#but I’ll make sure to post at least 1 a day until I’m through the 2nd prompt options!

[lunar-alden]

Xavier calls you his girlfriend (English dub)

Pt 2!

Pet Names Masterpost!

[matsunoluvr]

୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ when the love and deepspace boys get jealous

warnings: pouty men, jealous xavier is a warning in itself, sorry if i mischaracterise…. and i also have favourites LOLL

characters: sylus, zayne, rafayel, xavier

link to master list here!

author notes: all i can think of is pouty rafayel and jealous xavier my brain is a melted goop of lnds brainrot… also sorry for not posting in a while i was on holiday!!

also quick reminder that i have requests open but 1. i’ll get to them slowly and 2. please read my pinned post about rules!

more under the cut ~

out of the four men i think sylus is the least jealous - now let me elaborate that possessiveness and jealousy (in my eyes) are very different

if you talk to another man, sylus both trusts you and has enough faith in himself to know that no matter what the dude does, sylus is yours and you’re his

he trusts you 100%, without a shadow of a doubt. and this translates through his lack of jealousy when you spend time with other people

however, if the man even attempts to lay a finger on you, his tone becomes too sweet or his hand inches a bit too close and you’re getting uncomfortable?

you bet your ass sylus is interfering.

immediately shifts his body to create distance between you and the other party

he flashes a dangerous look at the other man, evol glowing dangerously as it whispers a small warning into the other’s ear

“Stay away and you get to stay alive.”

he seriously doesn't fuck around when it comes to your comfort and safety, and if he feels that another man is compromising it or pushing the boundaries it really ticks him off

when does sylus get jealous?

mostly when you start to spend less time with him and more time with others

it’s not as if as soon as you spend time with someone else he gets jealous, but if it causes you to start to ignore him/spend less time with him he gets jealous

when he gets jealous, he doesn’t hide it at all

sylus isn’t one to keep his feelings from you, so when you see his displeasured frown you know immediately something is up

he doesn’t get angry or petty when jealous, he just makes it clear that he’s not happy with the division of attention

when you ask him what’s up, he gives you the answer plain and simple

“Getting bored of me already? How come you’re spending more time with […] than me, I’m jealous.”

his voice is slow and clearly unimpressed, crossing his arms as he looks you up and down.

luckily for you, he’s not hard to win over

spend time with him, even if it’s not active such as going out to restaurants or to one of his formal events

the two of you sitting in comfortable silence, him reading a magazine and you looking through moments, that’s more than enough for him

he’s not opposed to displays of physical affection either, cuddling or kisses to his face - anything that tells him “you’re mine/i’m yours” will satisfy him

just make sure not to spend TOO much time with the other person, otherwise sylus might seriously hunt them down

he’d never make you jealous on purpose, he had no interest in other women/men at all and respects you way too much to pull petty moves like that

when sylus accidentally makes you jealous, he’ll definitely pamper you, spoil you with gifts and spend time with you

wanted to get the new limited edition plushie? he’ll stay in the arcade with you until you get all of them. wanted a new game on steam? he’s bought both the game, all the dlcs and any in game passes and currency.

Somewhere at some point during the day he'll simply come clean about it, after all he's a straight forward man and he trusts you.

"I'm sorry sweetie, I didn't mean to make you jealous. Forgive me, please?"

tldr; sylus is a love sick loser that knows you’re equally in love with him as he is with you

here goes the award to the most composed LI - zayne gets jealous alright, not nearly as much as the coming two but he still gets jealous

it's not that he doesn't trust you, but watching you smile so brightly to the café employee or get a little too friendly with another doctor sets him on edge

if you're talking to male friends/giving them friendly hugs zayne's completely fine with it, he's happy to see you surrounded by people who care for you and for you to be happy too

at first it's hard to tell when zayne gets jealous, he has a poker face that would put lady gaga to shame

however, after a while you discover the few subtleties that give away his disgruntled state

for example, if you're talking a bit too excitedly or friendly to the barista - especially one you'd both met just today - there'd be a little crease in his forehead, his mouthwould be a fraction more downturned and his eyes a bit narrower as if he was squinting

or if you talk to him about a male colleague when you two were supposed to be out on a date, he'd definitely be jealous... however the only give away would be the faintest purse of his lips and twitch of his eyebrow

if you ask him if he's jealous he's going to deny it, he usually doesn't lie but when it comes to vulnerable emotions such as jealousy i feel he'd have difficulties expressing them

"Jealous? I'm not jealous, don't worry about me."

but then the right side of his mouth is twitching a little and if you focus hard enough he gives the impression of a kicked puppy, a very subtle hint of 'give me attention'

if you manage to learn the art of 'zayne expression reading' and finally notice that he's not 'lactose-intolerant-and-having-stomach-issues-causing-him-to-look-like-that' but in fact jealous, here's a few ways to heal your zayne!!

zayne specialists recommend a good dosage of subtle affections - e.g. bringing up one of his interests or reminiscing upon something you two did in the past, basically indicating to him 'hey, i still love you most in the world!'

he's a perceptive man and will pick up on what you're doing relatively quick, and his little grumpy face will relax back into the unconscious, soft smile he adopts when in your presence

if he accidentally makes you jealous, he makes sure you know more than anyone else in the world that he's yours and yours only.

reciprocates the small gestures such as holding your hand in public or introducing you to his colleagues

"Good afternoon to you too. I believe you haven't met [Y/N] before?"

and then he'll adjust his hand placement, sliding from patting your shoulder to gentle resting on the small of your back, a little intimate gesture that screams "I'm their partner."

makes sure by the end of the day he's got the message across, and at one point brings it up (even though you've basically forgotten what he did to make you jealous anyways)

"I didn't mean to upset you, [Y/N]. I love you only, no one else could replace you, I promise."

okay, yeah, we made it to jealous, pouty, bratty man territory

there’s an evident gap between zayne level jealousy and rafayel level jealousy

don’t get me wrong, rafayel would do anything you asked of him - partially because of his whole lumerian bond and also because he’s utterly whipped for you

does he love you? that’s a stupid question to ask oh course he does… but does he truly trust you?

i’d like to think that rafayel (if he was dating you in this situation) is absolutely devoted to you and trusts you wholeheartedly, but in reality rafayel has deep engraved fears and uncertainties

he has a fear of being forgotten about, and likely (as a consequence of being forgotten multiple times) - the idea of being abandoned or replaced sends physical chills down his spine

so honestly, rafayel’s jealousy stems from the unwavering fear of being left alone, lost and forgotten again…

the pain of being forgotten, it’s not something he’s willing to go through any more, causing it to be difficult to fully reassure him that you’re his.

on a more lighter, more playful level, rafayel’s jealousy would probably lay with animals - specifically cats and sea creatures

one day he finds that instead of lazing about with him indoors, that you were outside napping with a cat on your lap

if he wasn’t so afraid of the cat concerned for your quality and length of sleep he would’ve had a go at the cat as it smirked triumphantly at him, licking its paws as it rolls around in your lap.

when complaining later on he would be his usual, petulant self, pouting and crossing his arms, tilting his chin up etc

“I guess you prefer those furry monsters over a fishie like me, why don’t you just leave me for one?”

to fix this petty brattiness is simple!

simply devote all your attention and affections to rafayel, as in when you two are alone and spending time together you can just pat his head or trace his beauty marks

he’ll be pouting the whole time, but after a few pats he’ll get embarrassed and his ears will go red as he says something like “I’m not a cat…” yet he still lets you pet him lol

rafayel especially likes it when you gently stroke at the roots of his hair, leaning into your touch a little every time you thread deeper into his hair

however, if you spend too much time with another man rather than rafayel, it’s a whole different type of jealousy/insecurity

he’s quiet, too quiet, and withdrawn

the situation was deeply confusing the first time around

it’s as if you ordered the wrong rafayel, what happened to his usual bratty and playful personality? this wasn’t like all the other times.

unlike his childish display of jealousy when you were with the cat, this time he had a schooled expression, blank, a facade

his expression was eerie, you’d never seen him like this, so… emotionless seeming

rafayel, really, was emotionally detaching from the relationship - he still loves you oh my god he adores you so much he’d sacrifice everything he had for you, but the idea of you preferring that other person over him?

it sends him into panic, and all he (believed he) could do was numb himself, anticipate the leave or him getting forgotten

(am i projecting too much here… avoidant attachment rafayel believer and lover 😞🙏)

if he withdrew from the relationship first, maybe it would hurt less being left again

of course you weren’t intending to leave him, so how do you fix this?

well, as unhealthy as this may seem, spending less time with the new person and more time with rafayel really would be the only way i could think of making him feel better

saying things such as “Rafayel I would never leave you.” can only provide him with short-term reassurance, after all how many times have you said that before and then still proceeded to leave him?

instead, caress him gently, give him time to feel safe in the relationship again. late night calls where you two fall asleep together or hold him in your arms as you two both sleep at night

this avoidant attachment style will, however, probably go when you two start dating, since in dating you rafayel has probably decided to let you into his heart and whole heartedly trusts you now :)

if rafayel accidentally makes you jealous, depending on the severity (again) here’s what he’d do

if it was a simple thing (such as spending too much time with the shakes idk something more tame) he’d definitely tease you

“Awwh cutie? Getting jealous of the sharks? Don’t worry, I prefer you over them any day.”

he’ll have this smug ass grin that pisses you off, as much as it makes you love him too

rafayel will give you more hugs and gifts than usual for a while after, claiming it’s ‘nothing’ and that you’re ’hallucinating things’ when you ask what he’s doing

really he’s apologising, but you don’t need to know that

if he made you really jealous/upset he’ll make is extremely clear to you that he belongs to you, his heart and will is yours

will become more clingy and affectionate with you (not that he does it on purpose infact he’s only showing his true desires more), forever. like, you get jealous? don’t worry, literally for the rest of your life you’ll know that rafayel is head-over-heels for you.

tldr: he needs a hug :( also i ended up writing way more than intended but im a rafayel lover, writer and if he has no stans left im dead

here he is, the most jealous and arguably possessive man in lnd.

xavier tries to hide it, but everyone knows that he’s yours, without a shadow of a doubt

we all saw what happened with jeremiah, don’t make me pull out the receipts LOL. like jeremiah was just happy to finally see the girl xavier was lining over for centuries and xavier was already losing his shit 😭

literally anyone talking to you too affectionately will tick him off, but xavier’s too sly to make it obvious

you’re talking to a doctor (cough zayne) ? xavier brings up some sort of old medicine they don’t or asks about their speciality so you stop talking to them

talking to a protocore specialist? he’ll all of a sudden be holding a textbook worthy protocore, worth the poor persons whole shop

a florist? he’s pointing at every flower and naming them, both common and scientific name.

“Oh [Y/N], look at that flower. I believe it’s called a Lonicera periclymenum?”

*turns to face the clearly shocked and flustered florist with a polite smile*

“Well, maybe you know it as a honeysuckle, is that correct?”

after living for so long he’s learnt many things, and boy does he use it to his advantage

when xavier gets jealous, he doesn’t expect anything from you, no no, this man is a service boyfriend if i’ve ever seen one, he was MADE to please you

rather than thinking “oh you don’t like me anymore i’m so upset“ he thinks “i need to serve and show you i’m yours.”

do you like sweet things? he’s buying you chocolates of all kinds, if that’s not your jam he’s got pastries, or candy, or fresh fruit, maybe everything in a little gift box

prefer savoury foods? he’ll cook you a meal that he knows you like (even if you don’t trust the food) he’ll practice making it until you like it

if you talk about another person when you’re one on one with him, he’ll do little things to get your attention, maybe bite your finger softly or tuck hair behind your ear, little fleeting touches and such

cheeky little grins and conversational diversions such as 'Oh? What about you, how did you do in the exam?' or 'What were you buying in the supermarket?' - more ways of saying "i'm yours, don't forget"

but if you wanted to reassure xavier, physical affections such as cuddling and kisses can win him over

nap with him for a few nights (really he forgave you the first night, he just pretended to be grumpy with you for a while longer for more naps) and he’ll be satisfied (for now)

“Come cuddle with me starlight, I’ve still not forgiven you.”

(he’s lying, he forgave you like a week ago)

likes it when you play with his hair when you two cuddle - now this makes me want to write abt how the men cuddle lol

if he accidentally makes you jealous it’d probably be when the two of you are on a mission and he flirts with another woman to easily progress through a mission

the two of you are in the hotel room and you’re sulking in the bed, turning away from him and clearly displeased

xavier knows you’re jealous, and can only huff out an amused breath - he doesn’t like that you’re feeling bad but he’s happy that you’re jealous… means you like him as much as he likes you!

he gently walks over to the bed, shifting onto the duvet beside you and reaches out to touch your shoulder - making sure you’re okay with him touching you

if you let him, he’ll lie down next to you and slowly wrap his arms around you, spooning you from behind as he slowly kisses the top of your head

slipping your shirt down to just below your shoulder, he gives the skin of your back gentle kisses as he apologises

“I’m sorry, it was for the mission. I’ve only ever loved you, so please don’t be angry.”

and then he nuzzled into your back until you finally cave in, twisting around and hugging him back.

he’ll be seriously apologetic about it though, and in the future avoid such intimate forms of gathering information even *if* you told him it was okay

AN; i got way too carried away with rafayel ANYWAYS hope you enjoy and now i want to write smaller hcs on how the men cuddle lolol

also this isn’t proofread no beta we die like caleb ig

[gayerthanevertbh]

widow behind closed doors pt. 1 | n.r

summary: You moved into a Craig's list apartment and met a woman through an online chat. Despite issues with your parents, you felt seen by the woman, the fleeting excitement rushing through your heart as she continues to develop a relationship with you online. However, the owner of the building, Steve Rogers, warns you to avoid the upper floor. You followed his orders, but wonder who lives behind closed doors and most of all, who is the woman behind the phone?

warnings: online dating, slight dark!natasha romanoff, age difference (natasha is 40 while reader is 20,) g!p natasha, manipulative behavior, and smut - 18+ minors dni

notes: not sure if i want to make this a story but this is just in case if i do. this is just the start of the series, this will also be posted on ao3 so let's see how it goes! let me know if you want me to continue it. don't worry, training season chapter two will be posted soon :)

Last month, as you turned nineteen, your mother kicked you out. Naturally, you lived at a friend's house for a short while until you had enough money to rent a new apartment close to your university. The fact is, out of all the websites, Craig's List was the one you used when looking for this apartment complex.

Fairly speaking, the apartment building looked normal—at least from your own vantage point—and had the required utility. Mail from the outside, a laundry facility, and a smoking section. Though you occasionally light one, you do not smoke. Conversely, your friend Julie smoked as if her lungs were not burning. She never listened to your advice about not smoking three times a day.

With a big huff from your lungs, you toppled the last box outside of your chamber. Steve and Wanda were two people who assisted you in getting settled. Grading them for helping you arrange things in your new room, you turned around with a friendly smile.

“Thank you again, Mr. Rogers,” you said as you shook his hand. “This room is pretty big.”

“No one really rents here,” the man replied with a small smile on his face. “It’s the least I can do. You know, especially that you’re a student.”

You chuckled, turning your head away. “Please, I don’t even want to hear about that.”

“How old are you?” Wanda asked with a curious look on her face. 

“I just turned 20 last month,” you said with a pained groan. It is not so ridiculous given your connection with your mother; you did not forget the time she kicked you out of the house. “How about you?”

She smiles. “We’re the same age! If you have time, maybe you could stop by my room. It’s just on the left corner of the building.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

You both fell into silence until Steve held his hands together, staring at Wanda and then back at you. “Well, you should settle in. If you need anything, I’m just downstairs. You know the number of my apartment, you can just knock at anytime.”

“Steve, should we tell her about N—”

“We also want to inform you not to go to the upper floor,” Steve interrupts Wanda and says Your eyebrows wrinkled as you looked at the girl and saw her covering her face on her shoulder. “We have a friend who can be very... mean. She doesn’t like anyone going to her floor and she’s technically also the owner of this building.”

“Really? Oh,” you huffed, wondering who they were talking about. “Don’t worry, I will not go up there.”

Steve put his hand on your biceps and patted. “Thanks, kiddo. Anyway, just knock on our doors if you need any help.” 

You closed the door and sighed longingly as soon as they left your room. Today was going to be a long day of you sorting every box you had in this room; you would most likely desire take-out after all this chaos. You considered the woman living on the top floor as you were making your bed. What did she look like? When they claimed the woman was peculiar, what did they mean? So many thoughts crossed your head, trying to figure out who the woman was they were talking about. You shrugged, minded your own business, and soon nodded off. 

———

Late at night, you placed an order for a pizza, tried to watch a movie on your laptop, and visited a website none of your friends knew you were first visiting. Almost as if it were Omegle, the service allowed users to communicate with total strangers—and you could add them as friends via chat. Alone, you were eating a slice of pizza and texting a few people from the website. Carl, a male, asked whether he might have coffee with you tomorrow afternoon, but you gently turned him down since you just moved in. When, really, you have no interest in men. You consider them not as a lover but rather as a need.

