

"Why?"

He shrugged, "I just needed to."

Andy observed you from his seat. You didn't bring up his disappearance, you just asked him how he was. And he was okay, now that you were here in front of him. He couldn't tell you the reason why. And you didn't ask him.

"You need sleep, not coffee. Come on." You gathered you things and swiftly put them inside your bag before waiting for Andy to stand up. He was looking at you, with clear confusion in his face. "Where are we going?"

"To sleep."

It turned out, he did not make any arrangements for the night, didn't book any hotel to stay in. To tell you the truth, this was an impulse decision on his part. He just really needed to see you, despite everything. One second he was in his office, the next thing he knew he was grabbing his keys and was driving to you. You didn't need to know that.

You took pity on him. "This doesn't mean anything, okay? I just want you to sleep before you collapse. I can't and won't carry you when you finally collapse from exhaustion." You warned him as you opened your quaint apartment. The apartment was okay to you. In fact, you loved the independence this small space gave you. You loved your space, yet you felt quite insecure as Andy followed behind you before he closed your front door himself. His eyes doing a quick scan of your apartment, taking your decorations in, your apparent love of pink and white, your little decorations you've collected, pictures of your family, of your friends- of the polaroid of you and him that you stuck on your refrigerator through a magnet. His face softened when he saw that but he did not comment.

You went straight to your bedroom upon arriving at your apartment, leaving him to muse over your things. You fluffed your pillows, straightened the covers, opened your aircon before calling for him. He leaned on your door. You frowned at him, "Come on. Sleep."

He looked at you as if he was torn, as if he was making a difficult decision. His hands were in his pockets, his stance relaxed but his face showed his reluctance.

"I don't know if this is right." He finally said.

"You don't know if it's right for you to sleep?" you kidded because you did not understand him. He was always coming for you, appearing even when you least expected him, tagging along in your little errands and you little vacations even when you did not invite him. And this was where he was trying to draw the line? To sleep?

You went to him, looking up to him when you finally reached him. You had to tilt your head just to look at his eyes. "Andy, I'm not gonna take advantage of you-" he chuckled at that, mumbling 'As if you could' before letting himself be pulled on your bed. "-I just really want you to sleep."

You turned your back on him as he got himself comfy on your bed, burrowing his face on your pillows, wanting to inhale your delectable smell. You turned off the light.

"Please feel free to take advantage of me," you heard his sleepy mumble before you closed the door.

You laughed at what he said once you were seated on your dining table, trying to focus on the documents in your hands. But your mind was going back to what he said. And you hated it because what he said planted a bunch of lewd things in your head. You were already confused about your feelings with him even before, but now... you hated to admit it but God, Andy was a hot man. And describing him as 'hot' was an understatement. You were never one to appreciate men just because they're pretty to look at, but Andy was so much than that. He was charismatic, intelligent, and the way he kept on throwing you amusing topics was the most entertaining talk you ever had with any man.

And you know, a good conversation is such a dangerous thing.

You were stirring the pot. Yoy were cooking when you heard your bedroom door open. It was already dark outside. You expected him to wake up hours before, but he must have been really tired because he slept for almost five hours. You turned to him with a teasing smile on his sleepy face, "Well, look who's up."

Andy hair was messy from his sleep. He was rubbing the sleep off his eyes as he walked near to you. He pouted at you before sitting down on your dining chair. He was so big the entire apartment looked smaller and you noticed how masculine he was, how small you were compared to him. "You didn't take advantage of me."

You laughed as you transferred the dinner to your glass bowl. "Oh, I'm sorry. Should I have?"

"You should have. I can't forgive you for not doing it."

Shaking your head at his silliness, you removed your laptop and your papers off the table to make room for your dinner. "You wanna eat?"

"A bed and a dinner? I'm luckier than Paris at this rate."

He volunteered to wash the dishes as you finished you work. Once he was done, he sat in front of you, typing down on his phone. "Chocolate or coffee?" he questioned offhandedly.

"Chocolate, please."

Turned out, he ordered drinks. He was driving to Boston in a couple of hours to make it on time for his meeting.

"Aren't you going to leave now?" you asked as you drink your chocolate drink. Your love for chocolate was an affair you would never end. You asked because he was still here, hanging out with you as you watched your favorite series on your television. He was sitting beside you, dangerously close. Your sofa was made for two people, but his muscular built was making the sofa smaller, his spread thighs touching yours.

"I will. I'm just waiting for you to take advantage of me."

You faced him, looking to see if he was serious, and he met your eyes. "I'm serious." he declared, reading the confusion on your face.

You bit your lip as you grabbed your phone, opening your shopping app and smiling cheekily at him. "Okay, let's buy these and have you pay for them." You joked at his crestfallen face. You laughed at his face before returning to your position. You were watching your show when you felt his eyes still on you.

"Andy, what is it?" you raised your brow at him.

"Should I kiss you?" he whispered.

You stared at him before biting your lips. "Do you want to?"

He looked at your lips longingly, before returning his eyes on yours. "More than I ever want anything in this life, Helen."

"Then I think you should go for it," you whispered as he neared his face to you, his jaw clenching, his eyes darkening. The anticipation of the first kiss with someone, with how would they taste, with how their lips would feel against you flew from your mind as his lips finally landed on yours.

His lips moved slowly, tasting you, savoring you. His hand was on your neck, pulling you closer as he deepened the kiss. You felt his tongue playing sensually with yours, teasing you. You heard him moan, his grip on you tightening when suddenly, he lifted you to his lap. You squealed as your hand automatically landed on his broad shoulders.

He gazed at you, licking his lips as he ran his hands over your legs that were spread on either side of his thighs. "You taste better than I ever imagined."

He gave you no warning before he kissed you again, devouring you, tasting you, committing you to memory. Andy grounded you down his hardening cock, guiding you as he rubbed your clothed pussy on him. You could feel yourself clenched as he grinded on you harder, his lips tracing your neck. Andy pushed down your strap, baring your shoulders to his hungry gaze. He tugged down on your top, staring at your breasts. You watched him over your hooded eyes. You felt shy as he did nothing but stare at them. You went ahead and covered them with your hands when he bound your hands on his hand.

"Baby," he looked at you, "you're a goddess. You are my goddess." he whispered before he leaned in to take a nipple inside his sinful mouth. He started sucking- all while keeping eye contact with you. You couldn't stop a moan from escaping from your lips. He was sucking your nipples, alternating between the them. He took your breast as if he was a hungry child. "A-Andy," you moaned, your breasts incredibly sensitive from his lips.

"What do you need, baby?" his coarse voice was the only thing you could hear. You whimpered as he grinded on you harder. You could feel yourself, could feel how wet you were. "Tell me, baby. I'll give anything to you, for you." He promised darkly, his muscles bulging from the restraint he was showing.

"I need you."

The next thing you knew, he was lifting you and depositing you on your bed. You watched as he removed his shirt, blessing you with his muscular body. He was watching you as he removed his belt, his pants, before crawling to you. His face burrowed to your neck, inhaling your scent. He gave you no warning before he removed your shorts. He had already dealt with your top. "Are you wet for me?" He smirked at you before reaching your panty, and completely destroying them.

"Hey! That's expensive-"

"I'll buy you whatever you want."

You felt his long digits tracing your slit, circling your clit before he inserted his finger inside you. "So. Fucking. Wet." He growled. He angled your face the way he wanted it before kissing you again. Andy could not get enough of you. He tried to resist, tried to distance himself away from you. But look where it got him, hungrier for you than he ever was. He knew he could never leave you again, now that he knew how you tasted, how your moans sound, he could never leave without this. That was what he was thinking as he went down on you. As you came on his tongue. As he removed his boxer. His cock was touching his stomach, he was harder than he ever been. And he could not think straight but to know how you feel inside.

"Do you know how much I thought of you like this?" he asked as he gripped himself and positioned himself, "A thousand times since I met you." He admitted.

You looked at him, surprised at his admission. You felt the tip of him protruding you, using your juices to coat his head before inching inside you. You gasped at how big he was, at how full you already felt. He lifted your legs on his waist, fucking you deeper. He grunted once he was sheathed inside you. "Fuck, you feel so good. Feel so right." He thrusted once, testing, "Feel so mine."

The sound of your wet pussy was resounding, but his growls and moans were louder. You were never with someone who was as vocal with his pleasure as Andy was. Andy rolled his hips, he was deeper now than he ever was. You could feel yourself starting to climax as you scratched his broad back. Andy started pumping faster when he suddenly stopped. "Open your eyes, I wanna see you fall apart." He ordered darkly and you couldn't help but follow his orders. Only when you looked directly at him did he start thrusting in you. You started coming, he was still watching you when he followed soon after. His hot seed painting your walls, dripping out of you.

