Tumgik
#but I guess the thought process was just life is short so you shouldn’t wait
yourqueenb · 5 months
Note
Thank you for your answer, and thank you for putting so much thought into that 💞💞💞 mal and nia are my main LIs and at first I was really glad that at least two members of the party stayed with each other and mb even got closer but I can see how it would be annoying and/or sad for people who romance one of them exclusively. I think that I mostly just want to see eeal bonds between our party bc idk it just feels a bit hollow? In the first book they were just thrown together by chance but a whole year has passed and without MC there to hold them together it just shows how much less there is with exception of some banter and general sympathy towards one another. I also think that excluding Threep and other non-romancable characters from the main friend group makes most of the dynamic in choices hollow bc lmao all these people are here to try and fuck us and no one cares about each other beyond that. I don't really like TRR or TF but I feel like friendship was so much richer in previous books, like those two series, OH and TE - and in PM they managed to create a poly route where I could feel solid platonic bonds between people other than MC and LIs (Sloane and Hayden, Steve and Hayden or Damien and Nadia). Or mb I'm just a bit underwhelmed with the current plot course in blades lmao (sorry for rambling around the same three thoughts I just can't seem to gather my thoughts on this whole thing together 🫡)
I’m so sorry, I meant to respond to this sooner. But no, I completely get what you’re saying! You made some good points.
Even though all of these characters were kind of thrown together in book 1, personally I did feel like they were more like a family by the end of it. And I think that’s one of the reasons why everyone loved Blades so much. However, I do understand why the bonds aren’t as tight in this book. It makes sense for there to be some distance between everyone after what happened to MC and the apparent strife it caused. But I feel like they haven’t done enough to fully bring the group back together again and reform those poignant emotional bonds.
As you basically said with the exception of some banter and general sympathy towards one another, pretty much all of the focus is on each member’s relationship with MC alone. And even those relationships are very one sided with each person relying on MC for support, but not giving much in return. When the main cast is tied together by genuine relationships with each other rather than simply all waiting for their turns in MC’s bed, it’s really great to see and makes for a better book overall. That’s why the Pend Pals are still my personal favorite friend group to this day.
I will say that I actually don’t feel like the relationship dynamics in Blades specifically are hollow because everyone’s trying to sleep with MC though. And maybe that’s because I’m only romancing Mal (and flirting with Aerin on the side). But yeah, I think it’s because the writers have really been ignoring the opportunities to capitalize off of emotional beats (which I’ve said a few times before) rather than the characters just not having more to their relationships at all
#choices bolas#choices blades#blades of light and shadow#choices stories you play#playchoices#like basically all of the ingredients and the recipe are there#but the writers are skipping over important steps to finish faster#and we all know that makes for a disappointing meal#also I wouldn’t be hurt if our friends had gotten closer while MC was gone and leaned on each other for support#regardless of who it was and who I’m romancing#it’s more so that I’m hurt because Mal’s been so distant already#and then on top of that he’s running this orphanage with Nia#which is a huge thing considering his background#and idk I guess I just thought that that was something he’d want to include MC in if you’re romancing him#and that it would be a little harder for him to move forward with it without her#yet he up and does this within a year of MC being gone after mere weeks of searching#but I guess the thought process was just life is short so you shouldn’t wait#since he thought she was dead and all#but it still hurts#so that’s why I think it would be even more hurtful for me personally if Mal was the one who knew Nia’s secret and kept it from everyone#especially after the ‘you slept through it’ comment#but yeah anyway I started typing up my response to this shortly after responding to your first ask#and then never got back to it 🤦🏽‍♀️#mostly because I didn’t know if I was gonna type a novel again and I haven’t had a lot of time to sit down and do that lol#so it’s been sitting partially finished in my drafts for a minute 😭#but I’m glad it didn’t get crazy long again#choices#choices app#choices ask
7 notes · View notes
lvis44 · 11 months
Text
Sweet Escape Pt. 8 // LH44
Tumblr media
Lewis Hamilton x Y/N
Warnings: Swearing, 18+ (Smut and Dirty Talk), Alcohol, Angst, Emotional Dilemmas, PDA, Secrecy, Not Edited
Word Count: 8.5k+
Summary: Paradise is supposed to be fun and relaxing... a Sweet Escape, but when unspoken feelings and jealousy rise to the surface, everything can be turned upside down in the blink of an eye.
Notes: We have reached our final destination (well kind of, there will still be an epilogue). This is the final part of Sweet Escape. Thank you all so much for all the love, I'm so glad that you guys have enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed writing it! I will be back soon with another little daydream. I love you all and enjoy the conclusion to our roller coaster.
I am not a professional writer and all of this is a work of fiction and is strictly for fun. Enjoy! xxx
Previous Sections: Prologue - Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five - Part Six - Part Seven
You can’t risk losing Lewis. 
As you step out of the shower you feel a surge of anxiety and power wash over you. How the hell are you supposed to talk to him? It doesn’t take long before you hear him coming down the hall, greeting Daniel on the way, evidently just back from his run. You decide to bite the bullet, there’s no point in wasting time. You hear his door close and immediately make your way out of your own. Your hair is still wet and your attire is mismatched, throwing short on the second you heard him in the hallway. You don’t particularly care if anyone hears you or sees you, you need to get this out before you continue to think about it and change your mind. You’ve gone back and forth over this enough times, you need to finally make your thoughts known. You knock on his door, hoping he can hear you. Thankfully it only takes a moment before his door swings open, he’s standing there covered in sweat, his breathing still slightly labored, just having got back from his run. 
“Y/N?” He seems slightly confused at your sudden intrusion, “Is everything okay?”
You don’t answer his question just pushing past his sticky body and into his bedroom, it’s been a while since you were last in here, today will be a much different outcome. You’re going to stand your ground. He doesn’t ask another question just accepting that you must need to talk, moving to push his door shut.
“Why did you take me to see Marina and Leon?” You blurt out the second his door is closed.
He hesitates for a moment, a question written across his face, “I don’t know, I thought it would be good for Leon to meet someone like you, and Marina had about a billion questions about you so, I don’t know, it just felt right.”
“Why have you told Marina about me?” You ask your next question, not really waiting to process what he’s saying.
“Because I care about you, I’m constantly thinking about you, and I like to tell her about important things in my life. You’re an important thing in my life.” He shrugs as if it shouldn’t even be a question.
“What about us has ever made you think that a relationship between the two of us would even ever work?” You ask him, feeling your heart clench at his words but needing to get all your questions out as quickly as possible.
“I kind of thought I made that clear,” He starts softly, unsure if you’ll really let him get all of his thoughts out, “but, I guess to try to explain it, it’s everything that you do, everything I feel when I’m around you. Charlotte yelled at me a few days ago, and rightfully so, about constantly acting like your boyfriend with none of the commitment or intimacy, that it’s not fair to either of us, not fair to you. Y/N, I am truly happy every second I spend with you, you’re an absolute breath of fresh air, a respite, the idea of coming home to someone like that warms my soul. I have spent so much time wandering around, looking for a place to land and looking in all of the wrong places, evidently. I don’t want to do that anymore, not when everything I’ve always wanted and needed is right in front of me. I’ve been single for a long time, but I know what this feels like, I’ve just never felt it like this before. We’re already halfway there, I don’t see why taking the next step would be bad for either of us.”
He’s just standing in the middle of his room, keeping a good distance from you, trying his best to bore his speech into your brain. It annoys you how good he can look even after a run. When most people would look like a drowned rat with the amount of sweat covering his body, he looks like he’s shining, the sweat somehow making every muscular dip and tattoo even more center stage than usual. You stare at him for a moment, letting his rant twist your heart in ways you didn’t know it could, swallowing down tears as you hear just how much the man in front of you truly cares. You hate that everything he has said is right.
“Thank you again for trusting me with meeting Leon, and Marina, I’m honored you let me into that part of your life.” You say, your voice thick with emotion.
You can see his face contort, confused at both your lack of proper response and your subject change, he imagines it’s because you’re trying to swerve away from the topic, but he just nods softly, “Of course, I trust with you with my life, with my heart, with everything. There’s no one I would rather he meet.”
“I don’t want to lose you Lewis.” You say firmly, “I can’t lose you, that’s why us trying this doesn’t make sense.” Your words are rushed and your brain is speeding a mile a minute, needing to get everything out into the air.
You can visibly see him deflate, his face faltering, an audible sigh coming from him.
“Y/N, sweetheart, I don’t know how many times I need to tell you this but you will never lose me, not in a million years. Sure things may change, but that’s the trajectory of life, regardless of what you and I do, things are destined to change, it’s evolution. Try thinking of it in the sense that you already have me, forever, for better or worse, but now I want to give you more of me, just you. We have each other now, but it could be so much more, and somehow I think even better. Tell me you don’t think about how nice it would be to fall asleep next to each other at night. When I hug you I can feel you melt into me, I fucking relish in it, that’s why I never pull away, that could be our normal, how we fall asleep, how we cuddle and watch some stupid fucking show. Think about how good we could make each other feel, emotionally, physically, fuck, on levels we don’t even know exist yet. I want this with you, I adore you and everything about you, there’s absolutely nothing in my mind that questions you and I being a good couple. We’ve already got the platonic relationship down, we know each other so fucking well, better than most people who have been married for twenty god damn years, we have a head start. Everyone always says that your partner should end up being your best friend, we already did that, so here I am, you best friend, telling you I want to be your partner, and fuck I hope you hear me.”
He lets out a deep sigh as he finishes his rant, you can tell he’s had that bottled within him for a while. You let him speak, not needing to hear it but wanting to, your mind is already made up, it doesn’t really matter what he says at this point. You’re quite amazed by the outpouring of emotions you’re receiving from him, not used to him letting himself truly be vulnerable. He looks tired and you can tell that if he were a normal man he would be close to giving up, but he’s not a normal man and ‘giving up’ is nowhere in his vocabulary. Lewis is competitive and strives to win, he doesn’t back down, especially when it’s truly important to him. That alone is part of the reason that you feel confident in your decision.
“So, if we’re going to do this, some things need to be made very clear.” You continue after his rant, not having the ability to even begin to process everything he just said. You need to charge ahead, his words only fueling your confidence in your decision.
You can tell he doesn’t quite believe the words that have just left your mouth but he does his best to restrain from making you repeat them. He stays silent, nodding obediently, but you can see the corner of his lips twitching, begging to break into the largest smile known to man.
“First, it’s only you and I in this relationship, your playboy fuckboy antics, they need to be thrown out the window immediately.” You begin the list that had played over and over in your head over the last few hours, “Second, there always needs to be communication, on both of our parts, no fucking games, no fucking secrets, honesty and communication.”
He’s nodding along eagerly, you almost worry that he’s not listening but you can’t stop yourself to reprimand him.
“Third,” You continue, “we take this slow. I am not and will never be one of your play things. You will respect me and my limits and we’re not rushing into anything, you need to prove yourself, I’m still a little bit upset with you. Fourth, jesus christ, for the love of god, please get tested, I don’t need every bitch from every corner of the universe inside of me. Got it?”
He giggles at your last demand but nods nonetheless.
“Done, done, done, and already done.” He agrees, no hesitation.
“Lewis, I need this to work, because I’m not sure I would be able to function without you at this point.” You sigh, letting your final thought out.
He nods once again, “Agreed,” He lets out a content sigh, “So is that you saying you’ll do this with me? You’ll be mine, all mine?” His voice is hesitant but eager as he asks the question, slowly making his way toward you.
“Only if you’ll be mine and only mine.” You say, your voice quieting down as he approaches you.
“In a heartbeat babe.” His voice is only above a whisper but his eyes are boring down into yours, making you anxious and giddy all at once.
“Okay, last demand, properly ask me out.” Your lips lose your internal battle as they spread across your face into a wide smirk, needing to make him work for it one last time. It’s cruel, really, with how much he has already put into winning you over, but you need him to do it. One last little bit of confidence that this is all real.
“Y/N Y/L/N, will you please be my girlfriend? All mine, forever?” His smile has now broken over his face, unable to contain it as he stands only a few inches from you. He laughs gently through his words, amused by your request but willing to do whatever you need to finally be his. He’s smiling in a way you don’t think you’ve ever seen before, it's a whole new level of boyish excitement that makes your heart swell.
“Lewis Hamilton, I would be absolutely honored.” Within seconds of the words leaving your lips he has wrapped you in a large bear hug, picking you up off the ground, making you squeal.
“Lewis,” You whine through laughter, “you’re so fucking sweaty, I just showered.”
“This is what you just signed up for baby girl.” He chuckles, pressing a kiss against your head. You're rather confident that your name has already been long forgotten, pet names now taking its place.
“Okay, I take it back, I regret my decision.” You laugh playfully, his beard tickling you as he continues his assault of kisses that have now made their way to your cheek.
“Nope, no take backs.” He giggles against your cheek, placing you back down on the floor.
When he finally releases his grip from you his hands quickly find your cheeks, cupping your smiling face in his large hands.
“So beautiful, and all mine.” He mutters as if to himself.
“All yours.” You whisper back, making his smile even bigger if possible.
“I know you said we have to take this slow,” He starts, making you raise an eyebrow at him, “but can I please kiss you?”
You don’t have it anywhere in you to say no, all you can do is bite your lip with a nod, eagerly awaiting his lips on yours. He stares at you for a moment, as if processing the permission you just granted him. You expected the kiss to be harsh, almost messy from his excitement, but it was far from it. He leans in to you slowly, almost cautiously before connecting his lips with yours. You both sigh the moment you’re finally in contact. His lips are so soft and his large hands cupped around your cheek make you feel small, all you can do is melt into him. You bring your arms up around his sticky neck, still sweatier than you would normally find yourself being okay with. He keeps the kiss gentle but moves one arm to snake around your waist, pulling you flush against him as if there’s no possibility you could ever be close enough. He doesn’t move to deepen the kiss, his tongue never appears, he barely even moves, just enjoying the fact that you’re finally connected, even in the most simple of ways. When he finally pulls away you find yourself wanting to chase his lips, not having had quite enough just yet. He notices the involuntary reaction, chuckling slightly as he rests his forehead on yours. You place your hands on his chest, enjoying the firmness under your palms, realizing that it’s all yours to enjoy now. You almost go to take back your statement about taking it slow but the last logical brain cell you have stops you.
“We have to figure out how to make this work Lewis.” You whisper, not wanting to disrupt the peace in between you two.
“We will, I would never forgive myself if I let you go.” He says, his voice just as quiet.
“Do we tell everyone?” You ask, not sure what to do next, especially when trapped in a house together.
“We can wait, or do whatever feels natural. As long as we know.” He eases your mind, letting you know there’s no pressure.
You nod, grateful you don’t feel the need to go announce it to the whole house.
“Now go take a shower so I can have a much less disgusting hug.” You laugh, pushing against his chest.
“You liked it.” He joins your laughter, slowly parting from you.
“Shower.” You repeat, pointing toward the door of the bathroom.
“You can always join.” He playfully winks.
“Slow, Lewis, we’re taking it slow.” You reprimand him, feeling yourself blush but still laughing.
“I’ll be quick, be ready with open arms.” He flashes you a smile, disappearing into the bathroom.
You’re in the kitchen, starting to prepare dinner when Lewis finally comes out of his room, freshly showered and looking so damn cuddly in a large t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. It will forever bother you that even in his pajamas he manages to look better than the entire population. Everyone else is out on the patio, setting the table and making drinks.
“I thought I was getting a hug when I got out of the shower, maybe another kiss.” Lewis whispers to you, startling you when his voice comes from so close behind you.
He chuckles when he notices you jump, stepping away from you only slightly to take a spot next to you at the counter, grabbing a knife and cutting up some veggies. You can’t help but watch as his hand grips the stupid cucumber, something that should not affect you, yet it does.
You’re looking at the way the veins in his hands flex as he adjusts his grip as you mutter to him with a smirk, “Behave.”
“I don’t know, I feel like I was promised a reward that I didn’t get.” He says quietly, shrugging his shoulders. He’s standing close enough to you that you can feel the movement.
“I think you got plenty of a reward for one day. I mean hey, you got me.” You taunt him, your voice staying just as low.
“Oh, how right you are.” He sighs, leaning in to press a quick kiss to your temple before moving past you to the fridge.
“Look who finally showed up to help.” Charlotte’s voice comes through the kitchen as she walks in the back doors.
“Did you want my sweaty ass making your dinner?” Lewis shoots back at her.
Her face scrunches up at the thought.
“Didn’t think so.” He says, his attention already turned back to the fridge in hunt of something.
You can’t help but giggle, feeling as though you are truly on cloud nine. Nothing could have prepared you for the absolute ecstasy that would be coursing through your body after making that man yours, or really you should say allowing yourself to be his, he truly did all the heavy lifting.
“What’s so funny? You know how nasty he is after a run.” Charlotte shoots you a look, almost asking you to back her up.
You just laugh, thinking about the fact that you were wrapped around his sweaty body only twenty minutes ago.
“Whatever, I’m gonna go see if I can find a board game or something for later.” Charlotte announces, heading off toward the other side of a house where you know there is a still unused game room. You’d seen it for only a few minutes, Miles and Lewis having spent a few hours playing on the various arcade games, their inner child truly coming out.
Lewis was now walking back over to you, his hands full of various ingredients he had gathered. You went to attempt to take some of them but he just tutted, swatting your hand away.
“I got this, you just sit over there and look pretty, keep me entertained.” He nodded his head over toward the kitchen island, a smirk on his face.
“I hope you know, my way of keeping you entertained will most likely be me making fun of your culinary skills.” You tell him, not arguing with him doing all the work, as you happily perch yourself on one of the stools. You can’t help but enjoy the view. He takes his cutting board off the counter and moves it to the island, making sure he’s facing you so he can glance at you every once in a while.
“Whatever makes you happy, love.” He chuckles, not looking up at you as he gets to chopping.
Your stomach flips at the pet name, he’s called you love before but to your knowledge it always just been in a polite british way. Now it feels different, you want to  assume it’s because he’s all the sudden your boyfriend, but in reality you know it’s because of just how much you care for the man standing in front of you. You sit in silence for a few moments, just admiring how beautiful he is, truly looking like a god while he does the most mundane tasks. You know you’re done for.
“You’re pretty quiet over there, where the critique?” Lewis teases you, noting your silence.
“Well, first of all I’m just admiring my view,” You admit, “Second of all, you unfortunately seem to be a half decent cook.”
“Babe, I don’t know if my ego can take all this flattery.” He laughs.
“Don’t get used to it, I’m simply in a strangely good mood.” You shrug, laughing yourself.
“I would hope you’d be in a good mood, big shit happened today.” He looks at you with a soft playful smile. You can tell he’s being sincere under his teasing tone.
Before you can respond your friends are making their way into the kitchen, offering to help with dinner before being shooed away by Lewis who is seemingly on his own mission. You can’t help but laugh, noting that he gives Charlotte a run for her money when it comes to being in control of the kitchen. You can’t help but be a tad bit annoyed at the intrusion, not that anyone even knows they were interrupting anything, and in reality, they weren’t. You were just enjoying your one on one time being playful with Lewis in your newfound status after having been at odds with him for so long. Much to your dismay, Lewis paid much less attention to you while your friends were around. You understood it, he was keeping things normal between the two of you, at least outwardly, he was respecting your anxiety of everyone finding out that something had changed between you.
The evening carried on happily and calmly. You discovered that when left on his own in the kitchen, Lewis was actually quite a good cook, you would have to make him cook for you another time, just you. Charlotte had found Monopoly somewhere in the house, which you promptly lost at, Lewis then insisting that you team up. No one batted an eye at it other than Charlotte, she had shot you a questioning look, wordlessly asking if the two of you were okay. You had only nodded, a soft smile on your face. She had seemed content enough with that, letting you be for the rest of the evening. By the time that you were headed to bed you were full of a joy you hadn’t felt in years, maybe ever. Lewis had very discreetly managed to give you a kiss on the cheek and a small hug before you headed to bed, whispering something about caching in on your promise from earlier. As you fell asleep you couldn’t help but feel like all of your stars had finally aligned in the most perfect way, even if you had no idea what was in store for your future.
Your final days of vacation were here, a few days prior you would have wished they would come and go as quick as possible but now, waking up in this new chapter of your life, you wished you could bottle the next few days and never let them go. The morning was lazy, lying in the sun after breakfast before deciding to head down to the beach to do the exact same thing, only with even more gorgeous views. From where you were seated, you already had the best view you could possibly ask for. Lewis was off in the side yard, fully immersed in a full body workout. You were admiring him from a distance, pretending to read your book, but your eyes kept wandering over to his glistening back and bulging biceps as he did effortless push-ups, it would have been criminal not to watch. You knew that he knew you were watching him, he had readjusted specifically to give you a better view, the cocky bastard. When everyone had gone inside to get ready, you stayed back, wanting even just a second alone with him. The second everyone was indoors you made your way over to him, sitting criss crossed on the ground in front of where he was doing sit ups now. One rep he sat up and gave you a wide smile before disappearing again, making you giggle, next rep his eyes flicked over to the door, third rep he came up and grabbed your cheeks, relaxing his form as he pulled your face to his, hesitating for only a moment before firmly planting his lips on yours. Once again he kept it pg but it still felt like heaven on earth. You giggled as you pulled away, feeling like a teenager who had just had her first kiss, you couldn’t help but feel that this is how it would always be with Lewis.
“So what did I hear? Are we headed down to the beach?” He asked, keeping his face rather close to yours, closer than it should be for a friend.
“Yeah, I was just coming over to tell you.” You say, blatantly lying as to why you had approached him.
“Mmmhmmm…” He smirked, catching your lie in an instant.
“Okay, maybe not.” You admitted, leaning in to peck his lips once more. He didn’t let that happen though as he made sure you stayed in place much longer than you had intended, not that you minded in the least bit. 
“I should go shower then.” He mumbled as he finally pulled away, moving to stand
“There’s no point, just go jump in the ocean.” You said, making him stay seated in front of you.
“I’m beginning to think that you like me when I’m sweaty,” He smirked before leaning in to place a kiss to your jaw, “and I have to say, I can think of a few ways you could help me work up a sweat.”
You felt your cheeks heat up in an instant, trying to push away the mental images of him above you, his chest glistening. You knew he could tell just how he had affected you when you saw the look on his face when he pulled away.
“Well, I guess I’ll just go put on some trunks then.” He said with a wink as he finally got up to his feet, you not having any ability to stop him right now.
Looking up at him from your spot on the ground as he stood above you had a whole new slew of thoughts rushing through your head. You were a horny mess. The smirk on his face was all knowing and you wanted desperately to wipe it off his face, but there was no use, he was dead on.
You made sure to stay behind and wait for Lewis, who had ended up insisting on showering, as everyone else made their way down to the beach. You were at the kitchen island, scrolling through your phone, when he finally came out. You were wearing one of your bikinis, one you had worn already on the trip, back when he and Miles had tried to teach you to surf. His hands were on your waist before you even knew he was in the room. 
“Waiting for me, beautiful?” His head was nuzzled into your neck, not trying anything, just enjoying the closeness.
You lightly pushed him away, spinning on the stool to face him. On instinct you widened your legs, allowing him to step between them so he could be closer to you, bad idea. Your breath hitched when you realized what you had just done, feeling him just brush up against you. You could tell that he wasn’t trying to grind against you or anything, it was just a casualty of trying to get closer to you, but that didn’t make it affect you any less.
“Um, yeah, wanted to walk down with you.” You half mumble, your brain jumbled.
He smiled softly, “Everyone gone?”
All you could do was nod.
“Good.” He let out a heavy breath, pulling your cheeks to press your lips together.
He was slightly more explorative this time and you didn’t mind in the slightest. The kiss was nothing like the first time he had kissed you, messy and open mouthed, but he slightly toyed with your bottom lip, running his tongue along it gently. You ever so slightly opened your mouth, allowing him the small bit of access he so desperately wanted. Nothing but the tips of your tongues met, ever so slightly dancing across each other as you both tested the waters. When he finally pulled away he made sure to leave multiple pecks to your lips, leaving you happily satisfied yet still wanting more. You weren’t quite sure anything would ever be enough with Lewis.
He stepped away, trying to discreetly adjust himself, making you laugh. He sent you a look before righting himself as if nothing had happened. He extended his hand to you, pulling you off the barstool as he intertwined his fingers with yours. Walking hand in hand with him, slightly leaning your weight against him, felt like the most natural thing in the world. You couldn’t help but admire him, almost tripping a few times on your way down the path, making him chuckle. With a towel slung over one shoulder, his swim trunks low on his hips, and a dark pair of sunglasses perched on his nose, he looked perfect, absolutely effortless.
You had parted ways once you got to your friends, still trying your very best to stay discreet. That lasted only about a half hour, the second Lewis had decided he wanted to get in the water he was dragging you along with him. Very much like the last time, he was throwing you into the water almost immediately. His smile was wide as he watched you curse him out. As if he had forgotten that your friends were back on the beach, he grabbed you and pulled you towards where he was floating in the water. You could touch the bottom but only on your tiptoes and you could tell that he had opted to tread water, always staying active. He wrapped your legs around his hips, keeping you afloat with him.
“Well hello there.” You laughed at his sudden move.
“Hello.” He chuckled, nuzzling into your neck.
“Lew, what are you doing?” You asked semi cautiously, enjoying him but knowing that if anyone decided to sit up from their towel they would immediately see you being evidently more than friends.
“Enjoying being in the Caribbean Sea with my girl. I’m finally really enjoying vacation.” His words were slightly muffled as his lips moved against your neck.
“Babe, everyone can see us right now.” You whispered, feeling like you were trying to keep a secret even from the fish in the ocean.
He let out a content humm at the use of your pet name, placing a kiss to your throat, “We said whatever feels natural right? This feels natural. Fuck them, let’s just enjoy this.”
He pulled away, his arm readjusting its grip around your waist. You could feel the strength in his muscles and it made your stomach clench, thinking about him holding you in so many other ways. You just stared at him for a moment, contemplating everything.
“Do you want me to stop?” He asked sincerely, noticing the torn look on your face.
You thought about it for only a moment longer, deciding being in his arms was much too good to waste in order to keep a secret, “Nope, you’re right, fuck ‘em.”
His smile was wide as you let yourself truly wrap your arms around his neck, leaning in to place a kiss against his smile. He could barely kiss you back, too happy to use his mouth for anything but the biggest grin you could imagine.
“I’m really happy.” You whispered to him, only a few centimeters from his lips.
“I am too baby, I am too.” He shook his head almost in disbelief.
You have no idea how long the two of you spent bobbing around in the water, but it was long enough that your friends had either gotten sick of the sun or sick of the PDA, possibly both.
“Hey,” Miles yelled, “we’re headed to the house, you guys coming or are you gonna keep fucking eachother in the ocean?”
You laughed, hiding your face in Lewis’ shoulder as he flipped Miles off. You were rather surprised at how casual Miles seemed about it, maybe he was expecting it, maybe he had known how Lewis felt longer than you had, regardless you were grateful that it didn’t seem like a big deal.
“Be up soon.” Lewis yelled back, Miles returning his one finger salute.
You stayed wrapped around each other only a little while longer as you enjoyed the serenity of being with your person in the most beautiful of places. No talking was needed as you basked in the sound of nature and peace surrounding you. Your heart felt whole, in a way it hadn’t in quite some time. You were shocked at how quickly you had fallen into a new cycle with Lewis, but you didn’t mind one bit.
. . . 
“I swear to god if I have to hear you two fuck, I might lose my shit.” Miles said, his face showing nothing but seriousness as you and Lewis both burst out laughing.
After you had made your way back to the house, Lewis had thrown caution to the wind, promptly pulling you down into his lap as you came out onto the patio after changing. You hadn’t fought him on it, equally as content as he was and fully aware everyone had already seen you in the water. The only problem was now they were close enough to tease you. The second Charlotte saw him do it she squealed.
