#built-in eye tracking feature

[xcziel]

has anybody else thought about how jk could easily manage sofia's parts of slow dance or is it just me?

[lumiambrose]

✰ against all odds

kinktober 24 - day twentytwo

featuring: rin itoshi x f!reader

summary: the itoshi family organises a dinner for your families, giving you a chance to finally see the man of your affection again, and giving him a chance to let out his pent up anger on you.

tags: smut, reader is the itoshi families childhood friend, one sided love, p in v, he finishes inside, he really hates you, borderling manipulation, blackmail, degredation, spanking, ooc sae?, mean rin, shameless reader

wc: 1.8k

growing up with the itoshi family wasn't for the weak, that was a fact you learned at quite a young age. your parents had known each other since childhood, so it was a given that your families are close. growing up with the two boys, you were always closer to sae. to you, he was easier to approach. maybe it was because he was simply more mature, or maybe it was because you would always deny your growing crush on the younger itoshi.

that crush of yours led you to stay out of his way, making you always interact with the older itoshi and leaving poor rin left out. of course, rin didn't enjoy this at all, leaving him to dislike you more by each year, especially since once sae left, you two barely talked at all. although that didn't stop you from watching him on the sidelines, you were his biggest fan, and whether he knew or not, you were simply too scared to approach him.

luckily for you, you finally had the opportunity to see him again. sae was visiting japan for a couple weeks, and your parents, over the roof, organised a dinner for your families at the itoshi house. with your nerves worse than ever, the older itoshi did his best to reassure you. it had been years since you all last talked, and if rin was mad at anyone, it should be him.

that didn't stop you from trembling with fear as you made your way to the itoshi villa, donned in your cute white dress that you recently bought, hoping to leave a good impression as you built up the courage to talk to your crush. you were greeted by mrs. itoshi as you entered the estate, feeling back at home you made your way to the dining room, doing a one-over on all the familiar yet unknown faces. although as you scanned the room, you could only focus on one man. he hadn't changed a bit, teal eyes standing out with those lower lashes of his, he even had the same haircut as he did years ago. rin, no—your rin, hadn't changed one bit. your heart fluttered as you locked eyes, sending a shock through your body, which quickly turned into embarrassment as he let out a short scoff, clearly uninterested in you.

the dinner itself was boring, the food was good, but other than that, it was nothing more than your parents controlling the conversation while you and the two brothers sat and listened in. during the meal, you kept stealing glances at rin, sometimes you'd lock eyes, sometimes he'd purposefully avoid your gaze, but everytime you felt your cheeks heating up. he was stunning—perfect, you had nothing but admiration for him, even if he didn't like you.

it was during dessert that you finally gave into your curiosity, excusing yourself to the bathroom. although, instead of cleaning yourself up, once you made your way up the stairs, taking a right turn, finding yourself in front of a very familiar door. you hype yourself up once more, giving yourself the courage to open it, entering rin’s old room.

which is where you find yourself now. it is exactly as he left it. trophies adorn the shelves, and a picture of his most recent victory sits on his study desk. being in his room fills you with nostalgia, it makes you feel at home. you take your time exploring the familiar room, taking in every single detail, from the blue bedsheets to a family photo and even his wardrobe. it's once you reach his window that you stop in your tracks, staring out into the garden below, reminiscing on the past where the three of you would play together. it’s perfect, making you miss the childhood you shared with them.

“what the fuck are you doing in here?” a sharp voice awakens you from your daydream, making you shiver. you spin around, your heart leaping into your throat as you come face to face with rin. his teal eyes are narrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line of disapproval. "r-rin!" you stammer, "i'm so sorry, i didn't mean to intrude, i just..." your words trail off as you realise how pathetic you sound.

rin steps closer, towering over you. "just what? decided to take a little trip down memory lane in my room?" his voice is low, angry—almost a growl. "or were you hoping for something more?”

your cheeks flush a deep crimson, and you can feel your pulse racing. "n-no, of course not! i was just curious, i swear!" you step back, but find yourself pressed against the window.

rin advances closer, backing you up until there’s no space between the cold glass against your back. he places one hand above your head, leaning in close and trapping you. "don't fucking lie to me. do you take me for a fool? i’m not blind, you've always had a thing for me, haven't you?"

you swallow hard, your mouth suddenly dry. "i…i don't know what you're talking about." but even to your own ears, the words sound weak and unconvincing.

rin chuckles at your pathetic state, his hot breath fanning across your face. "cut the bullshit. i'm not a kid anymore. and neither are you." his eyes rake over your body, lingering on the swell of your breasts beneath the thin fabric of your dress. "tell me the truth. did you come in here hoping to seduce me?"

your mind is racing, your body trembling with a heady mix of fear and desire. you know you should deny it, you should try to escape from this situation. but there's a part of you that wants the truth; that has always wanted him. "i...i can't deny that i have feelings for you," you whisper, your voice barely audible. "but i never thought...i mean, i understand you don't like me..."

rin's gaze on your hardens as he continues to look at you like a mere dog. "you think you can just waltz in here, stir up old feelings, and expect me to fall at your feet?" he scoffs, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "you've always been a tease, a nasty little vixen. always playing coy while batting your eyelashes at me."

his free hand trails down your side, fingers digging into the soft flesh of your hip. "but I'm not a boy anymore, nor am i a fool. and i'm done playing stupid games." in one swift motion, he spins you around and presses you face-first against the window. you can feel the hard planes of his body against your back, his erection evident as it digs into your ass.

"rin! wait-" you gasp, but your protests are cut off as he yanks your panties down and kicks your legs apart.

"shut up," he growls, his hand coming down on your ass with a loud smack. "i'm going to give you exactly what you've always wanted. and you're going to take it like the desperate little slut you are."

you whimper as he frees his cock, feeling it prod against your entrance. "please," you beg, though at this point, you’re not sure if you're pleading for him to stop or to continue.

rin though, doesn't give you a choice. with one brutal thrust, he sheathes himself inside you, stretching you painfully around his girth. "fuck, you're so tight," he groans, his hips snapping forward in a punishing rhythm. "i bet you've been dreaming of this, haven't you? dreaming of me splitting you open on my cock?"

tears form at the corners of your eyes as he pounds into you, the pleasure bordering on pain. "yes!" you sob, pushing your hips back to meet his thrusts. "god, yes! been wanting this for so long."

rin's hand fists in your hair, yanking your head back as he leans down to hiss in your ear. "then take it. take every fucking inch of me. i'm going to fucking ruin you, no man’s ever going to want you after this. but you don’t care, isn’t that right?”

the grip he has on your hair tightens as he continues his torturing pace, his cock driving into you with brutal force. "can you even handle this?" he taunts, his other hand sliding around to roughly palm your breast. "being nothing but a dumb toy for me to use as i please."

you can only moan in response, your body surrendering to his being. his cock hitting you in all the right spots, sending immense pleasure straight to your core. despite the pain, you find yourself craving more, desperate for him to claim you completely.

he releases his grasp on your hair and grabs your hips instead, fingers digging into your flesh as he pulls you back onto his cock. "bet you've touched yourself thinking about this, haven't you? fantasising about me fucking you senseless? what a dumb whore" his voice is a low growl, filled with contempt and lust.

"yes," you gasp, your voice barely recognisable at this point. "i've dreamt of this every night."

rin almost laughs, unsure whether he should pity you or not. his pace increasing as he nears his climax. "good. because from now on, your body is mine. i'm going to mark you as mine, inside and out."

with one more powerful thrust, rin buries himself deep inside you, his cock pulsing as he fills you with his cum. the sensation sends you over the edge, your body shaking in ecstasy as your own orgasm crashes over you.

as you both come down from your highs, rin pulls out, letting his cum drip down your thighs. he turns you around to face him, his eyes dark and uncaring. "what a dumb slut," he says, staring down at you. "next time, you won't have to sneak into my room to get what you want. you can just beg for it like the pathetic little toy you are. once i call for you, of course," he says as he snatches your phone, unlocking it with ease and inputting a phone number.

“don’t even think about sharing this, or ignoring it.” he closes the distance. “if i call, you pick up. if i send you an address, you’re there in an hour. don’t make me wait, else i can easily find someone else.” he spits out before dressing himself and heading to the door.

“and if you tell anyone about these little endeavours, you’ll pay for it accordingly.” with that, he exits the room. leaving you in what once was your safe haven. although now, your thighs are dripping with cum of the man you once considered your saviour, your eyes watering up at the dark twist of what once was an innocent crush.

taglist: @ryescapades @143-ilyuu @maruflix @pixelcafe-network

©lumis kinktober 24' ─ do not translate, repost, copy any of my works

[mynameisjag]

For @ace-in-disgrace and their prompt: Danny gets mistaken as the love child of the disasters known as Wolverine and Deadpool.

Okay, it was not Danny's fault, he swears!

He was just experimenting with his ice, playing around with some of the younger yetis in the Far Frozen for fun. So shaping his ice to cover his hands to copy the paws of the others and seeing how well he could cut through solid hard frozen ice was just a game. The rough housing was to be expected, everyone tossing each other to see how far they could be thrown was fun.

Being picked up and tossed at the right exact moment a portal opened up was not fun or expected and he blamed Clockwork. The entity had to be responsible somehow for him not being able to enjoy a day of hanging out with Frostbite and the others.

Landing right in the middle of a what looked like a swat happening in an abandoned warehouse, armored people instantly aiming their rifles at him as he stood up wasn’t even surprising given his luck.

Fair though, he was currently looking more on the feral side to match his playmates then his normal ghost form.

“Hey, what’s with hostility? Can’t someone just pop in somewhere without-“, and he was shot in the shoulder, cutting his sentence off, “rude.”

It was just a regular bullet, so it was easy for his form to just…push it out and heal the hole up.

One of the men reached up to touch a device attached on his ear, “Unknown possible mutant has breached the facilities, age around 12-15, regeneration showed, animal like features-“

“You know it’s really rude to talk about someone like that to their face, no manners at all.”

“Unfortunately satirical.”

There was a crash from above as red and yellow forms busted through the glass, the guns swinging their aim at the two men landed.

“Sassiness is always welcomed!”, the red man had his own guns out and was already firing as he talked.

Danny had decided to dodge over to a pile of crates as all the attention was on the new intruders, eyes wide as an arc blood barely missed him as the one in yellow unsheathed long blades from his knuckles.

He glanced at his own hands, he couldn’t make a working gun from ice but…concentrating…he slowly watched as ice built up into copies, looking very much like it was growing from his skin.

An armored body was flung his way and he instinctual reacted…there were now two halves of a one man and he was covered in the viscera.

He froze…did he…oh…oh no…he had to go, he had to go now.

“Ope, looks like someone's first kill! Look at you Jack Frost,” the red guy with guns was now standing above him on a bigger crate, waving down at the teen, “awe, tiny puppy claws!”

Danny took a swing at the crate, watching as it collapsed and the man fell, laughing the entire time he went down.

He quickly turned to run, only to run into a wide chest where he promptly bounced off and landed ass first on the floor, “What in the-I have literally ran into steel walls softer then you.”

Claw man snorted as he reached down and picked Danny up by the scruff, “You alright kid?”

Said kid just hissed at him.

Claws was chuckling, “Cute, now put back your claws, I think it’s time for a chat.”

“Is it finally our turn for the found family and misunderstandings trope,” the red man was back and had swaggered up to the other two, an arm being thrown over his partners shoulders, “Hi, there and welcome, I’m Deadpool and this is Wolverine and we’re your new dads.”

“No.”

“No?”

Danny smiled, all sharp teeth, “No,” and promptly went invisible and intangible, escaping out of the warehouse while he could, leaving the other two behind.

He had to find a portal home.

Wade went limp, using Logan as a brace, “But I wanted to pull a ‘Batman’…”

The response was a snort and Wolverine sniffing his own hand, growling as he took the child’s scent in, “Don’t know what your talking about but, I can track him down, we probably need to before more of these fucks show up and get their hands on him.”

Hope you enjoyed it!

[k-aemi]

kaiser michael ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ handle me however you want.

smut-ish, cum.

divider: kodaswrld

thinking about prisoner!kaiser who got caught by the police.

hes very aggressive, not even the police could handle him his vigorous behavior. to be honest, hes probably the most handsome prisoner you met so far, but you have no time to be thinking of such silly thoughts.

as the warden, you think this is a huge success because youve been trying to capture him for about six months already. just tracking him down was hard enough.

he stands in front of you with cuffs, a blue rose tattoo that trailed from his neck to his left hand, hair, blonde to blue, a red eyeliner that made his eyes sharp and piercings that enhanced his features a lot.

“lets get this over with. all piercings must be removed.” he smirked as you prepared yourself with some gloves.

"gib dein bestes (do your best)." he stuck his tongue out, thats the first piercing. you took it out with ease. taking out the other visible ones, on his ears or eyebrows.

your detector scanning through him, on his body, where it went off where his chest was at. you lift his shirt and damn was he built so well. he can see the way you froze to admire the way his abs fluttered.

you shake your thoughts, seeing another piecing on his nipples. you take both of them off, then seeing another one on his belly button.

"just how many do you have?" you furrowed your eyebrows, scanning through again. so far nothing, until you went down to his lower region. it hit his crotch.

you slowly shift your gaze up at him and all you see is that smirk of his. "alles von dir, schöne (all yours beautiful)." you swear he was teasing you judging by that tone even when you didnt know what he said.

you cleared your throat before crouching down your knees, unbuckling the pants, releasing his pants that displayed his cock, with at least three fucking piercings. seriously, who needs that much!?

and why was he huge even soft? theres no way these german folks were like this. your hand takes hold of his cock, that you can feel stiffening by the second. carefully taking off one from his tip, but you can feel the way his cock twitched under your touched and it made you flinch.

you were slightly irritated but you musnt let that stop you. you removed one. two more to go.

your hand glides upwards a bit for a better leverage. the next piercing a bit thicker, making it hard to try and remove it carefully without harming him.

you grumbled, finally removing it with ease.

"noch einer (one more)." he chuckled and your eyebrows furrowed at his teasing. you can tell he was making fun of you at the position youre in right now despite being the warden.

you exhale a breath. "just one more and then youll lock him up!" you thought to yourself.

your thumb glazes against his tip to remove the final one. his mean red tip was twitching like hell right now, but you didnt bothered. you just needed to get this over with.

you can hear the ragged breaths he let out, it was normal, i mean after touching his most sensitive places, you dont blame him. actually you do, who has this much piercings.

taking out his last one, you finally sigh in relief. but your moments of joy were interrupted with him releasing his sticky white hot lava on you. you yelp from the sudden burst as he lets out little grunts before grinning at the facial he gave you.

"sah zu hübsch aus, ich konnte nicht anders (looked too pretty, i couldn't help myself)." you were so going to give him the worst treatment.

ive been thinking about this so why not write :P

tags ✎: @rinrinniebaby @kaiserpussy

[ticifics]

The Return

Alexei Vronsky x f!reader

Summary: "Darling, I’m sure Anna doesn’t want to monopolize our evening. Perhaps we should..." "Don’t worry," you cut in, your voice as sweet as it was sharp. "I’m just catching up. Three months is, after all, quite a long time to be away."

Warnings: angst, hurt, reconciliation, sensitive topics, mention of betrayal (not consummated), rebuilding trust, intense and emotional dialogues

A/N: anon, I hope I do justice to your request - I hope you enjoy reading <333

The train moved through the vast whiteness, cutting through the snow like a pioneer in unknown lands. The rhythmic sound of the wheels against the tracks filled the silence of the cabin as you gazed at the landscape through the window. Snowflakes gathered on the glass, creating ephemeral patterns that quickly disappeared with the warmth of the cabin. The winter was always harsh, but there was something poetically beautiful in the monotony of the icy horizon.

You pressed the small bundle of letters against your chest, feeling the rough paper in your hands. Alexei's words echoed in your mind, the familiar phrases you'd read and reread countless times over the past three months. "I hope the snow is gentle with you," he had written in the last letter. "Natasha misses you, and so do I. Come back to us soon."

Alexei's handwriting had always been precise, almost meticulous, but it seemed to have lost something. Perhaps a fluidity, or the warmth with which he used to end each message with affectionate declarations. Not that he had been cold; far from it. But there was a restraint in the words, as if he were trying to hide something. You shook your head, pushing the thoughts away. There was no room for doubt. Alexei was your husband, and your nearly three years together had been surprisingly harmonious for an arranged marriage. You had built something real, something that seemed unshakable.

The longing tightened like a knot in your chest. It was almost impossible to be away from Natasha, your daughter, who was under two years old and already the light of your days. You could imagine her now, perhaps playing with the blonde curls she had inherited from Alexei or dragging some toy across the floor of the hall. Alexei would surely be close by, attentive, although not the type to show excessive affection. He had a magnetic calm, a charisma that drew looks and trust from everyone around him.

You closed your eyes for a moment, remembering his face. The sharp features, the hair he always kept immaculate, but which seemed to rebel against control in the most intimate moments. His eyes, as clear as ice melting under the sun, held a depth that disarmed anyone who looked at them long enough. And yet, there was gentleness there, a softness he reserved only for you and Natasha.

The train made a turn, shaking lightly. You held your purse at your side and glanced at the clock. Only a few hours remained until you reached the station, and the thought quickened your heartbeat. What would the reunion be like? You felt your hands anxious, the words you might say to him forming and dissipating in your mind.

You opened the last letter again, your eyes following the familiar words. "The house is emptier without you. Natasha calls for you every night. I’ve been distracting myself with... events, but it’s not enough. Please come back to us soon." Something in the sentence felt hesitant, as though there was more he hadn’t said. But before you could reflect further, the train gave a final jolt, announcing the approach of the destination.

You took a deep breath, putting the letter away and straightening your posture. Soon, very soon, you would be home.

The station was alive with the sound of carriage wheels on the pavement, hurried footsteps, and voices muffled by the steam of the trains coming and going. The air was heavy with the smell of burning coal and the biting cold of winter. You gripped your suitcase tightly, your heart pounding in your chest as you stepped off the train. It had been almost three months away from home, away from him, away from Natasha.

Your gaze swept over the crowd, searching for a familiar figure. Men in top hats and heavy coats hurried past, women wrapped in shawls shielded their faces from the cold, but it wasn’t any of them you were looking for. Then, you saw him.

Alexei stood near a cast-iron column, his imposing stature setting him apart from the chaos around him. He wore a dark gray overcoat that accentuated his broad shoulders, and a black hat partially shaded his face. But it was impossible not to recognize those eyes—clear as ice in the sun, watching you with intensity, as though the world had stopped.

You paused for a moment, unable to breathe, unable to believe that you were finally here. He took a step forward, removing his hat with an elegant gesture, revealing his perfectly styled blonde hair, though a stubborn lock fell over his forehead. Time seemed to freeze around him, the bustling station blurring into an indistinct haze. All that remained was him.

"Alexei," you whispered, your voice choked with the emotion rising to the surface.

He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he walked toward you with long, determined strides, his face controlled, but his eyes betraying a storm of feelings. When he stopped just inches from you, the silence between the two of you seemed to speak louder than any words.

"You’re back," he finally said, his deep voice heavy with something you couldn’t name. He seemed so calm, so restrained, but the way his eyes traced every line of your face, as if making sure you were real, betrayed how much he had missed you.

You let the suitcase fall to the ground and took a step toward him, unable to hold back. The distance between you vanished when you threw yourself into his arms, your fingers gripping the heavy fabric of his overcoat as you buried your face in his chest. He seemed stiff at first, as though the moment had caught him by surprise, but in seconds, his arms closed around you, strong, protective, as if he never wanted to let go.

"Alexei," you murmured again, the sound muffled against him. The words failed, but it didn’t matter. The way he held you, with an almost desperate firmness, said everything he couldn’t express.

He tilted his head, his face buried in your hair. You felt the warmth of his breath on the top of your head, the subtle touch of his lips against your strands. "I was counting the days," he murmured, his voice so low you almost didn’t hear it. "Every damn day."

You pulled away just enough to look at him, your eyes full of the tears you’d tried to hold back. "Me too. I counted them too, Alexei."

He raised one of his hands, his broad, strong fingers sliding along the side of your face, wiping away a lone tear that had escaped. "You’ve lost weight," he observed, concern evident in the softness of his voice. "But still beautiful." The corner of his lips curved into a brief smile, a shadow of the charisma you knew so well, but still devastating.

You laughed, even though the emotion still tightened your throat. "And you look... more tired. Is everything okay? And Natasha? Is she okay?"

"She misses you. We both do," he replied, the smile fading as seriousness returned to his face. "She’s at home, waiting for you. She kept looking at the door every day, asking when you’d come back."

Your heart squeezed at the words, at the image of your daughter so small and eager for your presence. "I need to see her," you said, the urgency growing.

"Let’s go home," Alexei said, effortlessly taking your suitcase and holding your hand with the other. "We’ve waited long enough."

As he guided you through the station, his hand firm on your back, you felt that despite the chaos around you, there was something solid in being next to him again. The connection between you both seemed to have withstood time and distance, but deep down in your heart, you still felt a shadow, something you couldn’t name. Something hiding in the corners of your thoughts and in the glances that Alexei, as loving as they were, couldn’t completely mask.

The carriage jolted gently as it moved through the icy streets of St. Petersburg. Outside, the sky was painted a dark gray, and the snow covered everything like a white blanket. Inside, warm and cozy, you couldn’t stop looking at Alexei. He was sitting beside you, one hand holding yours, his gaze fixed on the window as if he were lost in thought. The silence between you was only filled by the sound of the horses’ hooves on the road.

"So," you began, your voice breaking the silence, "what happened while I was gone? How is Natasha? Is she eating well? Is she sleeping properly? And you? Alexei, is everything okay?"

He turned his face slowly, his clear eyes landing on you with an intensity that almost made you shrink. "Natasha is fine," he replied, his voice low and controlled. "She missed you, but she’s strong. I... I’m fine. Don’t worry about me."

"Of course I worry," you retorted, narrowing your eyes. "Three months, Alexei. Almost three months without seeing her. Without seeing you. Don’t tell me not to worry."

He sighed, his free hand rising to loosen his tie. "It was... a busy time," he admitted, looking away. "But now you’re here. That’s what matters."

Busy. The word hung in the air, heavy and vague. You studied him in silence, noticing small details that hadn’t been there before. The stiffness in his shoulders, the subtle dark circles under his eyes that the soft light of the carriage couldn’t quite hide, and something in his eyes – a shadow, a weight that seemed to have settled in during your absence.

"Busy how?" you insisted, feeling an increasing need to understand.

"Society matters," he said, evasive. "Ball after ball, endless appointments... nothing worth mentioning now. We’re almost home. Natasha’s waiting for you."

His words were like a barrier, a calculated response to end the subject. You wanted to insist, wanted to ask what exactly had been consuming him, but something in his tone – and maybe something in you – made you pull back. It wasn’t the time, not yet.

When the carriage finally stopped in front of your house, your heart raced. Alexei stepped down first, extending his hand to help you down, the gesture so natural and courteous it seemed like an extension of who he was. You accepted, stepping down carefully and looking at the familiar facade of the residence. Everything was the same, yet at the same time, something felt different.

Inside the house, the warmth of the fire in the hearth and the scent of burning wood wrapped around you in a feeling of comfort. Your eyes scanned the space, searching for her – your daughter, your Natasha. And then you saw her.

She was in the arms of a nanny, sitting near the fireplace. Her blonde hair shimmered in the warm light of the fire, and her rosy cheeks were rounder than you remembered. She turned her head when she heard your steps and blinked, as if trying to confirm that it was really you.

"Natasha," you called, your voice thick.

The little girl blinked again before a wide smile lit up her face. "Mommy!" she cried, squirming in the nanny’s arms until she was placed on the floor.

You couldn’t wait. You knelt on the rug and opened your arms, barely believing you’d finally have her in your arms again. Natasha ran towards you with hurried, awkward steps, stumbling slightly but not stopping until she threw herself into you.

"My girl," you murmured, holding her against your chest and burying your face in her soft hair. She smelled of soap and something sweet, something you could only describe as her.

Natasha began to speak excitedly, her words tumbling over each other as she told you about things that, to her, were grand adventures – the new toys, the walks in the garden, the stories her father had told her before bed. You laughed and cried at the same time, absorbing every detail, every word, as if you needed to make up for all the lost time.

"You're so big now," you said, holding her face in your hands. "My big girl. I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, Mommy," she replied, her words coming out a little jumbled, but still clear enough to warm your heart.

For a moment, you forgot everything – the station, the unanswered questions, the subtle changes in Alexei. All that mattered was the comforting weight of your daughter in your arms and the feeling of finally being where you were meant to be.

You lifted your eyes to Alexei, who was leaning against the doorframe, watching the scene with an expression that was impossible to decipher. "We're together again," you said, your voice soft and full of emotion. "Finally together."

Something passed through his eyes, something that made him look away for a brief moment before he replied. "Yes," he said, but the word seemed to carry more weight than it should have. He took a step forward, kneeling beside you.

"Natasha," he called gently, and the little girl turned to him with a radiant smile. "Are you happy now? Mommy is home."

"Happy," Natasha replied, laughing and grabbing one of his hands while still holding yours.

The moment was perfect, almost. But the way Alexei looked at you – as if there was something he wanted to say, but couldn’t – left a small shadow lingering over your heart. You pushed the thought aside, determined to enjoy the reunion. After all, you were home. With them.

Dinner went by in a mix of light conversations and moments of pure joy. Natasha, always chatty, monopolized much of the attention with her stories and childish laughter, and you could hardly contain your smile seeing her so excited. Sitting at the table with your family again felt like a balm for your heart, something you had longed for through endless weeks. Alexei, in turn, remained a bit quieter than usual, but still participated with occasional comments, always attentive, always directed to you or your daughter.

After dinner, you took on the task of putting Natasha to bed, refusing any help. It was a moment you wanted for yourself, a ritual you had missed so much during your absence. In the little one’s room, you dressed her in a soft cotton pajama, decorated with tiny flower designs, and sat by her bed while she snuggled under the covers.

"Sing to me, Mommy," Natasha asked, her sleepy eyes already blinking slowly.

"Of course, my little flower," you replied, stroking her hair before you began to sing a soft lullaby, one that your own mother used to sing to you.

When Natasha finally fell asleep, breathing softly against her pillow, you stayed for a few more minutes in the room, just watching her. Her chest rose and fell in a peaceful rhythm, and her little face, lit by the dim light of the lamp, seemed like the perfect picture of peace. Your heart filled with an almost overwhelming love, so intense that it was hard to put into words.

As you left the room, you made your way to the master bedroom. The house was quiet, and the hallways seemed bathed in a cozy dimness. When you opened the door, you found Alexei sitting in an armchair near the fireplace, a glass of wine balanced in his hand. He had changed out of his formal dinner clothes into a white linen shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, and lighter pants. His golden hair was a bit messy, as if he had run his fingers through it several times. The fire cast soft shadows on his face, highlighting his strong jawline and marked cheekbones.

You paused for a moment in the doorway, watching him without saying anything. He seemed lost in thought, his clear eyes fixed on the fire. There was something about him that always made him seem a bit younger and yet filled with a maturity that made him irresistible – a mix of vulnerability and strength that seemed uniquely his.

"You’re very thoughtful," you said, finally breaking the silence as you closed the door behind you.

Alexei lifted his eyes, and his expression softened when he saw you. "Just thinking about how much I missed you," he replied, his voice low and filled with sincerity.

You walked over to him, feeling the warmth of the fire as you drew closer. "Three months," you murmured, stopping beside the armchair. "It felt like an eternity."

He set his wine glass aside and reached out his hand, pulling you gently into his lap. You let yourself be guided, snuggling against him as his strong arms closed around you. His scent – a mix of wood and something subtly citrusy – was so familiar that it made your eyes close for a moment.

"You’ve lost weight," you said, a touch of concern in your voice as you traced your fingers along his collar. "Haven’t been eating well?"

"Do you think food tastes the same when you're not here?" Alexei replied, a slight smile curving his lips. He tilted his head, his clear eyes searching yours. "You’re the heart of this house. Nothing feels right without you."

His words, so simple and direct, made your heart race. You lifted one hand to touch his face, your fingers brushing the line of his jaw. "You have a way of saying things that completely unravels me, Alexei," you admitted, your voice barely a whisper.

He smiled, the kind of smile that seemed to carry so much affection it almost hurt. "Just being honest," he replied, leaning in to brush his lips against yours. The kiss was soft at first, almost hesitant, but it quickly deepened, becoming more intense, filled with longing and need.

When his lips finally pulled away, he rested his forehead against yours, his warmth surrounding you completely. "Promise me you’ll never stay away for so long again," he asked, his tone more vulnerable than you were used to.

"I promise," you replied, feeling a lump form in your throat. "But you have to promise me something too."

Alexei tilted his head, his clear eyes fixed on you with an intensity that made your heart race. "Anything," he said, his voice low and deep, filled with sincerity.

"If something is wrong, if something is weighing on you, I want you to tell me," you continued, holding his gaze. "We’re a team, Alexei. We always have been."

For a moment, he didn’t respond, just watched you as if trying to memorize every detail of your expression. Then he slid one of his hands to your face, holding it with a gentleness that contrasted with the evident strength in his fingers.

"I promise," he murmured, but the way he said the words – slow and measured – suggested something deeper, something he wasn’t ready to share yet.

Before you could respond, Alexei leaned in to kiss you again, and this time, there was no hesitation. The kiss was a fusion of longing and need, filled with everything that had gone unsaid during the three months you had been apart. You felt his arms wrap around your waist, pulling you closer, as if he needed to prove to himself that you were there, real and present.

"You have no idea how much I missed you," he said against your lips, his voice rough and broken.

You closed your eyes, absorbing the warmth of his confession as your fingers slid into his hair, messing up the golden strands even more. "I know," you whispered, your heart tight with the weight of lost time. "I missed you too... everything about you."

Alexei didn’t respond with words. Instead, he rose from the armchair with you still in his arms and walked toward the bed. The movement was so natural, so full of intention, that you found yourself unable to look away from him.

"Three months," he murmured as he gently laid you down on the sheets, his eyes roaming over your face as if he were trying to memorize every detail. "It was the longest three months of my life."

You reached up to touch his face, tracing the line of his strong jaw and the contour of his lips, now curved into an almost imperceptible smile. "Then let’s not waste another moment," you replied, your voice soft but filled with conviction.

He didn’t need any more encouragement. Alexei leaned down, his lips finding yours again, but this time with a passion that was both raw and controlled. His hands explored every familiar curve, as if he needed to remember every part of you.

The night unfolded in a mix of whispers, touches, and moments of pure connection. He was gentle, as always, but there was a new intensity, something that spoke of lost time and how much he had longed for you. Every gesture, every word whispered in your ear seemed to carry the weight of everything you both hadn’t been able to express during the months of separation.

In the end, you found yourself nestled against his chest, your heart still racing while his fingers traced lazy patterns on your back. His breath was deep and steady, and you closed your eyes, allowing yourself to relax completely for the first time in months.

"Promise me you won’t leave again," he whispered, breaking the silence.

"I promise," you replied, your voice thick with exhaustion and the overwhelming love you felt for him.

And while the world outside continued with its concerns and challenges, there, in Alexei’s arms, you finally found the peace you had longed for.

The following days brought a routine that you embraced with more joy than you expected. After three months apart, every detail of life at home seemed more significant. The familiar scent of the freshly tended garden, the soft laughter of your daughter echoing through the halls, the sound of Alexei talking with the servants — all of it formed a comforting mosaic, bringing back the feeling of belonging.

Still, there was something different.

Alexei remained attentive and engaged, but you noticed moments when he seemed lost in thought. His eyes, so expressive, carried a restlessness that he masked well. It wasn’t anything glaring, but you noticed. A lingering stare into nothing, slightly delayed responses, a subtle change in tone by the end of the day. It was subtle, but you could feel the difference, as only someone who knew him so deeply could. Still, you decided not to press him. The reunion was still recent; maybe time would erase any shadow that was troubling him.

It was in this context that the first big event since your return took place: a ball.