He pulled out of you gently, kissing you once before his eyes went to your pussy. His cum still dripping from you. His finger went inside you, pushing his cum inside you. "Baby, now you are mine."

Andy left hours later. He was hugging you so tight when you walked him to the door. You didn't meet his eyes, not sure if what the two of you did was the right thing to do. The high from the pleasure was wearing down and you were starting to overthink this.

"Thank you, baby," he whispered in your ears, his muscular arms still around you.

"Drive safe," you said, probably a little cold as he leaned down on you to look at your face.

"Baby, look at me. I'm coming back, okay?" He said worriedly as he ran his hand on your cheeks. "Are we okay?"

"I just- I just need time to process this." You admitted. His face suddenly darkened, his jaw clenched. His muscular body stiffened at your remark.

"I'm not going away, baby. You're mine now. I'm yours. I wanted to make sure that you know how I feel about us." He eyed you for confirmation that you understood.

He stayed like that until you nodded slightly. He flashed you an unsure smile before leaning down to kiss you.

Your mind played back what Jayson told you, Andy was not good for you and you were not good for him.

You just didn't know how right he was.

————

Please take note that I give no permission for my work to be reposted or published anywhere other than on my Tumblr account.

REBLOGS ARE MUCHOOO APPRECIATED!!! If you made it this far, comments are highly appreciated!  Also, I don’t own Andy Barber’s character and any of their work, this is just purely a fanfiction written by a fan!

[theyreonlynoodlesmike]

It's Just a Movie - The Sequel: Part 1 (The Lost Boys x Fem!Reader)

Next Chapter ->

Warnings: mental institutions, mention of mental breakdowns, mentions of mental illness, mentions of deaths, unintentional gaslighting(?),

Word Count: 1.4k

Welcome back everyone :) I hope you guys enjoy the first chapter and please let me know what you think!!

Moments later, you found the strength to open your eyes, but you were surrounded by darkness. You tried to blink it away, tried to see what you were holding, but then you caught sight of a light. For a moment, your head flooded. You were dead. All the stories of the light at the end of the tunnel were true. And, even if you felt fine, even if your strength had returned- You still reached for it.

You didn't have time to regret your last moments, or you didn't see a point in doing so. You'd had time, so little but so much, in a world that you loved. With people you loved. And, who were you to hold on? Who were you to-

It was only when your hand touched smooth plastic that you realized it was just the flashlight of your phone.

In a second, your internal monologue cut off and shock ran through you. Your hand grabbed it, and then the lights flicked on to bathe your surroundings. Movie theater seats. Your wallet in your hand. And, behind you, a giant white screen.

Just like that, you felt like your entire world had turned upside down again. Your moment of peace was shattered. To think, you had accepted death, but this?

You were running before you could even think. You ran out of the theater, only to run right into your friends. You gasped, and you froze. While they should've been a welcome sight, you felt a pit in your stomach. You knew what this meant, knew that this was confirming your first thought since you realized the light was just your phone. You didn't have a reply as your friend asked,

"What's gotten into you?" And without even a word, you ran out of the lobby. It couldn't be. It couldn't be. Not after all this time - But it was. The world outside the theater was the world of your hometown. Was your world.

 ***

 All things considered, you thought you handled the news well. You only had a minor mental and emotional breakdown, one that earned you the spot in the mental hospital you were currently living in. Really, beyond the initial shock of the event, you hadn't broken down since. But, to everyone else, you were still breaking down. As the notes on your file said, they thought you were 'schizophrenic with delusions of grandeur' and had memory issues.

They thought you had some sort of break, a break where you thought you were a character from your favorite movie. A character that just so happened to look eerily similar and who had the same name. And, you'd already screamed at them about the chances of that. You were told, over and over again, that she'd always been in the movie. That the actress was like fifty-something, and had decided a normal life in Nevada was worth more than a movie career, and that's why she'd never been in another movie. You were told that the similarities were just a coincidence, and your therapist thought that it may've been the cause of your 'obsession' with the movie. And, to top it all off, no one seemed to know anything about the original movie. When you tried to watch it, you were greeted with the sight of your own face on the screen.

You sighed as you leaned back in your chair, your fuzzy pajamas and sweatshirt keeping you warm in the chilly office.

It was a nice facility, all things considered. One with views of trees and rolling hills. It would've been nice, if everything wasn't dead due to the winter. Part of you yearned for the California heat. Where the plants stayed alive all year. Where everything seemed to live forever.

Your therapist cleared her throat to get your attention. You looked at her, away from the window. She was young, early forties at most. She had blonde hair that was neatly tucked into a ponytail. She wore a gray cardigan and a white shirt with a pair of brown slacks. Not too dark, not too bright. Perfectly in-between. Really, you were starting to think that everything the hospital did was to try not to remind you of the movie. Well, outside of these sessions.

"You were saying that she's kind, y/n. We see that she befriends Sam." She reminded, and you glanced at the screen. You were the one with the remote in your hand, and you'd stopped it at the scene where Michael drinks from the bottle. You sighed.

"Well, yes, she is kind but not-" You stood. Now that it'd been weeks after your initial breakdown, you were free to move around the room, to approach the TV, to hold the remote. But you still couldn't have shoes with laces. You reminded yourself. "Not for that reason. See-" You gestured to the screen, to the boys sitting around it. "She cares, but her kindness to Sam is all a part of the plan."

"The plan?" Your therapist asked, even if you'd gone over this time and time again. You'd long gotten over talking about yourself, but, really, what was the point of this? Three days a week you'd walk through the whole movie, and you felt as though you kept saying the same thing. Maybe if you stopped trying to convince them- No. That was the point. You reminded yourself. They wanted you to give up, and the thought made your jaw click. You knew that, in order to make your case, you had to base your 'assumptions' on the movie. Not on what you knew to be true because you were there. The annoyance you felt crept into your voice as you said,

"Yes, the plan. In the end, Max says 'What ideas did you put in their heads'. She," You pointed at the screen. "Plays a much bigger part than it seems. She's the reason for all this. She knows. You can see here." You pressed play, the sound off as you gestured to the screen. You could see how she tried to laugh with Paul, but her eyes- Her eyes showed worry as she looked at David. "She's laughing one second, worried the next. She's stuck between playing her part, and trying to save them."

"Save who? Michael?" The therapist asked.

"Yes, but no-" You stared at the TV, your eyes far away as you did so. You were staring through it, staring almost back in time. You talked with your hands as you said, "She's trying to save everyone. She's trying so hard to make sure everyone lives that she-" You faltered. Your voice broke. The infamous ending. It was what the Lost Boys was known for. And you couldn't even say it.

"That she dies." The therapist finished, and you looked away from the TV. You looked to her, where she sat with her glasses and her perfectly tied back hair. She was so clean, so put together, even as she attempted to be casual. So different from your company for the past few months.

"Yes." You said as you looked away, back to the screen. You watched it play out for a moment. You watched them jump around, the overlapping of their faces. Of a face that looked far too much like your own. You ignored the sound of her writing, of pen scratching against paper, even as the scene faded and went to the next. On her notepad, she wrote,

Y/k has started using 'she' instead of first person - hasn't noticed when I say it either. A subconscious distinction has been made. It's time.

Your therapist looked up from her notes, and she gave you a smile. You only saw it when your head turned back to her, and her voice was kind, always kind, as she said,

"Y/k, tell me why you think she dies." And your eyebrows furrowed at the question.  What kind of question was that? You pointed with the remote at the movie, and said,

"Because that's the ending. She clearly dies." And I landed back here.  You internally finished.

"But there's the sequel." Your therapist said, and you stared at her. The sequels you remembered, the god-awful Frog Brothers sequels, couldn't have you in it. They couldn't even exist, knowing the end of the movie in this world. The Frogs gave up hunting, started to look for a cure. Or, at least, that's what you read in the theories on the internet. It was possible, but something told you no. 

You gave a shake of your head, clearly not understanding. Your therapist was still smiling, even as she put her pen down and folded her hands. Even as she said, 

"Now, y/k, don't tell me you haven't seen The Lost Girls."