Though it sounds horrible, that is reality. Men are often cruel, while women can communicate with you through their elegant, luxurious words. You enjoyed the sensation when a woman complements you for not just your appearance but also for the way you talk from your mind. It was not surprising that they adored you for your beauty; sometimes it can feel fantastic, but you wanted to be really understood—not only by appearance. And so, after some time, you were ready to shut your laptop until you noticed an email sign on top left.  

Someone has left you a message. 

You boldly opened the message and found a woman called Natalia messaged. As you went over her message, you grinned.

Natalia: Hey there! Are you new here?

You: no not really lol xD i’ve been using this website since a year ago.

Natalia: Strange :P I never saw you on my suggestions. Do you have an age limit to 40 plus?

You: yeah! i wanted to try something new

Natalia: Hm. Maybe that’s why I’ve never seen you here. Your name is Y/n? Or is that just a nickname? Haha.

You: nope, that’s definitely my name! And is your name not a nickname?

Natalia: Definitely not a nickname :)) 

As you spoke with this woman you could feel your heart beating and your body heating up like it was an oven. Since many people do this, you are simply hoping the conversation stays normal. Otherwise, things could go strange. They only pursue nudes, and you're honestly bored of that. You bit on your lower lip as you considered your response, but she slammed it right into you.

Natalia: How old are you? Are you really 20? ;((

You: yeah... heh. and are you really 40?

Natalia: Yup. It's weird, isn’t it?

You: are u looking for a sugar baby lol

You let out a quiet laugh as you waited for her response. 

Natalia: HAH! No, I’m not. I just really want to talk to someone. Is that bad these days? 

You: not really. i’m just a little traumatized by this website. everyone keeps asking me to send nudes. 

Natalia: I understand; sometimes young women ask me to send some too. So I understand how you feel :)

By the way, are you currently studying?

You: yessss! i study at NYU. :DD 

Natalia: Really?! That’s great! You know, when I was in my 20s, I tried to study there, but I lost all interest. It’s good that you still want to study :)))

Where do you live?

Given that you only connected with this woman online, it's best that you remain mum about your exact location; unfortunately, there are many predators in the world today. Even though it pains you deeply to lie to this woman, you couldn't help but chew on your lower lip as you considered telling a lie. Before you could mention that you lived at this new apartment, a thud on the floor interrupted you. With a quick turn of your head, you strode over to the door and opened it.

From over her shoulder, a woman shot you a lifeless stare, and you felt inadequate. You stepped outside and asked, “A-Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Grumbling under her breath, the woman made her way to the staircase. She picked up the paper bag and proclaimed, “Who are you supposed to be?”

You gulped down your saliva and muttered, “I’m new here.”

Turning her head away from you, the mysterious woman—who seemed like the most stunning woman you'd ever seen—muttered something in Russian that you couldn't quite decipher. Her boots thudded loudly as she walked upstairs, shaking her head dismissively. The door slams shut, and your body twitches in response. 

The woman was, in fact, very intimidating.

And strange. 

And mean. 

As you shut the door, you sigh and try to comprehend that the woman might have been going through a difficult time. Steve was spot-on from the start: the second floor is not a good place to be. Reason being, you might get booted out if you indulged your curiosity. You sat back down on the bed and swiftly typed back to Natalia, who was waiting for your response; the once-bustling city of New York was now peaceful. You shut the curtains. Somehow, you wish she had been waiting for you.

You: sorry... some mean neighbor was at my door. Lollll

Natalia: It’s okay :)) It’s late there, darling. Aren’t you supposed to be asleep? 

She referred to you as "darling" and tossed your head back onto the pillow. You struggle to suppress your scream. As you let out a heavy sigh while you mentally resorted to thoughts of Natalia, completely disregarding the brief encounter you had with the unfamiliar woman just moments before. Having an attraction to older women was undeniable; it was just your personality. With a hint of excitement building inside of you, you snatched your laptop from the foot of the bed and began typing away, taking matters into your own hands.

God, you were such a fool.

You: yeah but i have to finish my pizza before i go to bed!

how about you?

Natalia: Can’t. I have work ;(( 

Talk to me tomorrow, okay? I like this conversation that we are having. ;)) 

Even though you were unhappy that she had to leave, you couldn't help but notice that it was getting close to two in the morning. You wanted to stay up all night, so you sigh and type on your keyboard. 

You: okay! :D gnnn x

Natalia: Goodnight, darling. 

Your mind was at peace with Natalia while you slept, which hasn't happened in a long time. What does she look like when you meet her face to face? Was she attractive? Even though you hadn't laid eyes on her face, you were certain that she was. Despite this, you were hoping to ask about sneak peeks so that you could avoid sleepless nights in the future. However, you recalled that you had met an unknown woman on the internet—a self-assured person. You definitely wouldn't cross paths with her in person.

Right?

yes ik a repost eugh

[queeneamidala]

𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚢-𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝

{𝙳𝚊𝚢𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝: 𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝙾𝚗𝚎}

𝚜𝚢𝚗𝚘𝚙𝚜𝚒𝚜: Joel never knew what summer felt like. Until he met you.

𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: fluffy fluff fluffiness. Pining!Joel. Jackson!Joel. Post-Outbreak. Soft!Joel. Some alcohol consumption. (Age gap or no age gap, you decide). Close proximity. Joel is disgustingly in love. Light swearing. Coffee consumption. Flippin’ POVs like a burger at McDonald’s. Slow burn. Like, slooooooooow. Sort of kind of proofread (don’t hurt me). F!Reader, but has no description of any kind, so it’s all you bby <3

𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: <3k

ᴬ/ᴺ: Baby’s first fic!!! God, I’m so nervous. I really hope you guys enjoy it! This literally came to me while I was manic as fuuuuuu- and it was inspired by a Taylor Swift song (don’t judge!) So far I’ve written 2 1/2 parts, I think I’ll post part 2 this Sunday? Theres a LOT more to unpack in part 2, so stick around… Please let me know what you think!!! Likes, reblogs, comments, anything and everything is appreciated!! Thank you and happy reading <3

~*~*~

Joel was eating idly in the cafeteria when he heard Ellie’s voice. He glanced back, and noticed her talking to a woman he had seen around the town of Jackson. She was a friend of Tommy and Maria’s, he knew that much. But, he hadn’t spoken a word to her.

She was beautiful, but that was just a general observation.

You were beautiful, and he had made this observation several times while passing you by in town. He had noticed you speaking to nearly every person in town. You had a very easy going air about you, friendly. Open.

So, he steered clear. Forming personal connections outside of immediate family was not something he was keen on. He has had a life fraught with grief, seen and done unspeakable things. He wasn’t meant to be loved, not after everything he’s done.

But, the way you talked to Tommy, Maria, and now Ellie more and more often had Joel at an uncomfortably close proximity to you. Your presence was drawing near, and he couldn’t do anything to stop it.

He sort of didn’t want to stop it.

But, just when he thought you were going to approach the table to sit, you broke away from Ellie and walked to a different table. He felt something drop in his chest. Was that really disappointment that he felt?

“Makin’ friends?” Joel questioned as Ellie sat down, and she snorted.

“Right. ‘Cause I have friends.” She said dryly, and Joel cocked up an eyebrow.

“Looks like it.”

“You could use a friend.” Ellie replied, and Joel shifted a bit uncomfortably.

“I don’t need anyone.” He said into his food, and Ellie made a face, rolling her eyes.

“Everybody needs at least someone.”

Joel’s eyes shifted to you sitting at the table just across from them. Your smile was radiant, and he felt something twist in his chest.

No.

He wasn’t meant to be loved.

~*~*~

Winter was coming, and the people in town were preparing. You were busy but still managed to make time for people. For everyone really. Joel was almost envious about how easy you talked to people. He didn’t have the same talent, and he was fine with that.

So, one day, when he was called upon a house to help with some faulty wiring, he was taken aback when it was your house he was called to.

You didn’t need help. Not really. You were fairly self sufficient, and made your own way through town. Joel knew this, and it made him nervous when you called upon him specifically to make sure you were prepared for the wintertime.

But, he took his toolkit and went to your place. The door was open, but…

You weren’t home.

He felt disappointment in his chest again. He shook it off though and walked to the side of the house outside. He opened the box and began to work diligently, his mind wandering to other things.

“You look so serious.” A voice said, and Joel jerked back like he had been electrocuted. His head swiveled to the side and he saw you standing there, leaning against the side of the house with your arms crossed. You looked so effortless and cool, and-

How long had you been standing there?

“Job’s gotta get done.” Joel said, gesturing to the box, “as you requested.”

You nodded, and a smile creeped into your face that he hadn’t seen before. He had seen you smile plenty of times- laughing and talking with the people in town, with Maria, with Ellie. But this felt different. Or was he just imagining it?

“Yeah, you came highly recommended.” You said, and Joel scoffed, turning back to the box and tried to get back to work. But, he was horrible at multitasking, especially when it came down to you while he was preoccupied with something else.

“Don’t sell yourself short. Ellie was insistent that you were the best the town had.” You said, and Joel lost his concentration and nearly dropped the screwdriver he held.

Christ, I’m gonna kill that girl.

He furrowed his brow like nothing happened and kept working. He was definitely going to talk to Ellie later. The last thing he needed was the whole town to be depending on him for maintenance.

But for you…? Well, it wasn’t so bad.

“Sorry I wasn’t there to receive you. Work held me up.” You said, gesturing behind you. Joel finally flicked a switch and the box buzzed to life. He felt himself deflate a bit. Guess it was time for him to go.

“No worries.” He said, putting his tools back in the toolbox and stood straight. He held the box in hand, and regarded you with soft brown eyes. You pushed off the corner of the house, and smiled that smile of yours.

“You… let me know if there’s- if there’s anythin’ else.” Joel said, trying to keep it drawn out but it sounded rushed to his ears. He nodded minutely and you stepped out of the way.

“Thank you. It means more to me than you know.” You said, and shifted, your shoulders brushing by accident. Joel simply nodded, and made his way home.

He rubbed his arm after a few minutes of walking, and swore he felt warmth there.

~*~*~

Tommy and Joel were sitting at the local “bar” (if you could even call it that) and were talking over a few drinks.

You had requested Joel’s help two more times now. Both small and trivial, but Joel was more than happy to help. You weren’t there the second time he came, but when he was there the third time, you offered him coffee. He was an idiot, and turned you down. But, that smile never wavered.

“Next time.” You said.

Next time, Joel thought. There was going to be a next time? He hoped so.

“I see you’re helping some people out. Good for you to get some socializing in.” Tommy noted after taking a sip of his drink. Joel shrugged,

“It’s fine, I guess. Just doin’ my part.” He said. Tommy nodded, and regarded his brother with a peculiar expression. Joel felt like he was plotting something, but didn’t have time to really think about it before a voice pulled him from his thoughts.

“Well, you two look like you’re having fun. Mind if we cut in?” Maria questioned, and Joel barely looked up, until it registered in his mind.

We?

You settled into the seat beside Joel while Maria took the one by Tommy, boxing the boys in. Joel instinctively stiffened, and hoped you didn’t notice. If you did, you didn’t show it.

“What are we drinking tonight, boys?” You questioned, and Joel glanced at you. He cleared his throat, looking down, and held up his glass slightly.

“Whatever they’re trying to pass off as beer.” He said, and you looked at him. He felt like a deer in the headlights, watching you look at him. It felt like time was suspended, and he gulped. But, you smiled like it was nothing and turned to the bartender.

“I’ll have what he’s having.” You said, jutting your thumb at Joel. The bartender slid the glass into your hand with ease. Joel thought everything you did was effortless. You certainly made it seem so.

It dawned on him that Tommy and Maria were knee-deep in their own conversation, promptly blocking off you two. Joel felt put on the spot, under your eye.

“Thanks for all your help by the way.” You said, taking a sip of the beer. Joel nodded, his brown eyes casting down to his beer.

“Anytime.” He said with a dismissive wave of his hand. It wasn’t lost on you that Joel was slowly becoming a bigger part of the community. He wasn’t just keeping to himself, but helping others with house repairs or such. You hadn't seen him offer such services until you had reached out to him.

But, he didn’t do it for them. He knew that deep down inside.

He did it for you.

“I gotta say, Mr. Miller, you’re an enigma.” You said with a light laugh. Joel’s eyebrows furrowed, and felt his stomach lurched at you saying his name, even if it was his last name.

“A what?”

“An enigma. You know; a mystery, something hard to explain.”

“I ain’t no mystery.” He said, shaking his head. You grinned, and tilted your head to the side. Joel felt his mouth go dry, so he took a sip of his beer to quell it.

“Okay, okay.” You said, shrugging and turned your gaze across the bar. He felt your elbows becoming achingly close. If he just shifted just slightly, he could feel you against him.

But, he’s not meant-

“Mind if I stop by tomorrow?” You said so abruptly that it threw his thoughts off.

“Sorry?”

“I got Ellie a new book. Something about space and aliens and shit. Something I think she’d like.” You said. Joel felt a twinge of appreciation there. So, somebody was looking after Ellie besides him. He liked that. It warmed his hardened heart.

“Sure. You can drop it off.” He said, and he stole a glance your way. You were grinning, but trying to hide it. You took a sip of your beer to try to mask it, but he could see the way the corners of your lips quirked up.

“I’ll be there then.”

~*~*~

Joel had waited for you for a day or two. He found reasons to stay home, claiming he wasn’t feeling well, that he was sick. So, when you finally knocked on his door towards the end of the second day, he was surprised to find you holding a dish in your hand as well as the book.

“Heard you weren’t feeling well. Made you a little something.” You said so casually it was like you were talking about the weather. But, Joel was floored. You heard about him, and went out of your way to do something for him?

He felt bad for faking his illness. But, the fact you did this? It made him… feel.

“Thank you.” He said, and went to take it but then paused. You laughed,

“I don’t care about getting sick. Here.” You said, and handed him the dish, barely crossing over the threshold. He took it gingerly, and looked down at it. Whatever it was, it looked damn good.

“Do you… would ya want to come in?” He offered. You suddenly beamed, and god, if that wasn’t a sight to see, Joel thought there wouldn’t be anything better in the world.

“If you want.” You responded, and Joel moved to let you inside. As you passed, he could smell your soap, or personal scent- whatever it was, he felt lightheaded in the best way. He closed the door and walked to the kitchen, you following him along.

“I also have the book. Hope Ellie’s not too mad it took me so long.” You laughed and set the book on the kitchen table. Joel walked to the other side, setting down the dish.

“‘M sure she won’t mind.” He said, and his eyes shifted to you. You and all your beauty, your kindness, the way your eyes smiled even while you were sharing a passive look.

“Do you want some coffee?” He questioned, and there he went, sounding rushed again. He just wanted you to stay, to share you sunlight with him just a bit longer.

When you agreed to it, he got busy. He nearly knocked off the mugs off the counter trying to prepare everything. You sat at the table, and glanced down at the book. Joel looked back to see your attention on something else other than him, and felt a little more at ease.

“I got a patrol coming up.” You said, and Joel poured the dark liquor into one of the faded mugs. He turned and carried it to you at the table, sitting across from you.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. This will be my first one.” You said, and he could see for the first time something else in your expression- anxiety. Fear.

He didn’t like it, to see you facing such emotions. He wished he could wrap them all up and throw them away. Whatever it took to see your smile again.

“Who’ya going with?”

“Jim Harris.” You replied with a nod, and Joel sat up a bit straighter. He didn’t like Jim, he always came off as loud and imposing. He didn’t have the best reputation when it came to women, either. He was rude and disrespectful, and there had been some complaints about harassment made against him.

“I see.” He said. Why did anyone assign you with Jim Harris, of all people? They knew of his ways and his complaints. The last thing they needed was to put you with him, all while alone.

No, he wouldn’t stand for that.

“I’ll get ‘em to switch things around. I’ll go with you.” He said, and nodded with finality. You looked at him, a bit surprised if not shocked.

“Oh. You really don’t have to-“

“I insist. I can get some strings pulled so you won’t have to be near him. Besides, I just… I can’t stand someone like him being near you. It ain’t right.” He said, his fingers gripping the coffee mug a bit tighter at the thought of Jim laying even a finger on you. You looked at Joel, the shock really settling in now. Joel was unaware of the gravity of his words in the moment, something he would regret later. Not that he said them, but that he hadn’t said more.

“… Thank you.” You said quietly. Joel looked at you, and felt his chest bloom with warmth. Your words, though short and few, were filled with gratitude and relief that didn’t go unnoticed by Joel.

“Anything you need, darlin’.” He said, the name rolling off his lips before he could stop himself. You smiled, and Joel would have given you the moon right then and there if you asked.