“Ah please tell me my two favorite people have finally realized that they need to get married and have kids?” She had clapped, her voice shrill with excitement.
“Woah, slow down there Char’, she became my girlfriend yesterday, give us a damn minute.” Lewis had chuckled, seemingly somewhat prepared for Charlotte's antics.
“Hey now, two favorite people?” Miles had complained, giving Charlotte a playfully offended look.
“Okay sorry, two of my favorite people.” She corrected herself, rolling her eyes.
“I’m just worried I’m never gonna see you two again, gonna be far too obsessed with each other to ever see the light of day again. Also hold up, girlfriend?” Miles had carried on.
“You speaking from experience?” Steph teased him, “Is Lewis that good?”
“Oh fuck off,” He didn’t even look at her, opting to flip her off instead, “but seriously, girlfriend?” He looked at you.
You just nodded, shyly, “He wore me down, he can be quite persuasive.”
“I’m just shocked because the last time I saw you two really interact, I’m pretty sure you wanted to either cut his dick off or punch him in the face.” Miles laughs.
“Oh I did, but we talked… a lot.” You laugh, not wanting to really go into much detail.
Somehow Lewis manages to get the conversation away from your relationship status and you silently thank him, not in the mood for some big hoopla and discussion about your feelings. As everyone chatters on around you the evening quickly turns to night and people begin to bid their goodnights. With only a few people left on the patio, you do the same, whispering to Lewis before announcing it to the group. When you get to your room, you realize that you quite wish you had given him a kiss before you left, too shy to do it infront of everyone just yet. You sit on your bed in your pajamas, waiting to hear him head to his room. Finally you hear his voice in the hall, making you move to try to sneakily follow him to his room. You don’t hear anyone else in the hall so you make a run for it. You feel like a boarding school student breaking curfew with the way that you run on your tiptoes over to his doorway, knocking ever so softly.
“Yeah?” His voice is louder than you would have liked.
Instead of waiting for further permission, you gently ease his door open, slipping in quickly and softly shutting it behind you. He’s in the middle of taking off the sweatshirt he had put on earlier in the night, his t-shirt riding up as he does so, putting his abs wonderfully on display.
“Hello you.” He smirks when he finally sees you.
“Sorry.” You mumble, suddenly embarrassed that you just snuck into his room for a silly goodnight kiss after only dating the man for a day.
For some reason your brain is on a different level than your relationship technically is, you feel like you’ve been together for months, years even. It’s exactly what he was talking about, he’s been acting as your boyfriend for some time but now you finally have the intimacy you had secretly dreamed of.
“Don’t be sorry,” He smiles, approaching you to place his hands on your hips, “I too was thinking I needed to come steal a kiss before bed.” He puts your mind at ease, pressing his lips to yours softly.
You find yourself deepening the kiss, his soft manner not being enough for you. You wrap your arms around his neck, pressing yourself against his firm torso. He’s more than welcoming, wrapping his arms around you tightly, pulling you against him even harder than before. You take the lead this time, licking against his mouth. It takes him barely a second to respond, letting your tongue explore his mouth, his moving in sync against yours. When he groans into the kiss you can’t help but try to pull him even closer to you. He leans you against the door you had just snuck in through, his hands gravitating down towards your ass. You don’t stop him, nothing could possibly make you stop him in that moment. His large hands rest carefully atop your ass, not wanting to cross anymore of a boundary than he already is. You try to give him more permission, pressing your hips against his as you do your very best not to break from his lips that are growing hungrier by the second. The heat of his body and the lack of oxygen from the kiss are making you lightheaded, you need him, so much more than you could have ever imagined. You throw your demands out the window, fuck taking it slow, you needed to take him now.
He feels you press your hips against him, taking the hint and finally properly grabbing your ass, greedy handfuls in his large palms. He groans again and the sound goes straight to your core. You bring one of your legs up around his waist, hoping he gets the hint fully, and does he ever. Within moments he’s moving his hands to your thighs, beckoning for you to jump up so your legs are wrapped firmly around his waist. Finally he properly presses himself against you, his lips moving down to your jaw and trailing down your neck. It feels just as good as it did the first time you felt him do just this, but this time it’s even better, because you know you won’t be stopping him this time. He nibbles ever so slightly making you whimper. It’s the first proper sound he’s gotten out of you and he is immediately on a mission for more.
“Fuck, baby, do you want this? Are you sure?” He is so out of breath as he asks the question but his voice is serious, he’s not fucking it up again.
“Yes Lew, so much, I need you, please.” You rush out, your voice already an embarrassing whine. If you weren’t so needy in that moment, you might find it in you to care, but all you care about is getting him exactly how you want him.
The second he hears your words he’s latching his lips back onto your throat and carrying you over to his bed. The grace with which he puts you down surprises you, you half expected to be thrown like a ball. His hands move under your pajama shirt, immediately finding your breast completely bare. His thumb brushes over your sensitive nipple, making you gasp. His lips find yours once again, his hands roaming every inch of your body they can reach, yours doing the same to him. You fumble to try and take his shirt off, making him chuckle as he pulls away to do it for you, him swiftly ridding you of your shirt as well. He pauses for a moment, his eyes locked to your chest and the hungry stare makes you want to cover up. As if he can tell he leans down, placing his lips across every inch of bare skin he can before latching his lips around one of your nipples. You can’t help but arch into him, feeling his smile against your chest as you do so. You let your hands wander the smooth skin of his back, feeling how his muscles flex as he adjusts himself to kiss a trail down your torso. When he reaches your waistband his eyes flick up to yours, silently asking if he can carry on.
“Please.” You sigh out, needing some sort of relief from how ridiculously worked up you are in that moment.
That's all he needs to hear before he’s pulling down your sleep shorts and your undies in one swift motion. Once you're bare, his eyes lock onto your heat, in a much similar way to how they did your chest earlier.
“So fucking perfect.” He says under his breath, his thumb moving to ever so slightly brush against your hip, making you squirm.
Finally his thumb makes its way to the bundle of nerves that are throbbing with desperation. His touch is so light you can barely feel it but it makes your hips buck up towards him. He takes that as a good sign, applying more pressure as he finally starts to move in tantalizing circles, the rest of his hand resting on your pubis.
“So wet, so ready, my god,” He mumbles as if to himself before speaking up, his voice raspy with lust, “Can I taste you baby? Been dying to for so long.”
“Oh my god, please.” You feel like you could cry from just how turned on you are.
The first flick of his tongue is teasing, nothing even close to what you’re in the mood for, you buck your hips up towards him, hoping he takes the hint. He immediately dives in, no room for teasing and taunting left. His head between your thighs is something you never anticipated witnessing, but now its all you ever want to see. He wastes no time in latching his mouth onto your sensitive nerves, making you cry out. His tongue laps in the most perfect rhythm that your positive nothing will ever be as satisfying again. His tongue travels everywhere and anywhere, searching for your most sensitive spots. He makes his journey further down, the strong muscle of his tongue teasing at your entrance, you gasp as you feel him push just the tip in, his nose coming down to meet your clit. He quickly begins fucking you with his tongue as he gently moves his head, creating just enough friction with the tip of his nose to have you a whimpering mess. You feel yourself starting to tense up, never having come so quick with any of your partners. He can feel it too. He quickly replaces his tongue with two thick fingers, his mouth coming up to suck your clit directly into his mouth.
“There ya’ go, give it to me pretty girl, let me see how good you look when you come. You taste so fucking good, never gonna get enough.” You look down to see his eyes locked directly on yours. You can see his bicep flexing with the movements he’s making inside of you and that combination has you coming undone, harder than you ever have before. All you can do is moan his name, you have no idea how loud you’re being but you truly couldn’t care less, the way he’s making you feel is second to none. You can feel his smirk as he works you down from your orgasm slowly, making sure you feel every ounce of it.
Before he’s even able to make his way all the way up your body, you’re reaching for the button of his pants. You need to feel him, and you need to feel him now.
“All in good time sweetheart.” He giggles, placing a soft kiss to your lips.
You can feel the dampness in his beard, his lips slick. He steps away from you, making you whine.
“So needy, give me a second and I’ll give you everything you need.” He teases you as he walks over to his bag. He grabs a condom and you can’t help but be grateful he at least has half a mind right now, you were ready to take him raw if it meant you could have him.
He finally lets you undo his pants, pushing them down along with his briefs. What you’re met with has your eyes going wide. He’s much larger than you could have even imagined. The thick vein running up his shaft looks lickable and you almost do exactly that before he’s laying you back once more, rolling the condom on.
“I’ll go slow, I promise.” He whispers reassuringly, evidently having caught your initial reaction.
When you feel the blunt tip press against you, you begin to rethink everything, there is absolutely no way you’ll be able to take him. He begins to ease into you slowly and it's the most indescribable feeling. You feel like you’re being split in two and put back together all at once. He somehow feels like an intrusion and your missing piece.
“Lew” You whimper out, clinging to him for dear life.
“Almost there baby, almost there,” His voice is soothing in your ear but you can hear the tension as he feels you for the first time, “you’re doing so good, so proud of you.”
The second he bottoms out, it's as if time has stopped. The two of you both let out deep groans, reveling in the feeling of finally being fully connected. Slowly the burning stretch turns into indescribable satisfaction. It feels like he was meant to be inside of you, the missing piece to the puzzle of your body. He stays still, letting you adjust to him as he peppers you with kisses. You can feel the tension in his shoulders, desperate to move, chase the high you’re both so desperate for. You don’t know how you find it in you but you wrap your legs around his hips, pulling him closer and hoping he takes the hint that you need him to move just as much as he needs it. Slowly he pulls out of you, only half way, before burying himself in you again. He hits the perfect spot, making your toes clench with only one thrust. The groan he lets out is pornagraphic and you fight to make yourself look at him. The sight above you is what dreams are made of as he slowly starts to build a pace, testing the waters with what you like, evidently aiming to make sure you’re feeling just as good as he is. His lips are parted as if they’re ready to let out a moan at any given moment, his brow is furrowed in pleasure and concentration, his lust filled eyes boring down into yours.
“Fuck baby, you feel unreal.” He half groans, dropping his head into the crook of your neck, tracing his lips over the sensitive skin.
“Fuck, Lew, more please.” You run your nails gently down his back, making him shiver.
“You want more?” His voice is taunting, challenging.
“Fuuuuck.” You draw out as his hips pick up their pace.
He brings one of his arms to rest on the headboard as he leverages himself to put more power behind his thrusts. All words have left your mind, your mouth open in a constant gasp, no sound capable of escaping you any longer. He takes one of your legs, resting it over his shoulder as he pushes himself down on to you, his body weight suffocating in the best way. Somehow he’s even deeper this way and it makes you whimper, the tension mounting in your belly. You can tell you're almost there. His grunts and groans have quickly become your new favorite soundtrack as they edge you closer and closer to your release. His hips have picked up their pace even more and you can feel yourself teetering on the edge. When his hand slips down to toy with your clit you find yourself letting out a moan much louder than you should have. He brings his lips to yours, attempting to quiet you. This kiss is useless, just two open mouths, sharing each others sounds of pleasure.
“Fuck I love you.” He breathes out, you can tell he didn’t mean to say it but the second you hear it you need to hear it a million more times. Your stomach tightening at the phrase falling from his lips
“Say it again.” You just about whine.
He hesitates for a moment, his hips faltering before finding his pace again, “I love you.” This time with much more conviction.
“Again.” You moan, so close to your high.
“Fuck Y/N, I love you, I love you, so fucking much.” He rambles, connecting your lips when he feels you reach your peak.
You’re not prepared, it crashes over you like a tsunami, you tighten around him so hard he struggles to move, to fuck you through it. You’re beyond grateful that he’s as determined as he is because he keeps you at your peak longer than you even knew possible, your vision blurring and your ears ringing. You feel him tense, uncoordinated thrusts as he finally spills into the condom. His breathing is hard as he collapses against you like the best weighted blanket imaginable. He’s pressing soft kisses to your throat as you do your best to come back to earth. You can feel him slowly softening inside of you and it just feels right, the two of you being connected.
"So much for taking it slow, hmm?" His voice is tired but teasing.
"Oh fuck off." Is the first thing you say to him as you come back into yourself, making him chuckle
It takes him a few moments before he disconnects from you, much to your dismay, wincing as he pulls out.
“M’sorry, one second.” He says softly, pecking your lips before moving to discard the condom and get you a rag.
He cleans you with such care, so gentle, you feel your heart lurch. It’s rare that you’ve been with a guy who takes such care afterwards. When he’s finally done he joins you back in bed, moving you both under the covers.
“No arguments, you’re staying right here.” He mumbles before you can object and try to go back to your own room, which you assume will no longer be needed.
“Hey Lewis?” You prompt hesitantly as he pulls you against his chest, hiking your leg up over his hips.
“I meant it, have for so long it hurts.” He answers you without you even having to ask, knowing what you’re questioning.
You lift your head to meet his, looking at him through the pale moonlight flooding the room.
“I love you too.” You whisper before leaning it to meet his lips.
"Say it again." He mumbles against your lips, a smile spreading across both of your faces as he mimics your words from earlier.
"I love you so fucking much Lewis Hamilton." You giggle as he pulls you impossibly close to him, latching his lips on to yours.
You don’t know how long you stay there kissing him but you’re not sure you disconnected before you fell asleep. All you know is that as you lay there, enjoying his affection, you knew you had made the right decision. You will never lose Lewis and now you have the rest of your life to enjoy a whole new journey with him.
702 notes · View notes
starshideyourfics · 10 months
Text
You Are Here - part 2
part 1
Tumblr media
Steve needs to make his way back to his seat to get his carry-on from the overhead bin, but Eddie promises to wait for him wherever they get lined up. That earns him another soft smile which makes his heart stutter in his chest. As soon as Steve has crossed the weird invisible border between Business Class and Coach, Eddie turns his attention to waking his band mates.
Frankie proceeds to stretch, cracking most of his joints in the process. Jeff just rubs his eyes and asks, “Where’s Gareth?”
“Drinking in the back of the plane,” Eddie says with a full-hand point down the aisle.
Yawning, Jeff nods. He gets up quickly, grabbing his overnight bag and shuffling out of his seat and towards the door. Frankie follows him, with Eddie trailing behind, glad he was too paranoid to check his duffle. The guys kept saying he might as well so he wasn’t toting something big, but now he’s actually got his own toiletries and a decent set of clothing options for wherever it is they end up. And the Talisker whisky he bought at duty free.
For how rowdy half the plane was only minutes before, everyone is so tired and ready to escape the curséd metal tube that deplaning is orderly and quick. Gareth manages to get off before Eddie spots Steve, but he’s got his arm around a woman with chunky blonde highlights and breasts so perfectly round that they are either a genetic miracle or fake.
So at least he doesn’t need to worry about Gareth whining at him about… well, anything, but mostly about Eddie ditching the guys to follow a straight boy around like a lost puppy.
When Steve finally emerges with a backpack and his briefcase, graciously thanking the flight attendant for the blanket and pillow, Eddie feels his shoulders relax. He hadn’t even realized he’d been hunching.
And then Steve’s face has to go and light up when he spots Eddie, lifting his hand in a tiny wave, waggled fingers and all, as he walks down the stairs. “Heard anything?” he asks, hope once again in his eyes as he reaches Eddie.
“Nothing, just that we’re spending the night in town. Guess they’re busing us off.” Eddie shrugs, glad he’s wearing a sweatshirt and a little worried about Steve getting cold in the night air. “But like I said, gotta be pay phones in there, so let’s go.” He’s not sure why he holds out his hand again. Two virtual strangers, adults who have been traveling internationally, he and Steve shouldn’t be so touchy with each other.
But Steve takes his hand and it feels right, like coming home. Even out here in the middle of nowhere.
“We’re lucky our plane was so close to the terminal,” Steve says with a glance over his shoulder at the dozens of planes further out on the tarmac. “I’m guessing there will be some pretty long lines.”
Eddie agrees, overthinking the pay phone idea now they’re so close. It isn’t like either of them planned to be in Newfoundland; they don’t have any Canadian coins and an international collect call will be expensive. Chrissy’s gonna be pissed once she’s done being worried about how she’ll get the band home in time for their upcoming photoshoot. And the fact that they’re supposed to be getting back in the studio as soon as possible…
He’s thoughts are still racing when Steve suddenly stops short and Eddie stops to check that he’s okay—he’s seen enough panic attacks in his life, the freeze of anxiety—but it’s not that. Eddie follows Steve’s line of sight to the row of pay phones against the wall, each one taped off with a big, handwritten sign: Sorry! Out of Order
“Well… That’s a bust,” Steve sighs, still holding Eddie’s hand, his skin soft like he moisturizes. “But there’s gotta be a phone wherever they’re taking us right? The whole damn island can’t be cut off from the rest of the world.”
“Yeah,” Eddie agrees with a nod. But looking around he’s not so sure. Everything at the airport looks ancient, makes him think of the few pictures he still has from his childhood and Wayne’s photos from Vietnam and Korea. And then he sees the map, with what he can only imagine is a recent addition: YOU ARE HERE in bold letters and an arrow pointing to the island.
He points it out to Steve, who chuckles. “Very helpful.”
“Now if only we could tell anyone else.”
The line for the buses clips along once people realize they can’t stop to use a phone at all. Steve and Eddie end up towards the front of a bus while Jeff and Frankie are in the back keeping an eye on a still tipsy Gareth. Jeff even shoots Eddie a knowing look on his way to the back, one that says, I’m not dealing with you pining over another straight boy.
At least it’s dark, no lights for them on these school buses, so hopefully Steve doesn’t see his blush. There aren’t even that many streetlights out on the road, so it stays dark, unnervingly so, and to cope Eddie lets his mouth run.
“So, feel free to tell me to mind my own business, but you’re a lawyer, yeah? I don’t know too many lawyers who fly coach.”
That makes Steve laugh, bright, even as he tries to stay quiet. “Yeah, well, I’m not that kind of lawyer.”
“Public defender?”
“Family law. I handle a lot of guardianship and custody cases.”
That gives Eddie pause, and he feels like the moment he takes stretches too long, making things awkward. He hopes Steve doesn’t feel awkward. But finally he softly says, “That’s actually really cool. And probably really emotionally draining.”
“Yeah, but I feel really good about the work I do, which makes it all worth it. My dad told me he’d only pay for college if I did pre-law and law school, wanted me to work for his company, go into corporate law. But he just said law school.” Steve goes quiet a second, turning to look out the window and into the darkness. “We don’t talk anymore.”
“I’m sorry, that’s rough.”
“My dad had some very specific ideas about what he wanted me to be, and the only one that worked out for him was that I was captain of my high school basketball team.”
Eddie can’t help the face he makes, wrinkling his nose. Of course beautiful Steve is a jock. He’ll never hear the end of this. “Oh, Stevie, no! Say it isn’t so!” Eddie says, only half-joking. “Not Captain! You would have bullied me so hard if we’d gone to school together.”
“No, I wouldn’t’ve!”
“I was king of the nerds! Ran a Dungeons and Dragons club and everything.”
“Okay, first of all, that’s really cool! My little brother plays D&D, and I know how much work goes into a campaign. And secondly, it’s not like I was shoving people into lockers; I admit to kinda being a bitchy asshole, but I didn’t need to throw my weight around. I’ve been in exactly one fight, back in 8th grade, and I lost. To a 7th grader.”
Eddie does his best to bite back a smile, but he can’t help it; Steve is cute, like an excited puppy. “So you’ve got a shitty dad and a cool little brother,” he says finally, accepting Steve’s assertion of not being a bully in his youth.
“And a mom who’s addicted to valium. Dustin isn’t actually my brother… I did a mentorship program my senior year, trying to pad out my college applications, and his parents had just gotten divorced. We got matched up, and the rest is history.”
“Jesus H. Christ, Steve, how are you real?”
“Don’t worry, there’s plenty of neuroses and other bullshit waiting beneath the surface. I’m not that great.”
“Oh, that I don’t believe for a second. You can have bullshit and still be great. I mean, look at me!”
They both laugh then, only to lapse into a comfortable silence as the bus driver announces that they’re just about to Gander Academy, which is where they’re spending the night. “It might end up a bit crowded, but you’ll be well taken care of,” he promises as he parks to let them off.
Out front the group is greet by an older woman, directing them towards the gym where they’ll be sleeping on gym mats and donated air mattresses before finishing with, “Then, I’m guessing you’ll want to come down this way to the cafeteria, get something to eat and drink, and we’ve got TVs with the news on down there. So you can see for yourselves what happened.”
“What did happen?” a woman asks from behind Eddie and Steve. “We know the U.S. airspace is closed, but we haven’t heard why. Something military? Is there a new war?”
The older woman purses her lips and takes a breath before saying gently, yet projecting loud enough for her voice to carry, so clearly a teacher used to commanding a room, “There was a coordinated terrorist attack in New York and Washington DC. They hijacked multiple planes. Like I said, you can see the news yourself.” Carefully, she ushers them inside.
They don’t speak much after that. Steve and Eddie go to drop their bags in the gym, before filing with everyone else into the cafeteria. They see the footage. The first hit. The second. The collapse.
It’s truly awful.
And they cannot look away.
25 notes · View notes
Note
Heya, ngl I was second guessing myself the entire time I wrote this, but I have a goal and ain’t no quitter! 😤
Additionally, I almost watched all of the movies for research purposes, but then I got lazy (so I blame any inaccuracies on that)
'what do you do in your free time?' 'oh i write robot porn and send it to my friends' :D this is what accomplishment feels like let’s ignore how this is way too long for a drabble and i haven’t even gotten to the main part yet
Well, anyways, this is all still sfw, bc I apparently can’t write anything without doing a bunch if worldbuilding lmao. Enjoy!
Graves sat in his car, sighing heavily. Today had been another unsurprisingly shit day and he couldn’t wait to get home. The people responsible for taking care of whatever the instances of destroyed towns and explosions were had refused for his team to handle said instances and he was fed up with them rejecting him access to even the least significant destruction site. He knew it had to do with alien life landing on earth, knew there was conflict between groups of these aliens and knew he could help. Hell, all he’d need to do is ask his friend! Sighing again, he looked out onto the street, checking for passerbies. Deeming it safe to do so, he gently tapped the middle console as a wake up call and held his breath. He watched in quiet awe as a body started manifesting on the passenger seat: male, middle aged with tan skin, a short beard and the most perfect laying hair in existence. Graves knew he could sit there and stare at Alejandro forever, the process of him manifesting out of nothing never loosing its impressiveness. "Nice to have you back. How was the nap?"
He tried to sound casual, as if the other wasn’t somehow occupying his every thought way too often to be healthy. Honestly, he had no clue where the alien went when he wasn’t in sight, probably teleporting somewhere cozy and nice to eat and sleep, he guessed. All he knew was that the surefire way to get his attention was a double tap on the console and he made sure to make that the first thing he did every time he entered his car.
"It was good, thanks. How did the meeting go? The higher-ups give you any trouble?" Alejandro smiled at him, he did that a lot, and tilted his head when Phillip scoffed and started the car.
"They were a bunch of assholes as always, wouldn’t let me send investigation teams to the newest sightings, because it’s apparently 'a matter of international security some mercenaries shouldn’t concern themselves with'. I hate them so much, I could eat my boots!" He huffed in agitation, checked the rearview mirror and pulled onto the street proper, following the signs towards the highway.
Alejandro laughed, or at least produced the equivalent of it his species was capable of. It sounded strange, slightly metallic, but Phillip had grown used to the tinny tone of it. "Boots aren’t safe to consume for humans." Said human rolled his eyes, but didn’t try to hide his grin, before looking as serious as possible and throwing a short glance towards the other man.
"Are you sure?" His question had the desired effect of Alejandro doubting himself and it made him giggle quietly. It was way too easy to mess with the alien and Phillip felt like he‘d never grow tired of it. The other had seemed to realize Graves was just messing with him and grumbled under his breath before falling quiet. The silence lasted until they arrived back home. Alejandro had been staying with him for a while already, their easy camaraderie and comfortable habits had developed almost naturally over time, had become something Phillip treasured.
Recently though, he couldn’t stop himself from wishing for their friendship to be more than what it was. He caught himself staring at Alejandro more often, trying to find excuses to be closer to him and flirting. Especially the last part was worrying him, because it seemed like the alien had started flirting back and Graves wasn’t sure if the other knew the implications of it or not. Oh god, he wished he knew; it‘d make the whole ordeal so much easier, ignoring the part where he didn’t know what was down Alejandro’s pants. Don’t get him wrong, he had definitely theorized about it, but downright asking had felt like too bold of a step. He ended up not being able to shake the thought as he pulled the car into the driveway and drove into his garage.
It had looked pretty bare beforehand, but after meeting the alien and him insisting on living in the garage and not a spare bedroom, Phillip had put in some bare necessities like a couch, a table and two chairs. The mini fridge in the corner of the room had already been installed back when he‘d bought the place, and that was where he was headed after exiting the vehicle to grab a cold beer and offer one to Alejandro who refused politely, as always.
Graves shrugged and put it back, opening his own and leaning against the fridge’s side to look at the other man. He knew he was staring and should probably stop, but how could he when Alejandro was staring back so prettily?
"Something on your mind?" The alien tilted his head inquisitively, a gesture he picked up from Phillip. It made the human‘s heart flutter to realize he had an influence on him, to know that he paid enough attention to him, at least subconsciously, to pick up some of his habits.
The silence had stretched on for too long, as Alejandro slowly started grinning at rendering him speechless. Phillip scrambled to find an answer, anything to say or talk about, but he felt his throat closing up as he watched the alien slowly stalk towards him. "Or is it someone? Dilated pupils in humans can mean attraction." He sounded way too smug for Graves‘ liking.
Embarrassed at being caught, he quickly looked to the side, his gaze landing on the car. "Well, are you gonna do something about it?" He stared back directly into the other’s eyes, raising a brow at him in challenge. This could go very, very wrong, but he honestly wasn’t using his brain right now. Cursing his lack of logical thoughts, he couldn’t help but inhale sharply as Alejandro cupped his face with his hands. They were cool on his skin, not cold, but absent of warmth like the air itself held his face.
"You wouldn’t be able to handle all of me, mi amor." It took Phillip a moment to fight through the fog laying over his mind, but it must’ve been apparent the moment the other’s words registered, as Alejandro laughed, the metallic quality of it sounding like it echoed through the garage a bit too loudly.
His look of confusion melted into annoyance. "Oh really? Have more confidence in me. I know I can take it, I could take you." He might’ve stumbled a bit over his last few words, might’ve sounded a bit too desperate, even to his own ears, but it was worth it the way Alejandro’s gaze softened. Even if the amusement in it was laced with exasperation, Phillip couldn’t help but feel like he won- right up until the other stepped back and shook his head.
"You haven’t seen my true form. You can’t be a judge of that."
"Then show me" A beat of silence, Alejandro looked unsure about the request, but ended up shrugging and suddenly his form flickered before disappearing. Graves had seen that trick often enough, but what he wasn’t prepared for was his car, standing only a few meters away where he had parked it, to start creaking. Metal grinding on metal, it rose and fluidly rearranged its parts, the process looking both terrifying and mesmerizing. It was humanoid in shape, so tall it had to crouch to fit into the garage und looked almost mocking the way it stared back at the gobsmacked human. Its face was something straight out of a sci-fi movie, all angles and metal and edges. It looked dangerous, like a chainsaw was dangerous in its potential to kill you if you didn’t know how to handle it properly.
He tried coming up with an answer to this reveal, but eventually just blurted out a weak: "What?"