[secrettyrant]

"Well, here's the thing." Wolf straightens his posture. "As much as we all love him, there's a lot Hunter needs to re-learn." he says, plain words given with a plain nod. The brightness behind his eyes dims next, stirring a quick cough from his throat. "We all heard what happened with Lia. And, I know it's not exactly new but I don't remember anything like this when Kat was pregnant." his voice hushes, the topic scraping a little too close to home for Wolf's liking. Their mother, as much of a victim as the rest of them. Worse, considering her fate. "Kat was born into us too, she- she can handle it. Lia is different. I tried to explain that if Hunter didn't care, he would have never suggested her to join in the first place. But, how does that make sense to anybody but us?" Wolf's laugh isn't amused, it's haunted by the conundrum. In the same way he can see Ryan isn't free from any ghosts either. He can see the realization seep into his brother's complexion, drain the very blue from his eyes and pale them. Wolf worries he's misspoken, watching his brother's movements and response closely. "Lost things can be found. They're only lost while you're not looking for them, anyways. And she's hardly lost, she's at the same farm you go to all the time." Wolf waves his hand and a faint grin sticks to his lips. "You'd both be different now. A lot has happened, and a lot has been learned. Things have to break for them to be fixed." Wolf speaks flippantly, but not without care. It's a casual note because he thinks Ryan is long overdue some happiness. They all are but Wolf wants to take the wins where he can get them. Dish out doses as the chances arise, one by one.

Ryan's suggestion earns a fond nod, Wolf always appreciating when one of his brothers can give a nudge in a direction. He may have an official title of a leader, but Wolf believes that true leadership comes with a sense of following. What's the point of it if he tries to steer his brothers in directions that don't serve them? "You're right. I'll do that." Wolf answers, smile broadening as his nod is slow and more of a dipping bow. He knows nothing will ever be that simple. Just as he did the same for his brothers back then, it didn't stop the circumstances causing pain. Half of Wolf's battle is wanting to take away pain entirely, while knowing it's not possible. The very realistic situation Ryan puts forward has Wolf shaking his head, squeezing his eyes closed and laughing through it. "Stop, I can't even begin to think like that. I know I have to but I can't. I'd have to just say whoever wants to be alpha, sit down and discuss it like adults and put it to a vote." Wolf chuckles and it ends in a thoughtful sigh about his daughter again. "I know. I heard. I really didn't think she'd become careless. I noticed years ago, long before all of this stupid way of living, that she was blinded by it. But, never careless." he knows he has a big task ahead, ontop of a mountain of others. "We should probably head back, hm? Wolves to give homes."

★・・・・・・★

"Think deep down he likes her. In a Hunter kinda way." Ryan snickers. It's only really another Cross who can tell the difference but, "If he hated her, we'd know it." he's confident in the matter and so is the faint grin that always looks like it's one twitch away from appearing into a smile. Ryan doesn't forget his own trials when attempting to get to know a sister. "She's got that sorta...I don't know, thing about her that...y'know. Just naturally would piss Hunter off." he laughs eventually, but from where he's standing Rory is slowly becoming a part of the furniture even during the few short months since she joined. One of his eyebrows arch, and Ryan's head tilts as Wolf speaks. There's uncertainty about what connection his older brother could possibly make. But, leave it to Wolf. His words ring like a bell, another realization of Jeffrey's reign of terror dropping from Ryan's shoulders. It takes work to undo the sinister hold their father gripped so easily and tightly, but Wolf manages to make the path ahead seem clearer as the days go by. All by showing them how wretched the one behind them is. "Huh." It's a simple noise, almost a croak before Ryan clears his throat as being left speechless isn't a common occurrence. "Ain't that something." he mumbles under his breath, glancing away from his brother and to the table while his thumb presses over scratches and chips in the worn wood. "Well, still lost her. So." he shrugs, looking back to his brother with a tired grin. Tired because there's only so far a jovial demeanor can carry him. Or rather, he can carry it. "Me and Tams still had our shit anyways." Ryan mutters, as if to lessen the blow that the profound emptiness that's followed him since is all because of a fucking wolf that isn't even their alpha anymore.

In the same way Wolf watches his brothers, Ryan studies over his features. He's always been all too aware that while Wolf tries to encompass as one big brother for all- there's no big brother for him. It's not a task Ryan can even think of approaching alone, the rest of the Cross boys all trying in their own ways to watch Wolf as much as he watches them. His nod is slow about Josie, certain the same flashes of memories appear in Wolf's mind as much as they do Allie's. "Think she needs one of those Wolf days, y'know? When you'd just take us somewhere for a day and sit. Talk 'bout nothin' til we talked about it." Ryan suggests casually, tapping the table once he feels satisfied that he's made a small chip in the wood spread further. He looks to the door in the same movement as Wolf does, chuckling at the thought of all four of them on a run. "Me and Hunt would probably get y'all killed if we didn't kill each other." he smirks, settling back in his seat. "It'd be good though, but means you gotta choose a Beta while we gon' and they gotta be the one you'd want to be Alpha if we don't come back. Big choice. Doubt you'd wanna choose between Rhi or Xo." Ryan shrugs but the idea of Wolf and Allie heading out there isn't the worst idea. "Yeah? Maybe. If you think she'll listen to you. We couldn't tell her shit when she was with us, Wolfy. Nearly got us all fucked up."

[bruhstories]

Yes, Daddy

summary: it's stepdaddy!zeke, there's no need for a summary xD pairing: stepfather!zeke x stepdaughter!reader warnings & content: stepcest, unprotected sex, fingering, spitting, lots of daddy mentions, oral sex (male receiving) word count: 1.5k

a/n: danger! this is very self-indulgent, i'm so sorry

You couldn't understand why your mother wanted to get married after your father left. The two of you were perfectly fine just by yourselves. She kept yapping about how a man could offer you stability and security, but you knew better — you knew your mom just wanted to get laid, and since she was almost 50, no one sane man of her age would marry her. She looked good for her age, so it was no surprise when she finally brought home her boyfriend. What was surprising was that Zeke was twenty years younger than your mother. Hell, you were closer to his age than her — he was only nine years older than you. But you could completely understand why she fell in love with him. The man was handsome, extremely intelligent, charming and, most importantly, rich. And for some stupid reason, Zeke was dating your mother, a reason you didn't figure out yet.

Then the wedding happened, and your mother was the happiest she'd ever been. You helped pick her dress, organised the whole damn thing to the smallest detail, even tasted the cake. You were going to move out eventually, and decided your mother would feel better if she had someone around her, so you tried to be nice to your new father. Besides, after Zeke moved in with you, you found out he was a pretty cool guy. So cool, that you began to fantasise about him, touching yourself when you heard him fuck your mom through the thin walls that separated your rooms.

You can't sleep. You toss and turn in your bed, you're either too hot, too cold, too tired or too full of energy.

"Fuck." You breathe out, pushing the blanket off of you. Perhaps a glass of milk will help, and so you go downstairs, dressed in nothing but an oversized t-shirt and a pair of knee socks. You don't expect Zeke to still be awake after the way he the bed screeched an hour ago, yet there he is, watching some documentary about monkeys.

"Can't sleep either?" You walk into the living room and he glances at you, not so subtly admiring your thighs. Maybe you should've put on some panties.

"No. I can't get used to the mattress."

"Huh." You shrug, making your way to the kitchen. "Want some milk?"

"Yes, please." Zeke nods, not taking his eyes off of you. You don't turn the lights on, you know your house like the palm of your hand, and open the fridge, bending down for the jug. The shirt isn't long enough to cover your body once you've bent, and you know that. You count on that.

"Mind if I sit with you?"

"Not at all."

You hand him the glass of milk before plopping on the couch, thighs exposed to the viewing pleasure of your stepfather. Neither of you is paying any attention to the TV, but you both pretend to be immersed in the documentary. Until you become adventurous and rest your hand on his knee. He doesn't flinch.

"You've got some milk..." Zeke points at the corner of his mouth.

"Oh? Did I get it off?"

"No. Here, let me." He wipes the drop with his index finger. Swiftly, before he can remove his hand, you poke your tongue out, giving his finger a slow lick. He's frozen, and you take advantage of this to suck on his index, not breaking eye contact for one second.

"Thanks." You flash him a smile after removing his finger out of your mouth with a pop. You're threading on thin ice, and it's about to crack by the looks of his growing bulge.

"Do you think it's appropriate for you to suck on your stepfather's fingers like that?" Zeke's condescending tone makes you squeeze your thighs together, and he leans closer to you.

"You could've removed them from my mouth, daddy." Your hand travels from his shoulder to his chest. "Makes me think you liked it. That's not very appropriate either, is it?"

"Why, you little... slut." His calloused fingertips graze over your collarbone before snaking around your throat. You whimper at the tightness of the grip, a smile creeping on your lips. "Shh, you wouldn't want your mother to wake up, would you?" You shake your head, half-lidded eyes watching his every move. Zeke releases your throat and you already lifted your shirt. "So eager to please."

"Mmm, I wanna please you, daddy. Wanna make you feel good." Your hand is desperately trying to pull his cock out but Zeke has you pinned to the couch by your shoulders.

