#but my s/i just calmly says that they no longer have feelings for him. In fact they've caught feelings for someone else

[wayfinderships]

🍋 ~ rebeccaselfships

Shuraiya Bascùd from One Piece!!!

AUGH! This man was way too cool to just be from a One Piece movie and never show up again!! The way he fights, his voice, the way he cares so much about his sister! He's so fksbfjsnfjsnfjsnfnd!! The Movie isn't canon but I think it's fun to imagine my s/i having the biggest crush on this guy during it! They're all 😳 and the rest of the crew is ???

But yeah! The reason he isn't an f/o is because he isn't canon to the main plot and most importantly because just can't see my s/i with anyone else but S.anji. It sounds kinda silly but I just love the story and relationship they have with S.anji so much that i just can't see them with anyone else! And so Shuraiya will forever remain a crush and nothing more.

[marvyu]

MIDNIGHT INK

pairings. jungkook x female reader genre(s). smut,fluff

summary. a faded tattoo marks your heartbreak. desperate for a fresh start, you visit Jungkook, a trusted tattoo artist and secret confidant you secretly love.

warnings. explicit language, sexual themes, past relationships, heartbreak, and emotional healing, swearing, unprotected sex, lots of kissing, oral sex, missionary position, and implied consensual rough sex.

sitting on your bed, you watched your reflection in the mirror, your fingers tracing the outline of the faded tattoo on your lower back. once a symbol of love, it had become a haunting reminder of heartbreak. you needed to rid yourself of it, something to signify a fresh start.

finally, you picked up your phone from the desk and called the one person you trusted implicitly.

"hello?"

"hey, before you leave, can i get a quick one done on my lower back?" you asked hesitantly. "trying to get a cover-up."

"yeah, sure, be here by eleven-thirty, okay?"

"alright, cool, thanks." you stayed silent for a minute, hoping he'd say more, but the call ended abruptly.

glancing at the clock, your eyes widened. it was 11:20. with a groan, you grabbed your keys and rushed out. the tattoo shop was only five minutes from your home, but october's chill and early darkness made the journey feel longer.

despite the recent breakup with your boyfriend, you always found yourself returning to him—jungkook. he was the man you confided in, sharing all your problems, including tales of your toxic relationship. though he listened, sometimes distant, you sensed he disliked hearing about your ex. yet, he was always there when you needed a shoulder to cry on; truth be told, he was the reason you frequented the tattoo shop.

upon arrival, the sign's lights flickered at the entrance. taking a deep breath, you pushed the door open. jungkook looked up from his station, his sleeves rolled up, revealing his tattoo-covered arms. his dark, intense gaze swept over you, making your heart flutter.

"hey," he greeted, a slow smile spreading. "ready?"

you nodded, trying to ignore the flutter in your stomach. "yeah, thanks for staying late."

"no problem," he replied, his voice low and soothing. he gestured to the tattoo chair. "take a seat. let's see what we're working with."

as you settled into the chair, a mix of nerves and excitement coursed through you. jungkook moved with practised ease, gathering his tools and preparing the area.

"alright, let's take a look," he said calmly, lifting the back of your hoodie. his fingers brushed against your skin, lingering longer than necessary, sending a shiver down your spine.

jungkook's gaze flickered to yours, a hint of desire in his eyes before he focused back on your skin. "15th of… december… 2023," he murmured, staring at your tattoo.

embarrassed, you leaned your head against the seat. "yeah, that's when we started dating."

he hummed in response, studying the faded tattoo. "this will be a great cover-up. do you have a design in mind, or want me to freestyle something?"

"i trust you," you whispered. "just something that represents a new beginning."

jungkook nodded, his expression serious and thoughtful. "got it. i'll sketch something out quickly."

you watched as he worked, his hands moving swiftly and confidently. the room was filled with the soft hum of the neon sign outside and the quiet scratch of his pencil on paper. after a few minutes, he held up the sketch for you to see.

"how about this?" he asked, his eyes searching yours for approval.

the design was beautiful—delicate yet bold, perfectly capturing what you wanted. "it's perfect," you grinned.

"glad you like it. let's get started," he smiled.

he carefully transferred the design onto your skin, his touch sending another shiver through you. "ready?" he asked, his voice a low murmur that sent heat pooling in your stomach.

you nodded, unable to find your voice. the first touch of the needle was sharp but bearable. the pain quickly faded into the background, overshadowed by the sensation of jungkook's hands on your skin. each touch, each brush of his fingers, felt amplified in the intimate quiet of the shop.

jungkook worked with steady precision, his eyes never leaving your skin. "you're doing great," he murmured, his breath warm against your back. "just a little longer."

you tried to focus on the rhythm of his work, but your mind kept drifting to the closeness of his body and his hands' warmth. the tension between you was palpable, each minute passing in a haze of anticipation and desire. his fingers occasionally brushed against your skin in a way that felt more intentional than accidental, sending waves of heat coursing through you.

as the tattoo session continued, you found yourself mesmerized by the sensation of his touch. the combination of the late hour, the dim lighting, and the intimate nature of the session made every moment feel charged with electricity. you could feel the heat of his body close to yours, the soft brush of his breath on your skin.

"how does it feel?" he asked softly, his voice a soothing balm with a dark, underlying current.

"it's… it's good," you managed to reply, your voice shaking slightly. "thank you, jungkook."

he smiled, his eyes meeting yours with an intensity that made your heart skip a beat. "almost done. just hang in there."

the final strokes of the tattoo machine were almost a relief, though you couldn't deny the pang of disappointment at the thought of his touch ending. when he finally finished, jungkook leaned back to admire his work, his expression of satisfaction mixed with something deeper.

"all done," he said softly. "take a look."

you stood up and walked to the mirror, turning to see the new tattoo on your lower back. it was beautiful, a perfect cover-up that transformed an old regret into something new and meaningful.

"wow," you said, your voice filled with genuine awe. "i love it."

he stepped closer, his gaze intense and dark with unspoken desire. "i'm glad you like it," he said.

for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. it was just the two of you, standing in the quiet, dimly lit shop, the air thick with unspoken feelings and charged with undeniable tension.

"thank you," you whispered, your eyes locking with his.

jungkook's hand brushed against your cheek, and your heart skipped a beat. his touch was gentle yet firm, his eyes burning with an intensity that made your breath catch. "you're welcome," he murmured, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down your spine. "anytime."

as you stared into each other's eyes, the air between you seemed to crackle with electricity, the line between professional and personal blurring beyond recognition. the tension was almost unbearable, and you found yourself leaning into his touch, craving more.

jungkook's fingers trailed down your cheek to your neck, his touch igniting a fire within you. "you know," he said softly, his lips just inches from yours, "i've always been here for you. and i always will be."

his hand lingered on your neck, his thumb gently brushing your jawline as he stared into your eyes. the intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down your spine, and the air between you crackled with unspoken desire. you could feel your heart pounding in your chest, each beat echoing the growing tension in the room.

"you have no idea how long i've wanted this," he whispered, his voice husky and filled with longing.

your breath hitched, and you leaned in closer without thinking, your lips just a breath away from his. the anticipation was almost unbearable, and you could feel the heat radiating off his body, drawing you in.

unable to resist any longer, you closed the distance, pressing your lips to his in a tentative kiss. jungkook responded immediately, his lips soft yet insistent against yours. the kiss deepened slowly, fueled by the weeks of suppressed desire and the intimate setting of the tattoo shop. his hand moved to the back of your neck, pulling you closer as he tilted his head to deepen the kiss further. the sensation was electric, sending waves of heat coursing through your body.

your hands found their way to his chest, feeling the firm muscles beneath his shirt. the sensation of his heartbeat under your palm matched the frantic pace of your own. every touch, every movement was charged, making your skin tingle with anticipation.

jungkook broke the kiss, his breath ragged as he trailed kisses down your neck. "god, i've wanted this for so long," he murmured against your skin, his hands roaming over your back, tracing the newly inked tattoo.

you let out a soft moan, arching into his touch. "me too," you whispered, your voice barely audible. "i've wanted you for so long."

he pulled back slightly, his eyes dark and filled with desire as he looked at you. "then let's not waste any more time," he said, his voice a low growl.

with a swift movement, he lifted you onto the tattoo chair, positioning himself between your legs. the cool leather against your skin was a stark contrast to the heat building between you. jungkook's hands slid under your hoodie, pushing it up to reveal more of your skin. he kissed a trail down your collarbone, his fingers deftly undoing the clasp of your bra.

your breath hitched as he pulled the bra away, his lips capturing one of your nipples in a hot, wet kiss. you tangled your fingers in his hair, pulling him closer as he lavished attention on your breasts, his hands kneading the soft flesh.

"jungkook," you moaned, the sound of his name a desperate plea on your lips.

he responded by kissing his way back up to your mouth, his tongue parting your lips as he claimed your mouth in a searing kiss. the kiss was deep and fervent, leaving a string of saliva connecting your lips when they parted. his hands roamed over your body, exploring every curve and dip, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

you could feel his arousal pressing against your thigh, and the sensation only heightened your own desire. with a trembling hand, you reached down, palming him through his jeans. he let out a low groan, the sound vibrating through you and making you even wetter.

"need you," you gasped against his lips, your voice breathless with need.

jungkook pulled back just enough to tug off his shirt, revealing the expanse of tattoos that decorated his chest and arms. you couldn't help but run your hands over his skin, tracing the lines of ink with your fingers.

he made quick work of your clothes, stripping you bare before him. the cool air against your heated skin made you shiver, but the look in jungkook's eyes sent a new wave of warmth through you. he kissed you again, his hands exploring your body with a fervent intensity.

his fingers found their way between your legs, sliding through your wetness with practiced ease. you gasped, bucking into his hand as he teased your entrance.

"you're so wet for me," he murmured against your ear, his breath hot and tantalizing. "i want to taste you."

before you could respond, he knelt between your thighs, his tongue darting out to taste you. the sensation was overwhelming, and you cried out, your hands gripping the edges of the tattoo chair as he licked and sucked at your most sensitive spots.

jungkook's tongue moved with expert precision, driving you closer and closer to the edge. just as you felt the first tremors of your orgasm, he pulled back, his lips glistening with your arousal.

"i want you to come with me inside you," he said, his voice rough with desire.

you nodded, too breathless to speak, and he quickly shed the rest of his clothes. the sight of him, fully naked and aroused, made your mouth water. he positioned himself at your entrance, his eyes locking with yours as he slowly pushed inside.

the sensation of him filling you was indescribable, a perfect mix of pleasure and pressure. you wrapped your legs around his waist, pulling him deeper as he began to move. each thrust was deliberate and powerful, driving you closer to the edge with each stroke.

jungkook's hands gripped your hips, his fingers digging into your flesh as he moved faster, his breath hot against your neck. "you're mine," he growled, his voice filled with possessive desire.

"yes," you gasped, your nails digging into his shoulders. "i'm yours."

the words seemed to spur him on, and he increased his pace, driving into you with an almost desperate intensity. your orgasm built rapidly, a tight coil of pleasure that finally snapped, sending you over the edge with a cry of his name.

jungkook followed you over the edge, his own release shuddering through him as he buried himself deep inside you. he collapsed against you, both of you breathing heavily as the aftershocks of your orgasms coursed through you.

for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. it was just the two of you, tangled together in the quiet, dimly lit shop, the air thick with the scent of sex and sweat.

"that was…" you began, but trailed off, unable to find the words.

"amazing," jungkook finished for you, his lips curling into a satisfied smile.

you nodded, a matching smile spreading across your face. "yeah. amazing."

jungkook pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead, his arms wrapping around you in a protective embrace. "i told you," he murmured, his voice soft and tender. "i'll always be here for you."

you nestled closer to him, savouring the warmth of his body against yours. "and i'll always be here for you," you whispered back, feeling a profound sense of connection and contentment.

jungkook pulled back slightly, his eyes softening as he looked at you. "we should get cleaned up," he said, but made no move to let you go. instead, he brushed a strand of hair away from your face, his touch gentle and affectionate.

you smiled, leaning into his touch. "yeah, but maybe we can stay like this for just a little longer," you suggested, not ready to break the intimate cocoon that had enveloped you both.

he chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to your temple. "i like the sound of that."

the two of you lay there for a while, wrapped up in each other's arms, the quiet of the tattoo shop providing a serene backdrop to your tender moment. the reality of the outside world seemed distant and unimportant compared to the warmth and closeness you shared.

eventually, jungkook sighed and pulled away, albeit reluctantly. "as much as i'd love to stay here with you forever, we should clean up and get you home."

you nodded, understanding the practicality of his words even though you wished the moment could last longer. "okay."

jungkook helped you off the tattoo chair, both of you moving slowly, savoring the lingering touches and stolen kisses as you gathered your clothes. he was gentle as he helped you dress, his fingers brushing against your skin in a way that made you want to pull him back into your embrace.

once you were both dressed, jungkook guided you to the small bathroom at the back of the shop. he wet a cloth and began to gently clean the areas of your body that still tingled from his touch. the intimacy of the moment, even in such a simple act, made your heart swell with affection.

"thank you," you said softly, your voice filled with sincerity. "for everything."

he smiled, his eyes locking with yours in a way that made you feel cherished. "anytime, y/n."

with a final, lingering kiss, jungkook finished cleaning up and walked you to the door. the cool night air was a stark contrast to the warmth you felt inside, but you didn't mind. you knew that the bond you had forged tonight was something special, something that would stay with you long after you left the shop.

as you stepped outside, jungkook held your hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "call me when you get home, okay? i want to make sure you're safe."

you nodded, squeezing his hand in return. "i will."

he watched as you walked away, his figure a comforting presence behind you. as you made your way home, you felt a sense of peace and fulfilment that you hadn't felt in a long time. the night had been more than just a tattoo session—it had been a new beginning, a step towards a future filled with promise and love.

later that night, as you settled into bed, your mind was filled with thoughts of jungkook, completely forgetting he was waiting for your call.

the intimacy you shared, the way he looked at you, the feeling of his hands on your skin—it all replayed in your mind like a beautiful dream. just as you were about to drift off to sleep, your phone rang, breaking the silence of the room. the screen displayed jungkook's name, and your heart skipped a beat.

you answered the call, trying to keep your voice steady. "hey,"

"hey," he replied, his voice warm and soothing. "i just wanted to make sure you got home safely."

"i did," you said, feeling a rush of warmth at his concern. "thank you for checking."

there was a brief silence, filled with the unspoken feelings hanging between you. finally, jungkook broke the silence. "i can't stop thinking about tonight, about you, y/n."

"me too," you admitted, your voice soft. "thanks for the special treatment."

"it was special," jungkook agreed. "i've wanted to tell you how i feel for so long, but i didn't know if you felt the same way."

"i do," you whispered, your heart pounding. "i feel the same way, jungkook."

he let out a relieved sigh, and you could hear the smile in his voice. "i'm glad to hear that. how about we make this official? can i take you out to dinner tomorrow night?"

your face broke into a wide smile, your excitement bubbling over. "i'd love that."

"great," jungkook said, his voice filled with warmth. "i'll pick you up at seven. sweet dreams, y/n."

"sweet dreams, jungkook," you replied, ending the call with a smile.

the next day was a blur of anticipation and excitement. as the evening approached, you found yourself carefully selecting an outfit, wanting everything to be perfect. when the clock struck seven, a knock on your door made your heart race.

jungkook stood on the other side, looking effortlessly handsome. he greeted you with a bouquet and a shy, endearing smile. "you look beautiful," he said, his eyes filled with admiration.

"thank you," you replied, feeling your cheeks flush with warmth. "you look great too."

the dinner was perfect. the two of you shared stories, laughter, and tender glances across the table. every moment felt charged with electricity, the connection between you growing stronger with each passing second. after dinner, jungkook took you for a walk in a nearby park. the night was clear, the stars twinkling above as you strolled hand in hand.

as you reached a quiet spot, jungkook turned to face you, his expression serious yet tender. "y/n, i meant what i said last night. i'll always be here for you. i want to be with you if you'll have me."

your heart swelled with emotion, and you nodded, tears of happiness brimming in your eyes. "i want to be with you too, jungkook. more than anything."

he pulled you into a gentle embrace, his lips finding yours in a soft, tender kiss. the world around you faded away, leaving just the two of you in your perfect moment.

the weeks that followed were filled with joy and discovery. jungkook became not only your lover but your confidant and best friend. each moment spent together strengthened your bond, and your love grew stronger with each passing day.

you found yourself spending more and more time at jungkook's apartment, where he would cook for you, and you would talk for hours about everything and nothing. the walls that once seemed to contain just his life now felt like a shared space where your love blossomed.

one evening, as you lay in bed together, jungkook traced patterns on your skin, his touch sending shivers through you. "i've been thinking about something," he said, hesitating.

"what is it?" you asked, turning to face him.

"i want us to move in together," he confessed, his eyes searching yours. "i want you to be a part of my everyday life, not just the special moments. what do you think?"

your heart swelled with joy, and you couldn't stop the smile on your face. "i think i'd love that. more than anything."

moving in together felt like the most natural step in your relationship. you merged your lives seamlessly, finding comfort and joy in the little things—cooking together, late-night talks, and lazy sunday mornings.

one evening, while unpacking the last of your things, you came across an old photo album. sitting on the couch, you and jungkook flipped through the pages, laughing at childhood photos and sharing stories from your pasts. it felt intimate and suitable, a testament to how deeply you trusted each other.

jungkook pulled you close, his eyes filled with love and promise. "we've come a long way, haven't we?"

"we have," you agreed, resting your head on his shoulder. "and i wouldn't change a thing."

as the evening wore on, you found yourselves on the balcony, watching the sunset. jungkook wrapped his arms around you from behind, his chin resting on your shoulder. "i can't wait to see what the future holds for us," he murmured.

"me too," you replied, your heart full of love and excitement. "with you by my side, i know it will be amazing."

as you stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, you felt a deep sense of fulfilment and contentment. the journey began with a simple tattoo, which had transformed into a beautiful love story that would continue to unfold with each passing day.

your past no longer held any power over you; you could embrace a future filled with love, promise, and endless possibilities. together, you and jungkook would face whatever came your way, knowing that your love was strong enough to withstand anything.

as you closed your eyes and leaned into his embrace, you knew this was just the beginning of your happily ever after.

(sorry omg i love this pic sm rn 😭😭😭)

© marvyu 2k24 — please do not copy, repost or translate any of my works on other platforms: i do not tolerate them at all.

[gay-dorito-dust]

Can I request headcanons for Sunday, Welt, Gallagher, Blade, and Dan Heng react to his shy gn s/o asking to kiss him on his forehead in hopes that it would bring him the same love & comfort they felt whenever they received it?

Sunday: his first reaction is; aww aren’t you just the most precious and adorable thing he’s ever seen.

He immeditly obeys your wish and presents you his forehead, where you planted a soft, tender kiss against.

He instantly relaxes beneath the featherlight touch of your lips against his forehead, smiling softly as he selfishly indulges himself in your presence and the way you managed to calm him without uttering a single word.

Your wish is his command in every sense of the word.

You’re probably the only person he’d gladly kneel before, but only in private though because he wasn’t fond of people staring at what was meant to be a special moment between two lovers.

And the fact that you weren’t fond of overcrowded places, regardless of whether they were staff members hired by The Family or just regular pedestrians who can’t go a single day without sticking their noses into things that don’t concern them.

So before anything happens Sunday makes sure to take you to your shared room for a much more private setting for the both of you.

After all this moment was meant for you two and you two alone.

So back to the moment you kissed his forehead, Sunday felt the weight of his responsibilities slip off his shoulders like water off a ducks back and he could even feel himself breath again now the weight was nonexistent; And you were to thank for making him feel that way.

You, sweet, kind, generous, you. Sunday’s own personal angel who makes him forget about his duty and make him feel alive again as you breathed new life into him with just a forehead kiss.

Welt: he would welcome the idea of you giving him a forehead kiss wholeheartedly.

He knows that it was nearly an impossible task for you to ask anything of him and he’s more then willing to let you go at your own pace, as he could clearly see that you didn’t expect to get this far.

‘You don’t have to do it if you don’t feel up to it just yet dearest.’ He says calmly as he places a comforting hand on yours. ‘There’s no time limit to do things under, so please take your time and remember to take deep breaths if needed.’ He adds.

He just wants you to feel comfortable and not feel pressured to do something that you weren’t comfortable with doing just yet. For it wasn’t fair on you in the slightest.

‘No. I want to do this, it’s just-‘ you then took a deep breath before refocusing yourself in the moment. ‘You know what I’m just going to kiss your forehead now. If that’s alright with you.’

Welt smiles. ‘It’s more than alright with me. Please continue.’

The moment your lips touched Welt’s forehead, he felt as though he were a young boy in love, everything he was feeling the longer your lips lingered were both indescribable and addicting.

He felt warm, he felt giddy, he felt excited but most of all he felt loved, cherished and really happy.

Nothing else existed in that moment but you two and that was fine by him because at the end of the day he would love nothing more than for it to be you whom he sees no matter what.

He often feels as though he wasn’t putting as much time in your relationship as he was with anything else but when you kissed his forehead, all of those worries he had yet to speak up upon faded away as he was reassured with the way you treated him as though he were priceless.

For he viewed you within the same point of view and was glad that feeling was reciprocated tenfold.

Gallagher; ‘Gallagher, can I-‘

‘Yes.’ He says with impeccable speed.

‘I-i haven’t even asked yet-‘

‘You don’t have to because my answer is yes little bird.’ He cuts you off once again with a wolfish smile before dragging you to sit on his lap as you rested your hands against his shoulders for stability when you kissed his forehead.

The feeling was incredibly fleeting for Gallagher as before he could fully enjoy the feeling of your lips against his skin, you pulled away, Gallagher was pouting like an overgrown child.

‘What?’ You said, thinking you’ve done something wrong.