I AM GIGGLING LIKE A MADMAN I LOVE YOU this is so good holy fuck ahahahaha oh my fucking god your galaxy brain. i already said i admire the dedication but sitting through almost all of the movies for this is something else, ur a real one. the movies are my guilty pleasure tho...
fr going in blind reading this i would never think you weren't really into the franchise before that
love how you handled ale and their little banter and inherent differences and the way graves doesn't really fully grasp _how_ different are they too used to him appearing human and normal and within his comfort zone. the way he didn't expect anything like this at all. and tried to accommodate him as one would a human or at least an organic species. poor bastard about to learn some new facts about himself and how far attraction can go, as if being down bad for an alien in theory wasn't enough. also i love that ale is very much himself just a bit behind on human culture. and i love ale being so soft for him but holding back because he's not sure how graves will react 😩 alejandro's a lucky bastard, gonna find out that his little human is a freak (affectionate) soon enough
also the worldbuilding for stuff like this is important and i love when people do that! by all means go off, i love your writing style.
i re-read this like three times before answering. i can't get enough of this thing. everything about this is so good. you managed to turn a crack au into something wonderfully perfect. god I'm such a robot fucker. and so is graves
23 notes · View notes
dusky-dancing · 2 years
Text
An Unbreakable Connection - Chapter 2
Summary: Sora's time arrives to pay an unconventional visit to the friend he can't remember.
Rating: T
Length: ~2.5k words
Genre: Post-KH3, Romance, Hurt/Comfort
Pairing: Kairi/Sora
Continuation of SoKai Week - Day 7 - KH4/The Future
------------------------------------------------
Links for story navigation:
CH1 | Epilogue
------------------------------------------------
Sora had never considered himself an astronomer, but for the next several days he studied the night sky like his life depended on it. For all he knew, it did.
Strelitzia was wonderful company during the day, but evenings and nights spent alone in his apartment often released the loneliness that Sora had almost forgotten he'd felt. Every partially moonlit night that followed, he missed the comforting presence around him. There had been something special and soothing about it that had made him trust them immediately. He hoped he could give them the same feeling.
As the moon grew thinner and thinner, Sora waited anxiously, and on the night when it finally disappeared, he had to spend several minutes just trying to calm his nerves.
How much time he really had, Sora didn't know, but he couldn't stress about rushing and risk wasting more precious time. Eventually, his heartbeat slowed, though its rhythm could still be felt through his chest. He closed his eyes and narrowed his focus on the steady beating.
To focus on their connection, Sora had no voice or words to go off of, only the feeling they gave him and what little information he had. Hopefully it would be enough.
They're not in Quadratum.
They're a close friend.
They make me feel happy, safe.
They feel like home.
However long he ended up meditating, it only felt like a brief moment before that airy, weightless sensation returned. He thought that they'd instead come to visit him again, until he opened his eyes to a different room. The ceilings were still tall, yet they were angled and painted a dark blue. The space was smaller too, almost like a dorm room with a desk and chair nearby. A light fruity scent filled the air.
A gasp that wasn't his startled him, then a voice originating from himself.
"Hello, Sora."
A girl's voice, so soft, yet through it he could still hear her smiling. He wasn't in his own body anymore.
"I knew you'd find your way. You always have." She sounded so nice, Sora hated that he couldn't remember her. "Do you need a moment?"
Right, their method of communication from before. He breathed in deeply and focused on moving his—now her—index finger. Two taps would hopefully reassure her that he was ready. Sure enough, it worked, strange as it felt to control someone else.
"Good," she let out a small laugh. "I guess I should start with my name. I'm Kairi."
Kairi. What a pretty name. The kind that he couldn't picture himself saying without smiling.
"I hope you don't feel bad about losing your memories. It's probably just a weird effect of where you are. We'll find you soon, promise." She paused to take a breath. "Speaking of Quadratum, well…it's a long story how you got there." She spoke quietly, like there were people close by she didn't want to alert either. "Would you like to know?"
Yes, he answered quickly.
"Okay, long story short," she continued, "You stopped something really bad from destroying the worlds. You saved many lives, but in the process, you used powers that shouldn't have been used too much. The consequence was that you were…taken from us."
He could feel her voice shaking in her throat as she spoke, but it was the only thing keeping him anchored to reality with the paralyzing amount of information she'd given in just a few sentences.
"I'm sorry, I—" she choked, her breathing heavier. "I thought I'd be okay, but saying all of that, knowing you're here with me, it's…bringing up alot."
Hearing her cry was more painful than the challenges Sora had faced in Quadratum, and more than anything, he wanted to just wrap her in a big hug. Suddenly, the realization hit that she'd given up control of her hands, and he gently lifted one to wipe away her tears as best as he could. He couldn't see what she looked like, but her cheeks felt so soft and warm. Her hands were small and delicate compared to his too, emphasized with the bracelets on her wrists.
"Thank you," she said as her heartbeat calmed. "I know our time is limited, so I won't talk about myself for long, but…"
In truth, he wanted to hear her talk about herself. He'd sit here all night and listen if it made her feel better and he got to learn more about her.
"But one of the people you saved, Sora, was me. In fact, it was saving me that pushed you too far, so I just—I can't help but feel responsible."
Now he really wanted to hug her, to reassure her that she shouldn't blame herself. If he had his way, no one would have to end up in Quadratum, especially someone as nice as Kairi. Sora couldn't even remember her, and he found himself wanting to make her smile. He could only imagine what he'd do for her if he had all of his memories back.
He shifted her hand from her face to rest above her heart, in the same way that she'd comforted him so many nights ago.
"I know you'd tell me that it wasn't my fault, it's just hard not to feel that way, you know? But anyways, enough about me. There are alot of people trying to bring you home. Do you want to know their names?"
He tapped her collarbone once for yes.
"Well, there's me and Riku, our other childhood friend. The three of us all grew up on Destiny Islands together." She hadn't said how long they'd been friends until now, but it made more sense if they had this kind of connection. And since she'd mentioned it, relaxing on some tropical islands sounded really nice. "Riku actually left not too long ago to try and find you, so if you meet a tall boy with short silver hair and green eyes, that's him. He might give you a hard time, but he means well," she giggled.
"Then there are Donald and Goofy, two dear friends of yours who've gone with you everywhere, and they miss you alot. Their King, Mickey, is also a good friend."
Sadly, none of those names rang a bell, and guilt began to weigh more heavily on his heart again. He had to find his way out of Quadratum, and soon.
"There's Roxas, your former Nobody…do you know what that is?"
A…Nobody? Sora knew the term 'nobody' as an insult, but that didn't sound right in this context. He answered, No.
"Oh, oops," she giggled again, and Sora was beginning to discover his new favorite sound. "I guess it doesn't matter too much, but just know that you two are very close. Naminé was my Nobody, and she's helping too. She has magic over people's memories, so maybe she can help you recover yours! And oh! There's Xion too. She's also pretty special."
From how it sounded, all of these people were his closest friends. Saying that he was lucky before was an understatement.
Kairi continued, "Right now, I'm in a place called the Land of Departure. Here with me are Terra, Aqua, and Ventus. Do you still have the Keyblade?"
Yes. He took a moment to answer, too enraptured with the adorable way she rambled on about their friends.
"Well, they've been training with Keyblades of their own for a long time, since we were really little. We all didn't meet until later, but we've been connected all along. Aqua's a really powerful Keyblade Master, and she's training me so I can be of better help to you."
You're already helping me more than you know, he wanted to say. He made a mental note to say it to her next time she visited him.
"Oh yeah, Axel and Isa are helping too. They used to work against us—another long story—but they're both good now."
With each name added to the list of people trying to help him, Sora's heart grew heavier. At the very least, he wanted to remember them. If he dwelt on the negative emotions for too long, he feared he'd lose connection with Kairi. He tapped Kairi's finger twice.
She hummed. "Do you want me to stop? It's okay if you do."
Her voice didn't sound strained or hurt at all, so Sora felt less guilty about answering, Yes.
"I understand it's alot to take in. Now I know how you felt, only being able to ask 'yes' or 'no' questions and not knowing exactly what to say…"
Sora could listen to her speak all night; her voice was lovely. Yet a part of him itched to know what she looked like, besides her hands and arms. At the very least, seeing her might be able to trigger his memories.
Though partially covered by a sheet, a full-length mirror sat in the corner of her small room, right beside a tall window with thin purple curtains. Mustering up his resolve, he lifted her hand to gesture towards it.
She hummed inquisitively before following her hand. "Oh, would you like to see outside too?"
No, he lowered her hand and pointed more precisely.
"Then…the mirror? I don't see why—Oh," she said, her voice dropping lower. "I suppose you wouldn't remember…but that's alright. I suppose I look different from how you'd remember me anyways." A moment's breath, and she continued, "I trust you too, Sora, go ahead."
He hesitated, surprised at how quickly she'd trusted him. Sure, he'd done the same with her, but to be given so much control over someone he didn't even remember felt like being handed fine porcelain. More than anything, he wanted to be delicate.
Focusing further on her heart, so bright and steady and easy to follow, he slowly willed the rest of her body to move as if it were his own. First, she sat up straight and swung her legs off the side of her bed, bringing another wall of her room into his view. Pictures covered it, both drawn and photographed, with light ribbon and trinkets decorating the spaces between. If he had his memories, he'd probably recognize all of these people, yet none of them registered in his mind.
"Those are our friends," Kairi said when he paused for too long. "The people I told you about."
Hearing about them all had been one thing, but to see just how large his friend group was stirred more emotions than Sora was ready to bear. He steeled himself and stood Kairi to her feet. Though she had a smaller frame than him, he could tell she wasn't lacking for strength.
Steadily, and more easily than expected, he stepped towards the mirror.
"I uh—I should warn you," she said, and he stopped. "I wasn't exactly prepared to show myself to anyone tonight. I'm decent, promise, just not necessarily…presentable."
Sora couldn't bring himself to move further. Was he pushing a boundary too far? Or making her uncomfortable? Stranger or not, he couldn't live with himself if that was the case.
"It's okay," her voice softened with reassurance before clarifying, "I'm okay, Sora."
The way she spoke made her words difficult to ignore. He should be the one comforting her, yet he still found himself on the receiving end.
So he took a step forward, then another, and her room was so small that she was already standing in front of her covered mirror. Without another moment's hesitation, he lifted her hand and pulled the sheet from the mirror.
He'd figured she'd be pretty, but not this pretty.
A cascade of red hair ending just below her shoulders drew his attention first, before it drifted to the face it framed so elegantly. Soft blue eyes and a natural smile seemed to light up the room, despite the faint dark circles beneath her eyes. How much had she been working to help him, exactly, if she was losing sleep?
Speaking of sleep, her outfit did indeed look ready to wind down for the night—a simple white tank top and black shorts that barely covered her legs. Tousled hair in the back betrayed the fact that she'd been lying in bed for a while. Suddenly, he felt more guilty for keeping her from rest.
Otherwise, she looked healthy and active. And her skin looked so soft, he just wanted to wrap her in a big warm hug again. Instead, he just lifted her hand to run her fingers along the opposite forearm.
She giggled. "Told you I'm a little messy." Her gaze fell momentarily before asking, "Do you remember anything?"
No, Sora answered, honestly and painfully. He wanted to remember her, needed to. She was so kind and patient and beautiful, how could he forget someone like that? And all their friends pictured on her wall, how could he forget them?
"It's okay," she reassured him again. "We'll get you back no matter what. You don't remember, but we've made it through similar challenges before. Just keep being yourself, Sora, and have hope."
He squeezed her arm more tightly and crossed the other hand over to give her a little self-hug. That brought her smile back, but she was still visibly in thought.
"And about before," she said slowly, "when you asked if we were more than friends…"
Sora tried his best to remain calm. He'd have been lying if he said he hadn't thought over that question everyday since he'd first asked it. It hadn't been the right time or place yet, and he kicked himself mentally for putting her in an awkward position.
Regardless, she continued, "I didn't answer because, well, I didn't want to speak for you, especially since your memories are gone again."
Again?
"But I can speak for myself, Sora, and say that you're very dear to me."
Sincerity showed itself through her bashful smile and the newly resolute timbre to her voice. He believed her, and wanted more than anything to speak with her face to face. Even if his old memories never returned, he wouldn't mind being a part of her life.
Suddenly, his senses through her began to stutter. She must've noticed too, for her smile dimmed a moment.
"Thank you for visiting me, Sora, I've missed you."
He squeezed her arms around herself again.
"This won't be the last time we see each other, I promise. I'll come to you again when I can."
Sora relaxed, enjoying her presence for a few more moments before being shunting back into his own body. His eyes opened to his minimalist, high-ceiling room and immediately filled with tears. Sitting up, he buried his eyes in his palms and let the waves of emotions crash over him without resistance.
The weight threatened to pull him down, but he couldn't allow himself to drown in guilt and longing, not here. He needed to focus on getting back to his home, back to Kairi and his friends.
With a racing heartbeat, Sora shot up from his sofa and made his way to the balcony door. He placed his palm flat against the glass, staring out at the dark moonless night, and wondered if Kairi felt the same determination in that moment.
------------------------------------------------
Thank you for reading! The final chapter/epilogue will be out next week :)
11 notes · View notes
mollrat101 · 2 years
Text
Hacks Finale Initial Thoughts
These thoughts are a jumbled mess. Still processing but here are my initial thoughts. Spoilers below
Ava going through all the growth. Making sure the tenant knows she’s going into the garage instead of scaring the shit out of them. Apologizing to Taylor for tossing her crisis onto to her (good way of putting it). Not asking for credit on Deborah’s special. 
Plus, her acting so nice to Taylor got her a big reward. See, Ava, this is what can happen when you act genuinely nice to people? I mean you shouldn’t do it for a reward, but the point is it’s just a good strategy. People who like you, will think of you when works comes up. 
Josefina being a gossip queen is honestly something I feel like the fandom has thought for a long time, good to see it confirmed lol. Josefina saying Ava looks like she’s gonna stick around :(
Ava sleeping with someone who has short, blond hair and trying to check the power dynamic beforehand, then they kick her out...wow. If they didn’t want me to read romantic subtext, maybe they shouldn’t have Ava fuck a Deb mirror hm??? The foreshadowing was appreciated and also rude. 
“Sweet Love” being the song we hear in Deb’s L.A. mansion. I died, how dare they. 
Whoa that was an amazing moment where Jimmy stood up and said “Fuck you” to a man who said his dad would be ashamed of him. That’s an easy trigger for Jimmy. You shouldn’t have brought up his dad, dude. Deb saying Jimmy’s dad would be proud of him. Omg my heart that’s all he wants. 
Ava being over L.A. The absolute turnaround. Her trying to love it despite how miserable she was those 5 years before. 
Ruby!!! I knew she’d likely be back. Also lol that Ruby is like “you keep not telling me when you’re in town, should I take that personally?” Lol probably Ruby. It’s not about you, she’s just in love with world-famous comedian, Deborah Vance. 
Ooh Marty’s getting married to Victoria. Ooh my theory of the Mayor and Marty falling madly in love seems thwarted for now, but the good news is that 1) we learned Mayor Jo is demisexual so it’s like...is her horniness over Marty because they have an emotional connection? lol we shall see and 2) Marty literally has gotten married and divorced so many times so the door could still be open. Of course, he did say “tastes change” so maybe he’s saying this is the woman he wants to settle down with. Good for him?? I don’t care about him. 
Huh, so Marty did try to marry Deb and she said no to focus on her career. Huh. That...puts a new perspective on a lot of their interactions. So I guess him marrying this woman his age is actually...Marty finally getting over Deborah. The way it’s framed it tends to depict Deborah constantly waiting on him. But she had him...and she let him go. Well, that definitely makes her seem like less of a victim. But it’s also like...Deborah. You couldn’t have gotten married and had a career? I have no idea where this binary is coming from that you have to choose. Honestly, I think a better answer is you’re just scared but whatever. I’m not saying I want them married but like yeah. 
I think you’re meant to feel confused about Marty and Deborah. It’s clearly a complicated relationship with a long history. That’s not necessarily bad. On the one hand, Marty treats Deb like garbage much of the time and yet in others he seems to show genuine affection for her. It’s not a good relationship and I will be happy if Deborah really and truly gives up on him, but I’ll admit it’s an interesting one even if I think it’s better these two keep their distance from each other. 
Oof Marcus, of all people, telling Ava not to make her life worse to be closer to Deborah. Well, he learned his lesson hard so I would listen to him. But also feels like such a 180 to last season where Ava was trying her best to get away from Deb. I’m not really sure how I feel about this change. On the one hand, I get it because Ava has gotten attached to Deb but on the other I didn’t foresee a problem Ava would have would be not focusing on her own stuff in exchange for prioritizing Deb’s work. I’ll have to chew on that. 
I am living for Ava’s cheetah-print jacket because omg it just screams Deborah. 
Deborah choosing to stick with Jimmy :) Omg the writers are making me invested in him. Series regular, Paul W. Downs, people. Well, if we get more seasons. 
Ava showing up made me so emotional omg. Deb instantly relaxed at her presence. 
The fact that Deborah acknowledges that she takes up a lot of space in...everything. In the space of the people around her’s lives. In a roundabout way, it’s acknowledging her self-absorption. This season has definitely made me look at Deborah in a new way. Gonna have to chew on that one too. 
Jimmy being an absolute legend and lying about that guy being okay lol. 
I’m so glad we got DJ’s reaction. The fact that Deborah feels more comfortable telling things to strangers than to her own daughter oof. Like we knew but still ouch. And DJ being like “go to therapy” lol. Deb is right, it’s almost impossible not to fuck up being a parent. For you to not fuck up, you would have to be perfect and nothing bad would ever have to happen and it’s just not reality. DJ can do it, I believe in her. Deb wore D’Jewelry *screams* ...but acknowleding it’s still garbage lol
Marcus making progress yay! Proud of him. Wilson and him being friends <3 Sorry Miss Loretta, looks like you’re going to have to say that outfit for another gay wedding. 
Deborah selling out on QVC, yay! Bidding war with the networks. She’s killing it. 
Awww Deborah couldn’t contain her emotions. 
After everything, Deborah giving Ava the appreciation she deserves. Words would never be able to encompass how much Ava has changed Deb’s life. 
I saw it coming but omg the rooftop scene. “I want to be wherever you are”. That’s it, Ava just declared her love for Deborah. We don’t need to prove anything folks, it’s all there. 
Ugh Deborah acting like they’ll see each other in court as one last little bit of string connecting them...and then dropping it. How can dropping a lawsuit somehow break your heart? It’s Deborah giving one last kindness. She really does want Ava to succeed. 
The parallels of Ava going from being aghast at having to work for the “QVC muumuu lady” to watching Deboarh’s QVC special at the end just because she misses her. That was uncalled for but also I loved it. 
“Goodbye Stranger” wow, dagger through the heart
This felt like a series finale although I know they’ve said they wanted to go beyond it. If there is a season 3, I would hope they explore why Deborah cuts off Ava entirely. Like, okay, it’s understandable for Deborah to let Ava go so she can explore her career and because Deborah doesn’t want to crowd out a relationship again with her dreams and ambitions. I get that but also like...they could still talk?? Ava wouldn’t be playing those QVC specials and getting updates from Jimmy if there’s not basically no contact between them. Why do that when they could’ve just continued talking on the phone or something? These drama queens had to break up jesus christ. 
Ava said she was pushing her away because she’s afraid so maybe she’s right. It’s like Deborah can’t figure out any middle ground or at least she hasn’t figured it out yet. About how there’s not a choice between having your needs and dreams completely taking over a relationship or that you have to cut them off entirely. Now that I have that thought is that a possible reason she cut Kathy off besides the betrayal? She forgave Ava pretty quick. Could it be that Deb pushes Kathy away because she just thinks the same thing will happen again? Kathy will feel suffocated by not enough of herself being in the relationship. The answer is probably a mix, but yeah it’s probably mostly the betrayal lol. 
If they go for a season 3, I’m not sure what room they left themselves to move. Deborah’s special went really well. That’s what initially drove Ava and Deborah together and now it’s done. I’m sure they’ll think of some kind of plot point, but right now it feels pretty complete. Devastating but complete. 
I will say that I hope, if they go forward, that we get to see more of Ava. It’s true that their relationship is pretty unbalanced right now, not just with Deborah’s dreams (which was to be expected) but also with the emotional journey. Ava’s feel like it’s barely begun or maybe that’s just my feeling. She made obvious progress, but it doesn’t feel quite as sweeping. Idk just my thoughts. Maybe next time, it will be Deb helping Ava with something, who knows. 
Anyway, those are just some initial thoughts. I’ll be wanting to do a complete re-watch to see what I think overall. I enjoyed the finale despite RIPPING MY HEART OUT. But honestly I kind of expected that lol. 
14 notes · View notes
luverofralts · 2 years
Text
Arkhelios University
Tumblr media
“You’re pregnant?”
Abe tried not to flinch at the horror in Roman’s voice. He’d had the same reaction, so it was only fair that he give Roman that same chance to work through his feelings. Still, it felt like he was trapped in a bad rerun of their life when Roman looked as though he was about to run in any direction that wasn’t here.
“You can try to be more supportive,” Abe replied tensely. “Don’t even think about running away for days to process this either. You’re responsible for this too, you know.”
“Ulyssa promised me that spell would work,” Roman whispered, trying to work out in his brain just how this had happened. “She doesn’t have any recent kids, and she told me it would work.”
“Well, she’s a far better magic user than you are! Maybe you should have thought about that before you insisted on switching to birth control that’s based in magic. You’re a pretty shitty wizard Roman.”
“I don’t want more kids, I was done,” Roman groaned, smacking his head with his hand. “I want to start my career, I’ve been making plans about a down payment for a restaurant one day when I’m not stuck at home changing diapers. I’m covered in mashed up toddler cereal most of the day and I have mindless kid television shows stuck in my brain when I try to sleep at night.” He closed his eyes, waiting for the room to stop spinning. “Four kids. Four kids, Abe. We’re not even twenty five and we’re practically the Durants. What are we going to do?”
“Get better at magic,” Abe snapped quickly, then thought better of his reaction. He’d gone through this stage too when he watched the pregnancy test turn positive. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I was shocked too. This wasn’t how we planned things out, but I did want more kids with you. I just thought the twins would be a little older before we started trying.”
“I had so many things I wanted to do. When are we going to get married? What will everyone say? You know your sister’s going to have a field day with this.”
“My sister doesn’t matter,” Abe replied. “Her life is a bigger mess than ours, if she says anything, we’ll just bring up Ulyssa. Problem solved.”
Roman tried to smile.
“Yeah, I guess so,” he said slowly. “We’re in a much better place than when we had Theo at least. We have a place to live, and we’re getting married. You’re not cheating on me with fifty guys-”
“And you’re not trying to ruin Lucy’s career because of your paranoia,” Abe finished. If Roman wanted to bring up the past, then two could play that game.
The events of his brief time in the void with Gareth rose unbidden to his mind. There would be no forgetting the horrible, hollow scraping voice that had plagued him.
“My paranoia? You almost died, Abe! There was a void and my mother and-” Roman stopped mid sentence as a new thought occurred to him. “We still don’t have a deal to protect you. Just because things are quiet now, doesn’t mean that you’re safe.”
“Roman, I didn’t mean that-”
Abe groaned as he realized what he’d done. Roman had been calm for a while now about Abe’s safety, but mentioning the threat had instantly re-materialized Roman’s fears.
“We have to make a deal now, tonight,” Roman insisted as his mind tried to balance the fear of having another mouth to feed with the fear that Abe could die at any second.
“Roman, no, it’s-”
“She can find connections to me through others,” Roman nearly shouted, his voice filling with panic. “She’s already found you before, and now you have a connection to me growing inside you! Abe, that’s how she found Adrian. He died because of me! The same thing is going to happen to you! I can’t lose you!”
Abe tried to reign in Roman’s fears, but he was already pacing, his mind going wild with fears.
“What if the blood magic hasn’t subsided completely? Me and Adrian were no problem, but you and me? What if we make another kid with Theo’s abilities?”
Tumblr media
In his short life, Theo had thoroughly  learned the value of eavesdropping. His parents said that it was rude and that people shouldn’t do it, but why should he listen to them? His parents were liars. It was possible for grownups to have kids they didn’t want. They were afraid of his powers. They were worried about having another kid that would be just like him. His sisters were normal, and he was not.
Tumblr media
“The contract has been terminated, and we’re not connected anymore,” Abe stated firmly. “The build up of magic in Theo stopped when your grandmother made our deal. He’s lived for years now past when he was supposed to have died. We’re going to be fine, Roman. Stop worrying.”
“You don’t understand,” Roman insisted. “We’re going to get a deal made now. I don’t care what it’s about, it only matters if it connects us. Get your coat, we’ll bring the kids to Lucy’s and call one of her co-workers. Someone she trusts. If we’re going to have this kid, I refuse to let you spend nine months exposed like Adrian was.”
“If we’re having this kid?” Abe repeated incredulously. “I don’t remember having a conversation with you about if we’re having a baby.”
Roman sighed, and tried to massage away the headache that was starting in his temples.
“You’re what’s important to me,” Roman replied quickly. “We can have other pregnancies, I can’t replace you. Abe, Adrian is dead. Dead. He didn’t get to see our kids. He doesn’t get to live a life that was stolen from him and it’s because of me! I couldn’t protect him, but I can protect you. Please, let me protect you before I lose you. Before Theo loses you. Let’s go find a demon. We can transfer the deal to me after the five years are up. We can get married. It could be a wedding contract. Please, Abe.”
“Your mother tried everything she could to kill me or Theo when I was pregnant before. She could have done so much more to us, but she didn’t. I’m not going to let some stranger hold a promise between the two of us. I’m just not. It’s giving too much power to someone I don’t know if I can trust.”
“She couldn’t do everything she wanted last time because she had something to lose,” Roman shouted, starting to pace. “She had an estranged father running an illegal scam here. She had a life built up, and me to train in the family business. She has nothing now, Abe. She has nothing to lose. Adrian-”
“Stop bringing up Adrian!” Abe snapped angrily. “He’s dead, and I’m sorry about that! I’m not him though, and I’m sick of you constantly comparing us! I’m sick of hearing his name, and what he would do, and how much better he was for you than me! I get it, loud and clear, trust me. He could provide for you better than I can! He was more understanding about the supernatural than I am! But he’s gone and you’re stuck with me, the guy you knocked up in high school before we had a chance to meet other richer, more perfect men to be with. I’m so sorry that I got pregnant at sixteen and inconvenienced you. Did I plan on being a teenage father? No, but those are the cards we were dealt, Roman! Since you love your stupid cards so much, you’d think that you’d understand that concept!”
“What part of this aren’t you understanding?” Roman demanded, his voice as cold as ice. “This isn’t a game, Abe. You don’t understand what you’re up against. All you can think about is your petty jealousy over someone I was divorcing anyway. We need to think about this logically. Remember logic? Have you ever understood it?”
“You can’t decide things like this with logic,” Abe shouted, startling Theo in the hall. He’d never heard his parents this angry at each other before. “You were the one who suggested leaving Theo in Strangetown because it made sense and where would we be if we had? He’d be dead, probably along with us!”
“We almost died anyway!” Roman retorted with a glare. “At least I meant it when I said I’d take care of him! You abandoned us the moment you stepped foot on that university campus. I was the one who was willing to be his primary caregiver. If it was up to you, your mother would be raising him while you cheated on me. What have you given up to have him? You have a career. You put in the minimum amount of effort you can with the kids, and then are surprised when I have hesitations about having more. I want this baby more than anything, if you’ll protect yourself from the real risks, and will help me. You can’t be your mother and just leave your husband with the kids all day while you do what you want. I can’t live your dad’s life!”
“Oh, we’re bad mouthing mothers are we? Well, yours-”
Tumblr media
Theo couldn’t listen anymore. He didn’t understand a lot of what his parents were saying, but the message behind all the grownup talk was clear. His parents really didn’t want him around. He had ruined their lives, and he was getting another brother or sister that they were terribly afraid would turn out to be just like him. Everyone at school was right. He was a monster who ruined lives, and even his own parents had reservations about raising him. There was only one thing he could do now. He had to remove himself from the people he was hurting, and make their lives happy again.