"Bet you've got a tight cunt." He licks his lips, imagining how you'd clench around his throbbing dick. "Bet you're also soaked."

"Why don't you see for yourself?" You take him by surprise with a kiss that's so wrong, but that feels so right. Zeke kisses you back, tongue exploring your mouth like it's uncharted territory while his hand snakes between your thighs. You're not fighting him by any means, no. In fact, you spread your legs so he can have all the access he wants, seemingly satisfied by your actions. And he's right, you're dripping for him.

"Am I wet enough for you, daddy? Bet that old hag is so dry." You don't know what possesses you to say those things, you never hated your mother. But Zeke just has that effect over you and you can't even think anymore.

"Now, now," he shoves two fingers between your folds and you throw your head back, "that's no way to speak about your mother."

"Oh, p-please, as if you give a shit about h-her!"

"Hmm, it's true. I wanted to break up with her until I met you. And I knew I had to make you mine." Zeke adds another finger, curling them up to hit your sweet spot. "I'm glad you're not as stupid as your mother."

"Shit, fuck me, please! Wanna feel your cock inside me, daddy!"

"Needy whore. Do you beg other boys like this?"

"N-no, just you! Only you!"

"Good, because starting today, you're not allowed to see other men. Not after I fuck you."

Finally, you think, finally he wants you. You bite on your lower lip when he spits on his cock, the glistening tip pushing at your entrance as you squirm and whimper. Zeke is by far the biggest man to fuck you, and you're sure you'll be sore tomorrow. Inch by inch, he bottoms out, filling a whole no one could have filled. Manicured fingernails dig into his shoulders for support because the man is so feral and aggressive, you feel the couch sliding back with every thrust. And your face — it's a sight for sore eyes, the way your lips form an O when he fucks into you, the way your eyes roll when his cock grazes over your cervix. He drinks you in, that's a fact.

"Fuck, you're sotight." Zeke grabs your chin, fingers pressing into your cheeks. "Open that filthy mouth."

You obey, thinking he might kiss you, but the man merely spits into your mouth and you clench your spongy walls around his cock, swallowing before he can tell you to do it.

"Good slut." He praises you and you feel your cheeks burning, chanting his name like a prayer. "As much as I love you mewling like a bitch in heat," Zeke shoves three fingers in your mouth, "I need you to shut the fuck up."

You nod, eyes filled with lust and desire as he fucks into your poor cunt. The harder he thrusts, the more you want him, and so you buck your hips, earning a low growl from your stepfather.

"That's right, take it like the whore you are."

You want to ride him, want to scream his name, but you can't, not with your mother upstairs, but at this point, you don't even care if she hears you — all you want is the sweet release of your orgasm that's been building up for some time now. Zeke can feel your need by the way you pant and arch your back, and he decides to let you have it.

"Be a good girl and rub that clit for daddy, yeah?"

You don't waste any more time and do as you're told, frantically touching yourself, clenching your muscles before relaxing them with muffled moans. He seems satisfied by your little performance, slowly pulling his throbbing cock out of your sore, soppy cunt.

"You gonna suck and swallow, love?" He removes his fingers from your mouth, coated in your saliva, drool dripping down your chin.

"Yes, yes, yes!" You answer him eagerly, tentatively falling to your knees and without a warning, you take him into your mouth.

It doesn't take much to make Zeke come — with hollowed cheeks, you bob your head up and down, back and forth, palming his balls and swirling your tongue around his cock and he's putty in your hands. When he's close, he holds your head back so that you don't miss a single drop of his cum and, like the good stepdaughter you are, you swallow the entire load with a smile on your pretty face. Zeke mockingly pats your head and you look at him with glossy eyes.

"Same time, tomorrow?"

"Yes, daddy."

[sebstanseabass]

Afterglow (A Bucky Barnes AU fan fiction) - Chapter 22

Afterglow chapters

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

Tag: @maladaptivexxdaydreaming

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The next few weeks went by in utter bliss.

The days after the pitch presentation with the marketing team were spent shooting the models in Sam's building. When Bucky told me you'd had assistants for the shoot, you thought that he was just joking or just wanted to make you feel better but you knew now to believe everything he would tell you. It was the first time you'd had people help you work; the first time you had to order people around. You had people working for the lights, reflectors, fans, backdrops, wardrobe, and make-up. You also had people sitting behind two large desktops connected to your new camera to skim over the photos. You would head over there for every five minutes to look at the photos and if you found something that could work better, you'd have another round with the models.

Considering it was the first time you've handled professional models and athletes in photoshoots, you did excellent and handled everything smoothly. Even Sharon knew it, giving you a small reassuring smile from time to time.

Speaking of Sharon, she actually helped you with the models' wardrobe, and got every new clothing from their inventory, making sure everything and everyone were photographed. She was still walking around with her clipboard close to her chest. She never walked the grounds without it.

Sam would go in and out from time to time. With the other matters he had in his hands, countless partnership meetings on-site and online, it was understandable.

But you knew he trusted me in this. After all, you were partners in this project.

Meanwhile, Bucky had made himself comfortable watching you from the corner of the studio. He made himself too comfortable watching you the whole time you were working that the models thought he was planning something heinous. You laughed them off and told them you were dating.

"Isn't he too old for you?" One model had asked.

"Doesn't really matter to me." You turned your head and glanced at Bucky, his eyes glistening as he stared at you. You bit your lip and faced the model. "Plus, he's hot. I would be crazy not to jump on that."

If only Nat could hear you, you knew she'd be proud.

Even though the two-day shoots were brutal, you felt a sense of satisfaction wash over you. More when you finally had to do post-production the following week which meant editing the photos.

As promised, you spent your break time over at Bucky's penthouse, naked in his living room, his master bedroom, the kitchen, and his home office. Your legs would be trembling during the shoot but you persevered. You didn't want Bucky to see you weak while working, even though it turned him on. It wasn't helping that he was watching you the whole time. You couldn't see him but you always felt his eyes on you.

The Falcons' new release was set to be launched a month and a half later, just weeks after Bucky's birthday (I'll get to Bucky's birthday in a bit, 'cause that was a whole other thing kept at the back of my mind, you thought). There were still a lot of things happening with advertising and marketing such as the new website, and pages on social media platforms and new packaging.

After the project with Sam, your paycheck came one Monday morning in the mail. Peter kept asking you how much you were paid but you never told him because if you did, he'd let you pay the next six month's rent — and that wasn't even just for your half. It would be for the both of you. You would gladly pay of course, seeing that he's helped you enough financially but you wanted to invest this money to earn more. The paycheck wouldn't stop there, of course. Sam would still pay you if your photos ever get on billboards across any city or when he opens up a new branch.

Sam referred you to a couple more guys he knew. One who needed to photograph models for a skincare brand he'd been rebranding for the past couple of weeks and one who needed to photograph paintings to be sold online. They weren't as big as Sam's business but were big enough in the industry. The production of both were still in the talk.

The next day, you and Bucky went studio hunting downtown. Obviously, your little home studio wasn't fit for incoming clients and this was surely an investment you couldn't pass upon. After renting and earning more profit, you figured you could move into another studio and buy it; a permanent place where you could freely work.

While studio hunting, Bucky insisted to buy the place that you wanted — or better yet, buy a much bigger place so you wouldn't have to move to another studio. But you've already made up your mind. You told him you wanted to do this your own way, with the money you've earned. After signing the contract and lease with your name on it, Bucky hugged you from behind. The property agent eyed you.

"At least let me buy you something, doll." He whispered in your hair as soon as you were left alone. You stood at the center of the empty office, overlooking the busy streets of New York City through the glass walls.  "Please."

You met his arms with your hands, pulling him closer. You leaned on his chest, sighing at the comfort his arms gave you. "Even if I tell you no, I know you're still going to do it."

"You're damn right. Do you have anything in mind you might like?"

You turned around and wrapped your arms around his neck. "Surprise me."

He chewed his inner cheeks before dipping his head to yours, your lips meeting each other. "Oh, I definitely will."

The next day, a whole studio setup filled the used-to-be-empty studio. Complete with backdrops, lights, light boxes, and reflectors. In your new office was a fully furnished desk, complete with a desktop setup where you could edit photos.

You looked at him with wide eyes, ready to lecture him that this was all too much and that you definitely made it clear that you wanted to do all of this by yourself.

Bucky had caught your expression early on, scared that you might have our first argument.

"Before you say anything, this wasn't all me. I figured out a loophole on how I could buy you the things you need for this studio and at the same time, still make you like me and would still make you want to rip my clothes off."

"What did you do this time, James?"