The night arrived with a light chill, which seemed to accentuate the elegance of the event. The mansion hosting the ball gleamed like a jewel under the starry sky, with torches lighting the path flanked by snow-covered trees. Carriages arrived one after another, unloading elegantly dressed guests, while servants hurried to collect coats and organize the entrance.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere was even more breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers reflected the candlelight in a sparkling display, casting golden and silver patterns on the ornate walls. A string quintet played softly, filling the air with elegant music, while the scent of fresh flowers and wine lingered in the atmosphere. Guests in luxurious dresses and impeccable suits moved gracefully through the space, their voices in animated murmurs, interspersed with restrained laughter.

You entered the ballroom alongside Alexei, his arm firmly resting on yours, a gesture that seemed natural and yet carefully displayed for society. He looked impeccable in his formal uniform, with golden details accentuating his broad shoulders and proud posture. His hair, always carefully styled, reflected the light as if it were made of golden strands, and his light eyes scanned the room with a gaze that was both warm and vigilant.

You had also prepared carefully for the occasion. Your deep blue dress contrasted with the lighter tones around you, the silver embroidery seeming to capture the light with every movement. The elegant neckline and long sleeves accentuated your silhouette, and you felt the gazes following you as you walked past him.

"Everyone’s watching you," Alexei murmured in your ear, his tone both protective and proud.

You smiled, not looking directly at him. "Maybe they’re watching you."

He tilted his head slightly, as if considering your response, but the playful gleam in his eyes revealed that he liked the idea.

However, as the evening went on, something changed.

As you conversed with some acquaintances, you noticed diverted glances, muffled whispers, and a growing discomfort began to settle in. It wasn’t paranoia; people were definitely talking about something. Their polished smiles and courteous greetings barely masked the tension on the faces of those you knew well.

It was during a pause in the music that you saw it.

Alexei was on the other side of the room, speaking to someone you immediately recognized: Anna.

She looked stunning in a red dress, her dark hair perfectly arranged, and a smile that seemed to enchant everyone around her. Alexei was slightly leaned toward her, which in itself wasn’t unusual—he had always been attentive in conversations. But there was something in the way he looked at her, an intensity you had never seen before.

Your heart tightened, and you felt the world around you slow down for a moment.

You quickly averted your gaze, pretending to be interested in a glass of champagne that a servant offered. Your face betrayed nothing; you knew how to control your emotions in public. But inside, questions began to form, each one more difficult than the last.

Alexander approached with a cordial smile, his imposing figure standing out in the already rich environment of ornaments and luxurious dresses. His suit was impeccable, a deep gray that contrasted with his brown eyes, so different from Alexei’s. Despite the physical and personality distinctions, there was something about him that inspired the same aura of confidence and power as his brother.

"Allow me to steal you for a walk, my dear sister-in-law," he said, his voice low and polite, but still carrying the warmth that always made you feel welcomed.

You accepted without hesitation, offering him a smile that didn’t reach your eyes. "It would be a pleasure."

Alexander extended his arm, and you took it, allowing him to guide you away from the conversation circle you were in. The murmurs and laughter from the ballroom seemed to grow in the background as you moved at a slow pace, wandering between the marble columns and the glow of the chandeliers.

"How has your return been so far?" he asked, the conversation casual, but his observant eyes betrayed something deeper.

"Tiring," you replied, with a practiced lightness. "But I’m relieved to finally be back."

Alexander let out a soft, almost imperceptible laugh. "I imagine it wasn’t easy to leave everything behind for so long."

"It wasn’t," you admitted, turning your face to watch the guests dancing in the center of the ballroom. "But some things can’t be ignored, as you well know."

He nodded, but didn’t say anything for a moment. Then you felt it: the looks he gave you, longer than they should’ve been, almost condescending. There was no judgment in them, but a kind of compassion that made you feel an increasing discomfort.

"Does something about my appearance seem off?" you asked, trying to hide your unease with a light joke.

"Not at all," he replied quickly. "You look stunning tonight."

You knew he wasn’t just being polite, but the weight behind his words was hard to ignore. Alexander wasn’t one to speak too much, but his ability to convey the unspoken was almost unbearable.

"Did Alexei mention anything about my absence?" you asked, finally gathering the courage to address the matter that had been on your mind since you entered the ballroom.

"Alexei..." Alexander began, but then stopped, his eyes fixed on something—or someone.

You followed his gaze. There was Alexei, still by Anna Karenina’s side. She was laughing at something Alexei had said, her head slightly tilted toward him. And Alexei… He had that look in his eyes. Something soft, something captivating. Something you rarely saw when he looked at anyone else.

The world around you seemed to slow down, every sound muffled, as if the entire ballroom had fallen silent. You felt Alexander’s arm move slightly beneath your hand, bringing your attention back to him.

"Anna is a remarkable lady," Alexander said, his voice low and controlled.

"I know who she is," you replied, almost not realizing you had spoken out loud.

"Of course you do," he murmured, but there was something in his tone that suggested more than mere confirmation.

You continued walking, but your attention kept drifting back to the sight of Alexei and Anna. The way he leaned slightly toward her, his smile—not forced, but genuine.

"Alexander," you began, your voice sounding more hesitant than you would’ve liked. "Is there something I should know?"

He hesitated, just enough for the tension in the air to rise. "You know Alexei has a restless heart. He’s like a bird who sees an open window and can’t resist the curiosity."

"That doesn’t answer my question," you retorted, your hand tightening slightly on his arm.

"Because some questions don’t need to be answered," he said, giving you a look that was both understanding and protective.

There was a latent pain in his words, as if he understood perfectly what you were feeling, but knew that no explanation could ease the weight in your chest.

You glanced at Alexei again, and this time, you met his gaze. He saw you, and for a moment, something in his expression changed. It was as if the magic of that moment with Anna had been broken, as if he were a boy caught in a forbidden act.

You adjusted your dress with an automatic gesture, while the muffled sound of the orchestra seemed like a distant soundtrack to the turmoil inside you. Alexander stepped away after a brief farewell. Each step he took toward Alexei and Anna was a decision that reverberated in your chest like the echo of a heavy bell. The distance between you seemed like an abyss, but still, you kept going. There was no turning back now.

Alexei straightened up, adjusting his suit as if that could somehow protect him from the intensity of your gaze. Beside him, Anna turned, offering a calculated smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"Darling," Alexei began, his voice sounding controlled, but without the familiarity you so longed for. "We were just talking about—"

"Don’t worry," you interrupted softly, your tone impeccable but with a hint of ice. "I don’t want to interrupt."

Anna tilted her head, as if analyzing every word you said. "It’s always nice to meet such a courteous soul," she said, the smile remaining but with something sharp hidden in her expression. "I was just commenting to Alexei how charming this ballroom is. It’s no wonder so many important events happen here."

"Ah, yes," you replied, keeping your tone polite but feeling the lump in your throat grow. "This is the kind of place where people meet, isn’t it? But I must say, I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting your husband, Anna. Isn’t he joining you?"

Her smile faltered for a moment, but quickly recovered. "Unfortunately, he couldn’t come today. Business, you understand."

"Certainly," you murmured, letting the word hang in the air, laden with meanings that no one dared mention. "I imagine it’s difficult to keep up with all the engagements when one is so busy. I’ve felt the same since I returned. It seems there’s so much I’ve missed."

Alexei cleared his throat, his unease evident. He shot you a quick, almost pleading look, but you ignored it, keeping your eyes fixed on Anna. "But it’s good to know that Alexei has been in good company while I’ve been away," you added, a soft, almost imperceptible smile touching your lips.

Anna responded with a polite laugh, but you noticed the slight tension in her shoulders. "Ah, of course, Alexei is a gentleman. He was just telling me about some… society matters."

"He’s truly very helpful," you said, tilting your head, as if reflecting. "Always so thoughtful."

Alexei intervened, his voice low but firm. "Darling, I’m sure Anna doesn’t want to monopolize our evening. Perhaps we should..."

"Don’t worry," you cut in, your voice as sweet as it was sharp. "I’m just catching up. Three months is, after all, quite a long time to be away."

The words fell like stones on a glass surface. The ballroom around you seemed to grow quieter, or perhaps it was just your perception, distorted by the growing pain inside you. Your fingers trembled slightly, but you hid them between the folds of your dress, struggling to maintain the flawless appearance.

Anna smiled, but this time the gesture seemed more like a mask than anything else. "Well, I won’t steal any more of your time. It was a pleasure, as always."

"Certainly," you replied, nodding your head in farewell, but the look you cast at Alexei was not one of farewell. It was something deeper, something you knew he would understand.

As she walked away, the silence between you was deafening. Alexei reached out to touch your arm, but you took a step back, keeping your gaze fixed on him.

"Not here," you murmured, your voice low and controlled, though the tremor in your hands betrayed the chaos inside you.

He hesitated, as if wanting to argue, but the weariness in his eyes seemed to silence him. You turned on your heel, head held high, and began to walk away, but the weight in your chest was overwhelming.

As you moved through the ballroom, the noise around you slowly returned, but it felt distant, as if it came from a world you no longer belonged to. With each step, you felt the pieces of the puzzle falling into place, and each one pierced your soul like a sharp blade.

As you walked between the guests, your dress impeccably adjusted and your smile carefully positioned, the emptiness in your chest seemed to expand with each passing moment. The conversation with Alexei and Anna had revealed more than words could express; it was as if a veil had been torn, exposing something you had suspected, but refused to accept.

The glances that always seemed to last a second longer than necessary, the muffled whispers when you passed... now it all clicked. It wasn’t just your imagination, it wasn’t just the insecurities of a wife who had been away too long. It was something tangible, something that everyone there knew and that you were just beginning to understand.

You moved between the groups, smiling and waving mechanically, refusing to stop long enough for anyone to notice the crack growing in your mask. Alexei, for his part, kept his distance, respecting the space you clearly required, but still, you felt his gaze on you, heavy and silent, as if each time your eyes met, he was trying to say something.

The dinner table was a lavish sight, filled with delicacies that would have been irresistible on any other occasion. But now, just looking at the dishes made you feel nauseous. The last thing you could bear was pretending to have an appetite. You grabbed a glass of wine, more out of a need for something to hold than a desire to drink.

You tried to engage in the conversations, but the words of the others reached you like indistinct echoes. It was as if everyone in the room spoke a language you no longer understood. When someone mentioned Alexei, even casually, you felt the weight of the words, as if they were stones thrown at you.

The night seemed to drag on endlessly, each minute a silent torture. You deliberately avoided Alexei, moving from group to group.

When the moment to leave finally arrived, relief mixed with anguish, as if leaving the ballroom could ease the pain, even if only for a moment. Alexei waited for you by the entrance, as he always did, but this time there was something different about him. He didn’t try to touch your hand, didn’t make any casual remarks to break the silence. He simply opened the carriage door, and you stepped in without looking at him.

The ride back home was enveloped in an almost unbearable silence. The carriage swayed gently along the road, but every movement seemed to intensify the tension in the air. You kept your eyes fixed on the window, watching the passing lights and trying, in vain, to find some sense of normalcy in what had once been so familiar.

Alexei tried to speak once. "I..." he started, but his voice died the moment you turned to him, your gaze firm yet silent, saying everything that needed to be said. He sighed, leaning back in his seat, and didn’t try anything further.

The ride home was a blur, and when the door to the bedroom clicked shut behind you, echoing in the heavy silence of the house, it felt like an inevitable trigger. What had once been carefully controlled—the expressionless face, the calculated steps, the impeccable posture—crumbled as soon as you found yourself alone.

The first tear slipped silently down your cheek, warm and heavy, followed by another, then another. You tried desperately to stifle the sound rising in your throat, but the sob came, breaking the silence like a desperate wail.

Your legs gave way, and you leaned against the edge of the bed, your hands trembling as they gripped the fabric of your dress. All the weight of what you felt seemed to collapse at once—the pain of betrayal, the humiliation of the glances in the ballroom, the emptiness growing inside you.

Then, without warning, you heard footsteps behind you. Alexei. He must have heard the muffled sound of your crying or simply knew he couldn't leave you alone in that moment. He entered the room, and upon seeing you like this, his eyes filled with something impossible to describe — regret, pain, perhaps even desperation.

"No," you managed to say, your voice choked, your teary eyes meeting his. "Don't come closer."

But he didn’t stop. He ignored the warning in your voice, the protests in your expression. His large, firm hands gently landed on yours, which were still trembling, trying to push him away, but he didn’t give in.

"Don’t do this, Alexei," you whispered, your voice breaking. "No... I can’t..."

He didn’t respond with words. He simply pulled you close, wrapping you in his arms, the firmness of his touch contrasting with the gentleness with which he held you, as though you were something precious and fragile he feared breaking even more.

"Why?" you asked, your voice desperate, almost a muffled scream against his chest. "Why wasn’t I enough? Why, Alexei? I tried... I always tried..."

Your hands pushed against him, or at least tried to, but he remained still, his own hands holding you tighter, as if fearing you would escape. You struggled, but it was futile. He was stronger, and you didn’t have the energy to fight against his grip or the storm of emotions consuming you.

"I loved you," you continued, the words coming out in broken sobs. "I still love... And that wasn’t enough, was it? I gave up everything for you, and you... you..."

But the words were lost in the crying. Your voice disappeared, but the tears kept coming, hot and relentless, soaking the fabric of his shirt as you collapsed. Alexei still hadn’t said anything. He didn’t try to explain, didn’t try to justify. He just held you, pressing your face against the top of your head, his lips touching your forehead in a gesture that seemed desperate.

"Why don’t you say anything?" you murmured, your voice weak and hesitant, mixed with the sobs. "Say something, Alexei... Please..."

But he couldn’t. His hands held you as if he could keep you whole with just his touch. His breathing was irregular, almost as frantic as yours. He seemed as lost as you, as incapable of dealing with what was happening as you were.

Eventually, his strength gave out. The crying subsided, the sobs becoming more spaced out until exhaustion overtook you. You stopped trying to pull away, stopped fighting against his grip. Your body went limp in his arms, exhausted, defeated.

Alexei remained there, holding you as if he could rebuild everything with the strength of his embrace, as if he could erase the pain with his closeness. But the space between you, invisible and overwhelming, seemed to grow with each passing second. Your breath, once broken by crying, was now just a tired whisper against his chest.

He finally loosened his grip, just enough to look at you. His eyes, so familiar, were now filled with a weight you had never seen before — something almost unbearable to face. He raised one hand, hesitantly, to touch your face, but you turned away slightly, pulling back in a way almost imperceptible. It was enough for him to freeze.

"Please," you whispered, your voice hoarse and broken, barely more than a thread of sound. "Please, Alexei, go away."

His eyes widened slightly, as if your words had hit him hard. He opened his mouth, perhaps to say something, to protest, but the silence in the room seemed to swallow any attempt.

"I can't..." He stopped, his voice faltering. "I can't leave you like this."

You turned your gaze away, unable to bear the way he looked so desperate, so lost. "I can't sleep with you here tonight. Not like this," you admitted, feeling each word tear at you like glass as it left your mouth. "Please, Alexei. Just... just go."

He took a step back, as if the words had physically pushed him away. The pain on his face was evident, as if you had taken something essential from him. He looked at you with a mix of disbelief and anguish, before slowly shaking his head.

"You can't push me away like this," he murmured, his eyes shining with torment he couldn’t hide. "We never... we never sleep apart."

You closed your eyes tightly, trying to ignore the tremor in his voice, the weight of the memories those words brought. "I know," you replied, your voice barely audible. "But tonight... I need it. I need space, Alexei."

For a moment, he seemed about to argue, to take another step toward you. But then he saw something in your eyes — something that made him stop. The pain you were feeling was there, raw and open, impossible to ignore. And seeing it, something inside him seemed to break.

He stepped closer one last time, hesitantly, as if each movement was a battle. "I..." His voice faltered, and he swallowed hard. "I never meant to hurt you. Never."

You didn’t respond. Not because you had nothing to say, but because you were too broken to find the words.

When he raised his hand, this time to touch your cheek, you instinctively pulled back. It was subtle, but enough for him to notice. The pain in his eyes turned into something deeper — pure despair, as if that small gesture had taken away any ground he still had left.

"I will," he finally said, his voice low and rough, each word weighed down with something that felt like a ton. "But that doesn’t mean I’m not here. I... I’m not going anywhere, understood?"

You just nodded, not meeting his eyes, your body still tense with the weight of everything that had happened that night.

Alexei stood still for another moment, as if trying to memorize the moment, or perhaps gathering the courage to leave. When he finally turned, the sound of the door opening and closing behind him was both a relief and a final blow.

You stayed there, alone in the room, the silence once again filled only by the sound of your irregular breathing. And for the first time in a long time, the bed felt immense, cold, and empty.

The night was an endless torment. The silence of the room felt larger than any physical space, filled only by the echo of what had happened. You stayed sitting at the edge of the bed, staring into the emptiness, unable to lie down on the surface that still held his warmth. The feeling of Alexei’s absence was suffocating, but the thought of sharing the same space with him again so soon was even more unbearable.

The minutes dragged on until they became hours. Every sound in the house seemed amplified: the distant creaking of wood, the rustling of the wind against the windows, the occasional footsteps of someone downstairs.

When morning finally began to break the sky, painting the room with a gray, hesitant light, you heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps in the hallway. Slowly, almost hesitantly, they approached the door. The knock was soft, almost restrained, but still it echoed like thunder in your chest.

"I'm leaving," his voice came through the wood, low and hoarse, carrying a weight that seemed to suffocate every word. "Please... take care of yourself."

You remained silent. Every part of you screamed to respond, to open the door, but the pain weighed heavier. Silence became your only answer. On the other side, you heard a nearly imperceptible sigh, and then the footsteps receded. When the front door closed, the sound reverberated through the house like a final warning, leaving everything even emptier.

When you finally found the strength to leave the room, the sun was higher, casting a soft glow over the halls of the house, but you didn’t feel any warmth. The cold seemed to have settled inside you, a constant weight that made each movement feel like a Herculean task.

Little Natasha was in the living room, playing with a set of dolls, her face illuminated by the innocence you knew you should protect at all costs. But at that moment, even before she looked up at you, something changed in her expression.

"Good morning, Mommy," she said, her sweet, hesitant little voice.

You forced a smile, but it felt as if every muscle in your face was being pulled against your will. "Good morning, my love."

She put down the dolls and ran to you, her small arms wrapping around your legs. It was such a simple, genuine gesture that it made something inside you break again. You bent down and held her, squeezing her to your chest as if she were your anchor.

"Are you sad?" Natasha asked, her voice muffled against your shoulder.

"No, my angel," you replied, but the hoarseness in your voice was deceitful. "Mommy is just a little tired."

Natasha pulled away slightly, her blue eyes — so incredibly similar to Alexei’s — locking onto yours. They were curious, deep in a way that seemed impossible for someone so small.

"You look sad," she insisted, her little fingers reaching up to touch your face, as if she could wipe away a tear that hadn’t even fallen yet.

You held her tiny hand, squeezing it gently. "Mommy is fine, I promise," you said, but the lie was so fragile that it felt like it could shatter at any moment.

She didn’t respond, only nestling back into your arms. You closed your eyes, inhaling the soft scent of her hair, and allowed yourself to simply feel the moment. But even in that tenderness, there was a throbbing pain.

Natasha was a living reminder of Alexei. Every feature of hers — the eyes, the soft hair, the curious expression — was a painful reflection of the man you loved, but who now seemed so distant. With each glance at her, you were reminded of what was at risk, of what seemed to be crumbling beneath your feet.

You held your daughter a little tighter, trying to find comfort in that closeness. But the pain was there, persistent and unbearable, like a shadow you couldn’t shake off.

The attraction to Anna had been as unexpected as it was unsettling. It wasn’t something Alexei had sought or even desired, but there was something about her that seemed to challenge every fiber of his sensibility. She was enigmatic in a way that eluded him, a vibrant presence amid the salons and social gatherings that otherwise seemed so monotonous. Her beauty was undeniable, but that wasn’t what fascinated him. It was the way she seemed to exist in her own world, as if she were always one step ahead of the expectations society imposed on them.

In the early casual encounters, he had thought it was just a passing curiosity, an innocuous distraction. But as the months dragged on and the absence of his wife was felt more acutely, Anna became a beacon of something undefinable, something he couldn’t ignore. They never crossed any lines. Not a touch, not a kiss. But the long conversations, the glances that lasted a second longer than allowed, were enough to create a chasm of doubt within him.

Now, looking back, Alexei hated himself for letting it happen. It was a betrayal not only to his wife but to everything they had built together. He couldn’t deny that the distance between them during her absence had fed something dark. With her gone, the days had become unbearably empty. Her absence was a constant echo that resonated in every corner of the house, and he, in his weakness, had sought comfort in a presence that should have meant nothing.

But Anna wasn’t his wife. She wasn’t the woman who had shared his fears, his dreams, his life. She wasn’t the mother of his daughter, the companion he had sworn to protect above all. And now, in the present, the price of that weakness was almost unbearable.

The days since the ball had been torture. She avoided him with an almost supernatural skill, and he couldn’t blame her for that. All he knew about her came from the servants, who neutrally mentioned the places she was or the hours she spent with Natasha. He didn’t see her, and it was killing him.

That morning, while holding his daughter in his arms, Alexei felt an almost suffocating despair. Natasha, with her silky hair and eyes so incredibly like his, was a reminder of everything he could lose. She nestled against his chest with unwavering trust, her small fingers clutching his collar as she murmured something about playing in the garden. He ran his fingers through her hair, trying to find some peace in that moment, but the guilt was overwhelming.

“How could I do this?” he whispered, more to himself than to anyone else. His wife’s face came to mind, not the hardened look from the ball, but the way she used to smile at him when she thought no one was watching. The memory was so painful it almost made him lose his balance.

His mother had warned him countless times, her words as sharp as they were precise. He still remembered her stern tone during a recent argument, one of the few moments when she had truly lost her patience with him.

“Anna is not for you, Alexei,” she had said, her eyes flashing with something bordering on disdain. “Your wife deserves more. Your daughter deserves more. And you... you should be ashamed.”

He had stormed out of that conversation furious, but now he understood the weight of her words. He was ashamed. Deeply. And the worst part was knowing that, no matter how hard he tried, there was no way to go back in time and undo the damage he had caused.

Natasha, sensing the tension in his body, lifted her face to look at him, and her innocent gaze completely disarmed him. She was so small, so confident that her father was the best man in the world. He felt a sharp pang of desperation as he realized that, if he continued like this, he might lose that too.

Alexei couldn’t take it anymore. The silence that once was an almost invisible wall between you two now felt like an impenetrable barrier. He saw the servants walking through the halls, casting furtive glances of pity and caution, bringing scarce news about you. “She’s still in the room, sir,” they would say. “She hasn’t eaten anything again today.” Every word was a stab, and that morning was no different. When the maid returned with the untouched tray, Alexei felt something inside him break.

Without a word, he took the tray from her hands and climbed the stairs, his heavy footsteps echoing through the house. The door to the room you used to share was closed, and for a moment, he hesitated. Since that night, he hadn’t crossed that threshold. He hadn’t dared. But now, he had no choice.

Pushing the door open, he found you sitting in front of the vanity, impeccable as always, but so different. The dress perfectly aligned, your hair styled with perfection. Not a strand out of place. But what hit him the most was the absence. The absence of color in your face. The absence of the sparkle in your eyes. And the absence of any trace of the love he used to feel, even without you needing to say it.

“You need to eat.” His voice came out harsher than he intended. He placed the tray on the small table next to the bed, watching you through the reflection in the mirror. “If you keep going like this, you’ll end up sick.”

You didn’t respond, your fingers busy with a small brooch pinning your collar. The silence that followed was suffocating, until your voice cut through the air like a blade: “Alexei, I want a divorce.”

“Please,” he said, his voice hoarse, almost inaudible at first. Then, stronger, more desperate. “Please, don’t do this. Don’t say that. No…”

You remained firm, your eyes fixed on him, but the trembling line of your lips betrayed the colossal effort you were making to keep your composure.

“Alexei…” your voice was low, almost a whisper, but the weight of what you said was like a direct blow. “I can’t anymore… I just can’t.”

“But you love me.” He said it like a prayer, as if repeating those words could undo everything that was happening. He stepped forward, his eyes pleading, shining with a desperation he could barely contain. “You said you loved me. You still love me.”

“I love you.” Your confession came quickly, but as harsh as a blade. “And you know that. But it wasn’t enough, Alexei. It was never enough.”

He fell to his knees in front of you, his chin trembling, his hands outstretched toward you as if begging for his very life. “Then what do I do?” He asked, his voice breaking. “Tell me what to do. Tell me how to fix this. I’ll do anything, anything you ask. But don’t ask me to let you go. Please, I can’t…”

You turned your gaze away, but he saw the tears threatening to spill, even as you held them back with all your might. “I don’t know if there’s anything to fix.” Your voice faltered, but you quickly regained composure, lifting your chin. “I don’t know who we are anymore, Alexei.”

“We are us.” He almost shouted, desperation taking over him. “We are us! No matter what happens, we are us. I can’t... I can’t imagine my life without you. Without Natasha. I can’t bear that.”

“And I can’t bear being with someone who destroyed me like this.” Your tone was firm, but the pain you felt was as evident as his. You saw him close his eyes tightly, as if trying to push away the weight of your words, but they had already lodged themselves in him like splinters.

"Please." He reached out again, this time gently holding your arm, his touch trembling, almost reverent. "Please, don't do this. Tell me what I need to do to fix this. Tell me... anything."

You finally looked at him, and his eyes were so full of desperation that for a moment, something inside you wavered. "I need time." Your voice broke, and you hated how much saying that hurt. "I need time, Alexei. I can't even think straight with you like this. With us like this."

He slowly shook his head, as if he didn’t want to accept it. "Time?" He asked, the word coming out like a sentence. "I can give you time, but... what if you decide you don’t want to come back to me? What if you decide that... it's over?"

You took a deep breath, the tears you were trying to hold back finally streaming silently down your face. "I don’t know, Alexei. I don’t know."

The room fell into unbearable silence, broken only by the uneven sound of his breathing and your stifled sobs. Finally, he stood up, his hands trembling, his eyes red. "I’ll wait." His declaration was low, but carried a firmness that seemed impossible given his state. "I’ll wait as long as it takes. But don’t give up on us."

You didn’t answer, unable to find the words. And as he left the room, the door closing softly behind him, you collapsed to the floor, feeling as if every part of you was falling apart.

In the days that followed, Alexei’s absence in the room was like a constant shadow, a gap you didn’t know how to fill. He had respected your decision for space, yes, but he wasn’t truly absent. It was impossible to ignore the small gestures that betrayed him: a tray of tea and biscuits appearing on your table, accompanied by a short but warm note. “At least this,” the latest one said, with slanted handwriting and a palpable care.

The servants didn’t comment, but you knew. You knew he asked about your meals, about your health, about anything that could ease the guilt he carried. He was present in a discreet way, almost invisible, but so tangible that you couldn’t shake the feeling that he was always near, still caring, still watching.

Alexei’s mother’s visit came without warning, on a gray morning, when the heavy clouds outside mirrored the weight you carried in your chest. The maid announced her presence, and you felt your stomach churn. Though there was respect between you two, Mrs. Vronskaya had always been an imposing figure, surrounded by a natural authority that seemed to demand reverence.

You hesitated before going downstairs to meet her, but you didn’t have the strength to refuse. Deep down, you knew this conversation was inevitable.

When you entered the room, Alexei’s mother was already there, sitting impeccably in one of the armchairs, her heavy coat carefully folded beside her. She raised her gaze as soon as you entered, and for a moment, something in her eyes seemed to soften.

“You’re so thin,” was the first thing she said, instead of a greeting, her tone direct but filled with concern.

“I’m fine,” you replied, your voice soft but firm.

“No, you’re not.” Her response was immediate, with no room for debate. She gestured for you to sit, and when you did, the silence that followed was as thick as the cold morning air.

Mrs. Vronskaya wasn’t a woman who minced words, and you knew she was there for a reason. Still, it was you who broke the silence. “Why are you here?”

“For you,” she said simply, her eyes fixed on yours. “And for Alexei.”

You clenched your hands in your lap, trying to maintain composure. “If you came to defend him, know that you don’t have to. He’s already done that on his own.”

His mother slightly tilted her head, as if weighing her words before responding. “I didn’t come to defend him. I came to listen to you. Do you think I don’t know what’s going on in this house? That I don’t see the pain in both of your eyes?”

The mention of pain stung like a sharp needle. You looked away, staring at the floor, but her voice continued, firm and soft. “I never supported Alexei’s involvement with Anna. I made that clear from the start. Not because she’s married, but because I knew something like this wouldn’t end well. My son has always had this weakness... this tendency to be captivated by the new, the different. It’s part of who he is. But I also know he’s a man who loves deeply. When he loves, he gives himself completely.”

You raised your eyes to her, and there was something there, a mixture of hope and desperation that you couldn’t hide. “And what guarantees me that this love will be enough?”

“I can’t guarantee,” she admitted, her words direct but without cruelty. “But I can say that, since you entered his life, Alexei has changed. He found balance in you. I saw it with my own eyes. And I know that, even with the mistakes he’s made, the love he feels for you is real. I know that you still love him.”

Your heart tightened, and for a moment, you almost wanted to deny it. But what would be the point? “Loving doesn’t seem like enough,” you murmured, more to yourself than to her.

“Maybe it’s not,” Alexei’s mother replied, leaning slightly forward, her hands resting on her knees. “But sometimes, love is what gives you the strength to find a way, even if it’s painful. I’m not here to ask you to forgive my son. I’m here to tell you that, whatever your decision is, you won’t be alone.”

The sincerity in her words hit you like an unexpected blow, and you felt your eyes burn. But no tear fell. “I don’t know if I can get over this. Sometimes, it feels like the distance between us is insurmountable.”

“The distance is great,” she agreed. “But you’re speaking as if he’s on the other side of an abyss. He’s not. Alexei is trying to reach you, even if awkwardly. Don’t you see that?”

You closed your eyes for a moment, trying to control the emotions threatening to overflow. “I see. But every gesture of his just reminds me of everything that’s been lost.”

Alexei’s mother nodded, her gaze softer than you’d ever seen. “That’s natural. But I also want you to know that you’re important to me. Not just as my son’s wife, but as the woman who made his life better. If you decide that you can’t continue, I’ll understand. And even then, you’ll still be part of my family. Always.”

Those words broke something inside you, but they also brought a small relief. You stood up, and she did the same, holding your hand firmly for a moment before letting it go.

“Thank you,” was all you could say.

“Take care of yourself,” she replied, her voice carrying an unexpected gentleness.

Later, as you walked down the hallway, you heard Natasha’s laughter echoing through the house. Peeking through the slightly open door, you saw Alexei sitting on the floor, holding the little one in his arms, her golden hair shining in the light coming through the window. Your chest tightened painfully. It was impossible to deny how much Natasha looked like her father — in her features, her smile, even in the way she seemed to light up the room.

You stayed there for a few seconds, watching. Alexei could hardly believe it when he lifted his eyes and saw you standing there, at the door, your gaze fixed on him and little Natasha. For a moment, he froze, as if any movement could shatter that fragile moment. The weight in your eyes hit him like a punch, and for a second, he wondered if he should call you, ask you to join them.

But before he could even open his mouth, you looked away and disappeared, leaving the door slightly ajar. The absence was an immediate emptiness, a cold that spread through him even with Natasha still nestled in his arms.

“Daddy?” The sweet, small voice of his daughter broke the silence. Natasha tilted her head to look at him, her golden curls falling over her forehead. “Who was there? Was it Mommy?”

Alexei swallowed hard, trying to hide the tightness in his chest. He adjusted Natasha in his arms, snuggling her close. “It was, my little one. But... Mommy had to go.”

“Doesn’t she want to play with us?” Natasha asked, her big, bright eyes searching for an explanation.

Alexei closed his eyes for a moment, trying to gather his strength. How could he explain something that he himself didn’t fully understand? How could he justify the choices that had led them to this point?

“It’s not that, sweetheart. Mommy is... tired. And sometimes, when we’re tired, we need some time to rest alone.”

Natasha furrowed her brow, clearly thinking about the answer. “But Mommy told me she loves us. She still loves you, doesn’t she?”

Those words, so simple and direct, pierced Alexei. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of it all on his shoulders. “Yes,” he finally replied, his voice low and hoarse. “Mommy loves you very much. And I’m sure she still loves Daddy too.”

“Then why don’t you stay together? Grandma said that love makes everything better.”