Tumblr media
Theo hurried to his room and grabbed his school backpack off the floor. He dumped all the work books and math sheets out of it and filled it with supplies he’d need. The blanket his aunt Lucy had knit him would keep him warm wherever he went and there were still two granola bars from his lunch he hadn’t eaten. He didn’t know what else he’d need or where he’d even go, as long as it wasn’t here.
After changing out of his pajamas, and grabbing a coat, Theo knelt to hug Renarde goodbye.
“I’ll come get you someday,” he promised, rubbing his floppy doggy ears goodbye. “I promise.”
Tumblr media
It was hard to say goodbye to his pet, but even harder to say goodbye to his sisters. The twins were just babies, but he’d miss them too.
“Don’t worry, you’re going to have a new brother or sister,” he promised tearfully. “They’ll take care of you like I couldn’t. I’m going to miss you though. I hope you’ll miss me too.”
Tumblr media
With his goodbyes said, Theo searched his mind for a place where he felt safe and where he wouldn’t bother anyone. There were a few options. He didn’t have a plan in mind, so he’d try them all until he was sure where he wanted to live. He waved a final tearful good to his sisters and then vanished in a puff of smoke.
Tumblr media
“Theo? Your light’s still on, buddy. We talked about saving electricity, remember?”
Roman knocked on his son’s closed bedroom door, expecting to find Theo passed out on his couch with the TV blaring. Instead, the room was empty.
Roman stepped in the room, looking for any trace of his son. The bed was messy, but empty, and Roman couldn’t find him on the couch. His closet was open with some shirts pulled out and dumped unceremoniously on the floor. Roman worriedly checked under the bed, but all he found was the dog, chewing on one of Theo’s stuffed animals.
“Theo?”
Panic was beginning to grip Roman, as he searched for his son. He was sure that he hadn’t seen Theo downstairs. He and Abe had reached an impasse in their discussion about what measures were needed to keep Abe safe, but they’d at least come to agree that this new baby was exciting news that they were happy about. They’d tell people when another month had passed just to be safe, or earlier if Abe had terrible morning sickness like he’d had with Theo that they couldn’t explain away. It was a shock going from being cautiously optimistic about a new baby to this awful feeling of panic looking for their oldest child.
A lone piece of paper caught his eye on Theo’s usually messy desk. On the page was a picture of Roman, Abe, the twins and a new baby, with a sad Theo far away from them.
“Abe?” he shouted in horror, staring at the unhappy drawing on the page with the badly scrawled message: Bye. I love you, I’m sorry -Theo
“Abe!”
Tumblr media
Roman didn’t even pause to think about what he was doing. Some basic instinct took hold of him that allowed him the ability to use his body while his brain had shut down entirely.
“Call your mom!” he screamed as he ran past a bewildered Abe. “Call Lucy! I’m calling Melvin right now, we need to look for him! I-I don’t- start calling!”
“Roman?”
“Theo heard us talking about the baby- about him,” Roman sputtered, somehow managing to misdial 911 twice in his panic. “Abe, he’s run away! He could be anywhere! We have to hope that he’s just down the street at your mother’s. I think he’s been lying to us about how restrictive his necklace is now. No, I know he’s been lying to us, because that’s what I would do in his position. He could be anywhere!”
18 notes · View notes
notenoughmuses · 2 years
Text
@shireentheunburnt
Joffery had finally managed to sneak out of Casterly Rock. His prison since his fateful wedding day for so long. But he hadn’t a clue what to do, until he recalled that he had family in the North, the far far north but he guessed they weren’t really family anymore. Now that Robert Baratheon wasn’t his blood father. But Shireen Baratheon and her father had to have still been at the wall. He heard tales of villagers as he made his way North about Stannis and what had almost become of Shireen and Joffery made sure he’d got to the wall as quick as he could with the horse he’d stolen from the Rock.
Upon coming to the wall, Joffery was surprised to see Jon Snow, who was also like wise to see Joffery alive and well. “Snow...” Jon stared at Joffery a glare setting in “What have you come here for? You fake your own death? Tired of your soft cushiony life, Waters?” Joffery scoffed and shook his head, trying to hold back his anger as it boiled at every word that Jon spoke. “I’ve come to see my cous--Shireen.” Jon gave a wary glance at Ser Davos who just shrugged and went to go fetch Shireen for Jon, both men stood near Shireen and Joffery when she had come.
“Lady Shireen. I...Short story short, I nearly died from my assassination attempt, but mother and grandfather locked me at Casterly Rock, held against my will so Tommen could become King and I waited for someone to fetch me once Tommen had...He...” Joffery hadn’t particularly cared for his brother but the thought of Tommen having thought of the window....because of their mother...It was hard to process still. “Than she took control. Forgetting about me completely. It’s like....like she didn’t care. Now she’s gotten her wish of being Queen in her own right. But Shireen....I have a um....a proposition. If you’ll hear me out. A Baratheon....Lannister....” He faltered unsure of still how to think of himself. He was a bastard but recognized by his father the King, so shouldn’t that count for something? “Wedding. Us. Arrangement. You have your fathers name and people will rally for me, for my brothers unjust and untimly death, and you, Shireen have a name and people who follow and are loyal. Mother doesn’t have the same control as any of the would-be-kings or Tywin. You and I can take back the throne and we can build a better kingdom....hopefully....”
9 notes · View notes
mywritingonlyfans · 3 years
Text
One Shot with Ethan Torchio // It's a bit Fluffly, Smut and Angsty
prompt: in which, ethan always need/visit you when he's not in tour + casual sex(?) with ethan tying you up so you don't touch him i'm telling you this but isn't a hardcore smut
warnings: it's smut. a fluffly kinda sexy(?)maybe it's just sexy bc it's ethan smut ig fem!reader
(he is so hot. i'm crying all my tears, and that's fucking pathetic.)
Tumblr media
Your head hurt, you knew your face was probably red due to your desire to go home and cry, but yet, your friends convinced you to go out for a drink. According to them nothing was too bad that a beer couldn’t improve, you doubted it.
Somehow, you found yourself happy to have accepted.
You didn’t know Ethan was back in town, you briefly wondered why you didn’t know, since he always contacted you when he was near (or at least that was what it seemed to be). Still, you were glad to see him. He was always able to make things better, even if only for a short period of time; which in your case was very short one as he wasn’t yours to have.
Ethan complemented your friends, they were all too familiar to him. He hugged you, giving a small kiss to your head while sitting next to you. Suddenly, you felt like a stronger drink would do you good.
It wasn’t hard to tell what was going to happen in the next few hours, after a couple of years going through that, you knew the time you spent together would always be the same. You guessed that you were able to put his head in place, just as he did with yours; and that's why he always came back to you. You'd never be able to tell if it was luck or mischance.
“Was it too hard to find me?” You asked him.
By now, your friends had moved to another corner. “I mean, I’m not complaining, I’m glad you did.” You offered him a weak smile. He did the same.
He looked tired, yet deadly cute.
He shuffled his chair closer to yours, letting his leg touch your bare knee. “Not really, Victoria said she called you in the morning, then told me that you intended to visit here for the night,” he mumbled, signaling to the bartender that he needed a beer, and so did you.
“She’s a gossip,” you wrinkled your nose, causing him to provide offer you a nasal laugh that you had learned to find lovely over the years. “But what has been happenin’ in your life lately? You’re good?” You tried to sound casual, but deep down you knew he wasn’t there entirely for you. Something was bothering him, he was looking for someone to rest on.
“Pretty much the same,” he sighed heavily. He wasn’t tired just physically. “We finished the last album, I feel exhausted.”
He looked at you like a lost puppy, watching your face, analyzing if you were in the mood to listen to him, or even if you were okay with having him around. After all, he came to you out of nowhere.
He’d never make you uncomfortable around him, maybe he hadn't noticed that yet. “C’mon, let it all out. I haven’t seen you for too many months for you to deprive me of the details.”
“If I tell you,” he pondered, “ you’ll tell me why you have a runny nose to match your watery eyes?” He poked your cheek, dragging his fingers so he could put some strands of hair back in place.
His seat was now so close to you that you'd be able to rest your head on his shoulder if you wanted to without creating any bodily discomfort.
“I guess life just hasn’t been all that gentle with me lately.” You giggled at him. “I lost my job last week, the same life shit is goin’ on as usual, and when I finally managed to move to a decent place, I’ll now be actually going back to sharin' apartment with strangers, because, y’know, I can’t afford bein’ in there anymore.”
Ethan was quiet for a while, you needed him more than he needed you. Listening to you made him realize how his worries were nothing at all. He knew that you didn't mind sharing an apartment with someone, but the loss of perspective was always tough.
Without further thinking, he pulled you to himself, fluffing your hair and holding you tight in his grip. You didn’t cry, yet it was possible to read your emotions. It was little, but Ethan knew you.
You took your head off his chest while he still had his arm around your waist. Taking a deep breath, you stared at your laced fingers, feeling it slow down. “I guess it’s all happenin’ at the same time, I’m just not sure how to handle it at the moment,” he held your face in his hand, his mouth close to yours as he ran his fingertips over your chin, until his lips were on you.
He was soft and wet, he had the same taste you still had etched in your mind, at that moment it seemed to be all you needed. He let go slowly, distributing pecks on the corners of your mouth, letting his forehead rest against yours.
You two stayed like that for a few minutes and you could bet that anyone who passed by could see how much of a fool you were for him. You tried not to think about it too much, it was better to have little of him than to have nothing. “Ethan?”
“Huh?” He murmured with his eyes closed, giving your lips a tickling sensation.
“Kiss me more,” and then he did. Ethan was holding you in place while your hands intertwined around his neck. You played with the chain of his necklace, savoring the touch of his tongue on yours, focusing only on him while pulling at his hair to hear his soft moans.
It didn’t take long for the bartender to come get your attention. You laughed nervously against him, you were embarrassed because you didn’t even remember where you were, still Ethan seemed untouchable about it. He wasn’t one to be embarrassed over small things like that, at least not with you. The bartender was quite irritated with the two of you and just now you noticed that your drinks had arrived and hadn’t even been touched; he was rightly pissed.
Ethan stood up, lifting you up with him. You looked in your pockets for your money, but then Ethan said it was okay and that he’d pay. You would argue, yet any money left over would be welcome. You held both beers in hand as he paid, thanking the old lady for the service, still feeling your skin burning with embarrassment, and then headed outside to wait for Ethan.
“Are you drivin’?” He asked, laughing at your state of awkwardness.
You bumped into his shoulder slightly, laughing along with him. “I am not, I’m living nearby,” you whispered as he put his hand inside your skirt pocket, bringing you to his side for a walk. “In the apartment that soon won’t be mine… how ‘bout you?”
“Not drivin’, I thought about staying somewhere to spend the night.”
He was close to home, but not that close, it would take about 3 hours to get to where he lives; it seemed plausible that he wanted to stay. “Are you only here because of me?” You risked asking.
“Yeah,” he took his hand out of your pocket and ran it through his hair. “I didn’t think it‘d be a bad idea.”
There was a silence, but it was far from being uncomfortable. “You know you can stay with me.”
——————-
Considering that you were in the process of moving to another place your house was a bit of a mess. Ethan wouldn’t be bothered by that, somehow your instinct of wanting things always in place - aka Monica from Friends - made you wander around the space in an attempt to make Ethan at home.
“What ‘bout the new album?” You asked, dragging one of the boxes away from him. It wouldn’t even bother anyone, but the thought that it would be in the middle of the room while someone was at your house bothered you.
“I don’t really know, I feel anxious about releasin’ it. It’s not that I don’t want to release it or am afraid of doing so, far from that, it's just, I don’t know… ” His voice fell silent, lost in his thoughts.
You turned to him, wanting to ask him what he had said, after all, that didn’t sound like Ethan, you felt as his hands touched your hips, pulling you on his lap. “Y'know I don’t care about your mess, right? Just, please, stop walkin’ 'round the house dragging boxes.” He said with his face close to your neck, hugging you from behind. His warm breath was in contact with your soft skin, providing heat to your body. Well, there was a minimal percentage chance that you were trying to make the place look good for Ethan, just because he made you a little nervous.
“Okay, fine. I’m fine,” you exhaled, turning to face him. He was smiling with his eyes almost closing; he still looked tired, but at least you were improving his mood. “You know you’re good at what you do, Ethan. You shouldn’t worry 'bout those things.” You held on to his shoulders, breaking something that could turn out to be a pity silence.
He squeezed your thigh at the same time as he laughed humorlessly at your words. “I know that. I guess that this is the short time they gave us to finish the album – it was drivin’ me crazy. The album isn’t bad, not at all, it’s honestly very good. Dami did a incredible job, still if it weren’t for the time it could have been even better. That’s crazy how I’m still letting myself get stressed over this, don’t you think?” He vented, moving his hands up your skirt.
“I know it’ll be good, I can’t think of anything you did that ended up bad!” You ran your fingers over his covered shoulders, down to his chest, going to the first open button of his t-shirt. “But if it’s just stress I can help you.”
He lubed his lips, nodding assiduously, putting you properly on top of him. That way, you were stuck to his body, feeling the rough of his jeans along with the zipper against your underwear. You gulped as he held your face, sealing your lips with his. You were relieved he always guided you through that; the leading up part was way better when it came from him.
You unbuttoned the rest of his shirt in middle of sloppy kisses and grips. Running your hand over his belly, tracing your fingers to the back of his neck while moving your hips lightly. You lugged on his hair, pulling him away to catch your breath. You opened your eyes to find Ethan with a deep pink mouth and brown eyes more intense than normal, at that moment you could have sworn that he was the most beautiful thing you had ever laid eyes on. You spread his shirt to the sides, sensing your body getting hotter, when Ethan smirked at your rush, managing to hold both of your hands behind you; stopping you in place.
“No need to rush, we have plenty of time,” he clenched you in his hands. You arched your back, breathing heavily at each touch of his fingers on your wrists.
He ran his nose over your neck, placing kisses and bites on the way to your collarbone, leaving wet tracks that would later turn into dark marks.
Your legs ached from that position, the couch wasn’t the best, but feeling Ethan getting hard under you as you writhed yourself against him, made you want to stay there for as long as he wanted you to. It was crazy to think that at the beginning of the day you were sure that the rest of it would be a pure disaster, and now being spoiled by Ethan’s lips your worries seemed to fade away.
Temporary as that would be, you were determined to give him your all, making his and yours next hours one of the best escapes from both of you. Unnecessary to say that you were lost in your own mind by now, craving for having his strands in-between your fingers, wanting him tugged into you furiously, causing you to ache. Your mouth was ajar, your vision was just white dots as he played with your sensitive skin, driving you insane. Ethan paralyzed when his grip became too strong around your fists and you got louder than usual.
“D’you like that?” He did it again, but this time pushing your body backward. He kept his devilish grin on his face, watching you from top to bottom. You bit your lips, containing your noises to yourself. Such an angel in his eyes. “Up, babe. I need to see something.” He didn’t let you answer, not as if he needed to. You stood up in front of him, legs shaking with your head definitely not in the right place. “Undress.” He rested his elbows on his knees.
His face was serious, and you didn’t see any problem in obeying his voice, but perhaps, due to the lack of his body being glued to yours, you couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
“Don’t act like you don’t like it when I tell you what to do,” He caught you by the hem of your underwear, helping to take it off while you got rid of your blouse. “Especially, when I just got you off my lap, almost unconscious 'cause of some kisses to your soft neck, pet.” He added, drawing circles on the inside of your thigh, smoothly going up to your center.
You felt your breath come to a halt. “You’re just too bossy.” You teased, confirming that your breathing was faulty.
He patted his nose over the damp stain of the fabric, placing a kiss there. “And you love it.” He pecked you a few more times, teasing you by running his fingers on the edges as putting the cloth to the side; never touching you where you needed him.
Almost involuntarily you took hold of his hair, bringing him closer to your core. And then, you understood his previous question, it wasn’t just about not being able to touch him, but also about the power he was having over you.
He cut his actions short and got up, hovering over you. “Tonight, you won’t be allowed to touch me, all right?!” He whispered, tossing your hair behind your ear.
That’d be comical in any other situation, yet with his body and eyes fixed on your frame you felt in his domain.
You nodded, diving into the way he pulled at the hair on the nape of your neck firmly so that you were looking at him. “Go on, babe,” He insisted on having the words he wanted.
“Yes, it’s all right, Ethan,” it was far from all right, you couldn’t do that. How could you go without touching, making a mess of his hair or marking your nails on his back?
“That’s my girl,” he praised you in between sighs.
He was excited while your face was overflowing with nervousness; not out of fear, but out of curiosity. He finished removing his shirt and indicated with his fingers for you to lie down on the couch.
You shut your eyes tight, with his voice echoing 'my girl’ in your mind, Ethan was lugging your wrists above your head as you did what he told you to do. He tied them with his shirt. “Is this hurtin’ you? Are you comfortable?” He tightened it in a knot.
Your head and elbows were on the arm of the couch, only your hands were unsupported. Although you weren’t uncomfortable, it was to be expected that pain would appear the next day; it’d be worth it. “No, it’s fine. I’m good.” You assured him as he knelt beside the couch, running his hands down your torso, making you squirm.
He went down to the hem of your underwear, taking it off with the help of your legs kicking the lace away. “Good then,” he warbled, pattering lines on your pubic hair. “Needy and in your proper place.”
“Bastard,” you swore through clenched teeth.
He grinned, admiring how your breast rose and fell in a quick but punctual rhythm while your hips fidgeted at his touch. You looked like a piece of art he had just created, swollen lips, filled in lovely marks on the collarbone. He found himself in need to concentrate on his breathing while watching you, to control his pulse as he reached his fingertips to your pussy.
“Ethan” you breathed out, forcing your fists. “Go on, please,”
With that, he held your hands, forcing them down and slid a finger inside you. Your lips opened in a sigh and he took the opportunity to kiss you, running his tongue over your bottom lip and nipping it to his mouth, keeping things on a slow pace.
You wanted to hold his hand, make him go faster or be able to pull the locks of his hair until he understood how much you wanted him, but you had no way of doing that, and you knew he was just doing that to provoke you.
His lips traveled over your neck again, this time giving light kisses, blowing air on the soft fresh he had left in there.
“You’re so gorgeous,” he said without even opening his eyes, delighting in your skin as he sped up, now rubbing his thumb gently over your bud.
You whispered something almost inaudible that Ethan recognized as his name. He raised his head, coming face a face to you. “Right there, huh?” He asked, focusing on the spot that was blurring your vision.
You groaned. The satisfying delight running through your veins. You closed your legs, wishing you could hold on to his body, but all he did was laugh, shoving his fingers leisurely into you.
“No, no Ethan,” you looked at him properly, thinking that if you hadn’t been with your wrists tied you’d have slapped his chest.
He wiped his hand on your thigh, and stood up slipping his jeans down his legs along with his underwear. You sighed at him, stretching your arms, staring at the ceiling to disguise yourself. Not that it was necessary, Ethan was already too much of a show-off when it came to you for your liking.
“You good? How’s your arms?” He doubted, getting on top of you.
He had his hair damp, falling over the spots on his forehead. Some of his locks was glued to his chest and his golden pendant dangled in front of your eyes. For a split second, you though about saying that you missed him, but you were wise enough to know better than doing such a thing.
“If I say that I’m not good. Are you goin’ to untie me?”
He pressed his chest to yours, your body sticking to his since you were both sweaty.
“Not even a chance,” He stroked your neck with his thumb, up and down, with a silly look on his face.
You grunted as soon as you felt how solid hard he was against your thigh, he aligned himself in-between your knees, holding on to your shoulders, and without hesitation he filled you up. Your body tingled and your voice failed, causing a silent moan to slip from your lips. His head fell over the crook of your neck and you could feel how dysrhythmic his breathing was. His warm body along with his breath hitting on your neck added a pleasant feeling in your stomach, leaving you dizzy under him.
“Move Ethan,” you tried to sound understandable, embracing his waist with your legs.
He thrusted deeply in you, leaving a breathed sigh of relief in your ears. You stretched out your arms, tightening your thighs around him. He held the shirt in your hands, preventing it from coming loose.
“No, I wanna touch you,” you whined.
“You will, just be patient, babe,” he squeezed your wrists in his hand.
Closing your eyes, you enjoyed the way his body was over yours, every movement and every delicate touch.
He went slowly at first, making sure you were taking all of him before going faster. Once he felt your walls clenching around him, he murmured a breathless 'fuck’, letting go of your hands so that you could finally feel him. You dug your nails into his back, kneading your body against his at the same time as he hugged you.
As you opened your eyes, he was already looking at you, with an intense gaze, building you up to feel sexy and wanted.
Both of you were a mess; sweaty and sticky. You felt a tingling ecstasy take all over your body, your toes twitching as you emptied yourself into him. He kept working on you until his body collapsed into yours, filling you up to perfection.
The last thing you remembered was having your fingers entwined in his hair, patting at it slightly as he whispered sweet nothing against your skin; just like a lullaby.
———–-------
You woke up to the noise of the television, trying to adjust your vision to the brightness of the daylight. Failing to stretch, you felt how sore your body was.
Your eyes searched for Ethan, finding him sitting opposite to you with a lazy smile and a cup of tea in hands, his attention was all on you. Friends was playing on the television, but you doubted he was really watching it.
“Good mornin’ babe,” his husky voice echoed through the room. It was the best thing to hear in the morning. “How’s it? Hurtin’?” He asked when you started examining your marked wrists.
He was fully dressed and although you weren’t, he had managed to get a sheet to cover you.
“Good mornin’. It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt,” you mumbled, scratching your eyes, curling up on the sheet. “How long will you be stayin’ in town?”
“Not long,” he paused thoughtfully. You already expected that he wouldn’t be with you for long, still sometimes you liked to think that it’d last longer than just a few days before he disappeared to another continent. “I need to go home in a few minutes, I’m going to take a flight at night to adjust the final details of the album.”
“Sounds nice,” you wanted to have the courage to tell him how he made things in your life look just right, as if he were some kind of piece missing from your puzzle. “I can’t wait to hear it, hear what your great fingers are capable of.” You ignored your thoughts. He laughed.
However, you truly believed that not saying anything was a wise move.
He lifted a cup from one of the boxes next to him, holding it out to you. “I made one for you too, I hope you don’t mind.”
You didn’t mind it, in fact, you loved the way he made himself at home so quickly. The home that soon wouldn’t be yours anymore. You wished Ethan could remedy your worries for more than just one night.
“Thank you,” you took the still warm drink in your hands, looking at him as if he were part of your decor. “You can smoke in here, I don’t mind that either,” you spoke up. You couldn’t even imagine that he’d have gone without lighting a cigarette all morning.
“The place is all clean, and smells nice. I bet you never lit one yourself, I wouldn’t do that.” He was right.
“Well, y'know that I don’t care about the smell, I just don’t see the need to leave the house impregnated with it.” You explained, remembering that Ethan’s house was a perfect description of that smell, yet you loved his place.
“I know this is going to sound strange,” he started. “But if you can’t find a place in time to live in… you can stay at mine, I mean, you know I am never home and as I’ll be travelin’ you could make yourself at home.”
He said it casually, and you knew he wasn’t lying, if you wanted to he wouldn't even think twice about letting you stay at his.
“No need, I’ll be fine. I do appreciate it though.” you took a sip of your now cold drink.
He bobbed, checking what you thought could be the time on his phone.
“You have to go, I guess?” You asked, your soft voice revealing you didn’t want that.
“I need to,” he gave you a small smile, getting up. “It’s gettin’ a bit late for me.”
“I see,” you went to him, adjusting the sheet on your body, feeling ridiculous for still being undressed. “I guess I’ll see you, right?” You added it while he picked up your stuff on the couch; keys, wallet and the pack of cigarettes. There was no answer for your question.
“Yeah,” he breathed out, heading to the door. “You could come and visit, spend a few days with us. It’d be nice.”
“On tour? Like a groupie?” You wrinkled your nose. His arms wrapping around you. You’d miss it.
He squeezed you into his chest, his tiny beard tickling your cheek. “You know you are much more than just a groupie for me, Y/N.”
You didn’t answer that. He pulled away and for a second you thought he was going to kiss you, but he didn’t.
“See ya Y/N,” instead, he kissed the top of your head. “Think about it, both about comin’ to visit and also about needing a place to stay for a while.”
“I’m sure I will, thank you Ethan,” you watched him, from his rumpled shirt to dark circles under his eyes. He’d always have a special space in your heart. “I guess I’ll see ya then.”
>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<
taglist ( 'cause someone actually wanted to be tagged, i didn't even force anyone😁): @maybanksslut , @oro-e-diamanti
613 notes · View notes
callme-barnes · 3 years
Text
A Lesson in the Art of Seduction
Tumblr media
*GIF does not belong to me!*
Summary: You love the way Bucky sounds when you’re making him fall apart. So after a night out, you decide to put a little plan into action to fulfill one of your fantasies. 
Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Fem!Reader
Word Count: 2,310
Warnings: SMUT (possibly poorly written), oral sex (m! receiving), IF YOU ARE A MINOR PLEASE DO NOT INTERACT! 18+ only!
A/N: Again, 18+ only! Minors DNI! Please do not repost my work anywhere! I wrote it for Tumblr so it should stay on Tumblr. Idk what the title is that’s the hardest part of this writing stuff! This is my first time ever writing smut of any kind. I’m surprised I was able to get it out on screen but I’ve had this idea on my mind all day so I guess that’s why I was able to finish it. Again, I’m not thinking much about posting this so I won’t back out so all mistakes are mine! Enjoy!
_____________________________________
If there was one thing about James Buchanan Barnes, just one thing, that you could enjoy every single day for the rest of your life was the way he sounded. The way he grunted after lifting something heavy. His gasping for air when he came back to the apartment from a run. The moans and groans in protest when you needed to get out of bed in the morning for work but he wasn’t quite ready to let you go just yet.
And then there was the not so PG version of those delightful sounds.
The grunting when he seated himself inside of you after a short dry spell when he went on a mission. The gasps you pulled out of him when you were riding him like you might never be able to again. The moans and groans he presented to you when he was fucking you into the mattress. Him fucking you was something you wanted until the day you would die to be honest. The power you felt you held, to be the reason the ex Winter Soldier was falling apart at the seams, was the best thing to have in your true opinion. It's a power you liked to take full advantage of, as well as test out every now and again.
Which brought you to this very moment in time. You were hardly the type to be jealous. It was a promise you made to yourself after a young life full of jealousy in partners. The feeling you had within you right now was not one of jealousy exactly, but more playful curiosity. You were both returning from a public Avengers event, a little earlier in the night than expected but the feeling you were feeling just couldn’t wait. It bubbled to the surface when you watched an investor get a little too close to Bucky. It seemed like the more their conversation went on, the closer she got and the more hands on she decided to get.
When you made your way over to them to join their conversation, the woman pulled out her card, handed it to Bucky and walked away, probably wanting to keep that mystery working for her. You remember the move well, it was what you used on Bucky when you first met him. You smirked to yourself when you approached him, him reiterating what the woman spoke to him about and you nodded in acknowledgment, your eyes peering up at him through your lashes, sending him a knowing look. A knowing that only you knew what was going to happen tonight, and he had no idea what was going to be coming to him.
Bucky had walked up to your apartment building and unlocked the door before stepping in and removing the jacket he had on, you following close behind him.
