#but I guess the curve managed to help me after all because I actually was well above passing

[supernovaa-remnant]

I passed my calc class 🥳

[lilozzzyo3569]

DBF!Captain Price x F!Reader

Summary: Your boyfriend dumps you, so you decide to move out and now you're completely alone. You had managed to keep in touch but after your break up you kind of fell off the face of the earth. So he decides to use some "special connections" to find you. Only to see you are perfectly safe but are now alone.

Warnings: MDNI, female reader is smaller then our lovely Captain (duh man is MASSIVE), I don't own this man (but I guess I wasn't meant to be happy), Female Reader in her mid to late 20s and Captain is in mid 40s, A bit angsty, Reader has curves and hair and John has got it bad for you, Suggestive Smut, John and reader have had a couple drinks but are not inebriated!, Dirty mouth John, Slight sir kink, dry humping on the couch

It was Friday night another long day, you were only two sips into your first jack and coke in and had decided to put on a tank top and a little pair of shorts and order a pizza. A bit later you hear a knock at the door, expecting your pizza but instead you are greeted by Captain John Price standing there looking very pissed off. You had just moved into your new apartment after your boyfriend had decided to dump you out of nowhere. Feeling so embarrassed and hurt you didn't even tell your father or anyone because they had all warned you that he was no good. So imagine your surprise to see Your fathers best friend staring down at you with a mix of irritation and anger. "Why did you move, and why are you here, and when did you move here, do you have any idea how hard it was to find you, where is that wanker?" You sigh deeply before moving so he can continue taking off his shoes and walking in to look around your new apartment. He follows you to the kitchen to join you for a drink, you fix him a whiskey neat before finishing your jack and coke. You finish it before finally speaking "He dumped me so congrats all of you were right." You roll your eyes bending over to make another drink, unaware of the way John's eyes softened after the news. "I'm sorry lass, why didn't you tell us at least your dad?" You finish making your drink, before holding in your tears as you say. "What so he could tell me that he was right and that I never should've gotten involved with him and that I was the idiot that stuck up for him and stood by him and put up with all of his bullshit even with all of the signs that he would end up doing something like this to me and I was still stupid enough to give him all of my time energy and love just for it to all to mean absolutely nothing. Now I'm alone here with nothing but the knowledge that I was the idiot who believed a man who could never love me."

By the end of your rant you were crying and seeing you like this broke John's heart, he had met you for the first time when you came home from college for your father's fourth of July party. This was the first year John was actually able to attend. He had only heard of you from your father and he of course described you as the most amazing human to ever grace the earth, he pegged you as a daddy's girl and he was right. You were the apple of your fathers eye and when he finally got to meet you all the oxygen got ripped from his lungs. Your father had ushered you over to meet him and you looked up at him and said "pleasure to meet you captain, my father speaks highly of you, even though he does that for everyone, a bit of a pushover this one" you say nudging your father making John laugh, you shook his hand and excused yourself to go back to the party. Since that moment John has been fascinated by you, especially when he learned you would be moving closer to his home, you would write him when he was deployed, call him when he was home and you need help since your pansy ass boyfriend wasn't very handy. He cared about you deeply and more than you would every know and when he learned of your relationship from your father he immediately knew that the tosser didn't deserve you. So now seeing you in tears his heart breaks for you, he walks over and wraps you in a harsh bear hug, his large form completely swallowing yours. "I just don't know what I did wrong" you sob into his chest before he looks down at you and grabs your shoulders pulling you back to look up into his eyes. "No! I promise you did nothing wrong that idiot didn't deserve you. You are intelligent, witty, loving, caring, kind, understanding, adorable, strong, and absolutely beautiful and if that boy couldn't see that the there was something chemically wrong with him, not you love. And if you want me to go explain that to him, I would gladly do that for you." You giggle softly up at him before shaking your head, making him smile down at you. He gently wipes your tears and hold your chin to look up at him getting lost in your big innocent eyes. "Besides how could anyone not love you, you're perfect love." Almost as if gravity is pulling you towards him you notice his eyes flicker down to your lips and back to your eyes before you bite your lip and move to your tip toes to get closer to him as he leans down. Your lips are so close you can feel his beard touching your lips before you hear your doorbell ring effectively breaking the spell you both were under. You giggle breathlessly as you move out of his grasp to grab the pizza.

You open the door to grab the pizza, opening the door to see a man holding the pizza before smiling at you. "Well hello gorgeous, did you order a large sausage?" he said with a wink before you rolled your eyes, the man looked cocky wiggling his eyebrows before all of a sudden he looked as if he had seen a ghost, before stammering. "Can I help you mate?" John asked behind you with his arms crossed looking even larger and more intimidating than you had ever seen him look before. "N-n-no ss-s-s-ir, I-I-I didn't I-um I'm sorry" he quickly hands you the pizza before running away as if his life depended on it. You turn to peer up at John looking annoyed with his eyebrows furrowed as he looked down only just now noticing what you were wearing the tiny tank top that barely contained your curves and a tiny pair of shorts that hardly covered your luscious rear, making his mouth almost start watering. You smiled asking "Jeez did you have to scare him half to death?' you chuckled as you pass him to walk to the couch. John chuckled biting his lip watching your body as you sway toward the couch as he follows grabbing your drinks, eyeing you as if you were prey. You sit and start to eat a slice of pizza as you scan for something to watch. John hesitantly takes the opportunity to wrap his arm around you. You snuggle up to him as he eats a couple slices as well.

After finishing up the pizza, mostly John, he gets up to put your pizza away and grab another drink for himself. While walking back to the couch he notices you have turned it to some romantic comedy or something and were starting to tear up. He tells you to scoot over before positioning himself in the corner of he couch opening his legs and telling you to sit on his lap. You bite your lip, as you crawl into his lap before he wraps his strong arms around you "Now now lovie, it's okay" he gently strokes your hair trying to soothe you before turning the channel to some crappy horror movie. You turn and cuddle into his warm chest as he rubs your back trying to ignore how your already tiny shorts had ridden up even further exposing more of you soft skin. You finally stop crying before telling him "thank you for being so nice to me" making John laugh. "Please princess I hate seeing you upset, and that wanker never deserved you anyway. You deserve a man who will love you, cherish you, appreciate you, respect you, take care of you. Not that boy who couldn't see how lucky he was that you even gave him the time of day." He begins to lean down to lift your chin so you can look up at him, with you hands on his chest and his other hand on your lower back. He gently presses his lips against yours, he can taste the only jack and coke you had still on your lips as he moves to wrap his arms fully around you lifting you easily to straddle his lap. He moves his tongue against your supple lips to ask for permission to enter your warm mouth. You open to allow his tongue to take slow tour of your mouth. You quickly move your hands to his broad shoulders while his large hands start to explore your soft curves making you groan when his hands find your backside giving you a firm squeeze making you whimper in his grasp. "See and that's why you need a man and not a boy" he grinds his hips up against yours as he groaning, he can practically feel your throbbing center begging for attention.

You kiss his lips fiercely, biting at his lips as you grind in his lap desperately needing more of his touch. He moans against your lips before moving to your neck and kissing, sucking and nipping at your sensitive neck making you whine as he starts to move your hips furiously against his groin. He groans against you neck "Oh yes princess, you like that? Are you going to cum on my lap? Say yes sir." You release a broken moan of "Yes sir please make me cum." He growls against your neck as he forces you to move faster and harder against him making you throw your head back as you let him use your body, treating you like his own personal ragdoll. Before moving his hands to assertively grab your hips and move his lips up to your ear to whisper "Cum for daddy princess," before biting at your ear lobe forcing your jaw drops as a broken whimper escapes from the very center of your very soul. John continues to grind you along his stiff length still trapped within the confines of his jeans until he finishes hearing and seeing you lose yourself in the pleasure he delivers.

As you finally start to come down from your high, as you feel Johns lips gently kissing your forehead. You giggle at the feel of his stubble before looking up into his eyes still feeling a bit breathless. "That was incredible" causing him to respond with his own chuckle. "Oh lovie we're just getting started" he flirts wiggling his eyebrows before lifting you as if you weighed nothing taking you to your room. Chuckling the whole way.

FIN

I AM SO SORRY THAT I HAVE BEEN GONE. My boyfriend just dumped me and I was busy paying off my debts. So overall life has been a mess! Thank you also for all of the love and support on my work so far, and I am open to suggestions

[lendeah]

Hey I saw ur recent thing about astarion/durge w scars and I raise to Astarion/Tav with a shit ton of scars they actually do have stories for (either really dumb or really cool or kinda traumatic) and astarry just lovingly traces them and asks about them

YES!!! I love the idea.

Here you go, I hope you enjoy it and thanks for asking! 🤍🫶🏻

Astarion loved tracing the little scars dotting your body. Even in moments of exhaustion, as you both lay on the bedroll after a arduous day of battle, he would gently trace the intricate lines of your skin with lazy fascination.

"Now, I bet this one has a story worth hearing," he drawls, caressing with his finger along the long scar on your arm.

You let out a small chuckle and decide to humor him. "This one here? That was from a sword fight. I was trying to protect my brother because he had been having an affair with a married woman, and it got pretty intense. I ended up taking a pretty bad hit, but luckily I lived through it."

The vampire cocks an eyebrow, a sly smirk playing on his lips. "So let me get this straight," he drawls, "you got this scar defending your brother's honor from a scorned lover? Sounds like your brother could have used some self-defense lessons."

You shrug "I guess, but he is my brother. I couldn't just let him struggle on his own. Besides, I'm the better fighter of the two of us." you say with a smirk.

A mischievous chuckle escapes his lips, "Always the hero, huh?" he lets out a resigned sigh, but his eyes glint playfully. "You know, your stubborn selflessness isn't the most attractive trait."

You raise an eyebrow. "Oh really? And what is my most attractive trait to you?"

Astarion chuckles, then brings his cold fingers to your forehead, gently brushing the skin there, "This scar above your eye? It's quite the attractive feature. Really adds to your whole intimidating aura," he purrs, "I must hear the tale behind it."

You roll your eyes, trying not to let his teasing get to you. "Ugh, that one gave me nightmares for weeks." You say with a grimace. "I was being chased by an angry tabern owner because I may or may not have stolen some of his ale. Anyway, he caught up to me and I fought him off as best as I could, but he still managed to get a knife to my face." You shudder at the memory and the thought of your mother's scolding afterwards.

Astarion chuckles, "Oh darling, you? Stealing? And ale, of all things? Positively scandalous. I find it hard to believe."

You give him a playful glare, "Oh please, I was young and reckless. Plus, the ale was really good."

He shakes his head in disbelief, but the fondness in his eyes is unmistakable. As he takes your hand in his, his soft fingers tracing over the familiar lines and curves, you feel a warmth spread through your chest. His thumb gently traces the jagged scar on your palm, "This one looks like a fish bone" He says with a smirk.

You roll your eyes "Yeah, well, I got that one in an attempt to save my friends when I was young." you say "We were out at sea enjoying the warm weather, when suddenly a massive creature emerged from the depths. It had razor-sharp teeth and writhing tentacles, and before we knew it, our boat was under attack. I reached out to help my friends and next thing I know, I'm tangled up in this thing's grasp. Thank the gods a wizard happened to witness our struggle and put down the beast. Lesson learned: never underestimate the power of the ocean's creatures."

He rolls his eyes back, "Of course the heroic, strong, selfless and pretty one would make something like that sound like a normal and not crazy thing to do." He looks back at your hand, "But no worries, darling, your hand is just fine. In fact, it's quite charming in its own rugged way." He says, taking your palm to his lips, making you shiver. Despite his teasing, there is a genuine admiration in his voice that warms your heart. His hand then moves up to cup your cheek. "You certainly have an interesting collection of scars."

You can't help but blush at his words, feeling a mix of happiness and vulnerability. No one has ever taken the time to truly listen to your stories before, let alone find them interesting. But with Astarion, it feels different, like he sees you for who you truly are, flaws and all.

"Back home, some people said I was a monster because of them" you say, gesturing to the marks on your body, "but I like them, I think they all have a story behind them worth telling."

Astarion raises an eyebrow, "People called you a monster? What foolishness."

You shrug, "It's just how things were back in my hometown. They were afraid of anything different or out of the ordinary."

A playful glint dances in his eyes and his sharp fangs glisten. "Oh, I'm sure I'm a real nightmare to them," he quips with a smirk.

You roll your eyes, "Well, it's not every day someone meets a charming vampire like yourself."

Astarion leans in closer, his warm breath tickling your skin. "You know, I never tire of hearing your stories. You always manage to surprise me."

You feel your cheeks flush at his words, but before you can respond, Astarion leans in and presses his lips against yours softly. It's sweet and gentle, but also filled with unspoken words and emotions, and you can't help but wrap your arms around his neck, deepening the kiss as you both lose yourselves in each other.

When you finally pull away, he rests his forehead against yours, breathless and smiling. "I could listen to your stories all day," he murmurs.

"Well, lucky for you I have plenty more where those came from." you reply with a teasing grin. "Ah, but what about your scars?"

Astarion's playful smirk returns as he starts tracing your skin again. "Oh, mine? They come from a life of bloodlust and and danger."

[itsaash]

Hamptons Cubs: Midnight

Prompt credit to @noots-fic-fests and character credit to @lumosinlove!

Today we're back to the Hamptons featuring some boys just trying to figure it out

Rated M, 1900 words, Read on ao3, if you prefer

Finn didn’t know what to do with his heart. It was 8 sizes too big and yet felt like it was in a vice. He wanted to pull it out and put it on ice and turn it fucking down .

Logan was in his house. With Leo. Going into Leo’s bedroom with him after an awkward evening of talking about careers and apartments and absolutely not college.

Leo must have made himself dizzy from all the darting around his eyes were doing, between the other two men, who were dancing on conversational thin ice. Finn didn’t blame Leo for yawning and pulling Logan into his bedroom with a kind goodnight. Finn had retreated to his own room and tried to force himself to sleep, hoping it would all make more sense in the morning.

But all Friday Logan had been with Leo in the kitchen like an adorable snarky shadow, and god, they were so cute together. Between frittatas and pasta salad and paninis Finn saw Logan cleaning up behind Leo like he was made for it. He saw Leo laughingly take a steak knife out of Logan’s hand (that he was trying to cut peppers with) and guide him to the sink full of dishes instead, with a kiss to the curve of his neck that forced himself to walk away from watching.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday passed with Finn trying to work, trying to not see the extra love that was cooked into their meals with the presence of Logan being around Leo. His parents loved having someone new there and at any meal they ate all together it was easy enough to stay polite but quiet. To only see the love shimmering between Leo and Logan out of the corner of his eyes because to look at it full on felt like it would burn his retinas like the sun.

Logan and Leo .

On Sunday after a dinner of grilled local sausages, a green salad from the garden, and smashed potatoes, Finn grew the courage to offer to help with dishes. Missing the time he usually had with Leo felt like a gaping opening in his heart and so he shuffled into the kitchen and settled in at the sink, aiming for casual.

“Oh hey Finn, thanks sugar. You might want to leave that pan soaking for a bit yet, the meat got nice and stuck on there.”

“Sounds good Leo, happy to help,” Finn said, holding his hands under the running water for just a breath.

“Busy weekend? Seems like you had a lot of work to do,” Leo asked.