He cleared his throat as if it would clear the air, and he visibly relaxed. Knowing you would be under his care and away from Jim Harris’ whole being made him feel better. He wasn’t sure why, but he felt a strong need to be by your side when the time for patrol comes. It just felt right that he would be there to protect you.

“A true southern gentleman.” You mused as you took a sip of your coffee. Joel’s face flushed, and he averted his gaze, and began to speak but you cut him off.

“I like it.”

Joel felt the ghost of a smile on his lips, and he glanced at you, shrugging.

“Old habits die hard, I guess.” He said, and rubbed the back of his neck. He could feel his hair curling under his fingertips as he did so. He needed a haircut, and sorely.

But, the town was lacking a barber, so he figured he would do it himself one of these days.

“A good habit to have.” You said, and he chuckled.

“Whatever you say, da-“ but he quickly cut himself off and hurriedly spoke your name instead. You smiled, regardless of what he called you. He found he liked saying your name. It felt personal, more grounded to reality. He was having a hard time grappling with reality ever since you crossed the threshold of his home. He couldn’t believe you were here, in his kitchen, drinking his coffee. He wanted this moment to last as long as time would allow- he would commit it to memory. Every word, every glance, every piece.

He found he did that often with you- just taking in any bit of you you had to offer, when he was feeling brave enough.

“I gotta get back.” You said, and stood up, rubbing your hands together to conserve the warmth of the coffee mug. Joel stood up, and nodded hurriedly, though he already felt the air grow cold at the absence of your presence.

“Of course. I’ll… I’ll walk you out.” He said, and stood up as well. He walked with you to the door at a snail’s pace, and you talked about your work for the rest of the day. The walk was all too short, and Joel’s hand rested on the doorknob. He looked at you, his brown eyes taking you in before he released you back to the world.

“Take it easy. I’ll see you on patrol. Okay?” He said, and you gave him that gut wrenching smile. Could have brought him to his knees if you so desired.

“Sounds good, Joel.” You said, and he opened the door, the chill coming in as you wrapped your jacket tighter around yourself. You smiled and gave him the lightest wave, and headed out into the cold Texas winter.

He watched you go, and his name still hung in the air. Despite the door being open, the cold sweeping in, he felt warm.

Oh, he was such a goner.

~*~*~

Part Two out now!

[silksongeveryday]

Drawing Hornet everyday until Silksong comes out - Day 200!!!

(huge thanks to this person for the art suggestion!! <3)

I genuinely can’t believe that I’ve made it to 200 days, it’s truly been wild how time flies by like that and the amount of doodles I’ve made during that time. Over 200 doodles (217 to be exact if we’re counting double pictures/extra doodles) have been made over the past 200 days. :0

And thank you all so much for the love and support! Not only have we reached 200 days but also 1400+ followers about a week ago! <3

But, having said that I’d like to make a few announcements—some good, some not so great—about a few things regarding the blog, myself, and other stuff.

Putting it all under the cut so the post isn’t long if you’d like to know more

______________________________

Announcements!

My pfp!

1.) I’ll be changing my pfp again!! I’ve officially decided that after every 100 days or so I’ll change up the pfp so it’s up to date with my doodle style (assuming it changed at all lol), but generally it’ll look relatively the same as the last!

Possibly more admins?

2.) As of right now I’m looking into the idea/possibility of having a second (maybe third?) person help me with daily doodles! As much as I’d like to keep doodling everyday there are some days that it can be tough or some situation might be happening. (i.e. recently got injured)

See, the problem is I don’t exactly have a proper way of trying this out??? My idea was to maybe do this through dms or more preferably Google Forms. I also don’t really know what form of communication afterward would be best either, suggestions to help me work this out would be great! (as you can tell I’m not very good at this stuff lol)

Commissions!

3.) After much consideration and a lot of thought, I’ve decided that in the near future, I’ll be opening commissions again for the first time in years. I don’t have everything set up quite yet, but expect more info in the near future!

About requests:

4.) You may have noticed recently that I haven’t been doing as many doodle requests recently. Sure, there’s usually quite a few in a row at once but you may have noticed I’ve also been doing “non-requested” doodles aka ones that I just do on my own.

Expect this to become a very normal thing going forward. I probably won’t be doing as many requests as before because frankly with the amount of requests I get daily when it’s open is a lot to handle sometimes. Does this mean requests will be stopped entirely? No, I’ll still do some occasionally, but not as much as I have in the past.

Also I’ll likely be doing strictly anonymous requests.

About Burnout:

5.) Alright let’s address the elephant in the room.

There have been quite a few instances where people have wondered if I would ever have burnout and have occasionally joked about “dying” from said burnout because “Silksong will never release, you’ll be doing this forever” etc etc.

In the past I’ve been fine, motivation has been great, but recently I’ve noticed it a little bit.

Unfortunately life has its own plans so it can be a little hard for me to make a doodle that day, expecially recently since I’ve been experiencing personal/medical issues. It’s part of the reason I’m hoping to get a second (maybe third) person to help me do daily doodles so I can take a little bit of the load off my shoulders.

So what does this mean for this blog?

Not much right now. But in the future, there may be some changes. My current plan is to keep going on daily doodles/posts for the length of a standard year, so roughly 365 days. After that, if things in personal life keep up the way they have, I may have to stop daily doodles and instead will post only if I have time. That likely means doodles every other day or every three days or something. At the very least I’ll still post a doodle once a week.

Not to worry though! I’ll still try my best even after I reach day 365 :)

I’ll discuss how things work a little more on my main @miizori later, but that’s as much as I can think to explain rn.

———————————————

Just a few more things I wanted to say!

This community has been so cool to interact with, so much tamer than some others I’ve been apart of in the past. I’m genuinely thankful for how much support and how nice everyone has been. I truly didn’t expect to get this far, I was fully expecting to have stopped like 10 doodles in lol. I especially love to see all your comments in the tags and people sharing their art. You’re all so cool :)))

I have a dtiys from back when I reached 300 followers that’s still available if you’re feeling up to it!

Also my main (again, @miizori) is where I make updates on doodle stuff, regular art stuff and so on if you’re interested at all in that lol

I think that’s all that I can remember wanting to say, so thanks!! I look forward to more doodles for you all :)

[ladykailitha]

Grief (A Friend Indeed) Part 1

Hello! Sorry it's been nothing but one-shots lately, but as I said in this post here I haven't abandoned anything, my life has just got a little crazy lately.

This was conceived because my sister's former mother-in-law passed away due to massive heart failure a week ago and I chose to write this story as a way with dealing it. I didn't know her well, but I did know her and that's enough I think to feel some grief at her passing. She was a year younger than my dad.

Summary: Eddie and Wayne have to go back to Kentucky when Eddie's grandmother (and Wayne and Al's mother) passes. Steve comes along when Eddie suggests that he would feel better if he came. Along the way they learn about each other's pasts and find out that they are each other's future.

***

Eddie walked into the Family Video and had to stop and gaze fondly at the sight before him. Steve was draped over the counter reading a magazine and steadfastly ignoring the bell above the door that announced his arrival.

He got up to the desk and greeted affectionately, “Hey, Stevie.”

Steve bolted straight up and ran his fingers through his hair. “Oh hi, Eds. I didn’t realize that it was you.”

Eddie smiled for the first time in days.

Steve grinned back. “You know, a boy could start to think you were avoiding him. You know, since I haven’t seen you around in days.”

Eddie winced, shoving his hands into his jean pockets. “Sorry, man. I had family stuff.”

Steve’s teasing grin slid off his face. “Shit. I’m sorry. That was a dick move.”

Eddie waved his hands. “No, no. There was no way for you to know. In fact, that’s why I’m here. To make sure you don’t think that I’m avoiding you. Because I wouldn’t. You see Wayne and I have to go back to Ashland for a funeral.”

Steve’s already contrite expression softened further. “Oh, Eds. That’s awful. Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

Eddie’s eyes welled up and before the first tear could fall, Steve was over that counter and wrapping him up in his arms.

“I’ve got you, Eds,” Steve murmured. “I’m here now.”

Eddie sobbed and sobbed as Steve just gently rubbed his back until he calmed down enough to talk.

“It’s Uncle Wayne’s mom, my grandma,” he explained, clutching Steve’s shirt like a life line. “She was just the sweetest old lady and now she’s gone. I’m going to miss her.”

“Oh, Eds,” Steve murmured. “I’m sorry. That must just be awful for you. If there is anything I can do, just let me know.”

Eddie chuckled into Steve’s work vest. “Too bad you can’t come with. I think I’d feel braver about seeing all Dad’s family again if you were there.”

Steve grabbed his biceps and pushed him back gently. “Done.”

Eddie stuttered and sputtered. “Stevie, no...”

Steve picked up the phone on the counter and dialed a number. “Stevie yes.”

And Eddie watched in awe horror as Steve’s eyes suddenly welled up with tears and he rubbed his nose.

“Keith?” Steve said, his voice rough as if he had been doing the crying. “Yeah, I just got a call from my mom. My grandmother has died and I have to go to Kentucky for the funeral.”

Eddie’s jaw dropped. He didn’t even know that Steve knew where Ashland was.

“Yeah, my mom is from Lexington,” Steve said with a wink at him. “A real southern belle. I’ve seen pictures of her debutante ball and everything.”

Eddie snorted, because of course she was.

“I would need at least a week,” Steve was saying. “With the reading of the will and all.”

Eddie scoffed. If there was a will, he very much doubted there would be anything as formal as a reading of the damn thing.

“Oh thank you so much,” Steve sniffled. “I’ll even call Robin and let her know about her needing to pick up a few shifts.”

And like that Steve had gotten the week off.

“And the award for best crocodile tears to get out of working goes to Steve Harrington!” Eddie said, waving his hands back and forth. “Holy shit, man, how did you do that?”

Steve snorted. “As any good actor will tell you in order to cry on command, you just need to think about something that makes you cry.”

Eddie frowned. “What did you think of?”

Steve just shrugged. “What time are you guys leaving?”

“Tomorrow, early,” he said. “But serious, dude, even after that stellar performance, you don’t really have to come. Take the week off. Enjoy life for a change.”

Steve shook his head. “I would just be at home worried about you. Don’t make me stay. Please. Not when you said you would feel better with me there.”

Eddie’s shoulders slumped as he gave in. “Of course I want you there, but I would be selfish to take you away from your family for so long. Robin, Dustin...the rest of the them all need you too.”

Steve sighed heavily. “You’re part of that family, Eds. And I’m not dumb enough to think that they aren’t going to make a run for it the second they’re able to. As they should. I have to live my own life and not be afraid to go places.”

Eddie threw his arms in the air. “I hate when you make sense.”

Steve grinned. “Now the only remaining question is which vehicle we’re taking, Wayne’s truck, your van, or my car?”

Eddie laughed. “God, Stevie. I am so glad you’re coming with me. I needed that. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Steve’s grin turned soft and fond. “Let’s hope you never have to find you.”

“Damn straight.”

*

“I can’t believe you’re leaving me,” Robin groused when Steve called her after Eddie left.

“What was I supposed to do when he asked?” Steve questioned, twirling the phone cord around his fingers. He leaned against the counter, keeping an eye on the door.

The last thing he needed was Keith finding out he fucked around after giving him the week off.

Robin scoffed. “Not go?” she questioned. “He obviously wasn’t serious about you coming with.”

"You know I would do the same for you," he said with a sigh. "For any of you. Plus his life has already been turned upside down enough, don't you think?"

Robin sighed. "I'm not really mad," she said. "It's just that this will be the longest we've been apart since the Russians under the mall."

Steve pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just think of it as a trial run for when you go to college."

"Yeah okay," she said resigned. "Just call me before you leave and again when you get there, okay?"

"Aye, aye, captain!" Steve said with a grin.

Robin giggled. "Shut up!" She paused for a moment. "I'll miss your stupid face, dingus."

“I’ll miss yours, too,” Steve said with a sigh. “I’ll call as often as I can okay?”

“You better.”

They talked a little bit longer until a customer came in and he had to hang up.

*

When he got home he started calling all the kids and packing for a week long trip. He wasn’t sure what he should bring in terms of clothes and ended up calling Eddie.

Eddie who laughed when he asked. “Just bring what you would normally wear this time of year.”

Steve chewed on his lip. “So I won’t get mercilessly teased about my preppy clothes?”

“Oh no, you will,” Eddie confirmed. “It’s just you don’t have to change yourself to fit in with a bunch of assholes who would make fun of you. Okay?”

Steve let out a slow breath and his anxiety went with it. He could handle that. Those assholes had never met a bitch like Steve Harrington before.

“Yeah, okay,” he said after a moment. “You and Wayne decide which vehicle we’re taking?”

“Yeah, he suggested we take his truck and your car,” Eddie said. “He knows he’s going to be taking a lot back and thinks your car will make it better than my van.”

“Sounds good,” Steve murmured, a little disappointed. “So who will you be riding with for the trip down?”

He could almost feel the grin from here. “With you, of course, darlin’.”

Steve laughed. “Yeah okay. What time do you need me at your house?”

There was a beat and then two before Eddie said, “I was thinking that you should spend the night so we could leave first thing in the morning.”

Steve’s heart sped up as his breath caught in his chest. “Yeah. Sure. That’s a good idea. I’ll show up at eight tonight, give myself a little bit more time to pack.”

“Sounds good,” Eddie replied. “Wayne suggested it because it’s a six hour drive and we want to leave as early as we can so it’s not too late when we get there.”

Steve felt a jumble of emotions at that statement. It was a relief that it was a practical reason, but at the same time it was a disappointment that it wasn’t Eddie’s idea.

He took a deep breath. “I hear that. I remember the trips to Lexington when I was kid before we started flying. They were a bitch.”

“It really surprises me that you have family in Kentucky. I don’t know why, a lot of people in Indiana do, it’s just...”

“Harringtons are so entrenched in Hawkins it’s weird to think we have connections outside of it?” Steve supplied.

Eddie laughed. “Yeah, that.”

“My parents met in college and I didn’t move to Hawkins until I was eight,” Steve said.

“Wait,” Eddie said. “No way. You aren’t a Hawkins native?”

Steve chuckled. “Nope. I’m more like you and Dustin then the Wheelers and the Byers. And the Sinclairs.”

“Huh,” Eddie said after a moment. “You certainly have hidden depths, my friend.”

“You have no idea,” Steve teased.

“Then I’ll just have to use this trip to dive deeper,” Eddie teased back.

“I have to pack, you dork,” Steve said fondly. “I’ll be over at eight.”

“See you then, Stevie.”

***

Part 2|Part 3|Part 4|Part 5|Part 6|Part 7|Part 8|Part 9|Part 10|Part 11|Part 12

Permanent tag list: @spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @artiststarme @swimmingbirdrunningrock @gregre369 @pyrohonk ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @chaoticlovingdreamer @goodolefashionedloverboi @messrs-weasley @maya-custodios-dionach @val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @danili666 @carlyv @rozzieroos @wonderland-girl143-blog @justforthedead89 @emly03 @bookworm0690 @itsall-taken @bookbinderbitch @redfreckledwolf @littlewildflowerkitten @vecnuthy @scheodingers-muppet @mira-jadeamethyst

[licorice-tea]

The Way Things Go

Pairing: Kaku x reader

Content: strawhat reader, kaku calls reader “miss”, mild smut/ implied smut, sexual innuendoes and things, huge spoilers for water 7 and enies lobby!!!

Word Count: 1.5k

A/N: probably 2-3 more parts after this one… but idk yet… he’s so sleazy actually and i’m OBSESSED. anyway hope you enjoy! oh and if you want to be on the taglist (for this one or any other fics of mine) i have a post about it linked on my pinned!

Part 1

As promised, you meet Kaku in the small harbor where the Straw Hats hid the Going Merry when you all first arrived to Water 7 earlier that day. He’s already there when you arrive, and praises the craftsmanship of the ship from a distance. You answer all his questions about the ship- or as many as you’re able to, at least. Which brings about the question of “Who takes care of the damages?” so you have to explain how you haven’t really been able to get any repairs as long as you’ve all had her.

The two of you board the Going Merry, only to find Zoro “sleeping.” He cracks an eye open as the two of you walk by and almost says something to Kaku, who’s a stranger to the swordsman, then sees you and simply shrugs before dozing off once more.

Kaku observes certain parts of the ship, like the mast and even the floorboards, eventually having assessed nearly every area of the deck. Then he asks you to show him below deck, which you do, and give him a tour of the various rooms. He mainly just checks out the port windows and things like that, until you’ve gone through every room in the lower levels- well, all except one. When you reach the end of a particular hall and then turn back without letting him in to the room behind you, he points and asks, “And what might that room be?”

“Oh, that’s just my room.”