“Who would’ve thought these functions would start to become a monthly occurrence”
You laughed as you set your bag down on the counter and slipped off your heels, “Yeah well you are a part of the team. The rich people gotta know who their investing in after all”
Bucky reached out to you and hugged you to his chest, the gesture making you even more ready to show him exactly what you were all about. Just before he reached down to press a kiss to your neck his pocket began to vibrate. He let out a small groan, one of those cute little frustrated groans that you loved hearing from him so much. He reached in and pulled out his phone and answered, his face lightly exasperated. You heard a woman on the other side and you smirked a bit to yourself, realizing it was the woman from the party.
The plan you had to begin the night was in rotation, thanks to not only your scheming, but Natasha’s willingness to help you. Before you left you asked for the assistance from the super spy to get the woman from the party to give Bucky a call. You left Bucky’s side, his lips turning down into a frown as he began to hold a conversation, although it was very clear to you he would rather start doing something else.
You made your way to the room, slipping off your jewelry and letting Bucky drop his guard a bit. He had to be completely oblivious in order for you to get the reactions you wanted to get from him, and you were more determined than ever to get him to be vocal tonight. You knew he wouldn’t look at any other woman the way he looked at you, but tonight you wanted to just show him exactly why that was. You wanted him to fall apart, and you wanted to be the reason he did.
After about 5 minutes, you walked out to the living space seeing Bucky had unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and was sipping on a beer, sitting down on the couch as he continued his conversation. He looked up, giving you an apologetic look since he wasn’t supposed to be exactly working right now. You smirked a bit to yourself as you sent him back a reassuring smile before you pushed yourself away from the doorframe you were leaning against.
You maintained eye contact with him as you swayed your hips and made your way over to the couch. Bucky’s eyes watched you very closely, the way your hips moved and the way your legs looked in the dress you were wearing made his body react and you knew that. You made your way behind him, the sofa back separating you from him as you reached your hands to his shoulders. You began to massage his shoulders a bit, your fingers kneading into the thick muscle that was present there. Bucky let out a soft sigh in response, leaning back and enjoying the actions you were making. You leaned over to kiss the side of his neck as your hands slipped down from his shoulders to his chest, your lips now traveling up to his ear.
“Pay attention to your phone call Bucky, let’s not be rude”
The tip of Bucky’s tongue flicked out against his bottom lip as you made your way to stand in front of him, his eyes roaming down against you once again. You smiled at him before you ran your hands down the front of your body, making your way down to your knees in between his parted legs. Bucky made to sit up before you moved to press him back against the sofa again.
“I’m sorry can you hold for a second…”
You raised an eyebrow at him as he pulled the phone away from his ear, “What do you think you’re doing pretty girl?”
Your hand trailed down his chest, to his abdomen and continued its way down until you reached the tent that was fully formed in his dress pants, the hitch in his voice like music to your ego.
“Just being productive while you're preoccupied. Shouldn’t keep her waiting, finish your phone call James”
Bucky muttered a quick ‘fuck’ under his breath before he pulled the phone back to his ear, “I’m really sorry about that what were you saying?”
You maintained eye contact with him as you popped open the button to his pants and unzipped him, your other hand resting on the thickness of his thighs before making its way to release him from the confines of his briefs. His thick cock sprang free, slapping him lightly on his lower abdomen as your eyes moved from his face to the entire reason you were down on your knees. You sent him a smile, taking him in your hand and bringing him to your lips, the way his abs tightened making you more than excited to continue.
Bucky’s free hand reached down to caress your cheek and made its way up into your hair in anticipation. Your tongue reached out and began to lick at his dick slowly, taking your time to really map out where it was that made him shiver and clench up. You gave him that sultry look between your lashes and you could’ve sworn you saw his soul leave his body as you leaned up and took him into your mouth. You took your time, working on the tip of his dick before you felt you had him on edge enough to take him further into your mouth towards the back of your throat.
“Oh fuck...shit”
Bucky’s hand tightened into your hair, not quite pushing you down just yet but just holding onto you to keep him grounded in a way, “Sorry I was...I dropped something”
You internally laughed as you bobbed your head up and down his length, your hand fisting and pumping at the rest of what you weren’t quite ready to bless him with yet.
“No I don’t….I don’t think that would be a problem”
Bucky sounded breathless as he spoke, the way he was trying to maintain control was cute to you, but you knew you had him exactly where you wanted him. You wanted him breathless, and you wanted to be the reason why. You kept your pace, jerking him off and sucking him as he continued his conversation. When you felt he had gotten too comfortable controlling himself you removed your hand and pushed your head down to take in the rest of him down your throat, gagging around him in response. Bucky quickly jerked up in surprise, causing his hand to hold onto your hair tighter and pressed you down in the process.
“Shit! Holy fuck”
His hand reached to the back of your head as you sped up your head bobbing, now taking it upon himself to push you down against him and letting his hips meet you halfway into your mouth. You looked up at him again to gauge his face and holy fuck you were sure you were going to cum with how he was looking. His eyes were closed, his lips parted and in that tiny grin that you loved seeing on him because it meant he was thoroughly enjoying himself. Bucky twitched in your mouth, the beginnings of his orgasm coming when you suddenly slowed down your movements, wanting to keep him on the edge for as long as you possibly could.
“No I just...fuck I’m going to have to call you later. I’m sorry”
Bucky quickly hung up and through his phone behind him, his other hand reached over to join his grip on your head, causing you to let out a moan in response.
“Shit you’re such a bad girl baby. You like me watching me struggle to stay together don't you? That shit turn you on?”
You let out a hum in approval at his words as you sped up once again, spit dribbling from the corners of your mouth and your gagging getting less prominent the more you took his dick down your throat.
“Shit sweetheart, I’m gonna fucking cum. Want me to cum down your throat? You want this don’t you?”
Bucky grabbed onto your hair and pulled you completely off of him, making you gasp and look up at him as he leaned over and pulled you to meet him halfway, meeting you to kiss you roughly. It was all tongue and teeth, your hands rested on his thighs and your core pulsing in anticipation.
“Tell me. Tell me you want it”
He pushed you back down to your position as he took himself in his hand and pumped himself in front of you, making you whine with how hot he sounded to you right now.
“Fuck I want it. Give it to me Bucky please. Please I want it so bad”
Bucky smirked as he stopped pumping himself and pushed you close to him, you taking the hint and taking him completely down your throat once again, “Then take it baby. Fucking take it. Oh shit yes just like that Y/N”
You let out a moan, swearing that if it weren’t for Bucky’s hand in your hair you would think this was all just a dream. Bucky allowed himself to moan, a string of ‘oh shit’ and ‘fuck’ coming out of his mouth. Soon it turned into just your name, over and over again, causing you to grind down to receive some sort of friction, any type of friction. You felt Bucky pulse and tighten in your mouth before he released, the sound of his moans and gasps making you grind down a bit harder. His hand tightened in your hair as you continued sucking him off until he was spent, and even a little after that.
“Shit Y/N, you gotta...gotta stop baby”
You couldn’t help but continue, just for the simple fact that he wanted you to stop. Bucky moaned and grabbed you, pulling you off of him. You let out a small gasp for air as he pulled you off and you sat back on your heels, just watching him recover from your actions. His chest was rising and falling as he tried to catch his breath, his hand running through his hair before looking up and over at you. You sent him an innocent look, but the smirk that you sent him was the complete opposite. Devilish, sexy and a little bit mischievous.
“Shit Y/N you....I don’t know what all that was about, but I’ve got a feeling you had that planned somehow”
You smiled and shrugged, “Just had to prove a point to myself”
Bucky let out a groan and smiled before he moved over quickly grabbing you and standing up. You yelled as you wrapped your legs around him and laughed as he made his way over to your room, “My turn now you little minx”
637 notes · View notes
cherienymphe · 3 years
Text
Cruel Intentions (Steve Rogers x Reader)
Tumblr media
WARNINGS: NON-CON, manipulation, mentions of abuse, therapist!Steve, silverfox!Steve, drugging
! DNI IF THIS OFFENDS YOU !
➥ Image by @angrybirdcr
      ➥ dividers by @firefly-graphics
This is for the “For the Fic” challenge whose winner for my fic was @darkficsyouneveraskedfor​
The entire plot was her request and I hope that you like it!
summary: after escaping an abusive ex, you find solace in a therapist recommended to you by a friend. 
~
“...I know I shouldn’t...but sometimes I blame myself. In Harry, I know that I was looking for what I never had in my family. I think it made me quick to rush into things...to ignore what I should have seen.”
Your eyes remained on the dark carpet, the man before you humming as the scribbling sound of his pen reached your ears. You fought hard not to fidget, a horrible habit you’d picked up in the last 3 years. You finally lifted your head again when the room was bathed in silence, eyes meeting familiar blue ones as he studied you.
You were used to these short moments of silence by now.
You’d been recommended to Dr. Steve Rogers by a friend, a friend who’d helped you escape your violent ex in the dead of night while he’d been away on business. She had grown worried when it became obvious that the effects of your tumultuous relationship would be lasting if you didn’t do something about it. Oddly enough, you’d been receptive. For 2 whole years, you’d wanted to tell someone, have anyone to turn to and talk to, but fear, a very valid fear, had stopped you.
Not only had you been worried for your life, something that was threatened on a constant basis, but you’d also been afraid of judgement. You worried what your friends would say, if they’d blame you for finding yourself in such a predicament, if they’d look down on you for no longer fighting back. It was only by a stroke of luck that Nakia had seen Harry slap you right across the face when he thought she’d left. You were grateful that she’d waited for him to leave before rushing towards your trembling frame, pulling you into her arms as she shushed you.
She had demanded to know how long this had been going on. She had been horrified and confused and angry. It didn’t take her long to come up with a plan, and within 2 weeks, after waiting for Harry to leave the city for 2 days, she’d gotten you out and into her place across town. You didn’t stay for long, maybe a few weeks, wanting nothing but to put it all behind you, and although she was sad to see you go, she understood.
It was how you found yourself in upstate New York, in a secluded tiny thing of a house. You hadn’t even realized that you’d become something of a recluse until Nakia had pointed it out during one of your weekly calls. It had never hit you that you went to work and to home and that was it. You barely ate anymore, so grocery shopping was never a frequent affair. That was when she’d told you about a well known therapist in the area, Steven G. Rogers. You had been shocked by how much you weren’t opposed to the idea as she went on listing all of his credentials. 
It was only moments after she hung up that you found yourself researching him yourself. You remembered noting how handsome the man was, even more so in person. His bright blue eyes and silver tresses complimented his strong features nicely, pink lips pulled up into a polite smile. You didn’t find yourself put off by the stranger, thinking to yourself that talking to someone you didn’t know, an objective listener who was paid not to judge you, might be for the best.
You soon found out that was easier said than done.
The first visit had been rocky, barely mumbling a thing and constantly fidgeting. You had hardly been able to meet his eye, and the session had abruptly ended when you’d left early, stumbling over your words as you gave some half assed excuse for your sudden departure. He was far more understanding than you deserved during your second visit. Wracked with guilt and anxiety, you’d written some things down that you wanted to talk about, and thankfully, the man hadn’t laughed at you. In fact, you remembered how fondly he looked at you as you unfolded it.
As it turned out, you didn’t need the slip of paper at all. Notes forgotten, you had rambled on for an hour. It was like once you started, you just couldn’t stop, and Steve simply listened the entire time. The next time he spoke to you was only to tell you that your time was up, and both embarrassment and disappointment had flooded through you. It must have been obvious, plain as day on your features, because Steve reassured you that it was normal to ramble. 
You had been reluctant to leave. After years of biting your tongue and living in fear of even making the wrong sound, you finally found someone to listen. Even if it was only a stranger getting paid for it, it was still something. There was someone to express your fears to, and although it had taken some time, terrified that you’d say the wrong thing and upset him, eventually, you started to express your anger too.
“...and then I get angry all over again,” you continued when he said nothing. “...because I’m smart, because red flags in others’ relationships have always been so obvious to me. I’ve always been the mom friend, the one who can spot trouble before it even starts. I’ve helped friends get out of situations before they even had the chance to turn sour…”
You shook your head.
“...and yet...it took a slap to the face to realize just how deep I was in? Not the jealousy, not the anger issues nor the way he’d isolated me from just about everyone in my life...but a slap? It should’ve never gotten to that.”
“You can’t blame yourself for the actions of others.”
It wasn’t the first time you’d heard that. Hell, it wasn’t even the first time he’d told you that, and yet here you were again.
“We can go in circles analyzing your own behavior and the things you did and the things you said, but the truth is that you could play it out in your head a million times. You could do every single thing differently, and it still wouldn’t change a thing.”
The corner of his lips lifted into a crooked smile, a familiar sight.
“Some people are simply cruel, and it has nothing at all to do with you.”
You sharply inhaled, unsure of why such a simple statement resonated with you so deeply. You stared at Steve, blinking a few times, opening your mouth to respond when he glanced at the clock. It was a tell tale sign, and your shoulders sagged. You would think that after seeing him for 7 months now, you’d be used to leaving after only an hour, but it never got easier.
“That’s all the time we have for today,” he said, standing. “You’re progressing nicely, Y/N.”
You rolled your eyes, and he chuckled, eyes crinkling. 
“You are. Progress and healing isn’t linear. Sometimes you’re going to take 2 steps back before you can take 10 more forward. It’s all part of the process,” he assured you.
You sighed.
“Well… I guess that does make me feel a bit better,” you replied.
He sent you a small smile as he guided you towards the door.
“I’ll see you next week?”
You returned his smile with a nod and didn’t let your face fall until the door was shut behind you. The good thing about therapy was that you could recognize your own toxic behaviors now, and it was clear that you were becoming reliant on your sessions with Steve. You had never liked being alone, but you had come all the way out here to learn to do just that. For your sake, you needed to learn to love being alone. It was how you had gotten into this mess to begin with.
Your phone vibrated with a call from an unknown number, and figuring it was a scam call, you silenced it.
Your house was practically in the middle of nowhere, so when the tv wasn’t blasting or you didn’t have Spotify playing some light tune, the house could get scarily quiet. But that was what you wanted...right? Harry had always been so explosive. The smallest of things could set him off and then the sound of yelling and shattering glass would rain down on you. Silence and solitude was what you wanted, needed.
Your phone buzzed again as you settled into your car, and you huffed when you noticed it was the same number. Again, you weren’t unfamiliar with scam callers so you ignored it. You noted that you needed to go grocery shopping, but you weren’t on the precipice of starvation just yet, so it could hold off for another day. By the time you got inside, your phone had started to buzz again, and with a frown, you decided to answer it.
“Hello?”
You were met with silence as you unlocked your door, and you repeated yourself, but there was no response. With a sigh, you hung up the phone. You both loved and hated coming home. It was quiet and safe and everything you had craved for years now, but the unfamiliarity of it all unnerved you. Sometimes you were just waiting for Harry to come flying through the door, screaming and breaking things. You had to remind yourself that this silence, this security, is how it’s supposed to be.
You went about making a quick meal, hopping into the shower while leaving the stove on low. When you got out, in the process of moisturizing your arms, you noticed your phone buzzing with another call. From that same number. Unease filled you as you neared it, and you hesitantly reached for it before answering.
Again, you were met with silence, and frustrated and annoyed, you simply blocked the number. A quick look through your phone revealed that you’d missed several calls from the same number while in the bathroom. Blinking with a deepening frown, you set your phone down and made your way to your kitchen. Dinner, like always these days, was quiet. You curled up on the couch with your plate while you watched some old sitcom.
The rest of the night passed as blandly as it always did. Sleep was much easier to find these days, so you had no trouble as soon as your head hit the pillow. However, just as you were on the verge, your phone buzzed with another call. This number didn’t match the previous one, but it was unknown nonetheless. With a groan, you put your phone on silent and rolled over, sleep claiming you.
Tumblr media
“I know it’s you,” you sneered into the phone.
Unsurprisingly, you were met with the faint sound of breathing, and you clenched your jaw. You slammed the car door behind you before stomping across the parking lot.
“I know it’s you,” you quietly repeated. “Stay away from me.”
You hung up before blocking the number, the 10th number you had blocked in the past week. Every few hours or so a day, like clockwork, you got calls from an unknown number. You’d always end up blocking the number after the first few calls, but they always called again from a different one. At first, they’d say nothing, and you’d listen to silence for a few seconds before hanging up. Now, they’d taken to breathing in your ear like a creep. It wasn’t even until you blocked the 3rd number did it finally hit you.
Harry.
Harry freaking Osborn.
You felt like such an idiot for not putting it together sooner. Of course, it was Harry. Was this not the same man who threatened to hunt you down and drag you back like some animal if you ever left him? You had always equated woman beaters to cowards so you never thought he’d have the nerve to actually do it. Putting the pieces together didn’t bring you any comfort. Your filthy rich abusive ex had managed to track you down. What comfort was there to find in that?
Since that day, you hadn’t had a proper night of sleep. Your mind was constantly at war with itself on what to do. Having been down this road before, you knew the police would be no help. You’d gone to them once before, at the very beginning after the first time he’d hit you. It was your first harsh lesson that money ruled over everything. If you thought hard enough, you could still recall his hands around your throat, eyes alight with anger at what you’d tried to pull.
Still, you considered at least trying to get a restraining order but at the end of the day, that was a mere piece of paper. If Harry came to your door, it wasn’t going to stop him from hurting you, and that’s even if the whole process went through. They don’t just give restraining orders out willy nilly. You tried not to dwell on that hypothetical situation, but if he’d found your number, it would only be a matter of time before he found your address.
“Oh!”
You’d only just entered the grocery store, barely stepping into an aisle when you bumped into someone. The chips and bread in his hands went flying to the floor, and apologies tumbled from your lips. It was only after you helped him pick up what you made him drop did you realize who you’d run into.
“Dr. Rogers...hi,” you breathed.
The corner of his lips pulled into a crooked smile, head tilting to the side as his gaze fell onto you.
“We’ve discussed this before, Y/N. You’re more than welcome to call me Steve,” he told you.
You gave a nervous chuckle, nodding.
“Yeah...uh… I normally do, it just...it just slipped my mind,” you replied.
He blinked at you, eyes narrowing just a bit as he studied you. His brows furrowed in that concerned way you were used to, a silver strand of hair kissing his forehead.
“Everything okay…?”
You folded your arms over your chest, nodding with a strained smile.
“Everything’s fine,” you lied. “It’s just… It’s been a weird week. Our next session cannot come fast enough.”
You forced a light laugh, and he joined you. He placed a hand on his hip, eyes boring into your own.
“There’s a coffee shop just over there,” he gestured. “Did you want to sit and have a chat?”
You frantically shook your head.
“Oh, no. I couldn’t,” you told him. “I-.”
“I know I’m your therapist, but I want you to think of me as a confidant outside of the office too. You’re more than welcome to talk to me anytime. In fact, I encourage it,” he interrupted. 
You nervously eyed him with a frown.
“Are...are you sure?”
His smile was comforting.
“This may be my job, but it’s one I chose because it’s one I enjoy. I don’t want you to feel like you’re only allowed to talk to me during our sessions,” he quietly said.
You bit your lip, and Steve continued.
“I’d hate to think that you’re bottling things up for days on end, suffering in silence because you’re just waiting to talk to me,” he confessed.
Your shoulders sagged, and you hesitantly nodded.
“...okay. I just need to get a few things for the house.”
“Okay,” he said with a smile. “You know where to find me.”
You parted ways, and a sigh escaped you. You really didn’t want to become reliant on Steve. Wasn’t the whole point of therapy to learn how to process your feelings and cope with them better? Running to your therapist every time you have a problem just seemed counterproductive. And yet, once your car was loaded up with the few items you bought, you found yourself making your way to the coffee shop.
After ordering a small drink, you easily spotted Steve at a table in the back. You noted that even outside of your sessions, he still dressed nicely. The dark button down he wore contrasted with his light hair, dark slacks making him appear taller. You felt simultaneously nervous and comforted as you settled across from him. There was a brief silence, one in which you sipped on your drink while he eyed you before finally speaking.
“So what’s on your mind?”
What a loaded question. You struggled over whether or not to tell him the truth. Your abusive ex had found you somehow and was currently harassing you. That’s not something you could just casually drop into the conversation. Besides, Steve was your therapist, not your friend. You didn’t think it fair to rope him into the drama with your ex. That wasn’t part of his job description. Right?
“Just sleepless nights,” you said.
It wasn’t a complete lie. Steve eyed you like he was waiting for you to continue, blue eyes soft.
“I’m also worried that...my past might not remain in the past.”
Once again, this wasn’t a complete lie. 
“How so?” Steve hummed.
“I can’t help but wonder about what will happen if Harry finds me. He always threatened that he would if I ever left, and while I never believed him before, I just keep wondering… What if he does?”
Steve tilted his head at you, and you leaned back in your seat with a sigh.
“I’ve moved all the way out here to get away from him. I’ve isolated myself because I thought it was for the best, but it would have the opposite effect if he ever found me. I’ve never been particularly close with my family as you well know, and I’ve left all of my friends. I’m all alone here, and it’s the worst thing to be if he ever did track me down.”
Like always, you had started to ramble, and you snapped your mouth closed, embarrassment flooding through you.
“What brought all of this on?”
Steve’s eyes were sincere as he ran them over you, handsome face twisted in concern, and you glanced away.
“Just thinking,” you lamely replied, eyes on your drink now. “It’s something I’ve always thought about, sure, but it’s been more pressing as of late.”
“Well...that’s what I’m here for. You shouldn’t have to deal with these thoughts alone,” he eventually said.
“I know,” you sighed, rubbing your temples. “...but I shouldn’t become so reliant on you. The whole point of therapy is to learn to deal with these things on my own, is it not?”
Steve exhaled, leaning back in his seat as he gazed at you.
“Not necessarily. Not always,” he answered. “...but even then, until you can get to that point, it’s best to lean into your support. After all, you’ve gotta crawl before you can walk, right?”
You nodded, taking in his words.
“...and even when you’re walking, you usually need someone there in the beginning to hold your hand in case you fall. I encourage you to talk to your friends more, maybe even branch out and find some friends here, but I’m here as well. Don’t halt any of your progress because you feel like you need to be dealing with this alone. Outside help does more for your progress than you’d think.”
“I guess that does make sense. I don’t know… I just- I’d feel so bad about showing up at your office throughout all hours of the day or calling your receptionist-.”
You cut yourself off when he took out a pen and a slip of paper.
“Here,” he said, scribbling a number on it before handing it to you. “This is my personal number.”
Your eyes widened. 
“Oh, I can’t-.”
“It’s fine, trust me.”
You hesitantly returned his smile, taking the piece of paper.
“Don’t hesitate to call me anytime you want to,” he told you, standing.
You joined him, fingering the note before sliding it into your pocket.
“Thank you…Steve. I don’t know if I’ll ever actually call you, but just knowing that I have the option makes me feel so much better,” you whispered.
You heard his pager go off, and you watched as he glanced at it. He let out a sigh, and if you didn’t know any better, you’d say he sounded disappointed.
“I’ve got to go, but I hope you’ll use that number if you need to.”
Thanking him again, you said your goodbyes, and you watched as he exited the shop. The slip of paper felt heavy in your pocket, so you solved that by putting his number into your phone. Just as you were about to put it back into your purse, it buzzed with a call from an unknown number. Fear settled into your gut, and with a grimace, you silenced the call and blocked the number.
Tumblr media
You were late. You were so late it was laughable to even show up at this point. Your shoes tapped against the tile as the numbers on the elevator lit up as it passed each floor. You slipped through the doors as soon as they parted, and with no mind to check in, the receptionist calling your name, you raced towards Steve’s office. You reached his door just as he opened it to step out, and the papers that he was holding scattered to the floor as you collided with him. You hadn’t even realized how fast you’d been running until you were knocked on your ass. 
You could hear the heels of the receptionist as she ran over, apologizing to Steve for letting you slip past her, but he waved her off. She reluctantly returned to her desk, and you scrambled to sit up, reaching for everything that had fallen.
“I was beginning to think you’d never show,” Steve joked.
You gave a shaky laugh.
“I uh...I got caught up,” you replied through trembling lips, fingers shaking as you struggled to stack all of his paperwork.
You could feel Steve’s eyes on you, but you avoided his gaze.
“I know I’m late. Our hour is practically over, but I- I just… Um, crap.”
You had dropped the papers all over again, and you both reached for them at the same time. At least, that was what you thought. Steve’s hands covered yours, and you only just realized how badly they were shaking.
“Y/N.”
His voice was soft, exactly what you needed right now, but you couldn’t look him in the eye.
“Y/N, is everything alright?”
Your chest was tight, and you wanted to will your lips to form a yes. You wanted to tell him that everything was fine, but you couldn’t even get the words out. He called your name again, and you suddenly stood, taking the papers with you. You handed them to him as he followed your lead, still avoiding his eye.
“I’m sorry for being late, and I know that you probably have another session-.”
“I don’t,” he interrupted. “Come in.”
You glanced up from beneath your lashes as he opened the door, ushering you inside. You wrapped your arms around yourself as he shut the door behind you.
“Is everything okay?”
You turned your face away from him, unable to keep it from crumbling as you held in a sob.
“Y/N.”
The way he called your name had you freezing in place, a shiver running through you at his firm tone, authority in the one simple word. In a way, it reminded you of Harry, and you looked to him with wide eyes. Seeming to understand what he’d done, Steve sighed before sitting down, making himself appear smaller to show that he wasn’t a threat to you.
“I’m sorry,” he genuinely apologized. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. Please...sit.”
You hesitantly did so and reached out to take the tissue he offered you. You hadn’t even realized that you’d started crying.
“Now… I’m going to ask you again, and I’m begging you to please be honest with me. I’m here to help you in any way I can,” he whispered.
You wiped your face, sinking your teeth into your lip.
“It’s...Harry.”
Steve’s face was pinched with concern.
“What is it? Are you having nightmares again-?”
“No, you don’t understand. He’s calling me,” you confessed.
Steve froze, blinking a few times before his eyes widened, your words finally registering. You sniffed, fighting to hold in a sob.
“It started weeks ago, before we ran into each other that night…”
You didn’t miss the disappointment that flitted over his features, lips pressed together.
“...and I know I should’ve said something then-.”
“You should’ve called me.”
“I know! I know, but… I don’t know. I just wanted to handle this on my own,” you quietly said.
He didn’t respond, and you turned your eyes towards the window.
“Last time...I wasn’t able to get away on my own. I wanted it to be different this time. At first, I simply blocked him but he kept calling and calling from different numbers. Then I got a new phone...and eventually another, but it’s still the same. He keeps finding me,” you tearfully told him. “...and today…”
Your eyes met his, and you were comforted by the concern you saw there.
“Today I was at the police station. That’s why I was late.”
Steve straightened up at this.
“I thought that maybe I could get a restraining order or maybe they could trace the calls to show that it’s him, but the whole visit was useless. They boiled it down to petty relationship drama, and since there’s no record of his violent behavior because I never reported anything…”
You shrugged, scoffing.
“There’s basically nothing they can do. The whole visit was a waste,” you spat.
Steve heaved a sigh, and he slowly reached out towards you, leaning forward.
“I didn’t ask before, but… Is it alright if I hold your hand?”
You nodded. That was what you liked about Steve. He was always asking for your consent with just about everything, even the simplest of things, and it was such a nice contrast to Harry who used to feel like he was entitled to your body. Steve took your hand, throwing you a comforting smile as he eyed you, worried.
“I wish that you had called me,” he said.
You looked down, guilt filling you.
“I could have helped you before it ever got to this point. I have friends on the force, friends in high places who could lock this creep up if you wanted.”
“I feel like an idiot.”
Of course Steve, Dr. Steven Rogers, knew people who could help you. Of course he did! Your stubbornness had gotten you far deeper into this than necessary. 
“What have I said about self deprecating language?”
“Sorry,” you murmured.
“You’re not an idiot. Don’t talk about yourself like that. You’re just a woman trying to find her strength again.”
You hesitantly nodded, and he brushed his thumb over the back of your hand.
“I want you to get rid of your phone,” he suggested.