‘It wasn’t long enough.’ He mutters and tugs you by the waist, causing you to be flushed against his chest. ‘What wasn’t?’ You asked, not understanding what he was getting at.

‘The forehead kiss.’ He clarified. ‘It wasn’t long enough for my liking so I want another.’ He adds, getting a lot of enjoyment from your wide eyed expression as he lifted your head to meet his eyes with a finger under your chin.

‘Don’t you have work to get back to? Won’t Sunday be mad?’ You questioned, knowing that the Halovian’s patience was wearing thin with Gallagher recently, and you didn’t want him getting into even more trouble just because he wanted more forehead kisses.

‘Who cares what that winged prick thinks little bird,’ Gallagher practically purrs, ‘I’m the one busting my ass. So I feel like I’m more than deserving of an extra five minutes to spend with a cutie like you in my lap, giving me a shit tone of forehead kisses.’ He adds.

And that’s exactly what you ended up doing for those extra five minutes.

Blade: ‘why?’ He asks bluntly.

You fiddled with your sleeve, a force of habit of yours that has stuck with you since as long as you could remember. ‘I just hope that it’ll bring you the same comfort and love I feel when you kiss my forehead.’ You admit sheepishly.

Blade knew the kind of guy he was and he wasn’t one that made people feel loved or comforted, if anything it was the complete opposite, but upon hearing you -sweet,shy and socially awkward you- admit that you feel love and comfort from a simple gesture he’s done once maybe twice.

Blade remained silent for a while before feeling himself begin to crumble under your patience gaze and muttered out a gruff. ‘Sure.’

The twinkle in your eyes and the tender smile across your lips melted his scarred heart, but the moment you gently held his face between your hands as though you were holding something worth admiring and pressed the sweetest kiss against his forehead, Blade felt himself practically become a puddle between your palms.

He hums in content as he closes his eyes and lets the love and comfort you claimed he gave you, spread throughout his body, from the bottom of his feet to the tips of his ears. He could feel your love for him encase him in a protective, warm embrace and Blade couldn’t help but selfishly wish to stay here in this position for the rest of your lives.

However you pulled away and Blade noticed how much colder he felt without your touch as he catches his breath, it almost as though he was plunged into an icy cold bath with the way his muscles became frigid and taut.

He had got a mere taste of your affection and now he craved it more than anything.

Dan Heng; knew how hard it was for you to ask for anything of him, despite him countlessly reminding you that he was more then willing to fulfil your wants and needs the best he could.

So when you managed to muster the strength and asked to kiss his forehead, he felt his cheeks become aflame but lets you do so anyways as he casts his gaze elsewhere, praying that you don’t hear how fast his heart was going.

He purrs. I repeat, he purrs the moment your lips touched his forehead as his inner dragon noodle was bursting with happiness upon receiving your affection. It wasn’t something that happened often but when it did, it was always something that never failed to make you smile and him slightly embarrassed at how easily you affected.

He’s just unsure how to voice his liking for your affection without it coming across as awkward or forced. He’s not a man of words when it comes to you as you often left him speechless and unable to think about anything that wasn’t the feeling of your plush, slightly cracked, lips pressed against his forehead.

In that moment all he could think about was you and how despite your differences, you two couldn’t have been a better match for one another.

It was during tender moments like these did Dan Heng want to cling onto forever for they reminded him that he has someone who was worth everything to him.

Someone who loved him regardless of who he was in the past. Your love knew no bounds and Dan Heng could feel every ounce of that within a simple thing as a forehead kiss.

[mikasa-imadebiscults]

HII

Can you please do hashira with s/o who defends them when someone speaks ill about them?

(HEYYYY ANON!! This took longer to make than expected but I hope ya enjoy this and have a wonderful day!!)

The Hashira’s S/O Defending them

(Characters Included- All the Hashira)

(Warning: Just fluff and a little swearing)

🦋Shinobu Kocho🦋

- She finds it really endearing that you defend her. Even though she tells you multiple times that she can fend for herself, she still finds it adorable that you care that much.

- She will definitely tease you a little afterwards, saying stuff like “Thanks for saving me, my knight and shining armor.” (and will giggle her ass off)

🐍Iguro Obanai🐍

- Usually ignores rude people, very rarely will he confront them. So when the both of you were making your way downtown, walkin’ fast, faces passed, and spending time together. You suddenly encountered a person being downright rude. Saying stuff like he needs to take off the mask or else. It took him by surprise when you got in front of him and started yelling at them.

- He quietly thanks you and takes you out to some food to help clear your head. Plus he wants to treat you as a way to express his gratitude.

🍡Mitsuri Kanroji🍡

- It’s not often that someone has a problem with Mitsuri, since she’s always kind, caring, and just a lovable person in general. Although one day someone had an issue with how bubbly she was. They were also nit-picking every single thing she was doing very loudly to one of their friends. Then finally you had enough and told them off.

- Mitsuri stood there in amazement at your bravery to stand up for others. Then she panicked and tried to tell you that it was okay so that you’d stop making a scene.

🔥Kyojuro Rengoku🔥

- He doesn’t let other people’s hurtful words bother him because he assumes that they just had a bad day or are going through a hard time so he just moves on with his day. When he noticed your demeanor suddenly changed he asked what was wrong. He assures you that it’s no big deal, but when the person keeps on going on and on you just had to say something.

- When you were walking over to them he tried to stop and reassure you that everything was okay. Although even though it didn’t work, he’s still appreciative of your spirit.

🔊Tengen Uzui🔊

- If Uzui encounters someone being disrespectful to him he usually just shoos them off or belittles them, unless the person is being rude to you, Makio, Suma, and Hina. Then he gets a little more riled up.

- If you ever go off on someone he’ll just stand back and watch the show. Afterwards he’ll be like “That’s right, tell ‘em what’s up.” in a joking way.

☁️Muichiro Tokito☁️

- It surprised him at first when you defended him, he had no idea how to react so he just stood there (like this: 🧍🏻)

- Whenever you come back to him he’ll say “Next time don’t waste your time on those scum, just knock them on the head.” His bluntness earned a laugh outta you.

🌪️Sanemi Shinazugawa🌪️

- When he heard someone talking shit, he turned towards their direction and was ready to say something. But he was cut off abruptly by you storming to them and letting them have it. He was shocked but kinda proud at the same time.

- After you’re finished, he says that he can defend himself and that you should save that energy for something else.

🌊Giyuu Tomioka🌊

- Usually if someone talks shit about him he’ll just ignore it, he has better things to worry about after all. He was bewildered when he overheard you defending him. You taking the time out of your day to defend him made him feel warm inside.

- He will make some food and give it to you as a thanks for having his back.

🪨Gyomei Himejima🪨

- Was really surprised, he certainly didn’t expect it. He calmly tells you that there will always be people in the world saying ill things about others, and to not get yourself all worked up over that.

- After the minor lecture he’ll pat your head and tell you that he’s very grateful for you defending him.

Masterlist

[seventeenreasonswhy]

SVT Reacts to Their ~Shy~ S/O in a Swimsuit 👙☺️

SFW / Fluff

Just sweet OT13!SEVENTEEN reacting to their shy/self-conscious partner wearing a bathing suit around them. 🥰

Content/Warnings: Fluff!, fem!reader, just pure sweet simping lol

Author's Note: DK's is longer than anyone else's lol sorry I like him the most. I cannot change what's in my heart. But enjoy! This is more of my Sweet!SVT agenda. 💕👼

SEUNGCHEOL

sees you enter the pool area so cautiously and wants to straight up melt into water himself. you’re so cute, it’s unreal. you look so hot, but your innocent way of being so self-conscious makes it even hotter to him??? he would spend the whole day giving you compliments, the smile never ever leaving his face as you blush at being so exposed!

JEONGHAN

doesn’t get why you’re so shy! you’re so beautiful! he loves your swimsuit, and he doesn’t hesitate to tell you how cute and sexy you look, even pulling your arms away when you try to cover yourself up. he believes you have every reason to be confident and proud of your body!

JOSHUA

is so, so soft with you. certified sweetheart right here. he knows that bringing too much attention to you would just make you more nervous, so he tries to act nonchalant to neutralize the anxiety for you. but he finds every opportunity to whisper sweet compliments about how you look!

JUN

thinks its adorable how shy you’re being. he decides to really lean into it and tease you, haha. “oh wow, I didn’t know you would show so much skin,” he says with an eyebrow raised. just seeing the panicked look on your face is so worth it. he loves making you flustered! it’s too cute!

HOSHI

whipped! absolutely positively whipped! this man turns so stupid for you the second that he sees you in your cute bikini lol. it’s like you put him in a trance lmao. you get shy about the way he’s just staring at you beaming nonstop. You playfully tell him to look away but he refuses, only pulling you close to him and touching your exposed waist. He doesn’t care who’s watching, he can’t keep his hands off of you like this.

WONWOO

ugh, so charmed by how shy you are. you’re so beautiful, he makes sure to sincerely tell you how hot and pretty you are in your swimsuit. he wants to instill you with all of the confidence you deserve! he can’t get over your red face and the way you keep looking around all nervous. he wants to kiss you so bad when you’re like this!

WOOZI

also shy!! haha he doesn’t know what to say to you! you’re so cute! but he feels self-conscious about you being self-conscious?? how should he approach you?? he would clumsily compliment you and then get frustrated and say, “never mind!” but you would know that he’s just frazzled. you feel kind of flattered by this reaction, actually, and seeing him also flustered makes you calm down a bit and feel a little more in control of your self-consciousness.

MINGHAO

sees absolutely no reason for you to be so shy! you’re so perfect! how could such a beautiful person not be comfortable in their own skin? he doesn’t get it. he calmly reassures you throughout the day of how beautiful you are, and that you don’t ever need to be uncomfortable in your body around him. he’s so matter-of-fact about it that you start to really relax.

MINGYU

simps soooooo hard as soon as he sees you. “waaahhh,” his jaw just drops at the sight of you lol. you feel so cringe about this, knowing that he’s going over the top and being extra dramatic to help you manage your self-conscious feelings. you really appreciate him being like this, though. “you’re being too nice,” you say shyly, and his face goes completely serious and he’s like “no I’m not. I’m serious, you’re so beautiful it’s crazy.” sweet puppy boy. 😊

SEOKMIN

he’s surprised by how strong of a reaction he has to seeing you like this! something about you being self-conscious while also being so gorgeous and in a bikini... he kind of gets bashful about how overtly hot he finds you! he doesn’t really mean to, but he ends up avoiding looking at you, which you take the wrong way and end up feeling even more embarrassed and self-conscious about. he eventually picks up on this, and then feels so bad! you wander off toward the locker room thinking it would be better to just change into something more comfortable, but he follows you. “oh, sorry,” you say as he catches up to you, stepping in front of you slightly before you get to the door to the showers, “wait,” he says, and then is distracted by how adorable your expression of worry and shyness is, and he ends up biting his knuckle between his teeth you’re driving him so insane! “y/n, seriously...” he says, letting out an exasperated puff of air, “you’re so beautiful, it’s insane. I can’t even look at you, it’s driving me so crazy how good you look.” your face turns beet red and you can’t stop the shy smile spreading across your face as he looks at you for a minute before just grabbing your face and kissing you.

SEUNGKWAN

soooo whipped for how you look and for how cute and shy you’re being! he isn’t used to seeing you like this! most of the time you’re really confident, so this is a new side to you. he feels compelled to compliment you and be really sweet to you because he doesn’t think there’s any reason for you to feel self-concsious about your body. he finds you so hot!! he’d be so touchy and playful, flirting with you and being really openly affectionate. It’s kind of a power dynamic change-up for you two which adds a layer of fun for him. you feel encouraged and relaxed by his sweet behavior.

VERNON

He doesn’t understand why you’re self-concsious at all. telling you that you’re beautiful and that you look amazing is simply stating an indisputable fact to him. he watches you as you gradually relax, not pushing the issue too much because he doesn’t want to overwhelm you. plus, being super effusive is not his style. he’s more of the “this-is-just-simply-the-way-it-is” about complimenting you, which kind of disarms your emabarassed feelings!

DINO

ugh, this lil sweetie pie... he would be so affectionate toward you. he would find that perfect line between building up your confidence and not drawing too much attention to your insecurity. he would also be kind of turned on? lol. he would keep it cool around others, but he would probably bring up how hot you looked to him after the fact.

[punkeccentricenigma]

Rise!Boys accidentally confess their love to Reader.

Relationship status: Romantic

Reader prounouns: They/Them

TW: Slight angst for Raph's part, Some grammatical errors because english is not my first language.

Author's note: Just enjoy lol.

.⋆｡⋆˚｡⋆｡˚｡⋆. .⋆｡⋆˚｡⋆｡˚｡⋆.

Leonardo

◇ Ever since Leo realized his feelings, his casual demeanor towards [Y.N] had turned into almost aggressively flirting.

◇ Despite not wanting to rush into confessing his feelings, he was practically a simp for that person..

◇ But he also teased them often, of course, not on a seriously offensive level. Just light pokes and prods.

◇ I'm sure he bragged to anyone about his not-yet relationship with [Y.N].

"Oh, and I recently won a unicorn plushie for them, and they were really delighted! WE'RE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER!"

"Pepino, get the hell out of here."

◇ Just as Donatello had enough of his (non-)twin, he now wanted to dig a hole to hell and throw him in there to finally get some rest.

◇ Anyway, the accidental confession happened one night when neither he nor [Y.N] could sleep.

◇ They were sending each other various memes through Discord in bulk. This boosted his confidence even more, leading to him typing 'I love you.'

◇ Of course, he hadn't sent it yet; his mind was suddenly filled with not-so-good thoughts. What if they don't feel the same? What if they laugh at him?? Or something worse?!

◇ Despite his persona, the boy was full of insecurities, from his looks to his personality, but with them... he felt good about himself.

◇ But would such a confession be too simple? The boy decided to wait at least one day before confessing his love.

◇ But fate said 'nuh-uh,' and his phone fell on Leo's face, causing panic. Due to his carelessness, he held the device wrong, resulting in the accidental sending of the ill-fated message.

"No, no, no, NO!" His voice trembled as he tried to delete the message immediately. Unfortunately, the app froze to his disadvantage. "Damn it!"

◇ When he managed to reopen the app, there was a new message.

◇ "... You are not joking, right?"

◇ This night would last even longer than a turtle had anticipated.

Raphael

◇ I think it happened during the attack on their home by Shredder. Absolute chaos, a storm of emotions, the perfect situation for an imperfect love confession.

◇ "Raph, have you lost your mind?!" [Y.N] began, full of outrage. "Why didn't you let me stay? Splinter and Draxum need help!"

The turtle furrowed his brow bones, looking down at the shorter person with regret. "It was the only way, I'm sure they'll handle it."

"And what if they don't? What if they needed our help right now?"

◇ No matter how advanced [Y.N]'s combat skills were, Raphael was even more opposed to the idea.

◇ "Nothing will happen to them!" Raphael raised his voice, as if trying to convince not only the teenager but himself. "And stop arguing with me; I'm the leader here, and I make the decisions!"

"Damn it, I don't understand you! I could handle it, and you would have more time to plan; I'm not needed here!!"

◇ Just a reminder, everyone present was watching this argument.

◇ "Yes, you are!"

"No, I'm not!"

"You are! I don't want to lose you like Gram Gram; I love you too much!" His angry red face suddenly turned shocked. Oh, oh. Did he really just say that??

◇ His dark eyes met the teenage counterpart's. Their whole face was red, and their determination to sacrifice themself slowly faded from their eyes.

"... Fine," [Y.N] muttered and sat down in the seat next to Michelangelo.

◇ When all this chaos is over, they'll have to talk, this time more calmly.

Donatello

◇ Donnie has a need to be as organized as possible, so before suggesting anything, he has to plan everything out and make sure that any confession of feelings will go perfectly.

◇ Of course, he had a large folder with potential scenarios that could happen before and after the confession. It had a bit of a vibe from his previous reincarnation, but much less scary and obsessive - he simply felt strong discomfort without preparation.

◇ Leo likes to tease him about it, by the way.

◇ Anyway, there was one situation the boy didn't anticipate. One night, he had been working on another invention all night, aimed at stealing another battery from the Purple Dragons, and in the morning, he fell asleep at his desk, or rather, he was half-unconscious.

◇ "Dee, come to bed." Raphael's voice echoed through the lab, gently shaking the sleepy Soft-shell's naked shoulder. In response, he got some sluggish syllables and a hiss. "You can't sit here like this; it's not healthy." "And sitting here all night is unhealthy enough," he added quietly.

"Get lost..." That's all the turtle understood. Raph rolled his eyes and moved away from his brother a bit.

"I'm not going to struggle; I'm sleep-deprived myself," the red-loving enthusiast said, picking up his phone.

◇ And so [Y.N] appeared in the lair, as the ultimate weapon.

◇ "Donnie! Get up! Lie down in bed!" The teenager themself was not well-rested, considering the early hour, but they tried not to sound irritated. Donnie mumbled something again and straightened up in his chair.

"Raphaello, leave me alone," Donnie started, putting his hands on the keyboard. Apparently, he had no intention of opening his eyes. "I still need to make a few changes to the code..."

"Wait, do you think I'm Raph??" [Y.N] asked in surprise, pointing at themself. Did their voice really sound so manly and deep?? Since when??

"And you're talking in the third person again; I've told you that it's no longer fashionable." Donnie tried not to hit his head against the desk even a little, wanting to at least be somewhat awake. The human wanted to say something, correct him, but gave up with a certain idea in their mind.

◇ they had noticed strange aspects of their friend's behavior lately. He was more open to their, often grabbing their hand or hugging their despite his usual aversion to it, he made various devices for their that made quite an impression on their... there had to be something to it!

◇ "Hey, buddy," the human leaned lazily against the desk, trying their best to mimic the speech style of the oldest of the brothers. "Do you, you know, have something going on with our best, most wonderful human friend??"

"You mean April?" Ouch, that hurt, even though [Y.N] felt the same way. "She's our almost-sister, Raph, yuck."

◇ "Oh, no! [Y.N], I meant [Y.N]!" The teenager corrected themself, slightly annoyed. It was weird.

"What about them? I already told you." No! Not like that!

"Ahahah, you know I have a bad memory when I'm not stressed!"

"Mh..." Pause. Did they say something wrong? Donatello is overly smart; he should figure out what's wrong! How will they explain this? "Everything's fine; my plan will be initiated in half a year at the latest." Plan? What plan??

"Plan...?"

"Rendezvous plan, duh," Donnie replied, resting his head on his hand. "I know you advised against it, but I can't do it differently. I need everything to be tip-top before I confess my feelings to them."

◇ "..."

◇ "..."

◇ "Raph...?"

◇ [Y.N] remained silent, trying to control their sudden heartbeat and their face turning as red as a strawberry.

Michelangelo

◇ Playing the role of Dr. Delicate Touch, the boy knew perfectly well what he felt and wanted to confess his love, but the natural fear of rejection also got to him.

◇ He wanted to think this all through. He wanted to do it as smoothly and charmingly as possible, but not in a way that made it seem like he didn't care. He didn't want to throw such important words to the wind!

◇ His artist's soul played a significant role here. Every time he felt great, he had to sketch something related to love.

◇ Just woke up from a fantastic dream? He had to quickly grab his sketchbook and sketch [Y.N] in a floral wreath.

◇ He was on patrol and saw their favorite cafe? He started sketching the teenager drinking coffee in the nearby sand with his finger, taking a picture of it as a keepsake.

◇ Spending quality time with [Y.N]? He convinced them to start painting each other with his favorite markers, and under the pretext of light fun, he drew orange hearts on their cheeks.

◇ It was all fun until there was an 'accident' during one of the previously mentioned activities.

◇ So, Mikey and [Y.N] were in his new room after Shredder's attack, and he needed help with some unique decoration.

◇ "Wait, isn't that a neon banner from the nearby store??" The teenager asked, pointing at the mentioned thing, peeking out from behind the boy.

"I neither confirm nor deny it!" Mikey laughed, shrugging his shoulders. "You have to admit it fits perfectly."

"Mhm, but I doubt you'll fall asleep with this," [Y.N] said skeptically, picking up one of the cardboard boxes that contained a surplus of notebook-like items. "Where does this go?"

"Oh! Just put it next to the cabinet; I'll put them in the drawers in a sec."

The human nodded, and as they took a few more steps, they tripped over the cables lying on the floor. they fell to the ground with a squeak, dropping the box less than half a meter in front of them.

"Are you okay??" The orange-loving enthusiast quickly ran to his friend, helping them get up as they groaned in pain.

"Yeah, I think so..." Their voice trailed off, surprising Mikey, who followed their gaze.

◇ His pupils immediately narrowed upon seeing an open sketchbook with many drawings and sketches of [Y.N], with a predominant theme of love.

"Mikey...?"

"IT'S NOTHING!" The teenager shouted, hastily picking up the sketchbook from the floor and pressing it against his plastron.

◇ Their faces both turned equally red with excessive thinking.

◇ Oops.

[lucisfavoritedemon]

Through The Poral: Chapter 1

Chapter Summary: A mystery girl comes through the portal with Ford. Little did anyone know she has a bigger connection to the brothers than anyone thought.

Warnings: Angst, fluff, age gap, flash backs, mentions of hopelessness, age gap (reader looks 21)

Pairing(s): Stan x platonic!reader, Ford x platonic!reader

A/N: Retelling of a Tale of Two Stans. The events and ideas are based on a theory I have about the Nightmare Realm. This is in no way canonically true, just my theories based on what we canonically know about the Nightmare Realm. 

40 long years of waiting. Waiting and wondering whether the time would come if I would ever be able to go home again. 40 years of hiding in plain sight from the one they call Bill Cipher, a dream demon who reigns over the nightmare realm, the place I have resided in for 40 years. Unaged and unchanged physically, but mentally I feel like I’ve lived for centuries.