“Ah… I’d hate to intrude but, I do need to see all of the ship.” He doesn’t. He already knows this vessel is past the point of no return- it’s a miracle it’s even floating on the water right now. However, Kaku doesn’t want to tell you that quite yet. He’d hate to disappoint you and…. ruin his chances. Plus, he’s a little very curious to see what your room is like.

“… Um, just give me a second then, ok?” You excuse yourself into your room, and begin tidying up at a shocking speed. It’s already pretty neat actually, but you still go around the entire room making sure nothing is out of place. Once you’re sure there’s nothing lying about that shouldn’t be, you open the door to find him leaning in the frame. “Sorry about that, you can come in now.”

“No need to apologize, miss y/n. Kaku slips past you into your room- “Gosh, what a treat!” he thinks. Like this little glimpse into your private space is really a view of your mind, too. He makes his way over to the port window in slow strides, taking the opportunity to look at all of your little trinkets and decorations.

“Nice place you’ve got here.”

“Thanks… I don’t usually bring guys straight to my room on a first date.” You mean it as a joke, but he takes it in full stride.

“Oh yeah? I guess I should count myself lucky then.”

“I… mhm.”

Kaku laughs, “So, maybe I’ll get extra lucky later on. “

“Sorry?”

“Don’t be.” He looks over at you, pausing his inspection of the port window and how stable (?) it is. “Just joshing you, miss, I should be the one apologizing for my… crude joke.”

You shrug and mumble under your breath, “It wasn’t that bad.”

“Oh?” He walks closer, trapping you in the space between your bed and the wall and himself. It’s barely enough room for one person to stand in if they’re perpendicular to your bed, since it’s just a narrow space. (You have a sort of rational fear of waking up to water leaking through the wall and straight onto you and your sheets, so pushing the bed out a bit was a natural solution.) “Not a bad idea, or not a bad joke?”

“Not a bad-“

He cuts you off with his lips on yours, it waiting to hear your reply. Kaku wants you, and he knows he won’t get much time with you between everything that’s about to go down with CP9 (unbeknownst to you.) It’s sudden, and already quite deep right off the bat. His head is tilted more than a person usually would tilt their head upon entering a kiss to compensate for the length of his nose, but he’s anything but embarrassed- so long as it brings him closer to you and faster, it’s worth the strain on his neck. You would giggle if you weren’t so caught off guard by how he seems to overtake all your senses in mere moments. As proof of the shock to your system, the immediate closeness of the kiss leads you to open your lips in a slight gasp. Kaku sighs contentedly before sucking at your bottom lip, and you to hum in surprise. His hands find their place on the small of your back, and the tips of his fingers travel up and down your spine. You accept him, letting him continue sucking and smothering your lips with his while throwing your arms around his neck. It’s all happening very fast- but you like it.

After a few moments he pulls away, breathing heavily with a thin line of saliva still connecting your lips to his. He swipes it away by brushing his thumb over your lips, and wiping it off on the side of his pants (though still holding around your back with one hand.)

“What-“

“I hope you’ll excuse my-“ he pauses due to his panting, “rushing into things.”

“Y-yeah it’s fine, I was just…” his lips ghost over yours once more, so close you can feel his breath fanning over your skin. “Surprised.”

This time, you’re the one to close the distance and tighten your arms around his shoulders. There’s an underlying sense of need, somewhere deep within you, that hadn’t been there when you’d first walked onto the ship. No, it was his actions and words- the way he looked at you now with such a want in his eyes- that caused this. Of course, you’d already been attracted to him, but you certainly wouldn’t have been the one to make the first move like he had so early on. Yet here you are, making out with a man you just met earlier in the day.

But then you feel his knee slotting itself between your legs, and whine before you come to your senses. You push down his thigh, “We can’t.”

“Mmph- why not?”

“I just met you.”

He chuckles, though it’s more evident in the shake of his shoulders than any audible laughter. “That would be a mighty fine reason.”

“Yeah… I- I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, y/n. Is it ok if I just call you that?”

You smile and nod. Two seconds ago his tongue was in your mouth, now he’s asking for permission to drop formalities- funny guy.

“Well, y/n, I don’t know how long you’ll be in town for, nor how busy I’ll be with work. I want to make the most of this time together.”

Kaku had known this was a bad idea from the start, in all honesty. But when Robin begged Spandam for safe passage for her crew-her friends- out of Water 7, and he’d seen your bounty poster along with the others, he was “struck by Cupid’s arrow.” And getting to meet you in person by coincidence was even better. He had fallen hard and fast, and now he wanted to keep things moving that way before you were gone from his life forever.

However, in fear of making you uncomfortable, he pulls away. Kaku makes it all the way to the other side of the room before you do something that surprises even yourself. You grab his wrist and walk backwards to your bed again, this time lowering yourself to sit on the plush comforter.

His hand interlocks with yours as you let yourself fall back completely. “You… are you sure, y/n?”

You nod. “I’m sure.” And, like the comedian you are, ask “Why? Do you not want to anymore?”

Kaku’s eyes roam over your body, all laid out just for him. His fingers trace your side and come to rest on your hip, giving you a gentle squeeze. “N-no, I want to. I want you.”

With the hand he isn’t inadvertently pining to the bed, you draw his face closer to yours so you can kiss him again. He exhales shakily and all but climbs on top of you, slotting his knee between your legs once more.

You pray, for Zoro’s sake above deck, that he isn’t too loud a lover.

Taglist: @imaginarydreams

[wizardinggirl]

The Snake and the Raven

Summary: Starting out as unlikely friends in Hogwarts, you and Severus don’t realize your feelings for each other until adulthood. When the world is dark and bloody, at least you have each other.

Warnings: none

Parts: Prologue (1/2) || Prologue (2/2) || Part 1 || Part 2 || (I will link the rest as they are posted.)

Prologue (Part 2/2): When We Were Young

Word Count: 1.8k

Usually, you would forgive Severus in a day or two for speaking without thinking, but this was different. You were hurt, you felt attacked and you knew you didn’t deserve it. You were almost through your fifth year and he still hadn’t come to apologize. You’d thought the two of you had been closer than that.

“Hey, little Raven.” Your boyfriend came around from behind you and leaned on the windowsill next to you. “What are you thinking about?” Yes, you had started dating Sirius. He was so worried about you when you had stormed out of the Great Hall that day and had followed after you, and even let you cry on his shoulder.

“Nothing.” You smile turning around to lean your back against the window. “Just how Ravenclaw is going to beat Gryffindor into the mud at the match today.” He gasps and holds his chest in an exaggerated motion.

“How could you. I’m your boyfriend.” He wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. You laughed then leaned over to kiss his cheek.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be there to cheer you up after.” He smirks and leans closer to you.

“Is that a promise?” You smirked back, a pink blush dusting your cheeks. “Oh! That reminds me.” He started to take off his house scarf and wrapped it around your own neck. “There. If you’re going to do something, you might as well do it right.” You blushed as you faced each other and even more so when he slid his hands under your hair to pull it out over the scarf. He smiled so gently at you, far different from when you first met him. He tucked some hair behind your ear and was glancing between your eyes and your lips. That's when a figure down the hall caught your eye. When you looked over you saw that it was Severus, you froze. He gave you a glare then turned to walk the opposite way. When you looked back to Sirius he looked worried.

“Don’t you have practice soon? James’ll get mad at me if I make you late again.” You changed the subject and hoped he wouldn’t say anything about it. He smiled at that and took your hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss then held it firmly in his to walk with you down the hall towards the Quidditch field.

It was the beginning of your sixth year when you finally spoke to Severus again. Professor Slughorn had assigned the two of you to work on a project together; brewing a perfect example of the advanced potion you had all just learned: Amortentia. Whether it was on purpose or not, you weren’t sure. Perhaps he knew if he put anyone else with him that he’d end up doing all the work. Then there was the fact that the two of you were also his best students. You made your way over to his station, knowing that he’d want to be with his own things, and took your spot standing next to him. A bit of sadness and nostalgia hit you, reminding you of your second year together.

“Where should we start?” You ask quietly. He glances at you and opens his advanced potions notebook in front of you; tapping lightly on the page before turning his attention to filling the cauldron with the basic potion liquid.

“I don't have any Ashwinder Eggs at the moment.” When he moves his hands out of the way you lean over the notebook to read all of of the ingredients and can’t help but show a little smile at all his notes scattered across the page.

“I have some at my station. I’ll grab the ingredients and you start brewing?” You ask, not looking up to him. He gives an approving sound and you’re off. Thirty minutes in and neither of you have spoken too much. It would be a while until your potion was ready for the next step so you decide to finally say something to him. “Se-”

“I-” your eyes shoot up to him and both of you have wide eyes.

“Go ahead.” You say softly, like speaking to an injured animal. He clears his throat and stares intently into the pot.

“I’m sorry.” It was barely above a whisper, but you heard him. It took two years, but Severus Snape had finally apologized to you. “I shouldn’t have said those things to you.” His eyes finally make their way to yours. He was sincere. “It shouldn’t have taken me so long to apologize either.” He looks back to his cauldron. “You don’t have to accept.” You smile kindly at him. You knew it took a lot for him to admit he was wrong and you could tell this had been weighing heavy on his shoulders, his own stubbornness had been standing his way.

“I forgive you Severus.” His head snaps back to you.

“Really?” You nod and hum in response. You place your hand on his elbow and tilt your head to look up at him. He’d gotten much taller since you last spoke.

“You’re my best friend Sev. Of course, I do. I just wish you wouldn’t have taken so long.” He hangs his head in shame. “But, I know you mean it, so I won’t give you a hard time.” You give his arm a squeeze. “But don't you ever do that again.” He looks to his arm and then to you, your smile was kind but your words held a weight to them. He was almost scared.

“I swear it.” The rest of the class went by and the two of you finished your potion without issue.

"Alright then, go ahead. What do you smell?" Professor Slughorn made it to your station. Severus went first. "Well?"

"Lavender...Honeysuckles...and earth." It stung a bit to know that you didn't smell like those things. You knew it shouldn't matter that he clearly smelt Lily's shampoo, but there was still a small pang in your chest.

"Very good, Snape. Now you, Miss (l/n)." You nod and lean over the cauldron, taking a whiff.

"I smell, old books...leather...and bergamot." You stood up straight after that, heat crawling up the back of your neck and throughout the rest of your body.

"Nicely done, both of you. Points for both of your houses."

"Thank you, Professor." Snape is the only one that responds. You were too busy being in shock. That wasn't the smell of Sirius, your literal boyfriend. He smelt like fresh vanilla and muddy boots. You were smelling...you look over to your partner who was watching your professor move to the next station, Severus.

By your seventh-year you and Snape fell back into your routine that you had before and you finally got rid of that heavy feeling you’d had since the two of you stopped speaking. That Amortentia lesson was still in the back of your mind, however. Creeping into your thoughts every once in a while when the two of you were alone.

“Seriously?!” You yell from across the courtyard, dropping your books as you sprinted across to grab the hem of Severus’ robes to pull him back down to Earth. You wrapped your arms around one of his to keep him grounded until the Levioso wore off. You glared at the culprits. “James, what the hell? Sirius, I thought we talked about this? Remus? Peter?” They all stopped laughing, not wanting to incur any more wrath than they were already getting. Sirius met your glare though. Challenging.

“What? We’re just having a bit of fun, isn’t that right Snivellus?” Practically biting out the words. He’d started targeting Severus more since you had become friends again. Adding to James’ already constant bullying, it was too much.

“He doesn’t look like he’s having very much fun to me.” When you felt his body stop resisting your hold you looked at him and slowly let go of his arm. Watching carefully to make sure he didn’t float away again. You turned your attention back to the Mauraders, holding your hand out to Potter. He hung his head and handed your Severus’ potions book. Without looking, you handed it back to your friend.

“What’s with you?” Sirius asked angrily. “Why do you care so much about him?” He looked the Slytherin up and down then glared back at you. Was he accusing you of something?

“Why don’t you spit it out Black? Tell me what you really think.” You crossed your arms. The rest of the group was visibly uncomfortable as Sirius stepped up to tower over you.

“I think you’ve let that Snake slither between you-" you didn’t give him the chance to finish and a sharp smack rang through the courtyard. His hand rose to his cheek, but he didn’t look back at you. The rest of the boys watched on with wide eyes.

“We’re done, Black.” You used Accio to bring your books back to you from where they were still laying on the ground then grabbed Severus’ arm and practically dragged him with you towards the castle.

“You alright Pads?” You heard someone ask the boy you had just slapped. The rest of the conversation was out of your earshot you moved so fast. You loosened the grip on Severus’ arm but didn’t let go until you had found an empty hallway that had a nook with a small couch in the middle and sat down. He hesitated at first, but then slowly sat next to you. You let out a shaky sigh and sat your books opposite Severus. You held your hands in your lap and stared at them. Hot tears fall onto them. You were furious and sad at the same time. You knew Sirius was better than that, how could he say such a thing. You had never seen him so jealous before, and you didn’t like the person it brought out in him. Unless it was all an act in the first place. You were falling into your thoughts when you felt a gentle hand on your shoulder. You look over to your friend and find him with a concerned look on his face and averting your gaze. He wasn’t used to comforting people and wasn’t exactly sure how to do it. You gave him a closed-lip smile and took his hand from your shoulder and held it in your own, setting them in your lap and laying your head on his shoulder. He stiffened at first, but eventually relaxed and let you cry silent tears and sniffle on his shoulder until you felt better.

The end of the year came quickly and before you knew it, it was time to graduate; to leave Hogwarts for good.

“You ready?” You looked up to Severus. He looked back down at you and you saw a flicker of something in his eyes, but before you could figure out what it was, it was gone.

“Ready.” He stepped onto the boat with the rest of the seventh years and offered you a hand to step onto the boat next to him and you took your seats together, side by side. Your lives were just beginning.

Thank you for reading! If you’d like to be added to the tag list for the next chapter please let me know!

Next: Part 1: We Need Each Other

[callalillywrites]

To Repay a Debt 1

Well, it took a full rewrite of what I had originally, but this version is a lot better than what I had originally for our PA!Reader and Ransom's first part. Reader was too meek in the original version, but she's meant to have a lot grit and spunk to deal with Ransom.

Sadly, Ransom, despite his bratty self bugging me about this story, barely appears here but he'll have more presence in the upcoming parts.

Pairing: Ransom Drysdale x Personal Assistant (PA)!Reader

Other characters: Harlan Thrombey, Marta Carbera, Jinx and Salem (OC pets of Reader)

Word Count: ~4000

Story Summary: Harlan requests Reader to become Ransom's personal assistant for a year to repay a long-overdue debt.

Warnings: not much yet but there's some cursing on both reader's and Ransom's part, Ransom is meant to be a softer version in this story though it'll take a bit to get him there

A/N: It’s proofread but all mistakes are my own.

I do not give permission for my work to be copied or posted on other sites or fed into an AI machine.

“Mr. Thrombey,” you began, but he stopped you with a single raised finger. You tried again. “Harlan, this is insane. You do realize that, don’t you?”

“My dear, this is a debt that’s been too long unpaid. It’s time to rectify that,” Harlan said, not unkindly. His steel blue gaze raked over you as you sat across from him, calculating and possibly a bit amused.

It would seem what you’d heard about this man’s flair for the dramatic had some basis in truth.

“I’m a dog trainer. Hell, I trained Hercule and Sherlock out there. Don’t think I’ll forget or forgive the trick you played on me with them.” You gestured to the large bay window behind Harlan to illustrate your point. The two dogs raced around the perimeter, enjoying their free time with the grounds remaining quiet for the moment. “At least, you had the grace and guts to do this face-to-face this time. Don’t think I’m not surprised, either. Was Marta too busy to do your dirty work? Besides, what makes you think I’m at all qualified to do what you’re asking?”

Harlan didn’t answer right away. His gaze fell to the top of his desk. The bushy grey brows he sported drew together until you could see several lines bunching across the bridge of his nose.

The sight of this older man and the sadness he seemed to exude in his contemplation had you almost fidgeting in your seat. It was enough that you wanted to comfort one of the last people you ever thought about comforting.

“I’m not sure there’s anyone qualified, my dear,” he said, finally breaking the silence by focusing on your last question, “but I trusted you with my highly prized dogs. I think I can trust you with this new mission. If anyone can see past his faults and help him, it’s you. Isn’t that what you do with all the so-called aggressive breeds you handle every day?”

It wasn’t lost on you that he ignored the other questions and jabs you tossed at him. You’d freely admit to wanting to needle the man for his previous cowardice. It’d taken everything in you to not toss Marta off your property when you realized who really owned Hercule and Sherlock. Betrayal and hatred had streaked through you with an electricity that lit up every one of your nerves.

The only reason you hadn’t done so had been Marta’s genuine remorsefulness. She’d broken down that day and told you everything about herself, her position as Harlan’s nurse, her mother’s less-than-legal status. The vulnerability in Marta’s voice had worked to soften you towards her. It’d been the reason you continued to work with Hercule and Sherlock until they passed your top-notch security courses.