You frowned, and he continued before you could question him.
“I’ll work on getting a new one for you. A secure one under my name.”
You frowned, not liking the idea of being so indebted to him.
“Steve, I don’t know-.”
“It’ll only be temporary. You can use it until I talk to some people and have him properly dealt with.”
Even though you weren’t keen on the idea, you reluctantly agreed.
“...and you have to promise me one thing…”
You eyed him, holding his gaze as you waited for him to continue.
“Promise me that you’ll call me the second he bothers you again,” he proposed.
Accepting the fact that your stubbornness was doing you more harm than good, you nodded. Steve seemed pleased with that, and with one last pat on your hand, he let you go. As he guided you out of your office, your phone in his hand, you felt more hopeful than you had in over a month. You felt so silly for not seeking out his help sooner, and you couldn’t deny the weight that had been lifted from your shoulders as you settled into your car.
True to his word, at your next session, Steve presented you with a new phone. It had all of your important contacts with Steve being at the top of the list. Embarrassment had flooded you as you thanked him with tears in your eyes. The week without your phone had been the most peace you’d had in a while, and you finally got some much needed rest.
“You haven’t heard anything from him, have you?” he’d asked you.
“No,” you answered, shaking your head. “Not a peep.”
He threw you that same smile that always brought you comfort.
“Good. Even if you never do, you’re always free to call me,” he’d reminded you.
Finally deciding to let your stubbornness go, you did. Talking to Steve outside of your sessions was easier than you thought it’d be. It was like talking to a friend. Sometimes you’d meet up at that same coffee shop not too far from his office, and other times you’d be putting a quick meal together while he was on the other line, listening to you ramble. You soon realized that it wasn’t just his profession that made him that way, but Steve truly was an unbiased listener. He never judged you for any steps back in your progress nor for any of your more self deprecating thoughts.
Best of all, you hadn’t heard anything more from Harry.
Not until he knocked on your door one night.
It was late when you’d heard the pounding on the wood, and having been watching tv in your room, you wondered if you imagined it. It was only moments later that you’d heard it again. Your eyes had widened, sitting up in alarm. No one knew you lived here. Not even your mailman. All of your mail collected at a Post Office box before you eventually went to pick it up. You stood, standing in your room, trembling in fear before a knock on your bedroom window had you screaming.
You didn’t hesitate to call the police, and it took longer than you liked for them to arrive. All the while, you dealt with knocking and pounding on your window and door. Back and forth, it alternated with minutes in between before stopping altogether when the sound of sirens could be heard. Unsurprisingly, and frustratingly, the police didn’t find anyone.
“Look, we’ll get this report down to the station,” the brunette had told you, not looking concerned in the least.
Frustration filled you, and you shuffled on your feet.
“Can’t you...idk, have someone stay here? Not even the whole night but just a few hours in case they come back?”
The tall man sighed, and you glanced at his badge. Officer Barnes, you noted.
“With all due respect mam, we can’t just have one of our officers sitting in your yard because someone knocked on your door-.”
“I told you-!”
“I know, I know. The windows too,” he said, sounding exasperated, and your frown deepened. “The best we can do is get this down to the station. You’re more than welcome to call us again should anyone come back.”
You crossed your arms over your chest as they left, finding no relief. You swallowed as you thought about Steve. You didn’t want to, but Harry had found you, tormenting you by knocking on your house in the dead of night. This was exactly the reason Steve had given you his number. Swallowing down your stubbornness, and with a deep breath, you called him.
He didn’t sound like he was asleep, and for that you were grateful. You would’ve kicked yourself if you had woken him up. Finally getting out why you’d called him was an awkward affair, stumbling over your words, and you felt even worse as he agreed to come over. There was no hesitation, and you couldn’t help but feel as if you were taking advantage of Steve’s generosity. 
You mumbled out your address, surprised to realize how relieved you were. You couldn’t remember the last time you had trusted a man this much. Harry had made you so paranoid, but you supposed that was what therapy was for. This was why you had all those sessions with Steve. To learn to heal and to trust again.
You opened the door with a small smile when he finally pulled into your yard. He was dressed comfortably, and you felt much better about your own ratty t-shirt and leggings, but his casual attire made him no less striking. 
“Thank you,” you breathed as he stepped inside.
“I was up going over paperwork when you called. I’m glad you did,” he told you.
You leaned against the door as you closed it, rubbing your arms.
“I didn’t know if I should. It’s just… He was here, Steve. Knocking on my door and window like something out of a horror movie, and the police treated it like it was nothing,” you complained.
Steve tilted his head at you with a sad smile.
“First thing in the morning, I’m going to make some more calls. Since he’s in town, it should be easy to have him put away. At the very least, a restraining order.”
Relief and hope filled you as you brushed past him.
“I really can’t thank you enough for coming over. I promise I won’t keep you long, just until I feel I can be ok being alone,” you said over your shoulder.
He followed you into the kitchen.
“Can I get you anything to drink? Eat? It’s the least I can do.”
“Some wine might be nice. You might want to pour yourself a glass too,” he suggested.
You chuckled, and he joined you, but you agreed with him nonetheless. You poured a glass for both of you, and you leaned against the counter with a sigh.
“I just don’t understand why he can’t leave me alone. Hasn’t he put me through enough?”
Steve hummed.
“From what you’ve told me, he strikes me as a narcissist. I’d bet that he doesn’t want you to move on,” he mused.
“Maybe,” you distractedly replied as you heard your phone ring. “I’ll be right back. Let me grab that super quick, it might be Nakia.”
Your phone was in your room, but by the time you reached it, it had stopped ringing. Sure enough, it was a missed call from your best friend, and you brought your phone with you to the kitchen, determined to call her back. Steve’s eyes were fond when you returned, and you shrugged.
“I need to call her back. I’ll only be a moment,” you said, swiping your glass.
“Take all the time you need.”
You made your way to the living room, taking your place on the couch as you called her back. She answered almost immediately.
“Hey, what’s up?”
She greeted you with a soft exhale.
“Uh… Harry’s...dead.”
You froze at her words, pulling the glass away from your lips. You blinked a few times, trying to come to terms with what she’d said.
“...what?”
“I just found out. I honestly didn’t know how you’d take the news, but I thought you should know.”
She was right. You yourself didn’t even know how you felt about this news. You had loved this man at one point...but he was also your abuser. This was good news...right?
“How?” you finally asked her.
She sighed.
“Apparently, he’d been missing for months-.”
“Months?”
“Yeah,” she quietly replied. “They found and identified his body today. I just saw it on the news.”
Your stomach twisted as the truth, and the meaning behind it, sank in. Just because Harry had been missing for months, it didn’t mean that he’d been dead for months. It very well could have been him harassing you like you believed. But...if they’d found and identified his body today, then there was no way it was him at your house tonight.
“Thank you,” you eventually said. “Um… I’m glad you told me.”
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’ll be okay,” you honestly replied. “I’m just a little unsure of how I feel about all of this, but I’ll call you tomorrow when I’ve slept on it.”
“Alright. Be safe.”
You said your goodbyes and returned to the kitchen with an empty glass.
“Everything okay?” Steve questioned.
Your face must have been an open book.
“Harry’s dead,” you scoffed, blinking as you still fought to process this.
Steve didn’t respond, and just like one of your sessions, he seemed to be waiting for you to continue.
“Apparently he’d been missing for months and they just identified his body today. There’s no way it could have been him knocking on my door tonight, and now...now I’m even more scared than I was before,” you confessed. “God, I can’t even fully come to terms with my feelings on this because I’m realizing that Harry might not have been the only thing I should’ve been afraid of.”
“Hey,” Steve soothingly said, nearing you. “Are you sure it wasn’t someone who got lost? Maybe they had the wrong house?”
You thought about it before shaking your head.
“No, it definitely didn’t seem like that. Oh my God,” you cried, letting your head fall into your hands.
Steve pulled you into his arms, startling you, but you eventually relaxed, the wine settling into your system nicely.
“It’s going to be alright-.”
“What if it isn’t? Because I’m the idiot who thought that Harry was the only possible danger out there, I’ve attracted another without even realizing it.”
“Hey, hey,” he soothed. “Maybe it was nothing, and maybe it was more. Either way, I’m only a phone call away. Say the word, and I’ll have an officer living in your yard if need be.”
You chuckled at that, and nodded.
“Thank you,” you said, looking at him. “I-.”
You swallowed your words when his lips met yours, soft and demanding as they moved against your own. You were stunned, and it took you a moment to realize just what was happening before you pulled away. You stared at Steve with wide eyes, hesitantly reaching up to touch your lips as you took a step back.
“Steve…”
“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that,” he breathed.
Your lips parted, a soft gasp escaping you at both his words and the fire in his gaze. It was so sudden and great that it froze you.
“Steve, I think… I think you should go,” you whispered, almost in disbelief.
He frowned at you, tilting his head just a tad as he folded his arms over his chest.
“Go? Why would I do that when you’re not feeling well?”
You opened your mouth to repeat yourself, even demand to know what he meant, but a sudden wave of nausea hit you, head feeling fuzzy. Steve caught you just as you stumbled, and you frowned, fighting to get out of his arms.
“What…?”
“You seemed really tense. I thought you could use something to take the edge off…”
You stared at him in disbelief, attempting to blink away the stars in your vision. Your legs felt like they were made of Jell-O as Steve guided you towards the living room. He deposited you on the couch, and you could hardly do anything as he laid you down, sitting beside you. His blue eyes, normally so soft and comforting, were dark with a longing you had never seen before.
“You were like a wounded little lamb when you first came to me,” he murmured, brushing his thumb over your lip. “So lost...broken… It’s because of me that you’re even halfway back together again.”
His hands moved to slowly undress you, taking his time, and your hands might as well had been air as you tried to stop him. You shuddered as the cool air in the house hit you, nipples pebbling, even more so when Steve brushed his fingers over them.
“I wanted to wrap you in my arms during that first session. Drag you back as you tried to leave, show you how a woman should be touched by a man.”
You were in a state of shock, disbelief coursing through you as you watched Steve undress. Even at his age, the man was a wall of muscle, thick bands making you swallow in fear as you hopelessly tried to tell yourself that this was a dream.
“Steve,” you whispered.
“I had to be patient. I didn’t want to scare you off, push you into the arms of another dangerous man. I had to help you heal before showing the kind of man I can be for you,” he told you, fingers on your face as he neared you again.
Your whole body felt weighed down, and you couldn’t stop your tears even if you wanted to. Your touch was light as you pressed your hands to his chest, feeling like you were going to be sick as he settled over you.
“Harry is gone. He can’t hurt you anymore, and I’m going to make sure no one ever hurts you again.”
The irony was not lost on you, but the way he said that struck something in you, and your mind traveled to the unthinkable. You didn’t get the chance to think about it some more before Steve was forcing himself inside of you. A choking noise escaped you as he filled you to the hilt, your legs spread wide to accommodate his frame. Steve released a shuddering breath, breathing through his nose, body trembling as he delighted in the feel of you wrapped around him.
It was amazing that while all of your senses felt dulled, you could feel his pulsing member inside of you so well. He surrounded you, bulky frame caging you in, and you felt like you would pass out from suffocation. Steve sighed just before his lips met yours, and your stomach clenched as he moved within you. A broken moan slipped out against your will, and Steve groaned at the sound.
“I’ll show you pleasure that you’ve never known, touch you in ways you never felt. I know how to make you happy,” he purred, his pace languid as he thrust in and out of you.
You turned your head away, the furniture of your living room blurring together from whatever he’d slipped into your drink.
“I know your deepest desires and your deepest fears. I know you better than anyone else out there…”
You hated that in a way, Steve was right. You’d bared yourself to him under the guise of trust and healing. He really did know all there was to know about you, and you hated yourself for it. You hated him for hiding his intentions so well, for taking advantage of your vulnerability and trauma. He tutted as you started to squirm beneath him.
“After all I’ve done for you...in all the ways I’ve helped you, the least you could do is give yourself to me. I deserve to reap the benefits of my efforts-.”
You gasped beneath him, legs kicking around him, but he only pressed himself more firmly against you.
“...I’ve gone out of my way to make sure you were safe, to protect you so that no more threats remained to you nor our relationship.”
“You’re crazy-.”
You cut yourself off with a yelp as he nipped at your neck, jerking in his hold as he continued to snap his hips into yours. His hands were gentle on you, a contrast to how he fucked you, his pace increasing with every passing minute. Despite the fact that you could hardly move, he wrapped his arms around you, holding you in place as the sound of your coupling filled the room, your core now wet and slick from his ministrations.
Steve seemed intoxicated, blissfully immersed in the feel of you and how you clung to him. His low groans and moans filled your ear, and you could do nothing as he covered your lips again, tongue tasting you, moaning at the taste of wine that still remained.
“My touch will never cause you harm, bringing you nothing but pleasure for the rest of our lives.”
~
tags:  @xoxabs88xox​ @harryspet​ @readermia​ @opheliadawnwalker3​ @nickyl316h​ @captainchrisstan​ @sebabestianstan101​ @villanellevi​ @lokislastlove​ @notyourtypicalrose​ @coconutqueen21​ @hurricanerin​ @hyoyeoniie​ @sherrybaby14​ @cocoamoonmalfoy​ @mandiiblanche​ @gotnofucks​ @oneoftheprettynerds​ @doozywoozy​ @sapphirescrolls​ @threeminutesoflife​ @searchforanotherway​ @mcudarklibrary​ @buckybarnesplumwhore​ @widowsmaximoff​ @nerdygirl8203​  @supernaturalwintersoldier​ @charmed-asylum  @harrysthiccthighss​ @patzammit​
1K notes · View notes
harryspet · 4 years
Text
painted with bruises | bucky barnes
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
[Warnings] severe domestic violence, bucky barnes x reader, dark!steve rogers x reader, mafia!bucky, officer!steve, oral sex (female recieving), kidnapping, bondage, extreme violence, torture, so much angst, steve is a suuuper bad person in this haha
[A/N] This is a super last minute entry into @tilltheendwilliwrite ‘s 7.7K Follower (Covid Sucks) Celebration! so I hope you enjoy.
TRIGGERING AND ADULT CONTENT AHEAD
In which Bucky kidnaps you in order to get close to his enemy, Steve, but realizes that Steve isn’t the hero he used to be.
word count: 3.5k
taglist: @cherienymphe​ @peterztinglez @lovelynerdytraveler @buckybarney @hollandsdream @micki-smiles @buckybarnesplumwhore @arts-ismything @saharzek @lovemassivelybeautifulbouquet @what-is-your-wish @brattypeony @hermayone @buckysugar  @nsfwsebbie  @mandiiblanche
main masterlist
He twirled his knife through his fingers, passing the time, as he waited for you to finally come to. He’d seen a million pictures of you but, seeing you so close in person, Bucky couldn’t help but think that your pictures didn’t do you justice. You were a mostly a ghost to society and, as someone who’s only family was Steve and someone who lived comfortably in his shadow, you had no one to truly gaze upon your beauty.
You were a hidden gem and Bucky understood a little more why Steve kept you so close to him. No matter how much you trained and proved your strength, you were still a prize. A very useful prize though. Bucky leaned back in the wooden chair, the furniture still wrapped in its protective plastic, knife still in hand as he watched your head start to move. The floor creaked beneath you, sound traveled eerily through the abandoned home. 
Motion traveled through your body as each of your limbs tried to free and stretch themselves. Bucky’s men informed him that you put up a good fight when they picked you up from the grocery store parking deck. Clint even came back with a broken pinky and a wounded ego. 
You sat in a chair only five feet away from him, your hands tightly handcuffed behind you, and your ankles cuffed to the legs of the chair. The home was beginning to smell like mildew and the smell invaded your senses as your eyes blinked open. Surprisingly, it wasn’t your restraints that triggered your initial sense of pain but your ribs.
When you finally gazed upon him, both of your faces were stoic. Two predators stared back at each other. You noted the two men standing a few feet behind him, their clothes dark and their faces hard. You recognized the one who’s pinky you’d roughly bent back when they had grabbed you. 
The room was illuminated by a flickering chandelier and you realized you were sitting in the dining room of some boarded-up house. By the furniture and wallpaper, you would’ve guessed it used to be a pretty, luxurious home. 
“Good evening, Mrs. Rogers.”
It took you a few short seconds but you placed who the man before you was. Brown leather jacket, dark beard, and a black glove covering up his left hand. You knew what was hidden beneath it, his arm being just as notorious as he was. 
“Bucky Barnes,” Your eyes narrowed at him, “You’ve … gotten old.”
Bucky didn’t smile but his slight amusement was evident, “Rikers Island will do that to you.”
His hands folded together and you tried to read the state of emotions. You imagined that he was doing the same to you, “Seems you’re lucky that you’re not there, rotting away right now.”
“Not so lucky for you or Steve though, right?”
“I guess not,” You spoke blankly.
Bucky’s eyebrows furrowed, “You’re not going to ask why you’re here? No pleading? No threats of violence?”
You hadn’t realized that you hadn’t. Perhaps because you had experienced much worse than anything this mobster could ever inflict upon you, “I know this is because of Steve because he’s the one who put you in prison. I know you probably want to hurt me in order to get back at him.”
Bucky leaned forward, his eyes locked on yours, “And this doesn’t scare you?”
There was fear in your heart but you weren’t sure if it was from a fear that you’d be hurt, “I know he’s looking for me. Half of the NYPD is probably looking for me right now. They’ll find you …”
“That may be true but you probably know how much of a selfish bastard he is. If he ran to his colleagues, he’d get taken off the case because he’s too close to it. I think Steve would want to kill me himself … hunt me down himself,” Your heart began to race as you listened to his words. You trusted Steve or at least a fantasy of Steve that you created, but Bucky’s words had a brutal truth to them. “What do you think, Mrs. Rogers?”
“I think you end up dead either way,” You stated, trying to keep your lip from shaking. 
“And what about you?”
“Steve... Steve will find me.”
“Sure,” You watched the knife twist in his hands, “But does he find you before or after I kill you is the question? … I think I’d want to see his face when I take away what he loves the most. But if you die, it’ll probably only make the public give him more sympathy. Our mayor loves charity cases and Steve would get promoted to chief of police in no time.”
You swallowed, “But you won’t let that happen. You’d kill him before you let that happen.”
Bucky sighed, “You got me, Mrs. Rogers. You know, you would’ve made a great detective. It’s a shame that you left the force after only three years,” Your eyes widened at his statement. Though the information was a google click away, you hadn’t thought about your past in so long that it had startled you, “It makes me wonder what made you quick.”
“You’re trying to make small talk with me while I’m handcuffed to a chair?” You scowled but he chuckled. 
“Fine, no small talk. Clint,” Bucky lifted his knife up, the handle facing up. The older man, his light brown hair slicked up and shaved at the sides, moved forward and grabbed the knife from Bucky. He used the hand that wasn’t bandaged up and moved towards you, “How about a little photo shoot so we can keep Mr. Rogers updated.”
Uselessly, you started to pull at your restraint. The man kneeled down by your feet, taking the knife and starting to cut away at the fabric of your black leggings, “What are you doing?” Bucky found it strange that you were now finally panicking. You had managed to act like your life wasn’t in danger this entire time. 
Now your eyes were blinking fast and the discomfort in your face was evident. Bucky didn’t answer you, only stared as he watched the fabric rip away, “I-I left because of Steve!” You rushed out, “I didn’t have to work because Steve was going to take care of us.”
“Clint,” Bucky stopped the man from continuing, your bottom leg already exposed. Clint stood and stepped away from you causing you to let out a breath that you hadn’t realized you were holding, “He was going to take care of you? But you spent so long getting your GED, training and you worked hard to get that job.”
“He was my fiance then and … I thought it would be good for us. If I didn’t have to work then I shouldn't have to. Besides, he didn’t want me to be stressed from work while we were trying for a baby.”
“How long have you been trying?” He seemed genuinely interested but you kept talking hoping it would keep the knife away. 
“Two years…” Your voice trembled as his question triggered bad memories.
“Steve always wanted a family,” Bucky said like your answer triggered his own memory, “He’d probably do anything to get that …”
Part of you felt like you were betraying Steve by revealing so much information. You knew that Bucky and Steve went back all the way to elementary school and that their path had divulged into two very different roads. 
“He will have it,” You said, suddenly growing angry. You felt anger at Bucky as well as yourself, “When he finds me and kills you. And you’ll never experience anything like that.”
Bucky’s facial expression darkened at your words. He raised a hand, gesturing to Clint to continue. Clint went back to tearing away at your clothes and you started to struggle wildly, almost tipping the chair over in the process. 
Bucky straightened his jacket, trying to seem phased by the tears welling in your eyes. Clint tore away at your leggings and Bucky gestured to Sam to start taking pictures. The goal was to get Steve to think that you were being tortured in more ways than one. 
“Don’t. P-Please, don’t!”
All the men seemed to hesitate at the same time. Clint had paused as he watched the front of your shirt slip away to the sides and Sam’s finger hovered over the camera button. The beauty of your face was still there, tears in all, but your body told a completely different story. 
Bucky had never seen someone so purple and blue. The bruises covered your stomach, your thighs, and your arms which had been covered by long sleeves. There was a huge bandage on your stomach, bloody gauze stuck behind it. Bucky stood. 
Even in all his time in the most brutal jail in the world, he hadn’t seen anything like this, especially not done to a woman. Your knees snapped together and you turned your head, trying to hide away. 
“Who did this?” Bucky asked, his voice smaller than it had been during the entire encounter. 
You breathed heavily like you were being suffocated by the attention, “Y-Your men manhandled me!” You forced out, “What do you mean? Did you forget that you kidnapped me?”
Bucky looked to Clint and Sam, “Get out.”
As they left the room, Bucky removed his jacket, exposing the protruding biceps beneath his black shirt. He placed the jacket over as he began to undo your restraints one by one, “I gave them strict orders not to hurt you. And these … these bruises … some look much older than others,” You were a rainbow of color, signifying that each mark had a different date of impact. Bucky looked up at you, from his place kneeling at your feet, and something remarkable had changed in his face, “Don’t tell me …”
As your wrists were free, you brought your hands together, rubbing them together as they began to shake, “I had an accident … “
“Steve did this,” His voice had gone from strong and commanding to what is what now, weak and unsure. You shook your head, shutting your eyes tight, “I’m sorry … I’m so sorry about all of this.”
“You think you’re different from him?” You spoke, your tone venomous. 
“I know I am,” This time he was sure of his words yet he seemed a bit hurt, “And he’s going to pay for what he’s done.”
“He won’t,” That much you did know, “And you’re a fool just like me.”
+
“Ma’am,” You looked up from the bubbles, your bruised figure beneath the warm water, as you heard a maid call for you, “I left a robe for you on the counter and some clothes for you on the bed. Mr. Barnes wants you to join him for breakfast but he understands if you’d still like your time alone. He’ll send up your food if that’s what you wish.”
You didn’t respond, though she sounded like a kind lady, you had resorted to silence ever since your world came crashing down around you yesterday. 
You refused to see a Doctor which Bucky respected, probably knowing how much he had violated you yesterday and wanting to continue to play the good guy. 
When you heard her footsteps pitter-patter away, you sunk back down into the bubbles. It had been a long while since you “relaxed” in this way. Despite the fact that you were home most of the day, you never felt peace or relaxation living with Steve. 
Even when you organized his clothes perfectly, cooked his favorite dinner, or wore that red lingerie thing he liked, he was never really satisfied. Even when he pretended he was happy and you fell for his charm, his tone always changed.  
And now it felt like the relationship you had worked so hard to maintain was more useless than you originally thought. You had no baby and no happy family to show for it. You were behind enemy lines probably destined to die because of Steve. 
Though it did cross your mind that you were being abnormally pampered for a hostage. Bucky’s penthouse was high up, looking over the darker side of the city. A view of luxury from the wrong side of the tracks. 
You ate your breakfast alone from your room, spending most of the day staring up at the ceiling. When the servant returned that evening, you assumed that she was here to invite you to dinner with Mr. Barnes. She’d probably expect you to say no and to depressingly roll over in bed. 
Instead, she found you dressed and ready for something- anything. You’d pick out something from the fineries in the closet, a tight red dress that hugged your curves, and let more parts of your body show then you were normally comfortable with. 
“Ma’am,” The woman tried to keep eye contact and not let her eyes wander over your rainbow skin, “Mr. Rogers … Mr. Rogers is here.”
You took a deep, uncertain breath before your lips pressed into a thin smile, “Good.”
“You don’t want to eat here?” She asked, sounding concerned.
“Mr. Barnes wants me to eat with him, right?” You were already walking past her, your heels clicking against the marble floors. She was baffled as she followed after her. Bucky’s home was regal and, walking it in for the first time, you thought the man must’ve seen way too many mafia movies from the seventies. 
You approached a landing with a view of the massive living room, a grand staircase leading down to the event that you’d just interrupted. At least ten men were gathered, a black tarp laid out as a hunched over man sat there on his knees, and one man paced by the first. Steve and Bucky. 
They hadn’t noticed you and you took the opportunity to listen in.
“This good guy persona … you’ve really lied to yourself so much that you’ve convinced yourself it's true,” Bucky’s tone was incredulous and you could tell the amusement in his voice was only a facade, “You forgot how you even climbed the ranks so fast. Without my connections, without my intel, you’d still be working security at the mall.”
“I turned myself around…” His voice was weaker than usual and, as you moved towards the stairs, you realized the blood soaking through the back of his shirt, “I tried to help you, Buck.”
“You threw me in prison for something that I did for you. I help you lock up one of my enemies, you get the praise and I make more money,” You started to put things together as you listened, thinking back to when you thought Steve was a hero and that this city was lucky to not have to deal with Bucky Barnes anymore, “Except you couldn’t help yourself from wanting more, old friend.”
“Oh, cut the fucking bullshit!” You felt your heart began to race at the sound of his growing anger but you kept moving forward. As you finally started to descend the stairs, your eyes connected with your kidnapper, “Where is she?”
Steve scared you to death but you had decided that you weren’t afraid of your final days anymore.
“I’m right here, sweetheart,” You couldn’t exactly read Bucky’s expression but you knew exactly what Steve was thinking when he turned his head towards the bottom of the staircase. It was initially a look of relief, of thankfulness that he could lay eyes on his beautiful, obedient, and stupid wife. Then it turned to that anger you knew so well, that look he gave you and you knew immediately that you probably would be able to get out of bed the next day because of how in pain you’d be. 
Painted with bruises, you crossed the room and took your place beside Bucky. 
“Y/N … I’m taking you home, I promise,” He stated, trying to mask that fury with a smile that had charmed you many times before. 
You gazed at Bucky who seemed a bit unsure of your intentions but was entranced by you nonetheless, “That’s not a home,” You stated, trying your best to keep eye contact. Even now, you found your knees weak despite the fact that his hands were restrained behind his back and he was the one on his knees now, “A-And …” You cleared your throat, taking a deep breath, “And it’s over.”
“What’s over, baby?” His voice raised and his eyes narrowed angrily, causing you to take a step back but you felt a calm hand on the small of your back. It was a reminder that this was all a manipulative strategy and he was trying to hold onto his control by scaring you. 
“Us,” You stated as calmly as possible. 
“Did you fuck him?” 
“Steve-”
“Answer me! Did you fuck him?” You were shaking now but not in fear. 
You turned towards Bucky, and before he could even know what you were planning, you were reaching towards his waistband. He didn’t panic, surprisingly, but easily let you grab the gun strapped to his waist. Even knowing you could turn it on him, he let you do it. To Steve’s surprise, this wasn’t a big charade in order to disarm Bucky and set the two of you free. 
You pointed it at your kneeling, former lover, “Y/N, what are you-”
“Who I fuck from now on should be the least of your worries. you jealous, fucking prick,” Twisting the knife, he was now red with anger. In an attempt to get to his feet, you thought he might charge at you but your aim was good, and, gripping the gun tightly, you fired a bullet into his thigh. 