“Hmm? Oh, oh, yeah. I didn’t get done what I wanted to this week, so I was trying to catch up. I got put on a new book recently. It’s a really great project, but I’ve just kind of … stuck on it lately, for some reason.”

Reasons including: it’s hard to focus on editing when his mind wasn’t sure what year it was, was time travelling every time he looked up and saw Logan.

Leo nodded in understanding as he finished bringing the dirty dishes to the sink. He put away the leftovers in silence as they worked together for a while. Finn took a deep breath as he scrubbed the extra dirty pan.

“I’m guessing Logan told you all about how he saved me in that history class, huh?”

Leo propped a hip against the counter near Finn, relaxed with his arms crossed. “Well he was actually pretty sure you saved him, so I guess it sounds like you helped each other.”

Finn dropped the sponge and turned to Leo, his breath heaving.

“I’m sorry,” Finn blurted out.

Leo cocked his head to the side, eyes soft. “For what?”

“That I kissed your boyfriend,” Finn said in a rush, making it sound like all one word.

“Oh sugar, Finn, don’t apologise. It’s ok. It was ages ago, I didn’t even know him then.” He picked up a towel and started drying the cookware Finn had washed before continuing. “I’m actually really glad you had each other. It makes me happy to think about the two of you studying, helping each other out.”

Finn managed a half smile at the thought of his and Logan’s study session.

“Is it ok that we’re here, Finn? If it’s weird, it’s totally fine. We can head home for the week. You’ve been … quiet …. this weekend and we really aren’t trying to mess up your week.” Leo hesitated. “Not to get in the middle of it, but Logan did mention you might feel like he ghosted you. Or that maybe you feel some anger towards him?”

“No, no! Did he say that?” Finn ran both hands through his hair, getting it wet, and took a deep breath, shaking his head. “I don’t remember it that way. Please, stay. I was surprised, like shock and awe , like get me a fainting couch type surprised. And I think it made me seize up a bit. But I see the two of you are really happy, it’s so sweet. Please, stay. Have a fun week out of the city.” Finn turned and finished cleaning the last dish and dried his hands.

Leo smiled, towel moving slowly over the dish in his hand. “Thanks Finn. That means a lot to me.”

Finn nodded and turned, meaning to head upstairs. That was about as much of confronting this weirdness that he could handle for today. Logan might be back in from his conversation with his parents at any time.