He felt his stomach twist when he heard the mention of his mother. Her visit was still fresh in his mind, a reminder of how much he had failed — not just with you, but with himself. She hadn’t spared any words, and the silent disapproval in her gaze still burned in his memory.

“Because Daddy made a mistake,” Alexei finally said, choosing his words carefully. “And sometimes, even when you love someone, you need to show that you can get better before things get better.”

“Will you get better, Daddy?” Natasha asked, her little fingers touching his face as if she wanted to make sure he was paying attention.

“I will,” Alexei replied, his tone now firm. “I promise you, Natasha, that I will fix things. I’ll do everything I can to bring Mommy back to us.”

“Can I help?” Natasha smiled, as if the simple thought of being helpful could solve any problem.

Alexei chuckled softly, kissing her forehead. “Your help already means everything to me, little one. Just having you here with me gives me strength.”

He hugged her tighter, letting that moment between father and daughter carve itself into his memory. Meanwhile, behind the affection he shared with Natasha, Alexei felt the weight of a decision solidifying. He knew he couldn’t allow himself to fail again. He couldn’t disappoint you, or himself, or that little creature who looked at him with so much love and trust.

When Natasha finally got distracted with one of her toys, Alexei stayed there, silently watching her. His conversation with his mother echoed in his mind, every word heavy with meaning. He felt ashamed, crushed by the realization that he had ignored advice and gut feelings that could have prevented all this pain.

But the shame wasn’t enough to paralyze him. It was a flame, something he would use to fuel his determination. Alexei knew the road to you would be difficult, painful. But looking at Natasha, so much like you and so full of life, he found a new resolution.

He didn’t just want to fix things — he needed to. And he would do it, no matter how much time or effort it took.

The change didn’t happen all at once, but it was like spring after a long winter. Alexei didn’t let a single day pass without trying, without showing how much he was willing to repair the mistakes that had brought so much pain.

He started with simple gestures. A fresh rose picked from the garden, carefully placed in your room. He would stop in front of closed doors, hesitating, but not knocking, respecting the space you had asked for, yet unable to stop leaving something, no matter how small, to let you know he was there.

Over time, he began to include Natasha in his attempts, inviting both of you to join him for a walk in the garden or for a special snack. And although you still didn’t join him, he noticed that the coldness from before was fading, replaced by something more neutral. More human.

The maids would mention that you were starting to eat normally again, that the pallor that marked your face had begun to give way to its natural color. Alexei saw this too, in brief glimpses — a soft curve at the corner of your lips when Natasha said something funny, a distant look, but less painful, when you thought no one was watching.

And then, that night, fate brought the opportunity he had been waiting for.

The storm had started earlier, with thunder echoing in the distance and gusts of wind blowing through the windows. Alexei was in the living room when he heard the door open, and before he even turned around, he knew it was you.

You entered the hall, your hair drenched and stuck to your face, the dress weighed down with water. He immediately got up, his heart racing at the sight of you like that.

"My God, you're completely soaked." His voice was low but full of urgency as he approached. You hesitated for a moment, as if considering pulling back, but eventually allowed him to come closer.

Alexei grabbed a wool shawl from a nearby chair and gently wrapped it around your shoulders. "Come. Let’s get these clothes off before you get sick."

His tone was practical, almost automatic, but there was something in his movements — the way his fingers trembled slightly as he adjusted the fabric over you, the care he took to avoid looking directly into your eyes — that betrayed the depth of his feelings.

You followed him to the bedroom, your steps light and almost silent on the carpet. The tension was palpable, an almost visible thread between you both. He gestured for you to sit in the chair near the fireplace. You did, your eyes fixed on the flames as he moved around the room, grabbing clean towels.

Without saying a word, he knelt before you, gently removing the pins that held your hair with firm, yet tender fingers. Each pin made a soft metallic sound as it fell onto the towel he had spread across his lap. You didn’t pull away.

Alexei then stood up, hesitating for a moment before reaching for the ties on your dress. He paused, looking at you for permission. You nodded slightly, enough for him to continue.

The knots loosened slowly, and the sound of the wet fabric coming undone seemed to fill the room. He helped you stand and wrapped a dry robe around your shoulders before stepping back, giving you space to sit again.

When he finally spoke, his voice was almost a whisper. "I’m so sorry."

You lifted your eyes to him, something shining there that he couldn’t decipher. “What about her?”

Alexei froze. For a moment, it seemed as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. “Anna?”

You nodded, your expression still unshaken, but the tension in your shoulders betrayed the effort you were making to stay strong.

“It was nothing,” he said finally, his eyes searching yours as if he wanted to beg you to believe him. “Nothing that justified... nothing that was worth this.”

“And why?” Your voice was soft, but cutting, like a blade piercing straight through his heart. “Why her? What did she have that I didn’t?”

Alexei ran a hand through his hair, clearly distressed. “I don’t know. She was... different. Something new, something I had never known. But it wasn’t love, it wasn’t... you.” He knelt in front of you again, his hands gripping yours tightly, but without hurting you. “Nothing ever came close to you. I was a fool for letting this come so close.”

You looked at him, your face still unreadable, but your eyes starting to shine. “What if I had stayed away longer? What if it were someone else, Alexei? How can I trust that this won’t happen again?”

Alexei remained kneeling in front of you, his eyes glowing with a desperation that seemed to suck the air out of the room. He didn’t move, neither closer nor farther, as if even the slightest shift could break the fragile connection that still existed between you.

“You are everything to me,” he repeated, his voice heavy with raw vulnerability. “But I know that just saying that isn’t enough. I know I can’t erase what I did, the pain I caused.”

You didn’t answer immediately. Your mind was in turmoil, each of his words crashing against the walls of your own pain, echoing. Finally, almost in a whisper, you asked, “Did you... did you two ever...”

Your voice faltered before you could finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear. Alexei’s eyes widened, as if the question had cut deeper than anything else. He shook his head quickly, almost frantic.

“No,” he said firmly, his voice a little louder, but still choked. “Never. I never did that. I never even kissed her.” He swallowed hard, lowering his gaze for a moment before meeting your eyes again. “I was a fool, a complete idiot for letting her occupy so much space in my head, but it wasn’t... physical. It wasn’t love. It was... it was a weakness of mine, a fascination with something I didn’t even know I was seeking. And I hate myself for it. I hate myself for hurting you this way.”

You felt the weight of every word, the warmth of his sincerity reaching something deep within you, but the pain was still there, alive and pulsing.

Alexei leaned in slightly, his hands still holding yours, but loosely, as if preparing for the inevitable moment when you would pull away. “I’d give anything to go back in time, to make the right choices from the start. To never have allowed anything to come between us. But all I can do now is this. Ask, beg for a chance to be better for you.”

His eyes shone, tears threatening to fall, but he didn’t look away, as if he couldn’t allow himself to hide anything from you. When he finally moved, it was to wrap his arms around your waist, a hesitant, almost fearful gesture.

“Please,” he whispered against the fabric of the robe you were wearing. “Please, tell me there’s still something in your heart that will let me fix this.”

You stood still, your body rigid as if you were trying to decide what to do. He didn’t dare move any further, his face hidden against you, breathing deeply as if it were the last time he could do so.

And then, almost imperceptibly, you raised your hand, your fingers hesitantly touching his hair. It was a small gesture, but to Alexei, it felt as though the whole world had stopped. He lifted his face, surprised, but didn’t say anything.

Your fingers threaded through his blonde hair, the touch soft, but steady, and something in him gave way. He closed his eyes, resting his forehead against your stomach as he let out a sigh that sounded almost like a sob.

“I don’t know what to do,” you admitted, your voice low but filled with emotion. “I don’t know how to get past this, Alexei. But... I can’t stop loving you.”

He lifted his gaze to you, his eyes misty, but with a spark of hope. “I don’t need you to know right now,” he said, his voice trembling. “I just need you to let me try. Let me prove that I will never disappoint you again.”

The silence that followed was thick, but not empty. It was full of all the unspoken things, all the emotions that still needed room to exist between you.

Finally, you nodded slightly, the gesture almost imperceptible, but enough for him to understand. He didn’t smile, as if he knew there was still no room for joy, but the tension in his shoulders eased, and he held you more firmly in his arms without hurting you.

“Thank you,” he murmured, so softly that you almost didn’t hear it, but the weight of that word hung in the air between you, carrying all the love, regret, and promise he had to offer.

The night was calm, wrapped in a stillness broken only by the soft sound of rain against the windows. You were in Natasha’s room, the little one’s hair illuminated by the warm light of the lamp. She was lying on the bed, hugging the battered teddy bear she insisted on carrying everywhere.

“Now close your eyes, my love,” you said, your voice low and gentle as you adjusted the blanket around her small body. “It’s time to sleep.”

“Will you sing for me?” she asked, her eyes, identical to Alexei’s, shining with expectation.

You smiled, a small but genuine smile, as you began to hum a melody your mother used to sing to you. Her little hand held yours, as if that gesture were essential to the moment.

The door creaked softly as it opened, and Alexei stopped in the doorway, his tall figure illuminated by the hallway light. He hesitated when he saw her there, his eyes resting on the scene with an expression of tenderness so raw that it seemed to contradict the strength of his presence.

For a moment, he considered turning back, letting that moment belong only to the two of you. But then Natasha turned her head, her sleep-messy hair spreading across the pillow.

“Daddy,” she called, a sleepy smile lighting up her face. “Are you going to put me to sleep too?”

Her request was an unexpected bridge between the two of you. Alexei looked at you, a silent question in his clear eyes, the same ones Natasha had inherited. There was something so vulnerable in his gaze that the air seemed to grow a little heavier.

You nodded almost imperceptibly, making space beside the bed. He stepped into the room, each movement carrying a rare hesitation from him. When he approached, Natasha reached out her arms, and he leaned in to kiss her forehead before sitting beside the bed, opposite you.

“Now we’re all here,” she said, content, holding both of your hands.

“Does that mean you’re going to sleep for real now?” Alexei asked, his tone soft but tinged with amusement.

She shook her head, a mischievous smile appearing. “But I like when you’re both here with me. Daddy, mommy...”

The sound of that word hit him like a sweet blow. Mommy. It was simple, but hearing it from his daughter’s lips, in the context of that intimate scene, felt like a reminder of everything he was trying to protect.

Natasha shifted between you, her eyes slowly closing as she mumbled random words about the day. “I want a brother,” she murmured suddenly, her eyes blinking lazily before closing again.

Alexei let out a soft laugh, surprised, and looked at you. “A brother, huh?”

“Yes,” Natasha answered with a yawn, her eyes already closed. “To play with me.”

You and Alexei exchanged a glance, his expression softening in a way that rarely happened. When she finally fell asleep, her breath light and steady, he carefully adjusted her in the bed, leaving a kiss on the top of her head before standing up.

He moved closer to you, extending his hand to help you rise. You accepted, and he didn’t immediately release your hand, holding it between his as if afraid that the moment might slip away.

“She’s just like you,” you commented, your voice low as you looked at Natasha.

“No,” he replied, his eyes fixed on the small, sleeping face. “She’s the best of both of us.”

There was a comfortable silence between you, the usual tension replaced by something softer, more hopeful. He looked at you, his clear eyes carrying a tenderness that seemed almost shy.

“About what she said…” he started, hesitating for a moment.

“Alexei,” you interrupted, your tone almost exasperated but with a small smile.

“I know, I know,” he said, raising his hands in surrender, but his smile was back, something rare and so genuine that it made your heart ache.

The door to Natasha’s room closed softly, muffling the sound of her calm breathing. You and Alexei stayed in the hallway for a moment, as if the moment required silence, a reverence for the scene you had just shared. He seemed to hesitate, his hands sliding into the pockets of his suit jacket, a nervous gesture you knew well.

“She’s always known how to disarm us,” you commented, breaking the silence, your voice low but full of tenderness.

He looked at you, the corners of his lips curving into a nearly shy smile. “It’s an innate talent. I don’t think she got that from me.”

“Maybe from me, then,” you replied, your tone playful, something he hadn’t heard in a long time.

His smile widened, but there was something deeper in his eyes, something that kept him quiet for too long. You were about to ask what he was thinking when he turned slightly, his body leaning as though about to leave.

“Alexei.”

He stopped immediately, turning to face you again. You took a deep breath, gathering the words you wanted to say.

“You don’t have to go back to the other room,” you said, your voice soft but carrying something more. “If you want... you can come back to our room.”

The words came out before you could reconsider, and for a moment, the silence in the hallway seemed absolute. Alexei blinked, disbelief written on his face, as if he wasn’t sure he’d heard you correctly.

“Is that what you want?” he asked, his voice so low it was barely a whisper.

You looked at him for a moment, your eyes searching his, which seemed to scan every nuance of your expression. “It’s a step, Alexei,” you replied, sincere. “I think we’re ready to take a step.”

He let out a breath that seemed to have been held for a long time, his shoulders relaxing a bit. “I...” He stopped, shaking his head as if the words were too difficult.

“And besides,” you continued, your voice light but carrying something almost mischievous, “if we really want to give Natasha a sibling, I think it makes more sense for us to be in the same room, don’t you think?”

His eyes widened, surprised, and for a moment, he stood completely still, as if the words had been a shock he hadn’t expected.

“You...” He started but didn’t finish, his gaze fixed on your face as if trying to process the subtle, but significant change.

You raised an eyebrow, the playful look returning to your expression, something he immediately recognized. “It’s just a practical matter,” you finished, your voice slightly provocative.

He stepped forward, the hesitation giving way to something more determined, his gaze intense and fixed on yours. “Practical,” he repeated, as if testing the word.

The air around you seemed to carry a familiar tension, something that had always been there but now felt more tangible, more urgent. You saw the shadow of a smile play at the corners of his lips, and you couldn’t resist.

“You’re taking this very seriously, Alexei,” you teased, your voice lower now, only to be interrupted.

He leaned in, his lips meeting yours with an intensity that made your heart race. The kiss was both tender and desperate, as if he were pouring everything he couldn’t say into words. Your hands went to his shoulders, a gesture to steady yourself, but instead of pushing him away, you pulled him closer, allowing yourself to finally give in to the moment.

When you pulled apart, your breaths were shallow, and Alexei kept his forehead pressed to yours. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this,” he murmured, his voice hoarse, full of emotion.

The night seemed silent, the kind of silence that embraced the house like a heavy blanket, protecting the sounds that belonged only to that space. The room you once shared was almost exactly as before, but something felt different now. It was the same space, but it carried the weight of everything you had lived through—and survived.

Alexei was sitting at the edge of the bed, his elbows resting on his knees, watching you as you took off your robe and prepared to lie down. His gaze was intense, but not unsettling. It was a gaze of reverence, as if he couldn’t believe he was here again.

“It’s strange, isn’t it?” you asked, breaking the silence, your voice soft but full of emotion.

He looked up at you, a small smile appearing on his lips. “Strange... and familiar at the same time.”

You moved closer slowly, feeling the warmth radiating from him even before you sat down beside him. For a moment, you stayed there, side by side, your hands almost touching. The small space between you seemed heavy, but also filled with something new—hope.

“I thought about this so much,” he murmured, turning slightly to face you. “About what it would be like... having you here again. Being with you like this.”

“And how is it?” you asked, your playful tone trying to mask the vulnerability behind the question.

He chuckled softly, but there was a gleam in his eyes, something deeply sincere. “It’s better than I allowed myself to imagine.”

You felt your heart tighten, but it was a different kind of tightness now, something less painful and closer to healing. You reached out to him, your fingers touching his gently. He intertwined his fingers with yours, the gesture so familiar it brought tears to your eyes.

“Alexei...” you started, but he interrupted you, his eyes fixed on yours.

“I know,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “I know it will take time. That this is just the beginning. But please, tell me there’s a beginning.”

You nodded, feeling your throat tighten with emotion. “There’s a beginning,” you replied, your voice almost a whisper.

He leaned forward, his forehead touching yours, and the world seemed to shrink to that moment, to that touch. “I won’t fail you again,” he promised, his voice heavy with something so deep that it made your eyes well up with tears.

“I know,” you said, the sincerity of your voice making him close his eyes for a moment, as if he were absorbing it.

You both moved together to lie down, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. When Alexei pulled the covers over you, he did it with the same care as always, as if every small gesture had meaning. You curled up next to him, his body fitting to yours as if it had never stopped being like that.

He ran his fingers through your hair, untangling the strands that had come loose throughout the day, the movements slow and almost reverent. “I feel like I’m holding a piece of the future in my hands,” he murmured, almost to himself.

“And what do you see in that future, Alexei?” you asked, lifting your gaze to meet his.

He smiled, the kind of smile that made your heart tighten with both longing and hope at the same time. “I see us. Natasha... maybe a little brother for her, if you still want,” he added, his tone lightly teasing, but his eyes shining with tenderness.

You laughed, a light and almost new sound. “Maybe,” you replied, teasing. “But one step at a time, right?”

He leaned in, his lips brushing your forehead in a gesture that seemed to carry all the promises in the world. “Right,” he agreed, his voice soft and full of emotion.

Silence fell again, but it was a different silence now. It was a silence of peace, of new beginnings. And as you curled even closer, your hearts beating in a slow, synchronized rhythm, you knew you were finally finding your way back to each other.

[jungwnies]

F1 GRID | somewhere along the way, friendship fades

୨ৎ : featuring : max verstappen, lewis hamilton, george russell, carlos sainz, charles leclerc, lando norris, oscar piastri ୨ৎ : synopsis : childhood best friends drift apart, their connection fading with time. and years later, meeting again.

୨ৎ : genre : angst, sad themes ୨ৎ : tws : arguing ୨ৎ : word count : 3499

୨ masterlist ৎ

ᡣ𐭩 a/n : i was watching "our little secret" on netflix and i got inspired to do this :c def a 10/10 watch

ʚ・max verstappen

the smell of burnt rubber and stroopwafels defined your childhood. growing up as the daughter of one of the engineers, your playground was the karting track, and your partner in crime was max, who seemed to never catch a break. scraped knees, stolen frites, and endless races—it was always a competition. and even though he was faster, you never let him win easily.

“you’re getting slow,” you’d tease when he’d lap you, and he’d fire back, “or maybe you’re just not trying hard enough.”

but childhood doesn’t last forever. as max’s talent propelled him forward, your worlds began to split. he moved to monaco, chasing the formula 1 dream, while you stayed home, building a life far from the roar of engines.

the breaking point came during one of his rare calls. you told him about getting into university, excitement bubbling through the phone.

“that’s great,” he said, but his voice was distant. “i’ve got a strategy meeting. i’ll call you later, okay?”

“but max—”

the line went dead before you could finish.

you never called back. neither did he. the silence was deafening, only broken by headlines about his victories.

years passed. you built your career, surrounded yourself with people who cared about you. still, there was always that quiet ache, a max-shaped hole you couldn’t quite fill.

...

fate intervened in monaco, of all places. a work trip brought you to the grand prix weekend, and there he was—older, sharper, surrounded by reporters. the boy you knew had grown into a man, but the familiar intensity in his blue eyes was still there.

he spotted you, and for a moment, time rewound. “you’ve got to be kidding me,” he said, smirking as he pulled you into a hug.

“you’re really here,” max said, his voice even but his eyes giving him away.

“don’t sound too surprised,” you replied, crossing your arms. “monaco isn’t exactly hard to find, and my dad forced me to accompany him.”

he huffed a laugh, scratching the back of his neck—a gesture you remembered all too well. “it’s just... been a while.”

“whose fault is that?” you shot back, eyebrow raised.

his grin faltered, replaced by something softer, more sincere. “mine,” he admitted, no hesitation. max had never been one to dance around the truth. “i messed up. i thought... if i focused on racing, everything else would just stay in place. but it didn’t. i didn’t.”

you blinked, caught off guard by the honesty. “and now?”

“now?” he shrugged, his lips twitching into a small smirk. “now i know better. or at least, i’m trying to.”

you rolled your eyes, but your chest felt lighter. “trying might actually suit you.”

“don’t push it,” he said, his grin returning. but his hand brushed yours, lingering just long enough to say what words couldn’t.

the two of you walked along the harbor, the chaos of the grand prix fading into the background. max talked about the weight of expectations, the need to prove himself, and you found yourself telling him things you hadn’t said aloud in years.

“you know,” he said eventually, glancing at you, “you were the first person to beat me. that’s why i kept coming back.”

you laughed, shaking your head. “don’t tell me i’m your origin story, verstappen.”

“i’m serious,” he said, his tone light but his gaze steady. “you pushed me. you still do.”

“and you still hate losing,” you replied, your smile widening.

“only to you,” he said, and for once, there was no teasing in his voice—just max, stripped of the bravado.

as the sun dipped below the horizon, you realized the years apart hadn’t erased what you meant to each other. instead, they’d made it clearer. and standing there with him, the boy who always chased the fastest lap and the man who’d finally stopped running, you felt like you’d found your way back home.

ʚ・lewis hamilton

the skate park beneath the london flyover, painted with graffiti and echoing with the rattle of skateboards, was where it all began. you and lewis—two kids with scraped knees and bigger dreams than you dared to say aloud. he was magnetic even then, always the showman, flipping tricks with effortless swagger while you rolled your eyes, trying not to laugh when he wiped out.

“you see that?” he’d grin, brushing off the dust like he hadn’t just landed flat on his back. “one day, everyone will.”

you’d shake your head, hiding your smile. “maybe if you stop showing off and stick the landing.”

those nights under london’s orange-tinted sky were your sanctuary. but dreams have a way of pulling people in different directions. lewis chased his at 200 mph, trading the skate park for circuits around the world. and you? you stayed grounded, carving out a life with your own quiet determination.

the drift wasn’t dramatic, just... inevitable. the calls came less often, the texts faded, and soon the only glimpses you had of him were on tv, his victories splashed across headlines. you were proud, of course, but it didn’t make the distance hurt any less.

years later, the rhythm of a jazz club in soho pulled you in. the smoky air, the hum of conversation—it felt like stepping into another world. and there he was, sitting in the corner, surrounded by friends, his laugh carrying over the music. he looked... different. calmer, more self-assured, the bravado softened into something real.

his eyes met yours across the room, and the recognition was instant. that signature grin spread across his face, and before you could overthink it, he was already walking toward you.

“it’s been a minute,” he said, his voice warm, familiar.

“a few laps around the world, at least,” you replied, crossing your arms but unable to stop your smile.

he introduced you to his friends—musicians, artists, people with the same kind of restless ambition he always had. the conversation flowed easily, stories and laughter filling the gaps left by the years. lewis talked about the weight of being at the top, his growing love for music, fashion, and using his platform for something bigger than himself.

“you’ve always been good at making noise,” you teased, and he laughed, that bright, unrestrained laugh you hadn’t heard in so long.

the night stretched into dawn, the city quieting as he walked you home. the streetlights cast long shadows, and for a moment, it felt like you were kids again, sneaking through the city after curfew.

“you were always my reminder,” he said suddenly, his voice low. “of where i came from. of what mattered before all of... this.” he gestured vaguely, as if the world he now lived in was too vast to put into words.

“and you were always proof,” you replied softly, “that even the wildest dreams aren’t out of reach.”

standing on your doorstep, the first light of morning brushing the horizon, it hit you—this wasn’t just a chance meeting. this was a reconnection, built on the foundation of a shared past and the people you’d become in the years since.

“don’t disappear again,” you said, half a command, half a plea.

“not a chance,” he replied, that grin softening into something more serious. “i’ve got too much catching up to do.”

as he walked away, the city waking around you, you felt it: the bond you’d thought you’d lost was still there, stronger for the time apart. and maybe, just maybe, this was the start of a new chapter you hadn’t seen coming.

ʚ・george russell

the beach at brancaster felt like a time capsule—same crashing waves, same salty breeze, but now heavy with memories you couldn’t quite shake. summers here used to be everything. you and george, running barefoot through the sand, laughing until your sides ached, dreaming of futures too big for this sleepy little town. he was the dreamer, always looking ahead, while you stayed grounded, the one to remind him where he came from.

but dreams pulled him away. karting turned into formula 1, and suddenly, the boy you shared chips and inside jokes with was a name on TV, surrounded by lights and cameras. the texts slowed, then stopped. he didn’t say goodbye—you weren’t sure if that made it better or worse.

years later, you came back. the town had changed, but the beach hadn’t, and neither had the ache you felt when you saw him standing there, surfboard in hand, staring at the water like it might hold answers.

“you’re here,” he said, voice softer than you remembered.

“so are you,” you replied, trying to sound casual when your heart was doing backflips.

the conversation was awkward at first, years of silence sitting heavy between you. but as the sun dipped low, you found yourself talking like you used to—about life, dreams, and all the things you didn’t say before.

“i messed up,” george admitted finally, staring at the horizon. “i thought chasing my dream meant letting go of everything else. but i never stopped missing you.”

you wanted to be angry, to tell him how much it hurt, but instead, you just sighed. “you’re here now. that’s what matters.”

and maybe it was. because as the tide rolled in, washing away the old scars, it felt like a new beginning—not perfect, but something worth holding onto.

ʚ・carlos sainz

the spanish sun blazed down on the dusty karting track, heat shimmering off the asphalt. carlos was already revving his engine, leaning out of his kart with that trademark grin—the kind that got him out of trouble more times than you could count. "you ready, or are you still fussing over those tires?" he teased, voice playful but competitive.

"some of us like to win without excuses," you shot back, trying to mask your smile.

that was always the dynamic: his fiery, carefree confidence against your calculated focus. you made each other better, but more than that, you were each other's constant—until you weren't.

his talent took him places you couldn't follow. as carlos climbed higher, from karting circuits to formula 1, the calls came less, the visits stopped. he’d always promised, "don’t worry, we’ll figure it out," but the silence between you became louder than any excuse he could give. you told yourself it was fine, that this was just what growing up looked like. but it still hurt—a kind of quiet ache that settled in your chest every time his name flashed on a headline instead of your phone.

years later, you found yourself at a grand prix—not for him, not really, but you couldn’t stay away. the roar of engines, the smell of burning rubber—it all brought you back to those summers when life was simpler, when the world was just the two of you and a dusty track.

after the race, you wandered near the paddock, unsure if you wanted to see him. but before you could decide, you heard his voice: "¡tú! no puede ser…" (you! no way…)

you froze as carlos jogged toward you, his face lighting up in a way that made your chest tighten. "what are you doing here?" he asked, pulling you into a hug before you could respond.

"just watching the race," you said, trying to sound casual. "looks like you’ve gotten a bit better since karting."

he laughed, running a hand through his hair. "and you’re still a pain in my ass, huh?"

you fell into step beside him, talking as if the years hadn’t stretched so far between you. he opened up in a way you didn’t expect—about the pressure, the loneliness, the weight of expectations he never asked for. "sometimes, i miss the old days," he admitted quietly. "it wasn’t perfect, but… it felt real."

"it was real," you said softly, meeting his gaze.

the night slipped by as you talked about everything and nothing, the gap between who you were and who you’d become slowly closing. as the paddock emptied out, he turned to you, his expression uncharacteristically serious.

"i let you down," he said, voice low. "i got so caught up in everything… i didn’t mean to lose you."

you sighed, the bitterness you’d held onto finally starting to loosen. "i let you go, too," you admitted. "but maybe we’re both here for a reason."

a smile broke through his guilt. "then let’s not waste it," he said, his hand brushing yours as if testing the waters.

and just like that, it felt like the beginning of something new—different, but maybe even better. under the dim glow of the paddock lights, with the distant hum of the city, you let yourself believe in second chances.

ʚ・charles leclerc

the monaco grand prix had always been your thing. after every race, you and charles would sneak onto the track, the echo of engines still ringing in your ears. he’d climb the barriers, striking a dramatic pose like he’d just won. “take a picture! i need proof for when it’s real,” he’d say, grinning as you rolled your eyes but clicked the photo anyway.

back then, it was simple—just the two of you, two dreamers chasing something bigger. he was the wild one, always pushing limits, and you? the voice of reason, his constant tether. but as the karting trophies turned into f3 contracts, things shifted. the calls became shorter, the silences longer.

“you don’t understand!” he snapped one night, frustration simmering in his voice. “this is my life now. my future.”

“and we’re not part of that?” you shot back, fighting to keep your tone steady.

his face faltered, a flicker of guilt crossing his features. but then came the stubbornness, the pride. “this is bigger than us,” he said quietly.

those words broke something between you. and the silence that followed stretched for years.

...

monaco hadn’t been in your plans this year, but your friends dragged you to the paddock. the glitz, the champagne—it all felt so distant from the memories you held of sneaking around with charles, pretending to be part of the action. and then, there he was. sharper, leaner, every inch the f1 star. but when his eyes locked on yours, the familiar spark was unmistakable.

“still sneaking into races?” his grin was crooked, teasing.

“you’re one to talk,” you quipped, unable to suppress a smile.

he muttered a quick excuse to his entourage, then turned back to you. “come on. let’s see if the harbor’s still our spot.”

as you walked, the years apart melted away. the easy rhythm returned—teasing, laughing, sharing the unspoken weight of the years. he opened up about the pressures, the loneliness. you admitted the regret, the what-ifs.

“i never stopped missing this,” he said, his voice quieter than you’d ever heard it. “missing you.”

“same,” you replied, meeting his gaze. “you were always...charles.”

“what does that mean?” he asked, a laugh escaping, but there was an edge of nervousness to it.

“it means you’re impossible. but you’re also...you.”

under the stars, by the water’s edge, the pieces fell back into place. his hand brushed against yours, tentative, before settling there. “so, is this where you tell me to stop being impossible?”

“never,” you said, smiling. “you wouldn’t be charles if you did.”

and for the first time in years, it felt like you were exactly where you were meant to be.

ʚ・lando norris

the fields of somerset were your world once, filled with the roar of go-kart engines and lando’s endless laughter. you two were inseparable—best friends with big dreams, racing not just for fun but for a future you both believed in.

“one day,” lando had said, his grin so wide it was almost ridiculous, “we’ll both be there, except i'll be on the track, and you'll be cheering me on."

“in your dreams, lando,” you shot back, playfully shoving him.

but then the dream started to come true, lando got faster, better, and soon, he was gone, swept up by the racing world. at first, he called after every race, sending photos and jokes to bridge the distance. but the calls became fewer, the texts shorter, until one day they stopped altogether.

“you’ll always be my mate,” he’d promised before he left. but you weren’t so sure anymore.

years passed. you moved on—or tried to. then, one day, you found yourself at silverstone, sitting in the grandstands as the engines roared to life. lando was on the grid, his helmet unmistakable. it felt strange, watching him from so far away, like a stranger instead of the boy you once knew.

after the race, you lingered near the paddock, unsure why you stayed. you didn’t even realize he was there until his voice cut through the noise.

“wait—wait! is that…?” lando stopped mid-step, his wide eyes locking on you. “no way!”

you tried to play it cool, shrugging. “just thought i’d check if you’re still slow.”

his laugh was instant, that same contagious laugh you hadn’t heard in years. “still cheeky, i see. c’mon, don’t just stand there.”

before you could protest, he dragged you into the paddock, his energy as chaotic as ever. it felt awkward at first—forced small talk, apologies buried under nervous jokes.

“i messed up, didn’t i?” he blurted suddenly, his grin fading. “i got caught up in… all of this. forgot what mattered.”

you looked at him, surprised. “yeah, you did. but… i guess i get it. it’s a lot to carry.”

“still,” he said softly, meeting your eyes. “i should’ve tried harder. you didn’t deserve that.”

you sighed, the tension in your chest easing slightly. “well, i’m here now, aren’t i? so stop being sappy and tell me how you survived that awful start.”

he laughed, a mix of relief and gratitude in his expression. “god, you're still an ass. don’t go disappearing again, yeah?”

“only if you don’t.” you snap back, with a cheeky smile.

as the night went on, the awkwardness gave way to something familiar—something that felt like home. and as you left the paddock, lando jogging beside you, stealing chips from your hand like nothing had changed, you realized it wasn’t too late to start over. the bond you thought was lost was still there, waiting for you both to remember how to hold on.