"All of this," he said, gesturing to all the equipment in the studio, "was both me and Sam. Think of it as an investment. If you can get more work and clients, then you can keep everything but if you can't, we'll pull them all out. When you afford to buy everything here, only then can you pay us. This little string here," he pointed to the both of you, "is just business."

You looked at him in disbelief. "Just business?"

He bit his lip. "Okay, maybe a bit of pleasure too."

"A bit?"

"Maybe a whole lot." He shrugged.

"And the whole idea was... just you?"

"Just me, sweetheart. Plain James Buchanan Barnes. You get me, you get the whole package."

"And besides money what will you get out of this little investment idea of yours?"

"I have little care about the money, honestly." He said. "But I'm doing all this for you and you is all I care about."

"You're damn lucky I like you, James."

"Like me enough to have some hot sex right here, right now?"

You smirked, pressing your crotch against his, teasing him. "I get the whole package, right?"

Bucky took you from behind. Your tight skirt hiked up to your waist. Your tits bouncing against the fabric of the beige curtains, your hands gripping them as hard as you could as Bucky thrusted himself hard and deep behind you, his hands either on your hips, your hair, your neck or your breasts. And as you both finished, the curtain rod broke in half, making you and Bucky topple on the ground, the huge curtains falling down on your bodies. The bright sun radiating across the room, the view of the streets startling you.

Laughter filled the room as you stared at each other. The look of exhaustion still evident in your faces and body.

"You're buying me new curtains." You breathed out.

"Me?" He chuckled. "You're the one who pulled them off!"

"The reason why was you."

"I have a better idea."

"I doubt that."

"We should just get these windows tinted." He smirked under the curtains and rolled over towards you, his arms wrapped around your waist. "That way we could just ravish each other in front of this goddamn city without anyone ever seeing us. How does that sound, doll?"

You hummed, brushing your nose against his. "Tempting."

"Is that a yes?"

You shrugged, pulling away from him. "You have to convince me more, Mr. Barnes."

"Oh babydoll, you're gonna regret saying those words."

The following weeks with Bucky was all you could ever ask for but it was getting harder and harder to hide all of this from Peter. Your time together was spent in the confines of Bucky's expensive penthouse when he wasn't in meetings and when you weren't busy finishing the setup in your new studio.

All day you'd cuddle up, watch movies, read books, and just talk more about the beauty and perils of life.

You couldn't go out that much because you couldn't risk Peter or any of Peter's friends to see you and Bucky around. When you visited the bar one day and told Nat all about it, she told you to go to places Peter and any of his friends will never be at.

"Besides, isn't Peter always working?" She asked as you sat down on the booth.

"We still don't want to risk it."

"So, go with my plan."

"Hey," you said, finally thinking her idea was a good one, "how's it going with Steve?"

She shrugged, chewing on her lower lip. You eyed her suspiciously. "Uh-oh, what's wrong?"

"It's still good but..." she paused, her eyes strained. "He's been acting strange lately."

"Isn't he always?" You chuckled. "You may not notice this 'cause you're sleeping with him but he's a bit peculiar for a man his age. Always cramped up in that little office of his. Seriously, how on earth do you have sex in there?"

"I'm bendy, bitch."

"Never should've asked." You mumbled, getting the picture of Nat, well, bending, out of your head.

"Anyway," she sighed, "it's just... he's acting really weird. I can't even begin to explain it. I think something happened."

"Do you think it's about you two?"

"I doubt that." She frowned. "I just know it's something else."

"You want me to talk to him? I'm like a little sister to him." You replied. "Sorta. It's a weird dynamic, I know."

"Sure, if you ever catch him in the office. He's barely even here."

You nodded, taking the new information in. "Now, that's a whole level of weird for Steve."

"Maybe he's just having problems with the bar or something." You shrugged.

"If he did, he'd be here in the bar. I tried talking to him but he says he's just fine. I don't know, I'm just letting him be. It's not like we're in a relationship."

You and Nat talked a bit more about Steve right before her shift started. Then the next day, you gave Bucky a map and marked all the places you could go to without risking being seen. Brooklyn was the only place Peter would never go to. You thought about Queens but May, Peter's aunt, lives around that area.

Brooklyn was no Upper West or Upper East side but it didn't matter to you or to Bucky. You had each other; just the two of us — in the restaurant & lounge, movie theater (where we always end up making out), Barnes & Noble, local coffee shops (where we read the books we've bought), and in the streets of Brooklyn. Strolling hand in hand, stealing kisses on every empty corner, and you taking photos and videos of the beautiful landscape, and the beautiful man who managed to steal your heart.

All the rendezvous with Bucky felt like you were a married woman having an affair — without the secret handwritten letters.

But everything was in place and your heart was full. It was so full it could almost explode.

Spending all the time in his penthouse, in Brooklyn and your studio made me miss your rooftop. A place you've claimed yours and Bucky's; a place he'd claimed you his, and he, yours. You wished we could just go there freely, without having to worry Peter seeing you together doing unspeakable things to one another.

And yes, telling Peter was getting much harder as the month went by.

Back in the Upper West Side, nothing much was going on in the bar. You barely see Steve (though according to Nat, he comes in the bar every now and then), Nat was still Nat of course (and nothing much had changed in whatever was going on between her and Steve), Nick got better at making drinks (thank the heavens for that), Sam would give you constant updates whenever he came with Bucky in the bar, and Peter had been having problems with his marketing team and Wanda's vision for the clothing line they landed.

Now that was something you couldn't believe and was the reason you and Bucky kept postponing on telling him.

Peter was constantly in a bad mood. It got to one point where he wanted to quit the team.

After that, you went to pay Wanda a visit at her studio. You found her sitting in her office in deep thoughts. She was surprised to see you but managed to put on a smile when she approached you with a hug. You offered if you could get coffee from a coffee shop down the block and there you talked about the conflict happening between her and Peter's team.

Boy, when you and Sharon had had an argument, you thought that was already big. But Wanda's case was much bigger.

"This isn't a collaboration anymore. It feels like my artistic vision has no place in it. It's like they're telling me, 'hey, you have a camera just shoot whatever we want you to shoot the way we want it to be shot.' I keep telling them that's not how it works. They keep throwing in my face that they hired me, that they're paying me." Wanda being Wanda, kept on and on and on. "... and that roommate of yours is no help either. He just stays silent the whole time during those god awful meetings. We're already behind track and apparently it's my fault. Can you believe it? God, I don't know what to do. I've never had a marketing team work alongside me before! Have you at least talked to Peter about it?"

You raised your eyebrows, taking a sip of the coffee. "Oh, I wouldn't wanna talk to Parker. He's been in quite a mood."

"Too bad, I was kind of hoping you could knock some sense into him. Should I just quit?"

You talked for about two hours in the coffee shop catching up. It felt kind of rude to talk to her about The Falcons but she insisted. And she genuinely looked and sounded so happy for you, which made you feel a bit guilty for being so envious of her success.

You parted ways in her studio but before you could even get out of her office and go to Brooklyn to meet with Bucky, Wanda called out your name and handed you a film camera.

And it wasn't just any film camera. It was yours — the one that she borrowed back in college.

"It's long overdue, y/n. I was just finding the right time to give it back to you."

You gave her a reassuring smile, telling her it's okay. Hell, you even forgot you lended it to her until today. "Thanks, Wanda."

"I haven't had the film developed, by the way. I took a couple of photos before realizing I've run out. I didn't want to get them developed since most of the photos are yours."

After that, you convinced Bucky to go to some shops in Brooklyn where you could get them developed but he insisted you should just make the little spare room in the studio into a dark room. You didn't know why you agreed but you did, anyway. Bucky always had a way with words. Or perhaps it was because of his intoxicating voice. Either way, you were addicted to every part of him. He could try to persuade you in gibberish and you'd still say yes.

It was already the week before Bucky's birthday. You've already met with your new clients, began planning pre-production, and almost finished setting up the studio, yet your brain was still racking what on earth to get Bucky for his birthday.

Howard picked you up in your studio an hour after your meetings and thanked him as you got out. Leonard greeted you inside and led you towards the elevator that goes right up to Bucky's penthouse.

Bucky just came out of his study when you greeted him with a kiss, his phone in his hand.

"So, who was on the phone? Parker?" You asked as soon as you sat down on the couch.

"That was Tony."

You pursed your lips and nodded, caressing the top of his head. "Tony's been calling you a lot lately." You commented, recalling the times you've seen Tony's name on Bucky's phone screen. "Is everything fine?"

"It's kind of weirding me out too, doll but this time, I kind of figured why he called."

You frowned and stopped playing with his hair. "What do you mean?"