When I first arrived in the nightmare realm, I had found refuge with a group of asteroid miners. I wasn't sure how much time had truly passed when an unknown man joined us, Stanford Pines. He told us stories of how he managed to get there as escapes Bill's grasp.

That was a long time ago. It seemed longer than what it actually was. Stanford had gone off and managed to hop between dimensions, and here we're I standing at the ready to take down Bill for good, his quantum destabilizer complete and in hand. 

“We have one shot at this.” Stanford whispered to me. 

I nodded in agreement, but as we went to strike, a rift opened up in front of us. Stanford, knowing the stakes of this mission knew that either we walked through, or Bill would and wreak havoc upon our home dimension, so with a heavy heart we walked through entering back into our home dimension. 

It felt surreal. After being gone for so long, I was finally back home. Yet, where I stood was not familiar to me. I recognised nothing. A dark space that was placed, I assumed, underground. I could hear the whirring of the machine as it fizzled and died. Home, a place I'd long forgotten, yet this place felt nothing like that. I felt like I was an imposter entering a realm I did not belong in.

Stanford and I stood silent. Taking in our surroundings. Unmoved by anything the people standing in the room were saying or doing. That was, till a man in a fez spoke up amongst the group. 

“Finally, after all these years long years of waiting, you're actually here! Brother!” The man opened his arms, a goofy grin spread across his face.

Then Stanford punched him square in the face before speaking, “this was an insanely risky move, restarting the portal. Didn't you read my warnings!?”

Never had I seen Stanford so angry. Usually he was calm and collected. Even still, he may have lashed out, but he wasn't yelling, he was calmly speaking down to this man that claimed to be his brother.

“Wranings, schmarnings. How's about maybe a thanks for saving you from what appears to be some sci-fi sideburn dimension.”

“Thank you? You think I'm going to thank you after what you did 30 years ago!?” Stanford raised his voice for the first time since I met him. He always was soft spoken, and kind. Never have I heard someone draw such anger out of him. Not even Bill himself.

Something didn't seem right. The physical confrontation, the yelling. It all screamed something more beyond the surface of what I knew.

Stanford had pinned his brother to the ground after dodging his punches. That's when I noticed the three of us weren't alone. There were three others that joined us in the dark, dingy underground. 

“Hey, hi, Mabel here. Quick question, what the heck is going on here?” A girl in a pink hand knitted sweater spoke up. 

“Stan, you didn't tell me there were children down here. And some sort of large, hairless gopher.” Stanford quickly gained his composure as he looked between the three people we didn't even notice. The larger man chuckled at Stanford's comment, seeking unphased. I took quick note of this.

“They're your family poindexter. Shermie's grandkids.” Stanford's brother, or Stan as he supposedly goes by, gestured to the two young kids, I'm guessing, were twins.

“I-I have a niece, a nephew?” Stanford's voice turned to one of fondness before he knelt down in front of the girl, Mabel, reaching out to shake her hand, “greetings. Do kids still say greetings? I haven't been in this dimension for a really long time.”

“Woah, a six fingered hand shake, that's one finger friendlier than usual.” Mabel beamed.

Mabel's twin brother, who had been absolutely silent up until now, finally spoke up, “I-I can believe it. You're the author of the journals.” The boy then began to hyperventilate and almost threw up.

This whole thing felt like a lucid dream. I let Stanford get used to the new information he had received. I, on the other hand, had nothing to take in. I again, was lost in the world of unknowns. Maybe I no longer had a home to look for anymore.

“There'll be time for introductions later. But first, tell me Stan, are there any security breaches? Does anyone else know about this portal?”

“No. Just us. Also, maybe the entire US Government.”

“The what!?” Stanford's face was fuming. I never saw him so angry.

They all looked through the window where the security footage showed the government outside searching for Stanford’s brother and the two young kids. Everything was so chaotic right now, which I hoped wouldn’t be the case when we entered our home dimension. I guess chaos followed us wherever we went.

“Okay, it’s alright. We’ve got a while before they find this room. We just need to lay low and think of a plan.” Stanford stated, the calmness returned to his voice as he pulled out the journal he had picked up off the floor, and began to write in it.

“It looks like we’re going to be stuck down here for a while. Who wants to tell us their entire mysterious back story, and also, who is she?” Mabel stated, finally pointing in my direction.

“This is Y/n. She is a friend I met on my travels. Yes, though, I have some questions about all of this myself, Stanley.” Stanford finally introduced me.

Stanley? I had not heard a name like that in 40 years…a name so familiar to me yet so foreign all at the same time. An old friend from home. A friend I left behind all those years ago. There was no way this was the same Stanley. Right?”

“Stanley?” Mabel’s brother asked.

“But your name is Stanford.” Mabel pointed out.

Stanford’s face and mine said it all. What the hell was happening here? What had happened in the time Stanford was gone? Why had his brother assumed his identity? I hoped we both got the answers we needed.

“Wait, you took my name? What have you been doing all these years you knucklehead?” Stanford turned angry again.

Whatever happened between Stanford and his brother, it still hit a nerve with him. Something about Stanley made Stanford’s normal demeanor turn angry. A side I never thought he had. He was cunning for sure, but downright hateful was not on the list of traits I had listed for Stanford.

“”Okay, okay, okay. I know I have a lot of explaining to do. It all started a lifetime ago…” Stanley began telling his version of his life growing up with Stanford to everyone.

As he spoke, things started to piece together slowly in my mind. There was a reason Stanford and I were brought together. The more they spoke the more I connected my life to the eldest Pines twins. I reached into my pocket, there I kept a picture of my dear friend that I left behind. The one person I wanted to get back to the most. Stanley Pine.

“The old me was dead, and I faked a car crash to prove it. By day, I was Stanford Pines, mr. Mystery. But by night, I was down in the basement trying to bring the real Stanford back. I couldn’t risk anyone learning the truth and sabotaging my mission. So, I lied to everyone. The town, my family, your parents. Even you, kids.” Stanley finished his story.

Everyone was so enthralled in the story that the brothers were telling, we all forgot about the government agents upstairs. Dipper, I learned was the name of Mabel’s brother, had a device in his bag that could erase people’s memories. Stanford hooked it up and changed the frequency to sync to radio headsets.

We all plugged our ears as Stanford set the device off. Soon enough the agents were dazed and confused about where they were and what was going on. Stanford greeted them and sent them away, pretending to be a government official.

“Nice work Stanford.” I smiled as I walked up to him.

He smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder, “thank you, Y/n. How are you holding up?”

“I’ve been better. It’ll take some time to adjust, but I feel like I know you better than I did before, and your brother as well.”

“It’ll take us both some time to adjust, but I promise, as soon as we get settled in, and things quiet down, I’ll get you back home where you belong.”

I shake my head, “no. You and I are a team. I’m not leaving your side. Plus,” I pull out the picture of Stanley, “I think my home is here now.”

Stanford took the picture from me, “i-is this?”

I nod, “I didn’t recognize him at first. He’s older now, and with that fez, I couldn’t see his hair, I always said that was his most defining feature.” I laughed softly.

Stanford smiled softly, “I think you should get some rest. You and Stan can discuss this in the morning. I know of a room you can stay in, if it’s still there that is.”

I nod as Stanford leads me inside and to the room that he said used to be his. It consisted of just a couch and wasn’t much, but it was a place to rest my head at night, and probably more comfortable than a cold gravel ground.

I was settling in as I heard the brothers talking. Stanford said that at the end of the summer he was to give him his house back, his name back, and the Mystery Shack business was over with. I could hear the pain in Stan’s voice, and I felt sorry for him, but after what he told us today, I didn’t blame Stanford for being the way he was. Stan hurt him badly, and I didn’t blame Stanford for holding it against his brother

I was finally settled in when Stan knocked on the door. I sat up and invited him in. He had a few more blankets in his hand that he was ready to offer up.

“Y-you settling in okay?” He asked softly.

I nodded and smiled, “as good as one can. It’s been so long since I laid on anything other than the ground in years.”

“Ford tells me you’re originally from this dimension too?”

I nod, “yeah, I’ve been away for I think 40 years…the world definitely seems different now than it did in the 70s.”

“Th-the 70s?”

“Yeah, I know, kind of a while to be away from home. No trace left of me. Nothing left except my failed experiment.”

“Y-you didn’t happen to grow up in New Jersey too, did you?”

“I actually did…” I hesitate whether I should tell him I’m exactly who he thinks I am, but I also didn’t want to assume that’s where he was going, and overwhelm his mind.

Stan just nods and goes to leave. Before he does, he says one final thing, “how is it you haven’t aged a single day, toots?” With that he walked away, closing the door behind him.

[twst-kumi]

Weeping Maiden [ACT I] CHAPTER 11

[Act I] CHAPTER 11

[Name] woke up in her room in Royal Dawn Dormitory. Flora was dozing off on the armchair by her bed. The fairy’s eyes looked puffy from crying. Flora woke up startled by the young girl snorting. The old woman looked at her for a minute before bawling. She was so loud that she could hear running in the mini castle. 

Ambrose barged in the room holding his robe up. He looked disheveled while panting. His eyes darted everywhere before he saw [Name] smiling awkwardly. It was his turn to cry.

“_Oh my sweet child! I was so worried.”

Alerted by the commotion, the other came to see what was happening. Aurelius also teared up as he saw the young girl. She was alive and well. 

“_ Don't scare us like that ever again. 

_ Yes, I'm sorry. I swear I didn't mean to worry.

_ It's not about you worrying us, my dear child. It was dangerous. You could have died.” 

The director said glaring at her worriedly. He wanted to protect her. Not only was she his most delicate student, but she was first and foremost his daughter blood related or not. [Name]’s heart fluttered in front of his sincere eyes.

“_ It's a parent's job to take care and worry about their child. And a father's job to protect their daughter.”

The young girl couldn't say anything. Her heart felt heavy with unknown emotions. She didn't know how to react to it, but it felt good somehow. Like she was waiting for such words, she couldn't stop her tears trailing down her cheek. The old man held her in her arms and [Name] broke down wailing like a little kid. She couldn't help but cry as he hugged her tightly. It was warm. Ambrose’s embrace felt so warm around her. 

A few minutes after, her eyes were puffy and red gaining her some teasing laugh from Vil and the rest. 

“_You look like a baby chick who hatched with your eyes like that.

_Nooo, baby chick are ugly when they hatch.”

[Name] whined still sniffing here and there. The group laughed relieved everyone was alright. They got out with only a few scratch and bruise nothing to heavy. The most worrying peoples were Neige and her who were unconscious for two days. Neige woke up yesterday.

“_About Neige…” 

[Name] started to explain what she saw in his memories as they listened calmly. There was a silence for a moment until Alexis talked.

“_Like I give a fuck! He drugged you! Don't expect me to go easy on him because of his sob story.” 

Aurelius winced at his colorful language but agreed with him nonetheless. [Name] smiled gently at them.

“_ I'm not asking you to forgive him. I'm just stating the core reason for Neige's Overblot. Neige is incapable of valuing himself for what he is. For him, his worth can only be equated to his usefulness.” 

She understood this feeling better than anyone. As a former child actor and having grown up in a toxic family, she understood what Neige had gone through. Unlike her, Neige was probably not aware of his own abuse. 

“_ I see… Well, you may want to know. I decided to exclude Neige for a week.

_ Only a week? Don't tell me you are planning to let him go scoff free!”

[Name] looked at Vil who frowned at Ambrose’s words. She wanted to comments on how Crowley is letting every Overblotted students off the hook without any repercussions. Aside from Leona who almost got disqualified for Magicshift. The RSA director only laughed.

“_ Of course not. But I think that everyone can get a second chance, if they do show determination and sincerity. The same could be said for you. When I call for you as a primary suspect, I wanted to give you a chance to defend yourself. And if you were the culprit, a chance to redeem yourself.”

Vil couldn’t say if he was unconfortable or just jealous. The director knew Neige longer than him, so it was normal to trust him more than the actor. On the opposite, Crowley didn’t hesitate to send Vil the moment the school reputation was brought up. It left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Thanks to Ambrose, Vil was able to return to school. He covered it as a flu, he and [Name] caught that. The young girl coming from a different and closeted “land”, her immunity system was a bit weaker than them. It was the excuse they gave everyone to explain their absences. 

“_Where is Neige? I would like to talk to him before he leave.”

There was another silence. 

“_Hey! You heard her? So, are you going to hide behind that wall longer?”

Alexis growled looking toward the open door. They could see a shoulder flinching but no other mouvement. Seeing that he wasn’t going to move, the gentle-looking boy felt even more pissed.

“_ COME IN!!! YOU PIECE OF S…. syrup! I was going to say syrup.”

Everyone looked at him unconvinced and Aurelius couldn’t help but stifle a chuckle. He was going to be in trouble if he continued to swear like a sailor. Vil on other side was wondering if it was a normal for small and delicate looking boys to have a foul mouth. This was the second one after Epel. That being said hearing Neige getting insulted didn’t felt bad. He will acknowledge that Neige’s situation was sad, but it didnt mean he would like him. If anything, he had even more resentment toward him. 

Neige walked inside, his eyes darted to the floor unable to confront their stare. Taking on the cue, Ambrose made everyone leave. Aurelius and Alexis couldn’t help but glare at Neige. 

“_Scream if he try to do anything suspicious. 

_ Yeah, we will beat him for you if he try anything so don’t worry.”

Aurelius and Alexis said while burning hole with their glare on Neige. Vil felt refreshed in a way. Look like RSA too could be a little violent. 

Alone, Neige and [Name] looked at each other for moment. The boy looked devastated, remorse was obvious on his face. 

“_ I’m sorry… I… 

_ I never liked you more than a friend, Neige.”

Neige flinched a little. He could feel a lump forming in his throat. He looked at her before smiling at her. He tried to push back on his need to cry. He was  aware, she didn’t share his feeling.He was going to use this week to reflect on it. Deep down he felt like he didn’t have any right on loving her or coveting her affection.

“_ I know… I’m quite aware of it now. I just want to say it at least once. I love you, [Name].”

[Name] was speechless for a moment. His eyes shined with a resolve she never saw in him before. Something changed in him, he looked a little bit more like a man rather than a delicate boy. Both exchanged a small laugh before Neige stood up to leave. She rejected his confession but at least she acknowledged it. 

Neige was walking down the stair under the two freshmen’s glare. It was understandable for them to hate him. Remembering something, he stopped in his tracks and looked at them. 

“_Please, take care of her.

_We don’t need you to tell us that. 

_Just leave already!”

Neige chuckled a little looking at the two. What a duo of  brave little knight they were. 

“_Right, before I forgot. Don’t trust Henry that much.”

Aurelius frowned a little. What does his dormleader have to do with all this? The young man felt his stomach churn. Pushing his worry aside, he walked back inside the bedroom once he was sure Neige left the dorm. 

Act I: Poison of Delusion. (END)

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Tag

@cocomollo @owodi @illytian

[thelightsandtheroses]

seven: me and the devil, walking side by side

Your Hand In Mine | Joel Miller x female reader.

Chapter summary: an unwelcome visitor brings everything to a head Chapter warnings: Reader is a single parent to a teenager, mentions of breakups, discussions of cults/religious movements and violence within these, threat of a gun, tension, lightly implied panic attack/anxiety, 18+ blog mdni, Notes: Chapter title i

s from Me and the Devil, originally by Gil-Scott Heron but I have both this and the Soap&Skin version on my playlist for this fic. Thanks for all of your patience with this chapter. It’s a big one! Word Count: 5.4k

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You’ve been through breakups before. It’s nothing new. Usually you like to be the one to leave before you can be left. That takes out some of the salt in the wound.

Your separation from Joel hurts though. It physically hurts.

Your chest aches, your eyes sting, you miss him. Every small detail brings Joel to you; a flannel shirt, the soap everyone in Jackson.

You’re not sure if it’s because you’ve distanced yourself from a good man - and aren’t those rare to find?- or the impending fear of The Junction. Perhaps it’s both.

On the moments that Joel is not haunting you, your past is.

Beau once asked you whether you were sure that breaking up with Joel was a good idea, if it would perhaps be better to bring him on side. That’s Beau; a survivor, pragmatic to his core.

You can’t quite find the words to voice what it would have meant to you to tell Joel. You still feel complicit somehow in everything that Ethan did, you realised too late, you didn’t stop him. There’s too much shame ingrained in your body for you to tell Joel.

The pain of the breakup feels like a suitable punishment.

“Anything?” you ask Beau as you sip your tea in the kitchen.

Beau shakes his head wearily. “No sign on anyone yet.” He pauses. “If I had to say anything though, it’s almost too …. clean. There’s no sign of anyone, sweetheart, anyone or anything.”

“They’re cleaning their tracks?”

“Probably.”

“Shit. We should leave.”

“We’re better off here than out there,” Beau replies calmly, “‘sides, we can’t just haul Gabe off in the middle of the night now. He’ll ask questions.” There’s an unspoken question - will you ever tell your son the truth?

“I hate this.”

“Me too. We’re going to get through this though.”

“Are we?”

“Of course.”

“Who were you patrolling with?” you ask, eager to change the subject.

Beau shifts uncomfortably. “Just -”

“Joel?”

He nods. ‘Did he notice the clean-up?“

“Things like that don’t get past him. He’s … aware of techniques like that.” probably for the same reasons as Beau. Their chequered histories made them survivors and in some strange kept people they love safe - Ellie for Joel, Sean and you for Beau. “We both commented on it. Joel doesn’t know about the junction though, he’ll assume it’s more like raiders. He wants to raise it in the town meeting tonight - I think he’d mention it sooner if it was more than just a theory. Maybe that can work to our advantage though.”

“How?”

“Well, if he says to Maria then she’ll probably put a stop to traders for a bit. That might protect us a little longer if Jackson’s more closed. It’ll give us time to decide on what we’re doing.” Beau smiles at you. “You and Sean, you’re not alone in this. You, Gabriel, Sean and me … we’re sticking together.”

You nod, sniffing loudly. You won’t cry, you won’t.

“There’s a trader in,” Esther says casually, smiling as you look up from your books.

It’s probably nothing, it’s probably just one of the usual traders who passes through Jackson, but that doesn’t explain why your blood is turning cold and your palms are sweaty.

“A trader? One of our usuals?”

“No, no, never seen him before.”

“Oh, really?” you ask, schooling your expression as much as you can. “What does he look like?”

“Not as good looking as Joel Miller, how you let a man like that go, I will never know.” Esther sighs and you remember that when Joel first came to town, Tommy had been trying to match the two of them. It hadn’t lasted long. You’d asked Joel about it once but he’d been polite, a southern gentleman to a tee so you knew even if there was a story, it wasn’t one you’d hear any time soon.

“Well, I’m sure he’d be heartened to hear your support on that. So, the trader?”

“I don’t know, he had dark hair and he - he had presence, a slight limp though.”

“A limp?”

“Uh huh. Shame really, and some burns but other than that …. he seemed real friendly, had a Victorian doll for trade too, might have some things for your boy. I heard a rumour about coffee.”

You walk past Esther, barely letting her complete her sentences before you’re heading out of the library.

Beau’s on the way to the hall. He’s in the stables and you can see him chatting with Ellie as you approach them.

“Hey Beau, Hi Ellie,” you say, walking in and smiling broadly. You think it’s a normal, false smile but by Beau’s expression, and Ellie’s, you’ve failed miserably. “Beau, there’s a trader at the community hall, want to go check it out?”

Beau looks at you and you hope he’s noticed how you said trader, how you all but winked and raised an eyebrow at the gesture.

“Oh, really?”

“We were talking about trading some of our old stuff soon, right? From back when?”

He definitely understands now. “Of course. Ellie, it was real nice talkin’ to you.”

Before you can leave, Ellie grabs you arm. “Wait, can you just wait a moment?”

No, you think, but it’s Ellie and you’ve already let her down so many times recently, that you nod. “Catch up in a moment, Beau?”

“Okay. I’ll be outside.” If you know, he’ll probably be working on a plan, just in case. He’ll be looking for signs of more of them. You and Sean told him about Ethan’s strategies, about his plans if that first gated community failed.

Ellie looks worried, her arms are folded around herself and it reminds you she’s still just a child, only fifteen. Younger than your own son.

“How are you doing, Ellie?”

“I’m sorry, okay?”

“You’re sorry?”

“Yeah, over the whole arm thing and the accident. I know it made you and Joel argue and then - and then you broke up. I know it’s-”

“Ellie, it was nothing to do with that,” you say vehemently, “Nothing at all about you. I promise.”

“Then why? I thought you liked him?”

“I did.” You do.

“I’ll never understand any of this,” Ellie laments, shaking her head. “Why not just - why’d you come into our lives just to do this then?”

You would have preferred it if she hit you. “I never wanted to hurt you, or Joel. I promise that. I’m - I have to go, Ellie, but I - we can talk more.”

“‘S no point. Unless, is there?” Ellie looks up hopefully.

You shake your head, digging your hands into your pockets. “Take care, Ellie.”

You have to get to the hall, you have to hope your fears are unfounded.

You can’t feel your fingers.

You know.

There are fresh flowers on each table in the hall; it’s a simple gesture, one that intimates the security, the homeliness of Jackson. It’s a place where you can do that again, it’s about living not surviving.

It clashes with the raging survival instinct in you, the fear that your home isn’t as safe as you hoped. The knowledge that everything is about to come crashing down.

What if they’ve already infiltrated? What if there’s been a Junction spy reporting back for months? They would despise you for what you did. They would demand your blood. But what if he …

You look over at the crowd around the trader and begin moving forward with Beau, each step in sync, his presence an unspoken crutch.

You hope you’re wrong about this.

He is not who you remember. That is the first thing you think when you see him. His hair is longer now with his limp, thinning dark locks tied back in a scraggly ponytail. There are more lines on his face, a vicious burn on one hand and you know underneath his clothes will be the hidden scars you left him with - you missed the first time. The second time you hit his leg though.

His eyes widen with delight when he sees you walk into the building. “You,” he exclaims, “At long last, we meet again.”