“Fuck!” He cursed, falling back down, and whaling in excruciating pain, “You fucking bitch! You’re nothing without me!”
He’d saved you. He’d kept you from choosing a life of crime, of falling into a broken system, and he’d encourage you to follow dreams. Then he’d hurt you like the monster he actually was in an attempt to break you to his will. 
You raised the gun up, your eyes concentrating on the space on his forehead. You hadn’t noticed how badly you were shaking until you felt that same hand on your back. He placed his other hand on top of the barrel, “You don’t have to make it painless for him,” Were his words and you lowered the gun, letting Bucky carefully take it from you. 
“I want him to suffer,” You seethed, watching Steve clutch his thigh in pain. 
“Take him to the garage,” Bucky ordered his men, “Leave him unrecognizable.”
Steve went kicking and screaming but you found yourself unafraid of him anymore. You thought of him as this powerful entity that could never be taken down. Now you saw him as a petulant child that would probably beg for his mother on his way out. 
You turned to him but you didn’t have words yet. “How do you feel?” He asked, probably unsure of what to say to you. 
“Why do they say revenge is never the answer?” You asked, “I feel … fucking exhilarated.”
Bucky’s lip turned into a smirk, “They say that cathartic feeling won’t last … something tells me this is different.”
You nodded, your lips tugging into a smile, “Yeah, this is different,” You stepped forward, closing the gap between you. With hesitant hands, he grabbed your waist but you threw your arms around his neck. You pulled him down towards you, smashing your lips against his. 
Your lips didn’t stop tasting one another, as your bodies began crumbling down towards the carpet. The heat of the fire fanned your flames and you found yourselves desperately tugging at each other’s clothes. 
You swallowed that feeling that told you this was wrong, you swallowed that guilt you might have felt and you decided to do what you wanted for the first time in a long time. Bucky’s hands roamed over your skin but he never grabbed at you and you could tell he was trying to be gentle. With your back against the carpet, he hovered over you, “You’re beautiful,” He said, his blue eyes sparkling in the firelight. 
You liked the look in his eyes because he didn’t feel sorry for you. He meant those words. 
He kissed the side of your mouth and then down your chin. As his lips touched your scars, it was like he was acknowledging them and also accepting them at the same time. He kissed down your body, over your breast. He moved down, sliding your panties to the side as his head dipped down. He kissed your sensitive bud, teasing you as he looked back into your eyes, “Your aim is quite good, I think you could have a place here, Y/N.”
Your cheeks were warm and not because of the fire, “I won’t belong to anyone else ever again.”
“Of course not,” He smiled a wicked smile, “You’re in control … and your wish would be my command.”
His head finally dipped down again and, as you’d never been touched before, Bucky left you convulsing in pleasure for the rest of the long night. 
The Persephone to his Hades, you knew then that the underworld may have been where you belonged all along.
+
I hope you enjoyed this one! Please lmk what you think :)
4K notes · View notes
deepdonutkid · 3 years
Text
Morning sun
Requested: Yes, by @annoyingarcadeperfection​
Pair: Finn x female Reader
Summary:  Early birds are lovey-dovey~
Author’s note:
This is the first time in quite a while, where I start to write and not know exactly how it will end. I’m just as excited for this as you are.
It’s shorter than my usual one shot, but it’s not a bad thing I guess. This is more like an imagine.
Word count: 1222
Warnings: sex is mentioned?
Tumblr media
What a sweet delight. The morning hours, when everyone was yet silent, but would soon come back to life, were a holy time. Just made for early birds, children and lovers, who just woke up from a mutual dream, still entangled and very sleepy.
You opened one eye first, blinked for a few times and looked around. The room was filled with the first rays of sunshine for today. Usually you would great the day as it came, lighthearted and full of joy, but right now there was a heavy weight on your chest. It was your boyfriend, Finn, still sleeping like baby. He had never looked as calm and soft as in the morning light. His cheeks were slightly red, his hair was undone and the look on his face was free of worries and sorrow, just like yours. However there was a difference. Your lips carried a peaceful smile. This was the perfect start for a perfect day.
Carefully, you played with his hair. It was so weird to see him without the pomade, he used every day. Now it was a fiery red chaos on his head and his locks went in every direction. You chuckled while he grabbed you more firmly. “Good morning, my dear”, you whistled, waiting for his reaction.
First he grunted, then he looked up, just to lay his head back on your belly and mumbled: “Good morning…” Finn might have said something else, it was just hardly audible.
“How did you sleep?”, you asked him and your hands hovered over his naked shoulder. You were still wearing your nightgown, but he stripped away his shirt in the middle of the night. Maybe he felt too hot under the blanket next to you. You didn’t noticed nor did you bother.
Now he was just lying there in his boxer short and made some sleepy noises. Your eyes widened, you squeaked joyfully, while his hands moved from your waist to your bottom. Finn was usually a very gentle lover somehow he seemed to find pleasure in kneading your ass keenly.
He poked his nose into your tummy and grunted again. When he finally looked back up again, you could see the lust in his eyes. “It was a little hot in here”, he explained and crawled on the sheets up to give you a kiss. Then he joked: “You, little Lady, radiate heat like an oven.”
“And you are just as cold as an icicle”, you laughed and put your arms on his shoulders. With a big smile on your face you glared down at the tent that built up in his pants. There was a rock hard icicle, but not actually a cold one.
Of course, Finn couldn’t not provoke you further. Just like the mean boyfriend he was he pushed his erection right against your thigh, which causes you to moan. With purring voice he groaned: “Am I really so cold?”
You shook your head and giggled. “No, but… the real question is… how can you still be so horny after last night. We had three rounds and you still want more?” It was more of a tease than an actual question. Since Finn asked you to be his girlfriend, you had plenty of sex, all the time and everywhere.  
“Yes, I want more”, Finn admitted and bowed down so he could kiss your neck. The kiss turned into a bite and then he started sucking on your soft skin. All the sudden he whispered in your ear: “I still have something to prove.”
You knew what he was talking about, nevertheless you asked: “Still?” This topic caught your concern. Once- when you were just friends with Finn and not his girlfriend- you said, you thought he was gay and he took it a little too serious. Back then it didn’t even crossed your mind, that this might hurt Finn and you only got the idea, because you never saw him flirting with other girls like his friends did. He was friendlier than other guys, you had known. Finn was sweet and caring and never tried to do something inappropriate when you were around. He didn’t even laugh, when his friends told stories about their sex life. Later you had learned that Finn was just completely love-struck with you and he was so afraid to mess things up, that he became stiff and shy.
“It was only a joke”, you added and guided his head with your hand in your direction, so he would have to look you in the eyes. Then you purposed your next question. You sounded more severe than before. “Is being gay a problem for you?”
“No”, he vowed with a stern look in his eyes: “Of course not. Isaiah is one of my best friends and he is fucking everything he can. I don’t have a problem with him and he has had several guys.” His index finger caressed your cheek.
You were silent and kept staring at him. Why was he so eager about this? This topic was over and done… months ago. Why did he have to bring this up again? It was not like you hadn’t apologized for the misunderstanding right when it happened. Would you have to do this every time you would sleep with him again? Your teeth were grinding while you waited for him to say something else.
“Babe”, Finn said under his breath: “I just want you to know, that I’m just interested in women… actually it’s just one woman.” Now, he was going in the right direction.
Before he would speak further, he lay down next to you and smiled at you. “Yeah, she is really beautiful”, he explained: “Honestly, she has the perfect body and a magnifying soul and a joyful laughter… I could hear this all day. Her laughter brings me so much joy.”
While he whispered these sweet words, his fingers had their own mission, to drive you insane. You felt his touch, even though the fabric of your nightgown was parting you from him. His declaration to your beauty made you smile. The whole fight- well you wouldn’t call it a fight- was silly. Both of you were crazy for each other and this misunderstanding was long gone. It was just his usual tease. You shouldn’t have taken this so serious. After all, Finn was joking all the time. So, why not about this as well? Now you bid your lip not to hide your excitement, but because you felt a little guilt for nearly ruining this perfect moment.
“Yeah, I love her… I mean… I love you”, he confessed. First he sounded dreamy, like he wasn’t saying this intentional, but after he corrected himself, you knew this was not an accident. It took a while for you to process, but then it hit you. Finn just declared his love for you.
All at once you started laughing, pulling him closer for a kiss and purred against his lips. Your hands ruffled through his hair. Slowly you opened your mouth and brushed your tongue against his lower lip to beg for entrance. He moaned into the kiss.
Suddenly he pulled away and asked: “May I take this as a yes?”
You nodded in agreement, before bursting out into laughter and hiding your mouth behind your hands.
tagging: @bonniesgoldengirl​ @justalonelyslytherin​
474 notes · View notes
alliedbiscuit · 3 years
Text
msr fic / s7 post-closure but pre-all things / wc: 3398
Scully takes Maggie out for a birthday dinner, and you'll never guess who they run into.
************
“So, how are feeling about dessert?” the waiter asks hopefully.
Maggie Scully scoffs. “Oh, no. I couldn’t eat another bite. Maybe just a cup of coffee? Decaf, please.”
“Mom, are you sure? You should get dessert,” Dana Scully prods, stopping herself short before she could let it slip, “It’s your birthday!” The last gift her mother would appreciate is a gaggle of underpaid waiters singing some public-domain-compliant version of a birthday song while the whole restaurant turns its attention toward her. Like mother, like daughter.
Well, the daughter made an exception and found that kind of thing charming exactly once. But at least she got a nice keychain out of it. All her mother would get was humiliation and a chocolate lava cake.
As soon as the waiter leaves to fetch their after dinner coffees, Maggie reveals her true intentions.
“I was thinking we could go to that ice cream parlor down the street. If I’m going to indulge, I think I want a hot fudge sundae. Or maybe we could split a banana split?”
“Or you could get a hot fudge sundae and I could get a banana split, and we could split both,” Scully suggests.
“See, that’s why you work for the FBI.”
“Dessert Conflict Resolution was part of my training at Quantico.”
Both Scullys giggle.
“Does Fox have the same specialty? Or is that what you bring to the team?”
“Mulder’s dessert strategy is just to eat everything and then swim a mile and run five the next day. No, he’s a Takeout Menu Marksman, though. He knows where to order from and what to order so it travels the best and doesn’t get cold and congealed by the time it arrives. Might sound like a trivial skill, but it’s a lifesaver on movie night.”
Maggie continues smiling but cocks her head slightly. Dana realizes why almost instantly.
“You have movie night?”
“It’s not a set thing or anything. We just…if we’re not busy with a case.”
“You just watch movies? As coworkers?”
“As friends.”
“Just friends?”
Dana lets out a long sigh as she stares her mother down. Her mother, maintaining that gentle yet challenging grin. Dana considers her response carefully. She could offer a simple yes because that is the fact of the matter. They are just friends. She could criticize the wording choice. “Just” friends? Why does it have to be “just” friends? As if friendship isn’t somehow enough or isn’t valuable?
She could realize it’s her mother’s birthday and she’s the only other Scully woman left to confide in about matters of the heart, and although she doesn’t want to bring up the New Year’s kiss because she still doesn’t really know what it meant, maybe they both need this little gift of honesty, filled with tempered excitement and promise.
“For now,” Dana Scully finally admits.
Maggie’s grin grows as Scully just shakes her head and manages to keep her slight eye roll from reaching embarrassed teenager level. The waiter does bail her out a bit by choosing that moment to deliver their coffees.
“How is Fox doing? After his mother…” Maggie trails off, but her daughter knows not to expect any more specifics.
“Better? I mean, as well as can be expected. The thing is, right after that, he found out some more about his sister. About what happened to her. It was just so much all at once. I was really worried…”
Maggie reaches across the table to lay a hand on hers.
“But, it was almost like he was ready for it. He finally had some answers. Like it brought him some peace.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“Yeah. He needed that.”
“We all do.”
*************
Maggie is the one to spot him first as they’re heading for the door.
“Is that- is that Fox?” she asks her daughter.
“What? No, he wouldn't…” Dana trails off as she looks straight ahead to where her mother was indicating and confirms that it is indeed Fox Mulder, standing with his hands in his pockets and his eyes trained to the floor as he appears to be waiting near the vestibule for the restrooms.
“Mulder?” Scully questions as she approaches, her voice giving away her confusion and growing concern.
His head darts up in surprise, but a beaming smile of recognition quickly overtakes his face.
“Hey, Scully! Mrs. Scully, it’s so nice to see you!”
“You too, Fox,” Maggie kindly replies, although a quick glance to her daughter confirms her suspicion that Dana is still very confused by his presence.
“Did you…did you need something?” She suddenly feels silly for presuming that he must have come there with urgent news or a case or something, but why else would Fox Mulder be at Petrino’s on a Saturday night? Did his informants trade in clandestine meetings in parking garages for family-style Italian?
“Hmm?” Mulder asks.
“You didn’t come here to find me? I told you I was bringing my mom here for her birthday, didn’t I?” He didn’t look like he had rushed to the restaurant from the office or his apartment as she had originally assumed. He had clearly shaved and combed his hair nicely. He wore an olive green sweater with dark blue jeans and a black wool pea coat rather than his leather jacket. He had definitely made an effort.
“You did, but I thought you were going out tomorrow night on her actual birthday. Happy birthday, by the way, Mrs. Scully.”
“Thank you, Fox. I’m going to have lunch with some ladies from church after mass tomorrow, so I asked Dana if we could do Saturday night instead.”
“Ah. What a weird coincidence then. I can’t believe we didn’t see you at all during dinner.”
We.
Oh God.
Mulder was on a date.
Mulder was on a date in this restaurant on the night he thought Scully wasn’t going to be there. Mulder was on a date right after Scully had confessed to her mother (and herself) that their “just friends” status was in the process of changing. Mulder was on a date right after he’d been through so much pain but seemed to come out lighter and more open and he wanted to share it with someone…who wasn’t Dana Scully.
“So, you’ve already eaten then?” Maggie asks since her daughter appears unable to form a coherent statement at the moment.
“Yeah, we just finished. I’m just waiting for her…” he seems to trail off just to motion towards the restroom rather than say anything indelicate, but then he notices Maggie’s poorly masked look of concern toward Dana, and then he notices Dana’s completely unmasked look of shock.
And then he gets it.
“Oh, no! It’s not…I want you to meet her,” Mulder insists as he grabs a hold of both of Scully’s elbows and then glances anxiously toward the restroom door.
Dana Scully looks like she might be ill.
Thankfully Mulder only stammers a moment longer until the restroom door opens and he finds reprieve when a tall, thin woman appearing to be in her mid-60s walks through the door.
“Aunt Helen,” Mulder calls.
Somehow Scully’s eyes manage to get even wider as some of the color returns to her face.
“Aunt Helen, there are a few people I’d really like you to meet. This is my partner, Dana Scully, and this is her mother, Margaret Scully.”
Aunt Helen smiles widely in recognition, first shaking Maggie’s hand and then Dana’s. “It is such a pleasure to meet you both. I’ve heard such wonderful things.”
She lingers with her hand holding Dana’s while she says this, and the younger Scully is left blushing. She hazards a look at Mulder, but he doesn’t look embarrassed by this revelation. He holds her gaze with nothing but pride.
“This is my aunt, Helen Briggs. She’s my mom’s sister. She’s visiting for the weekend from Charlotte.”
They all kind of marvel over the fact that they were in the same restaurant and what a coincidence and oh, we were seated near the back bar, that must be why we didn’t see you and Scully is just starting to feel her pulse return to normal as Aunt Helen laments not having a chance to talk with the Scullys.
“Well, Dana and I skipped dessert so we could go to The Big Dipper for some ice cream. Would you two like to join us?”
“Oh, that would be lovely. As long as we’re not intruding,” says Aunt Helen.
“Not at all,” Scully assures her. “There is one catch, though.”
“It’s not real ice cream. It’s that Tofutti nonsense, isn’t it?” Mulder groans.
“It better not be,” Maggie insists. “I don’t know how she eats that stuff.”
Scully ignores her mother and her partner’s bad mouthing of her frozen treats as she returns her attention to Aunt Helen.
“I’m afraid if you want to come along, you will have to reveal a few good Young Mulder stories. And by ‘a few,’ I mean as many as you’ve got. And by ‘good,’ I mean the more embarrassing the better.”
“I’ll start thinking now,” Aunt Helen laughs.
“I knew I should’ve picked a different restaurant,” Mulder says regretfully.
***********
They’ve just sat down to a small, round table for four with their ice cream when Mulder stands up to get them all more napkins, and Aunt Helen retrieves a small, rectangular piece of paper from her purse that she then deftly slides to Dana.
“Oh my god!” Scully exclaims with joy.
Staring back at her from the paper is a very young Fox Mulder. She guesses he must be around 8 or 9 in the school photo. His long, sandy brown hair falls just above his eyebrows. He doesn’t have his distinctive nose yet, but his bottom lip is already a little pouty. The real give away is the eyes. He’s grinning for the camera, but his eyes still have that soulfulness, that slight sadness.
She’s surprised. She knows she shouldn’t be. His eyes didn’t suddenly change when Samantha was taken. His eyes were probably always like that.
But she had always assumed that the great tragedy had flipped a switch for Young Fox Mulder. That before that single event, he had certainly been a perfectly happy child. Funny and athletic, popular for sure. But the humor developed as a defense mechanism later in life. And the sports were a great physical release as well as an excuse to be out of the house as much as possible. She didn’t actually know what he was like before, but now that she thought about it, home life was probably never all that great if it eventually led to a father sacrificing one child and leaving the other to always live with the guilt and loss.
It was very possible that Fox Mulder had always been a little boy with a lot on his mind.
In contrast, present day, adult Fox Mulder looks like he doesn’t have a care in the world as he returns with extra napkins, ready to tuck into his chocolate peanut butter ice cream in a waffle cone – that is until he realizes what his friend and partner Dana Scully is looking at.
“Oh come on. I was gone for thirty seconds, and you have the visual aids out.”
Scully continues to beam as Maggie finally gets a glimpse of the photo in her hand.
“Oh, Fox!”
“Okay,” Mulder said exasperatedly. “Does this meet your embarrassment quota?” he asks, looking pointedly at Scully.
“Not even close! This isn’t embarrassing. It’s adorable!”
Mulder rolls his eyes but can’t hide his bashful grin at her comment.
“It’s only fair, Fox. I know you’ve seen family photos of Dana at my house,” Mrs. Scully says, sounding like a mother well practiced in settling disputes between children.
“Just a couple. I do like that high school graduation picture, though. I still don’t know how you kept your cap on with all that hair.”
“That was the style back then. Everybody teased their hair and used a ton of hairspray.”
“I thought it might be a religious thing at Catholic school. The higher the hair, the closer to God,” Mulder teases.
Maggie and Aunt Helen chuckle, though the latter gives him a good-natured swat on the arm in admonishment.
“See, this is what I need, though. I need something from the teen years. That’s peak embarrassment fodder,” Scully says.
“If you ask our colleagues, I think my peak embarrassment fodder would come from about 1991 to present,” Mulder points out.
Aunt Helen just looks slightly regretful. “I’m afraid I don’t have many stories from those years, Dana.”
Mulder makes eye contact with Aunt Helen. “You didn’t miss much,” he insists. She looks like she wants to debate him, but he just places a hand on hers reassuringly, and they seem to make a silent agreement to not argue the point any further.
Mulder had never really mentioned any other family before. She knew his grandparents had all passed before she met him, but she had assumed, just like with everything else, that any other extended family connections had disappeared along with Samantha. That no one would know how to comfort and console The Mulders in a situation like that, with no explanation.
His aunts and uncles must have had questions, probably even had their own theories. Did his mother’s side suspect his father’s involvement, or did his father’s side blame his mother somehow? Did any of them blame…no, she couldn’t go down that route. Besides, did anyone ever suspect horrific things like that before the days of cable news and supermarket tabloids?
The point is, it was a tense situation, so Scully assumed they had all done what wealthy white people in places like Martha’s Vineyard and Boston and Raleigh did with any uncomfortable subject – they avoided it completely.
And that meant avoiding the little boy with a lot on his mind as he became a teenager with even more on his mind.
Scully had accompanied Mulder to a small burial service for his mother in Raleigh a few months ago. It was just the service. No gathering or dinner after, or at least not one that Mulder told her about. The attendees at the service were all pretty spread out, not much mingling. Again, it was another sudden loss shrouded in mystery. They all avoided particulars as much as they could.
Scully didn’t remember seeing Aunt Helen that day, but maybe she was there and just couldn’t bring herself to say anything. Maybe she wasn’t there because she couldn’t bring herself to go and then regretted it. Dana Scully didn’t know, and it didn’t actually matter. The point is that she’s here now. And that’s exactly what Mulder’s look of reassurance and acceptance seems to say.
It seems to help her perk up because she offers playfully, “Oh, what about that summer on Quonochontaug? I think you were 9 or so, and you were collecting leaves for one of your Indian Guide badges.”
“Oh god!”
“I’m hooked already. Not to jump ahead, but please tell me there’s poison ivy involved,” Scully says gleefully.
Aunt Helen’s bark of laughter and Mulder’s exaggerated eye roll are all the confirmation she needs.
“It was heavily involved! But that’s not the worst part. While he was working on his Leaf Collecting badge, he also earned credit towards his Wildlife badge when he came across a skunk in the woods.”
“No!” Scully shouts.
“Ivyed and skunked at the same time,” Mulder admits.
“Oh you poor thing,” Maggie adds sympathetically, but with barely contained laughter.
“He had to jump right from a tomato juice bath for the skunk smell…”
“Which didn’t work!”
“…into an oatmeal bath for the itching.”
“Which worked better, but I still smelled like a Grateful Dead concert.”
Both Scullys are full on giggling at this point.
“Do you remember what Grandpa Ralph said when he walked in and saw you and mom dunking me in a tub of oatmeal?” Mulder asks.
Aunt Helen pitches her voice deeper and amps up her Southern twang, “Why don’t cha dip him in some egg and flour next? We toss him in the frying pan, we got supper! We’re havin’ Fried Fox tonight!”
Now they’re all in hysterics. Even the man who usually hates his given name can’t help but laugh along, especially when it makes his lovely company so happy.
*****************
Scully enters the basement office Monday morning to find Mulder already there, flipping through an open drawer in the filing cabinet.
“Good morning,” she says cheerfully.
He looks up and smiles. “Good morning. Long time no see.”
“How was the rest of your weekend? Did you guys do any sightseeing or anything?”
“No, we just had a late breakfast yesterday before I took her to the airport, but it was good to catch up some more. She told me to thank you again for letting us tag along for ice cream. It was really nice.”
“It was,” Scully agrees.
Mulder appears to be considering something for a moment before he crosses over to the desk and picks up a small envelope.
“She also told me to give this to you,” he says almost bashfully, extending the envelope in Scully’s direction. “She told me I couldn’t look inside, and I didn’t. But I think I know what’s in there, and if I’m right, you don’t have to keep it. You can just leave it here on the desk.”
Well, now she’s intrigued. Scully opens the envelope to find a small handwritten note at the top.
“I thought you might like these. I have plenty more too, if you’d ever like to see them or want any more stories. Please don’t be a stranger.”
Scully lifts up the note to see the remaining contents inside and finds a small stack of photographs, a mixture of more school photos along with a few wallet-sized family portraits and a couple candids taken on the beaches of the Vineyard or Rhode Island, she can’t tell. But she sees the same set of eyes in all of them.
She looks back to read the rest of the note.
“I’m so glad I got to meet you, Dana. Take care!”
Below Aunt Helen’s elegant signature, she has also written her home address and phone number. Scully will have to call and thank her.
“She tried to give some to me,” Mulder explains, “but I didn’t really want…and like I said, you don’t have to…”
“No, I’d like to keep them,” Dana insists.
Mulder lets her statement hang in the air for a moment, but he can’t help but diffuse it.
“You just want more blackmail material.”
“Something like that,” Scully says teasingly, but there’s no bite behind it.
“I knew I should’ve picked a different restaurant.”
She chuckles lightly as she shuffles the photos into a neat stack to place back in the envelope, thinking that this is the point where they get back to work. Mulder stays standing in front of her and appears to be considering something again. Does he have another envelope that he’s afraid to give her?
“You know it was pure luck that we ended up at Petrino’s the same night as you. I actually gave Aunt Helen a few options and let her choose. I was pushing more for that Thai place in Arlington, just off Old Dominion. The one that’s been there forever,” Mulder explains.
“Oh, the one with the secret menu? I’ve still never been there. Can’t say I’m surprised that Aunt Helen wasn’t up for Thai food, though.”
“Yeah. Fair point,” Mulder nods for a moment too long before continuing. “Would you like to go there sometime? Like this Saturday? With me?”
Scully slowly looks up from the envelope to see Mulder’s face because in all matters, other than the divine, Dana Scully needs to see to believe. And the slightly nervous yet gentle grin that she finds allows her to believe it to be true – Fox Mulder has just asked her out on a real date.
“I would like that,” Scully says gently.
“Good. You wanna say 7:30? Or we can always figure out time later,” Mulder states, aiming for practicality to keep him from grinning like a complete idiot. He ends up grinning like a moderate idiot, but he’s okay with that.
“Sounds good.”
Yep, Scully will definitely have to call Aunt Helen and thank her.
177 notes · View notes
cheri-translates · 3 years
Text
[CN] Winning the Championship Date
🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 夺冠之约, which has not been released in EN! 🍒
Tumblr media
[ Released on 28 September 2021 ]
The vibrations of my phone rouse me from the tediously long document. After looking at the caller, I answer it hurriedly.
MC: Gavin? Has your mission ended?
Gavin (on the phone): Soon. I’ll be back before the weekend. I should be able to make it in time for that café event you mentioned.
I suddenly recall how I had mentioned this event to Gavin before he left for the mission last month, but...
MC: Sob sob. I can’t go this weekend. I’m producing a new show, so I’ve been busier lately.
Gavin (on the phone): Is it a difficult show?
MC: A little bit... Come to think of it, Gavin, what type of sports shows appeal to you?
Gavin (on the phone): ...appeal to me? Competitive sports with commentators.
Just as I’m hesitating on whether to tell him about the problems I’m facing, someone on the other end of the line seems to be calling for him.
MC: Go and do your thing. I’m not facing any issues.
Gavin (on the phone): Okay. Contact me anytime if needed.
Right after hanging up, Minor knocks on the door and comes in.
Tumblr media
Minor: Boss, I’ve made the arrangements for the collaborative filming of “Life’s Limits” with the City Sports and Culture Bureau. As per your request, I’ve selected a group of amateur racing hobbyists. The name list and materials have been sent to your e-mail.
MC: You’ve worked hard.
Minor: Boss, why don’t you take a break? Your dark circles have appeared.
MC: The company competing with us for this project is Light Media, and it’s much more experienced in producing sports shows as compared to us. We can’t let our guard down.
After more than half a month of research, I locked in my decision regarding the filming site - Hurricane Club.
This club is very well-known amongst motorcycle enthusiasts, and often organises competitions for amateurs.
This weekend, the club will be conducting a three-day training, and participants will be guided by professional coaches. There will even be a friendly race at the end.
The competition has a very novel format - it’s a three-person relay.
I intend to search for three photogenic motorists to form a small team. By following their daily experiences throughout the entire process, including their training sessions and the race, I’d produce a story about the team.
Minor: Boss, according to your request, isn’t the best choice Bro Gavin?
MC: That’s true...
During the initial planning stage, the first person I thought of was actually Gavin.
However, he doesn’t like appearing on shows, and was only willing to appear in previous shows because of me.
Moreover, he’s been away for a mission which lasted close to a month, and should get a proper rest over the weekend.
MC: In short, he... doesn’t quite fit the standard. You can leave work for now.