"It's the first time in five years I'm in New York for my birthday and knowing him, I know he'd throw me this huge party." Bucky chuckled. "And I couldn't say no because well... It's Tony — "

You smiled at him. "That's really sweet of him! He must've been missing you a lot."

"I'm not done yet, doll." He placed his finger on your lips.

You giggled and hid how easily that gesture turned you on.

"The birthday party has a theme." With his finger still on your lips, you waited for him to finish. Something you always anticipated in bed. "It's the Great Gatsby."

Your mouth fell agape, smiling at him. In your head, you were already seeing him in a neat, dazzling vintage suit. "Oh my god, why do you look so glum? It sounds like a great party!"

He shrugged. "Honestly, I just want to spend my birthday with you." He pecked your lips then whispered. "No fancy party. Just you."

You kissed him back, then placed your head on his shoulder. "I'd love that too, boo but I'm nothing compared to a Great Gatsby party."

"You couldn't be more wrong, sweetheart." He sighed, pulling you up to his lap. "I'd choose you over any fancy party. I just want you."

"You still have to go, Bucky."

He groaned, dipping his head on your shoulder as he pulled you closer, his hands tight on the sides of your thighs. "I don't want to."

"You have to." You giggled, lifting his head. You put your hands on his jaws, looking straight at him. "Okay?"

"I'm turning thirty-nine in a week, y/n. I'm too old for a costume party."

"Puh-lease." You scoffed. "You streaked in the streets of Greece when you turned thirty-four and you're telling me you're too old for a costume party?"

He groaned, throwing his head back. "Why do you always bring that up, doll?"

"It's one of my favorite stories I've been told about my boyfriend." You smirked, bringing his head back in between his shoulders. "It would be my favorite if I were with you."

Bucky sent you a glare. "No way am I letting other people see you naked. Never in a million years."

You shrugged. "You almost did when we had sex that one time in my office, Buck. Come on, go to the party. It's your party, anyway."

He chuckled, brushing a strand of hair away from your face. He tucked it behind your ear. You smiled at the gesture. "If anything, it's Tony's party, Not mine. He's sort of a diva."

"He's still throwing it because of you. Come on, boo."

A moment of silence occurred.

"You're coming with me, then." He replied. "I'm not going if you're not going."

You hummed, looking up at the ceiling. "Let's see... A party with my boyfriend, his adoptive father who's one of the richest people ever to exist on this planet, and his stepbrother. Well, it's a party but not that fancy."

He moaned. "Then be my date in secret. Come on, doll, we've been really good at it. We can sneak out for a few minutes and make out. That way, I could still be with you."

You knitted your brows. "That sounds more like Romeo and Juliet. Not the Great Gatsby."

He chuckled, kissing the tip of your nose. "Come on, y/n. It's my birthday. Don't I get special treatment on my special day?"

You looked at him with narrowed eyes, knowing he would never drop this. The worry of a party with the person you had been avoiding the past month was settling inside but Bucky's arms around your waist made that all disappear.

"Fine." You sighed. "Your wish is my command, Mr. Barnes."

Bucky smiled in victory, leaning in closer to your face. His lips brushed against yours. "Wishes, baby. That's not the only wish I want."

"You have two more then."

"Oh wait, I should rub you first after making a wish, right?"

You shook your head. "Don't push it."

He sneered, carefully rubbing your thighs. "My second wish would be me buying you a dress but don't let me see it until my birthday comes."

You hadn't had any chance to argue because well, it would be his birthday. And you couldn't resist Bucky.

I don't think I ever could.

"Deal." You sealed it with a small kiss then stood up from his lap. "Only if you let me go shopping now,"

"Now? Like, right now? It's a bit too early, don't you think?"

You nodded and gave him a playful smile. "It is. I just wanted to tease you with a little secret I'll be bringing home with me tonight."

"Oh no," he reached out his arms, "don't do that to me. Come on, get back here. I have a better idea."

You sighed, getting back on his lap, straddling him. "Of course, you do."

"I'll have someone over here tomorrow. I'll have one of the best dressmakers here to make you something gorgeous. How does that sound?"

"It sounds expensive." You warned. "But wonderful. I'll be here in the morning."

After spending another hour at Bucky's, discussing what could've been his birthday plans with me (a simple rooftop dinner, where we could get drunk and have drunk sex underneath the tent — that was just one of the crazy options he offered), you went straight to the bar and looked for Nat, hoping she could help me what to get for Bucky on his birthday.

As you got there, you barged inside only to find the bar empty. You looked around, wondering why there were no people inside only to realize it was two in the afternoon and it was a Monday. You looked back on the door, wondering why it was open. Then, it hit you: Steve. He must be here.

"Steve?" You called out as you neared his office. "Steve, you here?"

No answer.

You knocked on the door and called out his name one more time but you were only met with silence. Without hesitation, you opened Steve's door. You were greeted with a pile of papers. It was like they were growing from the ground.

"Steve?" You called out once more but there was still no answer. You walked around the room to find more papers. You picked one up, seeing it was a newspaper dated back 2012. It was an article about an explosion that happened in the Upper East Side. But you couldn't see the details since only the headline was in sight. It seemed like the whole article had been cut or shredded.

You wondered if Steve was the one who wrote it.

It was the first time you ever got a good look in his office. Inside were dusty. To think that he spends most of his time here, he'd bother to clean once in a while.

On the back of his table were a bunch of photographs lined up. Some of his family, you assumed, fishing on a lake. Then, something caught your eye: a small framed picture that was facing down.

Curious, you slowly picked it up.

An audible gasp came out of your mouth when you saw the photo.

It was Bucky and Steve.

[cxnscience]

"...Oh." It's very quiet and he looks at his feet. That doesn't sound right. That was hundreds if not thousands of years and the thought of somehow being the first is impossible enough. The first worth breaking the rules for, knowing she was that afraid of what would happen - that's something a little different and it makes him want to immediately protest. He isn't handsome, or important, or even significant in any sort of way, not enough to serve as an exception or a justification for treading into dangerous waters.

Especially if you'd seen firsthand what could happen.

She's a being like nothing he's ever seen before. Beautiful and powerful and otherworldly, and Jiminy earned her attention through some strange chance that he's always chalked up to circumstance. He doesn't deserve it, even if he clings to it.

"He did mention that," Jiminy begins carefully. "Uh, just once, when we were talkin'. That he was human. Erm, mortal, at least... what—" he starts and then stops, pausing to carefully debate how he wants to word this without prying into the deep intricacies of magic he won't understand. It will give him a headache. Or make his head explode. Like those stories of mortals glimpsing gods or whatever. "What happened to him? How'd he - I mean, when I... when I, um..."

He falters again and awkwardly coughs, making a subtle sort of neck slicing gesture that less-than-gracefully still delivers the point he's trying to convey. Then he gestures more broadly towards himself. He's only died once, which is still an odd thing to claim, and he hopes it won't happen again to the point of him growing more experienced with it. But he does know, if nothing else, that his circumstances must have been a little different.

"I only remember wakin' up after all that mess, ma'am, but I was still me. Still am me." Mortal and all. Trying to envision what could have happened to lead to someone losing their mortality, the entirety of their previous life, isn't something he's certain he wants to try venturing into. Jiminy had earned himself a second wind, not a clean slate and a new start. "Why'd you have to take him if you knew the folks up there wouldn't look too kindly on it?"

In Jiminy's case, at least, no one else has to know. Or he certainly hopes they don't know. A shortage of magic for a while and some emotional trauma and everything was back to normal, as though almost nothing had been done. Though it still worries him to think of what might had happened if she'd garnered attention - still knows without a shadow of doubt that she should have let him be - he can't help but to be grateful for the absurd amount of luck they've both run into.

That's all he can really chalk it up to. Luck. And knowing that they're teetering on the edge of something very dangerous with only something they can't control holding them up - that's frightening. But what's the alternative? There's no going backwards. He can't return to a time in which he hadn't met the Fairy and it isn't as though he'd want to, nor would he want to go back to not being a conscience. With time he's started to figure that he was there for a reason and that reason is now who he is.

But she isn't happy like this. How long can they stay stagnant? It's not the nature of the work they do and it's not something that's ever sat right with somebody like Jiminy, volatile and flighty.

"Oh, it's a lousy rule, milady," he sighs, and upon hearing her voice waver carefully unfolds a handkerchief from his vest pocket just in the event that she needs it. "Any rule that can't be bent for the sake of helpin' folks who need it is a lousy rule. You'd think they'd be a little more understanding of mortal matters, the way you folks look down on 'em so much. On, uh. Us. The rest of us. Y'know, you hang around humans long enough, tryin' to learn from 'em and work with 'em... and you do sorta start to feel like one."