In your imagination, this scene always was more obviously like a horror film. In your nightmares, you’d be bleeding, taken, surviving once more. The scene was always in some abandoned warehouse, cabin or barn too.

You watched too many movies growing up.

However, you could have never expected this moment would happen in Jackson’s community hall. You could never have expected there would be an audience either. People are still milling around, looking at his potential wares, going about their day like the world hasn’t just ended once more. You want to scream at them, you want to call the insanity of this situation out but your feet are rooted to the floor with thick tendrils of fear holding you in place.

You notice Joel and Tommy at one table. Joel’s eyes look confused as he seems to gauge your expression.

You can see Sean standing near Maria. Sean looks so uneasy; almost grey, and you cannot imagine how your friend is feeling right now, you know he suffered in his own way at The Junction. His face is calm though, he’s planning, waiting for the right moment. You recognise the way his hands are shoved into his jeans pocket though, the way his eyes move wildly around the room when he thinks no one is looking at him.

Your legs feel shaky but you refuse to lean against Beau, to show any weakness in this situation. This situation has been a long time coming.

It’s been seventeen years. You are not who you were then. You have been shaped by him and the Junction, that is true, but you’ve become your own person again. Each tragedy, each win, each memory has sculpted who you are at this moment, has trained you for this moment.

Beau whispers your name, gives you choices on how you play this. He’s on your side, that’s clear, that’s beyond question. Part of you wants to hand the situation over to him, to let Beau deal with it while you bury your head in the sand once again.

That’s not possible though.

You wonder if it’s only the four of you who are aware of the tension at this moment. It’s a secret that your neighbours and friends can’t see, that you never wanted them to see.

And Joel -

Everyone is in danger now.

“Hi honey,” Ethan says loudly with a smile, “It’s been a while. Why don’t you come on over and say hi to your husband now?”

His words have the desired effect; everyone stops, everyone stares, heads moving in a ripple of movement throughout the hall.

Next to Sean, Maria’s smile fades and her face hardens. You hear the hushed whispers around you as they realise Ethan is looking and talking to you.

It’s Joel you want to look at though. You feel drawn to him like Orpheus, knowing you can’t look and desperate to all at once. You remember how he was unable not to turn around in those Greek myths, how you’d argued in class it was foolish and inevitable all at once.

Is this you now? Are you the damned, foolish one? Is your failure, your doom, inevit

Seeing Ethan solidifies everything; Joel is the person you love, the man who loved you and you have lost him because of your secrets and past, in a foolhardy attempt to protect Gabriel.

Gabriel. He’s nowhere to be found as you look around you and you’re grateful for that. You can protect him for just a few more minutes.

Instead of your son, instead of Ethan, you finally allow yourself to glance at Joel. Joel’s face is pulled into a frown and he looks … hurt. You’ve hurt him once again.

You can imagine his thoughts right now - he’ll be wondering why he bothered to trust you, how you hid this from him and why.

“I -” you stutter words, your mouth opening and closing without making any sense. You exhale slowly. “How’s your leg?”

Sean bursts out laughing. It’s a strange, mangled giggle borne of surprise and worry that immediately stops as people look at him.

“So how’s that how we’re playing things, huh?”

“This isn’t a game, Ethan.”

“Isn’t everything you do a game?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t - you were married, you were married to him?” Tommy exclaims, looking at Joel and then you in the vain hope one of you will provide an answer. There’s an unspoken conversation between the two brothers, one clearly Tommy isn’t happy about. “Who is he?” Tommy says your name in a low voice, imploring you to confide in him.

“He shouldn’t be here, he needs to leave.”

“I need to leave?” Ethan asks, an unreadable expression on his face. “So you haven’t told them anything about who you really are then? They don’t know there’s a fox in the chicken coop?” He says your name, tutting with disappointment.

Whispers carry around you like leaves in the wind. You’re not sure what people are thinking right now. You’ve been too quiet, too secretive, it would be easy to wonder who you really are. In another world, maybe this is who would have been - his dutiful wife and spy.

You notice Maria saying something quietly to Tommy, how the two of them are subtly clearing the hall of bystanders. Joel is staring between you and Ethan with a blank face.

Do they think you’re a victim or the perpetrator in this scenario? You notice Beau take the smallest step forward, readying himself for something.

“I don’t think this conversation is serving our community right now,” Maria says flatly.

“Hey Joel,” you hear a familiar voice call. ”Has the trader got anything good? You better not have traded like half of everything you own for coffee again. I honestly don’t get the whole coffee thing anyway, it tastes like burnt- ” Ellie’s voice breaks off.

Your heart races as Ellie, Jesse and to your horror Sean walk into the community hall, completely oblivious to what’s happened but seemingly starting to realise that something is going on.

“Not now, Ellie,” Joel gruffly says.

“What’s uh -” Ellie breaks off.

Ethan is staring at Gabriel and your heart sinks. For sixteen years, you have convinced yourself that Gabriel doesn’t look like Ethan, that there’s no passing resemblance at all.

There is though.

You see it now and it feels like a glaring beacon, another lie come home to roost. A truth you couldn’t avoid forever. He’s yours, you know that, but together in the same room you can see the similarities.

“Mu-” Ethan begins warily, noticing the tension around the room. He looks alert, worried, ready to do whatever is necessary. That’s how it is in this world - you have drummed survival into him from an early age. It feels antithetical though, that the child you want to protect and nurture knows how to fight, how to endure this world you placed him into.

Sean immediately takes a step towards him, but Joel’s there first, a strange look in his eyes. “You need to go home, all of you. Now.”

“But -”

“No arguments, Ellie.” His tone is firm. To anyone else, they would think him a strict parent, a firm, resolute man who accepts no arguments. You can hear the worry though, the slight fear in his voice that Ellie is here. That you have endangered her. Endangered everyone.

“Ergh,” Ellie says but she holds her hands up and takes a step backwards exit with Jesse. She looks over at you and then Ethan and then Gabriel, a frown forming on her face and then she pauses.

“Well, isn’t today full of revelations,” Ethan says in a wonderstruck tone. “It’s curious. He really does look -”

“Oh fuck off.”

It’s enough though. Those few words and you realise Gabriel is putting things together. The betrayal and fury in his eyes eviscerates you.

You look at the ground, hearing the shudder of your breath. No. No.

“Holy shit,“ you hear Ellie mumble under her breath.

“Ellie!” Joel says, the desperation starting to become clearer.

How much does our -” Ethan continues.

“Ethan, shut the fuck up and just go,” Sean interrupts.

“You’ve got braver on the outside. It’s a shame you showed none of this in the Junction when -”

“Thank you for stopping by,” Maria says, her voice even and cool, “It’s time you head on out now though.”

Joel clasps Gabriel’s shoulder so he can’t pass, can’t get any closer to the chaos around you.

“Leave, huh? Well, I think that perhaps you’re mistaken. I didn’t just come here for my son after all.” Ethan sighs. “It’s been a hard winter.”

Joel tightens his grip on Gabriel’s shoulder. Beau and Tommy exchange a look.

You wish you had a weapon, had something to stop this.

You shouldn’t have missed the first time, you shouldn’t have aimed for his leg the second time either.

“So, how many settlements have you been through now?” Sean asks in a nonchalant tone. “I think after two or three, it really says more about -”

“The Junction goes where it is needed. I have heard it is needed here.”

“We don’t need the Junction here,” you say quietly. “No one needs that.”

“You’d rather be damned?”

“If the alternative is an eternity with you, with pleasure,” you say icily.

You hear a slight snort of laughter and turn to meet Joel. He’s still resting a hand on your son’s shoulder, but he’s looking at you. He nods, a subtle gesture anyone else might have missed but that fills you with relief.

You might get through this.,

“You got your fire back, I’d almost forgotten. Now, what was it you used to say when we discussed this. When we discussed what to do about reluctant participants, people who didn’t know they needed to be saved? You remember this is the nice way? It could have been very different after all, but I am here offering magnanimous absolution, even to you.”

“I don’t need your absolution. I don’t need anything from you but for you to go now. For you to leave this settlement, leave these people alone. That’s what all of them need, to be away from you.”

“You think it’s right that they’re here without the Junction’s Word, but maintain all these resources while your own-”

“Leave. While you can,” you say flatly.

“Do these people even know you?”

“You need to go, Ethan, now,” Sean says firmly. “We said we don’t need the Junction here. This can end amicably.”

“Amicably?”

“Yeah, no need for it not to, right? Democracy over depravity - that’s the Junction’s way, right? The old ways, the right ways as you used to call it.” Sean’s face twists into a tormented grimace at those words.

Beau scowls and you realise that while you’ve kept the Junction in a box for seventeen years, Sean hasn’t. He has told Beau, he has talked about it. It’s you who has been stuck.

“You dare speak of the ways when you -“

“Just go, now. Sean’s right,” you say firmly.

“Amicably, is that what he said?” Ethan asks, regarding you again with a scornful expression that turns your blood so cold, you’re amazed you’re not exhaling ice. “Amicably.”

“Ellie, all three of you, I am not playin’” you hear Joel say in a deadly tone.

The three teenagers make a move to leave, relief flooding your veins as you gratefully nod at Joel.

Gabriel is the last to leave, he hangs back until Joel nods at him firmly, but as he moves to the door - he’s almost gone, he’s almost safe - there’s a sound.

“Nope,” Ethan says coldly, “He stays.”

You look at Ethan, at the gun in his hand, pointed directly at you.

“Mum?” Gabriel asks, his voice shaky.

“I thought Eugene fucking searched the traders,” Joel yells at Tommy or Maria, or perhaps you or Beau. All you can see is the barrel.

You’ve always known how this is ends for you.

“You should leave now,” Joel says in a deadly tone. For a moment you’re not sure if he’s talking to you or Ethan. You spin around, meeting his gaze desperately.

His hand on Gabriel is firm enough to stop him from either fleeing or running towards Ethan. You notice the way his muscles are slightly tensed, not too tight, but you make out his vein snaking down his arm.

You’ve mentally prepared for a dozen reactions to what is going on around you: disgust, hatred, pity, but you didn’t expect what meets you. Joel’s face is steely, poised to fight but a flash of fear passes his eyes when you connect with them. He is afraid for you, he is worried. There is no hatred, no disgust, nothing you expected.

He is not asking for you to leave. He is trying to protect you.

It’s like a lead balloon in your stomach. Maybe, maybe you could have said something all this time ago.

“Trust me, she’s not worth it,” Ethan says conversationally. “This settlement, my son? Now those are different stories.

“Are there others here?” you ask suddenly as you piece more of the day together. You can barely recognise your flat voice, the way you’re not entirely in your own body any more. You’re existing, and now you know that because you’ve finally been living and now you know what that is, you’ll lose it all*. “Did they help you keep the gun?”* Someone could be here from the Junction and you need them gone too.

Ethan pivots, takes a couple of steps forward and turns around the room, observing the rapt, frozen crowd around you both. It transports you instantly to dusty rooms, to a younger, more vibrant man you thought wanted to do something good in the world. It takes you back to a place you wanted to belong in, to a time you believed and hung off every single word he said.

“Others?”

“Yes, are they already here?”

“Why would -”

“I know your plays, I know them all.”

“Do you?”

You stare blankly at him, raise an eyebrow slightly. “No. I thought I did, but I didn’t. I thought you were someone else.”

“I am the voice of -”

“You’re a tyrant, a hypocrite and a snake oil salesman all wrapped up. You don’t speak a word of truth and you never have.”

“I’m the vessel, and so is my -”

“If you speak about my son, I will rip you apart so violently it will make the infected look tame.”

“You didn’t have these teeth before. What a pity. It would have been useful.”

“Go.”

“We’re past that.”

You realise he’s right. He’s in Jackson now, this ends one of two ways. Tommy and Joel, they can’t let him leave like this. You can recognise the desperation in his eyes, the hunger, the plans and strategies.

“You’re my wife. I am not going without you and my son.”

“We’re staying here.”

“No. I’m not,” Gabriel says, “Not with her.”

“Gabriel, shut up,” Sean snaps uncharacteristically. “Just leave it now.”

“My son ”

“You want to talk about the Junction? Let’s talk about it then. Gabriel, did you want to grow up in a place that would kill you if you -” You zone out as Sean continues, unable to fully bear the full truth of life in the Junction being exposed to the people around you.

You remember being hungry so much, the fear of breaking a new rule or tenet that your husband came up with. You remember how the inclusive, welcoming commune it was supposed to be shifted. How it became radicalised, against any sign of difference or subversion of what Ethan thought a person should be like. You remember the sexism, the way your voice began to become quieter and quieter.

You remember that Ethan scared you, that his move to the Vessel was antithetical with everything you knew about him. How his words, his dreams became literal, how he looked like he hated you by the end. You remember the violence of the Junction, you remember the lack of excuses.

In some ways, in many ways, it was worse than Kansas.

“Did I physically harm you? Did I not lead you to salvation, to the tenets of hope?” Ethan asks, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

“The tenets? The ones that started off just close enough to normal and then suddenly you decreed that women couldn’t wear trousers because it affected the crops, or that if I spoke unless spoken to it would damn me, or that declared you the sudden voice of hope, or a - they never held hope, your rules. Not for anyone but you. You were dangerous, you are dangerous. You harmed us all without laying a finger, that was the beauty of your plan, right?”

“You never said a word to stop me from this though, did you? In fact, you -”

“I’m not finished, Ethan. You’re not a good person, Ethan, and I will never regret keeping my son from your dangerous, frankly nonsensical shit. That’s being a parent. So tell us who’s inside, who’s helping you and maybe we can figure a way out for you to leave.”

“You and I know they won’t let that happen. Do you remember the plan for then?” He laughs then. “I’m leaving and i’m leaving with my son. He’s the future of the Junction.”

“There is no way in hell that will ever happen.”

“He wants to. I can see it in his eyes.”

“No, Ethan, you know how this is going to end.”

Ethan sighs and nods. You exhale shakily and then look up as you hear the sound of the gun load. “Then I’ll take you with me to the eternal life instead.”

You don’t shut your eyes. You don’t look down. You will not cower for him.

You wanted to live. You’ve had more years than you expected. You wish you had more. It was always going to end this way though.

He will have to look at you. You will not make this easy for him.

“No, Mum -” your son’s voice is enough to make you waver, but perhaps, perhaps everyone else can keep him safe. If Ethan kills you, maybe they’ll protect him. It’s fine.

It’s fitting.

It was always going to be this way.

You wish you were outside though. perhaps by your bench and that quiet sanctuary you found. You want to hear birdsong, feel the sun on your skin one last time. You want to breathe in the fresh air and remember that.

Maybe they can scatter your ashes on the bench.

The bench bought you so much - peace on nightmare ridden nights, Joel, the difference between surviving and living. If it wouldn’t make Ethan happy, you’d tell Gabriel that now, or Sean. It’s too much for Gabriel.

Perhaps Joel knows. You hope he does. You hope he doesn’t.

You’re sorry. So sorry these people you love have to see this, have to mourn you. You should tell Gabriel you love him one more time, but you don’t want to burden him.

There’s a sudden crash, you feel yourself hit the floor and you finally allow yourself to shut your eyes as the gun goes off.

You expect to feel pain, to feel warm or cold, or something. Instead there’s nothing.

There are hands around you, pulling you away, words - Joel? Is she hurt? Did it get her? Words fade in and out. Something’s gone wrong. This doesn’t feel like death.

You open your eyes.

Ethan is on the floor and unconscious. Joel is shaking his fist and Beau squeezes your shoulders before heading over to a shaken looking Sean. Next to him, your son stares at the floor.

“So yeah, we used to be in a cult,” Sean says, running a hand over his hair and shaking his head.

You hear an almost laugh, a polite but awkward acknowledgement, from maybe Tommy or Beau, but you’re still glued to the floor, still reeling from this day.

You feel eyes on you and look up to meet your son’s gaze. Gabriel looks at you as though he has never seen you before, through you in fact, and immediately runs out of the room.

“Wait, Gabriel.” You make a move to go after him, to explain. If you can just talk to him, then maybe it will be enough. You shouldn’t have avoided this, you should have told him this.

“It’s okay, it’s okay, I’ve got him,” Sean says, moving quickly.

“Where do we put him?” you ask flatly, staring at the unconscious form in front of you.

“The jail,” Maria says quietly. “The jail, Joel.”

“Guess we’ll finally use it,” Tommy replies.

“He can’t stay,” Joel says. “Tommy, he’ll -”

“I know, brother, I know.” Tommy looks down and then at Maria whose lips are pursed.

“He tried us,” Maria says, “We have to do what we have to do.”

“I’ll handle it,” Joel says calmly, authoritatively. He isn’t looking at you and you feel ashamed of what you have bought into his life. Blood, anger, pain. He’s bought you peace and calm and love and this is how you repay him?

“Me too,” Beau replies calmly, examining his nails in a pseudo casual pose. “It won’t be a problem at all.”

The two of them each grab one of Ethan’s unconscious arms, dragging him outside and towards the bank. Beau nods at you on his exit.

They’ve left you. Sean and Gabriel are outside somewhere, Joel and Beau are gone and while Tommy and Maria are here, they are not your people.

You feel empty and numb. You brace the edge of the table and fight back the racking, great gasps of breath as shock courses through your body. You’ve been fighting tears, fighting back the fear and emotion of the past weeks.

It wasn’t just this moment, it wasn’t just today. It was the anticipation, the fear, the secrets that have lasted seventeen years.

“You need to let Gabriel, Sean and Beau stay,” you say, “I know you won’t want me here and I’ll go. I’ll go, but please let me see them from time to time. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry because I bought them here with my secrets and I’m sorry, Maria, please, please know that -” You cough, a sob Breaking through. “Please don’t make them leave too.”

“We’re not making you leave, we still want you here,” Maria says in a gentle voice. She’s looking at you in the same way as someone would a startled deer, trapped in the headlights. “We need to understand more - if you’re right, if there’s anyone here, what we need to worry about it, what this - this group could do. You can help though. And you’re not leaving. This is your home, you didn’t do anything -”

You feel warm, soft hands around you, hear soothing sounds as you finally allow yourself a moment to feel.

Tag List

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[life-is-more-than-just-a-game]

Request: nsfw chishiya x female reader. A story where the reader tells or thinks about her dirtiest fantasys with chishiya how she wants a wild night with him or how he satisfies her (s*x, c*mming*,being h*rny, everything can be included)

♠️ "Haven't you ever wondered what it would be like to sleep with Chishiya?!" ♠️

A/N: It's really impressive how fast people are when it comes to requests. I mean, no complains, it's just ... wow! 😊

I haven't even posted much and still got contacted by others, giving their wishes, what they would like to read. I actually don't know if it's going to be what you imagined, but I still hope you'll like and enjoy it!

Thanks for your request in that case, my lovely anonymous! That means a lot to me, seriously. 🫶🏻✨

Characters: Chishiya

POV: fem!reader ; Smut!

Warnings: NSFW, please don't read if you don't feel comfortable with sexual content and when you are under 18 years old!

"Okay, I swore I'd never talk to anyone about this, but haven't you ever wondered what it would be like to sleep with Chishiya?"

Kuina and I are calmly walking through the ruined streets of Borderlands after completing a game, while we knock some dust off our respective bodies. I don't know why I'm suddenly blurting this out. It's probably because I've been thinking about it for far too long and I know that Kuina and Chishiya have been hanging out for far longer than I have.

"I mean, come on- as calm and collected as he always is. Sex with him would definitely be extremely … interesting. There's a saying where I think that would suit him pretty well- oh, my elbow is bleeding…" I pause for a moment to consider the wound as best I can. In the end, however, I just shrug my shoulders and remain unimpressed. It doesn't even hurt ... well, so far. "Anyway, there's a saying that I'm sure it describes him very good in bed."

"Are you really talking to me about how you think Chishiya is in bed?!"

"Why don't you hear me out?!" Kuina looks at me, stunned. It's funny how she faces me with those big eyes and that open mouth. I could just laugh, but I pull myself together because there is something I really need to get off my chest:

"Still waters are deep and dirty. Pretty sure sex with him is just like that!"

"What have I actually gotten myself into here …?" My counterpart grasps his forehead in bewilderment.

Believe me, I'd like to stop talking about it myself, but I just can't! And do you know why? Because this man simply drives me crazy. Really, I've wondered what it would be like to sleep with a lot of people at the beach. My thoughts were with Aguni. With Niragi. With some other guys I don't know by name. And no matter what I do, I always end up coming back to Chishiya, who not only creates chaos in my head- but also in my body.

No, not because I have sex with him. That would make things a lot easier, but because I lie in bed at night and start doing it to myself to my thoughts and fantasies with him. I'm lucky that I have a single room and rarely if ever have to share it with anyone else. If that wasn't the case, I would have a huge problem. I wouldn't be able to concentrate on the essentials in games of life and death because I'd be there as a horny, dripping waterfall. Just because I wouldn't be able to put my fingers inside my core, making myself feel good and satisfied. Pah, that's absurd, not gonna lie!

"That guy won't let me sleep peacefully either." Kuina immediately turns back to me before letting out a somewhat annoyed sigh and going on her way. But I don't let her shake me off that easily, which is why I follow her- and eventually just keep talking, whether she wants to hear it or not. I just need to talk about that and then I'll never tell anyone about my thoughts again. "Once I woke up in the middle of the night because I had a fucking orgasm in my sleep …"

"Wonderful." The sarcasm and disinterest of the woman next to me is hard to ignore, but somehow it annoys me a little that she has such a reaction.

A reaction that makes you think that dreaming about hot sex with a man you find attractive is the most normal thing in the world.

"In my sleep, Kuina!"

"All right, I got it, Y/N!" Suddenly she stops and just looks at me.

It's hard to tell what's going on inside her right now. The look on her face is somehow telling. Literally. Not just her face. It's also her posture and her tone of voice. On the one hand, she seems tense, but her verbal communication also gives me the feeling of passivity and inattention. In addition to such patterns, she also grins to herself and seems a little amused by my statements.