“And Finn?” Leo called. He turned back, leaning against the wall, hip popped out, listening. “Don’t avoid us, okay? If you don’t want to? I promise there’s no hard feelings on our end.” Finn just gave a small smile and nod, but the worried look lifted, just a bit, before he turned to go upstairs.

~~~~~

Logan had been helping Leo and between frittatas and his pasta salad and peach pie they had been busy all weekend. Logan was so impressed by his boyfriend, was soaking up every moment of watching Leo in his element, and with a backdrop worthy of a postcard too. Leo had even let Logan peel the peaches and mix the salad, although mostly Logan cleaned and organised and prepared while Leo cooked.

But, Finn. Logan didn’t know what to think. The shock had faded somewhat in the past two days of helping Leo with meals. It was a busy gig, an easy distraction. But then he’d glance out the window and catch a glimpse of Finn’s red hair out the window, amidst the beautiful garden and sprawling lawn. And his heart would stutter and he’d forget where he was for a moment. He’d think of books and candles and highlighters until he looked at Leo. Then reality would spin itself around him again and he’d kiss his boyfriend on the cheek as he walked to the fridge to put something away and tried to live in the present.

Sunday night they sat outside to watch the sunset, it wasn’t fully dark until nearly 10, and they sipped their drinks and watched the colour fade from the garden and flowers and trees as colours bloomed across the sky instead. And then those faded too, and the stars started sparkling out of nothingness. They sat in loungers beside each other, gaze shifting from the horizon to the sky. Leo’s hand was still warm in his with blankets over both of them.

Logan turned his head from the stars to Leo, just as awed by the sight of his love, even in the dim light.

“So are we staying the week still?”

Leo hummed. “Yeah, Finn said he wants us to. You ok with it? It’s ok if you’re not.”

Logan took a moment to trace his eyes over Leo’s cupid bow as he collected his thoughts. “I still want to. It’s beautiful here, and I have some guilt about how I treated Finn, but really I have nothing but good memories of him.”

“Yeah? You ready to talk more about it?”

Logan took in the stars. Orion’s Belt, the Big Dipper, the sparkling dots that could tell any story, told them all. When he had gathered his thoughts from the spaces between the stars, he went on.

“It was just a few months. But it’s burned into my mind like when you close your eyes after looking at something too bright. Finn is … bright.”

Leo chuckled and nodded at that, Logan squeezed his hand three times.

“Really, we pretty much just studied. We were in the zone, essay writing and memorising,” Logan continued. “Then we went to a party, and we kissed.” He set his head back against the lounge chair. “And Le, it was such a good kiss. It was a long, beautiful, hot kiss.” Logan sighed. “And I think I said something like I’m not gay ? And then the semester was pretty much over, and I was scared, and I didn’t call for months. And when I did, his number had changed.”

Leo reached over and took Logan’s hand in both of his, running his thumb in circles. 

“And I kissed boys after that, and slept with girls, and never felt a hint of the spark I had with him.” He turned his head towards Leo. “Until I met you, of course.” Logan turned onto his side and ran his fingertips down Leo’s cheek. “Remember? We talked, and ate, and when you kissed me, there were the sparks of sunshine filling every part of me.”

Leo smiled, and gripped his hand tighter. “I’m glad you had each other, love. That sounds lovely, and kind of really sad.”

Logan smiled a half smile. “I love you so much. Leo, you are the light of my life. I kissed Finn, one evening, years ago. Today, I’m with you and I want you .”

Leo smiled and they leaned across the small space between chairs to press their lips together.

“You want to stay?” Leo asked.

“Yeah, I do. Let’s have our little vacation, let’s relax, and eat, enjoy the scenery,” he said, waving a hand vaguely around at the dark.

Leo’s watch beeped, midnight.

They sat in the deep quiet for a minute, hands connected between the chairs.

“You told me once your first kiss with a guy had been in college. Was that Finn then?” Leo asked softly into the darkness.

“Oui, soleil, it was.” He made the move to forgo his chair in favour of joining Leo in his. He climbed on top of Leo, pressing them chest to chest. “You were my first everything else, though.”

He leaned down and pressed their lips together and Leo tilted his head up into the kiss.

“I tried with other people in college, but it was never right, never felt good, until it was you,” Logan peppered Leo’s face with kisses. The darkness hugged them as they kissed, making them feel like the only people in the world.

Logan pressed a deep kiss down to Leo's lips, leaving him breathless. Then he stood, one leg on either side of the chair, and pulled Leo’s body down the lounge chair until his hips were near the edge. His long legs sprawled off the end onto the soft grass. Logan backed up and dropped to his knees under the midnight bright stars. The grass was only darkness, but was soft under his knees, cool in contrast to the hard heat that was soon filling his mouth.

“I love this, I never get to make you come on Sundays,” Logan murmured against his skin.

Leo huffed a laugh, arching his back involuntarily. “I think it is Monday by now, baby, ahhh.”

Logan just hummed and swallowed in response.

Leo could hardly see Logan through the darkness, but the stars twinkling in the sky kept him company when stars sparked and exploded behind his eyes.

[choiraugur]

So you've mentioned that you like all the Soulsborne games, not just Bloodborne, but which Soulsborne was your first exposure to the series? What made you want to check them all out, and what is your favorite thing about them (each individually or in general as they also have reoccurring themes? nobody trolls people in power like they do xd) .

Also I can't forget you asking me about Creighton so I assume you like DS2 as well (rare but huge W in these trying times vvhjgjjg). Who are your DS2 favs? 🌛

I need you to know that I had to pause for like one hour after getting this ask because I got so excited to respond to it that I couldn’t think straight enough to properly manage a reply with actual words. in fact what I’ve written down here isn’t as eloquent or articulate as id want it to be but. autism works in funny ways so the best I can do rn is say words and giggle to myself with glee

im putting the reply under a cut bc it’s long af also lmao

the first dark souls was my initial exposure to the series as a whole! I got into it some years ago but I don’t think I was as invested in it then as I am now. I’ve always loved the themes of the series and the gameplay was, despite all the frustration, very fun and engaging so I wanted to check out more souls games after it. Dsi remains my favourite game of all time along with bloodborne btw! I would blame it on nostalgia but honestly the game really does have so much to offer. dark souls i meatriding is very cliche but there’s a good reason for that yk. Nothing teaches you patience like dark souls. (this game also has one of my two favourite characters of all time, gwyndolin! they managed to create a transgender allegory that speaks so closely to me- from familial expectations to the desire to be seen and recognised by the family that constantly neglects you and shames you for your very existence to the point where your identity ceases to exist because you are trying so desperately to belong. you try to forge yourself into the perfect shape but the core of the problem lies not in the shape of your identity, but your very existence. the unending cultist devotion to the people who made your life hell because this is all you have. I love gwyndolin so much)

I moved to dark souls ii after and honestly loved it (and still love it) very much. I feel like people give it too much shit and criticise it too quickly because of its reputation, which is a shame because it has so much to offer. The lore is so rich and the gameplay can get so fun if you just give it a chance. I agree that the start is difficult, but isn’t this true with every new fromsoft game you play? The thing I really love about soulsborne games is that there is a learning curve. Absolutely anybody can finish these games even if they are a terrible gamer because of the fact there is a learning curve. And sure it’s a frustrating one a lot of the time, but when you get comfortable enough with the mechanics and become more confident in playing, the experience becomes so so fun and rewarding. The estus problems people always complain about at the beginning of the game honestly stop being a noticeable issue after you discover items that help you replace this bother. I can 100% see why somebody would dislike dsii because it unfortunately went through developement hell, but I do believe that 98% of the time people judge this game too quickly and too harshly just because of the negative reputation it has. It sucks that they don’t give it a chance. I’ve seen so many people have an opinion on it (always a bleak one) without even playing it themselves also which is so dumb. At least play it man. Idk. It gets the second-installation-in-a-series curse I guess. dsii fans need to stick together and call it the best game oat to piss everyone else off

i got into bloodborne after dsi and dsii, i think I started playing bloodborne in mid 2021? Not that long ago but it has been my absolute favourite thing in the world ever since. SO much about it has kept me around because it manages to cater to so many of my general special interests lol. I’ve always loved cosmic horror and the victorian era of medicine. religion (and how those in power can use religion to control the masses) is another thing i always end up getting fixated on, so bloodborne was just the perfect thing for me. I love the themes! And characters! And designs! And gameplay mechanics! The world building! Everything is so so good. The thing that has mainly kept me around so intensely is how important exploration and personal interpretation is with this game. this is honestly my favourite thing about all spulsborne games actually- fromsoft never gives you any direct answers, and we are still finding new things about bloodborne several years after its release which is insane. It has just an endless amount of things to offer, I can’t say ENOUGH about it. I could write pages upon pages on why I love bloodborne so much, it’s difficult to keep my answer here concise. All I can say is it consumes my every thought every second of the day. Very good.

Dsiii was the last soulsborne game i got into (not fromsoft tho, that was elden ring, which i somehow only got into on august of 2023) i love dsiii because i love the dark souls series so so much in general, but for some reason it’s my least favourite out of all spulsborne games. The story and bosses are all super cool and i loved the conclusion it provided for the series, but it’s the one i find the least entertaining? or not the least entertaining, but it’s the one I think about the least. maybe it’s because i still kind of experience it as a. second version of bloodborne since i played bloodborne before ds3 lol. which is an unfair judgement but I can’t let go of that feeling it gives me for some reason. great game but I end up fixating more on the others fsr

navlaan is my favourite character in ds2 also! i love a little fucked up sorcerer. I need more grey thinking. good and bad mean nothing in the name of acquiring knowledge. nuance is required to understand navlaan and its why I often avoid reading stuff about him lol.

I’m realising my response to your ask focuses more on just my personal experience with the games rather than what it is within them that I love, I didn’t really get into detail about that at all lol but. I already said so much 💀

[backtothestart02]

Every Little Thing You Do - 1/1 | westallen fanfiction

A/N: A belated bday gift based off a very Barry Allen-esque tiktok/insta video. Enjoy!

...

Synopsis: Barry Allen is turned on by his wife.

...

It’s not that Barry Allen can’t control himself now that he and Iris West-Allen are officially married.

Plus two years.

It’s not that they’ve gone through trauma after trauma, and every waking moment with her is precious.

Even though it is.

It is simply that Iris West-Allen is drop-dead gorgeous, and he is madly in love with her, and thus supremely attracted to her at every moment in time, even when she’s doing practically nothing – sitting, walking, breathing.

It is in such moments that he has to take a moment for himself or else he’d lunge at her, and they’d never get anything done.

It was just last Tuesday that these nonsensical activities came to a head for him, and he had no choice but to act on them, blessing his lucky stars that she’d been in the mood. And he feared the same would be the case today, though he had no idea what the outcome would be.

He opened the door after a long day at work – no need for flashing around after his 9-5, city was safe, police had the minor criminal activity handled – and immediately suppressed a groan when he saw Iris sitting at the dining table, looking all cozy in his sweatshirt and a pair of STAR Labs sweatshirts and fuzzy socks.

He’d bet anything she wasn’t wearing a bra under that sweatshirt of his that she was drowning in. That was always the first thing to go when she came home from work. He was surprised he’d beaten her actually. He was usually able to surprise her with dinner when she came through the door.

“You’re home early,” he managed to squeak out, instead of take me, I’m yours.

Iris swerved in her seat and smiled at him, a breathtaking smile that nearly knocked the wind out of him. He could feel his heart flutter inside his chest, and what was worse, his pants start to tighten.

“I was getting bored at the office, so I thought I’d finish up my work from home. I’m just about done though, and I was thinking pizza…?”

He blinked.

“Oh, sure.”

He guessed that was better than the gourmet meal he was cooking up for her in his head just because she’d smiled at him.

“From…Italy?” She batted her eyelashes prettily, and he had to laugh.

She was so goddamn adorable when she wanted something, and also sexy as hell. She shifted in her seat, and he could see the gentle curve of her breasts move beneath the fabric of the sweatshirt.

Definitely sexy as hell.

“I’ll be right back.”

He grinned – for her benefit – and wondered how he was going to race across the globe with his pants feeling so tight, Iris’ delicious little giggle in his ears as she called out her thank you and proceeded to clear the table.

He managed and was back in five seconds flat.

“That was fast.” She giggled again, and he caught her mid-stride walking towards him, probably intent on taking the pizza box out of his hand – thank god, because he was about to drop it at the sight of her – and press a kiss to his lips.

Her height betrayed her, and she could only stand in front of him, face tilted up, eyes closed, and wait for him to kiss her.

He did, reluctantly, only cause pizza, and then he watched as she turned and swayed her hips as she walked back to the table.

He shrugged out of his jacket and hung it on the stand by the door.

Okay, that had been deliberate.

And then it happened, number three of the trifecta. Breathing.

He heard his gorgeous wife sink into her seat, open the pizza box, and sigh in satisfaction at the sight of the delectable food. Then she picked up a slice, put the tip of it into her mouth and moan.

“Oh, my god, Babe. You gotta try this. It is so good!”

He turned out slowly, practically shaking as he kicked off his shoes and turned to look at her.

“What?”

The question was so innocently asked that he couldn’t help but groan aloud. In a matter of seconds, he’d flashed across the room, lifted her out of her chair, causing her to drop her pizza on the table, and carried her up to their bedroom, where he promptly dropped her on the bed and proceeded to unbutton his shirt.

“Right now?” she gawked, though she wasn’t complaining or protesting.

“You did all three, Iris. You have no one to blame but yourself.”

He shrugged out of his shirt and tossed it on the floor, then proceeded to unbutton and unzip his pants roughly.

“All…three?”

She looked down once he was nude and nearly covered her mouth from the laughter that was threatening to bubble over.

Instead, she answered simply with an amused tone.

“Oh, my.”

“Sitting, walking, breathing. And then, if that wasn’t enough, you had the audacity to moan.”

“That’s what turns a guy on these days?” she contemplated. “Well, the moan, I suppose. But the other three? Those are simple, every day things. Not sexual in the slightest.”

He set one knee on the bed and then the other, proceeding to crawl over to her.

“I don’t know about all men, but definitely this one, and definitely with you.”

“Just with me?” she sought clarification, bracing her hands on his bare chest.

He nodded and leaned down to kiss her.

“Just you.”

“Mmm.” She hooked her clothed legs over his frame. “I like the sound of that.”

He slid his mouth over hers, deepening the kiss, moaning into her mouth, tangling her tongue with his and growing more aroused with each passing second.

Then, suddenly-

“Wait! The pizza! It’ll get cold!”

She sounded so frantic, he almost reconsidered. Almost.

Instead, he pushed her further into the bed and silenced her into nothing but moans when he went to work suckling her neck.

“I’ll get you another,” he mumbled.

And she was putty in his arms, for that hour and the next.

[eowynstwin]

How do you use duel forms ? I got some a few weeks ago with a polygel kit and can't for the life of me get it right 😭

FIrst of all you have been LIED TO about dual forms, they have an incredibly steep learning curve because they rely upon specific manicure techniques that are super controversial, at least in the US.

This video shows you more or less the correct way to use dual forms. Fast forward to around 2:30 to get to the actual process, she's just doing influencer stuff in the beginning. Also, ignore the application of the pink glitter, that's just a design element. I want you to pay attention to these things:

The cuticle prep is IMMACULATE. All cuticle has been exfoliated off of the nail plate, and the keratinized skin of the proximal nail fold/eponychium (no one can really agree on what's what in that area) has been snipped off. No, this is not inherently dangerous. American cosmetology is ridiculously behind. Do not trust nail techs who have gotten no further education than the laughable excuse for a curriculum that we get in the US.

Alena is applying the dual form pretty far away from the cuticle. This keeps the material she's using (hard gel, but that's irrelevant to you) from flooding the sinuses of the nail (also called the sidewalls) and the PNF. Managing how much polygel you put into the dual form is key--Alena applied just enough to adhere to the nail without having to press too hard, which is what you need to focus on. You want to MAKE SURE NO GEL EVER TOUCHES YOUR SKIN. Gel will go where gel has been, so even if you do wipe it off after it floods your cuticles, it's just going to keep flooding.

After curing the gel and popping the forms off, Alena uses her e-file to touch up the areas at the top where the gel seeped out a little. You can do this with a regular file, which I recommend you do if you don't have any experience with an e-file. She doesn't do it in this video, but oftentimes nail techs will also flip the hand over to use the narrow drill bit you see Alena use here to smooth out the underside of the nail.

It's important to remove as much cuticle as possible because any dead skin on the nail plate will make your polygel more likely to lift. I'm guessing you don't know how to do Russian manicure, which is pretty important for getting the most out of your dual forms. I don't recommend trying to teach it to yourself, because you can seriously damage your nails if you do it improperly, so you may want to look for classes online.

To get an idea for the process of Russian manicure, I recommend watching Sakramel and Tatyana Bugry on YouTube. Tatyana has an English-language channel and Sakramel's English subtitles seem to be pretty accurate (at least, they're not auto-translated as far as I can tell; I only know a few words in Russian and that's shakey knowledge at best).

Hope this all helps! Dual forms are TOUGH.

[elizabethrobertajones]

Otp(s) of ur choice!! 3. Who kissed who first?