While you wanted nothing to do with Harlan or his family, you’d made a friend in Marta that day. That friendship was the only reason you even entertained Harlan at this moment.

Which brought you back to the last thing he said.

“Aggressive, yes,” you agreed readily enough, “but they’re not all that way. Some just need the right guidance to get them back on track. Ransom’s not aggressive nor misguided from what I’ve heard. He’s something else entirely.”

Harlan had the audacity to laugh at your description. “My late wife would’ve said the same thing about me at his age. Probably still would, my dear, if I’m being honest.”

“Twenty years, Harlan.” You had to figure out a different way out of this. “Why care about the debt that’s owed now? What about Ransom’s normal behavior is scaring you enough to reach out to me of all people now?”

“I’m not a young man anymore, my dear. I turn 85 in a week’s time.” He stopped and stared at you, his steely blue gaze not sparing a single detail of your face. “I’ve grown weary of my family freeloading off my success. Of all my children and grandchildren, the one with the most potential is Ransom. He just needs the right push to get him to see that and build something for himself.”

You didn’t know what to say to that, but then, you needn’t worry.

Harlan hadn’t finished his speech. “I’ll admit I’ve spoiled and favored him the most over the years. He’s the most like me, and I think I appreciated that fact in the worst possible ways. I’ve not done him any favors, but there must be time still to fix that. That’s what I’m clinging to, my dear. That hope.”

“Harlan, I –”

He cut you off again. “I’ve given you a week to think over my proposition. A year of your life to help set my grandson straight. Use whatever methods you think necessary to achieve your ends. That’s all I’m asking. For your efforts, you’ll be provided handsomely.”

“I don’t need your money, Harlan,” you put your hand up this time and stopped him from interrupting, “nor do I want it. I have a successful company of my own. Like you, I’ve built mine from the ground up. I’m not some little mouse that will stand by and let you and yours destroy what I’ve built for some debt you want to call in twenty years too late.”

A silence descended upon the room at your admission.

Harlan’s gaze never strayed from your face, calculating as he regarded you.

You did your best not to fidget. To give this man an inkling of weakness would make you more susceptible prey to this astute predator, and that wasn’t something you were willing to give him then or ever if you could help it. The Thrombeys had deep pockets, but you refused to kowtow to the likes of them.

“If it’s not money you want, then what do you want?”

You studied him for a long moment before saying, “This debt between our families to be cancelled and cleared once and for all. I do this, and it’s never used against me again. I want your assurance that you’re not going to interfere with my business or have this scheme interfere with my day-to-day schedule should I agree. If I help Ransom, then it’s on my terms, not yours. I’ve worked too hard to have my business suffer for what will most likely amount to a lost cause.”

“Most men in my position would find your lack of desire for monetary gain suspicious,” he paused for what you could only guess was for some dramatic flair or flourish, “but you’re sincere in this, aren’t you?”

You nodded. “I am.”

“Do we have a deal then, my dear?”

His hand stretched across the desk towards you. A small but pleased smile slipped across his features, believing he’d won.

That thought rankled.

You refused to meet him in the middle.

At his questioning look, you said, “We still have some details to discuss. Only then will we maybe have a deal.”

Harlan had the nerve to send you a cheeky grin, settling back in his chair.

“I’m all ears, my dear.”

The sun had risen to midday before you finally emerged from Harlan’s downstairs office.

Marta hurried across the foyer to meet you near the front door, catching sight of you from the front parlor where she’d been waiting. She’d been adamant in her innocence of this meeting the moment you’d stepped into the house that morning.

“Is everything alright?”

You took the first real deep breath you could since coming face-to-face with Harlan. The air expanded your lungs to their absolute maximum capacity, and you let them rest that way for a full five seconds. Then, in a whoosh, you let everything go on your exhale.

Meeting Marta’s worried gaze, you couldn’t quite muster a smile, but you nodded. “Everything went about as well as I expected it to. It would seem you’ll be seeing my pretty face around here every other week for the next year.”

“You’re serious? You accepted his terms?” Marta’s eyes widened. She spared a glance at the doorway you’d come from before turning back to you.

You nodded again. “With a few necessary amendments, I did. Not sure what good it’ll do, but he’s adamant I at least try.”

“You have doubts?”

That pulled an exasperated huff from you. “Doubts? Yeah, I have doubts. I could fill the bloody Grand Canyon with my doubts about this cockamamy scheme of his. But, a debt’s a debt. It’s gotta be paid somehow, and it looks like this is the only way Harlan will accept its repayment.”

Marta twisted her fingers in front of her. A guilty expression briefly flitted over her face. “I feel like this is my fault. It was me that put the idea of him changing his will away from his ungrateful family that started all this. I never meant to involve you.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt you for a minute. You have other things to be concerned with, and I don’t want to you to worry about me, either.” You straightened your shoulders as you glanced around the bizarre décor of the foyer, having no doubt the eccentricity enveloped the entire mansion. “I can take care of myself. If I can handle the world’s most psychotic Chihuahua, then I can handle the likes of Ransom Drysdale.”

You shot her a playful wink and a grin at the giggle she let out.

The two of you spoke a few more minutes before you finally excused yourself.

With the day growing ever later, you needed to head home and gather up what you needed for the next year of your life. While you knew you wouldn’t fit everything in your mid-sized sedan, you could at least bring over some essentials.

Ransom’s credit card, also yours to use freely according to Harlan, would help pay for a U-Haul to bring the rest in a few days to Ransom’s home, now your new home.

That had been one stipulation that Harlan hadn’t backed down on.

“How else will you be able to keep a constant eye on him and keep him on the straight and narrow as they say if you’re not living in his home?” he’d asked.

There’d been no hint at the possible notion of impropriety that some of his generation might’ve considered for such an arrangement. After all, neither you nor Ransom were married, and you had a feeling neither of you had an interest in such an arrangement. At least, that hadn’t been one of Harlan’s demands though you didn’t put it past the old coot to consider it.

Marta called after you from the front porch, “Give Salem and Jinx a good scritch from me?”

“Oh, they’ll demand it with how long I’ve been away from them,” you shouted back, waving as you slipped into the driver’s seat of your car.

At least, their accompanying you to Ransom’s home had been something Harlan readily agreed to. How Ransom would react to having pets in his home remained to be seen, but you didn’t frankly care. Jinx and Salem were the only family you had left. An accident in your youth had seen to that. They’d been the final nail to gain your agreement to this insane proposition in the first place.

Lunch-hour traffic didn’t bother you as much as it normally would have. Other things occupied your mind. They kept you busy while you wound your way through the heart of the city. Harlan’s grand mansion on the opposite side of town far out of your rearview by then. Your thoughts didn’t really slow until you pulled into your reserved space in front of your condo.

Taking a moment, you admired the place you’d busted your ass to purchase three years ago. In those three years, you’d taken great pains to decorate it exactly to your preferences and those of your two mischief makers. It would be a lot to give up for the next year, but you told yourself it would only be for a year.

12 months. 52 weeks. 365 days. 8,760 hours. 525,600 minutes.

You could last that long, couldn’t you?

You could figure out what makes Ransom tick. Figure out how to use that to your advantage like you did with your four-legged clients. Make him into the acceptable version of himself for Harlan’s sake and health. Ransom’s inheritance certainly counted on your success. That was a lot of pressure to be placed on your shoulders. Would Ransom resent you if he failed? Would he even try working with you or fight you every step of the way?

Two pairs of glowing eyes peered out the large front window of your condo. One set happy to see you’ve returned. The other beyond grumpy for being left behind. You couldn’t and wouldn’t ask them to change for anything.

The safety of your furniture hastened your exit from your car. Making the grump wait longer than he wanted brought out his avenging nature. He wielded that power with great superiority and cleverness that always left you shaking your head while cleaning up the mess. In a word, asshole. Lovable though he was, he kept you constantly on-alert to his moods and needs.

Right now, he wanted attention, then treats to repay your prolonged absence.

Nothing better dare get in the way of that.

Both your grump and his happy companion met you at the front door.

“Ah, there are my sweet babes. Give me a sec, and I’ll get your treats, sourpuss,” you said, laughing at your grump cat who’d taken to headbutting and rubbing against your leg. “I know I was gone so long, but I promise I’m not going anywhere without you again today.”

You draped your jacket across the back of a dining chair, then set your purse in the seat. It was nice to come back to comfortable surroundings after being in the likes of the Thrombey estate. Sure, it was practically a historical landmark with its age and Harlan’s notoriety. That didn’t mean you felt all that welcome within its walls.

Walking into your kitchen, you opened the cabinet where you kept their food and treats. “In fact, my lovelies, it seems we’ll be moving to a temporary new home for the next year.”

Both cats sat at your feet, their tails swishing behind them. Neither seemed concerned with the news she’d given them. Blue eyes followed her every movement. Little tongues peeked out and caught on their sharp canines.

Holding out their treats in separate hands, you bent down and did your best not to chuckle at their opposite reactions. One bounced toward your hand but stopped just short to gently take the treat between their teeth. The other leaned forward and sniffed at the treat, giving it a hard stare before swiping it from your hand with a paw.

“Salem,” you chided, “must you do that every time? You know what your treats are by now, you grumpy Gus.”

Salem, your black cat mix, merely stared back at you. He’d never been impressed with your gentle reprimands. He knew he was a good cat, and he made no bones about being persnickety when his mood shifted now and then.

Rolling your eyes, you reached out and gave him a quick scritch under the chin before turning your attention to your calico, Jinx. “How’s my favorite klutz? Did you have fun while I was gone? I’m sure you kept Salem on his toes, didn’t you, sweet boy?”

Jinx, happy at the attention, leaned into your hand, rubbing his head all over your fingers until you let out another giggle.

With their treats handed out, you pushed to your feet and turned toward the sink to wash your hands. “All right, my sweeties, we need to get going. Lots to pack up before we head to our new home in a couple of hours. Harlan was quite insistent we get settled in tonight with at least a few things.”

You couldn’t imagine what Ransom could do in one night that had made Harlan so adamant. Sure, the tabloids loved to plaster one of Boston’s biggest playboys on their front covers. It was truly a slow week for them if Ransom or one of his friends wasn’t their main story, adding what you could only hope was salacious gossip.

Not that you read the stories yourself, but you’d heard enough about Ransom’s antics from your two trusted employees. They lived for all the gossip about celebrities, and Ransom fell square in that category. You could never bring yourself to demand they stop mentioning him or his friends around you. That would invite questions you had no intention of ever answering. The past was the past, and nothing could change what happened.

Yet, that moment had come back to bite you in the ass.

With nothing left to do but pack, you shoved thoughts of Ransom aside for the time being. You were sure a confrontation would be inevitable, but that was a problem for your future self, not your present one. Your present self had enough to do with getting what you needed until the weekend packed up, and that included your two furry shadows.

The large house surrounded by woods shouldn’t have surprised you from what’d you learned of Ransom and his spending habits. Yet, you hadn’t really pictured him with a house made up of so many floor-to-ceiling windows. The amount of natural lighting and the lack of privacy tinting also had you scratching your head. It was almost like Ransom had nothing to hide based on the house he’d chosen to live in.

That or he had a major exhibition kink you had no interest in considering or discovering.

You fought the urge to pull out your cell phone and dial Marta’s number, demanding another conversation with Harlan. No way were you interested in living in a house like this. The more you inspected the house, the less you could see anything resembling bedrooms. Despite the glass walls, the bedrooms did seem to contain their own forms of privacy.

A loud howl broke through your thoughts.

Salem’s claws caught and scratched across the thick mess of his carrier.

“Alright, alright, we’re going,” you said, placating your grump.

As you moved from the driver’s seat, you noted the lack of lights on in the house or another car parked in the small drive. If there was a garage on the property, you didn’t see it right away.

Maybe luck was on your side.

As much as the confrontation with Ransom would be coming, you had no interest in having it while trying to settle Jinx and Salem in their new surroundings. It would be enough to get them calm before Ransom showed up. Harlan hadn’t been all that sure when Ransom would be home that evening. That could explain why Harlan had stubbornly insisted on you moving in tonight over another.

Salem continued his grumbling while you picked up their carriers from your back seat. They grew an octave as you covered the distance between your car and Ransom’s front door. His loudest setting neared its peak when you slid the key Harlan gave you into the lock.

“Sweets, you’ve gotta stop that. What will our new roommate think of such behavior? This is his house, so you better behave yourself. We understand each other, Salem?” Your voice remained soft despite your reprimands.

To his credit, Salem calmed once you set his carrier down in the foyer. His eyes scanned their new surroundings with a disinterest that you knew was less than genuine. Like Jinx, Salem had a curiosity that demanded satisfaction at its earliest convenience. It wouldn’t take long for him or Jinx to find their spots and claim them. Whether Ransom approved or not was not something that concerned either of them or you for that matter.

“Let’s find our room, then I’ll let you out.”

Jinx chittered at that, eager to get out of his carrier to explore.

The layout, you had to admit, took a bit of getting used to. The open floor plan for the living room, dining room, and kitchen didn’t yield many clues to where the bedrooms were. It was sheer luck that you spotted another hall of the dining room where the two extra bedrooms were. At least, Harlan had given you that much information. The house, with all its space, sported three bedrooms and two baths. Ransom’s room was the entire upper floor above the living room and kitchen. You had no intention of stepping foot in that room unless you had to.

Of the two rooms, you chose the one with a sliding glass door leading to a small deck area. Coverings provided all the privacy you wanted at night. But, they left you the availability to open them so Jinx (and occasionally Salem) could sunbathe in your room, out of the way.  

Setting their carriers on the bed, you opened Salem’s first, then Jinx’s who’d been the most patient. While Salem shook out his fur before bounding off the bed, Jinx merely stretched himself before headbutting you for some attention. Once satisfied, he dropped to the floor in front of the sliding glass door and rolled in the bit of late evening sun filtering through.

Smiling at Jinx, you glanced around for Salem.

The door of your room stood cracked open.

“Oh, you little stink. Wait until I find you,” you muttered beneath your breath.

Despite your threat, you decided to gather your luggage and haul it inside before searching for Salem’s delinquent self. If all else failed, shaking his favorite bag of treats would send him running to you.

Or so you thought.

It hadn’t taken long to bring the few suitcases you’d brought with you into the house, then your room. Even less time to locate the treat bag you tucked inside your purse.

Yet every shake you gave it was met with silence besides Jinx’s happy chirping for said treats.

“Where did you go?” You let out a huff and set the treats down on the kitchen counter.

Picking up Jinx, you moved around the house, searching every nook and cranny Salem could possibly find interesting. No room on the main floor was spared your thorough check until you were left with two choices. The stairs leading down near your bedroom or the stairs behind the large fireplace in the living room. The same stairs that led to Ransom’s bedroom suite.

“He wouldn’t, would he?” you asked Jinx.

Jinx meowed back as if to say he didn’t know.

With little choice, you squared your shoulders and traveled back to the living room and the stairs leading upstairs. “Well, let’s get this over with.”

Much to your chagrin, Salem was in Ransom’s room.

More than that, Salem was lying, content and purring, on the pillows of Ransom’s bed. The same pillows next to the table with all of Ransom’s things. Salem had purposely chosen the ones that most certainly contained Ransom’s scent.

You hurried across the room and picked up your rotten cat, ready to admonish him in the safety of your room downstairs.

At least, that was your intent.

A large wall of a man blocked your path. A large wall of a man with blazing blue eyes and a pissed off frown.

“Who the hell are you? And how the fuck did you get into my house?”

*****

Series Masterlist / Main Masterlist

[bb-olicity]

On An Island Alone

It’s been 3 weeks since Chenford’s breakup and I feel like I’m on an island… alone.  The day after 6x06 aired, I made the decision to walk away from The Rookie. Well, at least until after the finale. I’ll decide if I'm walking away permanently once I check online and see how the season ended.  And before I go any further, to anyone who wants to say I'm not a true Rookie and (most importantly) Chenford fan: I have just as much right to stop watching the show as you do to keep watching it.

So why am I choosing to no longer watch the show?

The main reason I started watching the show in the first place is/was Chenford and I can’t sit there and watch them redo Seasons 4 and 5A and I won’t. Especially considering the fact we already know from Eric’s comments to TVLine they’re not getting back together by the end of the season finale.  I do not see them getting back together until at least the midseason finale next season.  Actually, if I’m being completely honest, I’m not sure they will get back together or if they even should.  I know me saying that will make a lot of people mad, but after reading Melissa and Eric’s post-episode interviews, I got a sense of finality when they were talking about Tim and Lucy’s relationship as a couple and the breakup.  Plus, I honestly don’t see how they can come back from what they did, which leads into the other reason why I’m not watching anymore.