"Do you want to tell me what exactly you have in mind for him?" Have I piqued her interest after all? "Maybe … that you'll have sex in the pool while you're surrounded by other people who could catch you at any time? Or … are you perhaps more attracted to the idea of him fucking you in front of a mirror, where he makes sure you get a good view of him penetrating you again and again and again, sometime slower, sometime faster, sometime deeper and sometime softer or harder?"

"I wasn't prepared for that …" Honestly, the way she responds to your words leaves you speechless. "

"But if you ask like that-"

"Please tell me you don't-"

"The last time I masturbated myself to sleep, I thought about what it would be like if he fucked me that night in the hotel lobby." Silence. "I mean, everyone's lying in bed doing their own thing. The couch in the lobby is free, the lights are off, and we're having sex with each other…on the soft fabric of the couch." The silence gets louder. "We're standing in front of it. Making out with each other a little bit. Sticking our tongues down each other's throats, our hands roaming… over every part of the body you can reach." Shit, just the thought of it makes me horny again. "Then he kisses down my neck, I sigh and moan pleasurably to myself as he runs over my curves and tries to drive me crazy by biting my sensitive skin here and there and giving me a few lovely hickeys, to show everyone that I correspond solely to HIS territory…" Now the silence during the breaks is just embarrassing, but I still can't help but grin broadly and enthusiastically, already knowing how the story will continue. "And then we'll have a really good time on the sofa, with the risk of getting caught by someone because I can't control my moans while he plays with my clitoris… slides his fingers into me… licking my pussy with his tongue or penetrating me with the tip of his tongue to drive me completely crazy before driving his cock into my pussy and stimulating my most sensitive spot over and over again~." By now Kuina is making a pretty disgusted face, but if she doesn't interrupt me or even run away, my story can't be that bad, can it? "And if no one looks where the moans are coming from, then the next morning everyone will still know who did it so well for me because I will scream his name through the whole hotel. He fills me with his entire length and with his As he climaxes, his thrusts become more and more irregular and deeper because he wants to inject his sperm into me as deeply as possible…" I'm wet.

I notice how my panties are getting wetter and wetter. How I literally start to drip. It's extremely difficult for me to keep my eyes open because I'm just feeling so much sexual desire again. Again just because I'm thinking about Chishiya and what it would be like to feel him inside me. To be filled by him.

"Are you done now ... ?" Kuina asks after we've been silent for a little more than a minute after my last sentence. "Please, be done now!"

A simple "Yup" is the answer to everything before I bring up another "And now I have to find a toilet real quick". Just walking past my companion, who gave me an unexpected "Are ... you going to masturbate?" which I only responded with an approving “Coooorrect!” before she finally freed from me.

A/N: God, sometimes I was laughing so hard while writing this, I'm so sorry. 😂

[xx-lemon-drop-xx]

𝓕𝓸𝓻𝓰𝓮𝓽 𝓜𝓮 𝓝𝓸𝓽 ↬𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖎𝖝

When I look at you the world goes silent.

-1,308 words

┗━•❃°•°❀°•°❃•━┛

Her breath was visible in the air, coming out as white puffy clouds of smoke. 

Malleus had made sure she dressed well, and while (Y/n) didn't necessarily mind it, it was the thought that counted. Before they'd gone out Malleus had pulled the scarf snug around her neck, buttoning up the coat for her. It was a design she hadn't remembered seeing before, but it was warm all the same. 

"Are your winters normally chaotic?" She asked, cheeks a rosy pink in color. "I suppose that's up for the weather to decide, we've had worse in the past." Lilia spoke up, "Are you warm enough? The cold tends to nip at your nose." 

"Yes, I'm warm enough." She nodded, boots crunching against the snow under them, leaving tracked patterns behind them all. Malleus and Lilia hadn't dressed up as warm as (Y/n) has. Something about full blooded Fae having a high tolerance against the cold. It was like the fae were built like a tank. 

Many people had cleared out of the way as the trio came through, she had to wonder if this is what Malleus had meant. To be shrouded in loneliness because of everyone being afraid of you. 

He kept a straight face, a mask of elegance and maturity as they pushed forward, passing small little stores creaky with wear. It was like walking through something from an old western movie, except it was emo. 

Lilia made comments as we walked passed, looking back you'd noticed he was in his full form. Was this what he looked like without his features warped by magic? His hair was longer and he was a head taller than you where used too. His features were sharper too. "Is this.. What you look like without the use of magic?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. 

"Khehehe, I look handsome don't I?" He asked, winking at her in a funny type of flirt that had (Y/n) laughing. 

A weird tight feeling squeezed Malleus' chest, a sour look warning his face as he watched his father flirt with the girl he'd grown rather attached to. His hand slipped down, grasping onto (Y/n)'s as if saying she is mine. 

Lilia gave a knowing look, snickering to himself. Unbeknownst, she had just gently squeezed Malleus' hand in her own as a sign of affection, assuming he was speaking it out in a way to calm the raging storm from the people blindly racing to get out of their way. 

"My, would you look like that?" Lilia said, peering up at a decrepit run down little store with a sign at the front slightly ajar. The wood was warped and peeling in certain spots, a few holes in the roof that were partly patched up with tarp and a few pieces of nailed up cardboard. Both you and Malleus looked over at him, having been on your own two worlds until then. 

"This store sells the best croissants and tea. I believe I'd like to have some, if you can handle taking over the job as a guide." 

Malleus nodded, "I believe I can do that." He said with a nod. The group split off, the door to the little store opening with a creak and shutting behind Lilia. 

Offering an arm, Malleus smiled down at you calmly, "Shall we be on our way?" 

(Y/n) wrapped her arms around his, smiling up at him as well. "That would be lovely." a rosy tint warmed their cheeks, and they stared at each other a moment longer, as if peering into the fabrics making up each other's very souls. They leaned towards each other subtly, only to be snapped out of it by (Y/n) clearing her throat. A flush warmed both of their cheeks, and Malleus stepped back slightly.

“Right, let us go.” He murmured, continuing their walk through town. It was lively and bustling, but not as crowded and loud as a filled up city. Malleus spoke throughout it, pointing out buildings and restaurants that he particularly enjoyed visiting while he wasn't fulfilling his duty as prince. The buildings and homes drew further and further out the longer they walked, A small wooden bridge over a tiny stream greeted them when they got to the outskirts of town, leading to a path into the thick line of trees at the edge of the forest. (Y/n) stepped onto the creaky old wood, feeling it push in under her feet with the need of repair but not give out. She looked out across the half frozen stream.

“This looks familiar.” 

She told Malleus, earning a hum in response. “Does it?” He asked back, stepping onto the wood behind her and peering down at the water trickling through. "Yeah.” She hesitantly answered, “When my father would take me shopping at the store on the way home we would always have to pass over a small little wooden bridge on the way back. Accept there was a tree near it that would decorate the water and the bridge in white and pink blossoms. It was my favorite part of the walk.”

She reminisced, looking around for a tree. There was a stump not too far away, Malleus hummed from behind her. “If I remember correctly, lightning struck the tree and it caught aflame. It was later cut down.” 

“That’s a shame,” She murmured, “It really is.” 

"When I was younger I used to collect the blossoms that came off the tree. I don't really know what happened to them after- my dad probably threw them out." 

"Do you miss him?" 

Malleus asked, looking over at her with a fond look on his face as (Y/n) retold the tales of her childhood in memory webbed whispers. 

"Everyday." 

"Of course, their are some things that I'd rather wish to forget, but he was a wonderful father and an even better wood Carver. He even had his own little shop. It was our garage, sure, but he'd made it work. Some people used to come and buy from him." 

She told Malleus, the two of them walking off the bridge and beginning to make their way into the forest. The cold was a bitter tickle on (Y/n)'s red cheeks, but she didn't mind it. Maybe it was the urge to keep talking that pushed her forwards with him into the snow dotted forest. 

"I used to sell drawings for 25¢." 

She laughed, "I was young- they were just stick figure drawings but I remember being so proud of them. And delighted everytime someone would come up to buy one of my funky little drawings." 

Malleus let out an amused huff. It sounded like something a child would do. That he couldn't deny. 

He stepped over a fallen tree, holding out his hand to help her over. (Y/n) grabbed his hand, throwing her leg over one side of the tree and easing herself over it. She didn't let go of his hand after she got over the tree, walking further into the forest with him. 

Malleus stared down at their hands, his larger one wrapped around her dainty one. He gave a small squeeze, seeing (Y/n)'s lips curl up. A few seconds later she squeezed his hand back. 

"Do you think Lilia will actually go and research about my father while we’re out here?” 

She couldn’t help but ask, watching Malleus nod. “Of course, Lilia is as playful as he is mature. He understands your frustrations, (Y/n), I doubt he's doing anything else at the moment. He was once a soldier, if anyone can figure this out I’m positive it would be him.”

She smiled warmly at Malleus in return, as they turned around to head back after a short while. “Thanks, Mal.”

"Of course, dear."

[faioula16]

Hello! Can we get a soft/needy Alucard headcanons with his s/o? Fem or gn, whatever you feel comfortable with. Thank you 😊

✿ You walked through the halls of Hellsing's manor, your steps slow yet your kinda of short figure remained straight and prideful. You stopped on your way into the kitchen once you spotted two soldiers whispering to each other in a low tone.

✿ One of them held a fine-designed bottle with a red liquid that seemed like wine. (Let's be honest, every one of you knows pretty well what is inside the bottle).

✿ "It's your turn to deliver this" The chubby one pointed out.

✿ The tall-skinny soldier frowned at his partner's suggestion. 'Have you lost your mind!? There's no way I'm going down there. God knows what that sinister monster has in store for people like you and me!"

✿ "I will get this" You spoke suddenly with your hand reaching out, startling both of them as a result.

✿ The soldiers gazed at you and then at each other before they finally stared back at you with unsure expressions.

✿ "Are you sure you can-" The chubby began to say but the other man interrupted him abruptly as he grabbed the 'wine' and gave it to you.

✿ Without a word you turned on your heel and walked away, holding the glass bottle with both hands behind your back. You heard a weak "Be careful" But instead of feeling the slightest concern, the smirk across your face grew bigger.

✿ On your way down to the long rocky stairs of the estate's basement, a thought crossed your mind. 'Cowards, what a disappointment for the Hellsing organization".

✿ "Indeed, my princess" Alucard's deep voice echoed within the walls with an amused laughter following shortly after.

✿ "How many times will I tell you to not read my thoughts without my permission?" Your tone was serious but Alucard knew better you were just joking around.

✿ "How much time will it take you to know that I am only teasing you, my beloved?" The vampire king's grin widened showing his pure white teeth along with his sharp fangs.

✿ You gave out a deep sigh and looked straight into his glowing eyes. "Catch" Without a second warning, you threw the glass bottle at his direction. You gave him a satisfied grin when his hand caught the desired object in the air with such ease.

✿ Your eyebrow raised a bit once Alucard glanced at you while patting gently his lap with one hand.

✿ "Not until I'll be sure you're no longer 'thirsty'" You answered with closed eyes and a gentle smile.

✿ "You do remember my vow to you, don't you, princess?" Alucard questioned calmly.

✿  "How much time will it take you to know that I am only teasing you, Alucard?" You joked as you made your way to him. You sat on his lap and wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him in for a loving embrace. "I missed you", You whispered to him.

✿ It took him a whole minute but he returned the loving gesture by embracing you back. Covering your upper body almost completely with his long arms.

✿ One hand reached up and began to caress the back of your head while the other was giving your back gentle rubs. His eyelids closed slowly and a genuine smile appeared across his lips, he finally had you in his arms after so many hours of waiting for you to pay him your every night visit. "My princess, you have no idea how much I craved your touch" Alucard's voice sounded like a blissful melody, as he had already rested the side of his face against yours. The low tone of his voice along with the soft waves of his breathing hit your ears ever so softly. His lips gave your cheek a sweet kiss, making you grin a bit as you bury your face into the crock of his neck, and nuzzle his pale yet smooth skin. A fair chuckle escaped him. "is my beloved one too tired to roam the night with me?" Alucard laughed sarcastically at your half-sleeping state.

✿ "I haven't even the strength to respond to your arrogant stupid words properly" You sounded so exhausted. "I worked all day, I know it is my turn to stay up through the night with you but...it's not always easy for me as it is for you"

✿ "There's no reason to explain yourself to me about your human needs. If you wish to stay put and rest for the night then I am more than willing to enjoy a peaceful evening with no one else but you my dear" Alucard held you against him, noticing how your breathing began to slow down as you fell asleep into his embrace. The monster and the man inside him laughed in amusement. How could such a little mortal like yourself change the ruthless beast inside him? Alucard will remain awake to guard what's most precious to him and treasure such moments between you both.

[slayfics]

Falls down the stair s

finally have the courage to request here so JDJDJDJDDKKWJS

may be an odd request tbh but basically Muichiro with the reader sulking about something and it turns out to be that the reader’s sister (or sibling, whateve-) is mad at the reader for a not-so serious reason and the reader just feel very bad-

Would also appreciate if u add a moment where muichiro witnesses the reader getting pecked multiple times by their sibling’s crow before handing out the letter

Heres a quick doodle of mui

Muichiro comforts you after you have a fight with your sibling.

"Ow- Ow- Ow-" You yelled, as your sister's crow pecked you multiple times. "Cut it out! Can't you see I feel awful enough as it!"

Muichiro approached curious about the scene that was going on.

"Go now, you've delivered your message," he said calmly to the crow. The crow quickly obliged the Hashira's orders and flew off.

Muichiro turned to you to see you quickly scanning over the letter the crow delivered then plopping down to the floor with a heavy sigh.

"What's the matter?” He asked sitting down next to you.

"It's my sister. She's furious I missed her birthday celebration, but I didn't have a choice!" You said with animated tears forming in your eyes. "She should understand what our duties as demon slayers- I had to complete my mission. People were dying. Surely that is a valid reason to miss her birthday. It isn't like I wasn't going to make it up to her." You said pulling your knees into your chest.

"Why don't you tell her that?" Muichiro mused.

"I tried!" You said slumping over further. "She didn't want to hear anything I had to say. She was certain I had forgotten... I know I'm forgetful but I promise I didn't forget this time. I even tried to give her crow an apology letter but it wouldn't take it! I feel so awful!" You said burying your head into your knees with soft sobs escaping you.

Muichiro wasn't sure what to do with the abundance of emotions you were throwing at him.

"I understand- I can be forgetful too sometimes," he attempted his hardest to relate.

"I didn't forget!" You yelled feeling completely overwhelmed.

"Right- Uh-" Muichiro racked his brain for another was to sooth you. Clearly, he wasn't good with words. He gently placed his hand on your back and made rhythmic circle movements.

Your tears halted for a moment as you looked up to stare at the Hashria.

"Um- is this helping?" He asked.

"Yeah... I think so," you said stunned at the Hashira's affection.

"Good," He replied back smiling at you. His gentle smile made it hard to feel upset any longer.

"I just feel awful- I was hoping to see her as soon as I got back... but she wants nothing to do with me," You sulked further.

"I'm sure she just needs time. Meanwhile, would you like to visit the town with me? We can get some food and maybe you can find a gift for her." Muichiro suggested.

The thought of going into town in Muichiro's company banished all the guilty feelings that were eating at you.

"That sounds really great Tokito," you said, with a smile finally returning on your face.

Muichiro stood up an held his hand out to help you up, "Let's make our way over then, we don't have too much time before the stores close."

You reached out to take his hand and he gently pulled you up off the floor. You expected him to return your hand but instead, he kept his hand on yours and interlaced his fingers in between yours.

"Ready?" He asked. A blush formed on your face at taking in the sight of the Hashira holding your hand. It was hard to believe you were just in anguish a few moments before.

You nodded and smiled back at Muichiro.

"Let’s go then," he said leading you to the direction of town firmly holding your hand the whole way there.

Your drawings are the cutest! Thank you for the request I hope this was fulfilling for you!

Thank you to @snowmist-hashira for proofreading for me!

Tags~

@plvuii @aeolia18 @muichirouswife @yandere-kou

[laxmiree]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien - Rebirth Date - English Translation [2/3]

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

No Man's Land Solo SSR Event | Rebirth Date Part 1 | Date Part 2 (You're here!) | Date Part 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7

Before I even adjust to the harsh white light, I crash straight into Lucien's gaze.

"Not hiding anymore?"

He squinted his eyes and chuckled softly.

He crouches in front of me, his hair scattered across his forehead, damp with water droplets, his exposed chest rising and falling slightly.

He casually grips the chainsaw and pulls the starter cord with one hand, producing a piercing and terrifying sound.

Translation under the cut!

Previous Part=> [Click Here]

—[Part 3]—

More and more people are becoming seriously ill, and the radiation alarm in the safe house is sounding more intensely every day. However, Lucien still has no plans to move.

Seeing him inject medication into himself more frequently, I finally break the silence.

MC: Are you okay?

Lucien: Don't worry. This body has been confirmed to be able to last for some time in this environment.

MC: ...Don't you feel any pain?

Lucien: I'm not very sensitive to pain, so it won't be a factor in my judgment.

His tone is relaxed, and he even curls up on the sofa to read the pile of documents I retrieved for him earlier.

Despite trusting Lucien's judgment, I still faintly feel a certain sense of urgency.

MC: Lucien, will our experiment really yield results?

MC: In such a harsh world, shouldn't we lower our high expectations? Wouldn't it be better to just be ordinary people?

Instead of chasing for answers that we may never get in our lifetime, wouldn't it be enough to just simply live?

For a long time after that, Lucien doesn't say anything.

He just gazes at me quietly, his bottomless eyes like an abyss, making it hard to see clearly.

Lucien: I don't know.

Lucien: But experiments inevitably come with failures and contingencies, so I can't give you a definite answer.

Lucien: But I believe there will be results.

Even knowing that he might fail, he will definitely keep trying—until he reaches a point where he can no longer move forward, and then calmly starts over from the beginning.

Lucien: For this, I am willing to pay any price.

✂———————–

At night, I have a dream.

In the dream, those severely ill people stand up, the desolate land starts to have flowers, and there are more smiling faces.

However, everything shatters like broken glass the next moment, revealing a dreadful and bewildering void.

Lucien: MC, we have failed. This world will not get better.

Lucien, standing in front of me, starts to rot and blur, eventually turning into an exploded mess of blood.

I can feel the cold liquid seeping through my body, flowing over my cheeks and arms.

Lucien: [whispers gently] MC, how do you feel now?

I can't see Lucien's face, but I can hear his voice filling my mind.

I feel him gently embrace me, patiently waiting for my answer as usual.

The incredibly realistic sensation makes it hard for me to tell whether this is a dream or reality.

Lucien: Listen to the voice in your heart and tell me your answer.

I feel my entire body start to tremble violently, and countless unfamiliar images flash through my mind.

I see Lucien's calm yet mad eyes;

I hear the sharp whirring sound of a machine;

I see blood pouring like a waterfall, drenching my entire body like rain.

I scream and open my eyes—only to see Lucien's face the next second.

The face in front of me overlaps with the one in my dream, but he only has a worried expression on his face; some kind of familiar scent clings to his body.

Lucien: Are you okay?

I'm tongue-tied and can only stare at him blankly.

I don't know if it's the effect of the moonlight, but his entire figure seems to be covered with a faint halo, which then dissipates in the blink of an eye.

MC: I… seem to have had a nightmare and seen many scenes.

He gently strokes my back, but his eyes imperceptibly darken a little.

Lucien: I observed that your Evol fluctuations are quite significant. The recent radiation tide may have also affected you.

Perhaps it's the lingering effect of my dream, but as I look at Lucien standing before me, I feel an inexplicable timidity and uneasiness. I subconsciously reach out my hand to him.

Suddenly, I realize my body is without an isolation suit, and Lucien has almost no protective equipment. I quickly wrap myself in the blanket.

MC: Lucien, get away from me quickly! I'm not wearing an isolation suit! Get out quickly!

Lucien: ….

Lucien: A certain lady's decision is too hasty, making me a bit worried that you might actually dislike me.

The next second, a warm palm covers my head through the blanket.

I can't see Lucien's expression at this moment.

It seems to be a time that belongs solely to him. As long as he doesn't allow it, I can't enter.

Even long after, I still don't know what expression he had during that nearly minute-long silence.

In the end, Lucien walks out of the room without a word.

As I lie on the bed, my heart is still pounding with lingering fear, and I have lost the desire to fall asleep again.

The inexplicably familiar scent floods the entire room, making me sit up in frustration and can't help but sigh.

In the faint moonlight, I suddenly see some small, scattered black spots 'growing' on the floor.

Curious, I squat down and find that it is very fresh, with a faint hint of a metallic smell—

It's blood!

Cold sweat instantly seeps out of my back. Only Lucien had been here just now... Could he be injured? Or affected by the radiation?!

I hastily don the isolation suit and run in the direction of the bloodstains.

The intermittent and scattered bloodstains seem to guide me, leading me step by step toward an unfamiliar corridor.

??: “Rrrrr…”

A strange and piercing sound echoes from the depths, like... the sound I heard amidst the chaotic scenes.

Faint specks of light flicker faintly in the darkness, and I suddenly feel a surge of fear and foreboding —

That glimmer of light might destroy many things, but I can't stop my footsteps.

I traverse through numerous unfamiliar corridors and finally step into the glimmer of light—

A vast yet desolate building appears before me, with an enormous pit at its center.

Gazing down, I see the pit divided into numerous sections by plastic sheeting. The walls and sheeting are splattered with varying shades of crimson.

I descend into the pit, pushing aside the hanging curtains as if unveiling the true face of another world.

A thick stench of blood fills my nostrils, and the grating whirring of machinery churns my entire brain.

A familiar figure flickers past in a corner cubicle.

The curtain blurs his face, and the shadow gracefully raises a machine, lowering his arm like a conductor.