It was, in large part, what set Jiminy apart from many other crickets and certainly from his family. He's not special in the slightest but being around people had given him a different perspective. Living with them, he's sure, has changed him beyond recognition. For the fairies to have been around so long without changing at all seems impossible, or at the very least, very impractical.

"And love's what drives every single one of 'em. Has since forever. A little impressed they've never picked up on it, the folks in charge," he nods his head upwards. "If you're not allowed to feel nothin' then you're never gonna wind up helping anybody in any sorta way that matters."

Maybe that's what sets her apart, in turn. He'd love to be able to tell them. To show them. That, look, this is what happens when you're allowed to hang around those you've helped - allowed to lean on others, to form real connections, to understand what it means to truly love mortals. Look how much good she does. Look how much of herself she pours into the rest of the world. She's doing something right and if you have to break rules to achieve that, then the rules are simply wrong.

"I wish..." Jiminy trails off immediately with a frown and tries to figure out where his thought process is heading. "I'm not gonna stop worrying about you, milady. Long as you're toein' the line like that." What can they do to Jiminy, if they were to grow aware of him? Kill him? The world would keep turning if they did. But without the Lady - things might not stop, but they would certainly be worse off. Or she could be made to suffer and that would be worse than anything else he could imagine. "But it'd be worse seein' you all miserable. I'm not - you're somethin' else, ma'am, and I can't do all that much. But if I could make you happy it'd be the biggest thing I've ever managed."

He owes her that much. Frankly, he owes her far more, the way she had set his life in motion, but he knows some things are just too monumental for you to manage in one lifetime. Maybe two, if he were that lucky.

She should have loved once. Statistically, she had to. There should have been someone. Her memories were of perfumed parties spent in Athens with the more earthly fairies. Vega and Altair were there, though Altair looked much different. He didn't glow as much. But she could remember the punishment for acting on one's emotions, especially love. That place was safe; Titania and Oberon kept their secrets and Puck certainly didn't care about betraying any of them to their superiors. There must have been someone, but that growing knot in her stomach reminded her of the constant fear to smile or mourn. Her voice trembles as there's a shake of her head. "I was too afraid. I hid in my work. Then there was you." But there was a reason for that fear. There's a painful exhale. "Altair wasn't one of us. I know I've said we've always been together. That's not exactly true. He was a shepherd from Athens. I don't know what happened that day. We broke the rules... Trying to keep him alive meant taking him with us. That meant he couldn't be a mortal anymore. We're not supposed to interfere with death. I've done it more than once now... It certainly doesn't feel good to cast that spell." The fairy in blue pauses to look at her fingers for a moment. It's a lot of power and a lot of pixie dust. Next time she might not be so lucky. She sits down, letting her sleeves fly around her. Her chin rests in her palms. "We were punished. Altair was allowed to stay with us... but he could have one day with Vega. I can only see one half of my dearest friends for part of the year. I was certain they'd make an exception. We help lovers in distress so often... why aren't we allowed to have what mortals do?" Her voice cracks and grows weaker. She can't bear to look at her star or where her friends are watching from. Even their twinkling affirmations aren't helping her feel very brave, unselfish, or true. It's hundreds of years of being too afraid to truly smile until Jiminy came along. She's used fairy trickery all of her life to manipulate and motivate people but she's never earnestly flirted in return or given a true smile before. Emotions slipping free was usually so rare. Now it happens every day. "You make me feel less afraid of the consequences. That's a bit dangerous, but I don't want to go back to holding back. Being able to love feels freeing." She lingers on the word with a breathy sigh. Her eyebrows raise. "I led you somewhere because you asked. I did not expect you to do something for me in return."

[gladerwolfstarkimagines]

Imagine being Azula’s unofficial drinking buddy at parties and her getting jealous when Ty Lee takes you away from her.

It wasnt often fire nation teenagers celebrated anything. There wasn't always much reason to celebrate and parties were frowned upon for being “frivilrous” so when they did occur it was a big deal. They were usually excuses for the youth of the fire nation to get out all their pent up energy meaning they weren't just chilled dances but big shows of ego fuelled by bucket loads of alcohol with atleast five fights breaking out. All the teenagers were filthy rich so money was no object meaning the parties were extravagant, the alcohol imported, the location classy and the event itself always memorable. The fire nation knew how to throw an event.

When parties did happen it was even rarer that your friends would all be in attendance. Ty lee was always down for any party but Mai and Azula were harder to convince. Azula could be enticed sometimes, she liked people watching so with the right timing you could convince her. Mai was harder, it had to practically be the right cycle of the moon for Mai to agree to come, that or Zuko had to be going which was even rarer than the right moon cycle. But maybe it was because your school years were running out drastically but when a party was announced Ty lee, Azula, Mai and Zuko all agreed to go and you were thrilled. The four of you were good friends, five including Zuko, and you loved seeing them in situations that didn't involve brains or brawn.

The very first fire nation party you attended with Ty lee and so you copied her lead. You followed Ty lee around, nodding and smiling at her friends, talking to them all with as much energy as she did but it was soon exhausting! At the end of it all you found you didn’t care about all the acquaintances you wasted time talking to. So you weren’t looking forward to the next party but there was one major difference...Azula came and that changed things significantly. Azula did not care about some guy from english class and so she distanced herself from everyone and you decided to join her. After having one of the best times of you life isolating with Azula you started a tradition. Every party from then on the two of you would find some place where you could watch but be out of the way of the party. You’d gather a large supply of alcohol and nurse it all evening just in each others company. Ty lee would flick in and out when guys bothered her. Mai would join you when she came or if Zuko was here she'd disappear with him. Zuko would sometimes appear if he' d lost Mai and you'd point him in her direction but mainly it was just you and Azula, relaxing and drinking. You and Azula could be sat in silence or laughing loudly. One of the things you liked most about Azula was that she didn't do anything without a reason, she didn’t partake in small talk just because she felt awkward or wanted to look like she was having fun. If she didn’t have anything to say she didn’t speak and it was as simple as that. You could sit in comfortable silences together for ages, or sometimes you’d think of something and both be laughing, the alcohol making it seem even funnier, and you’d forget there was anyone else in the whole world let alone room.

When you and Azula did this nobody dared approach you apart from Ty lee, Mai or Zuko. You remember in one of the earlier parties a guy had approached Azula and tried to hit on her using a back handed compliment. In response she'd burnt his eyebrows off and since then nobody dared approach her. It didn’t bother either of you, it was nice to be in the company of others but not have to worry about interacting with them. Another time some guys had noticed the amount of alcohol you were gathering from the main table and questioned it before realising who you were. They challenged girls couldn’t drink that much before pailing realising Azula was beside you. Azula challenged them to a drinking competition in response and they (without a choice) accepted. You won of course and since then the whole youth population of the fire nation had regarded the two of you with respect and courtesy. Nobody dared to bother you if Azula was around and even if she wasn’t, they knew who you were and didn’t dare mess with Azula’s best friend. 

You were thinking about this as you walked next to Azula on the way to the party and contemplated how tonight would go. Considering your company you figured there would definitely be a intensified version and sure enough when your group walked in most of the party stopped what they were doing to look. Azula and Zuko were royal but you, Mai and Ty lee all had reputations too. Your friends were the smartest most skilled people in the entire academy, not to mention the richest teenagers with the best prospects and it showed. They just seemed to demand fear and respect and you got why, you were in just as much awe of them as the rest of the fire nation. 

Of course your friends knew they were wildly impressive and they owned it. "Im going to miss this" Mai smiled as she asked for the best whisky and the kid went into his dad’s study to get it her. "Miss it?" Azula asked "this will always be our lives, you could show up on anyones doorstep and tell them who you know and they’d do what you asked". Mai nodded her head "i suppose i could". Ty lee frowned "but you won’t right?". Mai smirked and Azula laughed, you’d never seen azula and Mai get along better than through a mutual hatred of humans.

You gathered your alcohol and Azula gestured for you to follow her spotting  a good table. The five of you flocked to it and started dishing out the alcohol. You were soon having a good time and could tell Azula was too. Zuko seemed content and Mai was enjoying her whisky but oddly the most happy member of your group was not enjoying herself. "So whats the plan for tonight?" Ty lee asked and Azula raised an eyebrow "plan? You’re looking at it". "This is what you want to do all night?" Ty lee frowned and Azula nodded. "But this is boring i'm bored" Ty lee frowned "don’t any of you want to dance? Mai? Zuko?". Mai shot Ty lee a glare so powerful even Azula looked away and Zuko turned up his lip in disgust. "Okay fine, y/n? Azula?" she asked. Azula laughed in response "what about the many times me and y/n sit here drinking makes you think we’d want to dance?". Ty lee sighed "i...i don’t know" and lowered her head. She looked so sad you frowned "i don’t want to but because you want to so badly....". Ty lee’s head shot up and she grinned "you mean it?". "Seriously?" Zuko and Mai asked both shocked and slightly horrified. You nodded "why not?" and downed your drink. Ty lee grinned "youre the best y/n!" and dragged you away.