Tim’s whole storyline rubs me the wrong way in so many ways.  They could’ve brought in his military past in so many other ways and still had him struggle without destroying his character in the process.  As it is, the storyline feels extremely forced just to cause drama for the sake of drama and, for me, irredeemably destroyed Tim’s character.  They completely erased 5 ½ seasons of character growth in the matter of only 1 ½ episodes.  And I'll never be able to see Tim the same way again, even if he goes to therapy.  I personally would never be able to trust him again and I honestly don’t see how Lucy could either.  That’s also why part of me feels like they should not get back together. Yes, I know it’s a short season and everything is condensed, but Alexi and the writers should not have done the storyline this late in the season, knowing they would not be able to do it justice with only 4 episodes left and not knowing the show’s fate by the time they finished filming the finale.  Since they were planning to break them up, I feel like they should’ve done it at the end of the premiere or by 6x03. That way there would’ve been time for Tim and Lucy to work through their struggles individually then work them as a couple by the end of the season.

Why do I feel like I’m on an island alone?

After the episode aired, a lot of the fandom was angry and a good number said they were done to show.  However, over the last few weeks, I’ve noticed that number dwindling and a lot fans are now justifying the breakup who weren’t before and they have absolutely every right to.  I can see where they’re coming from, to a certain extent.  Tim and Lucy both were hiding things from each other since they started dating and would just gloss over things that needed deep and meaningful conversations to work them out.  That said, I personally will never agree with the breakup or the whole (Tim’s) storyline and will always maintain the breakup was completely unnecessary and they could’ve (and should’ve) stayed together and worked through their struggles as a couple.  So yeah, I’m on an island alone… and that’s okay.

[cowboydk]

SILVER LININGS, GOLD AND SHINING

PART ONE.

Summary: Complicated was the first word that came to mind regarding your relationship with one Jeong Yunho. He was your very best friend, your other half, the person you went to with everything. He also was someone you slept with fairly regularly. If anyone asked, the pair of you just said you were the very best of friends. That’s all it was, right? What happens when the lines start to blur even more than they already are? Or when others coming into the mix throws everything you thought you knew out the window? Do you let things fall apart or fight for a new normal?

Pairing: Non-idol!Jeong Yunho x Fem!Reader

Warnings:  Strong/Mature language, sexual content (references to implied smut, sexual comments, no actual smut in this part). Minors DNI! 

Word Count: 2.4k

Genre: Fluff, angst, best friends to best friends with benefits?, idiots to lovers!!

A/N: Hello!! The first official part, yippee! I debated waiting to post it, but I was too eager and decided to drop it already. I hope you all enjoy! Shoutout to my lovely bestie Em for proofreading and helping me with this! Thank you for being my #1 fan despite not even going here! LMAO (divider credit!)

Light bleeding through the curtains was the thing that awoke you out of your comfortable slumber. Slowly, your eyes blinked open and you groaned into the pillow. Too early. Way too early—at least that’s what it felt like. 

“Shh,” came a voice from behind you, the hand that had been slung over your waist coming to playfully cover your face.

“Yunho!” You yelped, swatting him away halfheartedly at best. “You’re so annoying.”

“Says the one groaning like their life is ending at waking up before noon.”

“You kept me awake until two AM to get to a new level in Fortnite. I’m not even good at it. You always carry me, Mister Level eighty-three,” you grumbled into the soft pillow. 

You could feel the deep rumble against your back with how Yunho chuckled. His chin tucked over the top of your head as his hand soothingly rubbed over your side. 

“You have fun though! You’re definitely getting better—except for the time someone kidnapped you in a car.”

“You told me to stay in the car!”

“How was I supposed to know when I went to search the bunker that someone would hop in the car, drive you outside of the storm circle, then shoot you and leave you to die?!” Yunho shot back. “You should’ve just got out of the car. Lowkey a skill issue, sunshine.”

“I couldn’t! Ugh, you’re so mean—” You jabbed your elbow back into Yunho’s gut—soft enough that it wouldn’t actually hurt him. Not too much, anyway.

Yunho let out a grunt in response, squeezing and tickling your side in retaliation. You squealed loudly and squirmed, scrambling to throw off the comforter to all but run into the ensuite inside his bedroom. You slammed shut the door and locked it before Yunho could make it inside. A pleased smile pulled at your lips as you heard Yunho jiggle the doorknob with no avail. 

“Oh, c’mon. This is cheating, sunshine,” Yunho grumbled through the door. “I’m sorry I said your Fortnite disaster was a skill issue! I’ll wash your back in apology?”

“Oh, will you now? After you do backshots on it? Sure. Not getting me this time, puppy!” 

You heard Yunho sputter outside the door, bursting into a fit of laughter. The sound made you smile—not that you’d admit that. He’d never let you live it down. 

“That was two days ago! Let it go! I cleaned you up, didn’t I?” 

You merely hummed in response, turning on the shower to answer him instead. A very loud, audible groan reverberated through the door and you couldn’t help your giggle. 

It felt like you had known Yunho all your life—in reality it had only been the last several years. You met freshman year of university. He sat next to you in your history lecture, being the first to offer you a pencil when yours ran out of lead causing you to curse endlessly under your breath. He had a shy smile playing on his lips as he extended the pencil out without a word—he told you much, much later that it was his only pencil. That was something you ended up teasing him for endlessly. It was beyond endearing. He had always reminded you of a big puppy, hence the teasing nickname that just stuck. Your tendency to brighten his day on the worst of them—his words, not yours—was where your own nickname of sunshine came from. It was history from here. 

The pair of you ended up hosting your own mini study group, party of two. From there it blossomed into coffee or boba tea runs. He told you all about his love of Valorant and Fortnite. You admitted to your love of reading, whether it was a good book or even a manga series. You often found yourself staying at his off campus home that he shared with three roommates: Mingi, Wooyoung, and San. You were practically a fourth roommate with the frequency you showed up at their home. Wooyoung joked once that you might as well pay rent if you were going to be there that much. You responded by throwing your cow slipper at his head. (They were the pair Yunho got you to wear around their house, naturally.) 

Yunho was your very best friend, you were positive you wouldn’t have gotten through college without him. Your roommate and other best friend, Eunjin, always bickered with Yunho on when they’d get to spend time with you. It endlessly amused you to see the pair argue that they wanted to spend time with you for the evening, that the other had already seen you that week. Even being in the ‘real world’ now you were inseparable with the man in question. You made it a point to see him more than once a week even as you were in the midst of trying to work toward getting your masters degree. Yunho himself had what you two had deemed a ‘big boy job’ in working for the cybersecurity department of a big company in the city. He was regularly one of the top performers in his department and you always teased that he had the big boy bucks to treat you two to your ‘friend dates’—not that you’d ever let him pay. The pair of you fought over that often, practically every time you went out.

When it came to the more complicated part of your relationship it hadn’t ever really been planned. You knew Yunho was attractive, of course you did. He had his goofy charm, kind nature, and bright smile on top of his already stellar looks. Girls regularly stole looks in his direction, flustered smiles and papers slid his way when you two went out. Though, you were convinced he was cursed when it came to first dates. It felt like anytime he ended up going out on a date, whether it was one he set up himself or a blind date that Hongjoong or Mingi set up for him, he never went past that. He always had some sort of excuse that either he didn’t click with the girl or it was awkward, that he didn’t see it going anywhere. You were skeptical, but let it go until you finally just asked one day.

“When’s the last time you had sex, huh?” Your fingers were buried in Yunho’s hair as he sat between your legs playing his PS5, on the floor while you remained seated on his couch. 

“Shit, Y/N—” Yunho swore under his breath, his attempt at building in his Minecraft world with Seonghwa and Wooyoung halted as he jolted back to look up at you with wide eyes.

“Not the government name,” you whined out, your fingers sliding free of the strands of his brown hair. “I’m just asking! Every date you go on seems to either end in disaster or you don’t like the girl. I just figured you’d be, you know… pent up, I guess.”

“This just seems like a weird topic for us to talk about. I don’t—” A blush bloomed on the man’s pale features, traveling up to the tips of his ears. 

“We’re best friends! Who else would you talk about this stuff with—”

“Mingi—”

“—and don’t say Mingi!” 

You rolled your eyes and reached down to tug harshly at Yunho’s hair. He yelped and pinched your calf in retaliation. You let out an equally as loud and high pitched yelp.

“I—” Yunho sighed, head knocking back lightly into your knee, “I don’t know. It’s been awhile, okay?”

You made a face at that, smoothing your fingers over his hair in a much more soothing motion than your prior movements. “I just feel bad. You deserve to feel good and stuff. You’re the best person I know.”

Yunho snorted softly, “thanks, sunshine. I’m sure I’ll get laid soon enough, if you’re really that concerned then you could always help me out.” He wiggled his eyebrows before bursting into a fit of laughter.

You giggled alongside Yunho at his joke, but a lightbulb seemed to go off in your mind. You couldn’t help but wonder if that wouldn’t be the worst idea? Yunho was the person you trusted the most alongside Eunjin, after all. Besides, you were going through your own drought. You weren’t the biggest fan of physical touch outside those you trusted. This would solve that. It’s not like it had to change anything. You could have fun and still remain the best of friends. 

“Well…” You began, almost hesitantly. 

Yunho’s dark eyes snapped to your face almost instantly. He blinked owlishly a few times as if he couldn’t believe you were actually considering what he was joking about. 

“It doesn’t have to change anything!” You were quick to start out with, seeing the disbelief on your best friend’s face. “You’re my best friend. There’s no one I trust more than you—maybe Eunjin, but we’re not talking about her right now, anyway! You two are the same level even, not that I trust her more—”

“Y/N…” Yunho began in a warning tone.

“I’m just saying!” You interrupted, “you and I both benefit  from this. I get pent up, too, you know. If you don’t want to then we don’t have to. I just… I don’t know. I trust you, like I said. You’re my very best friend, Yuyu. I don’t want things to be weird, so we can just forget this ever happened if you think I’m being utterly insane right now.”

Yunho looked up at you, seemingly at a loss of words. His pink lips pressed together in a thin line as the silence stretched and grew between you. You felt like you were about to claw out of your skin with how long it went on before Yunho finally spoke.

“Okay, yeah—it doesn’t have to change anything. I already like making you happy, as a friend! So… this would just add onto that. I make you feel good, you make me feel good. It’ll be—”

“—good?” You grinned.

Yunho rolled his eyes and breathed out a soft laugh, the tension finally snapping into the familiar comfort you two already knew and thrived in. 

“Yes, that.”

You leaned down and hugged Yunho around his neck loosely from behind. You dropped your chin on the top of his head, humming happily to yourself. Yunho’s large hand came up to squeeze one of your forearms gently, patting it gently after he did so. 

“So—should we like… kiss or what?”

You couldn’t help but laugh loudly, letting go to fall back against the couch in your fit of laughter. Yunho turned between your legs to scramble up to his feet. 

“What? Why are you laughing at that?!” He was now laughing at himself in turn. 

“‘Should we like kiss, or what?’ You’re such a dork!” A snort escaped you as you continued laughing, holding a hand over your mouth to try to hide the fact that you just did so.

Yunho leaned down, his hands planting on the back of the couch, effectively caging you in between his arms. He huffed out a soft laugh, cocking an eyebrow as he stared down at you. Your laughter tapered off to a soft giggle instead, biting down on your bottom lip to contain it. The tension was different now. It felt charged with the unsaid promise of where things could lead to. You felt like you had to hold your breath to not break the moment. 

Looking down at your lips then back at your eyes, Yunho cocked an eyebrow in a silent request. You managed a tiny nod in response, eyes fluttering shut as he started to move forward. The few seconds between your confirmation felt like they lasted an eternity. Finally, you felt a pair of soft lips press firmly to your own. It immediately sent your head spinning in a way you couldn’t quite explain. Your hands slid up Yunho’s biceps, arms wrapping loosely around his neck to press further into the kiss. His lips moved against your own as you two languidly kissed. There was a heat beneath it, but no rush. It was… nice, really nice. 

Your lips parted the moment you felt Yunho’s tongue swipe against your bottom one. A soft groan escaped you with the new feeling, your tongues sliding messily against one another. One hand buried in the locks of the man’s hair, tugging lightly. He groaned instantly, teeth catching your bottom lip and pulling before he broke the kiss off. You were both panting softly in an attempt to catch your breath. 

“Well,” Yunho began roughly, licking his lips, “it’s either I eat you out here or up in my bed. Dealer’s choice.”

You snorted loudly, hand loosening its grip from Yunho’s hair to instead slap over your mouth to try to muffle the laughter. Yunho grinned brightly, immediately moving to unhinge your hand from over your mouth.  

“You’re so cute when you snort, don’t hide.”

“Oh, whatever!” You huffed, pushing playfully at Yunho to make him stand up straight. “I can’t believe you just said ‘dealer’s choice’ to where I want you to eat me out. I shouldn’t be surprised, though.”

“What? I’m being a gentleman! I should warn you though that San and Wooyoung will probably be coming back from the gym within the hour.”

“Bedroom it is!” You said quickly, standing and grabbing Yunho’s hand to drag him up the stairs. 

The rest, as most would say, is history. Well, Wooyoung would probably say it was the start of your descent into absolute idiocy, but you digressed. He locked himself out of the house more than once so you thought it was the other way around. The sleepovers you had with Yunho that were just casual and more often than not with you two being tangled on the couch ended up with you two just sleeping in his bed instead. Showers were shared and you were way more comfortable with him than you were prior—if that was even possible. 

You two were still the very best of friends and you were beyond comfortable with the dynamic you had settled into months later. (Teasing comments from your friends aside—Wooyoung especially.) You knew that after your shower you and Yunho would have a late breakfast before he inevitably convinced you to either try Valorant or play Fortnite with him. This had been your new norm for awhile now and you wouldn’t change it for anything. 

(Right? Right!)

[whydontyousaeso]

Tattooed into your brain (pt 1)

Damian preist x Reader

When you first moved to LA you didn’t really expect to wind up with a bunch of friends at a tattoo shop, you also didn’t expect to be wrapped up with a certain man at the tattoo shop either.

Type- fluff!

Warnings- none at the moment!

A/n- hiiiii so I’m actually so excited to be posting this rn. This is honestly more of an introduction than anything, but I promise part 2 will have more Damian/reader interactions! Love you guys and be on the lookout for more content soon!

As you walked the streets of LA, you took in the different senses that overwhelmed your brain. It was so loud and crowded, you weren’t used to it.

You scanned the stores around you, a particular tattoo shop catching your eyes. ‘JD Tattoos’ was the name of it, and it was a dark building with a black and purple color scheme. You had actually been looking to get a new tattoo recently, you just didn’t have the time to look around considering you just moved.

You made your way over to the building quickly, trying to get away as fast as you could from the crowd. When you stepped in you were greeted by the soft sound of rock music and leather everything.

At least they were consistent with the theme.

You looked around for a second, slowly making your way up to the desk. You heard some chattering in the back, but couldn’t tell if there were any workers actually working.

At least you weren’t able to until a young man rolled out into the lounge area, looking you up and down.

“Hey Rhea! There’s a client for you out here.”

“Yeah I’ll be there in a minute.”

You smiled awkwardly at the young man, nodding slightly to show thanks to him. It didn’t take but another thirty seconds for a tall dark haired female to come out.

Not only were they consistent with the theme, they looked the part too.

“Hi, uh, I’m new here and I’ve been looking for some tattoo artists and stuff.”

“Yeah? Have you ever got a tattoo before?”

“I actually have a couple-“

You pulled up your shirt to reveal the big rose on your side.

“I have this one, and I also have another one on my leg too. I really want a back one but I’m not really sure what to do yet.”

“Ohh yeah, well considering you’ve done this a couple times I don’t see where there would be any problems.”

She reached down and pulled out a huge binder, placing it on the counter for you to look through.

“Here are some of my works, look through them and see if any of them stand out to you. If not I’m sure we can get creative or pull something out of our ass.”

You smiled a bit, feeling more comfortable with her.

“What’s your name?”

“Y/n, and your Rhea?”

“Yeah, where did you move here from?”

“Oh, I’m from Washington. I just finished my masters and decided I needed a new place to live.”

“Pretty big jump huh?”

“Yeah, to be honest the only reason I’m here is because my friend has an extra room and is letting me stay.”

You stopped on a particular tattoo, it was a black and white skull with chains going through and around it.

“How much would this one be?”

“Depends on the size”

“How about 5 inches?”

“$200”

You took a second to think. Considering your last tattoo artist charged you more this isn’t a bad deal at all.

“When can you put me down?”

She smiled and pulled out another book. She was flipping through the pages when you heard the door open again. This time a tall man walked in, carrying a duffle bag and some food.

“Hey Damian, Finn wanted to talk to you in the back about something.”

You heard him sigh and set his stuff down at the front desk. Before you knew it he was gone.

“I can fit you in tomorrow at 10, think you could make it?”

“Yeah definitely, do you need a deposit?”

“Nah you can pay tomorrow, I don’t worry about it too much.”