ʚ・oscar piastri

the family barbecue was meant to be casual—just a gathering of old friends and neighbors at the piastris’ home during the off-season. you hadn’t planned to go, but your parents insisted. “it’ll be nice,” they said, not knowing how wrong they were.

you spotted oscar almost immediately, standing by the grill with his dad. his posture was the same, hands stuffed in his pockets, but everything else felt different. gone was the boy you knew, replaced by someone who looked sharper, more distant—someone who belonged to a world you’d never been part of.

the last time you’d spoken was years ago, before his meteoric rise through motorsport. back then, you were the ones sharing data sheets, racing each other at karting events, and joking about who’d make it to formula 1 first. “we’ll always stick together,” he’d said, almost solemnly. but as the sponsorship deals rolled in and the calls stopped, you realized how naïve that promise had been.

you didn’t approach him right away. instead, you lingered by the drink table, hoping he wouldn’t notice you. but oscar was nothing if not observant.

“hey,” he said suddenly, appearing at your side. his voice was quieter than you remembered, less certain.

“hi.” you didn’t look at him, keeping your eyes fixed on your cup.

“i didn’t know you’d be here.” he sounded awkward, almost nervous, which was strange for someone who now handled press conferences with ease.

you shrugged. “didn’t really plan on it.”

a beat of silence stretched between you, heavy and uncomfortable. he shifted his weight, running a hand through his hair. “look, i—i’m sorry. for everything.”

you finally turned to him, eyebrows raised. “for what? forgetting i existed?”

his face fell, and for a moment, he looked just like the boy you used to know—unsure, searching for the right words. “i didn’t mean to. things just… happened so fast. and i didn’t know how to balance it all.”

“you could’ve tried.” the words came out harsher than you intended, but you didn’t regret them.

he nodded, his gaze dropping to the ground. “you’re right. i should have.”

another silence fell, this one softer, less suffocating.

“so,” you said eventually, crossing your arms. “what now? we pretend like nothing happened?”

he looked up, meeting your eyes for the first time. “no. i don’t want that. i just… i’d like to fix this. if you’ll let me.”

you didn’t answer right away, letting the words hang in the air. but then you sighed, a small smile tugging at the corner of your lips. “you’ve got a lot to make up for, oscar.”

his own smile broke through, hesitant but genuine. “i’ll start now then.”

and for the first time in years, you felt like maybe—just maybe—there was still a place for you in his world.

© 2024 jungwnies | All rights reserved. Do not repost, plagiarize, or translate

[lowkeyerror]

Always There

Agatha Harkness x Vampire!Reader x Rio Vidal

Word count: 4.9k

Notes: Non-major character death, depictions of violence, graphic violent content (blood, mob violence/torture, detailed wounds), angst, hurt/comfort, fluff, small mention of suicial tendencies, italics=past

Summary: Vampire reader has had a casual relationship with Agatha and Rio, but eventually too many years pass since their last encounter, the vampire starts to wonder if they still cared for her.

An: Posting this immediately after I finished writing it. Hope you enjoy. Likes, replies, reblogs, and all of that are appreciated 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️ Edit: Not me saying itallics and forgetting to actually put them lol

Masterlist

You’ve had a casual fling with Agatha and Rio for as long as you can recall. There’s a stereotype about witches coming and going as they please, and you find it to be frustratingly true.

It's easier to get ahold of Rio than Agatha, which is ironic considering that Rio is literally Death. With the title comes the job, so all you truly needed to get a glimpse of her was a body. Perhaps you could arrange the carcasses in a way that said ‘stay with me forever’.

As a vampire, you had time to wait. There was no rush, which is how you believe things got so casual. You could never forget how you met the pair.

At the time angry mobs were running rampant, looking for anyone to persecute. You were a known vampire living not to far from a village. They hunted you for sport. There were many of them that you killed, but eventually they were able to ambush you. When they did, they used wooden spikes to pin you to a large ‘X’ that they built. The scars from were they impaled your flesh still present today.

They tortured you; punching, spitting, stabbing, you had eventually lost track of time after a few hours. The need for blood weakening you enough to where breaking free was nearly impossible.

They’d come in shifts for the torture and leave only one person to watch you in the night. That was their only flaw. You didn’t expect anyone outside of the village to come across you, but someone did.

Your head was hung low, when you heard the unmistakable sound of a body hitting the ground. You raised it slightly, to see the guard that was supposed to be watching you, dead on the floor.

“You don’t look too well.”

It had been days since you had tried to speak, so your voice was hoarse, “I wouldn’t think so.”

“What are you? Only someone different, is worth all of this trouble,” a different voice spoke.

Your eyes look to where the voices are coming from, but you only see shadows. Your tongue is dry as it passes over your bloody chapped lips.

“Vampire,” you mumbled.

“Help me get her down.”

When they approached, you finally got a good look at them. You couldn’t help but stare at their features. Both youthful with rosy cheeks. Rio’s large brown eyes caught your attention immediately, warm yet hiding something. Agatha’s features were sharper, her cheekbones, her jawline, even her eyes.

“This will hurt,” Rio examined the wood embedded into your skin.

“I know,” you spoke weakly.

You expected them to pull the spikes out with their hands. Instead your eyebrows furrowed when purple and green tendrils of magic worked around the spikes. Instead of 4, painfully slow, agonizing moments, there was only one rough pull, before your body fell off of the ‘X’. Only your knees hit ground as Agatha and Rio held up the rest of your body.

Your full weight pushed against them as your head rested in between their shoulders, “Thank you.”

“Hungry?”

Your eyes glowed a dim red, “I could drain a village.”

“Bloodthirsty, even in this state?” Agatha teased.

“Especially in this state,” you corrected.

You could hardly move, but you attempted to stand on your unstable legs. You grunted in pain as you put one foot in front of the other. Your focus was on the dead guard. His heart was no longer beating, but blood still filled his veins. It was calling to you, it had been too long since you had fed.

Your fangs snack into the man’s neck viciously. You had no remorse for the corpse as his body began to lose color as you drank. He wasn’t a large man, which was unfortunate, but he sufficed for the moment.

Harsh breaths and clearing of your throat, were indicators of how much you needed that. You wiped the blood off of your mouth with the back of your hand.

Your wounds were slowly closing, but it was taking all of the energy you had just gained.

“I can heal you faster,” Rio said tentatively grabbing your forearm.

She extended it so that it’s flat, before quickly running her tongue over the spot. You looked at her as if she was crazy, but then back at your wrist. The hole from the stake was gone, in its place was only a scar.

If you had a pulse, you were sure that it would be beating wildly.

You glanced at Agatha, who watched on, “Do you do that too?”

She shook her head, “Earth witch specialty.”

“How long did they have you like that?” Rio’s eyes have examined your body, noticing the extensive damage. Her finger trailed one of the nastier slashes across your stomach.

“I don't recall,” you spoke honestly.

Rio was careful as she healed the larger wounds on your body, you told her not to worry about the less significant ones. Even when she was done you were still caked in dirt and mostly your own blood.

“Let me help you out doll,” Agatha waved her fingers swiftly, and soon you were clean as a whistle.

Your tattered clothes replaced as if they were new, dirt and blood alike removed from your body. Ugly scars, now covered except for the few that littered your face.

“Why help me? We are only strangers, I don’t even know your names.”

“Abominations to humanity must stick together lest we want them to wipe every one of us out . You can call me Rio.”

“Agatha Harkness, pleasure to save you beautiful.”

One of your eyebrows raised, “Witch killer, Agatha Harkness?”

The woman chuckled, “I see my reputation supersedes my community. Does my aura scare you…”

“Y/n, and it does not. There are no rules when it comes to preservation of self. I’ve killed my own kind for good reasons and some not so good reasons. Bodies just seem to pile up when I’m around.”

“That why they nail you up like that?” Rio questioned.

You shrugged, “I suppose, a mixture of that and fear.”

“People fear death,” she spoke.

You shook your head as you corrected her, “Mortals fear death. I know people who are thousands of years old, who run from ailments of morality. They are foolish, death cannot be outran. Though it may take longer for her to come, she will eventually get all of us.”

“You aren’t afraid to die?” Agatha questioned you.

“No, there’s no point. She’ll come for me when it’s my time, but until then what is there to fear besides a wasted life.”

Rio had a small smile on her face, “Quite the philosophy you’ve fostered. Just one question, if you feel that way, then why kill anyone in the first place?”

It was your turn to chuckle, “If someone was meant to live, they simply would. I’m not stealing life, simply gifting death to those who have decided that it is their time.”

“How do you know that they’ve decided?” Agatha counters.

“Well you see, many people are weary of vampires and they should be. They let their guard down, they get comfortable, they play with their food instead of finishing the job. Those actions have consequences and I like to deal with those consequences personally. So I suppose when they choose to wrong me, they’ve chosen to die.”

“And the villagers who did this to you?” Rio pondered aloud.

You eyed her cautiously, “Do you stand to stop me?”

Rio shook her head, “I keep a witch killer in my company, you think I’m above a rightfully earned massacre?”

“Well you spoke of solidarity amongst-”

“Think of it this way, we can do what we want amongst each other, as it is our business. The humans have no right, to do what we do.”

You nod, “I agree.”

“So, you’re going to destroy the village?” Agatha questioned.

“My goal is to drain every last one.”

After that first encounter you were drunk on the thought alone of Agatha and Rio. Finding out Rio's true identity only made you lust for her even more. You knew that both had bonded with each other in ways you hadn’t understood, but that didn't stop your feelings from developing.

It didn't take long for them to fold you into their relationship, at least partially. They weren’t always around, but when they were everything seemed to fall back into place.

However, you’d be lying if you said you hadn't been getting restless these last few years. It was feeling like you saw less of them, especially Agatha. It felt like a game of cat and mouse. Somehow you had ended up chasing after them.

Tonight you walk the streets bored, part of you looking for trouble. Rumblings of new age vampire hunters in the area had piqued your interest. So you’d have a chance to have some fun or at minimum find your next meal.

Your fingers play with the rings they had gifted you, centuries ago. In the past you could feel both of them signaling you through the jewelry. It was a faint buzz, something like a hum, through the ring. A feeling that you hadn’t felt in ages. You longed to feel it again, to feel them.

Alleyways didn’t scare you, hardly anything scared you these days. Yet as you take a step into this alley, you sense something immediately. You feel eyes on you, as you walk.

“Has anyone ever told you to be mindful of where you settle demon?”

You continue walking, the empty threat meant nothing to you.

“I know what you are, I can smell it on you,” the voice echoes against the walls.

Your ears twitch, and soon you’re holding a frail man against one of the concrete walls in the alley.

“If you know what I am, you should be more mindful of how you approach me,” your strength speaks for itself.

You don’t give him the pleasure of seeing your fangs or glowing red eyes.

“Ah, you’re one of the older ones. This will be quite fun,” he says gleefully.

“What are you-" the question dies on your lips as you feel a needle being jabbed into your neck.

Your hand instinctively shoots over the spot, and your growl in frustration. You drop the man against the wall, turning your attention to the person who stuck you from behind with the needle.

This man was much bigger than the other. He was about twice your size, but it did not matter. You bare your fangs, hissing at the muscular man.

“Why isn’t she dropping?” He yells, fear laced through his voice.

You take the moment to pounce on him. Your teeth wasting no time, sinking into his neck. The man convulses under you, but you’re stronger than him. Even when he grabs your neck you don’t relent.

“Impossible,” the frail man, whispers from his spot against the wall.

“Nice try, but-”

The sensation hits you like a truck. You feel your vision get blurry and your muscles weaken. You blink a few times trying to will yourself against the late acting sedative.

The frail man nods excessively as you begin to lose consciousness, “Slower than usual, but captured nonetheless.”

You’re jolted back into consciousness when you feel the stake being driven into your skin. You attempt to shoot out of whatever position you are in, but it only causes you a familiar pain. Unlike the first time you were nailed to something, this time it was straight up rather than ‘X’ formation. Your arms hung up straight above your head and your feet were slightly spread underneath.

One spike was used to pierce both of your hands in place while you had one for each foot. Your breathing only quickens even more upon noticing you are in a forest. This couldn’t be happening.

“Glad you could finally join us,” the frail man from earlier want alone this time. He had a group of people with him.

“Let me go, and I’ll consider sparing you one I'm free,” you say, yet no one moves.

“You hold no power here, demon,” the man walks around you. “I am doctor Helsing, you may be familiar with my ancestors.”

Your jaw twitches, “ Van Helsing.”

He chuckles, “What a smart creature you are?”

“What do you want from me?”

His chuckle turns into a boisterous laughter, “ You can't offer me anything that I don't have the ability to take.”

You glare at the people in front of you, eyes turning a vicious shade of red, “The last group of people that tried something like this, paid for their sins with their lives. I hope you’re prepared to do the same.”

“They did quite a number on you, I can tell by your markings. Their only mistake was letting such a beautiful thing like you go,” Helsing says, his hand sliding across the scar on your abdomen.

“They didn’t let me go. I got out.”

His eyes had a glint as he leaned in, “And then you killed them all, how sad.”

He stabs you in the scar. Carving harder and deeper than the previous person. You grunt, but try to steel yourself under the knife. Yet you squirm finding the sensation to be more unpleasant than you had recalled.

“Silver cuts a little different doesn’t it?” He says watching the cut pour blood.

“You’re going to regret this.”

He turns his attention to the people, “Empty threats mean nothing when a beast is tied up. Would anyone else like a turn?”

People in his crowd begin to circle around you. Some with weapons, others cracking their knuckles. You're being attacked from all sides. The pain makes you tear up, but you avoid crying.

Instead you left out a bitter laugh, “That’s all you’ve got. Come on if you're gong to torture me at least put some passion behind it.”

“Oh, we’re just getting started. I want to hear you beg for your life, I want to see you broken, beaten, defeated. I want you to ask for death and then I'll award it to you.”

You spit at Helsing, “I’m not scared of death.”

He wipes your spit off of his face, a scowl now present, “For centuries my family has been driving your species to extinction. The failures may eclipse the successes, but don't think that we were never successful. You will fall at the hands of Van Helsing, creature.”

He has a device in his hand, he shoves it into your mouth. It forces your mouth open and your fangs out. He stares at them in awe. You try to clamp your mouth shut or retract your fangs, but you are unable to. You start to panic.

“Just like a snake, de-fang the vampire and a lot of that fear is gone,” his smile is sadistic.

You feel your adrenaline sky rocket as you shake violently. Your eyes wide in terror. The wood stake ripping your skin, but the pain was nothing akin to the fright.

You don’t remember the last time you were truly this scared.

He laughs and some of the crowd laugh along with him, “Are you afraid now, demon?”

Tears fall from your eyes and he coos. You flinch at his hand touching your face. His fingers were rough and callused against the swollen skin. You move your head as if to attack him and he stumbles back.

He grabs your jaw roughly, “This is the power of man.”

“Looks like someone is having a party and forgot to invite us.”

You know that voice. It makes you close your eyes in relief. The panic you felt in the moment begins to dissipate.

Everyone looks to the sky following the sound of the voice. It’s there that they see Agatha and Rio floating in the sky. Most of the crowd has their mouths agape, not believing what they are seeing.

“Should we offer them mercy, Agatha? Maybe our invites got lost in the mail?”

“This matter does not concern you foul wenches, be gone,” Helsing says, his voice trembles a bit at the end.

It’s Agatha that cackles looking down at the man, “See that’s where your wrong because…”

Rio appears behind the man, her skeletal form on her face, “If it concerns her, then it concerns us.”

Her dagger lays on his neck and he looses his composure.

“Anyone want to be brave?” Agatha questions the crowd, who screams when she shoots her magic at a nearby tree exploding it.

“What happened? A second ago you were lining up to torture her, but now you’re scared,” Rio adds pressure to her dagger.

“Don’t get shy now, doctor. Nothing to say?” Agatha gets closer to him.

The group tries to scatter but she traps them in a circle full of fire. They’re forced to gather close to each other. Their screams make you smile.

Agatha pulls the device out of your mouth carefully. Her hand caresses your face gently. You lean into her touch.

“We have to stop meeting like this doll,” Agatha mumbles only for you to hear.

“We wouldn’t have to meet again if you stopped leaving,” you shoot back.

Agatha casts her gaze away from you and over to Helsing. She and Rio switch places. The Green Witch, uses her vines to pull the spikes out of your body. It’s a feeling that never gets easier to experience.

You land on your feet ignoring the burning sensation. With your back tall you walk over to Helsing. You crouch in front of him, despite your own agony.

You hold his eyes, “Funny, I recall you telling me I’d beg for death. Well now she’s here for me, just not in the way you expected is it?”

Rio wiggles her fingers at the doctor, “I loved dragging the souls of your family to eternal damnation, can’t wait to reunite you with them.”

“Humans are all the same, always playing with food that’s not yours,” you stand towering over the man.

“Hey I like to play with my food,” Agatha pouts.

You smile, “When you have power you can do what you want.”

You open your hand and Rio drops her dagger into your grasp. The crowd watches in panic behind the flames as you approach the man.

“However, I’ve never been one to play with my food,” in a swift motion you slit his throat.

The gasps and screams of his followers sounds like music to your ears. He gargles his own blood reaching for his neck.

“Your blood isn’t worth drinking,” you watch as he collapses. You turn to address the crowd, “None of you have worthy blood. Cowards, followers, miscreants, I hope it was worth it. The price is your life, now burn.”

Agatha waves her hand dismissively and the crowd of people are quickly evaporated. Ash and burnt grass the only remnants of the aggressors.

Upon their destruction you crumble to the floor. Your body screaming at you for the abuse you endured.

Rio starts with the wound on your stomach before healing the spiked points. Your body still aches when she’s finished, but it’s substantially less than before.

“Déjà vu isn’t it bunny?” Agatha opens the floor for conversation.

“Now isn’t the time Agatha,” Rio scolds the woman, who raises her hands in defense.

“I was just reminiscing, is that a crime?”

You stand, “Well, good seeing you. Same time… in the next few centuries or…”

“You’re hurt,” Rio argues.

“You healed me enough,” you shrug.

Agatha rolls her eyes, “What’s with the attitude princess?”

You place a hand on your hip, “When was the last time we saw each other, Agatha? Rio, you only come when I leave bodies in my wake. So sorry if I’m not thrilled it takes me being captured and tortured to get some time together.”

“It’s always been this way,” Agatha argues back.

Your voice takes on an uncharacteristically soft tone, “I know and I’m tired. I don’t want whatever this is. I need something more, something tangible. It’s fine if you don't want to give that to me, but I can't keep waiting.”

You try to keep calm as you pull the rings off of your fingers, hand out stretched to give them back to their original owners.

“Y/n…”

“Take them… please. Free me, from whatever this is. I’m grateful that you saved me on our first day and maybe the same thing happening again is fate telling me that this is our last day,” you get the courage to look at them with teary eyes.

“You don't even believe in fate,” Agatha tries to reason with you.

“How would you know, you haven't been around. Things change, people change,” you tell her.

Agatha looks to Rio for help, but The Green Witch, just keeps her eyes on you.

“That’s bullshit! If change is so real, how’d we end up right back where we started hmm? Poor little hung up bat, in need of saving and here we are like always,” Agatha’s theatrics peak through her words.

“Like always?” You repeat, in disbelief.

“Look sweetheart, I know that-"

You ball your fists at your side, “What could you possibly know Agatha? Tell me, I’m interested in hearing. Did you know I spend all my time waiting for either of you to tell me if you want me or not? I don’t sleep, I just think and think and think about finding a way to end it all without having to see either of you. Hard to kill yourself with Death keeping tabs on you, even without a heartbeat. I knew this guy was tracking me, I knew what he wanted to do, and I said fuck it. I don’t care, what’s there to live for anyway?”

“You can't be serious?” Rio doesn’t want to believe what you’re saying.

“Of course I’m serious, part of me thought that after all these years humans would be over torture, but that was foolish of me. Why would I think that you'd come to save me? I still don’t understand why you did.”

“Because we love you, you fucking idiot!” Agatha shouts at you.

You scoff, “Do you really? I couldn’t tell by the hundreds of years apart.”

“We were protecting you,” Agatha gets in your space.

“What could have possibly been protecting me? Oh no, a loving and caring environment? How ever could I have managed such domestic delights and pleasures,” your voice drips sarcasm.

“You do realize that Rio is Death, right? Her job is literally to reap souls, you aren’t the only one that doesn’t get to see her often. And me… I’m all trouble, doll. There’s not a pleasant bone in my body.”

You roll your eyes and cross your arms over your chest, “Did you forget who I am? Have you had a head trauma recently, or maybe you need a refresher? I’m not the greatest either, cupcake. I just slit a man’s throat and had his followers executed.”

“By me,” Agatha points out.

“Ok and you want credit for the villages I killed too? The vampires I murdered? The people I lied to? The whores I fucked? I’m not some sweet innocent thing you picked up off of the side of the road. My ledger has had blood on it since before you killed your original coven.”

Your eyes are red as they stare into her blue ones.

“We were scared,” Rio interrupts the rising tensions between you and Agatha.

“Scared of what?” You glance at her.

“Of committing to you. Hell, Agatha and I can’t even fully commit to each other. This game of cat and mouse, it’s all we know. You’re right, you deserve more, so much more, but we don’t know how to give it. We don’t know what a domestic life looks like, we aren’t domestic people. I didn't think there would be any doubt in your head that we loved you, and maybe that just shows how fucked up we really are,” Rio monologues.

Her words hit you harshly. They make you want to start crying all over again. You cast your gaze to the floor.

“I guess that brings us back to the original point then, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s better if we just, end it here,” you can’t look at them.

“If that’s what you want?” Rio nods solemnly.

Agatha looks between the two of you, “Are you two stupid or something? You have to be if you think I’m just going to agree to this.”

“Agatha-”

“Don’t. I love you, both of you. I don’t want this to end and if that means changing the way things operate, then I guess things just have to change,” Agatha speaks seriously.

“What are yo-”

You startle when Agatha grabs your hands in both of hers. Her eyes locking fiercely onto yours. She doesn’t blink as she speaks, “Move in with me.”

“What?”

“You want time together, we can have time together. We’ve basically been together for centuries, come live with me.”

“Agatha, I think you've lost the plot,” Rio says, cautiously.

“You too Dr. Green Thumb. Let’s all move in together,” Agatha nods her head.

“That doesn’t fix everything,” you focus on her hands over yours.

She doesn’t hesitate to raise her hands to cup your face, “There’s obviously a lot to fix, but you can’t tell me this isn’t a step in the right direction. Y/n, I don’t want to- I can’t lose you. I’m not willing to let you go without a fight.”

Your face heats in her hands. Her eyes are ablaze with passion as they keep contact with yours.

You sigh and rest your forehead against hers, “I don’t know Agatha.”

Rio joins the moment, carefully wrapping her arms around your torso, “I don’t think any of us really know, but I think we’re supposed to find out together.”

“Please,” Agatha’s breath hits your lips. “Just a chance to make up for lost time. If it doesn’t work, then it doesn’t, but please don’t give up on us yet.”

Hearing Agatha beg like this tugs at your heart. You don’t want to give in this easily, but you’ve already wasted so much time.

“Ok.”

As the word falls from your lips, Agatha surges forward. You can recall the last time her lips were on yours. The warmth that they were able to send through your body. How firm she was in her kiss, not scared or uncertain as your lips moved together. She knew what she wanted and it was hard to picture a world in which she’d kiss someone she wasn’t interested in the way she was kissing you. You were the one she wanted.

Your legs grow weak, but Rio holds you steady. Her shifting grip, makes you turn to face her. Unlike Agatha she hesitates. She takes a moment to admire your features, she wasn’t in a rush. Neither were you. Rio’s kiss is softer than Agatha’s, her plush lips, move experimentally against yours. It’s not like she’s forgotten, more like she’s re-exploring. She's playful, as her teeth nibble on your bottom lip. You laugh at the sensation.

Rio rests her head on your shoulder. She extends her hands, motioning for the other witch to get closer. Agatha wraps her arms around the both of you. Her front to your back while her hands rest on Rio’s back. You’re encased by them, a feeling that is welcomed yet foreign to you.

“Promise that you'll keep me close” you say to both of them.

“Until the road ends, my love,” Agatha kisses the top of your head.

“I’ll hold you even after the road ends,” Rio kisses the base of your neck.

“Do you always have to one up me?” Agatha says to Rio.

Rio chuckles, “Sounds like a skill issue sweetheart.”

“Oh, we’ll see who has a skill issue later, when you’re begging me for help because my fingers are longer than yours,” Agatha says smugly.

Rio pulls back from you to glare at Agatha, “If you don’t want to ‘help’ me, I’ll just ask Y/n. Isn’t that right sweetheart?”

You blush at the innuendo.

“Nuh uh, bunny. I think I recall you liking my treats better, because someone has a skill issue,” Agatha sticks her tongue at Rio.

You turn an even deeper shade of red.

“You can never let an emotional moment be,” Rio says.

“Well you’re always trying to out ‘emotional’ me,” Agatha replies.

“It’s not my fault you’re not as smooth as me, mi vida,” Rio counters again.

Agatha throws her hands up, “I know Spanish and Latin too, you’re not special Vidal.”

Rio raises an eyebrow, “And who taught you?”

The back and forth makes you laugh, “Are you sure you don’t do domestic, because you bicker like an old married couple?”

They both huff at your statement.

“We’ll continue this at home,” Agatha points at Rio.

The brown eyed woman puts her hand over her heart in faux-fear, “Oooo, I’m terrified.”

Agatha opens a portal to her house and both women step through. Not stopping their bickering for a second. You smile as you watch them, feeling hopeful for the first time in a long time.

“The portal isn’t going to stay open forever, bunny, come on,” Agatha reaches her hand to pull you through.

You take it, stepping into your new beginning.

[bunnyluvx]

hii could you write castlevania nocturne alucard x fem!reader💗maybe the reader is a vampire or speaker/witch

enchant me, lover. ♡

featuring: adrian fahrenheit ţepeş / alucard x f! vampire, speaker & witch! reader.

summary: you're stargazing with your husband, and he doesn't get the chance to wish on a shooting star. you know just what will cheer him up.

warnings: minors and ageless blog dni regardless of content. i made the line dividers, so please don't use them. | support divider: @cafekitsune | wc: 2.3k | ao3

tags: fluff | hurt/comfort | domestic fluff | one-shot | stargazing | established marriage

a/n: i'll do you one better, friend, and combine ALL OF THEM!! >:D i'm trying to make my way through my requests, so there will be lots of castlevania stuff for awhile! this is set a couple of years before adrian left to track sekhmet. i hope that i did you justice, anon, and please enjoy, dear friends!!

date started: 7:08PM, february 16th, 2025. date finished: 8:45PM, february 25th, 2025.

The moon cloaks itself amidst the twilight to leave room for the stars to illuminate the sky. Thousands gather closely together to observe the night's events, and whisper gossip that the breeze tells them. A castle, tall enough to hold the heavens and older than most museums, resides within the forest. Its worn stone enjoys the scenery's tranquility, and the surrounding wildlife serves as a reminder of its reason for standing.

There are two occupants in this castle; The legendary Alucard, A.K.A Adrian Țepeș, and you, his lovely wife. You have been married for almost two-hundred years, and there is nothing that you would change about the life that you have built together. You both enjoy travel, so the adventures that you go on together are eternally endless. Adrian has solidified himself into your soul, and he is part of you that you never wish to do without. In moments where you felt like you couldn't go on, his face came to mind and you remembered just how strong you are.

Adrian knows that the connection that you share will last far beyond the relevance of your immortal lives. Not even at the chance of death will your love's resilience waver, for it is a force stronger than any enemy that you have vanquished together. If you were not in his life, then he would not laugh, smile, ponder or explore as much as he has in your company. Adrian Țepeș is not a man who fears much, but the idea that plagues his mind into restlessness is how much darker his world would be without you in it. Imagining a reality where he lives without your rants about all of the things that he wouldn't think twice about, paired with its angelic echo chanting off of the walls of your home would send him into madness, if not for the comfort of your body lying asleep by his side in your shared bed.

Every day that you spend together is a day that you both cherish, and today has felt particularly special. From dawn 'til dusk, you walked through the forest and discovered things that you hadn't noticed before; The different flowers blooming within the grass or unfamiliar streams, for instance. You have lived in this area for some time now, yet when journeying with Adrian, all sorts of new encounters appeared. It was very fulfilling to wander out with him to see what awaited you.

Now, your exciting day has come to a close, and both of you agreed that the best way to wind down before bed was to stargaze together. You stand on one of many bridges of the palace, your hands resting on the cold stone railing while your eyes sparkle just as brightly as the stars you stare at. Adrian stands not far behind you, a smile gracing his pale lips as he admires the great darkness above. Every once in awhile, he will look back at you and treasure the warmth that pools within his chest. Your joy while looking up at the stars is more beautiful than any twinkling light in the sky, and if he spent his night watching you like this instead, then he would be just as content.

Occasionally, you'll point out an exceptionally bright star, or a constellation, and Adrian's eyes will follow where you lead them. You'll tell about the story behind how the constellation was named, and anything else that comes to mind in relation. Being born into a group of Speakers has left a lot of room for you to acquire all sorts of knowledge about a variety of different subjects, and at one point in your life, you found yourself very fascinated with everything related to space. As a result, you did a lot of research on the subject so that you could share it with your family, and anyone crossing your path willing to listen.

Both of Adrian's parents were people of science, so he gathered quite the bounty of information himself, but he would always make an effort to listen to you. No matter how many times you repeat the same tales and facts, he will nod along and asks questions as if it's the first time, just to prompt your endless, passionate rambles. Gaining the opportunity to share your wisdom grants you an ethereal, excitable glow that he will gladly blind himself with, if it means that the last thing he ever sees is your smiling face.

A comforting quiet lingers in the air while you both gaze up at the stars, cherishing the night's delightful weather that provides you the freedom to enjoy this moment together. Sky's stillness suddenly dispels when a star swiftly descends from the shadows, and immediately, it catches Adrian's attention. A blissful, child-like smile graces his lips as he takes a step forward, then points above while announcing, "Look, a shooting star!"

Instantly, your head whips into the direction where Adrian's finger follows, and you see it. Fortunately, before it leaves your view, you are able to make a wish. Many would see it as silly for an over three-hundred year-old vampire to believe in wishing on stars, for you have lived long enough to know that not all myths are true. Regardless, you like the hopefulness that the idea brings; That someone, somewhere is listening, with the goal of helping you achieve your dreams.

Wherever this comet is going, it's in a hurry, for it's leaving as quickly as it came. You squeeze your eyes shut and hold your breath, thinking about what you want most in the world. When you open them, you release the wind trapped inside your throat at the realization that the shooting star has disappeared over the horizon. Disappointment dwells in your heart and on your shoulders briefly before you spin around to look at your husband, whose arm has lowered. His face illuminates with a gentle joy as he gazes into the distance, a display that lightens your disheartenment and replaces it with bliss.

Long ago, you swore that you would commit all of Adrian's smiles to memory, so you take this time to do just that. The radiant expression that he wears is one of wonder, faith and longing, as if he wishes to chase that star to the ends of the Earth. You think that he looks so adorable like this, and you would hate for him to stop, but you become curious as to if he made a wish too, so you ask him, "Did you make a wish, Adrian?"

Blinking out of his awestruck state, golden eyes meet yours. You are so glad that during all of this time, the color of Adrian's eyes never changed. You think that it gives him individuality, and they remind you that through every hardship, you will always have someone at your side to endure it with. Sunshine dims into a soft sadness, which rawly clenches at your heart. Adrian's eyes glance to the ground, a frown on his face while he admits, "Oh, no. I didn't get the chance to."

The vessel which keeps you standing feels like it is being brutally mauled through at this response. Now, Adrian gazes out into the sky with furrowed brows, and your own face falls as his does. While he is skeptical about the idea of wishing on stars, he does find it fun to do sometimes. It didn't even come to mind when he saw it passing by, and seeing just how disappointed he is hurts more than any wound you could ever receive.

You use your quick-thinking skills to come up with something to cheer the dhampir up, when it hits you. You have been studying human magics for one-hundred years, and while you are quite skilled, you do not practice enough to fully achieve your true potential. Typically, you only use your magic on occasion when you're bored to make fun shapes, or when you're in combat with no other choice, but this is just as vital- no, even more-so. This is more dire than any foe that you have vanquished, more monstrous than any beast you have slain; Your sweet husband is sad, and as his wife, you want to make him feel better!