After sending Minor away, I re-focus on the thick stack of materials in front of me.
-
Before the peak hour on Friday, I head towards Hurricane Club in a rental car. While doing pre-filming checks, I answer the phone.
Minor: Boss, the three people we agreed on have set out. I’ve also found a suitable substitute. After careful selection, he’s definitely a top quality choice. I can guarantee that nothing will go wrong! You’ll get to see him once you reach the club! Boss, thanks for your hard work!
Before I have a chance to probe further, the dial tone sounds in the next second.
MC: This fellow is once again acting first before reporting afterwards... there shouldn’t be a problem, right?
Tumblr media
Upon reaching the club, I meet up with the three team members we had contacted earlier.
Based on background research conducted by the company, they are generally outstanding, and are very enthusiastic when it comes to racing.
One of them is a young participant called Kelly, who obtained an amateur championship title in the past.
I quickly introduce the details of the shoot to them.
MC: Bro Liu, Xiao Yu, Kelly, thank you all for participating in this shoot. Afterwards, the club will be allocating you to your coaches for guidance. Even though this team was put together at short notice, I hope everyone can have faith in each other, and motivate each other. We also prepared a substitute team member...
??: Sorry I’m late.
A familiar voice drifts from behind me, and I immediately turn around.
Tumblr media
Sunlight falls on every step Gavin takes towards me. The pair of eyes looking at me are bright and clear.
Gavin: I’m the substitute team member, Gavin. I’ve kept you waiting, Producer.
-
After the club assigns the coaches and enters the test run phase, I finally digest the “unexpected surprise” of Gavin’s sudden appearance.
I initially think of finding a chance to talk to him privately, but the coaches who arrive one after another leave me with no choice but to retract the gaze which keeps straying towards that figure.
I shake my head, forcing myself to focus on my current task. By the time all the filming angles are checked, most of the morning has already gone by.
Scanning my surroundings, I don’t see Gavin anywhere.
MC: ...where is he?
-
Walking along the racetrack and towards the vending machine, I decide to get a bottle of coffee to fill myself up before looking for Gavin.
Perhaps because I didn’t have breakfast, I suddenly feel dizzy after taking a few sips.
Tumblr media
By the time I regain my senses, I’m carried over to a long bench by a familiar force. Meeting Gavin’s evidently frantic gaze, I quickly tug the corners of my lips upwards into a smile.
MC: Gavin, I was just about to look for you. Turns out you were here.
He doesn’t speak. Lifting his hand, he wipes away the thin sheen of sweat on my forehead lightly. Then, a breeze envelops me gently, warm and comforting.
He takes the coffee in my hand smoothly, then retrieves soya milk and a sandwich from the bag in his hand.
Gavin: Eat your breakfast.
MC: ...okay, I’ll listen to Sir Gavin.
I munch on the sandwich obediently, occasionally blinking at Gavin to convey a message which says, “I feel much better, so there’s no need to worry”.
Gavin’s slightly furrowed brows finally arch subconsciously.
Gavin: I heard from Minor that you’ve been working overnight to prepare for this show.
MC: Haha, don’t listen to his nonsense. It isn’t that exaggerated...
Gavin: I also heard that I didn’t fit the standard. What standard did you set?
MC: ...
I clench my fists in secret, condemning Minor from the bottom of my heart for his “heinous act” of betraying me.
MC: I can explain! You don’t like appearing on camera, and your identity in STF is a pretty sensitive topic...
Tumblr media
Gavin: Mm, you’re right.
Gavin deliberately elongates his words, as though he doesn’t plan to let the matter go just like this.
Tumblr media
Gavin: So what’s your standard?
MC: ...we hope for the motorists to have a certain level of professional competence, to be sufficiently photogenic, and most importantly, to have an enthusiastic heart. But I really didn’t mean to say that you didn’t fit this standard!
Tumblr media
Gavin is finally unable to suppress the upward turn of his lips.
Gavin: Once you’re done today, sleep early tonight.
-
The training proceeds methodically, and filming goes very smoothly.
The roar of motors drift from the club’s racetrack, and motorcycles of every hue speed freely along the racetrack.
In the camera lens, two blue and white motorcycles seem to be speeding at the same pace, as though they’d break through the finish line at the same time.
Kelly: Have you ever participated in professional racing?
Tumblr media
Gavin: Nope.
Kelly: The way you cornered the motorcycle a few times - you can’t do that with ease without a few years of experience. How did you do it?
Gavin: I just drive often.
Kelly: Let’s find a chance to ride together some time.
Kelly pats him on the shoulder before continuing the training. Gavin walks over to me, twisting open a bottle of water before taking a sip.
Tumblr media
Gavin: Is filming going well?
MC: There’s too much footage from the training sessions. I might consider adding a special segment for interviews.
While speaking, I’m struck with an idea.
MC: Mr Gavin, why don’t you have a pre-interview with me to test out the effects?
I lift a bottle of water towards Gavin. 
MC: What made you like motorcycles?
Gavin: I don’t have a precise answer. By the time I realised it, I already liked them.
MC: In that case, are there any motorcycle-related experiences which left a deep impression on you?
Tumblr media
Gavin is silent for a moment. He seems to think of something, then chuckles softly.
Tumblr media
Gavin: The time it overturned.
MC: Overturned? When did that happen? You can tell me in secret - this will definitely not be disclosed to the public.
Gavin looks at me, and he speaks in a volume only the both of us can hear -
Gavin: [whispers] The time when I rode on a snowmobile with the girl I like.
The snow field in my memories is cold, but the breath at my ear causes the temperature of my ear to rise.
[Note] This is a reference to Snow Mountain Date
MC: [blushing] Cough, that was...
All of a sudden, a clamour from the racetrack interrupts my words. The both of us stand up, only to discover that a motorcycle has overturned on the track.
Many people are standing at the side, and some call out for the medical staff.
Tumblr media
Gavin: That seems to be Old Liu. Let’s go over to have a look.
-
Tumblr media
Doctor: There are soft tissue injuries to your wrist and leg. Recuperate properly over this duration, and don’t engage in any intense activities.
Bro Liu: What about the competition tomorrow...
MC: Bro Liu, just recuperate. The doctor said that once your injuries are healed, you can still ride motorcycles in the future.
Bro Liu glances at Gavin.
Bro Liu: I guess I must admit that I’m getting old. It’s time to hand the baton to the young.
After contacting Minor and telling him about what happened, Gavin and I leave the hospital.
MC: Bro Liu worked so hard over the past two days. He must have really wanted to participate in tomorrow’s competition...
Tumblr media
Gavin: In that case, we’ll work hard together with his effort. This is when the substitute steps in.
-
Tumblr media
It’s the night before the competition, and I’m looking through the contents of the edited shoot over the past two days in my room.
After cutting the cornering training, I modify it into a slow-motion feature, then insert a few casual interactions between the team members as embellishments.
But no matter how I edit it, the clip is unable to convey the feelings I hoped it would.
I grab my hair in frustration, unwilling to accept my defeat. I locate the original video, watching it from the start.
The sound of the doorbell interrupts my slightly muddy train of thoughts. Opening the door, I see Gavin standing outside.
Tumblr media
Gavin: I saw that the lights were still on in your room, so I came over to take a look. Why aren’t you sleeping?
MC: Gavin...
Hearing the gloominess in my tone, he takes my hand and pulls me over to sit down on the sofa.
Gavin: Filming didn’t go well?
Placing the notebook laptop between us, I play the recording.
MC: For this shoot, I wanted to edit it into a small unscripted story to showcase the competitiveness and fun of being a racer. As of now, the story aspect is going smoothly, and the interactions between people are interesting too. But I think it’s missing something which can grab one’s attention immediately...
Gavin looks at the screen and ponders for a moment. Then, he suddenly asks me a question.
Tumblr media
Gavin: Want to go for a stroll? It’s too stuffy in the room. Getting some fresh air might give you new inspiration.
-
Likely to conserve energy for the competition tomorrow, everyone has returned to rest very early, and the racetrack is completely empty.
Gavin leaps onto the bleachers, then reaches out to me.
Tumblr media
Gavin: Let’s go for a spin.
He takes my hand, guiding me onto the vehicle. Then, he puts on a helmet for me, teaching me how to grab the throttle and brakes.
MC: Gavin, are you sure this is okay?
Gavin: You can’t go onto the road, but we’re still within the venue. After filming for days, don’t you want to experience it yourself?
MC: I want to!
Gavin sits behind me, two arms securing me steadily in his arms.
Along with the familiar sound of the engine, the motorcycle moves. The speed is incredibly steady, and is just right for enjoying the pleasant evening breeze.
MC: Gavin, can we go a little faster?
Tumblr media
Gavin: We can. Sit tight.
A loud roar drifts to my ears, and the motorcycle flies forward like an arrow leaving a bow.
Very soon, the most difficult part of the racetrack appears, comprising of consecutive bends. During the training sessions, many motorists faced many trials at this area.
Gavin grips my hand, loosening the throttle, causing the the motorcycle to slow down.
MC: There’s no need to step on the brakes?
Gavin: No need. Engine braking is enough to reduce the speed.
While speaking, the motorcycle tilts at an unbelievable angle at a turn. Gavin controls the direction with composure, air currents at the side keeping the motorcycle steady.
The motorcycle dangerously yet steadily completes the curved track, returning onto a straight track and picking up speed once again.
Gavin: MC, can you see where the cameras are? That’s the goal. On the racetrack, that’s the only thing in a racer’s eyes.
The sound of wind at my ears seems to quieten down. The moment we charge past the finishing line, I suddenly have a feeling that a full stop has been drawn on the racetrack.
Even after the motorcycle makes its gradual halt, I’m unable to return to my senses.
Seeming to understand my silence, Gavin doesn’t speak. He simply pushes the motorcycle that I'm on patiently, walking slowly.
MC: Gavin, I know what this story is missing. Stirring the emotions of viewers requires the most important thing which can make them seethe with excitement -
Gavin: Winning the championship.
MC: That’s right. All the effort from before is meant for the final sprint towards the goal. Winning the championship is the core of a competitive spirit, and is also what the show’s theme of “limit” is seeking after. But... Gavin, do you think we have a chance at winning the championship tomorrow?
Gavin: Yes. But while we’re improving, others are improving as well. Everyone on the racetrack will be aiming towards victory. The people you selected are very outstanding. Believe in them, and believe in yourself.
MC: Mm, everyone has already worked very hard. When it comes to winning, it’s good enough if they try their best.
Gavin parks the motorcycle properly, then carries me down from it.
Tumblr media
Gavin: Go back and have a good sleep. You don’t have to worry too much about the competition tomorrow.
-
Tumblr media
It’s finally time for the competition. Seeing the filled audience seats, I feel incredibly nervous.
Kelly: I didn't expect to see so many people.
MC: It’s a Sunday, and the club decided to open the venue to the public as publicity.
I take a deep breath to calm my emotions.
MC: Let’s enjoy the fun of racing to our heart’s content! Shall we do a pre-competition ceremony?
Tumblr media
While speaking, I stretch out my hand. Gavin cooperates, placing his palm over the back of my hand. He gives it a gentle pinch, and it feels as though an endless stream of strength is being transmitted.
It’s a sense of security belonging only to Gavin.
MC: Safety first, the competition second. Everyone, all the best!
Tumblr media
All the motorists have taken their places at the starting line. Based on prior suggestions by the club, I’ve arranged Kelly to take on the first battle, and Gavin will be the finale.
With the green light signalling the start of the competition, twenty motorcycles which have been waiting for action seem to sprint forward at the same time.
The sound of motor engines causes everyone’s adrenaline to spike, and the crowd becomes immersed in the competition.
I’m positioned closest to the audience seats. This is the first time I’m viewing a competition from such a close distance. Even though it’s an amateur competition, it’s sufficiently astounding.
Xiao Yu makes a few minor mistakes at the bends, causing the team to lag behind temporarily.
Carefully observing the changes on the racetrack, I don’t feel overly anxious.
Because it’d be Gavin’s turn next. With him around, I always feel exceptionally at ease.
I look at Gavin as he waits at the handover area with a helmet over his head. He seems to sense my gaze, and turns around to see my thumbs up.
In the next second, his motorcycle charges into the racetrack.
The blue and white motorcycle courses past the bends nimbly in almost “L” shape movements.
As compared to my experience last night, I can see Gavin’s cornering techniques even more clearly from the audience seats.
Although the camera is unable to capture his expression, it isn’t difficult to imagine his focused and bright eyes from underneath the helmet.
When the competition enters its final round, Gavin has already reached the second place, and there’s hardly any difference between him and the first competitor.
The audience’s emotions are stirred by this intense competition, and the sound of cheers surge forward like a tide.
I find myself being influenced as well, staring fixedly at that sprinting figure.
After the upcoming bend, the goal will not be far.
Unexpectedly, a motorcycle behind suddenly accelerates towards the bend, using its full strength to make a last effort.
However, the motorcycle tilts too much. It’s clear that the centre of gravity was not controlled properly, sending the motorist collapsing onto the track.
At this point, Gavin’s motorcycle is already over half of the bend. He controls the dip of the motorcycle, barely avoiding the fallen vehicle.
Because of this incident, some distance is pulled between himself and the motorist in first place.
On the straight road, Gavin’s motorcycle suddenly accelerates, keeping pace with the motorist in front.
In this moment, time seems to slow down. I hold my breath, feeling as though my spirit has become one with that sprinting figure.
The rustling of leaves, the flapping wings of birds, the yelling of the audience, the checkered flag waving mid-air... all of them gather into one voice-
Tumblr media
Announcer: The first place goes to No. 07!
On the big screen, Gavin’s name is listed impressively at the top.
At the final moment, he attained first place with a 0.06 second difference, winning the championship.
Tumblr media
Gavin did it!
The motorcycle comes to a gradual halt. Gavin removes his helmet, droplets of sweat reflecting bright rays of light beneath the sunlight.
The smile on his face is sparkling and dazzling, bringing with it the confidence belonging to a victor.
Such a result is both unexpected yet within my expectations.
Gavin turns around, looking squarely in my direction.
He shakes his head casually, which has gotten messy from his helmet, and says two words.
Gavin: We won.
-
The employees push the motorcycles back to the venue. Gavin heads over to the referee’s seat, lowers his head and says a few things before walking to me.
Tumblr media
The gold medal in his hand dangles slightly, reflecting a dazzling light.
Cheers from the surroundings grow brighter as he draws closer. Separated by the bleachers, he stretches out his hand towards me -
He leans over the bleachers slightly. As he draws closer, I can detect the scent belonging only to Gavin.
Gavin hangs the medal around my neck, announcing our victory.
Gavin: The champion title - we’ve got it.
My mouth opens, but I have no idea what to say. My body reacts faster than my brain. I stretch out both arms, hugging him with all the strength in my body.
Scorching warmth and the dampness of sweat from the competition linger on him.
Tumblr media
Gavin returns the embrace. It’s as though this hug is enough for us to understand each other’s sentiments.
Gavin: I think I heard you cheering me on.
MC: I did it so softly, but you could hear it?
Gavin: Mm, the wind told me. Everything you say - I can hear them.
MC: There’s still one thing the wind hasn’t had the time to tell you. I’ll say it myself right now.
Turning my face to the side, I bring it close to his ear.
MC: Gavin, you’ll always be the only champion in my heart.
Tumblr media
🏍 Call and Moments: here
🏍 Art based on this date: here
🏍 Support the café by dropping by the tip jar!
109 notes · View notes
Text
What I Want - Part 2
AO3 Link
Chapter Title: What I Need
Pairing: Crosshair x fem!Jedi Reader
Summary: Following the awkwardness of the night before, you go to an old friend to try and process your feelings for Crosshair.
Click here for Part 1
Warnings: 18+, a bit more frisky business but not full on so rated 18 just to be safe. Swearing.
Word Count: 2.6k
Author’s Notes: You ask, you get!! Thanks so much for all the support and love for part 1 ❤️. As a thank you, I bring you part 2, I hope you enjoy! If this one takes off a bit as well, I do have an idea for a little bonus chapter around the Bad Batches' reaction. As always, feedback/comments are massively appreciated along with reblogs. Fic is below the cut off, thanks for reading!!
Taglist: @aerynwrites @shannon-lynn-21 @saltywintersoldat @tired-night-owl @wille-zarr
A comm alarm beeped softly, slowly pulling you out your slumber. Giving the device a sleepy glare, you shut it off and huffed back onto your bunk. Wrecker’s snores were echoing off the small ship barracks, you rolled your eyes at his sleeping form across the room as you swung your legs over the side of your top bunk. Below you, Tech slept soundly, he managed to fall asleep with his goggles on which were now sitting wonky on his relaxed face. He also had a datapad clutched to his chest, almost like a teddy bear, which made you chuckle to yourself.
You’d barely slept after getting back from the mission but being a General stopping over on Coruscant meant rest would be a pipe dream. Your alarm was set to get you out of bed and ready for the first of what you were sure would be a hundred and ten briefings today. You were always happy to shoulder the politics for the team, removing that burden from Hunter so they could keep to themselves. But today, you could really do without it.
You looked over at Hunter and Crosshair’s bunks, the former sleeping up top with an arm over his eyes. Probably to block out the few small coloured lights on the ship that shone from critical systems, preventing the room from being truly pitch black. You didn’t envy Hunter’s enhanced senses, they seemed to cause him quite a bit of discomfort when they weren’t on missions. You should probably pick him up an eye mask one of these days.
Below him, Crosshair slept with his back to the open room. One of the few times you ever saw his body relaxed was when he slept. You cringed as you remembered yesterday’s awkwardness with the sniper and mentally cursed at yourself for causing, what was, an easily avoidable situation.
Shaking your head you jumped silently off of your bunk, mindful to not wake any of the batch. You gently removed Tech’s goggles, placing them in their usual spot before moving over to grab some fresh robes and head for the fresher. Today was going to be a real drag.
—————————————————
“Hey! Look what the Lothcat dragged in” someone called after you as you trudged up the steps to the GAR Headquarters. You turned around to see none other than Anakin Skywalker jogging up behind you.
“Nice to see you too Skyguy” he chuckled at the nickname as he threw an arm around your shoulders.
You fell into companionable chatter as you made your way to your first meeting, the dark halls of the military headquarters looking indistinguishable as you attempted to find the correct room. Members of the Coruscant Guard patrolled the halls, nodding politely to you both as you strolled past.
Eventually you found the room where Mace, Plo and Luminara were waiting, along with some clone and human high command. You stood outside the door for a moment, readying yourself to seal your fate of being talked at for a solid eight standard hours.
Eventually you caved, mostly as you were on the verge of being late if you debated standing outside any longer. Begrudgingly, you sat through briefing after briefing. All the voices and different rooms blending into one grey blur as you tried to take in what information you could, but your tired and stressed mind was having none of it.
While it was nice to catch up with some of the other Jedi, you always felt a bit out of place among the perfect members of the council. More so now than ever.
You ended up wandering back to the temple with Anakin where you both retired to his room and you flopped down onto his simple bed with a whine.
“Okay, what’s going on? You’ve been off all day” Anakin was the closest thing you had to a brother, you trained as Padawans together and due to your similar age you became fast friends. You knew about his marriage to Padme and decided that if you could offload your dilemma on anyone, it’d be him.
“I fucked up” you groaned out from behind your hands.
“What’d you do?” Anakin replied in a playful tone.
“I might’ve got a bit hot and heavy with one of the clones in my squad, led him on and then cut it off” Anakin raised an eyebrow at your confession. “And now he’s pissed at me”
“Why?” You weren’t entirely sure which part of that entire thing he was questioning.
“Because I started the whole thing, I wanted it. Then all of a sudden I did that whole guilty Jedi, must follow every word of the order thing, gave him some pathetic look which said really sorry I can’t have attachments mate, hope you understand. He called me out on it before I could even utter the banthashit excuse and then he stomped off and hasn’t spoken to me since.”
“In his defence, seems like he was probably wound a little tight” Anakin replied with a chuckle which you just groaned at.
“He has every right to be pissed. Hells, I would be if the roles were reversed. Whats with this whole self-righteous act us Jedi have going on?”
“Look, it’s hard being a Jedi at the best of times. It takes an inhumane amount of self-control, which is why its not a path for the weak. But being a Jedi while at war… it’s a lot. You’re emotions are running high, you’re forming bonds with soldiers on the battlefield that you shouldn’t be, but none of us can help it because it’s uncharted territory. Maker knows I’d hunt down anyone who hurt Obi-Wan or my Captain. Yes, It’s not the Jedi way, but neither is fighting a grand-scale war.” Anakin’s eyes were alive with emotion as he spoke, be he quickly caught himself and then it was gone.
“My point is, don’t beat yourself up so much. No one is getting kicked out the order or in his case reconditioned if that’s what you’re worried about. Figure out what it is you want, and then just be discreet about it” you looked at Anakin like he’d grown two heads, he just winked at your confused stare.
“Okay let’s keep it simple. Are you attracted to him?” You thought back to the night before and firmly nodded in response.
“Do you like him as a person?” You pondered his question.
“Well, it’s Cross. I wasn’t sure if he even liked me for a long time. He’s closed off, anti-social, but he’s also a good guy, cares about his brothers, has saved my ass multiple times, and he is kinda funny in his own, snide way” you rattled off with fondness in your words.
“Well then I suggest you go and talk to him.” Anakin replied, giving you a knowing look when he spotted the small smile on your lips as you spoke about the sniper.
You took a deep breath, glad to have finally gotten that off your chest and feeling content that you now knew what to do next. “Thanks, Ani”
“Ugh please don’t call me that” he moaned back, apparently only Padme was allowed to get away with that one.
————————————————
Your walk back to the Marauder felt like it dragged on and on. Your brain ran over a thousand scenarios of what to say, how he’d react and you were about to short circuit. There was so much risk, so much possibility, that you did your best to shut your mind off and let yourself handle it in the moment. These things never went as planned anyway, it was best not to guess.
The large door to the ship hissed open, your boots clanking on the metal surface as you cautiously walked into your home. It didn’t take you long to find Crosshair, he was sat in the main hull methodically cleaning his hand blaster. Everyone else must’ve been asleep. He was just in his blacks, the material hugging him in the most wonderful way, it’s like whoever designed those things was trying to trip you up. The contours of his arm muscles flexing as he worked, his strong chest looked practically chiselled at the heart of his lean frame. You had to force yourself to calm down a little bit.
“Uh, hey” you greeted awkwardly. “Mind if I join you?”
You took his silence as a well he’s not saying no. He didn’t spare you a glance as you walked in and took a seat opposite him. As a General in the GAR, you rarely got nervous. War, as a concept, was simple. You knew your purpose, your objective, you had a job to get done and you’d do it. The risks never stopped you, rather they fuelled you. Probably why you’re such a good fit for the bad batch.
But this right now, personal feelings, not knowing where you stand with someone you care about. Because if you were honest, you really did care about Crosshair, the same as you did the rest of the team. You’d only been with the squad just under a year but you’d gladly lay down your life for any of them in a heartbeat. If you could at least get back to where you were before the other night, you’d be over the moon.
You weren’t used to being so nervous, you let your hands fiddle with you dark Jedi robes as you readied yourself to speak again.
“Look, I’m not here to throw some crap about being a Jedi at you, I promise. And I’m sorry for trying it before” he still didn’t look at you, finding his blaster much more interesting. But you could tell he was listening, you had his attention. Might as well keep babbling.
“In terms of an explanation for what happened yesterday, well I guess I panicked.” You sighed as you tried to find the next words “The way you made me feel that night, I… I’ve never felt like that before and everything i’d been taught over the years screamed at me that what I was doing was dangerous and wrong. I now realise that I’m just an idiot. I make my own decisions and I… uh -well, I stick by that one, starting something that is.” Still nothing.
“I know this is probably a long shot. But in the interest of being transparent” you rambled “uh… if you want to go down that road again, I’m up for seeing what happens, can be as casual as we like. I promise I won’t freak out on you again.” You chuckled and thought you almost spotted a slight pull in the corner of Crosshair’s lips “But if you want to go back to how we were before, I’d also really like that.” You watched him for a while as he gave no acknowledgement of your words, his cleaning finished as he now gave the weapon a once over in his hands. Having said everything you needed, you got up from your seat, looking away from him.
“Well, if I can do anything else, let me know” you turned on your heel to leave, feeling slightly defeated but glad you’d at least made the first step.
“I could think of a few things” he finally spoke as he leaned back into his seat and continued to stare at his blaster, still not meeting your gaze.
Well that caught your attention, you turned back around to face him as he carried on ignoring you. While his tone was unbothered as he spoke, you knew him just enough to know his words held a meaning. He was playing with you, back to his usual teasing and you could’ve laughed at the relief that washed over you. This you could work with. A cheeky idea popped into your head and you’d decided to run with it.
“Oh really?” Throwing caution to the wind, you strode over to the sniper slowly. His gaze finally meeting yours after all this time, watching you as you got closer and closer. Practically drawing you in with his amber eyes. You pushed him back by his chest, creating enough room so you could straddle his lap. “Care to elaborate?”
He huffed out a short laugh at your words, his face overall unbothered but his eyes, they were burning into you. “You’re a smart girl, I’m sure you’ll figure it out”.
You hummed in response, deciding to kick things up a notch you wrapped your arms around his neck, bringing your faces just breaths apart. “Something like this?” You asked, pausing for another second before bringing your lips to his in a surprisingly soft and gentle kiss. You felt his hands come up to rest on your back, pulling you closer as you continued your slow dance. This was so different from the other night, where before there was desperation and lust, now there was something more… tender, passionate. You were quite glad you weren’t standing as the way he moved against you would’ve definitely made your knees weak.
Dragging yourself away from his lips, you searched his face. His mouth pulled into a barely there smirk “That’s a start.”
“Who said I was finished?” And just like that, the last few strands of tension between you both snapped and you relaxed in his arms. You fisted your hands into the front of his blacks and pulled him back to you, his tongue slipped between your lips, curious and demanding. He was everywhere again, filling your nose with the scent of the standard cheap GAR soap but mixed with something earthy, something so distinctly Crosshair and you couldn’t get enough.
You could tell why the Jedi order frowned upon such activities, kissing Crosshair was intoxicating. You couldn’t think of anything else other than the handsome clone in front of you and just how much you wanted him in that moment.
His hands wandered lower and lower down you back until they rested comfortably on your backside, pulling you further up his lap. Feeling mischievous, you started trailing kisses along his jaw. Setting a teasing, languid pace as you mapped out the spots that made him squirm. Crosshair was never a man of many words, so you made it your mission to see just how vocal you could make him.
As your lips met his pulse point, he gave a loud exhale and you smirked in victory against his skin as you continued the onslaught on his senses. You definitely seemed to be doing something right as his hands found themselves in your hair, clutching slightly and you couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped you. Even while trying to gain the upper hand in the situation, he always had some control over you. It was maddening in the best way, setting your veins alight with desire.
Determined to get another victory you traced your tongue against the base of the side of his neck and trailed it all the way up to the bottom of his ear, which you teasingly took into your mouth, teeth grazing the soft skin. A strangled moan escaped the clone and that was the moment where you knew you were hopelessly and utterly gone. Your mind filled with nothing other than wanting to be closer to Crosshair.
“Not very Jedi of you” he commented, slightly breathless when you finally stopped teasing him and came back up to meet his eyes. Looking down at where your bodies were pressed against one another, you chuckled.
“What exactly about this situation led you to believe I was ever a model Jedi?” You smirked, though it was only visible for a second before his mouth was back on yours, devouring you as his hands greedily roamed your body.
You continued making out like teenagers for most of the evening, taking the time to explore each other, enjoying the closeness. Contentment settled over your body, almost as if this was were you were meant to be. If Crosshair’s arms were where you belonged, well, you could think of worse places to be.
Back to Part 1
Back to Masterlist
153 notes · View notes