You handed her the binder and smiled.

“Awesome. Thank you so much.”

“Of course, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The next day when you walked in the tattoo shop the same man that walked in while you were talking to Rhea was at the desk.

“Hey, I’m here for my 10 o’clock with Rhea?”

That got his attention

He looked up from his phone and smiled. “Yeah, Rhea is running a little late so she asked if I could prep you, you good with that?”

You nodded and gave a small verbal confirmation. You’ve had men work on you before so this wasn’t uncomfortable for you.

You followed him back to her room, watching his broad figure from behind.

“What’s your name again?”

You asked, breaking the silence.

“Damian, and you?”

“Y/N.”

You sat in the chair, awaiting instructions from Damian. Luckily you were wearing a crop top with a jacket over it, so all you needed to do was take off the jacket.

“This is going on your back right?”

“Yeah”

“Alright, where do you want it?”

You slipped off your jacket and turned away from him.

“Lower center please, I want to be able to work around it in the future”

You heard him hum in approval before sticking the stencil on your back. It almost caught you by surprise, the way his rough hands rubbed over the area. You would be lying if you said that you didn’t start heating up with the way he was touching your back.

You didn’t even know this man, why was he getting you so flustered?

“Do you want numbing cream?”

“Oh, no thank you, I’m good without it.”

You turned around and smiled at him, hoping that your face wasn’t too red from the sudden contact.

“Rhea said she will be here in about five minutes, you need anything else?”

You shook your head.

“Alright then, see you later”

You weren’t able to respond in time before he left. As you sat there feeling the stencil dry you questioned yourself.

Why the fuck was he so stuck in your head?

[demon-animatronic]

9-1-1 Fanfic Masterlist:

Decided to make a masterlist for my 9-1-1 fics over on AO3. They will be under the cut because I’ll add the description and major tags. Not all the tags but the main ones at least.

Will be updated whenever I post something new.

Well, if Tumblr allows me to even find my own post on my own blog once it’s buried enough that is lmao.

Fair warning: As of posting this, the fics are mostly Bobby, Bathena, and a few with the reader included. There is one Buck fic where he says “Fuck You” to his parents and Bathena are there for a supportive presence then leave with him afterwards.

Most of these are also smut and very heavily NSFW too.

Let’s do Buck’s first.

Adult Adoption: LINK

Summary:

Margret and Phillip didn’t accept Buck being Bi and having Tommy as a boyfriend. So he walks out of Maddie and Chim’s house and planned on heading to the Nash house. To the people he knew accepted him with open arms long before he even came out. That cared about him without him having to hurt himself for their attention.

But on the way, he got into a car accident. This is after he wakes up in the hospital with Bathena at his side as his emergency contacts. Later on, he gets discharged and goes to Madney’s house to confront his parents with Bathena at his side.

Tags:

Bobby Nash is Evan "Buck" Buckley's Parent, Athena Grant is Evan "Buck" Buckley's Parent, Takes place after a car crash, Adult Adoption, Hurt/Comfort

WIP/Completed: Completed

—————

Have No Fear, LAFD is Here: LINK

Summary:

Exactly what you think it is: A continuation of the roleplay scene from that one epsiode.

After May leaves, Athena and Bobby get back to their roleplaying. Bobby is pretending to be unconscious from smoke inhalation and Athena knows what to do to get him conscious again.

Later on, he thanks the brave firewoman for saving his life.

Tags:

Sub Bobby Nash, Domme Athena Grant-Nash, sex on the kitchen counter, blowjob.

WIP/Completed: Completed

——————

I’m Alive but at What Cost?: LINK

Summary:

After the fire at the Grant-Nash house, Bobby wakes up in the hospital alone with two thoughts running through his head:

1. Athena was dead.

2. No one even wanted to visit him due to his failure.

But it’s what he deserves. Isn’t it?

Tags:

Angst, Father/son moment between Bobby and Buck, Bobby thinks Athena is dead from the house fire.

WIP/Completed: Completed

—————

Athena’s Special Apology: LINK

Summary:

The Grant-Nash house fire never happened. Instead, Athena woke up to find Bobby wasn’t at her side in bed. So she goes looking for him and decides to apologize for their fight. After waking him up, they go into the bedroom for some make up sex.

Tags:

Blowjob, vaginal sex, apology sex

WIP/Completed: Completed

——————

The Goddess and her Firefighter: LINK

Summary:

It’s another naughty day at the Grant-Nash house.

With his consent the night before, Athena treats Bobby like she drugged and kidnapped him after ‘dating’ for a little while. Deciding she must have the big, strong fireman all to herself.

Bobby, now awake and aware of what she was doing, plays along as if they had only gone on a few dates and were still trying things out as friends first. However, Athena doesn’t like hearing just ‘friends’ she’d prefer girlfriend! Or wife! After all, that’s what she was now. His girlfriend for as long as she allowed him to live.

Tags:

CNC - Consensual Non-Con, Sub Bobby, Domme Athena, Yandere roleplay, CNC cuddling, CNC RAPE, Safe word mention, mentions of drugs but they aren’t actually used just playing pretend.

WIP/Completed: Completed

—————

The Goddess’ Firefighter AU: LINK

Summary:

AU based on the oneshot directly above this one.

Athena realizes after a few dates that she didn’t just like Bobby. No. She LOVED him. And she was going to make sure he was obsessed with her in return.

Even if it meant kidnapping and holding him captive until he was the perfect future husband.

Tags:

Yandere Athena, Captive Bobby, kidnapping, drugged with sleeping pills, bondage, gags, and more when I eventually update it. But that’s mostly it for the first and currently only chapter.

WIP/Completed: WIP

—————

Nash Family Pet: LINK

Summary:

Bobby/Lady!Reader/Athena

For their 5th anniversary, Bobby and Athena decide to experiment some different things in the bedroom… with you.

With your consent, you quickly find yourself as the new family pet. They can spoil you one minute since they can’t have dogs or cats due to Athena’s allergies. And the next they can fuck you into their bed. And you find yourself enjoying every second of it. Even if it IS your own Captain and your best gal friend treating you like this.

Tags:

PET/PUPPY PLAY, Dom Bobby, Dom Athena, Sub Lady!Reader, Master/Pet, Smut, BDSM, threesome, collar/leash, Vet roleplay, blowjob, vaginal sex, vaginal fingering, pussy worship.

WIP/Completed : WIP with like 15 more chapters planned out lmao

—————

Being my Captain’s Toy: LINK

Summary:

Lady!Reader/Bobby

You and Bobby were friends with benefits for some time now. No one else knows. Not even your besties Hen and Athena. Gradually your time together got more kinky.

After a rough call at the end of an already long shift, you head to Bobby’s place with him for some much needed stress relief. In the best way you both came to know so well. (For chapter 1. Chapter 2 has another plot happening.)

Tags: Dom Bobby, Sub reader, collar/leash, some pet play elements, friends with benefits, takes place in season 1: In-between his breakdown and the finale, vaginal sex, degradation, vibrator torture, cum delay/denial, doggie style

WIP/Completed: Completed unless I think of another idea.

————————

Can’t Fight the Moonlight: LINK

Summary:

When Bobby receives a message on his dating profile from the new police sergeant he had just gone to church with a few days earlier, he was ecstatic! Immediately agreeing to go to dinner with her that night even! Never once suspecting that he was going on a date with a vampire. After all, vampires aren’t real… right?

Meanwhile with her kid’s blessings, Athena decides to date again. Especially now that it’s been over a year since Michael was taken from them by a hunter that sent them on the run for their own safety. But now that they are settled into a hopefully permanent place, they felt they were ready to have a new man of the house.

And who better than a big strong fireman that had already caught Athena’s eyes?

Tags: Vampire Grant Family AU, Human Bobby, hypnosis, smut, supernatural abilities, biting, takes place between season 1 - mid of season 2.

WIP/Completed: WIP

[heroesfan101]

Love & Lore's: Autumn Sweater Event

5 + 1 (The 5 times you borrow Miyuki Kazuya’s hoodie and the 1 time he borrows yours)

A/N: Hi y'all! Super excited to post this fic for @love-and-lore and their Autumn collab event. When the theme was announced as sweaters, this idea immediately came to mind. Hoodies count as sweaters right 😅 Please note this does include a female reader and pet names (babe, sweetheart).

Word Count: 2.4k

1. Running late to work

Monday. Most people’s least favorite day of the week. Weekends came and went faster than expected. And while Kazuya tried to get you to prep for the upcoming week during the weekend, you preferred spending your time with him and indulging in your hobbies.

It is also noted that he tried to get you to break the habit of leaving your jackets on the back of your dining room chairs. Both, however, were a moot point but soon would cause your downfall.

“Shoot I’m going to be late!” You curse under your breath as you scurry around the apartment in an effort to get your belongings together. Lunch, check. Purse, check. What am I missing? My business jacket! I have a presentation today, can’t forget that.

Checking your watch, your eyes widen in shock. Crap I have to hurry or I’ll miss my train!

Without a second thought, you grab the jacket from the back of a chair before rushing out the door, not even having enough time to wake your boyfriend up with a kiss like usual. Folding it over your purse, you rush out of the house, determined to make your train on time.

Luckily, you board the train and get to work right in the knick of time, much to your delight. However, once you settle yourself, your phone buzzes twice and you look to see a message from Kazuya including a picture.

“Good morning. If you wanted to give me something to wear, we could have talked about it. Maybe I’m not the only one who needs glasses, think you got a little mixed up.” You bypass his sleepy morning smile and your heart drops as you see him holding up your blazer. Your eyes flash down to your purse and sure enough you took his navy blue hoodie. A deep sigh escapes your body as you text back.

“I’m sorry Kazuya. Seems you’ve proven your point on being prepared for the week ahead -_-" ” With a bit of embarrassment, you ask one of your peers to borrow their blazer for your presentation.

2. Grocery shopping

Milk. Eggs. Bread. Tofu. Salmon. One by one, Kazuya and you start loading up the car with your groceries. You were more focused on how to pack up the trunk of your car until Kazuya stopped to look up at the sky, light and dark gray swirls reflecting on his glasses.

“Hmmm. We better move quickly. Looks like the rain is coming sooner than expected.”

“Say less!” The couple moves double time to pack up their items and start getting on their way home. While they’re able to get home in good time, the stormy weather was faster as the sky opened up as they parked.

“Scared of a little rain are you?” He teases as he shifts the gear into park.

“You know I’m not, I just don’t like getting wet.”

“Didn’t know my girlfriend was a cat.” Kazuya continues, causing you to narrow your eyes at him.

“Just for that I should make you bring in the groceries yourself.” You sass.

“Ah ah no need to be like that, sweetheart. I thought you loved me? What happened to doing things together?” He chuckles with a snarky grin.

“We could but not if you’ll be a jerk about it.” You pout playfully, causing him to laugh.

“You know I could bring it in myself, right?”

“I know but you know I love proving you wrong. Luckily, I’m already prepared.” Reaching past him in the back seat, you pull out one of his black hoodies. Grabbing the bottom of the hoodie, you work your body through it until it swallows you whole.

He laughs yet again, “Well alright then, partner. We’ll get a nice warm shower after this.” Both of you brace yourselves before rushing out into the rain.

3. Feeling sick

“Achoo! Achoo!” Your body seizes before relaxing again. The door to the guest room opens up and in walks Kazuya with a steaming bowl of soup. You sit up, reaching for a tissue to soothe your sniffling nose.

“Babe! You could have left it outside; I would have gotten it. I don’t want you to get sick too.” Kazuya shakes his head but it’s easy to tell he’s frowning behind his mask.

“It’ll be fine. This is just to make sure you eat some of the soup while it’s hot. I’ll be fine like this.” He assures you before setting up a tray so you can eat. Throwing your tissue away, you shift to the edge of the bed to see the biggest bowl of soup.

“Kazuya, this is a lot of soup. You don’t expect me to eat this in one go right?”

His eyes narrow before softening, “It would be ideal but eat as much as you can. It’s a family recipe.”

Your ears perk up at that, “Oh? From who?”

He grins, “From me. I got sick one time and created my miraculous soup. I was five times better the next day after eating it. All in one go might I add.”

You shake your head, “It would be from you,” but then a weak grin appears on your lips, “but if you’re sharing it with me, guess that makes me family.”

For once, you catch Miyuki off guard with that as his cheeks are a touch pink. You both had talked about marriage as a real possibility but were talking things slowly as to not rush things along. Normally, he’s the tease between the two of you but he doesn’t mind your teasing every once in a while. He chalks up this boldness to your weakened immune system.

“Yeah yeah yeah. Enough talk, time to eat. I’ll leave you to it.” He starts to go when you grab at his sleeve. He turns back around to see the prettiest pout on your lips.

“I know you have to go but for the record, I hate this. Only seeing you for a few moments here and there, it's not fair. Can’t I at least have something of yours to help me out?” Kazuya starts to tease you but just sighs instead. He’d have plenty of time to tease once you’re healed.

“Since you like hoodies so much you can have this one.” He grins before taking off his gray hoodie and handing it over. You take it happily and bring it to your face, eager to convince your nose to start working so you can at least catch a whiff of his cologne.

“Thanks Kazuya.” You smile, placing it on your lap before diving into your soup. His eyes crinkle softly before he leaves you with his soup and his hoodie.

4. Borrowing Stealing his gift

The door to the apartment opens, causing you to look around the corner from your spot on the sofa. “Hey, welcome back! How was it meeting up with Sawamura and Okumura?”

He chuckles, “It was fun. I swear Sawamura hasn’t changed at all since our time in high school. Okumura seems a lot more confident than before, surely because he had the best teacher.” Kazuya laughs, causing you to shake your head before noticing something in his hands.

“Oooh, what’s that? Is that a new hoodie I see? Red too?”

He holds it to his chest protectively, “Yes, as the amazing senpai I am, they got me a hoodie as a thank you. Also probably because I told them I’m living with a hoodie thief so you’re not allowed to touch this one.” Your face blanches, no he didn’t!

“I am not a thief! A borrower maybe but no thief!” You declare passionately, refusing to accept his slander no matter how true it was.

His eyes narrow at you skeptically, “Oh yeah? Where’s my black hoodie? What about the navy blue one?” He asks rapidly, letting you know that he’s apparently been keeping track but you’re quick to defend yourself.

“They’re all in the closet!”

And then he goes in for the kill, “On who’s side of the closet?”

You blush and look away, “That’s irrelevant.”

Kazuya laughs loudly, “Yeah that’s what I thought. Gotcha this time, sweetheart.” He walks by you with a grin as you decide to turn back to your tv show, knowing you’ve lost this time.

It isn’t until later when you’re sure that Kazuya is fast asleep, that you find the hoodie folded neatly on his side of the closet. Your hands gently pick up the hoodie and bring it to your face, admiring how soft it was. Yeah, I’ll have to take this.

In your admiration, you notice a piece of paper fall out of the front pockets. Picking it up curiously, you read the note in Kazuya’s handwriting, “Hands off my hoodie.”

Your eyes widen before scoffing at his note. Feeling crafty, you decide to switch out one of your red jackets with his new hoodie, even going so far as to put his note in one of the pockets.

Laughing evilly to yourself, you stash the hoodie in one of your drawers and slide back into bed beside Kazuya, satisfied with yourself. So much so, you don’t notice the grin he has on his face even in his “sleep”.

5. Ice cream spills

“This was a great idea! It’s always nice to get a workout in the park with you. Appreciate you taking it easy on me, babe.” You smile, deciding to catch your breath on the park bench. He smiles at you gently. Of course he wasn’t breaking a sweat but doing light workouts with you on the weekend was a nice way to spend time together.

“Of course. You did well and we passed an ice cream stand. How about I reward you for your hard work hmm?” Kazuya asks, knowing ice cream was certainly a weakness of yours. Immediately, your face lights up and before you can say the words, he smiles and heads off to the stand.

A few minutes later, he returns with two ice cream cones and hands you yours with a gentle smile. You thank him sweetly before diving in. And in the enjoyment of your ice cream, you spill some on your shirt.

“Seems you enjoyed yourself a little too much huh?” He chuckles, causing you to groan.

“Shut up.” You say playfully, before handing him your ice cream so you can remove your shirt. Luck favors the prepared it would seem and you already had a tank top underneath.

Folding up your shirt, you turn to get your ice cream from him, delighted to have your cold, sweet treat back. Unbeknownst to you, there was more than just your boyfriend's eyes on you.

Now normally, Kazuya isn’t a jealous person. He loves being able to show you off but only when he wants to.

Unfortunately, he’s too perceptive for his own good. Once, twice he noticed a few of the park joggers were enjoying the view and it wasn't nature. Tch, you heard the annoyed sound escape his lips.

“Something wrong?” You ask innocently. He hands you his ice cream and takes off his dark green hoodie.