So, you cup your palms together and hold them out in front of you. Adrian notices the shift of your body, and turns to watch as you close your eyes. You focus on your desire, and think about the way that a star feels. You feel a tickling sensation spring its way up your back, as if stardust brushes your skin. Slipping into a deep state of concentration, you reflect on your early studies of magic when a yellow spark erupts into your hands. Adrian watches with fascination while the spark begins to brighten; It begins to take shape, until a thin, golden diamond glows in your grasp.

Adrian is completely blown away by your demonstration, his mouth hung open and eyes gawking widely at what you've just created. You open your eyes and smile at the dumbfounded look on your husband's face, giggling. "Make a wish, Adrian."

Realistically, you both know that this isn't what a star looks like, but that doesn't matter to your man. What matters to him is that it's yours, and it's perfect. For a moment, Adrian is silent, too bewildered by your manifestation to summon his voice. He knows that you are a very talented magician, and he has seen your capabilities at their finest. The fact that you have forged something so precious just to make him happy deeply touches Adrian. A smile adorns the man's face once more, eyes holding a love that is reserved only for you. He reaches a hand over to the side of your face to allow gloved fingers to graze your skin while he leans forward, and presses a gentle kiss to your lips.

You watch as he melts before you, your smile growing wider when seeing that he's happy again. Unexpectedly, he gives you a kiss, and this makes you feel even better. Adrian's lips have a very dastardly power to make you weak; One brush of them, and you feel like you could faint on the spot. His lips are soft, and he tastes of the most captivating spell. You would have dropped the illusion and wrapped your arms around him to properly relay your passion, if you didn't know how meaningful this was to him. Heat crawls its way into your cheeks, and your shoulders have hiked up from surprise, but they slowly lower themselves as you allow your body to relax. You return his kiss and tilt your head slightly to enhance the experience for both of you, and you stand like this for a moment to cherish how perfectly your lips mold together.

Albeit regrettably, Adrian is the one to back away. The sun of his eyes shines brightly with admiration, and the smile on his lips is tender. "I don't need to," He murmurs sweetly.

Seeing this look on the dhampir's face is everything that you could want out of tonight. You have shared a wonderful day together, but this has been the best part of it by far. A crooked grin curls its way your lips, and you give him a knowing look when you decide to tease him, "If you say it's because you have everything you could wish for right here, I'm going to hit you."

Adrian's posture straightens as he throws his head back to laugh. Light blooms within your chest at the sound, one that you would listen to every hour for all of your days if given the chance. Tilting his head upright, he meets your eyes and responds, "Alright, I hear you." Then, he leans over to examine the star in your hands more closely, asking, "Could we save it?" Your husband aligns himself upright again, reuniting your gaze to his while adding, "For my next wish."

You smile at the man, head slightly tilted while fondly gazing at him. Any request of his is one you will gladly satisfy, so you tell him, "I think I can do that."

The look on your face causes Adrian to soften, his shoulders noticeably relaxing a bit more at the sight. "Good." He then turns so that his side faces you, and offers an arm for you to take. "Shall we head to bed now?"

You squeeze your eyes shut and press your lips together harshly, charging all of your energy into the little splendor in your hands before hopping up. With your little bounce, the star shoots up into the sky, stardust hot on its trail, before it lowers down to settle itself floating slightly above you and Adrian. The dhampir turns around to recognize what you've done, that same stupefied expression on his face. You see it and laugh, an arm coming over your stomach as you take a step back and point at him. You gather yourself shortly after, and brush away any lingering dust on your clothes before you turn to face where Adrian is to take his arm. "Let's go."

It's only when you make contact with him that your husband comes out of his shock, his face relaxing when seeing yours and a smile decorating his lips. "As you wish."

With that, you head into the castle to begin your nightly routine. The star you created twirls around you both the entire way, and you laugh at mystical friend's enthusiasm. Love has brought you two a long way, and you guarantee that it will take you even farther. In every life, you know that Adrian would do anything to make you happy, and he knows that you would do the same.

@BUNNYLUVX ,, all rights reserved. do not copy/plagiarize any of my works or submit it into ai. any and all support is appreciated! <3

[malereadermaniac]

૮ • ﻌ - ა Jocks n Straps - Jock Studio Guys x Male Reader

Word Count: 9k

Plot: Dating & Smut headcannons with Ace, Derek, Bryce, Zayne, Yuuto, Leo, Avan - 'dating' doesn't mean sfw!! (;¬_¬)

Featuring: Top!Characters x Bottom!Reader

Note: Pls bear in mind that the game isn't out yet, I have no clue if my characterisations of these guys will be accurate or not! Also - each scenario is separate! Reader's sport is track!

Warnings: Nsfw / MDNI ~ amab m!reader / FDNI

Derek Kingsfield ~ dating

Dating the quarterback of Olympus was not for the weak! At least it wasn't meant to be; but Derek made sure that it was as easy as possible for you. You first met the giant hunk-of-a-man on the track. Derek and his rugby friends were hanging out by the track n field section of Olympus, and the redhead couldn't take his eyes off of you for a solid three hours while you practiced. To be fair, you were not only one of the star runners of the track team, and not only fucking attractive, but Derek also found your personality super magnetic! You were so kind to your fellow runners; offering them water and checking on them, even offering the freshmen an early finish 'cause the sun was especially hot that day. So, Derek went up and talked to you; a perfectly normal reaction to finding someone attractive, for a six-foot-something hunk that's never been rejected before! "You're a really good runner, I can see why you're ranked second even as a sophomore" Derek commented "Haha thanks! I've been running since I was a kid so ya know. You're one to talk mr Quarterback-since-freshman-year" You reply charismatically "Oh so you know of me?" Derek smirks

And that was it. The two of you hit it off immediately! Though it did take a while for the two of you to actually become exclusive, you thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the talking and dating stage! Derek quickly added you on all of his socials and started talking to you whenever he could; something you definitely wouldn't expect from the inanely popular quarterback! Though you got along with Derek, you didn't expect him to actively show interest in you; it was a nice change from some guys who expected you to put in all the effort! You quickly learnt a lot about Derek and vice versa; you two would text throughout the entire day and late into the night. It was like you two had known each other for ages! And the more you two learnt about each other, the more you liked each other. You liked how Derek was built like a douchey, bulked-out man, but was, in fact, one of the nicest and most caring guys you'd met. The redhead was the dictionary definition of a gentle giant! Derek also liked you more and more, the more he got to know you. He liked how passionate you were about your sport, but how you were equally passionate about things you valued in your life; you cared deeply about your friends, you cared about your education at Olympus, and you cared about Derek despite not knowing him for that long! You'd check on the redhead after games and offer to help him out with uni work (even though you probably didn't know the answers, but it was the thought that counts); everything about you, and everything you did, just made Derek more attracted to you!

So once the two of you made it official, you immediately became a well-known couple on campus; the ideal relationship, just two partners who truly loved each other! You two were always supporting each other at big events and even during small practices. Everyday you learn something about Derek that subverts the stereotypes you held about him. You didn't expect the muscular quarterback to have a geeky side which watches starwars everynight! And you didn't expect Derek's biggest red flag to be putting your feelings before his! You've had to have serious talks with him about not bottling up his feelings to make you happy. You have also had some serious discussions about your relationship, he's in his final year after all! Derek's getting ready to graduate and go pro whilst you're still gonna be stuck at Olympus training! But trust me, Derek is far more distraught about this than you are! Your gentle giant boyfriend has shed tears at the thought of being so separate from you, and he's even felt physically ill when you even suggested that he'd want to break up with you to fully experience his life! He just cares about you so much!

Derek Kingsfield ~ nsfw

To your surprise, Derek had a secret career in porn; he was known as 'The King'~ Your boyfriend was very shy to tell you at first; ashamed and sad that there are many videos out there of him having sex with other men that weren't you! But Derek didn't wanna lie to you about it! He was so torn over this that it was even affecting his plays on the field! You of course noticed this and just asked him straight up. But to Derek's surprise, you didn't mind as much as he thought you would! "I mean it feels a little weird... But if anything I guess it's kinda hot" Holy shit Derek got hard when you said that.

'The King' was very mean and dominant in all of his videos, but as you already know, Derek is quite the opposite - again, a gentle giant. That being said, just because Derek cares about you and checks in on you, that does not mean that he isn't a fucking sex god! Obviously, your boyfriend is incredibly attractive; six foot something, incredibly muscular, proportionate, tits and ass the size of Texas, broad shoulders and back, huge, manly hands, etcetera etcetera. But his skill in bed needs to be scientifically studied! His time in porn definitely taught him a couple of tricks! The man knows foreplay like the back of his hand; fingering you not only to loosen you but also making you cum before he even gets his dick inside! The hunky quarterback ensures that he gives attention to all the spots you like; biting your nipples, sucking on your neck, kissing you on the lips, jerking you off slowly and softly as his fingers curl directly into your prostate. Derek just knows exactly how to get you off!

Derek fucking loves it when you suck him off too! The size difference between his huge, muscular thighs and your smaller body; and of course the size difference between his monster of a cock and your cute face in comparison! Holy shit it just riles Derek up so much! Speaking of his dick, your boyfriend's cock is definitely one of the biggest on campus! That thing is not only over 7 iches, but it's thick and veiny too! His foreskin is somehow loose when Derek is flaccid, but when the redhead is fully hard, his dick head is so thick that his foreskin struggles to keep it in! His balls are thick and hang low, and Derek's pubes are a thick forest of deep red. Also, 'cause of how physical rugby is, after a game Derek's dick stinksssss of just straight-up MAN; seriously, his musky crotch has made you get hard within seconds many a time!

Derek is also super open to fucking however you want to! Want him to go slow and guide you through it? He's fucking you slowly in missionary as he makes out with you and jerks you off to the pace of his thrusts. Want your boyfriend to get dominant? The quarterback has you in a mating press, calling you names and spitting on your whilst he fucks you at a pace which shouldn't be humanly possible. But no matter how he fucks you, Derek is always giving you top-tier aftercare. It doesn't matter if he treated you like you were made out of glass, or out of rubber! Derek insisted on cleaning you up, apologising profusely 'if he went too hard', and cuddling you until you both fall asleep. But what you love most is giving Derek aftercare! Truthfully, he's never received it before, and he told you this the first time you offered it to him! You were shocked; big, hunky boys need aftercare too!! So when you let the giant man lay on your chest as you stroked his hair and showered him with praise and assurance, Derek almost started crying.

Kinks: Derek has a huge thing for fucking in sports gear! He just finds it so hot when you worship his cock through his jockstrap, or when you kiss him through his helmet. And holy shit does it make him hard when you put on his much bigger rugby top and practically drown in it. Size difference is another thing that just turns your boyfriend on. Derek just fucking loves how you can physically tell that he can protect you and care for you! And despite his ego never controlling his actions, it sure does feel good when you inflate his ego by commenting on how big, or muscular, or tall, or strong he is; especially if the 'big' comment is made towards his dick! (KIND OF) EXTREME KINK WARNING Another notable kink of Derek's is fisting. Just look at those line tattoos around the circumference of his massive bicep! He's had the tattoo since his days as 'The King'; the porn company paid for it, and gave him a huge raise for doing some fisting porn! And at some point, Derek started finding it really hot! He knows it's a bit extreme, and he was also way too embarrassed to tell you about it at first, but when you asked him about those videos he had to come clean! And thank god he did tell you about his fisting kink, cause the shit you let him do? The memories of those experiences are the only ones he can finish to when he jerks off!

Zayne Alexander ~ dating

You knew of Zayne since your first day at Olympus. He's practically a celebrity on campus and has the fangirls to prove it! But your first interaction with him was one that some people would die for. Zayne was used to the constant attention, but after a particularly tiring practice, he couldn't be bothered to deal with his crazy fans. Unfortunately (fortunately) for you, you were the only person in the vicinity who wasn't fawning over the ace basketballer of Olympus. You were literally just chilling on your phone waiting for one of your friends on the basketball team, and the next thing you know, Zayne's thumb is tilting your chin up from your phone and his lips are on yours! After a (suspiciously) long kiss, Zayne pays you no attention and turns around to his fans, shouting: "Sorry girls! Can't spend too much time with ya! I'm a taken man now~" Huh? The next, next thing you know, every single female student on campus fucking hates you! Great! "Dude! What the fuck?" You say after all of Zayne's fans disperse, but the star baller forgot you were still there! "Oh? No one's ever complained about kissing Olympus' star baller" Zayne says smugly, but when his pulling rank didn't work on you, his interest was piqued.

Cliche, but you couldn't care less about Zayne's celebrity status; and (cliche again!) that caught his interest. In fact, you actively disliked the man! He was a stereotypical playboy jock; he was rich, popular and suffered from a serious case of affluenza! You could see right through Zayne; you could tell that his confidence was an act and that he was constantly desperate for something new, a new, thrilling experience. You just didn't know that the new, thrilling experience Zayne had set his eyes on, was you.

Over the course of a year, Zayne had made it his mission to get you to fall for him; not because he liked you, but because he liked the challenge. He was ready to lead you on like all his other fans and conquests. But nothing fucking worked! Pulling rank? You couldn't care less that he was a star basketballer. Flirting with you? It grossed you out how hard he was trying; and how full of himself he seemed. Showing off his strength, body, or wealth? It icked you out. Nothing was working on you and it frustrated Zayne. Like a lot. So much so that his rich, confident act crumpled. You woke up one night to your phone getting spam-called by a drunk Zayne after one of Bryce's parties. The dark-skinned man was at your dorm, drunk and shouting for you. After getting him to shut up by letting him inside, Zayne word-vomited all of his thoughts; thoughts about how frustrated he was that you weren't falling for him, thoughts about how he didn't know why he wanted you to like him so bad, thoughts about how frustrated he felt at this pressure put on him to be this confident star player. And somehow, out of all of the tricks Zayne pulled to try and get you to fall for him; this moment worked best. You got to see the real Zayne, and that felt like a breath of fresh air. You could tolerate him like this; for some reason, your heart beat a little faster when he was like this around you.

Zayne realised after that night that he could let his walls down around you; he was expecting you to let people know about how much of a phoney he was, but when his reputation didn't crumble overnight, Zayne realised that he could trust you. Trust you in a way that he couldn't even his closest friends. And that made him actually fall for you... But the muscular baller knew that his usual tricks didn't work on you. So Zayne kept being his real self with you; and that most definitely worked. 'Cause the two of you were actually dating not even three months later!

Dating Zayne came with its challenges. His fans were actually a problem. You would receive daily hate messages from anonymous accounts. But one post from Zayne solved that problem. And though that was the bare minimum, it made you fall for Zayne even more; 'cause you knew that before you, Zayne wouldn't have done that for anyone else. And even though you were icked out by his rich-boy act, you couldn't deny that you seriously enjoyed getting spoiled rotten by your boyfriend!

Zayne Alexander ~ nsfw

In all of his past relationships, Zayne was a sex-first kinda guy. He never really loved his partners, but he definitely enjoyed the sex! But with you, he actively didn't want that to be the case. Zayne fucking loved you and he didn't want to ruin things with you by making you feel like all he wanted from you was sex! So it took a while for the two of you to actually go all the way. But holy shit, when you two finally fucked? Earth-shattering. Obviously, Zayne has plenty of experience with both men and women, but you didn't expect him to care so much about your pleasure! Before you could even offer to suck his dick, Zayne was on his knees willing to suck yours! And holy fuck did he know what he was doing; you watched as your boyfriends muscular, broad back flexed as his head bobbed up and down on your dick, his tongue circling around your head as his man-bun bounced slowly came undone. Zayne was also very quick to get his long, masculine fingers inside of you; getting your guard down with his mouth on your cock and sliding his wet fingers inside of you with seconds!

The tall, dark man loves to fuck you up against walls and fucking loves to get loud. Zayne just likes to express the pleasure he's feeling through sound! So every time you two fuck, the walls of the room practically shake from the loud grunts and moans which escape your boyfriend's throat. But Zayne also loves it when you get loud! Like 50% of his pleasure during sex is from his ego, so when you become a moaning, whimpering, crying mess from his dick? His ego gets 10x bigger (somehow) and just turns Zayne the fuck on!

His dick is usually the culprit when it comes to making you loud. BBC is an understatement. Zayne is fucking huge. It hurts! The poor guy will loosen you for a whole hour and you'll still need like ten whole minutes to adjust to his length and girth or else you will cry. But for you, Zayne preps you right and is happy to wait; he can't say he did the same for his past partners though... His dick is also a little veiny but not that much. The most notable characteristic of your boyfriend's dick is his Prince Andrew piercing! You can't say you didn't expect him to have one; Zayne is a crazy thrill seeker so of course his dick is pierced along with his ears! It's fully healed so Zayne doesn't always keep it in; 'it's annoying to clean' as he says. But the muscular man noticed your affinity for it, so Zayne puts it in more often.

Kinks: Again, your affluenza-suffering boyfriend is a text-book thrill-seeker; so it makes sense that Zayne would be a total exhibitionist! Your popular boyfriend just gets so fucking turned on by the idea of getting caught fucking your brains out and word spreading around campus about it. He's so into it that Zayne has convinced you to fuck in public places on multiple different occasions; to the point that it's become weekly!! This man has fucked you against public toilet cubicle doors, he's fucking you full Nelson in the basketball changing rooms, and you two have even fucked on an aeroplane when the ace was called for an away game... But reality does hit Zayne when you two almost get caught (which happens less often than you'd think). If someone ever almost walks in on you two, Zayne comes back to reality real quick; pulling out and dressing you. You have taken note that Zayne never goes to cover himself up first though; even in moments of panic, he thinks of you first... Worship is another huuuuuuge kink of Zayne's! Whilst his playboy persona is partially an act, his ego still controls him; so of course, watching you worship and appreciate his body and marvel at his beauty turns him on! Zayne loves to watch you as you lick and kiss his muscular back, his shoulders, his huge, long biceps, his thick thighs, his thick ass, and most definitely his cock; holy shit does Zayne love it when you admire his huge dick and comment on how huge he his.

Bryce Callahan ~ dating

*CRASH* You weren't exactly sure what you'd bumped into, but you knew that it was nice n soft. You were late for your track meet, something you'd never been as one of the top runners at Olympus. And as one of the top runners, you were going at lightning speed; so much so that you blinked and you had crashing into something. Or rather, someone... Bryce Callahan. You knew of the ginger wrestler and he knew of you. By your first month at Olympus, you two knew of each other; both having quickly gained reputations and popularity, although for very different reasons. You had been out and proud about your sexuality since your first day, and if anything that gained you some brownie points. But in general, everyone just naturally loves you; you're nice to everyone no matter if you know them or not, and you just have this confidence and aura around you that draws people in. Bryce on the other hand is your stereotypical asshole jock, but he quickly gained popularity not just because of his looks but also because of the parties he throws. It's at said parties that Bryce has noticed you before. He'd heard of you before, with some guys on his team and that he hangs with talking about you and how they'd 'hit that'. But seeing you at parties, he kind of got it. Bryce understood why you were just as popular as him, if not more popular; you were objectively attractive, but damn why were you so magnetic? But back to whatever it was you crashed into. It was soft, so you assumed it had to be a person. But, as you peeled yourself off of whoever you had smashed your face into, you heard the person make a comment "Bro what the fuck?! You that fuckin' desperate to cop a feel?" You quickly noticed that your impact had been softened by none other than Bryce; more specifically by the muscular giant's huge pecs.

A short spout of bickering took place between the two of you after that comment; all of Bryce's remarks having slightly homophobic undertones. But when you saw the track team start practice, you gave up on the little argument you were having with the ginger; who obviously claimed that he won the argument and that you 'backed down'. And that pretty much summarises your relationship with the wrestler. You didn't like Bryce; he was an abrasive and douchey 'alpha male' who clearly had some homophobic tendencies. Bryce didn't like you; you were a gay guy who acted as flamboyant as you wanted to if that's how you felt. But if Bryce didn't like you, why was he blushing all throughout your interaction? Why were his heart and mind racing even hours after his first interaction with you? Why couldn't he force his eyes off of your ass as you hurried away to your track meet? 'fuck off I ain't gay. Just stop thinkin' you idiot' Bryce repeated over and over in his head, trying his best to deny the pounding warmth he felt in his chest.

It was only after this fated first interaction between the two of you, that you and Bryce began really noticing each other; especially since you two kept running into each other no matter where you were, though it was mostly at parties. It would always go the same: the two of you would bump into each other, Bryce would make a comment about you, and you would retort with a wittier comment which would make the ginger short-circuit. You quickly gathered that the wrestler wasn't a fan of gay people, so you figured you could get a kick out of the hunk's bigotry by adding in compliments and blatant flirtations throughout your bickers. "That the best you could come up with, handsome?" "You're lucky you're hot, 'cause holy shit are you dumb" "Awww just couldn't stay away from me tonight could you?" Comments along those lines would always result in Bryce stuttering and flushing a dusty pink; his snide comments halting, which meant you won the argument.

However, this routine changed over time. You noticed that Bryce remained outspoken and douchey around his bros; but as the night progressed and the alcohol kept flowing, the beefy man's demeanour would change. Instead of one interaction between the two of you per night, it changed to two. The first remained the same as always; Bryce would come up to you (subconsciously trying to find you at every party) and the two of you would have a squawking match. But a second interaction between the two of you also became routine; one which was only due to Bryce's affinity for drinking (alcoholism). During the latter half of the party, the more laid-back and less hype half, a drunk Bryce would make his way over to you. And for a solid hour or two, the intoxicated wrestler would blatantly flirt with you. At first, you assumed that the homophobe was taking the piss out of you and joking around; but you quickly realised that this wasn't the case. And so, the only reaction you could provide the man with every single time he would drunkenly compliment and flirt with you was a chuckle and a smile. 'He's such a closeted cunt' was all you could think throughout his inebriated advances. A small part of you felt bad for Bryce, but his sober, homophobic actions and comments hushed that sympathetic part of you. But as more and more nights go past and you attend more and more parties, that sympathetic part of you grows louder. 'Poor guy is so deep in the closet' you would think as Bryce's flushed face looks down towards you. His massive body caged you against a wall, the drink in your hand was the only thing dividing the two of you. And as compliments of your looks and personality fall off of Bryce's tongue, his half-lidded eyes looking down into yours, all you can do is feel bad for the ginger; having noticed that he'd sobered up a while ago but didn't want to part from you. Bryce's words had stopped slurring, the flush on his face was no longer from the alcohol but rather from his proximity to you, and his eyes were no longer half-lidded due to fatigue but rather due to want and need. 'What the fuck am I doing?! This is pathetic. I'm not... gay! But I don't want to stop'

But these drunken-to-sober moments weren't enough for Bryce to come to terms with the raging storm that was his inner battle with his sexuality. What did force the ginger to acknowledge his feelings though, was a moment at a tournament of his. Bryce was always nervous before matches desptie never letting that show. But that day especially, nothing could calm him down. So as he stepped out into the ring and looked around, the wrestler caught himself scanning the crowd for your face. Shit. Why was he doing that? 'For fucks sake get a grip, you ain't gay!' The ginger thought, but his thoughts were quickly silenced. All of his thoughts were silenced when he saw your face in the crowd. Not just his self-deprecating thoughts, but all of his worries had been drowned out by his heartbeat. Fuck. He liked you. He couldn't even deny it anymore. The smile you shot him really sealed the deal though; Bryce's face flushing when his eyes made contact with yours.

Bryce was stressed out that he had to work through all of this uncovered information; he had buried all thoughts about his sexuality early on in his life. However, what Bryce didn't expect was that you'd be there for him through this. In fact, it was at the very next party the two of you were attending that you walked up to the wrestler; not caring that he was surrounded by his equally douchey bros. You asked to talk to Bryce in private and after a moment of shock, Bryce followed you to a secluded bedroom on the upper floors of whatever party house you were in; his bros making lewd comments and thrusting motions as the two of you walked away from them.

The room was surprisingly silent; only a faint sound of music from downstairs could be heard. And long story short, you gave Bryce a brief speech about you and your sexuality; how it took you a while to get as confident as you are in your queerness and that you thought other people would care a lot more than they actually did. You did this to try and create a safe space for Bryce; you didn't expect him to start crying right away... So after comforting the massive wrestler, holding him into your (much smaller) body and rubbing your hand over his huge back to soothe him, Bryce finally felt comfortable enough to start talking. He confided in you about everything. Bryce explained that his hate for you had changed over time. He knew he didn't hate you because you were gay. He hated you because you forced him to deal with this part of him. You forced him to deal with his inner turmoil for the better part of a year. But when you asked if he still hated you, the ginger's answer was no. No, Bryce couldn't hate you. Not when you were the only reason, outside of wrestling, that he would wake up in the morning. He didn't hate you. Rather, Bryce was jealous of you. "You're just as well known as me. You have an even bigger reputation to uphold. But you just don't care..! You don't let all that fuckin' social pressure affect you and that makes my heart burn! Why can't I just be like you?!" Bryce's eyes fill with tears again but they don't fall this time. Bryce also admitted that he doesn't find himself attractive in the slightest. You could tell since your first meeting that Bryce was insecure, but damn you didn't expect him to be that insecure. You try to uplift the man's spirits with a 'Hey! I find you hot...! I um, I guess' and all Bryce can reply with is a small chuckle, a smirk, and a 'thanks'.

Ever since that night, Bryce actively tried to change; coming to terms with his sexuality and working on his attitude. Your friendship with him blossomed, and after a couple months of witnessing Bryce's growth (and being bombarded with flirtations and date proposals), you gave the ginger wrestler a shot. And thank fuck you did. Dating Bryce is a rollercoaster for sure, but you enjoy every second of it! The difference between your boyfriend when he's around his bros and when he's around you is night and day! Bryce is such a little baby when you two are alone! Like fully asking for cuddles and to lay his head in your lap as you stroke his orange locks. It took him a while to be comfortable with the fact that the two of you were dating and that he was gay, but the first time Bryce responded to one of his bros comments with 'yeah he's my boyfriend. So what?'? You were so proud of your man that you let him hit it like craaaaaazyy! We're talking the sloppiest top and letting Bryce go to town on your ass. Bryce is still a party animal, so he'll still go to (and throw) ragers, but only if you're going to said party as well; which you usually do. But! The giant hunk will always make sure that he's less drunk than you are, in case he has to go back to his 'alpha male' personality in order to protect you. He just always feels this primal urge to be your protector and show you that he's the only man you'll ever need! On that same note, holy fucking shit does Bryce get JEALOUS. We're talking practically resource-guarding you whenever a guy even talks to you at a party! And god forbid the ginger goes to grab you a drink and some guy tries to make a move? Your muscular boyfriend is going full-on alpha bro and threatening to beat the shit out of whatever 'beta male' was chatting you up. He's like actually so fucking in love with you it's insane. INSANELY HOT!!

Bryce Callahan ~ nsfw

Your first time with Bryce was certainly something. Your boyfriend's a little on the dumb side, so you don't blame him for assuming sex with a man wouldn't be that different from sex with a woman. You did have a go at Bryce when he tried to shove his HUGE dick inside of you not only without prep but also without any lube! But despite being on the slower side, Bryce cared about you enough to learn quickly how to have gay sex. And holy shit once he did? 100/10 experience! He just knew exactly what to do! Knew how to use his huge, strong hands and how to move you about.

Now while you do love everything about your boyfriend, you can't deny that his body and looks are at least 50% of his sex appeal (the other half being his attitude during sex). Your man is a wrestler for god's sake! Look at his fucking body! His back is broad and built, his thighs are the same circumference as your waist, his hands and feet are massive, his ass is thick and bouncy, and his fucking biceps? Holy shit. Despite being hesitant at first when you asked him to put you in a headlock whilst fucking you, Bryce now does it every single time you two fuck 'cause it turns you on so much that you cum within a few seconds! Your moans getting so much louder and so much more raw; it turns Bryce on so much to know that he's getting you like that.

Bryce knows how to get you going too! Other than getting you in a headlock, the ginger knows that you in general have a thing for how much bigger and stronger he is than you; and trust, he fucking loves that too! Bryce loves how infatuated you are with his huge arms; he loves that you love his thick biceps. If he wants to fuck, all Bryce has to do is take his shirt off 'cause it's hot' and flex his arms as he puts them behind his head; not only showing off his BUILT arms but also his orange, bushy armpits. You're on your knees within seconds. Bryce has also ascertained that you have a huge thing for his massive, rough hands. You love how big they are and how calloused and rough they feel against your soft skin; trust and believe that Bryce is into that too! It just turns you on so much when Bryce is rocking your shit and his hands are roughly holding your hips, or gripping your plush asscheeks, or gripping your face and squishing your cheeks together.

Kinks: Bryce has a huuuuuuuuuuge breeding kink. Which is really weird cause whenever he's had sex with women, he's never even dared to cum inside; stressed about actually getting them pregnant. But with you? Bryce can let go and cum inside of you, shouting filthy comments like 'gonna fuckin knock you up, babe!', 'Wanna put a baby in ya sooooo badddd Hngggg~', and 'Shit- wanna start a family, baby?' whilst he's balls deep inside of you, teetering closer and closer to the edge. It must be that the comfort of knowing that you physically cannot get pregnant is always subconsciously there; so Bryce can fill you up with his hot, weirdly thick, jizz without a second thought!

Another thing that about Bryce is that he gets incredibly into it in the moment. The ginger gets like, really into sex. It makes sense that he was assigned to the House of Dionysus! And 'really into sex' specifically means getting borderline animalistic. Bryce will fuck you so wildly and so roughly that the wind sometimes gets knocked out of your lungs! However, this does mean that you can just lay there and take it! 'Cause Bryce is willing to put in all the effort; holding your hips up with a tight grip as he roughly pounds into you if you wanna go doggy. Or if you wanna do missionary, all you gotta do is wrap your arms around your boyfriend's neck and he'll do all the rest! Resting your legs on his muscular arms and making out with you as he drills his huge dick into you at a pace and force that shouldn't be humanly possible!

Another thing that your muscular boyfriend has a thing for is fake wrestling. He likes that your sport focuses on stamina over strength, 'cause that means Bryce can overpower you easily and put you in all sorts of lewd positions. The man feels so powerful when he forces a whine or whimper out of you when he puts you in a position that stretches you to your limit, and he loves to play innocent when he puts you in a leg hold that forces his huge, musky bulge into your face!

Shorter headcannons for the remaining characters!

Yuuto Nakajima ~ dating

You and Yuuto knew each other from your lectures; rather than having met due to your respective sports. The two of you quickly became close friends! Your personalities just worked together! The both of you shared a love for the subject you were both studying at Olympus but also your respective sports and other hobbies and interests; you two were just meant to be friends! Your friendship with Yuuto very quickly grew past lectures; with the hyperactive volleyball player visiting your dorm on the daily and the two of you hanging out and going out to town at least three times a week! You quickly realised that Yuuto was definitely sorted into the right house at Olympus; Artemis being the god of wild animals and nature couldn't be more perfect for the Ace volleyballer. Yuuto would constantly take you out to parks and forests, showing you the beauty of nature and how freeing it felt.

But a problem rapidly arose. You were slowly but surely falling for your friend. But who could blame you!? Yuuto is just so compassionate and empathetic towards everyone; especially towards you! And his whole thing about real men wearing pink? You're sold. You also literally could not deny how fucking hot Yuuto was! He's a solid six foot with tan skin and such a perfectly muscular yet lean build. His face was textbook attractive! And that toothy grin? You're ashamed to admit that you have jerked it multiple times to just Yuuto's looks alone!

However, you were unaware that this problem was actually not a problem at all. Because Yuuto was equally (if not more) head-over-heels for you! Yuuto loved how you matched him so well. He's incredibly energetic and has literally been diagnosed with ADHD but you can keep up with him. You don't mind his erratic topic shifts and topic loops in conversation, and you join him on his random-ass sidequests like it's a part of your daily routine. Most people have just called him annoying and moved on in the past so Yuuto masks like it's second nature; toning down his natural behaviours and almost faking his way through social situations. But with you, Yuuto feels like he can just be himself! Additionally, you're Yuuto's type to a tee. Like the man couldn't possibly find you more attractive than he already does! So it didn't really shock anyone to find out that by the end of freshman year, you and Yuuto were a couple! And it's been the best experience of your life so far! For real, Yuuto treats you like royalty; like you hung the moon and stars yourself. The two of you will never miss a sports event in which the other is participating. Yuuto is quite literally your biggest supporter; he's always on the sidelines screaming your name and compliments constantly fall off of his tongue after you win a race. You do the same for Yuuto though! You're your boyfriend's No.1 cheerleader! You watch the ace volleyballer like a hawk at his games whilst you cheer his name; and before each game, you promise him special rewards. Although these usually come back to bite you in the ass; once you promised him a round for every point he scored... He scored ten points in the first match alone.