You didn’t enjoy the dancing but seeing Ty lee so happy made it worth it. She was the kindest person you’d ever met so you didn’t care if you felt awkward or looked very weird trying to copy her movements, your friend was happy and so were you. After a while Ty lee took pity on you, asking if you wanted to get a drink and relieved you left the floor to go grab one. You made your way back to your table to find Mai and Zuko gone and Azula sat alone. "Hey" Ty lee said brightly but Azula just looked at her. Ty lee grabbed her drink and barely put her lips to it when someone called out to her and she rushed away leaving you and Azula alone again. "So where did Mai and Zuko go" you asked. Azula shrugged in response and you frowned. She was angry at you. "I didn’t know they’d gone" you said trying to stop a full blown argument "you shouldve caught my eye and  got me to come back". Azula tutted "what makes you think i’d prefer your presence to my own company?". "Well the fact you’re mad i left you?". "I’m not mad you left me" Azula glared "i don’t need you y/n, least of all to sit beside me" she rolled her eyes. "So what’s got you all bitter?" you asked. "Nothing" Azula shrugged "i just never thought you were on of those basic girls y/n, i mean dancing like Ty lee, copying her to fit in... it’s just disappointing frankly". You narrowed your eyes "Ty lee wanted to dance so i went with her, end of story". "If you say so" Azula smirked and you felt your temper peak. "Your seriously this mad at me for having fun with Ty lee?" you asked "i don’t have to stay by your side or ask permission to do things! Our arrangement isnt like that, we never even made it official". Azula blushed and went the most flustered you’d ever seen her "what are you talking about! I know we’re not official!" she cried. "Our plans... I meant we never made our plans offical" you clarified "that we would stick together in parties" you trailed off and saw Azula turn even redder. She'd misunderstood what you meant and that seemed to make her even angrier. "Yes well i shouldn’t have to clarify everything with you y/n, i’m too busy for that". "Well i’m not a mind reader if you don’t tell me what you want me to do i won’t do it, maybe just say what you want next time". Azula rolled her eyes and you sighed "whatever Azula" and walked away.

As you got outside you realised it was never a smart idea to yell at Azula or storm away from her and you'd done both. Part of you was worried what she’d do to retaliate but another part of you was more worried by the concept of the argument itself. Azula had always been your closest friend, you’d seen her be harsh to other people but she wasn’t like that with you. No she wasn't all honey and sweetness but your years of friendship has earned a more raw version of Azula and from that your friendship had blossomed into...well you weren’t sure what it was. You knew you liked Azula a lot and you suspected it was similar to how Mai and Zuko liked each other or how every boy seemed to like Ty lee. You even suspected Azula migh feel that way too due to the way she acted around you. She'd do things like invite just you to places even Zuko wasn’t allowed to go or she’d show you small acts of kindness...securing the drink you liked best or switching lockers with you because she was taller. Nobody saw the small things Azula did, only the big awful ones and you were pretty sure you were the only person Azula allowed to see her like that. But now she seemed to have curled back up in on herself and you hated how that felt.

You were outside pouting when Mai caught sight of you and came over. “What are you doing way out here, it’s freezing!” Mai commented and you shrugged “I had to get some air”. "Why aren’t you with Azula" Mai asked and you sighed "we had a fight". "Ow no trouble in paradise" she said sarcastically smirking but she dropped it when she saw your face. Mai was the most perceptive of all your friends and you were pretty sure she suspected you had a crush on Azula. "Was it bad?". You nodded "i don’t even know where we stand anymore...if we're even friends". "You'll always be friends" Mai reassured you "Azula can stay mad at anyone but you? I’m certain she won’t stay mad at you for long". You frowned "don’t be too sure". Mai didn’t like seeing you gloomy, that was her thing, so she grabbed your arm and tugged you back inside. "Where are we going?" you asked and Mai smiled "to go find Ty lee, she has a way of cheering people up and you are in major need of that".

Sure enough when Ty lee caught sight of your sad face she made it her mission to make you happy again. From jokes to hugs to twirling around of her hands Ty lee tried it all and it was slowly working. Mai got you a comfortable seat hidden away from Azula’s sight and your good mood came racing back.

You were enjoying spending time with Mai and Ty lee but it was your turn to get the drink so you made your way to the main table and started loading up a tray. You stretched to grab the wine Ty lee liked when some guy appeared, leaning across you to grab it first. You looked at him and he smirked "here" holding it out to you. You raised an eyebrow but took it "thanks, i think". The boy smiled "no problem, you know i haven't seen you smile so much, you’re y/n right?". "Can't say i’ve ever noticed you" you replied and he laughed "i didn’t mean it as an insult just you look pretty when you were dancing and smiling...compared to when you just sit in a dark corner drinking". "Thanks for the feedback" you replied and turned to walk away when the boy grabbed your arm. "Hey whats the rush? I was thinking we could get to know each other". "I'm good" you said dryly but the boy was persistent. "Ow come on you don’t even know me! I bet i could make you change your mind just give me 5 minutes". "Look i’m flattered but i came here with my friends and they're the only people i want to spend tonight with". "But you're always surrounded by girls it’s like you scared or boys or something...wait are you scared of men?”. You raised an eyebrow and put the tray down. You opened your mouth ready to lay into this idiot when someone cut you off.

"Youre the one who’s going to be afraid if you don’t step away from her right now" a voice called. The guy smirked and turned around cockily but all that confidence fell away when he saw the princess Azula stood behind him. "Azula....". "Princess Azula to you" she snapped "now take your hands off her before i break them in 3...2..". The boy bolted and you couldn’t help a small smile at Azula. You were pleased the boy was gone but you were more pleased Azula was here. That could only be a good sign. "You didn’t have to do that i could handle it" you smiled "the boys going to be having nightmares for months". "Good" Azula nodded her head "if he can’t take a simple hint then he needs teaching". You nodded watching Azula carefully. You wanted to make up with her but you refused to apologise, thankfully Azula skipped over it. "Want to get some fresh air with me?" she asked and you nodded "okay". You passed the drinks to Zuko who was helpfully passing by and followed Azula outside.

There were some other kids out there but Azula led you past them to a quieter corner. "So about earlier....". "Azula it’s...you dont have to" you winced waiting to skip over it but Azula didnt want to. "No you’re right, if i want you to do something i have to tell you and i'm nothing if not open to efficiency tips" she smiled and you laughed. Azula looked back down and was quiet for a while. You watched her worriedly but smiled as soon as she spoke. "I like being with you" Azula said awkwardly. "Me too, which is lucky considering how much we're together" you smiled and Azula nodded "yes but at school Mai and Ty lee are there or at the palace Zuko’s around...at these parties it’s just me and you and it’s...nice, i like our time together at parties, i’m surrounded by people but it feels like it’s just you and me" Azula blushed "and i felt like Ty lee took that away from me tonight...you took it away from me" Azula sighed. You frowned, you had no idea Azula was so protective over you or that she valued your company this much. "Well i’m here now" you offered grabbing her hand. Azula nodded her head "yes you are" and smiled before looking away her cheeks red. She rubbed the top of your hand with her thumb before speaking again "and you told me to tell you what i want so, to make sure there’s no future confusion, i...when we go to parties i want you to go with me, as in attend with me, we go to them together as an exclusive duo". "Azula friends aren’t exclusive" you blushed and Azula nodded "i know i’m not asking to be your friend y/n". You paused and Azula kept her eyes on you "i want you to be my...more than friend". You smiled and nodded your head "i’d like that very much". Azula smiled blushing too "that is good" and you both stood awkwardly holding hands while grinning from ear to ear. 

Later

Everyone ended up at your table as the night rounded down and you wondered if Azula would mind but she seemed content. Really content. She even laughed at Zuko’s joke which was unprecedented. You were sat pretty close anyway but Azula decided to be comfier and put her arm around the back of your chair. You saw the others notice your and Azula together even though they pretended not to. Mai was smiling, Ty lee was suddenly really affectionate with you two and Zuko kept trying not to look but was being very obvious until Mai nudged him. You and Azula noticed but she didn’t care so neither did you. You glanced at Azula and she smiled at you. You blushed in response and smiled back at her. Azula shifted closer and you leant into her, leaning on one another. You fitted together well and felt so safe and protected with her arm around you. You’d always known your place was by Azula’s side but this was the proof. Now you were never going to be parted from her.