The transparent shower curtain is covered with dense 'raindrops'. Something is sliced open and falls heavily.

It rolls on the ground, spinning endlessly, before finally stopping in the gap between the curtains.

I see a person's face, the same face that was wailing and begging for death.

Now, he lies silently on the ground, his rotting eyes staring rigidly at me.

And in the next second, the shadow picks him up, revealing that familiar face through the gap.

Standing against the light, he turns his head, his calm yet crazed eyes gleaming brightly.

He doesn't seem surprised by my arrival.

An arm shrouded in the shadows casually slashes, slicing the entire curtain open in an instant-

-revealing the full, blood-soaked figure of Lucien before my eyes.

My rapid breathing fogs up the transparent visor on my isolation suit, obscuring most of my vision, yet I've never seen him more clearly.

I burst into a sprint.

A torrent of images and distant memories flooded my mind, slicing through me like a scalpel.

??: ...That’s a highly-contaminated area, and you say that child came out alive?!

??: She is crucial to our experiment. We need to study her powers—we have no choice!

Under the glaring lights, someone binds me to an iron table.

Countless days and nights blur together as flames sear my skin and sharp blades inflict ceaseless pain.

??: ...Under high radiation, her body remains stable... she's carrying high-intensity energy... 5 people died from…

??: Evol core… like a quasi-magnetic field…

Strangers speak in tongues I cannot comprehend, their eyes perpetually fixed on the distant future, but all I sense is madness.

They are all lunatics, lunatics of the apocalypse, and I only want to escape.

As I blast open the laboratory door, a gentle-faced young boy appears before me in the thick smoke.

Boy: Once you pass through this door, you can run free.

He pressed a button, and accompanied by a piercing siren, an iron door not far away slowly opened.

Boy: Remember to take the forest path. Nothing will harm you there.

For a moment, I thought this would be another experimental trap set by those lunatics.

The hurried footsteps gradually came closer, but the boy made no move to jump away. He simply watched me patiently.

Boy: You have three minutes to decide whether you want to be caught by them again or trust me.

Boy: Of course, you can also trust your instincts.

Those deep, dark eyes seemed to possess a strange power. In an instant, I turned and ran towards the door.

Suddenly, another thought struck me, and I turned back at the iron door.

MC: Why are you helping me?

Boy: If you want to know who you are one day, you can come find me.

MC: ….How can I find you?

Boy: I will let you find me. Remember to learn how to protect yourself.

✂———————–

Years later, I remembered his words when I finally realized the 'Grim Reaper' I carried within me.

I want to know who I am and what I want to change.

And he seemed to know that I would eventually return to this 'land of death,' leaving messages and marks in each area ravaged by radiation-

I thought Lucien was different.

Maybe he was hiding it too well, or perhaps he finally lost his patience.

The grating sounds of machinery and footsteps seemed to follow me like a shadow, yanking my taut consciousness back to reality.

As if anticipating my arrival, many places were already locked up.

The ground and walls around me tremble slightly, permeated with a strange yet familiar power that makes me feel dizzy.

The unbearable heat and dizziness slow my steps, but the chilling footsteps keep my nerves on edge.

To speed up, I simply take off the isolation suit.

I don't want to die, I must live on.

My heart feels like it's burning, urging me not to stop moving.

After escaping aimlessly, I found myself back in that deep pit again.

As I gaze upon the blood-stained black bags concealed behind the curtain, a sudden idea strikes me.

Shrouded in the humid darkness, I dare not make a single move.

The already cramped space seems to be devouring the last vestiges of air, causing me to slow my breathing instinctively.

Muffled rustling sounds intermittently pierce the silence, sounding eerily ominous in the heightened state of my hearing.

I force myself to focus, but the image of those eyes keeps intruding into my mind uncontrollably.

….The truth is, I don't know Lucien at all.

Is it because he has never fully revealed himself to me, or have I never truly gotten close to him?

Amidst a tinge of sadness, I realize that none of this matters now—I must focus on how to survive.

I exhale softly, and a familiar surge of power gathers in my chest. Through the haze, I catch glimpses of fragmented images —

The hum of machinery fills my ears, while the pulsing red light and constantly fluctuating curves leave afterimages on my retina.

I walk through the crowd of people, and flowers bloom by the roadside.

In that hazy world, there exists a pair of eyes that always gaze upon me with unwavering clarity.

Sharp, resolute, and scrutinizing. He seems to be peering through me to a distant place.

MC: …Lucien.

I part my dry lips but make no sound.

The air seems to thin even further, and in a daze, I feel as if I've been transported back to countless moments of frigid breathlessness in the past.

The unknown and fear tug at my remaining consciousness as if I'm about to be swallowed by the boundless darkness.

I don't know how much time has passed; the rustling sounds around me have also disappeared.

Perhaps Lucien has gone somewhere else to find me. Thinking this, I carefully unzip the zipper.

Before I even adjust to the harsh white light, I crash straight into Lucien's gaze.

The world roars, and my heart seems to stop for a moment.

Lucien: [chuckles] Not hiding anymore?

He squinted his eyes and chuckled softly.

He crouches in front of me, his hair scattered across his forehead, damp with water droplets, his exposed chest rising and falling slightly.

He casually grips the chainsaw and pulls the starter cord with one hand, producing a piercing and terrifying sound.

I can't fathom how long he's been waiting like this.

Five minutes? Ten minutes? Or has he been silently observing my every move from the beginning, watching me run continuously and then return here, lying down in the bag?

Fear makes me clench my fingers tightly, but I do not avoid his gaze, trying to find the answers I seek in his eyes.

MC: ...Why did you help me escape back then?

I don't answer him; instead, I ask a question I have never figured out. As if slightly surprised, Lucien's eyes flicker.

Lucien: Because I worry that they will damage my test subject.

He answers directly and calmly as if it's the most natural answer.

Somehow, I suddenly don't feel afraid at all. I even feel like laughing, so I simply pull at the corners of my mouth and lie in the bag.

I don't want to think about whether his close proximity will be affected by the radiation from my body, nor do I want to consider how to escape from this rapidly moving saw.

Maybe I've always wanted to find some way to talk to Lucien.

MC: Then why do you want to study me?

MC: Why do so many people want to study me? Do you want to change the world?

Lucien: [chuckles] Change the world?

Lucien laughs as if what I just said is a joke.

But soon he restrains his laugh, his gaze turns slightly bright as he looks at me again, and his voice carries an undisguised seriousness and stubbornness.

Lucien: Why change the world? I think this world is fine.

Lucien: What I want to seek is 'evolution'.

Next Part=> [Click Here]

[devilat-thedoor]

Hands to Yourself Pt6

Loves🤍🤍

This one took me longer than usual and i’m sorry for that! but can you blame me when the boys have been prancing around stage in all their glory, looking that fine????? please don’t mind the many grammatical errors that this is probably littered with. anyways… Here she is, Part 6, hot and ready for you💖

Part 5

Word Count: 11.8k

Pairing: Jake Kiszka x f!reader

Warnings: As always 18+ Minors DNI. light smut, Oral(m receiving.) Mentions of sickness and death. not much more than that. heavy on the fluff though. if i miss anything, please don’t hesitate to tell me.

Jake POV

You could see the gears turning. It was written all over her face as she pieced it together. The way her nostrils flared with every huff that escaped them. She was angry. Fuck. You were angry. What is Sage planning? What’s her endgame? Did she think that there was a chance you would leave Y/N? For her? After what she did… The mere thought of her was nauseating. The guys were standing before you, an onslaught of questions flowing from their mouths. You tuned them out for a moment, focusing on her. “Y/N, we’ll-“ Just as your hand landed on the small of her back, she pulled away.

“I’m sorry, I just need a minute.” She was rushing out of the kitchen before you could say anything. Danny stepped in front of you before you could go after her.

“What is going on?” You couldn’t focus on what he was saying, she was your only concern.

As you made a move to step around Danny, Josh stopped you, placing his hand on your shoulder. “I’ll go check on her, you just fill these two in on what’s been happening.” He gestured between Sam and Daniel and then turned to follow her path.

Your drummer spoke up again as you watched Josh leave the room. “Look, man, Dess told me about you guys hooking up, but she-”

“Hooking up?” Sam interrupted Danny, “You slept with Sage? But Y/N… What- Does she-”

You held your hand up, signaling for him to stop talking, “We both did, Sam. Me and Y/N, together… It just happened?” Pinching the bridge of your nose, you took a deep breath and calmly explained everything. Josh already knew what was going on. Danny only knew what Odessa had told him, which didn’t seem to be much, and your little brother was entirely clueless. So you gave them the full story. “...I woke up and Sage had herself wrapped around me. Y/N wasn’t in the bed anymore, so I got up and found her on the couch. I knew that night that something was off, something shifted in the dynamic between her and Sage and then the cookout…” You sipped your coffee telling them about the messages that you had received. “…And then Y/N got a message yesterday with a video and after the text I got, I was just freaked out. I said a lot of shit to her that I didn’t mean and it got ugly. I left, went to Josh’s for some clarity. God, I treated her so horribly… When I came home and we talked last night, we didn’t think it was possible that it could’ve been Sage, but now… I don’t know.” You shook your head, dragging a hand down your face. “After the cookout… After what she did. I don’t ever want to see her face again, but she’s clearly not going away. I don’t know what she wants.”

“Did you really think that she would cheat on you?” Sam’s brows were pinched together as he stared at you. “With me or Josh? You think she would actually do that to you, Jake?” His tone was accusatory, making you feel like shit.

The guilt was already weighing on you for accusing her in the first place. “No! I mean- In my heart I know she wouldn’t, but the accumulation of everything that’s happened the past few weeks has had my head all over the place.” You rubbed the back of your neck, “Listen, it’s fucked up, I know that, Sam. But all I can do now is try to fix what Sage fucking broke.”

Danny placed a hand on your shoulder, “As long as you and her trust each other, there’s nothing to fix, man.” He was always great at being the voice of reason. “Everyone can see how perfect you two are together and whatever Sage tries won’t stand a chance. You love Y/N and you trust her, right? Because I know that’s how she feels.”

“I can’t see myself with anybody else. Fuck, I can’t even bear the thought of what my life would be without her.” It wasn’t a lie. Nobody in a million years could compare to her, could make you feel the way she does. No one would love you the way she does and vice versa. “She’s the first person I want to share everything with. Every thought, every idea, every bit of news, good or bad. There’s no one else.” You couldn’t hold back your grin, “From the moment I laid eyes on her, all that time ago, I knew she’d be the only woman I’d want to love for the rest of my life…”

You looked up into Daniel’s eyes as his mouth lifted into a warm smile, “I know, brother.”

____________________________________________________________

Her POV

You broke away from Jake, all but sprinting to the bathroom. Pushing the door to shut, you dropped to your knees, heaving violently into the toilet. The only contents in your stomach were the few sips of coffee you’d had on your drive home, but that didn’t stop the painful stomach contractions that came with every gag. Just as you flushed the toilet and slumped against the outside of the shower, a few softs knocks hit the bathroom door.

You looked up to realize that you didn’t close the door the whole way and Josh’s soft voice came through as he slowly opened it up further, “Can I come in, Y/N? You okay?” The concern in his tone was evident.

“Yeah, come in.” Standing up, you went to the sink for the mouth wash.

Josh peeked around the door to find you before stepping in and closing it completely, “Are you sick?” He moved closer, pulling the hand towel from the rack and held it out to you.

Taking it with a weak smile, you wiped your mouth before responding, “No, I’m okay, Josh. Really.” You were trying to convince yourself as much as you were trying to convince him. “I think with everything that’s been going on, my anxiety is finally catching up. Hit me like a freight train.” You forced out a quiet chuckle. “I can only assume Jake has told you everything.”

“Yeah…” He pressed his lips together in thought for a moment. “How are you doing after yesterday? Because I know Jake was pretty torn up when he showed up at my place.”

You looked down, picking at your fingernails, “I didn’t mean to hurt him.” Your voice was barely a whisper. “I couldn’t explain the video and I knew it looked bad, but I couldn’t just keep it from him. He had a right to see it.” Tears were forming and you tried to blink them away.

Josh reached out, taking your hand in his, “No, sweetheart, you don’t understand.” He waited for you to look at him, “He was beating himself up for how he talked to you, the things he said.”

The first tear slid down your cheek as you shook your head. “I deserved it… After everything he’s had to deal with these past few weeks?” Pulling your hand from Josh’s, you buried your face in them, “I just keep fucking up, Josh. I keep making these stupid mistakes and Jake has to deal with the repercussions.” You sunk to the floor, crying harder. “At some point he’s gonna realize that he deserves better than what I’ve been giving him.” The thought of Jake leaving you had your body shaking.

Josh crouched down to meet you face to face, “You can’t be serious, Y/N?” His tone was unusually stern. “Mistakes were made, yeah. On all sides… But you need to understand that there is nobody for him but you.” His eyes held a sincere gaze as he spoke, “Whether he’s said it to you or not, he wants you for the rest of his life. I can feel it whenever I’m in the same vicinity as you two, that energy.” You sniffled, taking in everything he was saying, “I could feel it from the moment he laid eyes on you.”

A smile spread across your face as you remembered the day you’d met him.

It was a chilly fall morning and you were running errands in the city. You’d only lived here for a few months and planned on exploring the shops to find some things for your apartment. You pulled the sleeves of your oat colored sweater over your cold hands as you looked through the large windows of the coffee shop, deciding that a hot, caffeinated beverage was just what you needed. You walked inside, welcoming the warmth that came from the heating vents. There were a few people in line ahead of you so you took your time looking over the menu board. You heard the chime echo through the space, signaling that someone else had come in the door. Glancing over your shoulder, you caught sight of him. Just a small glimpse but it was enough for you to do a double take. He was so young then with his windblown, messy hair. You couldn’t help looking at him. He wore dirty, tan boots, tight black jeans and a faded, brick red t-shirt that had the neckline hem cut off and stretched. As your eyes wandered to his face, adorned with a pair of sunglasses to cover his eyes, you were met with his perfect, intoxicating smile. You were so mesmerized by it that you didn’t hear the girl at the counter calling you up. His mouth started moving and it took you a few seconds to realize he was talking. “I’m sorry, what?” You blinked at him.

His smile came back, it almost looked brighter the second time, “Uhh, you’re up.” He nodded towards the counter behind you with a quiet chuckle.

“Oh. Um thanks.” You turned away quickly, cursing yourself for gawking at him. The barista took your order and told you the total. You could feel his eyes burning into your back as you dug through your purse for your wallet. “Shit… I uh- My wallet isn’t here. It’s-.” A red hot blush spread over your face as you stammered through an unnecessary explanation, “I guess just cancel that, I-”

“You can just put her coffee on my order, I’ll cover it.” He stepped up beside you, pulling his card from his wallet and telling the girl his simple order.

Your eyes went wide, “Oh. no, you don’t need to do that!” The embarrassment you felt was growing by the second, you just wanted out of the situation.

He was already handing the card over, a small smirk on his lips, “It’s really no big deal.”

You opened your mouth to argue but clamped it shut as his hand came up to your back. The touch was so light, if it wasn’t for the electric current you were positive was flowing through his fingertips, you wouldn’t have noticed it. He ushered you towards the opposite end of the counter. The silence carried an odd tension as you both stood and waited for your drinks until you couldn’t take it anymore. “Thank you, by the way. You really didn’t have to, but I appreciate it.” You offered a soft smile.

“What’s your name?” The question came abruptly. “I’m Jake.” He pulled his sunglasses off and hung them from his neckline, finally showcasing the prettiest brown eyes you’d ever seen. He was bafflingly handsome and every time his lips curled into that perfect smile, you felt butterflies in your stomach.

Swallowing the lump in your throat, you tore your eyes from him staring at the floor. “Uh. Y/N… I- Yeah. It’s nice to meet you.” You held your hand out awkwardly, unsure of what else to do. He slid his hand into yours, holding onto it for what felt like forever, when the barista slid the cups over the pickup counter for you. You took your hand back and grabbed one of the cups, “Thanks again, for this. I’ll pay you back.” Turning on your heels, you stalked towards the door, not wanting to embarrass yourself any further. The brisk wind sent a shiver through your body as you stepped outside. Bringing the cup to your mouth, you took a large gulp. The bitterness hit your tastebuds and it took everything not to spit it all out. This wasn’t your coffee.

“I think you grabbed mine.” Jake was standing there as you turned around, holding the correct cup out to you.

Your eyes blew wide. “Shit. I’m so sorry, I already drank out of it.” You looked back and forth between the cup in your hand and the one in his. “Fuck. Uh. I’ll buy you a new one. I-”

He chuckled, taking the cup from you and placing the other in your open hand. “You don’t have your wallet, remember?” His laugh was the warmest sound you’d ever heard and, to this day, you could still attest to that. “Tell you what, when you do find your wallet, text me.” He drew his phone from his pocket and offered it to you. “Then you can buy me a coffee…As a payback.”

You took the phone from him, reluctantly, “Okay.” You put your phone number in and gave it back, watching as he clicked around on the screen. The notification sound rang out from your phone nestled in your back pocket. He kept eye contact with you while you pulled your phone out to look over the screen.

“Now you have my number,” He tucked his phone away just as another guy came up to him on the sidewalk, greeting him.

“Dude, are you ready? We’ve been waiting.” His fluffy curls danced around his face in the fall breeze as he turned to look at you with a beaming grin, incredibly similar to Jake’s.. “Hi. I’m Josh. My, aren’t you just breathtaking?” There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice as he said it, glancing at Jake. “You a friend of Jakey’s?” He held his hand out for you to shake and you were thrown off by his bubbly personality.

“Uhhh…” As you reached to take his hand, Jake clapped him on the shoulder.

“If you don’t scare her off first. Let’s go.” He gave Josh a gentle shove, prompting him to walk back in the direction he came from. “Sorry, my brother can be a little high-spirited.”

A quiet giggle left you as you watched Josh walk away, “Brother?” You looked back to Jake, taking a drink of your coffee.

“Twin, actually.” He gave a shrug before Josh called his name from down the street. “I’m gonna go before he comes back. I hope you find your wallet.”  As he went to move past you, he stopped, placing his hand on your arm, “It was really good meeting you, Y/N.” The way your name rolled off of his tongue left you dazed. You gathered yourself enough to tell him goodbye and go on your way.

“I gave him shit for days about following you into that coffee shop.” Josh snorted out a laugh, “He kept his phone on him, waiting for a text from you and I told him he probably creeped you out.”

“He followed me into the shop that morning?” This was the first time you were hearing this. “I thought he just happened to come in after me.”

Josh tilted his head, gazing at you, “He never told you that?” You shook your head at him, waiting for him to give you his POV of that day. “Shit, I don’t remember what we were even in the city for, but we were walking down the street, me, him and Sam, and he saw you come out of a little antique store, stopped him right in his tracks. He couldn’t take his eyes off of you, just kept mumbling about how beautiful you were. Actually, I think the word he used was ‘breathtaking.’” You couldn’t contain your smile as you listened to him. “I knew it. I could see it in the way he watched you walk through the door of the cafe… You had him wrapped around your finger from that very moment. He told me he’d be right back and then he was gone, going after you like his life depended on it.”

“I almost didn’t text him at all. Fought with myself for a few days over it. I had myself convinced that he was probably just looking for a quick hookup and texting him was a terrible idea.” The memory made you laugh, “But I couldn’t get him out of my head, no matter how hard I tried, I kept seeing his smile. And then I caved after telling myself the worst that could happen is my suspicions being right. What did I have to lose, yanno?”

“D’you ever think about what your life would be like if you hadn’t met him?” Josh watched as you thought over your answer, adding, “or me? Obviously.” He flashed his blinding smile.

You pulled at a loose thread on your leggings, mulling over the question. “I mean, when I first moved here, I definitely didn’t picture this for myself.” You gestured to the general area around you. “I was in a really bad place, just looking for a fresh start. The only thing I cared about was the food truck and getting my shit together, but when Jake walked into the coffee shop, the first smile he gave me… I didn’t know it then, but he shifted the entire trajectory of my life.” Chewing on your lip, you shook your head in disbelief. “Josh, I genuinely can’t even imagine what I would be doing, the person I’d be, if I had never met him. Anytime I think about my life or my future, he’s all I see, all I want. Even looking back at my past, everything before him seems like a different life altogether.”

Josh opened his mouth to respond as the door pushed open. Jake appeared from behind it, “Hey, are you okay?” His eyes landed on you, sitting on the floor with tear-stained cheeks.

“I’ll give you two a minute.” Josh patted your knee, giving you a look of empathy, before standing up and exiting the bathroom.

Jake held his hand out for you to take, pulling you up from the floor. “Were you crying, love?” His arms snaked around you, locking you against him.

You welcomed his touch, tucking yourself into him and burying your face in his neck. “I was.” He was warm as you nuzzled your nose against his skin, inhaling his natural Jake scent. “I’m okay, though, baby. Promise.” Nothing felt more like home than this, being wrapped in his arms, and you tightened your hold on him.

He followed your lead and hugged you tighter, leaving a lingering kiss to your temple. “Can you come out and eat your food, please?” You chuckled at his question as you lifted your head to look at him. “What? I know you didn’t have dinner last night. You need to eat, my love.” He pushed a stray hair out of your face as he gazed down at you.

The thought of food was making your stomach churn again and you weren’t sure why. But the way his espresso colored eyes were pleading with you made it impossible to tell him no. “Okay.” You allowed him to walk you out of the bathroom and back to the kitchen where the other three boys still remained. Jake pulled a stool out at the island, ushering you into it, and placed your bagel in front of you, watching you expectantly. The smell of the cream cheese smeared on top of it brought your nausea back, saliva pooling in your mouth. Maybe you were getting sick? He tapped his knuckle on the counter, gaining your attention, and mouthed the word ‘eat’ at you. Choking back the sick feeling, you ripped a small piece off and popped it into your mouth, making a show of chewing it up and swallowing it. “I’m eating, Jacob. You don’t have to babysit me.” You stuck your tongue out, proving your point.