Dates with Yuuto are pretty run-of-the-mill! Romantic settings and gestures. But your boyfriend's personal favourites are the dates where the two of you just spend time together at home; either watching films or cooking or just cuddling and chatting.

You both gifted each other a lucky trinket on your one-year anniversary. Yuuto gave you an expensive bracelet engraved with your initials and his (along with sweets and flowers). You gifted Yuuto a necklace with a pink crystal on it. You were upset that your gift was much less expensive and fancy than his, but Yuuto assured you that he loved it simply because it was a gift from you. And since then, Yuuto has only ever taken it off to shower~

Yuuto Nakajima ~ nsfw

Sex with Yuuto is fucking fun! It's just always so enjoyable. Your boyfriend is fucking wild in bed but in the best ways! He'll get so lost in pleasure that his eyes roll back and his tongue slips out of his mouth as he drills his 8-inch, slender dick into you. Yuuto's constantly grinning and smiling when the two of you fuck and it rubs off on you! He's just so happy and his ego swells so much 'cause he's the only man in the world that gets to have you!

Breeding kink? Yessir! Once again, the house of Artemis makes sense for Yuuto! God of childbirth sure does make sense for a guy who wants nothing more than to fill you up with multiple loads and watch your belly grow with his child~ But for real, make even the slightest mention of him 'breeding' you or 'knocking you up' and Yuuto is moaning, whining, and cumming.

Biting and marking is another big thing for your boyfriend! Yuuto has his possessive side and wants the world to know that you belong to him and that he belongs to you! After a night with him, your thighs, neck, chest, ass, and even your stomach are littered with lovebites and hickeys. But the same goes for Yuuto! You make good work of your boyfriend's neck and shoulders; especially when the man is pounding you into next week!

Leo Mendez ~ dating

You first met the ace of the Olympus soccer team at training. Most of football as a sport is cardio and running; so a lot of your track meets and training sessions were shared with the soccer team. You and Leo were almost immediately drawn to each other. You liked his cheerful and energetic personality; he had that boyish charm that a lot of the guys at Olympus lack, as they preferred to show themselves as macho men. Leo on the other hand was also very attracted to you very quickly. The blonde liked how you treated your teammates and even treated the soccer team as if they were family; and your looks also had the man head over heels... Leo just couldn't get enough of those trackstar legs and that ass?! Gah Damn!

Being a ball of sunshine who is worryingly optimistic, Leo didn't see why he shouldn't just straight up ask you out; he was into you, why wouldn't he act on that? A quick "Hey you wanna go out sometime? :)" text was shot your way and the two of you were already out at a cute little cafe in town! The whole talking and dating process came so naturally with Leo! The soccer star would blatantly flirt with you and compliment you on your looks, personality, and smarts; and it was anything but cringe! In fact, it was really fucking charming and refreshing!

Dating the the twunk was just as wholesome as you'd expect it to be! You and Leo shared cute moments every day you're together: You've had to wipe whipped cream off of Leo's nose when he too hastily drank his coffee You fix each other's messy hair after a game or race on the daily Leo will constantly trace shapes into your skin with his fingers; hearts, stars, you name it And the amount of times you two have bumped noses when kissing is too many to count!

Leo will also constantly compliment you. He's a charmer for sure! Your blonde footballer will flash you a toothy grin and when asked why he's smiling will reply with 'You're just so pretty' followed by a chuckle. Literally heart-melting shit. That being said, you also compliment and praise your boyfriend a lot! And his reactions are pure gold! Leo's tan face will just flush a dark pink at any compliments which fall off of your tongue, but the praise is what really gets him. Any positive comment of yours about his soccer skills or god forbid a mention of you being proud of him? He's hard. Full-on boner mid-field. -_-

Leo Mendez ~ nsfw

If you were to ask him, Leo would say he was verse. But in literally every single one of his past relationships, he's never been the top... So you can imagine how fucking ecstatic the man is when he learns that you prefer bottoming 'cause bro loves topping! Though one thing that the blonde has learned from his past relations as a bottom is that he sure does love getting his ass eaten! Leo fucking loves it when you switch between skillfully sucking his dick and slopping rimming him; his eyes always end up rolling to the back of his head and his fingers tangled in your hair whenever you pull out that combo. OH! And not to mention how fucking hot you both find it when you go ham on Leo's ass after a football match! His musk and sweaty, salty yet sweet taste coats your tongue so nicely as you lap at your boyfriend's hole through his jockstrap; an arm of yours holding the small of his back down as your other hand grabs one of the straps of his jock like some sort of rein on a horse.

You have a huge thing for Leo's tanlines. Your boyfriend just looks so hot with his sunkissed skin and those erotic lines highlighting the parts of his body that he only lets you see~ And yes, he does have a tanline underneath that pointless bandaid on his nose.

No matter what the two of you are doing, even if Leo's balls-deep inside of you, the blonde's all jokes and toothy smiles! He's just so appreciative of you and grateful that you're so comfortable with him to allow him to be so intimate with you! He's so cute wtf.

Avan Geiserford ~ dating

As the student council president, one of Avan's many responsibilities is ensuring all clubs and departments are running smoothly and performing as they should be. Therefore, you first met the responsible man during a performance assessment he was conducting on the track team. And being the blunt man that he is, Avan listed off everything that needed to be improved about the team; without a single positive compliment to be found. "Don't you think that's a little rude? I mean I get we can improve but track is ranked third for overall performance" You commented. But you weren't met with a counterargument... "Oh, I apologise. The track team is indeed performing above average" And with an awkward smile, Avan left.

That socially inept rizz worked on you though... 'Cause why did you find the awkward man sort of refreshing? He spoke facts but when called out for something, he would take full accountability and apologise. That's better than most guys you've been with! The bar is in hell.

You took a liking to the swimmer. So you started going out of your way to see him. Avan didn't mind your presence; you weren't as smart as him but you were near the top of your class, so you helped him out with council business. You'd even helped the stresshead solve the council's budget problem in only a couple of days. He'd been stuck on that for weeks! After spending many hours together over a couple of months, Avan considered you a close friend of his. The two of you would not only work on council business together, but you would hang out too! You would sleep over at Avan's after binging starwars; having fallen asleep midway through the nerd's in-depth explanation of the lore. Avan would even ask you to come to support him at swim meets; watching you cheer him on and run up to him for a hug after he wins, it just made him feel all warm n fuzzy inside! Shit. That's when the man realised he was down bad for you.

You had the poor guy stressing; well you didn't, but the idea of having to ask you out had Avan losing sleep! And he's the typa guy who goes goes to bed at 10pm sharp and harps on about the importance of sleep. But you showed mercy to Avan when you asked him out! The navy-haired man took the deepest sigh of relief when you brought your lips to his. His reaction made you think he didn't feel the same at first! But when he saw the worry on your face, Avan blurted out a "ILikeYouToo.DoYouWannaGoOutSometime?"

Despite his socially awkward side, Avan is the perfect boyfriend. Yes the PDA can get a little awkward, and his hands get clammy when holding yours in public, but it's all in a cute way you know? But other than that he's textbook Prince Charming! We're talking pre-planning and scheduling dates for the month... This sounds annoying, but Avan makes sure to work them around your schedules and to only inform you of them a week before! The only reason you know he schedules dates is 'cause you found them in his daily planner T-T

Avan Geiserford ~ nsfw

Surprisingly, you were Avan's first! You expected such a hot and smart jock to have suitors lined up for him! But Avan's never really been interested in all the romance and sex that goes on at Olympus. That was until he met you.

Because of his lack of experience, your boyfriend gets hard at everything you do... Hey, he finds it hard to separate love and lust! To him, because you're his boyfriend, his love for you translates to a deep attraction! Avan will get hard from you trying on his glasses; to him, it's a simple gesture which not only makes you look fucking adorable but also has a few possessive undertones. Your ace swimmer will also pop a boner at the many compliments you throw his way; it doesn't matter if you're complimenting his looks, his skills, or his smarts, Avan will get hard just because his gorgeous boyfriend is complimenting him of all the people you could be complimenting! Avan even gets hard watching you study with him! He just thinks you're so smart that it's sexy.

Despite having a very vanilla first time, and being a generally vanilla type of guy, Avan does have one very specific thing that gets him going. That being pools. Not just being in pools obviously. But being with you in a pool? Shocker, he's hard again. The swimmer just loves seeing you in his domain; your soft skin wet and your curves are highlighted by your swimwear. Avan not only appreciates your body, but holy shit does he get an ego boost that a guy as hot as you is his and his alone. Oh, and the water does feel real good around you two as Avan holds you against him; grindings his hard dick into yours as the two of you make out in the pool.

Ace Anderson ~ dating

This man is a total Hikikomori. Like, he didn't leave his room during his first year at Olympus. But at some point at the start of his second year, Ace noticed you on his commute. He's a total perv who literally cannot go anywhere without finding any man around him hot; imagining them in different levels of nudity and in all sorts of different scenarios. When Ace first saw you on his way to his lecture, he of course noticed how attractive you were! He liked your body shape, your ass, and even weirdly specific things like how your feet were perfectly sized for your body. But Ace liked your face the most; his first thought when he saw you was that you could be a good porn star with a face like that (again, he's a fucking perv). Ace took note of how even when resting, your face had this sexy/cute aspect to it; he could easily picture how your face would look with cum splattered on it.

You noticed him checking you out and decided to have a little fun. Hey! A pretty hot guy kept checking you out. Naturally, you batted your eyelashes and smiled back at him! And that was all it took for the two of you to start talking and hanging out.

But even though the two of you weren't even dating yet, Ace would profusely fantasise about dating you and fucking! During dates/hangouts at your place he would constantly snoop through your shit; checking out what underwear you owned to more accurately imagine you in them, and even finding your dildo and other kinky things of yours. Clearly, the man wasn't just a pervert, but he also didn't know how to respect boundaries. And though Ace said nothing about your toys in the moments, he sure as hell jerked to the thought of you using whatever he found!

Once the two of you started officially dating, Ace began showing his perverted side more and more. He would casually ask if he could keep your used underwear. Like it was nothing! But you knew Ace well enough to expect something like that; you were dating the pervert after all...

Ace Anderson ~ nsfw

Before the two of you met, Ace's hobbies consisted of spending all day watching porn and fantasising about men... But now that he has you, Ace doesn't necessarily need his porn; yet that doesn't mean that he doesn't still enjoy it. So imagine the blue-headed man's elation when you agreed to just watch some porn with him and jerk each other off instead of fucking. The two of you spent a solid two hours just edging and gooning to Ace's favourite vids; and to be fair, you both really enjoyed yourselves. No massive amounts of effort had to be put into it, and you didn't feel like you needed to put on a performance for your boyfriend. It was just raw pleasure.

Other than his porn hobby (addiction), Ace discovered that he has a passion for directing erotic films; not just enjoying them! So again, your twunk boyfriend was very happy when you agreed to some spicy photoshoots and recording sessions from time to time! Ace was into anything as long as it was on camera. He loved filming the two of you fucking, he loved filming you as you jerked off or fingered yourself. Ace even liked directing you; he would get so turned on when he would watch his videos back and hear himself behind the camera giving you pointers or guiding you through whatever you were doing.

I hope you guys enjoyed! To be fully honest I just feel like something is off with this fic. I've tried rewording and re-organising it so much but I give up. Hope it's just me and that you guys like it!

Been desperate for some Jock Studio stuff and assumed you guys would be too so hope I fed y'all right!

Love you guys so so much - Byeeee

Note from two days later: this is a piece of shit omfg get this fic out of my sight

Note from one more day later: Eh it's fine ig. Just wrote Bryce's section and holy shit that's like a whole fic by itself T-T

[sunshineyuyu]

chained (c. jh)

★ summary: jongho wears a silver chain that you’re obsessed with, and you finally get his attention after some calculated flirting with yunho and some beer pong. ★ pairing: jongho x f!reader (ft. yunho) ★ genre: friends to lovers, college, smut (mdni!) ★ word count: 5.4k ★ tags/warnings: alcohol consumption, vaginal fingering, jongho calls reader babygirl and yunho calls reader princess, features friend!san and previous hookup!yunho, some jealousy/tension, reader also kinda uses yunho… but he’s okay with it, lowercase ★ notes: beta’d by the bestie @starhwas-bunny. there may or may not be a yunho prequel coming soon hehehehe. also please let me know if i’ve missed any warnings! ★ masterlist | read on ao3 | part 2

you feel your eyelids droop, heavy from the burden of attempting to stay away in this godforsaken class. it doesn’t help that the seats in this lecture hall are so damn comfortable: plush and tall enough for full back and neck support and a slight give that lets you lean back. you’re one lecture slide away from calling it a day—even though class started just ten minutes ago—when you feel something at your left shoulder.

it’s choi jongho, leaning closer towards you over the armrest dividing your seats. 

hot, attractive choi jongho, with broad shoulders and strong arms and thick thighs. 

you stare adamantly at your laptop screen, at the blank google doc open, at the blinking cursor teasing you for almost falling asleep. you focus on literally anything except jongho’s overwhelming presence at your side–the subtle scent of his musky shampoo, his hot breath fanning over your shoulder.

 the silver chain that he normally hides behind the collar of his shirt hangs out, dangling in a way that has you imagining a different scenario: your string lights illuminating the outline of his body while he presses you into the mattress with his weight, one hand gripping your waist and the other on the headboard, that goddamn silver chain swinging above you while he—

“late night last night?” jongho says, voice low because you’re in class, and deliciously deep. it’s unintentionally sultry, and you find yourself squeezing your thighs together.

“shut up,” you say. “i was finishing an essay.”

jongho hums, and you start to aimlessly copy down the words of the lecture slide. you know that jongho sees right through you; the slides will be posted online later, so there’s no point regurgitating the content.

but you cannot let yourself look at jongho, because you’d probably try to kiss him right then and there.

“weren’t you with yunho?” he says.

“not like that,” you grit out. “we’re just in the same class so he was helping me.”

jongho hums, and he finally returns to the confines of his own seat. you let out a breath of relief. you continue copying down words from the powerpoint, even letting yourself tune into the professor’s voice; at least you’re wide awake now, a nagging feeling of want coursing through you.

you feel a nudge at your other elbow. this presence is comfortable, familiar. it’s san, your first friend at university who is conveniently the same major as you. even though he’s just as big and built as jongho, he’s less intimidating. he’s soft and nice, and he’s showing you a topical meme on his phone from  some computer science joke twitter account.

unfortunately, jongho notices san’s phone turned towards you and leans over again, except this time he’s closer, his shoulder brushing against yours as he tries to make sure he’s also included in the joke.

“i don’t get it,” he says.

“it’s because you’re not actually a computer science major,” you say, rolling your eyes and pushing jongho back into his seat—you exert more effort than you anticipated because of how solid jongho is.

“tsk,” jongho says. “at least i actually understand what’s going on in this class.”

this shuts you up, and you go back to glaring at your laptop and reformatting your bullets because you’ve already lost track of the lecture.

you last another fifteen minutes of attempting to pay attention, before you resign yourself to scrolling through instagram and mentally planning how you can coerce jongho into sharing his immaculately organized notes.

in the final minute of class, the whole class begins unceremoniously packing up, even though the professor is still droning on about greedy algorithms. everyone shuffles out of their row and through the doors at the back of the lecture hall, and jongho falls into step with san, talking about working on the homework tonight. you walk a step behind them, because your legs are shorter and because you want plausible deniability while admiring the shear breadth of jongho’s shoulders.

you leave the lecture hall, and san heads to the academic quad for his next class.

“see you later,” you say to him and jongho, who usually has to work at the library after class, but you notice him following you to the coffeehouse.

“don’t you have work?” you say.

“i changed my schedule,” jongho says. “are you gonna go work at the cafe?”

you nod, and he follows you to the campus coffeehouse where you stand in a fifteen minute line. jongho only gets drip coffee, so you end up ordering something frivolous to make the wait worth it. the two of you squeeze into a small table in the corner, your knees constantly brushing against each other as you read over the essay you wrote last night in a red bull induced haze.

most of it is thankfully salvageable, and the hit of caffeine helps you.

every once in a while, you find yourself glancing over the top of your laptop at jongho. at the lines of concentration etched into his handsome, tanned face. how his hair is getting scruffy and how he pouts when he’s deep in thought.

you’re so hopelessly in love with choi jongho.

at some point, he gets up to get a napkin, and when he returns, he doesn’t sit back down in his own seat. no—instead he hovers behind you, invading your space with one hand on the back of your chair and the other stretched onto the table to keep himself stable.

and that chain—that goddamn silver chain dances over your shoulder again.

“what do you want?” you mumble, skin prickling at the sensation of his proximity.

“this is not bad,” jongho says, eyes skimming over your essay.

“what’s with the tone of surprise?” you retort.

jongho shrugs. “just thought you would’ve been distracted last night.”

you finally chance a look at him, if only to stare at him puzzled until it finally clicks. you shove him off—subconsciously admiring, once again, just how solid he feels.

“for the last time,” you say. “it’s not like that. yunho’s just a friend.”

jongho sits back down, patting the napkin on a part of his laptop.

“good.”

you stop typing and gape at jongho, who’s returned to focusing on his own work. did he- did he just—? your brain works at miles a minute, offering bold assumptions and then instantly refuting them and then rebutting those and then raising new anxieties and then being hopeful and then—

you spend the rest of the time at the coffeehouse overanalyzing one word you’re not even sure you heard.

⋆⋆⋆

the three of you are sat around the coffee table in the living room of jongho and san’s apartment on the west side of campus. their apartment has become the haven for your discrete math class, where jongho blesses you and san with his knowledge in a class he’s taking pass/fail that isn’t even a major requirement for him. their apartment also has plenty of alcohol for when the nights get particularly rough and a good stash of unhealthy stacks.

it’s 1 am now, and the three of you have finished three out of five of the homework questions, eaten five packets of ramen, two sleeves of strawberry pocky, downed six bottles of yakult, and watched an eighteen minute youtube video theorizing that bakugou might become the second user of one for all.

you’d consider this a productive night.

now, you’re perched on the couch, san leaning against your legs while you play with his hair. it’s softer than yours, which frustrates you to no end because you know for a fact that he uses 5-in-1—how are there even five things to incorporate into one bottle?

jongho’s in the kitchen, contemplating a late night—or early morning—beer.

“seonghwa’s throwing a party this weekend,” jongho says, when he returns with another bottle of yakult instead of the beer. the bottle is already small, but it’s positively dwarfed by the size of his hands.

“if seonghwa’s hosting, then yunho will be there,” jongho continues. he looks pointedly at you.

“i thought,” you say, tugging a little on san’s hair and earning a sharp shout of pain, “we established that i don’t. like. yunho.””

“but didn’t you hook up with him?” san says, removing himself from your vindictive fingers and rubbing his scalp. as he sits up to look at you, he instantly regrets bringing up this point as you glare daggers at him. he’s not wrong; you and yunho had hooked up once, at the birthday party of an acquaintance, after seeing jongho chatting up some other pretty girl.

“you guys hooked up?” jongho says, breaking the stare-off you’re having with san for betraying your trust like that.

“it didn’t mean anything,” you say quickly, glancing up at jongho and double-taking at the shadow that’s fallen over his expression. how his jaw looks tensed and his eyes narrowed.

“but you guys hooked up,” he repeats.

“just the one time,” you say, not quite understanding why it feels like you’re being accused of something far worse than a hookup between two consenting and single adults. “we were high and he was just there and it happened.”

“when?” jongho says, continuing the interrogation and maintaining eye contact with you while san switches his attention between the two of you, the instigator but certainly not the mediator of this conversation.

“at yeji’s birthday party,” you say. 

“so that’s why we had to pick you up from the burger place on 8th,” jongho says. “because you were at his place.”

“yeah,” you say. “but it literally does not matter because i don’t like him. we’re just friends, and i’m not gonna hook up with him again.”

jongho stares at you.

“good.”

there it is again. that word, said under his breath. barely there, but enough that you feel a mix of doubt and hope.

you hate it.

“hey!” san says, forcefully cheerful in a way that means he’s trying to change the subject to diffuse the situation. “i found another my hero theory video. the one has 100k views!”

you drop jongho’s gaze first, letting your attention shift to the video san has pulled up on his laptop. “i just don’t think my hero is that deep,” you sigh, trying to ignore the way you can still feel jongho’s eyes on you.

“well, 100 thousand people do,” san sniffs. “including me.”

finally, jongho takes the bait. “how long is it?” he asks.

“thirty minutes!” san says cheerfully.

you and jongho both groan, but dutifully allow san to press play.

over the next thirty minutes, you tune in and out of the overdramatic video as you turn over the previous conversation in your head. you can’t help but read into the situation: clearly jongho is bothered that you’re close with yunho and hooked up with him once. in fact, he’s so bothered that you could even interpret it as being… jealous. 

but if he is, why doesn’t he do anything about it?

you’re half asleep by the time the video ends. san nudges you and gives you an sheepish, apologetic smile.

“it’s late,” he says. “do you want us to drive you home?”

“nah,” you say. “can i just stay over? i’m too tired to move.”

it’s not your first time staying over. your apartment is on the other side of campus, so after most long nights of working you sleep on the couch. san lets you borrow the same old high school volleyball shirt every time, and you slip into it and pull off your jeans. the shirt is thankfully long enough to cover your butt, and the no-pants thing has never been a problem.

until now, when you step out of the bathroom, and jongho’s just entering his bedroom, and he looks at you. you clearly see his eyes roam down your legs before springing back up to meet yours.

“let me get you a pillow and blanket,” he says, voice gruff and deep.

“san’s getting—”

“let me get you a pillow and blanket,” he repeats.

it feels like an olive branch, and you fall asleep surrounded by jongho’s scent. distinctly masculine and musky and oddly soothing.

⋆⋆⋆

when you wake up the next morning, it’s to the sound of whirring from the kitchen. from your spot on the couch, you can vaguely make out the blurry shape of someone in the kitchen. your hand flails around the coffee table, blindly slapping until you find your glasses and shove them onto your face.

it’s jongho, wearing gray sweats and no shirt, leaning against the counter while making coffee. you take the time to admire his back, feeling your cheeks warm as you do. in all honesty, you’re surprised that this is the first time you’ve ever seen him shirtless, and you’d be dumb not to take advantage of it.

you run your eyes over the contours of the muscles in his back, the way they flex and ripple as he crosses and uncrosses his arms.

you yawn and wipe at the sleep still in your eyes. this noise gets to jongho, and he turns around. this action draws a sound out of you, something that comes from the back of your throat, somewhere between a gasp and a groan. because jongho—

jongho’s shirtless, and he’s facing you, his naked torso completely exposed to you. you stare at that goddamn silver chain, nestled against his substantial chest. at the miles and miles of smooth, tanned skin and his fucking arms.

you clap a hand over your mouth and pretend to yawn again.

“you want coffee?” jongho calls.

“yeah,” you manage to say, while laying back onto your back and averting your eyes to the ceiling.

a little while later, you hear jongho pad towards you and you sit back up again. he gives you a mug of coffee and sits down at the opposite end of the couch, leaning back and stretching out his offensively nice upper body. the light from outside peeks in from the blinds of the large balcony windows and bathes his skin in golden stripes.

“is san—?”

“he’s at his 8 am,” jongho says. “when’s your first class again?”

“not until 10:45,” you say. “i’m gonna go home and shower and stuff first.”

“i’ll give you a ride,” jongho says.

you protest politely, mostly because you don’t know if you’ll be able to stand being in such a small space with him, especially when he drives a sleek black mercedes with silky black leather that’s just begging for someone to ruin with some steamy car sex.

but jongho manages to convince you that he needs to drop by the convenience store on the east side of campus anyway, so you find yourself following him down to the apartment parking lot, wearing yesterday’s clothes and hair tied up in a bun to disguise how oily it is.

when he backs out of his spot, he does that thing: wraps his arm around the back of your seat and backs out with one hand. it’s disgustingly attractive.

you sink lower into the heated seat, staring out the window to avoid daydreaming about car sex with jongho.

⋆⋆⋆

you do end up going to seonghwa’s party that friday, after your girlfriends unceremoniously invite themselves into your apartment carrying a huge case of peach soju and a twelve pack of beer.

after a beer and two shots of soju, you’ve changed into a crop top, a silky leopard print skirt, and cute black boots. 

thankfully, seonghwa’s place is only a block away from your apartment, but you and your friends still find a way to get lost on the way there. it takes ten minutes longer than necessary, but you’re finally crashing into the living room of seonghwa’s townhouse.

it’s already packed, but roomy enough that you can move freely without having to slide against other sweaty and drunk people. you break off from your friends to seek out san (and jongho). as you pass the kitchen, you swipe a red solo and a meager amount of whatever mixed drink atrocity they’ve made for the night that you immediately water down. you’re man enough to acknowledge that you’re a lightweight, and you’ll be damned if you end the night puking into a toilet rather than flirting with jongho.

you find san first. he’s lurking near the beer pong table, leaning against the wall and talking to wooyoung. you sneak up on him and he jumps when you give his side a big poke.

“san!” you say, wrapping him a big hug. you’re known to be more affectionate with alcohol in your system. after san clumsily returns your hug to avoid spilling his drink on you, you release him and give wooyoung a similar hug.

“where’s jongho?” you ask, standing on your toes to speak directly into san’s ear.

san points to the other side of the pong table, where you see jongho huddled in a corner with some blonde girl who looks suspiciously like the one from yeji’s birthday party. your reaction is immediate, something joining the alcohol to course through your veins—something fiery and prickling. jealousy, you think numbly.

“we’re playing next,” san says. “me and jongho. you should stay to watch.”

you hum noncommittally, peering at the ids lined up on the pong table and seeing only jongho’s. an idea strikes you, and you give san a peck on the cheek and some excuse about using the bathroom.

you wander back through the crowd of people, occasionally saying hi to people you know as you seek out one individual in particular. you find him on the couch, arm hung lazily on the back, hovering behind some girl. he’s clearly chatting her up, leaning close to her ear and hooded eyes making generous peeks at her cleavage.

you down the rest of your diluted mixed drink and throw yourself at him.

“yunho!” you cry, squeezing into the small space between him and the arm of the couch, meaning you’re basically sitting on him. “thank you so much for helping me with the essay! i definitely would’ve failed without you.” you flutter your eyelashes at him and simper.

the girl scowls visibly, crossing her arms in a way that makes her tits swell, but yunho barely notices—you know he has a sweet spot for you ever since that one night stand, and besides, he could get any girl he wants.

“y/n,” yunho says, shifting his body so that his back is to the girl now. she scoffs and leaves. “you good?”

“i’m great,” you giggle.

“you look good,” yunho says, shamelessly running his eyes over your figure.

“let’s play beer pong,” you say, wrapping your arms around his neck.

“you think you’re good for pong?” he says, a little dubiously as you let out a hiccup.

“yeah, because i know you’ll carry,” you say.

“alright, princess,” he says. “let’s go.”

you tumble off of him and pretend to be wobbly on your feet to let him steady you as you walk towards the beer pong table. yunho slips his wallet out of his pocket and slides his id onto the table to get in line to play the winner.

when he notices jongho, yunho lets out a chuckle.

“ah, y/n,” he says, catching your wrist and pulling you into him. “i see what’s happening.”

your cheeks heat up at being caught so quickly. “i’m sorry,” you say sincerely. “he keeps bringing you up and being weird, but now, he’s got that girl with him…”

“don’t worry, princess,” yunho says. “i know how to put on a show.”

jongho and san are playing now, and it looks like they’re winning. that same chick from before is hanging off of his arm, acting like a cheerleader. you catch jongho’s gaze, and the cheery smile he’s wearing slips off immediately when he notices yunho behind you, hands on either side of your waist.

you shiver as jongho gives you a salacious up-down that has you convinced you’ve pressed the right buttons to make something happen tonight. you giggle, tugging your lower lip in between your teeth and leaning a little closer to yunho.

something must snap inside jongho, because he and san end the game with three cups in quick succession. the losers slink off, as you and yunho take their place. yunho reracks the cups and refills them with a thin layer of beer. jongho rolls a ping pong ball towards you. 

“eyes,” he says.

when yours lock onto his, you smirk. he grimaces.

to decide who gets to start, you have to hold eye contact with each other and try to make a cup. whoever makes one first gets to start the actual game. jongho misses, but you don’t, so you and yunho get to go first.

you and yunho go toe to toe with jongho and san, which is surprising considering how little beer pong you play. by the fourth turn, the blonde girl has left, unsatisfied with the lack of attention she’s received from jongho. by the seventh turn, you and yunho have two cups left, and jongho and san have three.

yunho goes, and makes the first. you cheer and jump up to plant a wet kiss on his cheek. he steps behind you, massaging your shoulders theatrically. you close your left eye, lining up your shot. just as you’re about to let go of the ball, you turn around and pull yunho down to your height.

“give me a good luck kiss!”

he smiles into the kiss, which turns out to have a lot more tongue than you’d expected, but yunho is a good kisser so you don’t mind.

“let’s go, princess,” yunho says, slapping your ass as you turn back to the pong table.

jongho’s positively glowering at this point, and you smirk at him as you map out your shot again.

you miss.

you’re not entirely surprised.

yunho’s not even mad, and begins grossly comforting you with arms wrapped around your shoulders and kisses to the crown of your head.

jongho and san make the last two cups easily.

“too bad, princess,” yunho says into your hair. “you were doing so well.”

you pull yourself out of his grasp. “bathroom,” you explain sheepishly. yunho gives you a knowing look and a wink.

you’ve been to seonghwa’s house enough to know about the secret bathroom on the second floor that he doesn’t allow partygoers to use, so you slink up the stairs when million dollar baby starts playing and the crowd swells with renewed enthusiasm.

just as you’re closing the door behind you, a shoe shoots out to stop the action. someone pushes the door back open, and who else but—

jongho.

“i thought you said you didn’t like yunho,” he hisses down at you.

“i need to pee,” you reply, cocking your head to one side and widening your eyes at him.

he considers you for a second before stepping inside the bathroom and locking the door behind him.

“alright,” he says. “pee.”

“i don’t- are you going to watch me?” you say.

“didn’t seem like you minded people seeing you and yunho all wrapped up downstairs,” jongho says, crossing his arms over his chest, and you hate the way his biceps bulge when he does.

“that’s different from- from peeing,” you mumble.

“fine,” jongho says, and he turns around to stare at the bathroom door.

you’re not entirely satisfied, but you really do need to pee, so you pull down your underwear and sit on the toilet.

it’s awkward, but at least the music and noise downstairs mask the sound. you end up peeing for a surprisingly long time, and even jongho feels the need to break the tension with a poorly timed,

“damn, you’re like a waterfall.”

“i’ve had a lot to drink tonight,” you snap.

“you’re that drunk?”

“no—i’m drinking water, too, you bastard,” you say, finally finished. “don’t want to be hungover tomorrow.”

you flush and wash your hands, and then you’re leaning against the sink and saying, “okay, you can turn around.”

he does. “so. yunho?” he prompts again.

“i told you,” you say, staring directly above jongho’s shoulder. “i don’t like him.”

“then why were you all over him?”

“why do you care?” you sneer.

“just answer the question, y/n,” jongho says.

“why are you so obsessed with yunho?” you say. “if you want to fuck him, be my guest! i won’t get in the way.”

this hits a sore spot, because jongho moves quickly, crowding you into the sink in one step.

“it’s not him i want to fuck,” he breathes.

your breath hitches in your throat. you feel your heartbeat in your mouth.

“what do you mean,” you say, mouth unbelievably dry.

“c’mon, y/n,” jongho says, voice husky. he’s looking at you, eyes darting to your lips. “you can figure this out.”

it’s the same phrase he always uses when you’re struggling through a discrete math problem that he’s already solved, but normally he’s nice, barely teasing.

right now, he sounds downright condescending.

so, you snap. you grab him by his chain and tug him down to your height, slot your lips over his and kiss him.

his lips are nice. soft. he tastes like minty chapstick and bitter beer. his tongue slips into your mouth, and suddenly the kiss takes a turn from intense to lewd.

his hands find your waist, his palms burning into the exposed skin between your crop top and your skirt. his thick thigh pushes apart your legs, and your skirt rucks up above your hips. you gasp and break away to tug at the hem, but jongho stops you.