4. What’s the relationship like? Smooth? Rocky?

5. What do they like the most about each other?

>:3c

WaURGH I had this open in a tab so I'd get to it and guess what? that did not help me get to it!!! Sorry for forgetting for so long :'D

3: I'm a big believer in jumping scenarios around for ships and not having a very solid Continuity. But I know for Thancred and Urianger, Urianger always kisses first in my brain, because even when Thancred IS ahead of the curve, he's going to be polite and gentlemanly and let Urianger initiate. But most of the time he's really fucking stupid about this one particular relationship after a life of casual intimacy and Urianger needs to startle him into understanding what they have because it's different from anything Thancred had before. And from Urianger's POV, hesitancy and being too shy lost him the chance he had with Moen, or if he had been with her, lost him maybe even years of their potential time together... All in all, he's very big about the drastic personal changes based on past experience and trying to learn from his mistakes and grow as a person, so making him determinedly assertive against his own instinct to be reserved is my favourite thing, especially because it would freak Thancred out which is an added bonus. :3

4: Thinking about all my various OTPs and I like imagining such fluffy scenarios for everyone it's hard to even think of what ISN'T smooth. I think Frog and Aymeric, because I try to ship her really close within the walls of the story, and boy do they give you one date and then yeet you all over the place and barely give you any time canonically where you return to Ishgard, except where they contrive fleeting meetings with Aymeric. He misses your piano recital in the Firmament because he was working too hard??? Almost wrote him off entirely as only superficially being made of boyfriend material at that point :P I think he's trying really hard and does his best but feels the pull on his time as much as Frog feels like she is often way too distracted adventuring to tie herself to Ishgard. He's more like a retirement investment, so actually dating him is full of conflicts about this sort of stuff they haven't managed to work out yet, and they're extremely tentative about time management discussions.

5: Galvin is completely obsessed with Urianger's long fingers. Urianger finds his silly bunny ears helplessly endearing =:3

(They're simple :D)

[katoktm8]

ITS ALL WRONG

Started day early to catch the bus to Saranda. I purchased tickets online for 20 euros so we were good to go.

A “To go” breakfast was waiting for us. Sadly disappointed since this will be our only food for many many hours. Water, packs of cookies, packs of rosemary breadsticks, a peach, a persimmon, a soggy spinach pie slice wrapped in foil, and a box of cherry juice with straw. This seemed like the wrong type of breakfast compared to all the delicious tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggs we’ve been getting for breakfast. So guess who got most of our breakfast? The stray dogs in the parking lot of course.

Caroline dropped us at the bus terminal and when we got out of the car the men were yelling at us “where to where to”and we told them they directed us to a van. We put our luggage on and we claimed our seats. Jammed in the van. We takeoff on time for a four hour ride to Saranda, Albania. Two hours in, after picking up more passengers and having them sitting on stools, we arrived at our rest area. This is where the bus driver gets off and checks tickets and people can go to the bathroom. Of course we were on the WRONG VAN/bus. this one cost €10 instead of 20. it may have even been less than that. Very unclear. A lot of yelling and confusion and me looking innocent. When one helpful Albanian man said don’t worry about it. Then apparently he called the bus station and came and found us and said don’t worry about it. It’s fine. One potential disaster averted. Wrong bus!

How cool… the bus pulled over to the side of the road we heard all this zooming and dozens and dozens of race cars zoomed by. I managed to get some pictures. And from analyzing the pictures, we discovered it was a road race from Athens, Greece to Monaco. All different kinds of fast cars and colors kept zooming by us on curves and straightaways. Kept our attention for a good hour on the van. 6 to 6 European tour.

Arrived in Saranda a bit queasy. Got our luggage and walked down the hill to our hotel to check in. Having trouble checking in thinking it’s a language barrier. Waiting waiting, waiting waiting then we found out we were checking into the WRONG HOTEL. This was actually a relief because the hotel we were at was a bit sketchy. Went next-door to the hotel we were supposed to be at checked in. Very small room smaller bathroom than the night before. Nice view. Clean room. And great restaurant. We went and had lunch down the street walk walk, walk along the shore. And decided to go swimming.

Ionian Sea! We found this cool beach area that we walked down to. It had swimming ladders down into a deep blue sea area. See the photos. Of course I’m calling it “the hole”. We swam out, floated around refreshed and took our glamour shots on the shore.

Walked back, showered off and met Andrew for dinner! The strange thing is as we were going on our lunch hunt we saw Andrew walking down the sidewalk. In this huge town, how random is it that we would run into him? Then as I was telling Julie a story about this woman on Facebook that I was supposed to meet up with in Shkoder, there she was on the beach! She is from this Facebook group called female solo travelers over 50. She was going to meet carolyn and I for dinner five towns ago. Then Caroline and I randomly ran into her in another town and recognized her. Then I recognized her here. Very strange.

Dinner with Andrew was fantastic and we all really had a fun time. We kept him out way past his bedtime of 9 o’clock. Delicious grilled vegetables, whole fish, and homemade pasta.🍷🍷

And a Chimi Changa check in! They have been partying!

I really love this beach town!!!

[waffles-and-momos]

Annyeong! ✨

The exact place where we met.

Yeah more than a year down, roller coster ? Nah a whole amusement park bruh.

Starting from where you reaching me out to me finding reasons to visit your room. Thanks tho :)

Cannot describe how many emotions have I felt and gone through in a single year with you and understanding the importance of feeling it respectting it no matter how bad it did for me for you or for others. No not saying you helped me being selfish but making realise I cannot be someone to just take up someone's bull shit just for the sake of it.

I know if it wasn't you I would've pissed down by people whom I titled to be freinds. Yeah wouldn;t really know or be gutsy enough to let them know what I am facing. Today no matter what or how things have been with them i'm so happy for speaking up for myself and letting them know "aise nai chalega".

I feel so much more evolved and confident around you so much that I can at least not shutup my thoughts thinking it's better to be meek.

Can't imagine myself a year and a half before and now. The first year kid would not be so determined to have suggested you that night, might have been so fuckin scared to do something for myself without asking anyone without thinking much just doing it because I wanted to.

I want to let you know that you have successfully been the only person till date who knows about me, EVERYTHING, Woah, and it's all because of you not just giving out an ear but making an effort to know me to tell me that it's safe to put it out here.

I have so much to talk to you about everything and anything but at times I also feel quiet to just have you by my side. TOUCH yk.

I feel so comforted to jsut be around you. I can easily put it to you my likes and dislikes without thinking twice, knowing even if you judge you'll let me know.

Sometimes I just miss having any random activity of ours that used to be normal back in those days. More than a roommate we've been like a team. And I cherish that.

I've grown with you and would want to continue doing that, learn new stuff, implement it, accept the change, be sad, happy, cry, alcoholic, build, clean, everything makes sense. Every little thing seems meaningful and worth remembering. Can you imagine I could literally take up about something about in the past that we both faced together but just randomly talk about it, something that felt good, bad, wierd, new ? Argh OMG you be my walky talky. To remind you walky talky are kept in near range only haaa.

Things would change a lot after you go, I guess, but I am sure we can manage if not we will still manage. Yeah I am scared of losing this bond with you and one should be, when it's this beautiful, but everything isn't about me and us. I know there are things that needs to be worked on, that needs to be noticed. I am sure how we've been together, we will keep coming back at times. I've been scared about losing people since forever but that has never stopped my growth as a person neither would I want you to. I've realised a while ago how Su and sour kept it to themselves/secret/or even actually being freinds and not in a relationship has helped them bonding stronger as well as prioritising their neeeds too. Giving utmost importance to each othr while working on themselves. I guess that's what su meant when people asked why not in a relationship. I know for a fact that the kind of people they both are no matter what they gonna stick even if others don't. That's when I felt it was good for us to not be that close. Now she can time up for someone she's actually close to and the same for me ?Therefore don't be pessimistic about the change rather embrace it as a big curve in your life that could change your ways of living, thinking and just being you. INDEPENCE. ✨ The one that we fought for all our life, the one for which we did stuff we didn't even want to, cried at times thinking when will we get out of it, cribbing at every failures that made us feel underconfident about ourselves, but still going on knowing it will definitely be over one day. And it has.

I will always keep looking for you because I want to.

Keep growing and shining my monsoon flower, you blossom with your own beauty.

Remember a flower blossoms for it's own joy.

AND some cringy lines -

Are you BTS 🤔, coz you, you are my universe and I I just want to put you first!

AHhhh ahhhhh my chest is paining 😖😣 can you hold me pls, I think I'll fall for you!

Where my soldiers at 🔫, need to open fire my love towards you 💕

hehe thank you for the show, bye. 🤌

[misfit-among-the-angels]

*yeah, he needs to have his brain in order to drive and not be too distracted right away at dinner* *how he’ll drive home is the question after those heated kisses* Oh yes, you keep me young and sprightly and flexible. *of course he ordered his favorite wine and he’s happy you love it too* *he’ll never turn down kisses* It’s hard to resist, isn’t it? *he knew he was being silly but the words came to him and he had to share it* *he giggles more at his nose being poked* *he grins too at your answer* Looking forward to it. *he’d actually requested seating in this corner because he knows there will be a little more privacy with the curved seat, and sitting next to each other instead of across is a good bonus* *he doesn’t do any teasing at first, knowing getting the food ordered is important* *he settles on some seafood that won’t sit too heavy in his stomach* Darling, do you know what you want yet? Need help? *he knows it can be hard to choose* *when it’s all settled and the waiter comes, you and he order the food* Mm, can’t wait to eat it. *it doesn’t take long for him to tap your foot with his under the table and grin at you* Wonder if we’ll end up making a scene here at the table or manage to stay quiet. *he taps his fingers with his rings showing on the table and stretches them out* -Tobi

*i'm sure he'll manage that. I giggle more. Our taste in wines matches and it's nice* Oh yeah, but who's saying I'm resisting? *yeah, i like this table a lot. I would be very surprised if he'd try. I can tell he's fast at choosing* Hmmm, i think I'll go with some chicken. *after we order i giggle* If I'm not mistaken you ordered sea food at my birthday dinner too. Not that there's anything wrong with it but i guess you want some fish, especially after today's aquarium date. *i take my phone to check some stuff but soon i feel him taping on my foot so i look up and smile too* I think it'll depend on things. We have a bit more privacy with this table though. *i notice what he's doing with his fingers and can't help but have some goosebumps and some ideas popping into my head. I decide to put one of my legs on his under the table, at least half way. I can't help myself but go on and play with his hand a bit that's on the table. Tracing his fingers with mine and poking around*

[helloalycia]

body swap [three] // wanda maximoff

summary: when you find yourself spending time with Wanda as Kate, you can't help but want to find out more about how she feels about you.

warning/s: none i don't think??

author's note: part 3 is here! i keep forgetting that this doesn’t update itself so sorry for taking a little longer than usual 😭😂

one / two / four / masterlist / wattpad

After a week of being on bed rest, Kate was finally let out of the infirmary, though she still wasn't able to do much, including training and missions, which annoyed her but was a relief to me since it meant less chances of trouble.

Instead, she helped me come up with a way to tell Clint that I wanted to hold off on the archery training for the rest of the month and instead give hand to hand combat training more work with Natasha. That was easy to set up, since Nat loved me, so 'I' was able to talk her into giving 'Kate' some personal training. Clint and Nat were both okay with it, so that made one thing easier in my life.

"You better make me look good in front of Natasha," Kate was saying after we told Clint the new plan. "She's the Black Widow. I can't be caught slacking."

I chuckled as I peeled my orange in the kitchen. "I know, don't worry. I'm good at making impressions. She's gonna love training you, and when we're back to normal, you're gonna be in Nat's good graces.”

Kate grinned. "Hell yeah."

I rolled my eyes, hiding my smile, and began to eat my orange as she told me about her obsession with Natasha's fighting style. I'd like to say I was listening, but my attention was stolen by Wanda who was stood by the dining table, talking to Bruce about something or the other.

She looked good today, I wouldn't lie, wearing a tight vest top and some joggers that accentuated her curves in all the right places. Her red hair was pulled back into a ponytail, exposing her sharp jaw line and pursed lips as she listened intently to whatever Bruce was blabbing on about, and I found myself biting my lip as I subtly checked her out.

Suddenly, I was slapped on the arm harshly and I jumped at the contact, snapping out of my daze.

"Dude!" Kate exclaimed with a look of disgust. "Quit it!"

When I saw myself looking back at me, I remembered who and where I was and straightened up.

"Shit, sorry, Kate," I said quietly so nobody could hear. "My bad."

She still looked horrified as she stole my orange from hand. "Yeah it's your bad!"

I snuck a final glance at Wanda, feeling a pinch in my chest, before following Kate out of the kitchen.

————————

When I was working out in the gym one day, I didn't expect Wanda to approach me and ask if I wanted to spar with her. And then I remembered she was asking Kate and not me, so I agreed for Kate's sake because she'd been mithering me constantly about building a friendship with Wanda for her.

"You've got powers," I said to Wanda when we got into our positions on the mats. "You're not gonna, like, use them on me, right?"

She chuckled at my expression. "C'mon, Kate, I'm not mean. It's a no powers gym anyway. I was actually hoping you could teach me a thing or two. Clint says you're a martial arts professional. I'm barely average without my powers, so I thought you'd take it easy on me."

"Right..." I licked my lips nervously. "I guess I can do that."

She smiled playfully before making the first move. Thankfully, hand to hand combat was a strength of mine, so mirroring Kate's abilities in this department wasn't difficult. I'd sparred with Wanda many times, so it was easy to anticipate her moves. She was probably the most powerful Avenger of everyone, including the other powered Avengers, but she wasn't wrong about her combat skills needing work, and I managed to land her on her back quite quickly.

"Shoot, sorry," I said when she hit the mat with a thud, feeling bad when her face scrunched with discomfort. "You okay?"

She sighed before smiling reassuringly. "I'm fine. It's part of the job."

I held out my hand for her and she accepted it, letting me pull her up carefully.

"You're seriously good," she said, before quickly adding, "Not to sound so surprised, of course. You wouldn't be here if you weren't! I just– it's a shame we haven't worked together as much. Maybe that should change. Especially with how you handled our last mission together."

I wasn't sure what to say even though I knew this would probably make the real Kate pass out from excitement, so I simply smiled in response.

We continued to spar with one another, keeping each other on our toes and putting up a good fight before deciding to take a quick water break. I spotted myself AKA Kate when we did, so I approached her with my water bottle to see how she was doing. She couldn't exactly work out because of her injury, so I wondered what she wanted.

"Did I just see me and Wanda Maximoff sparring together?" she asked with excitement when I stopped before her.

I smiled with amusement. "Yes, you did. She asked and I knew you'd kill me if I said no."

She squealed, shoving me with enthusiasm, before catching herself and calming down instantly. I raised an eyebrow at her self control, impressed.

"So, how's it going with Wanda and you?" she asked considerately.

"Alright I think... she actually manages to talk to me without glaring which is always nice."

"That's because you're me and not you," she reminded me, bursting my bubble.

"Right," I said with a sigh. "How's things going for you?"

She shrugged, before a smile appeared on her lips. "I was talking to Natasha earlier and we actually had a cool chat about a mission she did not long ago. It was awesome. And she's actually pretty funny when she wants to be."

"Yeah, she tends to reserve her jokes for her friends," I said with a stifled smile, "hence why you've never heard any of them."

Realising what I was insinuating, Kate nudged me in the arm harshly. "Arsehole."

I laughed at her pout. "Okay, I should get back. Remember not to overwork yourself, yeah? Take it easy."

"And remember to make me look cool in front of Wanda," she replied, and I rolled my eyes playfully.

We went our separate ways and I returned to Wanda on the mats. She smiled at me when she spotted me, before her eyes drifted over my shoulder and she grew distracted. Her smile faded as she focused on whatever was behind me, so I stepped in front of her line of sight.

"You alright, Wanda?" I asked, and she snapped back into reality, blinking.

"Huh? Yeah. Sorry. Let's continue."

I quirked a brow, glancing over my shoulder to see Kate talking to someone by the gym doors, and realised she was staring at her, or rather me.

"Why don't you go and say hi?" I encouraged Wanda, meeting her gaze.

She considered it, to my surprise, but shook her head. "No, it's alright."

As she took another sip of her water and put the bottle to the side, I asked, "Are you just going to never speak to her again?"

She frowned slightly at my words. "I don't know, Kate."

It was wrong of me to say, but I couldn't help it. "It looks like you miss her."

Her jaw tensed, but she didn't snap like I thought she would. "It doesn't matter. Forget that. Let's just train, yeah?"

I hoped that meant she did because I missed her, too. So much. And all I wanted to do was tell her that.

————————

Just when I thought I could keep my distance from Wanda like I should have been doing since the start, I was invited to go out for food and bowling with her and Clint as Kate. I tried to decline, but Clint was insistent that I deserved the break and needed to take time to unwind as well as work, so I had no choice but to attend.

Kate was jealous that she couldn't actually go, which was why she forced me to be enthusiastic when I went, so for her, I made the effort to enjoy being there like she would have.