“Don’t be a brat.” He gave you a pointed look and you just smirked in return. “What do you wanna do today, my love?” He leaned his elbows on the countertop, waiting for your answer. “You wanna get dinner, just us? Go out for drinks? You pick.”

“Ooh! Actually, I really wanna go back to that farmer’s market outside of town.” You’d been meaning to go back for weeks, but life kept getting in the way. “I wanted to pick up more of their wine and talk to the guy about maybe putting weekly orders in with them for the truck.” With summer flying by, you were already running through new ideas and recipes to try for fall.

The excitement in your voice warmed Jake’s heart, he couldn’t think of anything he’d love more than spending a day out of the house with you. “Yeah, okay. That sounds fun, baby.” He picked up the other half of your bagel, taking a large bite. “Finish eating and we can head out.”

___________________________________________________________

The guys had left the house shortly before you did. Now you sat in the passenger seat of Jake’s car, feet kicked up on the dashboard while you sang along to the music, driving down the highway. He let his eyes drift from the road every so often, listening to you sing. “…Oh I don’t want a soul, baby… Hangin’ around my house when I’m not at home….” His hand left its place on the shifter and grasped yours. You turned your face away from the window and looked at him as he brought your hand up to kiss your knuckles. “What was that for?”

Jake smiled, watching the road ahead of him. “I love listening to you sing the blues.” His admission made you blush. You knew you didn’t have the prettiest voice, but Jake would listen to it for hours on end if he had the chance. He kept hold of your hand as you went back to quietly singing.

You watched him as you sang, the way his lip would curl into a smirk every time you were a little too far off key. You were in the middle of ‘Cross Road Blues’ by Robert Johnson when Jake pulled his hand from yours to turn the volume down. “What? Was I that bad?” You feigned a look of hurt, holding your hand over your chest. He gave a quiet chuckle before licking his lips. There was a shift in his breathing and he almost seemed nervous. “Jake, what’s wrong?” You sat up in your seat, planting your feet back on the floor mat as you looked at him. “Did I do-“

He cut you off. “Would you marry me?” The question spilled from his mouth so fast, you almost didn’t register it. Jake watched your eyes widen and tried to reword his question, worried that he’d freaked you out. “I mean, I- Could you see yourself…marrying- spending your life- Or- Fuck.” You watched him rub his sweaty palms over his jeans before putting them back on the steering wheel.

This wasn’t a topic that you had discussed with him. You had a home with him, shared a beautiful life with him everyday. You were already his, marriage just seemed like a fancy word to prove it. “Jake…”

“Nope, just disregard all of that. I- Yeah.” He reached for the knob, turning the volume back up.

You grinned hard at his flustered state. Your heart swelled as you turned the music back down and took his hand again, leaning over the center console. “Jacob,” He glanced at you from the corner of his eye as you spoke, “If I can’t spend the rest of my life with you, I don’t want it.” You pressed your lips to his cheek, “So to answer your question, I would marry you in a heartbeat, no questions asked. But as long as you keep loving me the way you do and as long as you want me, then I don’t need a ring or a piece of paper that says I’m yours. This,” You pointed between the two of you, “will always be more than enough for me, baby.”

His dimples formed slowly as he matched your face splitting smile, “I’ll love you forever as long as you let me, baby.” He brought your hand back to lips, kissing your ring finger.

The two of you sat in comfortable silence for the last eight minutes of the drive. Jake turned into the parking lot and you pointed to the far left end towards the market. When he put the car in park, you were quick to jump out, grabbing your tote bags from the back seat. “Baby, c’mon! It’s still early, so everything shouldn’t be completely picked through!” You took his hand as he walked around to your side, practically dragging him across the pavement. 

You stepped up to the first table, covered side to side with various fruits. You scanned the areas, hoping to find the old man from last time, but he found you first. “I was startin’ to wonder when you’d be back!” His voice startled you and you were a bit surprised that he had recognized you. “How’d your old man end up likin’ that Cabernet?”

The giggle that tumbled from your mouth couldn’t be stopped, “Well he’s here today, so you can ask him.” You looked at Jake, “This is Jake, my old man.”

He held his hand out to your boyfriend, “Jake, I’m Henry. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He held his hand out for him to shake. Jake accepted it and the man turned his attention back to you, “I’m sorry, darlin’. I don’t think I got your name last time you were here.”

“Oh, it’s Y/N.” You gave a polite smile.

“Y/N.” He repeated it as though he was committing it to memory. “Well, what are you folks here for today? Lookin’ for anything in particular?”

Jake spoke up, “Well, Henry, I would really love to get my hands on a few bottles of that Cabernet. It was one of the best reds I’ve had.” Henry beamed, leading Jake towards the table that housed all the crates of wine. You watched as they went, carrying on a conversation that you couldn’t hear. Taking your time, you began perusing the tables, looking for nothing specific. You filled one bag with fresh peaches and plums and various kinds of berries. Filled another with jars of homemade jams, ranging from wild blueberry to muscat grape, and a variety of the infused honeys that Odessa had raved about. Making your way to the crates of veggies, you realized how heavy the bags were getting. “Let me take those, love.” Jake was beside you, pulling them from your arms. He leaned in, pecking your cheek. “You find anything good?”

“Mhmm.” You plucked a basket of green beans from the table, looking them over before carefully tucking them into your last bag. “Lots of stuff. Did they have any of that wine left?” You moved along, grabbing a zucchini and sorting through the colorful display of peppers.

He walked behind you, watching the way you examined everything you picked up. “They did, I had him package up three bottles of the Cabernet, two of that Syrah that you really liked and a few different whites.”

You turned around to look at him, “That’s a lot of wine, Jacob. Are you looking to get me drunk?” You raised your eyebrows at him and he playfully rolled his eyes, shaking his head. 

Henry called your name, pulling your attention from Jake. He stood at the table with the metal cash box, waving you over with a big smile. You stuffed a few different sweet peppers into your tote and laced your fingers with Jake’s, walking over to Henry. He had his arm around a woman’s shoulders as you approached. “Y/N, Jake, this is my daughter, Laney. She makes all that wine over there!” He wore a proud expression as he introduced her.

“Elaine is fine, actually.” She chuckled as she looked at her dad. “He’s the only one that calls me ‘Laney.’” 

You shook her hand, “You own the winery? I’m completely obsessed with the flavor profiles you use. They’re so unique. I bought a Sauvignon Blanc the last time I was here and I was blown away by how well the mint and honeydew flavors came together.” Her face lit up as you gushed over her products. You turned to Jake, “Did you get a bottle of the Sauvignon? You didn’t get to try it last time, baby.” He didn’t get a chance to answer as you continued talking, “The Syrah was my absolute favorite! The smokiness of the tobacco was so perfectly paired with the sweetness of the berries.”

Jake finally spoke up, talking to Elaine. “She’ll be here for hours talking about flavor profiles. Culinary school turned her into quite the critic.” He joked, bumping into you with his shoulder.

The blush crept onto your cheeks as you bit back your smile. “I’m only a critic when you overcook pasta or burn biscuits from a can.” You raised your eyebrows, giving him a challenging stare.

He faked a hurt expression, “Hey now, that’s uncalled for. I make purposeful mistakes to feed your ego, keep you on your toes.” His lip twitched as he tried to fight his smile. “We can’t all be great chefs… So I let you be better than me.”

Henry interrupted with a hearty laugh, “You two remind me of me and my sweetie when we were young!” He nudged his daughter, “Your mother would’ve gotten a kick out of the way they bicker!”

Elaine gave a tight smile, her eyes saddened, “Yeah, Pop. Mom would’ve loved it.” You watched as tears formed in her eyes. She blinked them back quickly, “Umm. It’s been really nice to meet the two of you, but I should get home to the husband and kids. I really hope you come back. I’m glad you enjoy the wine, really.” She turned to Henry, giving him a hug and swift peck on his cheek before mumbling something to him and leaving with a wave.

Watching her walk away, you wondered if you made her uncomfortable with the way you were going on about her wine. But Henry shut that thought down when he opened his mouth. “I’m sorry about that… Laney’s mother, my beautiful Jane. She passed away late last year.” He wore a somber look, “This is our first market season without her and it’s been hard, especially for Laney.”

“Henry, I’m so sorry.” You placed your hand on his shoulder in a form of comfort and tried to lift his spirits. “I bet she was quite the woman.”

His eyes lit up, “Oh she sure was. Prettiest little lady I’d ever set eyes on.” You mirrored his smile as he talked about his late wife. “She could light a room the second she walked into it. Met her when we were about 19 or 20 and I’ll tell you this, love at first sight is real, kiddo.” He patted Jake on the arm. “I pulled up to the A&W in my dad’s pickup and she was there, having a root beer float with her gals. I knew when I saw her, she was the only woman for me. Asked her on a date, right then and there, and a year later, we were married. When y’know what you got, y’gotta hold on tight to it, Jake. You understand me?”

Jake’s cheeks lifted high as he glanced at you before turning his attention back to the old man, “I understand you perfectly, Henry.” His fingers weaved with yours again, giving your hand a squeeze. “I know good and well what I’ve got.”

“How long have you kids been married?” 

Before you could tell him that you weren’t actually married, Jake took the lead, “A few years now. Since about 2018? Does that sound right, my love?” He looked at you, his large eyes full of love and you nodded, completely agreeing with him. Turning back to Henry, he continued, “Just like you, Henry, I knew from the moment I laid eyes on her that she was it for me. I couldn’t risk letting her get away.”

Henry’s smile cracked across his face, bright and wide, “You make sure you cherish her. Both of you, cherish one another, hold on tight. You know what you have. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss my sweet Jane, and every day my love still grows for her.”

You stared at Jake as he listened to the other man and really let the words soak in. There was nobody else in this lifetime or the next for you. Only Jake.

After talking for a while longer, you had written your phone number down for Henry and promised that you and Jake would be back soon. You paid for your things and then the two of you were on your way. Jake took the last bag from you, placing it in the trunk with the other two bags and the crate of wine bottles. You waited for him to close the trunk and wrapped your arms around his midsection, looking into his eyes. “Do we have that kind of love, Jake? The kind that just goes on forever, no matter what.”

He grazed his fingers over your cheek and cupped your face, “Eternal, my beautiful girl.” It was all he said before dropping lips to yours, holding you so gently as his mouth moved with your own. You could’ve stayed in this moment with him forever, but you were forced to break away when Jake’s phone started ringing. He took the device from his pocket, reading the caller ID. “It’s Daniel.” He put the phone to ear and you listened as he talked. “Hey man, what’s up?…okay…let me ask her, hang on.” He held the phone a few inches from his head, directing his question at you, “You wanna go to Odessa’s work for karaoke night? Her and Danny invited us.” You gave a small nod and he went back to the conversation with the drummer. “Yeah, we’re in…what time?... sure, yeah. We’ll be there… alright, see you.” He hung the phone up and stuffed it back into his pocket. “You ready to go home, love? You wanna stop anywhere else? Grab a bite?”

You gave him your softest smile, leaning in to peck his lips one more time. “Home please? I’ll whip something up for us.”

“Sounds perfect.” He walked you to your side, opening the door and waiting for you to slide into the seat.

____________________________________________________________

You stood in the kitchen after emptying all of your bags and rummaged through the cabinets, pulling ingredients for the dinner you planned to make. It was going on 5pm and you didn’t need to be at the bar until 8. “Baby, can you put the flat top on the grill and turn it on for me?” You called out to Jake who sat in the living room, strumming out a tune on his guitar. For a moment, you weren’t sure if he’d heard you but then the sound stopped and a few seconds later, he was coming into the kitchen.

He stood across the island from you, watching you chop up peppers and onions into thin stips. “What are you making?” His eyes scanned the countertop, looking over the food and spices you had scattered.

Scraping the veggies from the cutting board, you tossed them into a small bowl and went to the fridge to retrieve the chicken that had been marinating for a half hour. “Chicken fajita bowls. Is that okay?” You were worried it wasn’t what he’d wanted as you hadn’t asked him. “I can make something else…”

“Y/N, no. Chicken fajitas are great.” He chuckled at your panicked expression. “I’ll go start the grill.” He came around the island, kissing the top of your head, before heading out the back door. Setting the rice cooker to warm, you started on the corn salsa and black beans. You finished preparing everything when he came back in, “Do you need help?” He stared as you gathered the bowls into your arms and tried to pick up the few seasonings you needed. You shook your head at him, stubborn as always, and moved past him, out the door. Jake walked to the drawers beside the fridge, pulling out a spatula and grabbed the bottle of olive oil from the counter then followed after you.

You smiled at him as he put the spatula and oil down beside the grill. “Thank you, baby.” Splashing some of the oil on the hot surface, you dumped the chicken on, spreading it around. The sizzling sound came, followed by the savory aroma of the spices.

Jake moved behind you, wrapping his arms around your tummy and resting his chin on your shoulder. “I need to get you a ‘kiss the cook apron.’ You can wear that and nothing else whenever you cook on the grill.”

“I’m sure the neighbors would love to see that, Jake.” You giggled at him, flipping the chicken around on the flat top. “Me, ass out, flipping hot dogs? What a sight.” You felt his lips press to the spot behind your ear.

The bulge in his jeans was pressing into you, showing what the idea was doing to him. “Hmm. What if we build a higher fence?” He propositioned as you added more oil to grill. “Complete privacy to do whatever we want…” His voice was low, and you could feel it in your belly as you shifted on your feet.

You pushed the chicken to one side and dumped the onions and peppers in the middle. “It’s never stopped us before… All those times in the pool.” You pressed your ass into him as you continued cooking. “Or the nights, in the middle of the yard, when we lay out and watch the stars… They all have a perfect view of us from their upstairs windows, I’m sure.” You could feel his lips on your skin, curling into his devious smirk. He pulled away abruptly and, without another word, walked into the house. You shook your head with a quiet laugh unsure of what he was up to. Once the food was finished, you scooped it all onto the reserved platter and shut the grill off before heading back into the kitchen. Your jaw dropped as you saw Jake, standing by your small dining table with a single candle lit and a bottle of the Sauvignon Blanc that you had raved about sitting beside two glasses. He had the table set with plates and utensils, bowls filled with the rice and beans and salsa you had made along with a small variety of sauces. He’d even taken the time to slice up an avocado. “Jake, baby, what is all this?”

He took the platter from you and placed it in the center of the table before coming back, and leading you over, pulling a chair out for you. “I just wanted to have a nice dinner with you.” He waited for you to sit and pushed the chair in. He picked up the bottle of wine and popped the cork with the opener, pouring a glass and offering it to you. You graciously accepted it, waiting for him to pour his own glass and take a seat across from you. A smile lifted on your mouth as you watched him raise his glass to you, “To us… To an auspicious and prosperous life. To forever.”

You clinked your cup against his, “Eternity.” You sipped your wine, overcome with a feeling of peace that you hadn’t felt in a while. Jake began making your plate, layering scoops onto the dish in a calculated manner. After he finished with yours, he made his own and settled back into his chair. “Thank you for this, Jake. Really, this is… perfect.”

“You did all the real work, my love.” He reached over the table, taking your hand in his and rubbing his thumb over your knuckles as he dug into his food. You sat and ate, making light conversation, talking about what kind of excitement the night would hold. After a second glass of wine, your plates were empty and you made a move to stand and clear them from the table but Jake halted you. “No, I got this. Why don’t you start getting ready to go out.” He took your plate from your hands and walked to the sink.

“We still have an hour before we need to leave, I can help clean up, baby.” You gathered the leftovers and began digging for tupperware to put it all away. Hustling through the clean up, you helped Jake load the dishwasher and wiped the counters down while he did the table. Once the kitchen seemed to be in pristine condition, you both made your way to the bedroom to change. Jake pulled his t-shirt off, followed by his jeans, leaving him in his tight boxers. He passed you walking into the closet and you followed, standing in the doorway to admire him. You watched as he pulled a pair of black chino pants from the shelf above him, knowing exactly which ones they were. They were a relaxed fit, but hugged his thighs in a most sinful way with the hem stopping just above his ankles. “Are you gonna wear the hat?” The question came after he pulled his stretched out white t-shirt from its hanger, slinging it over his shoulder.

“Do you want me to wear the hat?” He asked, a slight smirk to his lips. You moved forward, tugging him toward you by the waistband of his boxers.

You brought a hand to his chin, running your thumb over the tiny patch of hair that resulted from him not shaving for a couple of days. “Mhm. Keep this too.” You poked at his patchy mustache, “That’ll be enjoyable for me later.” You winked at him before turning away to pick out your own clothes. He pulled one final garment from a hanger and gave your ass a light tap as he exited the closet. Sifting through your clothing for a few minutes, you finally decided on a pair of black, high waisted, skinny jeans with rips along the thighs and a fiery red, lace corset top. When you stepped out into the bedroom, Jake was already dressed, pulling a black jacket over his shirt. Your jaw practically hit the floor when you took him in. He chuckled at your expression, but he didn’t know that his appearance had you instantly wet. You dropped the clothes to Jake’s dresser and rushed him, crashing your lips into his. You pushed the jacket back down his arms and moved him backwards. His hands grasped at you, unsure of where you were taking him, what you were going to do. “You’re so fucking hot, Jakey.” Your lips went to his exposed collarbone, nipping not-so-gently as you pushed him to sit on the edge of the bed.

He laughed harder, thrown off by your desperation as you dropped to your knees. “Baby…” His laughter was cut off, replaced by a strangled grunt when you palmed him through the pants. “Shit, Y/N… We’re gonna be late.” He swallowed hard, watching you frantically fumble with his button.

You finally popped it and pulled the zipper down before looking up into his eyes, “Baby, please take these off.” You tugged on the pant legs, a pleading look on your face, “Right now, Jacob. Please.” You begged, licking your lips. You just needed to taste him.

He was nodding his head quickly, lifting his hips to slide the pants down along with his boxers. You didn’t waste a second, leaning over his cock and letting a string of spit fall from your mouth, right onto the tip. You could feel him shiver as your finger curled around him. Using your saliva as a lubricant, your hand glided up and down his length, feeling him grow harder by the second. He watched you bite down on your lip as you stayed focused on your hand, twisting and pumping at a decent pace. When he was fully hard, his tip red hot, you left a soft lick, tasting his precum. You listened as he mumbled curses under his breath and finally pulled him into your mouth, wrapping your lips tightly around him. One of his hands came to the back of your neck while the other gripped at the duvet beneath him. You continued stroking, expertly flicking your wrist in a way that drove him mad, and slowly took him deeper into your mouth. “God, baby. That feels- Ohh.” You flattened your palm at the base, swallowing his cock until he was buried in your throat. Holding him there, you rolled your tongue along the underside, your throat pulsing around his head. His eyes squeezed shut as his grip on your neck tightened. “Too fucking good, Y/N.” He was panting as you released him from your lips with a loud pop. His eyes shot up, looking down at you. You held eye contact as you began stroking him again and dropped your mouth, sucking one of his balls between your lips. Letting it fall from your mouth, you lapped at them with your tongue and watched as his eyes rolled back, disappearing into his skull. His knuckles were white from the grip he had on the blanket. When you took his cock back into the satin-soft warmth of your mouth, his hand weaved into your hair, pushing you down on him, “Please, baby. Can I please?” Jake’s voice was a mere whisper, begging you to let him cum. You couldn’t answer with words, so you answered with your actions. Bobbing your head faster, you sucked hard, hollowing your cheeks. You could feel him twitch on your tongue and used that as a signal, moving your hand to massage his balls. Without a warning, Jake forced your head down, nestling himself in the very back of your throat. A gag ripped from your throat has the first string of his cum shot out. Your eyes were blurry as they began to water and you repressed another gag, focusing on the angelic whimpers Jake made as he emptied himself into your mouth. Your fingers were digging into his thighs when he loosened his hold on your head. He allowed you to bob a few more times, letting him come back down from his climax. When his cock softened, you let him fall from your mouth and looked up at him with the sweetest smile. His face held an incredulous expression as he stared down at you, “God really took his time with you, didn’t he?” His thumb brushed over your bottom lip, still glistening with spit.

You only offered a giggle in return as you stood up and went to the dresser to retrieve your clothes. “Clean up and get dressed, we got 20 minutes, baby.” You were already heading for the bathroom before he could respond. After you changed, you stood in front of the mirror putting on a bit of mascara and finishing with a shiny lip gloss. You pulled your hair from the ponytail and shook it out, letting the waves fall. Once you were satisfied with your appearance, you emerged from the bathroom and found Jake in the living room, looking at his watch. He was dressed in his outfit again, the hat snug on his head with his hair pulled back into a low bun. “Are you waiting on me, Jakey?”

His eyes traveled down your body and back up, soaking you in. He grinned, pulling his sunglasses from his neckline and putting them on, “It’s already after 8, my love. Josh keeps asking where we are.” He took your hand and led you out of the house, locking the door behind him.

The drive was quick and the summer sun was just beginning to set. When you got to the bar, you and Jake grabbed drinks and found everyone on the outside deck chatting. You locked eyes with Odessa and she gave a small wave. You hadn’t really talked to her much since the night of the cookout but you missed her. Making your way over, you tapped on her shoulder, “Hey, can we talk for a second?”

She nodded and followed you away from the group, once in a quiet spot, she began muttering out an apology. “Y/N, I’m so sorry. I had no idea that she was capable of doing something that vile. I swear, I would have never introduced her, wouldn’t have even been friends with her. I don’t know how to begin to explain how horribly I feel, I-”

“Dess,” You placed your hand on her shoulder, waiting for her to calm down. “You don’t need to apologize. I think we’ve all established how manipulative and demented she is… But you and me, we’re fine. I’ve actually missed you a lot.” You pulled her into a hug and she hugged you back tighter. “So much has been happening, I’m sure Danny told you.”