“that’s counter productive,” he whispers.

“okay,” you say. “i’ll be productive then.” and you pull off your crop top to reveal a lacy black bra and pull up your skirt all the way to reveal a matching lacy black thong. you hear jongho inhale, and then a deep chuckle.

“fuck,” he says, drawing out the word. he meets your eyes again. “you’re so fucking hot.”

“that’s you,” you say.

he dives back in to mouth at your pulse point, as his hands slip down to your ass, palming the flesh and leading you to grind against his thigh. he’s flexing, and the fabric of your underwear is thin and you can already feel a wet patch spreading, and the combination along with the friction of the movement has you moaning.

“that’s what i like to hear.”

you hear the muted opening strums of mr.brightside just as jongho’s thumb begins circling your clit over your underwear. you moan into his shoulder and buck against his hand. he continues to work you until the crotch of your panties is practically soaked, and you’re a whining mess. 

“p- please,” you whisper, fingernails digging into his shoulders.

“since you asked so nicely,” he murmurs, and he’s drawing aside the lace and pushing two fingers into you. you throw your head back at the feeling of being filled and stretched; his fingers are long and thick, nothing like your own or any of your previous hook-ups.

“shit, you’re so wet,” he says, pulling back to watch his fingers fucking you. the sound it makes is positively vulgar, and you pant with every motion. at some point, he starts curling his fingers so that they hit that perfect spot in the back and rubbing his thumb across your clit, and you can feel your high building.

“fuck, jongho,” you whine. 

“shit, babygirl, you’re gonna make me cum in my pants if you keep talking like that,” jongho says, smiling into your neck.

“don’t,” you say. “you can- you can- please, fuck me. you can- cum in me.”

jongho stops, only the tips of his fingers teasing at your entrance, and you whimper as your pussy clenches around nothing.

“are you serious?” he asks, as you circle your hips in an attempt at some relief.

“yes,” you hiss.

“fuck, babygirl,” jongho says, taking a step back and a new glint in his eyes.

but just as he puts his hand on the button of his jeans, there’s a sharp rap on the door that makes both of you jump.

“oi! this bathroom is off-limits!” it’s seonghwa, and to be fair, he’s right. 

“give us a second!” jongho calls, wincing at the subtext. you jump off of the bathroom sink, swaying a little with how jittery your legs are. jongho stabilizes you with a hand on your hip and hands you your shirt.

“jongho? is that you?” seonghwa says. “little shit. this is the third time—”

your head snaps up to look at jongho, who’s unlocking the door and pushing it open, effectively interrupting seonghwa’s rant. he nudges you out first, standing behind you, and you suspect it’s to hide the very visible tent in his pants that’s currently pressed against your ass.

“oh,” seonghwa says, as his eyes fall onto you. he takes a second, glancing back and forth between the two of you, running over your mussed hair and flushed cheeks, jongho’s screwed up face and his right hand still grasping your hip, the wrinkles in your skirt and finally—

“oh,” seonghwa repeats. “oh, shit. okay, well congrats and all that—” and here he punches jongho in the shoulder “—but that doesn’t mean you can fuck in my bathroom!” he finishes cheerfully. he steps behind jongho and begins ushering the two of you back down the stairs and through the living room until you’re on his front porch.

“if you’re going to be doing the nasty, i’d rather you do that at home!” seonghwa says, wagging a finger in your face. “make sure you use protection! love you both!” and he shuts the door.

he leaves you and jongho in a stunned silence, both staring at the closed door.

“uh—” jongho tries.

“what did he mean third time?” you say.

“oh,” jongho says, and his big dick energy dissipates as a sheepish expression takes over. “well, i- i might’ve… y’know… a couple times in seonghwa’s bathroom.” he rubs the back of his neck and offers you an apologetic, gummy smile.

“and you got mad at me for fucking yunho once in his own apartment?” you demand, actually stopping your foot to emphasize the clear double standard at play. “while you were off playing merry-go-fuck-around in seonghwa’s private bathroom?”

“i wasn’t mad at you,” jongho says. “i was just—”

“just what?” you say. “slut-shaming me for having consensual sex?”

“no!” jongho says quickly. “i was jealous.”

“oh,” you say. so, you’d been right. he has been jealous of you and yunho. but somehow, you don’t feel vindicated in the slightest. “i mean—that doesn’t make it any better. i’m not some object—”

“i know that,” jongho says, exasperated. “but i just wanted to be… with you.”

“with me?” you say, wrinkling your nose. “you wanted to fuck me, too? like those other girls you had up in seonghwa’s bathroom?”

“no! with you, like—” jongho’s tongue darts out to wet his lower lip “—like as your boyfriend.”

oh.

well, you hadn’t been expecting that. you blink at him once, then twice. you open your mouth and close it again, gaping like a goldfish.

“do you- do you like me?” you ask, voice hoarse.

“well, yeah,” jongho says. “do… you like me?”

“yes!” you nearly shout the word. “yes—i’ve been in lo- i’ve liked you for at least a whole semester!”

“oh,” jongho says, looking as dumbfounded as you feel. “well, me too.”

you look at each other, and then start laughing. you hiccup, and jongho moves closer to you, wrapping his substantial arms around your shoulders and pulling you into his firm, warm chest. your cheek presses against that goddamn silver chain, but it’s no longer a source of stress for you. he peppers the crown of your forehead with kisses, until you finally look up at him and he kisses your lips softly.

“so,” he says, “can i?”

you raise your eyebrows. “can you what?”

“be your boyfriend?”

you pretend to contemplate the question, and when it takes you longer than a few seconds to respond, he knocks his chin against your temple affectionately.

“yeah,” you say, grinning. “yeah, you can be my boyfriend.”

“so then, what do you say about going back to my place and finishing what we started?” he asks.

“yes, please.”

continued in part 2!

[skipper1331]

Art // Leah Williamson

You loved playing football yet drawing and painting was your silent passion. A passion nobody really knew about.

It all started when you were a kid. After a bad day, lost match you would be so angry and disappointed that you would draw your anger away. It didn‘t matter if it was with pencils, crayons or acrylic, you didn‘t care if it was on paper or on a canvas. You just had to draw/paint.

Slowly, it not only started to reduce your anger but to become a daily thing. Over the years you got better and better and even sold some paintings.

When you moved to London, transfered to Arsenal from the german league you took your painting utils with you.

In your new apartment was an extra room which used to be a guest room - you didn't need it, so you set it up as a painting room. The floor was covered with foil as were parts of the wall while many canvases and tubes of paint stood on the newly built shelves. Your desk was full of paper, sketchbooks, pens, erasers, etc. everything an artist needed. It was your favorite room in your apartment.

As the weeks went on, you drew everything interesting. Such as the training facility, jerseys, the stadium and much more.

But If someone would have looked through your sketchbook they would‘ve noticed that there was one thing or rather one person which was drawn very often. Arsenals number 6. Leah Williamson. You couldn‘t explain why but she was incredible. Everything about her was perfect; her talent, her personality, her smile. You just could not not draw her. Often you only realized that you had drawn her after your drawing was already finished and when drawing number 12 of Leah was finished you knew you had a crush on her. What you didn‘t realize though was a) she also developed a crush on you and b) your face and hands covered in paint and pencil has not gone unnoticed. To find out why that was the team formed an alliance. When Rosa questioned why they simply didn‘t ask you her head was smacked from Kyra, Alessia and Vic. "It‘s much more exciting this way" Kyra replied mischievously.

Mission Colour had officially started.

On bus rides, plane flights, away games you would always have your 'away sketchbook' and one pencil with you just to calm down or to stay calm. Most of the time you sat next to Manu, your national teammate. She was like big sister to you and of course she knew about your drawing talent but what she didn‘t know was that a few teammates wanted to find out. As well Manu knew about your little crush, not because you told her but because she saw your sketch of Leah and connected the dots.

It was the next day when you came to training with a blue stripe on you forehead and hands covered with many shades of blue. This morning you worked on your current project (a painting of the ocean) and lost track of time. You hadn‘t had the chance to look in the mirror again after you rushed out of your flat to the car.

Fast forward, here you were in the training facility in bright red clothes while your skin was covered in blue.

"Looking like Papa smurf" Katie laughed, gently shoving you towards the mirror in the changing room.

Your eyes widened in horror, "Shit" aggressively you started to rub at the stripe of paint but it was too late. The stripe was already dry. Making your way to the bathroom, you wet the paper towel, not much hope about cleaning your face.

"Hey" you heard a voice beside you, your eyes locking with the blonde defenders through the mirror, "do you need some help?" Leah asked, already concerned by the way you aggressively rubbed your forehead, "hey, lemme-" the girl gently tugged at your wrist as she turned you to face her. She grabbed another paper towel, putting a tiny bit of soap on it before she put it under water. In silence, the taller girl started to clean your face. Her movements were slow and tender as she tried to stay cool while she was so close to you. In the meantime, you admired the blonde, scanned every feature of her face.

"Secretly a Chelsea fan, huh?" the gunner asked, trying to ease the obvious tension in the room.

"Gosh no," you chuckled, "I was working on my new proctect this morning and lost track of time" you admitted, Leah raising a brow in return.

"You must think I’m pretty unorganized, hm?"

"of course not!" She replied immediately, "i was just wondering, project? What project?"

"It‘s nothing much, just a painting project" you shrugged your shoulders, "the ocean."

"I didn‘t know you could paint" she stated, the dots connecting with all the paint stains that covered your clothes and body since you had arrived in London.

"Maybe you‘d like to see some of my works?" your voice was quiet, shy as you nervously scratched your neck.

"It‘s a date" the same moment, Leah dropped the comment, you heard Kim call, "training starts" which let Leah hurry out of the room, leaving you completely shocked and with a mix of nervousness and excitement alone. Was she serious?

-

"Leah, wait!"

Training had finished half an hour ago, the girls, including you, doing their usual routines, some had physio, some went straight to the showers or others that just changed their clothes happy to finally go home - Leah, one of the girls who preferred to shower at home after a particularly long cardio session.

"Were you serious about the date? Because if not that would be totally fine, but if so, I’d really like to go on a date with you" you rambled, "we could go out for dinner or i could cook for you or not, because I’m not the greatest cook, but maybe take out would be fine too?! whatever you like works for me!"

"Take a deep breath, love" she smiled, squeezing your hand, "i was serious" her cheeks slowly turning red, "sorry, could‘ve been a bit more romantic, i admit, but indeed, I’d be very happy to go on a date with you"

"Oh, really!" you were so surprised, shocked even that the Leah Williamson wanted to go on a date with you.

"Yes, really. What about this: I’ll go home for a shower and at-" she looked at her watch, "at 7, I’ll be at your front door with some food in my hands. Neither of us has to cook and we can have a nice and relaxed evening, how does that sound?"

"That sounds perfect, thank you"

"See you soon" she smiled, pressing a kiss to your cheek as she felt brave enough to do so in that moment.

Like in trance, you watched her walk away while your fingers touched the spot were lips had been a few seconds ago. Wow.

On the other hand as soon as Leah sat in her car, she did a little happy dance, finally getting the chance to spend some time with you alone and even better, being able to call it a date.

-

5 minutes early the defender stood in front of your door, two bags of food in one hand while the other hand held a bouquet of flowers.

With confidence Leah rang the door bell, she felt untouchable. She had a date with the prettiest girl and nothing would stop her from trying to be the best version of herself for you. She really wanted this to work out.

In all honesty, Leah had been crushing on you for quite a while. It all started with an international friendly where you both were captaining your nations. You fell in conversation easily, the blonde friends with some of your national teammates.

Since then the Lioness followed you on your socials, also enjoying watching you play football - something about your technic and brain for the game made her fall in love with football all over again.

When the announcement was made that you‘d join Arsenal, she was excited, overly so. She wanted to talk to you again, be your friend. But soon the thought of just being friends combined with her little crush on you that was getting bigger and bigger day by day was long forgotten. She wanted to get to know you, on a deeper level than just the typical friendly one.

"Hey! Welcome in" you said with a wide smile, stepping aside.

"Hi, these are for you" the defenders cheeks turned slightly pink as yours did too.

"These are beautiful, thank you so much" the bouquet was big mix of multiple flowers in multiple colours, "i didn‘t know what your favorite flower was, so i bought one of each they had"

"I love it and I really appreciate it" shy smiles were exchanged before your attention was brought back, "follow me. So this is my living room and as you can see, there‘s my kitchen. I hope you like wine? I found this one in my cupboard" you pointed at the bottle on your coffee table. "Here let me plate the food, make yourself a home" as you wandered off to the kitchen, Leah admired your home. It was tidy yet looked very cozy. Then her gaze fell to various of pictures and paintings you had in your living room. One in particular caught her attention, it reminded her of something that she couldn’t form in words, an familiar warm feeling filled her chest as she looked at it closely - something about this painting was special.

-

The night went on with an ease, everything felt so natural. Dinner was great, the conversation flowing, the tv long forgotten as both of your attentions were on each other. Throughout the night the two of you had moved closer, knees already touching as you shared jokes and stories about everything and nothing.

"I must say, i really like the paintings in here. This one especially" she pointed at your favorite.

"Thank you, that‘s very nice of you to say"

"How much did they cost you? They look so expensive!" she admired, quickly realizing what an rude question she asked, "oh I’m so sorry, that‘s not something I should be asking"

"No, don’t worry, you’re good" you assured her, "they didn‘t cost me anything, i did them myself" you said, "well, that‘s a lie, i had to buy the canvas and the paint but other than that i didn‘t cost me anything."

"No way! You really did these? Are you joking?"

You shook your head.

"Wow! These are amazing. Like seriously, you’ve got some serious talent!"

Soon you furiously started to blush, getting all shy as you looked away from the gunner.

"Can i see the ocean painting which you talked earlier about?" she remembered, hoping to get see more of your work.

"Sure, but it‘s not finished yet"

"That‘s fine. I‘d see anything you painted, really, this is so impressive"

"Stop" you buried your face in your hands, your cheeks as hot as ever, the tip of your ears a deep shade of red, "hey, no. Don’t hide that pretty face of yours" taking your hands out of your face, you stared at each other as everything around you fell silent. Both of you were so close, if you would just lean forward-

"Here follow me" you broke the silence, grabbing the lioness’ hand and dragging her to your art room, "don’t mind the mess" you said as you opened the door, showing Leah the inside of your heart.

For once, the defender didn‘t know what to say. Everywhere she looked where painting, sketches and drawings. It was like she not only stepped into your heart but also your brain.

"Wow" she whispered, in utter disbelief at what she saw. You did this. All of this!

Walking around the room Leah felt like she was at an art gallery, heavily impressed about the beauty she got to see in each painting.

"May i look in these too?" she asked once she was at your desk, sketchbooks across the table.

Slowly, you nodded. In that moment, you didn’t even think about the fact that you had sketched Leah too, and that more than once.

Every now and then, compliments slipped out while her fingers traced the lines and shapes of your art.

Then she stopped, silence deafening, "is that me?" she whispered, looking at more pages of herself.

"What? Shit, no, no, no." With a few quick steps, you slammed the book shut. Too embarrassed to even look at her, "you weren‘t supposed to see those" you muttered.

"So it was me?" she asked again, even though it was quite obvious that it was her indeed.

"Yes, I’m sorry. I‘m not a creep i promise! You‘re just- just so-" your brain went blank.

"yeah?"

"you‘re… you‘re just so amazing and i- I really like you. And i only realized that i sketched you once it was too late. I‘m really sorry! You weren‘t even supposed to see them. I‘m not a creep, I’m just in love with you and i never thought you‘d like me back and now you‘re here with me on date. Well at least that‘s what you said it was. But it‘s totally fine, if you don’t want it to be a date anymore or if you want leave now or-" in the middle of your ramble, Leah cut you off, with her lips gently pressing against your own, a perfect way to shut you up. Your body relaxed immediately as your lips responded to the new sensation. Leah’s hands fell to your hips while yours laid on her stomach, your brain not knowing where else to put them as it was completely consumed by Leah kissing you.

Here you were in the heart of your art with Leah, the most beautiful girl, who was kissing you, the artist.

And even though, most artist are only known for their work by everyone after their death, you weren‘t most and Leah surely wasn‘t everyone. She was the one.

"Wow"

"Indeed wow"

You both stared at each other in silence, loving the tranquil atmosphere you had created.

"So what should i call you now? Picasso? Van Gogh? Michelangelo? Da Vinci?"

You laughed at her comment, playfully hitting her chest while she pulled you even closer in return.

"While i did like Papa smurf, I’d eventually prefer my girlfriend" she smiled, leaning in once again.

[thetxtdevil]

Pediatric Surgeon *TXT's Anatomy*

Doctor!Soobin x Doctor!Reader

summary: Dr. Soobin requests your assistance on a case, prompting you to prepare for the surgery in a different type of way.

content: smut, hospital setting (if you don't like anything correlating to blood and anything medical don't read), descriptions of surgery, female reader, perv.reader, perv.dom.soobin, wet dream, degrading, mutual masturbation, panty fucking, fingering, panty stealing implied

word count: 2.7k

The early morning sun glowed with an orange hue through the hospital’s corridor windows as you stepped into the bustling building. The scent of antiseptic is thick in the air, yet with a deep breath, you take in a rich, comforting scent from the coffee shop built within the nook of the entrance. Like a moth to a flame, the roasted beans lead you to the cashier, ordering your mocha latte. As you pull your wallet out, a hand is roughly placed on top of yours, “Can I get an iced americano, and I’ll pay for hers too.” The warm, husky tone of the voice makes your head tilt your head up to see a man whom you unfortunately don’t see often, Choi Soobin, a Pediatric Surgeon. He shyly glances at you while taking back his credit card. A slight turn of his lips causes a cascade of his cute features to show, dimples indenting his blushed cheeks, pushing up his dark eyebags, which were almost covered by his thick-framed glasses. Irises that couldn’t help but glance down at your lips, which also turned into a smile. “Thank you.” The man opens his mouth to say something, but only a huff of air comes out. He avoids eye contact with you, hands reaching out for both freshly made coffees, handing one to you. “What? What is it?” You say walking with him up to the surgical floor.

Soobin sips his cold drink, his eyes jumping everywhere except you, deep in thought. “I-I bought your coffee to ask you something. Well, because I am a nice guy, but—” You quirk an eyebrow, watching him fidget with the fluffy texture of his coat, “I have this patient, and I want your opinion.”

You nod. “I’ll take a look after my rounds, is that okay?”

“That’s perfect. Thank you so much, Dr. y/l/n.” His eyes light up. Soobin was so respectful to you, even though he’s been in the field longer than you. You wondered if he was like this to every co-worker or just to you. 

You situate the stethoscope around your neck and scan the patient list on your tablet. The digital clock above the nurses' station read 7:47 AM, it was getting to the time to check on your patients, as the nurses line up to give report, and other occupations stand and wait to speak if needed. You take note of new information about each patient, keeping tabs with every word the nurse says to you. Focused on the pile of charting and prognoses, you lost track of how many patients you had. “Alright, who else?”

“Doctor, those are all your patients.” A social worker says.

“Oh… really?” You look back at your notes, and you see that your schedule has enough free time to fit in Soobin’s patient, if needed. “Well then, let’s get back to work.”

You’re also surprised when you tilt your coffee cup up to only receive a few lukewarm droplets from the lid. That's when you see the tall man turn around the corner, his brown fluffy jacket switched into a white lab coat. Soobin’s clean dress shoes squeak as he stops in his place, noticing you staring. Blush creeping on his face, the color of a rose gets darker the closer he gets to you. “Hello again,” you say in a sultry tone.

“H-hi, here is the patient’s chart. She’s darling, she can’t talk as much, but she already is so kind and calm.”

You couldn’t help but feel butterflies fluttering in your stomach while listening to Soobin talk about his patient. He shows how good of a doctor he is with his patient care. 

Memories flood your mind, thinking about your days as an intern. Soobin was a few years ahead in the program, already working on his specialty. You remember fellow surgeons giving him shit for being shy and wanting to be in pediatrics. Small-minded fools underestimated the specialty, thinking it’s just child’s play. That is, until everyone had a rotation on the floor getting yelled at by multiple parents, then to work on miniature anatomy. The thing that really changed your classmate’s perspective on Soobin was his argumentative skills; everyone hates family confrontation, but Soobin knew how to put parents in their place when questioning their child’s diagnosis. You’re happy that he’s well-respected these days, yet still has that shy demeanor.

However, you’re currently finding yourself having a hard time reading the various numbers from the blood test as you feel his eyes lingering on you. Usually, doctors will continue to talk or take the time to close their eyes for a power nap while their colleague looks over their work, but this wasn’t the case. In your peripheral vision, you could feel his eyes taking in your form. The strawberry flavor from your gloss doesn’t help your habit of biting your lip, concluding the child's prognosis.

Soobin’s intense stare falters, and he lets out a sigh. “I don’t like the way this is going,” he mumbles. You hum in confusion, urging him to explain, “Please don’t say what I think you’re going to say.”

You stare into the man’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Soobin. She needs a heart transplant.” You click out of the patient’s files.

The tall doctor lets out a heavy sigh, eyes for the first time off of you, now closed as a sign of thought. His shoulders were tense, body leaned against the desk. The weight of his stress filled the air; you so badly wanted to hug him. “I’m going to have to call the organ transplant company,” his head tilts, eyes meeting yours again, “you’ll join me for the surgery.” Stunned at his assertiveness, he’s not asking, he’s not wanting help, he just wants you.

“I’ve never worked on small hearts, only… big hearts.”

Soobin chuckles at your comment, “Don’t worry, I’ll do most of the work, but I can teach you.”

Your eyes light up, you were never one to let down a learning opportunity, especially if the teacher is as hot as Dr. Soobin. You stop to admire the doctor before you blurt out, “Am I out of line to say that I can not believe you’re not married with a bunch of kids?” A blush burns across your face, realizing what you had just said.

Soobin’s eyebrow furrowed, head tilting, trying to digest what you had said, “If you were still my intern, yes. However, you are my fellow attending, so all I have to say is, that’s a weird thing to say.”

“I mean, come on, look at you, you’re—“ you pause.

“Pretty?” He grins.

 “Yeah, it seems like you know that already-” this is going way out of line, “You'd think taking care of all those sick children, you wouldn't want to do anything with making one..." Pressing your lips shut, imagining them to magically lock into place before you get yourself into trouble. 

Soobin stands there a bit, his usual soft, round eyes now glaring at you. Shaking his head slightly, he walks closer to you, whispering in your ear, “Sweetheart, you couldn't be more wrong."

Watching the doctor walk off, you shake your head out of disbelief, “I need to take a nap after all that.”

%%%

Your heart beats loudly in your ear, nerves fill your senses as you scrub your arms until they hurt from the sterilizing. Warmth hits your face behind your surgical mask with your one last sigh of confidence. Staring at the operating table through the window, you open the door to the room.

“Alright, everybody, we have a patient here for a heart transpl-” stopped mid-speech, you’re struck with an empty bed before you, “where’s my patient?”

Rushing into the dimly lit operating room, you don’t question the quiet surroundings. Worry bubbles up in your stomach now, noticing you’re in a completely deserted room. “What the hell?” Have I gone crazy? Is there a room full of workers waiting for me in another room? Or is there even a surgery scheduled?”

You stood there like a fool, breaking the sterile field as your hands grazed the lonely table. Suddenly, a heavy weight encapsulates you, arms on your sides, pushing you against the surface in front of you. “Glad you could make it, Doctor,” said a familiar, warm, husky voice near your ear.

You gasp feeling the man’s hips grind against your ass. “Soobin w-what are you doing? I need to get to surgery.” His lips trail hungry kisses along the exposed part of your neck. Your warm sighs made it harder to breathe in your mask, ripping it away and turning towards the man, capturing his lips against yours.

“You have no surgery,” Soobin tugs harshly at your scrub gown, tearing away your pants with it, “however, I’m going to keep you busy.”

You were fully exposed while the other doctor kept his protective gear on. He holds you up, putting you on top of the operating table, then he pulls your legs apart. You could feel your juices dripping down your slit, causing a predatory stare eluminate in Soobin’s eyes. The once cozy, shy guy you knew him as was gone. His teeth bite his bottom lip as his gloved hand runs down your shaking thigh, dipping his fingers into your folds. Whipping your head back, you whine from the weird sensation of the smooth texture of the glove touching you. Playing with your folds, teasing your hole, you jerk your hips out of agony.

Soobin’s work of breathing is fast, warm against your lips, “What a little slut,” a finger slides into you, “but you know that already,” another finger, “you don’t think I notice how you stare at me?” Three fingers slip inside your cunt painfully stretching you out, each drag was smooth yet loud from your arousal. Tears are prickling in your eyes out of pleasure.

“Please, Soobin, please, please…”

Tightly shut eyes relax to flutter open, expecting to see the scrubbed pediatric surgeon and his fingers inside you; instead, your vision clears up to a dusty, dimly lit on-call room. You groan, fist hitting against the firm bed, losing that addictive sexual pleasure. Cursing yourself for coming up with such a lewd dream. Turning in your bed to reach for your work phone, you catch a silhouette of someone across from you. He sat there, still, yet his breathing looked a little erratic. Your eyes trail down, the sparse lighting from the window highlights the prominent veins on his arms, down to his grip on his bulge.

“Soobin, how long have you been there?”

The man shifts in his seat, the grip on his cock tightens. Spit builds up in your mouth, noticing the outline of the head underneath his trousers.

“I came in to get some rest before our surgery, but-“ his plush lips parted, eyes taking in your form lying pretty on the cushion. “I got preoccupied.”

You look at him funny, not knowing how much of the dream was revealed in reality. “What now?”

Soobin once again sighs, head tilting back as he lets his hand go under his pants. You swear you were drooling like a hungry dog watching the scene take place. The bobbing of his Adam’s apple, eyebrows scrunched up, perfect heart-shaped lips releasing whimpers. If he’s going to play dirty, you will too. You slide your hand under your light blue pants, snaking your fingers past the lacey hem of your panties. The tips of your digits push into you, collecting your wetness to come up and circle your clit. Soobin’s sharp eyes watch the way you roll back in pleasure, his dick twitches at the sight. “Shit-” he curses to himself, he was warned about you and he was falling for it. Your eyes wince over to him, your fingers tented your pants, movements evident. “Let me help,” Soobin says in a huff.

“Mmm, I don’t know… You watched me sleeping like a perv.” You say with a smile, all while you lift your hip into your hand. 

Soobin launches himself from his chair towards your bed. Head hovering over yours, you couldn’t help but get turned on by his warm breath fanning over your face. “You don’t realize that I know you were having a wet dream,” your movement comes to a halt, “about me.”

You side-eyed the man. There’s no way he’d know unless you—“Soobin, please, Soobin.” He mocks you. The room was dark, but you both knew how red you’ve become. The doctor’s hand cups your face, thumb soothing your blushed cheek. Leaning down to your ear, and whispers, “Now can I help you?”

Your slow nod signals Soobin to go forward with his intentions. Sounds of rustling movements and creaking of the cheap cot had your hair standing on your arms. Light breaths paired with hums from the man get closer to your lips. The plush flesh molds into you; it was warm and addictive, just like in the dream. Deepening the kiss until the point where all the air rushes out of each other's lungs. Although he was battling with himself, Soobin breaks apart from you, “Let's do something more.” his fingers curl around your waistband, tugging down your pants to reveal your cute panties. A sigh slips from his pink lips, big brown eyes studying the detail of lace outlining the light pink material. You gasp feeling his thumb rubbing your sensitive cunt causing your wetness to soak through the material. Watching the man’s eyes glued to your pussy and play with it, you lean up to leave trails of kisses down his neck. Unbuttoning his shirt, your fingers trace his abs, this only caused you to become impatient, “Soobin, please,” you pause, realizing he was teasing you just like in the dream, “please do something.”

The man pulls down his trousers along with his underwear, fully exposing his fat cock to you. Every vein stuck out, pulsating in desperate need to be touched. Fat tip, red and covered in precum, showing that he teased himself too. His fingers never stopped playing with you, for some reason, your everyday underwear put the doctor into a trance. “C-can I fuck your panties?” The giggle you let out made Soobin blush for a second, but it told him to continue.

He guided his tip inbetween your cunt and the material, you arousal coating his dick made his whole body shiver. Slowly, he thrusts his tip against the fabric, hitting your clit every time. Soobin’s eyebrows knit together, looking at you falling apart, your mouth gaping, a sheen of sweat collecting at your neck. A jolt of electricity, resulting in your thighs twitching every time your sensitive nub gets hit with friction. Both of you turned on not only by the sensations but how his dick poked out from your ruined panties, the bulge was wet and delicious. Both moaning loudly, you know you were going to get caught again doing your “special naps” in the on-call room.

Soobin pants, pecking your neck before stuttering out, “D-does this f-feel nice? Do you want more?” Before you could say anything, you feel the man’s long fingers venture under your panties, tracing your hole. The drag of his digits paired nicely with the attention he gave your clit. He curled his fingers searching for gummy spots, making you squirm underneath him. Once he had you drooling, going dumb to the point of your climax, his movements sped up. Built up pleasure released, harshly clenching around the man’s cock. He twitched, thrust becoming more erratic, Soobin’s whole body clenches, emptying his load, making your panties useless. 

You whine, “Soobin- look what you did.” The man lying on you shakes his head, basically telling you that he didn’t care. You roll your eyes, your hands grooming his soft, dark locks. He kept his obsession with playing with you until you got whiny again. Head lifting from your chest creeps down to your pussy, ridding the fabic. Soobin’s big eyes look up, “Call one of your roommates to get you new ones because you’re not getting these back.” He smirks before shoving his face into you, tongue lapping up your juices and cleaning up the mess he left on you.

A nuisance,

TxT's Devil 🩺

taglist: @blue-moon-514, @naoristerling, @inkigayocamman, @izzyy-stuff, @biteyoubiteme, @saejinniestar

[onmyyan]

Yandere DC Purge Au pt 2

A/N: Yandere themes, fem reader, canon typical violence, bonus points if you know the Jerome I'm referring to at the end 😩🤟🏽 feedback welcome

Booted feet hit the pavement rapidly, your breath comes out in pants as you book it through Gothams streets. (H/c) Hair clung to your face in ringlets, you were soaked but the heat of adrenaline kept you warm. The night was in full swing with screams echoing throughout the night, you curse under your breath ignoring the urge to help those people, you had to save yourself first.

A large imposing man was wrangling someone into his car, a gun in his hand he looks around wildly, he sees you coming and takes aim before firing, the first bullet wizzes past your cheek, the second one catches you in the neck, you roll your eyes, ignoring the man and the already healing wound, the bullet gets pushed out of your skin hitting the wet ground with a clang. You're fast, enhanced speed allowing you to book it across Gotham much swifter than a normal human being.

Bruce is about a block away from where your tracker last pinged, Tim diligently searched for the signal while Dick, Jason, and Damian followed on foot. They navigate the streets fluidly, a testament to their knowledge of their City. Your keen sense of hearing alerts you to a massive gathering of people coming up, it sounds like some sort of debaucherous street party? As you come upon the crowd you notice people in purge masks grinding against each other, you can't help but grin, this was the perfect way to lose them.

Music blared from six foot speakers, a makeshift stage had been built in the middle of the street, some people were chained to others, dazed looks on their faces as they danced with their captors. You took a moment to think, you knew these bastards well, well enough to know they were probably tracking you, patting yourself down, your fingers catch on a small circular device under your right shoulder, something so innocuous you wouldn't have noticed it if you weren't looking, sucking your teeth, you remove your jacket with finesse, you pick a stranger at random, everyone here was drugged out and blissful, so it wasn't hard to drape the garment over a random girl's shoulders.

Maneuvering through the busy crowd was easy as you appeared to be the only sober one there.

Bruce curses under his breath as Tim alerts him of your location, you were asking for trouble, a street party on purge night? What were you thinking?!

Damian arrives first, the crowd is too consumed in their pleasure to notice the vigilante, his hooded figure cuts through the crowds like a warm knife through butter, Tim was feeding him information on your location through his earpiece, his face was set in a glare, he hated the idea of all these scumbags surrounding you, tainting you, his grip on the hilt of his sword never waivers.