It started off fun, to my surprise. I saw a different side to Clint, since he was closer with Kate than he was to me, and I also saw a side of Wanda that she hadn't showed me personally since we broke up. Pretending to be Kate made it easier to get lost in the moment and enjoy my time with the other two Avengers.

And just like that, my fun was cut to a halt when Clint got a call during our third bowling match.

"I'm sorry, guys, but I'm gonna have to miss the rest of this get-together," he said once his call ended. "Family emergency."

My eyes widened at the thought of being left alone with Wanda, but Clint didn't notice as Wanda was looking to him with concern.

"Is everything okay? Is it serious?" she asked thoughtfully.

"Oh, yeah, nothing too serious, but I gotta help out Laura," he said with a reassuring smile, before looking to me, too. "Have fun, Kate, yeah? You deserve it."

I nodded slowly, watching him wave goodbye to us both before leaving. Wanda looked to me with a smile, oblivious to the panic I was feeling.

"Looks like it's just us," she said. "How about we finish up this game then get some food? I'm starving."

I smiled nervously. "Sounds good to me."

Her smile widened and she moved past me to have her go since it was her turn next. I closed my eyes briefly, praying to God that this would go smoothly, before turning around to pretend to be Kate.

To my surprise, it didn't go terribly, and bowling with her wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. She was making light conversation about some stuff from work, asking about how I was doing with training, and I could pretend that I wasn't secretly pining over her for a moment.

"You know, I thought you were supposed to be good at bowling," she said after I had another go, and she looked like she was trying not to laugh. "Hand eye coordination and all that?"

"Hey! I'm actually trying here!" I defended with an amused smile.

She chuckled and went to have her go, getting a strike instantly. I rolled my eyes playfully when she walked past me with a proud smile, before taking my go. I was never good at bowling and I didn't find it enjoyable because of that reason, but I felt the need to impress Wanda. So, I took a deep breath and swung the ball, only to scrunch my face up when it went into the lane next to us and knocked over their pins.

"Shit," I mumbled, before looking to the group beside us. "Sorry! Sorry!"

They waved it off, but my face was heating up as I went back to grab another ball. Wanda was laughing at my dismay, eyes squinted and smile wide. She looked stunning, but I had to remind myself who I was right now.

"That was an accident," I told her knowingly, before going in for another go.

Thankfully I didn't miss this time, and knocked my pins down in both goes before returning to Wanda.

"You're almost as bad as Y/N," she commented with a nostalgic smile. "Probably just as bad."

I smiled nervously. "Yeah, it's amazing how friends can pass on traits, huh?"

She didn't seem to pick up on my words as she grabbed a ball. "Come on, I'll show you how it's done."

Not having a choice, I joined her side and expected to just be watching her demonstrate how to make a good throw, but she placed the ball in my hands instead. I forgot how to breathe when her hands wrapped around mine and she took a step behind me. It was all friendly in her eyes, of course, but I was freaking out, naturally.

"Okay, you're gonna pull it back like this," she narrated as she moved the ball back with me, "and then throw it like this!"

Together, we threw the ball and she stepped back to see if I'd made the throw successfully. I was barely paying attention as I was too busy hoping she couldn't hear my racing heartbeat or see how nervous she made me. She smelt so good.

Fuck, no. I was Kate, not me. I couldn't think that.

...but God, she did.

"Hey, you got a strike, Kate!" she exclaimed joyfully, patting me on the back. "See? It's not so hard."

It was hard to avoid her contagious happiness, and I was soon smiling at her sparkling eyes and matching smile. So freakin' beautiful.

We finished our game shortly after that before grabbing some food at the diner in the bowling alley. As we were tucking into our burgers, Wanda sighed contently and looked to me with a smile.

"This has been really fun," she said sweetly. "Just what I needed lately."

I quirked a brow. "What d'you mean?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. I just meant it's been nice to hang out with you outside of work. First time for everything, right?"

Noticing she definitely had something more to say, I set my burger down and gave her a knowing look. "Wanda, c'mon. You can talk to me."

She distracted herself with her food, thinking momentarily, before sighing and meeting my gaze. "It's been hard lately. Without Y/N."

"Right..."

"You were right when you said I missed her," she admitted, referring to our brief conversation during training the other day. "I do."

My heart began to ache when she said that; I didn't think she cared anymore.

"I'm sorry," I said softly.

She shook her head, eyes falling to her burger. "It's not your fault. It's just annoying. I'm trying to move on, but she just keeps haunting me at the back of my mind."

I frowned, seeing the conflicted expression on her face and only imagining how she must be feeling. Without thinking, I rested a hand on hers on the table and squeezed it gently.

"I'm here if you wanna talk about it," I told her, hating that she was conflicted because of me.

She smiled a little, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Thanks, Kate, but you were Y/N's friend first."

"And I'm your teammate, too," I reminded her. "I'm here for you just as much as I am with her."

She rested her other hand on mine, squeezing it in response, before letting go. I lowered my hand and watched as she nodded gratefully.

"I'll get over it eventually," she said, and I wondered if she was trying to convince herself or me. "Right now, everything is just reminding me of Y/N, so it's hard."

"Like bowling."

"Yeah..."

I sighed regretfully. "Maybe bowling was the wrong choice of plans for tonight. Still too soon to be reminded of your first date."

"Exactly," she agreed sadly, before blinking and looking up. "Wait, how d'you know that bowling was our first date?"

Fuck.

"Oh, er," I racked my brain for an excuse, "Y/N told me once. Said she took you to a bowling alley."

She hummed, nodding in confirmation, and I breathed out with relief at my quick thinking. I couldn't let that happen again or she'd definitely suspect something.

"You know, Y/N still talks about you," I said. "Like with the date for example. And basically anytime it's relevant."

She glanced up at me with what I think was hopefulness. "Really?"

"Yeah," I said, before a smile crept on my lips. "She tries to pretend she doesn't like you, too."

Wanda gave me a disapproving look, though a smile ghosted her lips. "Very funny."

My smile widened. "I'm just being honest, Wanda. Calling it how I see it."

She rolled her eyes, but her smile became more prominent, and I'd never seen such a perfect sight.

————————

I'd like to think that as time went on, Kate and I became pros at being one another, and that nobody suspected a thing, but that was far from the truth.

Anytime Kate would do something out of the ordinary as me, I'd get given a look that was something along the lines of did she wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?

And I wasn't any better to be honest. The amount of times I failed to react in a Kate-timely fashion to certain things that happened, such as being allowed to help Tony out with one of his new suits or sitting in on one of Steve's meetings with a charity who we sponsored, was too common. Those weren't out-of-the-ordinary situations for me, but Kate Bishop was still new to the team, and pretending to be excited about said stuff was painfully difficult.

The only person who thought to question it however, was Wanda. And that was probably only because she knew me too well and definitely noticed a difference in how I was acting compared to usual, or cared enough to say something.

I was heading out with a book and my water bottle when Wanda found me in the hallway, falling into step with me.

"Oh, hey, Wanda, what's up?" I asked, before taking a sip of my water.

"Hey... this is random, but do you think Y/N is acting strange lately?"

I almost choked on my water as I widened my eyes. "Erm, what? What do you mean?"

She glanced at me with a distracted gaze. "I don't know, she's just being different, don't you think?"

I tried to remain calm as I answered, "How do you mean?"

Playing with the ends of her hair as we walked, she said, "Well, for one, she doesn't usually wake up so early in the mornings. She's not a morning person at all. Yet lately, she's always the first one in the gym. And I don't even know why because she can't work out properly because of her shoulder."

I cursed out Kate in my mind, wondering why she was ever a morning person in the first place. And also, why did she still insist on doing some sort of exercise when she was injured? Kiss up.

"Maybe she just wants to change things up," I suggested, hoping it was reasonable enough for Wanda to agree with, but she shook her head with uncertainty.

Her eyes showed her determination to find out the truth as she looked to me. "I dated the girl for four and a half years, Kate. She would never just suddenly decide to be a morning person."

I broke our eye contact for fear she could read right through my lies, and cleared my throat. "It's not a big deal, Wanda. I reckon you're just overthinking it."

Ah, yes, the good old gaslighting technique. How polite.

"It's just strange," she said, chewing on her lip. "Like the other day, I overheard her talking to Sam about some trend on TikTok or whatever the app is. I didn't even know Y/N knew what TikTok was."

I laughed nervously whilst mentally killing Kate in my head. "She doesn't live under a rock, Wanda, give her some credit. And I've definitely shown her TikToks in the past."

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Maybe she's just different now..."

I glanced at her, seeing the frown on her lips, and wanted nothing more than to kiss it off her. "You could talk to her. She might not be as different as you think."

Wanda shook her head slightly. "I don't know."

"You don't have to, but she might just want to talk to you, too," I said carefully, trying to read her expression, but she was doing pretty good at hiding what she was thinking.

"I should go," she finally said, avoiding answering, before giving me a small smile. "Catch you later, Kate."

"See you later," I said halfheartedly, eyes following her as she turned to leave.

————————

My words to Wanda must have made some difference, more than I realised, because Kate approached me barely two days later with a suspicious grin.

"What is it?" I asked, hoping she hadn't done something that would get us in trouble.

She nudged me eagerly. "Guess."

I rolled my eyes. "Kate." She was adamant that I guessed, so I sighed dramatically and said, "Okay, did you book a holiday?" She shook her head. "Did you steal Sam's falcon wings?" Clearly not, since she shook her head again, so I said, "Did you realise how annoying you are and decide to leave me alone?"

"You're very bitter to say that your ex-girlfriend just talked to you for the first time properly."

It took a second for me to realise what she said, but when I did, I looked to her and realised why she smiling suspiciously.

"Wait, what? Wanda spoke to me? When? Where? Why? What did she say?!"

Kate laughed at my eagerness. "I feel bad now. It wasn't actually a conversation. She just said good morning to me when she made her coffee."

My smile grew wide at the thought. "She did? That was it?"

"That was it."

I rested my hands on her arm, pleading with my eyes. "And what did you say?"

Kate quirked a brow with amusement. "I said it back?"

I grinned. "You said it back."

"She smiled, too, if that makes a difference."

"She smiled, too," I repeated with a lovesick grin.

Kate chuckled. "I thought you'd wanna know. This means she's talking to you again, right? Congrats, I guess."

I hugged Kate tightly. "Thanks, Kate. This is huge."

"Anytime, idiot."

Wanda was talking to me again, and that was the first step.

————————

It was hard to think about anything other than Wanda as the month went on. Now that I knew that she wasn't entirely ignoring my existence anymore, all I wanted to do was make the same effort back, and it was infuriating that I couldn't because Kate was in my body.

I wanted to tell Kate to try and show more interest in Wanda, but she was as awkward as they came and I couldn't blame her since I was in love with Wanda and she was in awe of her – two very different things. So, I just had to make do as was, which meant treating her as Kate would and trying very hard not to go beyond that threshold. It was hard though – I missed her so much.

The communal area was rarely used unless several of us finished a mission at the same time, so the TV was always free and I preferred the couch over my bed. Planning to spend the evening there, I grabbed some snacks from Kate's snack drawer and went over. Only, to my surprise and initial disappointment, somebody was already there.

Before I could turn and leave, the person poked their head around the TV at the sound of me coming in, and I realised it was Wanda.

"Oh, hey, Kate," she said when she saw me, smiling.

"Hey, Wanda," I said with a small smile. "Sorry, didn't mean to disturb."

"You didn't," she assured me, before nodding to my hands. "Are those snacks I see?" I looked down, remembering I was holding food, and looked up to see her trying not to laugh. "You were planning on sharing, right?"

"I guess I am," I said playfully with a sigh, and her smile widened as she moved over on the couch to make room for me. "Chocolate or gummy worms?"

"Surprise me."

I jumped on the couch beside her and gave her the chocolate before digging into the packet of gummy worms.

"So, what are you watching?" I asked, glancing at the TV and vaguely recognising the show from something she'd watched before.

"Bewitched," she said between bites of chocolate. "I can change it though if you want to watch something else."

I shook my head, leaning on the armrest and trying to make out the episode. "No, it's fine... this is the one where that guy is a frog, right? He's trying to get Tabatha to turn him back into a frog?"

It was ringing a bell as the episode played on, since it was something Wanda had forced me to binge watch with her several times when we were together. She always loved the old American sitcoms and so I had to love them, too, but I didn't mind because it was adorable watching her explain the plot.

"You've seen this before?" Wanda asked, raising an eyebrow with disbelief. "I would have thought this was before your time. Like waaaaaaay before your time."

Suddenly feeling nervous under her stare, I bought myself some time by chewing on my gummy worm before saying, "My grandmother used to watch this show when I visited her as a kid. I guess I recognised it from that."

"Huh." She accepted it and nodded, looking back to the screen. "Well, I used to watch this all the time as a kid, too. And then it just stuck with me. Y/N was nice enough to buy me the box set when she caught me watching it on TV, back when I first joined the Avengers."

I smiled to myself at the memory, remembering the exact moment she started to let me in when she first joined. It was the only way I could get her to notice me, and then I learned she was just homesick and the shows helped.

"Hopefully you settled in better than I did," Wanda continued jokingly, and I realised she was talking about Kate, not me.

"Yeah, everyone was super nice when I came here," I said, clearing my throat. "Clint is the perfect mentor. A dream, really."

She hummed in agreement, before tilting her head to study me. "So, you're already from New York, right? That's what I heard." I nodded, and she continued, "So this mustn't have been much of a difference for you. Moving to the compound."

"Not really, except for the living with the Avengers bit."

She smiled at my joke. "So, didn't you have friends or anyone you left back home? Family? Girlfriend?"

I tried to use everything I knew about Kate to answer, hoping it sounded genuine. "There was an issue with my mum and she's now in prison, and my father died when I was a kid. Back in the Battle of New York..."

"I'm sorry," Wanda said with a sympathetic frown. "I know how hard that is. Losing family."

I nodded awkwardly, unable to meet her gaze. "It's okay... but yeah. Nobody else. I still keep in touch with some friends from university, but I've got friends here, haven't I? And then, no girlfriends or anything."

"That's surprising," she said with amusement, and I glanced up to see she was hiding a smile. "Y/N always said you were a flirt. Or tried to be anyway."

I refrained from laughing because that was exactly what I'd told Wanda when Kate had first joined us. It was a mere observation, since Kate thought she was so cool and could get any girl she wanted, when that was in fact the opposite of the truth. I knew because that was how I was. But at least I knew it.

"Yeah, she's not wrong," I said, deciding to give Kate a little bit of a reality check. "Every time I think I'm getting somewhere with a girl, it goes down the drain because I'm apparently not as smooth as I think I am."

Wanda laughed quietly, shaking her head. "Hey, it's okay, you're still young, you've got plenty of time to perfect the flirting. If it's any consolation, I'm not too good in that department either."

"You don't have to be though," I said without thinking. "I mean, look at you."

Even in the dimly lit room, I made out the pink dusting her cheeks and thought she looked adorable when she didn't know how to accept compliments.

"That's sweet of you to say," she said with a bashful smile.

"Girls look at you once and that's it," I continued lightheartedly, but I meant every word. "You give them one glance and they're hooked."

And it wasn't a lie, because that's exactly what she did to me.

"Maybe you're not so bad at flirting as you think," she said jokingly, "but try keeping it professional, yeah?"

I bit my lip to contain my smile. Wanda was so easily flustered, it was adorable.

"Y/N isn't very good at flirting either," I said, pushing it just a little but wanting to know more.

"No, she's not," she agreed with a sigh, smile fading into a grimace.

"So, how did she land someone like you?" I asked, watching her curiously.

She looked down at the chocolate in her hand, lips pursed as she thought of her response.

"We were friends first," she said softly, a small nostalgic smile appearing on her lips. "She didn't need to flirt. She just... had to be herself."

One of life's biggest mysteries – how I managed to land someone like Wanda Maximoff. It never made sense to me, even when we were together, because she was everything I wasn't, and I wasn't as smooth at picking up girls like others could be. Her liking me back was just me getting lucky.

"And that was enough?" I asked, unable to look away.

She nodded slowly. "It was. She was thoughtful and considerate, and she made me feel at home when I definitely didn't. She was there for me, always, even when I didn't know I needed her..." A soft sigh escaped her lips, her smile twitching. "And then I just started to fall for her. Everything about her. Her smile, her terrible jokes, her cute attempt at learning Sokovian for me."

My heart ached as she spoke of me with a bittersweet tone, especially because I was sure she didn't like those things about me anymore.

"That sounds sweet," I said weakly.

"Yeah, it does, doesn't it?" she said sadly, lips curving into a frown.

I should have left it there, ended the conversation or changed the topic, but I couldn't help it. I needed to know if there was ever a second chance on the cards.

"Would you ever consider giving it another go?" I asked hesitantly. "You were together for a long time. It seems a shame to throw all of that away."

She glanced at me with suspicion. "You're very pro-relationship."

I straightened up in my seat. "I, er–"

"Is Y/N making you talk to me?" she asked. "Is that what this is?"

I shook my head a little too quickly. "No, Wanda! That's not– I'm just looking out for my friend."

She hummed, lips pressed together and eyes studying me curiously before looking away with defeat.

"I just thought that you both seem miserable without one another," I said, careful not to go too far. "Four and a half years is a long time."