“We were just working out. It’s not good for you to expose your body to so much air. Don’t want you getting sick again.” He says gently as he places the hoodie on your lap and takes the ice cream cones. A small smile graces your lips as you put on the hoodie.

“Thanks babe.” Cold lips press quickly against his warm cheek before going back to the ice cream. The next time the joggers pass by, he grins cockily.

“Show’s over.” Kazuya mouths to them.

1. The thief becomes the victim

Oftentimes, Kazuya has training camps all over the country to train as one does when they’re a professional athlete. While usually, you could rearrange your schedule to be close by, this was one of those times where he was going too far (aka outside of the country). This time, he would be away in America for an international training camp. So while you couldn’t be with him this time around, you both made sure to at least message or call.

It was halfway through his trip when you were able to hop on a video call with him.

“How’s the camp going?” You asked curiously, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes.

“It’s going well. It’s been interesting to meet global stars and see them play. How are you doing?” He smiled, a little weary after a long day’s camp.

“I’m doing good. Work has been keeping me busy but I wish I could be with you instead. Don’t get a big head but I do miss you.” Kazuya smiles softly at that, the one true smile only reserved for you.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back home before you know it.”

“That’s good. Still not soon enough though. That said, something weird must be going on.” You say as you shake the phone as you go to prop it up on your dresser, giving him a view of you from the waist up.

Kazuya raises an eyebrow as he sees you searching the bedroom, “What’s going on?”

“I can’t find my sky blue hoodie! I just got some workout pants that match the color perfectly and now I can’t find it. Did you see it when you were doing laundry?”

The corners of his lips attempt to straighten even though they curve up a bit, “Nope I haven’t seen it.” There’s a light tone in his voice that makes you slightly suspicious. Looking back at the camera, you see something behind him sticking out.

“Kazuya, could you move to the left for a second?” You request curiously, causing the mirth to show his eyes.

“Why? What are you after?” He asks playfully, but the second he moves an inch your eyes widen in disbelief.

“Is that my hoodie? The exact one I’m looking for?”

“Can’t be.” He easily denies. You roll your eyes and exclaim, “I know what my hoodie looks like!”

But then the reality of the situation sinks in, “Awww you miss me! It’s okay to admit it, Kazuya. I just didn’t expect you to steal my hoodie.” You sweetly tease him, making him blush a little as he tries to cover it up with a scoff.

“Of course I miss you, we do spend every day together.” You giggle, “Look at you being cute. I guess I’m happily in love with a hoodie thief of my own.”

He laughs, “Consider this payment for all the times you took my hoodies.”

“Sure sure, but I will always prefer you over your hoodies.” You claim causing him to smile.

“I sure hope so. You’ll have the real thing once I’m back home.” Kazuya promises, filling both of your hearts with warmth.

[ladykailitha]

Can Anybody See Me? Part 8

Now we’re getting to the reason behind the title.

On the tagging, I HAVE REACHED MY HARD AND FAST LIMIT OF 50. I love the response this story has gotten. I do. I love you all. I love every reply, like, and reblog. It brings me so much joy, you don’t even know. But tagging is hard for my ADHD brain. I have gone up from 20 to 30 and finally 50 as my system improved but I think if I do any more than that I’ll go insane. So any future tagging requests will be ignored. Sorry.

The best way to keep update on these stories is follow me and set me on notifications. I rarely do a lot of reblogging these days (too busy churning out stories like whoa), so more often then not a post will be a story. I try to post at least once a day (some times twice if I’m trying to rush through the posting a bit like I did to make sure the Valentine fic got out in time without making people wait on Vamp!Eddie), just never at set time.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7

*

When Eddie heard how Gethin had done it, he was starting wonder who the smart twin was, because it was brilliant.

The chemicals for developing film were kept in Miss Chen’s room and he took some quick pictures of Steve’s piece before promptly spilling some of the chemicals that the teacher had in her class room all over it.

It ATE the paper. Gethin had tried to mop it up before it got too bad. But alas, it was too late.

“Mr Hughes!” Miss Chen protested. “Please be more careful next time!”

Gethin apologize profusely. He begged her to give the poor student whose piece he had just destroyed an extra week to finish the project, because he had been soooo careless.

She agreed.

He ran out of her class with the chemicals he needed to develop the film in his camera.

Pictures he slipped into Eddie’s locker during lunch.

*

After school Eddie waited until the halls were empty before he opened his locker. He knelt down to pick them up and blinked. Steve was really good. The composition was sound and colors were great.

The page wasn’t even that scary. It was just of this boy walking up to a house in the dead of night. In one of the panels you could almost make out something watching the boy, but it was the vague sense of unease made it so you could tell it was going be a horror comic. It was good. And suddenly Eddie was pissed at Miss Chen for calling Steve out for this.

Especially since Eddie’s own comic was about slaying a dragon.

He shoved the pictures back into his backpack and slammed the locker shut.

“Well what have we got here?” a voice said from behind him.

Shit.

Eddie turned around slowly. There was Tommy H, Billy, and Kyle, standing there with their arms crossed.

“Hey, boys,” he said with a grin. “You looking to buy? I’ve got about four kilos.”

Tommy and Kyle looked at each other, nervously. They didn’t want to antagonize their drug dealer.

Billy ran his tongue over his teeth thoughtfully. “I just wanted to talk. I’ve been seeing Harrington hanging around you freaks lately and wanted to know why?”

Eddie folded his arms. “I get you’re new here, Hargrove, but your friends should have told you: I’m the king of picking up lost sheep. I like bringing people into my fold that the rest of this school has deemed outcasts. Steve Harrington has become one of those. And how could I resist such a tempting treat as the former king of Hawkins High?”

“You leave him the fuck alone, you hear me?” Billy growled.

“Or what?” Eddie asked. “You’ll do me like you did him? And then where will you get your weed? Because if you do I will make sure that I don’t sell to you or any of your little friends.” He wagged his finger as he indicated to Tommy and Kyle. “I’ll fucking cut off the entire basketball team. Don’t think I won’t. How long do you think you’ll be king then, Hargrove? When suddenly everyone’s supply dries up because you fucked with me?”

Kyle tugged on Billy’s arm. “Come on, man. Whatever your beef with Harrington is, it’s not worth this.”

Tommy just stood there looking Eddie in the eye.

“So what’s it going to be, Hagen?” Eddie asked. “You going to side with King Jackass here and alienate the whole fucking basketball team because you’ve got a hard on for Harrington? Or are you going to the smart thing and walk away?”

Tommy grabbed Billy’s other arm. “Let’s go.”

Billy wrenched his arms from both of them and stalked off.

“Run along, Tommy,” Eddie said making a shooing motion with his hands. “Go suck Hargrove’s dick.”

Tommy made to swing at Eddie, but Kyle stopped him. “Don’t do it, dude. He’s trying to get a rise out of you.”

Eddie grinned. He blew a kiss at Tommy and then walked off, a nervous energy humming in his veins.

He walked out to his van and found Steve waiting for him. Eddie smirked.

“You waiting for me, big boy?” he asked walking up to the other boy.

“I wanted to thank you for what you did about my art project,” Steve explained. “And then I saw Billy and Tommy and I got worried.”

Eddie patted his cheek. “You’re sweet, but I told you, I’m immune.”

Steve rolled his eyes.

“Plus, pretty boy,” Eddie said. “You won’t have to worry about that lot anymore. They came after me and I set them straight. If they want to keep buying weed, either they’ve got find someone new or leave you the hell alone.”

Steve sighed in relief. “So everything’s cool?”

“Cool as can be,” Eddie agreed. He opened the door and hopped into the van. “And I didn’t do anything to your project, Stevie.”

He saluted Steve and drove off, leaving behind a very confused, but very happy Steve Harrington.

*

Steve kept his eye on Tommy and Billy but by the end of the week there was no doubt that whatever Eddie had said them, made them back off.

“Hey, Steve,” Gareth said, nonchalant. “Did you know that there chemicals used in the art department for all sorts art related shit that can dissolve paper?”

Steve cocked an eyebrow at him. “You don’t say.”  

“Didn’t you now,” Brian said with a grin, “Gareth’s brother is a big photography nerd.”

“Oh, he must know Jonathan Byers, then,” Steve said, deliberately not taking their bait.

Gareth cocked his head to the side and hummed. “Maybe not. Different grades. But still could do, I suppose.”

Steve grinned. “Miss Chen did say it was a photography student that ruined my comic, maybe I should go thank Jonathan.” He winked at them and they burst out laughing.

Which was actually what Steve thought had happened when Eddie denied all knowledge of what happened. That Jonathan had recognized the scene of Steve on his way to Jonathan’s house and messed it up, worried Steve might get in trouble with the government.

But Gethin doing it made Steve sigh in relief. He already owe his life to Jonathan, owing him for the art project, too? That was too much for even Steve’s wounded pride.

Steve had already fobbed Nancy off earlier in the week because Jonathan had snitched.

She was practically screaming about being so careless. As if Steve would make the characters look like them. He had asked her if she had seen it herself and when she admitted she hadn’t, Steve told her to back off. Which lo and behold, she actually did.

“It’s bullshit Miss Chen even said anything,” Eddie growled. “It’s of this boy walking up to a house at night. It could’ve been of a boy going to pick up a girl on a date, but because Steve used muted tones and creepy vibes, she decided it was sad or some shit and threatened to call Steve’s parents.”

The other three boys looked at each other. “That is bullshit,” they all agreed.

Steve shrugged. “I changed to be about a lost little girl who connects with a social recluse and they become a family. If she gives me shit about that one, I’ll kindly let Chief Hopper know that Miss Chen thinks him and his adopted daughter’s story is toooo depressing for school.”

“I like the way you think,” Jeff said with a cackle.

Steve grinned. Silence descended as the boys ate their lunch. As they were packing up, he casually dropped a bomb on them.

“Miss Lucy wants me to try out for the school musical...”

“No way, dude!” Eddie said. Miss Lucy was the drama teacher. Her last name was one of those that looked easy on paper but really wasn’t. So she had all her students call her by her first name.

“I thought you were new to the whole drama thing,” Brian said.

“I am but she seems to think I’m good enough to tryout,” Steve said with a shrug.

“Are you going to do it?” Eddie asked in all seriousness.

Steve bit his lip. “I want to but I don’t want people to get mad at me if I do a get a part.”

Gareth’s brow furrowed. “Why would they be mad at you?”

Steve shrugged again. “That a newbie like me is taking away a roll from one of the more seasoned kids?”

“If that’s the case,” Jeff said, “then fuck them. You didn’t know you had a talent for it.”

Steve smiled warmly at them. “Thanks, guys.”

Eddie clapped him on the back. “You go get ‘em, tiger!”

Steve laughed. “Yeah, okay.”

He felt the warmth from where Eddie touched his back all day long. And he carried that feeling all the way through his audition.

*

“You are such chicken shit,” Eddie told Steve. The results were back for call backs and he was too afraid to look.

“I know, I know,” Steve murmured. “But I would rather walk through an entire pack of demodogs then look at that stupid piece of paper.”

“What the fuck is a demodog?”

Steve blinked. “Something the kids made up for their D&D campaign.” Which was true. Mostly.

“Uh-huh,” Eddie said, licking his lips. “You owe big time for this.”

“I’ll buy you dinner,” Steve promised.

“And it better be somewhere nice!” Eddie called back over his shoulder.

“Yeah, yeah,” Steve grumbled.

Within seconds Eddie came flouncing back. “Bad news, Stevie...”

“I didn’t get called back?” Steve asked.

Eddie cackled. “You got called back for Charles Thomson. You’re going up against Kyle Carver.”

“Fuck.”

“Language, Mr Harrington,” Mr Hall, one of the swim coaches murmured as he walked by.

“Sorry, coach,” Steve said automatically. He turned back to Eddie. “He’s going to get it, isn’t he?”

“Kyle?” Eddie asked. Steve nodded. “Probably. Though it would be a serious miscarriage of justice if he does.”

Steve grinned. “Good thing you’re a fan of those. Maybe you start a letter campaign against bias casting in school plays.”

Eddie looked around to make sure there weren’t any teachers. “Fuck off, Harrington.”

Steve kissed his nose and ran off giggling. “See you later, Munson.”

Eddie stood in the hall being jostled by other students as he thoughtfully rubbed his nose.

*

Steve watched Kyle audition from the audience and was so sure Kyle had it in the bag. Until he opened his mouth to sing and what came out of his mouth was horribly off key.

“Mr Carver, are you all right?” Miss Lucy asked.

Kyle nodded and tried again. This time it was better, but no where near it was when he auditioned the first time.

“I must be coming down with a cold,” Kyle excused.

Miss Lucy frowned. “Your turn, Mr Harrington.”

Steve took a deep breath and let it out slow, like Eddie had taught him. He stepped up to the stage and turned around.

“You know, sometimes I think the general is speaking to me,” Steve recited his lines, his voice breaking on the last word. And then he used the scene to launch into the singing part of his audition.

Miss Lucy was humming and nodding as Steve finished up the song.

“Thank you, Mr Harrington,” Miss Lucy said. “Results will be posted on the drama room door tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Miss Lucy,” Steve said.

As he passed Kyle the boy hissed, “Suck up.”

Steve just shrugged. “Or maybe it’s just polite to thank someone for their time.” 

Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15  Part 16  Part 17 Part 18  Part 19  Part 20  Part 21

Tag list: @shrimply-a-menace @strangersteddierthings @throwbackthrowaway @novelnovella @cursedfoxteeth @babyblender @lifeisnotsobadonceyoustopcaring @swimmingbirdrunningrock @steve-the-hairrington @winterbuckwild @spectrum-spectre @matchingbatbites @garden-of-gay @anaibis @thing-a-ling @fandemonium-takes-its-toll @artiststarme @sundead  @nelotegreitic @gregre369 @butterflysandpeppermint @thedragonsaunt @kodaik97 @messrs-weasley @scarletzgo @deadlydodos @renaissan-vvitch @evix-syne666 @emly03 @justforthedead89 @ashwinmeird @huniibee @phantypurple @stevesbipanic @shucks-yuckyuck @awkwardgravity1 @bookbinderbitch @reportinglivefromsoda @chasinggeese @be-the-spark-bitch @jinxjinn @kohlraedirectioner @cr0w-culture @xjessicafaithx @whimsicalwitchm @jaywhohasthegay @dangdirtydemons @lovelyscot  @howincrediblysapphicofyou @the-redthread

[anna-scribbles]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

thanks for the tag @jattendschaton and @miabrown007!! blowing u guys kisses

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

8 💪

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

105,963

3. What fandoms do you write for?

miraculous ladybug<3

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

this question is great bc nearly all of my 8 fics make it in👍

golden (like daylight)

call it even

at our wedding

circles & cycles (right back where you started)

no other shade of blue, but you

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

sometimes!! I try to!!! not as often as i wish i did :( I was pretty consistently replying on call it even for a while but then i fell behind and it got overwhelming😭 there are so many lovely ones I go back and reread all the time though!!

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

no other shade of blue but you maybe? not sure if it counts as angsty it's very short and ends with marinette just being sort of sad and wistful. i'm not built for angsty endings<3

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

probably golden (like daylight)! that's definitely the one i'm proudest of at least.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

no not really!!

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

No👍

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

haha not yet but i've had an anastasia inspired fic in the works for soo long. one day i'll dust it off and finish

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

not that I know of!

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

nope

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

AHAHA YES I co-wrote call it even with my sister @sha-nwa!!! one of the most fun experiences of my life, abby's such an incredible writer and she did marinette so much justice.

14. What's your all-time favourite ship?

lovesquare (shocking)

15. What's a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

i have tooons of wips in my google docs but i am wary of posting anything on ao3 that’s not a one shot/something i’m sure i’ll finish. one i think might be lost to time is my ladrien greek mythology wip💔

16. What are your writing strengths?

a lot of comments I get are related to prose/description so maybe that? I tend to spend a lot of time trying to pick out the exact right words for each sentence so that it has the sonic/rhythmic quality i'm going for. golden is probably the best example of this; I worked and reworked those sentences for many months until I was satisfied haha. I remember wanting it to feel sort of like the building of a song

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

my writing can be sort of dense and hard to get through sometimes!! I think I have a tendency to try and pack a lot into every sentence, which is fun for me to write, but can be difficult to get through as a reader. it's sort of the polar opposite to how I approach drawing silly comics, where the goal is to deliver the point/joke as clearly and effectively as possible. writing puts me in a much more contemplative headspace, which makes my fic not quite as digestable I think

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I admit i am guilty of peppering in random french words in ml fic whenever I feel like it 💔 I usually use italics though

19. First fandom you wrote for?

dear evan hansen I think? (<-I was a very specific type of annoying in high school)

20. Favourite fic you've ever written?

have to give it to my og adrien essay golden (like daylight). it has all my favorite stuff. adrinette. what could loosely be called a plot. the word "something." I said what I needed to say

tagging anyone who wants to!!