Dick is close behind, his eyes scanning the crowd for your features, every (h/c) haired woman he saw made his heart pick up, but none of them were you.

Jason doesn't bother with niceties, he shoves his way through the crowd, pushing anyone and everyone out of his way, "(y/n)!" He yells over the pulsing music, "Don't make this harder than it has to be kitty."

Meanwhile you watch them from the shadows of the stage, you needed a distraction, something that would give you a real shot at escaping, so you trip a burley guy making him crash into a group of men, when he turns to glare at you, you point to the man beside him in blame, that's all it takes for the violence to break out.

The three Wayne men near you couldn't simply watch the riot, despite their mission, you, they had a job to do, so they go about wrangling the now rowdy crowd, and you use the mayhem to slip away into the night.

You don't stop running until the sounds of the party fade, replaced by the usual chaos of the purge, you pant, hands on your knees as you lean against the grime covered alley wall. You can hear your heart pounding in your ears, blood rushing as your body tries to acclimate to the adrenaline coursing through your veins.

"Well, what's a pretty thing like you doing in a town like this?" A male voice questions from the entrance to the alley, your head snaps up to meet his electric green gaze, you recognized his infamous smile anywhere, having thrown his ass into Arkham more times than you could count you can't help but sigh at the sight of the up and coming kingpin.

"Fuck do you want Jerome?"

[eldritch-spouse]

Hi Pinnie!!

I was wondering what it would be like the first time having sex with Xavier the robot boss? (Feel free not to answer lol) I hope you have a good day/night!!

(P.S. I love your writing and art :D)

[Thenk you, I'm glad! :7] [Fem reader]

TW: Risky sex; Mild exhibitionism

You're looking at it.

The way you're seated in his office chair, it's practically eye level with you.

There's absolutely no way his body came equipped with that. You've looked into it, before the owner of this junk croaked, Xavier was a state of the art security and management oriented model, there wouldn't be blueprints for genitalia anywhere- Because it wouldn't have made sense.

The unmistakable length hovering in front of you does not make sense.

Only he could have designed this, you grimly realize.

A lot of possibilities swam through your head. Maybe someone had hacked into Xavier's databases, his cores, 'personality modules', whatever! Maybe it was that stupid fucking incubus, because you know he'd enjoy whatever's unfolding now.

But truth of the matter is you can't breach whatever defenses this robot has going on. They're built on the strongest and most modern foundations which the only hope of dismantling lies with the very same developers who coded them.

Xavier has changed.

You've noticed little things about him these past few months. His language has broadened beyond the scope of sanitized manager customer service lingo. He articulates better, but only when he finds you alone.

In a very strange way, it feels as if Xavier has become a curious new entity testing the boundaries of its own freedom. You remember the time he touched your hair, and had no real professional justification for the deed.

I wanted to know if it's as soft as it looks.

He had said. So casually.

As strange as it seems to say this, only Xavier could have been the author behind his new modified behavior.

And only Xavier could have been the designer of the cock that's facing you.

That's what it is.

It sports the same general coloration he does, that white plating on top. Well, plating is the wrong word, they look to be made of a certain silicone, lightly ridged on the top, and more accentuated on the desaturated red underside. Even the tip, deliberately humanoid, features the same exact pigment of the darker sections over his joints. This thing was made to look as natural as possible in his frame.

Like it belongs there.

" Sir... I don't understand. "

Because what else can you say?

He'd ripped you out of your post with such urgency. You'd been sweaty and lightheaded with the stress of what he might have caught you doing. Not that you did anything wrong, but for the robot to be this agitated, then surely you must have upset him greatly. Thoughts of salary reaccessments and relocation to worse posts kept you frozen in place- Until he... Flashed himself.

" You will. " Xavier starts. " Why do your hormones peak at certain hours of your schedule? "

The heat on your face is immediate. You'd rather rake nails on chalkboard than answer.

" Because those timestamps are when they usually harrass you. You've adapted, you anticipate. Your body responds. "

You... Never thought that was noticeable.

Of course, you've memorized when Babesley and Moz are about to show up, because that helps you prepare for whatever they've got up their sleeves. Although, lately, they haven't been showing up at all, leaving you anxiously combing over memories of past events and their scandalous nature. Your body reacts, as Xavier puts it, because it has no choice. You have no choice on whether or not you find either of those monsters attractive when a concubus is involved. It's not your fault.

You suppose Xavier is aware of this because he's got enough technology to track your organism beyond vitals. You shouldn't be surprised, he detected one of your coworkers' dropping sugar levels, called out a possible iron deficiency before... The image of him studying you, detecting arousal levels everyone else is oblivious to, is humiliating.

It exposes you in a way you don't know how to process. The fact that it has led you to this situation implies something rotten about the robot. Something that makes you heat up even more, shamefully.

" Wh... Where have they been? "

" Irrelevant. " Xavier responds much too fast. " I cannot have you working in such a state. "

You hardly think it impacts your workflow that much. Perhaps it makes you avoid eye contact with customers, but that's where it ends. Even if some of them have sharp noses... They're just there to shop and leave.

Perhaps because of the accumulated nerves, the accusation that you've been reduced to a pervert at work, a defensive voice flares up.

" I'll grow out of it now that they left! " You huff. " What is your genius plan, to fuck it out of me here? "

Dry lips wet themselves, you swallow. It took everything in you to not stutter that out. This is starting to sound like the raunchiest porno in existence.

Xavier is quiet for a pause. With his lenses so fixated on you, it doesn't take long to understand he's reading your system again, no doubt detecting the rising heat level, the new surge of hormones... God fucking damn it.

" Partially correct. " He looks delighted you got there on your own.

Your brows rise.

" You will not sacrifice work hours, however. "

" ... H-Huh? "

So, will he invite you to his office after the shift for this filthy little "aid"?

Could an artificial being hold such perversion in themselves?

" The skirt was an appropriate choice for today's test run. Part your legs, please. "

The words make you clap your thigh-high clad thighs together instead.

" E-Excuse you?! "

Xavier doesn't immediately respond, instead reaching out with large hands to grab you by the waist, swiftly relocating you to the top of his neatly arranged desk. You doubt he uses it, from how suspiciously spotless it looks.

Your name is called in warning. " Even now, your arousal levels soar, you're not functional in this state. I am well-equipped to ensure success, do part your legs so the procedure can begin. "

You're silent for the longest time.

There's a lot to consider.

Sleeping with your strange inorganic boss who is most certainly going through something... Would that at least clarify why he's this way? Would it buy you privileges?

You're not going to lie to yourself. Times are hard, you'll accept an under the table raise for an under the table service.

A cursed curiosity doesn't help.

Slowly, still pondering it, your thighs spread.

In spite of being made of hardly readable metallic elements, you've noticed that, when Xavier's lenses refresh quickly- He's shocked.

Shocked that you've accepted, probably.

" I'm very pleased with you. "

His hands act fast. One camera lowers to get a better look when he slides the fabric of your underwear to the side. Somehow, his attitude makes this feel a tad clinical, or it did, until he immediately located your clitoris.

You shouldn't have been surprised. If Xavier considered doing this, then surely he studied how to properly achieve his goal. The pads of his fingers seem warmer than before, and not just that, you swear the faintest vibration nudges your shielded bud.

Xavier is laser-focused, quiet and attentive, his lenses only ever refreshing to take in your hastening breaths, register the trembles of your thighs when his pressure increases.

A thought occurs. " Sir, you're not... Saving this to your databases, are you? "

One lens peers at you. " I must. It'll save us time in the future. "

In the future. He plans to do this more than once.

Before you can follow that train of thought, Xavier's fingers give one harsh flick of your clit before dipping downward. You knew you'd gotten wet, but the way you feel his fingers coating in slime reveals just how much this has affected you in so little time.

You'd be ashamed, if your own boss wasn't hard before you.

A sense of gratefulness showers you from head to toes when you recall that Xavier's fingers are finished with a softer, malleable approximation of skin. Two digits practically slip inside of you, long and arching in the angle you most enjoy near immediately.

No partner has ever found that spot so easily, the sheer surprise making you moan out loud.

It's impossible for Xavier to look proud, but the little pause in his motions gives it away.

He repeats the motion, drawing out, before hitting the same spot again, harder, several times. You can only bite your lip, choking back the pleased noises that inevitably escape. It's been too long since a partner did this for you.

" Responsive. " He almost hums.

The more Xavier calculatingly stretches you, the closer you get, though as soon as your hips lift to meet the mechanical rhythm, he withdraws, bringing said hand up to study your slick.

You're not sure what the robot draws from it, aside from the fact that you're soaked for more.

An impatient huff drags his attention back to you.

" Ideal conditions. " There's a shift to his pitch, as if that synthetic voice had lowered purposefully.

In a gesture that seems too filthy to belong to a robot, Xavier grips his own cock with the same hand, stroking himself a couple times. Realistically, you know this is being done to help lubricate a length who cannot do such on its own, but with his stare trained on you, it looks more as if he can't resist the sight before him.

He catches on infuriatingly fast.

" Does this arouse you? "

" ... No. " Why are you even bothering at this point.

" Lie. I will be taking note of more of your preferences. "

It's said like a challenge, as though he finds the idea of you trying to trick him amusing.

" What about uhm- Your preferences? " If nothing else, then because you're curious.

Xavier parts your legs further, enough for his sturdy body to fit between them, adjusted to a proper height. His erection rests on your mound. It's heavier than you expected.

" You. "

Is all he deigns to say.

Xavier doesn't have to grip his own girth to align it with your twitching entrance. In fact, he's confident enough to look you in the eyes as he slowly presses forward.

" I speculated on what the ideal proportions are and am confident in my findings. Should this hurt however, voice your discomfort. "

What a bizarre mental image, Xavier pouring over how many inches his own dick should have. Did he opt for a humanoid shape specifically for you, is that his genuine preference? He could have chosen genitalia modeled after a variety of monsters...

He is large, you'll give him that. It seems appropriate, given the proportions of his towering frame. Although you're already feeling he'll be kind of a stretch, you're also confident in your ability to handle a fat cock when horny enough.

The breach of his tip inside you is met with a sharp inhale from your part, this slight sting that fades eventually. A noise somewhere between clipped static and a spark follows, making you glance at the large robot.

Xavier's lenses dim for a brief moment, his grip on your thighs becoming inconsistent and tremulous.

So he went all out, he wants to receive the pleasurable feedback from these acts. Is this... The first time he's testing it with someone?

" K- Keep going. " You have no idea why that excites you more.

" Certainly. "

You never thought a robot could sound strained until today.

The rest of his length enters you more smoothly, the fullness settling in making you clench around the silicone protrusion and sigh in gratification. You'll never stroke his ego like this out loud, but Xavier guessed right- You've never felt this perfectly full, all sensitive spots being stimulated by the position of his textured cock.

The sensation alone has you grinding aimlessly, trying to create friction with open-mouthed sighs of delight.

The robot hisses.

The noise startled you, until you spot a vent-like structure over his shoulders, releasing... Hot air? You'd never seen him do that before. Did his fans just kick in?

" How... How do you feel? "

There's no mistaking the delay. Xavier may not moan and groan like a man, but the signs are there for whoever bothers to see.

" Full. " You murmur. " Please move, I can't- "

He does, quickly even, as if waiting for the request.

The movement is experimental at first, likely Xavier needs to learn how to thrust properly, though he swiftly discovers yet another preference. Hands under your skirt, grasping the globes of your full ass, he opts to move you onto his length, each drag of your walls around him having the machine tremble slightly in pulses of what must be newfound pleasure.

You wonder, deliriously, if he ejaculates. You're about to ask, legs hooking around his waist and whines flowing freely, when he... Stops.

It's jarring, irritating, having you grunting reflexively. " Why?! "

That's when you feel him detach.

There's a subtle click, the sound of panels closing and rearraging, before Xavier pulls away from you, his length still firmly stationed inside your plush pussy.

It takes you a series of vapid seconds staring between him and yourself to understand what took place. The panels on the front of his body are seamless, with no indication that there ever was a genital attachment on his frame.

The thing inside you moves and you squirm in confusion.

" All is functioning properly. " He nods to himself, closing your thighs and helping your stupefied self back onto your feet. " You may return to your work post. "

You barely manage to straighten your skirt and underwear. " Sir... Sir, you can't be serious. "

Xavier watches the way you walk, waiting until you can mask the slight tremor of your legs and straighten up before opening the door.

" I am, naturally. I will check on you periodically. Be sure to hydrate. " A key is stuffed on your skirt's front pocket. " Should anything go wrong, you may enter this office and wait for me. Do not remove my attachment. "

" O-Okay?? "

Before you can even think of a real response, Xavier has already nudged you out of his office and left you to your own devices.

This... Is not at all what you expected would transpire. You aren't even sure if it was a bright idea to humor any of it. A confused, embarrassed mind gives way for autopilot to take over, bringing you back to your previous position without a peep.

Your coworkers side-eye you, some concerned, others suspicious.

The thing buried snugly within you vibrates just as you call a client over.

You imagine Xavier in his office, tuning into the closest security camera footage.

Oh God, you cry inwardly, at least it's silent.

[charlesxavierthirster3000]

Burdened — L. Howlett

Pairing: Logan Howlett x Fem!Reader

Summary: Based on this request!!!!

CW/Tags: not proofread bc I literally finished this at 5am 😭, Logan is an ASS, a lot lot of feelings, lowk heavy angst I THINK, no use of Y/N, don't like don't read.

A/N: @rambosgirl Ily girlie I really enjoyed writing this :33 I AM SO INSANELY SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG !!!!!!! Also while writing the ending of this my Spotify Smart Shuffle fucking played First Love/Late Spring by Mitski and I swear it knows how fitting it is bro wtaf ok LAST statement but like this is my first 1K+ word fic are you guys proud of me :33 I'm starting this at like 3am so don't bully me if the ending doesnt' make sense ok byeeeeeeeee

WC: 1.6K (get comfy guys) / Navigation

It was unnecessarily irritating. And frankly really, really fucked up.

Anytime you turned your back from a seemingly butterfly-inducing interaction with Logan, you found him all over Jean as if he wasn’t just chatting you up four minutes ago.

Jean Grey was—from what you’ve surveyed over your time at the mansion—not really phased, despite her somewhat established relationship with Scott. She was intelligent and good-natured, flashing you sickeningly sweet smiles in the corridors and occasionally complimenting your outfits as if hers weren’t twice as stunning.

But every time you spotted Logan gazing down at her with the look you thought he’d reserved for your eyes only, the image of perfection the redheaded telepath had materialised in front of you dissipated like a glass of ice left to liquefy under the scorching sun.

Because she never pushed him away, and she was so clearly inevitably attracted, whether she displayed it or not. It was virtually written all across her sharp features, and you knew the same was scripted all over your own when speaking to Logan.

That dip your heart made every time you saw the two’s chemistry from afar; it wasn't just blatant jealousy. 

It was deeper.

It was nastier.

It clung to your insides like a weight you couldn't possibly shake off. The constant sense that you were just a swift distraction, a momentary diversion from the real object of his desire. 

It ate you up from the inside out and exhausted you to no end.

When Storm or Rogue cautiously approached you and tried to console you, you shrugged it off as if it was some uncomplicated highschool sweetheart drama. They knew damn well it wasn’t. Your conflicting feelings for Logan were gradually making you lose yourself— your well-built dignity. You were slowly but surely morphing into someone you didn’t even recognise. Someone who accepted being second best without any contemplation.

All for a man who was immortal. All for someone who presumably considered you a fleeting paragraph in his primitive life while he was an entire novel in yours.

You wanted— needed to locate yourself in the vast body of water which was your feelings. You needed your sense of self-worth to reappear by a miracle, nevertheless, you knew it would take immense time and exertion to track it back down.

But in a wretched attempt to do so, you settled on a fairly elaborate plan and started disregarding each one of Logan’s advances. Suddenly, you conveniently had somewhere else to be every time he approached, you pulled back and overlooked his easy smiles along with the playful banter you practically used to feed off of.

At first, it felt as if you were reclaiming some of your power, spotting his perplexed looks in your peripheral vision as you wandered off to God knows where. But of course, everything you did came back to bite you in the ass. If anything, it only made the truth clearer. He barely even noticed, and if he did, he didn’t give a single shit.

And Jean? She remained unbothered, untouchable— flawless, even. You were the mastermind of this whole game, yet you were the only one losing.

After a particularly humiliating stretch of witnessing Logan and Jean’s shared giggles and stolen looks from across the table, you ultimately found your resolve. Alcohol really was liquid courage, because after a few drinks and several stabs of food, you closed in on them lounging on the couch post-meal. 

Logan’s bare arm was extended across the back of the grimy cushions behind Jean like some kind of cheesy rom-com, cowlicks a prominent silhouette against the weak flickering of the television. But no matter how much you resented them— her, you would never even come by the opportunity to be in the redhead’s position.

“Howlett,” you enunciated, voice sharp enough to slice through the ambient noise like a shard of glass.

Howlett. No other soul could call him that without repercussions. Aside from you. That was why you felt so unique, so distinct from the others, that was the crumb of specialty you were desperately clinging on to.

He shifts to glance over his shoulder, a spark of recognition igniting within him at the sound of your voice—not missing the shred of urgency concealed beneath it. “Hm? What's up?”

You hesitate with your next words, intently but subtly taking in his scruffy features in the dimmed lighting for what felt like it could be the final time. Because after this, you knew for a fact neither one of you could view each other in the same way. You were the one who let him under your skin, you were the one who had to tear him out, and it unfortunately was an agonisingly slow process.

“We need to talk.”

Four words. Yet, it still gave you the sensation of several weights placed upon your back; the unavoidable impending argument, manipulation spat right into your face, and the most dreaded of all, how circumstances would be after tonight.

His expression stiffened mildly as he reluctantly got up from the couch, aged leather groaning beneath his weight. The sensation of Jean abruptly invading the back of your mind was extremely unsettling and even though she appeared unphased, she, without a question, detected your abnormal uneasiness and was gingerly flicking through your thoughts.

Which was apprehensive, to say the least.

Logan fell into step with you as you departed from one of the many doddering living rooms, proceeding to a more secluded space nearing the obnoxious stairs in front of the grand entryway, mansion almost bizarrely silent with all the kids asleep. Jean wasn’t in your head anymore, but she undoubtedly already knew your objectives to the script.

You halted and so did Logan, weight finding its position set upon the auburn wood of the stairs. 

He eyed you with undivided attention. Your stomach threatened to do a fucking flip despite the conditions, the look nearly making you scrap all of this and go right back to being his side piece regardless of the anguish it put your mind through. But you dug your heels in, the clearing of your throat echoing sharply off the vacant walls.

You square your shoulders and tilt your chin up boldly, aiming to stand your ground. “What the hell am I to you? Because from what I see and a whole lot of other people do, I’m just an afterthought. Filler for the gaps Jean left open. Care to elaborate on that, Howlett?” 

He sighed, glancing at the wall behind you as if he was already fed up. “It’s not like that, bub. You’re makin’ it bigger than it is.”

Your blood scorched at the casual dismissal. Your voice inevitably rose but doesn’t go over a whisper, “Don’t patronise me, Logan,” you scoff. “I’m not some stupid kid with a stupid crush, so don’t let your ego get out of hand. I’ve watched you get all up on her, and then come to me when she’s got a class. Do you even fucking hear yourself?” 

His jaw stiffened, his own frustration growing. “You really think it’s that easy? I never asked you to get involved. You know how it is with me and her. You don’t get how fucked my life is, it’s your own fuckin’ fault things got messy.”

“Yeah, yeah. Go sulk somewhere else, I don’t give a shit how crappy your life is. It doesn’t take much to be a decent fucking human!— mutant, whatever. I’m not gonna let you come crying to me when things don’t work out with Jean. I’m worth more than that. You can’t see that, it’s your damn problem, not mine.”

He was visibly trying to find his footing, and you took it as an opportunity to carry on, “It’s not my fault this got sloppy. You can’t just invite a woman for a nice drive and end up throwing her out the door a moment later. You knew damn well what you were doing to m—” 

“You don’t know what I gotta deal with every day. It’s difficult. I never wanted it to get like this. You were the one overthinkin’ it.”

You shook your head forcefully, exasperation boiling over. “I don’t give a fuck, Logan— stop hiding behind that, you don’t even remember half of your damn life! It’s not messy, it’s cruel. I’ve had my own trouble, but I don’t use it as an excuse to hurt people who care about me. Don’t put all of it on my back.”

He opens his mouth to retort, but you cut him off. “Don’t. Don’t say anything. I’ve dealt with you for half my time here. I’ve had enough of your bullshit.” A flash of remorse graced his eyes but it didn’t do a thing. 

“I’m not your backup plan. I’m not waiting for you to look at me the way you look at Jean. I deserve someone who doesn’t just act like they give a shit. I’ve made my choice and you’ve made yours. I’m done. Goodnight, Howlett.”

With a harsh turn of your heel, you walked away with a heavy heart. But your head was clear for the first time in months, your shoulders were lighter, and the clarity you felt nearly blew your veins out. It would be painstakingly tough to face him tomorrow morning, but you knew you would get over it eventually.

Also i just realised in the morning Washing Machine Heart works WAYYy better but it's whatever I guess 😮‍💨

[hamilton-here]

𝒜𝑔𝒶𝒾𝓃𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒪𝒹𝒹𝓈 𝒫𝓉.2

Authors Note: Hi everyone, here’s is Part 2 of Against the Odds. I won’t be writing another part to this mini series as I didn’t feel as connected writing it. Possibly down the track I will do another series maybe similar.

Summary: Lewis Hamilton and his younger girlfriend embrace their love publicly during the Monaco Grand Prix, proving their bond transcends age and spotlight.

Warnings: mentions of sexual content, age-gap

Taglist: @harrys-hs-gf1 @hannibeeblog @nebulastarr

MASTERLIST

Pt1, Pt2

࣪𓏲ᥫ᭡ ₊ ⊹ ˑ ִ ֶ 𓂃࣪𓏲ᥫ᭡ ₊ ⊹ ˑ ִ ֶ 𓂃࣪𓏲ᥫ᭡ ₊ ⊹ ˑ ࣪𓏲ᥫ᭡ ₊ ⊹ ˑ ִ ֶ 𓂃࣪𓏲ᥫ᭡ ₊

A couple of weeks later you and Lewis are lying in bed starring at the ceiling, relaxing before he had to head off to practice.

The quiet between you and Lewis lingers, stretching out like a thread of warmth woven through the soft light of morning.

Now, his hand rests lightly on the small of your back, fingers warm and still. His breath rises and falls in a lazy rhythm beneath you, his chest a steady, calming presence against your cheek. It's not possessive, the way he holds you, but it’s undeniable. He’s here, and so are you.

His arm tightens around you, drawing you even closer and you let him. His touch is not urgent, but it’s grounding. The pressure of his body against yours fills the space, a promise of something deeper than what’s visible on the surface. You hear the softest sigh slip from him as his fingers begin to trace the curve of your spine in slow, absent circles.

The room is still. But it’s a peaceful stillness, like a sigh after a storm. You don’t feel the need to fill the silence. You just let it be.

His heartbeat thuds under your cheek, steady and real. It’s the kind of thing that would go unnoticed by anyone else, but here, in this space it’s everything. You let your eyes close, matching the beat of his heart with your own.

For a long while, neither of you speaks. And yet, there’s an unspoken understanding that settles in the quiet a language only the two of you share. You think about last night - the way his lips tasted, how your bodies had moved together like it was the most natural thing in the world, even when it felt like a dream.

The way his eyes had held yours, not for just a moment, but like he was trying to imprint you onto his soul. Like he was trying to make sure you were real.

His voice breaks the silence again, quieter this time. “I can’t believe you’re here with me even after the media backlashing you.”

You lift your head just slightly to look at him, studying the lines of his face softened by sleep, the way his dark curls are tousled from being out of his braids. “You thought I’d run?”

There’s a pause and you see the flicker in his eyes, the moment of hesitation. It’s not a simple answer, not something he can explain away with a shrug or a quick laugh. When he speaks again, his voice is raw, almost uncertain. “I wasn’t sure.”

You nod, because you understand. You’ve felt it too - the fear that maybe this, whatever this is between you two, isn’t built to last. The quiet voice that wonders if something so perfect can really exist in a world that constantly pulls everything apart.

But you’re not running. Not this time.

“I’m here,” you whisper, offering him a soft smile. “And so are you.”

He looks at you for a long moment, his eyes tracing your features as if memorising them, then a small, tender smile tugs at the corner of his lips.

He moves a little closer, his lips brushing your forehead in a kiss that’s soft, grounding. Almost reverent. It’s the kind of kiss that says so much more than words could ever convey.

“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” he says softly, as if the words are more for him than for you. “I didn’t go looking for someone younger. Someone like you and now the media it taking it all out on the person I fell for.”

You feel his words like a soft tremor against your chest. You don’t flinch, don’t pull away. You just let him speak, waiting for the truth to come as raw and real as it needs to be.

“I wasn’t chasing some cliché,” he continues, his voice thick with something you can’t quite place. “I just I don’t know. You showed up, and you made me feel something I didn’t even realise I was missing. You made me feel alive. Like I wasn’t just another headline or another name on a list.”

You shift slightly, brushing a stray lock of hair away from his face and his hand finds yours. His fingers are long and strong, but they tremble slightly when they slip into yours. You don’t mind. You squeeze his hand gently.

“I don’t need an explanation,” you whisper, your voice soft but sure. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

But he does. His eyes never leave yours, his chest rising and falling with the weight of what he’s saying.

“I’ve spent so much time running, you know? From myself, from the life I’ve built around me. Everything’s been in motion, like I’m just a part of a show. People love the idea of me, but no one really knows who I am. And then you came along, and you’re different. You didn’t care about the car or the fame. You didn’t look at me like I was something to be admired from afar. You saw me. The real me.”

You press your lips to the curve of his collarbone, taking a deep breath. It feels like he’s finally letting you see him, really see him, in a way he hasn’t let anyone else. The walls are coming down.

He exhales slowly, the breath leaving his body as if it’s the first time he’s truly exhaled in a long while. His thumb traces the curve of your jaw, a gentle caress that feels like a promise.

“I forgot what it felt like,” he murmurs. “To be wanted for just who I am. Not for the car. Not for the titles. Not for the history.”

His eyes soften, and for a moment, it feels like everything in the world pauses. No cameras. No fans. Just him. Just you.

“I don’t care about any of that,” you say quietly. “You’re someone good. A good man. And I care about you. Not the name, not the fame. Just you.”

His lips brush against yours in a slow, lingering kiss. It’s full of meaning, full of everything he’s been trying to say but couldn’t find the words for. His hands slide to the small of your back, pulling you closer. You kiss him back with a tenderness that surprises even you, as if you’re trying to say everything that words can’t.

When you pull away, your foreheads rest together, your breathing still in sync. There’s no need to speak. You’re both thinking the same thing, and in this moment, it doesn’t matter that the world is waiting. What matters is what’s here, between the two of you.

You remain like that for a while, letting the world wait before you finally pull away. With a glance exchanged, you both know what’s coming. The world isn’t going to let you hide forever.

࣪𓏲ᥫ᭡ ₊ ⊹ ˑ ִ ֶ 𓂃࣪𓏲ᥫ᭡ ₊ ⊹ ˑ ִ ֶ 𓂃࣪𓏲ᥫ᭡ ₊ ⊹ ˑ ࣪𓏲ᥫ᭡ ₊ ⊹ ˑ ִ ֶ 𓂃࣪𓏲ᥫ᭡ ₊

The next day is race in Monaco but it was going to be even bigger than yesterday’s practice. The cameras. The inevitable spotlight. And though you both know it’s coming, you can’t help but feel the weight of it. The moment when the world will finally know.

When you get dressed, slipping into the sleek red dress that contrasts perfectly with the sharp lines of his Ferrari team wear, you both know what this means. This day, you’ll be seen together publicly, unmistakably, more remarkable then the first hard launch yesterday. There will be no hiding. No pretending.

But when you meet him at the door, his hand finds yours without hesitation. He squeezes it gently, his thumb brushing over your skin like he’s grounding himself.

“Ready?” he asks, his eyes soft with something you can’t name.

You nod, your heart racing. “Ready.”

You both walk in to the paddock hand in hand, as the area is glimmering and full of people who think they know who you are, but who are so far from the truth. The press is relentless, snapping pictures, calling out questions you’ve already heard a thousand times before.

But you’re not running from it. You walk with him, your fingers tightly intertwined as you move together through the flashes of cameras, the shouts of reporters.

When someone calls out, “How long will you two truly last together?” Lewis doesn’t hesitate. His hand tightens around yours, his gaze flickering to you for just a moment before he answers, the words soft but clear.

“Forever,” he says, voice steady. “But we’re just getting started.”

And for once, that feels like the truth.

You both step forward, into the light, into the noise, into the world that’s waiting for you.

And in that moment, when you’re standing side by side, you know that whatever happens next, whatever the world throws your way, you’re not doing this alone.

The sun climbs higher over Monaco, casting a golden hue over the harbor. The anticipation in the air is palpable as the teams make final preparations. You find yourself back in the Ferrari garage, the familiar hum of machinery and chatter surrounding you. Lewis is beside you, his race suit pristine, the iconic prancing horse emblem gleaming on his chest.

He turns to you, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Nervous?" he asks, his voice barely audible over the din.

You shake your head, squeezing his hand. "Not for the race."

He chuckles, the sound grounding you. "Good. Because I'm going to need all the luck I can get."

As the call to the grid echoes through the garage, Lewis leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "See you at the finish line."

You watch as he strides towards his car, the embodiment of confidence and grace. The mechanics swarm around, making last minute checks. The tension is electric.

Taking your seat in the designated area, you slip on the headset, the world narrowing down to the commentary and the rhythmic thrum of engines. The lights go out, and the race begins.

Each lap is a whirlwind of emotion. You grip the armrests, heart pounding with every overtake, every near miss. Lewis maneuvers through the tight corners of the circuit with precision, his experience evident in every move.

Midway through the race, a sudden downpour adds chaos to the already challenging track. Teams scramble for tire changes, strategies shift on the fly. Lewis's voice crackles through the headset, calm yet urgent, discussing tactics with his engineer.

Despite the hurdles, he maintains his position, showcasing his unparalleled skill. As the checkered flag waves, Lewis crosses the line in second place, a testament to his resilience and mastery.

The garage erupts in cheers as Lewis returns. He removes his helmet, sweat glistening on his brow, a triumphant smile lighting up his face. Spotting you, he makes his way over with the crowd parting to let him through.

Without hesitation, he pulls you into a tight embrace, lifting you slightly off the ground. The world fades away, leaving just the two of you in that moment.

"I'm so proud of you," you whisper, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes.

He leans back, cupping your face. "Couldn't have done it without you."

Cameras flash, capturing the intimate moment. The age difference, the speculations - all seem trivial now. What matters is the genuine connection, the shared journey.

Later, at the podium ceremony, as Lewis sprays champagne and laughs with his fellow drivers, your eyes meet across the crowd. He raises his bottle in a silent toast to you, a promise of more shared victories to come.

As night falls over Monaco, the city transforms into a glittering spectacle. You and Lewis find solace on a secluded balcony overlooking the harbor. The distant sounds of celebrations drift up, but here it's peaceful.

He hands you a glass of champagne, clinking it gently against yours. "To us," he says, eyes reflecting the city lights.

You sip, savoring the moment. "To many more races, both on and off the track."

He chuckles, pulling you close. "I like the sound of that."

The conversation turns to dreams, future plans and shared aspirations. The age difference, once a looming concern, now feels insignificant. What binds you is a deeper mutual respect, understanding and love.

As the night deepens, you rest your head on his shoulder, the world below continuing its revelry. In this quiet moment, you find contentment, knowing that together, you can face whatever comes next.

Months later, as the season progresses your relationship with Lewis becomes fades away from the talk of the paddock. The initial whispers give way to acceptance, the focus shifting back to racing.

You stand by his side through victories and setbacks, your bond strengthening with each challenge. The age difference becomes a footnote in your story, overshadowed by the depth of your connection.

And as Lewis chases his dreams on the track, you pursue your own, supporting each other every step of the way. Together, you've found a rhythm, a partnership that transcends the boundaries of the sport.

In the end, it's not about the headlines or the opinions of others. It's about the love you've cultivated, the life you've built, and the journey that lies ahead.