"Well, unfortunately, not all relationships are meant to last," she said bitterly, before crossing her legs and leaning back into the couch.

"But you both clearly still care about each other," I pointed out.

Her eyes found mine questioningly. "Did Y/N say that?"

"Not explicitly," I said, and regretted it because she sighed and looked away again, "but it's very obvious, Wanda."

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. It's too late for all of that."

"She's always telling me how she should have acted better," I said, unable to stop myself from pouring out my heart to her, because I didn't want to lose my chance, not when she was so close to me. "How she should have been more mature and listened to you more."

Wanda chuckled bitterly. "Funny how she realises that now."

"It's better late than never," I said, trying to hide the desperation in my voice.

"It doesn't matter anymore," she snapped, before closing her eyes and exhaling slowly. Glancing at me apologetically, she said in a softer tone, "It's best not to get in the middle of it, Kate."

She looked fed up, eyes tired and lips stuck in a permanent frown with the mention of me. When she looked away, I was beginning to lose the little hope I had left of making things right, and I hated myself for it.

"She really messed up, didn't she?" I muttered.

Wanda sighed quietly. "It doesn't matter."

But it did, and we both knew it.

Where had it all gone wrong between us? At what point had I fucked it all up and let my own stubbornness be our demise?

"You've been talking to her lately," I said, looking down at my gummy worms, losing my appetite. "That's nice to see."

"I'm just trying to move forward, Kate," she said tiredly. "I can't exactly avoid her forever."

I hoped that wasn't the only reason she'd been making more of an effort with me. And I wished that I could be back in my own body already, so I could make even more of an effort in return.

I couldn't bear the thought of losing her for good.

[havin-fun-imagining-twd]

Especially for an autobiography

***Reader Request***

Relationships - Fabulously confident reader x domestic dork Daryl. That’s right,  fabulously confident and plus-sized reader from Simply one of those days is back! Have fun, kids, and thank you for the request, anonymous friend!

Pronouns - she/her

Perspective - 2nd person You, 3rd person Him.

When - Alexandria, pre-Negan

Genre - fluffy and romantic! Also might could be a tad steamy; it’s the hormones. Daryl doesn’t mind. Y’all are married.

TWs - it’s not unsafe for work, but you are feeling rather...amorous. Otherwise, we have some crude language during Daryl’s POV

Word count - oh, let me have my fun

Masterlist for more stuff and thangs, and a link to. . . Kofi :D

Him

He couldn’t help but laugh when she dramatically flopped back onto the bed and sighed, “Ugh, I’m so tired!”

And as soon as he did crack up, she was quick to toss back, “Daryl darling, are you teasing me?”

But the pout she was giving him wasn’t serious, a fact proven by her wink as she flipped onto her stomach.

“Oof, apologies, my sweet,” she exclaimed before readjusting so she wasn’t directly on her stomach. “Can’t lay like that anymore, I suppose.”

“Y’okay?” he quickly checked, forgetting all about buttoning his shirt back up to jog over and kneel beside the bed.

“We’re fabulous, don’t you worry.” She hummed and gave him a look he’d very happily grown familiar with. “You’re so sexy when you get all concerned about us,” she purred, and reached out to lightly drag her fingers through his hair to pull him close.

Yeah, that was another thing about her being five months along.

Her own exact words regarding it were: “Lordy, every time I look at you, I want to yank your jeans down, mount you, and have at it.”

His cheeks got all warm as he remembered that particular afternoon. Both because he was currently (rapidly) getting in the mood as he felt her kissing his neck, but also because of the memory itself.

She’d accidentally said that—yes, that, the whole quote, word-for-word—right in earshot of most of the group.

Tara and Glenn were fucking rolling, and he’d never seen Abraham get so red as he wheezed alongside Carol and Rick. Even the reverend guy—sorry, ‘Father Gabriel’—coughed awkwardly to try and hide his laughter from his spot in the corner.

Then Carl had come downstairs wanting to know what was so funny, and for some reason, Eugene had actually started to repeat the damn thing.

Luckily, Michonne spoke up louder, wiping her eyes as she told Carl that “Y/N was being funny about her hormonal changes.”

“You know how I have a flair for the theatric, sweet boy,” she’d told the kid with a wave of her hand and a shrug of her shoulders, even while covering her eyes in embarrassment and trying not to giggle.

Meanwhile in real time, his wife was very effectively getting ready for another round.

He wasn’t complaining.

By then on top of him, she breathed into his ear, “Don’t worry, handsome, I won’t keep you too long.”

His hands were on her beautiful curves, savoring every inch. “Keep me all day, gorgeous, I won’t mind,” he managed to murmur back.

She hummed. Tossed her hair in that confident way he loved so much, and gave him a wicked little smile that turned him on like nothing else. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

You

He’s always so tender afterward. Even after you two ‘have fun’ in a less-than-tender place.

Mmm, like when you’d done it against the back wall of the house that time...or the other time...or that time in the garage on the work bench...or that time on his bike behind the building during that supply run...or the other time...or when...

Lordy, you had no idea how wildly randy you’d be at this point in your pregnancy. Granted, you’d been pregnant just about as long as you two have been physical. Honeymoon baby. When Maggie had correctly guessed the news, she’d playfully lauded your efficiency.

Anyway, for the past several weeks, you swear it’s as if you’re insatiable! In your defense, Denise said it’s entirely normal at this stage.

And, in your defense, your husband is exceedingly sexy, truly a work of art.

The thing that knocks your socks off is the fact that he’s only been at this for five months. He was a remarkable student. And just so...attentive. Generous, you might add.

And it’s so deliciously sweet that whenever you try to praise him about it, he shakes his head and mumbles that “You’re the one who showed me the ropes.”

You gaze down at him sleepily as you lay in bed together. His bare back with his scars and tattoos is showing the rise and fall of his breathing. His legs are barely covered by the sheet, likewise that stunning behind of his. And those strong arms you love to look at so much are draped around you.

You can’t get enough of this, how soft he becomes after. Pun not entirely intended...

And you’d be content to have him keep resting his head against your waist as you play with his messy, messy hair all day. His messy, sexy, rugged, masculine, even a little dirty hair—Lordy, you two only finished a several minutes ago and here you are gearing up again.

How can you be so exhausted and yet so ready to tumble again? You’d thought food cravings and some emotional ups and downs would be the standout of this adventure. Well, you certainly were mistaken.

Instead, you’re very tired and so very, very liable to get aroused.

So tired today, in fact, that you may even possibly, potentially, only maybe...

Oh, there’s no use in denying it: you’re too tired to go on the supply run today. Just thinking about it, you’re almost in tears at the idea of walking up all the steps and packing up boxes of books to lug back.

But you’re equally in near-tears at the thought that you won’t be doing so.

The supply run is to a library this time!

Well, it’s really to a fairly unpicked urgent care clinic abutting a dentistry office, but it’s a block away from a library! Your favorite place! And because you’re so thoroughly tired, all you want to do other than make out with your husband is read, which is just another reason you were so looking forward to going.

Worth a mention is that it’s high time this place had its book collection tended to.

C’est la vie, you suppose. This exhaustion is only temporary.

“What was that sigh for, gorgeous?” your hear him ask you softly as he kisses your stomach and finds your hand to take into his. You could feel the rumble of his voice reverberate through your body from where his lay pressed against yours.

“I’m just being a little dramatic. I’m not looking forward having to get up and put on clothes. Then, the thought of carrying of all those books back to the tru—”

“—Still can’t believe Denise ain’t barred you from doin’ stuff like that,” he grunts to himself, his hand now absently drawing lines on your thigh.

You gave an indignant hmph, then reminded him with a kiss on his head that “It’s considered safe because I’m not adding any strenuous new activities, only maintaining what my body is used to.” You take his hand into yours and bring it to your lips. “And I’m far enough along that it isn’t a big concern.”

Another kiss, then you rest his hand on your breast for safekeeping. “Plus, I’m not lifting as much as I used to,” you add.

His thumb begins to move gently back and forth over it. “And you've been real excited to get more books.”

“Have I ever. I miss my book collection so much. It was fabulous, Daryl.”

Among your collection, you’d had all of Austen, all of the Brönte sisters, all of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, an original copy of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ and only the fancy-bound variety of Shakespeare’s plays plus a signed (signed!) copy of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”

You especially miss the book your mom gifted to you. It was an Evelyn Stuart Hardy illustrated edition from the 1910s of Jane Eyre, your absolute favorite book in the world! It reminded you of her like nothing else...it had been her favorite book, and your granny’s, too.

You’d packed it up and kept it with you after the world fell. It was still with you after most everything else you’d had was stolen.

Until you’d ultimately had to burn it during the winter, when you were still alone.

Not a day later is when you’d run into Beth at the stream. That’s when she brought you to Daryl, and just like that, they brought you into the group. The rest is history, but how you kicked yourself for burning it.

Straightening your posture even while reclining, you push your shoulders back and remind yourself that you made a necessary decision. You’d needed the warmth.

“The shelves here are woefully understocked, darling, and there are plenty of houses to fill up,” you begin to tell Daryl. “I was saying to Deanna just the other day how perhaps we could transform one of the empty ones into an entertainment venue of sorts, keep morale up. Library on the top floor—very convenient if one wishes to browse the stacks with her very handsome, work-of-art husband in private,” you hint.

Does he realize what he’s doing as he rubs his thumb over your breast back and forth like that? Eyeing him, you continue. “A movie theater type room on the bottom or perhaps in the basement, a gaming room, a music room, an art room with supplies in the attic!” You’re getting excited again just picturing it! “Wouldn’t that be so fabulous?”

You hum at the thought, then look down to find him gazing at you with the most...“Daryl? Please don’t look so utterly in love with me, you know how your being in love with me turns me on. And I might mention what you’re doing with my nipple?”

Him

He couldn’t help but snort again—and he stopped doing that thing with his thumb, obviously.

“Your being in love with me turns me on.” Hell yeah he was in love with her, it was impossible not to be. Other than being entertaining as fuck, her confidence and endless optimism had its own gravitational pull, she was smart, caring, and—shit—so damn attractive. And she liked him! That was the craziest part of it.

He’d probably let himself fall for her ever since that time she’d kissed him on the cheek at the outdoor goods place a year or so back.

It was either then or when he’d finally seen her again, after Terminus. It was because of what she’d said that made him finally realize it.

The words hadn’t even been to him, they’d been to Carol. “Alright now, you. Get yourself over there and hug your best friend. He’s missed you.” Those words, weird as it might seem, that was what made him see it.

That realization had been scary enough, so just imagine how he felt next. Her first words to him were spoken softly, so only he could hear.

“Daryl Dixon, I would like to marry you someday.”

And then she’d kissed him as if there was nobody else there at all.

Yeah. He's just glad that sometime after finding the reverend guy—sorry, ‘Father Gabriel’— that he’d gotten brave enough to finally bring up what she’d said. As much as he hated himself at that point in time, he felt safe enough with her that he couldn’t not ask. There was too much risk of losing her again.

“Y’know that thing you said? Before you kissed me that time, Y/N?”

“Which time, handsome?”

His pulse had been going hog wild. “...When I finally saw ya again.”

She’d smiled through her exhaustion, so much like that first day he’d met her. Winked at him.

“That was a very nice one, I must admit.”

And that’s when her eyes grew wide as she’d remembered exactly what she’d said before she’d done so, as well as noticed that he was nervously looking back and forth from her to the reverend guy.

“Oh!”

The morning they’d woken up in the barn after surviving that hurricane was almost when they’d gotten hitched. Almost; Aaron had showed up, though, so it got pushed back only until the group decided to go to Alexandria.

At that decision, she saw no reason to wait any longer. Neither did he.

“It’s just a pity we’ll need to wait until I can lay you down and show you my ‘form and function,’” she’d lightly teased in his ear as she wiped her tears away, fully aware that that time might never actually happen.

For all they knew, their marriage could have been as short as only that day, depending on what lay ahead in that place.

But, turns out, Alexandria was safe. A good place.

So, two days in, she’d brought him to a bedroom in the quiet part of the house, and...showed him the ropes.

And now, he and she had a kid. Honeymoon baby. He was so fucking excited about it.

Denise said in a month or two is when he’d be able to finally feel them kicking around in there.

“So, you’re tryin’ to bring home just how many books today?” he asked Y/N, scooching up from his nook against her waist so he could hold her in his arms. “The whole damn library’s worth?” he teased.

“I would have endeavored to make a dent, perhaps.” Was it his imagination or did she sound disappointed?

“Would have?”

She pulled his arm around her tighter. “I’m just too tired, darling,” she admitted quietly. So that was why she was down.

He curved his body against hers and breathed in the smell of her hair. He didn’t like it when she was down, seemed unnatural. “It won’t be the last time we go.”

“Certainly not. Sasha, Olivia, and myself were calculating just how many trips we might need to take to get enough volumes. Final estimation was three.”

The way she announced that made him grin. “But you had your hopes on comin’ today,” he stated more than asked as he wove his fingers in between hers.

“I did. Libraries and auditoriums are my favorite places. And, it’s simply been a while since I’ve ventured outside the walls. Well,” she considered. “Other than to check on sweet little Enid, she’s quite the escape artist.”

“What kinds of books were you gonna bring back?” he wanted to know. Because he was fixing to bring back every dang one.

But he felt her make a shrug as if it were unimportant, and then she waved it off. “I made a list, it’s on the kitchen island or the coffee table, if I recall.” It was kinda cute that she thought she could fool him into not knowing when she was disappointed.

“What are some of the things on it?” he pressed, gently caressing her belly.

He felt her shrug again. “The useful parts of the reference and how-to sections, especially agricultural ones for Maggie. Oh, and you’ll notice a note regarding a pasta-making book for Shelly.”

She shook her head in amusement. “I appreciate generous helping of homemade linguini myself, so why she hasn’t simply made some by hand to enjoy is beyond me. You simply roll it out flat and slice it, easy as can be, no machine required.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

He moved back so she could turn and face him. “What else?” Come on, tell me what you want, gorgeous.

“Nothing, that’s all it takes to make homemade pasta.”

He grumbled only a little. “I meant the books, Y/N.”

She gave him another playful pout, then went on. “The teens and children here need some new reading material. Glenn will know which comic books are best, and he knows what Carl’s into. Oh, and our sweet Beth adored choose-you-own-adventures, so the kids will really enjoy those, if you find any.”

Fuck. He winced when she mentioned her name. That poor fucking girl. Losing her had been like losing Sophia all over again, but somehow worse because that time, it was undeniably his fau—

“—I can feel where your mind has gone, and as your wife would ask you to not think those things about yourself,” she told him firmly.

And after pressing a delicate kiss to his cheek and reminding him that she loved him, she resumed telling him more about the list.

“Tara could use one or two or several books on tape. She enjoys real histories, but reading is off limits until her concussion is healed more, so she was lamenting the other day. She’s bored to tears and going stir crazy.”

“I would be, too. Must suck.”

“There’s C.S. Lewis for Father Gabriel, ‘The Art of Peace’ for Morgan so he can have a backup copy. Carol and Rick enjoy Agatha Christie, Rick prefers her Poirot series. And Rosita has been very down, as you know, but she once mentioned a joke Fluffy told, so if the DVD section had any of Gabriel Iglesias’ stand-up specials, I was going to take them.”

Was Y/N gonna say what she wanted, though? 

“And um,” She giggled and shook her head. “I was more of going to tease Eugene by taking him home an entire encyclopedia. Oh, and I just found out that Michonne is a fan of cozy mysteries, too! I thought she’d be more the Stephen King variety, but no.”

Okay, finally something Y/N was into: cozy mysteries. Cozy mysteries...um...“What are cozy mysteries?”

“They’re in the mystery section—”

“—Stop,” he snorted.

“In the mystery section, but you’ll know them by their absolutely fabulous titles. They’re all puns!”

Puns. Okay. Um… “W-what kind of puns?”

“I’ve read a lobster shack themed one with the title ‘Drawn and Buttered,’ and Scotland themed one called ‘Under Loch and Key,’ so on so forth.”

Huh. Interesting. He’d bring back some if he could find them, he guessed. Sounds kinda cute.

“Tell me about what you want.”

Believe it or not, she’d somehow managed to toss her hair while laying there, then angled herself to look at his face.

“I was, handsome.” She winked. “Though...”

You

You feel bad for relaying your list of things to Daryl as if he were a servant or as if you were a woman who thoughtlessly ordered her man about.

Maybe it’s your pride speaking, but having him search around for your favorite book(s) is a little too much for you to accept when you’re still so disappointed that you can’t go yourself.

You’re used to being very physically strong, so this stage of exhaustion is a change you’d prefer to ease into, rather than dive into. And you hypothesize that your beloved Jane Eyre would say the same.

“C’mon, let me bring you back at least one book. Just one, gorgeous?”

...You suppose you can mention your genre of choice, at least, especially when he’s asking so earnestly.

“If you bring me back a nice, clean historical romance, I won’t object. Please steer clear of the harlequin section, darling.”

“Done,” he’s quick to announce. Until he sounds confused as he repeats, “Harlequin?”

“The bodice rippers,” you clarify.

“Bodice-rippers.”

You smile, and twist your body so it’s once again flush to his, lay his hand on the spot where your neck and shoulder meet, then arch your back and stick our your chest to make a pose.

“The books covers look somewhat like this, only the woman would have a gown or nightdress on rather than be completely in the nude.” With a light peck to his jaw, you simply must mention next, “And the man on the cover won’t look nearly as delicious as you.”

Which is of course why you next hear “Daryl! Y/N!” called from the main floor.

Him