She released you, “He did… When he told me about the messages you and Jake have been getting? Do you really think it’s Sage?” You gave a shrug and a slight nod. “And she stole Jake’s shirt?! That’s literally insane behavior.”

You didn’t get a chance to respond as a hand pressed flat against your back. You could smell his cologne before you looked at him, instantly letting you know it was Josh. “You girls gonna stand in a corner all night or are we gonna sign up for karaoke?”

Wrapping your arm around his side, you looked at him with a smile. “Only if you promise to do at least one duet with me.”

“Of course, mama. As long as it’s not ‘Summer Lovin’. Never again.” He shook his head and you pinched his ribs, staring at him in mock offense. “OW!”

“We sounded great when we did that song!” You knew it wasn’t true. You couldn’t hold a candle to Josh’s voice but he would never turn you down for a duet. “I wasn’t going to suggest that anyways. I have a better song in mind.” You stuck your tongue out at him.

He rolled his eyes with a chuckle, “Okay, well let’s hear it.” He waited expectantly.

“You’re just gonna have to wait and see.” And with that, you turned on your heels, walking back to where Jake stood. He was mid conversation with Daniel when you approached. He could already sense your presence without looking and lifted his arm, allowing you to tuck yourself under it. You watched as he talked, appreciating how truly handsome he looked tonight. Your mind drifted back to the moments before you left the house, causing your thighs to subtly clench together. He dropped his eyes to you for a moment, reading your mind and gave that devilish smile before turning back to Danny.

Odessa came up then, “Okay, guys, Rory is taking sign ups now. It’s not a very full house tonight, so I bet we can all get a couple go’s in!” She pointed to a tall, muscular man that was standing beside the small stage at a booth, typing on a laptop.

You tugged on Jake’s shirt to get his attention like a lost child, “Baby, will you sing a song with me tonight? Pleeease?” You pleaded, hoping that tonight would finally be the time he got up on the stage and graced you with his soft voice.

He tried to stifle his smile, not wanting to hurt you, but declined, “Not tonight, my love. Next time, okay?” He kissed your temple, turning back to Danny.

The disappointment was evident in your voice as you mumbled. “You say that everytime.” You broke away from him, taking Odesss’s hand and going to sign you and Josh up for the song you chose. Odessa signed herself up for a couple spots, unable to decide on a single song and forcing you into signing up to sing ‘Landslide’ by Fleetwood Mac with her. Josh wandered over, picking a couple songs to sing and trying to get a peek at your duet song. You shooed him away, following him back over to your table. Jake and Danny were huddled closely, whispering to each other. “Care to share your secrets with the class, boys?” You joked as you came up behind them. 

Jake turned around, eyes wide as he looked at you, “No secrets. No we uh- We were just talking about this new melody I’ve been working on… Wanted his help on it.” His eyes flashed to Danny and back to you.

Ignoring his odd behavior, you excused yourself to go get another drink, asking Dess to come with you but Danny stopped her. “I actually need to talk to her about something really quickly, she’ll meet you at the bar, yeah?” You brows knitted as you stared at him, just giving a slow, confused nod before walking away. Why is everyone being so weird tonight?

Stepping up to the bar, you waited for the bartender to have a free second before you signaled for her. She flashed you a kind smile, asking what you’d like. “Just a tequila soda, please.” She pulled a glass from below the bar top and began making your drink, moving quickly. She slapped a napkin on the bar and placed the cup on top of it, sliding it over to you. “Thank you!” You picked the glass up as she moved to the next customer and brought it the straw to your lips. The smell of the liquor hit your nostril, making your stomach flip. Ignoring it, you took a sip but when the tequila hit your tastebuds, you gagged, throwing your hand over your mouth.

The bartender was watching you from where she stood and came back over, “Everything okay, hun? Do you want something else?” You placed the cup back on the counter and apologized, asking for a cup of water. “No need for sorry’s, honey. Here you go.” She slid the water to you and you grabbed it, taking a few gulps.

Odessa came up beside you then with a giant grin on her face and when you turned to look at her, she tried to conceal it, but failed miserably. “What are you smiling about?” You narrowed your eyes at her.

She waved you off, “Uhh nothing… Danny is just being really sweet tonight.” She didn’t elaborate further and before you could pry, she tore eyes away from you pointing to the door and yelling a little too loud, “Oh hey! Look, Sam is here!”

You looked in the direction she was pointing and saw him weaving through people, carrying a large case at his side. You watched as he walked straight to the stage, leaning the case against the wall behind the booth and made a beeline for the bar, right towards you and Odessa. When his eyes landed on you, then went wide for a second and he almost stopped moving, but quickly recovered, giving you his familiar Sammy smile. “What’s in the case, Sammy?” You inquired, sipping your water as he stood on the opposite side of Dess.

“Oh it’s my keyboard. I- Uh, well.” Your face twisted in confusion, listening to him stammer out an explanation.

Odessa piped up, speaking for him, “Danny asked him to bring it, apparently wants to sing a special song for me that they don’t have in the system. I’m not supposed to know so ‘shh’” She held her finger to her lips and Sam visibly relaxed next to her, having been saved from ruining a surprise.

“Oh. Is that why everyone is acting strange? Why didn’t they just tell me, I can keep a secret?!” You crossed your arms over your chest, “Obviously other people can’t if you know already.”

She just laughed and changed the subject, trying to distract you from it. “So what song did you pick for you and Josh to do?”

A voice rang out over the speakers before you could answer and you looked to the stage, watching Rory as he spoke into the microphone. “Good evening, folks! We’ve got a few good songs coming up for karaoke night, I hope you’re all ready!” There was a slew of hoots and hollers, “Okay! Now if you wanna get in on the fun, just come right up here and see me with the sign up sheet, we still have a ton of openings.” He waved his clipboard in the air for a few seconds. “We’re kicking off tonight with our very own Odessa, singing ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ by Janis Joplin! Can we get a round of applause for her?”

You clapped hard, cheering as Odessa walked through the crowd and to the stage. “You wanna head to the table with everyone else before she starts?” You asked Sam and he nodded, picking his drink up and following you. You slid into the chair beside Jake just as the opening acoustic notes came through the speaker. Odessa’s voice echoed through the mic with the first line and you listened in awe as she sang. Halfway through the song, you turned to look at Danny. His face was lit up as he watched her, an expression of pride and adoration gracing his features. Your heart swelled at the sight. They locked eyes and you could feel the love between them in that moment. She closed the song out on a lingering note and finished with a dramatic bow. You whistled loud, clapping for her as she exited the stage.

Rory came back, “Isn’t she great, folks!” He smiled as everyone erupted into more cheers. “Don’t worry, that’s not the last you’ll see of her tonight, but for now, up next we have, “ He paused, looking down at his clipboard and you knew it was your duet. “Josh and Y/N performing ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ by Elton John and Kiki Dee. Let’s make some noise for them!”

You stood up, looking at Josh as people began clapping. He stood, taking your hand and leading you up to the stage, “We’re gonna kill this, you know that?” He whispered as he handed you a microphone. A grin split over your face and you shook out your nervous hands.As many times as you’d been up this very stage, singing karaoke with Josh, the nerves never went away. You scanned the crowd for your table, locking eyes with Jake and he gave you his warmest smile, instantly calming you. The music started and you waited for Josh to sing first, giving you your cue.

Don’t go breaking my heart…

-I couldn’t if I tried…

Oh honey, if I get restless…

-Baby, you’re not that kind…

His voice sounded flawless as always and any insecurity you felt over your own went out the window, replaced with an overwhelming feeling of joy. Josh took your hand, twirling you around the stage and you tried to stifle your giggles to finish the song out, but it was hard. The last line of the lyrics rolled up the screen and you pointed at Jake as you sang it out, “I won’t go breaking your heart…” You finished, blowing him a kiss and he made a show of catching it, placing it directly over his heart. The energy in the bar was high as you and Josh left the stage, hearing the other patrons cheering for you.

Your body was buzzing as you got back to the table and Jake pulled you to sit on his lap, holding you close. “You did great up there, my love.” He kissed your cheek and you leaned into him, reeling from the excitement of your performance.

A few other people went up to sing. Then it was Odessa again, singing ‘Valerie’ by Amy Winehouse. It turned out to be a crowd favorite and by the end of it, she had everyone singing with her, shouting the lyrics at the top of their lungs. She pulled you back up to sing ‘Landslide’ and then she was done for the night, settling into Danny’s lap and sipping her beer. Josh went up a few more times as well, forcing Sam into doing ‘Love Shack’ by the B-52s with him. His little brother protested the whole way to the stage, but he had fun, whether he wanted to admit it or not. You laughed as you watched them, holding onto Jake’s hand.

Things started slowing down, less people wanting to get up on stage, and Odessa called your name from across the table. “Will you come to the bathroom with me?” She gave you puppy eyes and you smiled.

“Yeah, I have to pee anyway.” You stood from your chair, but Jake’s hand tightened around yours as you went to walk away. When you turned to look at him, he pulled you down into a kiss and something about it felt different. Like he was anxious or panicked and you suddenly realized how sweaty his hand was. You pulled away, looking down at him, “Baby, what’s wrong? Are you nervous?”

He took his hand from your and wiped it over his pants. “No, love. Just weird about PDA, you know that.” He waved you off, not giving you the option to question him anymore, “Go ahead to the bathroom, hurry back.” You watched as he turned back to the table, picking his drink up and gulping it down.

You let it go and followed Odessa to the restroom. After you peed, you joined her in front of the mirror, washing your hands and applying more lip gloss. “Hey, does Jake seem off to you?” You looked down at your hands as you asked it.

“What do you mean, babe? I haven’t noticed anything.” She took her time, staring into the mirror and playing with her hair. Pulling it up and then letting it back down. You watched her do this for a minute or so before telling her you were going to head back out. “No, wait!” She half shouted, causing you to jump. When you stared at her in shock, she mumbled an apology. “I’m almost done, I just don’t want to be in here by myself.” She pouted at you and your face softened.

“Isn’t Danny supposed to be singing you a song? You’re gonna end up missing it if you take any longer.”

Her phone chimed then and she scanned over the message that came through, her eyes lighting up, “You’re right! Let’s go.” She grasped your hand, dragging you out of the bathroom.

When you stepped back into the crowd, Rory was talking onto the microphone. “We have one more performance for you all tonight, I’m told this one is very important, for a special girl in the crowd.” You squeezed Odessa’s hand, excited for her. She continued pulling you towards the table as Rory resumed the introduction, “Please welcome, one more time, Josh! Accompanied by his brother Sam on the keys.”

You stopped in your tracks, turning to face the stage. “I thought Danny-”

“C’mon, I don’t wanna miss it!” Odessa kept moving. You made it back to the table and Danny was sitting there, in the same chair he’d been in all night. But Jake was gone. You asked where he went and Danny told you must have been in the bathroom. You sat down, confused at what was going on.

Before you could make another inquiry, Sammy’s fingers hit the keyboard, a soft melody floating from the amp it was plugged into. You recognized the song immediately. Then came Josh’s haunting voice, blanketing the space as he crooned the lyrics. “When the rain is blowing in your face, and the whole world is on your case… I could offer you a warm embrace, to make you feel my love.” You watched as couples around the bar, old and young, stood up and began slow dancing with one another. You looked around the area for Jake, wanting nothing than to hold him in your arms and sway with him.

You looked at Danny and Odessa, standing beside the table. He had his arms around her, her back to his chest as they rocked back and forth and you felt a pang through your chest. Odessa caught your eyes and gave you a sympathetic look. You stood up, ready to make your way outside for a breath of air, but something stopped you. Another voice replaced Josh’s and you whipped your head around, searching for him. Jake. His voice carried through the room but you couldn’t find him and then, suddenly, he was there. Standing in front of the stage, gazing at you as he sang. “I know you haven’t made your mind up yet, but I will never do you wrong… I’ve known it from the moment that we met, no doubt in my mind where you belong…” Tears flooded your eyes as you stared at him, completely stunned. Josh carefully harmonized with his twin, being sure to give Jake the spotlight. The people who stood between you and him slowly parted, giving you a clear line of sight to each other. You stayed planted in place, afraid to move out of fear that this was a dream you could wake from at any moment. But that didn’t stop Jake. He took one step closer, then two, three, closing the distance. “I could make you happy, make your dreams come true… Nothing that I wouldn’t do. Go to the ends of the earth for you, to make you feel my love…” He was standing in front of you now, taking your hand in his. You tears were flowing fast, streaming down your cheeks in full force. He just smiled at you, singing the last line, “To make you feel my love.” Your eyes blew wide as he dropped to his knee, realized he was holding your left hand, his thumb brushing over the ring finger. A collection of gasps from the surrounding people filled the air. You kept your eyes on his, unable to speak as Sam let his key notes fade to silence. Everyone stayed quiet and you held your breath as the tears dripped down your face. “Y/N. My love.” He let Daniel take the mic from his hand and replace it with something else. You wished you could see him clearly, but your watering eyes made it hard. “From the very second I set eyes on you, I knew…” He paused, taking a deep breath to compose himself. You could tell he was getting just as choked up as you were. “I knew that I’d never want, never need anyone else. For the rest of my days, it’s you. Forever, baby.” He held the ring up, letting it shine under the dim bar lighting. You didn’t give him a chance to ask the question as you flung your arms around him, burying your face in his neck. He fell backwards as he caught you, landing on his ass. He laughed holding you tightly. Your favorite laugh. “Is that a yes”

You pulled away and saw his eyes shining with tears as well. You nodded fast as he cupped your face, wiping your cheeks. “Eternal, baby.” He flashed you his perfect smile and pulled you into a kiss. The entire room burst into a fit of whoops and claps as everyone cheered and shouted congratulatory sentiments. You finally stood, helping Jake from the floor and allowed him to slide the ring onto your finger. Admiring it for a few moments, your body felt warm. It still felt like a dream, too perfect, like it could be ripped away from you at any minute. You looked back to Jake, “I love you, Jacob Thomas Kiszka. I love you so much.” You reached up, brushing the single tear from his eye and pressed your lips to his again, holding on to this moment. Memorizing every granular detail for safekeeping in your memories.

Once it felt like the world finally started moving again, Sam and Josh and Danny and Dess were there, surrounding you. Josh pulled his twin into a tight hug while Odessa grabbed at your hand, examining the simple, dainty ring with a teardrop diamond. Your cheeks hurt from smiling so hard. Sammy wrapped you in a bear hug, so suffocatingly tight. And then Danny was next as Sam moved to Jake. Josh was the last one to step up to you and he looked like he’d been crying himself. “You know he threw this all together this morning, right?”

“This just doesn’t feel real, Josh.” You leaned into him, laying your head on his shoulder as you watched Jake. His smile was grand, splitting over his cheeks and forcing his eyes to crinkle. Your heart felt so full, like it was going to burst with the amount of love you had for him. It couldn’t have been a more perfect moment, surrounded by the people that you loved most. The only person missing was your brother. You lifted your head, pulling your phone from your back pocket, “I need to call my brother.”

“I’ll let you have a minute, mama.” Josh went back to Jake’s side, clapping him on the shoulder.

You watched them laugh together for a few seconds before unlocking your phone. There was a message notification and you clicked on it, before opening your contact list. Your face twisted into a grimace when you saw her name over the unread message. You almost just deleted it, but a nagging feeling was rising in your chest as your thumb hovered over the thread. Shaking the feeling away, you clicked, curious as to what she had to say. Your jaw clenched as you read over the message again and again, willing it to say something else. Anything else. When you looked up to Jake, his smile dropped, seeing the blood drain from your face. He broke away from Josh, rushing over to you. His voice was muffled as he asked you what was wrong. You couldn’t answer him, stuck in an odd state of shock. He took the phone from your hand as you stared blankly ahead and found the cause of your shift in demeanor. A single text message.

Sage 8:57pm: It’s Sage. i’m pregnant.

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🤍Taglist🤍

@gvfpal @takenbythemadness @ohgodthefeeling-gvf @mybussyinchrist @alwaysonthemend @objectsinspvce @wetkleenex-gvf @myleftsock @everyglowinthetwilightknows @ppoutine @aintthatapity @sinarainbows @anythingforjtk @ohyoufancyhuh @montenegroisr @gvf23 @ageofbajabule @sacredmachine @ieatedsammy @seditabets @gretavansara @starcatcher-jake @hellowgoodbye

[the-possum-writes]

Hiiii!! I just finished watching AT again, and i been loking for some FinnxReaderxFern fics, and i read ur at content and i just love it.So i was hopping if i could request a fic where Finn and Fern has this, confrontation? Jelousy talk? about each other's feelings about reader!!

You can Say no if you don't wanna do it, but i would really apreciated<3.

[Confronting their feelings about you]

❥Character(s): Finn, Fern

❥Tags: SFW, canon typical violence, expressing emotions, gender neutral pronouns for the reader

 ❥Synopsis: What started as a simple afternoon dedicated to cleaning turned into a short lived but intense knife fight when you came up as a conversation topic.

 ❥Wordcount: 1000

❥A/N: I want this gress boy to heal so i'll take whatever chance i get to write him learning to overcome his Finn jelousy.

❥Taglist: @foxpearlwilder

Today is a typical day for the guys; a knife storm has just passed, so they are calmly brushing away the residual weaponry from clogging the top of the treefort, like they do when there is hail or dry tree leaves. "There's less daggers compared to last time, makes ya wonder why huh Fern?" During the cleanup, Finn speaks aloud, the idea circling through his mind a few times

"Hmm, probably because of climate change." Fern disputes bluntly.

Finn pauses in his sweeping to glance up at the sky, contemplating to himself before offering his own two cents. "Or is it because the knife god is dissatisfied with the number of swords and knives forged this year? That the sword-smiths probably have a secret society where they sacrifice things in exchange for good materials." The longer the human boy rambles, the more Fern is interested by the explanation and begins unironically contributing his own perspective.

"What if the knife god sends us knives to test if they're nice and sharp?" The offer compels Fern to stop sweeping as well, although his reason for doing so is more of a curiosity to see if his human brother can figure out what he is thinking about. With them still being the same guy, Finn shares that challenging expression in his eye.

Fern swoops down and throws a knife at Finn, but the boy rolls to the side and retrieves a knife from the ground just in time to deflect the second knife thrown at him. Fern attempts to continue throwing blades at his playmate, but he only draws closer in range, forcing Fern to sidestep the pointy jabs directed at him as he grabs his own knife, and they begin sparring right there with the brooms long forgotten. They go at it for a while till Finn notices the sun leaning over the horizon and remembers something.

"Okay okay that's enough, let's wrap this up before the sun goes down."

"Got somewhere to go?" Fern asks as he hops from side to side, still energized from the spar.

"Yeup, a friend wants to collect kelp samples for a college project and I promised I'd help."

"Kelp samples?" Hah! That's boring..." His smile faded. "Wait.. you talking about the biology student that's always cooped up at Turtle P's library?"

Finn confirms, "That's the one." While the human boy skipped happily at the thought of you, Fern's jaw tightened as he felt an unpleasant stir in his chest. Finn had his back to Fern and was in the process of picking up his fallen broom when a knife imbedded itself just next him, missing his palm by only an inch.

"Who knowsss what kind of trouble you'll sstumble into when you're out there collecting kelp sssamples, you could get ambushed by kelpies or banditsss," the grass boy explains with a low tone and a snake whisp in his tongue before his voice shifted back to normal. "They are my friend too! and the last thing I want is to find out they got hurt because you weren't able to help. Now, pick up that knife and show me you can protect them from anyone and anything."

Finn considers the challenge, normally he'd never say no to one but he's grown familiar enough with Fern's mood swings to know it's that darn octopus messing up his head again, but if there's any best way to get it out of his system it's by sparring. With that goal in mind, Finn acepts the challenge even though it means fighting Fern when he's at his "most intense". The duel starts just like the previous one but the longer it went on the more Finn came to realize it no longer had the same playful approach as before, it became all the more apparent whenever Fern purposely scratches at him every time he left opening rather than playfully bump him with the butt of the dagger.

"They're my friend I'd never let anything happen to them!" Finn grinds his teeth as their blades collide.

"I knew them way before you did, i was gonna ask them out... before..." Fern stutters for a second, giving Finn the opportunity to kick him in the back of the knee and knock him down.

"Before you turned into a sword right?" Despite the takedown, Finn's tone softens as he assists his brother in standing up. "So that's what has you all jumbled up. Fern, remember what I said about bottling up your feelings?"

"That I should use my words." He nods like a scolded child.

"How about you share'em with me?" Finn held Fern in hug before giving him a much needed squooze.

Fern sighs. "You know more than anyone why I like them. And when I heard you were going out with them I guess I got a little jealous."

'Right just a bit,' Finn thought, but didn't dare to speak it out and upset his grass bro. "Have you considered asking them out yet?" The human youngster suggests, "You know, like on an actual date and not just collect samples." It sounds simple enough to him, but Fern's inner struggle makes it not so simple.

"I did. But after the whole "I turned into a sword and then the grass disaster," I had a feeling that they wouldn't even want to look at me." Fern deflates and drops down Finn's grip while he explains, but Finn holds him up again.

"Well, you'll never know unless you try it out!"

Fern turned his head in the direction of his human counterpart. "What? But what about YOU? I am sure you have a crush on them."

Finn scratched the back of his neck. "I mean, I do. They're really amazing with the knowledge they have about a bunch of stuff, however... I've already dunked on my other relationships, if anything I'll probably ruin this one too."

For once, Fern sees a part of himself in Finn that isn't just superficial similarities; the hesitance and self-doubt are all too familiar, and despite the little devil inside him telling him to exploit Finn's weakness, he instead tries to encourage him. "Finn, you're a great shot ."

A knock on the door and a doorbell ring from below the tree fort, followed by your familiar voice asking for someone to open it. The two brothers exchange glances before Fern breaks the silence. "How about we each take our shot and let them decide?" he asks, offering a peace deal with a handshake.

"Sounds good."