“We’re coming, Abe! Allow us a moment,” Y/N shouted back.

“Golly, don’t tell us exactly what you two are up to!” was the undeniable voice of Carol that echoed next through the house, as did a very loud blast of laughter from Abraham. What are they, thirteen?

At least his wife thought it was funny. She’d even clapped.

“We were discussing literature, you! Keep your minds out of the gutter!” Y/N cracked up as she called back.

So, he groaned and got himself off the bed, threw his clothes back on quickly, and helped her get hers on. She’d almost fallen back asleep when he was looking for her socks.

Denise said how tired she felt was normal, though, as was the...other thing she was experiencing.

He thought it was gonna be cravings and throwing up like women had on like TV and shit, but nah, just sore boobs and being sleepy in the beginning, and now real sleepy and real horny were how it was going for Y/N.

It was good she was gonna stay home today. He was getting more and more uncomfortable with the thought of her going outside the walls too far with or without him. After what happened to Noah on that supply run, he just...

But he didn’t want to seem controlling or over-protective, so he tried not to protest too much. And she was just so damned excited about the library run, how could he tell her he didn’t like her wanting to haul boxes of books around?

Well, he thanked whoever was up there that she was too tired today.

Plus, now he got to surprise her!

Because fuck yeah, he knew exactly what book he was gonna bring her. It didn’t hit him at first, but he knew the perfect one.

Like, obviously he was gonna grab all the books and stuff on that list, but first thing he was gonna find was that one.

He’d read it in high school. Loved it. Reread it. Reread it again.

Got a good-ass grade on a report about it, too. Did it again the following year, wrote a whole new report and got a good-ass grade on that as well!

He didn’t even realize it was considered a chick book until some asshole made fun of him for it.

Well, fuck that guy, ’cause that book was the shit. And it was an autobiography, the idiot.

And just because it was kinda romantic and the main character was a girl didn’t make it ‘just’ a chick book.

Nah: it was about a kid who wasn’t really loved or treated well, who grows up and tries to stay decent but doesn’t really know what she wants to do, only what’s been kinda laid out for her.

She’s got big balls, a backbone, and the story ends up being a mystery wrapped in a drama and all of it ties together because she makes peace with her family and discovers a new one, then makes one of her own!

Who wouldn’t like that shit?

And, okay, this is dumb, but it was also really funny how the writer used the word ‘ejaculated’ in like every damn chapter. Not one time did that word mean what that word usually means, either.

The first time he saw the word just chilling there in an otherwise normal book, he almost snarfed up the beer he’d snuck into school he was laughing so hard.

Anyway, it was called “Jane Eyre: An Autobiography” and it was fucking amazing. And because it’s set like way back when and there’s a love story without tits in it, that’s fits the criteria of a clean historical romance, right?

Y/N was gonna love it so damn much. He almost asked her if she’d read it already, but decided he’d make it a surprise. There was some fancy wrapping paper he’d seen in Eric and Aaron’s garage, so he was gonna wrap it up all nice, too.

Such a fucking good book.

You

Maggie was a doll and made you a cup of your favorite wild mint tea while you were in the midst of sniffling on the couch about the supply runners having left.

That poor, sweet boy Sam came over shortly thereafter, and you were going to play Mario Party with him like you’d promised, but ended up falling asleep again. You awoke on the couch to find Sam sitting by you, albeit on the floor, between the recliner and the wall, reading The Phantom Tollbooth.

“I read that one when I was your age! Please lend it to me when you’re finished, I’d adore to take that adventure again!” you gushed.

He’s coming out of his shell more and more, but it’s very slow-going. You suppose that with a father like his, it was only natural, even if the man was dead now.

But today, Sam was comfortable enough to smile and start to tell you about his favorite parts of the book, which was excellent.

What’s also excellent is that you falling asleep while he was there seemed to have encouraged Carol to make cookies for him. It was plain to see that she was trying to keep the boy at arm’s length.

She’s terrified of becoming attached to another child for whom she condemns herself inadequate to care for. Her wounds run deep, especially in terms of Sam; she sees parts of herself in his mother.

So, that she gave in and baked for him and didn’t immediately kick him out once you’d accidentally taken a nap was a good sign.

The cookies were fabulous, by the way, and with the mint tea, it made the chocolate (chocolate!) rations taste that much better.

After that, you went on wall duty so you’d be somewhat productive today.

Your official job assigned by Deanna was as a recruiter of sorts; ease newcomers into life here, and go with Aaron, Eric or Daryl when pertinent to talk to survivors.

Only thing was, you hadn’t gotten any new survivors yet, so wall duty and supply running and some babysitting was what filled your days.

But it is nice that yours and your husband’s jobs are connected. He recruits, you welcome.

“Say, sheriff, what time is it?” you called down when you saw Rick taking Judith for a walk.

He looked at his watch. “They’ll be back in about two hours, Y/N,” he let you know you with a smile.

The thought of waiting two more hours got you weepy again.

Although, maybe you could manage to squeeze in another nap after your shift was over.

Him

The place had like 7 copies of that book! Would it be a dick move to take all of them?

Fine, it would. Okay, he’d just take...four—no, three. He shouldn’t be greedy.

That new-looking one was a no-brainer, so that one was coming. Aw shit, and that one had a creepy cover. That one was his, he called dibs. And...shit, look at the really old one. Book people like old copies, don’t they? Aw shit, it’s got pictures in it, too? Damn, these are good-ass drawings.

This is the one. It’s perfect.

Once those were tucked away safely, Glenn helped him find all the other things on her list.

Meanwhile, the rest of the supply runners browsed for stuff like zip ties, tape, and toilet paper, and were getting very distracted by all the books and magazines. And since there weren’t that many walkers in there, it was a good time.

He even remembered the title of the other book he’d ever really liked. It was another he’d read in school, called ‘The Giver.’ He liked that one because the kid mans up big-time and saves the baby’s life. Carl would probably like it, so he packed that up, too.

Then, Glenn popped up from the books-on-tape and DVD section and held out what might have well been a gold bar. Turns out, the British made a whole damn TV series about Jane Eyre six-ish years ago, and this library had the box set.

“My baby sister loved this one. She was in the stage version of it in high school,” Glenn shared with him quietly. “It’ll be nice to watch it again, and Mags will enjoy it.” He coughed a little. What was that smirk for? “That is, if it won’t be intruding on you and Y/N’s private time.”

“Shut up.”

You

...zzz…zzz…zzz...zzz...

Him

It was fine, he could wait until morning. Unless she woke up and wanted a really late supper or something...?

...But Y/N was sleeping like a log.

He slumped his shoulders.

Denise insisted that his wife was fine, checked her blood pressure, all that. He’d been real worried, is all.

Y/N did give him a “Why hello there, Daryl darling” when Denise woke her up to check on her, but she went right back to sleep after, and very happily, by the looks of it.

He knew she needed the rest, but he was also bummed that she was asleep when he got back. Really disappointed, but it ain’t like it was her fault. She had their baby in there, that’s gotta take a lot out of somebody.

He looked at the wrapped present on the nightstand. Eric did him a solid by finding a bow for it.

Then he looked at the copy of Jane Eyre he’d decided to keep as his own, the one with the spooky cover.

And then he felt only moderately like a dick for being excited that he could crack it open and reread it without any interruptions.

Like a kid finding a toy they thought they’d lost, he opened it up, flipped to the first chapter.

Oh yeah, there was the good stuff: “There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.”

That’s right, no long walk for you today, Jane, you get a break. Don’t worry, kid, I remember: you don’t like long, chilly walks ’cause it makes your toes too cold. I don’t like cold toes, neither, that shit ain’t no fun. Just sucks that your dickhead cousin is about to fuck shit up. It’ll be okay, you’ll get out of there.

Okay, kid, let’s see if we can’t get you out of Gateshead by the time I need to hit the sack...

You

When you woke up at 2:32 a.m. and needed to use the facilities like nothing else, you only knew that your husband was asleep in his clothes beside you on the bed, and that he’d apparently borrowed your booklight.

This didn’t phase you, and you went about using the toilet, washing your hands and face, brushing your teeth, and primping your hair as you normally would before bed.

What you learned after you came back was that he’d fallen asleep reading (and had rolled onto the paperback slightly).

That hadn’t happened yet in all five months you’d shared a bed and all of the two years give or take that you’d known him. It was also quite alluring to you, to say the least, and you felt delighted to have found one more thing to love about him as you grabbed the glass of water on the nightstand and took a few gulps.

But what made your panties liable to fall off right then and there was that he’d fallen asleep while reading your favorite book.

Jane Eyre!

Still floored and frozen in place when his groggy “Hey” reaches your ears, you blink out of it, remember to swallow the gulp of water that you’d forgotten about in your shock, and smile back at him.

“Good evening, Daryl,” you are able to respond, returning your glass to the nightstand and crawling back onto the bed.

He’s got an arm around your waist in seconds and has his lips on yours right after. “How you feelin’, gorgeous?”

You make the executive decision to crawl onto his lap and straddle his hips rather than crawl to your side of the bed.

“I’m feeling fabulous.”

“You hungry? I can go grab food, there’s leftover—”

“—Stay here with me, sweet man.”

“Done.” It was dark, but you could see a lazy, shy grin light up his face nonetheless. “I, um, brought ya back somethin’.”

But before he could say or do anything else, you have to kiss him again. And a second time. Might as well do a third for good measure. And by  the third, you realize: he brought you ‘back’ something, not brought you ‘up’ something.

As in, he alluded to having brought something home, not to him having brought a snack upstairs earlier, as you initially thought he’d meant.

“You brought me back something from the supply run, you mean? Other than yourself alive and well?” you coo, nuzzling his neck, content to simply feel his heart beating against yours.

That explains that copy of Jane Eyre. How on earth he knew that was your favorite, you cannot fathom. Unless Carol remembered and told him at some point?

He must have been trying to read it before giving it to you so he’d be able to talk about it.

Your kisses get more frantic.

“Babe, hold up, let me grab the damn thing,” he giggles as you kiss that ticklish spot by his ear.

“It’s right here, handsome,” you let him know, intending to lean back and grab the book for him. That is, until he presents to you a lovely little wrapped gift with a bow on it.

What on earth?

Him

The surprised look on her face was reward enough, and she hadn’t even unwrapped it yet!

She looked almost bashful (Y/N, bashful! That in itself was something!) as she unseated herself from his lap and settled down beside him, taking the package and turning it over in her hands.

“I sense a book in here, I’m already thrilled,” she told him, and looked back into his eyes with that same surprised, almost kinda confused expression.

Finally, she began to unwrap it, so he was finally able to start telling her all about it.

“It’s this really old copy of this book. The story is damn good, I’m tellin’ ya. I even, um...” he trailed off. Shit.

All she was doing was staring at it. Hadn’t even unwrapped it fully.

Why was she just staring at it? Oh shit, and she’s crying. Shit, man. He knew she was hormonal and stuff, but shit, um, okay, what could he do to fix this? What did he do to cause it, though? He was such a fuck up—WHOA, never mind, now her lips were on his.

Kissing her was one of his favorite things, sure, but now he was the kinda confused one. She was crying while she was kissing him.

Over a book?

“Gorgeous, hey. Tell me what’s wrong,” he murmured into her ear when she stopped for air.

In response, she looked at him as if he’d just spoken gibberish.

“Wrong? Abs—absolutely nothing is wrong, you sweet, silly man!” She sniffed again and wiped her eyes before hugging the book to herself. She started kissing him again, too.

He was trying to gather the wherewithal to pull away and ask her again what was going on, buuuut he didn’t want to, not when kissing her was one of the best damn things.

Lucky for him, she ended up pulling back.

“Darling?” She broke out into that gorgeous smile and rested her forehead on his. “I had this exact edition. My, my mother bought it for me as a college graduation present,” she explained, slightly out of breath as she sat back up. “These are happy tears, don’t worry. Though, maybe a few unhappy tears because I miss her and dad but, oh my goodness, I’m so... I feel like I’ve got a piece of her back!”

For all that she just spilled, the best he could do was blink and ask “This same one?”

“The Collins Clear Press, E. Stuart Hardy Illustrated Edition. Oh, Daryl, I am feeling so many things right now!” She hugged it to herself again and sighed. “I had every work of the Brönte sisters, but no less than five copies of Jane Eyre. It’s my all time favorite.”

Okay. Okay, he felt better. So much damn better, shit.

But just to make sure, he had to check, “You like it?”

Yet another kiss was her first answer, followed by “Darling, I adore it.”

She then swallowed and pushed her hair behind her ears. Exhaled heavily, then drew herself onto her knees and—oh, okay, lovin’ this—straddled him again.

“Now, if you’re up for it, handsome, I would like to make very slow, long, drawn-out love to you?”

He made an unintentional groan by way of response, his jeans were getting tight. Oh right, he forgot to put bed stuff on. Pajamas, whatever you call them.

To which Y/N bit her lip and laughed softly. Tossed her hair the way she knew he loved so damn much. “But before I relieve us of our clothing, first I would like to know the mystery behind this.”

She leaned back to grab something…

Oh, his book. She’d grabbed his copy of—aw shit, had he fallen asleep on it? The pages got all bent.

Damn.

You

“If I have this copy, what is this one?”

“That one’s mine,” he tells you shyly. Or maybe he wasn’t speaking shyly as much as he’s getting out of breath because you’re lightly grinding your pelvis over his.

“You have your own copy, Daryl.” Not a question, more of a declaration, but you’re just proud you managed not to moan as you said it. Cool down, mama, let the man talk, you remind yourself.

“Just got it today. I took,” He cracked up and bowed his head as if embarrassed. “I took three of them. The old one was for you, there was a new one that I figured could go in your library, and that one I wanted to keep for me, I dunno.”

Perhaps you’re panting a little right now...“Oh, I think you do know,” you whisper back, endeavoring to slow yourself down. “Now, please tell me how on earth you came to want a copy of your own?”

He makes a shy little shrug. “It’s a good story. The book, I mean. I just, um, read it a bunch of times back in high school—mm, fuck!” he lets out an appreciative groan after you can’t help but buck your hips.

Ah, it's about time his hands found their way under your shirt.

“But, um, yeah, I just really liked it. ’Specially for an autobiography, those are usually so damn borin’—h-hot damn, Y/N,” he chokes out. Okay, you may have done that one on purpose...

You help him take your shirt off. “Everything that is coming out of your mouth, darling, is making me so hot.”

“I h-had a hunch,” he murmurs back with what’s almost a self-satisfied chuckle.

“May I finish removing your clothes, Mr. Dixon?

“Yes, ma’am.”

You’ll tell him that the book is entirely fictional and not really an autobiography later, because right now, you need to press your lips to his along with everywhere else that you can on his body.

Him

Judith was up real early today, he heard her squealing. She was almost walking on her own now, ain’t that wild?

Call him soft if you want, but he was so damn excited that another one was gonna be running around with her soon enough. His own kid, too, how insane was that? And maybe Glenn and Maggie would finally have one, too...

Hot damn, was he feeling soft this morning.

Kinda hard not to be. Y/N was still fast asleep with one thigh wrapped around his middle—oh, he’d just made a pun, didn’t he? Hard-not-to-be-soft. Wait, was that a pun or something else?

Y/n would know, is she awake yet? He looked away from the pages to check on her.

Nah, she’s still asleep. And shit, man, she was damn gorgeous whatever she was doing, just look at her.

Anyway, while his wife was still recharging and while neither of them had to get up just yet, he had gotten Jane all the way through her boarding school years and she’d just met the kid she was nannying.

It’s cool that this copy had footnotes, because he’d forgotten what the stuff the little French girl spoke meant. How do you even pronounce that stuff?

You

As you stretch awake, you have to make a little mmhm in appreciation.

“The first thing I see when I wake up is my husband reading our favorite book. Today’s going to be a very good day, I can tell.” You’re still exhausted today, but that’s alright.

The corners of his mouth prick up and his cheeks redden. “The first thing I got to see was you naked, so it’s already a real good one.”

Oh, how fabulous! He isn’t usually as forward as that, even in private. You’d say he even sounded proud of himself, which is in itself a triumph.

And after last night, oh, he has every right to be proud.

You reach behind you to grab your water glass from the nightstand and take a long, refreshing sip, then hop out of bed and saunter your way to the bathroom. Slowly.

When you turn your head back, you’re pleased to see him staring and adjusting his legs to hide the excitement you just caused.

After freshening up and using the toilet, you slip on some clean undies and pajamas, then pick up the copy he’d given you and clutch it to your chest before snuggling back into bed with him.

“So, how far did we get this morning?”

“Jane just asked Mrs. Thornfield-lady is there are any ghost stories about the mansion they live in.”

“Getting to the juicy parts.”

“Hell yeah.”

“Are you meant to head out again today for your official job?”

After a signature grumble, he closes the book and pulls you to him closer. “Can I bring this with me?”

“I won’t snitch that you’re reading while you’re out there.”

“I meant you, Y/N.” He pauses. “But I should take the book, too, s’good idea,” he grunts, almost as if to himself.

You lightly kiss his cheek. “Let’s get up, sweet man. All three of us need breakfast, and you, as much as I hate to say it, need to put on,” You roll your eyes and sigh in mock-disgust. “Clothes.”

Him

Not that he was good at it, but he was doing his best to try and flirt with her. She deserved all that romantic stuff. Part of him was just still in shock that she was into him at all.

“You sure you want me to put clothes on?” he teased under his breath. That was flirting, right?

He nervously glanced over and saw that she seemed to enjoy it. “I certainly do not. But I have something in mind for later. Would you like to hear what it is?”

Try to sound manly for her and shit.

“Y-yeah.”

Way to go.

“As soon as we’re both home, I would like to bring you back here...” Her fingers were trailing down his chest...then down his stomach…

...to where his book lay in his hands, upon which she tossed her hair and asked in the cutest damn way possible: “Then we can read for a few hours?” 

He didn’t expect her to go in that direction, and he was so damn in love with that woman at that moment he thought he’d fucking burst.

“That sounds perfect, gorgeous,” he chuckled. “It’s a damn good book.”

She bit her lip and and giggled, taking one of his hands into hers and kissing it. "Especially for an ‘autobiography.’”

[saltymongoose]

hi itz me again lolololol!!!

imagin.. stereotypical beach episodes but self awar au and like.. reader finds cool swimsuit that finally fits them and just goes whatever, cliche besch episode starts as the boys nosebleed multiple times bc of the reader in auch clothing🥰🥰🥰😍😍😋😋

-chatty anon

I'm not even sure if there are beaches in Madness' Nevada, but the state has some so why not lol. Nevada's probably blazing hot regardless, so wanting to cool off in the water is understandable. You'd probably have to make a legitimate plan for it since I'd imagine the boys don't make a point of bringing swimsuits with them (if they even have some to begin with). The fact that you'll be wearing one as well is a subject of hidden tension amongst them, cause they have to figure out what you'll be wearing and what they should do to get it to fit you properly cause of different sizing, and then behind that there's the question of what you'll actually look like wearing it and wet from the water and-

It's a whole fiasco for them mentally, to say the least.

But nothing could prepare them for what it was actually like to see you with it on. And it doesn't even matter what you choose to wear, it could be anything from a micro bikini or a full wetsuit, all that matters is that you're in it. Honestly, it kinda concerned you when you first walked out onto the sand and they just silently stared at you for a few minutes. (Was there something wrong with the way you put it on? Did the seams you stitched start to tear?) They snap out of it after a time, but in their minds, they're still freaking out. It's almost like they can trace every curve and line of your body with their eyes, and when you actually get into the water the effect gets worse (or better, if you're them I suppose). Try as they might they just can't stop staring; you're just so pretty in every way imaginable, the look of you in a swimsuit only confirms how perfect your body is as well. (Because they spend so much time looking at your face, they've already affirmed how beautiful your visage was weeks before). It's the kind of image they want to imprint into their minds forever.

Aside from the blatant ogling, the rest of the "beach day" goes as normal. You swim with them (well, the main three at least, Doc decides to sit under the umbrella and make sure no one steals your stuff), build sandcastles (this time with Doc), have water fights, and eat whatever you've managed to scrounge together in kind of a picnic. Although, actually applying sunscreen was a little tedious. They appeared to fight over who should help you with your back before you eventually chose one of them (some physically, guess who) and would refuse to let anyone other than you help them. (Which you found flustering cause it's not like they looked bad in their swimsuits either.) However, it was still a fun day of relaxation for you all, and the boys will likely be quite keen on doing it again, so you should hang onto that suit they fixed up for you. You'll likely be using it a lot.

[v-hope]

That gif of jungkook boxing. That is tf!guk in my head 🥺 like what if he got new boxing gloves as a gift and was showing them off and accidentally bonked you (very lightly ofc) and then was very dramatic about it 😭😭😭😭 today my imagination is running wild I see

pairing: jeon jeongguk x reader

genre: fluff, established relationship, slice of life, non-idol au

word count: 1.2k

a/n: i’m still laughing over how i literally missed my chance to make this about guk’s birthday but it was too late when i realised. anyway, happy early birthday to the cutest bun and thank you for coming up with this! hope you enjoy!

“Guess what I just got!”

Jeongguk’s head snapped up at the loud, cheerful sound of your voice as you entered your shared apartment that evening. Eyes fixing on the box covered in gift wrap you were carrying, he stood up from the sofa he had previously been playing with Tigger on, and rushed over to you to help you with it.

“What is it?” he wondered, taking it from your hands and walking back to the couch, putting it down right next to your pup as you took a seat next to him.

“I told you to guess” you hummed.

“Why is it wrapped as a present?” his head tilted to the side in confusion.

You smiled, rolling your eyes and giving up on trying to make him guess. It was not his thing after all. “Because I bought it as a present for you!”

His bottom lip stuck out in a cute pout, staring down at the nicely wrapped up box and then back up at you. “But it’s not my birthday…”

“So?” you raised an eyebrow, handing him the box, which he accepted quite taken aback. “Can’t I spoil my lovely boyfriend from time to time?”

A shy smile curved up his lips, having to bite his bottom one not to let it take over his face. “Of course you can, but I, I mean—”

“Yah,” you shut him up with a soft kiss. “Just open it, I can’t wait to see your reaction”.

Jeongguk giggled, eyes glowing with excitement as he tugged on one of the corners to rip the paper open.

“No way!” he exclaimed once the box was unwrapped.

Running his fingers through the image on the box, he managed to catch Tigger’s attention, having him sniff it as Jeongguk excitedly opened it. Wasting no time, he pulled two black boxing gloves out of the box — holding them up as he appreciated them with the brightest of smiles.

They were the same ones he had been dreaming about for months now, yet for some reason would never actually get.

“Ah, these are so cool” he gushed.

Rushedly putting them on, he started punching the sofa a few times to try them out, earning a bark from Tigger before he ran to your bedroom to stay away from whatever his human dad was doing right then.

That didn’t seem to faze Jeongguk.

“Do you like them?” you asked, not being able to hold your laugh over how endearing he was.

“Like them?! Babe!” he stopped his punches to look at you with a bunny smile — that pet name alone letting you know just how excited he was, for those were the only times he’d use it. “I love them. So much”.

Before you could reply, he pulled you into a hug, pressing a few kisses to your cheek before his chin rested on your shoulder and a small, contented sigh escaped his lips.

“Thank you” he mumbled, receiving a kiss on his shoulder from you.

“I’m glad you like them”.

“Love them” he corrected you, earning a laugh from you.

“Love them” you apologized.

“I’ll be able to protect you now” he pointed out with a teasing yet proud smile, pulling away from you. “And fight whoever hits on you”.

“Yah, Jeon Jeongguk” you called him out in a breathy laugh. “Do you even know how to use them?”

“Of course” he stated, jabbing at you a few times to prove his point.

“Wait, that was actually kinda hot” you admitted in surprise.

“Yeah?” he wondered, just as surprised as you.

You nodded your head. “Go on, bun” you shifted in your place, crossing your legs on the sofa and holding your hands up for him to punch. “Show me how you’ll fight those guys for me”.

“Calling me bun immediately takes every possible toughness away from me, petal”.

“Just do it” you laughed.

He didn’t need to be told twice — let alone when you had just called him hot. Or, well, kinda at least.

A few jabs here and a few hooks there, using your hands as strike pads for him to punch —which he was doing lightly enough not to hurt you—, you enjoyed the way his hair fell over his eyes with each movement and how his lips would rest into a natural pout, having to keep yourself from leaning in and stealing a lingering kiss from them.

And it was your admiration for him what backfired on you.

Missing one of his side hooks as you intently stared to his pouty lips, one of his gloves ended up colliding with your chin.

That was all it took for Jeongguk to stop — a small gasp escaping that same mouth that had been the cause of your distraction.

You, on the other hand, although couldn’t stop the whine that escaped your mouth at the contact, found yourself laughing. It had caught you by surprise, and it had not hurt. It wasn’t the most pleasant of experiences either, but pain was not something you had felt, for your boyfriend had been careful enough not to punch too hard from the beginning.

But he was worried.

So worried, he took his gloves off before your eyes could process it — warm hands cupping your face and checking for any bruises on your chin.

“I’m sorry. Petal, I’m so sorry” he rushed to say, voice trembling as if he were at the verge of crying. “Did I hurt you? You need some ice? I should get you some ice. Stay here. God, I’m so sorry”.

“Jeonggukie, I’m fine” you reassured him, placing your hands on top of his both to calm him down and to stop him from leaving your side.

“But I just punched you”.

“Hardly ever touched me” you shook your head.

“I felt my fist hit your chin” he fought back.

“It didn’t hurt. I promise”.

He took a deep breath, letting go of your face and covering his instead. “God, I can’t believe I just hit you”.

“Yah! Bun,” you called him out, pulling his hands down from his face and giving them a gentle squeeze. “We were playing around, it was an accident”.

“But still…”

“No buts” you warned him. “Remember when you were tickling me once and I was so desperate that I ended up elbowing you? And I apologized over and over and felt so guilty over it but you said it was nothing?” he nodded. “This is the same”.

“I feel so bad, though” he rested his forehead on yours, staring at you with puppy eyes. “Will you forgive me?”

“There is nothing to forgive, you dork” you pressed a kiss to his nose.

“Okay” he smiled, letting out a giggle when another kiss was planted on the same spot and then placing your gift back in the box. “My career as a boxer just ended, though. I’m not ever putting these gloves on again”.

“You better do, because I did not just buy them for you in vain”.

“I am never showing you my boxing moves again then”.

“So you’re only using them against those who flirt with me from now on?” you teased him.

He nodded, pulling you in for a soft kiss. “Only against idiots who upset or try to hit on my baby”.

[buckyownsmylife]

I've Told You Now - Lee Bodecker smut

The one where Lee seduced his sister's babysitter.

Warnings: smut, dubcon, age gap, innocence kink, dirty talk, loss of virginity, blood

Word count: 1.7k

A/N: This one is a part of my kinktober celebrations. My original intention for this October was to work exclusively around prompts that my wonderful friend @darkficsyouneveraskedfor created for her challenge and dedicate each story to a different friend. My new plan became then 31 days of different kinks, which expanded on a poly relationship with Stucky, as you might know by now. However, some of the stories I started were already truly loved by me, and so I kept on writing them. It worked well because as it turns out, I am fortunate enough to have more than 31 friends on Tumblr, so here is the story I wrote for @slothspaghettiwrites! You were the biggest reason I fell for Lee and it was only appropriate I wrote you this! I only hope it doesn't disappoint! Special thanks to @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog who helped me believe this was good enough to be posted! @sweeterthanthis also has a big hand at this!

Y/N’s P.O.V.

I was finishing packing up the toys in the living room when I heard the door slam, startling me into dropping the box of legos on the ground. Looking at the clock, I considered the time before looking back at the hall again. When no one appears from the hallway, I get confused. If the Hendersons hadn’t come home earlier than they intended, who else could it be?

“Waiting for me, bunny?” I immediately straightened out at the sight of Sheriff Bodecker, trying to resist the urge not to flush and keep eye contact, but ultimately failing to do so. I hadn’t seen him since the night he offered to give me a ride home and I ended up with his cock in my throat, his cum in my mouth.

“I-I didn’t even know you were coming.” Silence followed my confession as he slowly approached, eyes never leaving my body while I tried to keep myself up. He’d always had this effect on me. I remembered being a young girl and Sheriff Bodecker being the crush I knew was too old to be mine, the guy I’d never have even in a million years, but that didn’t stop me from daydreaming about him.

If I thought that maybe having him would help this infatuation disappear, it’d become clear by now that it wouldn’t be the case at all.

“And here I was, thinking you wanted me just as much as I wanted you.” The Sheriff tsked, and the sound went straight to my already dampened underwear. I couldn’t process his words very well, given how close he was and how loud my own heartbeat was ringing in my ears. Did he mean to say that he actually really wanted me?

“If that was really the case,” he taunted, circling me like I was some sort of prey. “You’d always be expecting me, wouldn’t you? But it’s alright, honey. You know why?” When I shook my head, he answered his own question, a single finger running down my jaw to guide me to look him in the eye. “Because I think you were expecting me. You’re always expecting me, looking for me wherever you go, just like I do. And there’s an easy way to prove my theory.”

Before I could question it, his arms embraced me from behind, hands slowly running down my stomach until they reached the edge of my skirt. I started sweating in anticipation. I knew what he would find.

“Let me check.” His fingers went over the fabric first, and he chuckled when he noticed how wet it was. “Would you look at that?” I was already trembling when he pulled my panties to the side and ran that same digit over my lower lips, just lightly grazing them. “Soaked already.”

Although I couldn’t see it, the humming sound he emitted after taking his fingers from under my dress didn’t leave me any doubt about what he did with the moisture he collected. Just the thought of him enjoying my taste that much had me weak in the knees, and I tried to keep myself up by reaching for a chair nearby.

Lee’s P.O.V.

I chuckled to myself at how sensitive she was, barely able to keep up with the little I’d done so far. Then again, it was clear I had a particularly strong effect on her. That had been obvious for a while, ever since she started working for my sister, probably - around the same age her womanly features began to stand out.

She seemed unable to look me directly in the eyes, always averting her gaze and biting her lower lip when I decided to stop around here for a coffee or check in on the little rugrat. I began doing this a lot more often after she was hired, but neither her nor my sister seemed to connect the dots.

Her innocence, her beauty just left me so fucking hard. I was hard right then, and I wanted her to know it. So I pressed my body against her back, lightly grinding my member against the curve of her ass.

“I suppose you’re finished for the day,” I speculated, knowing once the kid was out all she had to do was wait for my sister and her husband to arrive. “Guess I can help you unwind…”

She gasped when she felt my hardness, making me chuckle. “Your sister and her husband should be back soon…” She tried to reason, but I wasn’t having any of it.

“We’ll be quiet anyway. Can’t risk waking up the kid.” I gripped her wrist and pulled her on the direction of the guest bedroom, now fully unable to control myself. I was so close to having what I had wanted for so long.

She looked unsure of herself as I closed the door behind us, and I raised an eyebrow in a questioning look. “What’s wrong?” She shifted her weight from one foot to another, fingers playing with the hem of her skirt.

“I-I don’t know about this…” Chuckling, I approached her to cradle her face between my hands and deposit a kiss on those sweet lips.

“Don’t you trust me, pretty girl?” I had caught her now, we both knew it. She’d never risk disappointing or offending me, so when her mouth opened to explain herself and I raised an eyebrow in warning, it was only a matter of seconds until she closed it altogether and nodded, her eyes dropping to her feet.

“Yes, I do.” My smirk was full of victory, and I could taste it in my lips now. It was as sweet as the nectar between her legs I’d only had a taste of.

“There you go.” Approaching her once more, I settled my hands on her hips before leaning to kiss her shoulder. “Besides…” I continued, already bunching up her dress to get rid of it as quickly as possible. “You obviously need me to take care of you and this little wet hole.”

She bucked when my fingers rubbed her this time, dress already forgotten on the floor as I slowly shoved down the fabric of her underwear to join it. Once she was completely naked, I ran my digits over her cunt, verifying that her wetness was already so overwhelming that it was threatening to drip from her.

“So sweet.” I hummed once I wrapped my lips around those digits, tasting her on my tongue again. Yes, I was already obsessed. I think anyone who had the chance to try her nectar would understand my situation - but no one ever would.

She was mine now, and I would never let her go.

“C’mon, bunny.” Patting her ass, I directed her to the bed, chuckling at how embarrassed she seemed, being this exposed to my hungry gaze. “Be a good girl and spread your legs. Be my little angel, won’t you?”

I wished I could have done this somewhere more private - my own house, instead of my sister’s. But I just couldn’t wait anymore. My cock twitched inside my pants. I felt like I was drunk on this, drunk on her.

“C’mon, honey!” I repeated, lightly slapping the outside of her thigh. “I wanna fuck you. And I know you want to be mine, pretty girl. You can’t hide it from me.”

When she finally relented and slowly parted her beautiful legs for me, I nearly melted at the sight. Driven by my desire, I unbuckled my belt and worked to whip my cock out as quickly as possible, smirking at the wide, innocent eyes that settled on my member as I fisted it in preparation.

“Doesn’t it look good?” I teased, climbing on the bed to take my spot between her legs, rubbing the head of my dick against her slit. “I’m gonna have you taste it next time. But for now…”

Resting my forehead against hers, I slowly started to penetrate her tight pussy, slipping only the head at first, even though I was aching to fuck her throughly.

“This is gonna hurt a little,” I warned, not able to stop mid-way to let her adjust but keeping my invasion of her maidenhood slow until I had bottomed out inside of her. “Sh…” I tried to calm her, gently wiping away the few tears running down her soft cheeks. “I know it hurts, bunny. But you can take it, can’t you?”

She managed to nod despite her whimpers, and I brushed her tears away as I warned her, “I’m gonna make you feel so good, honey.”

It took a little while, but at last, she opened her eyes and I waited until she was able to focus them on me again. “You look so pretty, bunny…” I whispered, kissing her while I finally started to move inside of her, stopping only to moan out loud at her overwhelming tightness.

“I’m gonna train you until all you can think about is my cock,” I warned her, slowly pulling out until only the head of my cock was keeping her open.

“I can’t wait any longer.” Slamming my dick all the way in, I felt her nails running down my back, leaving trails of blood behind - trails I wouldn’t mind wearing under my shirt, sting as they might.

“I promise you, honey…” I panted, sweat already dripping from my forehead onto her pretty face. “You’re gonna miss me when I’m not inside of you.”

I kissed her cheek, rubbing my nose against it as she held me tightly against her. “I know you don’t want any of those boys you used to go to school with touching what I’ve already taken.”

She nodded quickly, my pretty little honey. Yes, she was mine already and she knew it. “It’s alright, pretty girl…” I soothed her as she started to whine, her cunt clenching deliciously around me. “It’s alright, cum with me…”

She closed her eyes when she met bliss, but I kept mine wide open so I wouldn’t miss her perfect expression of pleasure. It was almost enough to keep me hard, but I wasn’t as young as I once was.

I never pulled out of her tight heaven, keeping her body snuggled against me. I was happy that I decided to be patient, if it meant I now got to have her like this.

“I hope you know that you’re mine now, bunny.”